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Biomedical subjects

L Cara

Publications and source records attributed to L Cara.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Colloidal anticancer drugs bioavailabilities in oral administration models.

Liposomes have been prepared with a polymerised core. Drug release and gastrointestinal (GI) degradation of liposomes with this polymerised core was slightly less important than those of classical liposomes. Vincristine, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and methotrexate (MTX) have been incorporated into the liposomes, and studies carried out using the differentiated cell lines Caco-2 and TC7, and with 150 histologically normal sections of human colon. Encapsulation of the drugs in liposomes had variable effects, depending on the test system and the drug used. For 5-FU and MTX calculated to be in a therapeutic range, liposomal formulation enhanced drug permeation, but not for the other drugs tested. In the excised human colon model, the treatment history of the patients can affect bioavailability: pre-operative radiation increased the drug tissue uptake. Transmucosal transport of ions was modified by prior chemotherapy. These results should be taken into account in the design of oral anticancer treatments both at the level of nutritional and pharmacological considerations.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effects of lowering fat and increasing dietary fiber on fasting and postprandial plasma lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects consuming a mixed Mediterranean-Western diet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cholesterol-lowering effects of reducing fat and increasing or not increasing dietary fiber in subjects consuming a mixed Mediterranean-Western diet. Thirty-one free-living, mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects were randomly allocated to two groups. Subjects in both groups first shifted for 4 wk to a low-fat, low-fiber diet (LFLFD). For an additional 4-wk period, subjects in group 1 continued consuming the LFLFD whereas subjects in group 2 consumed a low-fat, high-fiber diet (LFHFD). Most dietary fatty acids were monounsaturated (38-41%) and fibers, when provided (up to 35 g/d), came from unrefined cereals, legumes, and soluble-fiber-enriched ready-to-eat cereals. After period 1 of the LFLFD, mean serum and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations of subjects in groups 1 (-12.5% and -15.5%, respectively) and 2 (-10.5% and -15.5%, respectively) decreased significantly from baseline (P < 0.05). After period 2, mean serum and LDL-cholesterol concentrations of subjects consuming the LFLFD (group 1) were still lower (by 8.8% and 9.2%, respectively, from baseline) whereas in subjects consuming the LFHFD (group 2) these values decreased further to significantly lower values (14.2% and 17.6% from baseline, respectively). Fasting high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, glycemia, and insulinemia did not change significantly. In seven men, postprandial lipemia transiently increased more after a breakfast test meal at the completion of the LFHFD period than after the LFLFD period. In conclusion, an LFHFD more comparable with the traditional Mediterranean diet may improve the dietary management of moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Effects of pea and soybean fibre on postprandial lipaemia and lipoproteins in healthy adults.

To evaluate some possible mechanisms whereby total dietary fibre (TDF) may affect lipid metabolism in humans, six normolipidaemic males ingested on separate days a low-fibre test meal (2.8 g TDF) containing 70 g fat and 756 mg cholesterol, enriched with 10 g TDF in the form of either pea fibre or soybean fibre. Fasting and post-meal blood samples were obtained for 7 h and chylomicrons (CM) were isolated. Lipoproteins (VLDL+CM remnants, LDL, HDL) were isolated from the baseline samples and the samples of the 2-3 h triglyceride peaks. As compared to the postprandial response given by the control low-fibre test meal, adding fibre induced no change in serum glucose, insulin or Apo A1 and Apo B variations. The serum triglyceride response was not altered by adding fibres but the 2-3 h chylomicron triglyceride rise was increased (P < or = 0.05) by soybean fibre. VLDL+CM remnants, LDL and HDL triglyceride variations were unchanged with fibres. Cholesterolaemia decreased postprandially for 6 h, and was further lowered in the presence of pea fibre. This resulted from a marked decrease in serum esterified cholesterol. The chylomicron cholesterol and phospholipid rise was lowered in the presence of either fibre. The postprandial changes in the free cholesterol concentrations of the various lipoprotein classes were not altered by fibre whereas changes from baseline in esterified cholesterol concentrations were reduced by soybean fibre in LDL and amplified by soybean and pea fibres in HDL. The results obtained show that dietary fibre present in legumes may alter postprandial lipaemia and lipoproteins in humans to a variable extent. These effects could be related to some long-term metabolic effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Effects of oat bran, rice bran, wheat fiber, and wheat germ on postprandial lipemia in healthy adults.

