Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Poggi

Publications and source records attributed to P Poggi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Immunocytochemical detection of protein p38 in human dental pulp.

The occurrence and distribution of protein p38 (synaptophysin) were investigated by immunofluorescence. Immunoreactivity for protein p38-like antigen was detected within axons of radicular nerve trunks entering the tooth and within nerve terminals close to blood vessels. Immunoreactive structures were also observed in the para-odontoblastic region. It is proposed that protein p38, translocated within small synaptic vesicles from neuronal perikarya along the axons, may be a reliable marker for detection of nerve endings in human tooth.

Axons↗

Neuropeptide K-like immunoreactivity in human dental pulp.

Nerve fibres displaying such immunoreactivity were revealed by indirect immunofluorescence. Neuropeptide K-like immunoreactive fibres, entering the pulp within large nerve trunks, were distributed around blood vessels as well as in the stroma. Some immunoreactive fibres were also observed in the para-odontoblastic region. In view of the biological activity of neuropeptide K, it is tentatively proposed that it may act in the dental pulp as a regulatory peptide involved in neurogenic inflammation, blood flow regulation and sensory transmission.

Blood Vessels↗

Effect of ICRF-187 pretreatment against doxorubicin-induced delayed cardiotoxicity in the rat.

Doxorubicin (DXR), administered iv in rats at the weekly dose of 3 mg/kg for 5 weeks, significantly impaired body weight gain and induced irreversible ECG alterations, mainly consisting of a progressive prolongation of ST and QT intervals. Five weeks after the last DXR administration, the contractile performance of atria isolated from treated animals was significantly reduced. At the same time, relevant morphologic lesions, consisting of myocyte vacuolization and myofibrillar loss, were also present in the myocardium of the same rats. The study showed that ICRF-187, administered ip at a dose of 125 mg/kg, significantly prevented body weight loss. QT and ST prolongation, and the decreased contractile force induced by DXR. In addition, ICRF-187 caused a significant reduction in incidence and severity of myocardial lesions. The cardioprotective effect of ICRF-187 is not mediated by a modification in DXR pharmacokinetics in heart, since the drug was actually found to increase DXR uptake in myocardial cells.

Animals↗

Effect of glutathione and N-acetylcysteine on in vitro and in vivo cardiac toxicity of doxorubicin.

The effects of two sulfhydryl compounds, glutathione (GSH) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), on the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin (DXR) were tested on in vitro and in vivo models. DXR was administered to rats as 4 weekly i.v. doses of 3 mg/kg. GSH (1.5 mmoles/kg), given i.v. 10 min before and 1 hr after DXR, was found to prevent the development of the delayed cardiotoxic effects of DXR, as assessed by electrocardiographic and mechanical parameters, as well as by histological examination of left ventricular preparations. In contrast, equimolar oral doses of NAC (1 hr before and 2 hrs after DXR) were found to be ineffective. Both GSH and NAC prevented the negative inotropic effect produced by DXR on isolated rat atria. A good correlation exists between the cardioprotective effects of the two agents and their ability to enhance the non-protein sulfhydryl group content of the myocardium. Differences observed in vivo between GSH and NAC might be accounted for by pharmacokinetic factors.

Acetylcysteine↗

An enzyme-histochemical, ultrastructural and morphometric study on fetal and neonatal rat diaphragms.

The organogenesis of the rat diaphragm was studied with enzyme-histochemical, ultrastructural and morphometrical methods. 18 to 20 and 22 day in utero diaphragms were examined as well as 2-8-14 and 25 day old ones, in order to determine the age related changes in the diameter and the percentage of muscle fibers and mitochondria. In all examined ages, morphometric data showed type II fiber predominance. Type I and II fibers were equivalent in diameter. During fetal life, mitochondrial size increases appreciably with age while the mitochondrial percentage does not. Instead in postnatal life, the mitochondrial diameter is almost constant both for the small type I fibers and for the large ones (type II fibers). The mitochondrial percentage gradually increases particularly in the small fibers.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Immunocytochemical labelling of Merkel cells of human oral mucosa by means of antibodies to protein gene product 9.5.

Merkel cell (MC) are one of the non-keratinocyte cell populations that reside in oral epithelium. Protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) is a protein specifically present in the cytoplasm of neurons and neuroendocrine cells. It is demonstrated by immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase that MC of oral human mucosa express PGP 9.5-like immunoreactivity. This finding is in agreement with the hypothesis that oral MC are paraneurons or neuroendocrine cells. The use of anti-PGP 9.5 serum may be of value for future studies of MC in normal and pathological oral tissues.

