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Biomedical subjects

G Labò

Publications and source records attributed to G Labò.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Altered erythrocyte Na-K pump in anorectic patients.

The status of the erythrocyte sodium pump was evaluated in a group of patients suffering from anorexia nervosa and a group of healthy female control subjects. Anorectic patients showed significantly higher mean values of digoxin-binding sites/cell (ie, the number of Na-K-ATPase units) with respect to control subjects while no differences were found in the specific 86Rb uptake (which reflects the Na-K-ATPase activity) between the two groups. A significant correlation was found between relative weight and the number of Na-K-ATPase pump units (r = -0.66; P less than 0.0001). Anorectic patients showed lower serum T3 concentrations (71.3 +/- 53 ng/dL) with respect to control subjects (100.8 +/- 4.7 ng/dL; P less than 0.0005) and a significant negative correlation between T3 levels and the number of pump units (r = -0.52; P less than 0.003) was found. Our study therefore shows that the erythrocyte Na-K pump may be altered in several anorectic patients. We suggest that this feature could be interrelated with the degree of underweight and/or malnutrition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Heterogeneity of the erythrocyte Na-K pump status in human obesity.

The number of Na-K pump units, the Na-K-ATPase activity, the K transport turnover rate per pump unit and the intracellular Na and K concentrations were measured in the erythrocytes of 56 obese patients and 20 normal subjects. No differences were found between the two groups. In obese patients, we failed to observe any influence of dietary habits, age of onset, or family history of obesity on the Na pump status. On the other hand, we found that the number of pump units was not a close reflection of the membrane cation transport and in some patients with an abnormally high number of pump units, an inappropriately low Na-K-ATPase activity was observed. We also identified two small groups of obese patients with, respectively, abnormally high or low K transport turnover rate per pump unit. Our study seems to support the hypothesis that abnormalities in the erythrocyte Na-K pump system are not usual in the obese population but are probably present only in a limited number of selected patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Topical administration of 5-aminosalicylic acid enemas in patients with ulcerative colitis. Studies on rectal absorption and excretion.

5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is a new treatment for patients suffering from ulcerative colitis but only limited information is available about its rectal absorption. We therefore studied seven patients with ulcerative colitis in remission, and five with active disease to determine acetylated and free 5-ASA plasma concentrations and urinary acetyl 5-ASA after the administration of three different types of enemas: (2 g 5-ASA/100 ml, 4 g/100 ml, and 200 ml). In patients in remission urinary acetyl 5-ASA excretion was dose and volume dependent (p less than 0.01; p less than 0.05) but this correlation was absent in active disease. Because aminosalicylates are usually eliminated through the kidney, these low values (10% in active disease and 19% in those in remission) suggest that the beneficial action may be local. Urinary recovery was significantly lower in patients with active disease (p less than 0.01; p less than 0.02). No accumulation of 5-ASA was found in plasma after repeated daily administration.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1985

Gall bladder sludge formation during prolonged fasting after gastrointestinal tract surgery.

In this study we have ultrasonographically assessed the prevalence of sludge in a group of 48 fasting patients after gastrointestinal tract surgery. Ultrasound examinations were carried out daily in each patient, beginning on the day before surgery. The period of fasting lasted from seven to 10 days. The presence of sludge was demonstrated within the seventh day in seven out of the 48 patients. In 38 cases fast lasted for a further three days. The total number of sludge-positive patients after 10 days was 12 out of 38. Ultrasound controls were performed after six and 12-24 month interval and showed the presence of gall stones with different ultrasonographic patterns in three sludge positive patients. We conclude that in the early postoperative period there is a high risk for sludge development and that in some cases sludge may subsequently evolve into gall stones.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Effect of Billroth II operation on the intestinal interdigestive motor activity.

The interdigestive motor activity of the gastric remnant and the efferent jejunal loop was studied manometrically in 10 patients who underwent Billroth II operation for duodenal ulcer. Two groups, one of 9 normal subjects and the other of 7 duodenal ulcer patients, were used as controls. In the Billroth II group the interdigestive migrating motor complex (IMMC) showed a higher relative duration of phase II activity than the controls and a shorter mean time-interval than the controls between subsequent activity fronts, with abnormal jejunal propagation. These findings indicate that the distal two-thirds of the stomach are necessary for the inhibitory mechanism, which in normal conditions slow down the idiointestinal interdigestive motor activity to the level of that of the stomach, and suggest that some postgastrectomy syndromes, such as diarrhoea, may have their pathological basis in this hyperactive intestinal IMMC.

