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Akkermansia muciniphila is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, a component of the normal human intestinal microbiota. A decrease in the presence of this bacterium is associated with pathologies, including metabolic disorders, intestinal inflammation and colorectal cancer. A. muciniphila is a probiotic approved for patients with diabetes and obesity. In recent years, A. muciniphila was studied in the control of intestinal inflammation and colorectal cancer. The exact mechanisms of A. muciniphila action remain unclear, while the use of different administration protocols shows different effects in mouse models of colitis and colorectal cancer. We reported that A. muciniphila has distinct effects on intestinal mucin production depending on viable or pasteurized form of bacteria. Another factor affecting the outcome of the A. muciniphila administration is the number of bacteria. To address how the dose of bacteria may affect the severity of acute intestinal inflammation wild-type mice were subjected to daily oral injections with 10⁸ CFU or 109 CFU of viable A. muciniphila for two weeks; the control group was injected with PBS. After that, groups were subjected to the induction of acute colitis by adding 7% DSS to drinking water for five days. 8 days after the onset of colitis induction, a morphometric assessment of the colitis severity was performed. Mice given a high dose of A. muciniphila (109 CFU) were found to be protected from developing severe colitis. RT-PCR analysis of colon samples from mice receiving a high dose of bacteria showed an increase in the gene expression of antimicrobial peptides, IL-17A, IL-17F. Interestingly, the protective effect of A. muciniphila was observed only in a high dose group, but not in a low dose group. Our data suggest that A. muciniphila provides the protective effect in colitis and highlight the importance of selecting the dose of the bacterium for proper interpretation.

The study of antimicrobial compounds of animal origin, particularly antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), is a current research topic. However, extracting endogenous AMPs is a challenging process and requires the application of targeted enzymatic processing principles based on knowledge of the structure of prepropeptide molecules — precursors of AMPs. In this study, a search was conducted for antimicrobial peptides present in Sus scrofa and Bos taurus organisms, as well as their precursors, using The Antimicrobial Peptide Database and UniProtKB databases. In the amino acid sequences of prepropeptides, the sequences of the mature peptides were found, and cleavage sites for trypsin, bacterial collagenase (type I), and neutrophil elastase were determined. As a result of the search for antimicrobial compounds in The Antimicrobial Peptide Database, 18 antimicrobial peptides from Sus scrofa and 40 antimicrobial peptides from Bos taurus were identified. Based on the results of determining cleavage sites in AMP precursors, enzymes were ranked from less preferred to more preferred for AMP release as follows: bacterial collagenase (type I) ≤ trypsin < neutrophil elastase. This order is justified not only by the number of suitable cleavage sites and their accuracy but also by the action of enzymes within mature AMPs: it is important to consider that enzymes can “cut” the peptides themselves, thereby reducing their antimicrobial activity. The bioinformatics analysis conducted is applicable for both primary screening of raw material potential and determining of suitable enzymes for extracting antimicrobial compounds from Sus scrofa and Bos taurus organisms.

Hypertrophy of pharyngeal lymphoid tissue is among the most common problems in pediatric otorhinolaryngology, in particular, hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils. This disorder is characterized by increased size of a single or both palatine tonsils combined with various clinical symptoms. The principles of treatment in children with this pathology remain debatable, since the long-term effects of bilateral tonsillotomy are still not fully understood. The aim of the study was to assess the expression levels of genes encoding the innate immunity molecules (TLR4, HBD1, HBD2, IL1β) in the mucous membranes of palatine tonsils in children with palatine tonsillitis before and after treatment.We conducted a study of 78 patients divided into three independent groups. The 1st group (comparison) included 20 somatically healthy children. The 2nd group included 28 children with grade 2 palatine tonsil hypertrophy who underwent local treatment. The 3rd group included 30 children with grade 3 hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils, who, by clinical indications, underwent bilateral tonsillotomy. Determination and evaluation of innate immunity indices was carried out both before starting the treatment, and one month later, using the real-time PCR method.In children with hypertrophy of palatine tonsils, the initial values of TLR4 gene expression and antimicrobial peptides differed from those of healthy children. A decreased expression of HBD1 and HBD2 genes, which provide immediate protection against pathogens, was revealed. The values of TLR4 gene expression differed in groups of children with varying degrees of palatine tonsillar hypertrophy. In patients with bilateral tonsillotomy, an increased expression of TLR4 gene and a decreased expression of antimicrobial peptide genes (HBD1, HBD2) were revealed, which may indicate a readiness for development of tonsillar inflammation in response to pathogens. One month after surgical treatment, the indices of innate immunity were comparable with those of healthy children thus confirming the validity of surgical treatment. In the 2nd group of patients, the TLR4 gene expression one month after conservative treatment remained reduced, the expression of β-defensin HBD1 gene increased and exceeded the indicators of the group of healthy children, the expression level of the IL-1β gene was reduced.The revealed imbalance between the TLR4, HBD1 and HBD2 expression levels confirms an important role of innate immunity mechanisms in pathogenesis of palatine tonsillitis. The assessment of innate immunity indices may be used as an additional criterion in administration of therapy for hypertrophy of palatine tonsils and evaluation of its efficiency.

Currently, the available methods of treating parodontitis are not able to have a complex effect. Therefore, in recent years, there has been an active search and development of new methods of treatment and new drugs that have a complex etiopathogenetic effect on this disease. This article provides a comparative evaluation of the classical and experimental methods of treating chronic periodontitis. Based on the reconstruction of an experimental model of chronic inflammation of periodontal tissues of the Wistar rat line, we compared methods of topical therapy by “Organosilicon Glycerohydrogel – Peptide” and “Polyoxidonium” compositions. A comparative assessment of the activity of these drugs with control groups, which were treated with “Organosilicon Glycerohydrogel” and “Metrogyl Denta”, was carried out. Previously, we carried out separate studies of the effectiveness of the use of the composition “organosilicon glycerohydrogel – peptide”, as well as the method of treatment of periodontitis, by injecting the drug “Polyoxidonium”. They have been compared with the classic treatment for this disease to obtain relevant data and results. In our opinion, the data obtained are of considerable interest. The assessment and comparison of clinical and histological data have been carried out, which showed that all drugs had a positive effect on the processes of tissue regeneration. However, the composition “Organosilicon Glycerohydrogel-peptide”, due to the characteristics of the hydrogel, which is acting as a transcutaneous conductor, showed a faster antimicrobial and pathogenetic effect, which allows a comprehensive approach to solving this problem. In comparison with the groups of “Organosilicon Glycerohydrogel” and “Polyoxidonium”, the period of clinical improvement increased by 57% in the group of “Glycerohydrogel-Peptide”, and, in the “Metrogyl Denta” group, the indicators improved by 15% approximately.

