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Biomedical subjects

C Bertolo

Publications and source records attributed to C Bertolo.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Role of bile acids and metabolic activity of colonic bacteria in increased risk of colon cancer after cholecystectomy.

Since the metabolic activity of the colonic flora plays a definite role in colon cancer and an increased incidence of this disease is reported after cholecystectomy, we studied the metabolic activity of the colonic flora in a group of postcholecystectomy patients and matched controls by measuring, as representative end products of the bacterial metabolism, their fecal bile acids (BA), fecal 3-methylindole (SK) and indole (IN), and respiratory methane and hydrogen. Patients had significantly higher SK and lower IN, and, among BA, higher lithocholic (LCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid concentrations and LCA/deoxycholic acid ratio in the stools than controls. Similar differences from controls were reported for colon cancer. Comparable bacterial metabolic activities are thus operative in the large bowel of postcholecystectomized and colon cancer patients. This supports the biological plausibility of the association of cholecystectomy and colon cancer.

Bile Acids and Salts↗

The effects of S(-) and R(+) sulpiride, metoclopramide, cisapride and domperidone on the small intestine suggest DA2-receptors are involved in the control of small intestinal transit time in rats.

To study the effect of intraperitoneal S(-)sulpiride (1-15 mg/kg), R(+)sulpiride (5-10 mg/kg), metoclopramide (1-15 mg/kg), cisapride (10 mg/kg) and domperidone (5-10 mg/kg) on intestinal progression, rats were given the test drug followed by oral lactulose. Their hydrogen excretion was used to calculate the small bowel transit time (SBTT) and maximum peak time (MPT). Metoclopramide (7.5 mg/kg) had the greatest effect on SBTT (-25%), followed by S(-)sulpiride and domperidone. S(-)sulpiride (10 mg/kg) had the greatest activity on the MPT (-35.2%) followed by metoclopramide. R(+)sulpiride and cisapride did not modify SBTT and MPT. In conclusion S(-)sulpiride is the isomer active on intestinal transit and DA2-receptors seem important targets in the modulation of intestinal progression, since S(-)sulpiride, metoclopramide and domperidone are DA2-receptor antagonists, and R(+)sulpiride and cisapride are not. The H2 breath test proved a valid method for measuring the effect of drugs on the small intestine in animals.

Animals↗

Indomethacin-induced enteropathy: effect of the drug regimen on intestinal permeability in rats.

To set up and characterize reproducible, long-standing small intestinal inflammation in rats, animals were given three different oral regimens of indomethacin (Ind): a bolus of 10 mg/kg in water and three daily doses of 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg Ind in (a) the drinking water or (b) the standard diet. The effect of Ind on the small intestine was monitored by measuring intestinal permeability (IP). The three-day regimen seemed more suitable than a bolus dose to induce long-standing inflammatory modifications in the rat small intestine and Ind administered in the drinking water gave more consistent modifications of IP and more reproducible results than Ind in food. IP seemed a suitable tool for detecting these inflammatory changes in the small-intestinal physiology. This model could be used to assess the effect of new drugs on inflammation.

Administration, Oral↗

Hemorheological study in patients with coronary artery disease.

Hemorheological parameters (viscosity of whole blood, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, velocity of red blood cells) were studied in 30 patients with coronary artery disease (15 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 15 patients with chronic angina), 14 subjects at high risk for ischemic heart disease and 14 normal volunteers matched for sex and age. Viscosity of whole blood was high in all coronary disease patients and in high-risk subjects as compared with controls. Velocity of red blood cells was significantly decreased in these patients. On the other hand, plasma viscosity and fibrinogen values were in the normal range in both groups and hematocrit was only slightly elevated in patients with angina. Furthermore, there were no changes in rheological parameters during the period of observation (1 week). We can suppose that the hyperviscosity is due, above all, to the decreased red blood cell deformability both in coronary disease patients but also in high-risk subjects. It is probable that red blood cell damage is present before the acute ischemic event, and that is a preexisting cause and not a consequence of it.

Angina Pectoris↗

Variability of plasma viscosity in monoclonal IgM gammopathies.

Hyperviscosity syndromes can caused by both plasmatic and cellular factors. We have studied 20 patients affected by IgM gammopathy of different origin and 12 healthy subjects matched for sex and age, in order to evaluate the relation between paraprotein levels and plasma viscosity. We have observed a significant plasma viscosity increase only in 14 patients with monoclonal IgMk gammopathy. In the same patients was also evident an hyperviscosity syndrome. In the other 6 patients, with monoclonal IgM or polyclonal gammopathy and without clinical symptoms, plasma viscosity was only slightly increased. We have also observed a significant correlation between IgM and light chains (kappa, lambda) serum level and increased plasma viscosity. These results suggest that one can't consider all IgM gammopathies as cause of hyperviscosity syndrome.

Aged↗