RESUMEN

AIM: To study biochemical composition of expired air condensate (EAC) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in relation to a phase and severity of the disease and its treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: EAC was investigated in 18 COPD patients and 9 healthy subjects. Basic broncholytic therapy with ipratropium bromide was combined with beclomethasone and fenspiride in 11 and 7 patients, respectively. The condensate was lyophilised, the residue was solved and analysed on the biochemical analyzer Casis (Beringer Manheim, Rosch). EAC was examined for albumin, C-reactive protein, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase (AP), lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total calcium, magnesium. RESULTS: Compared to healthy subjects, COPD patients' EAC contains significantly higher levels of albumin, C-reactive protein, calcium, bilirubin and more active AP. Quantitative composition of EAC depends on COPD phase and severity. A negative correlation exists between FEV+AEA-1 and albumin concentration, FEV+AEA-1 and CRP concentration. The anti-inflammatory therapy decreases EAC content of both protein and lipid metabolism products, enzyme activity reflecting attenuation of oxidant and inflammatory processes, stabilization of cell membranes in the respiratory zone. CONCLUSION: EAC composition reflects metabolic processes in the lungs and can be used for assessment of airway affection, activity of the inflammatory process and COPD treatment efficacy.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Action of magnesium sulphate (MS) aerosol (solution osmolality 260 mmol/l, pH 6.6) on bronchial sensitivity and reactivity to acetylcholine(AC) and graded exercise as well as bronchial permeability assessed by general plethysmography and pneumotaxography were studied in 49 patients with mild and moderate bronchial asthma. It is shown that when compared to placebo, MS inhalations conducted in the time of attenuating asthma exacerbation improved immediate and long-term responses in atopic and effort asthma. Both in single doses and course administration MS reduced non-specific bronchial hyperreactivity and secretory activity of mast cells. Positive dynamics of bronchoprovocative AC test suggested response to treatment in most BA patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Parameters of blood kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) and biochemical composition of humor condensated from the exhaled air have been evaluated in 87 patients with acute bronchitis (36 cases with lingering course and 31 with recurrent). The progression of acute bronchitis is associated with elevated blood concentrations of acute-phase proteins, KKS activation in the blood and high serotonin and lactic acid content in the humor condensated from the exhaled air. Lingering and recurrent course of the disease are characterized by more pronounced reduction in inhibitory activity of kallikrein, in activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme and emergence of noradrenalin in high concentration.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The effect of magnesium sulfate aerosol (osmolality of the solution 260 mmol/l, pH 6.6) on bronchial sensitivity and reactivity to acetylcholine (AC) and graded exercise as well as bronchial permeability measured by general plethysmography and pneumotaxography were evaluated in 49 patients with mild and moderate bronchial asthma (BA). When compared to placebo, magnesium sulfate (MS) inhalations performed at the stage of attenuating exacerbation, improved immediate and long-term response of patients with atopic and effort BA. In this disease, both single and course doses of MS reduced nonspecific bronchial hyperreactivity and secretory activity of mast cells. A positive trend in the parameters of AC provocative test predicted efficacy of MS treatment in the majority of BA sufferers.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Treatment effects reached in 94 patients with bronchial asthma demonstrate that neurogenic, humoral and bioenergetic responses to acupuncture proceed according to adaptation laws and result in reduction of bronchial hyperreactivity. Eosinophilic inflammation in the bronchi diminishes acupuncture efficacy.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Ditec effects on clinicofunctional status were investigated in 15 patients with mild and moderate atopic bronchial asthma (ABA) aged 20-50 (5 males and 10 females). A single ditec dose had a broncholytic effect along the entire bronchial tree and reduced sensitivity to acetylcholine. Magnesium sulfate (a single dose 3 mmol Mg2+, pH 6.6, the solution osmolality 260 mmol/l) potentiated ditec action on nonspecific hyperreactivity of the bronchial tree. Four-week ditec course induced no considerable changes in bronchial permeability, but increased reversibility of bronchial obstruction, inhibited sensitivity and response of the bronchial tree to acetylcholine. Course administration of ditec lowered endobronchial concentration of histamine and lipid peroxidation intensity showing antiallergic and antiinflammatory properties of the drug. Ditec is recommended for ABA and other asthma forms treatment as a safe and effective modality.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Halotherapy was used for rehabilitation in 25 patients with acute bronchitis of long-standing and recurrent types. The main therapeutic action was ensured by aerodispersed medium saturated with dry highly dispersed sodium chloride aerosol, the required mass concentration being maintained in the range of 1 to 5 mg/m3. Therapy efficacy was controlled through assessment of clinical, functional, immunological and microbiological findings. Metabolic activity values were taken into consideration as well. Positive dynamics of the function indices in the clinical picture resulted from elimination of pathogenic agents, control of slowly running inflammatory lesions and stimulation of some immune system factors. Favourable changes in metabolic activity were present: normalization of serotonin excretion, marked decrease of unbalance in lipid peroxidation-antioxidant system.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Repeated examinations of patients with congenital heart diseases of "pale type" (33 patients operated upon and 20 patients not subjected to operations) were performed during continuous periods of observations. A stable rehabilitative effect was noted in the group of patients operated upon who retained their physical work capacity and adequate reactions of blood circulation and ventilation systems to physical exercise. While in men the level of physical work capacity was characterized by relative constancy, in women it had a clear tendency to elevation in the dynamics of continuous terms of observation. In the group of nonoperated patients in whose childhood the congenital heart diseases were not accompanied by lung hypertension the elevated pressure in the lung artery was observed in adult age in more than half of the cases. Deterioration of functional reserves was observed in all the patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