Duodenal Ulcer↗
PubMed1984

Measurement of immunoreactive gastrin in tissue.

A method for measurement of gastrin in human antral mucosa or in extragastric tissue has been developed and validated. Tissue gastrin was extracted by boiling followed by homogenization at neutral pH. Extractable gastrin immunoreactivity was measured by radioimmunoassay using an antiserum with equal affinity towards G-17 I, G-17 II, G-34 I and G-34 II molecular forms. Almost all extractable gastrin immunoreactivity was recovered after a single extraction and no significant interference by other peptides and/or substances present in tissue was found. The mean gastrin concentration in antral mucosa of healthy subjects was similar to that observed in duodenal ulcer patients, while patients with type A chronic atrophic gastritis or with antral gastrin cell hyperplasia had mean values significantly higher. Gastrin concentration in all specimens from gastrinoma or its metastases was above the upper limit of the range of control tissue. Measurement of tissue gastrin seems to be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of antral gastrin cell hyperplasia and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Radioimmunoassay of secretin in human serum.

A sensitive radioimmunoassay for secretin has been developed. Antisera were raised against synthetic porcine secretin coupled to bovine serum albumin. N-alpha- desaminotyrosyl -beta-alanyl secretin was radioiodinated by a slight modification of the chloramine-T method. Pure synthetic porcine secretin was used as a standard. Free and bound hormone were separated by dextran-coated charcoal. No cross-reactivity was found with structurally and physiologically related peptides. The sensitivity of the assay was high enough to measure fasting secretin levels in human serum. Patients with acute or chronic pancreatitis had mean serum secretin concentration not significantly different from healthy subjects. In patients with pancreatic carcinoma the mean serum secretin concentration was significantly lower than in healthy subjects, although a wide overlap of the two groups was evident.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Secretin administration induces a dilatation of main pancreatic duct.

In this study we evaluated the effect of secretin administration on the caliber of the Wirsung duct visualized by real-time ultrasonography. A maximal dose [75 clinical units (CU)] of secretin was intravenously injected in 1 min into 18 normal subjects. The duct was continuously monitored from the beginning of injection for a period of 20 min and measured at the level of the body using a calibrated optical lens. The mean caliber of the duct (basal value +/- SD = 1.2 +/- 0.4 mm) markedly increased after secretin stimulation (mean value +/- SD at 3 min = 2.9 +/- 0.8 mm). No dilatation was observed in five of these subjects after administration of 2 ml of saline. In a further four subjects a dose of 0.25 CU/kg/hr of secretin caused a much less marked dilatation of the main pancreatic duct. During dilatation a longer segment of duct is more clearly visualized; furthermore the pancreatic juice within the duodenum improves ultrasonographic imaging of the head of the pancreas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Analysis with OKT monoclonal antibodies of T-lymphocyte subsets present in blood and liver of patients with chronic active hepatitis.

The relative distribution of T lymphocyte subsets, as defined by the monoclonal antibodies OKT, was determined by cytofluorimetric analysis in peripheral blood and in cells isolated from liver biopsies of 31 patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH). The percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes binding OKT8 (directed against cytotoxic/suppressor T cells) was found to be elevated in patients with HBsAg and HBeAg positive chronic active hepatitis. Patients with CAH who had seroconverted to anti-HBe, had an increased number of OKT3-positive cells in their blood, which was directed against a common T cell surface antigen, associated with a decreased number of OKT8 positive cells. Lymphocytes isolated from liver biopsies of patients with CAH presented a general increase of OKT8-positive cells associated with a decreased number of OKT4-positive (helper/inducer) T cells. It is likely that OKT8-positive cells found in liver biopsies represent cytotoxic T cells directed against either viral or liver cell determinants.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Different patterns of intestinal transit time and anorectal motility in painful and painless chronic constipation.

