[The role of IFN in the therapy of chronic delta hepatitis].
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Chronic Disease↗
Biomedical subjects
V Messina
Publications and source records attributed to V Messina.
Effects of hypertension on intimal-medial thickness, left ventricular mass and aortic distensibility.
The aim of the study was to evaluate arterial distensibility, intimal-medial thickening of the common carotid artery, left ventricular mass and the eventual correlations among these parameters in the hypertensive state. Our study population consisted of 89 hypertensive patients aged 35 to 80 years (mean age 60.8 +/- 10.6 years), and 76 normotensive subjects aged 45 to 85 years (mean age 61.2 +/- 11.1 years). Those patients constantly presenting systolic blood pressure values > or = 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg were diagnosed as hypertensive. Each patient underwent a B-mode echotomographic examination of the extracranial carotid tract performed with a Vingmed CFM 750 echotomographer with a 7.5 MHz probe and M-mode echocardiography with a Vingmed CFM 750 device equipped with a 3.0 MHz transducer. The results show the intimal-media thickness value in hypertensive patients (0.90 +/- 0.22 mm on the right and 0.92 +/- 0.22 mm on the left), was significantly greater than that in normotensive subjects (0.64 +/- 0.13 mm on the right and 0.64 +/- 0.13 mm on the left, p < 0.001); in hypertensive subjects, interventricular septum thickness (12.1 +/- 1.25 mm) was significantly greater than that in normotensive patients (9.1 +/- 0.77 mm, p < 0.001). In conclusion, we can say that hypertensive subjects have higher values of common carotid artery intimal-medial thickness than normotensives and that this finding is associated with the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy and with a reduction in arterial compliance. Vascular ultrasonography, as well as echocardiography and arterial mechanography can show, in hypertensive subjects, cardiac and vascular abnormalities in a non invasive way.
Aorta↗
Non responders to interferon therapy among chronic hepatitis patients infected with hepatitis C virus.
We studied a series of 268 chronic hepatitis C patients (31 chronic persistent hepatitis CPH, 69 mild chronic active hepatitis CAH, 125 severe CAH, and 43 active cirrhosis) enrolled from 1988 to 1991 in different therapeutic protocols using lymphoblastoid or recombinant interferon (IFN) at a dosage of 3 mega units (M.U.), three times a week for 12 months. Of these patients 54.8% showed a complete response (normalization of aminotransferases), 14.2% a partial response (decrease in aminotransferases of over 50%), 27.6% no response, and 3.4% a substantial progressive increase in the liver enzymes during IFN (becoming worse). The prevalence of non responders was lower in CPH (9.7%) than in CAH patients (31.9% in the mild form and 20.8% in the severe), and significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis (53.5%). No correlation was observed between non response and the baseline aminotransferase level or the patient's sex. Patients under 35 had a better response to IFN when compared with patients 36-50 years. This is probably due to the higher prevalence of CPH patients with a good response to IFN in the youngest group. No effect was gained in non responders by increasing the dose or shifting from recombinant to lymphoblastoid IFN; three patients were then treated with steroids, but only one benefitted. For 5 of the 9 patients who became worse, steroids were started after discontinuation of IFN therapy, and they induced a favorable response only for the 3 who had developed autoantibodies during IFN treatment.
Adult↗
Effects of nicardipine on intimal-medial thickness and arterial distensibility in hypertensive patients. Preliminary results after 6 months.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nicardipine, at the dosage of 80 mg/day in two administrations, on blood pressure, intimal-media thickness of the common carotid artery and on arterial distensibility after 6 months of therapy. The study population consisted of 23 patients, 13 male and 10 female, mean age 61.7 +/- 10.1 years, with systolic blood pressure 170.4 +/- 14.5 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure 98.3 +/- 5.7 mmHg, affected by essential arterial hypertension of slight to moderate degree. Twenty-three subjects underwent high resolution B-mode echotomography of the common carotid artery, performed twice by the same operator within a one-week period. Treatment for 6 months with slow release Nicardipine at a dosage of 80 mg in two daily administrations was seen to be efficient in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. It also reduced the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. The results of our study show that 6 month's treatment with slow-release Nicardipine at 80 mg in two daily administrations, in effective reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, and, to a slightly significant degree, in reducing the value of the intimal-medial thickness of the common carotid. Naturally the data which emerge from our study are preliminary and require a definitive analysis at the end the study, which is foreseen after a two year period from the enrolment of at least one hundred patients.
Carotid Artery, Common↗
Increasing use of soyfoods and their potential role in cancer prevention.
