Adrenal incidentaloma: a new contributing factor in metabolic syndrome

Non lipid, dose-dependent effects of pravastatin treatment on hemostatic system and inflammatory response

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of pravastatin treatment on lipid, inflammation, and coagulation parameters in patients suffering from myocardial infarction with or without carotid atherosclerotic lesions (groups 1 and 2, respectively). Methods: In the first phase of the study, a cross-sectional comparison of lipid, inflammation, and coagulation parameters was performed between the patients and the control group (group 3). Highly significant differences in these parameters were observed, especially in group 1. In the second phase of the study, we assessed the effects of a persistent reduction in cholesterol synthesis induced by increasing doses of pravas…

Nuovi mandarini e mandarino-simili a confronto nella Sicilia occidentale

Valutazione dell'insulinoresistenza tramite un test pasto standard

Cross-over study on effects of Mediterranean diet in two randomly selected population samples

Abstract Two randomly selected population samples in Western Sicily, one rural (n = 40) and one urban (n = 40), were studied to evaluate the impact of dietary intervention on lipid, coagulative and fibrinolytic parameters. The two groups received the diets in a cross-over design with the following sequences: (a) baseline period; (b) 8-week dietary intervention period; (c) 8-week return to the original diet. During (a) and (c) all subjects consumed their usual diet. During the dietary intervention period (b), the rural sample consumed the urban sample's diet, while the urban sample consumed the rural sample's diet (the so-called “Mediterranean diet”). At baseline, after 8 weeks' dietary inte…

Innovazione della fragolicoltura in Sicilia

Indagini genetiche e trattamenti prenatali in utero della Sindrome Adreno Genitale (SAG) in una Coorte Siciliana.

La deficienza dell'enzima 21 idrossilasi (21OHD) è la causa più comune di sindrome adrenogenitale (SAG). Il gene implicato è il CYP21 (6p21.3). La SAG è un problema clinico-sociale in quanto nel 95% dei casi genera l'iperandrogenismo dei neonati di sesso femminile. Il trattamento più effettuato in corso di virilizzazzione dei genitali femminili esterni è di tipo chirurgico (genitoplastica). Il trattamento prenatale in utero è una alternativa medica con il fine di compensare il difetto enzimatico e prevenire l'eccesso di androgeni in corso di morfogenesi fetale. Un nuovo protocollo diagnostico-terapeutico prenatale è stato sviluppato sulla base di una terapia precoce (alla 5° WG) con Desamet…

Effetti della tipologia di pianta sugli esiti produttivi e qualitativi della fragolicoltura siciliana

Clinical and hormonal characteristics in heterozygote carriers of congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Abstract Non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH) includes a group of genetic disorders due to a broad class of CYP21A2 variants identifying a disease-causing ‘C’ genotype. The heterozygous carriers of CYP21 mutations are at increased risk of developing clinically evident hyperandrogenism, even though clinical and laboratory characteristics are still underestimated. With the aim of obtaining a more accurate delineation of the phenotype of heterozygous carrier of CAH, we analyzed clinical, biochemical and molecular characteristics in a cohort of Sicilian subjects. Fifty-seven females with biallelic and monoallelic CYP21A2 variants classifying NC-CAH (24) and heterozygous carrier…

Fattori emergenti di rischio cardiovascolare: ruolo dell’infiammazione e del’insulino-resistenza

A large view of CYP21 locus among Sicilians and other Populations: identification of a novel CYP21A2 variant in Sicily.

Background. Several mutations in CYP21 locus cause 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency (21-OHD). The most common mutations are widespread among the different geographic areas and their frequencies have been also reported to differ among certain populations. Aim. To obtain a large view on the frequencies of the most common mutations in the CYP21 locus, in Sicily, in Mediterranean and in other major geographic areas in the worldwide. Subjects and Methods. 308 unrelated CYP21A2 alleles leading 21-OHD in Sicily were genetically typed and compared with other series previously reported in Sicily and in surrounding regions. An analysis of the frequencies of the different geographic areas was also carried ou…