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Boccia F, Iossa D, Leonardi S, Peluso AM, Bertolino L, Patauner F, Palmieri E, Boenzi R, Zampino R, Durante-Mangoni E. Clinical correlates of circulating small dense low-density lipoproteins in acute infective endocarditis. Infection 2023:10.1007/s15010-023-02139-z. [PMID: 38114685 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-023-02139-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Infective endocarditis (IE) is a complex thrombo-inflammatory disorder, the pathogenesis of which involves a multifaceted interplay between vascular damage and bacterial virulence factors. This study aimed to assess the prognostic role of small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) cholesterol in patients with IE and its correlation with various disease-related features. METHODS A cohort of 198 patients with definite IE was included in this study. Clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic parameters were meticulously analyzed, with a specific focus on comorbidities. sdLDL levels were measured using stored plasma samples obtained upon admission during the acute phase of the disease. RESULTS The median level of sdLDL was 24 mg/dL [with an interquartile range of 17.9-35.2 mg/dL], and this value showed a statistically significant positive correlation with LDL/HDL cholesterol and triglycerides (p < 0.01 for all). Furthermore, a remarkable inverse correlation between C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels was observed (p < 0.0001). Univariate analysis revealed that patients with sdLDL levels ≤ 24 mg/dL had 2.75 times higher odds of in-hospital mortality (95% Confidence Interval:1.08-6.98, p = 0.031). In addition, nonsurvivors had significantly lower median sdLDL levels (19.7 vs. 26.0 mg/dL, p = 0.041). Lower sdLDL levels were also associated with embolic complications, larger vegetation size, and positive blood cultures for Staphylococci (p = 0.019, p = 0.022, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Low circulating sdLDL levels in the acute phase of IE were significantly correlated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. These results suggest that the sdLDL level may serve as an important marker of disease severity in IE and may represent a link between vascular damage, embolic complications, and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Boccia
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Domenico Iossa
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
- Unit of Infectious and Transplant Medicine, A.O.R.N. Ospedali dei Colli-Ospedale Monaldi, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Leonardi
- Unit of Clinical Biochemistry, A.O.R.N. Ospedali dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Peluso
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Bertolino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabian Patauner
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Emilio Palmieri
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Rita Boenzi
- Unit of Clinical Biochemistry, A.O.R.N. Ospedali dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Zampino
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
- Unit of Infectious and Transplant Medicine, A.O.R.N. Ospedali dei Colli-Ospedale Monaldi, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Durante-Mangoni
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy.
- Unit of Infectious and Transplant Medicine, A.O.R.N. Ospedali dei Colli-Ospedale Monaldi, Naples, Italy.
- Ospedale Monaldi, Piazzale Ettore Ruggieri, 80131, Naples, Italy.
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Gambacciani M, Pepe A, Cappagli B, Palmieri E, Genazzani AR. The relative contributions of menopause and aging to postmenopausal reduction in intervertebral disk height. Climacteric 2009; 10:298-305. [PMID: 17653956 DOI: 10.1080/13697130701457729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate, in a population of normal women, the effects of aging and menopause on the height of intervertebral discs by measuring the intervertebral disk space, between the 12th thoracic and 4th lumbar vertebrae, by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted on 2455 consecutive women attending our Department, from whom 464 normal women were selected. The measurement was validated utilizing a spine phantom. RESULTS The phantom mean intervertebral disk space was 0.44 cm, with a coefficient of variation of 1.4%. The coefficients of variation in premenopausal, early postmenopausal and elderly women were 2.2, 2.0 and 6.0%, respectively. Values of intervertebral disk space were stable from age 20 to 50 years, thereafter showing a significant (p < 0.05) decrease, negatively correlated with both age and years since menopause (p < 0.0001). In postmenopausal women younger than 60 years, a correlation (p = 0.042) was evident between intervertebral disk space and years since menopause, but no correlation was evident with age. In women over 60 years, no correlations were found between intervertebral disk space and either age or years since menopause. In three groups of age-matched women (47.5 +/- 1.5 years, n = 39 in each group), intervertebral disk space was significantly (p < 0.0001) lower in postmenopausal than in both premenopausal and perimenopausal women. CONCLUSION The DXA measurement of intervertebral disk space is precise. After menopause, intervertebral disk space shows a progressive decrease that almost entirely occurs in the first 5 - 10 years since menopause, suggesting that the estrogen decrease may rapidly change connective tissue metabolism in the intervertebral disks.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gambacciani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Di Lorenzo L, Pappagallo M, Gimigliano R, Palmieri E, Saviano E, Bello A, Forte A, DeBlasio E, Trombetti C. Pain relief in early rehabilitation of rotator cuff tendinitis: any role for indirect suprascapular nerve block? Eura Medicophys 2006; 42:195-204. [PMID: 17039215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
AIM The purpose of the trial was to evaluate the efficacy of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) to relieve the shoulder pain, ameliorate recovery after physiotherapy and reduce disability due to a rotator cuff tendinitis (RCT). A prospective, randomized, comparison cross over investigation was performed in the setting of a large inpatient rehabilitation unit with more than 200 admissions annually. METHODS A total of 40 potential study subjects, who complained of shoulder pain from a RCT, were enrolled and randomly assigned to standard rehabilitation treatment plus SSNB (Group A) or to standard rehabilitation treatment alone (Group B). The UCLA shoulder rating scale was used to assess the shoulder mobility on admission and discharge, and to calculate the percentage of potential improvement achieved during rehabilitation (effectiveness). A pain visual analogic scale was used to serially assess pain. At the end of the trial, a self-report questionnaire evaluated whether patients could sleep and achieve activity of day life carry out everyday activities better than they could before treatment. RESULTS Forty patients suffering from RCT entered the study. Those receiving nerve block from the beginning of the treatment in addition to standard rehabilitation therapy reported significantly less pain during physiotherapy and better final outcomes. During treatment with SSNBs, patients reported a more significant reduction in the intensity of pain and a better reduction of pain during sleep and rehabilitation exercises in comparison to with the standard therapy alone. A statistically significant inverse correlation was found between shoulder pain and mobility. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that combining nerve block with standard rehabilitative therapy may improve the final outcome of painful RCT. It decreased the severity and frequency of the perceived pain, improved the compliance with physiotherapy, restored more normal sleep patterns, and increased compliance with the rehabilitation program. This result proves to be an effective, safe and inexpensive therapeutic option for patients suffering from painful disabling shoulder tendinitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Di Lorenzo
- Rehabilitation Unit, G. Rummo Hospital, Level II DEA, Via Dell'Angeli 1, Benevento, Italy.
