[Modification of the lipid component of bacterial membranes by the introduction of lipotropic compounds into lyophilized cells]

In order to elucidate potentialities of modifying the lipid component of bacterial membranes, lyophilized cells of M. lysodeikticus, E. coli and other bacteria were treated by hydrophobic compounds dissolved in the organic solvent, with the latter subsequently removed by evaporation or freezedrying prior to cell rehydration. The data obtained by means of spin-probes, fluorescent spectroscopy, electron microscopy, photoreactive label and other methods suggest that following bacteria rehydration at least part of the substance occurs in the membrane structures. The amount of the substance involved in bacterial cells depends on the type of compound and on whether bacterial cells belong to gram-positive or gram-negative microorganisms: the substance content of the latter is greater than of the former.

[The treatment of primary biliary liver cirrhosis with rifampicin]

Seven patients with primary biliary cirrhosis were treated with rifampicin administered for 2 weeks in a daily dose 450-600 mg. Due to the treatment the itch disappeared completely in 4 and decreased significantly in 3 patients. As shown by the antipyrine test, half-life and clearance of antipyrine returned to normal suggesting cytochrome P-450 induction as a result of hydroxylation activity. There was a tendency to lowering of bilirubin, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, asparagine--and alanine aminotransferase against an increase in gammaglobulins. The differences were, however, insignificant. Rifampicin tolerance was satisfactory.

[Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer following the short course of treatment with azitromycin and amoxycillin]

The efficacy of short-term treatment with azithromycin in 17 patients with acute doudenal ulcer associated with H. pylori was evaluated. Bioptats of the gastric mucosa taken at the beginning and after one month of treatment were investigated for H. pylori presence by histological, bacteriological methods, by urease test and by PCR. All the patients with positive H. pylori test were treated with Gastrozol (omeperazole, ICN Pharmaceutical) 40 mg per day for 1 week followed by 20 mg per day for 3 weeks, Sumamed (azithromycin, peira) 0.5 g once daily for 3 days and amoxycillin 0.5 mg four times a day for 10 days. Bioptats analysis before treatment revealed H. pylori in 100% for PCR methods, in 94.1% for urease test, in 88.2% for histological test. After the treatment H. pylori was revealed in 12.5% for urease and histological test, in 18.8% for bacteriological test and in 25% for PCR test. Thus the treatment efficacy was 75%. Side effects for short-term azithromycin therapy were shown in 5.9% cases.

[HGV and TTV - new hepatitis viruses]

AIM

To examine clinical, immunological and morphological features of HGV- and TTV-infections in patients with chronic hepatic diseases (CHD) and assess efficiency of treatment of HGV-seropositive patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

202 patients with CHD were examined for markers of HBV-, HCV-, HGV- and TTV-infections. Some patients were subjected to puncture biopsy of the liver. Efficiency of interferon-alpha treatment of HGV and HBV/HCV coinfection was studied.

RESULTS

HGV RNA and TTV DNA were detected in 19.8 and 11.8% of cases, respectively. Biochemical indices in patients with HGV and TTV monoinfections significantly differed from those in the control group while morphological changes in most of them corresponded to those with hepatitis. INF-alpha was given to 7 patients with HGV + HBV/HCV infections. A response was achieved in 3 months in 2 of them.

CONCLUSION

The role of HGV and TTV in hepatic diseases pathology is still unclear. Further studies on detection and examination of patients infected with G and TT viruses are necessary. When choosing therapy, the presence of HGV RNA and TTV DNA in blood serum, virus genome in hepatocytes and histological changes in hepatic tissue should be considered.

New insights into the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis asymptomatic stage

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic progressive liver disease and one of the most important progressive cholangiopathies in adults. Damage to cholangiocytes triggers the development of intrahepatic cholestasis, which progresses to cirrhosis in the terminal stage of the disease. Accumulating data indicate that damage to biliary epithelial cells [(BECs), cholangiocytes] is most likely associated with the intracellular accumulation of bile acids, which have potent detergent properties and damaging effects on cell membranes. The mechanisms underlying uncontrolled bile acid intake into BECs in PBC are associated with pH change in the bile duct lumen, which is controlled by the bicarbonate (HCO3-) buffer system "biliary HCO3- umbrella". The impaired production and entry of HCO3- from BECs into the bile duct lumen is due to epigenetic changes in expression of the X-linked microRNA 506. Based on the growing body of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of cholangiocyte damage in patients with PBC, we propose a hypothesis explaining the pathogenesis of the first morphologic (ductulopenia), immunologic (antimitochondrial autoantibodies) and clinical (weakness, malaise, rapid fatigue) signs of the disease in the asymptomatic stage. This review focuses on the consideration of these mechanisms.