[Functional status of the adrenal cortex in patients with multiple sclerosis]. / Funktsional'noe sostoianie kory nadpochechnikov u bol'nykh rasseiannym sklerozom.

The spectrum of daily urine C21-corticosteroids was examined in 50 patients by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel. There were 28 men and 22 women aged 16--50 years with a disease standing from 1 to 26 years. Twenty-two healthy persons of the same age formed the control group. Appropriate indices were calculated to have a deeper insight into adrenocortical function. The dependence of gluco- and promineralocorticoid activity and of corticosteroid biosynthesis and metabolism on the disease course and acuity was revealed. The data obtained made it possible to elaborate the most rational treatment tactics in patients with disseminated sclerosis and to define the opportunities of glucocorticoid use taking into consideration the adrenocortical response to the pathological process.

[Changes in the free amino acid spectrum in torsion dystonia patients]. / Izmeneniia spektra svobodynkh aminokislot u bol'nykh torsionnoi distoniei.

The authors accomplished a study of the concentration of free aminoacids in the blood and urine of patients with torsion dystonia by means of a high voltage electrophoresis with a subsequent ascending chromatography. A division of such patients into 2 clinical forms is reflected in the found concentration of free aminoacids in the blood and urine. In patients with the rigid form along with generalized hyperacidemia there are also significant changes in the concentration of aminoacids of the aromatic line. In the group of patients with the hyperkinetic form the most significant changes were seen for valine, methionine, serine, alanine and cystine, while as the spectrum of aminoacids of the aromatic line is practically unchanged. The found changes in the spectrum of free aminoacids are most likely connected with disorders of catecholamine metabolism in torsion dystonia.