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Biomedical subjects

A Marni

Publications and source records attributed to A Marni.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Effect of cyclosporine and aminophylline on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

Diabetes induced in rats by multiple low doses of streptozotocin is thought to mimic type 1 disease in man. We tested the effect of concomitant treatment with immunomodulator drugs in this diabetic experimental model. Administration of cyclosporine resulted in a rapid appearance of hyperglycemia, perhaps by a potentiation of the direct cytotoxic action of streptozotocin on beta cells. By contrast, aminophylline administration protected the animals from the diabetogenic action of streptozotocin. Concomitant treatment with aminophylline and cyclosporine failed to protect the rats from the hyperglycemia induced by streptozotocin.

Aminophylline↗

The effect of cyclosporine on nucleotide content of rat lymphocytes.

In vivo administration of cyclosporin A (CyA) was found to determine some variations in nucleotide content of rat lymphocytes. ATP levels were reduced by CyA treatment, and the effect was more evident in peripheral blood than in spleen lymphocytes. In contrast, cAMP values were increased upon pharmacologic treatment with the same major evidence at the blood lymphocyte level. Intralymphocytic phosphodiesterase enzyme activity became detectable during CyA administration, whereas the intracellular redox state (NAD+/NADH ratios) did not vary significantly. These results were amplified by increasing CyA concentration.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Long-term functional evaluation of simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation in the rat.

There is still no reliable early indicator of pancreatic rejection. This constitutes the main reason why many groups favor simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation on the assumption that pancreatic rejection may be treated in time by monitoring the renal allograft course. To provide an experimental model to investigate this problem, we have developed a technique of simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation in the rat. In isografts functional evaluation of the grafted organs was performed by testing blood glucose, serum insulin, blood urea and intravenous GTT. Our results demonstrated that functional and histological evaluations of kidney and pancreas simultaneously grafted in rats were well maintained up to 9 months and were similar to those revealed in kidney or pancreas isografted alone. The experimental model of simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation here described appears useful to study pancreatic rejection in allograft combinations as well as for testing immunosuppressive treatments.

Animals↗

Simultaneous transplantation of kidney and duct-ligated segmental pancreas in the rat. En bloc technique using two vascular anastomoses.

A new surgical technique of simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplantation is described here. It was used to perform 28 isografts in inbred male Wistar ( RT1y ) rats: 3 animals died within 3 days from early complications and 4 had long-term complications (2 severe pancreatitis and 2 urinary tract complications); 1 animal was killed at 3 months, and its organs were examined histologically. At greater than 4 months after transplantation 2 animals died normoglycemic from undetermined causes. In 3 animals the isografted pancreas was removed at 6 months to assess the effectiveness of the transplant. Currently, 15 animals are alive and normoglycemic greater than 6 months after transplantation. Morphological aspects of simultaneously isografted organs are unchanged when compared with separately transplanted organs. In our opinion this technique provides a useful experimental model to study several technical and immunological problems still present in kidney and pancreas transplantation in diabetic patients.

Animals↗

Nucleotide metabolism in spleen and peripheral blood lymphocytes during theophylline treatment.

The in vivo effect of theophylline on lymphocyte nucleotide metabolism was investigated. Rat peripheral blood lymphocytes presented more elevated levels of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) than shown by spleen lymphocytes. A continuous (15 days) daily oral treatment of the rats with aminophylline increased intralymphocytic cAMp content in peripheral blood (by 14 times) and in spleen lymphocytes (by 4 times), whereas ATP content was not significantly changed. NAD+ and NADH levels and NAD+/NADH ratios appeared higher in peripheral blood than in spleen cells, and were not influenced by aminophylline treatment. These results may be explained by assuming the existence of a different distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations and of a different sensitivity of the same to aminophylline treatment. The studies of nucleotide variation in peripheral blood lymphocytes incubated at 37 degrees C in anoxic conditions (N2+CO2, 95:5) revealed an impairment of ATP production and a well-preserved redox state.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Resection versus pericystectomy in the treatment of hydatidosis of the liver.