Six normolipidemic males ingested on separate days a low-fiber test meal [2.8 g dietary fiber (TDF)] containing 70 g fat and 756 mg cholesterol, enriched or not with 10 g TDF as oat bran, rice bran, or wheat fiber or 4.2 g TDF as wheat germ. Fasting and postmeal blood samples were obtained for 7 h and chylomicrons were isolated. Adding fibers to the test meal induced no change in serum glucose or insulin responses. The serum triglyceride response was lower (P less than or equal to 0.05) in the presence of oat bran, wheat fiber, or wheat germ and chylomicron triglycerides were reduced with wheat fiber. All fiber sources reduced chylomicron cholesterol. Cholesterolemia decreased postprandially for 6 h and was further lowered in the presence of oat bran. Serum apolipoprotein (apo) A-1 and apo B concentrations were not affected. Thus, dietary fibers from cereals may reduce postprandial lipemia in humans to a variable extent.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Long-term wheat germ intake beneficially affects plasma lipids and lipoproteins in hypercholesterolemic human subjects.

In previous short-term studies in rats and humans, the ingestion of raw wheat germ lowered plasma triglycerides and cholesterol. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the possible long-term effects of wheat germ intake. Diet supplementation with raw wheat germ or partially defatted wheat germ was tested in two separate groups of 10 and 9 free-living human subjects, respectively. They all exhibited hypercholesterolemia (6.14-9.67 mmol/L cholesterol) and 11 had hypertriglyceridemia. None was diabetic. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study, after 4 wk of 20 g/d wheat germ intake, after 14 additional weeks of 30 g/d wheat germ intake and after 12 wk without any supplementation. Dietary records were kept for seven and three consecutive days, before and during the wheat germ intake periods, respectively. Raw wheat germ intake significantly decreased plasma cholesterol (-8.7%) and tended to reduce VLDL cholesterol (-19.6%) after 4 wk. After 14 additional weeks, plasma cholesterol (-7.2%) and LDL cholesterol (-15.4%) remained lower and plasma triglycerides (-11.3%) tended to be lower. The apo B:apo A1 ratio significantly decreased after both periods. Partially defatted wheat germ transiently decreased plasma triglycerides and cholesterol after a 4-wk intake. The present data indicate that wheat germ reduces cholesterolemia in the long term and could play a beneficial role in the dietary management of type IIa and IIb hyperlipidemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Plasma lipid lowering effects of wheat germ in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

The present study was performed to investigate the possible effects of wheat germ supplementation on lipid metabolism in humans. Ten free-living adult subjects participated in the study. None was obese or diabetic. They all presented an hypercholesterolemia (from 6.58 to 9.50 mM), associated in 6 over 10 cases to an hypertriglyceridemia (from 1.70 to 5.00 mM). The subjects were studied in three consecutive periods, during which they first were on their usual diet (first week), they then ingested a daily supplement of 30 g wheat germ (4 weeks) and then they returned to their usual basal diet (4 weeks follow-up). Dietary records were obtained for 7 and 3 consecutive days before and during wheat germ supplementation, respectively. Fasting blood samples were taken at the end of each period. After 4 weeks of wheat germ intake, glycemia did not change while total plasma cholesterol significantly decreased (paired Student's t test, p less than or equal to 0.05) from 7.80 to 7.15 mM. LDL and HDL cholesterol values did not show marked changes, but VLDL cholesterol significantly dropped by 40.6%. Thus, the plasma/HDL total cholesterol ratio was significantly lower. Apoprotein B and A1 decreased. In the hypertriglyceridemic subjects, this was accompanied by a significant reduction of plasma triglycerides (1.64 vs. 2.68 mM) and a marked drop of VLDL triglycerides (-51%). Taken as a whole, the present results obtained in humans are very close to those previously obtained in the rat and point out that wheat germ may play a beneficial role in the dietary management of hyperlipidemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Adaptation of lingual lipase to dietary fat in rats.

To study the adaptive response of lingual lipase and pancreatic lipase to dietary fat, three sets of experiments were performed in adult male rats. In the first experiment, rats were fed for 3 wk a low fat diet (4.5% fat) or a 10, 20 or 30% fat diet. In the second, rats were fed a 4.5% fat diet for 4 wk or a 20% fat diet for 1, 2 or 4 wk. In the third, rats were fed for 3 wk a 10% fat diet with various sources of fat (lard, sunflower oil, olive oil, peanut oil, butter, soybean oil, corn oil or salmon oil). The results demonstrated that 10% dietary fat was sufficient to promote a maximum significant increase in lingual lipase activity (expressed in units/g tissue and in units/mg protein), whereas pancreatic lipase responded steadily to 20 and 30% fat diets. After 1 wk of feeding 20% dietary fat, both enzyme specific activities had reached their maximum values. The fatty acid composition of dietary triglyceride molecules (chain length, number and location of double bonds) had no specific effect on the adaptation of lingual lipase. The physiological implications of these findings are discussed in regard to the role of intragastric lipolysis in fat digestion.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Diagnostic possibilities of computerized tomography in primary hyperaldosteronism (author's transl)].

