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Biomedical subjects

L Vecchiet

Publications and source records attributed to L Vecchiet.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Visceral pain, referred hyperalgesia and outcome: new concepts.

Visceral pain is a poorly defined, midline sensation but after minutes or hours becomes 'referred' to a somatic region when it becomes sharper and better localized. Referred pain may manifest either with or without hyperalgesia. Hyperalgesia is more common and can be demonstrated by changes in pain threshold. This referred hyperalgesia is probably sustained by central mechanisms, involving a spinal focus facilitating neuronal signals coming from somatic structures. Once established, the central changes may become independent of the peripheral input necessary for their initiation. With respect to post-surgical pain associated with operations on the viscus, the main determinant is whether or not the visceral pathology prior to surgery was algogenic.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

A multicentre double-blind investigation comparing nimesulide and naproxen in the treatment of minor sport injuries.

A total of 660 patients with minor traumatic sport-related lesions of soft tissues were recruited to a randomised double-blind 7-day study to evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of oral nimesulide (300 mg/day) in comparison with naproxen (750 mg/day). Both drugs were similarly effective in reducing the degree of oedema and intensity of pain, with most patients experiencing remission, which allowed resumption of regular sporting activities. Both drugs were generally well tolerated, although gastrointestinal intolerance was more frequently associated with naproxen therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Hematological comparison of iron status in trained top-level soccer players and control subjects.

The aim of the present study was to compare the iron status of 19 top-level soccer players and 20 male control subjects. All players showed no impairment of physical performance and had a dietary iron intake adequate to cover the iron losses. Serum iron, TIBC, % transferrin saturation and serum ferritin were not significantly different in athletes and controls: serum haptoglobin was significantly lower in the former than in the latter, the result probably indicating an increase in resting intravascular hemolysis. Since the formed Hb-Hp complex is taken up and metabolized by hepatocytes, it has been suggested that in soccer players a redistribution of iron stores occurs among tissue compartments. A multiparametric hematological monitoring of iron metabolism, just as in runners, is therefore necessary in these athletes, too, in order to detect subjects at risk of real iron deficiency. The pharmacological iron supplementation should be limited to these subjects and only when clinical evidence of reduced tissue iron supply is present.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Myofascial pain syndromes: clinical and pathophysiological aspects.

The criteria for performing a diagnosis of myofascial pain syndromes caused by trigger points (TrPs) are defined and the clinical features of pain and related phenomena due to these syndromes are examined together with the sensory modifications of the parietal tissues at TrPs and target level in the case of both active and latent TrPs. The factors presumably responsible for the occurrence of TrPs in myofascial structures are then considered, with particular emphasis on the microtraumatic event caused by biomechanical alterations during movement, evaluated by the analysis of the ground-foot reaction. With this respect, some examples of myofascial pain syndromes of the lower limbs are reported in which the correction of these alterations, performed via dynamic orthosis, produces a long-lasting remission of the subjective and objective symptomatology.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Effects of meclofenamic acid in the treatment of lesions deriving from minor traumatology.

The clinical efficacy and tolerability of topical 5% meclofenamic acid gel versus placebo and oral sodium meclofenamate versus sodium naproxen were evaluated in patients affected with minor traumatologies. Ninety patients were studied: 60 were treated with either meclofenamic acid gel or placebo for 10 days, and 30 were administered with either sodium meclofenamate capsules or sodium naproxen capsules for 7 days. The 5% meclofenamic acid gel and its sodium salt in capsules proved significantly more rapid and efficient than did the reference compounds in reducing pain symptomatology. In the patients treated with 5% meclofenamic acid gel, a greater effect was seen as regards rapidity of spontaneous movement and nocturnal pain reduction. In other variables examined, that is, surface and deep hyperalgesia, and swelling and functional restriction, there was also a significantly higher efficacy than with placebo. Confirmation of the therapeutic efficacy of meclofenamic acid (sodium salt) was obtained with the capsule formulation, that was seen to exert a significant analgesic and antiphlogistic action; the onset of this action was particularly rapid. Both formulations of meclofenamic acid (gel and capsules) were found to be well tolerated. Thus, in the examined formulations, meclofenamic acid proved to be a useful tool in the treatment of lesions in the minor traumatology category.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

Metabolic changes induced by maximal exercise in human subjects following L-carnitine administration.

In double-blind cross-over experiments, ten moderately trained male subjects were submitted to two bouts of maximal cycle ergometer exercise separated by a 3 day interval. Each subject was randomly given either L-carnitine (2 g) or placebo orally 1 h before the beginning of each exercise session. At rest L-carnitine supplementation resulted in an increase of plasma-free carnitine without a change in acid-soluble carnitine esters. Treatment with L-carnitine induced a significant post-exercise decrease of plasma lactate and pyruvate and a concurrent increase of acetylcarnitine. The determination of the individual carnitine esters in urine collected for 24 h after the placebo exercise trial revealed a decrease of acetyl carnitine and a parallel increase of a C4 carnitine ester, probably isobutyrylcarnitine. Conversely, acetylcarnitine was strongly increased and C4 compounds were almost suppressed in the L-carnitine loading trial. These results suggest that L-carnitine administration prior to high-intensity exercise stimulates pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, thus diverting pyruvate from lactate to acetylcarnitine formation.

