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Biomedical subjects

G Bazzato

Publications and source records attributed to G Bazzato.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Combined hemodialysis-hemoperfusion in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism of uremic patients.

Hyperparathyroidism and its related symptoms such as bone pain, soft-tissue calcifications and pruritus often get worse during dialysis treatment. We have treated 12 cases among 170 patients on regular dialysis by using coated charcoal (150 g/cartridge) in combination with standard hemodialysis. During a 6-month treatment period, without changing medical therapy and diet regime, the patients reported a marked relief from pruritus. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels changed from 552 +/- 86 to 364 +/- 62 pg/ml (p less than 0.001) compared to the pretreatment period, Plasma PO4(3-) changed in the same period from 6.9 +/- 1.8 to 4.6 +/- 1.5 mg/dl (p less than 0.005). The results obtained indicate a relationship between PTH, serum plasma PO4(3-) levels and pruritus. The mechanism which may be involved is that hemoperfusion removes PTH excess by absorption. Our treatment reducing PTH levels resulted in a marked relief from pruritus and other symptoms, suggesting that patients in this condition, before undergoing surgical parathyroidectomy, may be usefully treated with this therapeutic modality.

Adult

On-line bioelectric impedance during haemodialysis: monitoring of body fluids and cell membrane status.

We have measured by a computed integrated system (BIA 109, RJL AKERN) the changes of bio-impedance (BI) deriving from a tetrapolar system working on 800 microA, 50 kHz current, in 23 haemodialysed patients. Resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) have been continuously monitored during haemodialysis in each patient. Resistance was strictly inversely correlated to the decrease of body weight (r = 0.82). Also, Xc increased almost constantly. In most of the patients the increase of Xc was proportionally greater than R, resulting in an increase of phase angle (PA). However, Xc showed a transient decrease in response to seven severe symptomatic hypotensive episodes, whereas R maintained the increasing trend, causing a sharp reduction of phase angle. As Xc is an expression of storage of electrical charge by the cells acting as condensers, and phase angle quantifies the active capacitive component in relation to passive electrical resistance, these parameters may be important to evaluate cell membrane function. In fact, the univocal increase of R, Xc and phase angle observed during normal unevenful haemodialysis probably indicates improvement of cellular activities due to the depurative treatment. On the contrary, the transient reduction of Xc and phase angle observed during hypotensive crises may be an expression of cellular distress because of a too rapid ultrafiltration.

Adult

Effect of phthalate acid esters on transport in toad bladder membrane.

Sclerosing peritonitis is a serious complication in patients on long-term peritoneal dialysis; it markedly decreases transport of water and solute across the peritoneal membrane. Although the precise mechanism is unknown, organic compounds (i.e., plasticizers) from plastic tubing and dialysis bags have been suggested to be a cause of the syndrome. The effects of three such compounds on water and sodium transport in vitro were studied in the toad bladder. The compounds studied were didodecylphthalate, dioctylphthalate, and benzylbutylphthalate. After 4 hr incubation in vitro, dioctylphthalate and benzylbutylphthalate significantly inhibited vasopressin-stimulated water flow in toad bladder. Basal water flow was not affected by any of the three compounds. Sodium transport, as measured using short-circuit current, was decreased to an equivalent degree by all compounds; inhibition of short-circuit current was dose dependent and was approximately 30% at 10(-3) M. The onset of action was between 3.5 and 4 hr, and the effect on short-circuit current was not reversible. These results demonstrate that the plasticizers (to which patients of all sorts are commonly exposed) inhibit transport across living membranes. In the toad bladder these compounds decrease sodium transport and maximal water flow. Although other evidence suggests that the cumulative toxic effects of these compounds may play a causal role in sclerosing peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis, our study suggests that chronic exposure to the phthalate acid esters in patients with normal renal function may result in sodium wastage, polyuria, and a concentrating defect resistant to AVP.

Animals

Removal of phosphate (Pi) by either bicarbonate dialysis or biofiltration in uremics.

The kinetics of extra and intracellular red blood cell (RBC) Pi and its removal by different therapeutic modalities were evaluated in 30 uremic patients over a 6 mo. period. Acetate hemodialysis alone, combined with hemoperfusion, or associated once a week with plasma-perfusion sessions using an activated bauxite cartridge, bicarbonate dialysis either in single pass or in recirculating system (40 L) and biofiltration, were the depurative treatments employed. The treatments with acetate buffer showed a temporary intracellular shift of Pi at the end of the sessions with post-dialytic plasma Pi rebound. This was not evident with bicarbonate buffer and biofiltration where acidosis was corrected better, and similarly during plasma perfusion treatment because blood pH remained unchanged. These findings may explain the better plasma Pi level at the end of our study with these later therapeutic models compared to acetate dialysis alone or combined with hemoperfusion. In these conditions Pi removal is limited by the correction of acidosis which implies acetate metabolism with ATP activation leading to a transient Pi intracellular influx and a subsequent efflux into the extracellular compartment.

Acetates

Step-dose of muzolimine at different stages of chronic renal failure: comparison with furosemide.

The authors have compared the clinical and metabolic effects of two high ceiling diuretics, muzolimine (M) and furosemide (F), by i.v. and oral routes in 40 patients classified in four groups with different degrees of renal failure. The study demonstrated a more pronounced effectiveness of M than F by oral administration, while it appeared equal to F when given i.v. The urine volume and Na+ excretion were significantly increased during M treatment compared to oral F in each group. Calcium urinary excretion was reduced with M while P was increased compared with F. BUN, creatinine and uric acid were temporarily increased in the 3rd and 4th groups, probably due to extracellular fluid volume contraction, associated also with transient change in GFR. M at a lower dosage than F has demonstrated an effective diuretic response irrespective the degree of renal impairment. From its pharmacological properties, M appears a safe and active diuretic agent, particularly at a high dosage in patients with severe renal failure, and is notable for its lack of important side effects.

Blood Pressure

Muzolimine vs. furosemide in nephrotic syndrome: further support of different carrier(s) operating for enteral absorption.

The authors have compared during 4 weeks of study the effects of furosemide (F) by oral route or i.v. and muzolimine (M)/os in 10 patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and normal renal function. A satisfactory diuretic response was observed with i.v. F (100 mg) and M/os (30-60 mg) with respect to the basal condition (P less than 0.001), while F/os (100 mg) was ineffective in these patients. This behaviour may be explained by the different pharmacological properties of M vs. F, by gut alterations due to the oedema of mucosa or loss of some "carrier(s)" operating for intestinal absorption of these two high ceiling diuretics.

Adult

Spontaneous ascites filtration and reinfusion (SAFR) in cirrhotic patients.

Since knowledge about the pathogenesis of hepato-renal syndrome (HRS) is incomplete, the therapy is empiric and supportive. While a number of specific therapeutic measures have been attempted, none has been proved to be of practical value. We describe a very simple technique for concentration of ascitic fluid obtained with spontaneous filtration by gravity. We have been treating with this new device 4 patients affected by HRS with ascites refractory to diuretics. We obtained a rapid disappearance of ascites and improvement in clinical condition. The simplicity and the ease of operation make this technique feasible for repeated chronic ambulatory treatment.

Adult