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Biomedical subjects

E Gaia

Publications and source records attributed to E Gaia.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Lactoferrin].

Lactoferrin is a protein present in many fluids of the human organism and in the secondary granules of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN). In the blood stream lactoferrin favours the segregation of PMN by mediating and amplifying the immune response, and realizes a negative feedback control on the Colony Forming Unit Granulocyte/Macrophage (CFU-GM) proliferation. At intestinal level it promotes iron absorption and prevents bacterial overgrowth. The antibacterial effect of lactoferrin is used clinically to prevent bacterial infections in neutropenic patients submitted to chemotherapy for leukemic diseases type M1, M2, M4 and M5, according to FAB criteria. In patients affected by chronic pancreatitis the lactoferrin concentration, in duodenal juice, is found to be significantly higher than in normal subjects. This finding suggests a pathogenetic role of the protein in chronic pancreatitis.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1989

Antitissue antibodies in chronic pancreatitis.

Organ- and nonorgan-specific autoantibodies (AA) have been investigated in 49 patients affected by alcoholic or idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (CP) to evaluate their prevalence and correlation with the clinical features of the disease. AA have been found in about 50% of CP and their recurrence rate was similar to that of alcoholic or cryptogenic liver cirrhosis (LC); age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (C) showed only about 8% positive sera (C vs. CP, p less than 0.001). Quite different IFL patterns between CP and LC have been detected. Antibrush border, antireticulin and antigastric parietal cell antibodies alone or combined prevailed in CP, while antinuclear and antismooth muscle AA prevailed in LC. No correlation with sex, age, etiology, presence of pancreatic stones, diabetes, symptoms and years of CP was found for one or more AA. In conclusion, the detection of AA in CP is a quite common finding of still unclear clinical significance.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1989

Experimental acute pancreatitis induced by platelet activating factor in rabbits.

This study indicates that a single injection of platelet activating factor (PAF, 50-500 ng) into the superior pancreaticoduodenal artery of rabbits induces dose-dependent morphologic alterations of pancreatic tissue and increases serum amylase levels, both consistent with the development of an acute pancreatitis. The main histologic findings observed by light microscopy 24-72 hours after the injection of PAF were edema, polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration, cell vacuolization, and acinar cell necrosis. Fat cell necrosis was present in 30% of animals. By electron microscopy an increase of the number of zymogen granules in the apical region of acinar cells was observed 3 hours after PAF challenge. At 24-72 hours, many acinar cells showed vacuoles containing myelinlike figures, zymogen granules, and cellular debris. Pancreatic lesions developed in the area supplied by the artery injected with PAF and they were completely antagonized by the pretreatment of rabbits with CV 3988, a specific antagonist of PAF. In addition, the significant protective effect of atropine suggests a potential role for cholinergic mechanisms in the pancreatic alterations induced by PAF.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1976

[Chronic alcoholic pancreatitis and blood gastrin].

On the basis of some experimental observations of hypergastrinemia in animals chronically intoxicated with ethanol, both fasting and after meals serum gastrin were determined in patients affected by chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. A significant increase in serum gastrin levels was observed in patients with chronic pancreatitis compared with controls, both in basal conditions and following food stimulation. The physiopathological hypotheses and possible aetiopathogenetic implications suggested by such gastrin behaviour are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

[Effects of slowly progressive constriction on the proximal pancreas of the rabbit].

Slow, progressive constriction with cellophane tape was experimented on the proximal segment of the rabbit pancreas. Histological examination of the distal segment over a period of 10-30 days showed the appearance of morphological changes reminiscent of chronic pancreatopathy in man. Stress is laid on the need for an experimental model suitable for the provocation of chronic forms, particularly if similar results can be obtained on animals of larger size.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cold snare excision of small colorectal polyps.

This study describes a new technique for excision of small colorectal polyps in a series of 210 consecutive patients, who had total colonoscopy, and in whom any clotting problems had been excluded. A total of 288 small polyps of 5 mm or less in diameter were transected by mechanical strangulation with a polypectomy snare, but without applying any electrical energy. All polyps were recovered whole and sent for histologic examination. No case of perforation, serious bleeding, or mortality was recorded, nor was there any need for blood transfusion because of sudden or delayed bleeding. Of the small polyps, 56% were adenomas, 43% hyperplastic, and 1% were other types. No invasive cancer was found, but in seven small adenomas severe dysplasia was observed. No correlation between the macroscopic appearance of small polyps at endoscopy and their nature at histology was found. Our data confirm that all visible polypoid lesions of the colon should be removed, and that cold snare excision of small polyps is a safe and effective alternative method of treatment in patients without clotting problems.

Colon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with colonic Crohn disease and marked eosinophilia. Description of a case].

We report a case of primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with Crohn disease of the large intestine and marked eosinophilia in a 64 year old woman. Clinical features, histologic findings at biopsy of the intestine and liver and the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography are described. The case report is discussed, particularly as regards treatment with biliary salts and aminosalicilic acid.

Cholangitis, Sclerosing↗