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Biomedical subjects

G Pagani

Publications and source records attributed to G Pagani.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Synthesis and free radical scavenging properties of the enantiomers of erdosteine.

The synthesis of enantiomers R and S of erdosteine, a derivative of homocysteine-gamma-thiolactone, and the NMR studies for the determination of the enantiomeric excess with chiral shift reagent on the more soluble ethyl esters, are described. Pharmacological data relative to the free radical scavenging properties of the R and S enantiomers are reported. In particular, it has been documented that the S isomer is more effective than R isomer in protecting mice against lethal doses of paraquat (substance able to form free radicals when administered by i.p. route).

Animals↗

[Use of omega-3 in diabetic patients].

The use of omega-3 fatty acids for diabetic patients is based on well confirmed observations concerning the presence of cardiovascular risk factors in these patients. Changes of lipid metabolism, reduced erythrocyte deformability, increased platelet aggregation, and high blood pressure often found in subjects with diabetes mellitus are all favourably influenced by the administration of eicosapentanoic and docosahexanoic acid. In non insulin dependent subjects, these fatty acids may bring about a rapid reversible deterioration of blood glucose balance while in insulin dependent patients there is no relevant interference. Therefore, omega-3 administration would appear advisable in insulin dependent diabetics with increased cardiovascular risk factors.

Adult↗

Fungicidal and genotoxic activity of new substituted pyridazinones.

Some 2-sulfonyl- and 2-acylderivatives of the 4,5-dichloro-3(2H)-pyridazinone were prepared in order to test their fungicidal activity. Interesting results, both in vitro and in vivo, were obtained in particular from the alkylsulfonyl-derivatives. Genotoxic activity of 3(2H)-pyridazinones was evaluated in vitro by the Bacillus subtilis rec-assay and the Salmonella-microsome reversion assay.

Bacillus subtilis↗

The effect of various blood glucose levels on post-glucagon C-peptide secretion in type 2 (non insulin-dependent) diabetes.

We investigated how different plasma glucose concentrations could significantly modify the C-peptide response to glucagon. Twenty poorly-controlled (HbA1c 10.2 +/- 1.5%) non insulin-dependent (NIDDM) subjects (body mass index 27 +/- 1.8), 2 treated with diet alone and 18 with oral hypoglycemic agents were studied. The first day glucagon (1 mg iv) was injected, patients being fasting and untreated. Mean plasma glucose levels were 11.4 +/- 1.2 mM. On a second non consecutive day, after an overnight fast, the same patients were connected to a closed-loop insulin infusion system (Betalike, Genoa), their blood glucose concentrations were stabilized within a normoglycemic range (5-5.5 mM) for 2 h and insulin infusion was stopped. The glucagon test was repeated 30 min later. Blood samples were taken 0, 6, 10, 20 min after glucagon injection. In the second test, basal, and 6, 10 and 20 min post-glucagon glucose levels were significantly lower (p less than 0.001); similarly C-peptide concentrations were significantly reduced both in basal conditions (0.55 +/- 0.04 vs 0.37 +/- 0.04 nM; p less than 0.001) and 6 (0.92 +/- 0.06 vs 0.6 +/- 0.06; p less than 0.001), 10 (0.79 +/- 0.06 vs 0.56 +/- 0.06; p less than 0.001) and 20 min (0.64 +/- 0.05 vs 0.44 +/- 0.04; p less than 0.001) after stimulation. The C-peptide secretion area showed the same trend (49.5 +/- 4.8 vs 32.1 +/- 5.8; p less than 0.001). In conclusion, our data confirms that blood glucose levels modulate the pancreatic insulin secretion; glycemic normalization significantly reduced both basal and post-glucagon C-peptide release.

Adult↗

Efficacy of a new long-acting injectable form of bromocriptine in hyperprolactinaemic patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship of different doses of a long-acting bromocriptine preparation (Parlodel LAR) to the degree and duration of PRL suppression. We also measured circulating bromocriptine levels and altered tolerability of the drug. DESIGN: A double-blind randomized study of three different doses 25, 50 and 100 mg of Parlodel LAR. PATIENTS: Twenty-one female patients (seven patients/dose) with both tumoral and non-tumoral hyperprolactinaemia. MEASUREMENTS: After a single injection of Parlodel LAR 25, 50 or 100 mg, serum PRL and plasma bromocriptine levels were assessed during a follow-up of 60 days together with changes in clinical symptoms and signs of hyperprolactinaemia. RESULTS: Serum PRL levels normalized in 19 of 21 patients. The suppression of PRL secretion lasted 28 days in four of seven patients treated with either 25 or 50 mg Parlodel LAR and in five of seven patients who received Parlodel LAR 100 mg. In five of seven patients treated with the 100 mg dose, serum PRL levels were still within the normal range on day 60. Plasma bromocriptine levels remained therapeutically active for 28 days in all three groups. On day 60 they were within the therapeutic range only in the 100 mg group. Clinical data show a rapid disappearance of symptoms and signs of hyperprolactinaemia. Adverse events were mostly mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the excellent efficacy and good tolerability of Parlodel LAR in patients with hyperprolactinaemia.

