Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0018681 (headache)
 56,091 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Ten patients (mean age, 46 years) with mild to moderate hypertension received 5 mg of amlodipine daily for 12 weeks. The amlodipine dose was increased to 10 mg daily in 4 patients whose blood pressure remained > or = 90 mmHg during the first 8 weeks. After 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, mean blood pressures in the supine, sitting, and standing positions and after exercise were reduced significantly. Heart rate did not change significantly from before to after treatment. Six hours after amlodipine administration, however, slight but significant increases in heart rate were noted at rest and after exercise. Platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate or collagen was significantly reduced 6 hours after amlodipine. One patient reported headache after the 10-mg dose of amlodipine. No other side effects were noted. It is concluded that 10 mg of amlodipine once daily is safe and effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension.
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PMID:Effects of amlodipine on platelet aggregation and blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. 851 39

Results of this study confirm the link between migraine and alterations of platelet responsiveness. Our data suggest that in migraineurs the perturbated platelet microviscosity, analyzed by means of fluorescence polarization, appears responsible for the decrease of stimulation-induced influx of external calcium through the platelet membrane. These findings suggest that platelet membrane microviscosity may be considered as a more significant platelet marker of migraine rather than the well-known and nonspecific phenomenon of platelet hyperaggregation, evaluated by time-transmittance variations induced by adenosine diphosphate and collagen.
Headache 1996 Feb
PMID:Platelet responsiveness in migrainous children during headache-free period. 874 81

Nitric oxide (NO) in platelets has been proposed as a promising tool for studying NO variations in migraine. In the present research the platelet response to collagen and the basal and collagen-induced production of NO and cGMP in platelet cytosol were assessed in migraine patients (25 with aura and 35 without aura) both interictally and ictally, and compared with the same parameters in 30 age-matched control subjects. A reduced responsiveness to collagen was found in migraine patients, particularly those with aura, and this was more marked during attacks (ANOVA interictal periods: p < 0.01, attacks: p < 0.02) The basal and collagen-stimulated production of NO and cGMP in the platelet cytosol was significantly higher in migraine patients with aura assessed in interictal periods than in control subjects, and this production was further increased during attacks (interictal period: NO ANOVA: p < 0.001, ictal period: p < 0.01; cGMP: interictal period p < 0.01, ictal period: p < 0.02). The increase in platelet NO and cGMP production was also evident, though to a lesser extent, in migraine patients without aura. The present research supports the hypothesis of an activation of the L-arginine/NO pathway in migraine patients, especially those with aura, and confirms the findings of a previous study of increased levels of L-arginine in platelets of migraine patients studied in headache free-periods, and decreased collagen aggregation in whole blood.
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PMID:L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway activation in platelets of migraine patients with and without aura. 889 Oct 62

Previous studies have reported the existence of an arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway and the involvement of a Ca2+, NADPH-dependent nitric oxide synthase enzyme (NOS) in the generation of NO in human platelets. In the present research, we determined the rate of production of NO and cGMP in the cytosol of platelets stimulated by collagen in 20 females with menstrual migraine (MM), (age range 24-40 years), assessed in the follicular and luteal phases, interictally and ictally in the latter period. The same patients were also assessed at mid-cycle. At the same time, the variations in the collagen response of platelets were evaluated. Moreover, these parameters were determined in the same periods in 20 age-matched control females and in 20 females affected by non-menstrually related migraine (nMM). The collagen-stimulated production of NO in the cytosol of the platelet cytosol was significantly higher in migraine patients with MM than in the control subjects. In MM patients, the increase was greater in the luteal phase of the cycle than during the follicular phase (p < 0.005). A rise in NO production in platelets was also present, although to a lesser extent, in females affected by nMM compared to the healthy females, but this rise was most evident at ovulation (p < 0.001). A slight but significant increase was also observed at mid-cycle in control women, but this increase did not reach the values determined in the migraine groups (p < 0.02). NO production in platelets stimulated by collagen was significantly increased during attacks with respect to the interictal period in both patient groups. Similar variations were observed in the production of cGMP in MM and nMM patients. The increase in NO production was accompanied by a decrease in platelet aggregation in the migraine groups compared with the control group; this decrease was most evident at mid-cycle in nMM patients and in the luteal phase in MM patients. These data suggest an activation of the L-arginine/ NO pathway in MM and nMM patients which could explain the modifications in the platelet response to collagen evidenced in migraine-free periods and during attacks. The activation of this pathway is more accentuated in the luteal phase in MM patients, and this could be the cause of the increased susceptibility to migraine attacks in perimenstrual and menstrual periods in these patients.
Cephalalgia 1996 Nov
PMID:Variations in the platelet arginine/nitric oxide pathway during the ovarian cycle in females affected by menstrual migraine. 893 90

