Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Pesce

Publications and source records attributed to L Pesce.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Dopamine increases lung liquid clearance during mechanical ventilation.

Short-term mechanical ventilation with high tidal volume (HVT) causes mild to moderate lung injury and impairs active Na+ transport and lung liquid clearance in rats. Dopamine (DA) enhances active Na+ transport in normal rat lungs by increasing Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the alveolar epithelium. We examined whether DA would increase alveolar fluid reabsorption in rats ventilated with HVT for 40 min compared with those ventilated with low tidal volume (LVT) and with nonventilated rats. Similar to previous reports, HVT ventilation decreased alveolar fluid reabsorption by ~50% (P < 0.001). DA increased alveolar fluid reabsorption in nonventilated control rats (by ~60%), LVT ventilated rats (by approximately 55%), and HVT ventilated rats (by ~200%). In parallel studies, DA increased Na+-K+-ATPase activity in cultured rat alveolar epithelial type II cells (ATII). Depolymerization of cellular microtubules by colchicine inhibited the effect of DA on HVT ventilated rats as well as on Na+-K+-ATPase activity in ATII cells. Neither DA nor colchicine affected the short-term Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1- and beta1-subunit mRNA steady-state levels or total alpha1- and beta1-subunit protein abundance in ATII cells. Thus we reason that DA improved alveolar fluid reabsorption in rats ventilated with HVT by upregulating the Na+-K+-ATPase function in alveolar epithelial cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Dopamine regulates Na-K-ATPase in alveolar epithelial cells via MAPK-ERK-dependent mechanisms.

Dopamine (DA) increases lung edema clearance by regulating vectorial Na+ transport and Na-K-ATPase in the pulmonary epithelium. We studied the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in the DA regulation of Na-K-ATPase in alveolar epithelial cells (AEC). Incubation of AEC with DA resulted in a rapid stimulation of ERK activity via dopaminergic type 2 receptors. Analysis of total RNA and protein showed a 1.5-fold increase in the Na-K-ATPase beta1-subunit mRNA levels and up to a fivefold increase in beta1-subunit protein abundance after DA stimulation, which was blocked by the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitors PD-98059 and U-0126. Also, the DA-ERK pathway stimulated the synthesis of a green fluorescent protein reporter gene driven by the beta1-subunit promoter, which indicates that DA regulates the Na-K-ATPase beta1-subunit at the transcriptional level. The DA-mediated increase in beta1-subunit mRNA protein resulted in an increase in functional Na pumps in the basolateral membranes of alveolar type II cells. These results suggest that the MAPK-ERK pathway is an important mechanism in the regulation of Na-K-ATPase by DA in the alveolar epithelium.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

beta-agonists regulate Na,K-ATPase via novel MAPK/ERK and rapamycin-sensitive pathways.

We studied whether the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol (ISO), regulates Na,K-ATPase in alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) via a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signaling related kinase (ERK) dependent pathway. ISO increased ERK activity in AEC by 10 min via a beta-adrenergic receptor, protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent mechanism. Activation of the MAPK pathway by ISO, resulted in increased Na,K-ATPase beta1 and alpha1 subunit protein abundance in whole cell lysates, which resulted in functional Na, K-ATPases at the basolateral membranes. ISO did not change the alpha1 or beta1 mRNA steady state levels, but rapamycin, the inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin, also blocked the ISO-mediated increase in Na,K-ATPase total protein abundance, suggesting a posttranscriptional regulation. We conclude that ISO, regulates the Na,K-ATPase in AEC via PKA, ERK and rapamycin-sensitive mechanisms.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2000

Effect of hydrocortisone on platelet activating factor induced lung edema in isolated rabbit lungs.

