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Biomedical subjects

R A Adelizzi

Publications and source records attributed to R A Adelizzi.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

COX-1 and COX-2 in health and disease.

Nearly 30 years ago, cyclooxygenase (COX) was identified as an enzyme that initiates the biotransformation of arachidonic acid to prostanoids. It is now known that COX exists as two distinct but similar isozymes, COX-1 and COX-2. Prostaglandins (PGs) formed by the enzymatic activity of COX-1 are primarily involved in the regulation of homeostatic functions throughout the body, whereas PGs formed by COX-2 primarily mediate pain and inflammation. Based on structural differences in the active sites of COX-1 and COX-2, a new class of drugs has been developed that specifically inhibits COX-2 but not COX-1 activity. By preserving the synthesis of homeostatic PGs, these specific inhibitors of COX-2 provide the clinical benefits of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and minimize the consequences of nonspecific inhibition of PG synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Clinical implications of NSAID pharmacokinetics: special populations, special considerations.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the centerpiece of pharmacologic therapy for most rheumatic disorders and related conditions, and as such are used in great numbers. These drugs are relatively safe and effective, but the pharmacokinetics of NSAIDs can be substantially altered in certain groups of patients, including the elderly and patients with renal and hepatic disease. In these patients, the risk of NSAID toxicity is increased. An understanding of NSAID pharmacokinetics in these groups can help physicians to adjust therapeutic regimens in order to limit the potentially serious complications of long-term NSAID therapy. The author discusses the age-related physiologic changes that may affect the various areas of drug pharmacokinetics and ways in which NSAIDs may interact with other drugs. Risk assessment and monitoring methods are also discussed.

Absorption↗
PubMed1994

Splenic hypofunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a relatively common autoimmune disease in the United States. Hyposplenism is infrequently described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. It is seen in up to 5% of patients and is thought to be caused by vasculitic changes within the spleen. The diagnosis of hyposplenism can be made easily by identifying Howell-Jolly bodies on a peripheral blood smear. The authors describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus associated with hyposplenism and discuss possible diagnostic and treatment implications.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Determination of candidates for adjunctive 'gastroprotective' prostaglandins.

Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is now recognized as being frequently associated with asymptomatic gastric ulceration and its complications. Such adverse effects on the gastric mucosa have recently been found to occur with even greater frequency in certain NSAID-treated patients. Synthetic prostaglandin analogues have been shown to be cytoprotective of the gastric mucosa. This benefit has been evidenced by the reduced risk of gastric ulceration and gastric bleeding in patients taking NSAIDs on a prolonged basis. The first synthetic prostaglandin to be approved for this indication is misoprostol (Cytotec). To determine which and how many patients receiving NSAIDs should be treated adjunctively with a cytoprotective prostaglandin to reduce risk of NSAID-induced gastropathy, a clinical study of 100 consecutive patients seen in a rheumatology practice was undertaken. Patients were assessed by interview and chart review. Of these patients, 19% to 30% were considered potential candidates for adjunctive prostaglandin therapy. The rationale for use of the "gastroprotective" prostaglandins appears to lie in the identification of those patients who are especially at high risk for gastric ulcers.

Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic↗
PubMed1986

Wegener's granulomatosis with ureteric obstruction.

Other than renal involvement, the urologic manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis are relatively rare. A case of Wegener's is presented with both ureteric obstruction and prostatic involvement. A review of the literature regarding the urologic manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis is briefly discussed.

Cyclophosphamide↗
PubMed1984

Pulmonary gold toxicity.

A 52-year-old, white female developed low-grade fever, cough, and dyspnea after 8 weeks treatment with sodium aurothiomalate for rheumatoid arthritis. The patient had severe hypoxemia associated with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Dramatic clinical improvement followed prednisone therapy.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1982

Celiac disease: case report with an associated arthropathy.

A case is presented of a patient with biopsy documented celiac disease who presented with an acute arthropathy along with symptoms of malabsorption. The etiology of the arthropathy could not be determined; however, the temporal relationship of the presenting manifestations (i.e., malabsorption and the arthropathy) as well as lack of further gastrointestinal of joint symptoms after 2 yr of follow-up suggest that in this case the arthropathy was related to the patient's celiac disease. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms for this heretofore unreported relationship are also presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Digitalis toxicity.

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Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