Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in patients with endocrine ophthalmopathy and Graves’ disease: A predictor of treatment efficiency

Current therapeutic approaches to the treatment of endocrine ophthalmopathy (EOP) are based on nonspecific immunosuppression with glucocorticosteroids (GCs) and radiation therapy of the eye orbits. However, some patients exhibit resistance to the treatment. In a previous study, we have detected high levels of soluble cytokine receptors: sTNFα-R1, sTNFα-R2, sIL-2R, and the TGF-β1 cytokine in euthyroid patients with long-lasting non-treated EOP and Graves’ disease (GD). TGF-β1 level was significantly higher in the patients with EOP compared to healthy individuals, and increased with prolonged EOP duration, thus suggesting activation of the factors regulating immune system which promote suppression of the autoimmune process. The aim of this work was to study the dynamics of TGF-β1 and cytokine receptors: sTNFα-R1, sTNFα-R2, sIL-2R in the course of immunosuppressive therapy with high doses of GCs, as possible predictors of treatment efficacy. The study included 49 patients (98 eye orbits) with GD of euthyroid state and subclinical thyrotoxicosis, and the persons with EOP in active phase, who had not previously treatment for EOP. Concentrations of TGF-β1 cytokine, sTNFα-RI and sTNFα-R2, sIL-2R, antibodies to the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (rTSH), free fractions of thyroxine (fT4) and triiodothyronine (fT3), TSH in blood serum were determined in blood serum. Ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland (ultrasound of the thyroid gland), multi-layer computed tomography (MSCT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbits were also performed. The patients were administered immunosuppressive therapy with high doses of HCs (methylprednisolone) in the course of pulse therapy, at a standard dosage of 4500-8000 mg, taking into account the severity and activity of the EOP clinical manifestations. The examination was carried out 3, 6, 12 months after starting the treatment. 3 and 6 months after the GC administration, more than 30% of patients remained resistant to treatment. The levels of TGF-β1 did not change significantly in the patients with positive EOP dynamics. In the patients resistant to GC treatment, the level of TGF-β1 was significantly decreased compared with patients who showed positive clinical dynamics. The level of sNFR1 and sNFaR2 did not change significantly. There were no significant differences in the levels of antibodies to rTSH, thyroid hormones in the patients resistant to GC treatment and with positive dynamics.Immunosuppressive therapy with high-dose of methylprednisolone in pulse therapy regimen showed high efficacy and good tolerability, while some patients remain resistant to treatment. Lower levels of TGF-β1 cytokine at initial time and during the treatment allow usage of TGF-β1 levels as a biomarker of the activity of the process, treatment efficiency, and prognosis of the disease. Activation of TGF-β1, a fibroblast growth factor, may contribute to the development of fibrosis, strabismus, and diplopia

ENDOCRINE ASPECTS OF AMIODARONE THERAPY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE (FOLLOW-UP AND TREATMENT ALGORITHM FOR PATIENTS WITH THYROID DYSFUNCTION)

This review discusses the effects of amiodarone on thyroid function and summarises the results of international studies and the evidence obtained by the researchers from the A.L. Myasnikov Research Institute of Clinical Cardiology and Endocrinology Research Centre. The guidelines on thyroid dysfunction diagnostics and therapy, as well as the follow-up of amiodarone-treated patients, are presented

SALVINIA NATANS (L.) ALL. IN OMSK REGION

In 2015–2017 in Omsk region, 4 new locations of Salvinia natans (L.) All.(Salviniaceae, Polypodiophyta) were found; they are located far to the north of the previously known ones in this region. In the S. natans aquatic ecotopes, рН is 7,5 to 8,3, color is 13 to 40 degrees of chromecobalt scale, total hardness is 3,17 to 7,79 meq/dm3, and total mineralization is 0,31 to 0,87 g/dm3. In the West Siberian Plain in general (including previously obtained materials for the northern regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Omsk and Novosibirsk regions of the Russian Federation), the physical-chemicals parameters of the aquatic environment in S. natans ecotopes are as follows:рН is 7,2 to 8,6, color is 13 to 40 degrees of chrome-cobalt scale, total hardness varies between 1,50 to 7,79 meq/dm3, and total mineralization varies between 0,20 to 0,87 meq/dm3. Species abundance in the studied populations varies from single units to several thousands units. In large populations, average species density is up to 15 units per m2, with maximum density in certain areas reaching 80 to 120 units per m2. In last 25 years, the species area shows a clear trend for extending northwards along the valley of the Irtysh River by 200 to 220 km.Работа выполнена при поддержке РФФИ и Правительства Ханты-Мансийского автономного округа – Югры в рамках научного проекта р_урал_а № 15–44–00014

NEW DATA TO UPDATE THE RED DATA BOOK OF KURGAN REGIO

Summary. In 2017, a field research of the aquatic macrophyte flora of 29 water bodies in Kurgan region was carried out. Samples of aquatic macrophytes were collected, geobotanical descriptions of plant aggregations were made, and water samples for chemical analysis were taken from the ecotopes. For the preparation of the next edition of the Red Data Book of Kurgan region, the found populations of rare aquatic macrophytes such as Ruppia maritimа L., Chara aspera Deth. ex Willd., Chara contraria A. Br., Chara kirghisorum Lessing emend. Hollerb. are of interest. Newdata on the locations, coenotic environment, and ecology of these species in Kurgan region are provided; also, the rare species Chara aspera, C. contraria, C. kirghisorum at the northern bound of their area are recommended for inclusion in the next edition of the regional Red Data Book.Работа выполнена при поддержке РФФИ и Правительства Ханты-Мансийского автономного округа – Югры в рамках научного проекта р_урал_а № 15-44-00014