PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

M Fano

Publications and source records attributed to M Fano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Perirenal and renal subcapsular haematoma as presenting symptoms of polyarteritis nodosa.

Two young men, were hospitalized due to acute massive blood loss with left abdominal flank pain. In both cases renal angiography showed signs of a haemorrhagic event in the left kidney, perirenal in one and subcapsular in the other. Microaneurysms indicated a diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa, supported by renal biopsy in one case. Renal haemorrhage is an infrequent presentation of polyarteritis nodosa. Furthermore, one patient suffered also from familial Mediterranean fever, and is the fifth reported case with this combination of diseases.

Adult

Functional and biochemical modifications of lung beta-adrenoreceptors after in vivo desensitization: prevention by indomethacin.

Desensitization of lung beta-adrenoreceptors induced by 4 day in vivo isoprenaline administration to rats has been investigated both from a functional a biochemical viewpoint. Chronic isoprenaline treatment significantly reduced the relaxing activity of the beta-agonist when tested ex vivo in lung parenchymal strips and also impaired the adenylate-cyclase system. Moreover, the desensitization procedure decreased by about 30% beta-adrenoreceptor number. In vivo indomethacin treatment prevented the loss of pharmacological responsiveness of the tissue to isoprenaline and restored basal adenylate-cyclase activity. These data indicate that in vivo isoprenaline administration actually leads to pulmonary beta-adrenoreceptor desensitization. The involvement of arachidonic acid metabolites in this phenomenon is also discussed.

Adenylyl Cyclases

Involvement of arachidonic acid metabolites in beta-adrenoceptor desensitization: functional and biochemical studies.

The prolonged in vitro perfusion of rat lung with isoproterenol (Iso) induced a desensitization of beta-adrenoceptors which was dose- and time-dependent. The decrease in functional responsiveness of rat lung parenchyma to the beta-agonist correlated well with the loss of [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) binding sites and adenylate cyclase activity after the beta-adrenoceptor desensitization procedure. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin prevented the beta-adrenoceptor desensitization as was shown by the restored isoproterenol-induced relaxation in rat lung parenchyma strips and adenylate cyclase activity after the milder desensitization procedure. Inhibition of the arachidonic acid cascade at different levels with different compounds such as BW 755C and betamethasone prevented the desensitization of beta-adrenoceptors. These findings suggest a role for arachidonic acid metabolites in beta-adrenoceptor desensitization. The possible sites of action of arachidonic acid metabolites are also discussed in relation to the inability of indomethacin to prevent the desensitization of beta-adrenoceptors that was induced by the higher Iso concentration used.

Adenylyl Cyclases

Rat pulmonary artery responses to some mediators of anaphylaxis: modifications by indomethacin.

Rat extralobar pulmonary artery responses to some anaphylactic mediators and arachidonic acid metabolites were studied on "in vitro". Histamine (H), serotonin (5HT), bradykinin (Bk) and norepinephrine (NE) contract the pulmonary arteries; all the arachidonic acid metabolites tested (PGE2 - PGF2 alpha - PGI2 - LTC4) also exert a vasocontractile activity and among these PGF2 alpha is the most active whereas LTC4 exerts only a weak effect. Isoproterenol, papaverine and adenosine weakly relax the vascular preparation, while acetylcholine and PAF-acether have no effect. The interference of indomethacin on NE-5HT-H-induced contractions has been investigated. Indomethacin reduced the contractile activity of H while the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor did not significantly interfere with the effect of NE and 5HT. The possible relationships between some anaphylactic mediators and the arachidonic acid metabolites have been discussed.

Anaphylaxis

Angiotensin II: a releaser of PGI2 from fetal and newborn rabbit lungs.

Angiotensin II (AII) induces generation of prostacyclin (PGI2) in rabbit lung in vitro at different ages, i.e., fetus, newborn and adult. Particularly, neonatal rabbit lungs display a pattern of sensitivity to AII in producing PGI2, measured as 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, which seems to be higher than that observed in fetal lungs. The PGI2 release appears to be specific for AII stimulation since the vasoconstriction induced by noradrenaline and ergotamine was not associated with generation of this lipidic material. The inability of PGI2 to relax the extralobar pulmonary artery in the newborn suggests that the lung microcirculation is the most likely site where the vasodilating and antiaggregatory functions of PGI2 may have a physiological role.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha

Prostacyclin (PGI2) in pregnant human uterus.

