[Correcting effect of the locus coeruleus on ophthalmic hypertension of the hypothalamic genesis]

We studied the intraocular pressure and the humor aquosus volume changes after a chronic emotional stress produced by a prolonged electrical stimulation of the multiple ventromedial (VMHN) hypothalamic nuclei and the locus coeruleus. The VMHN stimulation caused an increase in the intraocular pressure and production of the humor aquosus, as well as a decrease in the outflow ratio. Stimulation of the locus coeruleus increased the intraocular pressure to a lesser extent. A combined effect of both types of stimulation normalised the intraocular pressure due to a decrease in the humor aquosus production, the outflow ratio remaining unchanged.

Endogenous regulation of a therapeutic transgene restores homeostasis in arthritic joints

The treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases is complicated by their unpredictable, relapsing clinical course. Here, we describe a new strategy in which an inflammation-regulated therapeutic transgene is introduced into the joints to prevent recurrence of arthritis. To this end, we designed a recombinant adenoviral vector containing a two-component, inflammation-inducible promoter controlling the expression of human IL-10 (hIL-10) cDNA. When tested in vitro, this system had a low-level basal activity and was activated four to five orders of magnitude by various inflammatory stimuli, including TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and LPS. When introduced in joints of rats with recurrent streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis, the IL-10 transgene was induced in parallel with disease recurrence and effectively prevented the influx of inflammatory cells and the associated swelling of the joints. Levels of inflammation-inducible hIL-10 protein within the joints correlated closely with the severity of recurrence. An endogenously regulated therapeutic transgene can thus establish negative feedback and restore homeostasis in vivo while minimizing host exposure to the recombinant drug.

NF-kappaB activation provides the potential link between inflammation and hyperplasia in the arthritic joint

The transcription factor NF-kappaB is a pivotal regulator of inflammatory responses. While the activation of NF-kappaB in the arthritic joint has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), its significance is poorly understood. Here, we examine the role of NF-kappaB in animal models of RA. We demonstrate that in vitro, NF-kappaB controlled expression of numerous inflammatory molecules in synoviocytes and protected cells against tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and Fas ligand (FasL) cytotoxicity. Similar to that observed in human RA, NF-kappaB was found to be activated in the synovium of rats with streptococcal cell wall (SCW)-induced arthritis. In vivo suppression of NF-kappaB by either proteasomal inhibitors or intraarticular adenoviral gene transfer of super-repressor IkappaBalpha profoundly enhanced apoptosis in the synovium of rats with SCW- and pristane-induced arthritis. This indicated that the activation of NF-kappaB protected the cells in the synovium against apoptosis and thus provided the potential link between inflammation and hyperplasia. Intraarticular administration of NF-kB decoys prevented the recurrence of SCW arthritis in treated joints. Unexpectedly, the severity of arthritis also was inhibited significantly in the contralateral, untreated joints, indicating beneficial systemic effects of local suppression of NF-kappaB. These results establish a mechanism regulating apoptosis in the arthritic joint and indicate the feasibility of therapeutic approaches to RA based on the specific suppression of NF-kappaB.

[Lomefloxacin pharmacokinetics in patients in the terminal stage of chronic renal insufficiency, undergoing treatment with programmed hemodialysis]

The most frequent complications in patients with the terminal stage of chronic renal insufficiency are infections of various severity. The problem of the antibacterial therapy choice is especially urgent because of a high frequency of antibiotic resistant strains and the necessity to correct the treatment regimens in regard to the severity of the renal failure. The pharmacokinetics of lomefloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone, was studied in the treatment of patients with the terminal stage of chronic renal insufficiency treated by programmed hemodialysis. Lomefloxacin was administered orally in a dose of 400 mg at an interval of 48 hours 24 hours prior to the hemodialysis application. There was observed a decrease in the maximum serum concentration of the drug by comparison to that in healthy persons which could be due to slow absorption of the drug and hyperhydration in the patients because of anuria. In the treatment of such patients it is necessary to provide high serum concentrations of lomefloxacin attainable by using higher single doses of the drug.

[Biochemical study of the A2F4 antigen associated with human pulmonary adenocarcinoma]

The tissue-specific antigen associated with human lung adenocarcinoma had been investigated using immunological and biochemical methods. The antigen, which represents a new tissue-specific marker, has a molecular weight of 400 kDa. Purification of the antigen was achieved by gel chromatography. Antibody binding to the antigen was studied using enzyme-linked immunoassay after preincubation with enzymes or treatment with periodate. The results obtained testify to the proteinaceous nature of the antigenic determinant and the glycoprotein nature of the antigen.

[Intensive therapy of DIC-syndrome in patients with acute renal insufficiency caused by long-term crush syndrome]

Impairment of parenchymatous organs, primarily kidneys, responsible for their dysfunction in crush syndrome results in many respects from disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). It is also associated with hemorrhagic complications. It is demonstrated that treatment modalities aimed at arrest of DIC syndrome (plasmapheresis, heparin, dysaggregation drugs, transfusions of large amounts of fresh frozen plasma) stopped bleeding and septic shock in 12 patients with crush syndrome following the earthquake in Armenia (1988).