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Biomedical subjects

G Ciprandi

Publications and source records attributed to G Ciprandi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Cetirizine reduces inflammatory cell recruitment and ICAM-1 (or CD54) expression on conjunctival epithelium in both early- and late-phase reactions after allergen-specific challenge.

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific conjunctival challenge (ASCC) is a safe and reproducible experimental model of allergic conjunctivitis and a useful tool in the evaluation of effectiveness and possible mechanisms of action of drugs commonly used in the treatment of allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: The protective effect of cetirizine on inflammatory changes after ASCC was assessed in 12 patients with rhinoconjunctivitis caused by Parietaria judaica in a double-blind study. METHODS: After a screening ASCC was performed, patients were randomized into two treatment groups; each patient was given cetirizine (oral tablets) 10 mg twice daily, or matching placebo for 3 1/2 days in off-pollen season. Clinical evaluation (itching, hyperemia, lacrimation, and swelling of eyelids) and cytologic assessment (number of inflammatory cells in conjunctival scraping and evaluation of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)/CD54 expression on epithelial cells) were performed at baseline, 30 minutes (i.e., early-phase reaction [EPR]), 6 hours, and 24 hours (i.e., late-phase reaction [LPR]) after ASCC, before and after treatment. RESULTS: The EPR clinical events and the EPR total number of inflammatory cells were significantly reduced by cetirizine compared with placebo. The LPR clinical events and inflammatory cell recruitment were reduced by cetirizine in a similar manner. Both eosinophil and neutrophil numbers were decreased by active drug in EPR and LPR. Furthermore, ICAM-1/CD54 expression was significantly reduced by cetirizine in both the EPR and LPR compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that cetirizine has a protective effect on clinical and cellular EPR and LPR events (including ICAM-1/CD54 expression on epithelium) induced by ASCC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Terfenadine exerts antiallergic activity reducing ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells in patients with pollen allergy.

BACKGROUND: Rhinoconjunctivitis caused by pollen allergy is characterized by typical signs and symptoms and mucosal infiltration by inflammatory cells during the pollen season. It has recently been demonstrated that the adhesion molecule system is deeply involved in cell-to-cell interaction during the inflammatory response which follows allergic reactions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study (placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized) was the evaluation of the antiallergic activity of Terfenadine in the model of the allergic rhinitis due to natural pollen exposure. METHODS: Two groups of patients with pollen allergy were enrolled in this study. Ten patients were treated with Terfenadine (120 mg/die) for 7 days and 10 with placebo. Evaluation criteria were: (a) clinical: signs and symptoms (recorded daily in a diary card by patients); (b) cytological: inflammatory cell count (neutrophils, eosinophils, metachromatic cells) from nasal lavage at T0 and T7; (c) immunocytochemical: ICAM-1/CD54 expression on nasal epithelial cells at T0 and T7; and (d) mediators dosage (ECP-MPO) on nasal lavage at T0 and T7. RESULTS: As opposed to the placebo group, patients treated with Terfenadine showed a significant improvement of both symptoms (P < 0.022) and signs P < 0.001), a significant reduction of inflammatory cells infiltrate (P < 0.005), of ECP levels (P < 0.002) and ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, these data demonstrate that Terfenadine exerts antiallergic activity since it is able to reduce inflammatory cell infiltrate and downregulates ICAM-1 expression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Oxatomide reduces inflammatory events induced by allergen-specific conjunctival challenge.

