PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Rondanelli

Publications and source records attributed to M Rondanelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

No effect of atypical antipsychotic drugs on weight gain and risk of developing type II diabetes or lipid abnormalities among nursing home elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease.

AIM: Weight gain and the risk of developing alterations in lipid and glucose metabolism are possible side effects of atypical antipsychotic therapy in young and adult patients. The objective of this study was to examine whether elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) gain weight or develop disturbances in lipid and glucose metabolism while being treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs. METHODS: This retrospective study identified 36 out of 99 patients (mean age: 75.4+/-7.1, 27 female, 9 males) who were taking risperidone (N=9, mean dosage: 1.42+/-0.49 mg/day), olanzapine (N=17: 4.42+/-1.10 mg/day), and quetiapine (N=10: 75+/-27 mg/day) over a 12 months period. Anthropometric parameters, mini nutritional assessment (MNA), total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glycaemia were assessed at baseline (T0) and 12 (T1) months. RESULTS: Body weight (BMI=23+/-5 vs 23+/-5), MNA score (21+/-4 vs 21+/-4), blood glucose (5.7+/-2 vs 4.9+/-0.9 mmol/L) or total cholesterol (4.9+/-1.1 vs 4.3+/-0.7 mmol/L), HDL cholesterol (1.3+/-0.3 vs 1.1+/-0.3 mmol/L), LDL cholesterol (3.3+/-0.7 vs 3 +/- 0.4 mmol/L), triglycerides (1.1+/-0 vs 1+/-0.3 mmol/L) did not reveal treatment-induced changes in the patients evaluated (T0 vs T1). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the treatment with low-dose of atypical antipsychotic drugs is not associated with weight gain or increase the risk of developing type II diabetes or abnormalities of lipid metabolism among elderly patients with AD, who were residing in long-term nursing home.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

[Effect of treatment with a food supplement (containing: selected sea fish cartilage, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, zinc, copper) in women with iron deficiency: double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial].

AIM: The term iron deficiency is used to indicate a condition in which the content of iron (Fe) in the organism is low, even before the consequent reduction in erythropoiesis comes about. This clinical situation is very frequent in patients in fertile age. The therapy commonly used (Fe salts) is often poorly tolerated. The use of a food supplement containing nutrients useful for improving the bioavailability of Fe and that is well tolerated can represent a valid alternative to iron therapy. METHODS: The present study examines 49 fertile women with iron deficiency, of normal weight and not undergoing estroprogestin treatment. The patients underwent 3 assessments: basal, after 30 and after 60 days to determine their complete haemochrome, blood iron, blood ferritin, blood transferrin, iron binding capacity, folates, TSH, FT3, and FT4. Following the basal assessment, patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: treatment A (25 patients): food supplement containing hydrolyzed sea fish cartilage, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, zinc, copper (Captafer); treatment B (24 patients): placebo. RESULTS: The patients were then subdivided into 2 groups according to the basal blood iron (<60 microg/dL) or blood ferritin (<20 ng/mL) values. In the group presenting blood iron of <60 microg/dL only treatment A supplement produced a significant improvement in blood iron after 30 (P<0.001) and after 60 (P<0.005) days of treatment. The group with basal blood ferritin of <20 ng/mL presented blood iron levels of >60 microg/dL; in these patients after 60 days of treatment with the supplement, there was a significant increase in blood ferritin (P<0.05); the patients treated with placebo, on the other hand, did not show any significant difference compared to basal values. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that, in patients with iron deficiency, the use of a food supplement, consisting of nutrients that improve the bioavailability of Fe, leads to a significant improvement in blood iron and blood ferritin levels.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Erythrocyte membrane alterations during ageing affect beta-D-glucuronidase and neutral sialidase in elderly healthy subjects.

In this study, a comparison between elderly (>70 years) and young subjects reveals that elder people are subject to a higher oxidative stress, which causes an increase in plasma hydroperoxide levels (18%) and a decrease in antioxidant defenses (25%). Moreover, the marked decrease of the erythrocyte membrane fluidity observed in elderly subjects was likely to affect the behavior of some membrane glycohydrolases. In fact, a significant decrease of beta-d-glucuronidase and neutral sialidase (30 and 50%, respectively) was detected. Activity differences were also observed when erythrocytes were further distinguished according to their biological age. Striking differences between young and elderly subjects were observed for beta-d-glucuronidase and neutral sialidase in young and senescent erythrocytes, respectively. Overall beta-d-glucuronidase decreases with the subjects' age, while neutral sialidase levels are higher in the elderly. This is presumably due to the localization of these enzymes in distinct plasma membrane micro-domains, which are differently peroxidized. A possible role of these enzymes in signaling praecox membrane alterations has also been evidenced.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Nutritional management of patients suffering of chronic renal failure].

