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Biomedical subjects

G Dinari

Publications and source records attributed to G Dinari.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

L-dopa is protective against indomethacin-induced small intestinal ulceration in the rat: possible role of an alpha-2-adrenergic mechanism.

Dopaminergic agents ameliorate experimentally induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury, but there is no information about their effect on small intestinal mucosa. We studied the effect of L-dopa and related substances on indomethacin-induced intestinal ulceration in the rat. Ulceration was produced by s.c. injection of 30 mg/kg indomethacin, 30 min after refeeding fasted rats. Total ulcer area was measured 24 hrs after indomethacin administration. L-dopa, 5 mg/kg given in two divided doses 5 h apart, starting 30 minutes before administration of indomethacin, was found to protect the small bowel mucosa against indomethacin- induced damage (ulcer area 122 +/- 5.5 vs 224.2 +/- 5.4 mm2, mean +/- SEM, p less than 0.006). Administration of 5 mg/kg haloperidol, a dopa antagonist, did not abolish the protective effect of L-dopa. On the other hand, yohimbine, an alpha-2-adrenoreceptor antagonist, almost completely abolished the protective effect (180.4 +/- 5.3 vs 122 +/- 5.5, p less than 0.004). Clonidine 20 micrograms/kg, an alpha-2-adrenoreceptor agonist, closely mimicked the protective effect of L-dopa (141.5 +/- 10.9 vs 224.2 +/- 5.4, p less than 0.006). All drugs were give i.p. in two divided doses, at the same schedule as described for L-dopa. The results demonstrate that L-dopa has a protective effect on indomethacin-induced small bowel injury in the rat. The protective effect is probably mediated through stimulation of alpha-2-adrenoreceptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Modulation by opiates of small intestinal prostaglandin E2 and 3',5'cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels and of indomethacin-induced ulceration in the rat.

We studied the effect of parenteral morphine and naloxone administration on intestinal mucosal Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 3',5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and on indomethacin-induced intestinal ulceration in the rat. Compared to the control group, morphine significantly decreased whereas naloxone markedly increased both PGE2 and cAMP mucosal levels, respectively. Morphine or naloxone alone did not cause mucosal injury. However, when given with indomethacin, morphine significantly potentiated the ulcerogenic effect of indomethacin while naloxone exerted a protective effect. These results suggest that opioid peptides may play a role in modulation of intestinal mucosal PGE2 and cAMP levels. In addition, enhancement of indomethacin-induced ulcer formation by morphine and amelioration by naloxone might be in part mediated through their effect on mucosal PGE2 and cAMP levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Uropathogens of various childhood populations and their antibiotic susceptibility.

To define the uropathogens of various childhood populations and their antibiotic susceptibility, 646 episodes of urinary tract infections (UTI) were studied. Of the community-acquired UTI 78% were caused by Escherichia coli and 12% by Klebsiella whereas only 65% of hospital-acquired UTI were caused by E. coli (P less than 0.01), and other pathogens, including Pseudomonas, were more common. In children with UTI who did not have an underlying disorder, most infections were caused by E. coli and Klebsiella species. Children with urinary malformations or urinary catheters or those who developed UTI while receiving antibiotic prophylaxis had fewer E. coli infections and more infections caused by other pathogens, including Pseudomonas (P less than 0.01). Children receiving antibiotic prophylaxis had also significantly more Enterococcus and Acinetobacter infections (P less than 0.001), and children with urinary catheters had more Enterobacter infections (P less than 0.05). Isolates of these risk groups showed increased resistance to antibiotics. Only 30-53% were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which is usually recommended for UTI; 19 to 25% and 27 to 66% were susceptible to ampicillin and cephalothin, respectively. In contrast uropathogens of immunocompromised children did not differ significantly from those of children with no underlying disturbances, nor did they show distinct antibiotic susceptibility patterns.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Placental ferritin in coeliac disease: relation to clinical stage, origin, and possible role in the pathogenesis of malignancy.

