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The purpose. Respiratory epithelium regeneration is studied in rats with tracheal damage induced by inhaling hydrochloric acid vapor. Method. Regeneration process after the chemical burn was activated by intratracheal administration of preparations obtained from the same-species mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Results. Tracheal epithelium is shown to recover almost completely on day 3-7 after applying MSC compositions (MSCs). Closed structures containing ciliated cells similar to ciliated cells of the respiratory epithelium lining the trachea are formed in the submucosal epithelium during regeneration. These structures migrate towards epithelium and get incorporated into the damaged epithelium. This phenomenon is apparently indicative of the special mechanism of respiratory epithelium regeneration after HCl-induced injury. Conclusion. It is demonstrated in this study that cell-free MSCs instilled intratracheally promote the recovery of normal submucosal epithelium by either preventing or reducing necrosis and inflammation. Such topical MSCs administration significantly accelerates migration of ciliated cell towards the surface and de novo formation of the ciliary epithelium.

The effect of the tetrapeptide bronchogen on the structural and functional state of the bronchial epithelium and inflammatory activity in the lungs was studied in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) model, created in rats by a 60-day intermittent exposure to nitrogen dioxide. The cell composition and cytokine-enzyme profile of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the content of secretory immunoglobulin A and surfactant protein B in BALF were determined. Following the course of peptide treatment the decreased activity of neutrophilic inflammation with the normalization of cellular composition and profile of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes in the bronchoalveolar space was observed. The structure of bronchial epithelium, disturbed during formation of COPD model, was restored and accompanied by restoration of its functional activity as evidenced by an increase of secretory immunoglobulin A (local immunity marker) and surfactant protein B, responsible for reducing the alveolar surface tension.

In the present study was to investigate the effect epithelium on the tone smooth muscle of the airways of guinea pigs under physiological conditions and when forming of experimental asthma. It was found that the amplitude of contractile responses decreased by histaminergic, and serotonergic effects in the presence of epithelium in the control group. Influence epithelium dilatation adrenergic reactions depended on the type of pretreatment factors. The amplitude of the relaxation was reduced in the case of pre-treatment with a solution of potassium, the amount of dilation increased by pretreatment with histamine. The impact of epithelium on contractile responses of smooth muscles disappeared when forming of hyperreactivity.

Aim: To reveal the tissue, cellular, and molecular predictors leading to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in smokers on the basis of a morphometric analysis of bronchial biopsy specimens., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 115 smokers aged 40 to 60 years (58.3±3.24 years) with a male predominance of 90.9%. Morphological examination of bronchial biopsy specimens was first made in the smoking patients with and without COPD., Results: The smokers with COPD versus those without this condition were found to have a statistically significant increase in a number of indicators: the specific volume (SV) of the surface epithelium (p=0.017), SV of basal epitheliocytes (p=0.008), the height of the epithelium (p=0.001), and the thickness of the basal membrane (p=0.006) due to impaired regeneration processes in the bronchial epithelium and to fibrosis of the lamina propria of the bronchi with a concurrent increase in the total number of fibroblasts. The group of smokers with COPD, unlike the comparison group, showed signs of vascular remodeling and microcirculatory disorders as the increased connective tissue volumetric density of the lamina propria of the bronchi with predominant perivascular localization. This was followed by reductions in the relative volume of capillaries (p=0.016), in the SV of micropinocytic vesicles (p=0.005), and the size of Weibel-Palade bodies (p=0.004) in the endotheliocytes. In the COPD patients, the total density of cell infiltrate per mm2 of the lamina propria of the bronchi was statistically significantly (p<0.001) greater than that in the comparison group at the expense of neutrophils, lowly and moderately granulated basophils, macrophages, plasma cells with a simultaneous rise in their interepithelial forms., Conclusion: Compensatory structural changes without signs of bronchial wall remodeling were recorded in the smokers without signs of bronchial disease. The smokers with the examined nosological entity were observed to have morphological signs of hemodynamic disorders, as well as perivascular fibrosis, atrophy, and squamous cell metaplasia of the bronchial epithelial lining.

