[Clinical significance of markers of endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis in progressing of the lung interstitial diseases]

The data obtained suggest an important role of the FRES and ET-1 in progressing of the lung interstitial diseases; they can be used as diagnostic criteria of the disease activity, risk of pulmonary hypertension, and extra-pulmonary manifestations.

[Cerebral sodium-uretic peptide: pathogenetic and clinical significance in pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with interstitial diseases of the lungs]

Sodium-uretic peptides (SUP) are the main humoral system opposing pathological remodeling of vascular bed in diseases of cardiovascular system and kidneys. In the paper, pathogenetic and clinical significance of the cerebral SUP in pulmonary arterial hypertension, including the one associated with interstitial diseases of the lungs.

Generation of new TRAIL mutants DR5-A and DR5-B with improved selectivity to death receptor 5

TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor (TNF) related apoptosis-inducing ligand) has been introduced as an extrinsic pathway inducer of apoptosis that does not have the toxicities of Fas and TNF. However, the therapeutic potential of TRAIL is limited because of many primary tumor cells are resistant to TRAIL. Despite intensive investigations, little is known in regards to the mechanisms underlying TRAIL selectivity and efficiency. A major reason likely lies in the complexity of the interaction of TRAIL with its five receptors, of which only two DR4 and DR5 are death receptors. Binding of TRAIL with decoy receptors DcR1 and DcR2 or soluble receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) fail to induce apoptosis. Here we describe design and expression in Escherichia coli of DR5-selective TRAIL variants DR5-A and DR5-B. The measurements of dissociation constants of these mutants with all five receptors show that they practically do not interact with DR4 and DcR1 and have highly reduced affinity to DcR2 and OPG receptors. These mutants are more effective than wild type TRAIL in induction of apoptosis in different cancer cell lines. In combination with the drugs targeted to cytoskeleton (taxol, cytochalasin D) the mutants of TRAIL induced apoptosis in resistant Hela cells overexpressing Bcl-2. The novel highly selective and effective DR5-A and DR5-B TRAIL variants will be useful in studies on the role of different receptors in TRAIL-induced apoptosis in sensitive and resistant cell lines.

[Endothelin-1 and brain natriuretic peptide in the development of pulmonary hypertension in interstitial lung diseases]

AIM

To study the plasma concentration of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) as markers of pulmonary hypertension (PH) developed in interstitial lung diseases (ILD).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Along with physical examination, 97 patients with ILD underwent measurements of the plasma concentrations of BNP and ET-1, 6-minute walk test, external respiration function test, echocardiography, by measuring pulmonary artery systolic pressure (P(syst)), and chest multispiral computed tomography, by estimating the mean diameter of the pulmonary artery trunk.

RESULTS

The plasma concentration of ET-1 proved to be significantly higher in the presence of active lung lesion (5.2 +/- 3.9 and 2.8 +/- 1.8 pg/ml; p = 0.0001). In patients with ILD, persistent PH was associated with the significantly elevated plasma concentrations of BNP (69.3 +/- 341.35 and 23.7 +/- 26.69 pg/ml; p = 0.018). The increase of plasma BNP concentrations correlated with the shorter distance covered during a 6-minute walk test and diminished functional vital capacity.

CONCLUSION

The increased plasma levels of ET-1 in ILD reflects the transient pulmonary artery pressure elevation associated with the activity of the pulmonary process while those of BNP are indicative of developed persistent PH.

[Estimation of plasmic concentration of the brain natriuretic peptide in interstitial pulmonary diseases with pulmonary hypertension: clinical role]

AIM

To study a plasmic concentration of the brain natriuretic peptide (BNUP) in patients with interstitial pulmonary disease (IPD) as a possible diagnostic parameter in pulmonary hypertension (PH).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Plasmic BNUP concentration, external respiration function were studied in 24 patients with IPD. The following tests were also made: 6-min walk, echocardiography (echo-CG) with estimation of systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery, multislice computed tomography of the chest with measurement of the mean diameter of the pulmonary artery trunk.

