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Biomedical subjects

C Ferri

Publications and source records attributed to C Ferri.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Oral administration of extracted kallikrein to patients with essential arterial hypertension].

Reduced kallikrein excretion has been demonstrated in essential hypertension, suggesting an impairment of the renal kallikrein-kinin system. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of oral kallikrein administration (glandular kallikrein derived form porcine pancreas) in 20 essential hypertensives (14 males and 6 females) aged between 34 and 62 years. Kallikrein was administered (150 U.I. three times daily) over a period of eight days, under normal sodium intake (120 mEq of Na+/day). After the kallikrein administration period, urinary kallikrein resulted increased (from 0.9 +/- 0.4 U/24h, normal value greater than 1.2 U/24h, to 1.6 +/- 1 U/24h; p less than 0.05). Blood pressure decreased (systolic: from 154.6 +/- 13.8 mmHg to 140.3 +/- 12.5 mmHg; p less than 0.01--diastolic: from 92.5 +/- 1.5 mmHg to 86 +/- 3.9 mmHg; p less than 0.025), while urinary excretion of sodium (from 96.7 +/- 16 mEq/24h to 119.1 +/- 32.2 mEq/24h; p less than 0.05) and potassium (from 36.7 +/- 11 mEq/24h to 43.5 +/- 12.8 mEq/24h; p less than 0.05) increased after kallikrein administration. We observed only a transient episode of gastric pain. In conclusion, kallikrein administration has a mild hypotensive effect in hypertensive patients, and is generally well tolerated. The antihypertensive action is probably due to the natriuretic effect of kallikrein.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the atrial natriuretic factor and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis induced by maximum exertion in subjects with a recent myocardial infarct].

To examine the effect of exercise-induced myocardial ischemia (EIMI) on atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), plasma renin activity (PRA) and aldosterone (PA), a maximal exercise test in 12 patients with recent acute myocardial infarction (AM) was performed. ANF, PRA and PA were measured by radioimmunoassay at baseline, peak-exercise and at 15 min after recovery. Four patients developed EIMI (group I) and 8 patients did not (group II). ANF increased in all patients from baseline to peak-exercise (27.7 +/- 9.5 pg/mL vs 92.7 +/- 26.7 pg/mL, p less than 0.0005) and it was still elevated 15 min after recovery. Baseline ANF was similar in both groups while at peak-exercise it was higher in group. I than in group II (112 +/- 15 pg/mL vs 82 +/- 26 pg/mL p less than 0.05). After 15 min of recovery, ANF was higher in group I than in group II (67 +/- 20 pg/mL vs 32 +/- 10 pg/mL, p less than 0.01), resulting higher than at baseline only in group I (p less than 0.05). PRA and PA also increased during exercise but their values rose more slowly and were the same in both groups. Thus, ANF, PRA and PA increase during exercise in patients after AMI, and EIMI is associated with higher ANF plasma levels.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effects of active postural inhibition on circulating levels of atrial natriuretic peptide in young hypertensive and normotensive subjects in the presence or absence of positive family history of essential arterial hypertension].

The effect of active changes in posture, from recumbency to up-right position (60 min) on the circulating levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were studied in 52 hypertensive patients, in 30 healthy human subjects and in 24 normotensive subjects with hypertensive parents. At the end of the orthostatic challenge, plasma ANP levels were reduced by about 40% (p less than 0.01) in all subjects without significant differences between the three groups. This indicates that the active postural inhibition of ANP release is substantially similar in the different subjects here studied.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Blood viscosity and filtration abnormalities in mixed cryoglobulinemia patients.

Blood, plasma and serum viscosity and blood filtration were investigated in 43 unselected mixed cryoglobulinemia patients. A hyperviscosity syndrome was present in only one patient, and rapidly improved after plasma exchange and cyclophosphamide therapy. A clear-cut increase in blood viscosity was infrequently observed in mixed cryoglobulinemia, although significant differences were present in the plasma and serum viscosity of patients and controls. In contrast, blood filtration was severely impaired in a high percentage of cases (51 and 72% of the values recorded at 37 degrees and 25 degrees C, respectively), and was on the average significantly higher in patients than in controls. Indirect evidence suggests that blood viscosity is at least in part related to cryoglobulins. In 19 patients studied before and after cryoglobulin removal, serum viscosity significantly decreased when the serum was deprived of cryoglobulins. In addition, the cryocrit correlated with all the hemorheological parameters with the exception of blood filtration. The hemorheological findings were compared with multisystemic features of the disease, i.e. liver, renal, lung, neurologic, vascular and funduscopic alterations. The potential clinical relevance of the hemorheological parameters was stressed by the close correlation between blood filtration parameters and serum creatinine. Furthermore, by discriminant analysis, viscosity and blood filtration changes were the serological parameters most significantly associated with the presence of renal, liver and neurological involvement. Thus, hemorheological parameters are frequently abnormal in mixed cryoglobulinemia patients, and seem to play a significant clinical role; they should therefore be included in the work-up of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Relation of atrial natriuretic peptide, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and kinin system in hypertensive and normotensive youngsters with or without a family history of essential arterial hypertension].

