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Biomedical subjects

M Catalano

Publications and source records attributed to M Catalano.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Platelet activation indices and apolipoproteins in hypertensive patients.

We have studied the platelet activation indices beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG and platelet factor 4(PF4), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and apolipoprotein (A1, A2, B, C2, C3, E) profiles of 22 untreated essential hypertensive subjects (WHO stages 1 and 2) and 22 controls, to see if there might be some causal relationship between lipoprotein abnormalities and greater platelet activation. The results showed the patients had both greater platelet activation than the controls, as demonstrated by higher plasma beta-TG levels (P less than 0.01) and lower apolipoprotein A2 levels (P less than 0.05). However there were no significant correlations between the platelet activation indices and the plasma levels of apolipoproteins, lipoproteins or lipids in either group.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Red blood cell plasma Li ratio variability in affective patients.

In the light of the existence of controversial reports on the stability of Li ratio, we investigated a group of affective patients wishing to verify intraindividual stability of this parameter in the different phases of the disease, that is normothymia and manic and depressive episodes. We found lower Li ratios for the periods preceding any relapse. Further, we analyzed whether or not some epidemiological factors, such as polarity, sex, actual age, age of onset, might affect interindividual variability of the Li ratio. We found that they did not as single factors. Interaction between polarity and the presence of relapses appeared to significantly affect the Li ratio.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Neuropeptide therapies in chronic schizophrenia: TRH and vasopressin administration.

Twenty-three chronic undifferentiated schizophrenics, 13 women and 10 men, aged 37-64 years with 15-to 40-year histories of the disease were given either thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) (10 subjects) or DDAVP (13 subjects) with the aim to improve the negative symptoms of the disease and memory. TRH (600 micrograms i.v.) and DDAVP (4 micrograms i.m.) were administered every other day for 30 days. Negative symptoms were monitored by the Andreasen rating scale and by the Honingfeld NOSIE rating scale, memory by the Folstein 'Mini mental State' rating scale and by the Luria-Nebraska rating scale before therapy and then at days 15, 16, 30 and 31 of treatment. Both therapies significantly improved negative symptoms. Memory was significantly improved in all the patients treated with TRH and in 9 of the 13 patients treated with DDAVP, who presented less severe cognitive impairments. A peripheral mechanism of action of DDAVP was excluded by the observation that plasma electrolytes and osmolality, blood pressure, ECG patterns, 24-hour urine volume and specific gravity, basal plasma cortisol and growth hormone levels and weight of the patients were unchanged during therapy. TRH treatment induced a transient borderline hyperthyroidism at day 15 and a progressive decrease of the thyrotropin response to TRH stimulation. A common mechanism of action of the two peptides on the central noradrenergic system is suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Plasma beta-thromboglobulin levels and claudication degrees in patients with peripheral vascular disease.

In 30 patients with varying degrees of claudication and 40 normal subjects, plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin were determined. These were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in the patients than in age-matched controls; in the control group the beta-thromboglobulin values resulted slightly higher in older subjects. No correlation was found between beta-thromboglobulin and the severity of the vascular disease, assessed on the basis of the pain-free interval on the treadmill.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Treatment of claudication with dipyridamole and aspirin.

The effects of dipyridamole in association with acetylsalicylic acid were compared with the effects of acetylsalicylic acid alone in patients with peripheral vascular disease. The following parameters were studied in each patient: symptoms-free interval on the treadmill, ankle-arm arterial pressure gradient, oscillographic index, venous occlusion plethysmography and any untoward reactions. Changes were observed in the pain-free interval (p less than 0.005), and in the venous occlusion plethysmography (p less than 0.001) in the patients treated with the two drugs in association.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Captopril in the treatment of hypertension associated with claudication.

The effect of captopril was studied in 40 hypertensive patients (WHO stages I and II) with peripheral vascular disease of the lower limbs (Fontaine stages IIa and IIb). We assessed systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, heart rate in supine and upright position, relative and absolute pain free intervals, and ankle/arm pressure index at rest and after treadmill exercise test. In the first part of the study 20 patients were divided into two groups, one of which was treated with chlorthalidone (25 mg/day) and the other with captopril (50 mg two times a day) for 8 weeks. Statistically significant improvements were only obtained in the captopril-treated group. They concerned the ankle/arm pressure index at rest (P less than 0.05) and after exercise (P less than 0.05) and the absolute pain free interval (P less than 0.05) as well as systolic arterial pressure. Furthermore, 20 more patients were treated with captopril (50 mg two times a day) for 8 weeks, and improvements were found in ankle/arm pressure index at rest (P less than 0.01) and after exercise (P less than 0.001) and in relative and absolute pain free intervals (P less than 0.001) as well as in systolic and diastolic arterial pressure. These results indicate an increase in flow to the limbs of patients with vascular disease treated with captopril, and suggest that captopril is an effective drug without contraindications for the treatment of hypertension associated with claudication.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1985

Controlled clinical trial of cadralazine as a second-step drug in the treatment of hypertension.

