0000000000255406
AUTHOR
G. Pizzolanti
Visceral adiposity index is associated with significant fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Background: Metabolic factors have been associated with liver damage in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Aims To test a new marker of adipose dysfunction, the visceral adiposity index (VAI), in NAFLD patients to assess whether or not it is associated with host factors, and to investigate a potential correlation with histological findings. Methods One hundred and forty-two consecutive NAFLD patients were evaluated by liver biopsy, and clinical and metabolic measurements, including insulin resistance with the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and VAI by using waist circumference, body mass index, triglycerides and HDL. Serum levels of TNFα, IL-6, adiponectin and lep…
Comparison of clinical and metabolic effects of pasireotide and pituitary surgery in Cushing disease
Pituitary surgery represents the first-line treatment for most patients with Cushing’s disease (CD). In the case of surgery failure, additional treatment options are required. Pasireotide has shown favourable results in the first-line treatment of patients with CD, who are not candidates for surgery or in the second-line when surgery has failed. The aim of the current study is to compare the effects of surgery and pasireotide treatment in a cohort of patients with CD, and to evaluate the differences in response rate in terms of hormonal and clinical control, and improvement of metabolic complications.
Up-regulation of c-FLIPshort and reduction of activation-induced cell death in T-cells from patients with Type 1 diabetes
AICD of T-cells is an efficient way of removing activated T-lymphocytes. In this study we investigated the molecular basis of AICD upon reactivation in peripheral T-lymphocytes from newly diagnosed T1DM patients and age-matched healthy controls. In an in vitro model system, PHA-stimulated T-cells, upon prolonged culture in IL-2, acquire a sensitive phenotype to Fas-mediated apoptosis. This phenomenon is less pronounced in T1DM T-cells. Moreover, the restimulation of activated T-cells via TCR/CD3 and/or via CD28 inhibits Fas-mediated apoptosis in T1DM in comparison to control T-cells. After Fas triggering, the generation of the active sub-units of caspase-8 is significantly reduced in T1DM T…
Cathepsin D activity levels in colorectal cancer: Correlation with cathepsin B and L and other biological and clinical parameters
Cathepsin D, B and L activity levels were determined in colorectal cancer and correlated with a number of biological and clinical parameters. Our studies have evidenced significant higher activity levels of these lysosomal enzymes in tumor cytosol compared to paired normal mucosa as well as an evident increase of tumor specific cathepsin D activity in Dukes' stage A tumors compared to later stages (B, C and D). Furthermore, significant higher cathepsin B and L activity levels were observed in Dukes' stage A compared to Dukes' stage D tumors while significant higher cathepsin B activity levels were observed in tumors ≤5 cm than in those >5 cm as well as in moderately differentiated tumors…
Modificazioni di insulino-secrezione, insulino-sensibilità e funzione adiposa durante terapia con pasireotide in un gruppo di pazienti con malattia di Cushing
Background: La terapia con pasireotide (PAS) è efficace nel miglioramento del quadro clinico e biochimico dei soggetti con Malattia di Cushing (MC) da adenoma ipofisario ACTH-secernente, ma una della principali cause di interruzione della stessa è l’insorgenza di eventi avversi, tra i quali l’iperglicemia è il più frequente. Obiettivi: Valutare l’effetto della terapia con PAS su metabolismo glucidico, insulino-secrezione e sensibilità. Metodi: Abbiamo valutato in 8 pazienti con MC recidivata post-chirurgia durante un follow-up terapeutico di 12 mesi, oltre ai parametri clinici ed ormonali, l’insulino-secrezione tramite HOMAβ e area sotto la curva del C-peptide (AUC2hc-peptide) durante MMTT,…
Stefin A and cathepsin B and L circulating serum levels in patients with malignant or non-malignant liver diseases: A preliminary report
Experimental and clinical studies have recently shown a significant correlation between increased activity levels of lysosomal proteinases Cathepsin B, L in tumor tissues and malignant progression. On the basis of these findings we have undertaken some preliminary studies to evaluate the clinical impact of these enzymes and their intracellular inhibitor Stefin A in patients with malignant and non malignant liver diseases. The serum levels of Cathepsin B, L and Stefin A resulted significantly increased (mean 7 folds) in patients with liver diseases as compared to healthy subjects . these findings suggest that Cathepsin B, Cathepsin L, and Stefin A serum levels may be potentially useful as pr…
Gender-specific soluble α-klotho levels as marker of GH deficiency in children: a case-control study.
Abstract Purpose To evaluate circulating soluble α-klotho (sαKL) levels in GHD children before and after 12 months of GH treatment (GHT). Methods Auxological and basal metabolic parameters, oral glucose tolerance test for glucose and insulin levels, insulin sensitivity indices and klotho levels were evaluated before and after 12 months of follow-up in 58 GHD children and 56 healthy controls. Results At baseline, GHD children showed significantly lower growth velocity standard deviation score (SDS) (p < 0.001), bone/chronological age ratio (p < 0.001), GH peak and area under the curve (AUC) after arginine test (ARG) (both p < 0.001) and glucagon stimulation test (GST) (p < 0.001 …
Circulating adipokine levels in diabetic patients with Cushing disease on pasireotide treatment compared with patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Effects of E-64 (cysteine-proteinase inhibitor) and pepstatin (aspartyl-proteinase inhibitor) on metastasis formation in mice with mammary and ovarian tumors.
The effects of E-64 (Cathepsin B and L inhibitor) and Pepstatin A (Cathepsin D inhibitor) on spontaneous and experimental metastasis formation were investigated in mice with MCa mammary carcinoma, M5076 ovarian sarcoma and L1210 leukemia. Pepstatin induced a marked decrease in the number of spontaneous metastasis in MCa or M5076 tumor bearing mice. This phenomenon was also noted with E-64 but only in M5076 tumor bearing mice. On the other hand, both these agents were unable to prevent the formation of experimental metastasis in mice injected i.v. with L1210, MCa or M5076 tumor cells or with tumor cells in which Cathepsin B, L and D activities were inhibited by a 24 hour continuous exposure …