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Biomedical subjects

R Lolli

Publications and source records attributed to R Lolli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Acute hepatotoxicity from amiodarone].

The functional and histological liver alterations induced by amiodarone treatment have been well known for some time and often consist in isolated increases in transaminase levels during long-term treatment. Secondary phospholipidosis was observed in these cases, an alteration which suggests the presence of toxic damage. Reports in the literature also indicate acute liver intoxication, including a number of fatal cases. This paper reports the finding of acute alterations of laboratory parameters indicative of hepatocytonecrosis with alterations of protein synthesis capacity following the first dose of the drug and which regressed after its suspension. On the basis of a review of the literature the authors propose that, in addition to a dose-dependent toxic mechanism, immunogenic or idiosyncratic mechanisms may also play a role in the onset and manifestation of acute liver intoxication by amiodarone.

Acute Disease↗

Anthropometric assessment of the nutritional status of patients with liver cirrhosis in an Italian population.

A poor nutritional status has repeatedly been described in advanced liver cirrhosis, but the exact prevalence of the defect and its relation to the aetiology and severity of liver disease in the Italian population are only partly known. Anthropometric measurements were carried out in 200 patients with cirrhosis (135 M, 65 F). Liver disease was related to alcohol abuse in 77 cases, but most patients had stopped alcohol for at least 6 months before study. In comparison to a normal elderly Italian and to an age-matched North-American population, 5 to 45% of male patients with cirrhosis and 10 to 30% of females had signs of malnutrition, the proportion being variable according to the test used. Male patients showed a remarkable reduction in muscle mass (30-45% of patients, mainly in the presence of moderate-to-severe or severe liver failure), whereas female patients showed a more remarkable reduction of fat stores (15-30% of cases), with advancing liver failure, and a less severe reduction in muscle mass. No direct effect of alcohol was demonstrated in this selected population.

Adipose Tissue↗

Synthesis of urea after a protein-rich meal in normal man in relation to ageing.

An age-related decline in the functional capacity of the liver has been repeatedly demonstrated by means of dynamic tests. We measured the urea-N synthesis rate in response to a protein-rich meal in 24 healthy subjects divided into three age-groups (less than or equal to 55 years, 56-70 years; greater than or equal to 71 years). No differences were observed in the basal state. The peak urea synthesis and the mean urea synthesis in the 5 hours after the meal were blunted with increasing age, and a negative correlation was present between mean or peak urea synthesis and age (r = -0.572 and r = -0.541, respectively). No differences in basal and post-meal total alpha-amino-nitrogen or individual plasma amino acids were observed. Hormone responses were similar. Galactose elimination capacity was also reduced with increasing age, and correlated with mean and peak urea synthesis after a protein mean (r = 0.640 and r = 0.591, respectively). These data suggest that the capacity of the liver to produce urea in response to a protein-rich meal is reduced in the elderly in relation to a decreased functional liver cell mass.

Age Factors↗

[Technical artifacts in biopsy of the oral cavity. I. Clinical and histopathologic aspects].

In the present work the problems of artifacts introduced in human oral biopsy specimens are discussed. The circumstances that can result in artifacts include: errors by the surgeon or assistant in handling the tissue at the time of biopsy, an improper fixation and faulty tissue processing. Different types of artifacts are described and illustrated and clinical and technical suggestions are given to prevent alterations of normal morphologic and cytologic features that can compromise an accurate diagnosis.

Biopsy↗

[Ultrastructural aspects of the submandibular gland].

The structure of normal human submandibular glands has been studied with the electron microscope. Secretory cells are arranged around a central lumen, and are surrounded by numerous myoepithelial cells, showing tapering process. Intercalated and striated ducts follow secretory units. Striated ducts' cells are characterized by extensive infoldings of the basal plasma membrane, among which numerous mitochondria are aligned. Furthermore, the Authors examine the submandibular gland's innervation.

Humans↗

Caffeine intake, fasting plasma caffeine and caffeine clearance in patients with liver diseases.

The effects of a variable daily administration of caffeine on fasting levels of caffeine in plasma and in saliva were measured in 24 patients with liver disease and hepatocellular dysfunction of variable degree. For 2 consecutive days the patients received either 250 mg of caffeine (in 2 separate doses of 125 mg each at 8:00 a.m. and at 6:00 p.m.) or a single dose of 125 mg at 6:00 p.m. Caffeine clearance was also measured and the results were correlated with the galactose elimination capacity and with antipyrine clearance. At the beginning of the study, fasting caffeine concentrations were largely variable, without any relation to liver function. A strict negative correlation between fasting caffeine and caffeine clearance was only observed after 2 days of controlled caffeine administration (rs = -0.814). Under these conditions, fasting caffeine also correlated with antipyrine clearance (rs = -0.671, n = 20) and with galactose elimination (rs = -0.565). Our data prove that fasting caffeine concentrations after an evening dose may be used as an index of liver function only in subjects under a strictly controlled dietary caffeine intake. The large availability of caffeine in the diet makes the compound scarcely reliable for a correct measurement of liver function based on a single sample, and correct clearance determination is needed.

Body Weight↗

Study on tissue concentrations of antibiotics: bacampicillin in gingiva and maxillary bones.

21 patients, whose age ranged from 17 to 60 years and who had not been previously treated with antibiotics or other drugs, received bacampicillin as a perioperative prophylaxis for minor operations in the oral cavity. Four oral doses of bacampicillin were administered: each dose of 800 mg every 12 h, and the last dose was administered 2 h before surgery. To assess bacampicillin serum concentrations two blood samples were collected from each patient: the first sample was obtained 1 h before surgery and the second one during surgery. Together with the second blood sample, small quantities of gingiva and bone were obtained from each patient to also assess the antibiotic concentrations in these tissues (microbiological method). The results show that bacampicillin reaches high concentrations in both the blood and tissues studied by us, and that a direct correspondence exists between blood and gingival and bone tissue concentrations. Furthermore, it should be noted that no postoperative infections developed in our patients. These results lead to the conclusion that bacampicillin appears to be a suitable drug in the therapy of dental infections.

Adolescent↗