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Biomedical subjects

G Esposito

Publications and source records attributed to G Esposito.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Further investigations into the relationship between the dopaminergic system, ascorbic acid and uric acid in the rat striatum.

Levels of dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), ascorbic acid (AA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA), and uric acid were determined in the rat striatum following single apomorphine (1 mg/kg), scopolamine (0.6 mg/kg), pilocarpine (4 mg/kg), or pilocarpine + scopolamine (4 and 0.6 mg/kg, respectively) injections. The decrease in DOPAC levels and in the DOPAC/DA ratio, induced by the pharmacological manipulation, was linearly correlated with the increase in DHAA levels (r = -0.9060, P less than 0.05) and with the increase in the DHAA/AA ratio (r = -0.9004, P less than 0.05), respectively. It is concluded that dopaminergic activation or cholinergic inhibition both increase striatal AA oxidation, which is correlated with a decrease in DA turnover.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1991

Investigations into the relationship between the dopaminergic system and ascorbic acid in rat striatum.

Levels of dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) were determined by HPLC in the striatum of male Wistar rats after single or repeated injections of apomorphine (1 mg/kg/day s.c.) and/or haloperidol (1 mg/kg/day i.p.), and 24 h after the last drug administration. Apomorphine significantly reduced the DOPAC/DA ratio and increased the DHAA/AA ratio; these ratio changes were significantly correlated (r = -0.9969, P less than 0.0005). Haloperidol greatly increased the DOPAC/DA ratio; the DHAA/AA ratio was also slightly increased, but there was no significant correlation. When apomorphine was associated with haloperidol, the resulting DOPAC/DA ratio was significantly lower than after haloperidol alone; the DHAA/AA ratio was also significantly reduced in contrast to the effect of apomorphine alone. It is concluded that a non-selective DA receptor activation mediates, in a correlated way, both the inhibition of DA turnover and the increase of AA oxidation in the rat striatum.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Cadmium-induced changes in the activity of the dopaminergic and purinergic systems and in ascorbic acid catabolism in the rat striatum].

Levels of dopamine (DA), 3-4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), ascorbic acid (AA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA), uric acid (UA) and adenosine (ADO), were determined by HPLC in the striatum of male Wistar rats treated with repeated injections of cadmium (as sulfate) 3 mg/kg/day s.c. for 10 consecutive days. Cadmium treatment significantly reduced DOPAC levels with consequent decrease of the DOPAC/DA ratio; AA levels were significantly reduced, while DHAA levels were significantly increased, with consequent increase of DHAA/AA ratio: levels of UA and ADO were both significantly increased. It is concluded that cadmium, given systemically, reduces dopaminergic system activity in the rat striatum; such impairment occurs together with an increase of AA oxidation and of markers of purinergic system activity. The inhibition of striatal dopaminergic activity could be considered the neurochemical basis of behavioral changes induced by cadmium, while the increase of AA oxidation and of purinergic system activity could be considered an antitoxic metabolic response.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of therapeutic response using iodine-131-B72.3 monoclonal antibody in patients with ovarian carcinoma.

We used radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to prove disease persistence after treatment for ovarian carcinoma. Twelve patients with histologically confirmed ovarian carcinoma were studied. They received 5 mCi (1 mg) of iodine-131-B72.3 by intravenous injection before and after a complete course of chemotherapy. Images were obtained with a LFOV gamma camera 2 h after MoAb administration and daily up to 6 days. Before treatment 8 patients had a true positive scan. Questionable antibody uptake was observed in 2 patients while 1 had a true negative scan and 1 a false-negative examination. After treatment the therapeutic response was evaluated. Five patients had partial remission and antibody scan showed persistence of disease in all patients except 1. Four patients showed progression of the disease and 1 no change. The antibody scan was positive in 4 and questionable in 1. Two patients had complete remission and negative antibody scans. Computed tomography (CT) could not always discriminate postoperative fibrosis from tumour lesions, especially when the peritoneum was involved in the disease. High serum levels of tumour markers were constantly associated with the presence of tumour lesions, but normal values did not guarantee absence of disease. We conclude than the antibody scan is complementary to CT and serum tumor markers in the definition of therapeutic response.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Left ventricular aneurysm secondary to Behçet's disease.

A 16-year-old boy with Behçet's disease who was seen with thrombophlebitis of the leg was found to have coronary artery occlusion with postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm. Recurrent femoral artery aneurysms and orogenital ulceration developed in him. The diagnostic features together with successful treatment of this patient and a discussion of Behçet's syndrome are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Reaction of the octahedral antitumor complex trans-RuCl2 (DMSO)4 with 2'deoxyguanosine.

The reaction of the antitumor octahedral complex trans-RuCl2(DMSO)4 with 2'deoxyguanosine leads to the reversible formation of two diastereoisomeric monoadducts and one biadduct. This shows that it is possible to accommodate two purine bases in a cis configuration in an octahedral transition metal complex which exhibits antiblastic activity. All the product compounds are characterized by a guanine moiety coordination via the N7 atom. A marked decrease (about two pK units) is observed for the N1H pKa of the coordinated guanine moieties. The reversibility of the monodentate binding could explain the low toxicity of the ruthenium(II) complexes.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1991

Postnatal maturation of rat intestinal membrane: lipid composition and fluidity.