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific conjunctival challenge is a safe and reproducible experimental model to evaluate effectiveness and possible mechanism(s) of action of drugs employed in the treatment of allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: The protective effect of oxatomide on inflammatory changes that follow allergen-specific conjunctival challenge was assessed in 20 patients with rhinoconjunctivitis due to Parietaria judaica in a double-blind study. METHODS: After a screening allergen-specific conjunctival challenge, patients were randomized into two treatment groups, each being given oxatomide (oral tablets) at 60 mg daily or matching placebo for seven days during off-pollen season. Clinical evaluation, cytologic assessment (number of inflammatory cells and ICAM-1 expression on epithelial cells) were assessed at baseline, 30 minutes, 6 hours, and 24 hours after allergen-specific conjunctival challenge, before and after treatment. In addition, electrocardiograms were obtained before and after treatment. RESULTS: Early phase reaction clinical events as well as total numbers of inflammatory cells were significantly reduced by oxatomide compared with placebo. Late phase reaction clinical events as well as total numbers of inflammatory cells were significantly reduced by oxatomide compared with placebo. ICAM-1 expression was significantly reduced by oxatomide in early phase reactions and late phase reactions compared with placebo. No pathologic cardiac events were detected in any subject. CONCLUSIONS: Oxatomide has a protective effect on clinical and cellular early phase reactions and late phase reactions (including ICAM-1 expression on epithelium) induced by allergen-specific conjunctival challenge and is safe and well tolerated.

Allergens↗
PubMed1995

Loratadine in the treatment of cough associated with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: Antihistaminic treatment of allergic asthma or cough-type asthma, including cough associated with allergic rhinocojunctivitis, has been recently reconsidered prospectively since new very potent compounds, nonsedating with anti-allergic properties, are available. OBJECTIVE: The possible effectiveness of loratadine in the treatment of allergic cough was assessed in 20 patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and cough due to Parietaria judaica during the pollen season (April to July 1993). METHODS: Allergic patients were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, randomized study, and received loratadine 10 mg/d or placebo in oral tablets for 4 weeks. Occurrence and severity of conjunctival and nasal symptoms, severity and frequency of cough attacks were assessed daily by the patients together with peak expiratory flow evaluation performed twice a day, ie, in the morning and in the evening. Physicians evaluated conjunctival and nasal signs, and spirometry on admission (before treatment), 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. On admission methacholine challenge was also performed to assess PD20. Pollen counts were assessed during the study. RESULTS: According to patients' diary cards, ocular and nasal symptoms were progressively reduced by loratadine treatment (respectively P < .05 and P < .01), as well as cough frequency (P < .05) and cough intensity (P < .01). Peak expiratory flow rate, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in one second significantly decreased in the placebo-treated group (P < .01), while they were not modified in loratadine-treated patients, who remained normal. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that loratadine may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic cough, as well as in rhinoconjunctivitis. Further studies of this may be warranted.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Evidence of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells in acute rhinoconjunctivitis caused by pollen exposure.

Rhinoconjunctivitis caused by pollen allergy is characterized by typical signs and symptoms and mucosal infiltration by inflammatory cells during pollen season. It has been recently demonstrated that the adhesion molecule system is deeply involved in cell-to-cell interaction during inflammatory response consequent to allergic reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1 or CD54) on nasal epithelial cells, before and during natural seasonal exposure, in 10 allergic patients (Parietaria judaica-sensitized) and in 10 healthy volunteers, correlating this parameter with clinical and cytologic involvement. Nasal epithelial cells of allergic subjects showed a significant expression of CD54 during pollen season (p < 0.001). On the contrary, no CD54 expression was observed out of pollen season. In healthy volunteers no CD54 expression was observed both before and during pollen season. Cytologic evaluation demonstrated an infiltration by eosinophils (mainly activated [EG2+]), (p < 0.001), neutrophils (p < 0.001), and metachromatic cells (p < 0.001) during pollen season only in allergic subjects. Therefore results indicate that seasonal allergic rhinitis is characterized by an infiltration of inflammatory cells correlated with CD54 expression on nasal epithelial cells. This phenomenon is specific, being restricted only to allergic patients during pollen season.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Effects of conjunctival hyperosmolar challenge in allergic subjects and normal controls.

