Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Maggi

Publications and source records attributed to M Maggi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

The presence of arterial anatomical variations can affect the results of duplex sonographic evaluation of penile vessels in impotent patients.

PURPOSE: Since penile arterial communications are present in a significant percentage of impotent patients, we evaluated whether peak systolic cavernous blood velocity after intracavernous prostaglandin E1 injection might be different in patients with and without arterial variants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cavernous blood flow was assessed with echo color Doppler ultrasound before and after intracavernous injection of prostaglandin E1 in 63 impotent patients. The penile shaft was accurately evaluated to detect arterial anatomical variants. Clinical erectile response was assessed by visual inspection and palpation. RESULTS: Of 23 patients who obtained a full erection with full rigidity after prostaglandin E1 injection the cavernous peak blood velocities in 11 with penile arterial communications were significantly less than those in 12 without arterial communications. CONCLUSIONS: The generally accepted limit of normal for cavernous peak blood flow obtained after prostaglandin E1 injection (greater than 25 to 30 cm. per second) must be interpreted carefully because lower peak blood velocities may be found in subjects with a full erectile response if arterial communications are present.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1996

Quantitation of somatostatin receptor type 2 gene expression in neuroblastoma cell lines and primary tumors using competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

We previously reported the presence of somatostatin (SS-14)-binding sites in a wide panel of human neuroblastoma (NB) tumor cell lines. Given that the adrenal gland and its relative embryonal and adult tumors express an abundance of mRNA for somatostatin receptor type 2 (sst2) mRNA, we studied the quantitative expression of sst2 in 6 NB cell lines and 15 primary tumors using competitive reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. This method uses an insertion mutant of the target gene as a competitor for the RT-PCR reaction, thus allowing exact quantitation of sst2 mRNA abundance. We found expression of specific transcripts for sst2 in all of the NB cell lines and tumors investigated (range, 9 x 10(5)-4 x 10(9) molecules/microg RNA). In NB cells, the expression of sst2 was highly correlated with SS-14-binding sites (R = 0.93). In primary tumors, sst2 was positively related to the expression of the neuroendocrine marker secretogranin II (P < 0.05) and negatively related to N-myc amplification (a poor prognostic factor, P < 0.005) and metastatic dissemination (P < 0.05). In addition, Kaplan-Meier curves indicate that sst2 expression is positively related to survival (P = 0.01). In a patient with stage IVs disease (a spontaneously regressing form), we found the highest sst2 expression (4 x 10(9) molecules/microgram RNA), a value relatively similar to that of normal adrenal. In conclusion, these data indicate that quantitation of sst2, as assessed with competitive RT-PCR, could represent a new prognostic tool in the neuroendocrine tumor NB. Since sst2 recognizes octreotide with high affinity, these findings could also have both diagnostic and therapeutic value.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Identification and characterization of functional angiotensin II receptors in human neuroblastoma cells.

The presence of specific AII receptors in 6 different human neuroblastoma cell lines was investigated using binding, cAMP and [Ca2+]i studies. We found high affinity (0.1 nM), low capacity ((1-2).10(3) sites/cell) binding sites for [125I](Sar-1,Ile-8)AII in one half of the cell lines studied. In the positive cell lines mathematical modeling of multiple competition curves among AII and analogs strongly indicated the presence of a homogenous class of sites, i.e., AT1 receptors. The presence of AT1 receptors was further substantiated by AII-induced inhibition of VIP-stimulated cAMP levels and by AII-evoked [Ca2+]i transient. The density of AT1 receptors in neuroblastoma cells was not affected by treatment with pertussis toxin and retinoic acid but was significantly increased by subacute treatment with VIP. In neuroblastoma cells, AII does not stimulate DNA synthesis, suggesting other roles rather than mitogenesis. Neuroblastoma cells represents an interesting model to investigate the function of AII in neural crest derived tissues.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1995

Identification and localization of endothelin-1 and its receptors in human fetal jaws.

