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Biomedical subjects

A Lana

Publications and source records attributed to A Lana.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Reduced number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in hypogonadal men.

CONTEXT: Endothelial dysfunction seems to be the first step of the atherosclerotic process. In the past few years, it has been demonstrated that injured endothelial monolayer is restored by a premature pool of circulating progenitor cells (PCs) and a more mature one of circulating endothelial PCs (EPCs). Even though there is increasing evidence that estrogens play a beneficial role on EPCs and, even if debated, on the cardiovascular system, less is known about androgens. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate the levels of circulating PCs and EPCs in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) and the effect of prolonged testosterone (T) replacement therapy on these cells. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a prospective study on males with HH at a university andrological center. PATIENTS: The study included 10 young HH patients (28.6 +/- 3.1 yr) and 25 age-matched controls. INTERVENTIONS: Idiopathic HH patients were treated with T gel therapy, 50 mg/d for 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed circulating PC and EPC concentrations and immunocytochemistry for androgen receptor expression on cultured EPCs. RESULTS: At baseline, HH patients showed a significant reduction of both PCs and EPCs with respect to controls. T replacement therapy induced a significant increase of these cells with respect to baseline. Immunocytochemistry on cultured EPCs showed strong expression of the androgen receptor. CONCLUSIONS: Hypotestosteronemia is associated with a low number of circulating PCs and EPCs in young HH subjects. T treatment is able to induce an increase in these cells through a possible direct effect on the bone marrow.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The dynamics of estrogen receptor activity.

In the latest few years, the merging of imaging and animal engineering technologies has led to the generation of innovative tools that provide the opportunity to look into the dynamics of specific molecular events in living animals during their entire life under a completely renewed perspective. These tools will have a profound impact not only on basic research, but also on drug discovery and development allowing to depict the activity of any therapeutic agents in all their designed targets as well as in the organs where they may cause undesired effects. Along this research line, our laboratory has recently described the first animal model reporting the state of activity of estrogen receptors (ERs) in real time: the ERE-luc reporter mouse. The application of optical imaging to the ERE-luc has allowed an unprecedented in depth view of estrogen signaling in all of its target tissues. For example, the analysis of the state of activity of ERs in the physiological setting of the estrous cycle has provided compelling evidence that hormone-independent mechanisms are responsible for activating ERs in non-reproductive organs. This discovery may pave the way to a rational basis for the development of novel, more selective and effective treatments for menopause.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells and endothelial function after chronic Tadalafil treatment in subjects with erectile dysfunction.

We evaluated the effect of a chronic treatment with Tadalafil on progenitor cells (PCs) number and endothelial function in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) with or without cardiovascular risk factors. Twenty-six subjects with ED and 23 aged matched controls were studied. All subjects underwent blood tests, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), Nocturnal Penile Tumescence Rigidity Monitoring test (NPTRM), brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and PCs count. International index of erectile function, FMD and PC count were re-evaluated in all subjects at the end of Tadalafil and placebo treatment. With respect to controls patients had lower basal FMD (P < 0.05) and basal PCs (P < 0.05). Treatment with Tadalafil determined a significant increase in PCs (P < 0.001) and FMD (P < 0.001) with respect to basal level. Positive correlation was found between basal FMD and PCs (P < 0.05) and between basal FMD and PCs increase after Tadalafil treatment (P < 0.05). Tadalafil promotes a mobilization of PCs and improves endothelial function in ED patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells in subjects with erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is often the first clinical sign of endothelial dysfunction and may precede overt cardiovascular diseases. Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells migrate into the peripheral circulation to promote endothelial repair. The number of circulating progenitor cells is reduced in patients with cardiovascular risk factor. The objective of our study was to determine the number of these cells in patients with ED both with and without cardiovascular risk factors. These subjects have lower number of circulating progenitor cells, confirming the existence of an endothelial dysfunction and supplying the evidence that ED may be the first symptom of an endothelial damage.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

PDE-5 inhibitor, Vardenafil, increases circulating progenitor cells in humans.

Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) originate from haematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow and migrate into the peripheral circulation to promote endothelial repair and neovascularization. The number of circulating progenitor cells is reduced in patients with cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of our study was to determine the number of these cells in healthy patients and to evaluate the effect of Vardenfil, a phosphodiesterases-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, in the number of circulating EPCs. In our study, we found a significant increase in the number of these cells after the drug administration.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