Nutritional support constitutes a fundamental approach to favour the management of chronic renal failure and to postpone the need of kidney dialysis. The specific goals of the nutrition intervention are: control of protein intake, control of phosphate and of calcium intake, control of potassium intake, control of energy intake, control of lipid intake with clear identification of the polyunsaturated vs monounsaturated vs saturated fatty acid rate, control of vitamin intake, prevention of malnutrition and intervention with oral supplements or artificial nutrition (even if for short time) if malnutrition occurs. The proper management of the nutritional problems of patients with chronic renal failure slows the disease progression, prevents or controls symptoms associated with uremia and postpones the beginning of substitutive treatment that is of hemodialysis or of peritoneal dialysis, thus allowing a better quality of life either in the short or long term for patients suffering of chronic renal failure.

Caloric Restriction↗
PubMed2002

Increased erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha in HIV-infected patients: relationship to on-going prothrombotic state.

A condition of oxidative stress, due to perturbation of oxidant/antioxidant balance, has been suggested to play a role not only in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but also in the promotion of a thrombophilic condition. Because various hemostatic dysfunctions usually considered as risk factors for thrombotic events were reported in HIV infection, this study was undertaken to investigate whether the oxidative phenomenon could promote a prothrombotic state in such condition. Erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), the major free-radical scavenger enzyme, and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were evaluated in 33 consecutive HIV-infected out-patients and 35 matched HIV-negative healthy controls at a distance of any acute episode. Thrombin generation was explored by measuring the plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), whereas fibrin degradation products (D-dimer) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) activity were evaluated as indices of plasmin activity and fibrinolytic derangement. The anticoagulant pathway was investigated by measuring the plasma levels of antithrombin and protein C. Erythrocyte GSH-Px activity and serum TNF-alpha were significantly higher in HIV-infected patients when compared to controls. F1 + 2, D-dimer, and PAI-1 activity were increased in HIV-infected patients by comparison with controls. Normal antithrombin, but decreased protein C, was instead detected in HIV-infected patients. In the latter patients, serum TNF-alpha negatively correlated with both erythrocyte GSH-Px activity and plasma D-dimer. On the other hand, a positive correlation was shown between F1 + 2 and D-dimer and between D-dimer and GSH-Px activity. Furthermore, a trend toward increasing levels of GSH-Px with increasing PAI-1 activity was reported. These findings suggest a relationship between erythrocyte oxidative stress and the hypercoagulable condition during HIV infection.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Oxidative stress and a thrombophilic condition in alcoholics without severe liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The degree of oxidative stress and its association with a thrombophilic condition, if any, were investigated in alcoholics before the onset of severe liver disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: Reactive oxygen species and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated using two new kinetic spectrophotometric methods in a selected group of 45 consecutive chronic alcohol abusers and 42 apparently healthy moderate drinkers, used as controls. The hemostatic system was explored by detecting the plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2) and thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT) with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, while D-dimer plasma levels were measured with a turbidimetric immunoassay. RESULTS: Reactive oxygen species were significantly higher (p<0.001) in heavy drinkers than in controls: 328.1 (143.4-847.2) U.CARR vs 250 (200.7-366.8) U.CARR, respectively. The total antioxidant capacity was similar in chronic alcohol abusers and in moderate drinkers: 360.2 (336.8-374.4) microMol HClO/mL vs 369 (362-378.4) microMol HClO/mL, respectively. All molecular markers of hemostatic system activation were significantly increased in chronic alcohol abusers in comparison with those in moderate drinkers, as follows: TAT: 2.5 (1.4-13) microg/L vs 1.5 (1-4.1) mocrog/L, respectively (p<0.001); F1+2: 1.7 (0.5-5.2) nMol/L vs 0.9 (0.4-1.1) nMol/L, respectively (p<0.01); D-dimer: 235.5 (208-462) ng/mL vs 163.5 (71-233) ng/mL, respectively (p<0.001). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that oxidative stress and a thrombophilic condition can be observed in heavy drinkers without severe liver disease. The new test available for measuring reactive oxygen species in serum proved to be reliable and useful as an early marker of tissue damage.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Food intake and nutritional status in a group of healthy elderly residing in a nursing home].