Introduction. Genital herpes is a chronic sexually transmitted infection characterised by recurrent self-limiting genital ulcers caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2) and can be associated with chronic prostatitis (CP).Objective. To determine the efficacy of cytokines-antimicrobial peptides complex in therapy of patients with herpes virus-associated chronic prostatitis.Materials & methods. The pilot, open, prospective, non-comparative study included 23 patients who were followed up for CP for a mean of 9.7 ± 4.2 years. All were diagnosed with abacterial CP / chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) with signs of inflammation and detection of HSV DNA in urethral swabs by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Prescribed therapy: Tab. Valaciclovir 500 mg b.i.d. p.o. for 10 days, Tab. Ketoprofen 100 mg q.d. for 5 days, Supp. Superlymph 10 IU q.d. p.r. q.h.s. for 20 days. The results were evaluated at the end of therapy, 3 and 6 months after its completion.Results. At the end of therapy, the leukocytes count in prostate secretion decreased by almost five times and remained stable throughout the entire follow-up period. The total symptom scale score at the end of therapy decreased from 22.96 ± 6.01 to 6.61 ± 3.71 points (p < 0.05). There was also a change in the perception of pain on a visual analog scale. If, before the start of treatment, 14 patients (60.9%) assessed the pain intensity as “severe” and only two (8.7%) had “weak” pain intensity, then after the end of therapy, none of the patients had severe pain, 21 (91.3%) patients noted "mild" pain and in 2 patients (8.7%) the intensity of pain was regarded as "average". Quality of life improved from baseline 8.23 ± 1.91 points to 2.43 ± 1.41 points immediately after completion of therapy (p < 0.05). Three months after therapy, patients assessed the quality of life as 2.43 ± 1.41 points, and six months later, as 2.81 ± 1.21 points. During the first three months, one patient experienced a HPV-relapse; one more — within the next three months. These patients underwent a second course according to a similar scheme. None of the patients reported significant side effects on any component of the therapeutic complex.Conclusion. In abacterial CP/CPPS, a herpes infection should be identified. Being neurotropic, HSV can cause / exacerbate the pain characteristic of CP/CPPS. In case of persistent pain, HSV infection should be excluded. In the treatment of patients with herpes virus-associated abacterial CP, Supp. Superlymph showed good immediate and long-term results.

The aim. To study the content of antimicrobial peptides in the serum of children with urinary tract infections depending on the clinical form of the disease and to establish their pathogenetic role in the development of various clinical forms of pathology. Materials and methods. The study groups consisted of 84 children (mean age – 10.0 ± 1.3 years). The main group was divided into subgroups: the first subgroup – 17 children with acute pyelonephritis, the second subgroup – 21 patients with chronic pyelonephritis, the third subgroup – 16 patients with acute cystitis, the fourth subgroup – 10 patients with unspecified urinary tract infections. The control group consisted of 20 relatively healthy children. The study of the content of cathelicidin, hepcidin and lactoferrin was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. The development of urinary tract infection was accompanied by a statistically significant increase in the content of cathelicidin (P < 0.05). The highest level of serum cathelicidin was registered in children of the first (P 0.05). The level of hepcidin in the main study group was statistically lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). The development of chronic pyelonephritis and acute cystitis occurred amid a statistically significant decrease in hepcidin levels by 2.5 and 1.7 times (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The level of lactoferrin in the general group was within the control group figures (P > 0.05), however, there was a statistically significant decrease in serum lactoferrin in a subgroup of children with unspecified urinary tract infections (P < 0.05). We determined a relationship between hepcidin and lactoferrin levels in the investigated groups and found a clear direct relationship in a subgroup of children diagnosed with chronic pyelonephritis (r = 0.58, P < 0.01). Conclusions. Each nosological form of urinary tract infection has its own configuration of antimicrobial peptides. The analysis of the relationship between hepcidin and lactoferrin, the antimicrobial peptides that limit the access of the pathogens to serum iron, indicates the synchronization of the body’s defense mechanisms aimed at eliminating the pathogen.

Introduction. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in the population ranges from 12 to 80% and depends on the cohort of examined women. Of the total confirmed cases, 37-40% are pregnant women.Aim. To assess the effectiveness of the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) in pregnant women.Materials and methods. The study included 43 women at 22 to 30 weeks' gestation, divided into two groups: the treatment group consisted of 30 pregnant women diagnosed with BV, the control group comprised 13 pregnant women with normal vaginal microbiocenosis. To determine the antimicrobial activity of vaginal epithelium, samples of vaginal discharge were examined. The treatment was carried out using clindamycin according to the following regimen: 100 mg intravaginally per day at bedtime for 3 days.Results. The study results showed that the highest activity of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) was found in the group of healthy pregnant women, which accounted for 79.1%. In pregnant women with BV, the level of antimicrobial activity significantly decreased as compared with the group of healthy pregnant women as the severity of the disease increased, amounting to 44.5% in women with mild BV, 36.4% in women with moderate BV and 33.6% in women with severe BV. The level of antimicrobial activity in the group of pregnant women with BV, who received treatment with clindamycin significantly increased by almost two times from the baseline values and amounted to 86.1% in women with mild BV, 78.5% in women with moderate BV and 76.9% in women with severe BV.Conclusion. The production of endogenous antibiotics, AMP, provides adequate protection against infectious agents. After a course of therapy with clindamycin 100 mg intravaginally at bedtime for 3 days, the AMP level normalized 2 weeks after treatment.

Objectives. Resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs is an acute problem in the world today. Therefore, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries are still in search of new antibacterial agents that can overcome the resistance of pathogenic bacterial strains. To date, it has been established that molecules with antimicrobial activity must have an amphiphilic nature, a small size, one or more positive charges, and the required degree of hydrophobicity, that is, a significant hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) value. Some examples of such structures are antimicrobial peptides or peptidomimetics. This study aimed to develop a universal scheme for synthesizing several amino acid derivatives based on diethanolamine diesters with symmetric and asymmetric radicals in a hydrophobic block and potential antibacterial activity.Methods. The progression of chemical reactions was analyzed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) on Sorbfil plates. The obtained compounds were isolated and purified using preparative TLC on Kieselgel (Merck) 60 F254 plates and column chromatography on Merck silica gel 0.040–0.063 mm. The TLC method was used to detect substances using a 3% ninhydrin solution, followed by heating to 70 °C. The structures of the obtained compounds were confirmed by hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy on a Bruker WM-300 pulse NMR spectrometer, with hexamethyldisiloxane serving as the internal standard.Results. The HLB values of the diethanolamine derivatives were calculated, and samples were selected for subsequent synthesis. A scheme was developed for preparing amino acid derivatives based on diethanolamine diesters with symmetric and asymmetric radicals in the hydrophobic domain, and five new compounds were synthesized. The hydrophilic blocks of these compounds included residues of amino acids such as glycine, β-alanine, L-ornithine, and L-lysine.Conclusions. The potential antimicrobial activity of the synthesized peptidomimetics was assessed by their HLB values using the ACD/Labs Log P program. New amphiphiles were synthesized using amino acids and diethanolamine, and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy data. The synthesized compounds were prepared for antibacterial activity analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic which began in March 2020 has again drawn attention to the problem of treating primary viral pneumonia (PVP), wherein damage to the tissues of the lower respiratory tract including functionally important alveolocytes occurs as a result of cell infection by pathogens of the Virae Kingdom. Whereas treatment of bacterial pneumonia is based on the basic approach related to the use of antibiotics (which effectiveness needs to be verified more often than ever due to the “curse of the resistance effect” — that, however, does not cancel the essence of the basic approach), efficient PVP treatment is feasible only in case of available etiotropic, but catastrophically few, drugs. Such drugs in case of the influenza A virus (Articulavirales: Orthomyxoviridae, Alphainfluenzavirus) have been known since the second part of the XXth century. However, no consensus was achieved among clinicians regarding particularly dangerous human coronaviruses (Nidovirales: Coronaviridae, Betacoronavirus) which threat has driven the world epidemiology in the XXIst century: SARS-CoV (subgenus Sarbecovirus), MERS-CoV (Merbecovirus), SARS-CoV-2 (Sarbecovirus). And we should be prepared to the fact that increase in population density and scaling up of anthropogenic impact on ecosystems elevates a probability of overcoming interspecies barriers by natural focal viruses and their penetration into the human population with adverse epidemic consequences. Therefore, PVP therapy should be developed systematically in the nearest future. Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) as the components of non-specific innate immunity against a wide range of infectious pathogens: bacteria (Bacteria), microscopic fungi (Fungi) and viruses (Virae) may serve as a platform for developing such system. Our review justifies a way to select such platform and provides well-known examples of successfully used AMP in treatment of PVP and related pathological conditions.

