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G Conte

Publications and source records attributed to G Conte.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Opioid-dopaminergic interactions in primary empty sella.

Previous studies have indicated different abnormalities of PRL secretion in patients with primary empty sella (PES). Since it is known that endogenous opiates and dopamine interact in modulating PRL secretion, we have studied the effect of an opiate receptor blockade (with Naloxone, NAL, 1.6 mg/h as a continuous infusion) on anterior pituitary hormones and on PRL responsiveness to metoclopramide (MCP), in 10 premenopausal normoprolactinemic patients with PES, studied in follicular phase, in order to investigate neurotransmitter abnormalities present in such a syndrome. NAL failed to significantly affect LH and FSH basal levels; on the contrary, slight but significant increases in PRL and GH secretion were observed. NAL partially blunted the PRL responsiveness to the dopaminergic blockade, which was very marked when tested after MCP alone. These data confirm that the modulation of anterior pituitary hormone secretion is different in PES patients, when compared with normal subjects. The infusion of NAL induced a "paradoxical" increase in hormones (PRL and GH) which are normally stimulated by endogenous opiates; but, on the other side, it blocked the marked PRL responsiveness to the dopaminergic blockade, which is characteristic of PES syndrome. This phenomenon seems to indicate that the relationships between dopaminergic and opiatergic neurons could be modified by the neuroanatomic alteration which is present in this complex syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Pyridostigmine effects on TSH response to TRH in adult and children obese subjects.

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) administration is known to induce a greater TSH response in normal subjects than in obese subjects. In obesity even GH and PRL response to various stimuli are blunted, presumably because of an augmented somatostatinergic tone in obese subjects. Further studies have shown that pyridostigmine (Pyr), an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, is capable of augmenting GH in obesity by means of somatostatin inhibition. In order to evaluate the possible interference of an increased somatostatinergic tone on TSH secretion, we studied the TSH response to a TRH bolus in 5 obese children with or without a pyr pretreatment. Similarly, we tested a group of 10 obese adult subjects, with TRH alone or TRH plus pyr administration, 30 min or 60 min before TRH. All subjects had a body weight of 30-50% greater than I.B.W. Our data show that a pretreatment with pyr, 60 min before TRH administration, significantly augments the TSH response in adult obese subjects but not in children; the modality of pyr administration seems to be crucial to evidenciate such an alteration since the pyr pretreatment is not effective when administered 30 min before TRH. The absence of this pyr effect in obese children induces to hypothesize that somatostatinergic tone is differentially modulated in children vs adult obese subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Lymphocytic infiltration in thyroid neoplasms. Preliminary prognostic assessments].

INTRODUCTION: It is known that the immune system is involved in several thyroid diseases and in the reaction against cancer progression. We have therefore evaluated lymphocytic infiltration in the slices of surgically removed thyroids in patients affected by thyroid carcinomas, to further clarify the anatomic and clinical characteristics of this pathology and the possible prognostic correlations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients, 7 men and 31 women, aged 23-73 years, were studied. They underwent total or subtotal thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma. The histopathological findings were: papillary carcinomas (P): 22 cases; follicular carcinomas (F): 10 cases; undifferentiated carcinomas (U): 3 cases; other types (e.g., medullary carcinoma, M): 3 cases. RESULTS: The lymphocytic infiltration was evaluated in 4 different grades. The following results, regarding the different histological types, were found: grade 0 (no lymphocytic infiltration) in 10 cases (6 P, 2 F, 1 U, 1 mixed); grade 1 (poor lymphocytic infiltration, equivalent to a non specific inflammatory reaction) in 21 cases (11 P, 6 F, 2 U, 1 M); grade 2 (moderate lymphocytic infiltration) in 4 cases (2 P, 2 F); grade 3 (plentiful lymphocytic infiltration) in 3 cases (2 P, 1 trabecular carcinoma). In 3 patients a lymphocytic (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis was also present. The follow-up, 2 years after surgery, showed, among 17 patients examined, local recurrence and/or lymph node localization in 8 cases (the lymphocytic infiltrations was: grade 1: n = 6; grade 0: n = 2; no one exhibited a higher grade) and apparent remission in 9 (grade 3: n = 2; grade 2: n = 1; grade 1: n = 6; no one exhibited a grade 0 lymphocytic infiltration). DISCUSSION: In most patients a poor or absent infiltration was found. In 7 cases, however, the infiltration was moderate or high. In our experience, no correlation between the histologic type and the infiltration grade was observed. However, in no patient with recurrence of neoplasia a relevant (grade 2-3) infiltration could be observed; patients without recurrence often showed a grade 2-3 infiltration, and no one of them showed a grade 0. The significance of lymphocytic infiltration in thyroid carcinoma is not well clarified. In fact, a few studies underline a possible unfavourable role, since a relevant infiltration seems to be associated with a weak cell-mediated immunity, mostly in follicular and anaplastic carcinomas. However, most data support the hypothesis that the lymphocytic infiltration is a good prognostic feature: in fact, it can be often found in papillary carcinomas and in juvenile thyroid carcinomas, both characterized by a good long-term prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary data underline the opportunity of comparing the clinical course of the disease, the histologic grading and the tumour staging with the lymphocytic infiltration grade, an easily available pathologic datum, for a better prognostic evaluation of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Gastroenterologic pathology and replacement organotherapy in thyroidectomized patients].