1. We studied the lipid composition and the fluidity of small intestine brush border membrane (BBM) of rats of different age: 'very young' (5-7 weeks old), 'young' (9 weeks old), 'adult' (30 weeks old) and 'old' (85 weeks old). 2. Fluorescence anisotropy, as assessed by 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene probe (DPH), was increased from very young to adult rats. 3. In agreement with these results the lipid composition in adult animals showed a lower lipid/protein ratio (derived mainly from a lower content of total polar lipids) and an increase of cholesterol esters and sphingomyelin (SM) saturation index. 4. A marked decrease of the order parameter was observed in the 'old' group, accompanied by a decreased cholesterol/phospholipid ratio. 5. The percentage distribution of membrane phospholipids significantly changed during development, but the modifications were not correlated with the anisotropy of DPH.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

Clinical studies with B72.3 in ovarian cancer and probe-guided tumor localization.

The present study reports the findings of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody (MoAb) application in the post-operative monitoring of patients with ovarian carcinoma. We studied 40 patients with histologically confirmed ovarian cancer using two radiolabeled MoAbs, 131I-B72.3 and 131I-OC125. Antibody scans showed that high uptake of radiolabeled MoAb was consistently associated with presence of disease confirmed by computed tomography, ultrasonography, clinical evolution and in a few cases by second look procedures. Computed tomography could not discriminate well between post-operative fibrosis and tumor lesion especially when localized in the peritoneum. We conclude that radiolabeled MoAbs, computed tomography and serum tumor markers are complementary in the postoperative monitoring of patients with ovarian carcinoma.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1991

Analysis of the mechanism of d-amphetamine-and apomorphine-induced changes of ascorbic acid catabolism in discrete brain areas of the rat.

Ascorbic acid (AA) levels and dehydroascorbic acid/ascorbic acid (DHAA/AA) ratios were determined in hypothalamus, striatum, and remaining brain of male Wistar rats, after single or repeated injections of d-amphetamine (1.8 mg/kg/day s.c.), apomorphine (1.0 mg/kg/day s.c.), and/or haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg/day i.p.). Major changes were observed in hypothalamus, in which all drugs significantly increased DHAA/AA ratio. Apomorphine and haloperidol consistently decreased AA level as well. The DHAA/AA ratio increase was observed also when apomorphine and d-amphetamine were associated with haloperidol. In striatum, apomorphine (single) and d-amphetamine (repeated) injections increased DHAA/AA ratios; such AA oxidation increase was inhibited by haloperidol; the increases (d-amphetamine) or decrease (apomorphine) of AA levels were also inhibited by haloperidol; haloperidol alone did not modify DHAA/AA ratio and induced minor changes of striatal AA level. In remaining brain, apomorphine (single) and d-amphetamine (repeated) treatment increased DHAA/AA ratio; such increase was observed also when haloperidol was associated with apomorphine or d-amphetamine; moreover, haloperidol by itself increased AA oxidation, although to a lesser extent than it did in hypothalamus. It is concluded that AA catabolism can be activated in the rat striatum by a dopaminergic mechanism; in hypothalamus and in remaining brain, the AA catabolism activation appears rather to be a non-specific effect of the pharmacological manipulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

L-carnitine and carnitine ester transport in the rat small intestine.

L-carnitine and its esters (acetyl-L-carnitine and propionyl-L-carnitine) at pharmacological doses (1, 5 and 10 mM) are absorbed by the rat jejunum by simple diffusion. Partition coefficients of carnitine esters determined in lipophilic media (diethyl ether/water and olive oil/water) are greater than that of L-carnitine. It would therefore seem that esters diffuse more easily through the lipid component of the intestinal barrier. The transport of acetyl- and propionyl-L-carnitine at pharmacological doses seems to be linearly and positively correlated with K+ transport but not with Na+ transport.

Acetylcarnitine↗
PubMed1991

Tissue expansion in the treatment of pressure ulcers.

The authors report their experience using skin expanders in 11 patients with severe bed sores. The expanders, with different volumes, from 250 to 1000 cc, were generally overfilled using the cutaneous tonometer. In fact, with the information revealed by this apparatus on the skin in expansion, the authors were able to reduce the filling intervals without risking ulceration. In their experience, the results obtained were satisfactory: All patients treated achieved surgical recovery. The authors see a wide future for skin-expander use in pressure-ulcer treatment. They have a working hypothesis about using expanders to progressively advance sensitive skin in areas subject to ulceration. This hypothesis is based on the possibility of reexpanding the same flap several times, as has been seen in the treatment of other types of pathology.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Morphological changes in human chorionic villi cultivated in conditioned atmospheres of gases.

