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Biomedical subjects

C Casoli

Publications and source records attributed to C Casoli.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Enhancement of erythrocytic adenosine deaminase following treatment of AIDS-related complex/AIDS patients with zidovudine.

The levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA) were determined in the erythrocytes of 10 patients with sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection [five cases with AIDS-related complex (ARC) and five with AIDS] before and after therapy with zidovudine (azidothymidine; AZT). A linear increase in ADA activity was observed during the second and third months of zidovudine treatment, with a final increase of about threefold after 3 months of drug administration. The concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was significantly lower in the erythrocytes of the same group of patients with respect to healthy controls, and a further decrease was noted after 3 months of zidovudine treatment. The results obtained indicate that treatment of ARC/AIDS subjects with zidovudine induces metabolic changes which could be responsible for the development of anaemia, an adverse effect frequently associated with zidovudine therapy.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1988

Prognostic significance of adenosine deaminase determinations in subjects with the lymphoadenopathy syndrome.

The association between human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I) infection and high levels of erythrocyte adenosine deaminase (ADA) has been suggested by Cowan et al [1986]. We have analyzed the specific activities of the same enzyme during different stages of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), including asymptomatic subjects at high risk and patients with lymphoadenopathy syndrome (LAS), AIDS-related complex (ARC), full-blown AIDS, and AIDS encephalopathy (AIDS enc). The ADA activities were significantly higher (P less than .05) in asymptomatic HIV-I serum-positive individuals (13.1 U +/- 1.1) and in different groups of patients (LAS = 23.6 U +/- 10.2; ARC = 23.7 +/- 4.1) than those found in controls (9.5 U +/- 1.8) and in HIV-I serum-negative subjects (10.4 +/- 1.5). In patients with AIDS the mean ADA activity was of 32.3 U +/- 7.1, whereas in two cases with AIDS enc it was of 10 U. A tendency to increase in median ADA values with the progression of the disease was observed. In LAS patients the ADA values presented two distinct subsets falling below and above the cut-off line of 15 U/10(9) erythrocytes, respectively. A specific correlation to drug addition and its duration was observed: LAS subjects who discontinued drug abuse (median addiction time: 3 years) presented ADA values (median = 13 U) that are lower than for addicts (median = 27.2 U; median addiction time = 7 years) and are close to those observed for asymptomatic HIV-I serum-positive group. Evidence was also obtained for a progressive increase of ADA values of LAS patients with disappearance of the product of gag gene. These results suggest that LAS subjects with elevated ADA activities present a longer history of HIV-I infection and a higher probability of developing AIDS.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1988

Different distribution of DNA polymerases alpha and beta in bone marrow and peripheral blood from human leukemia.

An activity gel method was used to analyze the catalytic polypeptides of polymerases alpha and beta in human acute myeloblastic and lymphoblastic leukemia. A 175 kDa alpha-polymerase was found in 85% of bone marrow and in 57% of peripheral blood samples. At variance, a 40 kDa beta-polymerase was found in 94% of peripheral blood and only in 12% of bone marrow samples. No difference in the pattern of polymerase expression was found according to the type of leukemia and the disease status. The role of these enzymes in leukemia and their implications in drug sensitivity are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Enzymatically active forms of reverse transcriptase of the human immunodeficiency virus.

The reverse transcriptase of HIV-1 (AIDS virus) is characterized by the presence of two highly immunogenic proteins of 66 and 51 kD known to be enzymatically active as a complex p66/51. Using an activity gel procedure that allows identification of catalytic polypeptides in situ after PAGE in denaturing conditions, we visualized two major active bands of 66 and 51 kD of reverse transcriptase from highly purified preparations of HIV-1. We show that both p66 and p51 are enzymatically active. An additional active band was also associated with a 165 kD polypeptide, representing about 2-4% of total activity and possibly corresponding to the putative gag-pol precursor. In H9-infected cells the 66 kD active band became visible 70 hours after infection. These studies show that the two major forms of reverse transcriptase (66 and 51 kD) of HIV-1 are independently active and that a higher Mr form of 165 kD is also enzymatically active.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1983

Ph1-positive acute myelocytic leukemia with high TdT levels.

The authors have determined TdT levels in a case of Ph1-positive AML. Peripheral blood cells and bone marrow cells taken during the various phases of the disease were examined. Liquor cells were analyzed when symptomatic central nervous system involvement occurred. High TdT levels were found in all of the phases of the disease including the liquor. TdT eluted at various isoelectric points indicating a shifting of the activity to greater molarity during progress of the disease. Two different forms of TdT were present in the liquor. The authors speculate about the existence of a relation between TdT levels and Ph1-positive leukemia. They point out the importance of TdT levels as functional criterion of remission in acute leukemia. Finally, the existence of different forms of TdT could be the expression of a clonal selection caused by therapy or of a spontaneous clonal competition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) in human foetuses. An immunofluorescent and biochemical study.

The liver, bone marrow and cord blood of 30 human foetuses between the 15th and 21st weeks of gestational age were examined. Liver suspensions were investigated both by immunofluorescent and biochemical assay; cord blood suspensions and bone marrow touches with immunofluorescent assay. The results indicate the existence of a few TdT+ cells in the liver, cord blood and bone marrow of human foetuses in the ages studied. The peaks for each organ were: 15 +/- 1.60 (mean +/- SD) TdT+ cells in the liver, 12 +/- 2 in the bone marrow and 18 +/- 2.83 in the cord blood. In all the organs TdT+ cells decrease in the later weeks. In the liver, the results of the immunofluorescent assay were confirmed by the biochemical activity.

Bone Marrow↗
PubMed1982

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in human fetal tissues.

The authors have investigated terminal deoxynucleotidil transferase (TdT) activity in the spleen, liver and thymus of a human foetus of 23 weeks. TdT significant levels have been found and two different molecular forms were defined in each tissue.

DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Contractile effect of endothelin-2 on the isolated human saphenous vein.

The contractile effect of endothelin-2 was investigated in isolated human saphenous vein preparations. Spare segments taken from revascularized patients were set up in isolated organ chambers and mechanical activity was recorded under isometric conditions. Endothelin-2 (10(-11)-10(-7) M) evoked a dose-dependent contractile response, having the same efficacy as noradrenaline and 100 times its potency. Conversely, the "selective" ETB agonist, C-terminal hexapeptide endothelin (16-21), was completely ineffective. The activity of endothelin-2 was not modified by phentolamine, saralasin and indomethacin, thus excluding a direct or indirect activation of alpha-adrenoceptors and angiotensin receptors as well as the synthesis of cyclooxygenase products. Calcium removal from nutrient fluid depressed, but not fully abolished, the contractile effect of endothelin-2; furthermore, calcium channel blockers, verapamil and nifedipine, produced only a partial inhibition of the endothelin-2-induced contractions. These observations suggest that endothelin-2 induces a direct activation of specific receptors in the saphenous vein muscle and that both intracellular and extracellular calcium pools may be involved in the contractile effect of the peptide.

Calcium↗