In 20 patients with a clinical picture of primary hyperaldosteronism (5 patients were later found to be suffering from hypertension of other origin), CT showed diagnostic precision higher than 90% in the localization of adrenal adenoma (11 out of 12). On the other hand, this examination scarcely helped in the diagnosis of uncommon gland hyperplasias (1 out of 3). In CT doubtful or negative cases, hormonal measurement in blood samples taken selectively from adrenal veins was more indicative than selective phlebography. CT can therefore be considered as an alternative to iodocholesterol scintigraphy in early diagnostic investigation in this field of pathology.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1980

[Computerized tomography in detection of hepatic abscesses (author's transl)].

A series of 24 patients affected by hepatic abscess have been examined by means of CT. The localization observed was: 12 intrahepatic abscesses, 5 subdiaphragmatic, 7 subhepatic and 1 both intrahepatic and subdiaphragmatic. The advantages and disadvantages of the method are described, beside considerations on the examination technique.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[CT and angiography in hepatic metastases (author's transl)].

In a series of patients affected by hepatic metastases, the authors have found a diagnostic accuracy of 84% by means of CT, poorly inferior to that of angiography: 163 patients were studied by means of angiography, 88 by CT, 12 with both techniques besides scintigraphy, echotomography and other investigations. In many patients when scintigraphy and echotomography do not lead to a diagnosis, CT can avoid an angiographic investigation. Nevertheless angiography must be performed in all those patients in which the investigations suggest a possible surgical intervention. Despite employing all possible investigations, there are some cases in which the hystological diagnosis of the lesion can be reached only by optic by means.

Angiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between conformation of polysaccharides -in the dilute regime and their interaction with a phospholipid bilayer.

Interactions between polysaccharides and phospholipid bilayers have already been demonstrated in the literature but little is known about the influence of macromolecule conformations related to the solvent characteristics (pH, ions, ionic strength). In this study we have investigated the conformation of iono- and thermo-sensitive polysaccharides, iota- and kappa-carrageenans, and their interaction with a dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) model bilayer. The study was performed in two different media (NaCl 150 mmol/L, pH 6.5, and NaCl 300 mmol/L, pH 6.5). In the first part, the iota- and kappa-carrageenan samples have been characterized by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled with a multi-angle laser light-scattering detector (MALLS). The SEC-MALLS results clearly show polysaccharide chain association at high ionic strength. In the second part, the polysaccharide-membrane interaction has been studied, using fluorescent probes embedded in the membrane. The thermotropic properties of the membrane were investigated by fluorescence depolarization of 1-(4-trimethylammonium-phenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH). The membrane surface accessibility was evaluated by fluorescence quenching of 2-(9-anthroyloxy) stearic acid (2-AS). Whatever the ionic strength tested, the polysaccharide presence notably enhances the membrane fluidity below the T(m). This sign of an interaction in the polar level of the membrane is more marked at low NaCl concentration. In contrast, the liposomes bilayer accessibility is drastically lowered when increasing the ionic strength. This is induced by macromolecular chain adsorption on the liposome surface, enhanced by the polysaccharide chain association. An ionic strength enhancement induces a conformational modification of the polysaccharide chains which modifies their ability to interact with the bilayer.

Fluorescence Polarization↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Technical problems in interventional angiography (author's transl)].

Interventional angiography has greatly developed recently, as a consequence of a better definition of clinical indications, the progress and the diffusion of the angiographic techniques and finally as a consequence of the technological improvements of angiographic material and accessories. A synthetic study of the actual technical knowledge and of the perspectives of further improvement, is presented, on the basis of a 10 years' experience, during which more than 500 therapeutical interventions have been performed by means of angiographic techniques.

Absorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the effectiveness and tolerability of MED 15 vs. piroxicam in patients with acute epicondylitis].

In this trial we studied 30 patients with acute epicondylitis: 15 were treated with Med 15, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and 15 with piroxicam. Med 15 was administered orally for 15 days: the first 2 days 2 tablets daily (1.200 mg) and the following 13 days 1 tablet daily (600 mg). Piroxicam was administered 2 tablets the first 2 days and 1 tablet daily the following 13 days. It was demonstrated that the new compound is significantly more active and better tolerated than the reference drug.

Adult↗