PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Pozza

Publications and source records attributed to G Pozza.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase in a patient with stiff-man syndrome, epilepsy, and type I diabetes mellitus.

Stiff-man syndrome is a rare disorder of the central nervous system consisting of progressive, fluctuating muscle rigidity with painful spasms. It is occasionally associated with endocrine disorders, including insulin-dependent diabetes, and with epilepsy. We investigated the possible existence of autoimmunity against the nervous system in a patient with stiff-man syndrome associated with epilepsy and Type I diabetes mellitus. Levels of IgG, which had an oligoclonal pattern, were elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid. The serum and the cerebrospinal fluid produced an identical, intense staining of all gray-matter regions when used to stain brain sections according to an indirect light-microscopical immunocytochemical procedure. The staining patterns were identical to those produced by antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid). A band comigrating with glutamic acid decarboxylase in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels appeared to be the only nervous-tissue antigen recognized by cerebrospinal fluid antibodies, and the predominant antigen recognized by serum antibodies. These findings support the idea that an impairment of neuronal pathways that operate through gamma-aminobutyric acid is involved in the pathogenesis of stiff-man syndrome, and they raise the possibility of an autoimmune pathogenesis.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1988

Self-healing pseudoangiosarcoma. Unusual vascular proliferation resembling a vascular malignancy of the skin.

Pseudomalignant vascular lesions are increasingly recognized by dermatologists and may be present in several disorders affecting vessels. We describe a 58-year-old obese woman who developed vascular papulonodular lesions in the left inguinocrural area, clinically and histologically resembling a malignant vascular proliferation, that spontaneously regressed within a few months, after bed rest and weight reduction. Therefore, our patient's vascular lesions appear to have been pseudomalignancies. There are no other similar conditions reported in the literature. This kind of disorder demonstrates that vascular tissue can be involved in very bizarre cell and tissue reactions to several stimuli and can mimic malignant neoplasms. We stress the importance of constant surveillance of this kind of lesion to collect adequate clinical data, because histologic findings alone may cause misdiagnosis and lead to treatment hazardous to the patient.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1988

Effects of acute smoking on the hemostatic system in humans.

Habitual smoking is one of the best established risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The pathogenesis of smoke-induced damage is not so well clarified, but it probably includes--among some other aspects--an activation of the hemostatic system. Recently it has been shown that smoking a single cigarette can significantly decrease the coronary blood flow in coronary patients as well as in normal subjects. We tested the hypothesis that the acute effects of smoke are mediated by the hemostatic system. Seven healthy male volunteers, aged 20-40 years (mean 32 +/- 6 years), entered the study. All were habitual smokers, but had abstained from smoking in the 12 hours preceding the test. After lying in absolute rest for about 30 minutes, each subject smoked a cigarette containing 1.2 mg of nicotine. Immediately before and after smoking, blood was drawn by clear venipuncture for the evaluation of the following hemostatic variables: collagen-induced platelet aggregation by the method of Born; thromboxane B2 (TxB2) production by platelets stimulated with collagen, radioimmunoassay (RIA); plasma beta thromboglobulin (TG) (RIA); plasma fibrinopeptide A (FPA) (RIA); plasma fibrinolytic activity in the euglobulin fraction (NEF) (fibrin plate method). The following results, respectively before and after smoking, were observed: collagen-induced platelet aggregation 55 +/- 3 vs. 57 +/- 6%; TxB2 100.5 +/- 5.9 vs. 90.3 +/- 9.0 ng/10(8) platelets; plasma beta-TG 20.8 +/- 2.2 vs. 19.2 +/- 2.3 ng/ml; plasma FPA 2.3 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.1 ng/ml; NEF, lysis diameter 16.8 +/- 1.6 vs. 16.7 +/- 1.7 mm; NEF + C1 inhibitor lysis diameter 8.8 +/- 0.7 vs. 9.1 +/- 0.7 mm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Retinal laser photocoagulation in diabetic patients causes prolactin, growth hormone and cortisol release.

Stress of many kinds (psychological, physical, metabolic) is able to induce endocrine modifications in humans, such as growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), glucagon and cortisol release. Argon laser photocoagulation of the retina (RP), the treatment of choice for diabetic retinopathy, is a painful and stressful maneuvre and represents a direct injury onto a nervous tissue. Therefore it was decided to evaluate the possible endocrine modifications induced by RP in diabetic patients affected by retinopathy. In 19 insulin-dependent diabetic patients (12 men and 7 women), RP induced cortisol release in all cases, GH and PRL release in men, but not in women, and no modification of LH and glucagon plasma levels; in 12 similar patients receiving saline infusions without RP, no endocrine modifications were observed. It is concluded that RP elicits GH, PRL and cortisol release in diabetic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Bone mineral density in diabetes mellitus.

