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Biomedical subjects

D Basso

Publications and source records attributed to D Basso.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Insulin-like growth factor-I, interleukin-1 alpha and beta in pancreatic cancer: role in tumor invasiveness and associated diabetes.

We evaluated levels of insulin-like growth factor-I and interleukin-1 alpha and beta in patients with pancreatic cancer; the role of these substances in tumor spread and in hyperglycemia was also investigated. Thirty pancreatic cancer patients (21 with hyperglycemia) were compared with others with diseases causing hyperglycemia [liver cirrhosis (14 cases, 12 with hyperglycemia), chronic pancreatitis (20 cases, 12 with hyperglycemia), type I diabetes mellitus (13 cases, all hyperglycemic)]. Insulin-like growth factor-I was significantly reduced in patients with liver cirrhosis, probably due to a reduced hepatic capacity for synthesis. It was increased in 6 of 30 pancreatic cancer patients; in these subjects it was correlated with alanine aminotransferase and C-peptide, but not with tumor diameter or the presence of metastases. Interleukin-1 alpha and beta were both elevated in pancreatic cancer patients. The former was high, while the latter was low when liver metastases were present. Neither was related to glucose or C-peptide levels. In summary, insulin-like growth factor-I levels are increased in some pancreatic cancer patients but this does not seem to favor tumor spread; however IGF-I could be involved influencing glucose homeostasis. Interleukin-1 alpha increased, while interleukin-1 beta decreased in pancreatic cancer patients with metastases, suggesting a different involvement of these two substances in pancreatic cancer spread.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Clinical evaluation of seven tumour markers in lung cancer diagnosis: can any combination improve the results?

In this study we compared the diagnostic utility of: (1) neuron-specific enolase (NSE); (2) squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC); (3) carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA); and (4) cytokeratin markers (CYFRA 21-1, TPA, TPM, TPS) in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) (21 cases) and non-small-cell lung cancer (94 cases). For comparison we also studied 66 patients with benign lung diseases and nine with pleural mesothelioma. NSE levels in SCLC patients were significantly higher than those in all the other groups studied. No significant variations were found among the SCC levels in all groups. CEA levels in patients with adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than those in all other groups studied. CYFRA 21-1 serum levels significantly increased in patients with squamous cell carcinoma and mesothelioma, while TPA, TPS and TPM increased in patients with lung cancer irrespective of the histological type. In patients with SCLC, high levels of all markers except SCC were found when the disease was extensive. In patients with non-SCLC, the highest levels of all tumour markers were usually found in those with advanced disease, although CYFRA 21-1 gave a sensitivity of 44% when a specificity of 95% was fixed in stage I non-SCLC patients. An analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that the highest diagnostic accuracies in distinguishing benign from malignant lung diseases were achieved with TPM (81%), CYFRA 21-1 (72%), CEA (78%) or TPA (78%) when using cut-off values of 46 Ul-1, 3.0 micrograms l-1, 2.0 micrograms l-1 and 75 Ul-1 respectively. When all patients were considered, the combined evaluation of more than one marker did not significantly improve the results obtained with TPM alone. However, taking into consideration the fact that CYFRA 21-1 is the most sensitive index of early lung tumours and that its combined determination with TPM did not worsen the overall sensitivity and specificity of the latter, the combined use of these two markers may be suggested as a useful took for the diagnosis of lung tumours.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effects of pancreaticobiliary duct obstruction on the exocrine and endocrine rat pancreas.

