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Biomedical subjects

P Mastronardi

Publications and source records attributed to P Mastronardi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Human basophil/mast cell releasability. IX. Heterogeneity of the effects of opioids on mediator release.

Opioids differ in their capacity to cause release of histamine. The effects of increasing concentrations of three opioids (morphine, buprenorphine, and fentanyl) were studied on the release of preformed (histamine and tryptase) and de novo synthesized (prostaglandin D2 [PGD2] and peptide-leukotriene C4 [LTC4]) chemical mediators from human peripheral blood basophils and mast cells isolated from skin tissues or lung parenchyma. Basophils released < 5% of their histamine content and did not synthesize significant amounts of LTC4 when incubated with any of the opioids. Mast cells showed markedly different responses to the three opioids. Morphine (10(-5)-3 x 10(-4) M), in a concentration-dependent manner, induced histamine and tryptase release from skin but not from lung mast cells, up to a maximum of 18.2 +/- 1.9% and 13.0 +/- 4.1 micrograms/10(7) cells, respectively. Morphine did not induce de novo synthesis of PGD2 from skin mast cells. Buprenorphine (10(-6)-10(-4) M), in a concentration-dependent manner, caused histamine and tryptase release from lung but not from skin mast cells, to a maximum of 47.6 +/- 7.2% and 35.1 +/- 13.6 micrograms/10(7) cells, respectively. Buprenorphine also induced de novo synthesis of PGD2 and LTC4 from lung mast cells. Fentanyl (10(-5)-10(-3) M) did not induce histamine and tryptase release or the de novo synthesis of PGD2 or LTC4 from any mast cells. Histamine release caused by buprenorphine from lung mast cells was slow (t1/2 = 11.2 +/- 3.6 min) compared with that induced by morphine from skin mast cells (t1/2 < 1 min, P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Basophils

General anaesthetics induce only histamine release selectively from human mast cells.

We have examined the in vitro effects of increasing concentrations of propofol (5-70 micrograms ml-1), ketamine (10(-6)-10(-3) mol litre-1) and thiopentone (10(-5)-8 x 10(-4) mol litre-1) on the release of preformed histamine and de novo synthesized mediators (peptide leukotriene C4 (LTC4) or prostaglandin D2 (PGD2] from human basophils and mast cells isolated from lung parenchyma and skin tissue and from heart fragments. Propofol, ketamine and thiopentone failed to induce the release of histamine and de novo synthesis of LTC4 from basophils. Propofol induced histamine release from lung (mean 8.6 (SEM 1.6)%) and skin mast cells (3.8 (1.5)%), but not from heart mast cells. Ketamine caused release of histamine from lung (6.2 (0.9)%) and skin mast cells (2.5 (1.5)%). Thiopentone caused a small amount of histamine release from lung mast cells (3.1 (1.2)%). Propofol, ketamine and thiopentone did not induce de novo synthesis of PGD2 and LTC4 from lung and skin mast cells. These results demonstrate that general anaesthetics induce only histamine release selectively from human mast cells.

Anesthetics

Heterogeneity of human mast cells and basophils in response to muscle relaxants.

The authors studied the effects of increasing concentrations 10(-5)-10(-3) M) of four muscle relaxants (succinylcholine, d-tubocurarine, vecuronium, and atracurium) on histamine release from peripheral blood basophils and mast cells isolated from human lung parenchyma, skin tissues, and heart fragments. Basophil granulocytes released less than 5% of their histamine content when incubated with any one of the muscle relaxants tested. In contrast, mast cells showed a significant heterogeneity in response to different muscle relaxants. Succinylcholine did not induce histamine release from any type of mast cell, and only high concentrations of d-tubocurarine (10(-3) M) caused histamine release from skin and lung mast cells. Vecuronium concentration-dependently induced histamine release from skin and lung--but not from heart mast cells--to a maximum of 7.2 +/- 2.1% and 4.9 +/- 1.4%, respectively. Atracurium concentration-dependently caused significant histamine release from skin and lung mast cells to a maximum of 46.2 +/- 15.1% and 30.6 +/- 6.0%, respectively. Atracurium (5 x 10(-5) - 2 x 10(-4) M) also induced histamine release from heart mast cells. The histamine release process from both lung and skin mast cells caused by atracurium and vecuronium was extremely rapid (t1/2 = less than 1 min). The releasing activity of atracurium and vecuronium on lung and skin mast cells was not reduced, and not abolished, by lowering the temperature of the incubation buffer to 22 degrees C and 4 degrees C. Extracellular calcium did not affect the capacity of atracurium and vecuronium to induce histamine release from lung and skin mast cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Basophils