Thyroid replacement therapy in patients treated by near-total or total thyroidectomy, as well as spontaneous hypothyroidism , can be difficult in patients with alterations in absorption functions or specific gastroenteric diseases. We have studied 25 patients, 22 women and 3 men, 18-72 years old (mean 47 years), affected by spontaneous or post-surgical hypothyroidism, who presented, during the usual replacement therapy, persistently elevated or high-normal TSH levels, and therefore required repeated variations in the prescribed dose of thyroxine. In these patients we evaluated hormone pattern, the presence of autoantibodies (anti-tyroglobulin, anti-Sm, anti-DNA, anti-microsomal antigens, anti-gliadin and anti-parietal cell), and performed an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with histological examination. In all patients, plasma TSH ranged from 2.5 to 20 microU/ml. Only 17% of patients exhibited the presence of antibodies against thyroglobulin, 17% of patients had antibodies against microsomal antigens, 6% of patients presented antibodies against nuclear antigens; 4% had against gliadin. Histological examination revealed chronic gastritis (98%) with atrophic aspects (20%) and intestinal metaplasia (28%); and chronic duodenitis (86%) with villus abnormalities (23%) and total villus atrophy (4%). We underline the case of a patient, treated by total thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma, who presented, two months after starting L-thyroxine therapy, a recurrence of celiac disease, that had been silent after childhood. The EGD showed, at the level of the second duodenal segment, a reduction of number and thickness of mucosal folds; the histological examination showed total villus atrophy, elongated crypts and a dense infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells in the lamina propria. Our experience underlines the frequent association of gastroenteric disease and hypothyroidism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Adrenal gland cysts. Our experience].

Adrenal cysts are an uncommon finding, in most cases unexpectedly discovered in the evaluation of nonspecific abdominal pain or at autopsy. Cystic adrenal masses can be classified into neoplastic and non-neoplastic aetiologies. The distinction between malignant and benign adrenal cysts can still be difficult. Cysts of neoplastic aetiology occur as a result of necrosis and cystic degeneration within both benign and malignant tumours. Non-neoplastic cysts have been conventionally divided into four categories: endothelial (45%), haemorrhagic or pseudocystic (39%), epithelial (9%) and parasitic (7%). Small adrenal cysts are clinically silent, while cysts of large size can cause displacement and compression of adjacent organs. The radiological aim is to detect the adrenal mass and CT is regarded as the best method available for this detection, although a differentiation between benign and malignant tumours can be difficult. Here we report our experience in nine patients with adrenal cysts. Abdominal pain was the dominant sign, two patients were hypertensive, one presented a palpable mass at abdominal examination and another presented oligomenorrhea with hypertrichosis, in five patients the adrenal mass was discovered unexpectedly during radiologic examination. All cysts in our patients were unilateral. All patients were examined by ultrasound and CT, one by RM, three by 75Se-Seleniumcholesterol cortical scintigraphy and two by 131I-MIBG medullary scintigraphy. In three patients a percutaneous aspiration of the cyst was performed via a posterior approach with CT or US guidance. This approach has been used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Examination of aspirated cyst fluid for steroid hormones showed markedly elevated cortisol levels compared with normal plasma cortisol levels in one patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗
PubMed1993

[A case of adrenal adenoma with radiologic "cystic" appearance associated with hypophyseal adenoma].