In the mouse, disruption of the endothelin-1 (ET-1) gene causes severe craniofacial deformities, including mandibular hypoplasia. Since the phenotype of ET-1-deficient mice shows features in common with inherited human mandibulofacial dysostosis, we investigated the presence of ET-1 and its receptors in human fetal craniofacial tissues of 9- to 12-week-old fetuses. We found that ET-1 is immunolocalized in the epithelial cells of the oral cavity. Radioligand binding studies indicate the presence of elevated concentrations of both ETA and ETB receptors in membranes derived from fetal jaws. Using autoradiography, 125I-ET-1 binding sites were shown to be localized within the embryonic mandibular process of the oral cavity, where they were confined to the mesenchymal-derived osteogenic cells. Our data suggest a role for ET-1 in the development of the human mandible.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1995

Actions of progesterone on human sperm: a model of non-genomic effects of steroids.

Non-genomic actions of steroids have been extensively studied in the last few years. Among these actions, the non-genomic effect of progesterone (P) on human spermatozoa appears to be very promising, in view of the dramatic effect of this steroid on intracellular calcium, activation of tyrosine kinase, and induction of acrosome reaction. We have shown that the ability of spermatozoa to respond to P increases during the process of capacitation and is not counteracted by the P-receptor antagonist RU486 nor by the GABAA antagonists bicuculline and picrotoxin. We have also shown that P increases tyrosine phosphorylation of a sperm protein of about 97 kDa, suggesting activation of tyrosine kinase(s). In addition, we found that P induces a perturbation of sperm membrane phospholipid metabolism resulting in an increase of synthesis of platelet-activating factor and liberation of arachidonic acid. Results of these biochemical studies indicate that P is able to stimulate several signal transduction pathways in human sperm. We have also investigated responsiveness to P in sperm of oligozoospermic subjects as well as of men undergoing an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. Our results show that the percentage increases of intracellular calcium and acrosome reaction in response to P is significantly reduced in oligozoospermic men as well as in subjects with reduced fertilization rate. Moreover, in the latter subjects response to P is highly significant correlated to fertilization rate of oocytes. These studies indicate that a biochemical alteration of sperm in their capacity to respond to P might be responsible for reduced fertilizing ability.

Acrosome↗
PubMed1995

Receptor-mediated uterine effects of vasopressin and oxytocin in nonpregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To study in nonpregnant women myometrial actions of vasopressin and oxytocin and the involvement in these effects of specific uterine receptors. SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight women undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynaecological disorders. INTERVENTIONS: Intrauterine pressure recordings. Intravenous bolus injections of 10 pmol/kg body weight of vasopressin and oxytocin. Repeated blood sampling for measurement of vasopressin and oxytocin concentrations in plasma. Recording of effects of vasopressin and oxytocin on isolated myometrium. Estimation of myometrial concentrations of vasopressin V1a and oxytocin receptors. Measurement of plasma oestradiol and progesterone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vasopressin- and oxytocin-induced increases of the area under the in vivo recording curve over 10 minutes and EC50 concentrations of dose-responses in vitro. Concentrations of vasopressin V1a and oxytocin receptors. RESULTS: Vasopressin was on average four times more potent than oxytocin in vivo. The effect of vasopressin premenstrually was more pronounced than in women under oestrogen influence only (proliferative phase-hyperproliferation; P = 0.02), and tended to be more marked than in those in the luteal phase (P = 0.07). No significant variation in oxytocin response with the hormonal state was observed. EC50 concentrations of vasopressin were more than 20 times lower than those of oxytocin. The median concentration of the vasopressin V1a receptor was 208 (range 139-343) fmol/mg protein and that of the oxytocin receptor 49 (38-87) fmol/mg protein. Vasopressin receptor concentrations and in vivo effects of this peptide did not correlate, whereas for those of oxytocin a significant correlation was observed (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The high potency of vasopressin in nonpregnant women, particularly premenstrually, firmly supports an aetiological importance of this peptide in the uterine hyperactivity of primary dysmenorrhoea. Oxytocin seems to be less important in this condition in view of its much smaller potency and the absence of increase in effect premenstrually. Vasopressin appears to influence both the oxytocin and the vasopressin V1a receptor sites in the uterus, whereas oxytocin acts specifically on its own receptor.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Potential use of oxytocin and vasopressin V1a antagonists in the treatment of preterm labour and primary dysmenorrhoea.

