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Biomedical subjects

G Benzi

Publications and source records attributed to G Benzi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Is the Mg(2+)-ATP-dependent proton pumping activity of the synaptic vesicles a factor involved in the cerebral hypoxia?

The changes in the Mg(2+)-dependent V-type ATPase activity and the Mg(2+)-ATP-dependent H+ pumping activity of the synaptic vesicles from the cerebral cortex of rats submitted to intermittent chronic (4 weeks) mild or severe hypoxia were evaluated. The adaptation to the chronic severe hypoxia increases both the ATPase and the H+ pumping activities which are inhibited by NEM with an exponential relationship between the IC(50) values and the in vivo O2 concentration. The Mg(2+)-dependent increase in H+ pumping activity of synaptic vesicles from the rats subjected to in vivo chronic hypoxia may be antagonized by nigericin (dissipating delta pH) and by FCCP (dissipating delta pH and delta psi SV). In contrast, valinomycin (dissipating the delta psi SV) and facilitating an enhancement in delta pH) increases in vitro the H+ pumping activity that is inhibited by the addition of high concentration of K gluconate (reducing the rate of K+ efflux). The preincubation of vesicles from hypoxic rats with FCCP, but not with nigericin, inhibits the valinomycin-increased H+ pumping activity. L-glutamate increases the H+ pumping activity in synaptic vesicles from the cerebral cortex of chronic hypoxic rats, whereas other amino acids (i.e., L-aspartate and L-homocysteate) and glutamate analogs (i.e., quisqualate and ibotenate) are ineffective. The adaptation to both chronic intermittent severe hypoxia and in vivo treatment with posatireline causes a decrease in the Mg(2+)-ATPase activity consistent with the decrease in the H+ pumping one of the synaptic vesicles. The addition of nigericin into incubation medium magnifies the decrease in the H+ pumping activity, while the addition of FCCP is ineffective, suggesting that the treatment with posatireline interferes with the delta psi SV component in the delta mu H+ of the synaptic vesicles from rats submitted to chronic hypoxia. The results of the in vivo and in vitro experiments suggest that in the synaptic vesicles from hypoxic rats the delta psi SV component in delta mu H+ may be most effective in increasing the Mg(2+)-ATP-dependent H+ pumping activity.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Coffee and alcohol intake, smoking and risk of multiple pregnancy.

We analysed the relationship between coffee and alcohol intake, smoking and risk of multiple pregnancies using data from a case-control study on risk factors for multiple births conducted in Italy. Cases were 133 women who delivered multiple births not related to treatment for infertility (33 monozygotic and 100 dizygotic twins). Controls were 395 women admitted for normal delivery at the same clinic where cases had been identified. The odds ratios (OR) of multiple pregnancy were 1.5[95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-2.8] and 2.0 (95% CI 1.0-3.7) for women drinking respectively one to two or three or more cups of coffee per day in comparison with non-coffee drinkers. Considering separately dizygotic and monozygotic pregnancies, the estimated OR were respectively for women drinking three or more cups of coffee, 1.7 and 3.1 for dizygotic and monozygotic pregnancies. The risk of multiple pregnancy tended to be higher in women drinking >or= 15 alcohol drinks per week: in comparison with tea-totallers the estimated OR for drink > or = 15 glasses per week were 2.3 and 2.6 respectively for dizygotic and monozygotic pregnancies. Heavy smokers (> or = 10 cigarettes per day) were at increased risk of multiple pregnancy: in comparison with never smokers, the estimated OR for multiple pregnancy was 1.6 (95% CI 0.9-2.7). Considering separately the two groups of multiple pregnancy, the OR of dizygotic and monozygotic pregnancy were 1.4 (95% CI 0.8-2.5) and 2.4 (95% CI 0.9-6.1) for women smoking > or = 10 cigarettes/day, but the trend in risk with number of cigarettes smoked per day and duration of the habit was not significant.

Adult↗

Modifications by chronic intermittent hypoxia and drug treatment on skeletal muscle metabolism.