A 33-year-old woman had an undifferentiated tumor originating in the cerebral dysgenetic lesion resembling fibrous cartilage. She had a headache, vomiting, late-onset epilepsy and left hemiparesis. The lesion was located in the right temporal lobe on computed tomographic (CT) scan. It was totally resected and only local irradiation was performed postoperatively. Normal cortical architectures were lost in the resected specimens. Straight or curved fasciculi composed of fine collagen fibers were distributed in parallel and perpendicular to the cortical surface in the mildly eosinophilic hyaline matrix. Hypertrophic astrocytes were scattered with low cellularity in these abnormal cortices. Clusters of tumor cells were observed in a few areas. The tumor cells, having oval and relatively vesicular nuclei with a few prominent nucleoli and basophilic well-circumscribed narrow cytoplasm, had proliferated diffusely with a cobblestone appearance. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic investigations demonstrated no evidence of specific differentiation, either. There were 14.5 mitotic figures/high power field on average and most nuclei of the tumor cells were strongly positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Moreover, subarachnoid dissemination of the tumor cells were apparent in a few areas. Nevertheless the patient returned to work and no recurrence was observed for 10 years postoperatively. We concluded that neoplastic transformation occurred de novo in the dysgenetic cortex.
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PMID:Undifferentiated tumor originating in the cerebral dysgenetic lesion resembling fibrous cartilage: case report. 895 22

The antiaggregation and hemodynamic effects of the new prostacyclin analogue beraprost sodium were investigated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of Latin-square design. Twelve healthy Caucasian males randomly received 8-day oral treatments of 20, 40, and 60 micrograms of beraprost sodium and a placebo. One-week washout periods followed each treatment. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic measurements were performed on days 1 and 8 for each period of treatment. All three doses of beraprost sodium significantly inhibited platelet aggregation on day 8 (compared with placebo) during the 1st h after drug intake. Incubation of the 60-micrograms beraprost sodium samples with ADP (2, 5, and 10 microM) and collagen (1.25 micrograms/mL) decreased platelet aggregation by 10, 19, 16, and 6 +/- 4% (mean +/- SE), respectively, compared with placebo. No significant hemodynamic effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and digital pulse were observed. The 60-micrograms dose of beraprost sodium did significantly decrease the IRZ index (which may reflect the left ventricular pre-ejection period) on days 1 and 8. Some subjects experienced headache and facial flushing, effects that were dose dependent and reversible. Beraprost sodium at 20- to 60-micrograms doses exerts platelet antiaggregation (day 8 of therapy) and slight hemodynamic (days 1 and 8 of treatment) effects in Caucasian males. Beraprost sodium hemodynamic effects and potential benefits in patients with cardiovascular disease should be explored further.
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PMID:Platelet-aggregation inhibition and hemodynamic effects of beraprost sodium, a new oral prostacyclin derivative: a study in healthy male subjects. 896 Mar 77

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable disorder of bone development caused by defective collagen synthesis. Basilar invagination is an uncommon but devastating complication of this disease. The authors present a comprehensive strategy for management of craniovertebral anomalies associated with OI and related osteochondrodysplasias. Twenty-five patients with congenital osteochondrodysplasias (18 OI, four Hajdu-Cheney syndrome, and three spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia) and basilar invagination were evaluated between 1985 and 1995. The male/female ratio in this cohort was 1:1. The mean age at presentation was 11.9 years (range 13 months-20 years). Fourteen patients (56%) presented during adolescence (11-15 years of age). Symptoms and signs included headache (76%), lower cranial nerve dysfunction (68%), hyperreflexia (56%), quadriparesis (48%), ataxia (32%), nystagmus (28%), and scoliosis (20%). Four patients (16%) were asymptomatic. Seven (28%) had undergone previous posterior fossa decompression; one had also undergone ventral decompression. Imaging findings included basilar invagination (100%), ventral brainstem compression (84%), hydrocephalus (32%), hindbrain herniation (28%), and syringomyelia/syringobulbia (16%). Patients with hydrocephalus underwent ventricular shunt placement. Reducible basilar invagination (40%) was treated with posterior fossa decompression and occipitocervical fusion. Those with irreducible ventral compression (60%) underwent transoral-transpalatopharyngeal decompression followed by occipitocervical fusion. All patients improved initially. However, basilar invagination progressed radiographically in 80% (symptomatic in 24%) despite successful fusion. Prolonged external orthotic immobilization with the modified Minerva brace afforded symptomatic improvement and arrested progression of the deformity. The mean follow-up period was 5.9 years (range 1.1-10.5 years). Ventral brainstem compression in OI should be treated with ventral decompression, followed by occipitocervical fusion with contoured loop instrumentation to prevent further squamooccipital infolding. Despite fusion, however, basilar invagination tends to progress. Prolonged immobilization (particularly during adolescence) may stabilize symptoms and halt further invagination. This study represents the largest series to date addressing craniovertebral anomalies in OI and related congenital bone softening disorders.
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PMID:Basilar invagination in osteogenesis imperfecta and related osteochondrodysplasias: medical and surgical management. 917 Nov 73