Relevance. Currently, all over the world, antibacterial therapy is widely used as a prophylaxis after surgical interventions. Currently, some data indicate the benefits of a short course, while others, in turn, indicate the benefits of a long course of antibacterial drugs as a prevention of postoperative complications. The problem of pan-resistance of bacterial strains in relation to almost all available groups of antibacterial drugs forces us to look for ways to overcome resistance, to look for new potential bases for the creation of antimicrobial drugs. New antibacterial drugs: odilorhabdins, tridecapeptins and malacidins, arilomycins and others will help to overcome the existing difficulties.The purpose of this study is to analyze the domestic and foreign literature for the period 2017–2021 in order to study the current approach to antibacterial therapy in surgical practice.Material and methods. In the course of this study, publications were selected according to the topic for the period from 2017 to 2021. The information was obtained from foreign and domestic sources: the Russian scientific electronic library, integrated with the Russian Science Citation Index (eLibrary.ru), Medline database (via Pubmed.gov), Scopus database, ScienceDirect database.Results. One of the significant difficulties in the treatment of wounds with antibacterial drugs of various localizations is the persistence of resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus. In the studied studies, the high effectiveness of tedizolide phosphate in the treatment of this type of infection was noted. It is also possible to use other new drugs as epmiric therapy in the presence of risk factors for MRSA infection: daptomycin (lipopeptides), ceftaroline (cephalosporins), tigecycline (glycylcyclines), telavancin (glycopeptides)[41]. The use of biocides in the treatment of prostheses for hernioplasty as an antibacterial prophylaxis significantly reduces the adhesion of staphylococci and prevents postoperative complications. Suture material with antimicrobial activity, which would allow to fully reduce the risk of infections in the field of surgical intervention, is not yet available on the pharmaceutical market, but the increasing attention of scientists is attracted by chitosan, a derivative of the natural polymer chitin. The combined use of bacteriophages with low doses of antibiotics leads to better results in the treatment of surgical soft tissue infection. Bacteriophages are one of the ways to overcome antibiotic resistance.Conclusions. The modern approach to antibacterial therapy in surgical practice involves the correct and timely appointment of starting therapy, taking into account the sensitivity of microorganisms, the use of antibacterial preoperative prevention, determining the optimal duration of use and dose selection of an antibiotic, the use of sensitive bacteriophages together with them, overcoming antibiotic resistance due to the competent use of new antibacterial drugs based on peptides, a comprehensive approach to the treatment of surgical infection.

Introduction. Data on the vitamin D receptors (VDR) found on the surface of a large number of cell types of the human body were first published several decades ago, which served as a prerequisite to study the role of vitamin D in the development of some diseases, including infections.Objective of the study.Evaluate the relationship between administration of cholecalciferol supplements, the synthesis of defensins, and the incidence and morbidity patterns of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in young children.Material and methods.108 healthy children aged 1 month to 3 years were examined, of which 34 (31.5%) were vitamin D sufficient, 40 (37.0%) had a vitamin D insufficiency, 27 (25.0%) had a vitamin D deficiency and 7 (6.5%) children had severe vitamin D deficiency. After the course of treatment of vitamin D deficiency with therapeutic doses, all patients were prescribed prophylactic doses of cholecalciferol supplements (1000 IU/day) for a 6-month course.Results. Therapeutic doses of cholecalciferol promoted β1 and β2-defensin expression; a direct correlation was found between the daily dose of vitamin D and the increase of β2-defensin expression (r = 0.34, p

The aim was to study the effect of rabbit immunization with different yeasts cells on overall antimicrobial serum activity and specific activity of antimicrobial peptides fraction.Material and methods. Rabbits were immunized with cells of Candida albicans, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Malassezia furfur, Cryptococcus neoformans, Geotrichum candidum, Trichosporon cutaneum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. AMP fractions were obtained by filtration through 100 kDa filters. Overall activities of sera and their AMP-fractions were estimated spectrophotometrically.Results. Overall serum antimicrobial activity had tendency to decrease after immunization independently from yeast species. Activity of AMP-fractions after immunization with C. albicans, Cr. neoformans, G. candi dum и S. ce revisiae increased, but with other yeasts — decreased. The highest sensitivity to AMP fraction cor res ponded to C. albicans, especially for serum of the rabbit immunized with this yeasts — 1,5-fold higher com pare to control. Serum albumin concentration showed the positive correlation with overall antimicrobial activity against C. albicans (r = 0,760), R. mucilaginosa (r = 0,728), M. furfur (r = 0,723) и T. cutaneum (r = 0,588).Discussion. The results confirm our earlier data. Moreover, they expand current views on the effect of yeasts antigens on activity of serum AMP against different yeasts.Conclusion. Serum albumin and serum AMP demonstrated the specificity toward different yeasts: maximal activity they showed towards specia which more often play opportunistic role.

