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Biomedical subjects

I Virgolini

Publications and source records attributed to I Virgolini.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Concomitant aspirin treatment abolishes the antiatherosclerotic effects of the calcium channel blocker isradipine mediated by PGI2.

108 male rabbits, aged 6 months, with experimental hypercholesterolemia and experimental abdominal aortic lesioning received different regimen of antiatherosclerotic treatment; 36 of them were treated with isradipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (0.3 mg/kg/daily), 36 with isradipine in combination with aspirin whereas 36 animals received placebo. The entry of 125I-radiolabelled LDL into the aorta was demonstrated to be significantly diminished in isradipine-treated rabbits as well as positive Sudan-III-staining and aortic cholesterol content were in comparison to placebo. This benefit was almost completely abolished by concomitant aspirin-treatment. The notable increase in vascular prostacyclin (PGI2) is supposed to mediate the strong antiatherosclerotic effect of isradipine resulting in an inhibition of LDL-entry and vascular cholesterol accumulation. Aspirin almost totally blocked the raise in PGI2-synthesis by the inhibition of cyclooxygenase detected in isradipine-treated animals. It can be concluded, that aspirin-treatment may minimize the antiatherosclerotic actions of calcium antagonists which are mediated by the PG-system.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effect of irradiation on the prostaglandin system of human hypernephroma cells.

Specific PGE1-, PGE2-, PGI2-binding sites and the eicosanoid production were investigated in cultured human hypernephroma cells. Low numbers of PGE1-, PGE2- as well as PGI2-high-affinity binding sites and high levels of PG-production were found as compared to normal kidney. Treatment with acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA) significantly (p less than 0.01) increased PGE1-, PGE2- and PGI2-binding sites and inhibited PG-formation. Following irradiation, PG-receptors and eicosanoid generation were significantly (p less than 0.01) diminished, however, were insignificantly lowered in the ASA-treated group. These findings suggest that ASA may modify the radioresponse of cultured hypernephroma cells by preventing the decrease of PG-receptors induced by irradiation.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Prostaglandin (PG) E1 and 13,14-dihydro (DH) PGE1 are diminishing radiation-induced arterial damage.

Rabbit abdominal aorta was irradiated with single or repeated doses up to 10 Gy. The rabbits were killed at different time intervals after irradiation. 5 micrograms/kg x 6/hr PGE1 or its biologically active metabolite 13,14-DH-PGE1 were administered either 6 hours before or 6 hours after irradiation. The administration of both PGEs reduced radiation-induced mitotic activity (3H-thymidine incorporation) and extracellular matrix [collagen-(14C-proline) and glycosaminoglycan (35-S-sulphate)]-formation as determined by means of autoradiography. The initial peak increase in vascular PGI2-synthesis was partly abolished, while the long lasting depression was less pronounced. 13,14-DH-PGE1 was only slightly less active as compared to the parent compound. Pre-radiation treatment was more effective than post-irradiation therapy. These findings suggest that both the PGs exert significant radiation-protective actions on the arterial wall.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1992

Isradipine improves platelet function in hypertensives.

The effect of treatment for eight weeks with isradipine 1.25 mg twice daily for 4 weeks and thereafter 2.5 mg twice daily for 4 weeks on ex vivo platelet function was investigated in 10 male hypertensive patients, aged 51 (6.1) y. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, platelet aggregation in response to ADP, serum thromboxane B2 and beta-thromboglobulin levels were significantly decreased at rest before exercise ergometry, during exercise and at rest after exercise. The platelet count, platelet sensitivity and the plasma levels of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha were not affected by isradipine. It is concluded that a compound that lowers blood pressure and inhibits platelet activation may be of clinical benefit in the routine treatment of hypertension.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

In vivo quantification of cholesterol content in human carotid arteries by quantitative gamma-camera imaging after injection of autologous low density lipoproteins (LDL).

