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Biomedical subjects

E Rolandi

Publications and source records attributed to E Rolandi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Twenty-four-hour beta-endorphin secretory pattern in Alzheimer's disease.

A chronobiological study was carried out in 6 male patients (67-71 years), suffering from Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD) and 6 male patients (52-74 years) suffering from multi-infarct dementia (MID), to evaluate their 24-hour beta-endorphin and cortisol secretory patterns. Six healthy male adults (28-37 years) and 6 healthy elderly male subjects (78-84 years) constituted the control groups. Blood samples were drawn every 4 h from 8.00 to 20.00 h and every 2 h from 24.00 to 6.00 h. Mean 24-hour beta-endorphin levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the ATD patients (39.2 +/- 1.5 ng/l) than in the other groups (33.8 +/- 1.1, 30.1 +/- 1.6 and 33.2 +/- 1.1 ng/l in the elderly subjects, the adults and the MID patients, respectively). The circadian rhythm was absent in the ATP patients, in the elderly subjects and the MID patients. No differences in plasma cortisol circadian rhythm were observed among the four groups. Our data indicate that changes in circulating beta-endorphin concentrations and circadian pattern may be due to the aging process.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Thyroid hormones and atrial natriuretic hormone secretion: study in hyper- and hypothyroid patients.

Plasma atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) values were evaluated in 28 hyperthyroid patients and in 11 hypothyroid patients and compared with 20 healthy subjects. In hyperthyroid patients plasma ANH basal levels were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher (14.2 +/- 1.6 pmol/l) than in controls (7.8 +/- 0.4 pmol/l) and in hypothyroid patients (6.4 +/- 0.3 pmol/l). No significant differences were found between controls and hypothyroid patients. The propranolol-induced decrease in heart rate in hyperthyroid patients did not significantly affect the plasma ANH values. Conversely, after the methimazole-induced euthyroidism a return within the normal range of ANH values was observed. The thyroxine replacement in hypothyroid patients determined a small but significant (p less than 0.05) increase in plasma ANH values. Observed data suggest that in humans thyroid hormones may influence plasma ANH concentrations independently of their effect on heart rate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on serum liver damage indices in patients with chronic active hepatitis. A double-blind controlled study.

The effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA, 450 mg daily) in patients with histologically proven chronic active hepatitis (CAH) have been evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Twenty-six patients with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values at least twice the normal upper limit in two of three pre-treatment tests received UDCA or a placebo for twelve weeks. In all UDCA-treated patients, serum aspartate amino-transferase (AST), ALT, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) fell significantly after 4 weeks of treatment. There was a further decrease at the end of therapy, as well as a small but significant fall in total serum bilirubin. Conversely, 4 weeks after suspension of therapy, serum enzyme levels had increased, reaching values not much lower than those recorded before treatment. Total serum protein, albumin and gamma-globulin did not change after UDCA treatment. In the placebo group no significant variation in the test results were found. The results indicate that UDCA therapy in CAH, as has been observed in primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, is able to improve several indices of liver damage, without producing any toxic adverse effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Plasma somatostatin response to an oral mixed test meal in cirrhotic patients.

Ten patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and ten control subjects were studied in basal conditions and after ingestion of a standard mixed test meal. Plasma somatostatin, blood glucose, plasma insulin, C-peptide and glucagon were determined before and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after the start of the meal. Basal somatostatin levels in patients (31.9 +/- 1.8 ng/l) were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) than in controls (12.5 +/- 0.9 ng/l). The time-course of the somatostatin secretory response after the meal was similar in the two groups, but the increase, evaluated as incremental area above baseline, was significantly smaller (p less than 0.01) in cirrhotics (804 +/- 134 ng/l per min) than in controls (1482 +/- 149 ng/l per min). Data indicate that elevated basal plasma somatostatin concentrations in cirrhosis may be consequent to elevated gastrointestinal and/or pancreatic secretion, whereas the blunted somatostatin response to the mixed test meal may derive from the hyperinsulinemia which occurs in the postprandial period.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1991

Metoclopramide increases plasma but not cerebrospinal fluid vasopressin levels in man: study in hydrocephalic patients.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations were determined in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 8 adult male patients suffering from hydrocephalus of various etiologies, before and after intravenous administration of 10 mg metoclopramide. Metoclopramide was able to increase the plasma (2.6 +/- 0.2 ng/l in basal conditions and 6.1 +/- 0.6 ng/l at 30 min) but not the CSF AVP levels. The results suggest that the neurons which secrete AVP into the CSF may be functionally different from those secreting into the peripheral circulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Influence of suckling on plasma concentrations of somatostatin, insulin and gastrin in lactating women.

