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Biomedical subjects

F M Vecchio

Publications and source records attributed to F M Vecchio.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Presence of cytoplasmic progesterone receptors in hepatic adenomas. A report of two cases.

Two cases of hepatic adenomas observed in young women with (Case 1) or without (Case 2) prior history of oral contraceptive use are investigated for the presence of cytoplasmic estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) by dextran-coated charcoal method. Such a study reveals the presence of PR and the absence of ER in adenomatous tissue from both the cases, while both ER and PR are detected in the normal liver adjacent to adenoma. The significance of these findings is discussed, and the presence of PR is interpreted as a biologic response to estrogens, even in the apparent absence of ER.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Copper and hepatocellular carcinoma.

The presence of copper and copper-binding protein (CBP) within tumor cells was searched by histochemical methods (rhodanine, rubeanic acid and Shikata's orcein) in a group of 39 autopsies, all consecutive cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with cirrhosis (HCC + C). In 2 cases, fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) not associated with cirrhosis was observed at surgery. Considerable amounts of copper and CBP were found within tumor cells only in the 2 FLC cases and in 1 HCC + C case, in a portion of the tumor showing FLC-like features. Copper-positive tumor cells had an oncocytic appearance, which was confirmed by ultrastructural examination. In 64% of the HCC + C cases (25 out of 39), copper and CBP deposits were found in nonneoplastic hepatocytes mainly distributed along the periphery of cirrhotic nodules. The present study indicates that the storage of copper inside tumor cells is a peculiarity of the FLC type of HCC with a close relationship to the oncocytic nature of neoplastic hepatocytes. The significance of copper deposits in nonneoplastic cirrhotic hepatocytes remains a matter for further investigations.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Fibrolamellar carcinoma of the liver: the malignant counterpart of focal nodular hyperplasia with oncocytic change.

A case of fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) in a noncirrhotic liver of a 20-year-old man is described. Gross features and the presence, among the tumor cells, of bile ducts, of thick-walled blood vessels and nerves, and, ultrastructurally, of myofibroblast-like cells are the most significant findings, suggesting that FLC is the malignant counterpart of focal nodular hyperplasia with oncocytic change. Histochemical and immunohistochemical methods demonstrate the presence inside the oncocytic tumor cells of copper, copper-binding protein, and alpha 1 antitrypsin. The pathogenesis and the significance of these findings then are discussed and related to the restricted capacity of oncocytic cells to fulfill normal cellular function.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Alpha-1-antitrypsin MZ phenotype and cryptogenic chronic liver disease in adults.

Intrahepatocytic inclusions of alpha-1-antitrypsin as markers of Z allele were searched by histochemical and immunohistochemical (peroxidase-antiperoxidase) methods in needle biopsy specimens from 80 consecutive cases of cryptogenic cirrhosis and chronic active hepatitis - HBsAg-negative - in adults. All positive cases and 26% of the negative ones were phenotyped in order to determine the frequency of heterozygous (MZ) deficiency. At variance with previous studies, no prevalence of heterozygous (MZ) deficiency could be demonstrated. This result indicates that further investigations are mandatory to establish if heterozygous (MZ) subjects are predisposed to chronic liver disease.

Alleles↗
PubMed1980

[Celiac disease: association with rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus. Apropos of a clinical case].

A case of coeliac disease accompanied by serum-negative rheumatoid arthritis and (subsequently) by diabetes mellitus is described. The appearance of a similar clinical and sympatomatological enteric and articular picture in one of the patient's brothers is seen as evidence that the link between the components of the three-fold syndrome is to be found in common genetic factors, with an onset in the form of a cellular and biohumoral immunological disorder.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

HBs Ag and hepatocellular carcinoma associated with cirrhosis.--A retrospective study based on autopsy.

Histologic specimens of liver tissue from 33 consecutive cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with cirrhosis, were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and with orcein for the presence of HBs Ag in the cytoplasm of cells. Such a study showed orcein-positive liver cells in 7 out of 33 (21.2%) cases of HCC associated with cirrhosis. The clinical course and laboratory examinations of the 33 patients were also reviewed and revealed a significant difference between the length of survival of orcein-positive patients and orcein-negative ones. Therefore, these results seem to support the hypothesis that HBs Ag may play a role not only in the development of HCC associated with cirrhosis, but also in a more rapid and severe course of neoplasia.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Effects of insulin on hepatic lipid synthesis in alloxan diabetic rats.

