Biomedical subjects

M Passeri

Publications and source records attributed to M Passeri.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1993

Changes in insulin and lipid metabolism in males with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia.

OBJECTIVES: To define the effect of asymptomatic hyperuricaemia on various facets of glucose, insulin, and lipoprotein metabolism. DESIGN: Case control study in health volunteers. SETTING: The volunteers for this study were selected on the basis of their laboratory results from a larger population participating in a general survey in one large factory. SUBJECTS: The study population consisted of 40 healthy males: 20 with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia (serum uric acid concentration equal to or greater than 420 mmol l-1) and 20 with normal serum uric acid concentrations (180-320 mmol l-1). The two groups were similar in terms of age, general obesity (estimated by body mass index), smoking and alcohol intake, and estimate of work and leisure time activity. INTERVENTIONS: All subjects received a 75 g oral glucose challenge, with blood taken before and at frequent intervals thereafter. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and lipid concentrations and plasma glucose and insulin responses to the oral glucose challenge. RESULTS: By selection, mean (+/- SEM) serum uric acid concentration was higher in the hyperuricaemic individuals (454 +/- 7 vs. 274 +/- 12 mmol l-1). In addition, the plasma insulin response to oral glucose was increased in individuals with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia (P < 0.005) as were both systolic (136 +/- 3 vs. 126 +/- 3 mmHg, P < 0.05) and diastolic (91 +/- 1 vs. 82 +/- 1, P < 0.01) blood pressure. Furthermore, subjects with asymptomatic hyperuricaemia were dyslipidaemic (higher plasma TG and cholesterol and lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations) as compared to the normouricaemic control group (P < 0.07-0.005). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a possible explanation for the well-known association of hyperuricaemia with coronary heart disease, as well as suggesting that hyperuricaemia be added to the cluster of metabolic and haemodynamic abnormalities associated with insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinaemia and designated as Syndrome X.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Parental divorce and neuroendocrine changes in adolescents.

Plasma noradrenaline (NE), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were examined in basal conditions and after stimulation by the step test in two groups of psychophysically healthy adolescent girls, 18 from divorced families and 16 from non-divorced families. Basal NE, ACTH, GH, PRL values did not differ in the two groups, whereas those of LH were significantly lower in the adolescents from divorced parents than in those from non-divorced families. Responses of NE and ACTH to the stimulus were normal, of GH and PRL were weaker, and of LH slightly weaker in children of divorced parents. An impaired catecholaminergic and serotoninergic tonus in children of disrupted families might underly the hormonal alterations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Noradrenergic and hormonal responses to physical exercise in adolescents. Relationship to anxiety and tolerance to frustration.

Seventy physically healthy 14-year-old adolescents, 40 boys and 30 girls, were evaluated psychologically and endocrinologically. After the psychological tests (Anxiety Score Test for Adolescents, Rosenzweig, Pictures Frustration Test for Children), subjects were divided into group A, with low anxiety/sense of guilt and high self-esteem/tolerance to frustration and group B with the opposite. In both groups, we measured basal plasma levels of noradrenaline (NE), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), melatonin (MT) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and their response to physical exercise (the Harvard step test). Basal levels of the hormones and of NE were not different in the two groups. After the physical stimulus, NE levels rose significantly more in B girls than in A and significantly less in B than in A boys. GH and PRL levels increased only in A girls and MT in B boys, while LH levels decreased in A boys and girls but not in B subjects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Effects of chronic heroin abuse on bone and mineral metabolism.

Though the chronic use of opiates can modify several body functions, only a few data are available on the effects of opioid drugs on mineral metabolism. We have examined the possible consequences of chronic opiate abuse on bone mass, bone turnover and calcium metabolism in 13 male chronic heroin users, examined 1-2 days after the last administration of the drug (group A), 14 former male heroin addicts, examined 4-24 months after drug discontinuation (group B), and 22 healthy, age- and sex-matched control subjects. In group A, the vertebral bone mineral density (measured by Dual-Photon Absorptiometry) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in the control subjects, despite similar values of total body bone mineral, lean body and fat mass. Blood-ionised calcium and urinary calcium and hydroxyproline were significantly increased (p < 0.01), whereas parathyroid hormone was lower than in controls (p < 0.01). Bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, however, were not significantly different from the control values. LH and testosterone levels were low (p < 0.01 vs controls). In contrast, group B subjects did not show significant differences from the control group. The chronic abuse of opioid drugs may be associated with altered bone metabolism and reduced trabecular bone mass, attributable, at least in part, to gonadal deficiency. These alterations seem reversible after drug discontinuation.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Hyperthermia in sauna is unable to increase the plasma levels of ACTH/cortisol, beta-endorphin and prolactin in cocaine addicts.

