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Biomedical subjects

C Ferri

Publications and source records attributed to C Ferri.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Effects of short-time insulin suppression on renal sodium excretion in type II diabetic hypertensives.

The effects of a short-time insulin suppression on Na+ excretion were evaluated in 9 type II diabetic hypertensive males. All patients had a body mass index < 26 and normal plasma lipid levels. After 2 weeks under constant NaCl intake (120 mEq of NaCl daily) either octreotide, a somatostatin analogue, or its vehicle were infused in a forearm vein during acute volume expansion (0.20 ml/kg/min isotonic saline given intravenously over a period of 30 min). A double blind randomized cross-over design was followed, and each patient was given both infusions at one week interval. Blood and urine samples for the evaluation of plasma insulin and serum and urine Na+ were taken at time-30, 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 min. Our data showed that octreotide completely suppressed insulin levels (from time 0 to 60 min). During acute volume expansion+octreotide, Na+ excretion was 0.20 +/- 0.15 mEq/min at time 0, 0.23 +/- 0.21 mEq/min at time 30, 0.64 +/- 0.24 mEq/min at 60 (p < 0.05 vs time 0), 0.71 +/- 0.35 mEq/min at 90 (p < 0.05 vs time 0), 0.78 +/- 0.10 mEq/min at 120 (p < 0.01 vs time 0) and 0.71 +/- 0.12 mEq/min at 240 min (p < 0.05 vs time 0). As compared to acute volume expansion alone, octreotide induced a significant increase of Na+ excretion at 60 and 90 min (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a short-time insulin suppression, as obtained by the somatostatin analogue octreotide, enhances the natriuretic response to intravenous saline load in lean type II diabetic hypertensives.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Low-antigen-content diet in the treatment of patients with IgA nephropathy.

Since dietary macromolecular antigens can be involved in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the effect of a low-antigen-content diet was evaluated in 21 patients (10 women, 11 men, mean age 27.7 +/- 10 years) with immunohistochemical findings of active IgAN. The diet was followed for a 14-24-week period (mean 18.8 +/- 6); in all cases the effects of the treatment were evaluated by clinical and serological parameters, and in 11 patients also by repeat renal biopsy. After dietetic therapy a significant reduction of urinary proteins was recorded (P < 0.001); in particular, heavy proteinuria (> 1 g/day), present in 12 cases during the 6 months preceding the treatment, was markedly reduced or disappeared in 11. At post-treatment control biopsy mesangial and parietal deposits of immunoglobulins, complement C5 fraction and fibrinogen were significantly reduced. The improvement of the objective parameters such as heavy proteinuria, a strong predictor of a poor prognosis, and of immunohistochemical alterations indicate that a low-antigen diet can positively affect patients with IgAN. These results could be ascribed to a reduction of nephritogenic food antigen input and to a putative functional restoration of the mononuclear phagocytic system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Slow-releasing nicardipine in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomena without underlying diseases.

Calcium channel blockers have been used in the treatment of primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), and a beneficial effect was often recorded. The efficacy of slow-releasing nicardipine was assessed in a clinically homogeneous series of RP without underlying diseases in a randomized, double blind, cross-over and placebo controlled trial. Out of twenty-one selected patients (18 women and 3 men, mean age 46 +/- 12 yrs) eighteen completed the study and three dropped out, one for inadequate compliance and two due to headache. After a three-week period, slow-releasing nicardipine (20 mg two times daily) was significantly more useful than placebo: the number of RP episodes per week decreased (p less than 0.02), severity of discomfort and hand disability scores, evaluated after single RP attack, clearly improved (p less than 0.005 and p less than 0.02, respectively). According to clinical improvement, time of peak flow after postischemic reactive hyperaemia test was significantly reduced only after nicardipine (p less than 0.01). These results show that slow-releasing nicardipine is generally well tolerated and can provide effective improvement in RP patients without underlying diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Enhanced release of atrial natriuretic factor during exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia in patients after acute myocardial infarction.