Anorectal motility and gastrointestinal transit time were studied in 25 patients complaining of non-organic constipation. Colonic pain was reported by 14 patients, it was absent in the remaining 11. The group with painful constipation was composed of four men and 10 women and age onset of the symptom was 22.1 +/- 5.1 years. The other group was composed only of women and painless constipation was reported to have begun at 7.9 +/- 2.2 years previously. In the group presenting painful constipation higher values of the anal maximum resting pressure, of the amplitude of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex, lower values of sensation threshold, need to evacuate, maximum tolerable volume were recorded, in comparison with those registered in the painless constipation group. All these differences were significant. In the latter group the total transit time was always very slow (186.0 +/- 4.7 h), while it was quite variable in the other group, so that the mean was in the normal range (79.0 +/- 10.0 h). The data show that two different patterns of motor abnormalities can be recognised in constipated patients. The presence of colonic pain can suggest the characteristics of the underlying motor abnormality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Action of secretin on pancreatic enzyme secretion in man. Studies on pure pancreatic juice.

The action of pure, natural secretin on the pancreatic secretion of enzymes was investigated in six patients with external transduodenal drainage of the main pancreatic duct performed after biliary tract surgery. Secretin infused for five successive 50 minute periods at increasing doses of 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 0.9 and 2.7 clinical units (CU)/kg/h, produce a dose dependent increase in protein and lipase output. A weak but significant (p less than 0.02) increase of enzyme output above the fasting level was already observed with the lowest dose. The maximal output of protein and lipase, observed with the highest dose of secretin infused, corresponded to about 50% of that induced by maximal doses of cerulein (100 ng/kg/h) plus secretin (1 CU/kg/h). As far as bicarbonate is concerned, the lowest dose of secretin (0.03 CU/kg/h) significantly (p less than 0.001) stimulated bicarbonate output. The dose of 0.9 CU/kg/h of secretin evoked a bicarbonate output of 526 +/- 49 micromol/min; trebling the dose of secretin did not significantly increase the output of bicarbonate above this value. Increasing doses of secretin induced a dose related increase in calcium output. There was a close parallel between calcium and protein outputs, suggesting that the increase in calcium output reflected primarily an increase in the enzyme-associated fraction of pancreatic juice calcium. It is concluded that secretin stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion in man probably by a direct action on the acinar cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

VIP-, substance P- and met-enkephalin-immunoreactive innervation of the human gastroduodenal mucosa and Brunner's glands.

VIP-, substance P- and met-enkephalin-containing innervation of the human gastroduodenal mucosa and Brunner's glands was studied by immunocytochemistry on whole mount tissue preparations. A dense VIP-containing nerve supply was found around fundic and pyloric glands, while the few and scattered substance P-immunoreactive fibres tended to run across the full thickness of the gastric mucosa. In the duodenum, both VIP and substance P were present in a striking nerve network in the villi as well as in the muscularis mucosae and around blood vessels. Both peptides were also immunostained in nerve bundles and neuronal perikarya between the lobules of Brunner's glands, while only very few fibres reached the proximity of acinar cells. Met-enkephalin-immunoreactivity was detected in a small number of nerve fibres, virtually confined to the basal parts of the mucosa and to the duodenal submucous plexus.

Duodenum↗
PubMed1984

A double-blind clinical trial to compare the effects of 4-aminosalicylic acid to 5-aminosalicylic acid in topical treatment of ulcerative colitis.

5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is the active component of Salazopyrin and induces a prompt and excellent improvement, when administered as high dosage enema, in patients suffering from active ulcerative colitis. However, the high instability of this metabolite makes its large use difficult. We aimed at finding a more stable preparation and therefore wondered whether another similar molecule, i.e. 4-aminosalicylic acid (4-ASA, generally known as p-aminosalicylic acid, PAS), which differs from 5-ASA only for the position of the amino group, might be a valid alternative. Therefore, 4-ASA at 2 g dosage, administered as rectal enema, was compared to an equivalent preparation of 5-ASA. We carried out a double-blind therapeutical trial, in which 63 patients, similarly matched for age, sex and extent of disease, took part. The analysis of the final results showed that in the 5-ASA group, 26 (81%) out of 32 patients improved clinically, 25 (78%) sigmoidoscopically and 15 (46%) histologically. In the group of the 31 patients treated with 4-ASA, 24 (77%) improved clinically, 24 (77%) sigmoidoscopically and 13 (41%) histologically. Since no difference was registered between the two types of treatment (p = 0.141, X2 test), 4-ASA could be a possible form of treatment for active ulcerative colitis.

Aminosalicylic Acid↗
PubMed1984

Inhibitory effect of atropine on cholecystokinin-induced gallbladder contraction in man.

