花刺参粘多糖对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞粘附分子表达的影响

目的观察花刺参粘多糖对肿瘤坏死因子α诱导的大鼠血管平滑肌细胞血管细胞粘附分子1和细胞间粘附分子1表达的影响,以探讨花刺参粘多糖抗动脉粥样硬化的可能机制。方法组织贴块法体外原代培养大鼠血管平滑肌细胞,采用流式细胞术、逆转录聚合酶链反应和细胞粘附实验方法,观察花刺参粘多糖对肿瘤坏死因子α诱导的平滑肌细胞血管细胞粘附分子1、细胞间粘附分子1蛋白及mRNA水平表达及单核细胞与平滑肌细胞粘附的影响。结果肿瘤坏死因子α刺激后平滑肌细胞血管细胞粘附分子1和细胞间粘附分子1表达增强,花刺参粘多糖(1.5~6.0 g/L)可从蛋白和mRNA水平浓度依赖性地抑制其表达,流式细胞分析示血管细胞粘附分子1的荧光强度由176.4±3.5减少到80.7±1.9(P<0.01),细胞间粘附分子1的荧光强度由92.2±2.9减少到58.3±2.1(P<0.01);逆转录聚合酶链反应结果发现血管细胞粘附分子1的相对光密度值由0.61±0.03减少到0.41±0.04(P<0.01),细胞间粘附分子1的相对光密度值由0.41±0.01减少到0.30±0.03(P<0.05);粘附实验发现花刺参粘多糖可减少单核细胞与平滑肌细胞粘附,光密度值由0.467±0.062减少到0.256±0.029(P<0.05)。结论花刺参粘多糖可抑制肿瘤坏死因子α诱导的平滑肌细胞血管细胞粘附分子1和细胞间粘附分子1的表达,减少单核细胞与平滑肌细胞的粘附和聚集,这可能对减轻血管壁的炎症反应、延缓动脉粥样硬化发生发展起一定作用。     

细胞间粘附分子1、血管细胞粘附分子1和肿瘤坏死因子α在人动脉粥样硬化病灶中的表达及意义

为研究细胞间粘附分子 1、血管细胞粘附分子 1和肿瘤坏死因子α在人正常冠状动脉与冠状动脉粥样硬化组织中的表达及病理学意义 ,采用免疫组织化学SP法 ,分别检测细胞间粘附分子 1、血管细胞粘附分子 1和肿瘤坏死因子α在人正常冠状动脉与冠状动脉粥样硬化组织中的表达情况。结果发现 ,细胞间粘附分子 1、血管细胞粘附分子 1和肿瘤坏死因子α在动脉粥样硬化组织中的内皮细胞、平滑肌细胞、巨噬细胞均有表达。三者在脂纹期的表达分别为 5 0 .0± 10 .9、5 1.8± 6 .0和 13.9± 2 .8,在纤维斑块期分别为 2 3.1± 7.3、37.2± 9.7和 2 3.0± 6 .0 ,在粥样斑块期分别为 17.5± 4 .9、18.6± 5 .5和 38.0± 10 .0 ,明显高于对照组 (2 .2± 1.4、2 .2± 1.2和 7.8± 2 .2 ,分别为P<0 .0 1)。细胞间粘附分子 1和血管细胞粘附分子 1与肿瘤坏死因子α呈正相关 (前者r=0 .344、P <0 .0 1,后者r=0 .5 2、P <0 .0 1)。实验结果提示 ,细胞间粘附分子 1和血管细胞粘附分子 1在内皮细胞、平滑肌细胞和巨噬细胞高表达可能参与动脉粥样硬化发生发展过程中的某些环节。肿瘤坏死因子α的表达与细胞间粘附分子 1和血管细胞粘附分子 1的表达及动脉粥样硬化病变程度具有相关性。     