The United States produces approximately half of the world's soybeans. Although most of what is produced is used as animal feed, soy-protein products (eg, soy-protein flour, concentrates, and isolates) are used extensively by the food industry, primarily for their functional characteristics, such as emulsification. During the past decade, however, there has been a marked increase in the use of both traditional soyfoods, such as tofu and soymilk, and second-generation soyfoods, products which generally simulate familiar American dishes. Recently, attention has focused on the possible role of soybean consumption in reducing cancer risk. Soybeans contain, in relatively high concentrations, several compounds with demonstrated anticarcinogenic activity. Two of these compounds--protease inhibitors and phytic acid--have traditionally been viewed as antinutrients. The scientific community has begun to appreciate the potential importance of nonnutritive dietary compounds (phytochemicals) in foods such as soybeans. Dietitians need to become more aware of the phytochemical content of foods and the possible effect of phytochemicals on health and disease.
Case-Control Studies↗
Decision-making ability and advance directive preferences in nursing home patients and proxies.
We studied 39 nursing home patients and proxies to assess their decision-making capability and preferences regarding advance directives (ADs) or "living wills." Most patients willingly stated preferences; over half opted to forego burdensome measures when death appeared imminent. Patients perceived as decisionally capable were more likely to forego life-sustaining measures than those of questionable capability. The vast majority of proxies disapproved of using life-sustaining measures, even in some cases with limited knowledge of patients' preferences.
Aged↗
Plasma somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide responses to an oral mixed test meal in obese patients.
Ten obese and 10 control subjects were studied in basal conditions and after ingestion of a standard mixed test meal. Blood glucose, insulin, somatostatin (SLI) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) concentrations were determined before and 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 min after the start of the meal. Basal SLI levels in the obese (14.4 +/- 0.7 ng/l) were not significantly different from those in the controls (15.5 +/- 0.8 ng/l), whereas after the meal a blunted secretory response was recorded. Baseline plasma VIP levels were higher in the obese (29.7 +/- 1.5 ng/l) than in the control subjects (19.8 +/- 1.3 ng/l) and, similarly to the controls, were unaffected by meal ingestion. Data suggest that in the course of obesity an enhanced VIP secretion in association with a diminished SLI responsiveness to meals occurs.
Adult↗
[Evaluation at midterm of the clinico-instrumental efficacy and tolerance of picotamide in patients with obliterative arteriopathy of the lower limbs].
After a 4-week wash-out period, picotamide was administered to 25 patients affected by chronic arteriopathy of the lower limbs (scale 2 according to Fontaine) at a dose of 900 mg/die for 90 days, and then at a dose of 600 mg/die for a further 90 days, in order to assess its efficacy according to the following parameters: duration of gait, residual pressure index (RPI) resting the ankles, hematochemicals, electrocardiogram. At the end of the study a statistically significant increase was observed in the duration of gait and RPI at the ankles and, of the hematochemical parameters, in an increase in fibrogenic degradation products. Adverse reactions were only observed in 3 patients and regressed spontaneously. In conclusion, picotamide was found to be efficacious in patients affected by chronic obliterating arteriopathy of the lower limbs with the possibility of reducing the dose after 3 months of therapy.
Aged↗
Diurnal pattern of plasma and cerebrospinal-fluid vasopressin levels in hydrocephalic patients: absence of a circadian rhythm and of a correlation between plasma and cerebrospinal-fluid variations.
The arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentrations were determined in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during a 24-hour period in 7 male patients suffering from hydrocephalus of differing etiologies. Blood and ventricular CSF samples were simultaneously collected every 2 h during the day (08.00-22.00) and every hour during the night (24.00-07.00). In both plasma and CSF, the AVP levels did not show significant time-related circadian variations. No significant correlation was found between the plasma and CSF AVP values during the 24-hour period. The data obtained indicate the absence of the plasma and CSF AVP circadian rhythm in hydrocephalic patients and suggest that in these patients, and possibly in healthy humans, physiological stimuli which are able to induce variations in the plasma AVP concentration during daily life do not alter the CSF AVP content.
Arginine Vasopressin↗
Serum prolactin, growth hormone and cortisol in athletes and sedentary subjects after submaximal and exhaustive exercises.
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Adult↗
Possible role of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on prolactin release during suckling in lactating women.
The effect of suckling on plasma vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) values was evaluated in 6 nursing women on the 3rd to 4th day postpartum. Plasma prolactin (PRL) concentrations were also measured. Plasma VIP values (20.6 +/- 3.2 pg/ml in baseline) significantly (p less than 0.05) increased, reaching a maximum (53.5 +/- 10.9 pg/ml) 20 min after the starting of suckling. A possible role of VIP in the suckling-induced PRL release in humans cannot be excluded.
Female↗
Somatostatin in the elderly: diurnal plasma profile and secretory response to meal stimulation.