The energy metabolism was evaluated in gastrocnemius muscle from 3-month-old rats subjected to either mild or severe 4-week intermittent normobaric hypoxia. Furthermore, 4-week treatment with CNS-acting drugs, namely, alpha-adrenergic (delta-yohimbine), vasodilator (papaverine, pinacidil), or oxygen-increasing (almitrine) agents was performed. The muscular concentration of the following metabolites was evaluated: glycogen, glucose, glucose 6-phosphate, pyruvate, lactate, lactate-to-pyruvate ratio; citrate, alpha-ketoglutarate, succinate, malate; aspartate, glutamate, alanine; ammonia; ATP, ADP, AMP, creatine phosphate. Furthermore the Vmax of the following muscular enzymes was evaluated: hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase; citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase; total NADH cytochrome c reductase; cytochrome oxidase. The adaptation to chronic intermittent normobaric mild or severe hypoxia induced alterations of the components in the anaerobic glycolytic pathway [as supported by the increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase and/or hexokinase, resulting in the decreased glycolytic substrate concentration consistent with the increased lactate production and lactate-to-pyruvate ratio] and in the mitochondrial mechanism [as supported by the decreased activity of malate dehydrogenase and/or citrate synthase resulting in the decreased concentration of some key components in the tricarboxylic acid cycle]. The effect of the concomitant pharmacological treatment suggests that the action of CNS-acting drugs could be also related to their direct influence on the muscular biochemical mechanisms linked to energy transduction.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Age- and peroxidative stress-related modifications of the cerebral enzymatic activities linked to mitochondria and the glutathione system.

The aging brain undergoes a process of enhanced peroxidative stress, as shown by reports of altered membrane lipids, oxidized proteins, and damaged DNA. The aims of this review are to examine: (1) the possible contribution of mitochondrial processes to the formation and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the aging brain; and (2) the age-related changes of antioxidant defenses, both enzymatic and nonenzymatic. It will focus on studies investigating the role of the electron transfer chain as the site of ROS formation in brain aging and the alterations of the glutathione system, also in relation to the effects of exogenous pro-oxidant agents. The possible role of peroxidative stress in age-related neurodegenerative diseases will also be discussed.

Aging↗

Past contraceptive method use and risk of ectopic pregnancy.

The relationship between past contraceptive method use and risk of ectopic pregnancy has been analyzed in a case-control study conducted in Milan, Italy. Cases were 158 women with diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy confirmed by laparoscopy or laparotomy, admitted to a network of university and general hospitals of Milan. The first control group (obstetric controls) included 243 women who gave birth at term (more than 37 weeks' gestation) to healthy infants at the same hospitals where the cases had been identified. The second control group (non-obstetric controls) was a random sample of 158 women admitted to the same network of hospitals where cases had been identified for diseases other than malignant, hormonal, or gynecological in origin. A total of 37 (23%) cases, 21 (9%) obstetric and 24 (15%) non-obstetric controls reported ever IUD use. The corresponding relative risk, RR, of ectopic pregnancy was 3.5 (95% CI 1.3-4.6) when non-obstetric subjects were considered as control group. The risk of ectopic pregnancy increased with duration of IUD use: in comparison with obstetric and non-obstetric controls, the RR were 2.3 and 2.0 for users for less than 2 years and 4.3 and 2.6 for longer users. There was no clear relation between time since last IUD use and risk of ectopic pregnancy, and no evidence of a decline of risk with increasing time since stopping use.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Alteration of pallidal cholinergic activity in MPTP-treated monkeys: effect of dihydro-alpha-ergocryptine (DEK).

Monkeys, intravenously administered with MPTP at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days, develop a severe Parkinson-like syndrome. Cholinergic enzyme activities are increased in the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) and into a lesser extent in the external globus pallidus (GPe). Cholinergic activities are not significantly affected in the caudate and putamen nor in the frontal, parietotemporal, occipital cortices and in the cerebellum. The treatment of the animals twice daily for 2 weeks with dihydro-alpha-ergocryptine (DEK) starting 5 days before the first MPTP administration counteracts the neurotoxin-induced alteration in the internal pallidum and ameliorates some motor related parkinsonian symptoms.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Age-related alterations by chronic intermittent hypoxia on cerebral synaptosomal ATPase activities.

