Biomedical subjects

V Maresca

Publications and source records attributed to V Maresca.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1988

The diffusion of pirprofen into the cerebrospinal fluid in man.

We have measured the concentrations of pirprofen at various times in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, drawn during diagnostic myelography from 28 patients affected by sciatica. After intramuscular injection of 400 mg plasma concentrations of pirprofen reached a peak in 60 min then fell slowly. In contrast, the CSF concentration rose until 12 h and then fell. Pirprofen rapidly crossed the blood-brain barrier and was detectable in CSF at 15-30 min after injection. These results support the suggested hypothesis of a central analgesic action of pirprofen along with the known peripheral one. A new sensitive HPLC method was developed for measuring the concentration of pirprofen in the CSF.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Pharmacokinetics of pirprofen and its pyrrol metabolite in elderly patients.

Plasma concentrations of pirprofen and of its pyrrol metabolite were assessed in 9 elderly patients (3 males, 6 females; mean age 76 years) suffering from chronic degenerative disease. Pirprofen 400 mg in 4 ml was administered i.m. and the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug and the metabolite was calculated. The AUC, Cmax and t1/2 of pirprofen were similar to those found in previous studies, and, as expected, those parameters for the pyrrol metabolite were lower (Cmax = 2.8 micrograms/ml-1; tmax = 6.4 h; AUC(0-32) = 56.5 micrograms.h.ml-1). One patient (n = 8) showed different pharmacokinetic behaviour, which is discussed. The data suggest that age has little influence on the pharmacokinetic of pirprofen, although unpredictable responses should always be considered in clinical practice.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

Inhibition of neutrophil oxidative metabolism by nimesulide.

Oxygen derived free radical release from activated neutrophils may be in part responsible of tissue damage in the acute phase of inflammation. We have shown that the methane sulfonanilide antiinflammatory agent nimesulide inhibits the respiratory burst of phagocytosing neutrophils without affecting their phagocytic or chemotactic responsiveness. In fact, chemiluminescence and superoxide anion generation by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) stimulated with zymosan particles or with the synthetic peptide FMLP are inhibited by nimesulide and its 4-OH metabolite in a dose dependent fashion without affecting cell viability. The control of the extracellular flux of radical species by pharmacological compounds may affect the course of inflammation reducing tissue damage. Our data suggest that the inhibition of superoxide anion production by neutrophils is an additional mechanism of action of the antiinflammatory agent nimesulide.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed1987

Pirprofen, naproxen and placebo in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea.

In a double-blind between-patient clinical trial, 82 patients were admitted to the study and after a preliminary period with placebo administered in single-blindness, they were divided into two groups: "placebo-responders" and "placebo non-responders". Responders were treated with pirprofen capsules (400 mg, b.i.d.) or placebo capsules b.i.d.; non-responders were treated with pirprofen capsules (400 mg, b.i.d.) or naproxen capsules (250 mg, b.i.d.) according to two different randomisation lists, for four menstrual cycles. A complete medical examination, including evaluation of associated symptomatology, menstrual flow entity and global efficacy, was performed after each cycle. In the responders group results were significantly better with pirprofen than with placebo after only the second cycle of treatment (p less than 0.01). In the non-responders group both treatments showed "good" or "excellent" results in more than 80% of patients in all cycles. In all patients there were no significant differences in the evaluation of the menstrual flow entity, of the associated symptomatology and of the number of side-effects.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Effect of pirprofen on polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions in vitro.

The action of the new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) pirprofen on different functions of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) has been studied. The chemotaxis of PMNs was found to be affected by pirprofen in a dose-dependent fashion; at a concentration of 2 micrograms/ml (10 times lower than the therapeutic blood levels) it significantly inhibited PMN locomotion toward two different chemoattractants. Moreover pirprofen inhibited the chemiluminescent response in a dose- and stimulus-dependent way. In fact the drug inhibited the chemiluminescence induced by the soluble stimuli FMLP or PMA, but it was ineffective when zymosan particles were used. The phagocytosis and adhesion functions of the PMNs were not modified by pirprofen at the concentrations tested. These experimental results suggest that a reduction of the accumulation and activation of inflammatory cells in tissues may represent another way, together with cyclooxygenase inhibition, by which pirprofen realizes its antiinflammatory activity in vivo.

Cell Adhesion↗

PubMed1985

Human calcitonin in the management of osteoporosis: a multicentre study.

