[In vivo expression of copper transporting proteins in rat brain sections].

Expression of two copper-transporting P1-type ATPases (ATP7A and ATP7B), the CTR1 protein, a high-affinity copper transporter, and ceruloplasmin (CP), a copper-containing ferroxidase. The level of mRNA of these proteins was determined by RT-PCR analysis, the distribution of polypeptides encoded by these genes was determined by immunoblotting, and the type of cells expressing these genes was identified immunohistochemically. It was found that the major product of CP gene in the brain is cell membrane-bound CP. Secretory CP, whose molecule contains the greatest number of weakly associated copper atoms, is synthesized in the vascular plexus. CTR1 mRNA is evenly distributed in the brain; however, its content is twice higher in the vascular plexus. The Atp7a gene is active in all brain sections, whereas the Atp7b gene is active only in the hypothalamus. The membrane-bound CP is expressed in glial cells of all types and in ependyma cells. ATP7b and ATP7a are expressed predominantly in ependyomyocytes and neutrons, respectively. The organization of copper transport in mammalian brain is discussed.

[The sex steroid content of the blood serum in women suffering from postmenopausal osteoporosis]. / Soderzhanie polovykh steroidov v syvorotke krovi zhenshchin, stradaiushchikh postmenopauzal'nym osteoporozom.

The levels of estradiol, estrone, androstendione, and testosterone were investigated in 25 women aged 56-69 with postmenopausal osteoporosis and in healthy women using radioimmunoassays. Relatively high levels of estradiol, estrone and androstendione were revealed in the study group as compared to the control group. The results obtained showed no association between the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis and deficiency of estrogens because in the healthy controls a decrease in the level of sex hormones was more noticeable. Taking into account the mechanism of the effect of estrogens on osseous tissue and its receptors, calcitonin secretion and, possibly, vitamin D3 synthesis, one can regard a relative elevation of the level of estrogens in postmenopausal osteoporosis as a compensatory protective phenomenon.

[Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of vitamin D3 preparations (1-alpha-hydroxy- and 1-alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in various forms of osteoporosis and osteomalacia]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka éffektivnosti preparatov vitamina D3 (1-alpha- i 1-alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) pri razlichnykh vidakh osteoporoza i osteomaliatsii.

Clinical investigations have shown that 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol (oxydevit, alphacalcidiol) and 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (rocaltrol) are act vitamin D3 agents producing a positive clinical effect in different types of osteoporosis and osteomalacia. Clinical improvement of the patients' status (alleviation of the pain syndrome, an increase in motor activity) was noted in 1-2 mos., an x-ray picture of regeneration of the bone structure of both axial and peripheral skeleton--in 6-12 mos. after the initiation of therapy. Therapy was attended by an increase in the serum content of total and ionized calcium, the return of alkaline phosphatase activity to normal, and a decrease in the level of parathormone. During prolonged therapy these agents administered at daily doses of 0.25-2 micrograms caused no pathological side-effects and hypercalcemia. In osteoporotic conditions all these drugs were equal in their clinical effectiveness. Rocaltrol has some advantages in the presence of associated liver pathology.

[Involutional osteopathies: the clinical x-ray, biochemical and hormonal aspects of the diagnosis]. / Involiutsionnye osteopatii: kliniko-rentgenologicheskie, biokhimicheskie i gormonal'nye aspekty diagnostiki.

A study of patients with involution osteopathy has shown that the development of this disease is associated with osseous tissue dystrophic changes (osteoporosis) and, to a lesser extent, with osteomalacia. Involution osteopathy is not accompanied by severe changes in indices of phosphoric-calcium metabolism; it is characterized by a tendency to an increase in the levels of total and ionized calcium and a decrease in the level of serum phosphorus. A lowered level of calcitonin with a tendency to a decrease in the level of the somatotropic hormone and the unchanged content of parathormone was revealed in involution osteopathy. The blood level of sex steroids (both estradiol and testosterone) in women was decreased, a degree of a rise of gonadotropins in them was lower than that in healthy postmenopausal women. In men with involution osteopathy the mean level of serum testosterone was within low normal limits, the LH content remained normal, and a FSH level was raised. The level of prolactin in patients of both sexes was unchanged.