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Biomedical subjects

G Ricevuti

Publications and source records attributed to G Ricevuti.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Assessment of lymphocyte and phagocytic cell function in healthy volunteers undergoing short-term phenytoin administration.

The effect of short-term (2 weeks) administration of the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin on humoral and cellular immune function and phagocytic cell system activity was tested in nine healthy volunteers. No change either in the absolute or relative counts of leukocytes was found after drug treatment. Moreover, immunoglobulin serum concentration and lymphocyte subsets positive for OKT3, OKT4, OKT8, OKDRIA, OKB2, Leu 7, Leu 11a, anti-beta 2-microglobulin and antitransferrin monoclonal antibodies were not affected by phenytoin administration. A significant impairment of both polymorphonuclear neutrophil migrating activity and stimulated metabolism as measured by nitro blue tetrazolium reduction and superoxide anion generation was found after drug treatment or when phenytoin was added in vitro to the cells at concentrations lying within the anticonvulsant therapeutic range. Monocyte function was unaffected both after phenytoin administration and after direct application to the cells. The phenytoin-induced changes of polymorphonuclear neutrophil function was completely reverted within 2 weeks after drug withdrawal. The phenytoin-induced alterations of the phagocytic cell system are discussed in relation not only to the possible implications in the pathogenesis of adverse effects of anticonvulsant therapy but also to the potential therapeutic exploitation in immunologically mediated disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Clinical aspects of neutrophil locomotion disorders.

Cellular locomotion is a crucial function for conditioning the arrival to and the behavior of neutrophils in the inflammatory site. It can be spontaneous or stimulated by chemical agents, along chemical gradient (chemotaxis) or in absence of a gradient (chemokinesis). The availability of in vitro and in vivo assays has permitted the definition of specific congenital and acquired neutrophil abnormalities, which are associated with defective host resistance. The appreciation of complex and often adverse effects of certain systemic diseases and drugs on neutrophil locomotion as well as the use of new approaches to therapy suggest the importance of assessing the role of the neutrophil in states of impaired host defense.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Importance of hyaluronic acid in the modulation of neutrophil migration].

The relationship between JA and phagocyte function has often been reported in the literature. The action of JA may either inhibit or stimulate PMNs function depending on the concentration. On the basis of this experience, the efficacy of JA action, both directly and mediated after incubation was studied. In particular phagocytosis, NBT, superoxide production and chemotaxis were studied in basal conditions and after incubation with hyaluronic acid. In particular chemotaxis was also performed to assay the chemotactic action of the medium in which the monocytes were incubated with JA and the technique was found to produce a distinct progressive improvement in the chemotactic index. In conclusion, it is hypothesised that monocytes incubated with JA produce a chemotactic factor for PMNs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Meningeal leukemia diagnosed by cytocentrifuge study of cerebrospinal fluid. A study of 631 cerebrospinal fluid samples from 87 patients.

Owing to improved therapy and lengthened life span, the incidence of neuromeningeal involvement in leukemia is increasing. Careful examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is important for an early diagnosis. Among the available techniques, the use of cytocentrifugation enables us to demonstrate central nervous system leukemia even if the white blood cell count in the CSF is under 10/cu mm. We describe the results obtained by examining 631 CSF samples from 87 patients affected by acute leukemia; central nervous system luekemia was found in 22.7% of the patients suffering from acute lymphocytic leukemia and in 6.4% of those with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), but this ratio is higher in ANLL compared with the survival as measured in months (a ratio of 2.0 in ANLL compared with 0.50 in acute lymphocytic leukemia). A "leukemic" CSF was found in 51.5% of prophylactically treated patients and in 73.1% of the untreated ones.

Centrifugation↗
PubMed1986

A study of neutrophil function in a case of associated autoimmune neutropenia and thrombocytopenia treated with high doses of intravenous gammaglobulin (HDIGG).

