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Biomedical subjects

R Manna

Publications and source records attributed to R Manna.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Negative correlation between ICA persistence and beta cell restoration after IDDM diagnosis.

We have studied 27 insulin-dependent diabetic patients since diagnosis for a period of six months; at diabetes onset and later on, ICA were found in 17 of them, whereas they were undetectable in 10 patients: age was remarkably homogeneous in the two groups. At diabetes onset, no significant differences were found in insulin requirement between ICA positive and ICA negative patients; however, six months after diagnosis, we observed that insulin requirement to keep metabolic control was significantly higher in ICA positive than in ICA negative subjects (0.515 +/- 0.2 U/Kg versus 0.22 +/- 0.15 U/Kg, p less than 0.001). Only one remission has been detected in ICA positive group (insulin requirement less than 0.25 U/Kg), while four ICA negative patients had complete remission and three had partial remission. ICA positive patients showed fasting C-peptide values higher than ICA negative (0.5 +/- 0.28 ng/ml versus 1.4 +/- 0.5 ng/m.; p less than 0.001, at rest; 1.1 +/- 0.6 ng/ml; versus 2.6 +/- 1.0 ng/ml, 6 minutes after stimulus; p less than 0.05). Our study suggests that presence and persistence of ICA may be considered an early and predictive marker for a worse beta cell function restoration resulting in a higher insulin requirement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Effect of fenfluramine on growth hormone and prolactin secretion in obese subjects.

Obese subjects show a subnormal growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) release in response to a variety of stimuli. Fenfluramine, an anorexiant drug used in obesity therapy, may have some effects on hypothalamic-pituitary function mediated by serotoninergic stimulation. The present investigation in obese subjects was carried out to study the effects of fenfluramine (60 mg orally) on GH and PRL secretion after intravenous arginine infusion. Ten volunteer obese females were studied and compared with 10 volunteer normal weight controls. In the obese group the GH response to arginine was significantly lower than in control group. Fenfluramine administration restored the subnormal GH response to arginine in obese subjects. The PRL response to arginine in obese women was subnormal. Fenfluramine administration restored the response of PRL to arginine infusion to normal. In conclusion, fenfluramine--under acute circumstances--enhances the hypothalamic-pituitary response to arginine in obese subjects. The decreased GH and PRL output in obese subjects is not due to an absolute hormonal deficiency and this effect of fenfluramine on GH secretion may--due to its lipolysis stimulation--be useful in obesity treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The role of cAMP and prostaglandins in gastric acid secretion after pentagastrin administration.

The role of cAMP and prostaglandins as specific intracellular effectors of gastrin action at the level of the parietal cells has not been sufficiently clarified. For this reason we studied the responses of the parietal cells to stimulation with pentagastrin (6 micrograms/kg i.m.) during theophylline infusion (which causes an increase in the intracellular cAMP) and during acetylsalicylic acid infusion (which inhibits the prostaglandin synthesis) in 28 healthy volunteers. Both theophylline and acetylsalicylic acid provoked a significant increase of gastric acid secretion after pentagastrin. Our results suggest that: 1. an increase in intracellular cAMP may be the basis of the stimulatory effect of gastrin on gastric acid secretion 2. a decrease in the synthesis of prostaglandins may lead to a greater gastric acid response after pentagastrin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Evidence of extragastric gastrin release in postoperative ulcer patients.

The principal sites of gastrin production in man are localized at the level of the gastric antrum; both the oral glucose load and the protein meal stimulate the gastrin secretion. The aim of this study was to verify the gastrin response in patients with gastric resections presented with various stimuli. In the operated patients, the behavior of serum gastrin after a protein meal was different with respect to that observed in control subjects. After glucose, on the contrary, a very similar result was seen when compared to controls. The increase in serum gastrin of patients with Billroth II provides a further confirmation of an extragastric origin of gastrin.

Dietary Proteins↗
PubMed1986

The effect of lysine acetylsalicylate on somatostatin inhibition of insulin secretion induced by arginine.