In a multicentre open trial 530 patients suffering from primary osteoporosis, secondary osteoporosis and Sudeck's disease were enrolled to assess synthetic human calcitonin efficacy on bone pain relief. Spontaneous pain, pain on movement, provoked pain, functional impairment and patient's assessment were recorded. During the first 30 days of treatment, all the parameters significantly improved (p less than 0.01) and the tolerability was satisfactory. Four hundred and ten patients entered a follow-up study, this number gradually decreasing over a 6-month period due to a satisfactory outcome. Efficacy on bone pain remained very high in most of the patients, many of whom continued to improve. These results suggest that synthetic human calcitonin is highly effective on pain and functional impairment in bone disease and is well tolerated.

Calcitonin↗

PubMed1985

Pirprofen in acute ocular inflammation: a controlled study.

In a double-blind, between-patient trial, 30 patients affected by acute ocular inflammation were treated with either pirprofen capsules (400 mg twice daily) or indomethacin capsules (50 mg twice daily) for 14 days. Treatment efficacy was evaluated in basal conditions and after 3, 6, 10 and 14 days on the basis of the following criteria: keratic injection, Tyndall phenomenon, vitreous changes, endothelial precipitates and pain severity, all according to 4-point scales. At the end of the study, a final judgement was expressed by the physician. Non-parametric statistical tests showed that both treatments significantly modified all the parameters considered. Both drugs were well tolerated; only 1 patient on pirprofen dropped out because of gastralgia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenström: characterization of circulating immune complexes.

Circulating immune complexes were detected in the sera of 7 patients with hypergammaglobulinemic purpura of Waldenström by the following methods: KgB-SP, mRF-LIA, Cc test, ClqBA. Analytical ultracentrifugation showed intermediate complexes between 7S and 19S (16S-19S); simple immunodiffusion of the complexes, purified by 2.5% PEG precipitation, revealed the presence of IgG3, IgA, IgM, Clq, C3 and C4. Constant high titers of rheumatoid activity in the sera in toto and after purification, and normal serum complement levels were also detected.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intramuscular treatment of migraine attacks using diclofenac sodium: a crossover clinical trial.

This was a double-blind clinical trial, with a crossover design, to compare the efficacy of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac sodium, intramuscularly administered, and placebo in the treatment of migraine attacks. The drug was administered to 40 patients once a day in three consecutive migraine attacks. If pain still remained after 6 h following administration the patient was given a 100 mg diclofenac sodium suppository, in open condition. Evaluation was by a complete medical examination performed by the physician and by the patient completing a specially designed self-assessment card. A total of eight patients dropped out of the trial (all during placebo administration): three due to poor compliance, four for refusal to continue and one because no further migraine attacks developed. Results were analysed after having checked the absence of both period and carry-over effects. In all cases diclofenac sodium was more effective than placebo (P less than 0.01). This was also confirmed by data obtained from the patient self-assessment cards (P less than 0.001) and by preferences expressed by patients at the end of the trial (P less than 0.001). Tolerance to the drug was similar to that of placebo.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pirprofen in the treatment of sports injuries.

Patients with sports injuries were treated with pirprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, in two separate studies. In the single centre study, 39 athletes were treated with 1000 mg/day pirprofen for 2 weeks. In the multicentre study, a further 80 athletes were treated with a variable dosage (600-1200 mg/day) until the disappearance of symptoms, but for no longer than 2 weeks. Efficacy was considered excellent or good in 99/119 (83%) of the patients treated. The clinical variables of pain and mobility significantly (P less than 0.05) improved after 1 week of treatment. Tolerability was satisfactory, the main side-effects involving the gastro-intestinal tract.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as the first step in cancer pain therapy: double-blind, within-patient study comparing nine drugs.

The efficacy and tolerability of acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, pirprofen, sulindac, naproxen and suprofen were compared in the treatment of cancer pain. In a double-blind, within-patient randomized study, each drug was given for 1 week to eight patients and for another week to a further eight patients. A total of 65 patients were effectively treated; only 48 completed week 1 and 41 completed week 2. Naproxen, diclofenac and indomethacin were highly effective in pain relief (tested by means of a 100 mm visual analogue scale) and were relatively well tolerated. It is concluded that these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be considered as first choice in the treatment of cancer pain.

Acetaminophen↗