[Serum markers of inflammation and lipid-releasing ability of leukocytes in patients with arterial hypertension and angina of effort].

Detection of cardiovascular risk factors remains a challenging problem. The inflammatory mechanisms behind atherosclerosis imply active involvement of neutrophils and realization of lipid-releasing ability of leukocytes (LRAL) mediated through the synthesis of proatherogenic proteins with the formation of protein-lipid complexes accumulated around atherosclerotic lesions. Studies of compromised protein-synthesizing function and mechanisms regulating LRAL are currently underway. The aim of the present work was to investigate serum markers of inflammation and LRAL in arterial hypertension (AH) without coronary heart disease (CHD) or AH + angina of effort. One group comprised 20 patients with AH without CHD the other included 20 patients with AH and CHD. Control group consisted of 18 healthy subjects. LRAL was measured in vitro in addition to serum IL-6, IL-8, CRP, and TNF-α. Effect of TNF-α on LRAL was evaluated in vitro in CHD patients. It was shown that mean LRAL in healthy subjects and patients with AH without CHD were not significantly different whereas IL-8 and CRP levels were markedly elevated in AH patients. Patients with AH and CHD had maximum LRAL and IL-6, IL-8, CRP, TNF-α levels. The study showed the possibility of increase in LRAL under effect of proinflammatory cytokines. LRFAL and inflammatory mechanisms contribute to the development of CHD and can be used for diagnostics of CHD in AH patients.

[Protein-synthesizing function of neutrophils and lipid-releasing ability of leukocytes in patients with atherosclerosis].

Concentrations of defensins-alpha, lipoprotein(α), C-reactive protein, proBNP, VII- coagulation factor and von Wilebrandt factor were measured in supernatants of 3-day leukocyte cultures enriched with neutrophils in order to estimate their synthesis in patients with stable angina and atherosclerosis of lower extremities. In addition, in vitro tumor necrosis factor-alpha test was performed. Simultaneously, concentrations of serum interleukine-6, -8, defensins-alpha, C-reactive protein, proBNP, VII-coagulation factor were determined. Neutrophil protein synthesis was impaired in the patients with stable angina. The same was true of defensins-alpha synthesis whereas production of lipoproteins, pro-BNP, C-reactive proteins, IL-8, and von Wilebrandt factor increased. Pathogenetic role of TNF-alpha was demonstrated.

[Lung functional testing by electroimpedance spirometry: experimental and clinical study].

The aim of the study was to investigate 0.9% sodium chloride saline aerosol and airways electrical impedance including experiments with plastic tubes, healthy people and asthmatic patients examination using electrical impedance spirometry. The experimental part of the study consisted of measurements of the 0.9% NaCl aerosol particles size and their flow action on the electrical impedance measure in polyethylene tubes of different diameters. As a result reverse dependence between aerosol particles size, its flow intensity and electrical impedance value were revealed. In the clinical part of the study the mean values of the electrical impedance spirometry were detected in the children groups of different ages, healthy people and bronchial asthma patients. It was found that an active compound of electrical impedance spirometry was correlated with airways diameter and may be used as a criterion of bronchial obstruction syndrome. It was established that small airways disease is the basic mechanism of airways disorders in patients with control bronchial asthma, and small airways as well as large airways both are involved in not controlled bronchial asthma patients.

[Leucocytes' ability to accumulate and secrete cholesterol is a nonspecific factor of immune inflammation in patients with atherothrombotic stroke].

The aim of the study was investigation of nonspecific inflammation markers in atherosclerotic injury of major arteries of the head (MAH). A complex study, including duplex ultrasonography, CT, measurement of cholesterol and its fractions, has been conducted in 85 patients with atherothrombotic (72 patients) and lacunar (23 patients) stroke. The ability of leucocytes' culture to accumulate and secrete cholesterol in vitro was studied as a nonspecific inflammatory marker of lesion of atherosclerotic MAH. A high level of this index was characteristic of atherothrombotic type of stroke comparing to lacunar stroke and the control group. Furthermore, high levels of this index correlated with severity of atherosclerotic injury of MAH, in particular with plaques. The dynamics of the index after 24-day therapy by statins (vasilip) is presented. We suppose that the protective influence of statins in patients after ischemic stroke may be caused by the effects on the level of immune competent cells including reducing leucocytes ability to accumulate and secrete protein-lipid complexes.

[Method for determining leukocytic lipid-releasing capacity in the diagnosis of mechanisms responsible for atherogenesis in patients with coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke].

The authors have studied the mechanism responsible for neutrophilic accumulation and release of protein-lipid complexes in patients with atherosclerosis and the clinical value of this reaction. They present the results of experimental studies and clinical observations in the groups of patients with ischemic stroke, coronary heart disease, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Whether the process of neutrophilic and release of protein-lipid can be in vitro modulated in a 3-day culture has been demonstrated. The high diagnostic value of the method for determining the lipid-releasing capacity of leukocytes is shown. Some proteins involving in the formation of pathogenic protein-lipid complexes are identified. There is evidence for the use of new differential criteria for visceral diseases originating from atherosclerosis.