In order to study the involvement of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) in mechanisms of uterine activation and to clarify the therapeutic potential of antagonists to these hormones in preterm labour and primary dysmenorrhoea, studies of human uterine contractility in vivo and in vitro as well as measurements of OT and AVP V1a receptors were performed. Good correlations between OT receptor concentrations and effects on contractility were observed in both the pregnant and non-pregnant states, which indicates that OT acts specifically on its own receptor in the uterus. For AVP there was lack of such correlation which may suggest that this hormone influences both the OT and AVP V1a receptor sites. At the onset of labour both preterm and at term no marked increase in the OT receptor concentration was observed, but OT may still be involved in the initiation of labour, being produced locally in the uterus and not detectable in plasma. We observed a reduced OT receptor concentration in advanced labour and after OT infusion, which suggests that OT influences its own receptor. The AVP V1a receptor concentration and the effect of AVP on the uterus were about equal to those for OT, and the concentration of AVP V1a receptors also tended to decrease in advanced labour, observations which support an involvement also of AVP in the mechanisms of labour. In non-pregnant women AVP receptors as well as uterine effects of AVP in vitro and in vivo were about five times higher than those for OT, and the effect of AVP was increased premenstrually. This firmly supports an aetiological role of this peptide in the uterine hyperactivity of primary dysmenorrhoea. We have also shown that the analogue 1-deamino-2-D-Tyr-(OEt)-4-Thr-8-Orn-OT, which blocks both the OT and AVP V1a receptor sites, given by intravenous infusion inhibits both preterm labour and dysmenorrhoea, and this is in agreement with our receptor and contractility findings.

Arginine Vasopressin↗
PubMed1994

Platelet-activating factor mediates an autocrine proliferative loop in the endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line HEC-1A.

We investigated the synthesis and biological effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the human endometrial cancer cell line HEC-1A. We found that HEC-1A cells actively synthesize and release PAF, as demonstrated by both [3H]acetate incorporation into PAF and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studies. HEC-1A cells not only synthesize but also respond to PAF. Indeed, in fura-2-loaded cells, PAF stimulates [Ca2+]i increase with a median effective concentration of 5.6 nM. Furthermore, PAF induces a time-dependent expression increase of the nuclear protooncogene c-fos with a median effective concentration of 130 nM and stimulates DNA synthesis (median effective concentration, 700 nM). All of these effects are inhibited by the PAF receptor antagonist L659,989. Radioligand binding studies indicated the presence of two populations of PAF receptors with affinity constants in the nanomolar and micromolar range. Since the PAF antagonist per se inhibits DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, we suggest that PAF supports an autocrine growth circuit in HEC-1A cells. On the contrary, in the uterine leiomyosarcoma cell line SK-UT-1, which does not express specific binding sites for PAF, neither this phospholipid nor its receptor antagonist affect DNA synthesis. Our results provide evidence for the existence of an autocrine proliferative loop involving PAF in the endometrial cancer cell line HEC-1A.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase↗
PubMed1994

Identification, characterization, and biological activity of somatostatin receptors in human neuroblastoma cell lines.

To investigate the presence of biologically active somatostatin (SS) receptors in neural crest-derived tumors, radioligand binding studies, cyclic AMP accumulation, intracellular calcium, and growth assays were performed in eight human neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines. Mathematical modeling of binding experiments strongly indicates the presence of heterogeneity of sites. The first site (SSR1) is present in 40% of the NB cell lines and binds with low capacity (0.5 pmol/mg protein) and high affinity (0.1-1 nM) SS14, SS28, and analogues. The second site (SSR2) is a high capacity site (200 pmol/mg protein), widely distributed in all of the cell lines investigated, that shows relative selectivity yet low affinity (100 nM) for SS14, SS28, and [D-Trp8]SS14 without any apparent biological activity. SSR1 is coupled to a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, inhibits forskolin- or VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, decreases intracellular free calcium, and mediates inhibition (30%) of both DNA synthesis and cell growth. Analysis of cell cycle distribution in aphidicolin-synchronized SSR1-positive NB cells indicated that this inhibitory effect is partially mediated by a transient accumulation in G0-G1. Our data indicate high affinity binding sites for SS14, and analogues are present and biologically active in a subset of NB cells.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1994