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Arnaboldi C, Artusa DR, Avignone FT, Balata M, Bandac I, Barucci M, Beeman JW, Brofferio C, Bucci C, Capelli S, Carbone L, Cebrian S, Cremonesi O, Creswick RJ, de Waard A, Farach HA, Fiorini E, Frossati G, Guardincerri E, Giuliani A, Gorla P, Haller EE, McDonald RJ, Morales A, Norman EB, Nucciotti A, Olivieri E, Pallavicini M, Palmieri E, Pasca E, Pavan M, Pedretti M, Pessina G, Pirro S, Previtali E, Risegari L, Rosenfeld C, Sangiorgio S, Sisti M, Smith AR, Torres L, Ventura G. New limit on the neutrinoless betabeta decay of 130Te. Phys Rev Lett 2005; 95:142501. [PMID: 16241648 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.95.142501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2005] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We report the present results of CUORICINO, a search for neutrinoless double-beta (0nu betabeta) decay of 130Te. The detector is an array of 62 TeO2 bolometers with a total active mass of 40.7 kg. The array is cooled by a dilution refrigerator shielded from environmental radioactivity and energetic neutrons, operated at approximately 8 mK in the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory. No evidence for (0nu betabeta) decay was found and a new lower limit, T(1/2)(0nu) > or = 1.8 x 10(24) yr (90% C.L.) is set, corresponding to [m(nu)] < or = 0.2 to 1.1 eV, depending on the theoretical nuclear matrix elements used in the analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Arnaboldi
- Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università di Milano-Bicocca e Sezione di Milano dell'INFN, Milan I-20126, Italy
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Barritt J, Duke M, Klein J, Palmieri E, Mukherjee T, Copperman A. Monochorionic Twin Pregnancies: An Analysis of Potential Correlations With Stimulation Protocols and Embryology Laboratory Techniques. Fertil Steril 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.07.252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Lombardi G, Colao A, Marzullo P, Biondi B, Palmieri E, Fazio S. Improvement of left ventricular hypertrophy and arrhythmias after lanreotide-induced GH and IGF-I decrease in acromegaly. A prospective multi-center study. J Endocrinol Invest 2002; 25:971-6. [PMID: 12553557 DOI: 10.1007/bf03344070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
We report the results of a prospective Italian multi-center study of the effects of lanreotide, a slow-release somatostatin analog, on left ventricular morphology and function and on the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmic events in 19 patients with active, newly diagnosed, uncomplicated acromegaly. Cardiac features were evaluated with Doppler-echocardiography and 24-h Holter ECG monitoring at baseline and after 6 months of lanreotide therapy. Fifteen patients (78.9%) had left ventricular hypertrophy. Lanreotide treatment significantly decreased the left ventricular mass (127.8+/-6.9 vs 140.7+/-7.1 g/m2, p<0.001) and left ventricular hypertrophy significantly disappeared in 6 of these patients. Treatment did not significantly affect systolic function, whereas it increased the Doppler-derived early-to-late mitral flow velocity, (E/A) ratio, of early-to-late trans-mitral flow velocity (1.34+/-0.1 vs 1.09+/-0.06, p=0.001). Stroke volume was slightly but not significantly increased after treatment, whereas systolic BP was significantly higher (134+/-14 vs 129+/-13 mmHg, p<0.05). The 24-h mean heart rate was significantly reduced after treatment (66.5+/-11 vs 71.5+/-20 beats/min, p<0.05). Supra-ventricular premature beats (>50/24 h) occurred in 16.6% of patients and were unaffected by treatment. Differently, ventricular premature beats (>50/24 h) occurred in 33.3% of patients before treatment vs 16.5%, after treatment. In conclusion, lanreotide reduced the left ventricular mass, and improved ventricular filling and ventricular arrhythmic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Lombardi
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
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Blé A, Palmieri E, Volpato S, Costantini F, Fellin R, Zuliani G. White blood cell count is associated with some features of metabolic syndrome in a very old population. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2001; 11:221-226. [PMID: 11831107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Although the association between white blood cell (WBC) counts and the risk of cardiovascular disease has been repeatedly described, its biological mechanism is still unclear. A significant correlation has been demonstrated in adults between WBC counts and some risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), including insulin resistance. The aims of this study were: 1) to investigate the association between WBC count and some risk factors for atherosclerosis in a sample of octo-nonagenarians; and 2) to test the hypothesis of an association between WBC count and "metabolic syndrome", a clinical condition mediated by insulin resistance. METHODS AND RESULTS The study involved 160 free-living healthy octo-nonagenarians participating in the Val Vibrata Aging Project, whose WBC count, and anthropometric and metabolic parameters were measured using standardised methods. WBC count correlated positively with the logarithm of triglyceride, apoprotein B and glucose levels, and negatively with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: the subjects with low high-density lipoprotein and high triglyceride levels had higher WBC count than normal subjects. The WBC count were significantly higher in the subjects with four or more of six features of metabolic syndrome than in those with three or less. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study support the existence of a significant association between WBC count and some of the typical features of metabolic syndrome in very old subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Blé
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine II, University of Ferrara, Italy
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Sartorio A, Palmieri E, Vangeli V, Conte G, Narici M, Faglia G. Plasma and urinary GH following a standardized exercise protocol to assess GH production in short children. J Endocrinol Invest 2001; 24:515-21. [PMID: 11508786 DOI: 10.1007/bf03343885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Plasma and urinary GH responses following acute physical exercise were evaluated in 19 short-statured children (12 males, 7 females, median age: 11.4 yr, age range: 6.1-14.5 yr, Tanner stage I-III, height < or = 3rd centile for age; 7 with familial short stature, FSS; 8 with constitutional growth delay, CGD; 4 with GH deficiency, GHD) and 7 normally growing, age- and sex-matched control children (4 males, 3 females, median age 11.0 yr, range: 7.2-13.1 yr, Tanner stage I-III). All patients and controls underwent a standardized exercise protocol (consisting of jogging up and down a corridor for 15 min, strongly encouraged to produce the maximum possible effort, corresponding to 70-80% of the maximal heart rate) after an overnight fasting. Samples for plasma GH determinations were drawn at 0 time (baseline), at 20 min (5 min after the end of exercise) and at 35 min (after 20 min of rest); urine samples were collected before (0 time) and at 40, 80 and 120 min after exercise. The distance covered by children with GHD during the test was significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the other groups of patients and controls. No differences in the pattern of plasma GH responses after physical exercise were found between children with FSS, CGD and healthy controls, the maximum percent increase (vs baseline) being evident at 20 min (median, FSS: +1125%; CGD: +1271%; controls: +571%). Children with GHD showed a smaller percent increase (+94%) of plasma GH, significantly lower (p<0.01) than those recorded in the other groups. A significant percent increase (p<0.01) of baseline urinary GH following exercise was found in children with FSS (median: +34%), CGD (+18%) and controls (+44%). Children with FSS and CGD showed a gradual increase of urinary GH, reaching the maximum at 80 min, while healthy controls had a more evident and precocious increase (maximum at 40 min). Urinary median GH levels did not change following physical exercise in children with GHD (-5%, not significant). A significant correlation was found between the maximal percent increase (vs baseline) of plasma and urinary GH following physical exercise (r=0.7, p<0.001). In conclusion, our results show that: 1) plasma and urinary GH responses (as well as the distance covered and the number of steps, i.e. the physical performance) to a standardized exercise protocol are similar in children with FSS, CGD and in normal-statured controls, being unable to differentiate among the "normal variants" of growth; 2) children with GHD, unable to accomplish the same performance of the other three groups, show significantly reduced plasma and urinary GH responses following physical exercise. Although the determination of GH responses to pharmacological stimuli remains the definitive tool for the diagnosis of GHD, these preliminary results seem to suggest a potential role of urinary (and plasma) GH response to a standardized exercise protocol as a safe, acceptable first screening test for GH sufficiency also in children, as previously reported in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sartorio
- Division of Metabolic Diseases III, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Piancavallo (VB), Italy.