The antihypertensive efficacy of a new long-lasting vasodilator, cadralazine, and the diuretic chlorthalidone have been compared in hypertensive patients receiving concurrent treatment with atenolol. After a 4-week run-in period with atenolol alone 100 mg/day, two groups of 10 patients whose diastolic blood pressure exceeded 100 mm Hg were given for a period of 65 days either cadralazine 15 mg/day or chlorthalidone 25 mg/day, according to a randomized, double-blind, between-patients design. Compared to atenolol alone, both cadralazine and chlorthalidone induced a statistically and clinically significant decrease in blood pressure. The antihypertensive effect did not differ significantly between groups. Good compensation of the atenolol-induced decrease in heart rate was obtained with cadralazine, whereas during atenolol + chlorthalidone treatment at times the standing heart rate was significantly lower than during treatment with atenolol + cadralazine. Side-effects, many of which were already present during atenolol treatment, occurred with a similar frequency in both groups. It is concluded that atenolol + cadralazine and atenolol + chlorthalidone are equally well tolerated, acceptable and effective in the treatment of hypertension, but that further studies are warranted to explore the potential haemodynamic advantages of the cadralazine + atenolol combination.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed1985

Captopril for the treatment of patients with hypertension and peripheral vascular disease.

Many epidemiological studies have shown up the frequent association of arterial hypertension (HT) with atherosclerosis of different localizations. However, many of the drugs used to treat HT are contraindicated in patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD), because they cause unfavorable metabolic changes or vasoconstriction. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a proven hypotensive drug, captopril, on the peripheral circulation. The drug appeared to be effective in improving blood flow to lower limbs, prolonging the pain. Free interval and increasing the angle/arm arterial pressure index.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Validity of out-patient screening in arteriosclerosis to identify multiple lesions.

A total of 594 patients admitted for cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and for peripheral vascular disease (PVD), were examined in a study aimed at clarifying by a simple, inexpensive out-patient method, a) the relationship existing between the different locations of the vascular disease: brain, lower limbs, coronaries; b) the prevalence in the patients studied of risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes, and of migraine. The results were as follows: a) of the patients admitted for CVD, 44% also presented arteriosclerosis in other locations; this figure was 32% for PVD cases; b) hypertension was found in 38.5% of CVD and 27% of PVD cases; diabetes in 11.5% of CVD and in 18% of PVD cases; hyperlipidaemia in 31% of CVD and 24% of PVD cases; migraine in 11% of CVD and 1% of PVD cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Flunarizine in the treatment of arteriopathies of the legs].

Flunarizine, a long-acting calcium antagonist, was studied in patients with peripheral vascular disease in order to assess its effects on blood viscosity, erythrocyte deformability, platelet activity and some clinical parameters. A randomized double-blind study was performed; all patients were given a standard diet, invited to abstain from smoking and to carry out a regular daily exercise (walking). After a 2-month run-in period the patients were divided into two groups: one was treated with flunarizine 10 mg/day and the other with placebo. The group treated with flunarizine presented marked and significant reduction of erythrocyte filtration time and blood viscosity and an improvement of the treadmill-free interval with a correlation between the parameters considered.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Cadralazine (ISF 2469): dose-related antihypertensive activity after single oral administration to patients.

Cadralazine (ISF 2469) was administered to 24 hypertensive patients in single oral doses of 7.5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 mg, according to a single-blind, placebo-controlled, within-patient change-over design. The study was done in 2 stages: in the first a range including the upper and lower doses was studied (7.5, 15, 30 mg and placebo), and in the second the range of doses was restricted (10, 15, 20 mg and placebo). The drug produced a significant decrease in blood pressure in the supine and standing positions. The decrease became clinically important starting from the 15 mg dose. Its action was still significant 12 h after administration. A significant increase in heart rate was also observed. All the effects were correlated with the dose. Side effects occurred mainly after the 30 mg dose. Thus, cadralazine, in a single oral dose in man, showed good antihypertensive activity starting from the 15 mg dose, and its effect was dose-related, slow in onset and long-lasting.

Administration, Oral↗