In autoimmune disorders there is usually only one cell-type involved but occasionally there are more. The cell associated-IgG and -C3 in these disorders are sequestered normally in the spleen and removed by phagocytosis in the reticulum endothelial system (RES). Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease and normally presents only thrombocytopenia. Infrequently, neutropenia is associated. Recently high doses of intravenous gammaglobulin (HDIGG) have been used to block the cell destruction by RES in these diseases. The patient presented with ITP and associated neutropenia and was treated with HDIGG. We studied some neutrophil function, in relation to therapy (chemotaxis, random migration, latex phagocytosis, NBT reduction, superoxide generation), and performed some cytochemical stains (LAP and myeloperoxidase). We also determined the presence of antiplatelet and antineutrophil functions and resulted in an increase in the platelet and neutrophil count.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Prognostic significant of functional defects of granulocytes in myeloproliferative disease.

Patients suffering from myeloproliferative diseases are frequently susceptible to infection. We studied granulocyte function and cytogenetics in 32 patients with different myeloproliferative syndromes. In vivo granulocyte function was studied in 10 patients using the skin window technique. Our data demonstrate a deficit in chemotaxis (p less than 0.001) which does not seem to correlate with any specific chromosomal anomaly. Patients showing a deficit in myeloperoxidase activity, phagocytosis, O2- production or NBT reduction also had a much lower median survival with respect to other patients treated with the same protocol but without these deficits (p less than 0.01). By conducting granulocyte function studies at diagnosis one may therefore isolate those patients with an increased risk of contracting infections and a decreased probability of complete remission.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Assessment of polymorphonucleate leucocyte functions in adult epileptic patients undergoing long-term phenytoin treatment.

Twelve patients given more than 1 year phenytoin monotherapy and 12 healthy control subjects taking no drugs and matched for sex and age were examined for polymorphonucleate (PMN) functions. To assess PMN activity, cell locomotion and directed migration, phagocytosing ability and bactericidal activity were investigated. No change either in the absolute or relative counts of PMN leucocytes was found in the patients. However, a significant impairment of both PMN chemotaxis and stimulated Nitro Blue Tetrazolium reduction or superoxide anion generation was observed in the patients as compared with the control group of subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Immunomodulation of neutrophil chemotaxis in rheumatoid arthritis using levamisole and methisoprinol.

The inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by an alteration in neutrophil function and an accompanying increase in the number of these cells within the joint space. Both inhibition of peripheral neutrophil chemotaxis and the paradoxic and concomitant deleterious effects of overreactive synovial neutrophils are expressions of an imbalance within the immune system. Levamisole and methisoprinol have been found to improve the alterations in cellular function and immune response. We studied the in vitro effect of these drugs on neutrophil function in four patients with rheumatoid arthritis whose basal chemotaxis was seriously inhibited. Levamisole and methisoprinol improved neutrophil chemotaxis by inducing, in monocytes incubated with these drugs, the production of an important chemotactic factor effective on the altered neutrophils. We suggest that the use of these drugs is beneficial in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1986

The probable role of superoxide produced by blast cells in leukaemic cutaneous spreading.

Leukaemic blast cells from 12 patients with acute leukaemia were examined in order to study their capacity to produce anion superoxide in the absence and in the presence of phorbol-myristate acetate (PMA). Blast cells are able to mount an oxidative respiratory burst upon challenge with PMA, as demonstrated by superoxide release. The production of anion superoxide by blasts committed to monocytic differentiation might be an additional factor contributing to the tissue damage observed in leukaemic patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Pharmacological effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) on phagocytes: hypothesis for an HA-induced monocyte chemotactic factor for neutrophils.

The connection between hyaluronic acid and phagocyte function is not well documented in the literature. Its action may either inhibit or enhance polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) function, depending on its concentration. Studies were conducted to verify the effect of hyaluronic acid on phagocytes, both directly using hyaluronic acid and indirectly via a mediated route using the medium from a hyaluronic acid monocyte incubation. Determinations were made of phagocytosis, reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium, superoxide production, and chemotaxis before and after incubation with hyaluronic acid. Chemotaxis of PMNs was used to evaluate the chemotactic action of a medium in which monocytes had been incubated with hyaluronic acid. This method resulted in progressive improvement in the chemotactic index. The authors conclude that the monocytes incubated with hyaluronic acid produce a chemotactic factor for neutrophils.

Cell Movement↗
PubMed1986

Treatment of infections during hematologic malignancies with aztreonam, a new antibiotic.

