PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Zoli

Publications and source records attributed to G Zoli.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

S.E.M. study II: Protective effect of ranitidine against gastric and duodenal lesions induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The effect of Ranitidine on the gastric and duodenal lesions induced by Aspirin or Piroxicam was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Twelve patients were entered into the study. The first group consisted of 6 patients with normal basic morphology, of which 3 were treated with 1.5 g of Aspirin and Ranitidine 300 mg/day, and 3 with 20 mg of Piroxicam and Ranitidine 300 mg/day, for one month. The second group was composed of 6 rheumatic patients, 3 of which took 1.5 g of Aspirin and the other 3 received 20 mg of Piroxicam per day for at least four months. Ranitidine (300 mg/day) was then administered concomitantly for one month to all these 6 patients. Overall, Ranitidine appeared to have a positive effect in preventing the development of gastroduodenal lesions induced by these anti-inflammatory drugs in the first group of patients. No differences were observed in the ability of Ranitidine to promote the healing of lesions induced by chronic treatment. Ranitidine, however, appeared to be more effective in preventing lesions induced by Aspirin rather than those induced by Piroxicam.

Adult↗

Clinical applications of scanning electron microscopy in gastrointestinal diseases.

We considered the role of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in clinical investigation of different gastrointestinal diseases. The following clinical applications of SEM may be suggested on the basis of our original data and those reported in literature: in peptic ulcer: assessment of the completeness of healing, by observing the mucosal surface architecture of the scars; identification of mucosal changes, namely enterocytic surface membrane alterations, predictive of recurrence; in coeliac disease: early assessment of the response to gluten-free diet and follow-up of the patients by staging the process of mucosal repair in cerebriform, intermediate and villous patterns; in ulcerative and Crohn's colitis: enhancement of the diagnostic sensitivity of perendoscopic biopsy, by detecting differences in surface structure of mucosa surrounding ulcers in both diseases. This is subverted in ulcerative colitis and preserved in Crohn's colitis. Finally the complementary role of SEM in relation to endoscopy and light microscopy is emphasized.

Adolescent↗

Ultrastructural aspects of duodenal mucosa repair during treatment of peptic disease.

We applied scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to the study of duodenal ulcer healing during treatment with an H2-receptor antagonist (ranitidine). We also evaluated the changes in the duodenal mucosa close to the lesion, which appeared endoscopically and histologically normal. Endoscopic biopsies were taken from 8 patients both on the edge of the ulcer and in the upper duodenum, before and after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Endoscopy revealed a decrease of the ulcer crater after the first week and a complete healing after three weeks of therapy. The ulcer edge presented a subtotal mucosal atrophy, cellular exfoliation (dome-shaped cells) and changes in microvilli (bridging, branching, blebs). In the first week of treatment, reepithelization was observed: however, cellular exfoliation and changes in microvilli persisted at least up to the end of the first month of treatment. Short and stumped villi began to reappear after one month. The mucosa farthest from the lesion showed the same alterations but to a lesser extent. The changes tended to decrease after treatment. Two months after the end of treatment the duodenal mucosa was endoscopically and histologically normal, while SEM showed altered microvilli. SEM allowed us to investigate the morphogenesis of mucosal repair and to identify minimal cellular alterations which could represent the morphological basis of the disease and its possible recurrence.

Adult↗

An evaluation of factors affecting Helicobacter pylori prevalence in Tibetans exiled in India.

Helicobacter pylori infection is found world-wide although the epidemiology of infection has not been well defined in many geographical areas. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and chronic gastritis and the demographic correlates of infection in a single racial group in southern India. The sample population was selected randomly from the male population register of a Tibetan refugee settlement. Demographic data and results of endoscopy with antral mucosal biopsy were evaluated in 197 subjects (median age 28, range 21-81 years). H. pylori was present in 77.2% of subjects by histology and/or urease test. Chronic gastritis and H. pylori were closely related and there was an association between the number of bacteria present and the severity of the gastritis (P < 0.04). Infection with H. pylori was inversely associated with socio-economic factors, specifically educational level (P < 0.02) and occupation (P < 0.02). Unlike other studies, the prevalence of H. pylori was not found to rise with age, being lower in those older than 40 years (P < 0.005). This difference was still apparent when adjusted for socio-economic status. The major demographic difference between younger and older subjects of low socio-economic status was the greater proportion of early life spent outside India (and in Tibet) by older subjects. Among younger subjects, residence in India for 20 years or more was associated with a greater risk of H. pylori infection (P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