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Biomedical subjects

G Milani

Publications and source records attributed to G Milani.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Prednisone inhibits late asthmatic reactions and airway inflammation induced by toluene diisocyanate in sensitized subjects.

To determine the importance of airway inflammation for late asthmatic reactions induced by toluene diisocyanate (TDI), we investigated whether prednisone prevented them [corrected] by modifying the associated airway inflammatory reaction. We measured FEV1 before and at regular intervals after exposure to TDI and performed bronchoalveolar lavage at 8 hours after TDI in two groups of subjects with previously documented late asthmatic reactions, in one group, after no treatment, and in the other group, after treatment with prednisone (50 mg/day for 4 days). After no treatment, each subject developed a late asthmatic reaction, an increase in airway responsiveness, polymorphonuclear leukocytosis, and increased albumin in bronchoalveolar lavage. By contrast, after treatment with prednisone, no subject developed a late asthmatic reaction or an increase in airway responsiveness, and the number of leukocytes and the concentration of albumin were normal in bronchoalveolar lavage. These results suggest that late asthmatic reactions induced by TDI may be caused by airway inflammation and that prednisone may block them [corrected] by inhibiting the inflammatory reaction of the airway induced by TDI in sensitized subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Bronchoalveolar neutrophilia during late asthmatic reactions induced by toluene diisocyanate.

The mechanism by which late asthmatic reactions are induced by toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a low molecular weight chemical that causes occupational asthma in exposed subjects, is unknown. We investigated whether early and late asthmatic reactions induced by TDI are associated with changes in airway responsiveness to methacholine and airway inflammation as determined by bronchoalveolar lavage. We measured FEV1 before and at regular intervals after exposure to TDI, and performed dose-response curves to methacholine and bronchoalveolar lavage at 8 h after TDI in a group of 6 subjects with late asthmatic reactions and in 6 subjects with only early asthmatic reactions. The same procedure was followed 2 h after TDI in a group of 6 subjects with previously documented late asthmatic reactions and in a group of 6 subjects without any previously documented asthmatic reaction after TDI. In subjects with late asthmatic reactions, neutrophils were increased at both 2 and 8 h, and eosinophils and airway responsiveness were increased only at 8 h. By contrast, neutrophils, eosinophils and airway responsiveness were not increased at 8 h after TDI in subjects with an early asthmatic reaction or at 2 h after TDI in normal control subjects. These results suggest that late asthmatic reactions to TDI, and the associated increase in airway responsiveness, may be caused by airway inflammation.

Asthma↗
PubMed1985

[Dysfunction of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal axis induced by histamine H2 antagonists. Review of the literature and personal observations].

The effects of the H2 blockers most commonly used for treating ulcers (CMT + RNT) on the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis are analysed. The following conclusions may be drawn form the literature and from personal studies: a) Basal levels of PRL increase significantly after an i.v. bolus of CMT and, very probably, in the first few days of oral treatment. b) RNT orally or i.v., in standard therapeutic doses, has no effect on the secretion of prolactin which is only influenced by higher i.v. doses. c) From points a) and b) it would seem that H2 blockers determine PRL increases by interference at a central level in the histaminergic neurotransmission system. d) The mechanisms for determining alterations in LH secretion, secretory spikes and their frequency have not yet been clarified and are not even unanimously recognised. e) The gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea, amenorrhoea and impotence--reported only after long-term cimetidine treatment--can probably be attributed to the specific antiandrogen receptor property of CMT. f) The onset of menstrual problems or of modifications in sexual behaviour in fertile patients, should however be checked and their basal PRL monitored if necessary.

Amenorrhea↗
PubMed1979

Neonatal erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase deficiency as a consequence of selenium imbalance during pregnancy.

The red blood cell (RBC) glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and routine haematological parameters were measured in 38 healthy north Italian full-term pregnant women and in their newborn infants. In 31 pairs the serum selenium concentration was also measured. Data were compared with those of 20 normal adult controls (10 males and 10 females). Newborn infants exhibited significantly lower RBC GSH-Px activity and serum selenium concentrations than adult controls. Pregnant women had serum selenium values intermediate between those of adult female controls and their newborn infants. In both the pregnant women and newborns the RBC GSH-Px activity correlated with the level of selenium in serum which suggests that the neonatal RBC GSH-Px deficiency may be partially due to insufficient availability of selenium during pregancy. Factors other than selenium concentration, e.g. hormonal and genetic, might also affect the RBC GSH-Px activity as suggested by sex differences and mother/child concordances in enzyme activity found in our cases.

Adolescent↗