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Biomedical subjects

S Gentile

Publications and source records attributed to S Gentile.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

[Neuroendocrine correlations in the pathogenesis and pathology of Parkinson disease].

In Parkinson's disease the decrease of dopamine in the nigro-striatal pathway is allied to modifications of other neuromodulation systems. The biochemical disorder of cholinergic, gabaergic and epinephrinergic pathways is present. Moreover the alteration of certain neuropeptides such as endorphins or enkefalins have been found. The Authors analyse the functional repercussions of these important biochemical modifications in the T.I.D.A. tract. In particular the variation of PRL synthesis and secretion due to dopamine deficiency during basal conditions and after pharmacological treatment is discussed.

Benserazide↗

[Diabetic neuropathies. IV. Autonomous neuropathy. Peripheral sympathetic innervation and the cardiovascular system].

The clinical conditions due to damage to the peripheral sympathetic nervous system during diabetic neuropathy mainly involve alterations to subcutaneous vasomotility , temperature body regulation and exudation, which may take form of hyper or hypoactivity. Gustatory exudation and local anhydrosis are described in detail as well as the connection with aggravating factors like long duration, poor balance and early onset of diabetes mellitus . Change in the relevant cardiovascular reflexes, commonly used in diagnosing diabetic neuropathy, are also analysed with a discussion of their physiopathological background and clinical significance. Finally the painless infarct, sudden death and abnormal response to hypoglycaemia, that are the common features of diabetic neuropathy, are also described.

Body Temperature Regulation↗

[Diabetic neuropathy. III: Autonomic neuropathy. Genito-urinary system].

When considering urogenital complaints occurring during diabetic autonomous neurotherapy , three clinical situations are important due to their frequency and the clinical situation, the considerable effect they have on quality of life. In addition they may also be responsible for severe complications as in the case of diabetic cystopathy . This syndrome is the cause of considerable subjective disturbances even though it may be diagnosed instrumentally in its early, completely asymptomatic stage. The complaint evolves inevitably towards bladder denervation, chronic urinary retention and more or less severe septic complications. Retrograde ejaculation may lead to the loss of procreative ability as in the case of neurogenic impotence in diabetics. These three autonomous neuropathic situations occur quite frequently, especially in older subjects who have suffered from diabetes for more than ten years. Often the three syndromes are interconnected or linked to autonomous or peripheric neuropathic complaints affecting other areas. The few therapeutic measures practised have not proved very conclusive. Only a diligent examination of signs and symptoms with the aim of early diagnosis and the maintenance of good glycometabolic balance are considered to be at all effective as preventive measures.

Adult↗

[Sexuality in elderly men].

The era when the sexuality of the elderly male was a taboo subject to be avoided is long past. In fact a growing number of doctors, sociologists and psychoanalysts are investigating the sexuality of the elderly, partly in an attempt to counteract the mistaken view that all sexuality is pathological at that age. All authorities in fact agree that the elderly male may have a sex life, even though genital activity may diminish. Data are presented on the sexuality of a group of elderly men in good health and with an active interest in life. The survey indicates that sociological old age may not necessarily be synonymous in man with sexual old age.

Aged↗

[Diabetic neuropathy. II. Autonomic neuropathy. The gastrointestinal system].

Autonomic diabetic neuropathy of the alimentary canal takes several basic forms: a) oesophagopathy , b) gastroparesis, c) enteropathy, d) bile duct disorders. In many cases three are no subjective symptoms. In other the onset of the clinical condition may take acute and dangerous forms as in gastropathy. In still other cases e.g. enteropathy, the neuropathy may develop in bizarre and unexpected ways which are highly damaging to the patient's quality of life though in most cases they are not fatal. Bile disorders involving minimal motility after stimulus, as in denervation and reduced sensitivity to pain are particularly significant. Diabetics are more likely to suffer from calculosis (59.6% of cases), with septic complications (20% in diabetics compared to 7.8% in non-diabetics) or cholestasis (20% in diabetics v. 15.8% in non-diabetics). These figures indicate that all diabetics and especially the elderly should be subjected to careful examination to identify any bile disorders.

Cholelithiasis↗

[Diabetic neuropathy. I). Peripheral neuropathy].