The inhibitory effect of somatostatin (SRIF) on immunoreactive insulin release and on many other hormonal secretions has been widely studied in both animal and man. However, the mechanism by which SRIF acts on these functions remains poorly defined. Aim of this study is to determine the inhibitory effect of SRIF on insulin secretion induced by arginine after the administration of lysine acetylsalicylate (LAS) in a dose which inhibits the endogenous synthesis of prostaglandins. Ten healthy informed volunteer subjects were studied. Four studies were carried out in randomized order, each one separated by a three day interval. The first study was a test of arginine (25 g i.v. in 30 min). The second study was a test of arginine with SRIF infusion (150 micrograms bolus followed by 100 micrograms/h for 120 min). The third study was a test of arginine with an infusion of SRIF and LAS (66 mg/min for 120 min). The fourth study was a test of arginine with LAS infusion. Plasma insulin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. After arginine administration the typical biphasic insulin response was observed with a precocious peak at 3 min and a late peak at 30 min. This response is not significantly modified under LAS infusion. With the infusion of SRIF at a dose of 100 micrograms/hr after arginine administration only a very modest insulin response was observed. The addition of LAS does not modify the inhibitory effect of SRIF on insulin secretion induced by arginine. This result demonstrates that the inhibitory action of SRIF on the secretion of insulin is not dependent upon the activation of the endocellular prostaglandin system.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Stimulatory effect of pentagastrin on growth hormone and prolactin secretion in normal subjects.

Gastrin-like immunoreactive substances have been reported as occurring in both digestive tract tissues and nervous system, including the hypothalamus and the anterior and posterior pituitary. The carboxyterminal tetrapeptide shared by gastrin and cholecystokinin, which represents the bioactive site of both hormones, has been shown to be a secretagogue for insulin and glucagon and it might have a neurotrasmitter function. As small gastrin-like peptides may also play a role in the regulation of anterior pituitary hormones, the present study deals with the in vivo effect of pentagastrin on the release of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL). Six healthy volunteer males and six healthy volunteer females were studied. All females subjects were in the early follicular phase of the normal menstrual cycle and all subjects were not taking or had been taking any drug known to affect GH or PRL secretion. A continuous intravenous infusion of pentagastrin (1.5 micrograms/kg/h) was administered to all the subjects for a time of 3 hours. In males pentagastrin infusion resulted in a significant increase in GH concentration from basal values (P less than 0.01 at 60 min). In females pentagastrin infusion did not affect GH levels. PRL levels were not affected at all by intravenous pentagastrin infusion both in males and females. The exact understanding of pentagastrin action on GH release awaits further investigation. The different pattern between male and female subjects suggests a sexual hormone influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary sites of action of pentagastrin in vivo. Our data did not confirm a stimulatory effect of pentagastrin on PRL secretion in normal subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Esophageal involvement in Behçet's syndrome.

Two patients with Behçet's syndrome had severe esophageal involvement. Both presented the complete clinical pattern (oral, genital, and eye lesions) of Behçet's syndrome. In both, esophageal lesions were associated with other gastrointestinal manifestations, in the first a transient episode of ulcerative ileitis, and in the second patient colitis. In both, the differential diagnosis with inflammatory bowel disease was very difficult. Histology of esophageal lesions was nonspecific; no vasculitis was found. Both patients improved on steroid therapy. Esophageal lesions also improved endoscopically and histologically with steroid therapy. When there is obvious gastrointestinal involvement in Behçet's syndrome, the differential diagnosis from inflammatory bowel disease is very difficult.

Behcet Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

White cells transfusion in recent onset type 1 diabetes.

Two HLA-identical brothers developed Type 1 diabetes simultaneously. In the light of present knowledge of the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes, immunosuppression was adopted in one brother by means of white cell transfusion from the father. The other brother acted as a control. This immunosuppressive approach has been shown to be effective in kidney transplantation and, as far as Type 1 diabetes is concerned, in the BB Wistar rat. An immunological and metabolic follow-up study of 1 yr only revealed slight differences between the 2 brothers (who are both on insulin) but the pattern of lymphocyte activation appeared to become normalized earlier in the transfused brother.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Relapsing polychondritis with severe aortic insufficiency.