In vitro hepatic synthesis of lipids starting from 1-(14)C-acetate was studied in rats made diabetic by subcutaneous alloxan administration (175 mg/kg b.w.). A second group of diabetic rats was treated with lente insulin. In the alloxan-treated rats, a decrese was observed in hepatic incorporation of 1-(14)C-acetate into phospholipids, triglycerides and esterified cholesterol; there was an increased incorporation into nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and free cholesterol. Insulin administration restored lipid synthesis values to normal. On histologic examination, an intranuclear glycogenesis was observed in the hepatocytes of the alloxan-treated rats, along with severe hepatic necrosis; the latter however, only in rats sacrified on the 3rd day. Hepatic steatosis with small, medium and large droplets was present in the insulin-treated rats; signs of cellular degeneration were less evident.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotypes in a group of newborn infants in Somalia.

Pi phenotype determinations were performed on umbilical cord serum specimens of 347 infants born in Mogadishu (Somalia) hospitals. Phenotyping was performed by isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gel slabs. Sera containing alpha1AT in types other than MM were also studied by crossed antigen-antibody immunoelectrophoresis on agar. The most frequently occuring Pi allele proved to be PiM. With respect to the other African populations studied so far, there was a high prevalence of the PiS and PiZ alleles. In particular, three individuals were found with the ZZ phenotype, which had not yet been observed in Africa.

Fetal Blood↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation of MRI liver volume and doppler sonographic portal hemodynamics with histologic findings in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to correlate portal hemodynamics on sonography and liver volume on MRI with histologic findings in asymptomatic patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Portal blood flow in the left and right portal branches in 20 healthy volunteers and in 26 patients was measured using Doppler sonography during both fasting and postprandial states. Total liver and right-and left-lobe volumes were determined using MRI. The ratio between portal blood flow and liver volume determined the "portal flow index" of the right and left lobes. RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) between the volunteers and patients in the mean left-lobe volume (352 +/- 81 cm(3) versus 544 +/- 159 cm(3)) and in the mean left portal flow index (1.1 +/- 0.2 ml/minute/cm(3) versus 0.69 +/- 0.2 ml/minute/cm(3)) as measured before the subjects ate. After a meal, the portal blood-flow volume in the right lobe was similar in the 2 groups but in the left lobe was significantly lower in the patients (p = 0.0009). The left postprandial portal flow index was inversely correlated with the grade of liver fibrosis (r = 0.533). CONCLUSIONS: The left-lobe volume (positive predictive value, 83%; negative predictive value, 72%) and left postprandial portal flow index (positive predictive value, 86%; negative predictive value, 88%) are sensitive indicators of chronic hepatitis. The left postprandial portal flow index may be a useful test for differentiating patients with minimal or no fibrosis from patients with mild to severe fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Improvement of mortality rate and decrease in histologic hepatic injury after human cord blood stem cell infusion in a murine model of hepatotoxicity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Because of their plasticity potential local and systemic application of cord blood stem cells may represent excellent candidates for cell-based therapeutic strategies in toxic liver injuries. It is already known that intraperitoneal administration of hematopoietic stem cells provides rapid liver homing in animal models of hepatic injury. We sought to assess the efficacy of a hematopoietic stem cell infusion to decrease the histologic damage and the mortality rate of animals previously damaged by allyl alcohol. MATERIAL AND METHODS: NOD/SCID mice were divided into two groups. (1) animals treated by intraperitoneal administration of allyl alcohol and (2) animals treated with allyl alcohol and 24 hours later with an intraperitoneal infusion of human cord blood cells. Flow cytometry, histology, immunohistochemistry, and RT-PCR were performed to monitor human cell engraftment by evidences of human hepatic markers. RESULTS: Human stem cells were able to transdifferentiate into hepatocytes, improve liver regeneration after damage, and reduce the mortality rate even when requiring qualitative and quantitative differences in the transdifferentiation processes. The mortality rate decreased from 70% to 20%, with a significant improvement in the histologic findings. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that the infusion of hematopoietic stem cells into the liver in the early stage of damage might initiate endogenous hepatic tissue regeneration that oppose the injury inflicted by toxicants.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Human cordonal stem cell intraperitoneal injection can represent a rescue therapy after an acute hepatic damage in immunocompetent rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Tissue homeostasis and turnover require reserve stem proliferating cells. Several studies performed on immunodeficient animals have suggested a degree of plasticity by the hematopoietic stem cell compartment that may represent source for liver regeneration. We sought to explore the hepatic differentiation potential of hematopoietic stem cells from human cord blood, after toxic liver damage induced by allyl-alcohol in immunocompetent rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into groups (A) allyl-alcohol intraperitoneal injection with hematopoietic stem cell intraperitoneal infusion at 1 day and sacrifice 3 days later; (B) stem cell injection and sacrifice 3 days later; (C) allyl-alcohol infusion and sacrifice 4 days later; and (D) sacrifice without any treatment. Livers, spleens, and bone marrows were analysed for human stem cells using flow-cytometry; livers were also tested by histology and immunohistochemistry to study the pattern of hepatic regeneration after damage and human stem cell conversion into hepatocyte-like cells, respectively. RESULTS: Flow-cytometry revealed selective recruitment of human hematopoietic stem cells by damaged livers (group A) compared with control group B. In addition, liver damage was reduced in animals treated with stem cells. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that human stem cells could convert hepatic cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that hematopoietic stem cells selectively recruited by injured livers can contribute to hepatic regeneration after acute toxic damage in immunocompetent recipients.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Normalisation of high CA 19-9 values in autoimmune hepatitis after steroidal treatment.