BACKGROUND: Aging is accompanied by a variety of economic, psychologic, and social changes that can compromise the nutritional status. Nutrition is an important aspect of healthful behaviour and a major component of general wellbeing of individuals throughout their life cycle. Nutritional intake appears to be an important factor contributing to aging. So, the purpose of this project was to evaluate diet and nutritional status. METHODS: Fifty-one healthy elderly subjects aged 70 years and older (31 F and 20 M), residing in a nursing home have been studied. Nutrient intake was assessed using 24-hour recalls; nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements. The nutrient intakes for individuals were compared with the Italian Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). RESULTS: Mean energy intake was 1,625 kcal; the average percentages of carbohydrate, protein, and fat were 54%, 16%, and 30%, respectively. The mean vitamin and mineral intake for participants met the RDAs except for calcium and selenium intakes. The mean fibre intake was low. The analysis of food products intake indicated that the above mentioned inadequacy in nutrient intake was the result of low consumption of milk and milk products containing calcium and a low consumption of integral foods or fruits containing fibre. CONCLUSIONS: The significance of sound nutrition education and the adverse impact of consumer misinformation about the benefits of these food choices becomes clear with the recognition that nutritional status influences the rate of physiologic and functional declines with age. This approach will require new efforts in consumer education sensitive to the needs and beliefs of older people.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2001

[Epidemiologic data on obesity and overweight in the elderly].

The incidence and the prevalence of obesity are progressively increasing in all the more industrialized Western nations: in the USA, approximately 280,000 deaths/year are attributable to obesity. Moreover the general structure of the population to world-wide level is enduring a strong change, since it is increasing towards the bands of more advanced ages: the strong aging of population makes it necessary to deepen the behavior and the consequences of obesity as risk factor also in the third age. In Italy, overweight subjects, amounting to more than 15 million over the age of eighteen, have not increased since 1994, but the obese ones in the general population are approximately 8%. The distribution of the prevalence of obesity in the range of age between 45 and 75 does not seem to be much age correlated in the male population, while it is more age related in the women: the prevalence decreases in the last class of age. We can found a similar trend for the overweight conditions. Differences in the distribution of this important risk factor, even if often neglected, also are tied to the professional skills and education.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2001

[Membrane fluidity and obesity: the correct food approach].

Modifications in dietary fat profile have shown to affect body weight gain and adiposity. This may occur through the changes of cell membrane fluidity, in particular of the peripheral muscle tissue. The decreased availability of diet polyunsaturated fatty acids (in particular of the to-3 series), that are able to induce membrane fluidification, together with an excessive intake of both saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, that on the contrary are able to rigidify the same membranes, promoter both a progressive immobilization of membrane proteins and a consequent decrease in their functional rate of liver lipoproteins VLDL, enriched in saturated fats and cholesterol. This lipoprotein increase promotes both the fat deposition in the adipose tissues and a further increase in the muscle membrane rigidity that is followed by a further enhancement in the peripheral resistance to insulin. A diert rich both in polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants (vitamin and oligoelements), and in essential amino acids together with a preferential choice of complex carbohydrates (amylose, amylopectine, etc) in comparison to simple sugars (glucose, fructose, saccharose, lactose, etc) may significantly contribute to the maintenance of the correct degree of membrane fluidity and, as a consequence, to the physiologically correct body weight.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2001

[The hypocaloric balanced diet therapy and the supplementation with antioxidant and omega-3: what are the effects on the oxidative balance and erythrocytes membrane fluidity status?].

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of a hypocaloric balanced diet therapy and a supplementation with antioxidant and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the oxidative balance and erythrocytes membrane fluidity status. METHODS: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the association between a hypocaloric balanced diet therapy and a supplementation with antioxidant and omega-3 was done on 40 women with 25 < BMI < 33. The inclusion criteria were the following: absence of dismetabolic pathologies, of previous hypocaloric diet therapy and/or supplementation and of hormonal treatments. Each subjects consumed a balanced diet with a daily caloric intake equal to: Kcal of basal metabolism (determined by indirect calorimetry) x LAF (1.64) 800 Kcal. At the start and after two months of treatment, the blood chemistry and anthropometrics parameters, the plasmatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defence levels and erythrocyte membrane fluidity status were measured. RESULTS: The preliminary results of this study show that the weight loss, found in both groups investigated, determines a significant decrease of ROS. Furthermore, the association of the hypocaloric diet with antioxidant and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids caused a significant increase of both plasmatic antioxidant defences and erythrocytes membrane fluidity status. CONCLUSIONS: The correlations found between the above parameters and the blood chemistry and anthropometrics variables suggest that the supplementation with antioxidant and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could ameliorate the effects of hypocaloric diet on the obesity treatment and may give some clinical benefit through the decrease of the values of atherosclerosis risk factors.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2001

[Dietary restriction and oral administration of antioxidant and omega-3: what are the effects on the clinical variables in a group of obese women?].