Acetylcarnitine↗
PubMed1990

Influence of L-carnitine administration on maximal physical exercise.

The effects of L-carnitine administration on maximal exercise capacity were studied in a double-blind, cross-over trial on ten moderately trained young men. A quantity of 2 g of L-carnitine or a placebo were administered orally in random order to these subjects 1 h before they began exercise on a cycle ergometer. Exercise intensity was increased by 50-W increments every 3 min until they became exhausted. After 72-h recovery, the same exercise regime was repeated but this time the subjects, who had previously received L-carnitine, were now given the placebo and vice versa. The results showed that at the maximal exercise intensity, treatment with L-carnitine significantly increased both maximal oxygen uptake, and power output. Moreover, at similar exercise intensities in the L-carnitine trial oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, pulmonary ventilation and plasma lactate were reduced. It is concluded that under these experimental conditions pretreatment with L-carnitine favoured aerobic processes resulting in a more efficient performance. Possible mechanisms producing this effect are discussed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

[Cardiac rhythm in athletes: a Holter study of top level and ex-professional football players].

The study we performed aimed at identifying the arrhythmological pattern in the football player. Between 1984 and 1989, 50 top level football players (group A) from the National Olympic team and from the National A team, average age 24.2 years (min. 19, max. 32), underwent Holter monitoring. The recordings were carried out in different environmental conditions according tot he programmes of the team and the number of recordings depended on how long each football player stayed in the National team. Moreover, 40 trainers (group B) from the Italian football teams, average age 38.4 years (min. 32, max. 57), all of whom had formerly been professional high-level football players practising intensive physical exercise for professional reasons, underwent one 24 h Holter monitoring. RESULTS. Group A: 2621 hours of monitoring were able to be analysed in 48/50 football players. Sinus node pauses greater than or equal to 1750 ms were found in 21/48 (43.7%) with a maximum of 3740 ms on altitude in 1/21, second degree atrioventricular block in 8/48 (16.7%) with a maximum of 5400 ms on altitude in 1/8, supraventricular ectopic beats in 13/48 (27%), ventricular ectopic beats in 26/48 (54.1%) which were complex (cl. Lown greater than or equal to 3) in 7/26. Group B: 882.30 hours of monitoring were able to be analysed in 39/40 former football players. Sinus node pauses greater than or equal to 1750 ms were found in 18/39 (46.1%) with a maximum of 2280 ms in 7/18, second degree atrioventricular block in 1/39 (2.6%) with a maximum of 2400 ms, supraventricular ectopic beats in 32/39 (82%), ventricular ectopic beats in 24/39 (61.5%) which were complex in 5/24.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Pain from renal/ureteral calculosis: evaluation of sensory thresholds in the lumbar area.

Patients with unilateral renal/ureteral calculosis who had suffered a few painful attacks were examined. In the pain-free period, muscular, subcutaneous and cutaneous sensory thresholds to electrical stimulation were measured in the lumbar region (metamer L1) on both sides: (1) pain thresholds were lower on the affected side with respect to both the contralateral side and control thresholds recorded in normal subjects; (2) the greatest decrease in threshold was in the muscle (even the sensation of sustained contraction was no longer detectable), followed by subcutaneous tissue, and the smallest decrease was in the skin.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[A heparin-glucuronylglucosaminoglycan combination for topical use. An evaluation of the therapeutic effects in induced experimental muscle damage and in minor sports injuries].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the association of heparin and sulodexide on experimental pain and on "small sport traumatology". In the experimental part of the study, cutaneous pain threshold and subcutaneous tissue ticking were measured after the induction of an algogenic focus in deep somatic side. In the clinical part of the study, pain intensity (by A.V. scale), athletic performance and therapy duration, in athletes from muscular or articular posttraumatic injuries, were also assessed. After the therapy with the examined drug, a less significant lowering of cutaneous pain threshold and a less subcutaneous tissue thickening were found in the experimental study; in the clinical study a significant reduction of pain intensity and a quick restore of athletic performance were revealed. These results allow to conclude that the drug in effective to reduce painful symptomatology in both experimental and clinical conditions, by the limitation of some aspects of inflammation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1988

Muscular hyperalgesia and hypoalgesia after stimulation of the ureter in rats.