Expansive lesions of the adrenal glands without signs of hormonal hypersecretion are usually discovered "incidentally", and are therefore called "incidentalomas". Since the silent adrenal masses constitute a heterogeneous group of lesions, the most important issue raised by the identification of these masses is their possible malignant potential. Therefore, the age and sex of the patients, the size of the mass, its imaging characteristic and its histologic features are the most important factors in the assessment of nonfunctioning adrenal masses. We report here the case of a women, aged 43 years mild hypertension, harbouring a great adrenal mass of 8 cm diameter, with cystic appearance at CT scan and ultrasonography, it did not show any uptake after 75Se-Seleniumcholesterol or 131I-Metaiodobenzyl-guanidine. The patient was also affected by mild hyperprolactinemia caused a small pituitary adenoma. After selective venography, she underwent the surgical removal of the left adrenal gland with its mass, which showed a hystological picture of adrenal adenoma. The postoperative course was clinically normal. The interest of this case resides: in the dimensions of the adrenal tumor (the presence of adenomas greater than 6 cm diameter is extremely rare); in the radiographic findings, showing a cystic appearance, probably related to a fluid component, in the association of adrenal and pituitary adenoma, as a possible variant of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) of type I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenoma↗
PubMed1993

[Reevaluation of the I-dopa test in acromegaly: anatomo-clinical and prognostic correlations].

It is known that in acromegalic patients the GH secretion exhibits a pattern of response to various stimuli that differs from that observed in normal subjects. We have evaluated the paradoxical GH response to 1-Dopa in acromegaly, in order to clarify the relationships between this datum and the tumour size, the basal GH secretion, the GH response to TRH and the long-term prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS. 34 acromegalic patients, 12 men and 22 women, aged 35-70 yr, participated in this study. They were divided in 4 classes, according to Hardy's classification of pituitary neoplasias: (1) intrasellar microadenomas, < 10 mm (n = 8); (2) intrasellar macroadenomas, > 10 mm (n = 14); 3) adenomas with local expansion (n = 9); (4) adenomas with extrasellar expansion (n = 3). All patients underwent a 1-Dopa-test; 18 of them underwent a TRH-test. Basal postoperative GH and basal pre- and postoperative PRL levels were also determined. RESULTS. The basal preoperative GH values in all patients ranged between 16 and 278 ng/ml. 22 patients showed a paradoxical response to 1-Dopa, 12 were non-responders. The following results were observed in the different classes: [table: see text] Moreover, 10 subjects (56%) were TRH-responders (9 of them were also 1-Dopa-responders, 1 was non-responder) and 8 were TRH non responders (6 were 1-Dopa non-responders, 2 were 1-Dopa responders). Basal postoperative GH values were > 5 in 17 1-Dopa responders and in 9 non responders. Basal preoperative PRL levels were > 25 ng/ml in 7 1-Dopa responders and in 2 non responders. After surgery, basal PRL became normal in 5 responder patients. DISCUSSION. In a previous work we have correlated the paradoxical GH response to TRH with tumour size and GH levels, observing a higher percentage of paradoxical response in patients in class I and II and, postoperatively, lower GH levels in preoperative TRH responders. So, we have underlined the good prognostic feature of a preoperative paradoxical response. In this paper we have evaluated the paradoxical GH response to 1-Dopa in the different Hardy's classes and compared it with the GH levels and the GH response to TRH. The results show that a paradoxical response can be observed more frequently in small (class I) adenomas than in greater size ones, and in presence of lower GH basal levels. Moreover, a concordance between 1-Dopa and TRH tests can be observed. CONCLUSIONS. The results clearly indicate that the responses to dynamic GH tests should be evaluated considering the anatomic characteristics of the neoplasias. It could be suggested that the paradoxical response can be expressed only when hypothalamus-pituitary interactions are intact.

