Category Archives: Uncategorized
The discovery of the DNA double helix, or the revolution that ushered in the era of molecular biology (Nobel Prize 1962)
O. P. Matyshevska*, V. M. Danilova, S. V. Komisarenko
Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kiyv;
*e-mail: matysh@yahoo.com
Received: 19 June 2020; Accepted: 13 November 2020
The 1950s were marked by groundbreaking discoveries in the research of the molecular structure of DNA. The chronology of awarding Nobel Prizes to the authors of these discoveries, did not always coincide with the chronology of announcing the results of their research. J. Watson and F. Crick published their short paper on the discovery of DNA structure, which rocked the scientific world, in Nature in 1953, but received the Nobel Prize together with M. Wilkins only 9 years later. The discovery of the DNA chemical structure is recognized as one of the greatest biological discoveries of the twentieth century. This landmark scientific breakthrough began the development of a new field of the life sciences: molecular biology.
Interleukin-8 level in the blood of rats with experimental osteoarthritis and hypothyroidism
D. S. Nosivets
SI “Dnipropetrovsk Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine”;
e-mail: dsnosivets@ukr.net
Received: 9 May 2020; Accepted: 13 November 2020
In the study, the level of interleukin-8 in the blood serum of rats with experimental model of osteoarthritis and hypothyroidism under the influence of NSAID s and paracetamol was estimated. The experiments were performed on 75 white nonlinear rats of both sexes. Experimental osteoarthritis was induced by single intra-articular administration of 0.1 ml of monoiodoacetic acid solution into the knee joint. Experimental hypothyroidism was reconstructed by enteral administration of 0.02% carbimazole solution, given with a drinking ration for 6 weeks. On the 42nd day of the experiment, the animals were divided into 14 groups and drug administration began daily for 5 days. The serum level of interleukin-8 was estimated on 42 and 47 days of the experiment by specific ELISA kits. A significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) of the elevated cytokine level under the influence of pharmacotherapy was revealed. According to the degree of influence on degenerative-dystrophic process in the knee joint, the investigated drugs can be arranged as follows: diclofenac sodium > ibuprofen > nimesulide = meloxicam > celecoxib > paracetamol. The results obtained showed that the level of interleukin-8 could be used as an indicator of non-steroidal drugs and paracetamol anti-inflammatory activity under experimental osteoarthritis and hypothyroidism.
Research on diet features of patients with hypothyroidism
O. Oliynyk
Pope John Paul II State School of Higher Education in Biała Podlaska, Poland;
e-mail: Alexanderoliynyk8@gmail.com
Received: 17 April 2020; Accepted: 13 November 2020
Studies on the relationship between dietary features and hypothyroidism pathogenesis are highly relevant. The aim of this research was to study the dietary features of patients with hypothyroidism and to determine the possible impact of patients’ food preferences on the pathogenesis of hypothyroidism. We examined 400 women of Polish nationality aged 19-28 years living in the district of Biała Podlaski of the Lublin Voivodeship of Poland who consider themselves healthy. Blood levels of free (FT3) and total (T3) triiodothyronine, free (FT4) and total (T4) thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined. The quantitative and qualitative composition of the examined women’s diet was determined using questionnaires and nutritional tables. It was revealed, that the prevalence of hypothyroidism among the female subjects was 3.5%. Women with reduced thyroid function were shown to consume 3.78 times less iodine, 2.97 times (P < 0.001) less sodium chloride (table salt), and 1.47 times (P < 0.001) less proteins than those who had normal thyroid function. In addition, women with hypothyroidism consume 2.25 times (P < 0.001) more strumogenic. It is concluded that the use of such the diet could cause a secondary reduction in thyroid function with further development of the hypothyroidism.
