Efficacy of liraglutide 3.0 mg treatment on weight loss in patients with weight regain after bariatric surgery.

PURPOSE: Bariatric surgery, as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB), and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), is considered the gold standard treatment to achieve long-term weight loss in severe obesity. In patients who fail to maintain the achieved weight, pharmacological treatment may be required. Here, we reported our real-life experience on the efficacy of liraglutide therapy in 62 patients who regained weight after bariatric surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 62 (60 F-2 M; mean age: 43.6 ± 9.9 years) patients received liraglutide for weight loss after bariatric surgery (17 RYGB, 22 LGB, and 23 LSG). Body mass index (BMI) before and after surgery was, respectively, of 45.4 ± 5.5 kg/m2 and 29.5 ± 4.9 kg/m2. Patients were followed up from 2016 until 2021. Liraglutide was administered after weight regain once-daily subcutaneously at starting dose of 0.6 mg and with weekly increases up to 3.0 mg. Treatments were administered when a weight regain of 10-15% occurred after reaching a minimum weight loss from bariatric surgery or if weight loss after bariatric surgery was unsatisfactory. RESULTS: After a mean of 70.7 ± 43.7 months from any bariatric surgery, all patients started liraglutide therapy. At this time, mean BMI was 34.2 ± 4.8 kg/m2 (mean increased BMI: 4.7 ± 2.8 kg/m2). After a mean of 10.5 ± 4.4 months from the beginning of liraglutide, 9 patients achieved normal weight (BMI 24.1 ± 0.9 kg/m2), and 28 were overweight (BMI 26.9 ± 1.6 kg/m2). Twenty patients achieved grade I (BMI 32.1 ± 1.5 kg/m2), 5 grade II (BMI 37.3 ± 2.0 kg/m2) obesity, and none had grade III obesity (mean BMI change: - 5.1 ± 2.5 kg/m2). The treatment was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were recorded. CONCLUSION: These data confirm the efficacy and safety of liraglutide in patients who experienced weight regain after bariatric surgery. Considering the long-term follow-up, patients should be followed up regularly and the pharmacological treatment should be adapted to the weight fluctuations observed during the clinical history. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V. Opinions of authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.

Effect of a sugar-free chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract on different variables related to caries and gingivitis: a randomized controlled intervention trial.

The effect of magnolia bark extract (MBE) on different variables related to caries and gingivitis administered daily through a sugar-free chewing gum was evaluated. The study was performed with healthy adult volunteers at high risk for caries as a randomized double-blind interventional study. 120 subjects with a salivary mutans streptococci (MS) concentration ≥10(5) CFU/ml and presence of bleeding on probing >25% were enrolled and divided into three groups: magnolia, xylitol and control. The study design included examinations at baseline, after 7 days, after 30 days of gum use and 7 days after the end of gum use. Plaque pH was assessed using the strip method following a sucrose challenge. Area under the curve (AUC(5.7) and AUC(6.2)) was recorded. Whole saliva was collected and the number of salivary MS (CFU/ml) was counted. Bleeding on probing was recorded as a proxy of dental plaque. Data were analyzed using ANOVA repeated measures. Magnolia gum significantly reduced plaque acidogenicity, MS salivary concentration and gingival bleeding compared to xylitol and control gums. Subjects from the magnolia and xylitol groups showed both MS concentration (p = 0.01 and 0.06, respectively) and AUC(5.7) (p = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively) to be significantly lower compared to baseline. Thirty-day use of a chewing gum containing MBE showed beneficial effects on oral health, including reduction of salivary MS, plaque acidogenicity and bleeding on probing.

Six months of daily high-dose xylitol in high-risk schoolchildren: a randomized clinical trial on plaque pH and salivary mutans streptococci.