This experimental study using the laboratory animals (rats and rabbits) has demonstrated the morphological and biochemical changes associated with inhalation poisoning with ammonia. Certain regular features of this form of intoxication were revealed. Specifically, the determination of the major biochemical characteristics of blood makes it possible to evaluate the performance of the hepatobiliary and cardiovascular systems. The results of blood pH measurement give evidence of its alkalinization.

Cell cycle in a culture of endothelial cells EAhy 926 infected with influenza virus was investigated. Cytometric analysis of culture, synchronized using contact inhibition, has shown that the exposure to the influenza virus in cells EAhy 926 lengthened S-phase of the cell cycle. This result has been tested and proven on culture EAhy 926 treated with nocodazole. Compared with lung carcinoma cells A549, in which influenza virus provokes the arrest of G0/G1 phase of the cycle, elongation of S-phase of cycle at a similar infection of endothelial culture EAhy 926 indicates that the influenza virus differently affects the dynamics of the cell cycle according to the origin of the infected culture.

The objective of the present work was to develop the scientifically sound criteria for the evaluation of the occupational risks bearing in mind the high frequency of pathological changes in the ciliary epithelium of the upper respiratory tract in the employees engaged in the dust-producing industries. It was proposed to consider an increase of the SIgA level, alkaline shift in nasal secretion pH, elevation of body temperature, slowdown of the mucociliary transport, disintegration of the epithelial mucous membrane, and high frequency of its inflammatory and dystrophic changes as the criteria for early diagnostics of developing pathology of the upper respiratory tract. We have developed the method for the score-based evaluation of the risk of formation of pathological changes in the upper respiratory tract of the employees engaged in the dust-producing industries. This method can be used to enhance the effectiveness of the preventive and health-promoting measures.

Nitrogen dioxide and reactive nitrogen species play a key role in the development environment related diseases by initiation of cell death and damage of bronchoalveolar epithelium. This review examines the possible cell-molecular mechanisms of nitrogen dioxide-induced damaging effect on bronchial epithelium.

Influenza is a respiratory infection widely spread around the world. Influenza complications are various in nature and in most cases involve the excessive proliferation of cells in respiratory tract as a factor of pathogenesis. In the present work the efficacy of the use of apoptosis inducer 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphtalenecarboxylic acid (AHPN) for prophylaxis of chronic damage on the stage of post- influenza pneumonia has been studied. Mice were infected with influenza virus A/mallard/Pennsylvania/10218/84(H5N2) with further study of the level of influenza virus reproduction in the lungs, specific mortality of animals and morphology of the foci of post-influenza pneumonia on the 15th day post inoculation. AHPN was shown to decrease the infectious activity of the virus in the lungs by 1.2-1.5 log10 EID50/0.2 mL depending on the dose as compared to the control group, in a weak decrease in mortality of animals (protection index was 12.5-37.5%). The application of AHPN restricted both the proliferative and infiltrative component in chronic post-influenza lesions. It demonstrated the most pronounced effect on the lung morphology when applied on days 4 to 7 post inoculation, i. e. in the period of maximal activation of inflammatory tissue infiltration and regeneration of bronchiolar epithelium. In conclusion, the use of apoptosis inducers can partially prevent the development of chronic post-influenza lesions with proliferative component.

The present study included 73 patients presenting with bronchial asthma (BA) and concomitant allergic rhinitis (AR). Based on the results of their examination, a program of their two-step treatment was proposed including elimination therapy during 5-7 days followed by the combined treatment with the use of physical factors, such as peloid therapy, supratonal frequency currents, inhalations, massage, and remedial gymnastics. This approach allows to significantly reduce the frequency of clinical manifestations of the primary and concomitant diseases. Specifically, the incidence of daytime choking fits decreased by 66.7%, coughing by 76.7%, nasal stiffness by 60%, and rhinorrhea by 62,6 with the simultaneous acceleration of the overall clinical effect by 3-4 days. The requirement for short-acting broncholytic agents decreased after the treatment by 56.7%. Its anti-inflammatory effect in the upper and lower respiratory tract was confirmed by the results of endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity (the occurrence of mucosal hyperemia and mucosal oedema decreased by 70% and 60% respectively whereas the presence of secretion in the nasal passages was recorded 76.7% less frequently than prior to the treatment). Cytological studies of surface epithelium revealed reduced neutrophilia and eosinophilia, decreased number of goblet cells in nasal mucosa, and lowered content of sialic acids, IL-1, and IL-6 in nasal lavage. Combined therapy improved the patency of both upper and lower respiratory tract. Moreover, the number of patients with the totally controlled clinical course of BA increased by 66.6%. It was shown that remission of BA and AR persisted within 10 and 8.2 months after the treatment respectively.

