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Biomedical subjects

F Puppo

Publications and source records attributed to F Puppo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Decreased lymphocyte blastogenesis, IL2 production and NK activity following nifedipine administration to healthy humans.

The effects of a single oral dose of nifedipine on part of the immune response in healthy humans has been investigated in terms of two different immune functions: T lymphocyte proliferation and NK activity. Both functions are known to require calcium ions. Ten healthy subjects were bled before and 30 min, and 4 and 24 h after receiving 10 mg nifedipine. Lymphocyte proliferation, both in mitogen-activated lymphocyte cultures, and in autologous and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions, was significantly reduced (up to 48%) 30 min after drug administration and reverted to normal 4 h later. The inhibition could be attributed to reduction in IL2 production by the T cells isolated 30 min following the administration of nifedipine, since they normally express IL2-receptors. The addition of recombinant IL2 of 200 U.ml-1 to the cell cultures restored their responsiveness. NK activity was significantly reduced 30 min and 4 h after drug administration and returned to normal at the 24th h. This function was also restored by the addition of IL2. The data suggest that calcium channel blockers may inhibit, at least transiently, lymphocyte functions in vivo.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

HLA class I soluble antigen serum levels in HIV-positive subjects--correlation with cellular and serological parameters.

HLA Class I soluble antigen serum levels have been evaluated in 178 subjects who were positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and in 66 HIV-negative controls. The serum levels of HIV p24 antigen, interleukin 2 receptor (IL 2r), CD8 soluble antigen (CD 8ag), B2-microglobulin (B2-m), and neopterin (Npt), as well as the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were also evaluated. Results show that mean HLA class I serum levels of HIV-positive subjects: (1) are significantly higher than controls (p less than 0.001); (2) increase with disease progression (67.7 RU/ml, 103.4 RU/ml, and 169.6 RU/ml for subjects belonging to groups II, II, and IV of the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] classification, respectively); (3) correlate with HIV p24 antigen, IL2r, and CD 8 soluble antigen levels. Present data show that elevated levels of HLA class I soluble antigens, correlating with disease stage, are found in sera of HIV-positive subjects. Circulating HLA class I molecules, interfering with some immune functions, might contribute to the pathogenesis of the immune deficiency of HIV-positive subjects.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗
PubMed1989

Different expression of HLA class I antigens in liver of children with chronic hepatitis B, evaluated by immunohistochemical method.

Studies on the quantitative expression of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MCH) in hepatocytes chronically infected by Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) report that an increased expression of these antigens could be related to a good immunological response. In the present work we analyze the expression of the MCH antigens in cryostatic sections of liver biopsies taken from subjects (19 children) with various forms of HBsAg positive chronic hepatitis. A high expression of HLA class I antigens and a high degree of hepatocyte necrosis was evident in Chronic Active Hepatitis (CAH) and Chronic Lobular Hepatitis (CLH). On the contrary, subjects with histological diagnosis of Chronic Persistent Hepatitis (CPH) showed a low expression of such antigens. There was however, the difference that in subjects with high hepatic cytolysis and high expression of HLA class I antigens, serum HBV-DNA was clearly present in almost all the cases with CAH, but not detectable in all cases with CLH. The expression of HLA class II antigens and of Beta2 microglobulin was the same in all 19 cases. All cases with HBV-DNA positivity with high class I antigen expression had active hepatitis which seems to suggest that all attempts at viral clearance on the part of the immune system have been in vain. We hope our paper will be an additional parameter for evaluating the course of hepatitis during Interferon treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Plasmaexchange plus immunoglobulins for treatment of hypergammaglobulinaemic patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC).

AIDS patients often develop a conspicuous although functionally ineffective hypergammaglobulinaemia. We have treated four patients affected by AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC) with repeated courses of plasmaexchange coupled with immunoglobulin infusions. The schedule of each course was as follows: one plasmapheresis treatment once a week for 5 consecutive weeks, each treatment amounting to an average exchange of 3000 ml of plasma, replaced by plasma/protein and 5% albumin/physiological saline solutions, and followed by infusion of 15 gr of human immunoglobulins. Each plasmapheresis course was completed by additional weekly administrations of the same amount of human immunoglobulins. In each patient we noted fast cessation of fever, weight gain, and an overall clinical amelioration with decrease of infections, asthenia, and anorexia. Haematological, serological, and immunological parameters (particularly IgG serum levels) also significantly improved after treatment.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1987

Deficiency of the autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions of non-T/T and T/T type in intravenous drug abusers infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