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Kalergis AM, Boucheron N, Doucey MA, Palmieri E, Goyarts EC, Vegh Z, Luescher IF, Nathenson SG. Efficient T cell activation requires an optimal dwell-time of interaction between the TCR and the pMHC complex. Nat Immunol 2001; 2:229-34. [PMID: 11224522 DOI: 10.1038/85286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T cell (CTL) activation by antigen requires the specific detection of peptide-major histocompatibility class I (pMHC) molecules on the target-cell surface by the T cell receptor (TCR). We examined the effect of mutations in the antigen-binding site of a Kb-restricted TCR on T cell activation, antigen binding and dissociation from antigen.These parameters were also examined for variants derived from a Kd-restricted peptide that was recognized by a CTL clone. Using these two independent systems, we show that T cell activation can be impaired by mutations that either decrease or increase the binding half-life of the TCR-pMHC interaction. Our data indicate that efficient T cell activation occurs within an optimal dwell-time range of TCR-pMHC interaction. This restricted dwell-time range is consistent with the exclusion of either extremely low or high affinity T cells from the expanded population during immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Kalergis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Volpato S, Zuliani G, Guralnik JM, Palmieri E, Fellin R. The inverse association between age and cholesterol level among older patients: the role of poor health status. Gerontology 2001; 47:36-45. [PMID: 11244290 DOI: 10.1159/000052768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The total cholesterol concentration decreases with age in older people. The reasons for this phenomenon are controversial. This study investigated the hypothesis that poor health status is a determinant of the inverse association between age and cholesterol in older persons. METHODS Cross-sectional study of 2,486 (53% women) older medical patients (> or =65 years) admitted at 35 centers of the Gruppo Italiano di Farmacovigilanza nell'Anziano (GIFA) study in Italy. Total cholesterol was measured on the first day after admission to the hospital. Disease burden and comorbidity were assessed by the Charlson index; low serum albumin and iron were considered markers of frailty and poor health. RESULTS In men there was a significant, inverse age-cholesterol relationship (-0.97 mg/dl per year, p<0.001). In women the association was nonlinear and cholesterol significantly decreased after the age of 75 (-0.95 mg/dl per year, p<0.005). In multiple linear regression analysis, indicators of poor health accounted for almost two thirds of the crude effect of age on the cholesterol level in both men and women (adjusted coefficients for age were: for men, -0.38 mg/dl per year, p = 0.044; for women after the age of 75, -0.37 mg/dl per year, p = 0.205). The unadjusted probability of having low cholesterol significantly increased with age among men (p for trend <0.005). In multiple logistic regression, indicators of poor health were strongly associated with low cholesterol in both men and women. After adjusting for indicators of poor health, the association between age and low cholesterol in men was no longer present. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the age-dependent reduction of cholesterol often observed in clinical and epidemiologic studies is substantially explained by the effect of poor health status. Low cholesterol in older persons may be a marker of poor health.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Volpato
- Second Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy.
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Carantoni M, Zuliani G, Munari MR, D'Elia K, Palmieri E, Fellin R. Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia: relationships with fasting glucose and insulin levels. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2000; 11:176-80. [PMID: 10765049 DOI: 10.1159/000017232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer disease are the leading causes of dementia in elderly subjects. In spite of it, relatively little is known about the pathogenesis and risk factors for dementia. We evaluated fasting plasma glucose and insulin, albumin, lipids, Lp(a) and uric acid levels in nondiabetic patients of both sexes affected by vascular dementia (VD) and senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) as well as in a control group of age-matched nondemented subjects. Following a covariance analysis by gender, body mass index, albumin levels and prevalence of arterial hypertension, total and LDL cholesterol as well as HDL cholesterol levels were not significantly different among the three groups. Fasting glucose (p < 0.001 and p < 0.005, respectively) and insulin levels (p < 0.05 for both differences) were higher in patients with VD and SDAT than in control subjects. Our data show that nondiabetic patients with VD or SDAT have higher fasting glucose and insulin levels than healthy control subjects. These metabolic characteristics were not influenced by differences in gender, adiposity, nutritional status, lipids or presence of arterial hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Carantoni
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Ferrara School of Medicine, Ferrara, Italy
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Kalergis AM, Goyarts EC, Palmieri E, Honda S, Zhang W, Nathenson SG. A simplified procedure for the preparation of MHC/peptide tetramers: chemical biotinylation of an unpaired cysteine engineered at the C-terminus of MHC-I. J Immunol Methods 2000; 234:61-70. [PMID: 10669770 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-1759(99)00215-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a powerful approach for the detection of MHC/peptide-specific T cells has been made possible by the engineering of soluble-tetrameric MHC/peptide complexes, consisting of singly biotinylated MHC/peptide molecules bound to fluorescent-labeled streptavidin. These tetrameric molecules are thought to compensate for the low affinity and relative fast dissociation rate of the TCR/MHC-peptide interaction by increasing the avidity of this interaction, thus allowing the stable binding of MHC/peptide tetramers to TCR expressing cells. Here we describe a new more simplified procedure for obtaining MHC/peptide tetramers using the well-characterized H-2K(b)/VSV system. This procedure consists of the incorporation of an unpaired cysteine residue at the C-terminus of the H-2K(b) molecule, allowing site-specific biotinylation by a -SH-specific biotinylating reagent. The H-2K(b)/VSV tetramers bound only to hybridomas expressing H-2K(b)/VSV-specific TCRs. When coated on a plate, these tetramers were able to induce IL-2 release by those hybridomas. Furthermore, H-2K(b)/VSV tetramers bound to CTL populations obtained from mice immunized with VSV-peptide. The specificity of the binding was further refined by studying cross-recognition of VSV by CTL populations obtained from mice immunized with single amino acid substituted VSV peptide variants. H-2K(b)/VSV tetramers bound only to those CTL populations that cross-reacted with the wild-type VSV peptide. Our method provides a simple, efficient and inexpensive procedure for making MHC/peptide tetramers, a highly specific and very useful reagent with a number of important applications in basic and clinical T cell research.