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Biomedical subjects

C Ciacci

Publications and source records attributed to C Ciacci.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

In vitro and in vivo effects of heavy metals on mussel digestive gland hexokinase activity: the role of glutathione.

Hexokinase (E.C. 2.7.1.1), the enzyme responsible for glucose phosphorylation to G-6P, is inactivated by SH reagents and oxyradicals, and its inhibition has been involved in heavy metal toxicity in mammalian systems. In this work, the possibility that hexokinase activity could be affected by both heavy metal binding and oxidative stress conditions also in mussel tissues (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam.) was investigated. The results obtained in vitro demonstrate that heavy metals inhibited digestive gland hexokinase (with Cd2+ > Cu2+ > Hg2+ > Zn2+ > Pb2+) and suggest a role for GSH in the protection against the heavy metal effects. Hexokinase activity was also reduced by addition of iron/ascorbate, indicating a susceptibility of the enzyme to metal-mediated oxyradical production. The effects of Cu2+ treatment (3 days, 40 micrograms l-1 per animal) on hexokinase activity and on the GSH/GSSG status were then evaluated in mussels exposed to a cycle of air exposure/reimmersion. In Cu-exposed mussels, a significant decrease in hexokinase activity and a parallel reduction in tissue GSH levels were observed, suggesting that the two effects of metal treatment could be related; however, hexokinase activity progressively recovered during air exposure and reimmersion, whereas the level of GSH showed a further decrease during air exposure followed by recovery after reimmersion. The in vitro results therefore indicate that mussel digestive gland hexokinase is susceptible to inactivation by heavy metal binding and suggest a role for GSH in the protection against the effects of heavy metals. The effects of copper were confirmed by the results obtained in vivo. The possible relationship between hexokinase activity and the level of GSH in the digestive gland of control and Cu-exposed mussels during air exposure and reimmersion are discussed, taking into account the balance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant processes at different stages of exposure.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Depressive symptoms in adult coeliac disease.

BACKGROUND: Psychic symptoms and depression have been reported in coeliac disease (CD). The aim of this study was to explore depression in a large cohort of adult CD patients. METHODS: Depressive symptoms were evaluated in 92 adult coeliacs, 100 normal controls (NC), and 48 chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH) patients by means of a modified version of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (M-SDS). CD patients were evaluated for the level of knowledge about CD and the compliance with diet. RESULTS: The M-SDS score differentiated CD patients from NC. Age at diagnosis and duration of and compliance with diet did not correlate with depression. Three main factors could be identified with the M-SDS: 'reactiveness', 'pessimism', and 'anhedonic-asthenic'. CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms are a feature of CD; they are present to a similar extent in patients with childhood- and adulthood-diagnosed CD. The results underline the relevance of personal psychologic resources, which play a fundamental role in determining and sustaining depression.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Esophageal impairment in adult celiac disease with steatorrhea.

OBJECTIVE: A high prevalence of reflux esophagitis in celiac children and gut motor disorders in adult patients have been described. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of esophageal symptoms and the esophageal motility pattern in adult celiac patients before and after gluten-free diet. METHODS: In 22 consecutive adult celiac patients, before and after gluten-free diet, and in controls we calculated an esophageal symptom score regarding heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, and chest pain, and performed esophageal manometry using a constantly perfused multilumen catheter. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups: with and without steatorrhea. Before gluten-free diet, the prevalence of esophageal symptoms was 45.5 % in all patients, but was significantly higher in patients with steatorrhea than in those without and in 44 control subjects (80% vs 16.7% and 27%, p < 0.05). Lower esophageal sphincter pressure was 17.5+/-5.3 in all patients, but was significantly lower in patients with steatorrhea than in patients without steatorrhea and 11 controls subjects (13.1+/-4.1 vs 21.0+/-2.9 and 20.7+/-3.7 mm Hg (mean+/-SD, p < 0.05). After the diet, the prevalence of esophageal symptoms diminished in all patients (9% vs 45.4%, p < 0.05) and lower esophageal sphincter pressure, measured in 13 patients, increased (19.0+/-3.7 vs 15.7+/-5.3 mm Hg, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adult celiac patients with steatorrhea present a higher prevalence of esophageal symptoms and a lowered lower esophageal sphincter pressure compared with celiac patients without steatorrhea and control subjects, but these phenomena can be reverted to control levels by gluten-free diet.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Sexual behaviour in untreated and treated coeliac patients.

