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Biomedical subjects

A Strano

Publications and source records attributed to A Strano.

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

In vitro effects of gallopamil on platelet aggregation and thromboxane generation.

The in vitro effects of gallopamil, a highly specific calcium-channel blocker, on platelet function were investigated. Gallopamil caused a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation. In fact, the drug in concentrations as low as 0.5 microgram/ml inhibited platelet activating factor and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation. Similarly, the inhibition of adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine-induced thromboxane generation was demonstrated. Since platelet activation and thromboxane release may be related to myocardial ischemia, it is conceivable that some of the antianginal effects of gallopamil may in part be due to platelet inhibitory effects.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1987

Changes of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels during activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAs).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of ACE levels during RAAs activation induced by: 1) a continuous graded bicycle ergometer test performed in a group of 15 males health youths aged between 21 and 30 years, with average age of 25.8 +/- 2.85 years; 2) i.m. injection of 20 mg of frusemide in 11 health youths (10 males and 1 female), aged between 20 and 30 years, with average age of 24.09 +/- 2.77 years; 3) dialytic treatment in 25 patients (12 males and 13 females), suffering from chronic renal failure, aged between 26 and 68 years, with average age of 54 +/- 15.42 years. Plasmatic renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (ALD) and ACE levels were determined by RIA in basal conditions and at peak of exercise in group 1, 15 minutes after i.m. injection of frusemide in group 2 and after a session of dialysis in group 3. In all the experimental conditions studied there was an activation of the renin-angiotensin system with significant increase of the PRA, ALD and ACE levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

An evaluation of the effects of isosorbide 5-mononitrate in patients with angina on effort using dynamic electrocardiography and echocardiography.

We studied 14 patients, 9 males and 5 females, with an average age of 53.6 +/- 9.2 years, having been suffering from effort angina for over 6 months, with positive ergometer test for angina and ST-segment depression greater than 1 mm. All the patients performed a washout period of 7 days at the end of which, before and after acute administration (90 min) of isosorbide 5-mononitrate or placebo some echocardiographic parameters were controlled according to a double-blind, randomized, crossover design. Moreover, after 2 months of open treatment with isosorbide 5-mononitrate (20 mg three times daily), echocardiographic parameters were investigated again. Continuous ECG monitoring (24 h) was performed after the washout period and after 2 months of treatment. After acute administration of isosorbide 5-mononitrate, we observed a reduction in pre- and afterload, whereas after 2 months of treatment the reduction in preload seems to play a more important role. Together with other mechanisms these haemodynamic changes are responsible for the substantial diminution of myocardial oxygen consumption, and consequently for the reduction of transient ischaemic episodes, both symptomatic and asymptomatic with heart rate increase. These results suggest that isosorbide 5-mononitrate exhibits a definite nitrate-typical vascular activity that is evident both after single administration and after 2 months of treatment.

Angina Pectoris↗
PubMed1987

Ketanserin versus propranolol in the treatment of mild and moderate essential hypertension: corroboration with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

In order to assess the medium-term efficacy of ketanserin in comparison with that of the beta-blocker, propranolol, a randomized double-blind crossover trial was conducted involving 13 patients suffering from mild or moderate essential hypertension. Six of these patients were also evaluated on an ambulatory basis using noninvasive intermittent blood pressure monitoring to corroborate these values. Results indicated that both ketanserin and propranolol significantly lowered systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure levels after 60-day treatment periods. Diastolic blood pressure levels of less than or equal to 90 mm Hg were achieved in seven patients following ketanserin therapy and in six patients after treatment with propranolol. Both ketanserin and propranolol reduced arterial blood pressure without interfering with its circadian rhythm and variability. A tendency for the blood pressure lowering effect of ketanserin to increase with age was also noted. Side effects were minimal. The results of this trial confirm the efficacy and safety of ketanserin for the treatment of mild or moderate hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Are the vascular complications of diabetes mellitus preceded by an altered thromboxane/prostacyclin plasmatic ratio?

