Total antioxidant capacity – a novel early bio-chemical marker of oxidative stress in HIV infected individuals

Background  

Oxidative stress induced by the production of reactive oxygen species may play a critical role in the stimulation of HIV replication and the development of immunodeficiency. This study was conducted as there are limited and inconclusive studies on the significance of a novel early marker of oxidative stress which can reflect the total antioxidant capacity in HIV patients,     

Effect of antibiotics and bifiodobacterium preparations on the intestinal microflora of mice irradiated with gamma quanta

The treatment of CBA mice, irradiated in a dose of 700 Gy with antibiotics (penicillin V, oxytetracycline, streptomycin) in combination with bacterial therapy (B. bifidum, strain 75-41) or with antibiotics alone led to the increased percentage of survivors among them in comparison with the control animals. At the same time the medical prognosis was better in cases of the combined treatment with antibiotics and bifidobacteria. This circumstance was due to the fact that the combined treatment with antibiotics and bifidobacteria, considerably facilitated the normalization of the microbial picture of the intestine; in this case the "eubiosis" of the intestinal tract was almost completely restored by the 22nd day after the irradiation, whereas in the treatment with antibiotics alone the inhibitory effect on the development of the opportunistic flora at a later period of the development of dysbacteriosis was less pronounced, while the number of lactic acid bacteria remained at the same low level as in the untreated mice.     

Significance of the functional activity of toll-like receptors and other receptors of the innate immune system of the kidney physiology

The kidney needs to defend against microbial pathogens in order to maintain normal structure and function. This is achieved through innate and adaptive components of the immune system. For a long time, immunologists were concentrating on the adaptive immune system, which, as a result, was studied in detail; at the same time, the significance of the innate immune system was underestimated. This gap was partly filled in the recently, when the key role of the innate immune system in fighting microorganisms and in activating and regulating the adaptive immune system was convincingly established. In the first part of the present article, the sense apparatus of the innate immune system (the so-called pattern-recognition receptors) will be reviewed; particular attention will be paid to the toll-like receptors (TLRs), which bear the main burden of microorganism recognition. Signalling pathways that are activated by TLRs and result in the activation of effector mechanisms will also be reviewed. In the second part of the review, we will analyse available data on how these mechanisms of the innate immune system secure defence and normal functioning of the kidney.     

Detection of receptors for the IgG Fc fragment as well as for the C3 component of complement in the spleen T-lymphocytes of CBA mice]

The presence of receptors to the Fc fragment of IgG and to the C3 component in the complement of T lymphocytes in the spleen of CBA mice was studied. The study was made by the method based on Coons's indirect immunofluorescence test with the use of antithymocytic globulin, in combination with EA and EAC rossette-formation. A significant percentage of T lymphocytes was found to have the receptor to the Fc fragment of IgG, while only a small part of T lymphocytes was found to have the receptor to the C3 component of the complement.     

The effect of kemantane on T-helpers and T-suppressors

The study of Kemantan on functionally alternative humoral immunity regulator cells: T-helpers and antigen-specific T-suppressors, including their induction, accumulation and functioning, was studied. Kemantan in doses of 0.2-200 mg/kg, introduced to the donors of T-helpers 2 days before they were taken, stimulated their activity 1.5- to 2-fold (with p less than 0.05). Kemantan had no influence on the functional activity of T-suppressors, as well as on their induction and accumulation.     

A comprehensive study of the phagocytic link in immunity in primary immunodeficiency states]

The results of the study of the phagocytic element of immunity in cases of primary immunodeficiency, made with the use of a complex of functional tests, are presented. As shown in this study, in patients with definitely characterized phagocytic defect (chronic granulomatous disease) a decrease in all parameters under study, with the exception of phagocyte index, is observed. In patients with immunodeficient states of nonphagocytic nature moderate mosaic deviations of phagocytosis characteristics are noted. For further and more profound study of phagocytosis disturbances in such patients, it is expedient, in particular, to carry out studies in the activity of myeloperoxidaze and the intensity of oxygen-dependent metabolism. The use of the complex of methods used in this investigation has shown their high diagnostic value. It may be recommended for clinical practice under the condition of strict standardization of experimental techniques.     

The mitostatic and lymphotoxic action of kemantane and its effect on B-suppressors]

The in vivo study of the influence of Kemantan on the growth of endogenous colonies in the spleen of sublethally (6 Gy) irradiated (CBA x C57BL/6J) F1 mice (mitostatic action) and on the capacity of transplanted lymphocytes of CBA mice for suppressing their multiplication (lymphotoxic action) was carried out. Besides the capacity of Kemantan for affecting the induction, formation and functioning of B-suppressors of antibody formation was studied. As revealed in this study, Kemantan in doses of 0.2-200 mg/kg did not produce a mitostatic and lymphotoxic effect and had no influence on the realization of the suppressing action of mature B-suppressors. In doses of 20 and 200 mr/kg Kemantan, injected to donors at the phase of the induction and accumulation of B-suppressors, abolished their formation.