Modern views on the development, structure and function of pancreatic islets.

Growth is a complex process, which is influenced by a huge number of factors at all stages of development starting from the prenatal. Up to 3% of the population suffers from stunting, caused by various reasons. When examining patients with growth retardation, differential diagnosis is usually carried out between pituitary dwarfism, hypothyroidism, systemic diseases, chromosomal disorders, various forms of chondrodysplasias, psychosocial disorders and idiopathic growth retardation, the frequency of which among all forms of short stature heights reaches 80%.

In the first years after the discovery in the brain of vertebrates of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which was later recognized as the main inhibitory mediator of the central nervous system, it was believed that it was localized exclusively in the cells of the nervous system. An increase in the sensitivity of GABA determination methods allowed later to establish the presence of amino acids, enzymes of its metabolism, transport systems, as well as receptors in cells of other tissues and organs. The mechanism of action of GABA on the periphery is mediated by both membrane receptors (in the case of transmission of a nerve impulse or trophic effect), and without their participation (in the regulation of intracellular processes).

Vascular complications are a leading cause of reduced quality and longer life of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The mechanisms of development of these complications are not fully disclosed. It is known that in not all cases the occurrence and progression of diabetic angiopathies can be explained by traditional risk factors, such as hyperglycemia, arterial hypertension, smoking or dyslipidemia. Therefore, the search for the missing links in the pathogenesis of angiopathy remains an extremely urgent task.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the leading places in the structure of mortality of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in Russia and abroad. Despite intensive study, the causes and development mechanisms of this complication are not finally clear. Most often, diabetic kidney damage is seen as the result of a complex interaction of metabolic, hemodynamic, genetic and other mechanisms. At the same time, the majority of researchers give the leading role to hyperglycemia and the metabolic disorders triggered by it. The latter include intensification of non-enzymatic glycation processes, activation of protein kinase C and polyol shunt, oxidative and carbonyl stress, hyperlipidemia, an imbalance of transcription factors and cytokines, and collagen metabolic disturbances. The role of these factors in the formation of DN has been reflected in a number of recent reviews.

In the last 30 years, there has been a sharp increase in the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM), especially in industrialized countries, and its prevalence tends to further increase [3]. The main cause of disability and death of patients are late complications of this disease. Among them, it is especially important to identify developing diabetic foot syndrome (DFS), which is defined as infection, ulcer and / or destruction of deep tissues, associated with neurological disorders and decreased main blood flow in the arteries of the lower extremities of varying degrees severity (International Diabetic Foot Agreement, Netherlands, 1999)

Acromegaly is a severe neuroendocrine disease that develops as a result of chronic hypersecretion or an increase in the biological activity of growth hormone (GH). Most cases of the disease are associated with somatotropic pituitary adenoma. Very rarely, acromegaly develops as a result of increased secretion of somatoliberin in the hypothalamus or may be caused by an ectopic tumor secreting GH or somatoliberin.

The relevance of the problem of hypothyroidism in the clinical practice of doctors of all specialties is not necessary. Hypothyroidism is one of the most common diseases of the endocrine system. According to some epidemiological studies, in certain population groups the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism reaches 10-12% [16]. In the last decade, a large number of works on the problem of hypothyroidism have appeared, which have transformed our views on the entire pathology of the thyroid gland (thyroid gland). This is primarily due to the introduction of modern thyroid hormone preparations into clinical practice.

The problem of iodine deficiency and related diseases in Russia remains relevant and has not yet been resolved. The main manifestation of iodine deficiency, as a rule, is goiter, although the spectrum of diseases caused by insufficient intake of iodine is very wide and includes violations of human somatic, mental and reproductive health.