To evaluate the correlations occurring among plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (ALD) and urinary kallikrein (KK) in young hypertensives and in young normotensives with or without a family history of hypertension, 26 essential hypertensives (mean age: 22.5 +/- 2), 21 normotensives (mean age: 22.3 +/- 1.9) and 13 normotensives with hypertensive heredity (mean age 22 +/- 1.8) under normal Na+ intake (120 mEq/daily) were studied. Blood samples for plasma ANF, PRA and ALD evaluations were taken after a night bed sleep (A) and again after 1 hour of deambulation (B). KK was evaluated on 24 hours urine specimens by the chromogenic substrate (S-2266) method. The results showed that ANF plasma levels in hypertensives (A = 44.5 +/- 19.4 pg/ml, B = 24.1 +/- 11 pg/ml) were higher than in normotensives (A = 38.3 +/- 19.4 pg/ml, B = 19.9 +/- 10.6 pg/ml), with a percentage difference of 13.8% in A situation and 17.4% in B situation. Moreover ANF was higher in normotensives with hypertensive heredity than in normotensives without heredity (A = +7.4%; B = +10%). In B situation ANF was inversely correlated with ALD in all groups (p less than 0.001 in hypertensives; p less than 0.05 in both groups of normotensives), and with PRA in hypertensive group (p less than 0.001). KK was significantly lower in hypertensives than in normals (p less than 0.01) showing only in hypertensive patients an inverse correlation with ANF (r = -0.60; p less than 0.001). In conclusion, our data indicate that raised levels of plasma ANF may be present in young hypertensives with low levels of PRA, ALD and KK.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effects of active orthostatism on blood levels of atrial natriuretic peptide in the healthy subject].

The effects of active changes in posture, from recumbency to upright position (60 minutes), on the circulating levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in healthy human subjects were studied by using a radioimmunoassay method. In supine position, plasma ANP levels ranged from 12 pg/ml to 51.5 pg/ml, with an average level of 35.3 +/- 11.5 pg/ml. After 1 hour of orthostatic position, plasma ANP levels varied from 10 pg/ml to 35 pg/ml, with an average level of 21 +/- 11.5 pg/ml. These results suggest that ANP is involved in the hemodynamic modifications following postural stimuli. Thus, postural changes can be taken in to account for evaluating plasma ANP behaviour properly.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Relation of atrial natriuretic peptide and endogenous digoxin-like activity in the plasma of young hypertensive patients].

The relationships between plasma digoxin-like immunoreactivity (DLS) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were investigated in 10 young essential hypertensives (mean age 22 +/- 2 years) and in 10 normotensives. In young hypertensives, plasma DLS and ANP were at an average level of 31.2 +/- 8 pg/ml and 56.7 +/- 20 pg/ml respectively, showing a significant correlation (r = 0.66; p less than 0.05). In normal subjects plasma DLS and ANP were at an average level of 19.1 +/- 8 pg/ml and 37.6 +/- 16.7 pg/ml respectively (n.s.). Plasma DLS and ANP were higher in hypertensives than in normotensives (p less than 0.01). In conclusion, DLS and ANP appear to have a similar behaviour, possibly due to their modulation by common stimuli.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Primary hyperaldosteronism caused by monolateral adrenal hyperplasia].

We have reported two patients with unilateral adrenal hyperplasia as a rare cause of primary aldosteronism, and discussed the literature on this subject. When diagnosed by NMR-CT imaging and selective sampling from adrenal veins, the treatment of this disorder appears to be surgical. Whether its pathogenesis is related to the more common varieties of primary aldosteronism is open to speculation according to metabolic findings.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sodium-modulating hormones and the pressor response to sodium chloride in essential arterial hypertension].

