[Glucocorticoid adrenal function and clinical implications of hydrocortisone metabolism tests in patients with bronchial asthma]. / Gliukokortikoidnaia funktsiia nadpochechnikov i klinicheskoe znachenie opredeleniia metabolizma kortizola u bol'nykh bronkhial'noi astmoi.

A glucocorticoid adrenal function was studied in 42 perimenopausal women with bronchial asthma (BA) by radioimmunoassay estimation of blood hydrocortisone levels, free and conjugated fractions of urinary hydrocortisole, 24-h excretion of overall 17-OCS and hydrocortisone metabolism index. Replacement estrogens inhibit processes of microsomal hydroxylation and reduce clearance of the introduced steroids. Replacement therapy with sex hormones conducted to correct menopause had no negative influence on hydrocortisone blood levels and its metabolism.

[Integrative study of bronchial asthma in perimenopausal women]. / Intergrativnoe issledovanie bronkhial'noi astmy u zhenshchin perimenopauzal'nogo perioda.

The paper presents results of complex study of the specific features of the course of bronchial asthma (BA) in the peri- and early postmenopausal periods, including investigations of hormonal and immunological statuses, bone tissue mineral density and blood lipids, and evaluates the effects of peri- and early postmenopause and climacteric syndrome of varying severities on the course of BA. A drug test using estrogens has been developed to evaluate their effects on bronchial airflow. It has been shown that estrogens do not negatively affect bronchial airflow in most patients with BA in the peri- and early postmenopausal periods. The efficiency of replacement hormone therapy with estrogen-progestogen drugs has been for the first time estimated in these patients. Treatment with the estrogen-progestogen drug clinonorm increases the effects of endogenous cortisol, which makes it possible to reduce a dosage of glucocorticosteroids and to increase the mineral density of bone tissue.

[Immune and interferon system in patients with bronchial asthma]. / Sostoianie immunnoi i interferonovoi sistem u bol'nykh bronkhial'noi astmoi.

We studied the levels of acute inflammation phase proteins (AIPP), production of alpha, gamma and serum interferons, the activity of epsilon-receptors of T-lymphocytes in 39 patients with bronchial asthma (BA). Correlations were made with the process severity and basic therapy. We discovered imbalance of immunoregulatory mechanisms: enhanced AIPP synthesis, low production of induced alpha and gamma interferons, elevated concentrations of poor-differentiated T-lymphocytes. This confirms persisting inflammation in BA.

[Specific aspects of the course of bronchial asthma therapy in perimenopausal period]. / Osobennosti techeniia i terapii bronkhial'noi astmy v perimenopauzal'nom periode.

Bronchial asthma (BA) course and menopausal features were studied in 58 perimenopausal women. Effects of menopause on BA clinical manifestations were considered. 19 patients on climonorm therapy were examined immunologically. It was found that premenopause and perimenopause deteriorate BA clinical picture whereas hormone replacement therapy with climonorm produce a positive effect on menopause and BA. In long-term hormone treatment it is necessary to follow up immune status.