Receptors for and myometrial responses to oxytocin and vasopressin in preterm and term human pregnancy: effects of the oxytocin antagonist atosiban.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to study myometrial oxytocin and type V1 vasopressin receptors, the in vitro contractile effects of these hormones, and the influence of an oxytocin antagonist. STUDY DESIGN: Women delivered by cesarean section preterm (n = 51) and at term (n = 71), with and without labor contractions, gave myometrium for the estimation of oxytocin and V1 vasopressin receptors. The in vitro myometrial effects of the peptides and the influence on these of the competitive oxytocin receptor blocking agent 1-deamino-2-D-Tyr(OEt)-4-Thr-8-Orn-oxytocin were also tested. RESULTS: The median concentration of oxytocin receptors was 116 fmol/mg protein (range 15 to 372 fmol/mg protein) in patients delivered preterm not in labor, 134 fmol/mg protein (27 to 1421 fmol/mg protein) in the beginning of labor, and 46 fmol/mg protein (9 to 140 fmol/mg protein) in advanced labor. At term the corresponding concentrations were 172 (25 to 629), 223 (24 to 414), and 70 (21 to 92) fmol/mg protein. The concentration of V1 vasopressin receptors also decreased in advanced labor. In advanced labor after oxytocin infusion a reduction in the concentration of the receptor for this hormone was observed, which appeared to be related to the duration and dose of treatment. Oxytocin receptors did not vary between women with different indications for cesarean section. The oxytocin effects in vitro and the degree of inhibition by the antagonist of oxytocin responses correlated with the concentration of oxytocin receptors but not with that of V1 vasopressin receptors. No correlation was seen between the response to vasopressin and concentrations of oxytocin or V1 vasopressin receptors. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of oxytocin on the myometrium in pregnancy is mediated by an oxytocin receptor, whereas vasopressin acts on both oxytocin and vasopressin receptors. The initiation of labor both preterm and at term may be primarily related to increased release of oxytocin, which is locally produced in the uterus and not detectable in the plasma, but oxytocin and vasopressin receptors may play a role in the regulation of labor. The analog 1-deamino-2-D-Tyr(OEt)-4-Thr-8-Orn-oxytocin, which blocks both the oxytocin and the V1 vasopressin receptor, should inhibit labor both preterm and at term, the former confirming results of recent clinical studies in Sweden and the United States.

Cesarean Section↗
PubMed1994

Platelet-activating factor in human endometrium.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid actively produced by human endometrium and deeply involved in the processes of ovoimplantation and labor. We recently found that PAF represents a new autocrine growth factor for a human adenocarcinoma cell line, HEC-1A. Indeed, biologically active PAF is synthesized by HEC-1A cells, under progesterone control. In HEC-1A cells, PAF regulates intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]), DNA synthesis and expression of early oncogenes. All these effects are blocked by the receptor antagonist L659,989. However, while nanomolar concentrations of PAF mobilize [Ca2+], only micromolar concentrations affect cell growth, suggesting heterogeneity of PAF receptors or signaling. Two distinct populations of PAF receptors are present in HEC-1A cells, which bind PAF in nanomolar and micromolar concentrations, respectively. Since HEC-1A cells are producing elevated concentrations of PAF and micromolar concentrations of the PAF antagonist L659,989 inhibit cell proliferation, an autocrine role for PAF is suggested in HEC-1A cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Antagonists for the human oxytocin receptor: an in vitro study.