Nonspecific hyperreactivity to a number of physical, chemical and pharmacological agents in a common characteristics of allergic subjects, which is strictly related to the inflammatory events consequent to an allergic reaction. Hyperosmolar stimulus has previously been shown to cause an inflammatory response inducing mast cell activation and subsequent mediator release. We investigated the clinical and cytological events following conjunctival challenge using a hyperosmolar agent (i.e. glucose solution) in patients with allergy due to pollen, in patients with allergy due to mites and in healthy individuals in order to investigate the possible existence of 'conjunctival hyperreactivity', similar to the well-known nasal and bronchial nonspecific hyperreactivity in allergic patients. Hyperosmolar stimulus was able to produce an immediate inflammatory response evidenced by clinical symptomatology, inflammatory cell infiltrate and CD54 expression on conjunctival epithelium in all allergic subjects and healthy volunteers. House dust mite-sensitive subjects, but not pollen-sensitive subjects studied out of pollen season, showed conjunctival hyperreactivity as shown by histamine challenge, in that they required lower glucose concentrations to elicit the conjunctival reaction. This is probably related to an underlying although mild, inflammation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Lodoxamide treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

Lodoxamide is an antiallergic compound. The present study evaluated the efficacy on clinical and cytological parameters and safety of topical lodoxamide compared to placebo in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. The trial, designed as double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled and parallel group treatment, was carried out in 30 patients, suffering from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis due to grass pollen, during the pollen season. Patients received lodoxamide tromethamine 0.1% eye drops or placebo eye drops, one drop in each eye t.i.d. for 4 weeks. The clinical and cytological evidence was investigated by clinicians on admission and after 4 weeks' treatment. At the end of the trial, only the lodoxamide-treated group showed a significant clinical improvement, associated with a reduction of inflammatory cells. No serious side effects were observed. The results show the clinical efficacy of lodoxamide in the treatment of pollen-induced allergic conjunctivitis. In addition, lodoxamide exerts its antiallergic activity by reducing inflammatory infiltrate (mainly eosinophils).

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Allergen-specific challenge induces intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1 or CD54) on nasal epithelial cells in allergic subjects. Relationships with early and late inflammatory phenomena.

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1 or CD54) expression on epithelial cells (EC) has been demonstrated to play a role in the local molecular events of inflammation following allergen-specific conjunctival challenge. In the light of these observations, we evaluated the possible expression of ICAM-1 on nasal EC after allergen-specific challenge. Three groups of subjects were studied: (1) 14 symptomless patients sensitized to mites, (2) 15 symptomless patients sensitized to pollen, and (3) 10 healthy volunteers as controls. The study was performed during winter. At baseline we found that both pollinosic and healthy subjects did not express CD54 on epithelial cells, whereas mite-sensitive patients showed a mild expression (possibly caused by a persistent natural allergen exposure). In addition, clinical and cellular responses were induced by lower allergen dosages in mite-sensitive patients compared with pollen-sensitive patients. CD54 was detectable in all the allergic patients but not in the control subjects 30 min after challenge. At 6 h all patients showed a marked inflammatory infiltration and CD54 persistence on EC: such an infiltration was more relevant in patients developing clinical late-phase reaction (LPR). Finally, 24 h after challenge EC CD54 expression persisted, as well as a cellular infiltrate mainly caused by eosinophils (the latter being more pronounced in mite-sensitive individuals). CD54 should be regarded as an early and sensitive marker of inflammation in both LPR-positive and LPR-negative patients. A cellular inflammatory infiltrate was detectable in both LPR-positive and LPR-negative subjects, although relevant differences in eosinophil counts were observed between the two groups. The study emphasizes the importance of the different events of inflammation in allergy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Echinococcosis/hydatidosis in children: combined medical and surgical treatment].

The outcome of 5 children with visceral hydatid cysts treated with Albendazole and surgical therapy is reviewed. The diagnoses were confirmed by immunological tests, X-ray, ultrasound scanner (US) and computer tomography. The therapeutic approach was correlated to the type of infection pictures. Immunological tests, X-ray and US were performed with the aim to evaluate the response to the therapeutic protocol. Combination of pharmacological and surgical treatment resulted in a complete resolution for all patients without any recurrence and further dissemination of infection.