Placental ferritin is a tumour associated antigen present in the serum of patients with active Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the serum values fall during remission of the disease. There is no correlation between placental and total blood ferritin values. Because of the strong association between coeliac disease and lymphoma, 19 children with active and 25 with inactive coeliac disease were screened for the presence of placental ferritin. Thirty two children with other intestinal disorders served as controls. Placental ferritin was identified by using a monoclonal antibody in an ELISA procedure. The mean (SEM) placental ferritin value in the control serum was 12.6 (2.4) while the values in serum of patients with active and inactive coeliac disease were 117 (22.8) and 43.8 (10.2) U/ml respectively. Patients with active coeliac disease differed significantly from both control subjects (p = 0.0004) and those with inactive disease (p = 0.03). Peripheral blood lymphocytes contained no placental ferritin. It was present, however, in lamina propria lymphocytes of intestinal biopsy specimens from active coeliacs. Placental ferritin was also found in some of the better differentiated malignant cells in two patients with adult onset enteropathy associated lymphoma. Placental ferritin is known to have an immunosuppressive effect, and this may be one of the necessary steps in the development of malignancy associated with coeliac disease. Gluten free diet, by reversing this state, may have a role in the prevention of lymphoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The prognosis of convulsions during childhood shigellosis.

We examined the long-term outcome in 111 children who had convulsions during shigellosis and were followed for 3-18 years after the incident. No deaths or persistent motor deficits occurred as sequellae. Poor coordination of fine hand movements were noted in 3.3% of the 92 children who had no pre-existing neurological abnormality. Only 1 child developed epilepsy by the age of 8 years. Of the children 15.7% had recurrent febrile seizures. The only risk factor identified for febrile seizures following convulsions in shigellosis was a previous history (P less than 0.01). These observations suggest that convulsions in shigellosis have a favourable prognosis, and do not necessitate long-term follow up.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Alagille syndrome associated with moyamoya disease.

A 22-month-old girl with the typical manifestations of Alagille syndrome presented with acute right hemiparesis. Cerebral angiographic studies demonstrated the presence of complete occlusion of both internal carotid arteries with the formation of a collateral network of vessels compatible with the diagnosis of Moyamoya disease. This rare association has not been reported previously.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗
PubMed1989

Effect of sucralfate on experimental colitis in the rat.

The therapeutic effect of sucralfate on ulcerated gastric and duodenal mucosa is well known. There is, however, almost no information about its activity in colitis. Experimental colitis was produced in rats by rectal instillation of 1 ml of 10 percent acetic acid, and 1.5 ml of a 20 percent suspension of sucralfate was then administered every 12 hours for various lengths of time. Study animals and appropriate controls were killed after 3, 7, 10, or 14 days. The distal colons were studied macroscopically and histologically. Colonic prostaglandin E2 levels were measured in animals killed after 3, 7, 10, or 14 days. The macroscopic score was significantly improved 10 and 14 days after induction of colitis, although the histologic appearance was unchanged. Acetic acid administration increased and sucralfate treatment reduced prostaglandin E2 levels in colitic animals on days 3 and 7, but not later. The present study supports a role for sucralfate in the treatment of colitis, but further studies on the mechanism of its effect and on its clinical activity are indicated.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The effect of opiates on the intestinal immune response to cholera toxin in mice.

We studied the effect of opiates on the intestinal immunoglobulin A response in mice. C57BL mice were orally immunized by two doses of 10 micrograms of cholera toxin, 2 weeks apart. Experimental groups received subcutaneous injections of morphine, either 10 or 20 mg/kg/day, in two divided doses. Morphine was given for 4 days, starting 1 day prior to each cholera toxin dose. Intestinal secretions were collected by lavage 1 week after the last cholera toxin dose, and assayed for specific anticholera toxin antibody and total immunoglobulin A. Results were expressed as units of anticholera toxin per nanogram immunoglobulin A. It was found that morphine, 20 mg/kg/day, reduced the response from 30.9 +/- 3.11 to 9.78 +2- 1.42 units/ng (M +/- SEM; p less than 0.0001). 10 mg/kg/day of morphine slightly reduced the immune response to 21.38 +/- 3.51 units/ng (M +/- SEM), but failed to achieve statistical significance. Naloxone administration prior to morphine injections abolished the inhibitory effects of morphine. Morphine administration had no effect on the response to a booster dose of cholera toxin 3 months after the initial cholera toxin immunization and morphine administration. It is concluded that morphine has a significant inhibitory effect on the intestinal immune response, but does not effect long-term mucosal immunological memory. The effect is probably mediated by a specific opiate receptor, as it is blocked by naloxone. This effect may have clinical implications.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Pathologic childhood aerophagy: an under-diagnosed entity.

