[Dynamics of riboflavin level in aqueous humour of anterior chamber of experimental animals under standard stroma saturation by ultraviolet corneal cross-linking solutions]. / Dinamika urovnya riboflavina vo vlage perednei kamery glaza eksperimental'nykh zhivotnykh pri standartnom nasyshchenii stromy rastvorami dlya ul'trafioletovogo krosslinkinga rogovitsy.

AIM: To evaluate the dynamics of riboflavin changes in the aqueous humour of the anterior chamber (AHAC) of rabbits' eyes during standard ultraviolet (UV) cross-linking with account to the area of corneal debridement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty two rabbits were studied sequentially. The following solutions of riboflavin were used for cornea saturation: IR - 0.1% isosmotic riboflavin, D - Dextralink (0.1% riboflavin with 20% dextran), R - 0.1% riboflavin with 1.0% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). Each solution was evaluated in 3 groups that differed in the diameter of corneal debridement: group 1 - Epi-Off 3 mm (IR-3, D-3, P-3), group 2 - Epi-Off 6 mm (IR-6, D-6, R-6), and group 3 - Epi-Off 9 mm (IR-9, D-9, R-9). Aqueous humour sampling (252 samples in total) was performed in 10-minute intervals within a 60 minute period. Riboflavin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ID-Vit microbiological test system; Immundiagnostik, Germany). RESULTS: Stable growth rates of riboflavin level in the AHAC (with maximum values reached at 30-40 min) were observed for solutions D and R, regardless of the variant of corneal debridement. Moreover, throughout the whole follow-up period and regardless of the area of corneal debridement, the solution D provided a relatively lower concentration of riboflavin in the AHAC as compared to the two other solutions. At 30 minutes, when the cornea was considered ready for UV irradiation, the riboflavin level in the AHAC ranged from 385±26.1 µg/l (D-9) to 665±28 µg/l (R-9). In groups IR-9, IR-6, P-6, IR-3, and P-3 riboflavin levels were found to be in the same range starting at 20 minutes. However, even a sufficient concentration of riboflavin in the cornea or AHAC cannot guarantee safe and effective UV cross-linking, since the removed epithelium limits the area of the stroma that can be saturated with riboflavin, while the area of UV exposure is 8-10 mm. CONCLUSION: Safe and efficient standard UV cross-linking may be performed only under sufficient saturation of the stroma with riboflavin, which in turn depends greatly on the area of corneal debridement (should be at least 8-9 mm). A solution of 0.1% riboflavin and 1.0% HPMC enables quick and pronounced saturation of the stroma and, thus, can be used in the UV cross-linking procedure, including cases of insufficient corneal thickness.

[Immunomodulatory role of perfluorane in the preoperative preparation of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment].

The paper presents the results of studying the effect of 10% perfluorane (PF) emulsion intravenously injected 1-2 days before surgical treatment for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment on the levels of the cytokines IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-4 in the serum and subretinal fluid of patients. PF infusion was found to exert an immunomodulatory effect that favored a short-term increase in the serum level of proinflammatory cytokines (IL- 1beta and IL-6) at week 1 and TNF-alpha on day 1) with their gradual normalization. The subretinal fluid showed recovery of the mechanisms for local immunological reactions; eye inflammation reduced due to the decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines and simultaneously the elevated level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4.

[The levels of cortisol and glycosaminoglycans in patients with uveitis in rheumatic diseases].

The serum levels of cortisol and glycosaminoglycans (GAG) were studied in patients with uveitis in rheumatic diseases (RD). Among the patients with this pathology, there was a more preponderance of persons with low cortisol levels. In acute uvitis in the presence of RD, the mean serum content of this hormone was significantly lower than that in infectious and idiopathic uveitis. In RD, uveitis ran well with positive changes in the serum levels of cortisol, which increased during treatment. Its poor course was observed when the low content of cortisol remained or decreased still further. GAG exchange in uveitis patients with RD changed: there was an inverse correlation between the level of hyaluronic acid and that of cortisol (r = -0.7994; p = 0.031); the same correlation was found in males between the concentration of summary GAG and that of cortisol (r = -9832; p = 0.003) and chondroitin sulfate (r = -9965; p = 0.001).

[Imbalance of alpha- and gamma-interferon levels in patients with herpetic keratitis].

