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Biomedical subjects

G Melillo

Publications and source records attributed to G Melillo.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Ketoprofen lysine salt inhibits disuse-induced osteopenia in a new non-traumatic immobilization model in the rat.

Immobilization and the consequent unloading can cause osteopenia both in humans and in animals due to an increased bone resorption and a parallel reduction in bone formation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and in particular the aryl propionic acids, are described to prevent bone loss by inhibiting the cyclo-oxygenase activity. In this study we evaluated the role of a classical aryl propionic acid, ketoprofen lysine salt (KLS), in a new model of disuse-induced osteoporosis in the rat. Tail immobilization evoked a time-dependent bone loss in the caudal vertebral bodies, measured densitometrically as a reduction of bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC). KLS was administered once daily for 10 days by subcutaneous route at 0.5 mg kg-1, a dose lower than that effective to elicit an anti-inflammatory response. In these conditions, KLS completely abolished BMD and BMC decrease observed in the caudal vertebrae after 10-day immobilization, without affecting bone mass in normal (non-immobilized) rats. These results suggest that KLS can exert, besides to its anti-inflammatory effect, an anti-resorptive activity on bone that could be useful in the prevention of disuse-induced osteopenia.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro permeation screening of a new formulation of thiocolchicoside containing various enhancers.

Thiocolchicoside, a muscle relaxant agent with anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions, also is used topically for the treatment of muscular spasms and for rheumatologic, orthopedic, and traumatologic disorders. In this study, thiocolchicoside was formulated to use as foam to avoid contact with the afflicted area during the spreading phase. To enhance drug penetration, various enhancers were added to the base formulation. The tested enhancers were ethoxyethylendiglycol (Transcutol), highly purified phosphatidylcholine (Lipoid S20), capsaicin, propylene glycol dipelargonate (DPPG), and glycolysed ethoxylated glycerides (Labrafil M1944 CS). The transdermal absorption of the tested formulations containing enhancers, in comparison with base formulation, was evaluated in vitro through rat skin using standard Franz diffusion cells. Base formulation was found to have a higher permeation profile than the simple aqueous and hydroalcoholic solutions of the drug, meaning that the base formulation by itself enhances the drug permeation. Among the tested formulations, only the formulation containing DPPG/ethanol was found to be statistically different, showing an enhancement factor of 3.58. In the same experimental session, Muscoril ointment, the commercially available pharmaceutical product containing the same thiocolchicoside concentration (0.25%), also was tested. The formulation containing DPPG/ethanol showed a 4.86 times increase of permeability constant in comparison with Muscoril ointment. The formulation containing DPPG/ethanol as an enhancer could be a good candidate for a new topical foam, considering its good characteristics of permeability and compliance.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of posture, effort and psychophysiological activation on atrio-ventricular node and Kent bundle refractoriness.

A new protocol is described for non-invasive evaluation of electrophysiological effects of autonomic nervous system on both normal and abnormal atrio-ventricular conduction in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. In 64 WPW patients with stable Kent-type ventricular preexcitation transoesophageal atrial pacing has been carried out to quantify changes in both atrioventricular (AV) node and Kent bundle refractoriness and maximal conductive capability induced by posture, physical exercise and psychophysiological activation. A significant shortening of AV nodal and accessory pathway refractory periods was found, induced by manoeuvres enhancing the sympathetic outflow, being the AV node the most sensitive structure. This finding suggests that an exhaustive investigation protocol of WPW patients should include the evaluation of the neurovegetative effects on cardiac electrophysiological parameters, under conditions which can reproduce as close as possible the individual situations a patient has to face in his real life.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Short-term effects of i.v. injected murine 99MTc-F(ab')2 fragments of an anti-melanoma antibody (HMW-MAA 225.28 S) on haemato-immunological parameters in patients with melanoma.

To evaluate alterations induced by injected murine radiolabelled F(ab')2 fragments of the anti HMW-MAA MoAb 225.28S on the principal haemato-immunological parameters, 32 patients with advanced malignant melanoma were studied. No statistically significant change was found after MoAb administration, but monocytes (3 h after injection) and granular eosinophils (24 h after) were reduced and circulating immune complexes increased (3 h after). No toxic effect or adverse reaction was observed. Therefore, the controlled administration of purified MoAb fragments for diagnostic purposes seems to involve only a very low risk of immediate adverse reactions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Results of a screening for atopy and aspecific bronchial hyperreactivity in 6-year-old children].

In the course of a clinic-anamnestic study performed from November 1984 to April 1985 by the collaborators of USL 40 Maternal-Infantile Service, among the children (1569) of the first primary school, 622 children has been selected for possible, probable and verified asthma. For making deeper the diagnosis, 358 children had gone to the respiratory allergologic section of division of pneumology and respiratory allergology of Cardarelli Hospital. The control group was formed from 12 children without atopic familiarity and without asthmatic tendency. Among the 358 children, 127 were asymptomatic but with familiar anamnesis positive for atopy; 219 had or had suffered allergic symptomatology. The authors had studied all children by Prick-test with a standard battery of allergens and with by methacholine aspecific bronchial reactivity test. The familiar tendency to atopy was present in 81.1% of studied children, with prevalence of maternal tendency (41,83%) in comparison with this of ascendents and collaterals. Among the asymptomatic subjects with atopic familiarity only 27.56% was skin positive for one or more allergens, while 59.82% of symptomatic subjects was skin positive. The bronchial aspecific reactivity with methacholine was increased in the 62% of asymptomatic and in the 84.69% of symptomatic subjects. The aspecific bronchial reactivity level in mean was higher in the children with bronchial asthma but also the subjects with rhinitis and chronic cough has showed a higher level in comparison with adults affected of similar symptomatology. In 8 children the authors have studied the reproduction of PD20 methacholine which was very high.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Allergy to Olea europaea pollen: relationship between skin prick tests, RAST, ELISA and bronchial provocations tests.

Olea Europaea is the most important allergenic tree in Southern Italy and in the Naples area. Its pollination period lasts from the middle of April to the end of June. In our pollinosis patients we observed frequency of sensitization of 13.05% to Olea pollen. That means that this pollen follows Parietaria (47.80%) and Gramineae (34.70%) regarding the frequency of allergic sensitization. In an attempt to evaluate the degree of allergic sensitization to Olea pollen and the concordance of various tests, we studied 24 asthmatic patients with skin positivity to only this pollen using commercially available allergen extracts and reagents. The patients were examined by SPT, RAST, ELISA and BPT with allergen. Our study has shown that there is no relationship between the results of SPT and Phadebas RAST; a slight relationship between SPT and Phadezym RAST, and a very good relationship between Phadebas and Phadezym RAST. Bronchial challenge with Olea extract was positive in all patients. These results may be interpreted considering the low degree of purification of Olea pollen extracts available commercially.

Adolescent↗