Relevance: immunotropic effects of cholecalciferol are caused by vitamin-D-induced synthesis of antimicrobial peptides (AMP), in particular р-defensins. There are very few studies in pediatric clinical practice confirming the effect of vitamin D availability on AMP synthesis.Aim: analysis of the correlation between vitamin D availability and AMP production and assessment of the effect of cholecalciferol medication intake on defensin synthesis in young children.Materials and methods: 108 healthy children aged 1 month to 3 years were examined, of which 34 (31.5%) were adequately provided with vitamin D (calcidiol level over 30 ng/ml), 40 (37.0%) with insufficiency (20 to 30 ng/ml), 27 (25.0%) with vitamin D deficiency (10 to 20 ng/ml) and 7 (6.5%) with severe deficit (less than 10 ng/ml). In the presence of hypovitaminose of vitamin D the monthly course of cholecalciferol in doses of 2000-4000 lU/day was prescribed for correction, and in normal provision -prophylactic administration of 1000 IU/day. The indices of 25(ON)D, β1- and β2-defensins were determined three times.Results. On natural feeding, the rates of β1-defensin are 2.3 times (p

Introduction. Preventing recurrent bacterial vaginosis (BV) during pregnancy is an important issue in current obstetrics.Aim: to assess the effect of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b on the incidence of recurrent BV during pregnancy and on the bacterial, cytokine, and antimicrobial components of the nonspecific vaginal immunity.Materials and methods. The study included 80 pregnant women with recurrent BV, 40 of whom (the main group) were treated with recombinant human interferon alpha-2b in the first half of pregnancy and after 30 weeks of pregnancy in addition to standard therapy (metronidazole or clindamycin). The other 40 women (control group) did not receive this interferon drug. Patients of the both groups were examined for the rate of BV recurrence and also tested for their vaginal bacteria and levels of β-defensin-2 (HBD-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interferon-γ (INF-γ) in the third trimester of pregnancy.Results. Treatment with recombinant human interferon alfa-2b led to a 3-fold reduction in the occurrence of repeated episodes of BV and an increase in the content of lactobacilli (7.24 ± 0.33 and 7.03 ± 0.40 in patients with interferon therapy and without it, respectively; p = 0.013) mainly due to Lactobacillus crispatus (7.14 ± 0.69 in women who received interferon alfa-2b, compared with 6.36 ± 0.95 in patients on standard therapy; p = 0.003) and a decrease in the number of some types of anaerobes. Also, the use of interferon alpha-2b in pregnant women with recurrent BV led to an increase in the content of IL-1β by 2.5 times, IL-6 by 3.5 times, IL-10 by 1.5 times, INF-γ by 2 times, and HBD-2 by 4 times.Conclusion. Treatment of recurrent BV during pregnancy with recombinant human interferon alfa-2b, aimed at boosting the nonspecific vaginal immunity helps reduce the incidence of recurrent BV.

Aim. Estimation of activity of native human serum and its antimicrobial peptides fraction against clinically important yeasts and comparison with the activity of some mammals sera. Materials and methods. Pooled samples of human, bovine, rabbit and mouse sera and collection strains of yeasts Candida albicans, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Malassezia furfur, Cryptococcus neoformans, Geotrichum candidum, Trichosporon cutaneum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used in the study. Antimicrobial peptides fractions (AMP) were obtained by filtration through molecular filters with 100 kDa pores. Activity of sera and their AMP-fractions were estimated by spectrophotometric method. Results. Activity of native mammal sera varied in diapason 73÷89% independently from yeast genus, although AMP-fractions activity varied more significantly. The minimal sensitivity to AMP-fractions of sera demonstrated M. furfur (activity values were equal 0÷13,5%) and G. candidum (0÷6,5%), but the maximal — R. mucilaginosa (12,3÷56,4%), C. albicans (22,0÷32,9%), and C. neoformans (17,1÷29,9%). Activity values of AMP-fractions of human serum were correlated meaningfully with no of the values of other mammals (Pirson coefficient r=0,459÷0,527). Considerable correlation of the indexes took place between rabbit and bovine sera (r=0,827), as well as between rabbit and mouse sera (r = 0,753). Conclusion. The differences between AMP-fractions activity towards studied yeast genera/specia indicate the occurrence of its specificity probably related with structural organization of cytoplasmic membrane of yeast cells as well as with variations in AMP composition in different mammals.

The immune system of the body’s mucous membranes plays a huge role in the development, maintenance and regulation of immune homeostasis, being an important component of the multi-component immune system. The structural basis of local immunity is the lymphatic tissue associated with the mucous membranes (MALT). There is now scientific evidence that the mucous membrane sections of different body systems interact closely with each other, subject to the same regulatory influences. This relationship is particularly close between the digestive and respiratory tract, and studies have shown that vaccination of the mucosa of one part increases the protective function of the mucosa of another part, and that virus infection leads to virus-specific concentrations of immunoglobulins in the secretion of the mucosa of another part. The impact on the intestinal microbiota can be a convenient tool to prevent not only gastrointestinal, but also respiratory diseases. In a number of works the clinical effects confirming expediency of probiotics application both at healthy, and at sick children are confirmed. An extremely important component of the local immune system is the antimicrobial peptides, which play a key role in the formation of the first line of defense against infections. AMP have a number of proven biological effects: antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects, and some have antitumor properties. Thus, the prospects for prevention and treatment of many infectious diseases lie in the new possibilities for influencing mucosal immunity.

With antibiotic resistance increasing and new microbial resistance factors forming, the problem of creating new methods to treat and prevent the urinary tract infections becomes topical. The latest studies showed that urothelium contains a large number of immune factors providing its protection against the adverse effects of various uropathogens in vivo. There are very promising molecules – antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) – in terms of further therapeutic use among the components of inborn immunity. AMPs are the evolutionarily oldest molecules of innate immunity. The article discusses current data on the presence of various classes of AMPs in the urinary system, demonstrates data on their effectiveness as therapeutic agents against UTI, and describes further prospects for their use in the GP practice.

Antimicrobial peptides are a heterogeneous group of molecules involved in the innate and acquired immune response of various organisms, ranging from prokaryotes to mammals, including humans. They consist of 12–50 amino acid residues; have different physico-chemical and biological properties. The most common feature is their ability to destroy the prokaryotic cell membrane, which causes cell death. In the action, the molecules of antimicrobial peptides are embedded in the target bacteriological cells and change their conformation, forming structures in some cases resembling channels. Some other molecules of antimicrobial peptides can cover the surface of a bacteriological cell and form a carpet, when they reach a critical mass they act like detergents. In addition, being positively charged molecules of such peptides, penetrating through the membranes of parasitic and bacteriological cells, bind to polyanionic RNA and DNA molecules. Among the benefits of antimicrobial peptides is their high metabolic activity, low probability of occurrence of addictions and side effects. In addition, bacteriological pathogens that previously did not have resistance to any antimicrobial peptide are difficult to develop a strategy to control them. In this connection, these peptides are the most promising moleculessubstitutes for traditional antibiotics. The article discusses the approaches and strategies of therapeutic use, the studies of antimicrobial peptides identified in recent years; The most frequently encountered mechanisms of interaction of antimicrobial peptides and a bacteriological membrane are described, the physicochemical properties of peptide molecules are described; the results of studies on the detection of resistance of some strains of bacteria to antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics in general are summarized.