The effect of hydrocortisone on platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced pulmonary edema is studied. Thirty four isolated and perfused rabbit lung preparations were used: eight control preparations, eight PAF preparations with two doses of PAF called low dose (LD = 0.5 microg/kg of rabbit weight) and high dose (HD = 1 microg/kg of rabbit weight). Eighteen preparations divided in three groups of six were pretreated with doses of 20, 200 and 2000 mg of hydrocortisone and later given the same doses of PAF as described above. Hydrocortisone significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the effect of PAF LD over the pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) in the 200 and 2000 mg groups (58 and 89% decrease, respectively) and it significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the effect of PAF HD over Ppa in all hydrocortisone pretreated groups (48, 70 and 96% decrease, respectively). Fluid filtration rate (FFR) increases mediated by PAF HD were significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) in the 200 and 2000 mg groups (64 and 96% decrease, respectively). We conclude that hydrocortisone inhibits the effect of PAF over the pulmonary circulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Intralipid infusion combined with propranolol administration has favorable metabolic effects in elderly malnourished cancer patients.

Previous studies have shown that an elevated basal metabolic rate (BMR) is present in elderly malnourished cancer patients. A possible dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system needs to be demonstrated. In aged weight-losing cancer patients (n = 40), aged non-weight-losing cancer patients (n = 30), and aged weight-losing noncancer patients (n = 18), the baseline BMR and heart rate variability were studied. Aged weight-losing cancer patients (n = 40) underwent bioimpedance analysis, ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring with analysis of heart rate variability, and determination of the BMR. Then, the patients received infusion of Intralipid (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) without and with propranolol (6 days of 40 mg twice daily) administration. At baseline, a simple correlation between the BMR and the low-frequency component (LF) (r = .42, P < .006) and LF to high-frequency (HF) ratio (r = .51, P < .001) was found. After propranolol administration, the percent decline in the BMR was significantly correlated with the percent decline in the LF (r = .39, P < .01) and LF/HF ratio (r = .53, P < .001). The percent decline in the BMR was not correlated with the HF (r = .13, P < .34) or the plasma noradrenaline concentration (r = .21, P < .20) at any time. With regard to the BMR and substrate oxidation, 6-day propranolol administration plus Intralipid infusion produced the strongest decline in the BMR. This study demonstrates that autonomic nervous system dysfunction occurs and is responsible for the elevated BMR in elderly cancer patients, propranolol administration rectifies the autonomic dysfunction, and Intralipid infusion combined with propranolol administration is useful for enhancing the daily caloric intake without a strong increase in energy expenditure.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1999

Tityus discrepans venom produces a respiratory distress syndrome in rabbits through an indirect mechanism.

It is well known that scorpion venom induces lung lesions and respiratory distress which are usually classified as pulmonary oedema (PO). Tityus discrepans is a scorpion that lives in the north-central area of Venezuela, is the most common source of human envenomation here and produces PO. We studied the action of the venom of Tityus discrepans on whole rabbits and on their isolated lungs perfused with Krebs saline with 1 g/l of bovine serum albumin (Krebs-BSA saline). Two milligram of venom were diluted in 250 ml of solution (approximately the rabbit's total blood volume) and used to perfuse isolated lungs. Lung oedema occurred in rabbits which received 1 mg/kg of scorpion venom i.p., heparin prevented the production of this lung oedema. T. discrepans venom produced PO, in rabbits pretreated with 15 mg/kg of ajoene. Yet, Tityus venom had no effects on isolated lungs perfused with citrated or heparinized blood, and in lungs perfused with Krebs-BSA with normal Ca2+. These result show that Tityus venom does not act directly on lungs. Otherwise, we have observed that abundant microthrombi occurred in all rabbit lungs exposed to venom in vivo, suggesting that these clotting alterations are fundamental to produce PO. The presence of intravascular microthrombi is not characteristic of the usual PO hinting that scorpion venom induced pulmonary alterations are a different clinical entity. We thus propose that the use of the term pulmonary oedema in scorpionism should abandoned in favor of scorpion venom respiratory distress syndrome.

Air Pressure↗
PubMed1999

Effect of platelet activating factor (PAF) on pulmonary circulation in isolated rabbit lung.

