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Biomedical subjects

G Lotti

Publications and source records attributed to G Lotti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Effects of intravenous epinine administration on left ventricular systolic performance, coronary hemodynamics, and circulating catecholamines in patients with heart failure.

Twenty-six patients with mild to moderate heart failure were studied to determine the effects of epinine infusion (at a rate producing plasma levels similar to those measured after oral administration of 100 mg of the prodrug ibopamine) on left ventricular (LV) function (14 patients), and coronary flow and circulating catecholamines (12 patients). The only significant hemodynamic change at an infusion rate of 0.5 microgram/kg/min was a 9% (p less than 0.05) decrease in systemic vascular resistance (SVR). At an infusion rate of 1 microgram/kg/min (mean free epinine plasma levels 14.3 +/- 3.7 ng/ml), heart rate (HR), dP/dtmax (1,405 +/- 255 to 1,490 +/- 320 mm Hg, NS), (dP/dt)/DP40, and the relaxation rate remained unchanged, but the ejection fraction (EF) increased from 32 to 38% (p less than 0.001), cardiac output (CO) increased, and SVR decreased by 22% (p less than 0.05). In a separate group of 12 patients, epinine infusion at rates of 0.5-1 microgram/kg/min produced no significant changes in coronary blood flow or myocardial oxygen uptake. At these infusion rates, arterial norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) levels decreased slightly and arterial and coronary sinus epinephrine increased. In conclusion, epinine, at concentrations similar to those achieved during therapeutic use of ibopamine, had negligible effect on myocardial contractility and relaxation rate in heart failure patients. Cardiac pump function was improved by a decrease in SVR rather than by inotropic stimulation. The data also suggest that these low concentrations of epinine may modulate the sympathetic nervous system, but further studies are needed to determine whether this effect could have clinical significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Viral and/or intraepithelial lesions of the lower female genital tract: diagnostic and prognostic value of in situ molecular hybridization].

Fourteen patients (mean age 37 years) suffering from viral and/or intraepithelial cervico-vagino-vulvar pathologies underwent colposcopic and cyto-histological tests and molecular hybridization. The following types of HPV were assayed: 6/11-16/18-31/35/51 in cytological tissues (exocervical scraping) and biopsy material immersed in paraffin and fixed in formalin buffered with 10% PBS. The aim of the study was to identify different types of HPV using molecular hybridisation in situ. The paper reports the results and correlations with colposcopic, cytological and histological diagnosis, and then discuss the clinico-biological and prognostic aspects of this method.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Norepinephrine-induced plasma dopamine decrease in man: pharmacological evidence of the involvement of alpha 2-adrenoceptors.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were: (1) to test whether intravenous infusion of norepinephrine can affect plasma dopamine levels; and (2) to explore to what extent dopamine-2 or alpha 2-receptors play a role in this response. DESIGN: Norepinephrine infusion in man was performed to test whether the increase in norepinephrine during sympathetic stimulation can affect dopamine release. Specific antagonists of presynaptic dopamine-2 and alpha 2-receptors were administered to test the receptor(s) involved in this possible regulatory phenomenon. METHODS: Plasma catecholamine levels were investigated in seven normal subjects before and after administration of domperidone (dopamine-2 antagonist), yohimbine (alpha 2-antagonist) and norepinephrine. RESULTS: Both oral domperidone and yohimbine induced a significant increase in both plasma norepinephrine and plasma dopamine. Norepinephrine infusion induced a significant decrease in plasma dopamine. Pretreatment with domperidone only partially counteracted this inhibitory effect of norepinephrine infusion, whereas yohimbine fully counteracted it. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that norepinephrine may act as a hormone at plasma concentrations as low as 450 pg/ml. The norepinephrine-induced plasma dopamine decrease seems to be alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated. This norepinephrine effect may be involved in the physiologic decrease in plasma dopamine that we demonstrated in the upright position in normal subjects.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Hysteroscopy as an elective tool in abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women.

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding is a very frequent pathology particularly in perimenopausal age (> or = 45 years). The Authors report the experience of the 2nd Department of Ob/Gyn. of Rome University "La Sapienza" from January 1985 up to September 1991. The hysteroscopic evaluation of 789 patients in perimenopausal age is reviewed. The Authors analyze in detail the main cause of metrorrhagia describing the hysteroscopic aspect and relative incidence. Finally, some considerations concerning the great usefulness that a simple and accurate diagnostic investigation such as hysteroscopy represents in a routine diagnostic procedure, are reported.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of endometrial polyps].

The diagnostic and therapeutic utility of hysteroscopy in intracavity uterine pathologies is now widely recognised. The Authors have evaluated the efficacy of hysteroscopy in 640 patients in a study of endometrial polyps for which the endoscopic technique represents the elective form of therapy, avoiding excessive trauma to the patient and preserving the endometrial mucosa intact. The results obtained are fully discussed. Hysteroscopic resection of polyps was carried out in 49 patients in a day-hospital setting and without further complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[LH-RH analogues in the preparation of hysteroscopic resection of uterine fibromyoma].