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) were isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography from 18 patients (31-70 years) suffering from primary hypercholesterolemia with angiographically proven atherosclerosis of either one or both carotid arteries. LDL were labeled with 123I (1 mCi/mg LDL) by the iodine monochloride method followed by purification with dialysis and immediately reinjected thereafter. Gamma-camera serial controls over carotid regions allowed visual detection of uptake of the radiocompound uptake in 12 out of the 18 patients. The lipid entry ratio (LER; counts over the vascular region/pixel as compared to the contralateral side after background subtraction) confirmed the visual findings. Whole body images performed until 20 h after reinjection showed 3 different kinetic types of LDL-influx into the vessel wall: decreasing (type I), increasing and then decreasing (type II) and continuously increasing (type III) with time. Four patients underwent endarterectomy within 2-7 weeks after gamma-camera imaging. Histological control revealed an extensive amount of "foam cells" in tissue samples derived during surgery and an absence of endothelial lining in samples belonging to patients with type II kinetics.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Binding of 111In-labeled HDL to platelets from normolipemic volunteers and patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

High density lipoproteins (HDLs; d = 1.063 - 1.21 g/ml) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and radiolabeled with 111In. The in vitro binding onto platelets from healthy volunteers (n = 15) and patients (n = 36) with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) was investigated. Binding was saturable and indicated high-affinity binding sites, which bound 1,882 +/- 361 ng protein of 111In-HDL/10(9) platelets (dissociation constant [Kd] = 7 +/- 3 micrograms protein/ml) in healthy volunteers and significantly (p less than 0.01) lower amounts in the FH patients (1,012 +/- 439 ng protein of 111In-HDL/10(9) platelets [Kd = 12 +/- 4 micrograms protein/ml]; p less than 0.01). The capacity to displace one half of the bound ligand (IC50) amounted to 14 +/- 3 micrograms protein/ml in healthy volunteers and 22 +/- 9 micrograms protein/ml in FH patients (p less than 0.001). Treatment with lipid-lowering drugs (gemfibrozil, alone or in combination with cholestyramine) in 10 patients resulted in an increased HDL binding capacity: before treatment, 1,280 +/- 883; after 2 months of treatment, 2,052 +/- 873 (p less than 0.05); and after 6 months of treatment, 2,127 +/- 812 ng protein/10(9) platelets (p less than 0.01). There was a significant (p less than 0.001) correlation between 111In-HDL binding data and plasmatic lipid and lipoprotein values. Furthermore, those FH patients with the additional risk factors of smoking (p less than 0.05) and hypertension (p less than 0.01) showed significantly lower 111In-HDL binding onto platelets. The findings indicate specific 111In-HDL binding sites for human platelets, which may be decreased in patients with heterozygous FH. Upregulation of HDL binding sites during lipid-lowering medication therapy supports the hypothesis that high-affinity HDL binding is involved in hyperlipemic disorders and is possibly related to the reactivity of platelets.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Aspirin abolishes the decreased low-density lipoprotein (LDL) entry into the rabbit arterial wall induced by the calcium channel blocker isradipine.

After deendothelialization and experimentally induced hypercholesterolemia in rabbits, an increased LDL entry into the vascular wall can be monitored using radiolabelled LDL. In male rabbits aged 6 months the abdominal aortic endothelium was removed by a Fogarty catheter. The animals fed a 1% cholesterol supplemented diet were treated either with isradipine (0.3 mg/kg/daily) (n = 36) alone or in combination with aspirin (5 mg/kg/daily) (n = 36) for four weeks. Thirty-six animals served as controls. 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours prior to sacrificing, 10 microCi 125I-LDL was administered intravenously to six rabbits in each group. The LDL entry was quantified in the abdominal aorta according to morphologically assessed type of surface lining. Aortic cholesterol content was assessed by Sudan-III staining and quantitative determination. Endothelialized segments exhibited a significantly (p less than 0.05 - p less than 0.001) lower LDL uptake as compared to re- or deendothelialized segments. The LDL entry was significantly lower with isradipine treatment than in controls. In parallel the cholesterol content decreased and the Sudan-III-positive areas were smaller in size. This beneficial effect as well as that on aortic lipid content was abolished by a pretreatment with aspirin. While in the isradipine-treated animals PGI2 synthesis was significantly (p less than 0.01) enhanced, it was almost completely blocked by aspirin. These findings indicate that the benefit of reduced LDL entry caused by isradipine may be mediated by an increased endogenous PGI2 synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Low density lipoprotein labelling characterizes experimentally induced atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits in vivo as to presence of foam cells and endothelial coverage.