To determine whether acute myocardial ischaemia induced by dynamic exercise can lead to changes in plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor, we performed symptom-limited bicycle electrocardiographic tests in 20 males with recent acute myocardial infarction and in 8 control males. Ten patients developed exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia and 10 patients did not. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, site of myocardial infarction, urinary sodium, atrial sizes, radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction, workload, baseline and peak-exercise heart rate, baseline and peak-exercise rate-pressure product, duration of exercise. Also baseline atrial natriuretic factor concentrations were similar in both groups (ischaemic patients: 34.51 +/- 15.73 pg/ml; nonischaemic patients: 27.17 +/- 8.74 pg/ml, NS), while peak-exercise atrial natriuretic factor concentrations were higher in patients with exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia (112.31 +/- 35.5 pg/ml) than in the others (80.46 +/- 23.43 pg/ml) (P less than 0.05). After 15 minutes of recovery, plasma atrial natriuretic factor levels were still raised only in the ischaemic patients (63.3 +/- 15.44 pg/ml, P less than 0.01), returning to baseline after 30 minutes in both groups. In control subjects, the behaviour of atrial natriuretic factor resembled that of the patients without exercise-induced ischaemia, with a significant increase at peak-exercise (from baseline levels of 23.1 +/- 10.5 pg/ml to peak-exercise levels of 91.3 +/- 14.5 pg/ml, P less than 0.0005) and a rapid return to baseline levels after 15 minutes of recovery (28.5 +/- 10.6 pg/ml, NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Natriuretic hormones in young hypertensives and in young normotensives with or without a family history of hypertension.

The behavior of plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and digoxin-like substance (DLS), and the daily urinary excretion of kallikrein (uKK) were evaluated in young hypertensives and in young normotensives with or without a family history of essential hypertension. Each group was also evaluated, separating those with low plasma renin activity from the total sample. The sample group was made up of 75 young males; 31 hypertensives (mean age 22.7 +/- 2.5 years), 28 normotensives with hypertensive heredity (normotensives F+) (mean age 22.2 +/- 1.9 years) and 16 normotensives (mean age 22.0 +/- 2.1 years). An inverse correlation between ANF and PRA was shown in all groups. In hypertensives, ANF was inversely correlated with uKK (r = -0.664, P less than .0001). Plasma ANF (P less than .012) and DLS (P less than .0001) were higher in hypertensives than in normotensives, while uKK excretion was lower (P less than .0001). Plasma levels of DLS were higher in F+ normotensives than in normotensives (P less than .003). Low renin hypertensives showed the lowest uKK excretion (P less than .0001 v normal-high renin hypertensives). Furthermore, low renin hypertensives showed the highest plasma levels of ANF (P less than .0001 v normal high renin hypertensives) and DLS (P less than .012 v normal-high renin hypertensives). Plasma ANF (P less than .0001) was higher, while uKK was lower (P less than .045) in low renin F+ normotensives than in normal-high renin ones. In conclusion, our data indicate that plasma ANF and DLS are elevated since the early phase of hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effects of high altitude exposure on plasma and urinary digoxin-like immunoreactive substance.

Six young healthy subjects underwent a 20 day exposure to altitude, at 4930 m (16,174 ft), to evaluate possible plasma and urine digoxin-like immunoreactive substance (DLIS) changes accompanying the altered water and electrolyte balance induced by hypoxia. We studied DLIS, plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and arginine vasopressin (ADH) in serial blood and urine samples. An increase in DLIS in plasma (P less than .005) and urine (P less than .01) was found, while aldosterone was decreased (P less than .02). PRA, ADH, and ANP did not change significantly. A trend to a greater loss of sodium through urinary excretion, correlated with urinary DLIS values (r = 0.47, P less than .01), was observed. Data suggest a possible important role of DLIS in adaptive response of human organism to high altitude.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

23Na-NMR study of cation cotransport in human red blood cells.

