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Biomedical subjects

G Marotta

Publications and source records attributed to G Marotta.

65 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Plasma levels of fibronectin in polymyalgia rheumatica giant cell arteritis.

In order to verify whether measurement of plasma fibronectin (Fn) could represent a useful tool in acute-phase-response assessment, Fn was measured in 16 previously untreated patients (group A) affected by polymyalgia rheumatica giant cell arteritis (PMR-GCA), both before, during, and after 45 days of steroid therapy, and its course was compared with the behavior of some acute-phase reactants such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen (Fng), and prealbumin (Preal). No difference was detected between the baseline Fn levels found in patients and those registered in a control group composed of 15 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects; no correlation was found with the other acute-phase parameters considered, and no significant variation of plasma Fn levels was registered as a result of the steroid therapy administered. On the contrary, all the other parameters revealed a good degree of correlation and tended progressively and homogeneously towards normalization as a result of the therapy administered. Plasma Fn was also measured in another group of 16 PMR-GCA patients (group B), all of whom had pathological retinal fluoroangiographic findings, and its levels were compared with those of the von Willebrand factor antigen (vWfAg), a biochemical index of vascular damage. While the levels of Fn continued to be the same as those detected in the control group, the values of vWfAg registered in group B proved to be significantly different from those found in another homogeneous control group of 25 healthy subjects. Finally, no correlation could be detected between Fn and vWfAg, and neither of them showed any significant correlation with the ESR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1985

Study with the competitive 5-HT2-serotonergic antagonist ketanserin.

In 10 patients with primary arterial hypertension of mild or moderate degree, ketanserin, a competitive antagonist of serotonin receptors, was given for a period of 4 weeks, 40 mg twice daily. In a control group, patients were given 100 mg twice daily of metoprolol for 4 weeks for each treatment. A randomized double-blind crossover model was used. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at rest and during exercise testing on a bicycle; peripheral blood flow was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. A slight reduction in resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure without change in heart rate was observed during treatment with ketanserin. Cardiac workload during exercise test did not change over the observation period. A slight increase in resting blood flow to the lower limbs, with a decrease in peripheral resistance was demonstrated by strain-gauge plethysmography.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Relationship between insulin response to intravenous glucose and plasma lipoproteins in healthy men.

In order to evaluate the influence of serum insulin levels on serum lipoprotein composition, 62 randomly selected healthy males were studied. All of them had a normal glucose tolerance. The Insulin Response to a bolus of intravenous glucose (0.50 g/kg) was significantly correlated with VLDL-Triglyceride (p less than 0.01), VLDL-Cholesterol (p less than 0.01) and with the "Atherogenic Index" (Formula: see text) (p less than 0.01). Moreover, stratifing the all population in quartiles according to the Insulin Response distribution, the highest quartile had a significant increase in Total and VLDL-Cholesterol levels (p less than 0.02), as well as in Total (p less than 0.02), VLDL (p less than 0.02) and LDL (p less than 0.01) Triglyceride, in comparison with the lowest quartile. The Atherogenic Index was also significantly elevated in the high Insulin Response group (p less than 0.005). The influence of serum insulin on lipoprotein metabolism was also evaluated by a stepwise multiple regression analysis. Body weight, Insulin Response and Exogenous Triglyceride removal were independently correlated with VLDL-Triglyceride concentration (r = 0.58, p less than 0.001). VLDL cholesterol concentration and fasting serum insulin levels were inversely correlated with HDL-Cholesterol (r = 0.49, p less than 0.001). In conclusion, in absence of any metabolic derangement, high insulin levels are associated with multiple lipoprotein abnormalities. Insulin might act as a risk factor for arterial disease through its influence on serum lipoproteins.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Behavior of prealbumin in the acute phase of polymyalgia rheumatica treated with 6-methylprednisolone.

Serum levels of prealbumin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein, immunoglobulins, and white blood cell count were prospectively studied in 33 patients affected by polymyalgia rheumatica during the first 45 days of treatment with 6-methylprednisolone. Almost all parameters considered, except for fibronectin and IgM, settled within the normal range fairly quickly, while prealbumin showed a specular course compared with the other reactants. This behavior reflected the improvement of clinical symptoms registered in all patients after steroid treatment. Finally, the genesis of the low baseline prealbumin levels found in polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteritis and their behavior during treatment are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of fluticasone propionate on soluble CD30 release in patients with severe allergic asthma.

Previous studies have demonstrated improvements in health-related quality of life in asthmatic patients after treatment with fluticasone propionate. CD30 is a marker of Th2 lymphocytes, which are key cells in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. There is also a soluble form of CD30 (sCD30) released by CD30+ cells. Since serum sCD30 levels are high in allergic patients, in our study we examined the possible role of fluticasone propionate in modulating sCD30 release in patients with severe allergic asthma. In addition, we evaluated a possible correlation between sCD30 and FEV1 in these patients. To this end two groups of subjects were enrolled: 20 healthy nonatopic control subjects (group A) and 20 atopic patients with severe bronchial asthma receiving fluticasone propionate at the total dosage of 1 mg/day for 8 weeks (group B). Serum samples were examined before and after the treatment period. sCD30 serum levels were determined by the commercial ELISA-kit (Dako). The limit of detection of the assay was 1 U/ml. Our data show that sCD30 basal serum levels were significantly (p <0.05) higher in patients of group B respect to group A subjects (8.35+/-4.88 vs. <1 IU/ml, respectively). In addition, we found that sCD30 serum levels were undetectable in patients of group B after fluticasone propionate therapy. In group B a positive correlation between serum sCD30 levels and FEV1 values before fluticasone propionate treatment was noted (Rho = -0.644, p <0.005). The fluticasone propionate inhibition of sCD30 release may partly explain how fluticasone propionate exerts its antiinflammatory activity, through the modulation of Th2 cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Localized orbital lymphoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Localized orbital non Hodgkin's lymphoma is a rare event which has not been reported much in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features, histology, treatment and clinical outcome of patients with localized orbital lymphoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen patients with stage I-E orbital lymphoma diagnosed between 1975 and 1992 were reviewed. Diagnosis was formulated from 3-84 (median 23) months after the appearance of symptoms. Eight patients were males and 7 were females; median age was 55 years. The lacrimal gland was involved in 8 cases, the orbit in 7. Bilateral orbital localization was observed in only one patient. All cases were diagnosed as low-grade MALT lymphoma. Chemotherapy was administered in 7 patients, radiotherapy was employed in 7 and surgical excision was performed in the remaining case. Almost all the patients (14/15; 93%) achieved a complete remission (CR). Local relapse (LR) was observed in 3 cases but disease spread was never recorded. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Correct histological diagnosis and careful staging are very important for the treatment and outcome of localized low-grade orbital lymphoma. These patients show a very good prognosis and radiation therapy alone is very effective in the treatment of this malignancy.

Adult↗