Biomedical subjects

C Ferrara

Publications and source records attributed to C Ferrara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Chemotherapy of advanced NSCLC in special patient population.

The elderly and patients with Performance Status (PS) of 2, constitute the so-called special patient population. The tolerability of chemotherapy in this population is globally worse, and treatment approaches should be different. Platinum-based combination chemotherapy is currently recommended as the standard treatment for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its role in special patient population is controversial. The best treatment for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC is still debated. In the first randomized study dedicated to elderly NSCLC patients, single-agent vinorelbine showed superiority over supportive care alone, both in terms of survival and quality of life. In a large randomized trial, gemcitabine plus vinorelbine failed to show any advantage over either agent alone. Subset analyses suggest that the efficacy of platinum-based combination chemotherapy is similar in fit older and younger patients, with an acceptable increase in toxicity for elderly patients. However, the role of platin-based chemotherapy needs to be defined in prospective randomised trials. With the current evidence, single-agent chemotherapy with a third-generation drug (vinorelbine, gemcitabine, taxanes) should be the recommended option for non-selected elderly patients with advanced NSCLC. Also for PS2 patients there is no consensus on standard treatment. On the basis of current evidence, chemotherapy treatment appears justified for patients with advanced NSCLC and PS2. Single-agent chemotherapy (gemcitabine, vinorelbine, taxanes) could be the preferred option, although carboplatin-based or low-dose cisplatin-based doublets may represent alternative options. Stronger evidence is expected from new clinical research specifically focused on PS2 patients. High priority should be given to the evaluation of tolerability and efficacy of platinum-based combinations and role of new targeted therapies.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

[Haemocoagulative modifications correlated with pregnancy].

AIM: The aim of this paper was to establish the physiologic changes in the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems during normal pregnancy. METHODS: One-hundred and twenty normal pregnant women were investigated in a longitudinal study involving 3 measurements: blood samples were collected at 12, 24 and 36 weeks of gestation and were assayed for prothrombin time, antithrombin III (ATIII) activity, protein C activity, protein S (PS) activity, prothrombin fragments 1+2, type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor activity, tissue plasminogen activator antigen, plasminogen, activated protein C resistance, factors VII and VIII levels and D dimer. Student t-test, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Factor VII and factor VIII were always increased with respect to controls. Variance analysis showed a statistically significant reduction for anticoagulants (PS) and a rise for F1+2 and D dimer. With regard to fibrinolysis, there was an increase both for t-PA and PA1-1 during pregnancy. Moreover, the increased activity of factors of haemostasis was accompanied by an increase of activity and concentration of ATIII and acquired activated protein C resistance. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that normal pregnancy is associated with an hypercoagulable state, resulting into a moderate risk for thrombosis during the different trimesters of pregnancy. Also broad spectrum assays which measure a range of trombin/fibrin formation in serum have become an established mean to identify activation of blood coagulation and/or fibrinolysis. There is a considerable interest in the application of these assays to the diagnosis of other acquired hypercoagulable states; such as thrombophilia during pregnancy. From the viewpoint of coagulation/fibrinolysis changes, the follow-up of thrombophilia markers could be recommended when levels of coagulation parameters exceed the normal values during pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Fetal and maternal amniocentesis complications].

AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of complications due to the prenatal invasive diagnosis performed by amniocentesis at the Department of Prenatal Diagnosis of the Second University of Naples. METHODS: A total of 1.580 patients who underwent amniocentesis from January 2001 to December 2003, were submitted to a telephone interview concerning the complications that occurred after the invasive diagnosis. RESULTS: Only 1.416 patients out of the total patients interviewed answered correctly to the questionnaire. The complications that occurred in the first 24 h from amniocentesis (early complications) included light contractions and lipothymia respectively in 8.3% and 6.7% of cases; losses of amniotic fluid took place in 1.06% while bleedings were observed in 0.85% of cases. The incidence of abortions occurred in the week following amniocentesis was 0.78%. Preterm labor occurred in only 6% of the patients submitted to amniocentesis, spontaneous labor at term in 43% and cesarean section in 51%. The Apgar index at birth was normal in 95.7% of cases. In the remaining 4.3% pathologies like hypoglycemia or respiratory distress, which promptly regressed, were observed. Early complications and the incidence of abortions were significantly and independently associated with the double needle puncture but not with maternal age or the placenta specimen obtained during amniocentesis. CONCLUSIONS: A careful observation of the technique and the protocol, as well as a careful selection of patients are necessary presuppositions in order to further decrease the occurrence of complications due to amniocentesis.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Italian clinical research in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in both men and women worldwide and has a poor prognosis. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents approximately 80% of all lung cancers. Surgery is the only curative treatment of NSCLC but only 15-20% of tumours can be radically resected with a survival of about 40% at 5 years. Considering these disappointing results NSCLC is one of the most frequent subjects of clinical research worldwide. Italy is playing an important role in the clinical research of NSCLC performing phase I, II and III trials, prevalently by cooperative groups, and achieving important results that contributed to define the standard treatment for NSCLC patients. In particular, Italy is leader in the clinical research of the treatment of advanced NSCLC elderly patients. Today, large controlled clinical trials are ongoing. In this paper we analyse and discuss the main trials performed by Italian groups in the fields of NSCLC.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Chemotherapy of breast cancer in the elderly.

Breast cancer arises in about 48% of patients older than 65 years and more than 30% occurs in those over 70 years being the leading cause of cancer-related death in women older than 65. Elderly patients tolerate chemotherapy poorly compared to their younger counterpart because of progressive reduction of organ function and comorbidities related to age. For this reason, the elderly have been excluded from or underrepresented in most cancer studies and, in clinical practice, they often receive inadequate and untested treatments. For adjuvant chemotherapy, a low percentage of patients over 70 years of age were included in few trials and always in a proportion much lower than the prevalence of cancer in that age group. Adjuvant chemotherapy, preferably including an anthracycline especially in patients with HER-2/neu-positive tumours, seems to be beneficial in older women who have substantial risk of dying of breast cancer. To date even if there is no specifically randomised study, single-agent chemotherapy probably might be considered a reasonable treatment for advanced breast cancer in the elderly. One of the actual main field of clinical research in the treatment of breast cancer is the role of targeted therapies. Chronologic age is a risk factor for toxicities such as myelosuppression and mucositis, and older patients may require more supportive care. In order to plan medical treatment in breast cancer elderly patients is mandatory to practice a comprehensive geriatric assessment that includes evaluation of comorbidities, functional dependence, socio-economic, emotional and cognitive conditions, an estimate of life expectancy and recognition of frailty. The authors review the literature regarding age-specific chemotherapeutic issues in the management of breast cancer elderly patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Second-line chemotherapy with a hybrid-alternating regimen of bolus 5FU modulated by methotrexate and infusional 5FU modulated by folinic acid in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer pretreated with 5FU. A phase 2 study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In vitro, methotrexate (MTX) is the best modulator for bolus 5-fluorouracil (5FU), whereas folinic acid (FA) is the best for continuous infusion. We evaluated the effect of 5FU modulated by both MTX (bolus administration) and FA (continuous infusion) as second-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Entry criteria were: at least one 5FU-based chemotherapy regimen as first-line treatment for metastatic disease, or progression within twelve months after 5FU-containing adjuvant therapy. Treatment schedule: MTX 200 mg/m2 i.v. days 1 and 15; 5FU 600 mg/m2 i.v. bolus, days 2 and 16; 5FU 200 mg/m2 i.v. continuous infusion for 21 days, starting on day 29; FA 20 mg/m2 i.v. bolus weekly during the three weeks of 5FU infusion. Cycles were repeated every 56 days. The primary end-point was tumour control rate, including partial responses and stabilizations. RESULTS: 34/35 patients enrolled were evaluable for response. Five (14.7%) had a partial response, 13 (38.2%) disease stabilization, and 16 (47.1%) progressed; tumour control rate was 52.9%. Median TTP was 5.8 months (95% CI 4.03-7.83); 29 patients had died. Median OAS was 15.9 months (95% CI 8.8-21.9). Toxicity was mild. CONCLUSIONS: The regimen constituted by 5FU modulated by MTX (bolus administration) and FA (continuous infusion) is active as second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2002

[Hormone therapies in pregnancy].

