Evaluation of some immune functions in a patient affected by common variable immunodeficiency using luminescent techniques.

Common variable immunodeficiency is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by a failure of antibody synthesis, whose fundamental immunologic abnormality is still unknown. In our study, we evaluated some immune functions using chemiluminescence in a 32-year-old woman affected by common variable immunodeficiency. In particular, we showed an impairment of her lymphomonocyte proliferative response which was evaluated using a method based on the bioluminescent measurement of ATP. Besides, we found a reduction of her lymphomonocyte IL2 and IL4 production: the IL4 production was evaluated through an ELISA method, whereas the IL2 activity was determined by its ability to support the IL2-dependent murine T-cell line (CTLL) proliferation which was established through a method based on the bioluminescent measurement of ATP. Finally, we evaluated both yeast-induced and fMLP-induced polymorphonuclear and monocyte oxidative metabolism through a luminol-amplified chemiluminescence; these functions were within normal values. Therefore, in our patient affected by common variable immunodeficiency, we demonstrated an impairment of cellular immunity, which might contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.

The in vitro effect of Pidotimod on some immune functions in cancer patients.

There are several reports concerning an impairment of cellular immune response in patients affected by malignant disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of Pidotimod, a synthetic biological response modifier, on some immune functions in 14 cancer patients. In particular, we showed that these subjects had a significantly reduced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation both in response to PHA and to Con A in comparison with a group of healthy subjects. Besides, they showed a significantly reduced PBMC IL2 production, which was evaluated both through an ELISA method and a biological assay. The in vitro addition of increasing concentrations of Pidotimod (10, 25 and 50 ug/ml) was able to enhance PBMC proliferation and IL2 production significantly. However, in spite of the addition of Pidotimod, both immune functions in our neoplastic patients did not reach normal values.

Changes of some immune functions after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

This study aimed to evaluate some aspects of the immune response in 10 cardiopathic patients during the execution of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) by obtaining blood samples from coronary sinus. In particular we considered some PMN functions as well as lysosomal release and oxidative metabolism evaluated as chemiluminescence and superoxide anion (O2) production. We also studied serum levels of complement C3 and C4, lymphocyte populations (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD16) and plasmatic determinations of interleukin 2 (IL2). After PTCA, we found a decrease of total count of blood lymphocytes, whereas the number of neutrophils remained unchanged. The decrease involved to a similar extent the lymphocyte subsets CD3, CD4 and CD8, whereas CD19 and CD16 were unchanged. The plasmatic levels of IL2 did not show any significant modification. Concerning PMN, their chemiluminescence was significantly increased after PTCA as compared to basal values: this response was promptly detectable in isolated PMN, both without and with stimulation with fMLP. Similarly superoxide anion production, both spontaneous and stimulated, was increased in PMN suspensions after PTCA, even if this increase did not reach statistical significance. As regards circulating levels of lysosomal enzymes, we found a significant increase of plasmatic levels of elastase, whereas the serum determinations of lysozyme and betaglucuronidase did not change. Concerning the complement system, we found a significant decrease of complement fractions C3 and C4. In conclusion, our results showed certain changes in some humoral and cellular systems; in particular the neutrophil activation through the release of proteolytic enzymes and the generation of oxygen radicals could increase the damage to vessel walls and activate other systems having a negative effect in the ischaemia-associated consequences.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of Veliten (rutine, alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid) in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of Veliten in 12 patients affected by chronic venous insufficiency. In particular, the pharmacokinetics of two components of Veliten, namely rutine and alpha-tocopherol, were considered, while with respect to pharmacodynamics, studies were made of venous function, haemocoagulative and fibrinolytic balance, and haemorheological parameters. Correlation between such changes and plasma drug levels was also evaluated. We found a significant increase of venous tone, venous capacity and venous distension after drug intake, as well as a significant activation of fibrinolysis (globally evaluated with euglobulin lysis time), related to a slight increase of plasminogen tissue activator. These changes appeared concomitantly with maximal plasma levels of rutine. We did not find any modifications of coagulative and haemorheological parameters.