Biomedical subjects

C Lucchini

Publications and source records attributed to C Lucchini.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

New placental factors: Between implantation and inflammatory reaction.

The trophoblast invasion is a dynamic changes in cell-cell and cell matrix interaction and it create in the endometrio a reaction similar to the inflammatory reaction. In the recent past most of the investigator in this field had focus on the mediator of this process especially on cytokine and on vasoactive agent. We have studied the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), adrenomedullin (AM), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and S-100 protein. Several evidences had lead our choice: the two first factors are essentially local mediator of vasospasm which works in synergy during the inflammatory reaction, but the AM I addition stimulates the DNA synthesis and cell proliferation of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, induces the cell cycle progression from G0 to G1 phase and the malignant cell lines express AM mRNA and mRNA for its receptor and the pattern of distribution of ir-AM and its mRNA during murine development is similar to that of other growth factors (TGFb isoforms, PDGF, FGF, IGF 1 and 2); Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is a major biosynthetic enzyme of intracellular fatty acid synthesis, its expression and activity is enhanced in proliferative tissues, such as malignant cells; S-100 is an acid calcium binding protein present in central nervous system where it is in mainly concentrated in the glial cells, astrocytes, Schwann cells, and neurons. It regulates several functions such as cell-cell communication, cell growth, cell structure, energy metabolism, contraction, and intracellular signal transduction. Recently the appearance in blood of S100 in preterm infants has been used as a marker of brain damage in perinatal period. The iNOS, AM, S100 and FAS are localized in both decidual and trophoblastic cells in early pregnancy, but we found that changes in iNOS, S100, AM, and FAS are different in spontaneous abortion (SA) versus voluntary pregnancy termination (VPT). Considering the VPT as non pathologic pregnancy, this difference may reflect functional modifications of placental tissues. Our result shown that AM and NO are increased in VPT vs SA showing that when the process of implantation is on course we found an higher expression that we have during the inflammatory reaction. [Table: see text]

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed2000

Changes in plasma adrenomedullin levels during the menstrual cycle.

We investigated whether the levels of adrenomedullin, a novel peptide produced by several tissues, including the pituitary gland, change during the ovarian cycle. We studied 13 healthy women with regular menstrual cycles. Plasma samples were collected at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of the ovarian cycle and assayed for adrenomedullin 1-52 using a specific RIA. LH, FSH, 17beta-estradiol, and progesterone concentrations were also determined. The adrenomedullin profile during ovarian cycle was similar to that of LH; plasma adrenomedullin increased from 10.9 pg/ml at the 7th day to 15.1 pg/ml at the 14th, and decreased to 8.5 pg/ml in the subsequent menses. The changes in plasma adrenomedullin were related to changes in LH and 17beta-estradiol. The cause of the increase in adrenomedullin levels during the late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle is not clear. Since it has been demonstrated that adrenomedullin is involved in the regulation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland and its secretion is regulated by sex hormones we speculate that adrenomedullin could also play a role in regulating the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary feedback. Alternatively it may be involved in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis during the menstrual cycle.

Adrenomedullin↗

PubMed2000

Adrenomedullin is increased in the fetoplacental circulation in intrauterine growth restriction with abnormal umbilical artery waveforms.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether adrenomedullin, a novel vasoactive peptide produced by the placenta, participates in the uteroplacental hemodynamic alterations in intrauterine growth restriction, we studied the correlation between adrenomedullin levels and fetoplacental blood flow. STUDY DESIGN: Maternal and umbilical blood samples were collected in pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler findings and in control pregnancies. Adrenomedullin levels were measured by means of a specific radioimmunoassay, and flow velocimetry waveforms were recorded from uterine, umbilical, and fetal middle cerebral arteries. RESULTS: Mean adrenomedullin values in umbilical plasma were higher (P <.05) in patients with intrauterine growth restriction (63.7 +/- 34.2 pg/mL; n = 16) than in control subjects (38.1 +/- 14.8 pg/mL; n = 16). A significant correlation was found between maternal adrenomedullin levels and umbilical artery pulsatility index. Moreover, fetal adrenomedullin concentrations correlated negatively with middle cerebral artery pulsatility index and positively with umbilical artery pulsatility index/middle cerebral artery pulsatility index ratio. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that adrenomedullin is increased in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction in response to reduced uteroplacental blood flow and suggests that it may participate in the fetal hemodynamic modifications.

Adrenomedullin↗

PubMed1999

[Clinical considerations on oligohydramnios].

BACKGROUND: Oligohydramnios represents a physiopathologic process, associated to a high rate of pregnancy complications and increased fetal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to determine whether amniotic fluid ultrasound evaluation is a useful parameter to identify pregnancies at risk for fetal distress. METHODS: 91 pregnant women with oligohydramnios were followed, and fetal conditions monitored with cardiotocography and ultrasounds. Delivery way and new-born conditions at birth were considered too. RESULTS: Cardiotocograms appeared abnormal in 61 cases (67%). Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) observed in 36 cases (39.56%). Cesarean section was performed in 60 cases (66%) for fetal distress, identified with cardiotocography. Also significant was the correlation with oligohydramnios, IUGR and cardiotocographic anomalies. From the results, it may be inferred that oligohydramnios is an index of affected fetal good health, because frequently is related with pregnancy anomalies and fetal health involvement. CONCLUSIONS: We can then affirm that the ultrasound evaluation of amniotic fluid represents a useful means to identify pregnancies at risk for fetal distress. In case of oligohydramnios, it is important to increase the surveillance on fetus, with the different means at our disposal (ultrasonography, velocimetry, cardiotocography).

Cardiotocography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Category-specific semantic disorders in Alzheimer's disease.

A striking dissociation between the inability to identify living things plus food, along with a preserved ability to identify inanimate objects has been observed in patients who are recovering from herpes simplex encephalitis. In order to find out if a similar dissociation is also present in Alzheimer's disease (where the suspected initial site of parenchymal atrophy involves the same areas affected by herpes simplex virus), we carried out five experimental linguistic tasks to compare Alzheimer's patients' performance therein with that of vascular dementia patients and controls. Our results indicate a constant parallel between the category-specific semantic impairment of Alzheimer's patients and that described in patients recovering from herpes simplex encephalitis. The dissociation of living things+food vs inanimate objects in Alzheimer's disease appears to be of diagnostic value: it is not present in vascular dementia.

Alzheimer Disease↗