BACKGROUND: Obesity is now recognized as a major risk factor for many pathologies. The state of obesity is associated with an increase in reactive oxygen species; persistent overconsumption of calories in the obese may be exposing them to excessive damage besides maintaining the state of obesity. It is possible that dietary modification and association with assumption of antioxidant and omega-3 oral integration contributes to a reduction in reactive oxygen species generation and a corresponding reduction in indexes of oxidative damage, including lipid peroxidation. METHODS: Given this back-ground, the pro/anti-oxidant balance, biochemical parameters and the body composition were studied in two groups of obese women: a first group of 10 obese women were studied before and after eight weeks of dietary restriction and a second group of 12 obese women were studied before and after eight weeks of dietary restriction and oral administration of antioxidant and omega-3. RESULTS: In summary, as regards the preliminary results of clinical outcome parameters, interestingly enough the glycemic levels fall markedly in association with both dietary restriction and oral integration with antioxidant and omega-3. Another important finding of this study is that of calcium levels and phase angle (measured by impedenzometry) increase in the group treated with dietary restriction and oral administration of antioxidant and omega-3. CONCLUSIONS: Studies that aimed to explore whether oxidative status predicts clinical outcome would provide important details on the putative link between oxidative status and state of obesity.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2001

Adipose tissue and cytokines.

Adipose tissue is not simply a storage depot for excess energy intake, it is also able to produce and release several substances with local (autocrine) and systemic (endocrine) actions. An up-to-date review of our knowledge in this area is given here. Several of the compounds deriving from adipose tissue have been shown to play a role in obesity-related health complications. The production of cytokines, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, and leptin, is implicated in the development of several disorders. Insulin resistance is one of the most clinically significant.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Biological variability of myoglobin in healthy elderly and younger subjects.

To study the effect of age on serum myoglobin more clearly, the analytical, intra-individual and inter-individual components of variation were estimated from duplicate analyses of specimens collected from 18 healthy elderly subjects [ages 74-97 years; 9 men (EM)], and 14 healthy younger subjects [ages 25-31 years; 7 men (YM)] over a period of 6 weeks. The mean values (microgram/L) were EM: 53.7; EW: 44.9; YM: 34.2; YW:24.8. Estimated analytical (CVA), intra- (CVI) and inter-individual (CVG) variations as CV% were: CVA: 2.2. CVI: EM: 13; EW: 9.9; YM: 12.4; YW: 9.6. CVG: EM: 37.6; EW: 28; YM: 18.5; YW: 13.4. The data obtained were used to derive the desirable analytical goal for imprecision (i.e., < or = 6.5% in EM; < or = 4.9% in EW and < or = 6.2% in YM; < or = 4.8% in YW); inaccuracy (i.e., < or = 9.9% in EM; < or = 7.7 in EW and < or = 5.5% in YM; < or = 4.12% in YW); the change required for serial results to be significantly different (i.e., 36% in EM; 28% in EW and 34% in YM; 27.2% in YW), the numbers of specimen collections required to produce a more precise estimate of the homeostatic set point of an individual within 5% (i.e., 26 in EM; 16 in EW and 24 in YM; 15 in YW), and the index of individuality (i.e., 0.34 in EM; 0.35 in EW and 0.67 in YM; 0.71 in YW). This study shows that intra-individual biological variation of myoglobin in healthy elderly subjects is not different from that in young subjects. Inter-individual variation, instead, is greatly influenced by differences in age and sex.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Rice: old or new food?

The aim of this paper is to focus the attention on the role of rice not only as food, but as a natural dietetic product. In fact, a regular intake of rice may contribute to the well-being of subjects due to the particular positive qualities of this food (high digeribility, high biological value of amino acids, high content of EFA, positive sodium/chloride rate, high content of selenium and silicium, antihypertensive effect) which have been scientifically confirmed. Stress is laid on the particular nutritional composition of rice, underlying the dietetic usefulness of this food and the new frontiers of rice as functional food.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Serum glucagon concentration and hyperinsulinaemia influence renal haemodynamics and urinary protein loss in normotensive patients with central obesity.