Ten patients with submucous and/or intracavitary myomas, aged between 40 and 50 years old, underwent preliminary and preoperative (endoscopic resection) treatment with LH-RH. A using a depot formula. The Authors report the results of treatment efficacy (disappearance of symptoms and reduced myoma volume) in relation to an optimal surgical approach using an endoscopic route. This form of treatment allowed both operating times and intraoperative bleeding to be reduced.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Colpo-cyto-histological correlations in intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix].

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficiency of colposcopic findings as diagnostic tests for intraepithelial lesion using the analysis of colpo-cyto-histological correlations. The results of 3340 colposcopic tests performed in the Colposcopy Unit of the Second Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology between March 1990 and May 1991 were analysed, taking into account 326 (9.7%) cases of Abnormal Transformation Zone (ANTZ). The colpo-histological correlation in ANTZ 1 cases (52 cases of white epithelium, 92 standard mosaic, 42 standard dotted and 61 mixed cases) was 65.2% (52.3%) for HPV; 12.9% for CIN). The colpo-histological correlation in ANTZ 2 cases (30 cases of thickened white epithelium, 5 irregular mosaic, 4 irregular dotted, 2 atypical vessels, 4 thickened gland outlets and 6 mixed cases) was 70.5% (43.3% for HPV; 27.2% for CIN an and Ca). In this retrospective study colposcopy showed a diagnostic accuracy of 64.6% in the cases examined and played a decisive role in the diagnosis of intraepithelial lesions of the uterine cervix.

Colposcopy↗
PubMed1991

Absence of correlations between plasma catecholamine levels and mononuclear leukocyte beta 2-adrenergic receptors in the elderly.

To assess the effects of aging on catecholamine plasma levels and mononuclear leukocyte (NML) beta 2-adrenergic receptors and on the possible relationships between these two parameters, we evaluated two groups of human subjects: 18 elderly volunteers (age 65-70 years) and 13 young volunteers (age 21-35 years). Norepinephrine plasma levels were significantly higher in the elderly subjects compared to the younger ones (P less than 0.05), whereas plasma epinephrine levels were not different. Also MNL beta 2-adrenoceptor density was significantly higher in elderly subjects (P less than 0.05). The binding dissociation constants were not significantly different. In young subjects there was a significant (P less than 0.02), inverse relationship between receptor densities and plasma norepinephrine levels; this relationship was not present in elderly persons. Our data suggest that the increase in beta 2-adrenoceptors may be due to a compensatory phenomenon, owing to the reduced beta-adrenergic sensitivity observed in the elderly subjects; moreover, the regulation of beta-adrenoceptors by plasma catecholamines seems to be altered by aging.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Intraindividual variation of beta 2-adrenergic receptors on mononuclear leukocytes and their relationships with endogenous plasma catecholamines in man.

The interindividual and intraindividual variations of both MNL beta 2-adrenergic receptor density and dissociation constant of binding were evaluated in 19 healthy volunteers. In addition the possible relationships between catecholamine plasma levels and MNL beta 2-adrenergic receptor density were studied in 8 of these subjects. The volunteers were studied three times with ten days' interval. There was a significant inverse relationship between receptor density and norepinephrine plasma levels, only. Neither epinephrine nor dopamine were correlated with receptor density. Interindividual coefficient of variation was 29.57%. The mean value of the intraindividual coefficients of variation was 14.1%, while the mean value of the analytical coefficients of variation was 10%. Our results are at some variance with data in the literature and may contribute to elucidate the role of MNL beta 2-adrenergic receptors as an index of sympathetic function in man.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Comparative effects of long-term therapy with captopril and ibopamine in chronic congestive heart failure in old patients.

Little is known concerning the long-term drug management of chronic heart failure (CHF) in old patients (greater than or equal to 75 years). Accordingly, this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared the long-term (over 6 months) effect of captopril (37.5-75 mg/day) and of ibopamine (150-300 mg/day) on exercise testing, symptoms and subjective feeling of well-being, in 150 CHF elderly patients (mean age 75 years) under treatment with digitalis and/or diuretics. During an additional open follow-up of approximately 1.5 years, morbid events and deaths were also recorded. Captopril and ibopamine performed better (p less than 0.01) than placebo, improving the 6-min walking distance (captopril from 300 to 404 m, ibopamine from 282 to 385 m; placebo from 283 to 299 m). NYHA status, symptom score and patients' global assessment. The difference between the active study drugs was not statistically significant (p greater than 0.05). Complicating events, including diuretic use, frequency of hospitalization, worsening of CHF and deaths, were grouped by patient-years. These events were significantly (p less than 0.01) lower (captopril: 28/75 patient-years; ibopamine 33/74 patient-years) in the active treatment groups with respect to placebo (58/96 patient-years). Captopril and ibopamine showed a different safety profile. Creatinine increase (2 patients), symptomatic hypotension (4 patients), hyperkalemia (2 patients) and upper respiratory symptoms were mostly associated with captopril treatment. Gastrointestinal adverse events were observed in 11 patients under ibopamine treatment. The study provides evidence of the clinical usefulness of both captopril or ibopamine in the long-term treatment of CHF in old patients. The safety profile of each drug will suggest the preferred therapeutic application.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of CT scan diagnosis and surgical findings in lumbar disk herniation.