The paper describes 4 cases of primary bronchial melanoma. The primacy of the tumor was established in all cases, by ruling out primary melanoma at another site (skin, nasal mucosae, and bowel), the presence of intraepithelial melanocytic proliferation in the areas of the metaplastic bronchial epithelium.

Using histological, morphometric and immunnohistochemical methods, cellular composition and cytoarchitectonics of diffuse lymphoid tissue in the mucous membrane of the larynx was studied in 29 men aged 17-74 years, who died from general body hypothermia in the winter period and in 27 men who died from mechanical injury during the summer. Significant changes in the cellular composition of diffuse lymphoid tissue of the mucous membrane in the various parts of the larynx were detected in fatal hypothermia, which included the decrease in the number of T-, B-lymphocytes and plasma cells and the increase in the number of macrophages in all age groups, indicating the suppression of local immunity in persons who died due to the action of low temperature.

The paper describes the causes of mucostasis and the mechanisms of its development. It presents classifications of mucolytic drugs. A group of combination mucolytic drugs is identified by indicating the standard of their design and usage. The characteristics of the drugs including the combination agent ascoril are described in detail and information on the successful results of its use is given.

The objective of the present work was to study changes in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract of the employees subjected to the action of industrial aerosols. The clinically and functionally significant mucosal changes in the nasal cavity and pharynx induced by industrially-derived irritants are described, the classification of nosological forms of the diseases of upper respiratory tract is proposed based on the character and extent of the pathological process, the criteria for occupational chronic rhinopharyngolaryngitis have been developed. The frequency of development of pathological changes in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract (UPT) in the workers undergoing effects of industrial aerosols (IA) is shown to amount to 89%. The highest dust concentrations to which such persons were exposed are known to occur in coal, metal, timber, textile, and cotton industries as well as in certain branches of machine-building and agricultural industries. The industrial environment not infrequently contains dust of the mixed composition, such as mineral, metallic, organic, and synthetic particulate components. The authors propose the classification of pathological changes in the UPT mucosa. It is emphasized that rhinopharyngolaryngites are included in the List of occupational diseases approved by the Russian Ministry of Health on 27 April 2012.

The objective of the present work was to search for the tissue and cellular markers of remodeling of bronchial mucosa in the patients with different clinical forms of bronchial asthma (BA). The use of up-to-date morphometric techniques has demonstrated that mild and moderately severe forms of bronchial asthma are accompanied by the development of Th2-immune response associated with increased production of interleukin-4 and marked degranulation of eosinophilic granulocytes resulting in desquamation of epithelium and goblet cell hyperplasia. The severe BA phenotype of "chronic asthma with fixed obstruction" is associated with the development of non-atopic inflammation in the bronchial mucous membrane that manifests itself as the increased concentration of interleukin-8 in bronchial mucosa and its neutrophilic infiltration leading to the development of pronounced subepithelial fibrosis, thickening of the basal membrane, and atrophy of epithelium. Specific structural changes in bronchial mucosa of the patients presenting with BA underlie functional disturbances that cause severe bronchial obstructive syndrome.

Complex morphological research of maxillary sinus mucosa in odontogenic fungal sinusitis has revealed signs of granulomatous inflammation. In epithelium occurred metaplasia of simple cubic or columnar layer. Epithelium fiber-synthetic and plastic functions showed significant down-regulation.

