Reduction of hepatotoxicity of nimesulide in mechanochemically obtained composition with disodium salt of glycyrrhizic acid

Nimesulide (NIM) is a nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug which acts as a selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor and is widely used for acute pain treatment. In medical practice, a large amount of data has been collected describing the effect of NIM on the body, while a hepatotoxic side effect of the drug has been found. The exact mechanisms of such NIM-induced hepatotoxicity largely remain unknown but likely involve the intermediate reaction of its metabolism. Reduction of the hepatotoxic side effect of NIM is an actual problem for pharmacology. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of the mechanochemically obtained composition of NIM with glycyrrhizic acid disodium salt (Na2GA) compared to pure NIM and a physical mixture of NIM with Na2GA. Material and methods. CD-1 mice were orally administered for 14 days: 1 group – mechanochemical composition NIM/Na2GA (1:10, m/m) at a dose of 1650 mg/kg; 2 group – physical mixture of NIM with Na2GA (1:10, m/m) at a dose of 1650 mg/kg; 3 group – pure NIM at a dose of 600 mg/kg (which pharmacokinetically corresponds to 1650 mg/kg of NIM/Na2GA); 4 group – vehicle (distilled water). The liver damage was assessed using histological studies and enzymatic activity of the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in blood serum. Results. Histological analysis did not detect any changes in the liver of NIM/Na2GA-treated animals in comparison with a water-treated group. On the opposite, NIM given alone or as a physical mixture with Na2GA induced severe hepatotoxicity in experimental mice. Biochemical analysis of the blood serum revealed that mechanochemical NIM/Na2GA composition significantly reduced activity of the alanine aminotransferase (about 1.5 times) and aspartate aminotransferase (1.3 times) as compared with the pure NIM. Conclusions. The results obtained indicate a high potential for the practical application of the NIM/Na2GA mechanochemical composition

The efficacy of complex solid dispersions of anthelmintics against experimental trichinellosis

The purpose of the research is to study the influence of various technological factors on obtaining of complex solid dispersions of anthelmintics with polyvinylpyrrolidone and licorice extract on anthelmintic efficacy in experimental trichinellosis of white mice.Materials and methods. The study of the nematodocidal activity of complex solid dispersions samples based on fenbendazole (FBZ), fenasal (FNS) and praziquantel (PZQ) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and licorice extract (LE) obtained by mechanochemical technology at different ratios of components and different exposure times was carried out on 130 white mice experimentally infected with Trichinella spiralis in two experiments. On the 3rd day after infection, the animals were divided into experimental groups of 10 animals each. Samples of various complex solid dispersions of anthelmintics were administered intragastrically to the mice of the experimental groups at a dose of 2 mg/kg according to the active substance. FBZ substance was used as the basic drug at a dose of 2 mg/kg according to the active substance. Animals of the control groups did not receive the drugs. The animals were killed by decapitation on the 4th day after experimental drug samples administration, and the activity of the drugs was counted according to the results of helminthological necropsy of the intestine, the efficacy was calculated by the type of control test.Results and discussion. The efficacy of complex solid dispersions of FBZ and FNS with PVP polymer was higher in comparison with the activity of complexes with LE at the same duration of mechanochemical treatment in a roller mill. The FBZ activity decreased from 67.05 to 37.77% with a decrease in the duration of mechanochemical treatment from 24 h to 5 h and the efficacy of the FBZ : FNS complex with LE turned out to be almost at the level of the basic drug when treated for 1 h. The use of mechanochemical technology for obtaining of a solid dispersion of FBZ : FNS with PVP for targeted delivery makes it possible to increase the anthelmintic efficacy by 2.7 times compared with the activity of the FBZ substance, and with LE by 2.2 times. It was noted that complex solid dispersions of PBZ with PZQ have lower biological activity in comparison with compositions of FBZ with FNS

Overview of the Epidemiological Situation on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in Russia in 2018