Antibodies↗

The rat model in the comparative evaluation of anthracyclines cardiotoxicity.

In the present investigation, the cardiotoxic effects of three anthracycline analogs (doxorubicin, 4'-epi-doxorubicin and 4'-deoxy-doxorubicin) were compared. For this purpose, 9.0 mg/kg of doxorubicin, divided into three closely spaced subdoses, were injected intravenously in rats. The two derivatives were administered according to the same time schedule and their doses were chosen on the basis of the clinically adopted ratio, doxorubicin: 4'-epidoxorubicin: 4'-deoxy-doxorubicin = 1:1:0.5. The degree of cardiomyopathy induced by the three anthracyclines was evaluated by ECG changes and morphological alterations. Doxorubicin was found to produce a significant degree of cardiotoxicity, thus confirming the validity of the experimental model adopted. Both 4'-substituted derivatives proved to be less cardiotoxic than the parent compound, although not completely devoid of this side effect.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemical detection of proliferating cells in the rat tooth germ by monoclonal antibodies against 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine.

5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporated into DNA synthesizing cells in vivo is detected by a monoclonal antibody. The results are similar to those obtained with cytoautoradiography, but show variance with data from some past autoradiographic studies. This immunocytochemical technique may be a useful tool for study of cell kinetics in the oral tissues.

Animals↗

Microscopic and ultrastructural study of the lymphatic system in the human parotid gland.

The localization and fine structure of the lymphatic system vessels are examined in the human parotid gland. A network of lymphatic capillaries extends in the intralobular connective septa around the striated ducts. These lymphatics converge in collectors frequently bordering the excretory ducts. On the contrary, no lymphatics are present next to the intercalated ducts and adhenomers. Ultrastructurally, the lymphatic capillaries are characterized by a very thin endothelial wall and by slightly complicated intercellular adhesions. Open junctions are also present. The presence of numerous lymphatic capillaries bordering the striated ducts and their blood microvasculature is discussed in relation to the functional activities of the striated ducts in the modification of the saliva.

Humans↗

Morphometric data on the lymph capillaries of the ventricles of the rabbit heart.

A morphometric analysis was done on the lymph capillaries of both left and right ventricles from the rabbit heart. The measurements were made on the lymphatics identified in the subepicardium, myocardium and subendocardium of the ventricular walls. Quantitative evaluations were carried out on light and electron microscopic sections by a computerized image analysis system. The following parameters were selected and measured: (1) the diameter (of area-equivalent circle) of lymph capillaries, (2) the diameter of the uncoated micropinocytotic vesicles (located on the abluminal and adluminal side and in the cytoplasm of the endothelial cell) and the area occupied by the vesicles per unit area of cytoplasm. Differences in the size of the lymph capillaries were found in the three layers (subepicardium, myocardium and subendocardium) of the ventricular walls. The largest vessels were present in the subepicardium both in the left ventricle and in the right one. No significant variations were found in the lymphatics of corresponding regions on both ventricles. Little variations on the mean diameter of the uncoated micropinocytotic vesicles are present in the three regions of the endothelial wall. In the left ventricle only, the subendocardial vesicles are significantly larger than the subepicardial and the myocardial ones (p less than 0.05). The areal density occupied by vesicular system in the three layers of the ventricular wall showed significant differences in both ventricles (p less than 0.05). The vesicles present in the subepicardial vessels occupied the smallest areal density. No significant variations existed in the vesicular areal density between the two ventricles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[Immunocytochemical study of the development of the oral cavity in the rat].

Flow cytometry and autoradiography are extensively used for the evaluation of the number of cells in S-phase in order to study the proliferative activity within tissues and organs. The recent development of a monoclonal antibody against 5-bromo-2'deoxyuridine (BrdUrd), a nonradioactive thymidine analogue that is incorporated within DNA-synthetizing cells, allows the immunochemical detection of proliferating cells. The use of this antibody allows an immunocytochemical detection of proliferating cells "in situ" on tissue sections. We have applied this new technique for the identification of proliferating cells within the tooth and other organs of rat mouth during development. We believe that this technique, for its precision and simplicity, may be a powerful tool for studying the cytokinetic and the differentiation of normal and neoplastic cells within the mouth as well as in other districts of the body.

