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Biomedical subjects

C Vergani

Publications and source records attributed to C Vergani.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Isotretinoin versus minocycline in cystic acne: a study of lipid metabolism.

We have recently reported that patients with severe nodular cystic acne have much lower levels of HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A and hepatic lipoprotein lipase than healthy controls or subjects with acne vulgaris. Since isotretinoin is very effective in the treatment of the nodular cystic acne but has been shown to increase blood lipid levels, we decided to compare its clinical effectiveness and its effects on lipid metabolism with those of minocycline in patients with nodular cystic acne. After 20 weeks, the number and mean diameter of the cysts were definitely decreased in both groups, but the improvement was more striking in the isotretinoin-treated group. At the end of the treatment, the HDL-C and hepatic lipoprotein lipase levels in this group were increased toward normal, but not in the minocycline-treated group. Our study showed a significant remission in the acne of patients treated with isotretinoin but not in that of the minocycline-treated patients. Furthermore isotretinoin can also correct the altered lipid metabolism in these patients.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1985

Tangier disease. A case with sensorimotor distal polyneuropathy and lipid accumulation in striated muscle and vasa nervorum.

A 65-year-old man with Tangier disease (analphalipoproteinemia) had had a progressive sensorimotor distal neuropathy with sensory ataxia for 1 year. Muscle biopsy demonstrated excess lipid vacuoles on histochemical and electron-microscopic techniques. Sural nerve biopsy showed a marked loss of large fibers and an increase in small myelinated fibers, with presence of remyelinating fibers and clusters of regeneration; a few aspects of active demyelination and some onion-like formations were also present. Lipid accumulation chiefly affected the Schwann cells of unmyelinated fibers and, to a lesser degree, of myelinated fibers, endoneurial fibroblast, and vasa nervorum. Teased fibers showed prevalent aspects of de-/remyelination and, often in association, marked myelin wrinkling suggesting axonal atrophy. This Tangier patient differs from known cases for the presence of a distal symmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy (not previously reported in Tangier disease) and because of the morphological findings of de-/remyelination coexisting with aspects of axonal atrophy and previous degeneration, and of lipid accumulation within striated muscle and vasa nervorum. This latter finding contrasts with the assumption that in Tangier disease vessel walls are not a site of lipid storage: probably the vasa nervorum are different, in this respect, from other vessels, because of the intense lipid metabolism of the nervous tissue. Thus we suggest that involvement of vasa nervorum in Tangier disease may be more important than previously suspected, possibly playing a role in the causation of neuropathy.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Neuropathy in Tangier disease: A clinicopathologic study and a review of the literature.

A new case of Tangier disease is described. It is the 33rd case in world literature and only the 2nd in Italy. A 52-year-old man showed a widely spread neuropathy with facial diplegia, bilateral wasting of hand muscles and dissociated loss of pain and temperature sensation sparing the distal parts of the lower limbs. Clinical and laboratory data were typical of Tangier disease. A histological and ultrastructural study of the patient's superficial peroneal nerve and brevis peroneus muscle was carried out. A revision of the clinical and neuropathological aspects of the neuropathy of Tangier disease allowed our case to be included within a particular neurological description. Four patients with similar clinical characteristics had been noted previously. Clinical, morphological and biochemical data suggest the hypothesis that there are two different neuropathic forms of Tangier disease.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1985

Lipoprotein metabolism and lipoprotein lipase in severe cystic acne.

In severe cystic acne we found low levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein A (Apo-A) in the presence of normal total lipids. In a larger number of patients, we always observed significantly lower levels of HDL-C and Apo-A than in either age-matched controls or subjects with acne vulgaris. Since lipoprotein lipase is one major determinant of HDL concentration, we assayed the lipase activity in liver and extra-hepatic tissues by the method of Krauss et al. There was highly significant less total and hepatic lipase activity than in age-matched controls. HDL distribution was examined by zonal ultracentrifugation and a decrease in the HDL2 subclass was discovered. Since HDL are inversely correlated to atherosclerosis, cystic acne is one risk factor for atherosclerosis. The linkage between low HDL levels and severe cystic acne should be further investigated.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1985

Effectiveness and reliability of medium term treatment with a diet rich in olive oil of patients with vascular diseases.

In the present work we investigated the usefulness of olive oil in a standard hypolipidemic diet suitable for the secondary prevention of atherosclerosis. Some patients who had received a diet with a P/S value of 1.3 were turned to a diet, rich in olive oil, with a P/S ratio of 0.52; the same number of patients were fed on with the initial diet. The main differences we found were a decrease of LDL cholesterol parallel to an increase of HDL cholesterol in the patients fed on the diet rich in olive oil. No modifications were found in these patients as far as hemostatic function and liver functional tests are concerned.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Water-path echotomography in differential diagnosis of scrotal masses.

Experience with Octoson water-path echotomography in examining 21 testicular masses is reported. Sonographic results were confirmed by surgical and pathologic findings in all cases. We believe this procedure to be of value in differential diagnosis of intrascrotal swellings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Familial alpha lipoprotein deficiency. Tangier disease, familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia and familial deficiency of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency].