Experimentally, biliary obstruction can produce morphological and functional changes in the pancreatic gland, whereas pancreatic obstruction may have short-term (hyperamylasemia, pancreatic edema, and lysosomal hydrolase redistribution) or long-term (acinar cell atrophy and interstitial fibrosis) effects. We created a pancreaticobiliary duct obstruction in rats to evaluate (a) exocrine and endocrine anatomobiochemical pancreatic modifications; (b) structural and functional liver alterations; and (c) the relationship, if any, between the alterations found in the two organs. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were subdivided on the basis of period of obstruction (from 1 to 28 days). In each rat serum we evaluated amylase, cholestatic and cytolytic indices, and glucose. In frozen pancreatic samples we measured insulin, glucagon, and DNA; in the liver the DNA content was determined. Histologically, ductal dilation and proliferation were evaluated for the liver, zymogen granules, and Langerhans' islets, and atrophy for the pancreas. Fibrosis was evaluated for both the liver and the pancreas. Short-term common pancreaticobiliary duct ligation caused an increase in serum amylase levels and mild pancreatic edema. Longer-term obstruction had either similar or different effects on the two organs. In the pancreas it caused fibrosis and exocrine and endocrine atrophy, but not acute pancreatitis. In the liver the main phenomena observed were fibrosis, ductal dilation, and proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Altered lipid peroxidation/glutathione ratio in experimental extrahepatic cholestasis.

1. Lipid peroxidation can occur in the presence of a cellular antioxidant-oxidant imbalance, but the role of lipid peroxides in cholestasis is not well understood. 2. This study was undertaken in order to: (i) evaluate the behaviour of a product of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive species), and of an important antioxidant tripeptide, reduced glutathione, in the course of experimental extrahepatic cholestasis; and (ii) ascertain whether there was a link between this aspect and the alterations in liver morphology. 3. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were double bile duct ligated and followed from 1 to 28 days. At the end of each experimental period, blood and liver samples were collected for thiobarbituric acid-reactive species and glutathione determinations. 4. Bile duct ligated rats showed a marked increase in liver weight which was related to cholestasis duration and to some anatomical alterations such as bile duct proliferation and dilation and liver fibrosis (periportal, perivenular, perineoductular and parenchymal). 5. An increase in serum lipid peroxidation was also observed but this was not linked to hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive species. Erythrocyte and hepatic glutathione decreased in relation to cholestasis duration. Serum lipid peroxides and erythrocyte glutathione were correlated with liver cell necrosis. 6. In conclusion, experimental extrahepatic cholestasis determines bile duct proliferation and fibrosis, the degree of which is directly related to the duration of cholestasis itself and to liver cell necrotic phenomena.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Renal functional alterations in extrahepatic cholestasis: can oxidative stress be involved?

Renal function may be compromised by extrahepatic cholestasis. In this context, the nephrotoxic role of bile salts is well known. Recently, however, it has been claimed that other factors, such as lipid peroxides, are involved. We therefore created bile duct ligation in 40 Sprague-Dawley rats. During the follow-up (from 1 to 28 days), significant variations were found in liver histological parameters, but not in renal morphology. Fourteen days after ligation, significant increases were found in serum and urinary thiobarbituric-acid-reactive species and phospholipase A2 (indirect indices of lipid peroxidation), whereas 8-10 days after ligation, a significant decrease was observed in erythrocytic and hepatic GSH levels. The variations in urinary thiobarbituric-acid-reactive species and in phospholipase A2 were not correlated with concomitant variations in the sera. Urinary lipid peroxides were directly correlated with the degree of liver morphological alterations and inversely with circulating GSH. Urinary outputs of lipid peroxides, phospholipase A2 and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase were correlated with each other. These results suggest that there is an imbalance in the oxidative-antioxidant hepatic system in experimental extrahepatic cholestasis. The reduced bioavailability of blood GSH may alter the oxidative equilibrium in other organs, such as the kidney, triggering and favoring the lipoperoxidative cascade.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Effect of octreotide acetate on pancreatic exocrine and endocrine functions after pancreatoduodenal resection.

In view of forecasting the effect of octreotide acetate (Sandostatin) in preventing fistula formation after pancreatic surgery, 9 patients, who had pancreatoduodenectomy 8-12 days before, underwent a 2-day study. The first day, by means of a catheter located in the jejunal loop separately anastomosed to the pancreatic remnant, basal and after secretin stimulation pancreatic secretion was evaluated. During the 2nd day the possible inhibitory effect of octreotide on basal and stimulated secretion was investigated. Under the experimental conditions of the study Sandostatin showed little effect on the water and bicarbonate increase as stimulated by secretin. A greater hormone inhibitory effect on amylase production and pancreatic endocrine function was seen. On the basis of these results the use of Sandostatin can hardly be seen as useful in preventing fistula formation after pancreatic resection.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A new method for detecting anti Helicobacter pylori antibodies: an analytical and clinical evaluation.

The diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is an important goal in clinical practice. In this paper we evaluated 1. the analytical reliability of a new second-generation antigen based enzyme immunoassay (Cobas Core Anti Helicobacter pylori EIA) in detecting anti-Hp IgG antibodies, and 2. the behaviour of anti-Hp IgG in patients with chronic atrophic and non-atrophic gastritis as compared to healthy controls. The findings from the dilution curve, the values of intra and inter assay coefficients of variations (never above 10%) and of the recovery test (between 96 and 109%), confirm that the method is reliable. Serum IgG anti-Hp levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with histologically identified Hp infection, than in those negative at histology. Furthermore, the grade of histological positivity was correlated with serum IgG levels. However, we found a discrepancy between a low prevalence of Hp staining and a high prevalence of Hp seropositivity in patients with chronic atrophic or non-atrophic gastritis, but not in controls. This suggests that IgG serum determination may be more useful than histology in determining a present or previous infection in patients with chronic atrophic or non-atrophic gastritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Are tryptase and cathepsin D related to Helicobacter pylori infection and mucosal gastrin in peptic ulcer?

The pathogenesis of peptic ulcer is a complex phenomenon and several factors are thought to be involved in this process. Among others, Helicobacter pylori infection, hypergastrinaemia and some proteases seem to play an essential role in inducing peptic ulceration. We investigated whether tryptase (a serine endoprotease released by mast cells) and cathepsin D (a lysosomal hydrolase which seems able to derange the extracellular matrix) play a part in peptic ulcer disease and whether they are linked to Helicobacter pylori infection and mucosal content of gastrin. We studied 13 controls, 25 patients with gastric ulcer, 47 with duodenal ulcer and 11 with duodenitis. Tryptase and cathepsin D were measured in mucosal biopsy specimens (body and antrum of the stomach and duodenum) using IRMA methods. Gastrin was assayed in the antral mucosa by means of a RIA method. Helicobacter pylori infection was histologically evaluated (Giemsa). Tryptase and cathepsin D levels were higher (25%) in patients with active peptic ulcer, whether gastric or duodenal. The mucosal content of cathepsin D, but not that of tryptase, was associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Tryptase, on the other hand, was related to gastrin content. No correlation was found between the two enzymes. It is concluded that tryptase and cathepsin D probably reflect different pathophysiological modifications in ulcer disease. Cathepsin D seems to be mainly related to the phlogistic reaction of the mucosa to Helicobacter pylori infection; tryptase may reflect and indirect link between the action of gastrin and the function of mast cells.

Adult↗
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

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↗
PubMed1993

Does acetylsalicylic acid interfere with stimulated pancreatic secretion? An experimental study in the rat.

To evaluate the effect of the prostaglandin inhibitor acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on rat exocrine pancreas secretion, three groups of rats were administered ASA by infusion: Groups 1-3, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body wt, respectively; Group 4 received saline. Twenty minutes later these ASA-pretreated groups were given intraarterial secretin (18 CU/kg) and cholecystokinin (CCK) (18 micrograms/kg). In an additional three groups of seven rats each, saline solution rather than secretin-CCK was given after ASA pretreatment. Pancreatic juice was collected every 10 min by means of a chronic pancreatic fistula. Bicarbonate and protein concentrations were measured and variations in outputs observed. No significant variations were found in the bicarbonate concentrations and outputs of rats with different types of pharmacological treatment, while protein concentrations and outputs were found to vary with time and type of experiment. There was, however, no interaction between these two variables. At lower ASA dosages, the bicarbonate and protein concentrations and outputs of secretin-CCK-stimulated rats were higher than the basal values and the levels of rats without hormonal stimulation. At higher dosages, no difference was found between the two groups. In conclusion, ASA seems to interfere with stimulated pancreatic exocrine secretion of proteins, even when its effect on bicarbonate concentration is factored in, and its effect seems to be present at the highest dosages considered in the study. Among the various hypotheses that may explain this phenomenon, an antagonizing effect of ASA on secretin-CCK action should be the first to be considered.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Biliary hyperpressure in rat extrahepatic cholestasis alters horseradish peroxidase biliary excretion.