川芎嗪对血管壁细胞血管细胞粘附分子1和单核细胞趋化蛋白1表达的作用及可能机制

目的观察川芎嗪对血管内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞表达血管细胞粘附分子1、单核细胞趋化蛋白1和核因子κB的影响,探讨川芎嗪抗动脉粥样硬化分子机制。方法体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞和大鼠胸主动脉平滑肌细胞。用氧化型低密度脂蛋白、氧化型极低密度脂蛋白、血管紧张素Ⅱ和(或)川芎嗪作用于细胞后,采用免疫细胞化学和原位分子杂交检测各组细胞血管细胞粘附分子1、单核细胞趋化蛋白1和核因子κB的表达情况。用单核细胞粘附试验检测川芎嗪对单核细胞粘附于内皮细胞的影响。结果氧化型低密度脂蛋白、氧化型极低密度脂蛋白或血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导内皮细胞血管细胞粘附分子1蛋白相对表达量分别为0.552±0.008、0.460±0.006和0.486±0.025,明显高于对照组的0.365±0.019(P<0.01);诱导平滑肌细胞血管细胞粘附分子1蛋白相对表达量分别为0.564±0.007、0.513±0.021和0.524±0.008,明显高于对照组(0.416±0.013,P<0.01)。氧化型低密度脂蛋白、氧化型极低密度脂蛋白或血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导内皮细胞单核细胞趋化蛋白1蛋白相对表达量分别为0.962±0.051、0.878±0.014和0.824±0.006,明显高于对照组的0.303±0.008(P<0.01);诱导平滑肌细胞单核细胞趋化蛋白1蛋白相对表达量分别为0.877±0.011、0.845±0.023和0.881±0.009,明显高于对照组的0.362±0.018(P<0.01)。氧化型低密度脂蛋白、氧化型极低密度脂蛋白或血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导组血管细胞粘附分子1和单核细胞趋化蛋白1的mRNA表达明显高于对照组(P<0.01)。同时加入川芎嗪后血管细胞粘附分子1和单核细胞趋化蛋白1蛋白和mRNA表达明显低于相应诱导组(P<0.01)。氧化型低密度脂蛋白、氧化型极低密度脂蛋白或血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导核因子κB在核内表达,同时加入川芎嗪后核因子κB表达于胞浆,核内阴性。与氧化型低密度脂蛋白或氧化型极低密度脂蛋白诱导组(2.047±0.011和1.936±0.014)比较,加入川芎嗪后,粘附于内皮细胞的单核细胞明显减少(1.282±0.020和1.265±0.016,P<0.01)。结论川芎嗪通过抑制或阻断动脉粥硬化危险因素氧化型低密度脂蛋白、氧化型极低密度脂蛋白和血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的核因子κB活化及核内移位,抑制血管壁细胞血管细胞粘附分子1和单核细胞趋化蛋白1表达,抑制单核细胞粘附于内皮,而发挥其抗动脉粥样硬化作用。     

单核细胞及中性粒细胞与内皮细胞粘附的区别

为探讨单核细胞及中性粒细胞与肿瘤坏死因子－２诱导的内皮细胞粘附的区别,采用髓过氧化酶法测定白细胞与内皮细胞的粘附和抗粘附分子单克隆抗体对其粘附的影响,用酶联免疫法测定内皮细胞粘附分子的表达。结果表明,肿瘤坏死因子－α呈浓度依赖性地增加内皮细胞与中性粒细胞或单核细胞的粘附,并可诱导内皮细胞上粘附分子的表达增加。     

失笑散对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞细胞间黏附分子-1表达的影响

目的 探讨失笑散对肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α诱导的大鼠血管平滑肌细胞细胞间黏附分子(ICAM)-1表达的影响及抗动脉粥样硬化的可能机制.方法 取4～6周龄雄性SD大鼠,进行血管平滑肌细胞的原代培养,当细胞纯度达95%以上,取第3～4代细胞用于实验.按照实验设计将培养细胞分为五组:①空白对照组,②模型组,③失笑散低剂量组,④失笑散中剂量组,⑤失笑散高剂量组.采用流式细胞术、逆转录聚合酶链反应,观察失笑散对TNF-α诱导的平滑肌细胞ICAM-1蛋白及mRNA水平表达.结果 TNF-α可诱导血管平滑肌细胞ICAM-1表达增强;而失笑散可降低TNF-α诱导的ICAM-1 mRNA水平及蛋白表达,且呈剂量依赖性.结论 失笑散通过抑制TNF-α诱导的血管平滑肌细胞ICAM-1的表达,延缓了动脉粥样硬化的病变进程.     