In the present study both responsiveness and stimulatory capacity in autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions (AMLRs) of non-T/T and T/T type, as well as in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), were evaluated in 30 intravenous drug abusers (IDAs) infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and in 10 HIV-negative IDAs. The production of interleukin 2 (IL2), and the expression of HLA Class II antigens and IL2 receptors by PHA-activated T lymphocytes were also evaluated. A severe impairment of both responsiveness and stimulatory capacity in MLR and AMLRs was found in the HIV-positive IDAs and not in the HIV-negative IDAs. The HIV-positive IDAs showed also a defective expression of HLA Class II antigens, whereas the IL2 production and the IL2 receptor expression were in the normal range. The present data are consistent with similar observations in male homosexuals with AIDS-related complex and confirm that the HIV infection induces a broad spectrum of immunological abnormalities leading to a progressive derangement of the immunocompetence.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

Effects of dynorphin on the PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation in vitro.

The effect of the opioid peptide dynorphin (DYN) on PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation has been evaluated in the present study. A significant increase in PHA-induced lymphocyte activation was observed when DYN was added to cultures 48 hr after the mitogenic stimulation. This effect occurred at suboptimal (3.12 and 6.25 micrograms/ml) PHA concentrations and at DYN doses ranging from 10(-9) to 10(-12) M. Conversely, DYN did not affect the lymphocyte blastogenic process either when added before, or simultaneously or after intense PHA (12.5 micrograms/ml) stimulation. Naloxone preincubation did not modify the above described effects. Results suggest that DYN might play a role in neuroendocrine regulation of the lymphocyte blastogenic process.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Influence of beta-endorphin on phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation and on the expression of mononuclear cell surface antigens in vitro.

Recent evidence suggests that opiates can modulate the immune responses. In particular it has been shown that beta-endorphin and morphine are able to depress some T lymphocyte functions in humans. In the present study, experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of beta-endorphin phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation and determine the mechanism of this action. The ability of naloxone to block the effect of beta-endorphin was also investigated, and the influence of beta-endorphin on the expression of mononuclear cell surface antigens using the OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, anti-HLA-DR and anti-beta 2-microglobulin monoclonal antibodies was evaluated. Phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation was significantly inhibited by beta-endorphin. This effect occurred when beta-endorphin was added to cells at the beginning of the culture period (30 min before, simultaneously or 30 min after phytohemagglutinin), but not when added after 48 h of incubation. The preincubation of cells with BEP for 1 h, 4 h or 24 h did not affect lymphocyte activation by phytohemagglutinin. A ten-fold excess of naloxone, added to cultures 30 min prior to beta-endorphin, did not block the inhibitory effect. Incubation with beta-endorphin had different effects on each surface antigen tested. The OKT8+ and beta 2-microglobulin+ cells did not show significant variations. The OKT4+ cells significantly decreased, after 4 h of incubation with beta-endorphin, both in mononuclear cell and in purified T lymphocyte cultures and, after 24 h, in mononuclear cell cultures only. The OKT3+ cells decreased, in mononuclear cell cultures only, after 24 h beta-endorphin incubation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1985

A multicenter, randomized parallel double-blind study comparing three antibiotics, cephemic-cofosfolactamine, fosfomycin and cephalexin, in the treatment of systemic infections.

In the present multicenter, randomized and double-blind study, performed on 127 hospitalized patients, we compared the effects of three antibiotics (cephemic cofosfolactamine, cephalexin and fosfomycin) in the treatment of acute or recurrent systemic infections. Results show that the percentage of recoveries of clinical symptoms and of bacterial eradications were significantly higher, and associated with a lower rate of side effects in the patients treated by cephemic cofosfolactamine than in those treated by cephalexin or fosfomycin.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1980

[Effect of some anticoagulant drugs on granulocyte capillary migration].

We have investigated the effect of four anticoagulant drugs (Calbiochem Heparin, Liquemin Roche, EDTA and Na citrate) on polymorphonuclear granulocyte capillary migration to evaluate a possible modification induced by these drugs on migration function. We can state that any modification is induced by these drugs on granulocyte capillary migration in vitro.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed1980

Effect of single oral dose of phenobarbitone on lymphocyte blastogenic response in man.

A single oral dose of phenobarbitone 1.5 mg kg-1 was given to 18 normal subjects to evaluate the effects on lymphocyte function. Serum barbiturate concentrations and lymphocyte blastogenic response to three mitogens (PHA, Con A, PWM) were tested before and at 2, 12 and 36 h after drug administration. A serum barbiturate plateau of about 2 microgram ml-1 was maintained from 2 to 36 h. Lymphocyte blastogenesis was reduced with barbiturate compared with controls. However, the reduction was significant only at 36 h (P < 0.01).

Adult↗