Analyzed was modern epidemiological situation on highly pathogenic avian flu in 2018. Prognosis for possible further distribution of viruses in the territory of Russia was made. In 2018, the situation on highly pathogenic avian flu in Russia was challenging. This was due to the spread of the viruses clade 2.3.4.4, which caused multiple outbreaks among wild birds and poultry in European part of Russia. In addition, A/H5N6 avian influenza virus circulation was for the first time detected in the Saratov Region during routine avian influenza virus surveillance. In May, 2018 two different lineages of avian influenza A/H9N2 were isolated during the outbreaks that occurred at several poultry plants in Primorsk Territory and Amur Region of Russia. Subsequently, that virus subtype continued spreading in Russia, which was recorded by detection of the A/H9N2 influenza virus in wild birds in the Khabarovsk and Tomsk Regions of Russia. Thus, it is shown yet again that the territory of Russia plays an  important geographical role in the spread of avian influenza viruses

CHARACTERIZATION OF AVIAN INFLUENZA H5N8 VIRUS STRAINS THAT CAUSED THE OUTBREAKS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN 2016–2017

Objective of the study is to investigate biological properties of avian influenza virus strains that caused the outbreaks in Russia in 2016–2017.Materials and methods. The study was performed using advanced virological and molecular-biological methods in state-of-the-art equipment.Results and conclusion. In 2016, the outbreaks among wild birds and poultry caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 virus have occurred in the territory of the Russian Federation. In May, 2016 an outbreak of H5N8 among wild birds was registered in the territory of the Republic of Tyva. In October-November, 2016 influenza virus H5N8 was isolated in the territory of the Republics of Tatarstan and Kalmykia, Krasnodar and Astrakhan Regions of Russia. In 2017 avian influenza H5N8 has become widespread in European part of Russia and caused multiple outbreaks among wild birds and poultry. Results of the investigations of the isolated strains show that all of them are highly pathogenic and belong to the clade 2.3.4.4. Molecular-genetic and virological analysis has revealed the differences between the viruses isolated in 2016–2017 and the virus of the same clade 2.3.4.4 that was isolated in 2014

Эффективность комплексных твердых дисперсий антигельминтиков при экспериментальном трихинеллезе

The purpose of the research is to study the influence of various technological factors on obtaining of complex solid dispersions of anthelmintics with polyvinylpyrrolidone and licorice extract on anthelmintic efficacy in experimental trichinellosis of white mice.Materials and methods. The study of the nematodocidal activity of complex solid dispersions samples based on fenbendazole (FBZ), fenasal (FNS) and praziquantel (PZQ) with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and licorice extract (LE) obtained by mechanochemical technology at different ratios of components and different exposure times was carried out on 130 white mice experimentally infected with Trichinella spiralis in two experiments. On the 3rd day after infection, the animals were divided into experimental groups of 10 animals each. Samples of various complex solid dispersions of anthelmintics were administered intragastrically to the mice of the experimental groups at a dose of 2 mg/kg according to the active substance. FBZ substance was used as the basic drug at a dose of 2 mg/kg according to the active substance. Animals of the control groups did not receive the drugs. The animals were killed by decapitation on the 4th day after experimental drug samples administration, and the activity of the drugs was counted according to the results of helminthological necropsy of the intestine, the efficacy was calculated by the type of control test.Results and discussion. The efficacy of complex solid dispersions of FBZ and FNS with PVP polymer was higher in comparison with the activity of complexes with LE at the same duration of mechanochemical treatment in a roller mill. The FBZ activity decreased from 67.05 to 37.77% with a decrease in the duration of mechanochemical treatment from 24 h to 5 h and the efficacy of the FBZ : FNS complex with LE turned out to be almost at the level of the basic drug when treated for 1 h. The use of mechanochemical technology for obtaining of a solid dispersion of FBZ : FNS with PVP for targeted delivery makes it possible to increase the anthelmintic efficacy by 2.7 times compared with the activity of the FBZ substance, and with LE by 2.2 times. It was noted that complex solid dispersions of PBZ with PZQ have lower biological activity in comparison with compositions of FBZ with FNS.Цель исследований – изучить влияние различных факторов технологии получения комплексных твердых дисперсий антигельминтиков с поливинилпирролидоном и экстрактом солодки на эффективность при экспериментальном трихинеллезе белых мышей.Материалы и методы. Изучение нематодоцидной активности образцов комплексных твердых дисперсий на основе фенбендазола (ФБЗ), фенасала (ФНС) и празиквантела (ПЗК) с поливинилпирролидоном (ПВП) и экстрактом солодки (ЭС), полученных по механохимической технологии при разном соотношении компонентов и различной продолжительности механообработки проводили на 130 белых мышах, экспериментально зараженных Trichinella spiralis в двух опытах. На третьи сутки после заражения животных разделили на группы по 10 голов в каждой. Мышам опытных групп вводили в желудок образцы различных комплексных твердых дисперсий антигельминтиков в дозе 2 мг/кг по ДВ. В качестве базового препарата использовали субстанцию ФБЗ в дозе 2 мг/кг по ДВ. Животные контрольных групп препараты не получали. На четвертые сутки после введения опытных образцов животных убивали декапитацией и активность препаратов учитывали по результатам гельминтологического вскрытия кишечника; эффективность рассчитывали по типу «контрольный тест».Результаты и обсуждение. Эффективность комплексных твердых дисперсий ФБЗ и ФНС с полимером ПВП была выше по сравнению с активностью комплексов с ЭС при одинаковой продолжительности механохимической обработки в валковой мельнице. С уменьшением продолжительности механохимической обработки с 24 ч до 5 ч активность ФБЗ снижалась с 67,05 до 37,77%, а при обработке в течение 1 ч эффективность комплекса ФБЗ : ФНС с ЭС оказалась практически на уровне базового препарата. Использование механохимической технологии получения твердой дисперсии ФБЗ : ФНС с ПВП позволяет повысить антигельминтную эффективность в 2,7 раза по сравнению с активностью субстанции ФБЗ, а с ЭС – в 2,2 раза. Отмечено, что комплексные твердые дисперсии ФБЗ с ПЗК обладают меньшей биологической активностью в сравнении с композициями ФБЗ с ФНС