With the aim to verify the changes that a reduction of the oxygen rate may elicit in the morphological pattern of the human chorionic villi, a new experimental procedure has been suggested. Chorionic villi from human early placentas were incubated in Dulbecco's modified medium of Eagle in the presence of oxygen, air or CO2 at a gas pressure equal to 0.7 atm. The specimens were fixed, dehydrated and embedded in resin, and semithin sections were obtained. Using an image analyser, the thickness of the trophoblastic layer and the mean radius of the villi were evaluated and the results submitted to a statistical analysis. The results show a decrease in the ratio thickness of the trophoblast/mean radius of the villus, directly proportional to the reduction of the oxygen percentage in the employed gases. The interesting conclusions demonstrate that the changes which affect the chorionic villi occur very early and are easily evaluable with quantitative methods; a clinical interest in the use of the proposed quantitative procedure can be emphasized.

Air↗
PubMed1991

Direct regulating effects of transforming growth factor-beta 1 on lactate production in cultured porcine Sertoli cells.

In the present study we have tested the direct effects of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1) on lactate production by Sertoli cells isolated from immature porcine testes. In Sertoli cells cultured in a defined medium, TGF beta 1 was shown to stimulate lactate production in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The maximal and half-maximal effects of TGF beta 1 on lactate production were obtained in the picomolar concentration range, respectively 24 and 8 pM TGF beta 1. TGF beta 1 action was found closely related to that of insulin since 1) both TGF beta 1 (40 pM) and insulin (1 microgram/ml) induced the secretion of similar and nonadditive amounts of lactate; and 2) TGF beta 1 and insulin induced comparable increases in lactate production in FSH (1 microgram/ml)-treated Sertoli cells. Because lactate is derived from glucose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) was used to investigate the hexose transport system of Sertoli cells after insulin, FSH, and TGF beta 1 treatments. Insulin (1 microgram/ml) and FSH (1 microgram/ml) were found to stimulate 2-DOG transport with a similar time course, with an effect detected up to 30 min and maximal at 150 min. In contrast, although TGF beta 1 also enhanced 2-DOG uptake by Sertoli cells, the increase in glucose transport was delayed, since the TGF beta 1 effect was first detected at 150 min and was maximal at 360 min. These effects of TGF beta 1 action on Sertoli cell activity are exerted through specific membrane TGF beta 1 receptors. Scatchard analysis of the binding of TGF beta 1 to cultured Sertoli cells revealed the presence of both a high affinity (Kd, approximately 180 pM) and a low affinity binding site systems for TGF beta 1. Affinity labeling of these receptors by covalent attachment to [125I] TGF beta 1 with disuccinimidyl suberate and subsequent electrophoretic analysis of the labeled complexes revealed the specific binding of [125I] TGF beta 1 to three predominant molecules of 260, 130, and 70 kDa. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that testicular Sertoli cells are targets for TGF beta 1 action. In view of the importance of lactate as a substrate for germ cells, it is suggested that TGF beta 1 might also be involved in the development of normal germinal epithelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Treatment of obliterating arteriopathies of the lower limbs using angioplasty. Comparison of 2 techniques of recanalization: Nd-YAG laser and radiofrequency thermal probe].

The Authors report their experience about 20 cases of femoro-popliteal revascularization: in 15 cases a Nd-YAG Laser was used; in 5 cases a unity which employs radiofrequency energy to heat the tip (Thermoprobe) was utilized. We obtained an immediate recanalization in 19 out of 20 superficial femoral arteries with two early thrombosis. In 12 patients of the first group a significant increase of the ankle-brachial index (45%) was seen; it remained unchanged during the follow-up. We had successful revascularization in all the 5 patients of the second group (Thermoplaster). In selected cases, when the lesion is shorter than 10 cm, not completely calcified, and there is a valid run-off, Laser angioplasty could be a valid alternative to surgery or medical therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Chronokinetic study of netilmicin in man.

Netilmicin 1.5 mg/kg body weight was administered intravenously every 8 h for 2 days to 8 patients with normal renal function. Significant elevation of mean and trough plasma concentrations was found at 05.00 h and 09.00 h. This was considered to be due to circadian variation, with possible accumulation during the night. The clinical importance of this phenomenon in relation to the development of aminoglycoside toxicity awaits further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Biologic action of promestriene on the genital tract of the castrated rat].

The study assessed the activity of promestrien administered by a local vaginal route in 16 rats castrated 60 days previously. The dose used was 5 mg per day for 10 days. Following treatment, animals were sacrificed and histological analyses revealed a remarkable proliferation of the vaginal epithelium, inhibition and restored trophism of the strome, whereas no estrogen stimulus was observed at the level of uterine mucous. This confirms the exclusively local action of promestrien which does not provoke undesirable side effects on other segments of the genital tract, and allows the therapeutic use of the hormone in different gynaecological pathologies.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

2H,5H-[1]benzothiopyrano [4,3-b]pyran derivatives with platelet antiaggregating activity.

The synthesis of some N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-3-phenyl-2H,5H-[1]benzothiopyrano [4,3-b]pyran-2-ones by reaction of phenylchloroketene with a series of N,N-disubstituted 3-aminomethylene-2,3-dihydro-4H-1-benzothiopyran-4-ones, followed by dehydrochlorination of the primary adducts with DBN, is described. Some of these compounds showed a strong platelet antiaggregating activity in vitro, superior to that of acetylsalicylic acid.

Anesthetics, Local↗