Prostacyclin lowers the tonus and reduces the spontaneous motility of isolated pregnant human myometrium. This effect seems to be related to coclic-AMP accumulation, since PGI2 increases the formation of this cyclic nucleotide in incubated minces of pregnant and non-pregnant uterus. The ability of this tissue to generate a labile substance which inhibits platelets aggregation, has been demonstrated and discussed.

Adult

Pharmacological activity of PGI2 and its metabolite 6-oxo-PGF1alpha on human uterus and fallopian tubes.

The actions of prostacyclin (PGI2) and its stable metabolite 6-OXO-PGF1alpha were investigated in strips of normal human uterus and in fallopian tubes. Both compounds were also compared with natural prostaglandins (PGE2, PGF2alpha and PGD2). PGI2 showed biphasic response both in uterus and fallopian tubes qualitatively and quantitatively similar to that induced by PGE2 and PGD2; prostacyclin was also able to inhibit the spasmus induced by PGF2alpha but not that induced by BaCl2 and vasopressin. 6-0XO-PGF1alpha on the other hand induced only small contractions on both tissues investigated. The authors discusse the possible implication of these findings in the physiology of the reproductive system.

Epoprostenol

Inhibition of harmaline induced tremors by 16 (S)-16-methyl PGE2 in different mammalian species: a correlation with central cyclic nucleotides and prostaglandins.

Harmaline, an alcaloid of Paganum Armala, induces tremors of central origin and increases cerebellar cGMP without affecting cortical and cerebellar prostaglandin levels. 16(S)-16-methyl PGE2 protects the animals against the seizures induced by the alcaloid and prevents the concomitant rise in cerebellar cGMP. Experiment performed in cats and limited to pharmacological observations, confirmed that, the PGE2 derivative, is a powerful antitremorogenic agent at doses that are devoid of appreciable side effects.

Alkaloids

[Long-term treatment of central diabetes insipidus with oral DDAVP].

Clinical use of the DDAVP (1-Deamino-8-D-Arginine Vasopressin) is now the first choice in treatment of Central Diabetes Insipidus. It is an analogue of Vasopressin with a higher antidiuretic potency, less vasopressor activity, and a longer duration of action. This drug still presents some problems of administration route. A lot of studies were published about different administration routes of DDAVP: sublingual tablets, parenteral solution, nose spray and suction de-epithelialized skin. Some authors have utilized the oral route (solution or tablets) with good results in short-term treatment. We think the formulation in tablets of DDAVP is an efficacious support of the therapy in this disease also for long-treatment. In our study 3 patients with Central Diabetes Insipidus (aged 22-56; 2 idiopathic and 1 post-surgery) previously treated with DDAVP nasal solution (10 micrograms/day; 36-156 months), have been submitted to a chronic treatment with DDAVP tablets for a period of 24-36 months. The DDAVP tables were administered at the dosage of 400-600 micrograms/day in 2-3 administrations. The patients were studied at intervals of 3-6 months, and on each occasion full blood count, glucose, azotaemia, creatinine, liver function tests, electrolytes, urine volume, density and osmolality were estimated. The long-treatment with oral DDAVP was able to keep a good control of the disease in all patients. In case 1 we had a significant reduction of urine volume (p < 0.01) and a significant increase (p < 0.01) of urine osmolality in comparison with previous treatment with nasal solution; in case 2 and 3 no significant changes were observed. No side effects were noted during this study. The drug has been well tolerated and the compliance of patients was better during oral DDAVP than nasal solution. In our opinion the oral DDAVP is an effective and safe solution for the treatment of Central Diabetes Insipidus, and give to the patients a better quality of life in comparison to the nasal solution.

Administration, Intranasal

[Treatment of central diabetes insipidus using oral DDAVP. Comparison with intranasal treatment].

The Authors have done a clinical study on the efficacy of desmopressin (DDAVP) tablets in the treatment of central diabetes insipidus in 13 patients who were previously treated with intranasal DDAVP. A comparison has been made between peroral and intranasal forms of DDAVP measuring the urinary volume and osmolarity daily. The right dosage of DDAVP tablets was between 150 and 600 micrograms/die. The patients showed very good compliance during the 4 weeks of treatment with DDAVP.

Administration, Intranasal