Adult↗

A new oral slow release form of bromocriptine, Parlodel SRO, in the chronic treatment of 26 hyperprolactinemic patients.

Parlodel SRO, a new slow release form of bromocriptine, was studied in 26 patients with tumoral and non-tumoral hyperprolactinemia. Prior to the treatment, serum prolactin (PRL) levels ranged from 45 ng/ml to 7000 ng/ml and they decreased to within the normal range in all but one patient after 7 days-1 year of treatment with this new formulation of bromocriptine. The clinical improvement paralleled the normalization of PRL secretion. Tolerability was rated good or very good in 24 patients, even in the three patients who had been intolerant of oral Parlodel. In conclusion, Parlodel SRO administered as a single daily dose resulted in very effective lowering of serum PRL in patients with hyperprolactinemic disorders.

Administration, Oral↗

Hypocalcemic effects of rectal and intramuscular administration of synthetic salmon calcitonin.

To assess the acute biological activity of a new rectal form of synthetic salmon calcitonin (SMC), 10 healthy subjects were randomly assigned, according to a crossover design, to single doses of either 50 IU SMC intramuscularly or 100 IU SMC rectally. Ionized and total calcium were measured as SMC bioactivity indicators in blood samples collected during a 6-hour period after the administration of the drug. In all the subjects, rectal administration of 100 IU of SMC induced falls in both plasma total calcium and whole blood ionized calcium: similar levels were observed after intramuscular injection of 50 IU of SMC. The pharmacodynamic bioavailabilities for total and ionized calcium of the 100 IU suppository and the 50 IU intramuscularly were 106% and 60%. The total and ionized calcium AUCs were the same after i.m. injection and suppository. We conclude that, in normal subjects, synthetic salmon calcitonin administered by the rectal route at the dose of 100 IU is effective and has the same biological effects as 50 IU of SMC given intramuscularly. Therefore, this new rectal form may be a useful alternative to parenteral injection.

Administration, Rectal↗

[Role of colonoscopy in the diagnosis of ischemic colitis as a complication of surgery of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta].

Ischaemic colitis is one of the complications following aortic reconstruction for abdominal aortic aneurysm. The diagnosis and monitoring of this complication can be helped by a left colonoscopy. Through an endoscopic valuation of 18 patients, the Authors value the incidence of colonic mucosal or mucosal and muscularis ischaemia following aortic aneurysmectomy with inferior mesenteric arterial ligation.

Aged↗

[The complex relation of pregnancy and diabetes mellitus].

A glucose metabolism impairment occurs in about 2-3% of all pregnancies. Two different groups of women are involved: diabetic women who become pregnant and healthy women developing gestational diabetes or glucose intolerance during pregnancy. Due to therapeutic improvements and new techniques of fetal monitoring, maternal and perinatal mortality now approaches that of normal pregnancies. On the contrary, congenital anomalies are still four times more frequent. A good control of the mother metabolism is necessary to reduce complications in fetal development, especially during the first six weeks, a crucial period for the early cell division. Fetal monitoring is very important not only to control the normality of the growth and the well-being of the fetus, but also for early identification of possible anomalies.

Congenital Abnormalities↗

New perspectives in medical management of hyperprolactinemia.

We performed 113 new treatments in 98 patients (pts) (69 females and 27 males), 41 with macroprolactinoma, 26 with microprolactinoma, 5 with empty sella and 26 with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia. Parlodel LA was administered in 31/113, Parlodel LAR in 51/113, Parlodel SRO in 24/113 and Cabergoline in 8/113. In each pt the clinical effect, PRL plasma level CT-scan and visual field examination were monitored. PRL plasma levels normalized in 84/98 pts. In 13/41 macroadenoma pts a complete disappearance of the adenomatous mass was observed at CT-scan after 0.5-3 years' oral bromocriptine or Parlodel LAR therapy. The clinical features normalized in most of the pts. In conclusion, the new long acting dopamine agonists may represent the future of the management of hyperprolactinemic states because of their effectiveness, tolerability and good compliance.

Adenoma↗

Medical management of acromegaly: effects of SMS 201-995 in 30 patients.

