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Biomedical subjects

P Passa

Publications and source records attributed to P Passa.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

[Lipoatrophic diabetes with acanthosis nigricans. Prolonged blood glucose normalization by continuous infusion of insulin].

Insulin resistance is a permanent feature of lipoatrophic diabetes, the resistance being almost regularly stubborn. We report the case of a 23-year old unmarried woman with generalized lipoatrophy and Acanthosis nigricans. Seven years after a diabetes resistant to all treatments was diagnosed, blood glucose levels were permanently around 25 mmol/l. Multiple and severe micro- and macroangiopathies were present. Partial resistance to insulin was demonstrated. This resistance could not be explained by abnormalities in anti-insulin hormones nor by a decrease in the number or affinity of insulin receptors, which suggested an intracellular abnormality below membrane receptors. Sustained control of glycaemia at a normal level was achieved by continuous infusion of insulin in high doses. It would appear that optimum insulin therapy using an insulin pump would offer hopes of therapeutic success in this particular form of insulin resistance.

Acanthosis Nigricans↗
PubMed1984

[Endothelial cells and adhesion of red cells in diabetes and sickle cell anemia. Quantitative and qualitative aspects].

Endothelial cell alterations are considered to be a primary event in thrombosis and atherosclerosis. The adhesion of red cells from diabetic patients or patients with sickle cell anemia was measured using endothelial cell culture and a radiometric technique. The adhesion was significantly increased (P less than 0.001). Ultrastructure observation of red cells adhering to endothelial cells showed endothelial cell deformations, membrane modifications and formation of an anchoring device. Morphological changes support the hypothesis of an endothelial cell stimulation or damage during adhesion already suggested by the increased prostacyclin release during red cell adhesion.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1983

[Prevalence of smoking among diabetics and influence of tobacco on diabetic retinopathy].

Among 647 patent diabetics regularly followed who attended the out-patient clinic of a hospital Diabetology Department between December 1st, 1979 and June 30th, 1980, 35% were habitual smokers, 20% ex-smokers and 45% non-smokers. Insulin-treated diabetics did not smoke more than non insulin-treated diabetics. Only one-half of the smokers declared that they had been advised by a doctor to stop smoking. This study failed to demonstrate any effect of tobacco on the prevalence or severity of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMed1983

[Coronary insufficiency in hypercholesterolemic xanthomatosis. Angiographic aspects].

Coronary arteriography for severe coronary artery disease was carried out in 21 patients with hypercholesterolaemic xanthomatosis (group I) and in 42 patients with serum lipids (group II). Both groups were matched with regard to age, sex and cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking habits, diabetes). The films were examined by an observer unaware of the patients' clinical features; the severity of the lesions observed was assessed by means of a coronary score system. Group I patients had significantly more severe coronary artery lesions and a significantly higher incidence (52% versus 7%; p less than 0.001) of left main coronary artery stenosis carrying a high risk of sudden death. The percentages of affected vessels amenable to surgery and abnormalities in left ventricular function were similar in both groups. It therefore seems reasonable to envisage early coronary angiography followed, if necessary, by aorto-coronary bypass in patients with hypercholesterolaemic xanthomatosis who experience anginal attacks, show ECG abnormalities on exercise and have persistent pain after myocardial infarction.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Factors involved in cell adhesion to vascular endothelium.

The adhesion of blood cells to endothelium can be studied in vitro using human endothelial cells in culture. This experimental model and radiometric techniques provide us with a simple system to quantify the adhesion of blood cells to endothelium. Normal human granulocytes isolated by density gradient adhere to normal endothelial cells in a proportion of 25%. Human promyelocytic cells (HL 60) induced by retinoic acid into mature cells adhere as well as normal granulocytes while the noninduced adhere poorly to endothelium. A small percentage of normal red cells attach to endothelial cells while red cells from patients with sickle cell anemia or diabetes mellitus have a significantly increased adhesion to endothelial cells (P greater than 0.001). This adhesion is statistically correlated with the extent and severity of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus (P less than 0.05). The addition of fibrinogen significantly increased (P less than 0.01) the adhesion of normal red cells, red cells from patients with sickle cell anemia or diabetes mellitus while gamma-globulins did not modify adhesion. Fibronectin potentiated the adhesion of normal red cells.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1983

Platelets and diabetic vascular disease.