Na(+)-K+ cotransport in human erythrocytes from healthy subjects has been studied by means of 23Na-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in the presence of the anionic paramagnetic shift reagent dysprosium (III) tripolyphosphate [Dy(PPP)2(7-)]. The intra- and extracellular 23Na-NMR signals were well separated, giving values of 6 +/- 1 mM for internal sodium concentration. Determination of the furosemide-sensitive Na+ efflux, in the presence of ouabain, was obtained by correlating the chemical shift variation of the external signal with changes in external Na+ concentration. For this purpose, calibration curves were generated. The values of the maximum efflux velocity (Vmax; 0.29-1 mmol.h-1.l cells-1) measured in 10 healthy adult male subjects were found to be within the range of values obtained by other authors. The NMR method proposed for the study of Na(+)-K+ cotransport is relatively simple and allows quick evaluation of cotransport Vmax values for a number of samples, being a good candidate for the study of this transport mechanism in the presence of different pathologies.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1992

The prognostic significance of DNA ploidy pattern in transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and ureter: continuing follow-up.

Among 190 patients operated on for transitional cell cancer of the renal pelvis and/or ureter from 1976 to 1990, 95 had their tumor studied by flow cytometry. Of these, the prognostic significance of the DNA ploidy pattern with respect to the standard pathologic features was assessed in a retrospective analysis, where survival information were updated to October 1991 and the mean follow-up of patients exceeded 5.5 years (longest follow-up: 15.5 years). Five and ten-year survival probabilities for the whole group were, respectively, 65.5 and 51%. Patients with a diploid tumor had significantly better survival rates than patients with tetraploid/aneuploid cancer (p less than 0.00001). The impact of the DNA ploidy on survival was confirmed by a multivariate analysis of prognostic factors, where only tumor grade (p less than 0.0001), tumor stage (p less than 0.0001), number of neoplastic foci (p = 0.022) and nuclear DNA pattern (p less than 0.068) had a significant influence on survival. In the group of patients with low-stage (pTa-pT1) and low-grade (G1-G2) transitional cell cancer of the upper urinary tract, the DNA analysis was unable to identify any subset of patients at higher risk for disease progression.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗
PubMed1992

Antinuclear antibody profile in Italian patients with connective tissue diseases.

In the present work we report data on the specificity of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in a large series of Italian patients suffering from a broad spectrum of connective tissue diseases (CTD), by using a series of homogeneous and validated techniques. The present study confirms, on the one hand, generally accepted concepts, i.e. that certain autoantibodies are strictly associated to certain disease states (such as anti-PCNA and anti-Sm in systemic lupus erythematosus, Jo 1 in polymyositis, and ACA and Scl-70 in scleroderma); the presence of 'marker' antibodies is, however, restricted to a relative minority of CTD patients. The application of a new methodological approach that considers the entire profile of ANA can greatly augment their diagnostic relevance and may provide useful indications for their interpretation, allowing us to establish for the first time the diagnostic usefulness not only of marker autoantibodies but also of certain associations between non-marker autoantibodies. Finally, the application of a more appropriate and powerful statistical tool (multiple correspondence analysis) has further emphasized the clear relationship existing between antibody specificities and certain disease states.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Peripheral neuropathy in mixed cryoglobulinemia: clinical and electrophysiologic investigations.

Peripheral neuropathy has been described in different rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic vasculitis, but usually in limited numbers of patients. Nerve injury is more frequently reported in mixed cryoglobulinemia. In earlier studies generally performed in small series of patients, prevalence of peripheral neuropathy varied widely. We evaluated prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in 33 unselected patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia (25 women, 8 men, aged from 45-71 years). Neurologic involvement was detected using a complete clinical and electrophysiologic assessment, including sensory motor conduction velocities, F wave and H reflex. Neurologic examination revealed a neuropathy in 48% of subjects, while electrophysiologic variables were altered in 82%; a percentage similar to that of subjective symptoms (91%). Among electrophysiologic investigations, F wave was altered in 22/33 subjects (67%); therefore, this variable seems to be the most reliable for the detection of neurologic involvement. Cryocrit levels were significantly higher in patients with peripheral neuropathy: abnormal examination (p less than 0.01), sensory motor conduction (p less than 0.04), and F wave alterations (p less than 0.008). In addition, hemorheological abnormalities seem to contribute to the pathogenesis of nerve injury. Our results indicate that peripheral neuropathy, to a variable degree, is present in the majority of patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia, and a complete clinical and electrophysiologic investigation can be useful for an early and correct diagnosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

23Na NMR evaluation of human erythrocytes Na+/K+/CL-cotransport. A study in elderly hypertensives.