Specific epidemiology of sapronotic (soil-borne) bacteria is characterized from the ecological point of view. The characteristic feature of soil-borne pathogens is an ability to exist autonomously in the environment. This analytical review is focused on crops as alternative hosts for a number of soil-borne pathogenic bacteria (Yersinia, Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia etc). Published experimental results evidence capabilities of human and animal pathogens to colonize plant tissues. Novel approaches are discussed to minimize risks of infection spreading with crops. These approaches include an analysis of wild plant natural resistance to pathogenic bacteria and a construction of transgenic plant crops expressing antimicrobial peptides. Multiple studies are cited that established wild plants used in traditional medicine as a source for obtaining molecules effective against resistant pathogens. The review includes recent author results on activity of wild plant extracts against Listeria and toxin-producing Escherichia.

Aim. Study the functional properties of cationic antimicrobial peptides 0-defensins isolated from baboon Papio hamadryas blood leukocytes. Materials and methods. Baboon 0-defensins were extracted from leukocyte mass using ultrafiltration, preparative electrophoresis and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The test microorganisms used were Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Gram-positive bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, and fungi Candida albicans. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined by testing serial dilutions of the test peptides by radial diffusion in agarose gel. Microbicidal action was evaluated by counting surviving colony forming units after incubation microorganisms with the peptides. The 0-defensins influence on E.coli membrane permeability was assessed using chromogenic markers o-nirofenil- β-D-galactopyranoside and nitrocefin. Results. The analysis of the 0-defensins antimicrobial properties showed that they produce antimicrobial activity against test microorganisms, exhibiting bactericidal and fungicidal effects at micromolar concentrations. We studied the influence of different environmental conditions (low and high ionic strength, blood serum in medium) for antimicrobial activity. It is shown that 0-defensins have the ability to increase the outer membran of E.coli permeability, however, in contrast to 0-defensins have no noticeable influence on the inner membrane permeability. Conclusion. Baboon 0-defensins isolated from blood leukocytes are effective antimicrobial agents with a broad spectrum of microbicidal action. 0-Defensins baboon unlike 0-defensins exhibit antimicrobial activity in environments with high ionic strength. 0-Defensins increase the outer membran of E.coli permeability but not the cytoplasmic membrane, suggesting that the mechanism of antimicrobial effect of these peptides other than 0-defensins.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are important components of defense system in both plants and animals. They represent an ancient mechanism of innate immunity providing rapid first line of defense against pathogens. Plant AMPs are classified into several families: thionins, defensins, nonspecific lipid-transfer proteins, hevein- and knottin-type peptides, hairpinins and macrocyclic peptides (cyclotides). The review focuses on the thionin family. Thionins comprise a plant-specific AMP family that consists of short (~5 kDA) cysteine-rich peptides containing 6 or 8 cysteine residues with antimicrobial and toxic properties. Based on similarity in amino acid sequences and the arrangement of disulphide bonds, five structural classes of thionins are discriminated. The three-dimensional structures of a number of thionins were determined. The amphipathic thionin molecule resembles the Greek letter Г, in which the long arm is formed by two antiparallel α-helices, while the short one, by two parallel β-strands. The residues responsible for the antimicrobial activity of thionins were identified. Thionins are synthesized as precursor proteins consisting of a signal peptide, the mature peptide region and the C-terminal prodomain. Thionins protect plants from pathogenic bacteria and fungi acting directly on the membranes of microorganisms at micromolar concentrations, although their precise mode of action remains unclear. In addition to plant pathogens, thionins inhibit growth of a number of human pathogens and opportunistic microorganisms, such as Candida spp., Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Fusarium solani, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Thionins are toxic to different types of cells including mammalian cancer cell lines. Transgenic plants expressing thionin genes display enhanced resistance to pathogens. A wide range of biological activities makes thionins promising candidates for practical application in agriculture and medicine.

Aim. Study of the effect of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) on the sensitivity of the conditional pathogenic of bacteria to the action of antagonistic active of representatives mutualistically microflora. Materials and methods. The study used peptides from platelets of chicken obtained by the method of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in stepwise and linear gradients of increasing concentrations of organic solvent. The effect of AMP on the sensitivity of microorganisms to antagonistic active substances of the dominant bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus, and Enterococcus were investigated in a joint incubation. Antagonistic activity of bacteria studied the gup method. Results. Shown an increased expression of antagonistic activity of indigenous microflora in relation to associative microflora after concubinage with a peptide fractions from platelets of chicken. Conclusion. The obtained results allow to assume the existence of new mechanisms of formation of the colonization resistance of the biotope.

Bacterial vaginosis developing in pregnancy is associated with abnormal vaginal flora and with an imbalance of cytokines and antimicrobial peptides.The aim of this research was to study the bacterial, cytokine and antimicrobial components of the vaginal nonspecific immune system in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy among patients with recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Materials and methods. The study included 40 pregnant women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis (Group 1), and 40 healthy pregnant women with no signs of vaginosis (Group 2). At the onset of this study, the average gestational age among the selected women was 14.8 ± 2.0 weeks. We analyzed clinical and laboratory parameters of bacterial vaginosis, qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the vaginal flora, the levels of β-defensin-2 (HBD-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interferon-γ (INF-γ) in vaginal washouts.Results. The pregnant women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis tested at the 30th week of gestation, had moderate vaginal dysbiosis caused by an increased number of anaerobic microorganisms. Along with that, at the beginning of the third trimester, the number of lactobacillus bacteria increased in both Group 1 and Group 2. Notably, the predominant species in the healthy women samples was L. crispatus whereas in patients with recurrent bacterial vaginosis that was L. iners. There were no changes in the levels of cytokines and antimicrobial peptide between the second and third trimester in women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis. In this group (Group 1), however, the levels of HBD-2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, INF-γ were lower in comparison with healthy pregnant women (Group 2), which can be seen as a risk factor of further returns of the disease.Conclusion. Pregnant women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis as well as women with normal course of gestation have an increased presence of lactobacilli bacteria in their vagina during the third trimester of gestation. No other changes in the bacterial, antimicrobial and cytokine components of the nonspecific immune system in the female reproductive tract were found.

Search for new compounds providing delivery of drugs into infected or neoplastic cells, is an important direction of biomedical research. Cell-penetrating peptides are among those compounds, due to their ability to translocate through membranes of eukaryotic cells, serving as potential carriers of various therapeutic agents to the target cells. The aim of present work was to investigate the ability of acipensin 1, an antimicrobial peptide of innate immune system, for in vitro penetration into human tumor cells. Acipensin 1 is a cationic peptide that we have previously isolated from leukocytes of the Russian sturgeon, Acipenser gueldenstaedtii. Capability of acipensin 1 to enter the human erytroleukemia K-562 cells has been investigated for the first time. A biotechnological procedure for producing a recombinant acipensin 1 peptide has been developed. The obtained peptide was conjugated with a fluorescent probe BODIPY FL. By means of confocal microscopy, we have shown that the tagged acipensin 1 rapidly enters into K-562 cells and can be detected in the intracellular space within 5 min after its addition to the cell culture. Using flow cytometry technique, penetration kinetics of the labeled peptide into K-562 cells (at nontoxic micromolar concentrations) has been studied. We have observed a rapid internalization of the peptide to the target cells, thus confirming the results of microscopic analysis, i.e, the labeled acipensin was detectable in K-562 cells as soon as wihin 2-3 seconds after its addition to the incubation medium. The maximum of fluorescence was reached within a period of approx. 45 seconds, with further “plateau” at the terms of >100 seconds following cell stimulation with the test compound. These data support the concept, that the antimicrobial peptides of innate immunity system possess the features of cell-penetrating peptides, and allow us to consider the studied sturgeon peptide a promising template for development of new drugs with increased ability to enter the cells implicated into pathological processes, and, therefore, higher therapeutic efficiency.