The aim of the investigation was to study the specific features of morphological manifestations and the molecular bases of lung tissue remodeling in progressive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The investigation used open and transbronchial biopsy specimens from 110 patients with IPE/idiopathic pneumonia syndrome in 1997 to 2008. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out on serial paraffin-embedded lung tissue slices from 20 patients with IPF and 20 control patients. Immunohistochemical staining for the detection of antigens in the paraffin-embedded slices was made using the antibodies to MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, TIMP-4, Apo-CAS, PCNA, PDGF, EGFR, CD34, and SMA. Nonparametric statistical methods were employed. Our findings have indicated that in early-stage IPF, there are proliferating myofibroblasts in the myofibroblastic foci, mainly in the bronchioloalveolar transitional zone (BATZ), which express PCNA and PDGF. Both in early- and late-stage IPF, there were signs of increased readiness of the alveolar and bronchiolar epithelium of BATZ for apoptosis, as judged from Apo-CAS expression. At the same time no Apo-CAS expression was recorded in the myofibroblasts. In the early stage of the disease, the expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, and TIMP-4 in the epitheliocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts was higher than that in the late stage of IPF. At the same time, late-stage IPF was characterized by the higher expression in all lung tissue cells than was early-stage IPF. There was also a significant increase in vessel density in both early and late stages of IPF as compared with intact lung tissue particularly in the BATZ in the control group. Thus, lung tissue remodeling in the progression of IPF from the early to late stage of the disease comprises interrelated processes that are largely localized in the BATZ, such as immune inflammation with pathological reparation, neoangiogenesis, apoptosis, and proliferation of epitheliocytes and myofibroblasts, which lead to the development of interstitial fibrosis and adenomatosis of the lung.

One hundred and eighteen subjects living at various distances from the carrier rocket fall places underwent cytomorphological studies of the upper airways (rhinocytogram) and buccal epithelium. The findings indicate that the dwellers of the settlements of Ulytausky District have chronic hypertrophic rhinitis since the nasal mucosa and the buccal epithelium are the first and most important biological barrier on the way of adverse and technogenic factors to come into the organism. Technogenic pollutants have cumulative activities, causing granulated mast cells to accumulate; then they actively secrete biologically active substances, by impairing the epithelial responsiveness in both the upper airways and the buccal epithelium.

The lungs of 184 dead neonates and babies who were from birth on artificial ventilation with rough parameters and hyperoxygenation were found to have peculiar pathohistological changes that were used to work out an illustrated algorithm for the morphological diagnosis of neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia (NBPD). An immunohistochemical study was used to identify the cell renewal markers Ki67, Bcl2, P53, and CPP32. In NBPD, there was an extremely high expression of all the markers in the cells of the bronchial, alveolar epithelium and lung interstitium as compared with the control group. It is concluded that cell renewal is accelerated in the lung in NBPD and the disease progresses until death occurs in infants.

The Ingavirin antiviral properties with respect to the parainfluenza virus, as an actual human respiratory tract pathogen, were investigated by two methods, i.e. immunoenzymatic analysis and microtetrazolium test. The results showed that along with the immediate antiviral activity Ingavirin had nonspecific cytoprotective properties. While affecting the virus proteins synthesis, Ingavirin lowered the virus cytopathogenic action. The drug significantly decreased the portion of the bronchial epithelium cells killed at the stage of acute infection.

The study of mucociliary clearance included 68 patients with bronchial asthma of different severity in whom viscoelastic properties of the sputum, motor activity of ciliary epithelium, glycosaminoglycans in peripheral blood and bronchial secretion at the B9-B10 level of the bronchial tree were determined. Simultaneously, morphofunctional state of bronchial mucosa was evaluated using DNA methylation-specific PCR.

Using Bio Vision computer program, the successive stages of metaplastic changes development were traced in the pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium of bronchial mucous membrane obtained from 65 patients with bronchial asthma of various degrees of severity. Biopsy material analysis demonstrated the changes of cell nuclear and cytoplasmic density, as well as of basement membrane.