A randomized clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effect of daily high-dose xylitol chewing gum on plaque pH and salivary mutans streptococci (MS) in a sample of schoolchildren at high risk of caries. The study was performed on 204 subjects (acceptance rate 88.3%). Inclusion criteria were: >1 and <4 carious lesions, and a salivary MS concentration >10(5) CFU/ml. Subjects were randomly assigned to the xylitol or control group. Study design included one examination at baseline (t(0)), one after 3 months of chewing (t(1)), one after 6 months of chewing (t(2)) and the last 3 months after the end of chewing period (t(3)). Plaque pH was assessed using the MicroTouch technique, following a sucrose challenge. The area under the curve (AUC(5.7) and AUC(6.2)) was recorded. Whole saliva was collected in sterile vials and MS CFU/ml were counted. Data were analysed using repeated-measures ANOVA. The main result was that plaque acidogenicity was reduced in both groups. The differences between treatments were statistically significant both for plaque pH and MS concentration; the interaction term for treatment and time was statistically significant (p < 0.01). At t(2), the xylitol group children with a salivary MS concentration >10(5) and those with < or =10(5) showed significantly lower AUC(5.7) and AUC(6.2) values than the control group. These results suggest that the long-term use of high-dose non-sucrose chewing gums had beneficial effects on plaque pH, and that this effect was statistically greater when using xylitol chewing gums, both on plaque pH and MS salivary concentration.

Caries prevalence and need for dental care in 13-18-year-olds in the Municipality of Milan, Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between caries prevalence and toothbrushing and dietary habits in adolescents in the city of Milan (Italy). RESEARCH DESIGN: The study consisted of a cross-sectional survey using clustering samples. DMFT was recorded following the WHO guidelines by three calibrated examiners. A dental health questionnaire was completed by the subjects to assess their toothbrushing and oral hygiene habits. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 1,333 students (age-range 13-18 years, 648 males and 685 females) was studied. The students came from three secondary schools located in different socio-economic and cultural areas of the city. RESULTS: Caries experience (DMFT>0) was 59.11%. A significant linear trend (p<0.01) was observed for DT>0 among the three different schools selected. The mean DMFT was 1.94 +/- 2.46 and difference observed in DT, FT and DMFT among the three schools was statistically significant (p<0.05). Eating snacks more than once a day provided a significantly higher odds ratio for DMFT>0 and for DT>0 (OR=5.24, p<0.001 and OR= 1.46, p=0.01 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A significant trend between caries experience and socioeconomic status was observed: adolescents, attending school in a low-socio-economic areas, showed higher caries prevalence and higher levels of untreated caries than their counterparts attending schools located in medium-high socio-economic areas.

Periodontal disease and preterm birth relationship: a review of the literature.

Despite medical care improves consistently, the rate of preterm birth has risen in recent years. In Italy the rate of preterm birth between the XXXIII and the XXXVI week is 13.5%, while it amounts to 1.3% for preterm birth between XXIV and the XXXII week. Consequently, the identification of risk factors for preterm birth that might be modified would have far-reaching and long-lasting effects. A significant number of preterm birth may be attributed to infections of the urogenital tract, such as bacterial vaginosis. In the last decade, great interest has been generated to support the hypothesis that sub-clinical infection at sites that are also distant from the genito-urinary tract may be an important cause of preterm labour, probably through the activation of abnormal inflammatory responses within the uterus and intrauterine tissues. There is emerging evidence of a possible relationship between maternal periodontal diseases as a potential risk factor of adverse pregnancy outcomes, like preterm low birth weight even though not all of the actual data support such hypothesis. Further studies are clearly required to clarify the causes and/or relationships linking pathologic oral conditions and adverse pregnancy outcomes. So far, from a clinical standpoint, it would appear that the assessment of the periodontal status of pregnant women during an early pregnancy might be useful in providing an important indicator of risk for future obstetric complications.

Influence of Genetic Background on Apathy-Like Behavior in Triple Transgenic AD Mice.