Carbohydrate 19-9 antigen (CA 19-9) is considered a specific marker of pancreatobiliary adenocarcinomas, but slight increase of its levels can be found in several non-malignant diseases of the liver, such as autoimmune hepatitis. We describe a case of marked CA 19-9 elevation (up to 898.0 U/ml) in a patient with autoimmune hepatitis. Laboratory and instrumental examinations excluded malignant diseases. Immunohistochemical analysis for CA 19-9 and MIB-1, performed on liver biopsy, showed reactivity in inflammatory areas, in particular in bile ductule cells and hepatocytes in ductular metaplasia, suggesting that these cells could be involved in CA 19-9 serum levels increase. After steroids, the clinical picture improved and all the laboratory parameters normalised.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Liver metastases of endocrine tumour associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: a sustained response to interferon therapy or a peculiar benign course?

The authors describe the case of a 51-year-old male with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome manifested by epigastralgia, nausea, vomiting, hypergastrinemia and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. History included a Billroth II procedure for a perforated duodenal ulcer. Multiple metastatic liver lesions were found that were gastrin-negative and chromogranin-positive. Endoscopy revealed a large ulcerated gastro-jejuno-colonic fistula which was surgically repaired. Pre- and postoperative imaging studies, including the highly sensitive somatostatin-receptor scintigraphic scan using In-pentetreotide, have consistently failed to disclose other tumors. Recent reports indicate that most Zollinger-Ellison syndrome-associated gastrinomas are small, easily overlooked lesions located in the proximal duodenum rather than in the pancreas as formerly believed. In the present patient therapy with omeprazole and alpha-interferon has produced complete remission of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and a stabilization of tumor growth has occurred during the last 7 years, allowing the patient to live a normal life. This peculiar response to therapy is discussed.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An unusual case, in Italy, of hepatocarcinoma characterized by portal hypertension and absence of cirrhosis.

We report a case of a 40-year-old man of Bantu origin, affected by both HBV infection and primitive hepatocarcinoma in the absence of cirrhosis. The fine-needle aspiration specimen reported a rare variant of liver cancer resembling an adenocarcinoma. The neoplasm was certainly a hepatic primitive carcinoma, because chest X-ray, cranial computed tomography, colonoscopy, and abdominal computed tomography did not detect neoplastic lesions and alpha-fetoprotein was > 1000 ng/mL. The present neoplasm, characterized by severe portal hypertension and absence of cirrhosis, is rare in Italy, but largely diffused in Bantu people in Africa.

Adult↗