Maternal endocrine disorders can have detrimental effects on the fetus and the pregnancy can affect the course of a pre-exisiting endocrinopathy or induce the onset of one of these disorders. Therapies for endocrine disorders are not always safe to administer during pregnancy. Before administering any therapy to the mother, the effects on the fetus, the degree of placental trespassing as well as the potential damaging effects must be assessed. An accurate evaluation of the risks/benefits of any drug to be used on the mother is needed, assessing above all a potential theratogenic effect. In this review, the incidence of the main endocrine disorders, their evolution during pregnancy, their effects on mothers and fetuses and new acquisition on the treatment during pregnancy are discussed.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

PubMed2001

Tendon involvement in rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist: MRI findings.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the distribution and extent of wrist tendon alterations in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Forty-three clinically active RA patients with an illness duration of less than 4 years and no clinical evidence of tendons tears were enrolled in the study. There were 10 men and 33 women, with an average age of 52 years (range 33-63 years). MRI of both wrists, with one exception, was performed at 1.0 T using T1- and T2-weighted sequences (slice thickness 3 mm). Twelve healthy subjects (8 women, 4 men; mean age 31 years) were also evaluated as a control group. Two radiologists reviewed each of four schematic anatomical regions (volar, dorsal, ulnar, radial) for the degree of tendon and tendon sheath alterations using two progressive scales. RESULTS: In the control group all tendons had homogeneous low signal intensity on all sequences. A small amount of fluid was found in six subjects but the diameter was always less than 1 mm. In the patient group minimal fluid (< 2 mm) was found in 35 (41%) wrists, grade 2 fluid (< 2 > 5 mm) in 26 (31%) and grade 3 fluid (> 5 mm) in 24 (28%). Fifty-nine (69%) of the grade 1 changes were in the volar compartment but grade 2 involvement was evenly distributed. Grade 3 changes were most common in the dorsal compartment and combined grade 2 and 3 in the dorsal and ulnar compartments were 32 (38%) and 25 (30%) compared with 16 (18%) and 17 (20%) respectively in the volar and radial compartments. The tendons were normal (grade 0) in 47 (46%) wrists. A maximum tendon signal change (grade 1) was demonstrated in 28 wrists (32%). When associated with other individual tendons grades this grade was demonstrated in the dorsal compartment in 30 (35%) wrists, in the volar compartment in 12 (14%), in the radial compartment in 17 (20%) and in the ulnar compartment in 26 (30%). A partial tear (grade 2) was detected in 7 (8%) wrists, all involving the dorsal and ulnar compartments; five underwent surgical repair and one proved to have a complete rupture of extensor digitorum. Three (3%) had a grade 3 complete tendon tear: all of these were in extensor tendons. Surgical repair was successful in one case but two ruptured again within 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Low grades of peritendinous effusion were more common in the volar compartment whereas moderate and high degrees of tendon sheath fluid collection and/or pannus and signs of tendonitis were more frequent in the dorsal and ulnar tendon sheaths.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed2001

[Changes of leptin levels in menopause].

One of the main advances in the field of metabolic control of body weight and obesity treatment was the identification of the OB protein or leptin, that plays an important role in controlling body weight, signalling to the CNS the amount of body fat. Indeed, leptin levels are positively correlated to indices of body fat, namely total fat mass, percent body fat and body mass index (BMI). This protein may be also the signal that indicates the nutritional status to the reproductive axis. Whether this signal is exerted directly on the gonads or through the neuroendocrine axis is still to be determined. A sexual dimorphism between male and female in serum leptin levels has been observed, with the latter showing higher serum leptin levels. This evidence has led to the hypothesis that estrogens might have a stimulatory role in leptin secretion. To evaluate this hypothesis, several authors have determined serum leptin levels in postmenopausal women that have estrogen levels comparable to those present in men. The results of these studies are contradictory and the aim of this article has been the revision of data present in the literature regarding serum leptin levels in menopause and to correlate them to body composition changes taking place during menopause.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Priming effects of substance P on calcium changes evoked by interleukin-8 in human neutrophils.

