Fecal microbiota transplantation: Donor selection criteria, storage and preparation of biomaterials (review of current recommendations)

Fecal microbiota transplantation is a treatment method based on the introduction of donated fecal material to the recipient in order to restore the damaged composition of the intestinal microbiota. This review summarizes existing data on indications for fecal microbiota transplantation, recommendations for donor selection, processing and storage of donor biomaterial

The Effect of Ecdystene on the Activity of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Experimental Alloxan Diabetes in Rats

The article presents data on the study of the influence of “Ecdystene” on the development of alloxane diabetes, the activity of matrix metalloproteinases, and the content level of their inhibitors. Metalloproteinases are involved in various physiological and pathological processes requiring proliferation and migration of cells and, consequently, restructuring of the extracellular matrix. When applied for treatment during 14 and 21 days, Ecdystene surpasses glucose and Retabolil in terms of hypoglycemic action. In alloxane diabetes, there is a reliable increase in the activity of metalloproteinases, especially on the 14th day of its development. Contrary to comparison preparations, Ecdystene has a more pronounced effect on metalloproteinase activity. Treatment with Ecdystene for 14 and 21 days contributed to an increase in the TIMP-1 content by 2.2 and 1.5 times compared to the untreated group. Glucose and Retabolil increased the content of TIMP-1 on the 7th and 14th days of treatment by 1.26; 0.9 and 1.48; 1.17 times compared to the untreated group. Changes in the activity of MMPs contribute to a decrease in catabolism of the components of the extracellular matrix. To achieve high efficiency in the treatment of diabetes in the clinic, it is recommended to use Ecdystene in combination with other drugs

Insights into the health effects of acrolein and crotonaldehyde in Russian smokers switching from regular cigarettes to heated tobacco products

The effects of acrolein and crotonaldehyde on the health of Russian smokers upon switching to heated tobacco product use were analyzed in a five-day randomized clinical trial. The findings suggest that heated tobacco products significantly reduce exposure to these toxicants, with the adverse effects becoming less pronounced in just one day and comparable to complete cessation of smoking. The dynamics of nicotine intake and metabolism in the smokers who switched to heated tobacco products remained stable throughout the study and was similar to that in the group of regular cigarette smokers. Therefore, our study, which has been performed for the first time among the Russian population, shows that smokers switching to heated tobacco products are less exposed to harmful chemicals like acrolein and crotonaldehyde and thus may be protected against some of the negative health effects often associated with regular cigarettes