Animals↗

Evaluation of cardiotoxicity of a new anthracycline derivative: 4'-deoxy-4'-iodo-doxorubicin.

The present study in rats was performed to evaluate the cardiotoxic activity of 4'-deoxy-4'-iodo-doxorubicin (4'-deoxy-4'-I-DXR), a new anthracycline derivative with interesting antineoplastic properties and possible lower cardiotoxicity than doxorubicin (DXR). DXR produced ECG alterations consisting of a progressive and irreversible prolongation of SaT and QaT. In contrast, in 4'-deoxy-4'-I-DXR-treated rats the increase in SaT and QaT duration was significantly lower than that observed in DXR-treated rats and slightly increased over controls. DXR produced significant histologic changes in myocardium consisting of myocyte vacuolization and myofibrillar loss. No significant modifications were observed in mitochondria. In contrast, no significant cardiac lesions were observed in 4'-deoxy-4'-I-DXR-treated rats. These results suggest that this new anthracycline derivative has a significantly lower degree of cardiotoxic activity than DXR.

Animals↗

Lymphatic system in human dilated cardiomyopathy.

Lymph capillary features have been investigated in human hearts from subjects affected by dilated cardiomyopathy. The edematous myocardial regions present dilated lymph capillaries with a slightly indented endothelial wall. The intercellular adhesions are not especially intricate; the open junctions between contiguous endothelial cells are more numerous than in normal conditions. In the myocardial areas affected by interstitial fibrosis the lymph capillaries are scanty and subtle. The morphological features, evident in the edematous and the fibrotic regions of the hearts affected by dilated cardiomyopathy, are compared with those induced in the myocardium by damaging the lymph flow experimentally. Our observations suggest a differential response of the lymph system to modified conditions of the tissue and the interstitium.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗

An immunocytochemical method for studying embryo cytokinetics.

The immunocytochemical detection by a monoclonal antibody of bromodeoxyuridine incorporated into S-phase cells allows the identification of proliferating cells. In this study we demonstrate that the labelling of embryo tissues is achieved by a single administration of BrdUrd to the mother after a 1 hour-labelling period. This simple and rapid technique facilitates the detection of proliferating cells within the embryo for the study of developing tissues and embryo cytokinetics.

Animals↗

Automatic morphometric analysis of skeletal muscle fibers in the aging man.

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of M. vastus lateralis fibers from 40 male sedentary subjects, ranging in age from 30 to 89 years, was carried out by light and electron microscopy and by an automatic Interactive Image Analysis System. Biopsies for enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural studies were taken from subjects subdivided into four age groups: 30-50, 60-70, 71-80, and 81-89 years. Attention was focused on the fiber type size and distribution, the size and the amount of mitochondria, and the amount of lipid droplets. Main changes observed in the four age groups are indicative of a sequence of events within senescent skeletal muscle fibers. With increasing age the enzyme histochemical reactions reveal changes in fiber type distribution characterized by decrease in muscle fiber diameter and by type I fiber predominance. Type II fiber atrophy is consistent. Type I fiber predominance seen in older subjects could be related to a selective decrease of type II fibers with age. It also suggests a possible conversion of type II fibers to type I fibers. Lipid droplet percentage per fiber area increases, while mitochondrial size and mitochondrial percentage per fiber area decrease with age. It is possible that energy requirements decline with age and that the decrease in mitochondrial size and percentage represents a response to a reduced metabolic demand.

Adult↗

Ultrastructural study of the adjoining areas between the endothelial cells of the rabbit heart lymph vessels.

The transendothelial transport across the lymph vessel wall is connected to the morphological and ultrastructural features of the lymph vessel endothelium. In the present study the lymph vessel wall and the adhesion areas between contiguous endothelial cells of the rabbit heart were examined also by means of serial sections. This examination allowed us to reconstruct the whole intercellular connecting areas and to clarify some discussed adhesion structures. The adjoining cells are connected by three types of contact: end to end, overlapping and interdigitation. In addition the cellular processes form intraendothelial, tortuous channels with focal specialized junctional areas. Only occasional open junctions are present. Our features are discussed and compared with the sometimes conflicting literature data on the morphological properties of these adjoining areas for their significance in the mechanisms of lymph formation.

Animals↗