The neurokinin (NK) substance P (SP), which is a mediator of neurogenic inflammation, has been reported to prime human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). The priming effects of SP on PMNs activated by recombinant interleukin-8 (rIL-8) were investigated. SP enhanced, in a dose- and time-dependent way, the rise in cytosolic free-calcium concentration, [Ca(2+)]i, evoked by the chemokine. The priming effects of SP were abolished by exposing PMNs to a calcium-free medium supplemented with EGTA. The C-terminal peptides SP(4-11) and SP(6-11) but not the N-terminal peptide SP(1-7) shared the priming effects of SP. The selective NK-1 receptor agonist [Sar-9, MetO2-11]SP mimicked the effects of SP, which were not reproduced by the selective NK-2 receptor agonist [betaAla-8]-NKA(4-10) or the selective NK-3 agonist senktide. Two selective NK-1 antagonists, CP96,345 and L703,606, dose dependently inhibited SP priming effects. These results demonstrated that SP primes PMNs exposed to rIL-8 and suggested that SP priming effects are receptor mediated.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

[Effects of gonadotropins on oocyte maturation].

The use of exogenous gonadotropins, alone or in association with other drugs, is a useful tool in the treatment of anovulation. The first stages of the follicologenesis are gonadotropin independent up to the preantral stage. The final phase of this process begins when follicles grow faster during the luteal phase of the preceding cycle, the so-called gonadotropin-dependent phase. Recent studies confirmed the central role of FSH in follicular and oocyte maturation, but also re-evaluated the actions of LH, in particular during the first phases of these processes. LH induces the physiological development of the follicle, acting only on a limited number of follicles, while FSH protects against atresia. In the absence of FSH the development will be delayed. It seems obvious that both hormones are necessary, that a stimulation protocol may rely only on FSH, but the addition of LH will render it more physiological.

Female↗

PubMed1997

Expression of the protooncogene jun is induced in the rat pancreas by cerulein infusion.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) can stimulate secretion and DNA synthesis in pancreatic acinar cells. Hyperstimulation with cerulein (a CCK analogue) induces acute edematous pancreatitis. To study the effects of in vivo pancreatic stimulation with cerulein, we analyzed the expression of the protooncogenes jun, myc, and fos on the mRNA and protein levels. RNA and protein were extracted from the pancreas of rats administered an infusion of cerulein, 10 micrograms/kg/h (Group A) or 0.25 microgram/kg/h (Group B), or saline (Group C) and sacrificed 2, 4, and 6 h after beginning the infusion and 0, 12, and 24 h and 2, 4, and 6 days after completing the infusion period. Transcript levels were studied using slot-blot analysis. Protein expression was studied using Western blot and immunohistochemistry. No changes were found for the expression of protooncogenes myc and fos on either the transcript or the protein levels. Higher jun mRNA levels were found in Group A than in Group B or C, particularly after 2 h of infusion and 12, 24, and 48 h after the end of a 12-h cerulein infusion. No significant difference was observed in Groups B and C. The jun protein behavior was similar in Groups A and B, revealing two peaks: one early during infusion and a second one after the end of a 12-h cerulein infusion. Jun protein was found mainly in the acinar cells. In conclusion, (1) acinar cells in the rat pancreas respond to cerulein stimulation by increasing the expression of jun; (2) in vivo high doses of cerulein increase the jun mRNA and jun protein levels, whereas low doses raise only the protein levels; and (3) myc and fos are apparently uninfluenced by cerulein administration.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Effects of alpha-adrenergic agonists on Toxoplasma gondii replication in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