In order to establish possible different reactions between normal subjects and cocaine addicts to short term exposure to heat, thermal, cardiovascular and pituitary hormonal responses to hyperthermia in sauna were measured in 8 male cocaine addicts (studied after 14 days of abstinence) and in 8 age and weight matched normal men. Subjects sat for 30 min in a sauna room, where the temperature was 90 C and the relative humidity 10%. Physiological and hormonal parameters were measured just before and after sauna and after 30 min of rest at normal (21 C) room temperature. Significant and comparable increments in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and sublingual temperature were observed in the two groups at the end of sauna. All these parameters decreased to normal values after 30 min of rest at normal room temperature. Before sauna, ACTH, cortisol and beta-endorphin levels were similar in the two groups, whereas plasma prolactin concentrations were significantly higher in cocaine addicts. All examined hormones rose significantly in the normal controls at the end of sauna. All hormones, except cortisol, returned to the basal levels after 30 min at normal room temperature. In contrast, no significant hormonal responses to hyperthermia were observed at any time point in cocaine addicts. These data do not provide evidence of alterations in the cardiovascular and thermal adaptive responses to hyperthermia in cocaine abusers. On the other hand, the results show an impairment of the ACTH/cortisol, beta-endorphin and prolactin responses to hyperthermia in cocaine addicts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1992

Impaired PRL response to hyperthermia in alcoholic men.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the release of PRL to sauna-induced hyperthermia in 10 chronically alcohol-addicted male subjects after a few weeks of abstinence. In contrast with normal men the alcoholic men showed higher basal levels of PRL and the exposure to hyperthermic stress did not stimulate in PRL secretion. These results indicate that chronic alcohol abuse is associated with functional pituitary alterations similar to other states of addiction.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Short-term treatment of Paget's disease of bone with ipriflavone.

Ipriflavone (IP), an isoflavone derivative, seems to prevent the loss of bone mass through the inhibition of bone resorption, mainly inhibiting the recruitment of osteoclasts. We investigated whether a brief course of treatment with IP can reduce biochemical parameters of accelerated bone turnover and bone pain in patients with active Paget's disease of bone. Sixteen patients (9 males and 7 females) with active Paget's disease were randomly allocated to two different crossed-over dose regimens of treatment with IP (600 mg/day vs. 1200 mg/day). Each treatment course lasted 30 days and the wash-out period between the two sequences was 15 days. Serum alkaline phosphatase (Al.Ph.) and urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine excretion (HOP/Cr) were reduced after each sequence. At the end of the 600/1200 mg/day treatment sequence, serum Al.Ph. and HOP/Cr decreased with 32% and 25.6% respectively. At the end of the 1200/600 mg/day treatment sequence, serum Al.Ph. and HOP/Cr decreased with 33% (P < 0.01) and 24.1% (P < 0.05) respectively. Furthermore, a significant decrease in bone pain was observed during the 1200/600 mg/day sequence (P < 0.01). Both treatment schedules were well tolerated and the patients' compliance resulted excellent. Our results indicate that short-term treatment with IP can reduce biochemical parameters of disease activity and bone pain in patients with active Paget's disease of bone.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1992

Effects of ipriflavone on bone mass and calcium metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Recently it has been demonstrated that ipriflavone (IP), an isoflavone derivative, is able to increase bone mass in patients with established postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). Here we present a preliminary report of a 2-year multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study performed in order to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of IP in PMO. A large number of patients with PMO, referred to 12 Italian centers, was randomly divided into 2 groups and treated with oral IP (600 mg/day) or placebo (Pl). All patients received an oral Ca supplement (1 g/day). One hundred and twenty six patients completed 1 year of the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the distal radius, measured by DPA, serum osteocalcin (BGP), and urinary hydroxyproline excretion (HOP/Cr), were measured before and after 12 months. After 12 months, a significant increase in BMD was observed in the IP-treated group (P < 0.05). IP determined a reduction of HOP/Cr, while in Pl-treated patients a significant increase of this index, as well as of BGP, was observed. After 12 months the difference between the two groups resulted significant (P < 0.05) for BGP. The drug was well tolerated and the patients' compliance to the oral treatment resulted excellent. The results of this study indicate that IP is able to increase bone mass in patients with PMO.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Effect of ipriflavone on bone mass in elderly osteoporotic women.

