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Biomedical subjects

G Renzi

Publications and source records attributed to G Renzi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Reversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by eseroline, an opioid agonist structurally related to physostigmine (eserine) and morphine.

The action of eseroline--(3aS,8aR)-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydro-1,3a,8-trimethylpyrrolo[2,3-b]indo l-5-ol--salicylate was tested on preparations of ChE from different sources and on the longitudinal muscle of guinea-pig ileum. While eseroline is eseroline is extremely weak-acting on horse serum BuChE (Ki = 208 +/- 42 microM), it is a rather strong competitive inhibitor of AChE's, its Ki being 0.15 +/- 0.08 microM, 0.22 +/- 0.10 microM and 0.61 +/- 0.12 microM in electric eel, human RBC and rat brain, respectively. Eseroline inhibitory action in AChE in independent of the duration of pre-incubation and appears fully developed in less than 15 sec. This action is also rapidly reversible; after pre-incubation followed by dilution, maximum enzymic activity is regained within 15 sec. The electrically-evoked contractions of the longitudinal strip were inhibited by concentrations of eseroline in the range 0.2-15 microM, while they were increased by concentrations over 20 microM. In the same preparation, without electrical stimulation, but in the presence of naloxone, eseroline induced contractions at concentrations higher than 5 microM. This effect was antagonized by atropine. The inhibitory activity of eseroline parallels, as regards selectivity, potency and kinetics, that of the phenolic anticurare agent edrophonium, while it differs markedly from that of physostigmine.

Animals↗

Eseroline: a new antinociceptive agent derived from physostigmine with opiate receptor agonist properties. Experimental in vivo and in vitro studies on cats and rodents.

We report that eseroline, until now thought devoid of any biological action, is a potent antinociceptive agent. Its antinociceptive action is stronger than that of morphine in all tests studied and, though shorter lasting than that of the latter, has a latency of only a few minutes by subcutaneous route. Eseroline, like morphine and enkephalins, inhibits the electrically evoked twitches of the mouse vas deferens and of the guinea-pig ileum. Eseroline, moreover, releases 5-hydroxytryptamine from cat brain cortex in way similar to that of morphine and physostigmine.

Analgesics↗

Complexes between pilocarpine and cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) ions.

The properties of pilocarpine as a ligand toward the halides of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) were investigated. Pilocarpine behaved as a monodentate ligand, giving rise to compounds with the general formula methyl(pilocarpine)2X2. The coordinating geometry at the metal ion was pseudotetrahedral in every case. PMR studies showed that the pyridine-type nitrogen of the imidazole ring of pilocarpine was the donor atom of the ligand.

Cobalt↗

[Medical treatment of hyperammoniemia in the elderly. Controlled clinical study].

After considering the physiopathological mechanisms of ammoniac metabolism and the different causes of hyperammonaemia in subjects whose organisms present the weak biological equilibrium of the elderly, the antiammonaemic activity of gamma-ethylester of glutamic acid and that of arginine have been compared in a controlled double-blind trial. 45 old patients suffering from hepatic insufficiency characterized by hyperammonaemia and correlated neurological symptomatology have been treated. The subjects, subdivided at random into groups of 15, were treated for an average of 8.8 days with gamma-ethylester of glutamic acid, arginine and placebo presented in identical 500 ml bottles. The posology of the active ingredients ranged form a maximum of 25 g to a minimum of 10 g. The results obtained show that gamma-ethylester of glutamic acid and arginine has significantly greater antiammonemic activity than placebo and that gamma-ethylester of glutamic acid is significantly more effective than arginine. As regards the improvement in neuropsychic symptomatology, the clear superiority of gamma-ethylester of glutamic acid versus both arginine and placebo non evident.

Aged↗

Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency: genetic, clinical and functional correlations in a three generation family.

alpha1-antitrypsin (alpha1-AT) deficiency is a hereditary condition transmitted as an autosomal codominant trait. Fully deficient homozygotes develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at an early age. It remains controversial whether heterozygotes develop some degree of airway disease at an early age which results in severe obstructive disease later in life. We studied 12 alpha1-AT-deficient members of a family spanning three generations by extensive pulmonary function tests, clinical history and genetic determinations. 3 of the subjects were homozygotes and showed important clinical and lung function abnormalities by the age of 30. Two out of 9 heterozygotes, a female and a male, had decreased dynamic compliance, elevated closing volume and low PaO2. 3 showed clinical and physiological abnormalities (elevation in functional residual capacity and residual volume, low FEV1/FVC and elevated closing volume); however, these alterations could be attributed to their smoking habits or concomitant medical condition. The remaining 4 subjects were normal. None of the heterozygotes showed alterations in the static elastic recoil of the lung or static compliance.

Adolescent↗

Indications for pulmonary function testing.

Pulmonary function testing is needed to determine the pathophysiology present in the patient with cardiopulmonary disease. Blood gases and pH should be obtained during emergency situations and during cranial, thoracic, and extensive cervical or abdominal surgery. Lung function tests can be divided in global such as spirometry and diffusing capacity which study the ventilation and transfer of gases and regional determinations of ventilation and perfusion. Both types of tests complement each other and should be used together. The spirometry should consist at least of determination of the vital capacity and is determined in the first second to ascertain if there is obstructive lung disease. Some tests such as flow-volume curves, alveolar-arterial gradients and closing volume are very useful to detect early pulmonary disease before any symptoms or findings are present. This is probably one of the most important medical indications for pulmonary function testing. Before certain types of surgery pulmonary function testing is indicated; if the spirometry and diffusing capacity tests are normal, there is no pulmonary contraindication for the planned surgery. In chest surgery if there is significant compromise of the spirometry and diffusing capacity regional lung function tests are indicated to study the pathophysiology at regional level, thus trying to circumscribe the lung resection to the diseased areas.

Blood Gas Analysis↗

Synthesis of N-acetylcysteine compounds.

The preparation of some anilides, esters and amides of N-acetyl and N,S-diacetyl-cysteine is described. Of the compounds synthesized, particular interest was aroused by the p-hydroxyanilide derivatives of N-acetyl and N,S-diacetyl-L-cysteine owing to their analgesic, antiinflammatory and antipyretic activity.

Acetylcysteine↗