Determination of the levels and possible associations of alpha2-macroglobulin with autoantibodies in the serum of patients with various forms of autoimmune thyroiditis.

Antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (AB-TPO), antibodies to thyroglobulin (AB-TG), and the content of α2-macroglobulin (α2-MG) have been studied in serum samples of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). All the patients were divided into 3 groups depending on age: 25-35, 36-50, 51-65 years. We found a significant change in the thyroid panel parameters in AIT, but without significant changes in the average concentration of α2-MG in the age groups of patients. This may be due to the accumulation and retention of complexes of defective forms of α2-MG in the circulation associated with their decreased ability to bind to receptors.

[Changes of cytokine profile in the blood of pregnant women with anemia.]

This research paper presents the results of a study of some indicators of iron metabolism in anaemia in pregnant women. The venous blood of 39 pregnant women with anaemia was examined. Serum ferritin, ferroportin and hepcidin were investigated for this purpose. The comparison group consisted of 19 pregnant women without anaemia. The haemoglobin concentration was measured by using «Mythic-18¼ haematological autoanalyzer. The concentrations of hepcidin and ferroportin were determined by using «Cloud-Clone Corp.¼ (USA), and ferritin concentrations were determined by using «Pishtaz teb¼ (Iran) reagents through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The study revealed a significant decrease in the level of ferritin, hepcidin and a significant increase in ferroportin level. A comprehensive definition of various indicators of iron metabolism provides important information not only for understanding the pathogenesis of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnant women but also for early diagnosis of the disease and the appointment of the correct treatment.

[Changes of cytokine profile in the blood of pregnant women with anemia.]

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of serum cytokines in different periods of pregnancy associated with anemia. 85 pregnant patients with anemia were examined. 46 of them were in their first pregnancy (1st group), and 39 (2nd group) patients were in their second or further pregnancy period. The comparison group consisted of 19 pregnant women without anemia. The level of hemoglobin and serum iron were determined by using colorimetric method, as well as the level of cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The results showed a significant decrease in hemoglobin and serum iron level in the blood of pregnant women with anemia, significant increase in proinflammatory ytokines, such as IL-2 and IL-8, and a significant decrease in IL-10 compared with pregnant women without anemia were also detected. The most pronounced changes in the cytokine profile were observed in the third trimester and during second or futher pregnancy, which is caused by the progression of anemia.