Objective: To evaluate the possibility of improving the effectiveness of early postoperative healing in patients after surgical interventions on periodontal tissues due to the topical application of alginate plates with a complex of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines., Materials and Methods: 40 patients who underwent periodontal surgery were examined: operations aimed at bone tissue regeneration; mucogingival operations (elimination of gum recession), corticotomy with osteoplasty, apical surgery. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups of 20 people (main and control). At the end of the operation, alginate plates with a complex of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines were applied to the surgical intervention area to the main group. Further, 2-3 times a day, it was recommended to apply them independently for 10-14 days, after antiseptic treatment. In the control group, they were limited to double treatment with 0.05% chlorhexidine bigluconate solution daily for two weeks. Follow-up examinations and evaluation of the index of early wound healing, as well as indicators of postoperative pain, bleeding and edema were carried out on day 3, 7, 14., Results: In all patients in the early postoperative period, positive dynamics of healing were observed, however, in the main group, pain indicators, as well as bleeding and swelling, according to a patient survey, were less pronounced. The early wound healing index was also more positive in the main group - on days 3, 7 and 14 there was a more intense decrease. (1.9 points.,1.5 points., 1.2 points., respectively, and in the control group 2.3 points., 2.1 points., 1.9 points.)., Conclusion: Local application of alginate plates with a complex of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines in the early postoperative period allows to improve early wound healing after surgical interventions on periodontal tissues, and can be recommended for use at a dental appointment, as well as for use at home.

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections. At the request "cystitis", there are 12,067 publications in the RSCI system (e.library) as of 10/08/2023 and 16,332 articles were screened in the Pubmed. This is evidence that the problem of cystitis is far from being resolved., Material and Methods: A total of 425 patients with bacterial vaginosis and 77 women with chronic recurrent cystitis were included in the study. In all patients, the vaginal biocenosis was assessed through molecular genetic testing. The examination included filling out the Russian version of the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS), urinalysis, and urine culture. In addition, local microcirculation was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). After examination, patients were prescribed basic therapy and randomly assigned to one of three groups. In a control group (n=17), only basic therapy, consisting of fosfomycin 3.0 once at night + furagin 100 mg after meals 3 times a day for 5 days was prescribed. In the main group 1, 29 women received basic therapy plus Superlymph suppositories 10 units 2 times a day vaginally for 10 days. In the main group 2, 31 patients received basic therapy plus suppositories Superlymph 10 units (rectally in the morning) and Acylact Duo (vaginally in the evening) for 10 days., Results: Among 425 patients with bacterial vaginosis, 78 (18.3%) complained of various urinary disorders, but only 21 women (4.9% of those with vaginal dysbiosis and 26.9% with dysuria) had a diagnosis of cystitis. In all cases, it was an exacerbation of a chronic disease. Among 77 patients with chronic cystitis, normal vaginal flora was initially present in 32 patients (41.6%), and bacterial vaginosis was found in 45 (58.4%) cases. After therapy, positive results were noted in patients of all groups. Complete eradication of the pathogen occurred in 15 women (88.2%) who received only basic therapy; in the main groups 1 and 2, uropathogens were not detected in 27 (93.1%) and 28 (90.3%) cases, respectively. In the control group, the proportion of patients with normal vaginal flora remained virtually unchanged (41.2% [n=7] vs. 47.1% [n=8]). In the main group 1, the proportion of patients with normal vaginal flora almost doubled: from 41.4% (n=12) to 79.3% (n=23). In main group 2, restoration of vaginal flora was noted in 87.1% of cases., Conclusion: According to our data, only 4.9% of patients with bacterial vaginosis were diagnosed with chronic cystitis, however, 58.4% of patients with chronic cystitis had vaginal dysbiosis. The use of a complex of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines has significantly increased the bidirectional effect of therapy. Suppositories Superlymph in a combination with vaginal use of Acylact Duo allow to obtain the best results.

Aim. Isolation and study ofbiological activity of antimicrobial peptides from chickens thrombocytes. Materials and methods. Peptides from chickens thrombocytes, obtained by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method with stepped and linear gradients of concentration increase of the organic solvent were used in the study. Their antimicrobial activity was determined by microtitration method in broth; mechanism of biological effect - by using fluorescent spectroscopy method with DNA-tropic dyes. Results. Individual fractions of peptides were isolated from chickens thrombocytes, that possess antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus P209 and Escherichia coli K12. A disruption of integrity of barrier structures of microorganisms under the effect of thrombocyte antimicrobial peptides and predominance of cells with damaged membrane in the population of E. coli was established. Conclusion. The data obtained on antimicrobial activity and mechanism of bactericidal effect of the peptide fractions from chickens thrombocytes isolated for the first time expand the understanding of functional properties of chickens thrombocytes and open a perspective for their further study with the aim of use as antimicrobial means.

Specific perinatal infections make about 30% in causal structure of infant mortality. Among the respiratory diseases of perinatal period, pneumonias take a special place, due to higher frequency, severity, complications and adverse outcomes. The aim of this work was to study microflora and factors of innate immunity (TLR2, TLR4, HBD-1, HBD-2, TNFα and NF-kB) at the level of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract during intrauterine infection of fetus and perinatal pneumonia. Causal structure of ventilator-associated pneumonias at the intensive care unit represents a broad spectrum of pathogens with high resistance to antibiotics. Changes of immunological parameters (recognizing structures, i.e., TLR2, TLR4, HBD-1; HBD-2 defensins; proinflammatory TNFα cytokine and NF-kB transcription factor) in patients with intrauterine infections and pneumonia are ambiguous. Decreased expression of TLR2, TLR4 genes, along with increased of TNFα and NF-kB gene expression. These changes correlate with type of infectious pathogen, thus allowing us to assume that the pathogen, due to pathogenicity factors, may directly affect innate immunity mechanisms.

Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy lead to abnormality of the vaginal flora and is accompanied by a change in the balance of cytokines and antimicrobial peptides. The purpose of this research was to study the bacterial, cytokine and antimicrobial components of nonspecific vaginal immunity in the second and third trimester of pregnancy among patients with recurrent bacterial vaginosis and healthy women. Materials and methods. The study included 40 pregnant women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis, who made the first observation group, and 40 healthy women, who was included in the second group. The average gestational age at the beginning of the study was 14.8 ± 2.0 weeks. We analyzed clinical and laboratory criteria of bacterial vaginosis, a qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the vaginal flora, the vaginal level of β-defensin-2 (HBD-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-1β (IL-4 ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-γ (INF-γ). Results. The pregnant women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis in 30 weeks had a moderate vaginal dysbiosis due to anaerobic microorganisms. At the same time, the amount of lactobacillus increased in both groups at the beginning of the third trimester. L. crispatus was prevalent in healthy women and L. iners dominated in patients with recurrent bacterial vaginosis. There were no differences in the concentration of cytokines and antimicrobial peptide among patients with recurrent bacterial vaginosis between the second and third trimester. The levels of HBD-2, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, INF-γ were low in this group in comparison with healthy pregnant women, which can increase the risk of the diseases recurrents.

Aim. Isolate bacteriocins from Enterococcus faecium metabolites and characterize their effect on cells of Gram positive (Listeria monocytogenes) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. Materials and methods. Methods of solid-phase extraction, ion-exchange and reverse-phase chromatography were applied for isolation of bacteriocins from cultural medium of bacteria. MALDI time-of-flight mass-spectrometry was used for characterization of the obtained preparations. The mechanism ofbiological effect of peptides was evaluated using DNA-tropic dyes (SYTO 9 and PI) with subsequent registration of fluorescence spectra. Atomic-force microscopy (AFM) was used for characterization of morpho-functional reaction of target cells. Results. Peptide fractions with mass of 1.0 - 3.0 kDa were isolated from enterococci metabolites, that inhibit the growth of indicator microorganisms. E. faecium strain exoproducts were shown to increase membrane permeability during interaction with L. monocytogenes, that results in subsequent detectable disturbance of normal cell morphology of listeria. Alterations of E. coli surface during the effect of purified peptide fraction was detected using AFM. Conclusion. The studies carried out have revealed the effect ofbacteriocins of enterococci on microorganisms with various types of cell wall composition and have confirmed the importance of bacterial barrier structure permeability disturbance in the mechanism of antimicrobial effect of enterocins.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are low-molecular-weight defense polypeptides, produced in all living organisms either constitutively or upon perception of signals from pathogenic microorganisms. They are important components of the immune system in both animals and plants. AMPs differ in structure and mode of action. Most of them belong to cysteine-rich peptides; their molecules contain even numbers of cysteine residues involved in the formation of disulphide bonds, which stabilize the peptide structure. A number of families of plant AMPs have been isolated on the base of amino acid sequence similarity and 3D structure. Plant AMP genes can be used in the engineering of pest resistance in crops and development of novel antibiotics and antimycotics. We provide a concise review of properties and gene structures of major AMP families discovered by the authors in Triticum kiharae seeds, including glycine-rich peptides, defensins, hevein-like peptides and the so-called 4-Cys peptides.

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Psoriasis is a common skin disease in which the development of the decisive role played by genetic and environmental factors. Many of the candidate genes linked with psoriasis, are directly related to acquired or congenital defects of the immune system, epithelial barrier permeability of the intestinal wall, and the keratinocyte membrain. Formation of an immune response to Th-1 type high expression and activity of antimicrobial peptides like state at their potential infection. This review discusses the possible immune mechanisms are involved in the relationship between infection and disease process in psoriatic skin. We survey the literature and discuss the suitability of infection factors in treatment modality for psoriasis.

Immunomodulatory activity of a native antimicrobial peptide indolicidin and its synthetic structural analogues (indolicidin 7, 8,20,21,22), with spatial uncoupling of hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts of the molecule and different net charges was under investigation. It was revealed that indolicidin 7 and 22 at concentrations of, respectively, 0.6 uM and 5 uM suppressed cytotoxic activity of natural killer spleen cells against tumor cells (K-562 line), while indolicidins 8,20 and 21 at the concentrations of 1.3 uM, 2.5 uM and 5 uM respectively, did not influence it. It was shown for the first time, that native indolicidin and its structural analogues indolicidin 8 and 20 did not increase activity of cell division, whereas indolicidin 7 and 22 had a direct mitogenic activity on spleen cells. The investigated peptides showed inhibitory effect upon mitogenic transformation of splenocytes induced by Con A. In addition, indolicidin and its structural analogues suppressed co-mitogenic activity of Interleikin-1 towards splenocytes. The results obtained allow of a conclusion that the structural changes of indolicidin molecule lead to emergence of novel immunomodulatory activities of the peptides, whereas the methods of structural modifications demonstrate potential approaches to directed design of molecules with optimal biological properties.

Copyright of Zdorov'ye Rebenka is the property of Zaslavsky O.Yu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Zdorov'ye Rebenka is the property of Zaslavsky O.Yu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents possible molecular mechanisms for rosacea pathogenesis from current domestic and foreign clinical observations and laboratory research: regulation and expression defects of antimicrobial peptides, vascular endothelial growth factor, the effect of serine proteases, oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species and ferritin on the occurrence and course of rosacea. New developments in molecular biology and genetics are advanced for researching the interaction of multiple factors involved in rosacea pathogenesis, as well as providing the bases for potentially new therapies.

Arginine-containing peptides consisted of 3- and 13- amino acids residues, namely RGD and [5Ala]-indolicidine were synthetized. Monosubstituted hemin derivatives modificated by RGD, [5Ala]-indolicidine and gramicidine S were obtained. Biocide activity and low toxicity of obtained conjugates was shown.

Aim: To evaluate the role of lactoferrin and lactoferricin in blood serum and urine in patients with an attack of renal colic against the background of urolithiasis and pyelonephritis., Materials and Methods: We examined 149 patients admitted to the urological department of the City Clinical Hospital No. 3 of Astrakhan, according to emergency indications, with an attack of renal colic. Along with standard clinical, laboratory and instrumental research methods (general blood count, biochemical blood test, urinalysis, kidney ultrasonography), the concentration of CRP and lactoferrin was measured in all patients in the blood and urine using a set of reagents for ELISA (Lactoferrin "Vector-Best" Novosibirsk city). The sensitivity of the test for CRP and LF was 3-5 g/ml and 5 ng/ml, respectively. Studies of all collected material for lactoferricin were carried out deferred in the laboratory of the Astrakhan State Medical University. Based on the results of clinical and instrumental studies, patients admitted with an attack of renal colic were retrospectively divided into three groups: the first group included 38 patients with urolithiasis. The second group included 64 patients with obstructive pyelonephritis, and the third group included 47 patients hospitalized with characteristic signs of primary non-obstructive pyelonephritis. The groups were matched by sex and age. Blood and urine samples from 25 donors served as controls., Results: When comparing a group of patients with urolithiasis with a group of patients with non-obstructive and obstructive pyelonephritis, highly significant differences (p<0.0001) were found in LF, LFC, CRP and the number of leukocytes in the blood and urine sediment. In urine, according to the results of ROC-analysis in couples with urolithiasis without pyelonephritis in comparison with obstructive pyelonephritis, the most significant differences were established for all four parameters studied: for LF (AUC=0.823), for LFC (AUC=0.832), for CRP (AUC=0.829 ) and the number of leukocytes in the urine sediment (AUC=0.780)., Discussion: In blood and urine in patients with urolithiasis and pyelonephritis, the effects of the bactericidal peptide LPC were compared with the levels in biological f luids of CRP, LF, and the number of leukocytes. The greatest diagnostic value of all four studied indicators was found in urine, and not in serum. ROC-analysis confirmed a more significant effect of the studied parameters on pyelonephritis than on urolithiasis. The level of lactoferrin and CRP in patients at admission correlates with the number of leukocytes in the blood and urine sediment and with the degree of inflammation in the body. And the level of LFC peptide in the urine reflects the degree of infection of the urinary tract., Conclusions: A comparative study of tests for Lf and LFC in blood serum and urine in patients admitted to a urological hospital with an attack of renal colic was carried out. Determining the concentration of lactoferricin in the urine is an informative indicator. Thus, lactoferrin and its hydrolysis product lactoferricin reflect different aspects of the infectious and inflammatory process in pyelonephritis.