The surgical treatment of 87 hepatic cysts from Echinococcus granulosus in 42 patients has been presented. The importance of determining the features of the cysts in each patient (age, number, location, and relation with vasculobiliary structures) in order to carry out the most appropriate treatment was stressed. Radical surgery was preferred because marsupialization, a conservative technique still widely used, has a high complication rate (60 percent in this study) and a prolonged recovery time. Arguments for and against cystopericystectomy and hepatic resections have been discussed. It is noteworthy that excellent results have been observed after hepatic resection when it was performed in selected patients.

Adolescent↗

Prolonged survival of experimental heart transplantation induced by theophylline.

High levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in lymphocytes are associated with a reduction in many immunological functions. Theophylline, a drug effective in elevating lymphocyte cAMP levels, was employed as a single immunomodulator treatment in rats submitted to heterotopic heart allotransplantation. In 3 strain combinations, the graft survival was consistently prolonged in treated animals in comparison with untreated controls.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

[Does the number of treated rejection episodes in the first transplantation influence the survival of the patient with kidney re-transplantation?].

The records of 77 patients who received a second kidney transplant at the Surgery Department of Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, have been re-examined to assess the influence of the number of rejection episodes treated during the first transplant on the survival of the second. 61 of the 77 retransplanted patients lost their first kidney for immunological reasons. 6 did not present any treated episode of rejection, 45 one episode only and in 10 greater than 1 episode was treated during the first transplant. P less than 0.05 from 1 to 5 years as regards survival of the second transplants in patients whose first kidney did not present treated rejection episodes by comparison with those presenting 1 or greater than 1. No significant difference was noted in patient survival in the various groups under examination. On the basis of the results obtained, it is concluded that, in addition to the cause of failure and duration of the first transplant, the number of treated rejection episodes during the first transplant should be considered as a critical parameter for better selection of the most suitable candidates for receiving a second transplant.

Graft Rejection↗

[Influence of ischemia time on the long-term survival of kidney re-transplants].

The influence of warm and cold ischemia times on the long term survival of subsequent renal allografts has been evaluated. The retrospective study has involved 77 patients who in the year period 1966-1977 were submitted to 86 subsequent renal allografts at the Department of Surgery of the Addenbrooke's Hospital-Cambridge. Although a trend to do better was found in the group of allografts having warm ischemia time greater than 45' and less than 90' and cold ischemia time greater than 200' and less than 400', no statistical difference resulted in the survival curves among the various groups at examination.

Body Temperature↗

Distal splenorenal shunt. Hemodynamic advantage over total shunt and influence on clinical status, hepatic function and hypersplenism.

Clinical status, hepatic function and hypersplenism were investigated in 20 patients who underwent distal splenorenal shunt between January 1970 and June 1978. The operative morality rate was 5 percent, and encephalopathy of varying degrees affected 30 percent of the patients. There was no recurrence of bleeding, and the 3 to 5 year actuarial survival rate was 78 percent. Hypersplenism was significantly ameliorated in 17 patients (p less than 0.01). Serum glutamic improved and pyruvic transaminase significantly improved postoperatively and bilirubin significantly worsened, whereas other tests of liver function remained unchanged. Our results confirm the efficacy of this procedure in controlling recurrence of bleeding from esophageal varices. Moreover, severe hypersplenism is not an absolute contraindication to the shunt, which is preferable to total shunts since hepatopetal flow is preserved, thus avoiding early hepatic decompensation as demonstrated by the substantial stabilization of the liver function tests in the short run.

Adult↗

[Is hypersplenism a contraindication of distal splenorenal shunt?].

The effect of the distal spleno-renal shunt on hypersplenism has been investigated on 19 out of 20 patients undergoing this procedure at the 2nd Department of Surgery Pizzamiglio, Niguarda Hospital of Milan. 6 patients had an hypersplenism of high degree (platelet count less than 50;000/mm3), 11 of moderate degree (platelet count greater than or equal to 50,000 and less than 100,000/mm3) and 2 of low degree (platelet count greater than 100,000 and less than 100,000/mm3). Platelet count significantly improved after the operation (p less than 0.01) and hypersplenism resulted cured or ameliorated in 17 out of 19 patients under study. After briefly discussing the pathogenesis of hypersplenism in patients bearing portal hypertension, the A. conclude that hypersplenism also severe is not "per se" a contraindication to Warren shunt.

Adult↗