The age-related alterations in the plasticity of synaptic energy-requiring ATPases [Na+,K(+)-ATPase, low- and high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase, Mg(2+)-ATPase, and Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase] were assayed in synaptosomes and synaptosomal subfractions [namely, synaptosomal plasma membranes and synaptic vesicles] in the cerebral cortex from 3- and 24-month-old normoxic rats and rats subjected to either mild or severe chronic (four weeks) intermittent normobaric hypoxia. With the exception of the high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase, aging induced a decrease in the ATPase activities from normoxic rats. The adaptation to mild hypoxia was characterized by an increase in the activity of Mg(2+)-ATPase in 3-month-old rats, concomitant with a decrease in the activities of: (i) Na+,K(+)-ATPase and high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase in both 3- and 24-month-old rats, and (ii) Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase in 3-month-old ones. The adaptation to chronic intermittent severe hypoxia was characterized by a decrease in the activities of: (i) Na+,K(+)-ATPase, Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase and high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase in both 3- and 24-month-old rats, and (ii) low-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase only in 24-month-old ones. The effect on Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was characterized by a decrease in the activity of the enzymatic form located in the synaptic plasma membranes [involved in ATP hydrolysis to adenosine production], concomitant with an increase in the activity of the form located in the synaptic vesicles [involved in the turnover of transmitters, e.g., glutamate].

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Modifications by hypoxia and drug treatment of cerebral ATPase plasticity.

The plasticity of synaptosomal non-mitochondrial ATPases was evaluated in cerebral cortex from 3-month-old normoxic rats and rats subjected to either mild or severe intermittent normobaric hypoxia [12 hr daily exposure to N2:O2 (90:10 or 91.5:8.5) for four weeks]. The activities of Na+, K(+)-ATPase, low- and high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase, Mg(2+)-ATPase, and Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase were assayed in synaptosomes and synaptosomal subfractions, namely synaptosomal plasma membranes and synaptic vesicles. The evaluations were performed after a 4-week treatment with saline (controls) or alpha-adrenergic agents (delta-yohimbine, clonidine), a vasodilator compound (papaverine), and an oxygen-partial pressure increasing agent (almitrine). These treatments differently changed the adaptation to chronic intermittent hypoxia characterized by a decrease in the activity of Na+,K(+)-ATPase, Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase, and high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase, concomitant with a modification in the activity of Mg(2+)-ATPase supported in a different way by the enzymatic forms located into the synaptosomal plasma membranes and synaptic vesicles.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Synaptosomal non-mitochondrial ATPase activities: age-related alterations by chronic normobaric intermittent hypoxia.

In synaptosomes and synaptosomal subfractions (namely, synaptosomal plasma membranes and synaptic vesicles) the age-related alteration in the plasticity of synaptic energy-requiring ATPases (Na+, K(+)-ATPase, low- and high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase, Mg(2+)-ATPase and Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase) were assayed in the cerebral cortex from 3- and 24-month-old normoxic rats and rats subjected to either mild or severe chronic (4 weeks) intermittent normobaric hypoxia. With the exception of the high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase, aging induced a decrease in the ATPase activities from normoxic rats. The adaptation to mild hypoxia was characterized by an increase in the activity of Mg(2+)-ATPase in 3-month-old rats, concomitant with a decrease in the activities of: (i) Na+,K(+)-ATPase and high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase in both 3- and 24-month-old rats; and (ii) Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase in 3-month-old ones. The adaptation to chronic intermittent severe hypoxia was characterized by a decrease in the activities of: (i) Na+,K(+)-ATPase, Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase and high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase in both 3- and 24-month-old rats and (ii) low-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase only in 24-month-old ones. The effect on Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was characterized by a decrease in the activity of the enzymatic form located in the synaptic plasma membranes (involved in ATP hydrolysis to adenosine production), concomitant with an increase in the activity of the form located in the synaptic vesicles (involved in the turnover of transmitters, e.g., glutamate).

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Effect of intermittent mild hypoxia and drug treatment on synaptosomal nonmitochondrial ATPase activities.

