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Biomedical subjects

G Tabacchi

Publications and source records attributed to G Tabacchi.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Omega 3 fatty acids: biological activity and effects on human health.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have an important role in human diet, both for the prevention and the therapy of different pathologies. In this review, a critical evaluation of PUFAs dietary sources and biological functions in human organism has been done. In particular, the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids in the improvement of the lipidic pattern and in the excitability of myocardium has been analyzed, and, therefore, their usefulness in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and postinfarction arrhythmias. As PUFAs are precursors of prostaglandins and leucotriens, which are involved in phlogosis and immune response, a diet rich in fish oil reduces the production of PGE2 involved in many phlogosis events. Moreover, an increase in the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) intake leads to a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1, 2, 6 and tumor necrosis factor); so, it is important to use omega-3 in chronic inflammatory diseases, as the rheumatoid arthritis. It seems that omega-3 could prevent the onset of hormone-dependent tumours (i.e. breast and prostatic cancer); in vitro observations, in fact, have shown that the PG of the series 2, derived from omega-6, have a carcinogenic action; instead, the anticancer effect of omega-3 could derive from their effect in antagonizing the formation of such PG; it can be useful, therefore, to increase the dietary omega-3/omega-6 ratio. Moreover, the effects of omega-3 on the anatomic and functional central nervous system development and of their possible therapeutical use in some psychiatric pathologies were evaluated.

Anti-Allergic Agents↗
PubMed2000

Involvement of tachykinin NK2 receptors in the modulation of spontaneous motility in rat proximal colon.

The role of endogenous tachykinins and the mechanisms whereby they act on NK2 receptors, modulating spontaneous motility, were investigated in rat isolated proximal colon. The mechanical activity was detected as changes in intraluminal pressure. The NK2 receptor antagonist, MEN 10627, produced a concentration-dependent reduction of the contraction amplitude. [beta-Ala8]-neurokinin A(4-10), an NK2 receptor agonist, and [Sar9, Met(O2)11]-Substance P ([Sar9, Met(O2)11]-SP), an NK1 receptor agonist, induced a concentration-dependent contractile response, characterized by an increase in basal tone with superimposed phasic contractions. MEN 10627 antagonized the response to [beta-Ala8]-neurokinin A(4-10), without affecting that to [Sar9, Met(O2)11]-SP. Tetrodotoxin (TTX), hexamethonium and Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) significantly reduced the response to MEN 10627. The NK3 receptor agonist, senktide, was able to activate the nitrergic inhibitory pathway, as it induced a TTX-and L-NAME-sensitive inhibitory effect. [beta-Ala8]-neurokinin A(4-10) was able to antagonize the inhibitory response to senktide. These findings suggest that tachykinins acting on NK2 receptors play a role in the modulation of the spontaneous mechanical activity. The mechanism of this action would be, in part, acting directly on the smooth muscle cells, and, in part neurogenic, sustained by nicotinic inputs, and possibly due to inhibition of NO tonic release.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Mechanical activity of small and large intestine in normal and mdx mice: a comparative analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare the motor pattern (recorded as changes in intraluminal pressure) of isolated duodenum and proximal colon between dystrophic mdx and normal mice. When duodenal recordings from control preparations were compared with mdx mice there was no significant difference in the spontaneous motor pattern, responses to electrical nerve stimulation or sensitivity to pharmacological agents. Colonic segments from mdx mice showed a more complex motor pattern, consisting of contractions with amplitude and frequency similar to those of controls and by additional contractions with lower amplitude and higher frequency. Moreover, 70% of the colonic preparations from mdx mice developed active tone. TTX (1 microM), both in control and in mdx mice, changed the motor pattern, revealing regular rhythmic contractions similar in both preparations. L-NAME (100 microM) in both preparations increased contractile activity, revealing additional low contractions in control and potentiating them in mdx colon. In both control and mdx mice, inhibitory responses elicited by electrical field stimulation (EFS) were significantly attenuated by L-NAME. Our results provide evidence for the presence of a different motor pattern in mdx proximal colon and suggest that mdx mice can be considered a suitable animal model for investigating the dystrophic process.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

[Lack of correlation between HLA haplotypes and familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

In order to confirm the recent observations of the particular incidence of some HLA antigens in the familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy we have determined the HLA-A, B and C antigens in the components of a family with high prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (10 males and 7 females, age from 10 to 75 years). Six patients were affected by the disease. In one case (sudden death) the diagnosis was established by necroscopy; in the other living subjects by the characteristic echocardiographic features after having ruled out the conditions which can result in secondary myocardial hypertrophy. HLA typing showed the A9, Bw35, Cw4 aplotype in 4 of the 5 living patients affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (2 with obstruction). This aplotype however was not shared by the other patient and was found in one healthy member of the family. Two patients affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without obstruction did not share any aplotype while the 2 subjects with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy had the same aplotype of a healthy member of the family. Accordingly the genetic study of this family does not allow to establish a steady correlation between hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and HLA aplotypes.

Adolescent↗