Evaluation of Collagenase Activity from Crab Hepatopancreas in Different Model Systems.

The effect of Kamchatka crab hepatopancreas containing three collagenolytic isoenzymes Collagenase KK and proteinases of Streptomyces lavendulae on metabolic activity and cell death were carried out on in vitro models. It was shown that changes in the protein structure under the influence of Collagenase KK occurred earlier than under the effect of bacterial proteinases. At the same time, activity of Collagenase KK was significantly higher than that of bacterial proteinases (p<0.01). Both preparations had a pronounced time- and dose-dependent effects on metabolic activity of cells. Collagenase KK had low cytotoxic effect, and cells mainly died by apoptosis. Thus, hepatopancreas collagenase has a high activity and proapoptotic effect on cells and can be used in low concentrations for enzymatic disaggregation of tissues.

Effect of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Behavioral Reactions and Neocortical Morphology in Rats.

The original weight-drop model was employed to examine the effect of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) on behavioral phenotype and neocortical morphology in rats. The neurological examination of rats with moderate TBI revealed the focal symptoms corresponding to pronounced neurological disorders, whereas in rats after mild TBI, there were only minor coordination disorders. On day 7 after injury, the rats with mild TBI demonstrated enhanced anxiety assessed by conditioned passive avoidance response. The morphometric analysis of the brain tissues revealed narrowing of the capillaries and increased score of hyperchromic neocortical neurons, which attested to cerebral hypoxia. The manifestations of mild TBI in original rat model demonstrated a close similarity to the symptoms of TBI in humans.

[Aortic stiffness and content of adipokines in the serum in persons of European and South Asian ethnic].

AIM: To evaluate the cardiovascular risk (CVR) based on arterial stiffness and content of adipokines in young-aged persons of different ethnicity (European and South Asian). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 290 persons of European (Slavic) and South Asian (Korean) ethnicity aged from 19 to 49 years with and without arterial hypertension (AH) were examined. Clinical, anthropometric, laboratory examinations were performed, levels of resistin and adiponectin of blood were assessed. Total CVR was assessed by SCORE scale, patients under the age of 40 years were assessed by relative risk scale. Aortic stiffness was examined by non-invasive arteriography. RESULTS: Patients of European ethnicity had higher blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), levels of resistin and adiponectin. Pulse wave velocity in the aorta (PWVA) did not differ significantly in ethnic groups. According to the SCORE scale in individuals of the European and South Asian races in general groups and groups with arterial hypertension a moderate absolute risk was determined, in individuals under 40 years of age a moderate relative risk was determined without a significant difference between the groups. However increased levels of PWVA (more than 10 m/s) were registered more often in Korean ethnicity (46.9% compared to Slavic ethnicity, 22.2%). Closer reliable correlations between the level of BP and BMI, WC, PWVA were revealed in Korean ethnicity. Ethnic differences in correlation of adipokines in blood and their dependence on anthropometric and hemodynamic characteristics were described. CONCLUSION: The assessment of CVR according to traditional scales does not always accurately represent its real level. New information was obtained on the features of adipokine metabolism and its connections with early manifestations of vascular remodeling in young-aged depending on the race. Taking into account ethnic differences, we recommend in-depth diagnostics of CVR in South Asians. The data can be useful for the design of personalized programs for the diagnostics and assessment of CVR.

Morphological validation of hydroxyethylstarch use during the acute period of severe brain injury.

The effects of 10% hydroxyethylstarch solution on the cerebral microcirculatory bed and the blood-brain barrier were studied in Wistar rats during the acute period of severe brain injury. Positive changes in the morphometric values of the cerebral capillaries were observed in animals receiving intravenous injections of the drug, which promoted reduction of vascular permeability and cerebral tissue edema. These results confirmed the efficiency of hydroxyethylstarch as a component of infusion therapy in patients with severe brain injury.

[Nitric oxide synthase and apoptosis activity in chondrocytes of articular cartilage in posttraumatic knee instability]. / Aktivnost' nitroksidsintazy i apoptoza v khondrotsitakh sustavnogo khriashcha pri posttravmaticheskoi nestabil'nosti kolennogo sustava.

The dynamics of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and apoptosis activity was studied in the in chondrocytes of articular cartilage of the patients with posttraumatic knee instability. Statistically significant increase of chondrocyte NOS activity was detected in the earliest period after the trauma (1.5 months). This was accompanied by the appearance of a great number of apoptotic cells in the zones of the cartilage with high NOS activity. Remarkably, these changes developed at the same time with statistically significant decrease of total matrix glycosaminoglycan content. These results suggest that there is a NOS-dependent signaling way of apoptosis that could participate in the development of early dystrophic changes in the cartilage.

