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Biomedical subjects

V Ricca

Publications and source records attributed to V Ricca.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Topical azelastine reduces eosinophil activation and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells: an antiallergic activity.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that allergen-specific nasal challenge (ASNC) is a fruitful tool with which to evaluate antiallergic activity exerted by a drug. Azelastine is a new antihistamine also available in topical form (i.e., nasal spray). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of azelastine nasal spray on inflammatory changes after ASNC in both the early-phase reaction and the late-phase reaction. METHODS: The study had a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, and parallel-group design. Twenty patients with pollen allergy were enrolled out of pollen season. ASNC was performed at baseline (TO) and after 1 week of washout (T7). At T7, 10 patients sprayed azelastine (1 puff) into their nostrils, and 10 patients used placebo. ASNC was performed after 30 minutes. The considered parameters (evaluated during early- and late-phase reactions) were: (1) clinical signs and symptoms, (2) cytologic assessment (neutrophils and eosinophils), (3) assay-of mediators (eosinophil cationic protein and myeloperoxidase), and (4) expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on nasal epithelial cells. We focused our attention on ICAM-1 because it is the natural ligand of leukocyte functional associated antigen-1 and Mac-1, expressed on eosinophils. In addition, ICAM-1 is expressed on epithelial cells only on allergen exposure (both natural and experimental). RESULTS: Placebo did not exert any modification on the considered parameters. After azelastine administration, significant decreases in total symptom score, eosinophilic and neutrophilic infiltration, and ICAM-1 expression were observed during both early- and late-phase reactions. Furthermore, serum eosinophil cationic protein levels decreased during the late-phase reaction, whereas myeloperoxidase was not affected by the treatment. These findings were confirmed by the powerful Koch's split-plot statistical analysis. CONCLUSION: Azelastine exerts antiallergic activity, mainly affecting eosinophil function and downregulating ICAM-1 expression, on nasal epithelial cells.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1996

[Psychopathological and clinical features among the ambulatory population of obese patients].

Aim of the present study is the evaluation of psychopathological and clinical features of these outpatients followed by the Outpatient Clinic of the Section of Metabolic Diseases and Diabetes, University of Florence. 84 obese patients and 217 non-obese control subjects were studied using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID), and applying DSM-IV criteria for Binge Eating Disorder. BITE self-reported questionnaire, STAI inventory and Ham-D rating scale were also used. Lifetime prevalence of Binge Eating Disorder in obese patient was 11.9%, markedly lower than that reported in studies on North American samples. Prevalence of depressive disorder (Major Depression and Dysthymia) was significantly higher (p < 0.005) in obese patients than in control subjects. This confirms the important relationships between eating and mood disorders. The prevalence of subclinical eating disorders resulted to be significantly higher in obese patients (p < 0.01) when compared with control subjects. Significant correlations (p < 0.01) of BITE scores were observed with STAI and Ham-D scores, but not with body mass index. These results underline the need for an accurate psychopathological assessment in obese patients, in order to formulate a correct diagnosis and plan adequate therapeutical interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Minimal persistent inflammation is present at mucosal level in patients with asymptomatic rhinitis and mite allergy.

The natural exposure to house dust mites causes sensitization in genetically susceptible patients. Persistent exposure of sensitized patients causes chronic inflammation, and consequently, hyperreactivity, thus promoting the development of clinical features. Recently, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)/CD54 expression on epithelial cells triggered by allergen has been demonstrated and related to the inflammation caused by the allergic reaction. Therefore we evaluated the possible presence of inflammation (i.e., inflammatory cell infiltrate and ICAM-1/CD54 expression on epithelium) at conjunctival and nasal levels in patients with asymptomatic allergic rhinitis caused by mites, in their relatives living in the same environment, and in healthy volunteers. In addition, the possible relationship between inflammation and house dust mite allergen exposure was evaluated. Conjunctival and nasal scrapings of allergic subjects enrolled in the study showed many inflammatory cells. A mild ICAM-1/CD54 expression on conjunctival and nasal epithelium was detectable in allergic subjects, whereas relatives and healthy volunteers showed few inflammatory cells and no ICAM-1/CD54 expression on epithelial cells. A detectable level of house dust mite, sufficient to cause sensitization, was found in all houses. This study demonstrates a minimal persistent inflammation at conjunctival and nasal levels constantly detectable in patients without symptoms who are sensitized to mites and continuously exposed to the natural allergens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Terfenadine exerts antiallergic activity reducing ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells in patients with pollen allergy.