Nineteen patients with hematological malignancies (5 malignant lymphomas, 9 acute leukemia and 5 other hematological diseases) were treated with aztreonam alone or in combination for infection. Four out of five patients in the lymphoma group, 6/9 in the leukemia group and 4/5 in the last group were considered cured of their infection. No important clinical side effects or consistent deterioration of hematology and chemistry tests were observed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Reevaluation of prognostic significance of symptoms in Hodgkin's disease.

The prognostic value--at diagnosis--of fever, sweating and weight loss, which enter the Ann Arbor B category, and of pruritus, whose influence on survival is still debated, were systematically reevaluated in 635 patients with Hodgkin's disease, observed between 1972 and 1982. By means of multivariate analysis an intrinsic, more negative prognostic value was demonstrated for each of the following symptoms: fever over 38 degrees C, weight loss more than 10% of body weight in the 6 months before admission, and severe pruritus, which is defined as being generalized, causing multiple excoriations and resisting local and systemic antipruritics. Patients with the mild counterparts of these symptoms, as well as sweats, were found to have a survival rate quite comparable with that of fully asymptomatic patients. A rearrangement of the Ann Arbor B constitutional symptoms which would replace sweats with severe pruritus might be more correct and more suitable for better selecting the patients who require more aggressive therapy.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1985

[Effect of methisoprinol on neutrophil functions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Neutrophils and monocytes are fundamental to the inflammatory process. They migrate into inflammatory foci where they manufacture and release numerous substances (enzymes X O2 ions) which if not controlled may injure the tissues they come in contact with. This enhanced response is responsible for the degenerative reaction typical of inflammation which occurs in rheumatoid arthritis. neutrophil and monocyte metabolism are activated in response to various drugs or to chemicals that may be produced either by the inflammatory agents or by other immunocompetent cells. Hence, immune system modulators may be employed to control their response. For this reason neutrophil and monocyte function was studied in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis as was the ability of methisoprinol, a major immunomodulating drug, to control their functional response both in vivo and in vitro. Neutrophils present a defective chemotactic activity attributable to a circulating inhibitory factor, a defect that methisoprinol can correct. The drug also stimulates lymphocytes and monocytes to produce substances that activate neutrophil chemotaxis. Methisoprinol is an excellent drug that can modify the altered cell-mediated immunity of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Myelofibrosis caused by cancer: presentation of a clinical case with a very difficult diagnosis].

Fibrosis of the bone marrow or myelofibrosis, is a connective tissue response of the bone marrow, giving rise to alterations of various nature. From an etiological point of view, it may be divided into primitive or secondary forms. Since the therapeutic implications differ, it is important to make a correct differential diagnosis between the 2 forms. With this in mind, particular importance must be given to myelofibrosis secondary to neoplastic metastasis since it frequently presents with a clinical and hematological picture and bone marrow morphology typical of acute or chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis. In such a situation the particular course of the disease and the description fibrosis-sclerosis of the bone marrow are highly suggestive of myelofibrosis secondary to neoplastic metastasis. On the basis of these considerations, we found it interesting to report a case which came under our observations. The patient in this case presented a complex differential diagnosis which offered us the occasion to review and highlight the clinical and histological criteria fundamental to the 2 forms. The patient, a 40 year old woman, presented with a clinical picture typical of myelofibrosis following surgery for a cystic ovary. For 3 years she had felt violent bone pains and had progressively declined in her physical state to the point of cachexia. A careful histological exam of the bone marrow revealed metastasis from the gastric tumor thus giving a clear diagnosis of secondary myelofibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Prognostic factors in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Prognostic factors were investigated in 67 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, homogeneously staged and treated (COP or CHOP according to low or high malignant histotype). A large number of parameters were scrutinized in order to recognize those exhibiting a prognostic value regarding length of survival. All the parameters that singly appeared to influence survival were entered into a multiple regression factor analysis. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), higher or lower than 35 mm at the 1st h, better discriminated the groups of patients surviving or not at a given time. The histologic type, according to the Kiel classification of malignancy, was the second best prognosticator when a short-term prediction was requested (survival or death after no more than 2.5 years), but showed insufficient statistical weight for predicting longer survivals (greater than 4 years). Stage seemed to be the third best prognosticator for the first years of survival, but only the second best for longer survivals. Other parameters had very low prognostic importance when compared with those above. The results were substantially confirmed by 28 other patients, taken as controls. The importance that such a simple and easy test as ESR may be adequate with regard to prognosis is emphasized.

Adult↗