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Biomedical subjects

C Manno

Publications and source records attributed to C Manno.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Involvement of peripheral blood monocytes in haemodialysis: in vivo induction of tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and beta 2-microglobulin.

Our aim was to evaluate the role of three different variables in the activation of the monocyte system: dialysis membrane (cuprophane or polyacrylonitrile), dialysate (acetate or bicarbonate), and procedure (standard or high-flux haemodialysis). By ELISA test we measured the 'in vivo' intracellular (monocyte-associated) production and extracellular release of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin-6 (Il-6) and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) by monocytes from 20 uraemic patients before and after the dialysis session. At the beginning of the dialysis session, uraemic patients' cultured monocytes spontaneously released a greater amount of TNF alpha, Il-6 and beta 2-M compared to normal controls. However, no differences in cytokine and beta 2-M were observed in monocyte lysate between the two groups. At the end of the dialysis session, cultured monocytes from patients treated with cellulosic membranes and acetate dialysate showed greater TNF alpha values than normal controls (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.05 respectively). Moreover, TNF alpha and Il-6 values were strictly correlated (P less than 0.05). These results clearly show an activation of the monocyte system in uraemic patients undergoing periodic haemodialysis. The implicated factors may be multiple, such as complement activating cellulosic membranes or acetate dialysate. The production of TNF alpha, Il-6 and beta 2-M may explain some of the pathological findings observed in long-term haemodialysis patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effects of an acute protein load on urinary albumin excretion in kidney donors.

In six kidney donors with normal baseline urinary albumin excretion (UAE) we studied the behavior of the UAE after 150 g of a meat protein meal and after a carbohydrate meal of equal caloric (1,370 kcal), water (1 liter) and sodium content (51 mEq). The mean creatinine clearance (Ccr) increased significantly after a protein load at the first (p less than 0.01) and second hour (p less than 0.05), while it did not change after the carbohydrate meal. The mean UAE increased significantly after the protein meal at the first (p less than 0.05) and second hour (p less than 0.05), while after the carbohydrate meal the mean values were increased at the first (p less than 0.05), second (p less than 0.05) and third hour (p less than 0.05). Furthermore, the mean values of UAE after the protein meal were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than those found at the same time after the carbohydrate meal. Diuresis and natriuresis increased significantly after both meals. These findings show that the increased UAE after the protein meal may be due to a further increase in Ccr in the hyperfiltering remaining kidney, while the smaller increase in the UAE observed after the carbohydrate meal may be due to water load and increased urine flow, which impairs albumin tubular reabsorption. The prognostic importance of microalbuminuria after either meal is therefore uncertain.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed1990

Clinicopathological features in patients with isolated C3 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.

The clinicopathological picture of 'isolated C3 mesangial nephritis' was studied in our case records. Focal and segmental or generalised deposits of C3 in the mesangium were found in 12 of 157 (7.6%) patients with primary glomerulonephritis. The clinical picture, similar to Berger's disease, was characterised by episodes of gross haematuria and/or persistent or recurrent microhaematuria and/or proteinuria. Arterial hypertension and mild renal failure were observed in one case. Light-microscopy showed minor glomerular changes such as focal and segmental increase of mesangial matrix and mesangial hyperplasia. During the short-term follow-up (median 25.5 months) no deterioration of renal function was observed. The clinical course and short-term prognosis suggest that this form of glomerulonephritis is benign.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Effect of fibronectin on C3b and Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis by peripheral blood monocytes in uraemic patients.

The influence of human fibronectin was evaluated on the phagocytosis in vitro of C. albicans (C3b receptor-mediated) and IgG antibody-coated sheep erythrocytes (Fc receptor-mediated) by the peripheral blood monocytes of 40 uraemic patients undergoing periodic haemodialysis. Some nutritional parameters (albumin, transferrin, C4, C3, haematocrit, lymphocyte count, height and bodyweight) were also evaluated. Results showed significantly decreased plasma fibronectin (P less than 0.001) and reduced C3b receptor (R)- and FcR-mediated phagocytosis in uraemic patients (P less than 0.001). A strict correlation was found between fibronectin and C3bR-mediated phagocytosis (P less than 0.001) and between fibronectin and FcR-mediated phagocytosis (P less than 0.05). In 20 patients with decreased fibronectin concentrations and reduced phagocytic function, the in vitro incubation of peripheral blood monocytes with 50 micrograms/ml of purified fibronectin significantly enhanced C3bR-(P less than 0.001) but not FcR-mediated phagocytosis. Study of nutritional parameters in the uraemic patients revealed that values of fibronectin, C3, IgG and albumin were significantly reduced. Fibronectin correlated significantly (P less than 0.001) with C3. A good relationship (P less than 0.05) was also found between the plasma fibronectin and bodyweight loss. A greater incidence of infectious disease was observed in patients with decreased plasma fibronectin than in uraemic patients with normal values (P less than 0.05). The results suggest that a decrease in plasma fibronectin in uraemic patients could impair the peripheral blood monocyte phagocytic capacity and be potentially dangerous, predisposing the patient to infections. The determination of fibronectin concentration in these patients may, therefore, have a potential value as an indicator of peripheral blood monocyte phagocytic function.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Long term follow-up of women with hypertension in pregnancy.