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare disease characterized by auricular, nasal and respiratory tract chondritis, ocular inflammation, inflammatory polyarthritis and cardiovascular abnormalities. Here we describe a patient with a five-year history of mild nasal and auricular chondritis, which suddenly developed into a severe aortic insufficiency with rest dyspnea. The pathogenesis and the management of this rare connective tissue disease are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Chronic active hepatitis and Behçet's syndrome.

In a patient with Behcet's syndrome the finding of five times the normal level of serum transaminase accompanied by weakness may be correlated to the syndrome itself. We performed needle biopsy of the liver in our patient which showed piecemeal necrosis and portal lympho-monocytic infiltration extending into the lobule. It is interesting that HLA B5 and B27 antigens were present. Simultaneous occurrence of chronic active hepatitis and Behcet's syndrome may imply the same autoimmune pathogenesis, as we suggest in this work.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1984

[Serum bile acids in dyslipidemic patients].

The sensitivity of total serum bile acid concentration as an index of hepatic damage has long been recognised. In addition serum bile acid measurement is significantly more specific than conventional hepatic function tests. However the concentration might be affected by factors other than hepatic dysfunction. Several authors have reported variations in the synthesis of serum bile acids in dyslipidaemic patients. This might potentially reduce the value of concentration measurement in the diagnosis of hepatic diseases especially considering the relative prevalence of hyperlipidaemia. The present article reports on radioimmunological serum bile acid measurement before and after meals in 10 patients with dyslipidaemia and in 22 controls. No difference was revealed between the two groups. Therefore dyslipidaemia appears not to affect the specificity of the test nor does it invalidate the use of radioimmunological measurement of total serum bile acids in the study of hepatic function.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Does secretin control insulin secretion?

The effect of secretin on insulin release has been studied in normal subjects after prestimulation with arginine. In order to make a comparison a pulse of glucose with arginine prestimulation was given. A pulse of 1 U/kg b.w. of secretin provokes a secretion of insulin that is weak and brief compared to that provoked by glucose; thus secretin fails to potentiate arginine-induced insulin secretion. Such a result does not support the hypothesis of secretin as the central hormone in the enteroinsular axis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Amniotic fluid content of glucose, C-peptide and insulin in normal and diabetic pregnancies.

Glucose, C-peptide and insulin concentrations in amniotic fluid were measured in 63 women, 19 of whom had insulin-dependent diabetes. The amniotic fluid glucose concentration was higher in the diabetic (37.4 +/- 4.1) than in the normal women (19.4 +/- 5.1 mg/dl; P less than 0.01). The amniotic fluid insulin concentration was higher in diabetic than non diabetic women (15.9 +/- 3.1 versus 8.9 +/- 2.1 microU/ml; P less than 0.01). The C-peptide concentration was also higher in the amniotic fluid of diabetic women than normal (1.60 +/- 0.66 vs 0.26 +/- 0.15 nmol/l; P less than 0.001). The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in the amniotic fluid was greater than 2 in 61 mothers; only two diabetic patients had an L/S ratio lower than 2. Five neonates of diabetic mothers were macrosomic and three of these were also hypoglycaemic. A negative correlation was observed in diabetic women between insulin and C-peptide concentrations in the amniotic fluid and Apgar score of the newborn infants both at 1 and 5 minutes; no correlation was found on the contrary with the amniotic glucose. In the prognostic evaluation of the fetus with a diabetic mother one must consider many parameters. Among these more consideration must be given to the levels of C-peptide and insulin in amniotic fluid than to glucose level.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1984

Fibrolamellar carcinoma of the liver: the malignant counterpart of focal nodular hyperplasia with oncocytic change.

A case of fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) in a noncirrhotic liver of a 20-year-old man is described. Gross features and the presence, among the tumor cells, of bile ducts, of thick-walled blood vessels and nerves, and, ultrastructurally, of myofibroblast-like cells are the most significant findings, suggesting that FLC is the malignant counterpart of focal nodular hyperplasia with oncocytic change. Histochemical and immunohistochemical methods demonstrate the presence inside the oncocytic tumor cells of copper, copper-binding protein, and alpha 1 antitrypsin. The pathogenesis and the significance of these findings then are discussed and related to the restricted capacity of oncocytic cells to fulfill normal cellular function.

Adult↗