BACKGROUND: Sexual behaviour is often altered in chronic illness. AIM: To evaluate sexual behaviour in coeliac patients before and after treatment with a gluten-free diet. PATIENTS: Fifty-five adults with coeliac disease and 51 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. METHODS: Routine clinical and laboratory work-up was used for diagnosis of coeliac disease. Age of first sexual intercourse, prevalence of individuals who were sexually active, frequency of intercourse, reduction in sexual desire, difficulty in attaining orgasm, pain during intercourse, and prevalence of individuals defining themselves as satisfied with their sexual life were investigated by an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire administered before and after one year's treatment with a gluten-free diet in coeliac patients, and only once in controls. Analyses included clinical conditions, demographic and socio-economic data. RESULTS: Compared with controls, untreated coeliac patients had a significantly lower frequency of intercourse and a lower prevalence of individuals satisfied with their sexual life. Patients with overt and subclinical coeliac disease did not show significant differences for any indices of sexual behaviour. Compared with untreated conditions, coeliac patients after one year of treatment had improved values for all indices of sexual behaviour: differences were significant for frequency of intercourse and prevalence of individuals satisfied with their sexual life. CONCLUSION: Untreated coeliac disease, even in its subclinical presentation, is associated with disorders in sexual behaviour which are improved by the dietary treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Effects of epidermal growth factor on isolated digestive gland cells from mussels.

Effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and possible mechanisms of EGF-mediated signal transduction were investigated in isolated cells of the digestive gland of the mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. ). EGF induced a cytosolic Ca2+ transient and subsequently stimulated DNA synthesis; both effects were dose-dependent in the nanomolar range and inhibited by pretreatment with an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase activity, suggesting specific EGFR-like receptors. The EGF-induced cytosolic Ca2+ transient was mainly due to a Ca2+ influx through the plasma membrane, possibly involving voltage-insensitive Ca2+ channels. Such a Ca2+ response was abolished by pretreatment with indomethacin and NDGA, inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism; similarly, the EGF-stimulated increase in DNA synthesis was significantly reduced. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, had the greatest effect on both EGF-induced responses. Results suggest the presence of EGF-responsive cells in the mussel digestive gland. A possible role for arachidonic acid and its metabolites in mediating the effects of EGF is also indicated.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effects of dietary treatment on bone mineral density in adults with celiac disease: factors predicting response.

OBJECTIVE: Conflicting evidence is reported about the effect of treatment on bone mineral density (BMD) in adults with celiac disease (CD). This study analyzed the effects on BMD induced by treatment with a calcium-rich, gluten-free diet in adults with nonsilent CD. METHODS: In 30 women and 11 men with newly diagnosed CD, BMD was measured at the right femur (femoral neck and right Ward's triangle) and the lumbar spine by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry under untreated conditions (pretreatment) and after 1-yr treatment with a calcium-rich, gluten-free diet. RESULTS: On average, posttreatment BMD was greater than pretreatment BMD at the lumbar spine (mean +/- SE: 0.907 +/- 0.028 and 0.795 +/- 0.028 g/cm2, respectively; p < 0.001), the femoral neck (0.818 +/- 0.023 and 0.741 +/- 0.030 g/cm2, respectively; p = 0.002), and the Ward's triangle (0.703 +/- 0.025 and 0.654 +/- 0.025 g/cm2, respectively; p < 0.001). The greatest BMD change (percent of baseline) was observed at the lumbar spine (+14.1%), the smallest at the Ward's triangle (+7.5%). In the absence of appropriate controls, the BMD change expected in the patients under untreated conditions was estimated by regressing pretreatment BMD over duration of CD with control for gender and age at which CD became clinically evident. The regression coefficient of this analysis indicated that 1 yr of untreated CD was associated with a BMD decrease at the lumbar spine by 0.00570 g/cm2 (95% confidence interval -0.0103 to -0.0011 g/cm2). The 95% confidence interval of the treatment-induced change in BMD at the lumbar spine (+0.060 to +0.160 g/cm2) did not overlap the 95% confidence interval of the BMD change expected under untreated conditions. A large interindividual variability was observed in the BMD response to the treatment: in univariate and multivariate analyses, the treatment-induced change in BMD was significantly related to gender (greater in women than in men) and to pretreatment age and BMD. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that BMD is increased by dietary treatment of CD in most but not all adult patients; pretreatment BMD, gender, and pretreatment age predict the bone response after a 1-yr treatment.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1997

Salt intake, urinary sodium, and hypercalciuria.

