[The diagnostic role of chemokines and their receptors in chronic hepatitis C].

The chronic hepatitis C is characterized by the increase of inflammatory disorders and progression of fibrosis of liver The corresponding immunologic mechanisms of hepatic lesions are still undiscovered. The actual review presents the analysis of scientific publications and genuine research data concerning the role of chemokines in pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C. The chemokines are small cationic proteins enhancing transit and precipitation of migrating cells (leucocytes mainly) in tissues and organs. The significant role of chemokines in tissue homeostasis, in case of inflammation, wound healing and cell proliferation is demonstrated. The particular kinds of chemokines are produced by different types of cells and impact target cells through their specific receptors. According the data of various studies, chemokines and chemokine receptors of CC-families and CXC-families are involved in fibrosing processes and anti-inflammatory activation of hepatic-biliary system under chronic hepatitis C. The diversity of producers and targets of chemokines in liver is very pronounced: hepatocytes, stellar cells, endothelium cells, macrophages (Kupffer cells), dendritic cells, lymphocytes and monocytes. The review considers pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C from the standpoint of participation of chemokines and chemokine receptors at different stages of cellular transit. The most important cellpopulations involved into pathologic changes under chronic hepatitis C are characterized. The decrease of expression of such gens as CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, and CCR5 in blood leucocytes deserves additional studies to establish their diagnostic values as a marker of disorders of immune system in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

[Chronic HCV-infection and expression of mRNA of CC-chemokines and their receptors].

The aim of this study was to evaluate some patterns in expression of CC-chemokines (MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, MCP-1, RANTES) and their receptors (CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, CCR5) in peripheral blood leukocytes and liver biopsy samples from 21 patients with chronic hepatitis C. 10 healthy subjects were included in the control group. In patients with chronic HCV-infection significant increase of MCP-1 mRNA in liver tissue was observed as the disease progressed. Moreover, content of MCP-1 mRNA was significantly higher in liver as compared with blood. Level of MCP-1 mRNA in liver was directly related with histological changes. Levels of mRNA of CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, and CCR5 in blood of patients with minimal histological manifestations of chronic HCV-infection were significantly lower than in patients with more marked lesions. Expression of CCR1 and CCR5 mRNA in blood was directly correlated with histological activity index and degree of fibrosis. Conducted study demonstrates that progression of chronic hepatitis C is realized through local activation of MCP-1 mRNA synthesis leading to systemic response which manifested by increase of expression of CCR1, CCR2, CCR3, and CCR5 in peripheral blood leukocytes.

[Detection of infectious agents in heart valves during endocarditis using PCR technique].

Infectious endocarditis can be caused by various microorganisms. Diagnostics of local infection by microbiological methods is not always effective. For that reason we performed a study aimed for direct detection of potential infectious agents by polymerase chain reaction in patients' heart valve tissue. DNA of infectious agents was revealed in 72% of heart valve tissue samples from patients with septic endocarditis; in studied samples, along with bacterial DNA, herpesviruses' DNA was detected. Obtained results confirm the presence of infection, which allows to perform specific diagnostics of infectious complications after implantation of prosthetic cardiac valves.

[Peculiarities of diagnosis and treatment of patients with hyposialosis].

33 patients with complaints of hyposalivation (21 in a 33 with syaloadenopatya and 12 in a 33 with syalosis out of the acute stage of disease) were examined. Complex examination of the saliva glands, analysis of the haemokynes in the various mediums of organism and thyoles compounds in the blood plasma was carried out. Tendency to increase in contents of haemokynes in the mixed saliva and in the tissue samples (from low in the syaloadenopatya to expressed in the syalosis) was revealed. Reduction of thyosulfide index in the blood plasma of these patients was determined. Use of antioxidant remedy in complex treatment of syaloadenopatya and syalosis was substanciated in this paper.