The entry of autologous iodine-125 low density lipoprotein (125I-LDL) into the aortic wall in rabbits was measured. After abdominal endothelium abrasion with a Fogarthy catheter the animals were fed a 1% cholesterol-supplemented diet for 4 weeks. The animals were killed 1-48 h after administration of 25 muCi 125I-LDL. Local entry of radiolabelled LDL was estimated and correlated to endothelial surface lining and foam cell content, both controlled morphologically. Endothelialized segments showed the lowest entry of 125I-LDL, the maximum uptake was reached at around 8 h. In de-endothelialized segments the entry was higher and the peak later (12 h), while in re-endothelialized segments a continuous increase in 125I-LDL entry up to 48 h was measured. Number and extent of foam cells correlated with the entry of LDL. The data indicate the usefulness of LDL radiolabelling for qualitative in vivo information on surface lining and foam cell content.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Autologous low-density lipoprotein labelling allows characterization of human atherosclerotic lesions in vivo as to presence of foam cells and endothelial coverage.

The monitoring of local vascular kinetics after injection of autologous radiolabelled low-density lipoprotein (LDL) allows characterization of human atherosclerotic lesions as to the presence of foam cells and the quality of endothelial coverage. The following evidence exists: (1) dynamic imaging reveals two types of visual LDL accumulation in the vascular bed, one increasing, becoming visible sometimes only as late as after 24 h, and the other one appearing very early on, but decreasing with time; (2) the accumulation of iodine-123 LDL or iodine-131 LDL in the vascular bed shows three major types of local kinetic curves, which correlate with scintigraphic findings; (3) the accumulation of radiolabelled LDL in the vascular bed of humans in vivo is similar to its uptake in de- and re-endothelialized vessels of experimental animals using 125I-LDL; (4) morphological control in endarteriectomy samples confirms the hypothesis that this promising new approach may for the first time allow the in vivo monitoring of preclinical lesions in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Intravenous prostacyclin (PGI2) infusion to 108 patients with ischaemic peripheral vascular disease: phase II-open study.

We recently reported the results of a double-blind trial of PGI2 in 108 patients with ischaemic peripheral vascular disease Stage II according to Fontaine. They were randomly allocated to receive an intravenous infusion of either PGI2 (6 ng/kg/min over 8 hours daily for 5 consecutive days) or placebo and classified as treatment responders or non-responders on the basis of changes in absolute and relative walking times. Patients treated with placebo and those who did not improve in this double blind trial entered an open trial in which they all received infusion of PGI2 (6 ng/kg/min over 8 hours daily for 5 consecutive days). The results of this open trial are reported here. Patients who had been allocated to PGI2 in the blind trial had significantly (p less than 0.01) longer walking times as compared to placebo-treated patients prior to receiving the second (PGI2) infusion. PGI2-infusion caused significant (p less than 0.01) prolongation of walking times in both groups up to the 2nd follow-up month. One month after infusion 52% (23 patients) of the initially placebo-treated patients and 31% (14 patients) of the initially PGI2-treated patients were scored as positive treatment responders (p less than 0.01).

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Effect of prostaglandin E1 on low density lipoprotein apo-B-receptor binding in human, rat and swine liver in vitro.

