[Influence of membrane-active polyanions on various stages of the human cytomegalovirus life cycle in vitro].

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV), an agent of infection (CMVI), lethally dangerous for immune deficient neonates and adults was investigated in vitro as a target for a therapeutic effect of new membrane-active polyanionic compounds (MPC). Previous studies on the alicycle- and sulfate-modified carboxy-MPCs revealed a well-defined tendency of the anti-CMV activity amplification in parallel with increasing of the content of sulfate groups, enhancing the negative charge of the macromolecule. The dominating role of the electrostatic factor was confirmed by the highest activity of AS-688, compound with maximum sulfation among the tested MPCs. Its selectivity index (SI) of the CMVI inhibition in human diploid fibroblast cells reached 5450, 7500, 250 and 4286 in the microbicidal, viricidal, prophylactic and therapeutic schemes of the experiment respectively. The antiviral activity at the first, second and third schemes was explained by the polyanion-typical potential of electrostatic neutralization of the countercharged virions and prevention of the virus adsorption on the cell membranes (in competition with heparin sulfate, a cellular receptor of CMV), whereas the therapeutic effect required the ability of MPC to influence the intracellular stages of the CMV life cycle. The PCR and immunochemical assays revealed an inhibitory action of AS-688 on replication of the viral DNA and the following synthesis of the late viral protein gB with efficiency similar to that of gancyclovir (GCV). However, in contrast to GCV, acting as inhibitor of enzyme (viral RNA-polymerase) factor of the biosynthesis, the therapeutic activity of MPC could be interpreted by competition with viral RNA/DNA due to the specific character of the MPC molecular basis, initially constructed on the principle of nucleic acids backbone and charge adjustable imitation. This mechanism assuming reduction of the cytotoxicity risks, explained the experimentally observed fact of low cytotoxicity of MPCs and possible achievement of high SI. The MPC ability to penetrate into the cells without disruption of cellular membrane permeability was confirmed in experiments with the fluorescent-labeled derivate AS-679, structurally and functionally related to AS-688. In the light of the previously described HIV inhibiting properties of AS-688, AS-679 and MPC analogous, the results could be considered prospective in development of new highly effective agents for combined antiviral protection.

[Low-temperature peloids in rehabilitating osteoarthritis patients]. / Peloidy nizkikh temperatur v reabilitatsii bol'nykh osteoartrozom.

A comparative trial was made of a therapeutic effect of low-temperature (10-24 degrees C) and hot (37 degrees C) applications of mud in osteoarthrosis (OA) patients. Hot applications are highly effective in OA but are contraindicated for patients with synovitis because of the risk of exacerbations. Low-temperature peloids have advantages over standard hot peloids in the treatment of synovitis, in concomitant lymphovenous insufficiency, cardiovascular diseases.

[The comparative efficacy of methods for the cryo-electropulse therapy of osteoarthrosis patients]. / Sravnitel'naia éffektivnost' metodov krioélektroimpul'snoi terapii bol'nykh osteoartrozom.

Comparative trials of two methods of cryoelectroimpulse therapy in combination with kinesitherapy and massage performed in 132 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) demonstrated that both methods relieve pain syndrome, improve peripheral circulation, condition of the neuromuscular system. Overall course effectiveness of parallel use of cryotherapy and transcutaneous electroneurostimulation (cryo-TCENS) combined with exercise and massage was found less than that of cryotherapy and sinusoidal modulated currents (cryoamplipulsetherapy). However, the effect of a single cryo-TCENS procedure was rather high. This may be explained by a labile technique which allows impact on the most painful (trigger) zones in OA patients. Thus, cryo-TCENS should be applied in short courses (maximum 6 procedures) or in single impacts in severe OA pain while cryoamplipulstherapy is more effective in courses consisting of 10-12 procedures.

[New methodological aspects in the use of cryotherapy, ultrasound, magnetotherapy and therapeutic physical exercise in the rehabilitation of gonarthrosis patients]. / Novye metodicheskie aspekty primeneniia krioterapii, ul'trazvuka, magnitoterapii i lechebnoi gimnastiki v reabilitatsii bol'nykh gonartrozom.

Gonarthritis complicated by synovitis was treated by cryo-ultrasound or cryo-magnetotherapy in combination with therapeutic exercise. The comparison of the response has shown that both complexes are highly effective. In the absence of concomitant diseases and contraindications to ultrasound it is better to use cryo-ultrasound and exercise, otherwise cryo-magnetotherapy and exercise is preferential.

[Cryoelectrotherapy in the treatment of osteoarthrosis patients]. / Krioélektroterapiia v lechenii bol'nykh osteoartrozom.

Coxarthritis and gonarthritis patients (n = 105) were divided into 3 groups. Group I patients received cryotherapy (CT), group II subjects were exposed to sinusoidal modulated currents (SMC), group III patients underwent multimodality treatment (cryoelectrotherapy). The most pronounced response for CT was achieved in gonarthritis with reactive synovitis. Overall effectiveness was the highest in cryoelectrotherapy. This may be due to potentiating effect of the cold and low-frequency currents combination.