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Biomedical subjects

G Fumagalli

Publications and source records attributed to G Fumagalli.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Thrombolytic activity of defibrotide: a morphometric evaluation in experimental venous thrombosis.

We have studied the morphometric aspects of the thrombolytic activity of Defibrotide in experimental venous thrombosis induced by inserting a collagen-coated nylon thread into the femoral vein of rabbits. 24 hours after thrombus induction Defibrotide decreases the size of thrombi by a factor of 6; stimulation of fibrinolysis and inhibition of platelet and leucocyte recruitment are prominent. Size of the thrombus, extension of the fibrin net and platelet adhesion are also modified by Defibrotide in 7-day-old thrombi where granulation tissue has replaced the original coagulum.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Screening and evaluation of blood donors with upper-limit hematocrit levels.

Eighty-one consecutive repeat male blood donors with hematocrit levels ranging from 0.49 to 0.54 underwent hematologic investigation, blood gas analysis, and respiratory function tests in order to ascertain whether they represent the upper end of the reference distribution or have underlying causes of erythrocytosis. Three of the 81 (3.7%) proved to have early-stage polycythemia rubra vera, nine (11.1%) to have erythrocytosis secondary to respiratory failure, and two (2.4%) to have relative erythrocytosis due to reduced plasma volume. Detection and evaluation of blood donors with high hematocrit values are ways in which blood banks could contribute to health screening and become involved in preventive medicine.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endocrinological study of the dopaminergic regulation of prolactin release in metastatic breast cancer.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Prolactin (PRL) may be a growth factor for breast cancer. Abnormally high levels of PRL have been proven to be associated with a poor prognosis in metastatic breast cancer. However, most studies have been limited to the evaluation of basal levels of PRL rather than its response to the classical endocrine dynamic tests. This study was performed to analyse the dynamic secretion of PRL under stimulatory and inhibitory tests in metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: The study included 10 untreated metastatic breast cancer women, who were evaluated after the classical stimulatory and inhibitory tests for PRL secretion with the antidopaminergic agent Metoclopramide (10 mg iv as a bolus) and with L-dopa, respectively. Serum levels of PRL were measured by RIA before and at subsequent intervals after drug administration. PRL levels were considered to be elevated when they were higher than 25 ng/ml. RESULTS: Abnormally high basal levels of PRL were seen in 6/10 patients. L-dopa was unable to inhibit PRL secretion, whose mean concentrations paradoxically significantly increased in response to L-dopa, with values comparable to those observed after the classical stimulatory test with metoclopramide. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirm the existence of hyperprolactinemia associated with metastatic breast cancer. In addition, by showing a paradoxical rise of PRL in response to L-dopa, which inhibits PRL secretion in physiological conditions, this study would suggest that breast cancer-related hyperprolactinemia may depend at least in part on endogenous disease-related neuroendocrine alterations.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuroimmunomodulation in cancer patients: correlations between melatonin and beta-endorphin blood levels and T helper/suppressor ratio.

The pineal gland and opioid peptides play roles in the neuroendocrine control of immunity. Both neuroendocrine and immune dysfunctions have been observed in cancer but the importance of the altered secretion of neurohormones in the immunoincompetence of cancer patients has never been investigated. This study concomitantly evaluated neuroendocrine and immune functions in 40 patients with early or advanced neoplastic disease. In each patient, melatonin and beta-endorphin blood levels and lymphocyte subtypes were determined on venous blood samples collected during the morning. Metastatic patients had lower melatonin levels and a lower T4/T8 ratio than patients without metastases but no significant correlation was found between melatonin and the T4/T8 ratio. beta-endorphin levels appeared to be normal in all patients. These results suggest that melatonin and beta-endorphin secretion have no role in determining immune dysfunctions in cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum concentrations of interleukin-18 in early and advanced cancer patients: enhanced secretion in metastatic disease.

The recent availability of adequate methods for cytokine measurement could contribute to better understanding the immunophysiopathology of neoplastic disease. Unfortunately, very little data is available about cytokine secretion in cancer patients. At present, IL-2, IL-12 and IL-15 represent the major antitumor cytokines in humans. Preliminary clinical studies have shown a progressive decline in IL-2 levels with cancer progression, whereas IL-12 seems to increase in the advanced disease. IL-18 is the latest cytokine discovered by potential anticancer and anti-angiogenetic activity, and it has effects similar to those of IL-12. This preliminary study was carried out to analyze IL-18 secretion in early or advanced cancer patients. The study included 40 cancer patients (lung cancer, 21; gastrointestinal tumors, 19), 17 of whom had metastatic disease, and 50 healthy controls. Serum levels of IL-18 were measured by ELISA. No significant difference in IL-18 mean levels was seen between controls and non-metastatic patients. In contrast, metastatic patients showed significantly higher IL-18 mean values with respect to both healthy controls and non-metastatic patients. This preliminary study seems to suggest that metastatic disease may be characterized by enhanced IL-18 secretion the biological and prognostic significance to be established by successive clinical investigation.

Adult↗