Synaptosomal nonmitochondrial ATPases linked to the energy-utilizing systems were evaluated in cerebral cortex from normoxic rats and rats submitted to mild intermittent normobaric hypoxia [12 hr daily exposure to N2:O2 (90:10) mixture for 4 weeks]. The activities of Na+,K(+)-ATPase; high- and low-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase; basal Mg(2+)-ATPase; and Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase were assayed in synaptosomes and synaptosomal subfractions, namely, synaptosomal plasma membranes and synaptic vesicles. The evaluations were performed either in normoxic rats or in hypoxic rats submitted to 4-week treatment with saline (controls) or a vasodilator agent (papaverine), an energy-metabolism interfering agent (theniloxazine), a calcium blocker (nicardipine), and a lipid-metabolism interfering agent (phosphatidylcholine) in order to define the plasticity and the selective changes in individual ATPases. In synaptosomes from rat cerebral cortex, the enzyme adaptation to the daily mild intermittent hypoxia for 4 weeks was characterized by an increase in the activity of Mg(2+)-ATPase, concomitant with a decrease in the activities of Na+,K(+)-ATPase, high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase, and Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase. In hypoxic rats the enzyme adaptation to the 4-week treatment with phosphatidylcholine was characterized by an increase in Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase activity and a decrease in Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. The action involves the enzymatic form located in the synaptic plasma membranes. In hypoxic rats the adaptation to the 4 week treatment with nicardipine was characterized by an increase in high-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, while the 4-week-treatment with theniloxazine induced an increase in Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity. The actions of both nicardipine and theniloxazine were related to the enzymatic forms located in the synaptic plasma membranes. The effects on the biophase induced by the sequential cycles of hypoxia/normoxia and the treatment with the various agents tested should also be related to the changes induced in the activity of some synaptosomal ATPases.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Experimental Parkinson's disease in monkeys. Effect of ergot alkaloid derivative on lipid peroxidation in different brain areas.

The effects of the Parkinsonism induced by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were evaluated in four different monkey brain areas (frontal and occipital cortex, caudate putamen, substantia nigra). The basal and stimulated lipid peroxidation and the reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration were evaluated in three groups of male Macaca fascicularis monkeys (6 animals/group): (a) controls; (b) MPTP-treated animals; (c) animals treated with MPTP and alpha-dihydroergocryptine (DEK; ergot alkaloid characterized by a dopaminergic agonist action). In MPTP-treated animals the GSH concentration was unchanged or decreased in a non-significant way in the frontal and occipital cortex, and in substantia nigra. The basal thiobabituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations were significantly higher in the caudate putamen and substantia nigra of MPTP-treated animals. In the MPTP-treated monkeys the DEK administration induced a restoration of basal TBARS values to nearly normal ones. By incubating tissue from different brain areas with FeSO4 plus ascorbic acid, the stimulation of lipid peroxidation decreased the TBARS production in the substantia nigra of the MPTP-treated animals. These results, taken together, may indicate that an increased lipid peroxidation could possibly play a role in producing the Parkinson-like syndrome by MPTP and that a free radical excess could be responsible for the degeneration of the substantia nigra. The treatment with an ergot alkaloid (i.e., alpha-dihydroergocryptine) partially antagonizes the MPTP-induced increase in basal TBARS concentration in caudate putamen.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Synaptosomal non-mitochondrial ATPase activities and drug treatment.

Energy-using non-mitochondrial ATPases were assayed in rat cerebral cortex synaptosomes and synaptosomal subfractions, namely synaptosomal plasma membranes and synaptic vesicles. The following enzyme activities were evaluated: Na+, K+ -ATPase; high- and low-affinity Ca2+ -ATPase; basal Mg(2+)-ATPase; Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase. The evaluations were performed after four week-treatment with saline [controls] or alpha-adrenergic agents (delta-yohimbine, clonidine), energy-metabolism interfering compound (theniloxazine), and oxygen-partial pressure increasing agent (almitrine), in order to define the plasticity and the selective changes in individual ATPases. In rat cerebral cortex, the enzyme adaptation to four-week-treatment with delta-yohimbine or clonidine was characterized by increase in both high- and low-affinity Ca2+ -ATPase activities. The action involves the enzyme form located in the synaptic plasma membranes. The enzyme adaptation to the subchronic treatments with theniloxazine or almitrine was characterized by increase in Na+, K(+)-ATPase or Mg(2+)-ATPase activities, respectively. The action involves the enzymatic forms located in the synaptic plasma membranes. Thus, the pharmacodynamic effects of the agents tested should also be related to the changes induced in the activity of some specific synaptosomal non-mitochondrial ATPases.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Natural history of small untreated hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: a multivariate analysis of prognostic factors of tumor growth rate and patient survival.