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) remain an important problem in urology due to their high prevalence and tendency to relapse. The improvement of the treatment outcomes in chronic cystitis is still relevant., Material and Methods: A total of 91 patients were included in prospective, multicenter, randomized, comparative, controlled study. They were randomized into three groups: in the comparison group 1 (n=32) basic therapy was administered for 5 days. In the comparison group 2 (n=28) basic therapy was combined with rectal suppositories Superlymph 25 IU once a day for 10 days. In the main group (n=31) basic therapy in combination with rectal suppositories Superlymph 10 IU once a day for 20 days were prescribed. The basic therapy included a combination of two antimicrobial drugs: fosfomycin trometamol 3.0 g at night once on the first day of therapy, and furazidin 100 mg three times a day after meals for 5 days. Pathogenetic treatment was not prescribed in comparison group 1, but administered for 10 days and 20 days in comparison group 2 and main group, respectively., Results: After the completion of etiotropic therapy, a significant effect in all groups was shown. At the same time, at the 2nd visit, there was a significantly better results in patients who received Superlymph rectal suppositories, both at a dose of 10 U and at a dose of 25 U, without any differences between two schemes. The frequency and severity of cystitis symptoms at the end of etiopathogenetic therapy in the main group was less pronounced than in the comparison groups (p=0.0001), and a significant difference was found between comparison groups 1 and 2 (p=0.0001). The use of Superlymph significantly improved the parameters of microcirculation in the urethra, however, there was no difference between comparison group 2 and main group., Conclusion: Etiopathogenetic therapy, including Superlymph rectal suppositories at a dose of 10 IU and 25 IU in patients with chronic cystitis, can significantly improve the results of combination therapy. Analysis of the symptoms score of acute cystitis showed the superiority of longer-term use of Superlymph rectal suppositories at a reduced dosage (10 units). Peptide-cytokine therapy led to a significant improvement in local microcirculation in comparison group 2 and the main group.

Introduction: Chronic prostatitis (CP) has long been considered one of the common causes of male infertility. The influence of therapy for CP on spermatogenesis is well studied. However, recently, especially in the era of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), much attention has been paid to the effects of cytokines on the pathogenesis of the inflammatory process, and their impact on male fertility., Aim: To study the effect of a complex of natural antimicrobial peptides and cytokines (Superlymph) on ejaculate, MAR test, oxidative stress (OS), and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in men with infertility and a history of CP. In some patients, the level of cytokines before and after treatment was determined., Materials and Methods: A total of 583 infertile men with a history of CP, aged 18-75 years, were screened according to the inclusion/ exclusion criteria. In group I, patients received antioxidant stimulation of spermatogenesis (triovit, trental, mexidol) in combination with a complex of natural antimicrobial peptides and cytokines (Superlymph) one suppository 25 IU at night for 20 days for 1-3 weeks and for 6-8 weeks for 2 months. In group II, antioxidant stimulation of spermatogenesis was prescribed along with suppositories for the prevention of CP for 2 months. The evaluated criteria included sperm analysis, MAR test, oxidative stress in spermatozoa (reactive oxygen species (ROS)) and SDF. The levels of seminal plasma cytokines were also measured before and after treatment in 32 patients using the Bio-Plex Pro panel for the simultaneous determination of 17 human cytokines, the Human Cytokine 17-plex Assay. Statistica-10 software was used for statistical analysis (p<0.05)., Results: Of 135 eligible patients, results were collected from 125 men (mean age 31.7 +/- 13.4 years). In group I, there was a more pronounced increase in motility by 42.3%, a decrease in the MAR-test level by 64.7%, oxidative stress in spermatozoa by 56.1%, and SDF by 25.6%, compared to group II (30.4 %, 10.5%, 45.7%, 21.9%), respectively. All these changes were significant with the exception of a decrease in the level of SDF. In group I, there was a predominant increase in the activity of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, 10, 13), a decrease in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines ((IL-2, 12). In group II, there was a significant decrease in both pro-inflammatory (IL-2, 6, 8), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4). The remaining changes were insignificant. Among mild side effects, there were a change in the color of the sclera in 4 (3.2%), anal pain in 3 (2.4%), a decrease in libido in 2 (1.6%) patients. No differences between groups in the frequency of side effects were recorded (p>0.05)., Conclusion: Antioxidant stimulation of spermatogenesis in infertile men and CP is an effective and safe. The addition of a complex of natural antimicrobial peptides and cytokines (Superlymph) leads to a more profound increase in sperm motility, a decrease in the MAR-test, oxidative stress in sperm cells, which potentiates the effects of therapy. The use of Superlymph is accompanied by a more pronounced positive effect on pathospermia, an increase in anti-inflammatory and a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the contrary, in control group, where patients received antioxidant stimulation of spermatogenesis, only a decrease in the level of main cytokines was observed. The effect of a complex of natural antimicrobial peptides and cytokines (Superlymph) on the level of SDF, as well as the relationship with fertility and childbirth rates, requires further study.

Inflammatory diseases of the pharynx occupy one of the leading places in the structure of otorhinolaryngological pathology. Acute and chronic inflammatory processes in the pharynx, as well as exacerbations of the latter, are faced by doctors of a wide range of specialties. Oropharyngeal swab laboratory testing is required to identify a specific pathogen, which takes time. In this regard, of particular interest are local drugs with the necessary spectrum of action, the use of which is possible, both as monotherapy and in combination with systemic therapy. The combination of tyrothricin (tyrothricin), benzalkonium chloride (benzalkonium chloride), and benzocaine (benzocaine) (dorithricin) is highly effective in the treatment of bacterial, viral and fungal infections of the pharynx, and microorganisms consistently demonstrate high sensitivity to the components of the drug.