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Biomedical subjects

O Di Stefano

Publications and source records attributed to O Di Stefano.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Fish oil supplementation in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is associated with premature coronary heart disease. In patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, monotherapy with hydroxymethylglutaril coenzyme. A reductase inhibitors rarely achieves the goal of desirable low-density lipoprotein levels. Epidemiological studies suggest that populations with a high dietary intake of marine n3 fatty acids are protected against coronary heart disease. Hepatic synthesis and secretion of very low density lipoproteins are reduced during fish oil supplementation while other effects on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism are controversial. Fourteen patients affected by familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia on chronic treatment with simvastatin were enrolled in a double blind, placebo controlled, randomized crossover trial that evaluated the effect of fish oil ethyl ester (Esapent, 5.1 g/day) on lipid and lipoprotein serum concentrations. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apoprotein B, apoprotein AI, lipoprotein (a) did not show any significant variation during the four week treatment period with fish oil ethyl ester. The present data suggest that the possible favourable influence of fish oil on the progression of atherosclerosis in these high-risk patients might involve mechanisms which are different from lipid metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Lipoprotein (a) in thyroid dysfunction before and after treatment.

Alterations of the lipid profile are a well known phenomenon in thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid hormones regulate lipid metabolism through various mechanisms, but a key role is played by the LDL receptor pathway. Thyroid hormone influence on Lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) metabolism is unknown; therefore we studied Lp(a) concentrations in a group of 29 hypothyroid patients with post-surgical hypothyroidism and in a group of 14 hyperthyroid subjects with Graves' disease before and after the thyroid function was normalized by treatment. In hypothyroid patients total and LDL-cholesterol markedly decreased after T4 treatment (342 +/- 78 mg/dl before and 193 +/- 46 mg/dl after; 225 +/- 72 mg/dl before, 111 +/- 43 mg/dl after respectively, p < 0.001). Also HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides decreased (from 75 +/- 22 mg/dl to 56 +/- 18 mg/dl and from 182 +/- 87 mg/dl to 112 +/- 42 mg/dl respectively, p < 0.001). Lp(a) showed minor but not significant variations (median values 80 mg/l before 55 mg/l after treatment, p: N.S.). In hyperthyroid patients total and LDL-cholesterol increased after methimazole treatment (from 148 +/- 49 mg/dl before to 254 +/- 67 mg/dl after and from 87 +/- 38 mg/dl before to 178 +/- 51 mg/dl after, p < 0.001). HDL-cholesterol increased (from 39 +/- 9 to 50 +/- 15, p < 0.01) while triglycerides were unchanged. Lp(a) levels slightly rose (median values 57 mg/l before 84 mg/l after treatment, p < 0.05). These data suggest that the influence of thyroid hormones on Lp(a) metabolism is of minor entity and probably does not operate through the LDL receptor pathway.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Double filtration plasmapheresis in the treatment of vascular complications of hyperlipidemia].

Double-filtration plasmapheresis is a therapeutic procedure for the extracorporeal depuration of atherogenic lipoproteins, which does not require the administration to the patient of exogenous fluids. We have used it in two patients affected by hyperlipidemia with severe cardiovascular complications. Both patients presented a dramatic improvement of their symptoms (angina pectoris and claudicatio intermittens) shortly after the beginning of treatment. By the brisk reduction of circulating low-density lipoproteins, plasma-filtration may favor the removal of cholesterol from atheromatous plaques of vessel walls. Furthermore, this procedure may modify platelet aggregation and blood viscosity. Our observation suggests that plasma-filtration may be useful not only for delaying coronary heart disease in the rare cases of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, but also in the management of patients with other primary hyperlipoproteinemias and clinical manifestations of already established cardiovascular complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[The prevention of beta-thalassemia in French-speaking Belgium. II. Proposal of a strategy].

Medico-social surveys and pilot experiments, conducted by the authors in Wallonia and Brussels at the request of the Ministry for the French-Speaking Community, have allowed the definition of a community-scale prevention programme. High-quality information, repeated at regular intervals and adapted to the different environments, is vital for effective voluntary screening. The contents of this information and distribution methods have been specified. Screening will take place on an occasional basis among people at risk who request it, or who accept it as an addition to other planned blood tests (curative or preventive consultations); microcytosis must be considered as a definite indication for further work up. Systematic screening is recommended in the framework of upper secondary education, through cooperation between volunteer teachers and the staff of school medical institutions; teaching methods and means have been reviewed.

Belgium↗
PubMed1989

[Use of activated charcoal plasmafiltration in the treatment of hyperthyroidism].

We evaluated the use of activated charcoal plasmaperfusion in four patients already treated with synthetic antithyroid agents affected by severe hyperthyroid. Our patients showed no significant side-effect and a rapid improvement of their symptoms. Thyroid hormone levels were 30% lower after the procedure, but returned to previous levels after 7-10 days. Activated charcoal plasmaperfusion may represent a useful therapeutic adjunct to antithyroid drugs in patients affected by severe hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxic storm.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Positive inotropic effects of an ACTH analogue (ACTH 1-17) on myocardial performance.

The aim of the present investigation was to study the effects of a single 100-micrograms i.v. administration of the synthetic heptadecapeptide [beta-Ala1-Lys17]ACTH1-17-4-amino-N-butylamide (ACTH 1-17) on the left ventricular performance. The systolic time intervals (STI) were recorded in 20 healthy adult young subjects (10 treated with ACTH 1-17 and 10 receiving placebo) before as well as 20, 40, 60 and 80 min after the i.v. ACTH 1-17 or placebo infusion. The STI were recorded immediately after blood withdrawal for measuring cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline plasma levels. A highly significant statistical difference was demonstrated for preejection period (PEP) and preejection period/left ventricular ejection time (PEP/LVET) ratio between subjects treated with ACTH 1-17 and subjects receiving placebo. As expected, a significant increase of cortisol and aldosterone plasma levels was observed in subjects treated with ACTH 1-17. The difference of adrenaline and noradrenaline plasma levels was statistically highly significant between subjects treated with ACTH 1-17 and those receiving placebo. The lack of increase in PEP and PEP/LVET ratio recorded in subjects treated with ACTH 1-17 is consistent with an increased left ventricular contractile performance. An increased plasma catecholamine release is postulated as the mechanism of this improvement.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