Apathy is an early and common neuropsychiatric syndrome in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In clinical trials, apathy is associated with decreased motor activity that can be monitored by actigraphy. The triple transgenic mouse AD model (3xTgAD) has been shown to recapitulate the biochemical lesions as well as many of the synaptic and cognitive alterations associated with AD. In the present work we found that these mice also develop an early and consistent apathy-like behavior as evidenced by a drastic decrease in spontaneous activity measured by actimetry. We recently established that these mice also display an intraneuronal accumulation of the ß-secretase-derived ßAPP fragment (C99) appearing early, in absence of Aß. Interestingly, we found that the apathy-like behavior observed in 3xTgAD mice was temporally associated with C99 accumulation and synaptic alterations. Since it is well known that the genetic background can strongly influence behavior and can induce transcriptional variability in animal models, we decided to determine the influence of genetic background on the above-described alterations. We backcrossed 3xTgAD mice to C57BL/6 and found that the genetic background had no influence on either C99 accumulation or synaptic plasticity alterations, but strongly affected the apathy-like behavior.

Accuracy and reliability of the RGB-D camera for measuring walking speed on a treadmill.

AIM: RGB-D cameras (Red Green Blue+Depth) are widely employed in exergames designed to physically stimulate elderly people. Nevertheless, the intensity of the physical activity reached with the existing solutions is rarely sufficient to obtain a real impact on the physical fitness and thus on the health status of this population. In this context, a Point Cloud Based System (PCBS) has been developed to interface ordinary motorized treadmills with exergames through a simple RGB-D camera, to induce players to perform physical activities at higher intensities. The goal of this study was to assess the accuracy and reliability of PCBS to measure the walking speed of a subject on a standard motorized treadmill based on the image streams of an RGB-D camera. METHODS: 36 participants performed three 10min walking exercises, divided in 5 blocks of 2min at the following constant ordered speeds: 0.42, 0.69, 0.97, 1.25 and 1.53ms(-1). The measured walking speeds are compared to those obtained through a Marker Based Control System (MBCS). RESULTS: Results showed a high system accuracy (bias: 0.013±0.015ms(-1)), a good reliability (ICC=0.63-0.91) and a low variability (SEM=1-5%; MD=2.7-14%). DISCUSSION: Accuracy and reliability of PCBS are consistent with those obtained in similar existing systems measuring gait parameters. CONCLUSION: Within the context of the development of exergames, PCBS may be combined with exergames to perform physical activities at sufficiently high intensities in the elderly population, in order to improve their physical health and possibly prevent/delay cognitive impairment.

Inertial sensors as measurement tools of elbow range of motion in gerontology.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Musculoskeletal system deterioration among the aging is a major reason for loss of autonomy and directly affects the quality of life of the elderly. Articular evaluation is part of physiotherapeutic assessment and helps in establishing a precise diagnosis and deciding appropriate therapy. Reference instruments are valid but not easy to use for some joints. The main goal of our study was to determine reliability and intertester reproducibility of the MP-BV, an inertial sensor (the MotionPod(®) [MP]) combined with specific software (BioVal [BV]), for elbow passive range-of-motion measurements in geriatrics. METHODS: This open, monocentric, randomized study compared inertial sensor to inclinometer in patients hospitalized in an acute, post-acute, and long-term-care gerontology unit. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients (mean age 83.5±6.4 years, sex ratio 1.08 [male/female]) were analyzed. The MP-BV was reliable for each of the three measurements (flexion, pronation, and supination) for 24.3% (CI 95% 13.9-32.8) of the patients. Separately, the percentages of reliable measures were 59.7% (49.2-70.5) for flexion, 68.8% (58.4-79.5) for pronation, and 62.3% (51.2-73.1) for supination. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.15 (0.07-0.73), 0.46 (0.27-0.98), and 0.50 (0.31-40 0.98) for flexion, pronation, and supination, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study shows the convenience of the MP-BV in terms of ease of use and of export of measured data. However, this instrument seems less reliable and valuable compared to the reference instruments used to measure elbow range of motion in gerontology.

Fibroblast-derived factors preserve viability in vitro of mononuclear cells isolated from subjects with HIV-1 infection.