This is the first of a series of reports on diabetic neuropathy. Peripheral or somatic diabetic neuropathy is discussed with reference to its major symptoms: central, peripheral and amyotrophic mononeuropathies, symmetrical and asymmetrical polyneuropathies, peripheral arthropathy and finally diabetic cachexia. The various theories on the pathogenesis of peripheral neuropathy are presented. Finally data on 173 type I and II diabetics are presented. These patients, treated in outpatients departments, were paired by sex, weight and age with an equal number of non-diabetic subjects. The results of the survey largely confirm report in the literature. The importance of continuous medical surveillance for the identification and hence prevention of diabetic neuropathy is emphasized. This is particularly necessary since we have still much to learn about the natural history of the disease and for the moment the therapeutic approaches to the various neuropathies concerned are both tentative and symptomatic.

Adult↗

Centrophenoxine-induced increase of beta-adrenoceptor density in brain cortex of old mice.

The influence of centrophenoxine treatment on beta-adrenoceptor density has been studied in the brain cortex of old mice. One group of 21-mth-old mice was injected intraperitoneally with 3.8 mg/day centrophenoxine daily for 5 days. A second group received the same daily treatment for 40 days. Two other groups of untreated mice of the same age served as controls. Receptor affinity showed no statistically significant changes in the four different groups investigated. As regards the receptor density, an increasing trend has been elicited between the 5-day treated mice and their controls; however, the increase was not statistically significant. The second group of old mice treated with centrophenoxine for 40 days exhibited a statistically significant increase in receptor density when compared with untreated animals. The modulation of beta-adrenoceptor density may be explained as the result of either a direct action on synaptic structure or an indirect effect mediated by thyroid hormones.

Aging↗

Hypotensive effect of the association atenolol-chlorthalidone in hypertensive diabetics.

The authors conducted a clinical investigation in twenty-five patients affected with essential hypertension of mild or moderate grade associated with type II diabetes mellitus, the purpose being to assess the effect of 8 weeks of combined treatment with atenolol (100 mg) and chlorthalidone (25 mg) on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and glycaemia. It is, indeed, generally known that both beta-blockade agents and diuretics can interfere with carbohydrate metabolism. The results indicate that 92% of the patients treated in this trial had significant reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings, in the absence of bradycardia or other adverse effects. Glycaemia values were lower at the end of treatment, probably as a result of better diet control during the trial, as suggested by the general tendency to body-weight reduction.

Adult↗

Plasma clearance of nicotinic acid and rifamycin-SV, and their interaction in Gilbert's syndrome: application of a compartmental model.

The bicompartmental kinetics of nicotinic acid (NA) and rifamycin-SV (R-SV)--2 organic anions that probably share a common hepatic uptake mechanism--were studied in 7 cases of Gilbert's syndrome (GS) and in 7 healthy controls matched for sex and age. In GS the NA and R-SV uptake constants (K21) were significantly decreased. In GS patients, simultaneous loads of NA and R-SV, the latter at increasing doses, produced: 1) a progressive lowering only of R-SV K21; and 2) an increase in R-SV hepatic plasma reflux (K12). Changes in biliary excretion ( Kee ) and hepatocellular pool (Ke) of both NA and R-SV probably depend on the rates of uptake and reflux constants of the two anions. The study of the parameters of compartmental kinetics of NA and R-SV confirms that the two organic anions, which have different metabolic routes and/or a different affinity for intracellular carriers, share common uptake mechanisms.

Adolescent↗

Impaired insulin secretion in human diabetes mellitus. The effect of naloxone-induced opiate receptor blockade.

Human diabetes mellitus is characterized by impaired insulin response to intravenous glucose. In search of possible factors which impair insulin release, we have investigated the effect of naloxone, a specific opiate receptor blocker, on insulin responses to glucose in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes, as well as in normal subjects. Naloxone was given as a priming dose of 0.4 mg followed by a constant infusion of either 0.4 mg (N = 7), 2 mg (N = 7), or 4 mg (N = 8) for 90 min. Acute insulin response to glucose (mean change 3-10 min insulin), second phase insulin secretion (change 10-60 min), as well as glucose disappearance rates (%/min) were significantly increased in the diabetics receiving the two higher doses of naloxone (2 and 4 mg, respectively). None of these effects were seen in diabetics receiving saline or in normal subjects receiving naloxone. These results seem to suggest that sensitivity to endogenous opiates may play some part in non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

Adult↗