The plasma lipoproteins are a group of macromolecules all of which transport lipids, including cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid, and all of which have one or more protein constituents, called apoproteins. It is becoming apparent that the apoproteins play an important role in lipoprotein metabolism. Recently the so called "alpha hypothesis" has been proposed, according to which a protective role for HDL in atherosclerosis has been postulated. Three "experiments of nature", characterized by deficiencies of HDL as genetic disorders, namely Tangier disease, familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia, familial lecithin: cholesterol acetyltransferase deficiency, support the "alpha hypothesis". The first italian cases with the genetic disorders are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

A new case of familial LCAT deficiency.

Twenty-eight patients with familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency have been reported to date. We report a new Italian case who presents the clinical and biochemical characteristics of the disease. Typical disc-shaped high density lipoproteins (d = 1.063-1.21 g/ml) were detected by electron microscopy. An abnormal distribution of apolipoproteins in the different lipoprotein fractions was found by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide electrophoresis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Familial hypo-alpha-lipoproteinemia.

A familial syndrome with hypo-alpha-lipoproteinemia is described. The affected propositus and his relatives have low levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A, without any other lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities. Lipase activity and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity are also normal. A high prevalence of premature cardiac events was observed in this kindred, without any other established coronary risk factors present. The longevity analyses showed a shortening of life expectancy. The biochemical data and the pedigree are compatible with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Serum total lipids, lipoproteins cholesterol, apoproteins A and B in cardiovascular disease.

Serum total lipids and lipoproteins cholesterol were determined in 33 survivors of myocardial infarction (MI) and in 75 subjects with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Measurements were also made by a quantitative immunological assay of Apoprotein A (Apo A) and B (Apo B). Apo A levels were significantly lower in cases than in controls. In those cases with low levels of Apo A, high density lipoprotein has a higher cholesterol content as compared with controls. A negative correlation between high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol was found in controls and PVD subjects. The findings suggest that Apo A is associated to MI and PVD and its quantitative determination is predictive of cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[Behavior of total lipids, cholesterol, lipoproteins and apolipoprotein A in the blood of subjects with acute hepatitis and chronic hepatopathy].

Serum total lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A (Apo A) and liver function parameters have been investigated in patients with acute viral hepatitis and chronic liver disease. Hypertriglyceridaemia, absence of alpha and pre beta bands on the lipoprotein electrophoresis pattern, low level of Apo A, presence of abnormal lipoproteins (beta-VLDL and beta2-LP) were observed in the early phase of acute hepatitis. A positive correlation was found between Apo A and triglyceride bile acids, log total bilirubin, log SGPT. Lipoprotein abnormalities are probably due to low lecitin-cholesterol aciltransferasi activity. The reappearance of alpha lipoprotein and the increase of Apo A are sensitive indices of improvement of liver function. In chronic liver disease the levels of cholesterol and Apo A correlate with changes in the hepatocellular function.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

Serum total lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A in acute viral hepatitis and chronic liver disease.

Serum total lipids, lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A (Apo A), and liver function tests have been investigated in patients with acute viral hepatitis and chronic liver disease. Hypertriglyceridaemia, absence of alpha and pre beta bands on the lipoprotein electrophoresis pattern, low level of Apo A, and presence of abnormal lipoproteins (beta-VLDL and beta2-LP) were observed in the early phase of acute hepatitis. A positive correlation was found between Apo A and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and a negative one between Apo A and triglyceride, bile acids, total bilirubin, and serum alanine aminotransferase. Lipoprotein abnormalities found in the early phase of acute hepatitis are probably due to low lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity. The reappearance of alpha lipoprotein and the increase of Apo A are sensitive indices of improvement of liver function. In chronic liver disease low levels of cholesterol and Apo A indicate the severity of liver cell injury.

Apolipoproteins↗
PubMed1977

Immunoelectrophoretic quantitation of alpha-fetoprotein.

We describe an immunoelectrophoretic method for alpha-fetoprotein quantitation. The sensitivity of the method, which is easy to perform in the routine laboratory, is under the best conditions 50 mug/liter, but 83 mug/liter can always be detected. With this test, sera from patients with various hepatic diseases and from pregnancies can be tested.

Female↗
PubMed1976

[Studies on the risk factors of arteriosclerosis in a health district region of Lombardy].

Atherosclerosis risk factor, 8,5% two, 2,7% three and 0,6% four.rs have been investigated in 194 males and 135 female, 25 years old. Elevated lipids were found in 7,3% of the sample; "labile" and stable hypertension in 2,7%; diabetes mellitus in 2,7% and overweight in 19%. 19% of the subjects smoked more than 20 cigarettes daily. Prevalence of hyperlipemia and electrocardiographic changes was higher among people in the lower socioeconomic classes. Taking into consideration hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cigarette smoking, overweight and diabetes mellitus as risk factors, 25% exhibited one risk factor, 8.5% two, 2.7% three and 0.6% four.

Adult↗