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Biomedical subjects

S Castellani

Publications and source records attributed to S Castellani.

60 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Behavioral analysis of chronic cocaine intoxication in the cat.

Modification of cocaine's stimulant and local anesthetic behavioral effects as a function of chronic treatment was evaluated in seven female cats. Video tape of behavior pre- and post-cocaine (iv) on days 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13 in seven cats, and in addition, on days 21, 28, and 35 for s subset of four cats, was rated for several scales of the Behavioral Rating Inventory for Drug-Generated Effects (BRIDGE), developed to quantify stimulant-induced behaviors. Preseizure events were measured using scales for Tremor Intensity and Preseizure-Seizure Intensity (PSI), developed to quantify local anesthetic-induced behaviors. Behaviors associated with cocaine's local anesthetic effects, i.e., Tremor Intensity and PSI levels, showed tolerance over the treatment period, while behaviors associated with cocaine's psychomotor stimulant effects, i.e., the BRIDGE measures, showed augmentation, or reverse tolerance. These data are discussed in terms of catecholamine supersensitivity, kindling mechanisms, and stimulant models of psychosis.

Amygdala↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Homocysteine-lowering therapy and carotid intima-media thickness in renal transplant recipients.

The aim of this study was to document, in hyperhomocysteinemic renal transplant recipients, the effect of vitamin supplementation on carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Fifty-six hyperhomocysteinemic stable renal transplant recipients were randomly assigned to either vitamin supplementation (group A) or placebo treatment (group B). All patients underwent high-resolution B mode ultrasound to measure IMT of common carotid arteries before and after 6 months of vitamin supplementation. In group A, cIMT significantly decreased after treatment, whereas no significant changes were observed in group B. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a beneficial effect of the treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia by vitamin supplementation on an early sign of atherosclerosis in a group of renal transplant recipients.

Carotid Arteries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Renal adaptive mechanisms in aged and hypertensive humans: possible effects of treatment.

BACKGROUND: In the aging kidney renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate are reduced due to glomerulosclerosis. On this regard, hypertension has synergistic effects and may lead to end-stage renal disease in a significant proportion of cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To study the effects of antihypertensive drugs in an acute setting, we expressly designed an acute experiment to assess the renal response to mental stress (MS). In healthy elderly, the response was characterized by a prolonged and pronounced renal vasoconstriction, due to a reduction in renal autacoid modulatory capacity, particularly of prostaglandins. In older patients with isolated systolic hypertension, the response to MS was impaired, being characterized by a passive vasodilation with hyperfiltration. The effects of antihypertensive drugs were evaluated twice in adults patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension: after two weeks of pharmacological wash-out and after two weeks of treatment with the ACE-inhibitor trandolapril (4 mg), or the non-dihydropyridinic Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil (240 mg), or both (2 mg + 180 mg). RESULTS: While the three antihypertensive regimens reduced blood pressure to a similar extent, their effects on the renal response to MS were different. Each regimen re-established a renal vasoconstrictive response to adrenergic activation. However, with trandolapril, renal vasoconstriction was limited, as it occurs physiologically, to the period of blood pressure rise, while verapamil, or the combination of the two drugs, were associated with more prolonged vasoconstriction. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to confirm the nephroprotective effects of these drugs, particularly of ACE-inhibitors. These data may be a pathophysiological basis for future clinical trials.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bartter's syndrome and chondrocalcinosis: a possible role for hypomagnesemia in the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals.

A new case of association between Bartter's syndrome and chondrocalcinosis is reported. The patient was shown to have marked hypomagnesemia. Indomethacin and magnesium therapy was started and resulted in increased magnesemia, even if it did not reach normal levels. There was complete remission of articular symptoms and no progression on the radiological picture after 2 years of continuous magnesium and indomethacin therapy. The 7 available family members were studied to assess the possible presence of a familial form of chondrocalcinosis and/or hypomagnesemia. The literature is reviewed and reports of previously described associations between Bartter's syndrome and chondrocalcinosis are summarized. The possible role of hypomagnesemia in predisposing to deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal in cartilagine is also discussed.

Adult↗