[Dirofilariasis in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea].

The paper presents data on the prevalence of dirofilariasis in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea during 5 years from 1999 to 2003. The nematode Dirofilaria repens is a causative agent of the disease. Sporadic cases of helminthiasis are annually registered in some urban and rural areas on the plain of the peninsula. The disease is absent on the foothills and Black sea coast of the southern and eastern parts of Crimea. The localization of the parasite is typical of this helminthiasis. Dirofilariasis in Crimea may be regarded as a transmissible helminthiasis with natural focal trends.

[The effect of eicosapentaenoic acid and the calcium antagonist isradipin on lipid metabolism and erythrocytes in experimental hypercholesterolemia in rabbits]. / Deistvie éikozapentaenovoi kisloty i antagonista kal'tsiia isradipina na lipidnyi obmen i éritrotsity pri éksperimental'noi giperkholesterinemii u krolikov.

The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and a new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist isradipine on plasma cholesterol free fatty acids (FFA) and erythrocytes have been studied in 48 cholesterol-fed rabbits after 3-month experiment. EPA had no statistically significant reduction of total cholesterol, FFA but showed the accumulation of cholesterol in plasma and altered morphological and functional properties of erythrocytes. Isradipine revealed a dose-dependent reduction of hypercholesterolemia. levels of FFA in plasma and improved functions of erythrocytes. In this way EPA may be suitable for dietary treatment of atherosclerosis, while isradipine may be used for therapy of patients with an antisclerotic vascular system and hyperlipidemia.

[The effect of isradipine on the central and cerebral hemodynamics of patients with circulatory encephalopathy and hypertension]. / Vliianie isradipina na tsentral'nuiu i tserebral'nuiu gemodinamiku u bol'nykh s distsirkuliatornoi éntsefalopatiei i gipertoniei.

The new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist isradipine versus nifedipine was tested in 41 patients with essential hypertension and cerebrovascular insufficiency. The tests have shown that isradipine shows all hemodynamic effects by significantly improving cerebral blood flow and it is better tolerated than nifedipine. It is concluded that isradipine is an effective agent in the long-term management of hypertensive patients at a high risk for cerebral hypoperfusion.