Several studies have reported that high sodium (Na) intake increases not only urinary Na but also urinary calcium (Ca), suggesting that high Na intake could be involved in the pathogenesis of hypercalciuria. No research data are available on the relationship of Na intake to the prevalence of hypercalciuria within the general population. Moreover, it is not clear if Na intake relates only to urinary Ca or also to other indices of Ca homeostasis, including intestinal Ca absorption. In the present paper, two distinct studies addressed these points using 24-hour urinary Na as an index of salt intake in individuals on their habitual unrestricted free diet. Study 1 analyzed the relationship between 24-hour urinary Na and hypercalciuria (24-hour urinary Ca > or = 7.5 mmol in men, > or = 6.25 mmol in women) in a population sample of 203 men and women, aged 20-59 years. Study 2 analyzed the relationship between 24-hour urinary Na and intestinal strontium (Sr) absorption, used as an index of intestinal Ca absorption, urinary (24-hour and fasting) and plasma Ca, and plasma parathyroid hormone in 36 healthy men and women, aged 18-65 years. Within the population sample (study 1), 24-hour urinary Na was directly and significantly correlated with prevalence of hypercalciuria when controlling for gender, age, weight, and urinary creatinine: the relationship was continuous and linear for urinary Na ranging between 40 and 200 mmol/24 h. In the 36 volunteers (study 2), 24-hour urinary Na was related to 24-hour and fasting urinary Ca (p < 0.001) but not to intestinal Sr absorption: the relationship between 24-hour urinary Na and urinary Ca (both 24 h and fasting) was also significant, controlling for other variables. The results indicate that in adults on their habitual diet, urinary Na, which reflects dietary salt intake, correlates with the prevalence of hypercalciuria independently of intestinal Ca absorption and mainly via renal mechanisms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Histamine H2-receptor antagonists stimulate proliferation but not migration of human gastric mucosal cells in vitro.

Gastric mucosal cell migration and proliferation are crucial events in the repair of gastric mucosal erosions. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the H2 blockers roxatidine and ranitidine might stimulate migration and proliferation of gastric mucous cells derived from a human well-differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma cell line (MKN 28 cells) in vitro, in conditions independent of systemic factors and of acid inhibition. Confluent monolayers of MKN 28 cells were wounded with a razor blade and were then incubated with roxatidine or ranitidine. The number of cells migrating to the damaged area was determined 24 hr later. Cell proliferation was assessed by means of [3H] thymidine uptake and cell counts after incubation with roxatidine or ranitidine. Neither H2 antagonist significantly stimulated cell migration. On the other hand, cell proliferation was dose-dependently and significantly enhanced by incubation with roxatidine and ranitidine. Exogenous administration of TGF-alpha significantly stimulated MKN 28 cell division. However, incubation with roxatidine or ranitidine did not increase the steady-state mRNA expression of TGF-alpha or EGFR as assessed by northern blot analysis. Based on these in vitro findings, we postulate that the ulcer healing effect of these H2 antagonists in vivo might be due in part to stimulation of gastric mucosal cell proliferation.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

The arthritis of coeliac disease: prevalence and pattern in 200 adult patients.