Tests of platelet behaviour in vitro, particularly aggregation and retention and in vivo tests such as measurement of platelet survival and plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin are frequently abnormal in diabetic patients, particularly in those with vascular disease. The concept has therefore arisen that platelet hyper-reactivity is one factor responsible for diabetic microangiopathy. Whereas there is experimental and histological evidence for the mediation of platelets in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, direct evidence of platelet involvement in microangiopathy is scanty. Similar alterations in platelet behaviour have been observed in a variety of other conditions with vessel wall damage in common and evidence is presented which suggests that these platelet abnormalities may be secondary to vessel wall injury. In diabetic subjects, some changes in platelet behaviour are reversed by improved glycaemic control. Evidence that platelets are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy therefore remains circumstantial, though current trials of anti-platelet agents may enable a more precise evaluation of their role.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1983

[Influence of arterial hypertension on diabetic retinopathy].

The influence of arterial hypertension on the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was evaluated by a cross-sectional study in 882 diabetic patients of whom 337 were insulin-treated and 505 were non insulin-treated. Arterial hypertension was defined by blood pressure values higher than 160-90 mmHg. Retinopathy was considered to be present when at least 2 microaneurysms were observed at the posterior pole. When duration of the diabetes was taken into account the prevalence of retinopathy in hypertensive subjects (69%) was not significantly higher than in normotensive subjects (47%) among the insulin-treated patients. However among non insulin-treated patients retinopathy was significantly more frequent in hypertensive (39%), than in normotensive subjects (25%; p less than 0.05).

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Metabolic hypercorticism diagnosed during dental care].

Excess amounts of adrenocortical hormones might be clinically observed most notably in the upper part of the face. The diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome depends on a simple laboratory evaluation. Computer scanning may be of considerable value in localising adrenal tumors and differentiating them from bilateral hyperplasia, which has a pituitary origin.

Adrenocortical Hyperfunction↗
PubMed1983

[Hirsutism, diagnostic steps].

Hirsutism is currently observed, especially by stomatologists. Nowadays it is possible to treat efficiently this common disease after undertaking a simple laboratory evaluation. However it will take a few months in most cases to observe a clinical efficacy of treatment.

Female↗
PubMed1983

Coronary angiography in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with severe ischaemic heart disease.

In this retrospective study, the coronary angiograms of 36 diabetic and 36 non-diabetic patients, with severe ischaemic heart disease, were compared. Patient groups were closely matched for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, duration and functional disability of angina. Coronary angiograms were assessed by an independent observer without knowledge of the clinical status of the patients, and graded using a coronary score system. Left ventricular function was analyzed using computerized angiographic data. The same percentage of diabetic and non-diabetic patients had three-vessel disease. The mean coronary score per patient was similar in the two groups. Diabetic and non-diabetic patients had a statistically similar percentage of diseased vessels considered suitable for coronary bypass surgery. Left ventricular function was similar in the two groups. Thus diabetic patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease should be considered for angiographic evaluation using the same criteria as non-diabetics.

Coronary Angiography↗
PubMed1983

Fibrinogen, a modulator of erythrocyte adhesion to vascular endothelium.

The high incidence of thrombosis in inflammatory states and previous reports of increased adhesion of erythrocytes to endothelial cells in diabetes mellitus and sickle cell anemia prompted us to study the effect of fibrinogen and fibronectin on erythrocyte-endothelial interactions. Purified human fibrinogen enhanced erythrocyte adhesion in a concentration-dependent fashion. Erythrocytes from normal subjects, diabetics, and patients with sickle cell anemia were studied. The ratio between the adhesion of normal red cells in a 4 gm/L fibrinogen to adhesion in buffer without fibrinogen was 3.6 (p less than 0.001). Fibronectin also increased red cell adhesion but the effect was less than that of fibrinogen. The addition of fibronectin to fibrinogen limited the enhancing effect of fibrinogen, although the effect of the mixture was greater than that of fibronectin alone (p less than 0.05). Anti-von Willebrand factor and antifibronectin, which react with endothelial cells, also produced an increase in erythrocyte adhesion. The potentiation of adhesion by fibrinogen was also seen in experiments using red cells from patients with sickle cell anemia or diabetes mellitus. These observations provide possible mechanisms for the involvement of plasma proteins in vascular occlusive diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Mediation by opioid peptides of anterior pituitary response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia (author's transl)].