Albendazole↗
PubMed1993

[Surgery of thyroglossal duct in childhood].

A retrospective review of 177 neck masses in childhood treated between January 1975 and December 1990 at the "Bambino Gesù" Pediatric Hospital of Rome is presented, with particular emphasis on recurrences and their causes. 105, object of our study, were thyroglossal duct cysts (TDC) (58.7%); in the remaining 72 cases there were dermoid cysts (23.1%), granulomas (7.9%), lateral neck masses (1.69%) and other histological patterns. The aim was to identify the variables that could change postoperative hospitalization or cause the recurrence. The TDC's group was separated in two: 92 primary patients, while 13 received a preliminary operation in other institutions. In the first group we applied 41 Sistrunk, 43 Schlange, 8 cystectomies; 5 recurrences occurred (5.43%), 3 of which in patients operated on with modified Sistrunk's technique (Schlange) (60%). In the second group (13 patients) a standard Sistrunk procedure was always performed. We had only one recurrence (7.69%) due to a remnant of multiple proximal thyroglossal duct. In 11 cases (10.47%) there were postoperative complications due to an existing inflammatory condition of the TDC (8 patients -72.72%). In only one case there was a recurrence after 27 months. Histological study of the specimens showed that thyroglossal ducts were frequently multiple and widely spaced and may also be present in the distal portion of the duct; in our series in 16.19% we found the distal portion of the duct during the operation. Our overall recurrence frequency is 5.7%. Every lesion referred to a TDC must be treated with a Sistrunk procedure for the better results achieved with this surgical approach but, in our experience, we prefer to complete the Sistrunk's technique with the research and exeresis of the distal portion of the duct by a "muscular sparing procedure" that preserves little patients from pharyngodynia. At the follow-up, we have not recurrence in the 17 cases operated on by this procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Protective effects of deflazacort on allergen-specific conjunctival challenge.

The protective effects of deflazacort, (a new heterocyclic glucocorticoid and derivative of prednisolone, with calcium and glucose-sparing effects) on the inflammatory reaction following an allergen-specific conjunctival provocation test (CPT) were assessed in a double-blind study, in 24 patients suffering from rhinoconjunctivitis due to Parietaria judaica. After an initial screening CPT, patients were randomized to four treatment groups, to receive deflazacort, 6, 30 or 60 mg, once daily or placebo, for 3 days, during the low-pollen season. Clinical evaluations (itching, hyperaemia, lacrimation and eyelid swelling), cytological assessment (number of inflammatory cells, i.e. neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes, sampled by conjunctival scraping) and immunocytochemical evaluation of CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecular-1 [ICAM-1]) expression on epithelial cells were performed after CPT, at baseline, after 30 minutes (early-phase reaction [EPR]) and after 6 and 24 hours (late-phase reaction [LPR]), before and after treatment. Neither the nature or severity of clinical events nor the total number of inflammatory cells during the EPR changed during treatment with deflazacort. The severity of the clinical events during the LPR were significantly reduced by deflazacort, 30 and 60 mg/day P < 0.01) compared to the placebo-treated group. The total number of inflammatory cells during the LPR was also significantly reduced by deflazacort, 30 and 60 mg/day (P < 0.01) compared to the placebo-treated group. CD54 expression was significantly reduced by deflazacort, 30 and 60 mg/day both during the EPR (P < 0.01) and LPR (P < 0.01) compared to the placebo-treated group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1993

Allergic subjects express intercellular adhesion molecule--1 (ICAM-1 or CD54) on epithelial cells of conjunctiva after allergen challenge.