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Kalergis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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Volpato S, Palmieri E, Fellin R, Zuliani G. Acute phase markers are associated with reduced plasma lipid levels in a population of hospitalized elderly patients. Gerontology 2000; 46:22-7. [PMID: 11111225 DOI: 10.1159/000022129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several epidemiological studies have documented the presence of a 'J' or 'U' association between total cholesterol levels and total mortality. Not only the mechanism underlying the association between increased mortality and low total cholesterol values is not completely clear, but the relationship itself also appears to be complex in the elderly. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the possible association between some biohumoral markers of the acute phase, comorbidity, disability, and reduced levels of some lipoprotein parameters in a sample of hospitalized elderly subjects. METHODS 341 patients over 65 years of age (185 males, 156 females; mean age 76.2 years), consecutively admitted to our department from 1994 to 1995, were studied. Acute phase was defined as the simultaneous presence of: (1) increased alpha2-plasma protein on electrophoresis (>12%); (2) high fibrinogen concentration (>450 mg/dl), and (3) increased blood sedimentation rate (>15 and >20 mm 1 h in males and females, respectively). RESULTS The prevalence of signs of acute phase was higher in males and in the youngest patients, but did not change with the level of comorbidity. Patients with signs of acute phase were characterized by lower total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)- and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels compared to subjects without signs of acute phase; this difference was significant even after adjustment for indicators of comorbidity, disability, and nutritional status. Multivariate logistic regression analysis evidenced that the simultaneous presence of these three markers of acute phase was independently associated with low levels of total cholesterol [odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 - 3.9], and HDL-cholesterol (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2 - 4.2), considered as the sex-specific first quintile. CONCLUSION The findings of this study demonstrate an independent association between acute phase markers and low levels of total and HDL-cholesterol, suggesting that recognized or subclinical diseases in elderly patients may determine a reduction in these plasma lipids. Low level of total and HDL-cholesterol should be considered as possible clinical markers of an underlying state of acute phase rather than a sign of malnutrition. Given the high prevalence of chronic diseases in the elderly, epidemiological studies addressing the lipid profile in this age group should take into account the possible confounding effect of the presence of signs of acute phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Volpato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine II, University of Ferrara, Italy
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Carantoni M, Zuliani G, Bader G, Palmieri E, Volpato S, Passaro A, Imbastaro T, Mezzetti A, Fellin R. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), and apo(a) isoforms in the elderly: relationship to fasting insulin. Associazione Medica Sabin. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 1999; 9:228-233. [PMID: 10656169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia are often associated with aging and could play an important role in the development of glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia in the elderly. We investigated the relationship between plasma fasting insulin with total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels apolipoprotein (a) [apo (a)] isoforms in 100 free-living "healthy" octo-nonagenarians. METHODS AND RESULTS Fasting insulin was positively correlated with TG, whereas a negative relation was found with TC and LDL-C (r = -0.29 and r = -0.28 respectively; p < 0.01), LDL-C/apo B, HDL-C and apo A-I levels. Fasting insulin was also inversely correlated with Lp(a) levels (r = -0.22; p < 0.03), whereas the latter were significantly related with TC and LDL-C (r = 0.30 and r = 0.31; p < 0.005), TG (r = 0.21; p < 0.05) and apo B (r = 0.26; p < 0.02). There was a negative relation between Lp(a) levels and apo(a) isoforms: the greater the apo(a) molecular weight, the lower the Lp(a) level (p < 0.0001). Fasting insulin increased with apo(a) size, though the difference in insulin levels among apo(a) isoforms was not significant (p = 0.4). Multiple regression analysis showed that fasting insulin was the best predictor of LDL-C (R2 = 0.14; p = 0.002) irrespective of age, gender, BMI, waist circumference and TG, while apo(a) isoform size, BMI and waist circumference were related with Lp(a) irrespective of TC and LDL-C, TG and apo B (R2 = 0.35 to 0.37; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that fasting insulin levels significantly influence LDL-C metabolism in old age. Lp(a) levels seem to be very strongly related to genetic background, although an indirect relation with insulin through adiposity and/or other associated lipid abnormalities cannot be ruled out.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Carantoni
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara School of Medicine, Italy
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15
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Carantoni M, Zuliani G, Palmieri E, D'Elia K, Solini A, Fellin R. Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia: Relationships with fasting glucose and insulin levels. Atherosclerosis 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9150(99)80283-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Zuliani G, Zanca R, Zurlo A, Munari M, Palmieri E, Volpato S, Fellin R. Risk factors in subjects with vascular dementia and senile dementia of Alzheimer's type. Atherosclerosis 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9150(99)80272-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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17