Honeybee chitosan-melanin complex: isolation and investigation of antimicrobial activity
M. Lootsik1, N. Manko1, O. Gromyko2,
S. Tistechok2, M. Lutsyk (Jr.)3, R. Stoika1*
1Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv;
2Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine;
3Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ukraine;
*e-mail: stoika.rostyslav@gmail.com
Received: 4 May 2020; Accepted: 13 November 2020
Antimicrobial activity of marine crustaceans chitosans is well studied and is widely used in medicine, while chitosans of insects are poorly investigated in this aspect, though they might also be of practical significance. The aim of this study was to isolate and purify chitosan-melanin complex (CMC) from the honeybee corpses and to estimate its antimicrobial activity. Antibacterial activity of CMC was evaluated by MTT test, antifungal activity towards Candida albicans was estimated by calculating colony forming units (CFU method). The modified method of CMC isolation and purification was described which differs from the known analogs in deacetylation of chitin-melanin complex by its hydrolysis in 40% NaOH without previous melanin elimination and in further purification of CMC by differential solubilization at distinct pH values. The anti-microbial activity of CMC was characterized by prevalence of candidacidal effect, IC50 towards laboratory strain of C. albicans was 50 μg/ml. The ranking of studied bacteria sensitivity to the CMC action decreased as: E. coli > St. aureus > Ps. aeruginosa. It is suggested that CMC isolated from the honeybee corpses might be a perspective constituent of medicinal compositions for treatment of lesions caused by C. albicans infection.
Diazepinone effect on liver tissue respiration and serum lipid content in rats with a rotenone model of Parkinson’s disease
L. Ya. Shtanova1,2*, P. I. Yanchuk1, S. P. Vesеlsky1,
O. V. Tsymbalyuk1, T. V. Vovkun2, V. S. Moskvina2, O. V. Shablykina2,
S. L. Bogza2, V. N. Baban1, A. A. Kravchenko3, V. P. Khilya2
1Institute of High Technologies, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine;
2Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine;
3Chuiko Institute of Surface Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences, Kyiv;
*e-mail: shtanova@ukr.net
Received: 5 March 2020; Accepted: 13 November 2020
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Accumulation of α-synuclein aggregates, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid metabolism disturbance are thought to be the key violations at PD pathogenesis. Despite long-time research the causes of PD occurrence are not yet clear. We investigated the influence of diazepinon, a new derivative of benzodiazepine, on liver tissue respiration (LTR), serum lipid content and behavioral parameters of rats with modeled PD induced by intraperitoneal injections of 2.0 mg/kg rotenone (ROT) within 28 days. LTR was assessed using the polarograph LP-9. Blood samples for biochemical analysis were collected from the inferior vena cava. The behavioral parameters of rats were studied by the open field test. We showed that in rats with ROT – induced PD the coefficient of liver oxygen consumption was decreased by 33.5% (P < 0.001), the serum content of phospholipids, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, free fatty acids and triglycerides was reduced by 21.4% (P < 0.001), 28.8% (P < 0.001), 26.8% (P < 0.001), 30.3% (P < 0.01) and 41.5% (P < 0.001) respectively and the motor disorders were detected. Diazepinone application resulted in a full recovery of LTR, serum concentration of phospholipids, partial recovery of serum free fatty acids and triglycerides content and significant improvement of motor behavior. However diazepinone did not affect the reduced concentration of cholesterol and cholesterol esters in the serum of rats with simulated PD.
The content of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A and TNFα in the blood of patients with type 2 diabetes after therapy with metformin
K. P. Zak*, O. V. Furmanova, V. V. Popova, Ya. A. Sayenko
SI “V.P. Komisarenko Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism of National Academia of Medical Sciences of Ukraine”, Kyiv;
*e-mail: kpzak2017@gmail.com
Received: 28 February 2020; Accepted: 13 November 2020
Currently the world society is extremely worried about the global increase in the number of patients with diabetes on our planet. Annually 4 million people die of this disease, and the cost of its treatment reaches trillions of dollars. A new highly effective oral antidiabetic drug metformin (1,1-dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride) is one of the most common hypoglycemic remedies currently prescribed for the first-line treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the mechanism of its curative effect is still not clear. The results of our study showed that metformin treatment of patients with newly diagnosed T2D was followed by pronounced normalization of the increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A and TNFα), inflammation indexes and lymphocyte’s immunophenotype. The obtained data confirm the existing hypothesis about the inflammatory nature of T2D and indicate that the immune system, in particular proinflammatory cytokines, plays a significant role in the mechanism of the curative effect of metformin at T2D.