Lymph and blood cytokines in fever of different severity.

Experiments on rats showed that pyrogenal-induced fever is associated with elevation of IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10 content in the thoracic duct lymph and blood plasma, whereas low-grade fever induced by administration of Freund's complete adjuvant is associated with elevation of only IL-6 concentration. The increase in IL-1ß concentration during fever and IL-6 concentration in both processes was more pronounced in the central lymph than in blood plasma. Unchanged concentrations of IL-1ß and IL-10 in low-grade fever apparently reflect differences in the mechanisms of these pathological processes.

Content of trace elements in the lymph and blood during pyrogenal-induced fever and complete freund's adjuvant-induced low-grade fever.

Experiments on rats showed that complete Freund's adjuvant-induced low-grade fever and pyrogenal-induced fever are accompanied by an increase in the content of Mn, Cu, Zn, and Se in the thoracic duct lymph. Our results indicate that the lymphatic system supplies trace elements to the circulation, which compensates for a deficiency in trace elements and maintains their systemic circulation. The decrease in the content of some trace elements in the blood during fever is probably associated with their excessive consumption (e.g., to maintain the antioxidant defense system). During experimental low-grade fever and pyrogenal-induced fever, the lymphatic system serves as the reservoir for trace elements and plays a role in the regulation of trace element balance in biological fluids.

Lymphotropic effect of dimephosphon, mexidol, and ketorolac is realized via activation of the lymphangion and stimulation of lymph formation.

Single parenteral administration of dimephosphon, mexidol, and ketorolac produces a lymphotropic effect. Dimephosphon directly affects the lymph system by increasing the number of functioning lymph capillaries and contractile activity of the walls and valves of small intestinal mesenteric lymphangions in rats, which leads to stimulation of lymph circulation. Mexidol and ketorolac increased only lymph flow rate in the thoracic lymph duct, which attested to their indirect effect of the lymph system (presumably associated with stimulation of lymph formation). Despite these differences in the mechanisms of lymphotropic effect, all these drugs activate lymph drainage and, hence, transporting function of the lymph system.

Effect of dimephosphon on lymph circulation and microcirculation, contractility of the wall and cusps of valves in lymphatic microvessels, and cell composition of the lymph during fever.

Stimulation of lymph circulation and microcirculation and increase in contractile activity of the wall and cusps of valves in lymphatic microvessels are the mechanisms for a therapeutic effect of dimephosphon. These changes improve resorption and transport of tissue and cell metabolites from the interstitial space.

Effect of dimephosphone (monophosphonate) on the course of pregnancy and fetal development in rats.

Dimephosphone injected on days 1-19 of gestation did not cause fetal death and specific abnormalities in rats and did not modulate sex differentiation of fetuses. Morphological study of fetal liver revealed no pathological changes.

Reactivity of tracheal smooth muscles in albino rats with experimental diabetes mellitus treated with a new complex compound of oxovanadium (IV) and isonicotinic acid hydrazide.

We studied functional properties of tracheal smooth muscle cells in rats with diabetes mellitus. Reactivity of tracheal smooth muscles increased in rats with experimental alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus. A new complex compound of oxovanadium (IV) and isonicotinic acid hydrazide affected reactivity of tracheal smooth muscles in albino rats with experimental type I diabetes mellitus. This new organic vanadium-containing compound reduced contractility of tracheal smooth muscles in rats and potentiated relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the trachea in response to exogenous nitric oxide.

Changes in the count of pancreatic beta- and alpha-cells and blood glucose level in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes.

We estimated the count of pancreatic alpha- and beta-cells and blood glucose level at various stages of alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. Alloxan decreased the count of insulin-producing beta-cells, but increased the number of glucagon-secreting alpha-cells in the pancreas (week 1 of diabetes). These changes were accompanied by hyperglycemia. The decrease in blood glucose level in diabetic rats was associated with an increase in beta-cell count against the background of high density of pancreatic alpha-cells.