The paper presents data on elevated serum and lacrimal fluid alpha- and gamma-interferon (INF) levels in patients with herpetic keratitis (HK) in the course of the disease depending on its clinical form and stage. A more significant increase in the levels of alpha- and gamma-INF was noted in the lacrimal fluid, which was indicative of the important role of local antiherpetic corneal and conjunctival protection. The determination of serum and lacrimal fluid IFN levels in patients with HK may be used to predict the clinical course of the disease.

[Results of examination of the local immunity in demodectic blepharoconjunctivitis]. / Rezul'taty issledovanii mestnogo immuniteta pri demodekoznom blefarokon"iunktivite.

Described in the paper are the results of examination of the local immunity in patients with demodectic blepharoconjunctivitis (DBC). Demodicosis of the eyes was established to develop in impairments of the local immunity described by a lower level of IL-4 in lacrimal fluid, a lower relative quantity of CD3+ cells, and a higher relative count of CD16+-lymphocytes infiltrating the eyelid-conjunctiva epithelium. The age-related immunodeficiency manifested as a decreased relative number of CD3+ and CD4+-lymphocytes infiltrating the eyelid-conjunctiva epithelium provokes a higher invasion of ticks and an increased morbidity of demodicosis among elderly people. DBC, when complicated by episcleritis or keratitis, is accompanied by a higher IgE level in lacrimal fluid and a decreased ratio of IgE/IL-4, which matters in prognostication and pathogenetic substantiation of DBC therapy.

[A study of total IgE in inflammatory pathologies of the eye anterior segment]. / Issledovanie obshchego IgE pri vospalitel'nykh zabolevaniiakh perednego otdela glaza.

The paper contains data on comparative research of the IgE content in blood serum and lachrymal fluid in patients with ophthalmoherpes and with other inflammatory diseases of the eye. A higher IgE level was found in blood serum and lachrymal fluid in cases of ophthalmoherpes as well as in lachrymal fluid in cases of allergic, Chlamydia and fungus diseases of the eye. The data obtained can be used in the diagnostics of allergic eye diseases as well as in elaborating complex treatment methods for herpetic, Chlamydia and fungus lesions of the anterior eye segment. A detection of the local allergenic effect of acaricide drugs exerted on the conjunctiva and eyelids makes it obligatory to consider the above fact while treating patients with demodectic blepharoconjunctivitis.

[Cytokine status of patients with ophthalmic herpes]. / Tsitokinovyi status bol'nykh oftal'mogerpesom.

Data are reported on the content of pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines in blood serum and lachrymal fluid of 62 patients with ophthalmoherpes. It was concluded that the cytokine profiles are subject to changes in the eye herpes: the IL-6 and IL-4 contents were increasing in blood serum, while IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha were increasing in lachrymal fluid. The content of cytokine in blood serum is different from such content in lachrymal fluid in surface-type and profound variations of ophthalmoherpes. Disbalance of inflammatory IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and IL-4 are typical of the latter case, which can be used clinically to evaluate a disease severity degree.

[A quantitative evaluation of blood-lymphocyte subpopulation in herpetic ocular disease]. / Kolichestvennaia kharakteristika subpopuliatsii limfotsitov krovi pri oftal'mogerpese.

Data on changing contents of blood-lymphocytes' subpopulations in patients with ophthalmoherpes are reported. A higher number of blood cells expressing the surface activation antigens of HLA-DR+, CD71+ and CD95+, a lower number of T-helpers and a reduced value of the immune-regulating index were found to be typical of such changes. A more significant increase in the quantity of CD95+ lymphocytes, as observed in cases of severe ophthalmoherpes versus its moderate clinical course, could be a prognostication criterion. The essential shifts occurring in the T-cells' population denote the status of tension in the immune response provoked by an intensified reproduction of herpes simplex virus (HSV); at the same time, they are indicative of a certain deficit in the immune-protection mechanisms.

[Cytokine status of patients with chlamydial conjunctivitis]. / Tsitokinovyi status bol'nykh khamidiinym kon''iunktivitom.

The study of cytokine status in 37 patients with chlamydial conjunctivitis revealed its noticeable alteration: increment of production of serum IL-16 and IL-14 and IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the lacrymal fluid. The investigation of the cytokine status in patients with chlamydial conjunctivitis can be a valuable addition in the complex estimation of immunity to perform immunomodulating therapy.