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-infected subjects have an increased mortality rate (MR) when incubated in vitro for 3 days in a culture medium. We have previously shown that fibroblast-conditioned medium (FCM) can preserve viability, without significant activation, of human lymphocytes in vitro. We therefore tested the ability of two FCM and other factors to reduce spontaneous MR in HIV-positive PBMC. METHODS: PBMC were cultured for 3 days in control medium and medium supplemented with FCM or recombinant cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-7, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor]. Cells viable at day 3 were counted in a cytofluorimeter after staining with ethidium bromide. DNA was extracted from the cultures and evaluated for the presence of low molecular weight fragmentation. RESULTS: The MR of PBMC from 51 HIV-positive subjects and from 21 healthy controls were 30.1 and 9.5%, respectively (P < 0.0001). The MR was higher in 40 patients with a CD4+ lymphocyte count < 400 x 10(6)/l than in subjects with a count > 400 x 10(6)/l (32.84 versus 20.96%; P = 0.047). IL-2 and FCM significantly reduced MR in HIV-positive subjects (MR: 17.8 and 20.4%; P: < 0.001 and 0.005, respectively). This effect was more evident in subjects with a CD4+ lymphocyte count < 400 x 10(6)/l and in subjects with negative p24 antigenaemia. Cellular proliferation accounts for increased survival in IL-2-supplemented cultures but not in those with FCM. DNA was extracted from fresh PBMC and cells cultured for 3 days for 22 HIV-positive cases. DNA degradation was documented and bands related to an apoptotic mechanism of death observed, especially in subjects with more advanced disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that FCM inhibits accelerated cell death in vitro of PBMC isolated from HIV-positive patients.

Long-term evaluation of T-cell subsets and T-cell function after HAART in advanced stage HIV-1 disease.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of immunological reconstitution after 2 years of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in AIDS patients. DESIGN: Previous data showed the effectiveness of HAART but conflicting evidence of immune reconstitution has been found in severely immunocompromised patients. Therefore, T-cell subsets and functions were analysed during 24 months of HAART in 21 AIDS patients (mean baseline CD4 cell count, 20 x 10(6)/l). METHODS: Subjects were tested at baseline and after 4, 12 and 24 months of therapy for clinical symptoms and the following investigations were carried out: plasma HIV RNA, T-cell subsets and lymphoproliferative responses to mitogens (phytohaemagglutinin, anti-CD3), and recall antigens (Candida mannoprotein, tetanus toxoid and recombinant glycoprotein 160). RESULTS: Increase in body weight, improvement of Karnofsky's score and reduction of opportunistic infections were observed. All patients showed an initial increase in the CD4 memory subset, whereas naive CD4 cells consistently increased only after 1 year. The magnitude of immune recovery was stronger in patients showing a significant reduction in viral load. However seven out of 21 patients who did not reach a sustained suppression of viral load showed also an increase in T-cell subsets. The majority of patients recovered lymphoproliferative responses to mitogens, whereas only four subjects showed a functional response to Candida mannoprotein. No patients showed a response to HIV recombinant glycoprotein 160 or tetanus toxoid. CONCLUSIONS: The immune recovery observed is slower and not complete in severely immunocompromised patients. Our data suggest that HAART may be continued also in the absence of a significant HIV RNA decrease if alternative drugs are not available.

Cellular events in growth and germination of giant conidia of Neurospora crassa.

During growth of conidia in 3.22 M ethylene glycol the increase in the number of the nuclei is proportional to the increase in volume only in the phase of maximum growth rate and is lower in the preceding and in the following periods of growth. DNA synthesis similarly initiates later and decreases faster than protein synthesis. The dilution of ethylene glycol is followed by the germination of giant conidia, which is characterized by the absence of a lag phase, a high degree of synchrony and the formation of more than one germ tube per conidium. The number of germ tubes is dependent on the volume reached by conidia at the end of the treatment and does not increase with time. The resuming of DNA synthesis after germination is preceded by a sharp increase in protein synthesis and the division of almost half of the nuclei and shows a synchronized pattern. Results are discussed in the light of models of growth proposed for eukaryotic cells.