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Zuliani G, Cherubini A, Costantini F, Mezzetti A, Volpato S, Mecocci P, Pezzuto S, Bregnocchi M, Palmieri E, Fellin R, Senin U. Biological profile of subjects with vascular successful aging: The VaSA study. Atherosclerosis 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9150(99)80378-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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18
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Carantoni M, Zuliani G, Volpato S, Palmieri E, Mezzetti A, Vergnani L, Fellin R. Relationships between fasting plasma insulin, anthropometrics, and metabolic parameters in a very old healthy population. Associazione Medica Sabin. Metabolism 1998; 47:535-40. [PMID: 9591743 DOI: 10.1016/s0026-0495(98)90236-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have shown that insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are associated with many metabolic disorders predisposing to coronary heart disease (CHD). This syndrome has been termed syndrome X. However, it is not completely known whether these relationships are still present in the elderly, or whether other factors such as age, gender, and body fat distribution modulate them. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between fasting plasma insulin, total and regional adiposity, fasting plasma glucose and lipids, plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), fibrinogen, and coagulation factor VII in a sample of 100 healthy free-living octogenarians-nonagenarians (52 men and 48 women) who were disability-free according to the Katz index. By univariate analysis, fasting insulin correlated positively with all anthropometric measures except the waist to hip ratio (WHR) in women. There was a positive correlation between fasting insulin and fasting glucose (r=.40, P < .01), plasma triglycerides ([TGs] r=.21, P < .05), and PAI-1 levels (r=.33, P < .01), whereas a negative relation was found with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein, A-I (apo A-I) levels (r=-.22 and =-.24, respectively, P < .05). These relationships were weaker and less significant in women. In pooled data, stepwise multiple regression analysis showed an independent relationship of both the body mass index (BMI) and fasting insulin level with TGs (R2=.14), while gender and fasting insulin were the best predictors of HDL-C variance (R2=.17). Furthermore, fasting insulin was the only variable independently related to PAI-1 (R2=.12). Our findings support the existence of a metabolic syndrome even in very old age by showing that high insulin levels are related to various metabolic and hemostatic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Carantoni
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy
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19
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Zuliani G, Blé A, Munari M, Palmieri E, Donegá P, Volpato S, Bader G, Rossin P, Fellin R. Vascular risk factors and lipoprotein(a) levels in the differential diagnosis of dementias. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 1998. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-4943(98)80079-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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20
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Hörig H, Papadopoulos NJ, Vegh Z, Palmieri E, Angeletti RH, Nathenson SG. An in vitro study of the dynamic features of the major histocompatibility complex class I complex relevant to its role as a versatile peptide-receptive molecule. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997; 94:13826-31. [PMID: 9391112 PMCID: PMC28392 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.94.25.13826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex class I complex consists of a heavy chain and a light chain (beta2-microglobulin, beta2m), which assemble with a short endogenously derived peptide in the endoplasmic reticulum. The class I peptide can be directly exchanged, either at the cell surface or, as recently described, in vesicles of the endocytic compartments, thus allowing exogenous peptides to enter the class I presentation pathway. To probe the interactions between the components of the class I molecule, we analyzed the exchange of peptide and beta2m by using purified, recombinant H2-Kb/peptide complexes in a cell-free in vitro system. The exchange of competitor peptide was primarily dependent on the off-rate of the original peptide in the class I binding groove. Peptide exchange was not enhanced by the presence of exogenous beta2m, as exchange occurred to the same extent in its absence. Thus, the exchange of peptide and beta2m are independent events. The exchange rate of beta2m also was not affected by the dissociation rates of the original peptides. Furthermore, peptides could substantially exchange into class I molecules over a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5, conditions prevalent in certain endocytic compartments. We conclude that the dynamic properties of the components of class I molecules explain its function as a highly peptide-receptive molecule. The major histocompatibility complex class I can readily receive peptides independent of the presence of exogenous beta2m, even at a low pH. Such properties are relevant to class I peptide acquisition, which can occur at the cell surface, as well as in specialized endosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Hörig
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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21
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Zuliani G, Palmieri E, Volpato S, Costantini F, Mezzetti A, Imbastaro T, Fellin R. 2.P.282 White cell count and cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly. The Val Vibrata Aging Project. Atherosclerosis 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9150(97)88918-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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22