We investigated the effects of alpha-adrenergic on the capacity of Toxoplasma gondii to invade and proliferate in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Pretreatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with alpha 2-adrenergic led to a high degree of intracellular killing of T. gondii in these cells. Moreover alpha 2-adrenergics activated HUVEC, induced a marked and dose-dependent toxoplasmastatic activity, whereas a pretreatment of HUVEC with alpha 1-adrenergics had no antiparasitic effects. These data suggested that antitoxoplasmal effects could involve alpha 2-adrenoreceptors. This hypothesis is supported by the abolishment of the antitoxoplasma capacities by yohimbine (an alpha 2 adreno-receptor blocker) but not by prazosin (which binds alpha 1-adrenergic receptors). Because it has been reported recently that reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) are essential for the inhibition of T. gondii in macrophages, we investigated whether these molecules are also involved in the alpha 2-adrenergic- dependent induction of toxoplasmastatic activity. We observed, from the incubation of HUVEC with analogs of arginine (e.g. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine) or arginase that deplete arginine, that a good correlation was found between toxoplasmastatic activity and release of NO2- during the activation phase before infection with T. gondii. No correlation was found between NO2-production during the whole infection phase of the HUVEC and toxoplasmastatic activity. These results raise the interesting possibility that alpha 2 and beta-adrenergics agonists, which naturally occur in body fluids, may regulate the transplacental transmission of T. gondii from mother to foetus.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

PubMed1996

Effect of 4-hydroxynonenal on superoxide anion production from primed human neutrophils.

HNE (4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal), and aldehydic product of lipid peroxidation, has been reported to modulate different functional parameters of human and rat neutrophils (PMNs), such as chemiluminescence, migration and some enzymatic activities, thus exerting effects that varied according to the concentration tested. Experiments were done to evaluate the effects of HNE on superoxide anion (O2-) production from human PMNs, isolated from healthy volunteers. After having tested that HNE by itself was not able to activate the cells, comparisons were made between its effects on PMNs, stimulated by either a single stimulus, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), or a combination of stimuli, such as FMLP and the neuropeptide substance P (SP; primed PMNs). In the concentration range tested (10(-12) - 10(-4) M), HNE inhibited FMLP-evoked O2- production with an IC50 of 11.6 +/- 1.5 x 10(-6) M; at concentrations < or = 10(-6) M, HNE enhanced O2- production elicited by FMLP + SP, while higher concentrations were inhibitory. There was a bell-shaped dose-response curve to the enhancing effects of HNE, depending on the incubation time being recorded after only short periods (< or = 5 min) of the exposure of the cells to HNE; this was not shown by structurally-related aldehydes, such as 2-nonenal and nonanal. These results suggest that low concentrations of HNE may participate in the evolution of the inflammatory process, by contributing to the activation of PMNs. The effects of high concentrations of the aldehyde may represent a mechanism which contributes to the regulation of the extent of the inflammatory response.

Aldehydes↗

PubMed1996

Susceptibility to toxoplasmosis: correlation between macrophage function, brain cyst formation and mortality in rats.

Rats are resistant to Toxoplasma infection, and in contrast to mice do not form cysts in their tissues. Because rats treated with beta adrenergics, corticosteroids or 60cobalt are more susceptible to toxoplasmosis, we conducted experiments to investigate if the impaired resistance of drug-treated rats is related to macrophage function or induction of cystogenic capacity. Our experiments in 0.7 or 1.2 mg/kg-corticosteroid or 12 Gy-60cobalt-treated rats indicated that the decreased survival rate (P < 0.001 to P < 0.0001, compared to infected-untreated or infected-unirradiated animals) was associated with a decrease of both macrophage toxoplasmastatic activity and intracellular killing (P < 0.05 each group), compared to infected-untreated or infected-unirradiated rats. However in 9 Gy-60cobalt-treated animals the decreased survival rate (P < 0.001, compared with control rats) was accompanied only by a decrease of the toxoplasmastatic activity in comparison to macrophages of the control animals. Moreover in these animals, the release of NO2- by these macrophages was poorly detectable (P < 0.05) or completely inhibited (P < 0.01) in comparison with infected-untreated or infected-unirradiated rats. In contrast, in all groups of rats treated with high doses of beta adrenergic, the decreased survival (P < 0.001 to P < 0.0001, compared with untreated rats) was accompanied by values of intracellular killing and intracellular proliferation of Toxoplasma parasites that did not significantly (P = ns each group) differ from macrophages of infected-untreated rats. Furthermore in the high beta adrenergic treated groups only small amounts of NO2- were detectable (P < 0.05) in comparison with control animals. In addition, our data in rats treated with 0.7 or 1.2 mg/kg of corticosteroid or 12 Gy of 60cobalt indicated that the increased mortality was correlated to the presence of a small number of cysts in their brains (P < 0.05; P = ns; P < 0.01 respectively) in comparison to infected-untreated or infected-unirradiated rats. These results suggest that the susceptibility of drug-immunosuppressed rats is not due exclusively to a deficient macrophage function, but is probably also linked to immune mechanisms involved in the process of cystogenesis.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed1994