Distribution of the natural killer-related receptor for HLA-C during highly active antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Receptors interacting with Major Histocompatibility Complex class I molecules have been initially found on the surface of human natural killer (NK) cells, where they deliver inhibitory signals to the lysis, being thus defined killer inhibitory receptors (KIR). Subsequently, they were detected also on the surface of T-CD8(+) lymphocytes and are particularly expanded during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, where they downregulate HIV-specific cytolysis. The expression of KIR recognizing human leukocyte antigen-C alleles was assessed in HIV-infected patients, undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). To this end, the combined expression of CD16/CD56, of CD3 and CD8 as well as of KIR (CD158a and CD158b) surface molecules was analyzed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells by monoclonal antibodies, and flow cytometry. An increase of CD3(+)CD8(+)CD158b(+) cells was found after 6 months of HAART. This finding may have implications for the regulation of T-cell mediated cytolysis during HAART.

Pharmacology of MEN 11467: a potent new selective and orally- effective peptidomimetic tachykinin NK(1) receptor antagonist.

We have investigated the pharmacological properties of MEN 11467, a novel partially retro-inverse peptidomimetic antagonist of tachykinin NK(1) receptors. MEN 11467 potently inhibits the binding of [(3)H] substance P (SP) to tachykinin NK(1) receptors in the IM9 limphoblastoid cell line (pK(i) = 9.4 +/- 0.1). MEN 11467 is highly specific for the human tachykinin NK(1) receptors, since it has negligible effects (pK(i) <6) on the binding of specific ligands to tachykinin NK(2) or NK(3) receptors and to a panel of 30 receptors ion channels unrelated to tachykinin receptors. The antagonism exerted by MEN 11467 at tachykinin NK(1) receptors is insurmountable in saturation binding experiments, both K(D) and B(max) of SP were significantly reduced by MEN 11467 (0.3-10 nM). In the guinea-pig isolated ileum, MEN 11467 (0.03-1 nM) produced a nonparallel rightward shift of the concentration-response curve to SP methylester with a concomitant reduction of the Emax to the agonist (pK(B) = 10.7 +/- 0.1). Moreover the antagonist activity of MEN 11467 was hardly reversible despite prolonged washout. In vivo, MEN 11467 produced a long lasting (> 2-3h) dose-dependent antagonism of bronchoconstriction induced by the selective tachykinin NK(1) receptor agonist, [Sar(9), Met(O(2))(11)]SP in anaesthetized guinea-pigs (ID(50)s' = 29+/-5, 31+/-12 and 670+/-270 microg/kg, after intravenous, intranasal and intraduodenal administration, respectively), without affecting bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine. After oral administration MEN 11467 produced a dose-dependent inhibition of plasma protein extravasation induced in guinea-pig bronchi by [Sar(9), Met(O(2))(11)] (ID(50) = 6.7 +/- 2 mg/kg) or by antigen challenge in sensitized animals (ID(50) = 1.3 mg/kg). After i.v. administration MEN 11467 weakly inhibited the GR 73632-induced foot tapping behaviour in gerbil (ED(50) = 2.96 +/- 2 mg/kg), indicating a poor ability to block central tachykinin NK(1) receptors. These results demonstrate that MEN 11467 is a potent, highly selective and orally effective insurmountable pseudopeptide antagonist of peripheral tachykinin NK(1) receptors with a long duration of action.

Hepatitis C virus infection in Italian patients with hypogammaglobulinemia.

We investigated the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 58 patients with humoral immunodeficiencies. Forty-three of these patients had common variable immunodeficiency (CVI), 2 had sporadic hyperimmunoglobulin M (HIM) syndrome, 2 had immunoglobulin G subclass deficiency, 4 had ataxia-telangiectasia (AT), and 7 had X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA). Patients with late-onset hypogammaglobulinemia (those with CVI, HIM, or immunoglobulin G subclass deficiency) had a 38.2% prevalence of HCV infection. In patients with XLA or AT, HCV infection was not detectable. Most of the HCV-infected patients had persistent viremia, with histologic findings of chronic hepatitis. Although patients positive for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) had received several lots of immunoglobulin, we were unable to detect any correlation between the time that alanine aminotransferase levels increased and the time that intravenous immunoglobulin therapy was given, except in one patient with CVI. Moreover, we found no differences in the number of blood transfusions, surgical procedures, or administrations of intravenous or intramuscular immunoglobulin between HCV RNA-positive and HCV RNA-negative groups. We concluded that: (1) the incidence of HCV infection in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia is much higher than that reported in the Italian general population; (2) although patients with hypogammaglobulinemia have persistent viremia, they do not show an aggressive course of HCV disease, nor does hepatocarcinoma develop; and (3) intravenous immunoglobulins are only one of several possible causes of HCV transmission in patients with humoral immunodeficiencies.