OBJECTIVES: Insulin-resistance syndrome and hyperinsulinaemia are linked with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the obese population. In particular, cardiovascular risk is more frequent in central obesity and is associated with microalbuminuria (MA). MA and changes of glomerular permeability to proteins in obesity might be related with renal haemodynamic modifications (that is glomerular hyperfiltration). Since glucagon is physiologically involved in renal haemodynamic regulation, the purpose of this study was to examine whether changes of circulating glucagon levels might haemodynamically induce MA and proteinuria in patients with central obesity. SUBJECTS: Forty normotensive obese out-patients, 22 with central (CO group) and 18 with peripheral (PO group) body fat distribution and 11 healthy subjects. MEASUREMENTS: Serum insulin and glucagon concentrations (fasting and after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)) by radio immuno assay (RIA); glomerular filtration rate (GFR, isotopic); total clearances and urinary excretion rates of albumin (AER), IgG (IgGER) and alpha1 microglobulin (computerized immunonephelometry). RESULTS: GFR and insulin concentrations (fasting and during OGTT) were higher in the CO than the PO group. Fasting glucagon concentrations were increased, and not physiologically suppressed during OGTT in patients with CO (fasting, P<0.05; OGTT 60 and 120 min, P<0.001 vs PO group). Moreover, glucagon concentrations were significantly correlated with GFR in the CO group (fasting, r=0.49, P<0.05; 60 min after OGTT, r=0.58, P<0.01); whereas no correlations were found in the PO group. Higher AER (P<0.001), IgGER (P<0.001) and alpha1 microglobulin (P<0.05) urinary concentrations were found in patients with CO than in the PO group. CONCLUSIONS: The increase of serum glucagon concentrations may be associated with the enhancement of GFR in patients with central obesity. Glomerular hyperfiltration might influence the development of MA and of proteinuria by means of a haemodynamic mechanism so contributing to increase the risk of renal microvascular complications and of CVD in central obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Involvement of hormonal circadian secretion in the growth of HIV-infected children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the circadian secretion of hormones involved in the regulation of growth in childhood, namely growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, cortisol, adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in HIV-infected children. DESIGN: The circadian secretory pattern of growth hormone, IGF-I, cortisol, ACTH and TSH was evaluated in 14 HIV-infected children; 13 healthy age- and sex-matched children were chosen as controls. METHODS: Sampling was performed every 4 h from 0400 h to 2000 h and every 2 h from 2000 h to 0400 h. Rhythmometric data were analysed by single and population mean cosinor methods and by analysis of variance. RESULTS: A statistically significant circadian rhythm for growth hormone, IGF-I and cortisol was detectable in HIV-seropositive children, but the mean basal IGF-I levels were below the normal range for age in 12 patients. A statistically significant circadian rhythm was not detectable for ACTH or TSH. CONCLUSION: These results show that there is a loss of the physiological regulation of growth hormone-IGF-I axis and a modification of 24 h TSH profile in our HIV-infected children. These abnormalities might be involved in the altered growth mechanism leading to the failure to thrive that is a peculiar feature of HIV-infected children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Electrolytes and cognitive function in the elderly: relationship between serum sodium and chloride concentrations and psychometric test scores.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that nutritional status and CNS functions are closely related. Malnutrition leads to an impaired cognitive performance, and mental disturbances may be responsible for alterations in eating behaviour. The correlation between nutritional and cognitive status seems to be even closer in the elderly because of the higher incidence of neuropsychic syndromes and malnutrition. METHODS: Given this background, we set up this study in order to correlate cognitive status (investigated using the Mini-Mental State Examination--MMSE--and the Geriatric Depression Scale--GDS) and various biochemical nutritional indicators (serum electrolytes, albumin, transferrin, erythrocytes, lymphocyte count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and total proteins) in 82 apparently healthy elderly people (mean age +/- SD 87 +/- 6). RESULTS: Our data demonstrated a correlation between the MMSE score (26 +/- 2) and Na (138.1 +/- 3.0 mmol/L, r = -0.66, p < 0.001) and Cl (102.4 +/- 4.5 mmol/L, r = -0.62, p < 0.001) serum electrolytes, but no correlation with the other nutritional data. The demonstrated relationship does not appear to be causal because Na and Cl are chemically and physiologically linked. CONCLUSIONS: These correlations underline the relevance of the correct intake and metabolism of electrolytes for functional CNS activity in the elderly.

Aged↗