Although many data regarding the biosynthesis of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin in diabetes mellitus have recently appeared in the literature, it is not clear whether an imbalance between the generation of the two prostaglandins might be connected to the vascular complications of diabetes. In the present review we have tried to emphasize the most significant aspects of these studies and we have focused on alterations of platelet prostacyclin receptors and on the effects of circulating immune complexes on platelets of diabetics. It is likely that studies on the release of platelet derived growth factor as well as more precise definitions of its action on vessel wall cells leading to a massive release of prostacyclin, will permit us to ascertain whether an alteration in prostaglandin ratio is linked to the genesis of the vascular complications in diabetics.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1986

Calf blood flow and vascular resistance in borderline hypertensives in comparison with control subjects.

A significant reduction of maximal vasodilation capacity at the calf in relation to the severity of the hypertensive state has been demonstrated in essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of calf blood flow and vascular resistance in borderline hypertensives (BH) in comparison with normotensive control subjects (CS). We studied 32 BH, with average age of 47.31 +/- 16.78 years and blood pressure 140-160/90-95 mm/Hg, in comparison with 20 CS, with average age of 47.24 +/- 11.75 years and blood pressure values below 140/85 mm Hg. Calf rest flow (RF) and peak flow (PF) were evaluated by strain-gauge plethysmography, and basal vascular resistance (BVR) and minimal vascular resistance (MVR) were calculated by the ratio between mean blood pressure and RF and PF, respectively. Mean blood pressure was significantly higher in BH in comparison with CS. RF and PF did not differ significantly in BH in comparison with CS. BVR did not differ in BHs in comparison with CS. In contrast, MVR were significantly higher in BH in comparison with CS. These results show that in BH, arterial flow at the calf is normal, whereas MVR are higher, indicating an impairment of maximal vasodilation capacity despite the modest blood pressure elevation.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Clinical evaluation of short-term defibrotide treatment of patients with atherosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs.

Ten patients with atherosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs (Fontaine stage IV) were studied under basal conditions during and after short-term administration of defibrotide (800 mg/day intravenously from day 1 to 10 and then 400 mg/day intramuscularly from day 11 to 30). The clinical effectiveness of defibrotide was evaluated not only clinically (subjective and objective symptomatology) but also by Doppler velocimetry (Windsor's Index (WI] and primary antiplasmin activity. Seven patients (70%) showed improvement in subjective and objective symptomatology. There were increases in WI at the end of intravenous treatment in 6 patients (60%). In the remaining 40%, WI did not change from basal values. All patients showed normalization of primary antiplasmin activity versus basal values (55.62%, 17.75 SD) at the end of both intravenous and intramuscular treatment (101.37%, 15.71 SD and 102.5%, 13.86 SD, respectively). Therefore, we think that defibrotide may be useful for therapy of atherosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs.

Antithrombin III↗
PubMed1986

Effects of ketanserin on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in patients with essential hypertension.

Ketanserin is a new potent antiserotonergic drug which, unlike previous ones, is selective for S2-serotoninergic receptors and does not have an agonist action. A trial was carried out on medium-term treatment with ketanserin or propranolol in subjects suffering from mild to moderate hypertension. The trial was designed as a double-blind crossover randomized study comparing either ketanserin or propranolol with placebo. Thirteen patients completed the study, which was divided into two groups (A and B). Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean (MBP) blood pressures were measured by non-invasive, intermittent ambulatory monitoring performed using a Pressurometer II, from Del Mar Avionics. Heart rate was measured using a continuous electrocardiogram monitoring. Systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced both after ketanserin (A:11.1%; B:10.8%) and propranolol (A:11.7%; B:11.8%) but in group A its decrease was more pronounced after propranolol (P less than 0.01). Diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced both after ketanserin (A:11.5%; B:11.1%) and propranolol (A:11.4%; B:11.9%), as was MBP (A:11.9%; B:11.8% for ketanserin and A:11.9%; B:11.9% for propranolol). The heart rate diminished significantly only after propranolol administration (P less than 0.01). Ambulatory monitoring showed a significant 24-h reduction of SBP after administration of propranolol (P less than 0.0025) and ketanserin (A:P less than 0.0025, B: P less than 0.005). Diastolic blood pressure was also significantly reduced after ketanserin (P less than 0.0005) and propranolol (A: P less than 0.0025, B: P less than 0.0005). The heart rate obtained by continuous electrocardiogram monitoring diminished significantly only after propranolol administration (P less than 0.0005). No significant changes of circadian behaviour of blood pressure were observed.

Adult↗