The effect of chronic administration of SMS 201-995, a long acting analogue of somatostatin, has been studied in 30 acromegalic patients (pts). CT-scan showed pituitary adenoma in 20/30 pts, empty sella in 9/30 pts and no sign of pituitary tumor in one case. SMS 201-995 was administered subcutaneously every 8 hours at the daily dose of 150-900 micrograms. Blood samples for GH, insulin and blood glucose were taken hourly from 04:00 to 20:00 h before treatment, after 15 days and then monthly or fortnightly. IGF-I plasma levels were assayed at 08:00 h in the same day as GH determinations. CT-scan controls were carried out after 12-24 months of treatment in 16/20 pts. GH plasma levels were normalized in 16/30 pts after 0.5-9 months of SMS treatment, whereas in 14/30 pts they were reduced by about 50%. In 10/16 pts the CT-scan examination showed a shrinkage of the tumor size of 20-55%, while no variation of the tumor mass was observed in the 2 pts. In conclusion our data show that SMS 201-995 is a very effective medical treatment in acromegalic patients.

Acromegaly↗

Insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients after chronic nifedipine treatment.

The effect of nifedipine 40 mg.day-1 for 3 months on glucose tolerance, insulin and C-peptide secretion after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), intra-venous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and glucagon stimulatory test, has been studied in 8 moderately hypertensive women suffering from non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). No significant variation in glucose metabolism was noted after nifedipine treatment, except for a slight improvement in insulin secretion after OGTT at the end of the study. There was an increase in cholesterol as a collateral effect.

Blood Glucose↗

Neonatal mucolipidosis 2. The spontaneous evolution of early bone lesions and the effect of vitamin D treatment. Report of two cases.

Evolution of the early bone lesions in two children with mucolipidosis 2 was followed from birth. The progression of the bone changes did not differ from healing of rickets. Low levels of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 were found in one child and he was treated with vitamin D; resolution of the rachitic changes was more rapid than in the untreated child. It is suggested that in mucolipidosis 2 bone reacts to two independent factors, one controlling calcium metabolism, the other depending on the primary lysosomal enzyme defect. Since ricket-like features are not present in the other mucolipidoses or mucopolysaccharidoses, the defect of calcium metabolism seems to be related to the specific enzyme defect of mucolipidosis 2.

Aging↗

Effects of a somatostatin derivative (SMS 201-995) on postprandial hyperglycemia in insulin-dependent diabetics studied by means of a closed-loop device.

We studied the effects of a premeal sc injection of an analog of somatostatin (SMS 201-995, Sandoz) on the postprandial glycemic excursions, insulin requirement and hormone profiles (GH, glucagon and C-peptide) in 8 IDDM patients (diabetes duration 14.0 +/- 6.5 yr, daily insulin requirement 36 +/- 6.4 U) maintained normoglycemic by connecting them to a closed-loop insulin infusion system (Betalike, Genoa). The morning of the test the patients were connected to the Betalike and their glucose levels stabilized for at least 4 h. At 13:00 h the study was begun with a sc injection of 50 micrograms of SMS 201-995 or placebo (randomly) and a standardized mixed meal (800 Kcal) was given. Blood samples were obtained 0, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the injection. Each patient was tested both with SMS 201-995 and placebo. Postmeal glycemic peaks were decreased after SMS 201-995 (119.6 +/- 5.4 mg/dl vs 149.1 +/- 4.2; p less than 0.05) as well as insulin requirements (3.2 +/- 0.8 U vs 13.3 +/- 1.9; p less than 0.01) for the 180 min postprandial period. Similarly, glucagon level was reduced 30 min postprandially (24 +/- 6 pg/ml vs 59 +/- 24; p less than 0.05) and so GH level only 180 min after lunch (p less than 0.05). The premeal injection of SMS decreases postprandial glycemic excursions and the corresponding insulin requirement. The action of SMS 201-995 may be mainly mediated by the suppression of postprandial glucagon peak.

Adolescent↗

Inhibition of ticlopidine of platelet adhesion to human venous subendothelium in patients with diabetes.

To elucidate the bleeding tendency that follows the administration of ticlopidine, we investigated the skin bleeding time and some ex vivo functions of platelets from nine patients with insulin-dependent diabetes before and 2 weeks after daily doses of 500 mg ticlopidine. Ticlopidine significantly prolonged bleeding time and reduced platelet reactivity to fixed, relatively high concentrations of aggregating agents, without interfering with thromboxane B2 formation. We used a rotating probe device at a relatively low shear rate (570 sec-1) to measure platelet adhesion to human subendothelium. This system was able to detect an impairment of platelet adhesion dependent on glycoprotein (GP) Ib defect (Bernard Soulier syndrome) or on low platelet von Willebrand factor content, but was insensitive to platelet GPIIb-IIIa defect (Glanzmann's thrombasthenia). In our patients, platelet adhesion was consistently reduced after the administration of ticlopidine. We conclude that ticlopidine is an inhibitor of platelet function that modulates the interaction between platelets. The drug also appears to interfere with mechanisms that modulate platelet-subendothelium interaction at relatively low shear rates. This double action could be relevant in the prevention of vasculopathy in patients with diabetes.

Adult↗