动脉粥样硬化的发生与细胞间粘附分子

动脉粥样硬化的发生与单核细胞和血管内皮细胞的粘附密切相关。单核细胞产生自由基等，使低密度脂蛋白氧化，导致动脉粥样硬化，细胞间粘附分子与配体在单核细胞与血管内皮细胞的粘附中起重要作用。ＩＬ－１、ＴＮＦ等细胞因子可能是通过细胞间粘附分子来促使动脉粥样硬化的发生和发展。核因子ｋＢ在转录水平调节细胞站粘附分子的表达、也在动脉粥样硬化的发生发展中起调节作用。     

辛伐他汀对人脐静脉内皮细胞血管细胞粘附分子表达的影响

观察辛伐他汀对人脐静脉内皮细胞血管细胞粘附分子1和细胞间粘附分子1表达的影响。采用免疫细胞化学及Westem blot蛋白印迹方法，观察促炎症因子肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素1β对体外培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞中血管细胞粘附分子1和细胞间粘附分子1表达的影响，并以辛伐他汀干预，观察其对上述作用的影响。结果发现，肿瘤坏死因子α和白细胞介素1β明显增加人脐静脉内皮细胞中血管细胞粘附分子1和细胞间粘附分子1的表达，辛伐他汀可一定程度抑制上述作用。结果提示，辛伐他汀一定程度抑制促炎症因子刺激导致的细胞粘附分子表达上调，可能具有增加粥样斑块稳定性和延缓动脉粥样硬化进程的作用。     

血小板源生长因子对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞表达血管细胞粘附分子1的影响

目的本实验研究血小板源生长因子对血管平滑肌细胞表达血管细胞粘附分子1的影响以及对血管平滑肌细胞与单核细胞粘附的作用。方法利用基因芯片和RT-PCR技术检测鼠主动脉血管平滑肌细胞经血小板源生长因子处理0min、20min、6h后血管平滑肌细胞表达血管细胞粘附分子1的mRNA表达变化;细胞粘附实验观察血管平滑肌细胞经血小板源生长因子分别处理0min、20min、6h后与单核细胞粘附情况。结果血小板源生长因子对鼠血管平滑肌细胞表达血管细胞粘附分子1的表达有显著的诱导作用,其诱导作用在20min即已出现(P<0.05),6h时明显增强(P<0.01)。细胞粘附实验显示随着血小板源生长因子的作用时间的延长,血管平滑肌细胞与单核细胞的粘附率增高,血小板源生长因子处理20min和6h后粘附率是对照组的1.92倍和3.04倍(P<0.05)。结论血小板源生长因子明显诱导血管平滑肌细胞中血管平滑肌细胞表达血管细胞粘附分子1的表达,促进血管平滑肌细胞与单核细胞的粘附,从而参与了损伤早期,白细胞向内膜下迁移的炎症反应。     

单核细胞与内皮细胞的相互作用及其促细胞因子分泌的机制

为研究单核细胞、内皮细胞的相互作用对肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素1β和巨噬细胞集落刺激因子分泌的影响以及粘附分子在其中的作用,采用单核细胞、内皮细胞单独培养及混合培养的方法,在混合培养条件下预加入细胞间粘附分子1、血管细胞粘附分子1和内皮选择素的单克隆抗体,通过酶联免疫吸附试验检测培养液中肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素1β和巨噬细胞集落刺激因子的含量.结果发现,单核细胞和内皮细胞单独培养条件下观测不到肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素1β和巨噬细胞集落刺激因子的分泌,两种细胞混合培养时,3种细胞因子的分泌显著升高(P<0.05),细胞间的接触粘附起着重要介导作用,内皮选择素在促使肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素1β分泌的环节中占据主导地位,细胞间粘附分子1在促使巨噬细胞集落刺激因子分泌的机制中占据主导地位.表明单核细胞与内皮细胞的粘附能够激活某些基因的信号转导途径,使肿瘤坏死因子α、白细胞介素1β和巨噬细胞集落刺激因子的分泌增加,粘附分子在其中起着重要的介导作用.     

