Sergey I. Kolesnikov

Oxidative Stress Parameters in Women with HIV and HIV/hepatitis B and/or C Co-infection

The pathogenesis of HIV/hepatitis B and/or C co-infection is far from being understood; yet, some studies have shown its relationship with oxidative stress. Because of oxidative stress (conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid reactants) and antioxidant defense systems (superoxide dismutase activity, α-tocopherol, reduced and oxidized glutathione) had different parameters in 26 women with HIV-monoinfection and 27 women with HIV/hepatitis B and/or C co-infection (with no signs of AIDS), they were evaluated. Spectral fluorofotometric methods were used. Statistical analysis was performed by parametric and non-parametric methods. The evaluation found that while conjugated dienes levels were significantly higher, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and α-tocopherol levels were significantly lower in women with HIV/hepatitis B and/or C co-infection than in those with HIV-monoinfection. Concurrently, during the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric acid reactants mean levels were lower; SOD activity and α-tocopherol levels were higher in HIV-monoinfected patients than in those with HIV/hepatitis B and/or C co-infection (with no signs of AIDS). This outcome was characterized by more expressed oxidative stress.

Complex Analysis of Diffusion Transport and Microstructure of an Intervertebral Disk

We studied the relationship between diffusion transport and morphological and microstructural organization of extracellular matrix of human intervertebral disk. Specimens of the lumbar intervertebral disks without abnormalities were studied ex vivo by diffusion-weighed magnetic resonance imaging, histological and immunohistochemical methods, and electron microscopy. Distribution of the diffusion coefficient in various compartments of the intervertebral disk was studied. Significant correlations between diffusion coefficient and cell density in the nucleus pulposus, posterior aspects of annulus fibrosus, and endplate at the level of the posterior annulus fibrosus were detected for each disk. In disks with nucleus pulposus diffusion coefficient below 15×10-4 mm2/sec, collagens X and XI were detected apart from aggrecan and collagens I and II. The results supplement the concept on the relationship between the microstructure and cell composition of various compartments of the intervertebral disk and parameters of nutrient transport.

Association of Apolipoprotein A1 Gene Polymorphisms with Serum Lipid Spectrum in Adolescents in East Siberia

We studied the incidence of genotypes of polymorphic alleles (-75)G>A and (+83)C>T of apolipoprotein A1 gene in healthy Russian adolescents, residents of East Siberia. Genotyping was carried out by PCR with subsequent restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The incidence of allele (-75)A was 22.5%, of allele (+83)T – 7.3%. Association of allele (-75) A with high blood cholesterol level was revealed.

Menstrual and reproductive function in women with HIV-infection and antioxidant vitamins deficiency.

Reproductive age women proportion with HIV-infection increasing, but relationship of antioxidant deficiency and reproductive disorders in this category of patients remain unclear. Objective: To identify antioxidant vitamins deficiency and frequency of reproductive disorders interrelations in women with HIV-infection. 53 women of reproductive age with HIV-infection were divided for 4 groups according to blood serum vitamins concentration: 36 women - α-tocopherol level less than 12 μmol/L; 17 women - α-tocopherol level in the range 12-24 μmol/L; 35 women with retinol level less than 1.05 μmol/L and 18 women - retinol level in the range 1.05-2.8 μmol/L. Spectral fluorofotometric methods were used. Statistical analysis was performed by parametric and non-parametric methods High incidence of menstrual disorders (63%), infertility (36.1%), and luteal phase deficiency was found in the group of women with HIV-infection and α-tocopherol deficiency. Elevated levels of primary lipid peroxidation (LP) products- diene conjugates, with the absence of significant differences in the content of the thiobarbituric acid reactants in this group were registered. The results obtained showed a close relationship of α-tocopherol deficiency and disorders of the reproductive system in women with HIV-infection. It is a significant reason to recommend including of antioxidant drugs in HIV-women patients of complex pathogenetic therapy to regulate adequately their reproductive function and possibly to preserve reproductive ability in these women.

Coupling of Lipoperoxidation Reactions with Changes in Arterial Blood Pressure in Hypertensive ISIAH Rats under Conditions of Chronic Stress

Mature normotensive male WAG rats and stress-sensitive hypertensive ISIAH rats were exposed to “everyday life stress” modelled by alternation of immobilization and adaptation. Increased LPO intensity (increased content of substrates with unsaturated double bonds and primary and secondary LPO products) and reduced content of some antioxidant protection components (reduced retinol level and GSH/GSSG ratio) were revealed in the blood of ISIAH rats. These changes correlated with elevated mean BP. The results can reflect the significant role of LPO changes in the pathogenesis of stress-induced arterial hypertension.

Oxidative Stress as a Mechanisms of Reduced Glucose Absorption under Conditions of Immobilization Stress

Experimental studies demonstrated inhibition of glucose absorption in the jejunum in acute and chronic 1-h daily immobilization stress, with the maximum inhibition on day 7 of immobilization. These changes correlate with the development of oxidative stress in animals over the entire duration of the experiment, which manifested by an increase in the content of the primary and end LPO products and decrease of the total antioxidant activity of the blood. Correction of these shifts with the antioxidant drug inhibits accumulation of LPO products and increases antioxidant defense and glucose absorption rate. These data prove the important role of peroxidation in regulation of glucose absorption.

Oxidative Stress and Catalase Gene

We studied the frequency of alleles and genotypes of CAT gene -262C>T polymorphism (rs1001179) in Russian and Buryat adolescents. The frequency of -262T allele was 28.31% in Russians and 16.84% in Buryats (p<0.01). In both ethnic groups, a correlation between the study polymorphism and concentration of diene conjugates was observed. Carriers of TT-genotype of CAT gene-262C>T polymorphism had lower level of diene conjugates than carriers of CT- and CC-genotypes.