The behaviour of sodium transport systems across the cell membrane has been poorly investigated in elderly hypertension. Sodium efflux driven by Na+/K+/Cl-cotransport activity was therefore investigated (using a novel NMR-spectroscopy method) in 5 elderly hypertensive males (mean age 78 +/- 5 years) and 5 normotensive controls (mean age 79 +/- 3 years). In order to exclude any change in cotransport activity secondary to metabolic abnormalities, both patients and controls were non-obese and had normal glucose and lipid metabolisms. The Na+/K+/Cl-cotransport evaluation was performed after three months of pharmacological wash-out, under a diet containing 120 mEq of Na+/day. The resulting data showed that Na+ efflux due to outward Na+/K+/Cl-cotransport was higher in hypertensive group than in the normotensive one (0.50 +/- 0.10 mmol Na+/l cells/hr. vs 0.33 +/- 0.03 mmol Na+/l cells/hr., respectively, p < 0.05). Intracellular Na+ content was similar in both groups. At variance with previous data from the literature, our findings indicate that the Na+/K+/Cl-cotransport activity is elevated in elderly hypertensives.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Cardiac and renal sodium-modulating hormones in juvenile arterial hypertension. The physiopathological aspects and therapeutic results of a trial at the Policlinico Militare Celio in Rome].

Sodium balance plays a primary role in blood pressure regulation. Atrial natriuretic peptide, a recently discovered natriuretic substance, seems to participate in renal sodium handling, but its behavior in essential hypertension has not been fully defined. In our study, to avoid the "contamination" of factors other than hypertension, we evaluated the plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide in young men at military draft age. Our main results showed that plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels are higher in young hypertensives with low plasma renin activity and low urinary excretion of active kallikrein. The influence of a positive genetic background for essential hypertension on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels was also investigated. Our data showed slightly elevated levels of the atrial hormone in young normotensives with a family history of hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Lung involvement in systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma treated by plasma exchange.

Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma can present in some patients as pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. Until now ten cases with this particular clinical variant, all men, have been reported in the literature. The knowledge of systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma presenting as lung interstitial involvement is important in clinical practice for an early diagnosis and correct therapeutic strategy. This work reports the clinico-serological features of two further cases, one a woman, of systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma with prevalent lung involvement, and describes the effects of therapeutic plasma exchange.

Female↗
PubMed1992

[Effects of acute and protracted hypoxia on plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor].

Acute hypoxia stimulates the release of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) from isolated rat and rabbit hearts. Increased ANF plasma levels have been found in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia and recently some studies have been conducted on men, with discordant results. The aim of the present study was to verify changes in ANF plasma levels during acute and prolonged hypoxia in young healthy men. We studied 22 subjects (aged 20-28 years, mean 22.7 years) during a simulated exposure to altitude (5000 m) in a hypobaric chamber for 3 hours (A), and 6 subjects (aged 24-51 years, mean 36.5 years) during the scientific expedition to mount Poumori (Nepal 4930 m altitude) with an exposure at maximum altitude for 20 days (B). ANF was measured by the radioimmunoassay method. Results (pg/ml): (A) baseline: 29.4 +/- 18.6; 120 min: 32.0 +/- 17.4 (NS); 180 min: 35.4 +/- 17.1 (p less than 0.05). (B) baseline: 39.6 +/- 13.3; third day: 38.2 +/- 14.1; fifth day: 31.3 +/- 11; seventh day: 29.1 +/- 13.5; tenth day: 32.2 +/- 20.8; fifteenth day: 37.9 +/- 20.2; twentieth day: 34.6 +/- 23.7 (all differences were not significant). In (B) we observed a higher dispersion of values perhaps due to individual variability. The different behaviour of ANF plasma levels in acute and chronic conditions might be due to the adaptive modification of different physiological parameters as loss of plasma volume, natriuresis and attenuation of tissue hypoxia by enhanced erythropoiesis, observed more evidently during prolonged exposure.

Acute Disease↗