[Effect of epidural morphine analgesia on the NO-forming activity of nociceptive neurons of the spinal ganglia and bone marrow]. / Vliianie épidural'noi anal'gezii morfinom na NO-obrazuiushchuiu aktivnost' notsitseptivnykh neironov spinal'nykh gangliev i spinnogo mozga.

The effect of epidural morphine analgesia on NO mechanisms was studied during the primary and secondary sensitizations. The nitro-oxide synthase (NOS) activity was evaluated by the method of Home and Vincent, 1989, (identification of NADPH diaphorase). NOS and NADPH diaphorases are two double enzymes in cells with a synchronously changing activity. The NOS activity is in line with the level of the NO secretion. The enzyme was measured on a microdensitometer. The findings evidence an active involvement of NO mechanisms in the formation of primary and secondary hyperalgesia, and the injection of morphine caused a significant decrease in the count of NO-expressing neurons in the total number of cells with high and average activities of the enzyme.

[Effect of epidural morphine anesthesia on NO-ergic activity of nociceptive neurons of spinal ganglia and spinal cord]. / Vliianie épidural'noi analgezii morfinom na NO-obrazuiushchuiu aktivnost' notsitseptivnykh neironov spinal'nykh gangliev i spinnogo mozga.

The effect of epidural morphine anesthesia on NO-ergic mechanisms was studied during primary and secondary sensitization. Nitro-oxide synthase (NOS) activity was evaluated by the method of Home and Vincent (1989) (identification of NADPH diaphorase). NOS and NADPH diaphorase are two double enzymes in cells with synchronously changing activity. NOS activity corresponds to the level of NO secretion. The enzyme was measured on a microdensitometer. The findings evidence active involvement of NO-ergic mechanisms in the formation of primary and secondary hyperalgesia, and injection of morphine caused a significant decrease in the count of NO-expressing neurons in the total number of cells with high and average activities of the enzyme.

[Complications and side effects of spinal anesthesia]. / Oslozhneniia i pobochnye éffekty spinal'noi anestezii.

Complication and side effects of spinal anesthesia have been studied in 2603 patients. The following complications of spinal anesthesia have been observed: transient and prolonged arterial hypotension; marked respiratory and circulatory depression; neurological consequences and early and late respiratory depression associated with intrathecal administration of narcotic analgesics. Side effects comprised vomiting, nausea, transitory urination disturbances, and itching. The dependence of the number of complications and side effects on the level of puncture, the patient's age and concentration of the anesthetic introduced into subarachnoidal space has been established.

[Evaluation of subarachnoid anesthesia using local anesthetics in combination with morphine]. / Otsenka subarakhnoidal'noi anestezii mestnymi anestetikami v sochetanii s morfinom.

The efficacy of subarachnoidal anesthesia with lidocaine (trimecaine) in combination with small morphine doses was compared to anesthesia with lidocaine (trimecaine) alone. The analysis of the results obtained has demonstrated that the combination of local anesthetics (lidocaine, trimecaine) with minimum doses of narcotic analgesics (morphine) improves considerably the quality of anesthesia, enhancing the blockade of nociceptive impulsation from the operative area and ensures prolonged postoperative analgesia.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of spinal anesthesia using lidocaine combined with morphine]. / Otsenka éffektivnosti spinal'noi anestezii lidokainom v sochetanii s morphinom.

Spinal anesthesia with 2% solution of lidocaine++ in combination with 1-1.5 mg of morphine is more effective as compared with an analogous method of anesthesia without a narcotic analgetic: it considerably increased the quality of the above mentioned analgesia at the expense of an increased blockade of nociceptive reactions and longer duration of the surgical stage of anesthesia and also results in continuous postoperative analgesia.

[Effect of prolonged epidural morphine block on the recovery of intestinal motor function postoperatively]. / Vliianie dlitel'noi épidural'noi blokady morfinom na vosstanovlenie motornoi funktsii kishechnika v posleoperatsionnom periode.

The dynamics of recovery of the motor-evacuatory function of the gastrointestinal tract after operation on organs of the abdominal cavity was studied in 102 patients. Prolonged epidural blockade with subnarcotic doses of morphine was included in the complex of postoperative measures in 53 patients. Clinical observations and investigation of bioelectrical activity of the intestine have shown the prolonged epidural blockade to result in earlier recovery of the gastrointestinal function.