A study in elderly osteoporotic women was performed to assess the effect of one year treatment with ipriflavone (IP) on bone mass and bone biomarkers. Twenty-eight women aged over 65, with diagnosis of osteoporosis and X-ray evidence of at least one vertebral fracture, were treated with IP tablets (600 mg/day) or placebo (PL), according to a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group design. One g/day calcium supplementation was given to all patients. After 12 months a significant increase (+6%, P < 0.05) of bone mineral density (BMD) at the distal radius (DPA) was obtained in the IP-group. Serum osteocalcin (BGP) and urinary HO-proline/creatinine (HOP/Cr) values were reduced in the same group. BMD values did not change (-0.3%) in the placebo group. One woman of the PL-group was withdrawn from treatment because of worsening of pain, due to new vertebral crushes. Side effects (mainly gastrointestinal) arose in 8 IP- and in 5 PL-treated women. The compliance to the oral administration was good.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Chronic effects of marihuana smoking on luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin levels in human males.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the chronic effects of marihuana smoking on the basal and stimulated secretion of the pituitary hormones luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating (FSH) and prolactin (PRL). Ten male chronic marihuana users and 10 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were studied by measuring hormone levels before and after i.v. administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). The basal and stimulated levels of LH were reduced in marihuana users, whereas FSH and PRL levels and responses were not different from the control subjects. The chronic use of marihuana may selectively impair the hypothalamic control mechanisms regulating LH secretion.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Prevalence of hyperinsulinaemia in patients with high blood pressure.

A total of 41 patients with hypertension were identified in a survey of 732 healthy factory workers. Twenty-three of these individuals were receiving antihypertensive medication, whereas 18 cases were newly discovered. Plasma glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose and fasting plasma triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, and high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations of these 41 individuals were compared with those of 41 other factor workers, with normal blood pressure, matched with the hypertensive group in terms of gender, age, degree of obesity, job in the factory, and leisure-time activity. Patients with hypertension had significantly higher plasma glucose (P less than 0.05) and insulin (P less than 0.05) concentrations in response to oral glucose, as well as a higher plasma TG concentration (P less than 0.05). Similar findings were obtained when the treated and untreated hypertensive groups were analysed separately and compared with their respective control groups. However, there were no differences between the treated and untreated hypertensive groups. Ninety per cent of the normotensive group had a plasma insulin concentration of less than 500 pmol l-1 2 h after the glucose load. Using this value as the criterion for definition of hyperinsulinaemia, 41% of the patients with high blood pressure were hyperinsulinaemic. In addition to meeting this cut-off point, the patients with hypertension and hyperinsulinaemia were also glucose intolerant and dyslipidaemic. In conclusion, approximately 50% of an unselected group of patients with hypertension were hyperinsulinaemic. Insulin levels were comparable in treated and untreated patients with high blood pressure, and hyperinsulinaemic patients also tended to be glucose intolerant and dyslipidaemic.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMed1992

Diurnal variations in plasma ACTH, cortisol and beta-endorphin levels in cocaine addicts.

In order to establish possible alterations in the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis and in ACTH-related opioids in cocaine addicts, plasma ACTH, cortisol and beta-endorphin levels were measured throughout the day in 9 cocaine addicts [age: 27 +/- 5 years (mean +/- SE); weight: 72 +/- 6.1 kg, duration of cocaine addiction: at least 2 years] on the day of their admission to a recovery community for drug abusers (first test) and after 15 days of abstinence (second test). Nine normal controls (age: 28 +/- 6 years; weight: 73 +/- 3.2 kg) were tested only once in a similar manner. Blood samples were taken at 06:00, 08:00, 10:00, 12:00, 18:00 and 20:00 h and served for hormonal assays. Urine samples were taken from cocaine addicts at 08:00 h on the experimental day and on the following day. Results of both urine assays were positive for cocaine catabolites, indicating cocaine administration during the day before the experimental test. From the day of their admission in the community (1st experimental day), the patients were forbidden to use cocaine. For 4 days after admission, they were treated with symptomatics to attenuate withdrawal symptoms. Thereafter, the patients underwent a washout period of pharmacological treatments for 10 days before being retested (second test). Urine samples taken at 08:00 h on this second experimental day and on the next day were negative for the presence of drug catabolites. During the first test, cocaine addicts showed higher plasma ACTH, cortisol and beta-endorphin levels than normal controls at all examined time points.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1992

Longitudinal study of bone loss after thyroidectomy and suppressive thyroxine therapy in premenopausal women.

The effects of suppressive doses of L-thyroxine on the appendicular and axial bone mineral content were followed for 12-36 months after total or subtotal thyroidectomy in 15 premenopausal women. Compared to age-matched controls, these patients had a more marked bone loss of the spinal bone mineral content (2.6 +/- 1.9% vs 0.2 +/- 1.2% per year). The changes in radial cortical bone density were not significantly different from the control group. We conclude that when a suppressive therapy with L-thyroxine is necessary the rate of bone loss should be monitored at regular intervals.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Plasma beta-endorphin, but not met-enkephalin levels are abnormal in chronic alcoholics.

