[Echographic and ERCP-manometric study of gallbladder and Oddi's sphincter behavior in biliary colic in patients with cholelithiasis. Effects of cerulein]. / Studio ecografico e CPRE-manometrico del comportamento della colecisti e dello sfintere di Oddi in corso di colica biliare in pazienti con colelitiasi. Effetto della ceruleina.

In a previous study, we have shown that caerulein relieves biliary colic pain in gallstone patients. This study was initiated to determine gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi behaviour during biliary colic and their response to caerulein. In 10 gallstone patients gallbladder volume was measured by real-time ultrasonography during a biliary colic episode and 72 hours after cessation of pain, before and after caerulein administration. Basal sphincter of Oddi pressure was determined by CPRE manometry in 10 gallstone patients during biliary colic and three days after cessation of pain, before and after caerulein. The results of this study show that, during biliary colic, gallbladder volume is 8 times greater than in the post-colic state. Basal sphincter of Oddi pressure was also significantly higher during biliary colic than in the post-colic state. Caerulein relieved in all cases the biliary colic pain while reducing gallbladder volume and decreasing the sphincter of Oddi.

[Diet and precancerous gastric lesions: preliminary results of a sampling study of homogeneous population]. / Dieta e lesioni gastriche precancerose: risultati preliminari di uno studio condotto su un campione di popolazione omogenea.

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between dietary factors and precancerous gastric lesions in the population of a commune in the province of Latina which, on the basis of data published by RTP-LT, appears to present a striking incidence of so-called diet-dependent tumours. A series of tests was used to evaluate the antioxidising (protective) and pro-oxidising (encouraging) capacity of the following substances in terms of cancerogenesis: lutein, zeoxanthine, cryptoxanthine, lycopene, alpha and beta carotene, total carotenoids, tocopherol, retinol, ascorbic acid, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and ceruloplasmin. Two sample populations were enrolled in the study: sample A (random) composed of 400 persons (202 males and 198 females) aged between 20 and 80 who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and multiple biopsies of the gastric mucous; sample B (random), representative of the population, composed of 400 persons (200 males and 200 females) aged between 20 and 80, who underwent plasmatic assay of lipid and vitamin status. The results of this study appear to confirm the hypothesis of a correlation between diet and pre-cancerous lesions and suggest that the primary preventive stps take the form of: a) reduced intake of animal fat; b) increased consumption of fresh vegetables.

[Chronic gastritis and prostaglandins. Results of endoscopic screening]. / Gastriti croniche e prostaglandine. Risultati di uno screening endoscopico.

An endoscopic screening was carried out during the period between July 1989 and December 1991 in the Municipality of Roccagorga (LT) in order to: a) evaluate the presence of various forms of gastritis and pre-cancerous lesions; 2) verify the effect of the administration of prostaglandins (Misoprostol) on the evolution of superficial chronic gastritis (CG). A total of 468 endoscopy were performed (17% of the population aged between 20 and 75 years old). 22% of the subjects examined were found to be endoscopically normal; 34% presented symptoms of mild esophagitis and 4% of moderate esophagitis. The prevalence of duodenal ulcer was 10.6% and gastric ulcer 3.4%. Gastric carcinoma was diagnosed in 6 patients (1.2%). 8.5% of patients were found to have atrophic CG and 15.3% superficial CG. Thirty-six patients with superficial CG were randomly divided into two groups: A) treated with Misoprostol 600 mg/day for 6 months; B) controls (placebo). The administration of Misoprostol did not influence the evolution of CG, whereas it caused a reduction in the incidence of type 1 intestinal metaplasia. Misoprostol also led to an improvement in dyspeptic symptoms. The results of the present study do not suggest a role of prostaglandins in the natural evolution of CG.