RESULTS

As shown by echo-CG and chest MSCT half of the IPD patients had PH. IPD patients with PH had a significant elevation of plasmic BNUP concentration which, in intact left ventricular contractile function indicates development of secondary PH characterized by reduction of volume parameters of the respiratory pulmonary function. The rise of BNUP concentration correlated with reduction of 6-min walk distance and functional lung capacity.

CONCLUSION

Plasmic BNUP can be used for diagnosis of PH in IPD patients.

[Emotional stress in the development of experimental hemorrhagic stroke in rats with different resistance to stress]

Individual behavioral characteristics of rats in the open-field test reflect their resistance to emotional stress and determine the severity of neurological disorders during intracerebral hemorrhage. Stress-resistant rats are characterized by a more rapid restoration of neurological status and disappearance of locomotor and coordination disturbances on day 7 after unilateral hemorrhage stroke in the caudate nucleus as compared to stress-predisposed animals. After hemorrhage stroke in the caudate nucleus, changes in vessels and neurons of the contralateral sensorimotor cortex were more pronounced in stress-predisposed passive rats than in stress-resistant active animals. The newly formed capillaries were not seen in stress-predisposed specimens. To day 7 of post stress hemorrhage stroke in the caudate nucleus, signs of the involvement of compensatory mechanisms in the contralateral sensorimotor cortex appeared in stress-resistant but not in stress-predisposed rats. This finding suggests the possibility of restoration of structure and normal functioning of neurons.

[Natriuretic peptides in diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension]

Pathogenetic and diagnostic role of natriuretic peptides in different variants of pulmonary hypertension is discussed. Structure, mechanism of action and physiological effects of some natriuretic peptides and their role in diagnosis and monitoring of the course of pulmonary hypertension are described.

[Hippocratic fingers: clinical importance and differential diagnosis]

Changing of the distant finger phalanges into the form of a drumstick or fingernails into the form of a watch-glass (hippocratic fingers--HF) presents a well-known clinical phenomenon that suggests the presence of various diseases, especially those associated with hypoxia, i.e. manifested by respiratory and/or heart failure, as well as malignant tumors and subacute infective endocarditis. At the same time, the fact that this clinical phenomenon can accompany other diseases (Crohn's disease, HIV-infection) should be taken into consideration as well. HF often appear ahead of more specific symptoms. In this connection, correct interpretation of this clinical sign, augmented with laboratory tests, allows for early and valid diagnosis.

Effect of oxidative stress on dynamics of mitochondrial reticulum

Fission of the mitochondrial reticulum (the thread-grain transition) and following gathering of mitochondria in the perinuclear area are induced by oxidative stress. It is shown that inhibitors of the respiratory chain (piericidin and myxothiazol) cause fission of mitochondria in HeLa cells and fibroblasts, whereas a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (MitoQ) inhibits this effect. Hydrogen peroxide also induced the fission, which was stimulated by the inhibitors of respiration and suppressed by MitoQ. In untreated cells, the mitochondrial reticulum consisted of numerous electrically-independent fragments. Prolonged treatment with MitoQ resulted in drastic increase in size and decrease in number of these fragments. Local photodamage of mitochondria caused immediate depolarization of a large fraction of the mitochondrial network in MitoQ-treated cells. Our data indicate that the thread-grain transition of mitochondria depends on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in initial segments of the respiratory chain and is a necessary step in the process of elimination of mitochondria (mitoptosis).

Ultrastructure of the Sensorimotor Cortex of Pubertal Offspring of Alcoholic Male Rats

The ultrastructure of neurons, astrocytes, and capillaries in the sensorimotor cortex of three-month-old offspring of alcoholic male rats (8 g/kg of 50% alcohol solution daily for four weeks) was studied. Apart from signs of delayed maturation of nerve and glial cell processes, some cortical areas showed destructive changes affecting a proportion of neurons along with elements of compensatory-adaptive processes in some nerve cells. Membrane and myelin-like intranuclear inclusions and changes in the Golgi complex were characteristic features of the damage to populations of cortical neurons. Swelling of astrocytes, deformation of capillaries and changes in their ultrastructure, with accumulation of atypical inclusions in pericapillary astrocyte processes, degraded reciprocal exchange processes between blood and neurons. The possible role of the ischemic-hypoxic factor in delayed changes in the ultrastructure of the sensorimotor cortex in the offspring of alcoholic males is discussed.