[Antiemetic effect of the levo isomer of sulpiride (L-sulpiride) in humans].

Vomiting represents one of the most dangerous complications of general anesthesia. L-sulpiride has been able to control this complication very effectively. We studied the effect on vomiting of two doses of L-sulpiride (50/100 mg). Both these doses have been effective in reducing the episodes of vomiting other than in preventing nausea and retching if considered versus controls and also versus droperidol at the doses of 5 mg (50 mg L-sul = 12%, 100 mg = 4%, droperidol = 20%, controls = 28%). L-sulpiride is an antagonist of dopamine on D2 receptors therefore inhibits the action of dopamine increasing the secretion of prolactin. During the surgical distress per se prolactin levels are increased. Together with the increment of catecholamines, high concentration of prolactin can evoke arrhythmias. In view of this possibility we studied the time course of the administration of the two doses of L-sulpiride and of droperidol on prolactin secretion. Both of the drugs increased the plasma levels of prolactin. Droperidol-induced increase in prolactin secretion was significant already at ten minutes after the administration reaching the peak after 20 minutes. L-sulpiride increased prolactin secretion reaching the maximum increase 20 minutes after the administration of 50 mg of the drug, and 30 minutes after the administration of 100 mg doses. The hyperprolactinemizing action of droperidol lasts for at least 8 hours, whereas L-sulpiride action lasts 4 hours.

Adolescent

Platelet 3H-imipramine binding and response to minaprine in patients with major depression.

Platelet 3H-imipramine binding was studied in 37 patients fulfilling Research Diagnostic Criteria for major depressive disorder, examined before and after four weeks of treatment with minaprine 200 mg/day, and in 19 healthy controls. Mean baseline Bmax values of depressed patients were found to be significantly lower than those of controls, while no significant difference between the two groups was observed with respect to mean Kd. Treatment with minaprine did not significantly affect Bmax or Kd in depressed patients. When patients who responded to treatment (n = 18) were compared with nonresponders (n = 19), mean baseline Bmax values were found to be significantly lower in the former group, whereas mean Kd values did not differ. It is hypothesized that reduced 3H-imipramine binding may represent a predictor of a favorable response to antidepressant drugs which potentiate serotonergic transmission.

Adult

Acute normovolemic hemodilution in aesthetic plastic surgery.

Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is indicated and useful in all procedures of plastic surgery in which great blood loss is expected. Here we present the advantages of ANH such as avoidance of incompatibility reaction, no risk of disease transmission, better microperfusion, economic and psychological advantages, and saving blood.

Adult

Benzydamine for the prevention of pharyngo-laryngeal pathology following tracheal intubation.

A clinical study was carried out to assess the antiinflammatory effectiveness and related properties of this drug. It was performed double-blind in 40 adult patients (ASA I, and II) undergoing major otorhinolaryngological surgical procedures with tracheal intubation. The patients received benzydamine at random (n = 20), or a similar solution without the active substance (n = 20). The following parameters were considered: physical examination, sensations referred from patient, cytologic examination, glottographic examination, and spectrographic examination. The results suggest that benzydamine applied locally at a concentration of 0.3% has therapeutic efficacy without local or systemic side-effects.

Administration, Topical