The paper analyzes the results of microbiological, immunological, and cytological studies of the upper airway in apparently healthy individuals exposed to toxic agents. The upper airway endoenvironmental changes have been found at the prenosological level, which may lead to the development of clinical pathology. The informative indicators of prenosological diagnosis have been determined, which make it possible to detect early changes in microbiocenoses, the body's resistance, and mucosal cytological status.

Results of quantitative and qualitative assessment of mucosal microbiocenoses in the upper respiratory tracts are presented along with cytomorphological characteristics of upper airway mucosa. SIgA and lysozyme concentrations were measured in the saliva of firemen. Their exposure to occupational hazards during periods of professional activity was shown to lead to a decrease in non-specific anti-infectious resistance to the effect of unfavourable factors.

Criteria for the risk of development of occupational pathology of the upper respiratory tracts in the workers employed in the ore mining industry have been proposed based on the results of evaluation of the occurrence of pathological changes, morpho-functional characteristics of upper respiratory tract mucosa, and immunological properties. These criteria provide a basis for the development of differential approach to the choice of priority hygienic and medical preventive measures designed to a lower the risk of respiratory organ pathology.

Samples of mucosal tissue from inferior nasal conchae for histological and immunological studies were collected during surgical intervention on 25 non-allergic patients with different clinical and morphological forms of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. It was shown that the pathological process extends over all structures of conchal mucosa, namely, epithelium, lamina propria, and cavernous sinuses. However, proliferative activity of the epithelium may be spared, the structure of vascular endothelium, basement membranes of epithelium, glands and blood vessels remains either normal or only slightly affected, IgA synthesis persists, and immunocompetent cells (CD45 RO(+) T-lymphocytes, CD20(+) B-lymphocytes, and CD68(+) macrophages) retain functional activity. Taken together, these findings suggest high regenerative potential of nasal mucosa and preservation of mechanisms of local protection including cellular and humoral immunity despite the on-going pathological process. It implies the necessity of great caution during surgical interventions.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of infection of pharyngeal mucosa, palatal and pharyngeal tonsils with types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, and 33 human papilloma virus (HPV). A total of 57 children (30 boys and 27 girls) aged from 2 yr 10 mo to 14 yr 5 mo (mean 82+/-28.9 months) were examined. The patients were hospitalized for preplanned adenotomy, tonsillotomy or tonsillectomy. None of them exhibited clinical signs of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. DNA of HPV was detected by means of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR assay) in mucosal cells obtained by scraping from the posterior pharyngeal wall (57 samples) and in biopsies from palatal (8 samples) and pharyngeal (52 samples) tonsils. The presence of HPV DNA was documented in 24 of the 57 (42.1%) children. In was found in ten (17.5%) samples from mucosal cells of the posterior pharyngeal wall, in pharyngeal tonsil biopsies from 16 of the 52 (30.8%) children, and in palatal tonsil biopsies from one of the 8 (12.5%) patients. Type 6 HPV was identified in 8 (14%) children, type 11 HPV in 1 (1.7%), type 16 HPV in 5 (8.8%), type 31 in 4 (7%), and type 33 in 12 (21%) patients. None of the samples contained type 18 HPV. Two types of HPV were simultaneously found in 4 (7%) children and three types in one patient. The frequency of HPV infection was comparable in children of preschool and school age.

The morphological signs of squamous-cell metaplasia were revealed in 65 out of 193 patients with varying bronchial mucosal changes. A follow-up of the patients indicated that in the group of patients with epithelial dysplasia without squamous-cell metaplasia, the prognosis was good in 65.6% of cases. In the group of patients with epithelial dysplasia and squamous-cell metaplasia, the prognosis was poor in 86.2% of cases.

The purpose of the work is to study efficiency of a new medical technology in rehabilitation of children with respiratory organs pathology. 177 children at the age from 2 to 7 years were randomized into two groups: 90 children of the main group performed the complexes of physical and respiratory exercises according to developed medical technology, 87 children of the control group performed standard physical exercises on physical training classes. The results of the study revealed decrease in frequency of acute respiratory disease in 1.83 times, exacerbation of bronchial asthma in 1.86 times in children of the main group. Improvement in development of physical qualities and spirography indices against the background of physical and respiratory exercises according to developed medical technology was detected. Significant cytoprotective action to nasal mucous tunic in preschool age children with respiratory organs pathology was registered.

