Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of di­abetic angiopathy. Antioxidative enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase protect cells from free radicals. Forty patients with a level of glycated hemoglobin of < 7.5% and preproliferative retinopathy were examined. The flavonoid antioxidants tanakan and diquertin were found to have a positive impact on the progression of diabetic retinopathy and the level of antioxidant defense.

Beta-cell function (BCF) and insulin resistance (IR) assayed by HOMA analysis were evaluated in type 2 diabetic women with signs of the metabolic syndrome, different glycemic control, and duration of diabetes. Correlations of HOMA indices with fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum lipid parameters (lipid profile, VLDL + LDL and HDL hydroperoxides) were estimated. Glucose and lipid metabolic parameters were studied by universal bi  ochemical methods, blood insulin was measured by radioimmu  noassay. There was a significant negative correlation between BCF and FBL levels. IR verified by HOMA analysis was highly associated with FBG levels and it persisted even under god gly cemic control. HOMA IR values positively correlated with lipid profiles (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol) and lipid peroxida tion activity (VLDL + HDL hydroperoxides). The results agree with the glucotoxicity concept and validate its predominance over lipotoxicity in the genesis of beta-cell dysfunction.

Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to examine 57females with diffuse toxic goiter (DTG) who were found to have its recurrence (n = 27), euthyrosis (n = 19), and postoperative hypothyroidism (n = 11) at the moment ofexamination. Double-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) of antebrachial bones was performed in 38 patients. Mineral bone tissue density (MBTD) was studied on an Xvision, Toshiba (CCT) apparatus and on DTX-200, Osteometer. The findings point to the similar rate ofdecreases in MBTD by the Z index in patients with DTG when measuring the trabecular substance ofvertebrae (22.8%) and the ultradistalpart (GDP) ofthe forearm (23.7%). In the distalpart (DP), osteopenia and osteoporosis were more prevalent (31.6%). However, no significant differences were found in the rate of decreases in MBTD in the GDP and DP (t - 0. 76, p > 0.05), as well as in the vertebrae and DP (t = 0.93, p > 0.05). The data of a comparative analysis (a decrease in the TSH in patients with decreased MBTD in the antebrachial GDP (t = 2.56, p < 0.05) and particularly those ofa correlation analysis (a negative correlation of serum free T4 levels with vertebral MBTD and antebrachial GDP and DP (r = -0.30, p < 0.05 and r = -0.48, r = -0.43, p < 0.01, respectively) and a positive correlation of MBTD in the GDP with TSH levels (r = 0.40, p < 0.05) suggest that thyrotoxicosis adversely affects both the trabecular and cortical bone tissue. Significant differences between patients with lower and normal vertebral MBTD and antebrachial GDP were revealed by age at the onset ofthe disease (t = 2.11 and t = 2.01, p < 0.05), which are supported by a negative correlation of MBTD of vertebrae and antebrachial bones with DTG debut (r = -0.39, p < 0.05). A widerprevalence ofosteopenia and osteoporosis in patients with DTG (70.2%) by the T index in the vertebrae (70.2%) and antebrachial bones (39.47and 44. 74%) was due to postmenopausal and age-related changes. There was a significant difference between DTG patients with normal and decreased vertebral MBTD in the duration ofa menopause (t = 2.53, p < 0.01) and in their age at the onset ofthe disease (t = 3.22, p < 0.01). Moreover, there was a negative correlation ofMBTD ofthe vertebral trabecular substance and the integral values ofMBTD ofantebrachial GDP with the duration ofa menopause (r = -0.66, p < 0.001; r = -0.35, p < 0.05) and with their age: the highest correlation with the values of vertebral trabecular substance (r = -0.72, p < 0.001) and the least correlation with the values ofantebrachial DP(r •-0.41,p< 0.05). Thus, thyrotoxicosis negatively affects the metabolism of two types of bone tissue and it is mainly associated with decompensation ofhyperthyroidism. And though in DTG patients, the extent ofosteopenia is rather uniformly, calcium loss mainly by vertebral trabecularsubstance is dramatized bypostmenopausal and age-related changes.

Thirty-seven female patients with first diagnosed autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) in the eurothyrosis phase and 15 healthy women were examined to establish a relationship between the activities of lym phocytic nonspecific esterase (NE) and α-glycerophospate dehydro genase (α-GPDH) and blood concentrations of thyrotropic, thyroid hormones, and hydrocortisone. The activities of α-GPDH and NE were evaluated by computer morphodensitometry. The activity of α- GPDH was higher in the lymphocytes of AIT patients, as man ifested by an increase in the optical density of granules. But this was not parallel by a rise in the area of diformasane granules, and therefore it is concluded that the enzymatic activity was increased without a pronounced synthesis and an increase in mitochondrial functional activity. Moreover, a morphodensitometric analysis showed higher NE activity, reflecting enhanced destructive reactions in the immu nocompetent cells in AIT.