The reproductive history and the present health status of 66 patients who had had a pregnancy complicated by hypertension during the period 1972-1982 were retrospectively studied. Hypertension in pregnancy is a poor prognostic factor not only for the future development of hypertension but, also, as it is associated to a very poor reproductive history. Such complications are more frequent in pregnant women with very high blood pressure (greater than 160/100). In fact, in the case of a previous pregnancy, this group of patients had experienced a high rate of abortions (31.7%), premature deliveries (17.8%) and perinatal mortality (21.4%). Moreover, these women are subject to a higher risk (56.5%) of developing hypertension in successive pregnancies. Risk factors for determining the future development of hypertension are: familiar hypertension, the severity of hypertension during pregnancy and pluriparity.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1988

Increased plasma levels of immunoreactive human atrial natriuretic factor in primary IgA nephropathy.

The plasma concentration of the immunoreactive (IR) human atrial natriuretic factor (hANF) was measured in 17 patients with primary IgA nephropathy (IgAN) (9 normotensive and 8 hypertensive subjects without impairment of renal function). Furthermore, correlations with the renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone system and hemodynamic alterations were studied. The mean value of IR-hANF was significantly (p less than 0.002) higher in normotensive IgAN patients (68.2 +/- 14.6 pg/ml) than in controls (48.8 +/- 11.5 pg/ml), while it was slightly and not significantly elevated in hypertensive IgAN patients (58.5 +/- 8.4 pg/ml). In the latter the mean plasma renin activity (PRA) was significantly increased (0.92 +/- 0.30 ng/ml/h; p less than 0.002), while in normotensive IgAN patients (0.68 +/- 0.58 ng/ml/h) no difference was observed. Plasma aldosterone levels showed the same behavior pattern as those of PRA. Hemodynamic studies showed that the mean values of the cardiac index (CI) were significantly (p less than 0.002) high in both normotensive (3.55 +/- 0.5 l/min/m2) and hypertensive (3.32 +/- 0.47 l/min/m2) patients, while a significant reduction in the total peripheral resistance index (TPRI) in normotensive (2171 +/- 349 dyn/s/cm-5/m2; p less than 0.02) and a significant increase in hypertensive (2959 +/- 440 dyn/s/cm-5/m2; p less than 0.05) patients were observed. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) had a positive correlation with the TPRI and an inverse correlation with the IR-hANF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Effects of plasma-exchange on complement-mediated solubilization of circulating immune complexes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

In an uncontrolled clinical trial the effects of plasma-exchange (PE) on the capacity of the serum to solubilize circulating immune complexes were studied in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus. Four patients were treated with immunosuppressive therapy alone, while others were also treated by PE over a period of four to seven weeks. Plasma was replaced by fresh frozen plasma in the final part of each procedure. All patients showed evidence of clinical improvement at the time of treatment. Furthermore, PE was demonstrated to reduce drastically the number of relapses. An improvement of the capacity of solubilize immune complexes in vitro associated with a persistent fall in the levels of the circulating immune complexes was observed in patients treated with PE. This suggests that fresh frozen plasma improves the clearance of immune complexes and reduces the frequency of relapses. In our experience, clinical improvement and/or resolution of the symptoms seems to be related to the decrease in serum immune complex levels, while clinical relapses seem to parallel the behaviour of complement-mediated solubilization.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Plasma exchange in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Plasma exchange (PE) was performed in 8 of 14 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) PE was instituted as an additional therapy during active disease in patients who did not respond to conventional therapy. The best results were obtained in plasmapherized patients; in fact, immune complex serum levels disappeared rapidly, whereas anti-DNA antibodies decreased slowly. The changes observed indicate that PE may be beneficial, especially when it is associated with drugs that can block antibody rebound. A variety of "technical factors" may influence PE therapy which therefore must be monitored appropriately.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1982

Behaviour of immune complexes and the complement system in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.