Platelet activating factor (PAF) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of acute lung injury. The aim of this work is to study the effect of PAF on isolated and perfused rabbit lungs with blood and with a blood-free solution. 24 isolated and perfused rabbit lungs have been used: 8 control preparations (CP), 4 vehicles preparations (VP), 8 PAF preparations (PP) to which we administered PAF (1 microg/Kg of rabbit weight) and 4 acellular preparations (AP) with the same dose of PAF as in PP but dissolved in BSA-Krebs buffer solution. In the preparations pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa), airway pressure (Paw), left atria pressure (Pla) and fluid filtration rate (FFR) were registered. Ppa resulted in a significant difference in AP vs PP, with a value of 21 cm of water (CI 95%: 12-26) vs 205.1 cm of water (CI 95%: 141.3 - 271) respectively. A increase in FFR was observed in PP but it did not occur in AP, the difference being statistically significant: 5.515 g/min (CI 95 %: 2.425 - 8.865) vs 0.049 g/min (CI 95%: 0.008 - 0.32) respectively. Paw was statistically different in PP vs AP, with a value of 14.3 cm of water (CI 95%: 11.57 - 16.7) vs 8.5 cm of water (CI 95%: 8-9) respectively. These results suggest that PAF does not have a direct effect on the endothelium or smooth muscle in the production of lung edema.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effect of Fenoterol on PAF-induced lung edema in isolated and perfused rabbit lungs.

We have studied the effects of fenoterol on PAF-induced response in pulmonary circulation. We used 28 isolated and perfused rabbit lungs preparations: eight control preparations (CP), four vehicles preparations (VP), eight PAF preparations (PP) with two doses of PAF, one called low dose (LD = 0.5 microg/kg of weight) and the other high dose (HD = 1 microg/kg of weight) and eight Fenoterol preparations (FP) which we administered 0.05 mg of Fenoterol for 15 min, followed by a LD and HD of PAF. FP prevented elevation of pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) as compared to PP, at LD of PAF: 12.615 (CI 95%: 8.57-20.885) versus 83.705 (CI 95%: 50.55-114.3) cm of water; and at HD of PAF: 19.38 (CI 95%: 11.235-28.94) versus 205.1 (CI 95%: 141.3-271) cm of water respectively. FP prevented the increase in fluid filtration rate (FFR) observed in PP at both doses of PAF LD: 0.765 (CI 95%: 0.07-3.385) versus 0.01 (CI 95%: -0.05-0.005) g/min; HD: 5.515 (CI 95%: 2.425-8.865) versus 0.03 (CI 95%: 0-0.33) g/min. Our results suggest that PAF has a vasoconstrictor effect that produces lung edema and this effect is inhibited by fenoterol.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1995

Evaluating nursing intensity: it's time to transfer the patient.

Admission and discharge criteria are important decision-making components. Nursing care and management must be considered an imperative part of this criteria. The Nursing Evaluation of Nursing Intensity could identify those patients that may be passed over under standard admission criteria to Intensive Care Units. This tool augments the transfer process as well as helps to determine patient location.

Critical Care↗
PubMed1988

Theophylline serum levels unmodified by postprandial administration of a sustained-release preparation (Teonova).

The authors studied serum theophylline levels after administration of new single-dose capsules: Teonova. Special attention was paid to possible fluctuations of serum theophylline after administration of the drug following a standardized meal. For this purpose a test was carried out on eight male patients with intrinsic asthma. The patients were given a dose able to produce a serum concentration of theophylline of between 10 mcg and 20 mcg at the tenth hour after the administration. This dose was found to be 400 mg (2 tablets of 200 mg) for one patient and 600 mg (2 tablets of 300 mg) for the remaining seven. The capsules of Teonova were administered to each patient for two subsequent days at 07h00. On the first day the patients had their capsules after fasting, and on the second day after a standardized meal. The test proved that Teonova assured a satisfactory serum theophylline level throughout the 24 hours in all patients; food in no way affected the absorption kinetics of the drug. Such features make Teonova suitable for long-term theophylline therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Results of treatment with sodium sulbenicillin in thirty elderly patients with acute bronchopulmonary infection.

Thirty elderly patients with acute bronchopulmonary infections were treated with intravenous sodium sulbenicillin for up to 20 days at a dose of 4-6 g/day. Clinical results were excellent in 19 cases and good in 10 cases. In one case treatment had to be discontinued due to a dermal side-effect. It is concluded that sulbenicillin is a useful therapy for acute bronchopulmonary infections in the elderly.

Aged↗