The informative value of lymphocytic metabolic enzymes in female patients with diffuse toxic goiter (DTG) and autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) was comparatively studied. The decreased activity of enzymes (mainly a mitochondrial compartment) determining the level of aerobic respiration is a common feature of the metabolism of peripheral lymphocytes in females with DTG and AIT. The lower activity of NA D-dependent dehydrogenases of the Krebs' cycle in the lymphocytes in females with aytoimmune thyroid disease leads to an increase in the significance of the levels of malic-enzyme and NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase, which was revealed by a neuronet predictor. The specific feature of the metabolism of immunocompetent cells in patients with A IT was found to have enzymatic activity changes, suggesting a decrease in the substrate current by glycosis, which is accompanied by an increase in the value of an aerobic reaction of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the neuronet model. On the contrary, patients with AIT were found to have changes in a number of cytoplasmatic dehydrogenases whose altered activity stimulated the rate of glycolysis and caused an increase in the anaerobic reaction of LDH.

The study was undertaken to establish the prevalence of iodine- def cient diseases and to evaluate the severity of iodine deficiency in the Tashtypsky District, Republic of Khakassia. Four hundred and forty-seven schoolchildren were examined in 5 settlements.33.8% of the examinees were Russian; 27.8%, Shortian; and 38.4%, Khakassian. The enlargement of the thyroid was determined by palpation and ultrasound study (USS), the functional state of the thyroid (serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, thyroxine, and thyroglobulin by using the standard kits) was studied, the level of iodine was measured in single urine samples. The severity of iodine deficiency was evaluated by the classification proposed by ICCIDD and WHO.

The prevalence of iodine deficiencies and the incidence of goiter were studied in children of puberty in the Mirninsk ulus, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in 1999. Changes in these parameters were assessed by comparing the findings with the data obtained in 1991-1993. The size of the thyroid and its structure were deter­mined by palpation and ultrasound study; the levels of iodine were measured in water, single and daily urine. Natural iodine deficiency was shown to be one of the most significant causes of formation of a focus of goiter endemia in the Mirninsk ulus. The prevalence of second and thirddegree goiter among children showed a 1.6-fold decrease in 1999 as compared with that in 1991-1993. There was an increase in the median of ioduria from 63 y.g/1 to 153 \xg/l. Despite positive changes, the enlarged thy­roid was found in 13% of the examined children, as shown by ul­trasound study.

The territory of the Kyrgyz Republic is one of the world’s most known regions of iodine deficiency (mountains occupy three fourths of its area, a part of the republic is situated in the Fergana

Valley). The present study dealt with iodine provision in the city of Bishkek and four main regions of Kyrgyzstan: Issyk-Kul, Osh, Naryn, and Djalal-Abad ohes. It covered 4184 children aged 910 years. Ultrasonographic findings have indicated that the incidence of goiter in schoolchildren is 20 to 28%, indicating a marked dietary iodine deficiency. In the schoolchildren of the Djalal-Abad Region, the incidence of goiter is very high (70%), which is little more different than palpatory findings (85%). The most severe situation associated with iodine provision is observed in the southern regions of the republic (Fergana Valley). In the schoolchildren of the Djalal-Abad Region, the median of urinary iodine concentration was as high as 25 y.g/1, actually approximating the critically low limit. Analyzing the pattern of the spread of iodine deficiency in Kyrzystan has demonstrated that virtually the whole examined population (92-100%) has iodine deficiency. The results of the present study suggest that there is a marked iodine deficiency on the whole territory of Kyrgyzstan with a predominance in the republic’s southern regions situated in the Fergana Valley.

Pupilsfrom 2 schools located in the town ofChita and in the village of Naryn-Talacha, Chita Region were examined. On the territory studied, there is mild iodine deficiency with median variationsfrom 54 pg/l to 98 yg/l. The diagnosis ofgoiter was verified by clinical and ultrasound studies. Electroencephalographic study followed by visual and computer analyses in a group of ¡0 children with endemic goiter (EG) at a Chita school; cognitive processes (memory, attention, logic thinking) were studied according to special psychological procedures in another group of27 children with EG at a NarynTalacha school. Thefindings were compared with those in a control group consisting of healthy children of matched ages. The children with EG were found to have mild diffuse functional changes in the brain without signs ofretarded morphofunctional maturity, as well as impaired correlations between electrophysiological parameters. The above changes could be stated only by using a computer-aided analysis. Studying the integrative activity ofthe brain in the group ofchildren with EG revealed significant differences, namely: decreases in the parameters of mechanical memory, in the volume and concentration ofattention, in the logicality ofthinking. The study makes it possible to diagnose mild impairments ofboth cognitive processes and the functioning of cerebral structures, which may subsequently determine the level of intellect, menial performance, i.e. social sequels ofiodine deficiency.

