[Molecular Mechanisms of Interactions between Mitochondria and the Endoplasmic Reticulum: A New Look at How Important Cell Functions are Supported].

Interactions between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria have received insufficient attention until recently. However, distorted contacts between the ER and mitochondria were identified as an important factor in the etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In view of these new data, the mechanisms of ER-mitochondrial interactions are necessary to study in detail in order to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative diseases and to extend basic knowledge of the physiology of the eukaryotic cell. The review focuses on the functions of mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs). Structural elements of the MAM system, their contributions to the vital cell functions (calcium and lipid homeostasis, autophagy, fusion and division of mitochondria, and the regulation of their number), and the role of MAM dysfunctions in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases are considered.

Factors affecting the results of analgesic therapy. Results of the Russian multicentre study of NOTE (NSAID: Open-label Trial of Efficacy).

AIM: To identify factors affecting the effectiveness of NSAIDs in patients with OA and LBP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-week course of NSAIDs in OA and LBP in real clinical practice. The study group consisted of 3604 patients with OA and LBP (60.6% women and 39.4% men, mean age 55.0±13.4 years). According to the study design, aceclofenac (Airtal) and other NSAIDs used in the ratio 1:1. The main criterion of effectiveness was the frequency of complete pain relief after 2 weeks of therapy. In addition, the decrease of pain and general health were determined on a 10-point numerical rating scale (NRS). We compared the frequency of complete pain relief in patients who had and did not have the studied factors. The value of the studied factors was determined using OR (95% CI). RESULTS: Most patients received aceclofenac (54.9%), as well as diclofenac (2.0%), ketoprofen (1.9%), lornoxicam (2.2%), meloxicam (13.7%), naproxen (2.1%), nimesulide (5.8%), celecoxib (5.9%), ethicoxib (7.1%) and other NSAIDs (4.4%); 56.2% of patients received muscle relaxants, mainly tolperisone (74.7%), vitamin B (10.4%), and proton pump inhibitors (42.8%). Complete pain relief was achieved in 54.8% of patients. The pain decrease and general health improvement were (for NRS) 63.9±13.4% and 61.7±14.8%, respectively. The efficacy of aceclofenac was slightly higher than in the whole group: complete pain relief was in 59.9% of patients. Adverse events in aceclofenac use were observed in 2.3% of patients, other NSAIDs-from 2.4 to 14.1%. The frequency of complete pain relief was higher in men: OR 1,239 (95% CI 1.08-1.418; p=0.002), who had the first episode of pain - OR 3.341 (95% CI 2.873-3.875; p=0.000), a good" response " to NSAIDs in history - OR 1.656 (95% CI 1.385-1.980; p=0.000) and received NSAIDs in combination with muscle relaxants - OR 1.218 (95% CI 1.067-1.390; p=0.004). The effect of therapy is lower in patients 65 years and older-OR 0,378 (95% CI 0.324-0.442; p=0,000), with body mass index >30 kg/m² - OR 0.619 (95% CI 0.529-0.723; p=0.000), with severe pain (≥7 points NRS) - OR 0.662 (95% CI 0.580-0.756; p=0.002), with pain at rest, - OR 0.515 (95% CI 0.450-0,589; p=0.000), pain at night - OR 0.581 (95% CI 0.501-0.672; p=0.000) and the presence of stiffness - OR 0.501 (95% CI 0.438-0,573; p=0.000). Treatment results are significantly worse in the cases of combination of LBP and joint pain, as well as pain in the trochanter major and pes anserinus area (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: NSAIDs are the first-line medications for the pain treatment in LBP and OA. Aceclofenac is effective and safe in this conditions. When carrying out analgesic therapy should take into account factors that affect the effectiveness of treatment: old age, overweight, insufficient effect of NSAIDs in history, severe pain, signs of "inflammatory" pain, multiple sources of pain.

Interleukin-6 in neurons of the pterygopalatine ganglion of the rat.

An indirect immunofluorescence method was used to study the pterygopalatine nerve ganglion in rats with the aim of determining the identification and locations within it of neurons expressing IL-6. A low density of IL-6-immunoreactive cells was seen in the cranial area of the ganglion; the medial surface and caudal area contained occasional cells demonstrating nuclear fluorescence; rarer groups of cells, organized into chains, were seen in the intermediate part of the ganglion on its lateral margin contacting the maxillary nerve.

Apoptosis in cells of rat sympathetic ganglia during early ontogeny: electron microscopic study.

Postnatal ontogeny of sympathetic ganglia includes both proliferative processes and programmed cell death. Electron microscopy helps to evaluate the intensity and the relationship between these processes.