PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Compagnoni

Publications and source records attributed to G Compagnoni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

CoQ10 plasmatic levels in breast-fed infants compared to formula-fed infants.

BACKGROUND: Coenzyme Q10 has been recognized as an important antioxidant factor besides its main role in bioenergetic metabolism. CoQ10 tissue levels depend both on exogenous dietetic intake and on endogenous biosynthesis, as this compound can be partly synthesized in human cells. Q10 plasma levels reflect the tissue content of the coenzyme and can be used to evaluate the presence of this compound in the human organism. DESIGN/METHODS: Aim of the study was to measure CoQ10 plasmatic levels in a newborn breast-fed population and to compare them to CoQ10 levels in a newborn formula-fed population in order to verify whether changes in CoQ10 plasmatic contents could be related to a different dietetic intakes. We measured CoQ10 plasmatic levels in 25 healthy term neonates with different dietetic intakes: 15 breast-fed and 10 bottle-fed with a common infant formula. These infants were evaluated prospectively during the first month of life. The analyses were performed on the mothers' blood samples and cord blood samples at the time of delivery, then on infants at 4 and 28 days of age. RESULTS: Our results showed markedly reduced Q10 levels in cord blood samples compared to maternal Q10 plasmatic levels at the time of delivery, suggesting placental impermeability towards this molecule or increased fetal utilization during labor and delivery. At 4 days of age Q10 levels had increased in both groups of neonates, but significantly more in breast-fed infants compared to formula-fed babies (p <0.05). At 4 weeks of age no significant changes occurred in breast-fed infants, while values increased significantly in formula-fed infants (p <0.05). The content of Q10 in breast milk samples was lower than in infant formula. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that CoQ10 plasmatic levels are at least partly influenced by the exogenous dietetic supply.

Aging↗
PubMed2004

Coenzyme Q10 levels in maternal plasma and cord blood:correlations with mode of delivery.

BACKGROUND: Oxygen (O2) plays a critical role in the O2-reduction reactions indispensable for life, but can produce free radicals that are involved in many diseases. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), acting as a redox carrier in the respiratory chain, occupies a central position in the energy metabolism and oxidative defence. Neonates seem to be very subjected to oxidative stress because of their deficient antioxidant systems. DESIGN/METHODS: The aim of the study was to verify whether the mode of delivery may affect CoQ10 levels in the mother and neonate, and thus influence the risk of oxidative damage in the newborn. We measured CoQ10 levels in maternal plasma and cord blood at birth after three different modes of delivery (45 term healthy pregnancies): (1) vaginal in room air (VD) (n = 15); (2) elective caesarean section with general anaesthesia (50% O2 and 50% N2O) (CSg) (n = 15), and (3) elective caesarean section with spinal anaesthesia without O2 (CSs) (n = 15). Our results showed higher levels of Q10 in mothers and neonates with VD (1.29 +/- 0.43 and 0.15 +/- 0.06 microg/ml, respectively) or CSs (1.15 +/- 0.28 and 0.24 +/- 0.06 microg/ml, respectively) when compared to CSg (0.74 +/- 0.28 and 0.07 +/- 0.03 microg/ml, respectively) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the mode of delivery may affect CoQ(10) levels in mothers and neonates, and thus influence the risk of oxidative damage in the newborn.