The authors compare CT scan evidence with surgical findings in lumbar intervertebral disk disease. The results confirm the reliability of the CT scan for diagnosis of disk herniation, but find it somewhat less precise as far as diagnosis of disk degeneration. The authors emphasize the irreplaceability of the clinical examination in the preoperative assessment of lumbar disk disease as well as the important confirmation provided by the imaging studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Plasma dopamine response to sympathetic activation in man: a biphasic pattern.

We studied the plasma catecholamine response to standing and bicycle ergometric tests in 16 normal male subjects. During the standing test (performed in 10 subjects), we observed an early increase in plasma dopamine together with the fast increase in norepinephrine values; in the second half of this test (i.e. from 5 to 10 min of standing), we observed an increase in plasma dopamine levels. During the ergometric test (performed in 6 subjects), we observed a plasma dopamine increase at the maximal exercise; this persisted during the early recumbent recovery phase (6 min), despite the clear-cut decrease of both norepinephrine and epinephrine plasma levels. Our data are not in agreement with previous papers describing a simple increase in plasma dopamine after stimulation. This paper provides no informations regarding the mechanisms of this response of plasma dopamine. Other approaches must be used to study this aspect more directly.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Expression of HLA-class II antigens and proliferative capacity in autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions of human T lymphocytes exposed in vitro to alpha-endorphin.

alpha-Endorphin (aEP) inhibited the expression of HLA-Class II antigens by PHA-primed T lymphocytes and reduced mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation up to 35%. This action was time related and not naloxone sensitive. When aEP was added to autologous and allogeneic lymphocyte cultures (both of non-T/T and T/T type), it inhibited lymphocyte blastogenesis up to 40%. These findings, indicating that aEP can influence some functions of immunocompetent cells, provide evidence for the functional interrelationship between the neuroendocrine and the immune systems.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Free and sulfoconjugated catecholamines in normotensive uremic patients: effects of hemodialysis.

In 9 normotensive uremic patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, the baseline plasma catecholamines varied widely from low-normal to very high; sulfoconjugated plasma catecholamines were constantly high. A dialysis-induced fall of all sulfated catecholamines and epinephrine was observed. Norepinephrine decreased in 5 patients and increased in 4, with a strong inverse correlation between predialysis norepinephrine and delta norepinephrine (p less than 0.0001). No correlation was evident between clinical parameters (mean arterial pressure, heart rate) and catecholamines (both predialysis and postdialysis). Significant (p less than 0.0001 and p less than 0.0002) inverse correlations between epinephrine and norepinephrine and their sulfoconjugation degree were demonstrated only in predialysis. Our data may support the presence of a uremic autonomic neuropathy and adrenoceptor damage.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Reversed-phase HPLC separation of plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine, with three-electrode coulometric detection.

We present a method involving minor modifications of previous techniques, in which we use an ion-pair reversed-phase HPLC separation with three-electrode coulometry. Isocratic baseline separations can be obtained in 5 min. The sample preparation procedure, involving extraction with alumina at low temperature, allows good reproducibility (within-run and between-run CVs less than 10%) and improved sensitivity (less than 5 pg of each catecholamine per extract). This method allows approximately 70 low-cost plasma catecholamine analyses to be done in a working day.

Catecholamines↗
PubMed1987

A computerised tomographic scan study of Luque loops and the progression of vertebral fusion in the surgical treatment of scoliosis.

The authors report the results of a study, using CT scan, on 15 patients with scoliosis treated by the Harrington-Luque method. The patients were monitored periodically from the 3rd to the 30th month after operation. Each patient was monitored only once in order to limit the risk of ionizing radiation. In all the follow-ups it was observed that the metallic loops were in close contact with the laminae, which did not show any signs of disturbances. The medullary canal appeared to be of normal dimensions. Vertebral fusion was evident at the first 3 months follow-up and at this time partial corticalization also commenced. In successive follow-ups, fusion progressed steadily, and after 8 months it was completely corticalized. This progression continued even after 18 months so that at 30 months the fusion was such that the distractor was completely surrounded.

Bone Wires↗