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C Barbagallo

Publications and source records attributed to C Barbagallo.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Thromboxane biosynthesis, neutrophil and coagulative activation in type IIa hypercholesterolemia.

Thromboxane (Tx) A2 biosynthesis is enhanced in the majority of patients with type IIa hypercholesterolemia. Because blood clotting activation is an important component of the inflammatory response, involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques, we have investigated TxA2 biosynthesis, neutrophil activation and thrombin generation in 24 patients with type IIa hypercholesterolemia. Urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2, was significantly higher (p = 0.0001) in patients than in 24 sex- and age matched healthy subjects. Similarly, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), thrombin-antithrombin III complexes and plasma elastase were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2 excretion was correlated with plasma elastase (r = 0.758; p = 0.0001), and prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (r = 0.804; p = 0.001). The enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor simvastatin (20 mg/day for 2 months) significantly reduced cholesterol levels, urinary 11-dehydro-TxB2 excretion, plasma elastase and plasma F1 + 2 in 8 patients. We conclude that type IIa hypercholesterolemia is associated with biochemical evidence of platelet, neutrophil and blood clotting activation. The relationship between these events remains to be investigated.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Increased thromboxane biosynthesis in type IIa hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: Increased platelet thromboxane (TX)A2 production has been described in type IIa hypercholesterolemia. To verify the relevance of these capacity-related measurements to the actual rate of TXA2 biosynthesis in vivo, we studied the urinary excretion of its major enzymatic metabolites in 46 patients with type IIa hypercholesterolemia and 20 age-matched controls. METHODS AND RESULTS: Urinary 11-dehydro-TXB2 and 2,3-dinor-TXB2 were measured by previously validated radioimmunoassays. The excretion rate of 11-dehydro-TXB2 was significantly (p less than 0.001) higher in patients (68.7 +/- 35.1 ng/hr, mean +/- SD) than in controls (22.4 +/- 9.4 ng/hr), with metabolite excretion greater than 2 SD of the normal mean in 74% of the patients. Urinary 11-dehydro-TXB2 was significantly (p less than 0.01) correlated with the threshold aggregating concentration of collagen (r = -0.641) and arachidonate (r = -0.734) and with agonist-induced platelet TXB2 production in vitro (r = 0.647 and 0.748, respectively). Moreover, a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.673, p less than 0.001, n = 66) was found between 11-dehydro-TXB2 excretion and total plasma cholesterol. The enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor simvastatin (20 mg/day for 6 months) significantly reduced cholesterol levels by 22-28% and urinary 11-dehydro-TXB2 excretion by 32-42% in 10 patients. However, the reduction in the latter did not correlate with the reduction in the former and may have resulted from a nonspecific effect of simvastatin. Moreover, selective inhibition of platelet cyclooxygenase activity by low-dose aspirin (50 mg/day for 7 days) was associated with cumulative inhibition of 11-dehydro-TXB2 excretion by approximately 70% in six patients. CONCLUSIONS: TXA2 biosynthesis is enhanced in the majority of patients with type IIa hypercholesterolemia; this is, at least in part, a consequence of abnormal cholesterol levels, as suggested by the correlation between the two. Low-dose aspirin can largely suppress increased metabolite excretion, thus suggesting that it reflects TXA2-dependent platelet activation in vivo.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Papaver somniferum L. var. album D.C. cultivated in Sicily: phytochemical investigation and use.

The authors evaluated the vegetative growth and alkaloid content of the Papaver somniferum L. var. album D.C. capsules cultivated in Assoro (Enna) Sicily, in relation to the geographical position, environmental conditions and soil type. Gas chromatography revealed low alkaloid opiate producing capacity which makes cultivation for therapeutic and toxicologic purposes uneconomic. On the contrary, the elevated production of capsules containing numerous seeds justifies its cultivation for extraction of oil for the food industry and paint production. The results suggest that the cultivation of Papaver somniferum studied is used for baking traditional cakes and bread.

Alkaloids↗