Plasma somatostatin levels were determined during a 24-hour period and after a meal test in 7 and 5 elderly subjects (76-90 years), respectively. The data obtained were compared with those recorded in young adult subjects (22-30 years). Increased basal somatostatin values were found in elderly subjects (20.0 +/- 1.5 pg/ml) when compared to young adults (14.1 +/- 0.6 pg/ml; p less than 0.01). Also, the mean 24-hour somatostatin levels were higher in the elderly (21.3 +/- 0.8 pg/ml) than in young adults (16.7 +/- 0.5 pg/ml; p less than 0.01), and minor diurnal variations were found in the former group. The response to the meal test was less evident in the elderly than in the control group. The data obtained indicate an increased basal somatostatin production associated with a diminished variability throughout the 24-hour period and in relation to meals.
Adult↗
Twenty-four-hour beta-endorphin secretory pattern in the elderly.
A chronobiological study was carried out in seven elderly male subjects (78-84 years) to evaluate the 24-h beta-endorphin secretory pattern. Seven young adult males (28-37 years) made up the control group. Blood samples were drawn every four hours from 08.00 to 20.00 h and every two hours from 24.00 to 06.00 h. ACTH and cortisol levels were also determined in the same plasma samples. Mean 24-h beta-endorphin values in the elderly (32.6 +/- 1.1 ng/l) and in the young adult male subjects (29.5 +/- 1.4 ng/l) did not differ statistically, but the circadian rhythm was absent in the elderly subjects. In the elderly, plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations showed a circadian rhythm similar to that observed in the adult subjects. However, in the elderly patients, in contrast to that in the adult subjects, the multilinear regression analysis did not show any statistically significant correlation between the beta-endorphin, ACTH and cortisol 24-h plasma concentrations.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
Diurnal beta-endorphin changes in human cerebrospinal fluid.
Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) beta-endorphin levels were determined by a RIA method in seven hydrocephalic male patients. The samples were simultaneously collected every two hours from 8 AM to 12 midnight and every hour from 1 AM to 7 AM. In both plasma and CSF beta-endorphin levels showed significant time-related variations during the 24 hour period. These results suggest the existence of diurnal CSF beta-endorphin variations analogous to those observed in plasma.
Adult↗
Suppression of testicular androgenesis by D-tryptophan-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone does not affect TSH secretion in male subjects.
Basal and TRH-stimulated TSH secretion was evaluated in six patients suffering from prostatic cancer, before and after antiandrogenic treatment performed using a long-acting LHRH analogue, D-Trp-6-LHRH. Although serum testosterone values dropped to minimal levels after treatment, TSH secretion remained unchanged. Observed results suggest that pharmacological castration does not affect the regulatory mechanisms involved in the control of TSH secretion.
Aged↗
Variations of prolactin content in human cerebrospinal fluid after metoclopramide and morphine.
Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) prolactin (PRL) concentrations were determined in fourteen patients of both sexes suffering from hydrocephalus, in basal conditions and after i.m. administration of 10 mg metoclopramide or 10 mg morphine. A significant increase in both serum and CSF hormone values was found after administration of both drugs. Serum and CSF PRL values after metoclopramide administration increased earlier and to a greater extent than after morphine. Furthermore, the metoclopramide induced CSF PRL increase immediately followed the serum peak, whereas after morphine administration an evident delay in the CSF hormone peak with respect to the serum increase was found. These data suggest that PRL entry in the CSF compartment is subject to a controlling mechanism which acts at the blood/brain barrier.
Adult↗
Humoral immunity and lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
The incidence of serum organ and non-organ specific autoantibodies, the peripheral blood lymphocyte blastogenic response to phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A and pokeweek mitogen, and the surface markers of peripheral T and B lymphocytes were studied in 15 patients affected by coronary artery disease and in 21 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. In the latter group there was a significantly impaired blastogenic response to concanavalin A with respect to both the normal control group and patients with coronary artery disease (P less than 0.01). The percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes with cytotoxic/suppressor activity was also reduced in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy in comparison to normal subjects and patients with coronary artery disease (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.05, respectively). These data may reflect an in vivo defect in suppressor cell function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Adolescent↗
Comparison of pituitary responses to physical exercise in athletes and sedentary subjects.
Serum growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), cortisol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were evaluated before and after a bicycle ergometer exercise test in 8 male competitive volleyball players and in 8 sedentary healthy males of the same age. Increased serum GH and cortisol values after exercise in both groups were found, whereas an exercise-induced PRL release was observed in athletes only. Serum levels of LH, FSH and TSH were unaffected by the test in all subjects. A possible role of training in conditioning the hypothalamopituitary exercise-induced secretion is suggested.
Adult↗