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed2004

Impact of targeted-volume ventilation on lung inflammatory response in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Volutrauma and pulmonary inflammation are thought to be the most important predisposing factors of chronic lung disease (CLD), a major complication of prematurity. A new option in patient-triggered ventilation (PTV), the volume guarantee (VG), a volume-targeted ventilation, seems to be a promising approach in reducing the risk of CLD, by limiting lung inflammatory injury and volutrauma. Our aim was to evaluate lung inflammatory response in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), mechanically ventilated with and without VG, as measured by proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha) in tracheobronchial aspirate (TA) fluid. Fifty-three preterm infants (GA = 25-32 weeks) with RDS were randomized at birth to be ventilated using pressure support ventilation (PSV) with VG (Vt = 5 ml/kg) (n = 30) and without VG (n = 23) (Draeger Babylog 8000 Plus, 5.n). IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha were determined by ELISA in TA samples on days 1, 3, and 7 of life. We observed a significant difference (ANOVA) in IL-8 and IL-6 levels on day 3 between the two groups (P < 0.05), and an increasing significative trend in IL-8 values in PSV group (P < 0.05). Mechanical ventilation lasted longer in the PSV group (12.3 +/- 3 vs. 8.8 +/- 3 days) (P = no significance). In conclusion, these preliminary data suggest a role for volume-targeted ventilatory strategy in reducing acute inflammatory response in preterm infants with RDS. Further studies are required in order to define whether this ventilatory strategy prevents lung injury.

Cytokines↗
PubMed2002

Hypothermia reduces neurological damage in asphyxiated newborn infants.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal asphyxia remains one of the most devastating neurologic processes. There is experimental and clinical evidence that cerebral cooling may suppress the biochemical cascades leading to delayed cerebral damage. OBJECTIVE: To determine if hypothermia started soon after delivery reduces cerebral damage in term infants. DESIGN/METHODS: Retrospective chart analysis with historical controls. Ten asphyxiated newborns treated with hypothermia between October 1998 and October 1999 were compared to 11 asphyxiated newborns admitted from September 1997 to September 1998. Characteristics at birth of infants of the two groups (control and hypothermia) were comparable. After obtaining parental consent, whole-body hypothermia was induced before the 6th hour of life by placing a cold blanket (Polar Air, Augustine Medical Inc., model 600) around the body of the patients. Rectal temperature was maintained between 32 and 34 degrees C for 72 h. Outcome was assessed by neurological evaluation at birth and every 3 months up to the 12th month. Brain MRI was performed in the 2nd month. We had no evidence of severe adverse events related to hypothermia. In the hypothermic group there was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of major neurologic abnormalities at follow-up and abnormal MRI findings. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothermia appears to be safe. Our results on morphological damage evaluated by brain MRI and neurological outcome are encouraging: randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this experience.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMed2000

[The "guaranteed volume" in pressure support ventilation reduces the risk of barotrauma in premature children with severe respiratory syndrome].

Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) remains a major complication of prematurity, and barovolutrauma is thought to be one of the most important predisposing factors. In view of reducing the damage due to variability of tidal volume (Vt), we studied the application of the new option of volume guarantee (VG). We analyzed ventilatory data of 25 preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in two situations: pressure support ventilation (PSV) + VG vs PSV alone. Data collected showed application of significantly lower peak inspiratory pressure (p < 0.001) and mean airway pressure (p < 0.001) with the constant Vt. We conclude that this ventilatory strategy, by reducing the barotrauma, could be considered a protective ventilation.

Barotrauma↗
PubMed2000

[Bronchoalveolar lavage with diluted porcine surfactant for alveolar debris removal in newborns treated with mechanical ventilation].

Lung debris in respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) contribute to deteriorate pulmonary function. Surfactant lavage, also with minimal quantity of diluted surfactant, is an effective method for treatment of severe MAS and seems to be useful also in course of RDS evolving to chronic lung disease (CLD), by improving lung mechanics. Authors report a clinical study in which tracheobronchial lavage with surfactant (15 ml/Kg of diluted porcine surfactant) improved significantly lung function in 3 patients with RDS in prolonged mechanical ventilation and in 2 patients with MAS.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[QTc interval in newborns with gastroesophageal reflux treated with cisapride and ranitidine].

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is very common in infants, especially in prematures and may be cause of gastrointestinal and cardiorespiratory symptoms. Cisapride, a prokinetic agent, is used in order to avoid the transient esophageal sphincter relaxation, but it is sometimes associated to transient prolongation of QT interval on EKG, especially with high dosage. The authors report the effects of cisapride therapy (0.8 mg/Kg/day) on QTc interval (QTc = QT interval corrected on heart frequency) in a pediatric population (50 infants) with GER. Results demonstrate the relatively safety of cisapride therapy at low dose also in the pediatric period.

