Sensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes of pilots and astronauts to γ-radiation: Induction of double-stranded DNA breaks

The levels of DNA breaks before and after in vitro irradiation (1 Gy) of lymphocytes from 17 donors, 41 pilots, and 8 astronauts were studied by comet assay. Seventeen donors, 41 pilots, and 8 astronauts were examined. The flights augmented individual differences in the levels of DNA breaks in blood lymphocytes and in the severity of injuries inflicted by radiation exposure to lymphocyte DNA. Dispersions in the distribution of the initial levels of DNA breaks in pilots and astronauts differed significantly from the control according to Fisher’s F test. The dispersion of distribution of the levels of double-stranded DNA breaks after in vitro irradiation in the group of pilots also differed significantly from the control distribution. These results necessitate evaluation of individual sensitivity to the mission conditions during medical selection. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 10, pp. 404–407, October, 2007     

Phenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes and serum immunoglobulin concentration in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

We studied the phenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes and serum immunoglobulin concentration in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of more than 12 months duration. Subpopulations of CDIgM⁺, CD25⁺, and HLA-DR⁺ lymphocytes and IgA concentration differed in these groups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The count of lymphocytes carrying CDIgM⁺ and HLA-DR⁺ receptors correlated with activity of rheumatoid arthritis. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 1, pp. 92–94, January, 2006     

Comparative analysis of accumulation of chlorine e6 and hematoporphyrin derivatives in subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes

We studied accumulation of porphyrin photosensitizers chlorine e6, hematoporphyrin, and their derivatives by different lymphocyte subpopulations. The intensity of staining of B lymphocytes and natural killer cells with photosensitizers was higher compared to T lymphocytes. T cell subpopulation differed by their ability to bind photosensitizers. Relative accumulation of dimethyl esters of chlorine e6 and hematoporphyrin in cells surpassed that of nonesterified porphyrins. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 8, pp. 180–184, August, 2004 Thisk work was supported by the Belarussian-Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant NO. B02R-084).     

Time Course of Endotoxin-Induced Airways’ Inflammation in Healthy Subjects

Few data are available on the kinetic of the airways’ inflammation induced by inhaled endotoxin in a given subject. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in healthy subjects the time-related endotoxin-induced airways’ inflammation. The cells counts from the induced-sputum were evaluated before, 6 and 24 h, and 7 days after an exposure to 20 mcg inhaled endotoxin, in eight pre-selected volunteers. To avoid interference of the induced-sputum procedure on the response to endotoxin, each time-point was evaluated in randomized order at 2-weeks interval after three separate inhalations of endotoxin. A significant rise of the relative number of lymphocytes (p < 0.05) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN; p < 0.02) and of the absolute number of PMN (p < 0.05) occurring at 6 h, followed by an increase of the absolute number of the total viable cells (p < 0.01), macrophages (p < 0.001), neutrophils (p < 0.01), and lymphocytes (p < 0.05) at 24 h after endotoxin inhalation. The inflammatory response recovered totally after 7 days. In human beings, the inhalation of endotoxin induced a transient airway inflammation after 6 h, peaked at 24 h and recovered after 7 days. When repeated endotoxin inhalations are used as a model of inflammation, a wash-out period of at least 7 days should be applied between each exposure in each subject.     

Changes in the Cytokine Profile and Reduced Function of Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Subacute Tetrachloromethane Poisoning

Experiments on outbred albino rats showed that subacute poisoning with tetrachloromethane in a total dose of 1.0 LD₅₀ appreciably decreased blood concentrations of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10), reduced the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in comparison with the control, and suppressed the immune reactions, which attests to greater damage to Th1 compared to Th2 lymphocytes. Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 147, No. 1, pp. 55-57, January, 2009     

Taban-arshan: Immunocorrector in atopic bronchial asthma

Taban-Arshan extract decreased expression of T-lymphocyte activation markers, normalized T-cell-mediated immunity, and suppressed increased activity of natural killer receptors during culturing with lymphocytes of patients with atopic bronchial asthma. Taban-Arshan extract normalized activation processes in the B-cell immunity and stimulated expression of receptors of activation-induced apoptosis. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 7, pp. 76–78, July, 2004     

Morphological changes in the liver,thymus, spleen,and small intestine of animals after leucine treatment

Leucine treatment (100 mg/kg daily for 5 days) leads to activation of the hepatocyte nuclear system and granular endoplasmic reticulum and to a drastic increase in the number of mitochondria, characterized by polymorphism. In the spleen, Malpighian bodies and periarterial lymphoid sheaths are enlarged, lymphocytes infiltrate the periarterial zone, and the mantle zone is enlarged. In the thymus, the width of the cortical matter shrinks, while that of the medulla increases. The content of lymphocytes in the medulla decreases, while that of Hassal’s bodies increases. Unambiguous effects of leucine on the small intestinal morphology (mainly on the villous epithelium) were shown. Goblet cells in the villous epithelium were sharply stenosed because of decreased secretory granules in them. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 2, pp. 231–235, February, 2007     

Effect of homocysteine and homocysteic acid on glutamate receptors on rat lymphocytes

Homocysteine and homocysteic acid increased the stationary level of reactive oxygen species in rat lymphocytes, homocysteic acid being more potent in this respect. The effect of this compound was realized via ionotropic NMDA receptors and group III metabotropic glutamate receptors. Incubation of lymphocytes with homocysteic acid increased intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, activated of protein kinase C, and induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which reflected the involvement of homocysteic acid into cell signaling mechanisms. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 7, pp. 55–58, July, 2006     