普罗布考和抗氧化维生素不影响体外实验条件下内皮细胞的白细胞粘附

为探讨预防动脉粥样硬化的药物普罗布考,维生素C和维生素E是否抑制内皮细胞表面粘附分子表达和白细胞一内皮细胞的粘附,以及这种抑制是否通过影响核因子－kB的活性来实现的,在液体流动小室中进行细胞粘附实验。用ELISA方法测定内皮细胞粘附分子E－选择素的表达;用电泳迁移率分析测定内皮细胞核因子－kB的活性,经肿瘤坏死因子α刺激的内皮细胞核因子－B活性增加,粘附分子E－选择素的表达上调（是基础水平的3．5倍）,其表面HL60细胞的粘附增加（是基础水平的4－26倍）,而抗氧化剂PDTC使所有这些变化都受到抑制。PDTC浓度为18umol/L时对粘附分子E－选择素的表达呈最大半抑制;PDTC浓度为52umol/L时对内皮细胞表面HL60细胞的粘附呈最大半抑制,普罗布考,维生素C和维生素E对肿瘤坏死因子α诱导的粘附分子表达和HL60细胞与内皮细胞的粘附没有作用,对核因子－kB的活性没有影响,临床上常用的这三种抗氧化剂并未影响作为动脉粥样硬化始动机制之一的E－选择素介导的白细胞－内皮细胞粘附水平。     

Pathogenesis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater

Most adenomas and carcinomas of the small intestine and extrahepatic bile ducts arise in the region of the papilla of Vater. In familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) it is the main location for carcinomas after proctocolectomy. In many cases symptoms due to stenosis lead to diagnosis at an early tumor stage. In about 80%, curative intended resection is possible. Operability is the most relevant prognostic factor. Most ampullary carcinomas resp. carcinomas of the papilla of Vater develop from adenomatous or flat dysplastic precursor lesions. They can be sited in the ampulloduodenal part of the papilla of Vater, which is lined by intestinal mucosa. They also can develop in deeper parts of the ampulla, which are lined by pancreaticobiliary duct mucosa. Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma and pancreaticobiliary-type adenocarcinoma represent the main histological types of ampullary carcinoma. Furthermore, there exist unusual types and undifferentiated carcinomas. Many carcinomas of intestinal type express the immunohistochemical marker profile of intestinal mucosa (keratin 7?, keratin 20+, MUC2+). Carcinomas of pancreaticobiliary type usually show the immunohistochemical profile of pancreaticobiliary duct mucosa (keratin 7+, keratin 20?, MUC2?). Even poorly differentiated carcinomas, as well as unusual histological types, may conserve the marker profile of the mucosa they developed from. These findings underline the concept of histogenetically different carcinomas of the papilla of Vater which develop either from intestinal- or from pancreaticobiliary-type mucosa of the papilla of Vater. Molecular alterations in ampullary carcinomas are similar to those of colorectal as well as pancreatic carcinomas, although they appear at different frequencies. In future studies, molecular alterations in ampullary carcinomas should be correlated closely with the different histologic tumor types. Consequently, the histologic classification should reflect the histogenesis of ampullary tumors from the two different types of papillary mucosa.     

Demonstration of the mechanism of action of biguanides

Summary Palmitic acid oxidation in rat diaphragm homogenate is depressed by biguanide concentrations that are still incapable of inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation. Glucose oxidation is not directly effected by the same biguanide concentrations: however, the inhibitory effect of palmitic acid on glucose oxidation is partly removed by biguanides. Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation, which accounts for most of the metabolic effects caused by these drugs, can be regarded as the fundamental mechanism of action of biguanides. There is some evidence suggesting that these drugs might interact with carnitine, thus preventing long-chain fatty acids from being transported across the mitochondrial membrane to the site of oxidation. Traduzione a cura degli AA.     