Vocalization electric thresholds were measured bilaterally in muscles of the lower back and in the tail after electrical stimulation of the left ureter in rats implanted with electrodes. 'Painful' stimulation immediately produced a hyperalgesia lasting about half an hour in the left lower back muscles and tail, followed by a 10 min hypoalgesia limited to the back muscles. No modification or only a delayed hypoalgesia appeared in the right muscle. Strong but 'non-painful' stimulation produced no effect or gave rise to an immediate hypoalgesia in the left muscle. Weak non-painful stimulation produced a delayed hypoalgesia in the tail.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effects of diflunisal on cutaneous sensory and pain thresholds.

The analgesic activity of diflunisal was evaluated through the measurement of cutaneous sensory and pain thresholds after electrical stimulation. Twelve healthy volunteers were examined at baseline and five hourly intervals after oral administration of 500 mg and 1 gm of diflunisal. The results showed that the sensory threshold was not modified by diflunisal, but that the pain threshold was significantly increased two and three hours after 500 mg of diflunisal and one, two, and three hours after 1 gm of diflunisal. At two hours the pain threshold was significantly higher after 1 gm than after 500 mg of diflunisal. It is concluded that diflunisal produces an actual increase of the pain threshold in healthy human subjects and that the amplitude, latency, and duration of its effect are dose related.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1985

Effects of cold stimulus of the chest wall on bronchial resistance.

We studied the possibility of inducing a bronchospasm by a cold stimulus (0 degrees C) on the chest wall of normal subjects and those with bronchial lability. The stimulus is applied on areas in metameric connection with the bronchial tree. Modifications of MEF25, MEF50 and FEV1.0 before and after stimulation are surveyed. Positive bronchospasm indexes are pointed out in a large number of subjects with bronchial lability, while no obstructive bronchial response is found in normal subjects. The cold stimulus on the chest wall can therefore be considered as an aspecific stimulus producing bronchospasm. Some physiopathogenetic interpretations are suggested.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Effects of aerobic exercise on muscular pain sensitivity.

Muscular pain sensitivity after aerobic exercise was investigated in ten healthy men aged 20 to 30 years in four tests at five-day intervals to determine if previous aerobic work leads to a hyperalgesic status. The intensity of pain was recorded, by visual analog scale, every 30 seconds after the injection of 1 ml of 10% and of 20% sodium chloride hypertonic solution, both during basal conditions, and 1 ml of 10% sodium chloride hypertonic solution 1 and 60 minutes after 30 minutes of submaximal rectangular exercise. The injection of 10% sodium chloride solution 60 seconds after exercise gave rise to a clear increase in pain, similar to that induced by the 20% sodium chloride solution given during basal condition. This observation shows that submaximal exercise produces a hyperalgesic state in the active muscle. This hyperalgesia probably explains the clinical manifestation of latent algogenic triggers during physical activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Muscular pain caused by isometric contraction: evaluation of pain through visual analog scale.

Pain caused by muscular isometric contraction was investigated through use of the visual analog scale. The results demonstrate that the latency time and the time to reach maximum intensity are inversely proportional to the amount of the load; therefore increase of pain is linear. The high statistical significance of the results suggests that pain by isometric contraction could be a comparison test for somatic pain evaluation in spontaneous pathological conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Behavior of cardiorespiratory parameters in ischemia induced in the lower limbs. I) Monolateral ischemia].

The subject of present research has been to study the effects of ischemia determining pain and cardiorespiratory modifications observed during and after isometric contraction of a quadriceps muscle subjected to a constant load. Therefore, in the same lower limb used for the previous test; an ischemia has been caused and protracted for the same amount of time. During and after the test the pain's intensity, VE, HR and VO2 have been noted. The obtained results have been subjected to statistic survey which has not proved significant variations of the studied cardiorespiratory parameters. Moreover pain has not arise during the test. A supposition that in those conditions only a little quantity of active metabolites can, be made. They conclude, therefore, that ischemia is a modest component in the cardiorespiratory modifications' determinism obtained with a test of isometric contraction of a quadriceps muscle subjected to a constant load.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Behavior of cardiorespiratory parameters in ischemia induced in the lower limbs. II) Prolonged bilateral ischemia].

On the aim to evaluate the influence of ischemia in the modifications of some cardiorespiratory parameters during and after an isometric contraction of he quadriceps muscle subjected to a constant load, the authors have been studied the behaviour of VE, VO2, HR and intensity of pain on subject which has had ischemia on both lower limbs. The results have been used for a statistic survey. During the test any VO2 meaningful variations have not been observed, while a VE and HR linear increase has been noticed. Furthermore pain has not appeared. Absence of pain, HR decrease and fast VE and VO2 increase, has been observed after the test. They conclude that a large area of ischemia for a sufficiently long time produce a small variations in some of the cardiorespiratory parameters studied. It is so prove that muscular work and not the ischemia is the principal component in the production of metabolites that cause the pain and also the cardiorespiratory modifications.

Adult↗