A 1.6 mg dose of the specific opiate antagonist naloxone was administered to normal volunteers, either separately or in conjunction with insulin-induce hypoglycemia, in order to study the possible mediation by opioid peptides of the release of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH), lipotropins (LPH), human growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL). Administered separately, naloxone was associated with a significant fall in PRL levels (p less than 0.01), a significant and unexpected rise in GH levels (p less than 0.02), and a suppression of the circadian decrease of ACTH and LPH levels. The association of naloxone with insulin-induced hypoglycemia significantly reduced the PRL peak (p less than 0.05), did not affect the rise of GH and lowered the ACTH peak, without altering the LPH peak. These data suggest the existence of a positive opioid tone to PRL secretion, as well as an opioid peptide role in the PRL response to hypoglycemia. They argue against the likelihood of an opioid pathway in the GH response to hypoglycemia. Furthermore, the data favor a paradoxical effect of naloxone on ACTH release during insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1982

Percutaneous absorption of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone in man. II. Percutaneous administration of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone in hypogonadal men with idiopathic haemochromatosis; clinical, metabolic and hormonal effectiveness.

The particularities of percutaneous absorption of a natural androgen, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, were evaluated in substitutive androgen therapy in masculine hypogonadism. Nine men presenting idiopathic haemochromatosis complicated by severe hypogonadism were treated with percutaneous administration of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (125 mg/day) for 5 months. Plasma levels of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol are greatly increased by treatment (from 0.86 to 18.39 nmol/l and 0.16 to 3.40 nmol/l, respectively). There is no modification of testosterone and oestradiol-17 beta. Double blind study demonstrated the direct stimulating effect of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone on sexual behaviour and psychism. Hepatic and metabolic tolerance was excellent in these patients, despite the preceding deleterious effects of the iron excess. The percutaneous route is original, practical and improves the androgen therapy of hypogonadism in men.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Physiological and pathological variations in saliva cortisol.

A radioimmunological method for measuring saliva cortisol was worked out. It includes one extraction and one radiocompetitive reaction with an anticortisol 3-CMO:BSA immunoserum. Frequent values for saliva cortisol were determined in various physiological and pathological conditions and compared to plasma cortisol values. In adult men, the mean concentrations at 8 a.m. and midnight were respectively 14.50 +/- 7.10 and 1.40 +/- 1.21 nmol/l (mean +/- SD). In untreated women, plasma and saliva cortisol levels were not significantly different from those measured in women taking estroprogestative drugs or in pregnant women. Following stimulation by synthetic beta 1-24 ACTH (Synacthen), the saliva cortisol determined 90 min after the 8 a.m. sampling rose by over 500% whereas plasma cortisol only rose by 120%. Similarly the drop in 8 a.m. cortisol, which followed midnight administration of 1 mg of dexamethasone was larger for saliva than for plasma cortisol. In patients with adrenal hyperactivity the circadian rhythm disappeared from saliva cortisol and patients with deficient adrenal activity displayed drastically reduced levels for saliva cortisol. Saliva cortisol seems thus to be more helpful to diagnosis than plasma cortisol.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Ultrastructural aspects of the liver perisinusoidal space in diabetic patients with and without microangiopathy.

To determine whether abnormalities of the perisinusoidal space of Disse are present in the liver of diabetic patients with microangiopathy, an ultrastructural stereologic study of the space of Disse was performed in six insulin-treated diabetics with severe performed in six insulin-treated diabetics with severe proliferative retinopathy and six insulin-treated diabetics with normal fluorescein angiography, six patients with familial unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia were studied as controls. No patient had clinical and/or biochemical hepatic abnormalities and none suffered from any of the pathologic conditions known to be associated with collagenization of the perisinusoidal space. In control patients, the space of Disse of liver sinusoids contained occasional small deposits of collagen fibers. The relative volume of these fibers per unit of sinusoid represented 2.63 +/- 0.82%. In all diabetic patients with retinopathy, marked deposition of collagen fibers within the perisinusoidal space was constantly observed, a finding confirmed by ultrastructural stereologic analysis which showed that the relative volume of collagen fibers per unit of sinusoid represented 7.33 +/- 1.44% and differed significantly from control patient values (P less than 0.001). On the contrary, the relative volume of collagen fibers within the space of Disse in diabetic patients without retinopathy (3.95 +/- 2.96%) did not differ significantly from control patient values. These findings demonstrate that collagenization of the space of Disse is positively correlated with the presence of diabetic microangiopathy. Ultrastructural examination of the liver sinusoids might constitute a sensitive and useful approach for detecting the early changes of the microcirculation in diabetic patients.

Adult↗