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Zuliani G, Palmieri E, Volpato S, Bader G, Mezzetti A, Costantini F, Sforza GR, Imbastaro T, Romagnoni F, Fellin R. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol strongly discriminates between healthy free-living and disabled octo-nonagenarians: a cross sectional study. Associazione Medica Sabin. Aging (Milano) 1997; 9:335-41. [PMID: 9458994 DOI: 10.1007/bf03339612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aging is frequently associated with a deterioration in health and functional status, which often induces important modifications in several biological parameters, including plasma lipids; as a consequence, the real "meaning" of lipoprotein parameters in old individuals is complex. A cross sectional study was carried out in order to investigate the lipoprotein profile in very old individuals with or without disability, and evaluate the possible influence of other biological variables on plasma lipids. One hundred selected healthy free-living (FL) and 62 disabled (DIS) subjects aged over 80 were enrolled; 91 healthy adults matched for origin were included as controls. Lipoprotein profile [total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apoprotein A-I and B], anthropometric parameters, and ADL were measured. The FL octo-nonagenarians featured higher HDL-cholesterol levels than adult controls. DIS octo-nonagenarians showed lower total and HDL-C levels than FL. Discriminant analysis indicated that HDL-cholesterol and apoprotein A-I, but not total cholesterol, strongly discriminated between FL and DIS octo-nonagenarians. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the waist/hip ratio, an index of visceral adiposity, was negatively associated with HDL-C levels in FL, but not in DIS elderly. We conclude that: 1) in very old individuals, the absence or presence of disability is strongly associated with high or low HDL-cholesterol values, respectively; 2) HDL-C and apo A-I are the parameters which better discriminate between FL and DIS octo-nonagenarians; and 3) the differences in HDL-C levels between FL and DIS are not due to modifications in anthropometric parameters. Prospective studies are needed to better understand the relationship between high-density lipoprotein levels, disability and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Zuliani
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University of Ferrara, Italy
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23
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Zuliani G, Romagnoni F, Palmieri E, Volpato S, Fellin R. 2.P.283 Nutritional and functional status independently influence the lipoprotein profile in institutionalized elderly subjects. The I.R.A. study. Atherosclerosis 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9150(97)88917-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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24
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Giada F, Zuliani G, Baldo-Enzi G, Palmieri E, Volpato S, Vitale E, Magnanini P, Colozzi A, Vecchiet L, Fellin R. Lipoprotein profile, diet and body composition in athletes practicing mixed an anaerobic activities. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 1996; 36:211-6. [PMID: 8979651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare lipoprotein profile, body composition and diet in a sample of athletes practicing mixed and anaerobic sports activities, and in a group of sedentary controls. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Cross selectional study. PARTICIPANTS Twenty professional soccer players (mixed trained), twenty body builders (anaerobic trained) and twenty sedentary subjects, all males and matched for age were studied. RESULTS No significant differences in total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, apolipoprotein A-I, A-II, B, C-II, C-III, and E levels were found when the three groups were compared. Bioelectrical impendance analysis disclosed significantly lower body fat percentages in both groups of athletes, and increased fat free mass only in body builders. Daily calorie intake was higher, and alcohol intake was lower in the athletes, compared with controls. Body builders had lower carbohydrate, and higher protein and cholesterol intakes, while soccer players had a lower polyunsaturated to saturated fat ratio. None of the apolipoproteins examined was correlated with any body composition of diet parameters. No correlations between lipid parameters and anthropometric or dietary variables were found by multivariate analysis when the subjects were considered as a whole. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that in healthy lean normolipemic males, the lipoprotein profile is not modified by mixed or anaerobic sport activities and the respective modifications in body composition and diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Giada
- Division of Cardiology, Hospital Umberto I, Mestre (Venezia), Italy
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25
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Arosio M, Cortelazzi D, Persani L, Palmieri E, Casati G, Baggiani AM, Gambino G, Beck-Peccoz P. Circulating levels of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I and prolactin in normal, growth retarded and anencephalic human fetuses. J Endocrinol Invest 1995; 18:346-53. [PMID: 7594222 DOI: 10.1007/bf03347836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We measured growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and both total and glycosylated prolactin (PRL) levels in 131 blood samples obtained by cordocentesis in normal and abnormal fetuses from 19 to 40 weeks of gestation. In normal fetuses, IGF-I and PRL levels showed a positive correlation and GH a negative correlation with gestational age. A negative relation between GH and IGF-I levels was observed, while PRL did not show any correlation with both GH and IGF-I concentrations. IGF-I increased from 5.6 +/- 3 (at 19-22 weeks) to 10.7 +/- 5 nmol/l at term; GH decreased from 31 +/- 10 to 7.7 +/- 4 micrograms/l and PRL increased from 16 +/- 18 to 139 +/- 76 micrograms/l. Glycosylated PRL accounted for about 15% of total PRL, a value similar to that found in normal adults. In 27 fetuses of 27-37 weeks with intra-uterine growth retardation, GH and PRL levels were higher and IGF-I levels lower than in normal fetuses matched for week of gestation. In 8 anencephalic fetuses of 19-26 weeks of gestation, both GH and IGF-I levels were lower, and PRL levels were higher than in matched controls. Altogether these data support the views that a) both GH and PRL secretion are under the hypothalamic control during fetal development, b) the serum GH decrease from midgestation to the end of pregnancy is mediated by the negative feed-back mechanism of increasing IGF-I levels and c) IGF-I production is mainly regulated by fuel supply and only partially by GH.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Arosio
- Istituto di Scienze Endocrine, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Milano, Italy
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26
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Zuliani G, Imbastaro T, Mezzetti A, Romagnoni F, Palmieri E, Volpato S, Riario Sforza G, Fellin R. The Val Vibrata aging project: metabolic profile in 100 healthy free-living Italian octogenarians. Atherosclerosis 1994. [DOI: 10.1016/0021-9150(94)93133-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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27
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Zuliani G, Bader G, Imbastaro T, Mezzetti A, Romagnoni F, Palmieri E, Volpato S, Riario Sforza G, Kostner G, Fellin R. The val vibrata aging project: Lp(a) plasma levels and apo(a) isoforms in 150 Italian ocagenarians. Atherosclerosis 1994. [DOI: 10.1016/0021-9150(94)94151-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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28