The aim of this study is to investigate whether oxidative stress may represent a pivotal determinant of the altered functional features of platelets in migraineurs during the headache-free period. Twenty-three patients with migraine with aura, free of attack, and 23 healthy volunteers were enrolled for the study. The involvement of an oxidative condition appears confirmed by the statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) of plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances which may be considered a marker for oxidative stress and themselves strong-pro-oxidants. Such oxidative status seems to induce in platelets of migraineurs increased membrane rigidity (p < 0.001), reduced cytosolic calcium in the resting condition and after thrombin stimulation (p < 0.001), and decreased aggregatory responses to ADP and collagen. These findings indicate that the "in vitro" anomalous platelet behavior in migraineurs, observed in headache-free periods, may be considered as the transient expression of the exhausted platelets to "in vivo" stimulation and probably related to an increased vulnerability to oxidative stress.
Cephalalgia 1997 Aug
PMID:Oxidative stress and platelet responsiveness in migraine. 925 72

Children who are chronically complaining nonspecific symptoms such as headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, and low grade fever are commonly seen in daily pediatric outpatient clinics. Some of them are unable to go to school and are diagnosed as school refusal by physicians or educational staff. On the other hand, there are children who do not fulfill any criteria of collagen diseases and whose anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are found to be positive. Some of these children have chronic nonspecific complaints. We prospectively studied the prevalence of ANA in children who visited a pediatric outpatient clinic because of chronic nonspecific complaints. Surprisingly, 74 out of 140 symptomatic children (52.4%) were positive for ANA, while only 5 out of 82 healthy control children (6.1%) were positive (p < 0.0001). 39 of 74 ANA positive patients (52.1%) have low ANA titers < or = 1:80, nevertheless 36 patients (47.9%) have high ANA titers > or = 1:160. ANA fluorescent patterns were homogeneous and speckled in 75.3%, speckled in 17.6% and others in 6.8%. ANA positive patients tended to have general fatigue and low grade fever, while gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal pain and diarrhea and orthostatic dysregulation symptoms were commonly seen in ANA negative patients. Children who were unable to go to school more than 1 day a week were seen significantly more in ANA positive patients than in negative patients. Autoantibody analysis using Western immunoblot revealed that 26 out of 63 ANA positive sera (41.3%) had antibodies to the 62 kD protein which had not been previously noticed. These data suggest that autoimmune mechanism may play a role in childhood chronic nonspecific symptoms. We therefore propose a new disease entity of the autoimmune fatigue syndrome in children. When chronically complaining children visit a pediatric out-patient clinic, immunological approaches should be considered before they are discriminated as school refusal or having psychogenic disorders.
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PMID:Antinuclear antibodies in children with chronic nonspecific complaints. 934 32

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 43 healthy volunteers to compare the effects of policosanol (20 mg day-1), aspirin (ASA) (100 mg day-1) and combination therapy (policosanol 20 mg day-1 plus ASA 100 mg day-1) on platelet aggregation. The healthy volunteers were randomly treated for 7 days. Both, platelet aggregation and coagulation time were measured at baseline and after therapy. When policosanol was administered platelet aggregation induced by ADP (37.3%), epinephrine (32.6%) and collagen (40.5%) were significantly reduced. Meanwhile, aspirin significantly reduced platelet aggregation induced by collagen (61.4%) and epinephrine (21.9%) but not ADP-induced aggregation. Combined therapy significantly inhibited aggregation induced by all the agonists reaching the highest reductions of platelet aggregation induced by collagen (71.3%) and epinephrine (57.5%). Coagulation time did not change significantly in any group. No subject withdrew from the trial. Four volunteers reported mild adverse experiences during the study: three ASA-treated cases referred headache, epigastralgia and nose bleeding, meanwhile one patient receiving combination therapy reported gum bleeding. The present results demonstrate that policosanol (20 mg day-1) is as effective as ASA (100 mg day-1). Moreover, combination therapy shows some advantages compared with the respective monotherapies.
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PMID:Comparative study of policosanol, aspirin and the combination therapy policosanol-aspirin on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. 942 18


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