We have studied the effect of atropine on cholecystokinin (CCK)-induced gallbladder contraction in 7 healthy volunteers by means of real-time ultrasonography. Two series of tests were carried out in random order and on separate days. In one series of tests, CCK alone was infused for 4 successive 15-min periods at sequentially increasing doses of 0.0021, 0.0042, 0.0084, and 0.0168 Ivy dog units (IDU) X kg-1 X min-1. In the other series of tests, an infusion of a low dose of atropine, 5 micrograms X kg-1 X h-1, was added to the hormone infusion. The smallest dose of CCK which significantly contracted the gallbladder was 0.0042 IDU X kg-1 X min-1. The highest dose of CCK infused, 0.0168 IDU X kg-1 X min-1, produced almost total contraction of the organ. In all subjects, the infusion of atropine completely blocked the gallbladder response to 0.0042 and 0.0084 IDU X kg-1 X min-1, and partially inhibited (by 52%) the response to the highest dose. In 2 subjects in whom a higher dose of atropine, 15 micrograms X kg-1 X h-1, was tested, gallbladder contraction was totally abolished, even when the largest dose of CCK was infused. Contrary to what is generally believed, the results indicate that the response of human gallbladder to CCK is largely dependent on cholinergic innervation.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Seasonal variations of total and free thyroid hormones in healthy men: a chronobiological study.

The seasonal variations of iodothyronines and TSH serum concentrations were evaluated in 24 healthy subjects of both sexes. Using a 12 month cosine function, a significant circannual rhythm was found in T3, T4 and free T4 whose maximal values were found in September for T3, in August for T4 and in October for free T4. No significant seasonal variations in free T3 or TSH were found. Some circannual but not sinusoidal changes were found for reverse T3 and TBG. A positive linear correlation between T4, T3 and reverse T3 changes was observed, indicating that the sinusoidal oscillations of these hormones were in phase with each other. Relative weight was significantly lower in summer than in winter, though spontaneous caloric intake and physical activity did not change. A slight but significant correlation was found between relative weight and T4, free T4 and reverse T3 values measured during the period of study.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1984

Assessment of nutritional status in Crohn's disease in remission or low activity.

Malnutrition is frequently reported in chronic diseases with involvement of gastrointestinal tract, such as Crohn's disease; however, information about this problem is scarce, and available only for hospitalized patients with severe disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of 44 consecutive outpatients with Crohn's disease in remission or in a stage of low activity (CDAI less than 250). Eighteen of the patients weighed less than 90% of ideal weight and 5 of these weighed less than 80%. Triceps skinfold, a measure of fat store, was less than or equal to 15th percentile in 30%; arm muscle circumference, indicative of muscle mass, was less than or equal to 15th percentile in 59%. The alteration of weight and arm muscle circumference was greater in patients with midly active disease (p less than 0.005) and in those with ileal and ileocolic involvement. Caloric intake, assessed by a seven day questionnaire, was generally good (35.9 +/- 11 Kcal/kg ideal weight/day) and sufficient to maintain weight. Creatinine height index was elevated in 55% of the whole group. Serum albumin was decreased in only 2 cases, and haemoglobin in only 4. Our results show that malnutrition is a serious problem also in outpatients with Crohn's disease. Anthropometric parameters are more sensitive indicators than conventional laboratory studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Anatomical aspects in ultrasonic endoscopy for the stomach.

Gastric wall structure cannot be visualized neither by conventional ultrasonography nor by endoscopy alone. Using a newly developed ultrasonic endoscope (Olympus GF- UM1 / EUM1 Prototype III) twenty-two patients were examined with the stomach filled with 300-500 cc of de- aired water. Ultrasonographic appearance of the normal gastric wall consists of four layers of different echogenicity. The first inner layer, echogenic, seems to correspond to the mucosa and the submucosa, the 2nd echopoor to the muscularis propria, the 3rd echogenic to the serosa and the 4th echopoor to the subserosal-fat. For a complete exploration of the gastric cavity, starting with the scope near the pylorus and withdrawing it until the fundic region, four positions have been standardized. In the first, the antral region is explored, in the 2nd the antrum and the gastric body, in the 3rd the body and antrum and in the 4th position body and fundic region are visualized. For a satisfactory examination a good filling of the stomach must be achieved; problems in interpretation may arise when the gastric wall is not well distended or when peristaltic waves are present. Promising findings have been obtained in 3 cases of cancer involvement of the stomach. No complications were encountered during this study.

Adult↗