The effect of PGE1 on low density lipoprotein (LDL) apo-B-receptor binding was examined in human, rat and swine liver. Autologous LDL (for humans and swines) and homologous LDL (for rats) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and labelled with 123I using Iodogen followed by purification with dialysis. LDL-concentrations of 0.1-6 micrograms protein/ml were used for direct binding assays investigating the specific binding of labelled LDL in presence of increasing PGE1-concentrations (100 pM to 100 microM). In separate experiments the effect of PGE1 on displacement of specifically bound 123I-LDL by unlabelled ones was studied. The binding capacities estimated by Scatchard analysis were similar for human and rat liver LDL-apo-B-receptor binding, however, swine liver exhibited a significantly (p less than 0.001) lower binding capacity for 123I-LDL. PGE1 significantly (p less than 0.01-0.001) increased the amount of 123I-LDL specifically bound to the liver apo-B-receptors and the binding affinity in all liver preparations of the 3 species in a dose-dependent manner. PGE1 also significantly increased competition of unlabelled LDL for 123I-LDL bound to its specific apo-B-receptors in a dose-dependent manner (p less than 0.01-0.001) with an ED50 of 123 +/- 64 nM for human liver, 901 +/- 102 nM for rat liver obtained during anaesthesia, 74 +/- 23 nM for rat liver obtained after decapitation and 941 +/- 121 nM for swine liver. In human liver iloprost (ED50 = 876 +/- 53 nM) and PGI2 (ED50 = 52 +/- 12 microM) were less effective than PGE1, PGE2 had no effect on LDL-induced competition. It is concluded that PGE1 renders LDL more sensitive for apo-B-receptor binding suggesting a potential hypolipidemic action of PGE1.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of different methods for LDL isolation and radioiodination on liver LDL receptor binding in vitro.

Lipoproteins were isolated either by immunoaffinity chromatography (LDL and VLDL) or ultracentrifugation (LDL). Purified lipoproteins were labeled with 123I using either Iodogen or iodine-monochloride (IC1) each followed by purification with gel-chromatography or dialysis (total of 4 combinations). Lipoprotein-concentrations of 0.1-6 micrograms protein/mL were used for direct binding assays investigating the specific binding of labeled lipoproteins (in the presence of a 50-fold excess of unlabeled lipoproteins) to human liver apo-B, E-receptors. In separate experiments displacement of bound 123I-lipoproteins (labeled by the methods mentioned) by unlabeled ones was studied. The binding capacities estimated by Scatchard analysis were similar to each other (141-163 ng protein bound/mg liver plasma membrane protein) independent from the method used for isolation and labeling. Also the affinity constants were very similar and ranged from 0.9 to 1.7 micrograms protein/L. It is concluded that immunoaffinity chromatography or ultracentrifugation for isolation of lipoproteins and the Iodogen or IC1-method for radiolabeling can be recommended to be equally good for in vitro receptor investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Thiopental and ether anaesthesia decrease the prostaglandin receptor density of the rat liver.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were killed either by decapitation or during anaesthesia with thiopental or diethylether by aortectomy. Livers were removed and liver plasma membranes were prepared using standard techniques. Direct binding experiments with 3H-PGE1 and 3H-iloprost revealed heterogeneity of the binding sites (high and low affinity binding sites), whereas 3H-PGE2 demonstrated only high affinity binding to the liver. The highest binding capacity for all radioligands was found for livers after decapitation. Livers obtained during anaesthesia showed a significantly (p less than 0.05 to p less than 0.001) lower binding capacity and binding affinity for 3H-PGE1, 3H-PGE2 and 3H-iloprost. The reduction in binding activity was more pronounced in livers obtained during inhalation than thiopental anaesthesia. Specific binding amounted to 82.1 +/- 7% for 3H-PGE2, 75.3 +/- 9% for 3H-PGE1 and 78.9 +/- 8% for iloprost in livers obtained after decapitation. In livers obtained during anaesthesia specific prostaglandin binding was significantly (p less than 0.01) decreased, again being more pronounced during inhalation than thiopental anaesthesia. These results suggest that some anaesthetics interfere with prostaglandin receptors of the liver.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1991

Effects of isradipine on platelet function in hypertension at rest and during exercise.

The effects of eight weeks of treatment with isradipine (1.25 mg twice daily for four weeks, followed by 2.5 mg twice daily for four weeks) on ex vivo platelet function were investigated in ten male patients with hypertension. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, platelet aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), serum thromboxane B2, and beta-thromboglobulin levels were significantly decreased (P less than .05) at rest before exercise ergometry, during exercise, and at rest after exercise. The platelet count and plasma levels of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGF1 alpha) were not affected by isradipine. It is concluded that treatment of hypertension with a compound that lowers blood pressure and inhibits platelet activation may be of clinical benefit when routinely applied in hypertensive patients.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1991

Isradipine, a calcium-entry blocker, decreases vascular [125-I]low-density lipoprotein entry in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