Some predictive markers for NaCl sensitivity, related to the red blood cell membrane or to circulating proteins, have already been described in human essential hypertension. The present study was planned to investigate whether or not some hormones produced by the kidney or acting at the kidney level could be used as new markers for NaCl sensitivity. The study was conducted in 28 not previously treated outpatients affected by uncomplicated mild to moderate essential hypertension. After 15 days on a normal NaCl diet, plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and the urinary excretion of active kallikrein were evaluated. The sensitivity of blood pressure to changes in NaCl intake was then assessed in all patients, according to a randomized double blind cross-over design. Each patient was assigned to a high (240 mmol of NaCl/day for 15 days) or low (40 mmol of NaCl/day for 15 days) NaCl intake. During the assessment of NaCl sensitivity, the double blindness was achieved by the use of capsules containing either NaCl or placebo. Fifteen patients (11 males and 4 females) resulted as NaCl-sensitive, while 13 patients (8 males and 5 females) were classified as NaCl-resistant. Our results indicate that PRA levels were significantly lower in the NaCl-sensitive group than in the NaCl-resistant one (0.108 +/- 0.05 ng/L/s vs 0.247 +/- 0.16 ng/L/s, p < 0.007), in the presence of raised levels of plasma ANP in NaCl-sensitive hypertensives (18.08 +/- 4.61 fmol/mL vs 12.45 +/- 3.77 fmol/mL, p < 0.006).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis C virus as a lymphotropic agent: evidence and pathogenetic implications.

Hepatitis C virus has been proven to be the major cause of NANB hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Based on the genome similarities between HCV and flavivirus or pestivirus, this agent has been included within the family Flaviviridae as a separate genus. Among the analogies between HCV and the other members of the same family there is the possibility of infecting blood cells. In particular, significant evidence obtained through studies performed in vivo and in vitro support the concept that HCV is not only a hepatotropic but also a lymphotropic virus. This suggests that, in addition to playing a role in inducing hepatic diseases (both of a non-tumoral and a neoplastic nature), HCV infection may also play a role in extrahepatic pathologies. The striking association observed between HCV infection and some autoimmune-lymphoproliferative disorders of either benign or neoplastic nature is consistent with this hypothesis. However, in analogy with what has been observed in the case of liver disease, the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HCV-related extra-hepatic manifestations have to be more deeply analysed and clarified.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Etiopathogenetic role of hepatitis C virus in mixed cryoglobulinemia, chronic liver diseases and lymphomas.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been found in the majority of patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) in studies conducted in different countries. In our series of 110 MC patients the frequency of HCV markers was significantly high (91%) compared with other rheumatic diseases (6.4%) and with healthy Italian controls (1.2%). Moreover, HCV RNA was detected in 81% of the peripheral lymphocytes from MC patients. Comparable percentages of HCV infection were detectable in other disorders, i.e. porphyria cutanea tarda (77%) and autoimmune hepatitis type 1 (77%). The HCV infection of peripheral lymphocytes suggests that this virus could be the triggering factor for the lymphoproliferation underlying MC. In a number of patients with MC the evolution from a benign lymphoproliferation to frank B-cell lymphoma was observed. In these subjects HCV RNA in the sera and in fresh and cultured peripheral lymphocytes was constantly detected. The same phenomenon has been observed in patients with long-lasting type C chronic hepatitis. Interestingly, HCV infection has also been recorded in 32% of idiopathic B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Taken together, the above findings suggest that HCV can cause benign B-cell proliferation with the consequent production of various autoantibodies, including rheumatoid factor and mixed cryoglobulins. These serological abnormalities characterise different clinical disorders, including the appearance of lymphoma in a not negligible number of individuals.

Cryoglobulinemia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Guidelines for the management of essential mixed cryoglobulinemia.

The principal therapeutic procedures and when they are clinically indicated in the management of essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC) have been the subject of much debate. This paper reviews current knowledge and our experience in the treatment of this complex disease. It is generally agreed that patients with purpura, the primary symptom of EMC, should avoid long periods of sitting or standing in the same position. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs can be used for the management of arthralgias and/ or arthritis. Low dose steroids (0.5-0.3 mg/kg/die) are usually sufficient to control the purpura, arthralgias, arthritis and weakness, while larger doses (0.5-1.5 mg/kg/die) are needed to treat the renal involvement, peripheral neuropathy and serositis. Since the discovery of the association between EMC and viral infections, the appropriateness of cytotoxic drugs has been re-evaluated and they are no longer used. With the low antigen content diet, a regimen designed to restore a saturated mononuclear phagocytic system, good results have been obtained in the treatment of purpura, arthralgias, weakness and peripheral neuropathy. Furthermore, this dietary regimen may play a steroid sparing role. Plasma exchange is widely used in the management of severe renal involvement, hyperviscosity syndrome, sensory motor neuropathy and liver involvement in EMC.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