A quantitative study of the circulating immune complexes (IC) was carried out on women during normal pregnancy (286) and the post-partum period (20) and women with pre-eclampsia (30). Furthermore, the behaviour of the complement (C) system was followed. Results showed that IC were low in the first trimester of normal pregnancy (25.3%) and decreased in the following trimesters, whereas they were always present in pre-eclampsia. A very significant difference (p less than 0.0001) was seen when we compared the incidence of IC in normal pregnancy at the third trimester and the pre-eclamptic patients. The follow-up study of the IC, carried out on 4 pre-eclamptic women, showed an increase in the IC levels associated with the exacerbation of the pre-eclamptic picture and a decrease after delivery. The study of complement in normal pregnancy showed a decrease in C1-INH, C1s and C1q, whereas C3, C5, C9 and the properdin factor B increased during the following weeks of gestation; CH50 did not vary excepting during the 1st trimester. In the puerperium all values increased. There was no significant difference between the serum levels of the C components in the 3rd trimester of normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. High levels of C3d were observed in normal pregnancy at the 3rd trimester and in pre-eclampsia. The study of this split product of C3 showed that there is activation of the C system, but, since the synthesis of the C components is increased, activation could be masked. Alloantibodies and circulating IC could be the factors responsible for this activation in normal pregnancy and in pre-eclampsia, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Significance of immunocomplexes and complement in renal transplantation. Preliminary data].

The authors have measured circulating immune complexes (ic) and some components (C1q, C4, C3 and properdin factor B) in 87 serum samples obtained during the follow-up of five renal transplantation. Results showed high serum levels of ic with normal renal function of the graft especially in one patient, and an increase of the values in some rejection crises. The behaviour of the complement system was variable for the different components, while frequently low properdin factor B serum levels were noticed in some renal transplantations during the normal function of the graft and during the rejection crisis. In conclusion, the Authors report that a) high levels of ic can be seen also in grafts with normal function and their presence may be correlated with viral infections; b) an increase of ic during the rejection crisis is due to humoral immune response; c) the reduction of C3 and C1q associated to an increase of ic has been frequently seen, and finally; d) the low levels of properdin factor B show a probable intervention of the alternative complement pathway in the rejection crisis.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1980

A kinetic test for the assay of the C1 esterase-inhibitor.

The most satisfactory diagnostic procedure for hereditary angioneurotic oedema is the demonstration of low serum levels of C1 esterase-inhibitor. A modified method for the assay of this protein is described. It is based on the kinetic measurement of the C1 esterase-inhibitor when it inhibits the hydrolysis of N-acetyl-L-tyrosine-ethyl ester by C1 esterase. The relative C1 esterase-inhibitor concentration is based on the initial hydrolytic velocity, which can be evaluated from the pH change in a short time and within a small range. High reproducibility, cheap instrumentation and short time of analysis are some of the favorable aspects of this method in comparison with the 'end point titrimetric' method. Furthermore, this paper describes the mechanism of inhibition of C1 esterase by C1 esterase-inhibitor. The results are indicative of a non-competitive mechanism. The value of the Michaelis-Menten constant, Km, is 0.017 +/- 0.001 mol/l at 37 degrees C, in the optimum pH range 7.2-7.4. An estimate of KI in arbitrary units is also given.

Angioedema↗
PubMed1979

[Action of complement in normal pregnancy and gestosis].

Behaviour of the complement system was studied in normal pregnancy, puerperium and in pre-eclampsia. CH50 showed no variations during normal pregnancy, excepting for first trimester, whereas it increased in puerperium. CVFAH50 increased steadily during all trimesters. C1q, C1s and C1-INH progressively decreased, while C3, C5, C9 and C3PA augmented. All values were clearly raised in puerperium. The decreased values of the early classical pathway components could be attributed to "blocking factors" (antibodies or immune-complexes) which could interfere with cellular immunity at fetoplacental level. The other components probably increase because there is a hormone-stimulated raised synthesis and a high turnover. The data obtained from pre-eclampsia did not reveal significant variations as compared to normal third trimester pregnancy, excepting for CVFAH50 which was reduced. This, however, does not exclude the possibility that there is an immunological pathogenesis of the pre-eclampsia, since activation of the C system is not always detectable in circulation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Plasma-exchange in the treatment of cryoglobulinemia.

Plasma-exchange was used in 10 patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia. The procedure was used as a primary therapeutic tool to reduce cryoglobulin levels, and in combination with prednisone and cytotoxic drugs. The results show that PE alone is detrimental, although it may be an important adjunct to conventional therapy in MCG with progressive deterioration in the clinical condition, and in those patients who do not respond to drug therapy alone. The weak response to PE in MCG may be due to many technical variables, but mainly to the low percentage of circulating cryoglobulins removed.

Adult↗