Acromegaly↗
PubMed1993

[Changes in coagulation in patients with sepsis].

Aiming to know the coagulation disorders that occur in patients with sepsis, a retrospective study of 75 such patients hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit was performed. The coagulation profile requested by the attending physician, that included platelet count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, protamine sulphate test, fibrinogen and euglobin lysis time, was analyzed. Fourteen patients that were receiving prophylactic subcutaneous heparin were excluded from further analysis. Of the 61 remaining patients, 23 had hemorrhagic manifestations and 94.4% of these had multiple alterations in coagulation parameters. Eighty one percent of patients had abnormal prothrombin time and 73% thrombocytopenia. Isolated alterations were infrequent and consisted in thrombocytopenia (3.7%) and fibrinogen elevation (1.9%). Fifty two percent of patients had shock and they had significantly lower platelet counts and higher prothrombin and thrombin times than patients without hemodynamic disturbances. Global mortality was 63.9%. No relation between coagulation disturbances and mortality was observed. Likewise, no differences in mortality between patients with or without shock was observed. It is concluded that coagulation is frequently disturbed in patients with sepsis, even without clinical hemorrhagic symptoms, that these abnormalities are more marked in patients in shock and that 53% of these are consistent with intravascular coagulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Hemodialysis related induction of interleukin-6 production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has a complex spectrum of biological activities, for example, growth and differentiation of B cells and synthesis of acute-phase proteins by the liver. To evaluate the role of this cytokine in the inflammatory response induced by blood interaction with hemodialysis membranes, we have investigated the IL-6 synthesis and release in supernatant of 24-hour cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from: (a) 10 hemodialyzed patients, (b) seven patients with advanced chronic renal failure (GFR less than or equal to 10 ml/min), and (c) eight healthy control subjects. In the same groups of subjects we evaluated the relationship between IL-6 synthesis and release and beta-2-microglobulin (beta 2m) production. Before and after dialytic treatment hemodialysis patient blood samples were drawn using the following criteria: (1) after two months of dialysis with cuprophan membranes, (2) after one and two months of dialysis with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) membranes, and finally, (3) after one further month of dialysis with cuprophan membranes. IL-6 was determined after 72 hours of incubation of PBMC supernatant serial dilutions with IL-6-dependent hybridoma cell line, 7TD1. Compared to IL-6 synthesis in control subjects (6.0 +/- 5.6 U/3 x 10(6) PBMC/24 hr), hemodialyzed patients, when treated with cuprophan membranes, showed significantly higher value of IL-6 production both before (23 +/- 13 U/3 x 10(6) PBMC/24 hr) and after (26.2 +/- 11.3 U/3 x 10(6) PBMC/24 hr) the dialytic session.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Role of inhibition of atrial natriuretic factor release in the down-regulation of salt excretion.

UNLABELLED: We investigated the role of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in the down-regulation of sodium excretion (UNaV). Seven subjects were sequentially studied while ingesting a normal-salt diet (220 mmol NaCl/day, NSD), a very low-salt diet (20 mmol NaCl/day, VLSD) for six days, and again at NSD for nine days. After one day of VLSD, a negative salt balance of 85 mmol was achieved and plasma ANF decreased from 19.1 (SE 2.5) to 7.2 (SE 2.1) pg/ml, whereas plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone (ALD) increased after the third and second day, respectively. During restoration of volemia (NSD), ANF increased after the third day; in contrast, PRA and ALD decreased earlier. Seven other subjects kept at low-salt diet (50 mmol NaCl/day) were studied during ANF infusion (at 2, 4, 8 ng/min/kg body wt). Increases of ANF from 10.3 (SE 0.9) pg/ml (basal condition) to levels of 24.0 (SE 1.9) pg/ml (infusion study), occurring physiologically in the same subjects after NSD, evoked increases in UNa V that accounted for 62% of UNa V rise necessary to balance the NSD, whereas PRA or ALD did not change. Plasma ANF, unlike PRA or ALD, was directly correlated with UNa V. IN CONCLUSION: (a) ANF changes earlier than PRA and plasma aldosterone during VLSD; (b) PRA and ALD respond more promptly than ANF in the recovery from hypovolemia; (c) during ingestion of a low-salt diet, changes in plasma ANF by infusion account for more than half the increase in UNa V following the shift from low- to normal-salt diet independently of alterations in PRA and ALD.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Early glycosylation products induce glomerular hyperfiltration in normal rats.