Beta-cell function in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

To evaluate beta-cell function in patients with pancreatic cancer, the glucagon stimulation test was performed in seven patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, seven patients with type I diabetes mellitus, seven patients with type II diabetes mellitus, and in seven healthy controls. C-peptide serum levels were determined before and after a 1-mg i.v. glucagon injection. Basal C-peptide values were normal or slightly increased in pancreatic cancer and type II diabetic patients and low in type I diabetic patients. Following glucagon stimulation, no significant increase was observed in C-peptide values of type I diabetics and pancreatic cancer patients, whereas significant increases occurred in controls and type II diabetics. It is concluded that the altered beta-cell function found in pancreatic cancer patients may lead to hyperglycemia, which is frequently associated with this tumor type.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1994

Enhancement of transforming growth factor beta 1 expression in the rat pancreas during regeneration from caerulein-induced pancreatitis.

Synthesis of extracellular matrix components is enhanced in the rat pancreas during regeneration from caerulein-induced pancreatitis. To study the involvement of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1), one of the most potent modulators of the extracellular matrix, in the process of pancreatic regeneration we examined the expression of this gene on the transcript and protein level. Pancreatic RNA was extracted from rats killed 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 2, 3 and 7 days after induction of caerulein pancreatitis. Transcript levels for TGF beta 1 were measured by slot-blot analysis and mRNA in situ hybridization. Total amount of TGF beta 1-protein was measured using a radioligand binding assay. TGF beta 1 protein was increased twofold after 24 h and 48 h and returned to control values 7 days after induction of pancreatitis, TGF beta 1-mRNA reached maximal values (3-fold over controls) after 2 days. The largest amount of TGF beta 1-mRNA was found in pancreatic acinar cells and in stromal cells. In summary, expression of TGF beta 1 in acinar and stromal cells of the rat pancreas is enhanced during regeneration from caerulein-induced pancreatitis, which may indicate an involvement of TGF beta 1 in the regulation of extracellular matrix regeneration in the rat pancreas after caerulein-induced pancreatitis.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Lipid peroxidation and renal tubular damage in chronic pancreatic diseases: is there any relationship?

Lipid peroxidation is one of the most important expression of oxidative stress induced by oxygen-derived free radicals. Here we evaluate the behavior of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and urine from patients with chronic pancreatic diseases, with respect to patients with extra-pancreatic digestive diseases and glomerulonephritis. Serum and urinary phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity was also determined, since this enzyme contributes to damage of plasma membranes. MDA and PLA2 levels increased in the sera from most of the patients with pancreatic and extra-pancreatic digestive diseases. In glomerulonephritis, pathological MDA levels (36%), but not PLA2 levels, were found. Serum MDA correlated with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), while PLA2 correlated with alanine-phosphodiesterase (ALP), GGT, alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine. In urine, MDA and PLA2 behaved differently from the corresponding serum values. MDA increased in some patients with pancreatic cancer, extra-pancreatic diseases and glomerulonephritis. PLA2 levels did not significantly vary between groups. Urinary MDA correlated with some indicators of renal tubular damage [urinary ribonuclease, beta-2-microglobulin (B-2-M) and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NGA)] and with serum bilirubin. Urinary PLA2 correlated only with ribonuclease (RNase). We conclude that serum MDA increases aspecifically in pancreatic and extra-pancreatic diseases, probably reflecting an aspecific phlogistic phenomenon; PLA2, although sharing a similar pattern with MDA, seems mainly related to hepato-biliary damage. Urinary MDA reflects the presence of renal tubular damage, which may be the cause or a consequence of lipid peroxidation; little variations in PLA2 are recorded in urine, and mainly reflect the presence of impaired tubular function.

Adult↗