1. The authors investigated the effect of two extrahepatic cholestasis models (one by bile duct ligation and the other by choledocho-jugular fistula) on the hepatic clearance of horseradish peroxidase in male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into four groups. 2. In groups A (n = 5 rats) and B (n = 5), bile duct ligation was performed, while a choledocho-jugular fistula was created in groups C (n = 5) and D (n = 7). A 10 mg intravenous bolus of horseradish peroxidase was injected after 24 h (groups A and C), 48 h (groups B and D) or 1 h (Group E; five sham-operated rats). Serum and bile samples were then serially collected for 2 h. 3. In all groups, serum horseradish peroxidase levels increased soon after injection and then rapidly decreased, the curves being similar. Biliary excretion increased for 30 min and then slowly decreased. The highest horseradish peroxidase biliary concentrations and outputs were found in Group B followed by Group A; both groups had significantly higher levels than Group E. No difference was found between horseradish peroxidase biliary excretion of groups C and D and that of sham-operated rats. 4. When each group was considered separately, sampling times correlated with the corresponding ratios of bile/plasma HRP. Significant differences were found between the relative slopes of groups A, B and E, but not between those of groups C, D and E. 5. In conclusion, bile duct obstruction greatly affects the plasma-bile transfer of fluid phase markers, such as horseradish peroxidase, while single retention, caused by choledocho-jugular fistula, has no influence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Alcohol-dependent mast cell activation in ulcer].

Numerous studies have shown that alcohol causes both acute and chronic damage to gastroduodenal mucosa. The methods of damage differ however, and experimental studies in animals have shown that the degranulation of mast cells in gastric mucosa causes acute hemorrhagic lesions after the consumption of alcohol. It is not known whether this mechanism also operates in man. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate whether there is a correlation between mast-cell activation, determined by assaying tryptase levels in gastric mucosa, and the consumption of alcohol in patients with ulcerative diseases. Thirty-one patients with cicatrized ulcerative lesions (13 gastric ulcers, 18 duodenal ulcers) were included in the study. Biopsies at the level of the gastric fundus and antrum and the duodenal bulb were performed in all patients to determine tryptase levels. Biopsy material was frozen and subsequently homogenized; the enzyme was assayed in the supernatant using a radioimmunometric method. The mean daily alcohol consumption was calculated in clinical terms for each patient over the past 5 years and patients were subdivided into non-drinkers and moderate (< 60 g alcohol/day) and excessive (> 60 g alcohol/day) drinkers. It was found that tryptase concentrations were higher in the fundus compared to the gastric antrum and duodenal bulb, irrespective of alcohol consumption both in patients with gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. The importance of mast cells in provoking alcohol-dependent damage was studied at a gastric level. Alcohol leads to their degranulation and therefore contributes to the formation of gastric lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Measurement of tryptase in endoscopic gastroduodenal biopsies: distribution and relationship with ulcer disease.

Tryptase, a serine endoprotease, was determined in mucosal biopsies from fundus, corpus, antrum and corpus-fundus of the stomach and from the duodenum in 15 controls, 66 patients with duodenal ulcer, 22 with gastric ulcer and 9 with duodenitis. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation ranged from 3.3% to 8.0% and from 3.5% to 8.6%, respectively. In controls, the highest values for tryptase were found in the fundus and progressively decreased in the corpus, antrum and duodenum. Analysis of variance of data from repeated measurements, performed in six subjects having multiple determinations, achieved statistical significance (F = 16.85, P less than 0.001). Data from the corpus-fundus area documented a significant difference among patient groups (F = 2.70, P less than 0.05). Patients with an active gastric ulcer had higher mean values when compared to controls and to patients with healed gastric ulcer. A similar trend was found in patients with active duodenal ulcer. Furthermore, corpus-fundus tryptase evaluated longitudinally in three patients with an active ulcer (point A) and after healing (point B), showed significant decrease from point A to point B. By contrast it remained elevated or showed only minor decrease in two patients with a persistent active ulcer.

Adult↗