Cytomegalovirus infection (CMV!) is high on the list ofsecondary diseases in patients with HIVinfection. Many aspects ofCMVI and a relationship ofthe morphological changes in the organs to the clinical manifestations ofthe disease remain to helessstudied. Despite the severity and high rate ofCMV-associated lesions in HIV-infected patients, data on the clinical and morphological characteristics ofthis pathology in the Russian literature are very scanty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphologicalfeatures ofcytomegalovirus lesions ofthe adrenals in patients with HIV infection and to compare the findings with the clinical picture ofthe disease. In 1996 to 2000 an autoptic study was made of 95 deceased adult patients with HIV infection, 85 having its stage 11IB (AIDS). Adrenal CMVpathology was revealed in 42 patients. The paper presents morphological characteristics, points to the various sites, pattern, and extent ofa pathological process in the adrenals. Thefindings are compared with the clinical picture of the disease. Based on their clinical and morphological studies, the authors emphasize the staging nature ofa pathological process in the adrenals with a complete destruction ofthe organ's tissue ifadequate treatment is absent. Accordingly, it is suggested that if the clinical and laboratory signs of lower hormonalfunction ofthe adrenal cortex are detected in patients with CMVI, it is necessary to perform early etiotropic and replacement therapy that may arrest the process at early stages of its development.

The article is devoted to primary hyperparathyrosis and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome.

The article is devoted to Clinicohormonal and molecular characteristics of congenital adrenal cortical dysfunction due to P450c11 (11β-hydroxylase).

The article is devoted to combination of fibrous dysplasia and acromegaly.

Impaired regulation of thyroglobin (TG) gene expression is observed in various forms of thyroid pathology. The impairment in question can be explained by the transcription events that depend not only on the primary sequence of nucleotides in the DNA structure, but also on structural and functional alterations in the chromatin of thyroid cells. DNA methylation is the mechanism regulating TGgene transcription. It has a significant effect on the structure of DNA itself and on DNAase-sensitive sites, as well as on the interaction of DNA with various proteins including RNA polymerase.

In the context the yield of hydrolyzed DNA from the nuclei, DNAase I-hypersensitivity of methylated chromatin in the nuclei of thyroid cells was 10% while that of поп-methylated chromatin n isolated nuclei was 50%. In nodal euthyroid goiter, DNAase I-hypersensitivity of methylated chromatin was 7%> and that of nonmethylated one was 10%. In congenital goiter, the hypersensivity of поп-methylated chromatin in the isolated nuclei was 0.

An investigation of the RNA-polymerase activity of thyroid cellular nuclei under the influence of methylation indicated a substantial decrease in RNA synthesis irrespective of the type of an abnormality.

Malfunction of the parathyroid glands (PG) results in impairments ofsome vital processes. Intestinal absorption and tissue transport ofamino acids under this condition are little studied. The present study deals with the transfer of labeled ¹⁴C-amino acidsfrom the intestine to blood and tissue ofparathyroid-malfunctioned rats. In albino male rats weighing 120-140 g, electrocoagulation was used to induce PG malfunction and on days 5-6 after surgery a mixture ofequimolar quantities oflabeled ¹⁴C-aminoacids with a specific radioactivity of240mCu/mM (Czechia) at the rate of50 pCu per lOOgofanimal weight was administered into theirstomaches. The exposure lasted 45 minutes. The radioactivity in the blood and tissues was measured on a SL42221 spectrometer (Roche-Bioelectronic, France). The readings were expressed in impulses/g ofraw tissue per min. The content of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ was assayed by the ion-selective test on a Microlite analyzer (Kone, Finland) PG malfunction was found to impair the balance of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ , to increase the transfer oflabeled ¹⁴C-amino acidsfrom the intestine to the blood by 86.4%, thatfrom the blood to the liver, kidney, heart, and spleen by 22.9, 38.1, 55.3, 73.5%, respectively. The observed increase in the concentration oflabeled ¹⁴C-amino acids in the blood and tissues ofparathyroid-malfunctioned rats is likely to be explained by enhancedpassive diffusion and mechanisms that are responsibleforthe transport ofamino acids under the altered balance of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ w in PG malfunction.

The article is devoted potentialities of the use of actovegin in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

The article is devoted to the memory of M. S. Mitskevich (on the occasion of his 100th birthday).

The article is devoted to the memory of Professor M I Martynova.