BACKGROUND: Rhinoconjunctivitis caused by pollen allergy is characterized by typical signs and symptoms and mucosal infiltration by inflammatory cells during the pollen season. It has recently been demonstrated that the adhesion molecule system is deeply involved in cell-to-cell interaction during the inflammatory response which follows allergic reactions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study (placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized) was the evaluation of the antiallergic activity of Terfenadine in the model of the allergic rhinitis due to natural pollen exposure. METHODS: Two groups of patients with pollen allergy were enrolled in this study. Ten patients were treated with Terfenadine (120 mg/die) for 7 days and 10 with placebo. Evaluation criteria were: (a) clinical: signs and symptoms (recorded daily in a diary card by patients); (b) cytological: inflammatory cell count (neutrophils, eosinophils, metachromatic cells) from nasal lavage at T0 and T7; (c) immunocytochemical: ICAM-1/CD54 expression on nasal epithelial cells at T0 and T7; and (d) mediators dosage (ECP-MPO) on nasal lavage at T0 and T7. RESULTS: As opposed to the placebo group, patients treated with Terfenadine showed a significant improvement of both symptoms (P < 0.022) and signs P < 0.001), a significant reduction of inflammatory cells infiltrate (P < 0.005), of ECP levels (P < 0.002) and ICAM-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, these data demonstrate that Terfenadine exerts antiallergic activity since it is able to reduce inflammatory cell infiltrate and downregulates ICAM-1 expression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Alexithymia and schizophrenias.

The purpose of this study is to verify whether an increasing degree of alexithymia correlates with a prevalence of negative over positive symptoms. The framework of the research is phenomenologically oriented conception of the illness-coping vulnerability paradigm. Schizophrenic basic symptoms as markers of schizotropic process activity were assessed with the Frankfurter Beschwerde-Fragebogen, and cognitive features of the personological matrix were investigated using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Our findings on a sample of 20 longitudinally followed outpatients advocate the hypothesis that among those factors characterizing the tendency towards the nonparanoid prototype of schizophrenia, impairment of language capacity and alexithymia may have a relevant role.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1994

Evidence of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on nasal epithelial cells in acute rhinoconjunctivitis caused by pollen exposure.

Rhinoconjunctivitis caused by pollen allergy is characterized by typical signs and symptoms and mucosal infiltration by inflammatory cells during pollen season. It has been recently demonstrated that the adhesion molecule system is deeply involved in cell-to-cell interaction during inflammatory response consequent to allergic reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1 or CD54) on nasal epithelial cells, before and during natural seasonal exposure, in 10 allergic patients (Parietaria judaica-sensitized) and in 10 healthy volunteers, correlating this parameter with clinical and cytologic involvement. Nasal epithelial cells of allergic subjects showed a significant expression of CD54 during pollen season (p < 0.001). On the contrary, no CD54 expression was observed out of pollen season. In healthy volunteers no CD54 expression was observed both before and during pollen season. Cytologic evaluation demonstrated an infiltration by eosinophils (mainly activated [EG2+]), (p < 0.001), neutrophils (p < 0.001), and metachromatic cells (p < 0.001) during pollen season only in allergic subjects. Therefore results indicate that seasonal allergic rhinitis is characterized by an infiltration of inflammatory cells correlated with CD54 expression on nasal epithelial cells. This phenomenon is specific, being restricted only to allergic patients during pollen season.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Lodoxamide treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

Lodoxamide is an antiallergic compound. The present study evaluated the efficacy on clinical and cytological parameters and safety of topical lodoxamide compared to placebo in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. The trial, designed as double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled and parallel group treatment, was carried out in 30 patients, suffering from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis due to grass pollen, during the pollen season. Patients received lodoxamide tromethamine 0.1% eye drops or placebo eye drops, one drop in each eye t.i.d. for 4 weeks. The clinical and cytological evidence was investigated by clinicians on admission and after 4 weeks' treatment. At the end of the trial, only the lodoxamide-treated group showed a significant clinical improvement, associated with a reduction of inflammatory cells. No serious side effects were observed. The results show the clinical efficacy of lodoxamide in the treatment of pollen-induced allergic conjunctivitis. In addition, lodoxamide exerts its antiallergic activity by reducing inflammatory infiltrate (mainly eosinophils).

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Allergen-specific challenge induces intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1 or CD54) on nasal epithelial cells in allergic subjects. Relationships with early and late inflammatory phenomena.

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1 or CD54) expression on epithelial cells (EC) has been demonstrated to play a role in the local molecular events of inflammation following allergen-specific conjunctival challenge. In the light of these observations, we evaluated the possible expression of ICAM-1 on nasal EC after allergen-specific challenge. Three groups of subjects were studied: (1) 14 symptomless patients sensitized to mites, (2) 15 symptomless patients sensitized to pollen, and (3) 10 healthy volunteers as controls. The study was performed during winter. At baseline we found that both pollinosic and healthy subjects did not express CD54 on epithelial cells, whereas mite-sensitive patients showed a mild expression (possibly caused by a persistent natural allergen exposure). In addition, clinical and cellular responses were induced by lower allergen dosages in mite-sensitive patients compared with pollen-sensitive patients. CD54 was detectable in all the allergic patients but not in the control subjects 30 min after challenge. At 6 h all patients showed a marked inflammatory infiltration and CD54 persistence on EC: such an infiltration was more relevant in patients developing clinical late-phase reaction (LPR). Finally, 24 h after challenge EC CD54 expression persisted, as well as a cellular infiltrate mainly caused by eosinophils (the latter being more pronounced in mite-sensitive individuals). CD54 should be regarded as an early and sensitive marker of inflammation in both LPR-positive and LPR-negative patients. A cellular inflammatory infiltrate was detectable in both LPR-positive and LPR-negative subjects, although relevant differences in eosinophil counts were observed between the two groups. The study emphasizes the importance of the different events of inflammation in allergy.

Adolescent↗