Arthritis has often been alluded to as an extra-intestinal clinical manifestation of coeliac disease, but definitive data regarding its prevalence are still lacking. We therefore evaluated the overall prevalence of articular involvement in 200 consecutive adult coeliac patients attending routine gastroenterology follow-up and in 40 controls, and determined whether the prevalence and pattern of articular involvement varied according to the dietary status. An arthritis was present in 26% of patients and in 7.5% of controls, prevalences ranging from 41% in patients on a regular diet to 21.6% in patients on a gluten-free diet (P < 0.005). Arthritis was peripheral in 19 patients, axial in 15 and an overlap of both in 18 subjects. These data suggest that arthritis is much more common than previous reports have indicated, particularly in patients receiving an appropriate dietary regimen, and support the need for combined gastrointestinal and rheumatological follow-up in coeliac patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Effect of Helicobacter pylori on gastric epithelial cell migration and proliferation in vitro: role of VacA and CagA.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with inflammation of the gastric mucosa and with gastric mucosal damage. In this study, we sought to test the hypothesis that two H. pylori virulence factors (VacA and CagA) impair gastric epithelial cell migration and proliferation, the main processes involved in gastric mucosal healing in vivo. Human gastric epithelial cells (MKN 28) were incubated with undialyzed or dialyzed broth culture filtrates from wild-type H. pylori strains or isogenic mutants defective in production of VacA, CagA, or both products. We found that (i) VacA specifically inhibited cell proliferation without affecting cell migration, (ii) CagA exerted no effect on either cell migration or proliferation, and (iii) undialyzed H. pylori broth culture filtrates inhibited both cell migration and proliferation through a VacA- and CagA-independent mechanism. These findings demonstrate that, in addition to damaging the gastric mucosa, H. pylori products may also impair physiological processes required for mucosal repair.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed1996

Celiac disease and pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of gluten-free diet on pregnancy outcome and lactation in 125 women affected with celiac disease. METHODS: The study has been designed as a case-control study and a before-after study. RESULTS: In the case-control study, comparison of 94 untreated with 31 treated celiac women indicated that the relative risk of abortion was 8.90 times higher (95% confidence limits: 1.19/66.3), the relative risk of low birth weight baby was 5.84 times higher (90% confidence limits: 1.07/31.9), and duration of breast feeding was 2.54 times shorter (p < 0.001) in untreated mothers. Abortion, low birth weight of baby, and duration of breast feeding did not significantly relate to the severity of celiac disease among untreated women. In the before-after study, 12 pregnant celiac women in either treated or untreated condition were compared. Results indicated that the gluten-free diet reduced the relative risk of abortion by 9.18 times (95% confidence limits: 1.05/79.9), reduced the number of low birth weight babies from 29.4% down to zero (p < 0.05), and increased duration of breast feeding 2.38 times (p < 0.10). Both case-control and before-after studies indicated that threatened abortion and premature delivery did not significantly relate to treatment of celiac disease. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of abortion, of low birth weight babies, and of short breast-feeding periods is effectively corrected by gluten-free diet in women with celiac disease.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1995

Gender and clinical presentation in adult celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Celiac disease may present in various forms. This study aimed to investigate whether gender affects the clinical presentation of the disease in adult celiac patients from the Mediterranean area. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzes data collected in all adult patients with celiac disease (n = 195) seen during the past 13 years at the Gastrointestinal Unit of the Federico II University of Naples, Italy. RESULTS: In these series of patients the ratio of women to men was 3.33. Age at diagnosis was lower in women that in men (p < 0.05). Except for asthenia, all signs and symptoms were more frequent in women than in men. Hypochromic anemia was the most commonest finding in women and was 40% more frequent in women than in men (p < 0.001). Dyspepsia was twice as frequent in women as in men (p < 0.05); genital disorders were reported by 44% of women and by no men. Recent weight loss or low body mass index was the commonest finding in men. About 60% of men and women reported diarrhea; among patients without diarrhea, the prevalence of hypochromic anemia differed between sexes (p < 0.05), occurring in about 80% of women. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the clinical presentation of celiac disease is not the same in men and women. The disease is not only more frequent in women than in men but is also more severe and more rapid. The data also suggest the need to look for celiac disease in patients with unexplained hypochromic anemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Hypocalciuria in overt and subclinical celiac disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate indices of calcium (Ca) homeostasis in celiac disease (CD). METHODS: Urinary Ca excretion rate, intestinal absorption of strontium (Sr) (used as index of intestinal Ca absorption), and other variables related to these end points were measured in newly diagnosed, untreated adult patients (n = 32) with overt and subclinical CD and compared with those of healthy controls (n = 27). Subclinical CD was defined by the absence of diarrhea (> or = 3 bowel movements/24 h), steatorrhea (fecal fat excretion > 6 g/24 h), and low body mass index (weight/height, kg/m2 < 21). RESULTS: Compared with controls, untreated celiac patients had 2 x lower Ca excretion (p < 0.0001) in 24-h and overnight urine (fed condition) but normal Ca excretion in urine samples collected under fasting (2-h) condition; the increase in urinary Ca excretion from fast to fed condition was 4 x lower in untreated celiac patients (p < 0.0001). Patients with overt and subclinical CD did not have significantly different urinary Ca excretion rates. Sr absorption rate was 45% lower in untreated patients than controls (p < 0.0001). Patients with overt and subclinical CD did not have significantly different Sr absorption rates. Sr absorption rate (r = 0.576, p < 0.0001) related to the increase in urinary Ca excretion from fast to fed condition. In celiac patients, 24-h urinary Ca excretion increased by 52% (p < 0.0001) over baseline after 6 months of gluten-free diet, and urinary Ca excretion under fasting condition did not significantly change. CONCLUSIONS: Overt and subclinical CD is associated with low urinary Ca excretion under fed condition, which relates to low intestinal absorption.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Transforming growth factor beta regulation of migration in wounded rat intestinal epithelial monolayers.

