Lithium-Modified Sorbent: Effects on Hemostatic Responses In Vitro

The effects of a lithium-modified sorbent based on aluminum oxide and polydimethylsiloxane (Al2O3@PDMS/Li) and a lithium-free sorbent (Al2O3@PDMS) on some indicators characterizing blood clotting under hemosorption conditions were compared in vitro. Sorbent Al2O3@PDMS/Li had significantly lower reactogenic effect on the blood passed through the column than the sorbent without lithium. This was seen from the degree of platelet reduction (66×109 vs 19×109/liter) as well as a less pronounced hypercoagulation shift in chronometric indicators. In contrast to lithium-free sorbent, Al2O3@PDMS/Li demonstrated the ability to reduce the concentration of fibrinogen. However, this had no impact on the density characteristics of the blood clot assessed by thromboelastometry such as maximum clot firmness, angle and fibrin clot formation time, amplitudes at 10 and 15 min after clotting time, which are known to depend on the quantity of platelets and the concentration of functionally active fibrinogen.

Ultrastructural Reorganization of Endotheliocytes of Pulmonary Blood Capillaries in COVID-19

The ultrastructural organization endotheliocytes of pulmonary blood capillaries in COVID-19 was studied on autopsy material using electron microscopy. Swelling of the cytoplasm and mitochondria with destruction of the cristae, dilation of the Golgi complex cisternae, a decrease in the volume density of the luminal and basal caveolae and free transport vesicles, an increase of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, as well as the presence of elements of coronavirus replication (reticulovesicular structures, zippered endoplasmic reticulum, electron-dense particles in the Golgi cisternae, and vacuoles with viral particles) were revealed. Further studies of the intracellular mechanisms used by the virus to replicate could help to develop antiviral drugs for the treatment of the new coronavirus infection.

New Carbon-Mineral Sorbent Based on Aluminum Oxide, Polydimethylsiloxane, and Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes: Assessment of the Effect on Erythrocytes In Vitro

A comparative study of the effect of a sorbent with nanotubes (Al₂O₃@ WCNT-PDMS) and a carbon-mineral sorbent (Al₂O₃@C) on the parameters of human erythrocytes was carried out. Using scanning flow cytometry, the morphological and functional parameters of venous blood erythrocytes as well as drainage blood after its perfusion through columns with sorbents were determined. The compared samples Al₂O₃@SWCNT-PDMS and Al₂O₃@C are similar by their effect on the morphological and functional parameters of erythrocytes. The maximum membrane extensibility increased to a greatest extent after contact with Al₂O₃@C, the amount of hemoglobin in erythrocytes decreased to the greatest extent after perfusion through a column with Al₂O₃@SWCNT-PDMS sorbent. The scanning flow cytometry is promising for assessing the effect on erythrocytes of new sorption materials intended for blood detoxification. Changes in the parameters of erythrocytes of blood collected in a sterile drainage system for subsequent reinfusion were revealed.

Circadian Variations in Cellular Composition of Lymphoid Organs in Rats with Experimental Endomyometritis

Circadian variations in the cellular composition of the lymphoid organs were studied in female Wistar rats under normal conditions and in experimental endomyometritis. The fractions of CD8⁺ cells (effector killers), CD25⁺ cells (activated/immature lymphocytes), as well as large, medium, small lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages were assessed at 10.00 and 20.00 h. In the thymus and spleen of rats with endomyometritis, the number of parameters demonstrating significant circadian variations was lower than in intact animals. In the lymph nodes, morning/evening differences appeared for the number of CD8⁺ and CD25⁺ cells and monocytes/macrophages in the para-aortic lymph nodes, the number of large and small lymphocytes and CD8⁺ cells in inguinal lymph nodes, and in the number of large lymphocytes, CD8⁺ cells, and monocytes/macrophages in the ileal lymph nodes. Thus, the development of chronic inflammation in the uterine and vaginal mucosa was accompanied by desynchronosis in the immune system. Hence, circadian rhythms should be taken into consideration in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Correlation of the Levels of microRNA with Cell Composition of Axillary Lymph Node in Wistar Rats with Breast Cancer

We studied the levels microRNA (miR-21, miR-221, miR-222, and miR-429) in blood serum, thoracic duct lymph, and breast cancer tissue, as well as the cell composition of the axillary lymph node in Wistar female rats with chemically induced breast cancer. The levels of miR-221 and miR-429 in the tumor tissue and in the lymph correlated with the decrease in lymphocyte number in the medullary cords of the axillary lymph nodes.