The effects of suckling on plasma somatostatin, insulin and gastrin values were evaluated in eight nursing women on the 3rd to 4th day postpartum. Plasma prolactin levels were also determined. Prolactin levels increased in response to suckling, as expected. Insulin levels also rose, whereas somatostatin and gastrin concentrations did not change after suckling. It is possible that the suckling-induced hyperinsulinemia blunts the somatostatin response to suckling in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Twenty-four-hour secretory pattern of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the elderly.

A chronobiological study was carried out in 8 elderly male subjects (74-85 years) to evaluate the 24-hour vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) secretory pattern. Eight young adult males (21-32 years) made up the control group. Blood samples were drawn from each subject every 2 h during the day and hourly during the night for a 24-hour period. Mean 24-hour VIP values in elderly (21.1 +/- 0.3 pg/ml) and young adults (19.1 +/- 0.3 pg/ml) did not differ statistically, but daytime VIP values observed in elderly subjects (21.4 +/- 0.5 pg/ml) were higher (p less than 0.05) than those recorded in young adults (17.5 +/- 0.5 pg/ml). The young adults showed significant (p less than 0.05) circadian VIP fluctuations with highest values during the nighttime, while the elderly subjects did not. An age-related decreased activity of the peripheral neuronal VIP-ergic network is hypothesized.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Plasma beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol secretion in man after nasal spray administration of calcitonin.

Beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol secretion were measured in twelve healthy adult males after nasal spray administration 200 IU salmon calcitonin. A significant increase in plasma beta-endorphin, from 19.2 ng/l under basal conditions to a peak of 27.1 ng/l at 30 min was recorded. Plasma ACTH and cortisol were not affected. In individual subjects the beta-endorphin level was increased in eight of the twelve, ACTH rose in three and cortisol did not change in any of them. The data indicate that calcitonin induced a beta-endorphin increase independent of enhanced corticotrophin-cortisol release.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1989

Plasma beta-endorphin concentrations during suckling in lactating women.

Beta-endorphin appears to be involved in the hormonal response to suckling in some animals. The peripheral secretory patterns of beta-endorphin, prolactin and cortisol were investigated in serial venous blood samples taken during suckling from eight healthy women who were breast-feeding on the third or fourth day of the puerperium. Plasma levels of prolactin and beta-endorphin increased significantly during suckling reaching a peak after 20 min, levels of cortisol remained unaffected. It is suggested that the increased beta-endorphin derives from an extra-hypophyseal source.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Plasma somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide responses to an oral mixed test meal in obese patients.

Ten obese and 10 control subjects were studied in basal conditions and after ingestion of a standard mixed test meal. Blood glucose, insulin, somatostatin (SLI) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) concentrations were determined before and 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min after the start of the meal. Basal SLI levels in the obese (14.4 +/- 0.7 ng/l) were not significantly different from those in the controls (15.5 +/- 0.8 ng/l), whereas after the meal a blunted secretory response was recorded. Baseline plasma VIP levels were higher in the obese (29.7 +/- 1.5 ng/l) than in the control subjects (19.8 +/- 1.3 ng/l) and, similarly to the controls, were unaffected by meal ingestion. Data suggest that in the course of obesity an enhanced VIP secretion in association with a diminished SLI responsiveness to meals occurs.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Long-term therapy of chronic congestive heart failure with ibopamine: a multicenter trial.

The present multicenter open investigation was designed to provide information on the adverse reaction rate, drug interaction, and survival in a group of 544 cardiac patients treated for 1 year with ibopamine either alone or in association with digitalis, diuretics, and other drugs. Some efficacy parameters were also considered. Heart failure was due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (21%), ischemic heart disease (32%), hypertensive heart disease (31%), and others (16%). Ibopamine was given alone to 39 patients; the others were given the drug in association with digitalis, diuretics, and vasodilators. One hundred forty patients did not complete the trial (25.7%). The most common causes of discontinuation were death (12.5%), noncompliance with the protocol (5%), and adverse events (3.9%). The clinical conditions and NYHA functional class improved in most patients. The cardiothoracic ratio decreased on average. The 1-year mortality rates associated with NYHA class II, III, and IV were 4.4, 13.8, and 37.2%, respectively. Survival tended to be shorter in a small group of 22 patients with hyponatremia, thus confirming some previous reports. Adverse experiences were mainly related to cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems; the symptoms were considered severe only in 1 of 544 patients enrolled. Ibopamine seems not to induce dangerous arrhythmias. Blood pressure and heart rate did not change over time during ibopamine treatment. Laboratory tests were not significantly affected; fluctuations observed in some tests were related to concomitant variations in the severity of the primary disease. No tolerance to ibopamine seems to be observed during this long-term therapeutic trial.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Sustained impairment of pituitary and testicular function in prostatic cancer patients treated with a depot form of a GnRH agonist.