Efficiency of trekrezan in experimental bronchopneumonia in rats

Trekrezan in a dose of 25 mg/kg normalized the lymphocyte immune status and produced an energy-stabilizing effect, which manifested in decreased levels of lactate, ADP, and AMP and increased content of pyruvate and ATP in blood lymphocytes and lung tissue of rats with experimental acute bronchopneumonia. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 8, pp. 170–173, August, 2006     

Effect of ligands of opiate receptors on morphofunctional state of the sympathoadrenal system and electrical stability of the heart in acute cold exposure

Acute cold exposure (−20°C, 4 h) induces a transient decrease in the ventricular fibrillation threshold without morphological and radionuclide signs of irreversible damage to cardiomyocytes. The agonist of μ-receptors DAGO, which reduces adrenoreactivity of the myocardium, prevents the decrease in the ventricular fibrillation threshold induced by acute cold exposure. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 2, pp. 154–157, February, 1997     

Effect of prenatal lead exposure on superoxide dismutase activity in the brain and liver of rat fetuses

Prenatal lead exposure had a damaging effect on Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity in the brain and liver of rat fetuses (20 days of gestation). The decrease in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity in the brain and liver of treated fetuses reflects activation of free radical processes and impairment of the antioxidant defense system during prenatal lead exposure. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 12, pp. 632–634, December, 2007     

Effect of vitamin D on humoral and cell-mediated immune response and functional activity of peritoneal macrophages

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃, an active metabolite of vitamin D, decreases the number of antibody-producing cells in C57B1/6 mice immunized with sheep erythrocytes, suppresses lymphocytes proliferation in response to stimulation with pokeweed mitogen and concanavalin A, and stimulates functional activity of macrophages. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 1, pp. 63–65, January, 1997     

Ratio between the number of Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in lochia of women with postpartum endometritis

We estimated the percentage of CD4⁺ lymphocytes synthesizing IFN-γ and IL-4 in the peripheral blood and measured the concentrations of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in lochia of patients with postpartum endometritis. T lymphocytes with intracellular IFN-γ prevailed in women with physiological course of the postpartum period. The number of cells containing IL-4 increased in patients with postpartum endometritis. On days 5–7 after childbirth the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α in lochia of these patients were higher than in healthy postpartum women (by 1.4 and 2.7 times, respectively). The concentrations of cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 increased most significantly in patients with postpartum endometritis and active viral infection (by 3.4, 4.2, and 1.6 times, respectively). __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 140, No. 12, pp. 622–624, December, 2005     

Reaction of the popliteal lymph node to transcutaneous irradiation with helium-neon laser

Prolonged transcutaneous irradiation with helium-neon laser light decreases the transport ability of the popliteal and iliac lymph nodes. Laser radiation stimulates lymphocytes, predominantly T cells. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 2, pp. 237–239, February, 1997     

Activity of 20S proteosomes and content of oxidized proteins in rat liver after long-term cold exposure

We studied the effect of long-term (5 and 10 days) cold exposure (4°C) on oxidative damage to proteins and proteosomal activity in the liver of Wistar rats. It was shown that core temperature on the 10th day of cold exposure decreased by 1.1°C. The content of oxidized proteins increased at this term. Chymotrypsin-like and peptidylglutamyl peptide hydrolyzing activities increased, while trypsin-like activity decreased during cold exposure. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 8, pp. 145–148, August, 2006     

Comparative study of postradiation genotoxic changes in mammalian cells by biochemical and cytogenetic methods

The results of studying the genotoxic effect of radiation on endometrial cells of irradiated rats using comet assay correlated with the index of spontaneous DNA degradation. Studying the genotoxic effect of in vitro irradiation (2 Gy) on human lymphocytes by means of chromosome analysis and fluorometric assay of nucleoids DNA in irradiated leukocytes also yielded similar results. Measuring of the biochemical marker holds much promise as an express method of evaluation of the genotoxic effect of radiation on mammalian somatic cells. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 12, pp. 635–638, December, 2006     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> comparison of immunological properties of cultured human mesenchymal cells from various sources

Cell-mediated cytotoxicity was studied in vitro during the interaction of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblast-like cells from newborn umbilical cord, and skin fibroblasts of an adult donor with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Independently on the origin, mesenchymal cells were not lysed with allogeneic natural killer cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes. Mixed cultures of mesenchymal cells had no cytotoxic effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and did not activate proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and CD14⁺ lymphocytes. In vitro experiments showed that mesenchymal cells of different origin and allogeneic immunocompetent cells are tolerant to each other. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 2, pp. 188–191, February, 2008     

Evaluation of the expression of early activation marker CD69 by CD8<Superscript>+</Superscript> lymphocytes in HIV-infected patients

We studied the expression of CD69 antigen on CD8⁺ lymphocytes in response to nonspecific activator phytohemagglutinin in 202 patients with HIV infection. It was found that the number of CD8⁺CD69⁺ lymphocytes in HIV-infected patients increased; this parameter negatively correlated with relative and absolute content of CD4⁺ cells and positively correlated with IgG concentration. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 12, pp. 661–663, December, 2007     

Immunomorphological characteristics of endometrium in women with chronic endometritis

The number of monocytes, macrophages (CD14⁺), and large granular lymphocytes (CD56⁺) in the endometrium increased in chronic endometritis. These changes are an unfavorable prognositic signs for the onset of pregnancy. Combination therapy improved the phenotypic composition of endometrial cells. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 1, pp. 113–115, January, 2006