Three children with pathologic childhood aerophagy are described. This entity is characterized by progressive abdominal distension during the day, non-distended abdomen in the morning, and visible air swallowing. The condition is usually self-limited, and treatment is symptomatic and by reassurance. Early recognition and diagnosis of this condition might help avoid unnecessary and expensive diagnostic investigations.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1988

Sucralfate is protective against indomethacin-induced intestinal ulceration in the rat.

The therapeutic effects of sucralfate on ulcerated gastric and duodenal mucosa is well known. There is, however, very little information about its effect on the mucosa of the small intestine. We studied the possible protective effect of sucralfate against indomethacin-induced intestinal ulceration in the rat. Sucralfate was found to possess a marked protective effect on the intestinal mucosa (ulcer index 23.16 +/- 6.58 vs. 225 +/- 36.37; p less than 0.001). Sucralfate elevated basal mucosal prostaglandin E2 generation (p less than 0.001), and partially overcame the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 synthesis caused by indomethacin (p less than 0.03), but had no effect on mucosal cAMP level. The effect of sucralfate on prostaglandin E2 content might partially explain its protective effect on the intestinal mucosa.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

IgA antigliadin antibodies in childhood celiac disease.

Serum IgA-antigliadin antibodies (SAGA) were measured by ELISA in 46 children with proven celiac disease (CD), in 52 children with probable CD, and in 85 control subjects. Small intestinal biopsy was done within 3 months of the SAGA determination in all children. In the proven and probable CD groups, SAGA values were greater than 70 mu/ml in 76 of 82 biopsies that showed severe mucosal damage, but in only 4 of 31 with normal mucosa; thus specificity was 87.1% and sensitivity 92.7%. In the control group, only 12 of 85 children with normal biopsies had a similarly raised SAGA value. SAGA levels decreased significantly when a gluten-free diet was instituted, and rose to abnormal levels in most children on gluten challenge. IgA-SAGA can be used for monitoring dietary compliance during different phases of CD. Although it may help in selecting some children who are evaluated for the possibility of CD, for small intestinal biopsy, children with active CD may show negative SAGA values. The test should therefore not be used as the sole or final determining factor for the performance of small intestinal biopsy. In the proper clinical setting, a biopsy should be done, regardless of the SAGA results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Convulsions in childhood shigellosis. Clinical and laboratory features in 153 children.

We studied 153 children who experienced convulsions associated with shigellosis. The male-female ratio was 1.2:1.0. Thirty-six children had a previous history of febrile convulsions, and 31 children had a family history of convulsive disorder. Most of the children were 0.5 to 3 years of age, although 49 (32%) were older than 3 years of age and 20 (13.1%) were older than 5 years of age. All children were febrile; in 75% of the children, the temperature was over 39 degrees C. The majority of the children had generalized, self-limited convulsions, which lasted less than ten minutes. In 30 children the seizures were categorized as complex; ten of them had recurrent episodes, although none had any residual neurologic deficit. The total leukocyte count was usually within normal limits, but the differential count characteristically showed a marked increase in the number of band forms. Hypocalcemia (blood calcium level, less than 9.01 mg/dL [less than 2.25 mmol/L]) was observed in four patients; hyponatremia (blood sodium level, 130 mEq/L [130 mmol/L]), in 11 patients; and hypernatremia (blood sodium level, 157 mEq/L [157 mmol/L]), in one patient. Electroencephalographic (EEG) studies were performed in ten children, and lumbar punctures were performed in 34 children; both procedures usually yielded normal results. Shigella sonnei was isolated from 69% of the children; Shigella flexneri from 25%; Shigella boydii from 5%; and Shigella dysenteriae from 1%. Due to the benign and self-limited nature of most of the convulsions, neither diagnostic procedures, nor drug therapy, are usually necessary. These measures should, however, be considered in complicated cases characterized by focal or prolonged seizures.

Blood Glucose↗