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Biomedical subjects

F Sicuteri

Publications and source records attributed to F Sicuteri.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Decentralization supersensitivity in headache and central panalgesia.

Central panalgesia is a syndrome which includes systemic pains of a central nature, usually classified as hysteria, fibrositis and masked depression. Exploration of the peripheral neuromuscular junctions (in the iris by pupillometry, and in veins by computerized venotest) indicates an increased monoamine receptor sensitivity. 5-HT vein sensitivity is particularly impressive (up to 1,000 times). In the vein there appears to be a decentralization supersensitivity, as it is extended to different monoamines (5-HT, dopamine, noradrenaline, tyramine). This type of supersensitivity is compatible with the theory of a deficiency of neurotransmitters at the level of the anti-nociceptive and integrated systems, with subsequent central and peripheral supersensitivity. A similar condition limited to the rostral section of the anti-nociceptive system is valid for the mechanism of idiopathic headache including migraine: central and peripheral supersensitivity to monoamines and opiates is also episodically observed in headache sufferers.

Apomorphine↗
PubMed1977

Adrenergic supersensitivity of the pupil in idiopathic headache.

In idiopathic headache (IH) sufferers, phenylephrine and fenfluramine induce a pupillary dilatation respectively greater and lesser than in controls. The difference may be due to a supersensitivity of the iris alpha adrenoceptors caused by a deficiency of noradrenaline in the iris adrenergic nerve terminal of the IH sufferer. These findings seem to support the hypothesis of a brain receptorial, monoamine supersensitivity in IH.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[The central or peripheral nature of pain in essential headaches].

As an alternative to the conventional peripheral (vascular or chemical) thesis, the possibility of the central origin of pain in essential headaches is illustrated. In fact, observations carried out on animal and man reveal that, central pain, besides being organic, may be of a functional nature. It may be correlated to the lack of those biochemical mechanisms, which take place in the assimilation of those painful inputs at a cerebral level. Particularly pain may be caused by a lack of the 5HT turn-over. As a result of experiments carried out on animals, this takes the role of mediating pain inhibition, being present in the modulation stage of those multi-integrated processes which permit the central perception of pain. Some biochemical and pharmacological clinical observations suggest a serotonin lack in patients affected by essential headaches. A special interest is established by the reciprocal involvement of ancestral functions in essential headaches, such as: emotion, sleep, appetite, vomit, thermoregulation and sex, which are functions directly or undirectly controlled by serotonin. In the therapeutic field, the apparent contradiction between the benefit achieved by anti-serotonin drugs (such as: ergotamine, methisergide, org. G.C. 94 and LSD-25 at non-hallucinogen doses) and the substances with pro-serotonin activity (L-triptophane and L-5 hydroxy-triptophane) supports the hypothesis of a central lack of 5HT, due to the fact that the recent experiments on animal and man have shown a serotonin compatibility by "antiserotonin" drugs, when they are administered at therapeutic doses. If this initial thesis finds further confirmations, we could define essential headaches as a peculiar "pain disease", thus allowing them a well defined nosologic classification.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1976

[Exploration of extra-cephalic pain induced in essential headaches].

The deep pain threshold and migrainous patient's tolerance were investigated by different methods such as: the post-ischemic stasis, muscular exercise in an ischemic condition, sural pressure, comparing them with the cold pain test employed to assess the superficial pain threshold. The tests were carried out simultaneously and symmetrically to both extremities in order to check the possible asymmetry of the pain threshold. Migrainous patients showed a reduced threshold and a lower tolerance to deep pain, while this is not evident when testing the superficial threshold. The simultaneous measurement of both extremities showed higher differences in migrainous patients than in control patients. The meaning of the change of systemic pain is discussed, with special reference to the possible correlation with the hypothesis of a central origin of pain in essential headaches.

Headache↗
PubMed1976

Histamine and kallikrein system in man.

Histamine infusion modifies the kallikrein system, studied by kaolin contact method, in man. The main modifications are the increase of the spontaneous esterase activity and the prekallikrein lowering. Apparently the histamine administration activates the kallikrein, and consequently a release of kinin can take place.

Aprotinin↗
PubMed1976

Plasmatic prekallikrein and kallikrein inhibitor in pregnancy, labor and in newborn.

In order to reveal the possible physiological role of the kallikrein during the stress of birth, the prekallikrein and kallikrein inhibitor were evaluated in 15 pregnant women and in 15 newborns from terminated pregnancies. The results show a very low level of prekallikrein in the funiculus blood at the moment of birth and a still lower level in venous blood 24 hours after birth. No important changes resulted in the mother's blood either in pregnancy, nor at the end of the labour.

Aprotinin↗