The effects of early glycosylation products (Amadori Products, AP) were investigated in male Munich-Wistar rats to establish whether AP play a role in the pathogenesis of glomerular hyperfiltration of early diabetic nephropathy. To mimic such a condition, normal rats were transfused with blood containing in vitro glycated serum (Group GLYC) to achieve plasma levels of Amadori products similar to those measured in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Rats transfused with normal blood were used as control (Group CON). Glomerular hemodynamics was evaluated in basal condition (B) and during acute hyperglycemia (HG). Blood transfusion did not alter basal hemodynamics. In Group CON, HG determined a rise of single nephron GFR (41.4 +/- 3.2 vs. 32.1 +/- 1.8 nl/min, P less than 0.005), secondary to the increase of afferent effective filtration pressure (EFPa, +19% vs. B, P less than 0.01). Rats of Group GLYC, in B, had values of SNGFR higher than those of Group CON B (46.8 +/- 3 nl/min, P less than 0.05, ANOVA). This increase was mediated by a significant reduction of glomerular afferent arteriole (Ra, -38% vs. Group CON B, P less than 0.05), a rise in hydrostatic gradient pressure in glomerular capillaries (delta P, +17%, P less than 0.05) and of EFPa (+31%, P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Inhibition of urea tubular reabsorption by PGE1 infusion in man.

We have shown that the inhibition of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in man decreases the fractional clearance of urea (FCurea). To understand the mechanism(s) by which PG affect the renal handling of urea, 6 normal volunteers were randomly studied in maximal antidiuresis (by water deprivation and by administering 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin) before and during PGE1 infusion, in two separate occasions: (A) after 7 days of normal protein (1 g/kg b.w./day) and water intake (10 ml/kg b.w./day), and (B) after 7 days of low protein intake (0.5 g/kg b.w./day) and high water intake (80 ml/kg b.w./day) to lower the corticomedullary osmotic gradient. During infusion of PGE1 at rates of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.1 micrograms/min/kg, randomly administered, the urinary fluid losses were replaced by infusing equal volumes of hypotonic NaCl (80 mmol/l). To evaluate the time effects of this protocol, control studies were performed in an other 8 subjects receiving vehicle infusion without PGE1. In study A, FCurea rose by 23% (p less than 0.01) at the lowest PGE1 infusion rate (0.01 micrograms/min/kg), in the absence of any simultaneous change in water and salt output, Uosm, PAH and inulin clearance. Higher PGE1 infusion rates (0.05 and 0.1 micrograms/min/kg) were associated with a progressive increase of FCurea (50%, p less than 0.001 and 91%, p less than 0.001, respectively), fractional clearance of water and salt output, inulin and PAH clearance and reduced Uosm from 1,005 (22 SEM; basal value) to 772 (38 SEM; minimum value) mosm/kg (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorption↗
PubMed1991

Treatment patterns in elderly patients (greater than or equal to 70 years) with breast carcinoma. A retrospective study of the Gruppo Oncologico Clinico Cooperativo del nord-Est (GOCCNE).

The pattern of treatment used in elderly women affected by breast carcinoma was evaluated in a retrospective study by the North-East Clinical Cooperative Group in Italy (GOCCNE). Six divisions were involved in the study. The medical records of 115 elderly women were reviewed; the women's median age was 75 years (range, 70-93). Surgery was used in 70/72 operable patients (97%), although limited surgery plus radiotherapy was used in only 7.5%. Most stage II patients were treated with adjuvant tamoxifen, as were younger postmenopausal patients, according to the guidelines of the Bethesda Consensus Meeting. Comorbid conditions are of particular concern in therapy planning, considering that more stage III patients died of competing causes than for disease progression. The role of chemotherapy was very marginal.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Renal functional reserve: its significance in normal and salt depletion conditions.