Correlation Analysis of Morphological Changes of Structural and Functional Areas of Mesenteric Lymph Nodes with Cytokines of Lymph of Thoracic Lymphatic Duct in Experimental Breast Cancer

We performed a correlation analysis of the morphometric parameters of mesenteric lymph nodes and cytokine content in the lymph of thoracic duct in rats with chemically induced breast cancer. The study showed that activity of the local immune response in the lymph nodes in breast cancer is aimed at antitumor protection. In breast cancer, the area of the paracortical zone remained at the level of the intact group, while the area of lymphoid nodules with germinative centers and the area of medullary substance increased; the number of macrophages in the thymus-dependent zone and zone responsible for humoral immunity also increased. The following positive correlations were revealed: in germinative centers and medullary substance, number of mitotic cells correlated with cytokine IL-5 content and the number of medium lymphocytes correlated with the content of chemokine MIP-1α; in the germinative centers, the number of immunoblasts correlated with the level of cytokine GRO/KC, in the paracortical zone, the number of macrophages correlated with the level of chemokine MCP-1, the number of reticular cells correlated with IL-6 and M-CSF content; in medullary substance, the number of small lymphocytes and mature cells plasma cells (their content was reduced) correlated with the level of chemokine GRO/KC, which can be caused by their migration from the lymph node.

Effects of Melatonin on the Body Composition, Physical Performance, and Blood Erythrocyte Indexes of C57Bl/6J Mice Exposed to Continuous Illumination

Male C57Bl/6J mice were exposed to daily 24-h illumination over 14 days and daily intragastrically received melatonin (1 mg/kg) or water (placebo). Controls were kept under standard day/night (14/10 h) conditions. Melatonin prevented the development of anemia in mice exposed to continuous illumination, which was proven by higher blood hemoglobin levels by the end of the experiment in melatonin-treated animals in comparison with the placebo group. Studies by the low-field NMR spectrometry detected lower lean body mass, total body water, and especially, fat content (by ~13%) in animals receiving placebo. Melatonin treatment led to an increase in the lean body mass and total body water on day 7 (in comparison with the placebo group) without affecting fat mass. On day 14 of continuous illumination, lean body mass increased in comparison with the corresponding parameter in the control and placebo groups. Melatonin had no effect on the physical endurance of mice exposed to continuous illumination (assessed by the grid hanging test).

Effect of Lithium Preparations on Cerebral Electrophysiological Activity in Rats

The study examined the effects of a novel neurotropic medication based on a lithium complex composed of lithium citrate, polymethylsiloxane, and aluminum oxide on electrophysiological parameters of the rat brain. In contrast to lithium carbonate (the reference drug), the novel preparation resulted in a wave-like dynamics of electrical activity in the visual cortex. Rhythmic photic stimulation of the rats treated with lithium carbonate resulted in appearance of the signs attesting to up-regulation of excitability of cerebral cortex in all examined ranges. In contrast, the complex lithium preparation diminished the delta power spectrum, which was the only affected frequency band. It is hypothesized that the complex lithium medication induces milder activation of the cerebral cortex in comparison with lithium carbonate. The novel medication composed of lithium citrate, aluminum oxide, and polymethylsiloxane, is characterized by greater efficacy and safety than the preparation based on inorganic lithium salt (lithium carbonate).

Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of new nitroxyl radicals on the model of RLS lymphoma

Toxic and magnetic resonance contrast characteristics of new nitroxyl radicals Fur-135 and Fur-176 were studied in experiments on mice. The test compounds exhibited low toxicity and allowed us to increase contrasting of transplanted RLS lymphoma. Fur-135 differs by the type of contrasting from Gd(3+)-containing preparation omniscan and locates the tumor focus with high precision.