In the present study bone mineral content (BMC) was measured at 1/3 and 1/10 the length of the radius from the distal end in 100 adult diabetic subjects (55 females, 45 males, 54 insulin-dependent [IDD], 46 non-insulin-dependent [NIDD]), using single photon absorptiometry. Each individual BMC value in the diabetics was first compared to normal BMC values for age obtained in our laboratory from 500 non-diabetic subjects. BMC in the diabetics was within the normal range (M +/- 2 SD) with respect to sex and age. Data from IDD and NIDD males, under and over 50 years of age, and of IDD and NIDD females, pre- and postmenopausal, were compared with the respective control group data after matching each diabetic subject to a non-diabetic one of identical age and menstrual history and of comparable body mass index. In each group BMC in the diabetic subjects was found not to be statistically different from BMC in the control ones. Correlation analysis was carried out between BMC and endocrine or metabolic parameters obtained in 52 of the diabetic patients. BMC in diabetic subjects was not correlated with plasma levels of hormones (thyroid hormones, cortisol, 17-beta-estradiol, testosterone), Ca, P or alkaline phosphatase activity. It was inversely correlated with urinary Ca and P in NIDD women and with urinary Ca in NIDD men. No relationship was found between BMC and the metabolic control of diabetes (evaluated by basal glycemia, 2h-post-prandial glycemia and glycosylated hemoglobin).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Blood glucose control and insulin secretion improved with combined therapy in type 2 diabetic patients with secondary failure to oral hypoglycaemic agents.

The influence of combined therapy using insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents on blood glucose control and on insulin secretion in Type 2 diabetic patients with secondary failure to oral hypoglycaemic agents was evaluated. Type 2 diabetic patients (n = 180) (98 normal-weight, 82 over-weight), at least 3 years from diagnosis, and having poor blood glucose control on oral hypoglycaemic agents for at least 3 months (fasting plasma glucose greater than 10.0 mmol l-1) despite intensive efforts at improvement, were included in the study. A single daily insulin injection (human ultralente), at a dose of 0.22 +/- 0.07 U kg-1 d-1 in normal-weight and 0.33 +/- 0.10 U kg-1 d-1 in over-weight patients, was added to the previous dietary and drug treatment for 6 months. A progressive and significant (2p less than 0.001) reduction of the mean daily blood glucose was observed during the first 3 months of combined therapy (from 13.2 +/- 3.2 to 8.1 +/- 2.1 mmol l-1 in normal-weight and from 13.4 +/- 3.1 to 8.8 +/- 2.3 mmol l-1 in over-weight patients), with no further significant changes thereafter. A significant increase (2p less than 0.001) in the mean daily C-peptide concentration (from 0.50 +/- 0.30 to 0.71 +/- 0.29 nmol l-1 in normal-weight and from 0.78 +/- 0.36 to 1.00 +/- 0.41 nmol l-1 in over-weight patients) took place during combined therapy. No changes of body weight (+ 1.5 +/- 1.2 kg in normal-weight and + 1.0 +/- 1.0 kg in over-weight patients) were observed.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1988

Intermediary metabolism and glycemic control in insulin-dependent diabetic uremic patients treated by continuous peritoneal dialysis.

The effect on metabolic control and on intermediate metabolism of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was evaluated in 6 insulin-dependent diabetic uremic patients treated by CAPD, in 6 nondiabetic uremic patients in CAPD and in 6 normal subjects. During the study, 4 dialysis exchanges with 1.36 g/dl dextrose concentration were performed daily; regular insulin was added to the bags in diabetic patients. Our data show a well-controlled mean blood glucose in CAPD diabetic patients by intraperitoneal insulin administration as well as higher insulinemic levels in comparison with those of normal subjects. Plasma lactate and serum glycerol levels were higher and butyrate levels were lower reflecting a continuous ketogenesis inhibition.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Glucose metabolism alterations in Friedreich's ataxia.

We have characterized the abnormalities of glucose metabolism associated with Friedreich's ataxia (FA) by studying plasma glucose, insulin, growth hormone (GH), and glucagon before and after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), an IV glucose load, and an IV arginine load, in 21 patients and in controls. Twelve patients were normotolerant (NT) to glucose, five glucose-intolerant (IT), and four diabetic (DM). Insulin secretion of IT patients was increased and delayed during OGTT. Interestingly, the insulin release during arginine load was significantly decreased in NT and IT as well as in DM patients. The GH response to OGTT was altered in IT patients. Plasma glucagon after an arginine load was significantly higher in patients than in controls. The results indicate that FA is associated with insulin resistance, beta-cell deficiency, and type I diabetes. These alterations might be genetically linked or metabolically related to the primary defect in FA. Their interplay or independent effects are responsible for abnormalities of glucose metabolism in FA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Erythrocyte D-glucose transport activity in reconstituted model membranes of different lipid composition.