The aim of this study was the evaluation, in healthy subjects, of the renal functional reserve (RFR), that is, the GFR increase induced by a combined infusion of amino acids (AA) and dopamine (D), in conditions of extracellular volume depletion caused by diuretic administration. In particular, this study was undertaken: a) to evaluate whether and to which extent, AA + D can reverse the functional GFR impairment induced by salt depletion, without volume restoration; b) to study whether any relationship may be found between the GFR in normal condition (the so-called "resting" GFR), and/or the renal functional reserve and the GFR impairment induced by salt depletion, in order to understand the role of both "resting" GFR and RFR in the degree of renal dysfunction induced by salt depletion. In control conditions the i.v. infusion of AA + D significantly increased RPF (+ 41% vs. baseline period) with a mean absolute increase of 211 ml/min. A similar pattern was observed in GFR behavior (+31.5% with 34 ml/min of mean absolute increase). A significant inverse exponential relationship was observed between GFR before AA + D i.v. infusion ("resting" GFR) and renal functional reserve (P less than 0.05), suggesting that, in normal conditions, these inversely related parameters may widely vary according to the tone of the glomerular arterioles. Following salt depletion, we observed a variable degree of GFR impairment. Both GFR and RPF were significantly decreased (-25.9%, P less than 0.05 and -29%, P less than 0.05, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Effects of a two-month treatment with low oral doses of cyclosporin on renal function.

To test the effects of short-term therapy with low doses (LD) of cyclosporin A (CsA) in subjects with normal renal function, seven patients receiving CsA to treat psoriasis were studied. Clearances in maximal H2O diuresis were performed to evaluate changes in GFR (CIn), RPF (CPAH) and tubular function before starting CsA (BAS), after 2 days (S1) and 1 month (S2) of oral therapy with 5 mg/kg per day CsA. The study was repeated at the withdrawal of CsA after tapering (S3) and 2 months after the withdrawal (S4). The studies were performed 12 h after the evening dose of CsA. RPF was significantly less than in BAS throughout the therapy and returned almost to basal values in S4. GFR was significantly less than in BAS both in S2 and in S3. In S4, in spite of an increase, GFR was still significantly less than in BAS. Both in S2 and in S3 proximal tubular fractional sodium reabsorption was significantly less than in BAS and, consequently, both sodium delivery to diluting segments and sodium reabsorption in diluting segments increased. Moreover, both in S2 and in S3 fractional sodium reabsorption in diluting segments and free-water generation were greater than in BAS. In S4 tubular function returned almost to basal values. Our data suggest that short-term therapy with low dose CsA impairs renal function; this impairment is not completely reversed after drug withdrawal.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1991

Medium-term cyclosporin renal dysfunction and its reversibility in rats.

Renal dynamics and morphology were investigated by metabolic, renal micropuncture (RM), and electron microscopy (EM) studies in 50 female rats treated with cyclosporin A (CsA, 40 mg.kg body wt-1.48 h-1) for either 10, 20, or 30 days (groups CsA 10, CsA 20, and CsA 30, respectively); control rats received olive oil (group N). Body weight gain, sodium metabolism, and plasma volume were not altered by CsA administration in any group. GFR was decreased in group CsA 10 vs. group N (-10%, P less than 0.05) and was further impaired in groups CsA 20 and CsA 30 (-45%, P less than 0.01 vs. group N). RM studies showed a significant decrease of single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) in group CsA 30 vs. group N (-26%, P less than 0.01) after the fall of glomerular capillary pressure (Pgc;-8%, P less than 0.05), the increase of afferent arteriole resistance (Ra; +40%, P less than 0.05), and the consequent decrease of glomerular plasma flow (GPF; -28%, P less than 0.05). Thirty days after CsA withdrawal, SNGFR returned to normal values (P less than 0.01 vs. group CsA) as a result of the normalization of Pgc, Ra, and GPF.EM showed only a progressive vacuolation of proximal and distal tubular cells. These data suggest that medium-term administration of CsA is associated with reversible changes in glomerular dynamics and only mild histological lesions.

Animals↗