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Biomedical subjects

L Spitale

Publications and source records attributed to L Spitale.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Photobiomodulation of pain and inflammation in microcrystalline arthropathies: experimental and clinical results.

OBJECTIVE: This article presents the results of laser therapy in crystal (hydroxyapatite, calcium pyrophosphate, and urates) deposition-induced arthritis in rats and the clinical applications in humans. BACKGROUND DATA: Microcrystalline arthropathies are prevalent among geriatric patients, who are more vulnerable to the side effects of drugs. The effectiveness of laser therapy for pain relief, free of side effects, has been reported in painful conditions. METHODS: Two milligrams of each of the above-mentioned crystals was injected in both joints of the back limbs in three groups of rats; these groups were then treated with laser irradiation. Three other groups received no treatment after the injections. We determined the plasmatic levels of inflammatory markers (fibrinogen, prostaglandin E2, and TNF(alpha)), tissues (prostaglandin E(2)) and conducted anatomopathological studies. Twenty-five patients with acute gout arthritis were randomized into two groups and treated over 5 days: group A, diclofenac 75 mg orally, twice a day; and group B, laser irradiation once a day. Forty-nine patients with knee chronic pyrophosphate arthropathy were randomized into two groups and treated over 21 days; group A, diclofenac 50 mg orally, twice a day; and group B, laser irradiation once a day. Thirty patients with shoulder chronic hydroxyapatite arthropathy were randomized into two groups and treated over 21 days; group A, diclofenac 50 mg orally, twice a day; and group B, laser irradiation once a day. RESULTS: Fibrinogen, prostaglandin E(2), and TNF(alpha) concentrations in the rats injected with crystals and treated with laser decreased significantly as compared with the groups injected with crystals without treatment. Both laser therapy and diclofenac achieved rapid pain relief in patients with acute gouty arthritis without significant differences in efficacy. Laser therapy was more effective than diclofenac in patients with chronic pyrophosphate arthropathy and in patients with chronic apatite deposition disease. CONCLUSION: Laser therapy represents an effective treatment in the therapeutic arsenal of microcrystalline arthropathies.

Animals↗

He-Ne laser on microcrystalline arthropathies.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work is to assess the anti-inflammatory capacity of He-Ne laser therapy as determined by the plasmatic levels of inflammatory markers, fibrinogen, and TNFalpha and by histopathological study in rats with arthropathy induced by calcium pyrophosphate crystals. BACKGROUND DATA: Microcrystalline arthropathies are a group of diseases characterized by the deposit of different crystals in joints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two milligrams of dicalcium pyrophosphate crystals (DCPP) were injected in both joints of the lower limbs of rats during 2 days. A group was treated with laser of He-Ne (6 mW) on the injected joints during 3 consecutive days. After 96 h of the first injection, animals were sacrificed to determine TNFalpha using the ELISA method and fibrinogen was assessed using spectrophotometry. Sections from the lower limbs were used for histopathology. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) in plasma fibrinogen levels and TNFalpha was noted between the control group and the laser-treated group. The histological transversal section of a posterior limb joint of a rat injected with DCPP showed fibroadipose tissue with diffuse chronic infiltrate. The histopathology of the group of rats injected with DCPP and subsequently treated with He-Ne laser showed no inflammatory response. CONCLUSION: He-Ne laser treatment in the microcrystalline arthropathy induced in rats by DCPP injection might have an antiinflammatory effect, evaluated by fibrinogen plasma levels and TNF-alpha (inflammatory markers) and by the histopathology regressive process.

Analysis of Variance↗

Hyperfibrinogenemia in rats treated with meloxicam.

Fibrinogen secretion is mediated by prostaglandin biosynthesis and is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Since meloxicam produces inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis it may help to normalize hyperfibrinogenemia. We investigated the pharmacological effect of meloxicam on fibrinogen levels and the possible regression of histopathological lesions of thoracic aorta. Rats were subjected to multiple injuries (MI) in the form of laparotomies (Lx) during a 30 day period (1/week). Meloxicam 0.065 mg/kg/day (per rat) was administered orally immediately after the third Lx in multiple injury animals during a ten day period. Blood was obtained 72 hours after the last injury in all groups. Fibrinogen was measured by spectrophotometry and the values were expressed in mg/dL. A statistically significant increment of fibrinogen was observed when comparing uninjured animals (control) (208.7+/-6.0) with the multiple injury group (336.6+/-7.5) (P<0.001). Fibrinogen decreased to the control value in the meloxicam group (198+/-8.7). Histopathological lesions were similar in the MI and meloxicam groups, showing endothelial denudation and intima enlargement from the thoracic aorta in 96% of the slices studied. The decrease in fibrinogen in the meloxicam group would be due to cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) selective inhibition, even though the histopathological lesions did not regress.

Animals↗

[Eosinophilic polypoid cystitis with flat carcinoma in situ of the overlying epithelium].

A case of eosinophilic polypoid cystitis with flat carcinoma in situ of the overlying epithelium is described. This is the first case with such an association encountered in our series comprised of 26 bladder surgical specimens and represents an incidence rate of 0.38%. The clinical case described herein is that of a 62-year-old male patient with a clinical picture of hematuria, frequency and urgency. Patient cystoscopic evaluation revealed a congestive and edematous mucosa at the level of the trigone and sessile polyps. Microscopic examination revealed flat urothelium with anisokaryosis, hyperchromatic nuclei, atypical mitosis, and loss of polarity; chorion with diffuse, dense inflammatory infiltrate comprised of eosinophils accounting for greater than 90% of the cell population, plasma cells, mastocytes, edema and vascular congestion. Epithelial erosion and capillary thrombosis were also observed. We discuss the etiology, clinical features and treatment reported elsewhere.

Carcinoma in Situ↗

Estrogen receptors and histopathological evaluation of human breast cancer.

The breast cancers with positive ER, the anaplastic low level and the node non involvement were identified with good prognostic values. The positive estrogen receptors in 52 primary breast carcinomas were correlated with either big or small tumors, with node involvement or without it and either with or without sinus histocitosis reaction. The vascular and lymph infiltration, the undifferentiated and half-differentiated carcinomas, the high stroma component and the high number of mitosis were other parameters with were opposed to positive ER tumors. The prevailing age of the patients was postmenopausal.

Adenocarcinoma, Scirrhous↗

Endodermal sinus tumor.

Three cases of Endodermal Sinus Tumor are presented and its difference from tumors of the mesonephroma type and associations with the embryoma are pointed out. The three cases were "pure" types and the patients died within 5 months in spite of surgical treatment and chemotherapy. Autopsy showed extensive involvement of peritoneum, diaphragm and pleura.

Adolescent↗