Cisapride↗
PubMed1999

[Endotracheal tube cuff pressure. Monitoring during general anesthesia].

BACKGROUND: To value changes of endotracheal tube cuff pressure during anaesthesia with N2O, using standard tubes or Brandt-system tubes. METHODS: Endotracheal cuff pressure during anaesthesia in three groups of patients has been monitored: Group 1 (n. 41): endotracheal tube with low-pressure cuff using N2O/O2 (2:1 or 1:1); Group 2 (n. 55): Brandt's double cuff-tubes using N2O/O2 (2:1 or 1:1); Group 3 (n. 20-control group): tubes with low-pressure cuff using O2/air. Values of pressure (M +/- DS: p < 0.05) have been compared with ANOVA, Bonferroni's method (p < 0.017). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Brandt's double cuff-tubes (G2) succeed in avoiding uncontrolled increase of cuff-pressure during anaesthesia with N2O. Standard low-pressure tubes (G1) shown increase of cuff pressure during anaesthesia with N2O which is absent using no N2O (G3).

Anesthesia, General↗
PubMed1998

Successful use of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) in catheter-related intracardiac thrombi of two premature infants.

We describe the cases of two premature infants carrying a central venous line who developed on the fourth day of life a catheter related intracardiac thrombus. Although they were clinically asymptomatic we opted for thrombolytic treatment considering the potential risks of this situation. Treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was performed for one day in the first case and for three days in the second one, in association with fresh frozen plasma. Thrombus dissolution occurred in both patients and no adverse effects were noted. In our experience tissue plasminogen activator was a therapy acceptably safe and effective inducing clot lysis in very low birthweight neonates into critical situations.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗
PubMed1997

Sarcoma arising from an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

A rare case of retroperitoneal sarcoma arising from an aneurysm sac is diagnosed in a patient following tube graft repair of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. The radiographic studies illustrate the characteristics of malignancy which are distinguishable from more common vascular complications. Malignancy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses during radiographic follow-up of patients after aortic surgery. Sarcoma is optimally treated with complete excision, sometimes requiring concomitant vascular reconstruction. Radical en bloc resection was not attempted in this case due to extensive involvement of the aorta and inferior vena cava.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

A short-term chemosensitivity test with different labeled precursors of DNA or protein synthesis: correlation with clinical response.

Blood or bone marrow samples from 15 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloblastic leukemia undergoing remission induction treatment with daunorubicin, cytosine-arabinoside and 6-thioguanine were tested in vitro. Leukemic cells were incubated for 24 h at 37 degrees C with or without the drugs alone or in combination. A 3-h pulse with labelled precursors of DNA synthesis (3H-thymidine) or protein synthesis (3H-leucine) was then given separately. In vitro growth, expressed as the percentage ratio between labeled precursor uptake in treated cells and in control cells, was compared with the clinical results obtained. Three patients were not considered evaluable (death occurred too early), 8 had a complete response (CR), and 4 were disease resistant to chemotherapy. Leukemic cells of resistant-disease patients showed a significantly lower growth inhibition than cells taken from CR patients, with each drug alone or in combination, when measured with thymidine. Inhibition of leucine uptake was not related to the clinical outcome.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1986

In vitro evaluation of myelotoxicity induced by antineoplastic drugs.

Myelotoxicity is one of the most important side effects of antineoplastic drugs. Even in using the same dosages, the gravity of this toxicity varies greatly among different patients. With the aim of evaluating if an in vitro test may predict such an effect we have measured in bone marrow samples taken from 15 patients undergoing chemotherapy for small-cell lung cancer the in vitro uptake of 3H-thymidine in the presence or absence of the cytostatic drugs used for the clinical treatment of these patients. We did not find a clear correlation between the in vitro results and the myelotoxicity observed during the clinical course.

Antineoplastic Agents↗