Structure of the sensorimotor area of the cerebral cortex in the offspring of alcoholized rats

Light and electron microscopy and morphometry were used to study the characteristics of the cytoarchitectonics of the sensorimotor cortex and the structures of neurons and their dendrites in 21- and 30-day-old baby rats born to chronically alcoholized females and males. Three categories of morphological changes were identified: signs of delayed maturation of neurons and dendrites, destructive changes to these structures, and signs of repair processes, with dynamics occurring during postnatal ontogenesis. At age three weeks, apart from delayed maturation of neurons and underdevelopment of the dendritic system, there were also spreading destructive changes. Increasing age was associated with increases in repair processes, though destructive changes to neurons persisted, which is evidence for the delayed action of alcohol intoxication of animals on the structural development of the brain in their offspring.

Structural-functional organization of neurons in the cerebral cortex of rats with different levels of resistance to emotional stress in conditions of exposure to delta sleep-inducing peptide

Wistar rats with different levels of resistance to emotional stress (ES) were subjected to stress and brain sections stained with Nissl cresyl violet were used for quantitative analysis of the structural organization of neurons in layer V of the sensorimotor cortex. Some animals received delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) 1 h before stress. Control ES-susceptible rats, as compared with resistant rats, had lower levels of normochromic and moderately hypochromic neurons. Normochromic neurons were not seen after stress. Rats susceptible to ES showed particularly sharp decreases in moderately hypo- and hyperchromic neurons, along with increases in the proportions of extremely hypo- and hyperchromic neurons, ghost cells, and ischemically altered cells. After administration of DSIP before stress, ischemically altered cells were not seen in any group: the level of reduction of extremely hyperchromic neurons was smaller in ES-susceptible rats than in ES-resistant rats. It is suggested that brain hypoxia plays a particular role in disorganizing the cortex in conditions of ES, while DSIP has both antistress and antihypoxic properties.

Age-Related Structural and Functional Characteristics of Rabbit Hippocampal Neurons During the Formation of Temporal Associations

Spectral analysis (spectral density histograms) of neuron spike activity in the hippocampus of rabbits of different ages revealed trace assimilation of rhythms--an analog of a conditioned reflex to time--after rhythmic stimulation. An association was established between the number of series of periodic electrocutaneous stimulation presented and the extent of trace assimilation of the rhythm, depending on the age of the animal. Trace assimilation of rhythms occurred more slowly in older animals (aged 54-65 months) than in young animals (aged up to one year), predominantly on days 2-3 of experiments after presentation of 2-4 series of rhythmic stimulation, and persisted in a small proportion of cases on the day following stimulation. Periodic stimulation in very old animals (aged 66-85 months) almost completely failed to induce plastic rearrangements of hippocampal neuron activity. Stimulation produced a non-specific trace increase in the frequency of hippocampal baseline neuron activity in old animals. Quantitative and qualitative morphological changes were identified in the nerve and glial cells of the hippocampus of aged rabbits, as compared to young rabbits. It is suggested that the change in the course of mnestic processes seen in animals with aging may be associated with age-related destructive changes in the hippocampus.

[Vasaprostan treatment of fibrosing alveolitis in patients with pulmonary hypertension]

AIM

To study clinical efficacy of vasaprostan in patients with fibrosing alveolitis (FA) complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH), its effect on functional activity of platelets and endothelium, intensity of free radical processes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seven FA patients were examined. They had either idiopathic FA or FA with diffuse diseases of the connective tissues. The following methods were used to assess the effect: standard clinical tests, high resolution computer tomography, Doppler echocardiography, definition of the complex thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) and thrombocytic factor 4 (TF-4). Generation of oxygen active forms by leukocytes was measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Morphological verification of the diagnosis was made by the results of open pulmonary biopsies.

RESULTS

Vasaprostan reduced pressure in the pulmonary artery from 31.6 +/- 2.31 to 19.58 +/- 3.90 mm Hg (p < 0.05) and coagulation parameters. TAT decreased after 2 and 8 weeks of treatment from 15.25 +/- 4.5 to 5.1 +/- 0.33 and 2.4 +/- 0.31 pg/ml (p < 0.05). Initially low TF-4 (2.11 +/- 0.39 pg/ml) elevated to the end of the treatment and reached values close to control (4.37 +/- 0.25 pg/ml, p < 0.05). Moreover, vasaprostan enhanced the ability of platelets to inhibit generation of active oxygen forms (from 0.9 +/- 0.18 to 1.23 +/- 0.16 r. u., p < 0.05) and thus depressed activity of lipid peroxidation.