Seven patients suffering from prostatic cancer were treated with a slow-release D-Trp-6-LHRH preparation for a period of 24-32 months. LH, FSH, PRL and testosterone levels were evaluated before and at the end of treatment and then 40 days later. Baseline and GnRH-, TRH-, and HCG-stimulated hormonal values decreased after treatment. The possibility that a long-term treatment with GnRH analogues induces a sustained suppression of pituitary and testicular function is suggested.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Diurnal pattern of plasma and cerebrospinal-fluid vasopressin levels in hydrocephalic patients: absence of a circadian rhythm and of a correlation between plasma and cerebrospinal-fluid variations.

The arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations were determined in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during a 24-hour period in 7 male patients suffering from hydrocephalus of differing etiologies. Blood and ventricular CSF samples were simultaneously collected every 2 h during the day (08.00-22.00) and every hour during the night (24.00-07.00). In both plasma and CSF, the AVP levels did not show significant time-related circadian variations. No significant correlation was found between the plasma and CSF AVP values during the 24-hour period. The data obtained indicate the absence of the plasma and CSF AVP circadian rhythm in hydrocephalic patients and suggest that in these patients, and possibly in healthy humans, physiological stimuli which are able to induce variations in the plasma AVP concentration during daily life do not alter the CSF AVP content.

Arginine Vasopressin↗
PubMed1988

Hormonal pattern and testicular histology in patients with prostatic cancer after long-term treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analogue.

Seven patients suffering from prostatic cancer were treated with a depot form of D-Trp-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH), a LH-RH agonist analogue (3 mg i.m. every 28 days) for a period of 24-32 months. The peptide induced a sharp and long-lasting inhibition of both gonadotropin and testosterone secretion. A sustained suppression of pituitary and testicular function was observed 40 days after the treatment was suspended. Testicular biopsies performed in all patients showed a marked impairment of Leydig cell mass and a complete spermatogenic arrest with a tubular derangement and fibrosis. Results indicate that the long-term continued gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analogue therapy induces not only a functional inhibition of testicular androgenesis but also anatomical testicular damage whose reversibility does not seem to be probable.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Diurnal changes of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid somatostatin and 24-h growth hormone secretory pattern in man. A study in hydrocephalic patients.

Somatostatin concentration was determined in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid during a 24-h period in 7 male patients suffering from hydrocephalus of differing aetiologies. Blood and ventricular cerebrospinal fluid samples were taken every 2 h during the day (08.00-22.00 h) and every hour during the night (24.00-07.00 h). Simultaneously, plasma growth hormone levels were also evaluated. Plasma SRIH levels showed significant circadian variations with highest values in the daytime and lowest values during the night. Cerebrospinal fluid SRIH did not show any significant time-related circadian changes. Plasma GH levels showed the well-known circadian pattern in the majority of patients. No significant correlation was found between the plasma GH and plasma or cerebrospinal fluid SRIH values recorded during the 24-h period. Results suggest that peripheral SRIH does not play any major role in the control of the 24-h GH secretory pattern in man.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Prolactin release induced by physical exercise is independent from peripheral vasoactive intestinal polypeptide secretion.

The plasma concentrations of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and prolactin were measured before and after an exhaustive and a submaximal exercise test in 7 male marathon runners. A significant increase of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide was recorded after both tests, whereas the prolactin increase was observed only after the exhaustive exercise test. No significant correlation was found between the plasma vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and the plasma prolactin values recorded during the two exercise tests. Data suggest that the exercise-induced prolactin release occurs independently from variations of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels in peripheral circulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Ibopamine kinetics after single and multiple dosing in patients with congestive heart failure.

The pharmacokinetics of ibopamine after single and multiple dosing was studied in 20 patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) of NYHA functional class II. Ibopamine 100 mg was given 3 times a day for 7 days in 6 patients and for 30 days in the other 14 patients. Plasma pharmacokinetics of total (mainly conjugated) and free epinine was studied after the first dose and on the 3rd, 7th and 30th days of treatment. The urinary recoveries of total epinine, HVA and DOPAC were measured in 5 patients for 24 h after ibopamine ingestion on the 1st and 30th days. Plasma pharmacokinetics of ibopamine did not vary during the repeated administration of the drug. In the course of the treatment, total epinine elimination t1/2 showed no significant variations. The build-up of Cmax, Cmin and AUC of total epinine observed after multiple dosing was as expected on the basis of the interval adopted between the doses of ibopamine and of the elimination t1/2 of total epinine. Pharmacokinetic parameters of free epinine did not show significant variations during the course of the treatment. The amounts of HVA and DOPAC recovered in urine on the 1st and 30th days of treatment were similar while the amount of total epinine was greater on the 30th day, the increment mainly reflecting a partial carry over of the less rapidly excreted conjugated epinine from the last previous doses. The results obtained for free epinine plasma levels and for the urinary recoveries of ibopamine metabolites thus indicated that no saturation of the enzymes involved in ibopamine metabolism occurred.

Aged↗