ER22/23EK AND TTH111I POLYMORPHIC VARIANTS IN THE GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR GENE IN PATIENTS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The objective of the study was to evaluate the frequency of the ER22/23EK and Tth111I polymorphic variants in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene in patients with BA and to assess the risk of BA development with regard to these polymorphisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: We examined 553 BA patients and 95 apparently healthy individuals. BA was diagnosed according to the 2016 GINA recommendations and its later versions. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Medical Institute of Sumy State University. The ER22/23EK (rs 6189/6190) and Tth111I (rs10052957) polymorphisms in the GR gene were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Statistical analysis of obtained results was performed using SPSS-17 program. RESULTS: Results: The obtained distribution of genotypes for the ER22/23EK and Tth111I polymorphisms in the GR gene corresponded to the Hardy-Weinberg expectations (p > 0.05). We revealed no significant difference in the distribution of alleles and genotypes for the ER22/23EK polymorphism in the GR gene in patients with asthma and apparently healthy individuals (χ2 = 4.14; p = 0.126); apart from that, we found no statistically significant association with BA risk in any model of inheritance. A statistically significant difference was observed in the distribution of genotypes for the Tth111I polymorphism in the GR gene in patients with asthma and apparently healthy individuals (χ2 = 6.278; p = 0.043). BA risk was 2.69 times higher in the carriers of TT genotype for the Tth111I polymorphism in the GR gene vs. major allele carriers. No gender-specific difference was observed in the distribution of genotypes and alleles for the ER22/23EK and Tth111I polymorphisms in the GR gene. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: We found no gender-specific difference in the distribution of alleles and genotypes for the ER22/23EK and Tth111I polymorphisms in the GR gene; no difference in the distribution of alleles and genotypes for the ER22/23EK polymorphism in the GR gene in patients with asthma and apparently healthy individuals; and no statistically significant association with BA risk. A statistically significant difference was observed in the distribution of genotypes for the Tth111I polymorphism in the GR gene in patients with asthma and apparently healthy individuals; also, BA risk was 2.69 times higher in the minor allele homozygous patients vs. major allele carriers.

Helicobacter pylori attachment-blocking antibodies protect against duodenal ulcer disease.

The majority of the world population carry the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Fortunately, most individuals experience only low-grade or no symptoms, but in many cases the chronic inflammatory infection develops into severe gastric disease, including duodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Here we report on a protective mechanism where H. pylori attachment and accompanying chronic mucosal inflammation can be reduced by antibodies that are present in a vast majority of H. pylori carriers. These antibodies block binding of the H. pylori attachment protein BabA by mimicking BabA's binding to the ABO blood group glycans in the gastric mucosa. However, many individuals demonstrate low titers of BabA blocking antibodies, which is associated with an increased risk for duodenal ulceration, suggesting a role for these antibodies in preventing gastric disease.

ULTRAMORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ACINI AND MICROVASCULATURE OF THE PANCREAS IN THE PRESENCE OF MODERATE DEHYDRATION.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The objective of our study was to evaluate the features of ultramorphometric characteristics of exocrine parenchyma and microvasculature of the pancreas in the presence of moderate dehydration by means of an experiment in laboratory rats. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The experiment involved 20 mature white male rats divided into 2 groups: control and experimental (10 rats each). In the experimental group, moderate dehydration was simulated, i.e. the animals were deprived of water for 7 days, while the control rats were provided with a normal water supply during the study. Pancreatic parenchyma samples were fixed in phosphate-buffered glutaraldehyde solution and post-fixed in osmium tetroxide solution, dehydrated and embedded in a mixture of epoxy resins. Ultrastructural analysis was performed using JEOL JEM-1230 transmission electron microscope (Japan). RESULTS: Results: Pancreatic electron microscopy in the presence of moderate dehydration demonstrated statistically significant changes in exocrinocytes area and exocrinocyte nucleus area which increased by 8.02% (p = 0.028) and 40.28% (p < 0.001), respectively. Among the vessels of microcirculation, the largest changes occurred in the capillaries: their lumen narrowed by 22.34% (p = 0.002) as compared with the control group. The cytoplasm of endothelial cells contained a large number of vacuoles and micropinocytotic vesicles. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Among the organelles of exocrinocytes, mitochondria appeared the most vulnerable to the effects of dehydration. They demonstrated polymorphic changes: a part of the mitochondria was hypotrophic and had partially reduced cristae, and another part was hypertrophic.

ARG16GLY POLYMORPHISM IN THE ß2-ADRENOCEPTOR GENE IN PATIENTS WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The objective of the study was to analyze the frequency of Arg16Gly polymorphism in the ß2 -adrenoceptor (ß2 -АR) gene in patients with bronchial asthma (BA) and to assess the association of the polymorphism with BA risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: We examined 553 BA patients and 95 apparently healthy individuals. Arg16Gly polymorphism in the ß2 -АR gene (rs1042713) was determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Statistical analysis of obtained results was performed using SPSS-17 program. RESULTS: Results: It was established that distribution of Arg/Arg, Arg/Gly, and Gly/Gly genotypes for Arg16Gly polymorphism in the ß2 -АR gene was 44.2%, 40.0%, 15.8% in the control group vs. 31.3%; 45.7% and 23.0 among BA patients, respectively (χ2 = 6.59; р = 0.037). No significant difference was observed with regards to the distribution of genotypes for Arg16Gly polymorphism in the ß2 -АR gene in men and women controls (χ2 = 4.05; р = 0.13) and BA patients (χ2 = 4.34; р = 0.11). BA risk was 1.74 times higher in the minor allele carriers (Arg/Gly + Gly/Gly genotypes) for Arg16Gly polymorphism in the ß2 -АR gene. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Analysis of Arg16Gly polymorphic variants in the ß2-AR gene showed a statistically significant difference in the distribution of Arg/Arg, Arg/Gly, and Gly/Gly genotypes in patients with BA and apparently healthy individuals due to the higher frequency of Arg/Arg genotype in controls and higher frequency of Gly/Gly genotype in patients with asthma. No difference with regard to gender was found in the distribution of genotypes.

The impact of systemic inflammation on anemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our work was to study the indicators of systemic inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with anemia of chronic disease (AHD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study included 144 COPD patients (1 group) without anemia (hemoglobin> 120 g/l for women and> 130 g/l for men), and 33 patients (2 group) with COPD and ACD (hemoglobin <120 g/l for women and <130 g/l for men, soluble transferrin receptors (sTFR) - 8.7 - 28.1 nmol/l). The control group included 62 practically healthy people. All patients were evaluated for the content of ferritin, C-reactive protein (C-RP) and hepcidin. Statistical processing of the results was performed by using the SPSS-21 program. RESULTS: Results: Patients with COPD and ACD have a significantly higher ferritin level (p <0.001) compared to COPD patients without anemia and patients in the control group. The content of C-RP and hepcidin in patients with COPD and ACD is also significantly (p <0.001) higher compared to patients without anemia and patients in the control group. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Determination of the content of ferritin, C-RP and hepcidin in patients with COPD may allow adequate treatment for this group of patients.