We analyzed the growth pattern of tumor masses and the survival of 39 asymptomatic Italian patients with a total of 59 small (less than or equal to 5 cm in diameter) hepatocellular carcinomas arising from cirrhosis. The total length of the observation period ranged from 90 to 962 days, with an average of 364 +/- 229 (mean +/- S.D.). Doubling time ranged from 27.2 to 605.6 days (mean +/- S.D., 204.2 +/- 135; median = 171.6 days). Three different growth patterns were recognized: (a) tumors with no or very slow initial growth pattern (doubling time greater than 200 days), 10 cases (37%); (b) tumors with declining growth rate over time, 9 cases (33.4%); and (c) tumors with almost constant growth rate, 8 cases (29.6%). Using the stepwise discriminant analysis, we found a score based on albumin, alcohol intake, number of nodules, echo pattern and histological type that allowed a correct prediction of short doubling time (less than or equal to 150 days) in 55.6%, medium doubling time (151 to 300 days) in 60% and long doubling time (greater than 300 days) in 100% of cases. The estimated survival rate of the 39 patients, calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method was 81% at 1 yr, 55.7% at 2 yr and 21% at 3 yr. Stepwise discriminant analysis showed that a score based on sex, HBsAg status, alcohol consumption, ascites, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, prothrombin time, Child-Pugh class and all the sonographical parameters could predict 2-yr survival in 100% of cases. We conclude that great variability of growth patterns exists among and within small hepatocellular carcinomas. Prediction of subsequent growth rate is unreliable in most cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alcohol Drinking↗

Outbreak of recurrent abdominal cramps associated with Arcobacter butzleri in an Italian school.

In the autumn of 1983, an outbreak of recurrent abdominal cramps occurred in a nursery and primary school in the Rovigo area in Italy. None of the 10 affected children had diarrhea. An atypical Campylobacter-like organism was isolated from feces in all cases. Conventional enteropathogens were searched for but not detected. The Campylobacter-like organism was identified as Arcobacter butzleri by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of whole-cell proteins and cellular fatty acid analysis. Its identity was confirmed by DNA-DNA hybridizations versus Arcobacter reference strains. All of the preserved outbreak strains have identical protein profiles and phenotypic characteristics and belong to serogroup 1 of the Lior serotyping scheme on the basis of slide agglutination of crude and absorbed antisera of A. butzleri reference strains versus heat-labile antigens of live bacteria. These data point to an epidemiological relationship. The successive timing of the cases suggests person-to-person transmission.

Campylobacter↗

Ultrasonography and guided biopsy in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Ultrasonographic screening and follow-up of patients with chronic liver disease lead to the detection of a large number of small asymptomatic hepatocellular carcinomas, so that the changing appearance of this neoplasm during its natural history has now been recognized. Ultrasonography provides information on shape, echogenicity, growth pattern and vascular involvement of the neoplasm. Three different shapes may be identified, depending upon the size and the invasiveness of the neoplasm: nodular, massive and diffuse. The echogenicity is variable and the tumour mass may appear hypo, hyper or isoechoic in comparison with the surrounding liver tissue. A mixed pattern and/or a hypoechoic ring may also be visualized. A tendency to change from a low echo pattern to a low periphery and finally to a massive pattern with increasing echogenicity has been shown in Japanese patients. The infiltrative growth pattern may be grossly distinguished from the expansive one on the basis of the aspect of the tumour boundary. Vascular invasion is easily recognizable as a mass within a major portal branch or even in the portal trunk. Duplex and color Doppler ultrasonography enable further insights on the vascular alterations related to this neoplasm. Abnormal signals, typical of HCC, are characterized by high-peak with broadening of spectrum. Low impedance continuous signals are less characteristic. Finally, ultra-sound guidance allows puncture of intrahepatic nodules as small as 1cm. The sensitivity of this procedure in the diagnosis of focal liver lesions is very high, varying between 91% and 95% with a specificity of 92%-100%.

Biopsy↗