Biomedical subjects

Anatolijus Juozas Kondrotas

Publications and source records attributed to Anatolijus Juozas Kondrotas.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Diabetes mellitus and cellular immunity].

Interaction between diabetes mellitus and cellular immunity is reviewed in several aspects. Importance of cellular immunity in the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus is discussed. Experimental mice models of this disease are presented which after the evaluation of similarities of immunologic parameters provide clues to potential mechanisms of the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. In an animal model of spontaneous type 1 diabetes mellitus, the non-obese diabetic mouse develops a spontaneous T cell-mediated insulitis, which is followed by overt diabetes. Disease can be transferred to young non-obese diabetic mice with diabetogenic T cells from older, affected animals. T cells can recognize various islet antigens, including insulin and islet cell enzyme called glutamic acid decarboxylase. Induction of T cell tolerance to these antigens retards the onset of diabetes in mice. Transgenic mouse models of type 1 diabetes mellitus confirm above-mentioned facts. Later alterations of cellular immunity are under the investigation. Disorders of mobilization and chemotaxis, phagocytosis and adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocyte function, defects of acquired cellular immunity are thoroughly discussed. Diabetes mellitus, particularly poorly controlled diabetes, impairs different functions and links of cellular immunity. Infections, which are found relatively more frequently in diabetic patients and against which primarily cellular immunity protects, are also reviewed.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Etiology and pathogenesis of acute respiratory failure].

The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing acute respiratory failure and pathogenesis according to literature and clinical findings in critically ill patients. The term "respiratory failure" implies the inability to maintain either the normal delivery of oxygen to tissues and release or the normal removal of carbon dioxide from the tissues. There are many patients suffering from acute respiratory failure caused by nosocomial pneumonia, septic syndrome, aspiration, interstitial or alveolar lung edema, thromboembolism of a. pulmonalis, polytrauma and lung contusion, acute respiratory distress syndrome, long-term mechanical ventilation of the lungs, acute lung injury, status asthmaticus, rather massive transfusions of blood products, and lipid embolism in the intensive care unit. There are actually three processes involved: the transfer of oxygen across the alveolus, the transport to the tissues (by cardiac output), and the removal of carbon dioxide from blood into the alveolus with subsequent exhalation into the environment. Failure of any step in this process can lead to respiratory failure. Long-term hypoxia causes ischemic changes and dysfunction of brain, heart, kidney, lungs and can worsen the course of disease or cause higher mortality. It is important to determine the pathogenetic mechanisms of acute respiratory failure, estimate the main parameters and their interrelations and prescribe proper treatment.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

[Compensatory reactions of immune system and action of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) preparations].

UNLABELLED: The objective of the study was to investigate the mechanisms of action of Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench) preparations on the immune system and to define which part of the plant is the most effective as an immunostimulator. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The extracts from overground parts and roots of Purple Coneflower were injected into rabbits at the dose of 1 ml/kg. The stimulation of T lymphocytes in vitro was tested by incubation of rabbit blood with the different concentrations of the Purple Coneflower preparation (10, 50, 100 microg/ml) and assessed by the method of spontaneous rosettes. The number of lymphocytes, which bind to heterogenic erythrocytes, was counted. In order to determine the local effect, 30 ml of Purple Coneflower preparation (95 mg of dry material/1 ml) was used for the rinsing of mouth cavity in humans. The reaction of phagocytosis was assessed by using latex particles and calculating phagocytosis activity and phagocytosis index. RESULTS: Purple Coneflower extracts from roots were more effective phytoimmunostimulators than those from overground parts. They significantly increased in vivo the number of leucocytes and lymphocytes, especially T lymphocytes, in peripheral blood of rabbits as compared with the control group (p<0.001). The stimulation of T lymphocytes by Purple Coneflower preparation in vitro was the most pronounced at the concentration of 50 microg/ml (20.8+/-1.01% of spontaneous rosettes, p<0.001 with control). An increase in concentration till 100 microg/ml was followed by non-specific inhibition (9.16+/-1.6% of spontaneous rosettes, p>0.05 with control). Purple Coneflower preparations activated phagocytosis of neutrophils in vitro and in vivo. After rinsing mouth cavity with 30 ml of Purple Coneflower root preparation for 15 minutes, phagocytosis activity was significantly increased till 36% (p<0.05 as compared with the control (27%), where physiological solution was used for the rinsing). This local application of Purple Coneflower root preparation has significantly increased phagocytosis index up to 1.03 (p<0.02 as compared with the control index (0.65) after rinsing of the mouth cavity with physiological solution). CONCLUSIONS: Purple Coneflower preparations from roots activate the cellular immunity and stimulate phagocytosis of neutrophils in vitro, in vivo and after rinsing of mouth cavity.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2003

Effect of Echinacea (Echinacea Purpurea L. Moench) preparations on experimental prostate gland.

This work has investigated the effect of echinacea extract on the weight of prostates in rats as well as on alterations of hystological structure and separate blood cells. This preparation was chosen for investigations due to its possible antiandrogenic effect and good immunostimulating features. Experiments were carried out with three-month old male Wistar rats, divided by six into three different groups. The first group was the control one. The rats of the second group were fed for 30 days with the usual food ration plus 50 mg/kg of echinacea extract. The third group was fed for 60 days in the same way as the second one. Clinical death of rats was caused by sodium phenobarbital, later a cervical dislocation was performed. After weighing the rats their prostates were removed and weighed. Patohystological investigations of the removed organs were carried out. Blood test for Shiling's analysis was taken. The weight of prostates in the first group of rats was 412.0+/-14.93 mg, in the second group - 403.0+/-13.33 mg, and in the third group it was 388.0+/-14.66 mg. Having calculated the proportion between prostates of rats and their body weight it was estimated that in the first group it made 0.125+/-0.009%, in the second group - 0.105+/-0.005%, and in the third group - 0.091+/-0.007%. The percentage of lymphocytes in the first group was 72+/-1.41; in the second group - 73+/-0.81; in the third group - 79+/-1,86. The percentage of segmented neutrophyle in the first group was 23+/-3.31; in the second group - 23+/-2.25; in the third group - 18+/-2.33. Having conducted analysis of the experimental results, a significantly important decrease of prostate weight of investigated rats, an increase in the number of lymphocyte as well as the alterations of hystological structures after using echinacea extract for eight weeks were observed.

Androgen Antagonists↗