Cardioprotective effects of zofenopril, a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in the rat.

We have studied the effect of zofenopril, a new angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in preventing cardiac injury induced by chronic doxorubicin treatment in rats. Cardiac function was assessed by measuring changes in electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings, haemodynamics and cardiac responses in vivo to isoprenaline, 4 weeks after suspension of doxorubicin treatment, in vehicle-treated rats and in animals receiving zofenopril (15 mg/kg/os/day) alone, doxorubicin (1.5 mg/kg i.v. once a week for 5 weeks) or zofenopril+doxorubicin treatment. Doxorubicin induced a significant lengthening of the QalphaT interval, which was completely prevented by zofenopril treatment. The cardiac positive inotropic effect induced by i.v. isoprenaline was selectively depressed by doxorubicin (no changes in chronotropic responses) and this adverse effect of doxorubicin was also prevented in zofenopril+doxorubicin pretreated rats. Doxorubicin induced a significant increase in relative heart weight, which was likewise prevented in zofenopril+doxorubicin treated rats. In separate experiments, zofenopril did not interfere with the antitumor activity of doxorubicin (inhibition of tumor growth in nude mice xenografted with A2780 human tumor line). In conclusion, the oral administration of zofenopril is able to significantly ameliorate, up to 4 weeks after the end of doxorubicin administration, doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity without affecting the antitumor activity of this anthracycline.

Adenosarcoma of the ovary. A case report.

Adenosarcoma of the ovary is a rare condition. We report a case of a 32-year-old patient that has been treated in our Department. The diagnosis of ovarian adenosarcoma was carried out after laparoscopy with removal of an ovarian endometriotic cyst. Laparoscopic homolateral ovariectomy was then performed and conservative treatment was decided on considering the young age, low stage and low grade of the disease. Second-look laparoscopy, clinical evaluation and ultrasound were performed for four years of follow-up. No recurrence has been detected. Conservative treatment should be proposed in fertile age with low-grade ovarian adenosarcoma, but a strict follow-up is always necessary.

Laparoscopic management of early stage endometrial cancer.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic hysterectomy versus the transabdominal approach with systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy in early stage endometrial cancer. METHODS: From January 1996 to April 2002, 59 women were treated for endometrial cancer at the Department of Gynecology in Padova, Italy (29 by the laparoscopic technique and 30 by laparotomy). Every patient underwent hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy with systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Comparing the two techniques, operating time was longer and hospital stay was significantly shorter for laparoscopy; no differences were observed about the number of removed lymph nodes (range 5-33) or intra-postoperatory complications. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach to endometrial cancer is certainly to be considered appropriate and efficacious, even if it requires skilled surgeons and adequate oncologic training. It is important to perform pelvic lymphadenectomy in all cases of early stage cancer.

[Evaluation of hematometric parameters and plasma ferritin levels in patients treated with ferritin-containing preparations]. / Valutazione dei parametri ematometrici e dei livelli della ferritina plasmatica in pazienti trattati con preparati contenenti ferritina.

Ferritin has been administered in immediately bioavailable solution form, and in solid form, with exclusively duodenal bioavailability, to two groups of patients suffering from sideropenic dyserythropoietic anaemia. The results obtained point to a significant stimulating action on erythropoiesis documented by the increase in reticulocytes and red cells. This increase is certainly relatable to the increase of available iron and to its incorporation in the erythrocytes, as demonstrated by the increase in ferritinaemia, sideraemia, haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglocbin concentration. The data obtained showed the bioavailable fluid form to be more active than the solid.