In the process of prolonged observations a clinical and special functional examination of 33 patients (13 men and 20 women) operated upon in childhood for congenital heart diseases of the "pale type" was performed. A stable rehabilitating effect was obtained after radical surgical treatment. At the same time it was found that the level of the maximum physical work ability was retained in greater degree in women as compared with men and was even a little greater when economically used in rest and under physical load at the expense of higher gas exchange efficiency of blood circulation.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The hormonal reaction of the adrenal cortex to growing physical exercise was studied in 42 patients with congenital heart diseases and 54 healthy persons. The age of the people under examination was from 7 to 35 years. It was found that in response to submaximal physical exercise a reliable drop of glucocorticoid activity of the adrenals takes place in patients as early as at the period of the second childhood. It is observed not only in people with light hypertension but also in those with relatively favourable course of the disease. These findings evidence to early correction of the defect.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Altogether 300 patients suffering from bronchial asthma were examined for serotonin metabolism, the kallikrein-kinin system and histamine. A study was also made of the information relations of the indicated parameters to diverse groups of the signs using Shannon's technique. It has been revealed that serotonin and the kallikrein-kinin system are of importance in the pathogenesis of changes in the efficacy of the diffusion lung capacity in severe bronchial asthma. The authors discuss the significance of excessive accumulation of serotonin and bradykinin as a marker of the impairment of endothelial function of pulmonary vessels, specified by the damaging action of free radicals and immune complex allergic vasculitis as well. Histamine along with macrophages act as delimiters of allergic inflammation, with their action being mediated by negative feedback.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Histamine and serotonin levels were measured in expired air humidity condensate (EAHC), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and sputum of 9 patients with chronic nonobstructive bronchitis and 25 healthy controls. It was found that concentration of biogenic amines depended on the form of chronic bronchitis, activity of bronchial inflammation, characteristics of bronchial obstruction, degree of respiratory insufficiency. EAHC furnished most complete information.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Twelve patients with preasthma (PA) and 27 bronchial asthma (BA) patients were examined for the effect of magnesium sulphate aerosol on bronchial sensitivity and reactivity to acetylcholine (ACC) and graded physical exercise (GPE) as well as on bronchial patency recorded by general plethysmography and pneumotachography. Inhalation of the drug was established to exert no bronchodilatory action but reduced, as compared with placebo, nonspecific hyperreactivity of the bronchial tree and blocked the ACC induced increment of histamine in the exhaled air condensate. The data obtained allow bronchial smooth muscles and mast cells to be regarded as targets for magnesium sulphate. The drug properties discovered may serve a prerequisite for its use in the combined treatment of BA patients and those with PA.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Concentrations of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, melatonin and parameters of the kinin system in the cerebrospinal fluid were monitored in 109 cases of brain tumor. All the levels were increased prior to surgery but returned to normal postoperatively unless disease followed an unfavorable course. It was suggested that the above-mentioned physiologically active substances play a certain role in compensatory mechanisms assuring recovery of CNS function.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The content of acetylcholine, histamine and the total amount of catecholamines were measured in blood of 33 patients with bronchial asthma, in 6 patients with preasthma and in 10 practically normal subjects before and after the use of graded exercise (bicycle ergometry). Subgroups of the patients with asthma of effort were singled out. In such patients, exercises resulted in a significant rise of histamine (p less than 0.05) or acetylcholine level (p less than 0.05). Histaminemia was mostly accompanied by an immediate obstructive response of the bronchi to exercise in the distal parts. In patients with a high acetylcholine content, obstruction of the large bronchi was mainly observed, with a slightly delayed response to exercise.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Acetylcholine, serotonin, and histamine levels have been measured in exhaled air humor condensate in 65 patients aged 18 to 60, 44 ones with bronchial asthma and 21 with preasthma. Nonuniform release of biogenic amines and acetylcholine in pulmonologic patients depended on the severity of the inflammatory process in the bronchi, hypoxemia, bronchial obstruction, and reactivity of the bronchi examined during cold air breathing.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)