Plasma beta-endorphin, met-enkephalin and ACTH concentrations were measured in 20 male alcoholics (age: 32-60 yr; duration of ethanol addiction: 13.2 +/- 6.2 yr; mean +/- SE) immediately after admission to the hospital (at a time not exceeding 8 hr from the last ethanol consumption) and after 5 weeks of forced abstinence. The results were compared with those obtained in 12 age-matched normal controls. Plasma ACTH and met-enkephalin levels were normal in alcoholics on both occasions. In contrast, in samples taken at admission to the hospital, the circulating concentrations of beta-endorphin in alcoholics were half (17.1 +/- 5.3 pg/ml; mean +/- SE) of those observed in the normal controls (34.1 +/- 6.0). beta-endorphin levels rose significantly after 5 weeks of abstinence (30.1 +/- 4.9); at this time, they were not significantly different from those observed in normal controls. These data indicate that acute alcohol consumption induces significant alterations in plasma beta-endorphin, but not met-enkephalin levels, which are reversed after 5 weeks of abstinence.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1992

[Long-term local tolerability to intranasally administered salmon calcitonin in post-menopausal osteoporosis].

The aim of this study was to acquire further knowledge relative to the local tolerability of synthetic salmon Calcitonin, administered by the intranasal route. The Authors have evaluated several olfactometry parameters in a group of patients treated for twelve months with the drug. The Wright matrix test and the olfacto-respiratory reflex test were performed. An evaluation regarding mucociliary transport time was additionally effected. No interference on the part of the drug was reported regarding the functional parameters of the nasal mucosa. The excellent local tolerability of intranasal salmon Calcitonin, as already indicated by other Authors, was confirmed, even in terms of specific parameters relative to the olfactory functions.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1992

Calcitonin nasal spray reduces opioid withdrawal syndrome without modification of endogenous opioid secretion.

It has been suggested that the well known analgesic effect of calcitonin (CT) may result from an enhanced secretion of opioid peptides. The purpose of this double-blind, controlled study was therefore to evaluate the effectiveness of CT on the opiate withdrawal syndrome. 20 drug addicts were randomly allocated to receive either 200 UI/day of salmon CT (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10) by nasal spray, after the abrupt withdrawal of low-dose methadone (20 mg/day). The severity of the withdrawal syndrome was evaluated by means of a score derived from a symptom check-list. Plasma beta-endorphin, glucose and insulin levels were measured before and after CT administration. The subjects treated with spray CT had significantly lower score than those treated with placebo. Beta-endorphin levels did not show any significant variation in both groups. An inhibitory action of CT on insulin secretion was observed. Our data suggested that CT might be considered a useful supportive measure for opiate withdrawal. CT action does not seem to involve the opioid system, but is probably mediated by a direct action on specific receptors or by a modulation of noradrenergic pathways.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1991

Intermittent treatment with intravenous 4-amino-1-hydroxybutylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate (AHBuBP) in the therapy of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Since data on the efficacy of 4-amino-2-hydroxybutylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate (AHBuBP) in the therapy of osteoporosis are not yet available, we have examined in an open, randomized study, the effects of an intravenous intermittent treatment with this drug on the vertebral and radial bone mass in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Forty postmenopausal osteoporotic women were randomly assigned to one of two groups, one treated with AHBuBP (5 mg/day on two consecutive days every 3 months for one year; n = 20), the other with oral calcium (n = 20). The bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine increased significantly in women receiving AHBuBP, whereas it tended to decrease in patients given calcium. The differences in the vertebral BMD changes between groups was highly significant (P less than 0.01). Radial BMD tended to increase in patients treated with AHBuBP, and to decrease in patients receiving calcium. The difference in the linear trends was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). The side effects of AHBuBP (a transient acute phase reaction in 3 out of 20 subjects) were slight and well-tolerated. A good effect of AHBuBP was observed also on back pain (P less than 0.05). We conclude that intermittent treatment with AHBuBP is capable of increasing spinal BMD and conserving radial BMD in postmenopausal osteoporosis and may represent a convenient therapeutic choice in this condition.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Abnormalities of insulin and lipid metabolism in Milan hypertensive rats.

Plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and cholesterol concentrations were measured in male rats of the Milan hypertensive strain (MHS) and compared to the Milan normotensive strain (MNS) of the same body weight. Both blood pressure (P less than .001) and left ventricular weight (P less than .005) were higher in rats of the MHS. Although plasma glucose concentrations were similar in both groups, mean (+/- SEM) plasma insulin concentration were significantly higher (P less than .01) in MHS as compared to MNS rats (30 +/- 4 v. 13 +/- 5 microU/mL). In addition mean (+/- SEM) plasma triglyceride concentrations were higher (P less than .01) in MHS rats (112 +/- 9 mg/dL) than in MNS rats (81 +/- 6 mg/dL), as were plasma cholesterol concentrations (114 +/- 3 v 100 +/- 2 mg/dL, P less than .001). These data demonstrate the presence of hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia in another genetic model of rat hypertension.

Animals↗