胰岛素瘤的解剖分布特点分析

目的胰岛素瘤是最常见的胰腺神经内分泌肿瘤，因其临床表现多样，导致诊断困难。影像学诊断尤其是超声内镜(EUS)在胰岛素瘤的诊断中起着重要作用，拥有较高的敏感性和特异性。本研究拟通过明确胰岛素瘤的解剖分布特点，以期有助于提高影像学的诊断准确率和降低漏诊率，尤其是在教育和培训实践中对于EUS的学习者更具有指导价值。 方法回顾性分析解放军总医院第一医学中心病案资料数据库1993年1月至2019年11月经外科手术、病理确诊为胰岛素瘤的患者的临床资料，检索方法采取搜索术后病理诊断为"胰岛素瘤"的病例，通过查阅病例的方法，提取出胰岛素瘤的大小和解剖分布等数据，进一步分析其特点。 结果共检索到确诊为胰岛素瘤的患者116例，其中，男45例、女71例，年龄13～76岁，平均年龄(44.4±14.85)岁。胰岛素瘤单发110例(94.8%)、多发6例(5.2%)。位置分布：头颈部46例(39.7%)，单发45例、多发1例；体尾部68例(58.6%)，单发65例、多发3例；全胰腺多发2例(1.7%)。病变大小特点：最大径0.4～3.4 cm，平均大小(1.53±0.58)cm。≤1 cm 29例、>1 cm而≤1.5 cm41例、>1.5 cm而≤2.0 cm28例，≤3 cm 15例，>3 cm 3例。年龄与肿瘤的大小相关，≤44岁患者肿瘤平均大小为(1.36±0.51)cm、>44岁患者肿瘤平均大小为(1.70±0.60)cm，P<0.05。头颈部的肿瘤大于体尾部的肿瘤，头颈部肿瘤平均大小(1.66±0.63)cm，体尾部(1.42±0.52)cm，P<0.05。 结论胰岛素瘤在胰腺体尾部较头颈部更好发；绝大多数单发，但可以全胰腺多发；多数小于1.5 cm，肿瘤的大小与患者年龄和肿瘤的解剖分布相关。     

氯硝柳胺悬浮剂的毒性评价

目的评价氯硝柳胺悬浮剂的毒性，为现场大规模应用灭螺提供依据。方法按照中华人民共和国国家标准GB 15670-1995《农药登记毒理学试验方法》和鱼类毒性试验方法进行。结果经口、经皮肤的LDso雌、雄性大鼠均>5 000 mg/kg，经呼吸道的LCso雌、雄性大鼠均>5 000mg/m3，该药经口、经皮肤、经呼吸道毒性均属微毒类药物；兔眼用药后，观察期内无不良反应，对眼无刺激性；皮肤用药后对皮肤无刺激性。与氯硝柳胺原药、氯硝柳胺乙醇胺盐原药和氯硝柳胺乙醇胺盐可湿性粉剂相比，氯硝柳胺悬浮剂对鱼急性毒性最低。结论氯硝柳胺悬浮剂属微毒类药物，对鱼的毒性低于其乙醇胺盐可湿性粉剂，适合于现场应用。     

Lack of correlation of degree of villous atrophy with severity of clinical presentation of coeliac disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Both the clinical presentation and the degree of mucosal damage in coeliac disease vary greatly. In view of conflicting information as to whether the mode of presentation correlates with the degree of villous atrophy, we reviewed a large cohort of patients with coeliac disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We correlated mode of presentation (classical, diarrhoea predominant or atypical/silent) with histology of duodenal biopsies and examined their trends over time. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 499 adults, mean age 44.1 years, 68% females. The majority had silent coeliac disease (56%) and total villous atrophy (65%). There was no correlation of mode of presentation with the degree of villous atrophy (p=0.25). Sixty-eight percent of females and 58% of males had a severe villous atrophy (p=0.052). There was a significant trend over time for a greater proportion of patients presenting as atypical/silent coeliac disease and having partial villous atrophy, though the majority still had total villous atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Among our patients the degree of villous atrophy in duodenal biopsies did not correlate with the mode of presentation, indicating that factors other than the degree of villous atrophy must account for diarrhoea in coeliac disease.     

CagA-Hp抗体IgG与胃炎的组织学分析

研究幽门螺杆菌(Hp)感染与胃炎的关系。方法对204例慢性胃炎患者胃粘膜进行观察分析,并测定其中137例Hp阳性患者血清CagA-Hp抗体IgG水平,与组织学对照。结果慢性萎缩性胃炎伴肠上皮化生患者血清CagA抗体IgG明显高于对照组(P＜0.01);其他类型胃炎患者血清CagA抗体IgG水平无明显增高(P＞0.05)。结论CagA-Hp可能是导致慢性萎缩性胃炎伴肠上皮化生的因素之一,对这类患者应密切随访观察。     