The stereospecific influx of D-glucose into liposomes formed on sonication of different glyco- and phospholipids with transport proteins from human erythrocyte ghosts solubilized with Triton x-100 was measured as an index of their total D-glucose transport activity. Specific D-glucose transport increased when acidic phospho- and glycolipids (especially sulfatide) were added to the phosphatidylcholine bilayers of the model membranes while cholesterol strongly inhibited the process. The modulation of D-glucose transport activity and its possible correlation with the lipid composition and the chemico-physical state of the erythrocytes is discussed.

Cerebrosides↗
PubMed1987

First degree family history of diabetes and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in non-diabetic subjects in the National Telephone Company: a metabolic survey.

The effect of first degree family history of diabetes on known risk factors for cardiovascular disease was evaluated in 4989 non-diabetic employees of the Italian Telephone Company. Family history of diabetes was present in 759 subjects (476 males and 283 females); in these subjects body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose levels (fasting and one and two-hour post-load), triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly higher than in age and sex-matched controls. In different age groups (less than 30, 31-40, 41-50, greater than 50 years) the effect of first degree family history of diabetes was evaluated after stratification by sex. In males with first degree family history of diabetes, this effect was strongest in the under 30 age group: body mass indices, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting and two-hour post-load blood glucose levels, triglyceride and cholesterol levels were all significantly higher than in subjects with negative family history of diabetes. These differences between subjects with negative and positive family histories declined with age and disappeared in subjects over 50. In females the effect of familial diabetes was weaker and delayed for body mass index and one hour blood glucose, appearing only in subjects over 30. Multiple logistic analysis indicated that only body mass index and one-hour blood glucose levels were independently associated with positive family history of diabetes. The differences observed between males and females in the youngest age group were also confirmed by this analysis. These data may indicate a multifactorial genetic link leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity in subjects with diabetes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Inhibition of basal and metoclopramide-induced prolactin release by cabergoline, an extremely long-acting dopaminergic drug.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the ergoline derivative cabergoline in inhibiting the serum PRL response to metoclopramide (MCP; 5 mg, iv) and the duration of this effect. Seven normal men received cabergoline (600 micrograms, orally) on day 0 and underwent a MCP test on days -1, 1, 4, 8, 15, and 28. Fasting serum PRL levels were significantly depressed from days 1-14; the nadir value occurred on day 4. MCP-induced PRL release was significantly inhibited up to day 28, with a nadir on day 4. Two months later, four of the men received placebo on day 0, and tests with MCP were performed on days -1, 8, and 28; basal serum PRL levels and PRL responses to MCP were superimposable on days -1, 8, and 28. These data indicate that cabergoline is an effective long-acting inhibitor of PRL release in normal men, suitable for use in the management of hyperprolactinemic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Dietary selenium and zinc intake and the medium-term Se and Zn status in obese persons on low-calorie diets.

The Se and Zn content of several foodstuffs collected in Northern Italy was evaluated by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, these foodstuffs, employed in markedly hypocaloric diets with high fiber content, were utilized in the medium-term treatment of obesity. The plasma and erythrocyte selenium and zinc contents were evaluated in sixteen non-hospitalized obese patients over a 6-week period. Dietary regimens of 700 Kcal/day for 21 days followed by 1050 Kcal/day for 42 days were imposed. In spite of the drastic reduction in calorie intake, significant elevations in plasma (p less than 0.05) and erythrocytes (p less than 0.005) Se were observed after 9 weeks of treatment; plasma Zn, on the contrary, shows a slight but significant reduction (p less than 0.05) at the end of the experimental period. Findings suggest that, from the point of view of the microelement status, the balanced low-calorie diet with high fiber content is a mild, but quite adequate method for the treatment of subjects in good health even for long periods.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Influence of short-term lithium carbonate administration on stimulated insulin secretion in normal man.

We have studied the effects of short-term treatment with lithium carbonate (900-1,200 mg/day for 4 days) on insulin secretion and blood glucose levels of 28 healthy volunteers (8 females and 20 males, aged 23-29 years) who underwent the following stimulations: two intravenous glucose loads of 25 and 5 g (IVGTT25; IVGTT5); arginine infusion (25 g over 30 min); tolbutamide test (0.25 g i.v.). Seven subjects for each group were tested. A placebo treatment was also performed. Short-term lithium treatment significantly reduced the insulin response to IVGTT25, arginine and tolbutamide. No differences were observed in blood glucose levels during all stimuli. Serum electrolyte levels and thyroid function were not affected by the treatment. In conclusion, these findings suggest, in healthy subjects, a good peripheral glucose utilization after brief-term lithium administration, in spite of impaired insulin response to various stimuli.

Adult↗