The authors studied microbiotic state of upper respiratory tract mucosa in 189 female workers of hog-breeding farm, having ENT diseases or apparently healthy. Findings were qualitative and quantitative changes in microbiocenosis according to state of health, occupation, length of service.

Effect of oxytocin on the respiratory tract epithelium of rats infected with Escherichia coli following the prolonged emotional-painful stress, was studied using the methods of histochemistry, immunocytochemistry, light and electron microscopy. It was found, that prolonged stress caused the exertion of protective-adaptive capacities of the epithelium, while the administration of an antigen resulted in the failure of adaptational mechanisms. Oxytocin was found to participate in the formation of the response of the epithelial secretory cells to stressful influences by activating their protective functions. It stimulated and supported the protein-synthetic (CC16 protein production by Clara cells) and mucin-producing (goblet cells) functions of secretory cells, thus stabilizing the protective epithelial mechanisms under the conditions of intense functioning.

Aim: To ascertain morphological features of severe uncontrolled bronchial asthma (BA) of brittle phenotype., Material and Methods: Standard bronchofibroscopy was made in 10 patients with severe BA (brittle phenotype) and 9 patients with moderate BA. Cell composition of bronchial lavage and morphological indices of bronchial mucosa biopsies were studied., Results: Patients with brittle BA had low total cytosis of lavage fluid compared to patients with moderate BA patients (1.73 +/- 0.10 and 2.84 +/- 0.21 x 10(6) in 1 ml, respectively, p = 0.001). Bronchobiopsy samples from patients with brittle BA were characterized by reduced cubic density of tegmental epithelium, ciliary and goblet epithelyocytes, height of epithelial layer and relative gland volume, increased thickness of basal membrane (18. 77 +/- 2.74 mcm), relative volume of connective tissue, hyperplasia of smooth muscle cells in the proper mucous plate. Infiltrate of bronchial mucosa in brittle BA contained a predominant amount of histiomacrophagal elements (65.80 +/- 3.83 in 1 mm2) and lymphocytes (52.94 +/- 4.38 in 1 mm2), moderate count of easinophils and neutrophils (15.35 +/- 2.13 and 19.04 +/- 2.23 in 1 mm2, respectively)., Conclusion: Patients with severe brittle BA had atrophic alterations, inflammatory mucosal infiltration, marked bronchial remodeling in spite of therapy with high doses of inhalatory corticosteroids.

Morphofunctional equivalents of the process of long-term intracellular prokaryotes--eukaryotes interaction were studied by light and electron microscopy. The mechanisms for adaptation, elaborated in the course of evolution of bacteria-host interaction, were analysed on the ultrastructural level. A concept on the role of hypothalamic nonapeptides, as factors of regulation of intracellular persistence and symbiosis of prokaryotes, is discussed.

Morphometric data and the ploidity of bronchial epitheliocytic nuclear DNA were studied in benign processes and different histological forms of lung cancer (LC), by using smears taken from 42 patients at fibrobronchoscopy. There were certain differences in the mean values of the area and content of DNA between basal-cell hyperplasia, squamous-cell metaplasia and dysplasia, small-cell and non-small-cell LC, which may be used in the differential cytological diagnosis in difficult cases.

A low-frequency ultrasound device UZOL-01-Ch was applied for therapy of chronic tonsillitis (CT). The activity of chronic inflammation was followed up under action of 0.05% dioxidine solution coming through the device UZOL-01-Ch on the tissues of palatine tonsils in CT at a clinical remission phase in 34 CT patients. CT activity degrees were proposed which were defined by the presence and distribution of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in inflammatory cellular infiltrate of palatine tonsil mucosa in CT. These degrees help assessed the results of therapeutic effect of the device UZOL-01-Ch on tonsil tissue in CT. Use of the device provided depression of inflammation activity in tonsil mucosa in CT patients at a clinical remission phase.