The oxytocin antagonist [Mpa1, D-Tyr(Et)2, Thr4, Orn8]-oxytocin has been successfully used for treating premature labour. The interactions of this antagonist with neurohypophysialhormone receptors in the human myometrium were investigated. Competition curves among [3H]oxytocin, [3H]arginine vasopressin, [3H][1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)2-(O-methyl)-tyrosine, 8-arginine] vasopressin, the corresponding unlabelled peptides and a series of oxytocin antagonists including [Mpa1,D-Tyr(Et)2,Thr4,Orn8]-oxytocin were constructed from results taken from the myometrium of pregnant women and rabbits, and were analysed simultaneously using the computer program LIGAND. The biological activity of [Mpa1,D-Tyr(Et)2,Thr4,Orn8]-oxytocin in the human uterus was investigated by studying its effect on oxytocin-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in human myometrial cells in culture that were expressing high concentrations of oxytocin receptors. The results indicate that [Mpa1,D-Tyr(Et)2,Thr4,Orn8]-oxytocin and related antagonists are selective for the oxytocin receptor in the myometrium of pregnant rabbits but not of pregnant women. In women, they bind with high affinity to the V1 vasopressin receptor. In myometrial cells [Mpa1,D-Tyr(Et)2,Thr4,Orn8]- oxytocin inhibits the oxytocin-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration in a dose-dependent fashion, with an IC50 value of 5 nmol l-1. The uterine relaxant effect of this antagonist might result not only from the block of the oxytocin receptor, but also from interaction with the V1 vasopressin receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Endothelin in the human uterus during pregnancy.

In this study we report the immunolocalization, binding and biological activity of endothelins in the human uterus. Since, in previous studies in the rabbit, sex steroids greatly affected uterine endothelin-1 (ET-1) immunolocalization and binding, we sought to compare results obtained in a relatively steroid-deprived uterus (postmenopausal women) with those obtained in late pregnancy. Two classes of ET receptors were identified in human pregnant and non-pregnant myometrium. One site (ETB) was a low capacity site (0.3 pM/mg protein) that bound with high affinity (0.1 nM), yet no selectivity, ET-1, ET-2, ET-3, sarafotoxin (SRTX) and vasoactive intestinal contractor (VIC). The second site (ETA) was six fold more concentrated than the former (1.9 pM/mg protein) and was relatively selective for ET-1, ET-2 and VIC but showed lower affinity for ET-3 and SRTX. Studies with human myometrial cells indicated that the ETA receptor mediates an increase in intracellular calcium, while the physiological function of the ETB receptor is still unclear. Homologous competition curves for ET-1 were used in order to study the ET receptor density (ETA+ETB) in individual myometrial samples. We found that the concentration of ET receptors did not change during different stages of labour or in postmenopausal women. We identified cells with intense positivity for ET-1 in human decidua. Similar cells were also present in pregnant myometrium, intimately associated with smooth muscle cells. Conversely, no staining for ET-1 was observed in non-pregnant myometrium. A paracrine role for ET-1 in the human uterus is suggested.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Effects of endothelin-1 on bovine parathyroid cells.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is synthesized and released by parathyroid epithelium. The effects of endothelin isopeptides were studied in clonal bovine parathyroid endothelial (BPE) cells. BPE cells did not produce ET-1, but showed ETA receptors (Kd = 0.1 +/- 0.02 nM, mean +/- SE). ET-1 (10(-8)10(-11)M) increased the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in BPE cells, while endothelin-3 (ET-3) was ineffective. The increase in [Ca2+]i was less sustained in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ ions. Moreover ET-1 induced phospholipase C (PLC) activation, as demonstrated by the increase in inositol trisphosphate. Cell growth was not affected by ET-1 in a wide range of concentrations. The present findings demonstrate: 1) BPE cells possess ETA receptors; 2) the peptide activates PLC and increases cytosolic [Ca2+]i via both a release of Ca2+ ions from intracellular calcium pool(s) and an influx of the cation from the extracellular milieu. A possible role of ET-1 as a paracrine factor in parathyroid tissue can be hypothesized.

Animals↗