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Losa M, Arosio M, Cusin A, Biella O, Palmieri E, Faglia G, Giovanelli M. Acute effects of a single administration of dexamethasone on basal and growth hormone-releasing hormone stimulated GH secretion in acromegaly. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1994; 40:187-91. [PMID: 8137516 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1994.tb02466.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED A single administration of dexamethasone causes both an early stimulatory and a late inhibitory effect on GH secretion in normal subjects. OBJECTIVE We investigated the effects of a single administration of dexamethasone on basal and GH-releasing hormone-stimulated GH secretion in eight patients with active acromegaly. DESIGN On three different days the patients received 4 mg i.v. dexamethasone, 1 microgram/kg body weight GH-releasing hormone 1-29, or matched placebos in different order. PATIENTS Eight subjects with active acromegaly, five of whom had not been treated previously, while the other three had received octreotide therapy which was stopped at least 7 days before testing. MEASUREMENTS Serum GH levels were measured in duplicate by a commercially available RIA kit. RESULTS Dexamethasone administration caused a significant decline of mean +/- SE GH levels from 51.8 +/- 13.8 to 30.0 +/- 9.2 mU/I at 180 minutes, that was not influenced by placebo administration at 180 minutes. On the contrary, when GH-releasing hormone substituted placebo administration, GH levels increased from 34.0 +/- 9.8 mU/I at 180 minutes to 56.0 +/- 15.6 mU/I at 195 minutes. The GH increase was higher when GH-releasing hormone was given without dexamethasone pretreatment (from 52.4 +/- 13.0 mU/I at 180 minutes to 86.4 +/- 25.4 mU/I at 195 minutes). Analysis of the GH area under the curve confirmed the significant inhibition of GH secretion after dexamethasone administration and the significant reduction of the GH response to GH-releasing hormone in the study with dexamethasone pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS At variance with data in normal subjects, acute i.v. administration of dexamethasone inhibits basal GH secretion and partially suppresses the GH response to GH-releasing hormone in acromegaly. Both alterations in the regulatory mechanism of adenomatous cells and perturbations of hypothalamic regulatory influences, induced by the state of chronic GH hypersecretion, are likely explanations of the different response to dexamethasone.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Losa
- Chair of Neurosurgery, Ospedale San Raffaele IRCCS, University of Milano, Italy
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Arosio M, Losa M, Bazzoni N, Bochicchio D, Palmieri E, Nava C, Faglia G. Effects of propranolol on GH responsiveness to repeated GH-releasing hormone stimulations in normal subjects. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh) 1990; 122:735-9. [PMID: 2115711 DOI: 10.1530/acta.0.1220735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The influence of beta-adrenergic blockade by oral propranolol on the variability of GH responses to GHRH and on GH responsiveness to repeated GHRH administrations was investigated. Eight normal volunteers underwent three tests on three separate occasions. Each test consisted of two administrations of 80 micrograms GHRH at 2-h intervals without other medication (test 1) or combined with oral administration of 80 mg propranolol 90 min before the first (test 2) or the second GHRH injection (test 3). In test 1 GH levels increased significantly after the first, but not the second GHRH bolus (net incremental area under the curve [nAUC], mean +/- SD: 1453 +/- 974 and 178 +/- 309 micrograms.l-1.(120 min)-1, respectively). In test 2 basal GH secretion was not influenced by propranolol administration, whereas the GH response to the first GHRH injection was significantly greater than in test 1 (2327 +/- 1814 micrograms.l-1.(120 min)-1; p less than 0.05). However, individual subjects showed the same variability of GH response as in test 1. The GH response to the second GHRH bolus remained negligible. In test 3 administration of propranolol 90 min before the second GHRH bolus led to a clear GH increase (690 +/- 1002 micrograms.l-1.(120 min)-1), not significantly different from the GH response to the first bolus (1796 +/- 1375 micrograms.l-1.(120 min)-1). However, only 4 subjects showed a marked restoration of the GH responsiveness to the second GHRH administration. In conclusion, oral administration of propranolol is able to increase GH responsiveness to GHRH without changing the great individual variability. The response to a repeated GHRH stimulation is only partially restored by propranolol.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Arosio
- Institute of Endocrine Sciences, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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Swaney JB, Palmieri E. Hybrid association between human apolipoproteins A-I and A-II in aqueous solution and in phospholipid recombinants. Biochim Biophys Acta 1984; 792:164-71. [PMID: 6421327 DOI: 10.1016/0005-2760(84)90218-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The formation of hybrid association products between apolipoprotein A-I and apolipoprotein A-II from human high-density lipoprotein was investigated in solutions of these apolipoprotein and in recombinant particles with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC). It was found that these two proteins interact in solution to form hybrid association products, but not to a marked degree. When these two proteins were incubated together with DMPC, it was likewise found that there was little tendency to reside on the same particle, as judged from the absence of hybrid oligomers by chemical cross-linking. By a modified immunoelectrophoretic method it was found that only about 15% of the A-II and 10% of the A-I were precipitated by the heterologous antiserum; from this it is concluded that 80-90% of these proteins do not form hybrid recombinants with the other protein. These results suggest that in the delipidated state, as well as in discoidal recombinants, there do not exist strong protein-protein interactions between A-I and A-II. This implies that even in the high-density lipoprotein, where both proteins coexist in the same particle, the A-II does not stabilize the molecular structure through interactions with A-I, and its role in this molecule remains obscure.
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Palmieri E. [The teacher and psychologist. Observations]. Riv Sper Freniatr Med Leg Alien Ment 1967; 91:1730-2. [PMID: 5618019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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