BACKGROUND: In vitro studies have suggested that transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) plays an important role in the regulation of proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells, effecting strong inhibition of proliferation in intestinal epithelial cell lines. Studies were undertaken to assess its role in repair after injury using an in vitro wounding model. METHODS: Wounds were created in confluent monolayers of the intestinal epithelial cell line of IEC-6. Exogenous TGF-beta 1, conditioned media from wounded IEC-6 cultures, or control media were added. Restitution was quantified as the number of cells migrating across the wound edge. Proliferation was assessed by uptake of bromodeoxyuridine and thymidine incorporation. RESULTS: Although TGF-beta was a potent inhibitor of proliferation, it promoted rapid "healing" of the monolayers through stimulation of migration of cells across the wound margin. The physiological importance of this activity was supported by the demonstration that conditioned medium from IEC-6 cells stimulated repair of the wounded monolayers. Effects of the conditioned medium could be entirely blocked by immunoneutralizing anti-TGF-beta antisera. Further, addition of protease inhibitors (aprotinin, epsilon-aminocaproic acid) that prevented the bioactivation of latent TGF-beta secreted by the IEC-6 cells also ablated the effect of the conditioned medium. In addition, expression of TGF-beta 1 messenger RNA was significantly enhanced in the wounded monolayers. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that TGF-beta may play an important role in reconstitution of epithelial integrity after mucosal injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Functional interleukin-2 receptors on intestinal epithelial cells.

The presence of receptors for the cytokine IL-2 was assessed in the IEC-6 cell line established from normal rat crypt epithelium and primary intestinal epithelial cells. 125I-IL-2 was found to specifically bind to subconfluent IEC-6 cells. Maximal binding was observed within 30 min after addition of the ligand; binding could be inhibited by excess unlabeled IL-2 or addition of antibody to the IL-2 receptor. Both intermediate and low affinity receptors with approximate Kd of 10 and 100 pM, respectively were present. Kinetic analysis were consistent with the results of Western blot analysis using an antisera to the 75-kD IL-2 receptor beta chain. IL-2 receptors appeared to be functional; addition of IL-2 led to modulation of proliferation with initial stimulation at 24 h followed by inhibition at 48 h. This effect could be blocked by addition of antibody to the IL-2 receptor beta chain. IL-2 treatment could be shown to enhance expression (range = 4- to 50-fold stimulation) of TGF-beta, as well as the lectin protein mac-2, in IEC-6 cells. The relevance of observations in the IEC-6 cell line to intestinal mucosa in vivo was supported by the demonstration of a gradient of expression of the IL-2 receptor in primary rat intestinal epithelial cells by Western blot analysis. In addition, mRNA for the IL-2 receptor-beta chain was demonstrated by Northern blot analysis using mRNA from primary rat intestinal epithelial cells depleted of detectable contaminating intraepithelial lymphocytes by two cycles of fractionation on Percoll gradients. Collectively, these observations suggest that the range of cellular targets of the putative lymphokine IL-2 is broader than appreciated, and IL-2 may serve to integrate epithelial and lymphocyte responses in the intestinal mucosa.

Animals↗