In 72 male rabbits aged 6 months, the endothelium of the abdominal aorta was abraded by a Fogarthy catheter. The animals were then fed a 1% cholesterol-supplemented diet for 4 weeks. In addition, half of the animals were treated for the entire period with isradipine (0.3 mg/kg daily), a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist; the other 36 animals served as controls. One hour and 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours before the animals were killed, [125-I]low-density lipoprotein (LDL 10 microCi) was administered intravenously (i.v.) to six animals in each group. The [125-I]LDL entry was quantified in the abdominal aorta according to the type and presence of endothelial lining. Isradipine significantly reduced the [125-I]LDL entry at most time intervals. In parallel, an increase in vascular prostaglandin (PGI2) synthesis was noted, which might be the underlying mechanism for the decreased LDL entry.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Functional liver imaging with 99Tcm-galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin (NGA) in alcoholic liver cirrhosis and liver fibrosis.

Synthesis of 99Tcm-galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin (99Tcm-NGA), a recently described new radioligand with high specificity for hepatic binding protein (HBP), a galactose-residue specific receptor on hepatocytes, was carried out by covalent coupling of 2-imino-2-methoxyethyl-1-thio-beta-D-galactopyranoside to the primary amino groups of human serum albumin. NGA was purified by ultrafiltration and size exclusion high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using a computer-based simulation program, time-activity data for the liver and precordium, blood radioactivity 2 min after i.v. injection of the radioligand, the association constant of 99Tcm-NGA-binding to HBP measured on human liver biopsies in vitro, and other patient-related parameters were put into a five-state non-linear model describing the pharmacokinetics of 99Tcm-NGA. By fitting the parameters of the model iteratively to the experimental data, an estimate of HBP concentration in the liver and of total liver blood flow was obtained. Using this model we studied 32 patients (53 +/- 11 years) with different clinical stages of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Child B and Child C stage cirrhotic patients had a lower HBP concentration in the liver compared to control individuals (0.96 +/- 0.21 mumol l-1). The group with the most advanced cirrhosis (Child C stage) had a significantly lower HBP concentration (0.27 +/- 0.15 mumol l-1) than Child A patients (0.66 +/- 0.21 mumol l-1; P less than 0.01) and Child B patients (0.53 +/- 0.18 mumol l-1; P less than 0.05). In four patients with biopsy-proven liver fibrosis (0.84 +/- 0.20 mumol l-1) no difference in receptor concentration from normal individuals was estimated. Changes in liver blood flow were not significant between the groups. A direct comparison of HBP concentration estimated in vivo by 99Tcm-NGA functional imaging and HBP concentration measured in vitro on a surgically removed liver biopsy specimen from the same patient with a normal liver and liver cirrhosis showed good matching of these two values. The results suggest that in vivo estimation of HBP concentration in the liver by 99Tcm-NGA functional imaging might be a suitable method for determining liver cell mass.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Prostaglandin E1 decreases the low-density-lipoprotein entry into rabbit arterial wall.

1. In 72 male rabbits fed a 1% cholesterol supplemented diet the effect of a 4 weeks daily infusion of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1, 20 micrograms kg-1 min-1 over 2 h) on [125I]-low density lipoprotein (LDL) accumulation (10 microCi; 0.5 mg protein ml-1) was examined versus sham-treatment after removal of the endothelium of the abdominal aorta by a Fogarthy catheter. 2. The uptake of [125I]-LDL was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in endothelium-free aortic segments (showing the highest peak maximum at around 12 h after 125I-injection) as compared to aortic segments with endothelium intact (showing the lowest uptake of [125I]-LDL with the peak maximum at 48 h, last control time). Segments with the endothelium restored showed a similar LDL-retention curve to segments with endothelium however, being again significantly (P less than 0.01) higher. 3. PGE1-treatment caused reduction in LDL-accumulation, being significantly (P less than 0.001) pronounced in segments without endothelium and in segments with endothelium restored. 4. The findings indicate a beneficial effect of PGE1 in lipid metabolism by decreasing the LDL-influx into the arterial wall in-vivo.

Alprostadil↗