It has been first in vitro demonstrated on a model of epithelial cells that rifampicin may develop not only at the level of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but also at the level of somatic cells. The mechanism of this phenomenon, its specificity (whether cross resistance to other antituberculous agents will occur), the way it puts into effect under the conditions of a microorganism, and how promptly it may be gone after discontinuation of the drug remain unknown. The effect of rifampicin on the functional activity of Pgp is an important factor that influences as a result not only the absorbability of drugs, but also normal transport processes in the body. These aspects seem to be topical and are the subject for further studies. The authors have obtained an epithelial cell line that resides in the presence of 100 microg/ml of rifampicin and that is 2-2.5 times more resistant to the drug as compared with the parental line. The cells of this line are 2-2.5 times more active in discharging the substrate rhodamine-123 for P-glycoprotein than those of the parental line, which suggests the enhanced functional activity of P-glycoprotein. The presence of P-glycoprotein in this line is confirmed by the action of this protein-specific blocker verapamil. At the same time rifampicin is not a substract for P-glycoprotein. Therefore, the mechanism of rifampicin resistance is unassociated with the functional activity of P-glycoprotein. The mechanism of the resistance remains open. At the same concentration (100 microg/ml), rifampicin can block the functional activity of P-glycoprotein. These results suggest the double mechanism of rifampicin in its long presence in the culture medium: as an inductor and a blocker of P-glycoprotein functional activity. The findings point to the fact that the pharmacokinetics of rifampicin and co-administered dtugs may change during their long use.

High level of fungous semination of dwelling environment is shown to have a destructive effect on mucosal membranes, which is manifested by their inflammation and allergic condition. The study of the cytological status of the nasal and oral mucosa proved its high sensitivity and significance when studying the influence of fungous semination of dwelling environment on the human organism.

Bronchofiberscopy (BFS) with endobronchial biopsy (EBB) was performed in 66 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS). Transbronchial biopsy (TBB) was made in 49 patients from this group to compare the diagnostic value of EBB and TBB. The normal endoscopic picture was observed in 19.6% of patients. Bronchial mucosal hypervascularization and thickening were found in 25.7% of cases; the signs of enlarged bronchopulmonary lymph nodes were detected in 13.6%; catarrhal endobronchitis in 10.6%, and tuberosity changes in 4.5%. Epithelioid granulomas in the bronchial mucosa were identified in 37.8% of cases (30.75 and 39.6% in the intact and abnormal mucosa, respectively). The diagnostic value of TBB was 65.3%. EBB could reveal epithelioid-cell granulomas in 4 of the 17 patients with negative TBB. The findings suggest that BFS with EBB should be included as a necessary diagnostic method for the examination of patients with PS.

Contractile properties of smooth muscles of bronchial tubes of porpoises in formation of hyperreactance airways, were studied. Sensitization by ovalbumin results in formation of hyperresponsiveness of the airways as shown in increase in amplitude of contractile responses to histaminergic influences and oppression of adrenergic relaxations of segments. Respiratory epithelium oppresses contractile responses of airways in intact animals to histaminergic influences. Influence of epithelium on adrenergic responses depends on precontractile factor: they increase in prereduction by histamine. In formation of hyperresponse, the epithelium loses ability to modulate responses of smooth muscles of the airways. Incubation segments of smooth muscles of the airways in interleukin 5 increases contractile responses to histaminergic influences. Receptor of interleukin 5 (the soluble fraction) neutralizes the effect of exogenous interleukin 5, and incubation of receptor of sensitized animals oppresses histaminergic contractile responses.