CONCLUSION

Good effect of vasaprostan on platelet activity, free radical processes validates its use in combined treatment of various FA forms for correction of PH, its complications and as an antifibrogenic agent.

[Sensomotor cortex ultrastructure in pubertal offspring of alcoholized male rats]

Neuron, astrocyte and capillary ultrastructure was studied in the sensomotor cortex of 3-month-old offspring of the alcoholized male rats that received 8 g of alcohol prepared as 50% solution per kg of body weight once daily for 4 weeks. In addition to the signs of delayed maturation of neuronal and glial cell processes, some cortical areas demonstrated the destructive changes in a certain portion of neurons and elements of compensatory-adaptive processes in the others. Membranous and myelin-like intranuclear inclusions and marked Golgi complex changes were the characteristic features of the damaged cortical neuronal population. Astrocyte swelling, capillary deformation with their ultrastructural changes, accumulation of atypical inclusions in pericapillary astrocyte processes result in deterioration of bilateral blood-neuronal exchange. Possible role of ischemia-hypoxia factor in long-term disturbances in sensomotor cortex ultrastructure in the offspring of alcoholized male rats is emphasized.

[Markers of thrombophilia in pulmonary fibrosis complicated by pulmonary hypertension]

AIM

To determine the role of enhanced blood coagulation in pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) at an early stage of fibrosing alveolitis (FA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Clinical, functional, roentgenological, coagulation and immunological examinations were performed in 17 patients with idiopathic FA (IFA), in 6 patients with exogenic allergic alveolitis (EAA), in 15 FA patients with diffuse diseases of the connective tissue (FA-DDCT). The diagnosis was verified with high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Lesser circulation was assessed by Doppler echocardiography. Morphological impairment of the lungs was specified in all the patients using analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage. In 9 FA patients the diagnosis was verified at thoracoscopic biopsy of the lung. The control group consisted of 16 healthy volunteers. Thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and thrombocytic factor 4 (TF-4) were estimated with ELISA as stable, highly sensitive markers of thrombophilia.

RESULTS

The TF-4 level was elevated in all IPD patients (p < 0.05), the elevation being highest in FA-DDCT (p < 0.007). With FA progression, TF-4 concentration went down. A weak negative correlation (p < 0.047, r = -0.38) was found with average pressure in the pulmonary artery (PAAP). TAT was higher than control in all the groups (p < 0.05). Maximal TAT values were registered in EAA. If HRCT detected active inflammation and in development of irreversible fibrous changes TAT was higher vs control. A direct correlation between TAT level and PAAP was not found.

CONCLUSION

Disorders in thrombocytic and plasmic links of hemostasis are detectable early in IPD. Stable markers of thrombophilia (TAT and TF-4) reflect activity of inflammation in FA. They can be also used as sensitive diagnostic tests for diagnosis of PH and diagnosis of patients with activated coagulation system in IPD.

[Structure of the brain sensomotor cortex in offspring of rats exposed to alcohol]

The purpose of the present study was to examine the development of sensomotor brain cortex structures in progeny of male and female rats chronically intoxicated by alcohol. Using the methods of light and electron microscopy and morphometry, the peculiarities of sensomotor cortex cytoarchitectonics, structure on neurons and of their dendrites were studied in rats aged 21 and 30 days, which belong to the progeny of chronically alcoholized male and female animals. Three categories of morphological changes were recognized: the signs indicative of a delay in the neuronal and dendritic maturation, their destructive changes and the repair phenomena, which possess their individual dynamics in postnatal ontogenesis. At 3 weeks of age the extensive destructive changes are seen besides the delay in neuronal maturation and dendritic system underdevelopment. Repair processes increase with age, but the neuronal destructive changes persist, suggesting the delayed mode of action of alcohol intoxication of the animals on the structural brain development in their offspring.