慢阻肺急性加重期患者预后的影响因素分析

目的探讨慢性阻塞性肺病急性加重期(AECOPD)患者预后的相关危险因素。方法回顾性调查、收集58例AECOPD患者可能影响其预后的相关因素,并对其分别进行单因素分析。并进行Logistic多元逐步回归进行多因素分析,筛选影响AECOPD患者预后的独立危险因素。结果单因素分析后将结果 P0.1的因素纳入多因素Logistic回归,分析发现是否合并呼吸衰竭、气促程度、白细胞计数、APACHEⅡ、应用抗氧化剂、慢阻肺治疗依从性为影响AECOPD患者预后不佳的独立因素(P0.05)。结论根据AECOPD患者预后的独立危险因素,及早判断,选择合适的后续治疗方案,对提高其生存率及生存质量具有重要意义。     

血吸虫童虫生长发育及其机制的研究进展

血吸虫童虫是宿主免疫系统攻击的重要靶标,包括皮肤型、肺型和肝门型童虫。宿主分子对童虫生长发育具有重要作用。童虫生长发育机制包括免疫调节、信号转导、性别发育及凋亡等。肌动蛋白、组织蛋白酶、烯醇化酶和葡萄糖基转移酶等分子为血吸虫童虫生长发育的重要分子。本文对血吸虫童虫生长发育及其机制的研究进展做一综述。     

Results of treatment of fistula-in-ano

To evaluate the application of Parks' classification in the management of patients with fistula-in-ano, a study was undertaken to assess the outcome of surgery, especially with respect to the recurrence rate and alteration of continence. A retrospective analysis of 160 consecutive patients who were classified at the time of operation was conducted. The distribution of fistulas was as follows: intersphincteric, 41.9 percent, transsphincteric, 52.1 percent, suprasphincteric, 1.3 percent, extrasphincteric, 0. A horseshoe extension occurred in 8.8 percent of the fistulas and 3.8 percent did not exactly conform to the classification as they were either complex or combinations of more than one type of fistula. The sole immediate postoperative complication was bleeding, which occurred one week postoperatively and ceased spontaneously (0.7 percent). Alteration in continence occurred in 6 percent of patients with 2.6 percent experiencing temporary incontinence to flatus, 1.3 percent to liquid stool, and 0.7 percent to solid stool. Permanent loss of control for flatus occurred in one patient (0.7 percent) and for liquid stool in one patient (0.7 percent). No patients suffered loss of control for solid stool. Recurrence developed in 6.3 percent of patients, all between five and 25 months postoperatively. Classifcation was found to be a useful guide in the operative management of patients with fistula-in-ano. Read at the joint meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons with the Section of Colo-Proctology, Royal Society of Medicine, and the Section of Colonic and Rectal Surgery, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, New Orleans, Louisiana, May 6 to 11, 1984.     

Intake of energy drinks in association with alcoholic beverages in a cohort of students of the School of Medicine of the University of Messina

BACKGROUND: Energy drinks (ED) are a widely used group of beverages known for their stimulant effects on central nervous system (CNS). The main components of ED are caffeine, taurine, carbohydrates, glucuronolactone, inositol, niacin, pantenol, and beta-complex vitamins. The studies evaluating the effects of ED describe improvements in attention and/or reaction times and indices of alertness. It has been also shown that combination of caffeine and glucose, fundamental constituents of ED, can ameliorate deficits in cognitive performance and subjective fatigue during extended periods of cognitive demand. Moreover, the associated ingestion of alcohol and ED has recently been observed to be becoming more and more widespread. METHODS: With the aim to know the habits and uses of students, we administered a questionnaire containing questions regarding ED drinking alone or in association with alcoholic beverages. Five hundred students of the School of Medicine of the University of Messina were interviewed, and 450 filled the questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 56.9% of students declared using ED. A great part of users (48.4%) associate frequently ED and alcohol. In particular, 35.8% of ED + alcohol users have used ED + alcohol more than 3 times in the last month. Distinguishing the users into 2 groups (users of ED + alcohol and users of both ED and ED + alcohol), we observed in the second group a major use of cocktail containing a mix of ED and alcoholic beverages. This difference between the 2 groups is less represented about the ingestion of ED + alcohol in the night. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that association of ED + alcohol is very popular among students. This behavior can be dangerous. In fact, the combination of ED + alcoholic drinks can reduce adversive symptoms of alcohol intoxication including the depressant effects. As consequence, users of ED + alcoholic beverages might not feel the signs of alcohol intoxication, thus increasing the probability of accidents and/or favoring the possibility of development of alcohol dependence.