By mehanographic method, contraktile responses of the airways smooth muscles in experimental bronchial asthma in porpoises intact and incubated with interleykin-5, were studied. Sensitization of ovalbumin animals results in development of hypersensitivity to inhalation of the fiber with external attributes of infringement of bronchial passableness such as cough and a shortness of breath. Morphologically the process is accompanied by destruction of epithelium of the bronchial tubes, development of an immune inflammation in a bronchial wall, and a hypertrophy of the muscular layer. In the sensitized animals, development of hyper-responsiveness of the airways smooth muscles to histamine was obvious as shown in a significant decrease of the threshold concentration and an increase in the maximal amplitude of reduction. Interleukin-5 was shown to strengthen this process. Responses to holinergic and R2-adrenerdic influences practically did not change. The data obtained corroborate the hypothesis of development of the interleukin-5-depending bronchial hyper-responsiveness in absence of eosinophile damage in the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes.

The aim of the study was to detect radiation lesions in histological samples of bronchial mucosa in Chernobyl wreckers suffering from chronic non-obstructive bronchitis 10 years after Chernobyl accident by the micronuclear test. The study group consisting of Chernobyl wreckers was comparable to the controls by sex, age, smoking and morphological variants of chronic bronchitis. The test in the study group was positive as it showed a significant increase in the number of the ciliated cells in bronchial mucosa as compared to the control group. This suggests a long-term persistence of the radionuclides in the wreckers' bronchial mucosa. The micronuclear test is recommended for diagnosis of inhalation damage to the lungs in persons exposed to radiation.

Examinations of 111 patients with chronic non-specific pulmonary lesion revealed the dysplastic changes in the bronchial wall in 90 of them. 47 patients received the routine anti-inflammatory therapy course and another 43 patients underwent the endoscopic laser therapy. Cytometry, made before and after therapy, provided for an objective differentiation of signs in different-severity bronchial dysplasia. The application of endoscopic laser irradiation in the correction of pretumor changers in the bronchial tree was shown to be effective in 95.3% of cases, whereas the routine treatment turned out to be ineffective.

The study included patients with chronic nonspecific lung diseases (CNLD) and a morphologically verified diagnosis of first-second degree bronchial epithelial dysplasia (BED). Forty-six patients underwent intravenous blood laser irradiation (IBLI) (a study group); 45 patients received routine anti-inflammatory therapy (a control group). After therapy in the study group, the clinical and endoscopic signs of an inflammatory process were eliminated in 80.4 and 78.2% of cases, respectively. With morphological monitoring, a full and partial regression of BED occurred in 63.1 and 17.4%, respectively. In the control group, clinical and endoscopic improvements were achieved in 53.3 and 52.0% of cases. Dysplastic changes could be arrested only in 8.9% of cases. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Thus, IBLI is a highly effective treatment of dysplastic bronchial epithelial changes in patients with CNLD as compared with the controls.

Relationships between sclerosis and carcinogenesis in the honeycomb lung were studied in the outcome of two variants of idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis (IFA)-common interstitial pneumonia (CIP) and desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) which may be a background for lung carcinoma development. The material was obtained from 43 patients with the diagnosis of IFA. Immunohistochemically were studied: TNF-alpha (DAKO, Denmark, 1:100), pancytokeratines (Immunotech, Germany, concentration 1:100), Ki67 (DAKO, Denmark, 1:40), TGF-beta (Biosource international, USA, 1:100), CD34 (Novocastra, Great Britain, 1:100), EMA (DAKO, Denmark, 1:100). Differences in morphogenesis of CIP and DIP were found. CIP is characterised by primary pronounced lung interstitium damage with stroma vascularisation already at early stages with secondary involvement of the epithelium with development of adenomatous hyperplasia with or without atypia which is usually observed at the stage of lung honeycomb. Pronounced primary damage of alveolar epithelium as a result of action of activated alveolar macrophages with subsequent proliferation, desquamation and squamous epithelium metaplasia were more typical for DIP. The presence of squamous meta- and dysplasia of the epithelium is characteristic for DIP outcome in the honeycomb lung.

Surgical material of the lungs and their parts from 31 patients and open biopsies were studied. Proliferative activity (Ki-67, PCNA) and oncomarkers expression (bcl-2, p-53, c-myc, b-TGF, chromogranin-A) were studied immunohistochemically in the foci of various epithelial changes. It is established that a wide spectrum of alterations in pulmonary tissue is associated with variability of precursor cells and may have nosological features.