BACKGROUND: Allergic inflammation can be experimentally reproduced in vivo in humans, by means of the conjunctival provocation test with allergen. The allergen stimulation triggers an early clinical response and an almost simultaneous cellular infiltrate. Among the factors that can contribute to the local cellular recruitment, we postulate a possible early involvement of CD54 in the development of inflammation caused by the allergic reaction. METHODS: We used a sensitive immunocytochemical immunoenzymatic alkaline phosphatase-monoclonal antialkaline phosphatase technique to detect the possible expression of CD54 molecule on epithelial cells of conjunctiva in 15 allergic subjects and in 15 healthy individuals in basal conditions and after allergen challenge (Parietaria judaica) during the off-pollen season. RESULTS: At baseline all studied individuals did not evidence CD54 expression on epithelial cells; 30 minutes after allergen challenge, all the allergic individuals showed a marked expression of CD54 on conjunctival epithelium, whereas none of healthy subjects showed any CD54 expression. First, CD54 expression on conjunctival epithelium after specific provocation test appeared as a specific phenomenon occurring only in sensitized subjects; moreover, it is an immediate event concomitant with the local inflammatory infiltrate. Therefore conjunctival epithelium unexpectedly appeared to be more than a bystander in the allergic reaction; it may be perceived as an active participant interacting with the inflammatory infiltrate. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that CD54 may play a central role in the allergic inflammation and strongly support the concept that maneuvers designed to interact with the adhesion machinery expressed on inflammatory cells and epithelium may be a helpful therapeutic approach.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Deflazacort protects against late-phase but not early-phase reactions induced by the allergen-specific conjunctival provocation test.

The protective effects of deflazacort against the inflammation that follows the conjunctival provocation test (CPT) by specific allergen were assessed in 24 patients with rhinoconjunctivitis caused by Parietaria judaica in a double-blind study. After a screening CPT, patients were randomized into four treatment groups, each being given deflazacort (oral tablets) at 6, 30, and 60 mg once daily, or matching placebo, for 3 d, outside the pollen season. Clinical evaluation (itching, hyperemia, lacrimation, and swelling of eyelids) and cytologic assessment (number of inflammatory cells in conjunctival scraping and evaluation of ICAM (intercellular adhesion molecule)-1/CD54 expression on epithelial cells) were performed at base line, 30 min (early-phase reaction (EPR), 6 h and 24 h (late-phase reaction (LPR)) after specific CPT, and before and after treatment. Neither the EPR clinical reactions nor the EPR total number of inflammatory cells was modified by deflazacort. However, the LPR clinical effects were significantly reduced by deflazacort at 30 or 60 mg/d (P < 0.01), as compared with placebo. The total number of inflammatory cells during LPR was significantly reduced by deflazacort at 30 or 60 mg/d (P < 0.01), as compared with placebo. Furthermore, CD54 expression was significantly reduced by deflazacort at 30 or 60 mg/d both in the EPR (P < 0.01) and LPR (P < 0.01), as compared with placebo. None of the studied indicators were modified at the 6 mg/d dose. This study shows that deflazacort has a highly protective action against clinical and cellular LPR effects induced by the specific CPT. In addition, deflazacort markedly reduces CD54 expression on the conjunctival epithelium during both EPR and LPR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Protective effect of loratadine on late phase reaction induced by conjunctival provocation test.

The protective effect of Loratadine, a new generation, non-sedating antihistamine, on clinical and cellular events during the early phase reaction (EPR) and late phase reaction (LPR) of the allergen-specific conjunctival provocation test (CPT) was assessed out of the pollen season in 20 seasonally allergic rhino-conjunctivitis patients. After a screening CPT, selected patients were randomized to Loratadine (10 mg OD) or matching placebo for 7 days. CPT was repeated following treatment. Clinical and cellular responses were evaluated by a symptom score and cell counting in conjunctival scrapings before, and 30 min and 6 h after challenge with allergen (one eye) or placebo (control eye). Conjunctival symptom severity following CPT was reduced at 30 min (EPR) and 6 h (LPR) after CPT in the Loratadine group compared to placebo group (p < 0.01), as was the total number of inflammatory cells (p < 0.001). In conclusion, Loratadine protects against the clinical and cellular EPR and LPR events consequent to CPT, showing antiallergic properties.

Allergens↗