Эффекты одно- и семикратного введения комплекса альбендазола с динатриевой солью глицирризиновой кислоты хомячкам, инвазированным Opisthorchis felineus

The purpose of the research is to evaluate the effect of albendazole as part of the supramolecular complex with disodium salt of glycyrrhizic acid obtained by solid-phase mechanical treatment.Materials and methods. The anthelmintic activity of the complex and its effect on the host organism was assessed on hamsters infected with Opisthorchis felineus by single and 7-fold administration at 45 days after infection. After 21 days, we counted the number of helminthes in the liver, and conducted a morphometric analysis of the liver and spleen, and detected biochemically the activity of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the animals’ blood serum.Results and discussion. The number of O. felineus significantly decreased after 7-fold, but not a single, administration of albendazole (ABZ) and ABZ-Na2GA complex (1 : 10). The administrated substances had no effect on the weight gain of the animals and the daily consumption of the pellets. At the same time, ABZ only as part of the complex normalized the weight of the liver and spleen in hamsters infected with O. felineus and reduced the alanine aminotransferase activity. Consequently, a longer administration of ABZ as part of the complex with disodium glycyrrhizinate has not only a pronounced anthelmintic effect, but also improves some of the physiological parameters of hamsters to a greater extent than a pure substance.Цель исследований – оценить действие альбендазола в составе супрамолекулярного комплекса с динатриевой солью глизирризиновой кислоты, полученного методом твердофазной механической обработки.Материалы и методы. Оценку антигельминтного действия комплекса и его влияния на организм хозяина проводили на хомячках, инвазированных Opisthorchis felineus, при одно- и семикратном введении через 45 сут после заражения. Через 21 сутки после этого подсчитывали число гельминтов в печени; проводили морфометрический анализ печени и селезенки, а также биохимическое определение активности ферментов аланинаминотрансферазы и аспартатаминотрансферазы в сыворотке крови животных.Результаты и обсуждение. Число O. felineus существенно снижалось после семикратного, но не однократного, введения альбендазола (АБЗ) и комплекса АБЗ-Na2ГК (1 : 10). Вводимые вещества не оказывали влияния на прирост массы тела животных и суточное потребление гранул. При этом только в составе комплекса АБЗ нормализовал массу печени и селезенки у инвазированных O. felineus хомячков и снижал активность фермента аланинаминотрансферазы. Следовательно, более длительное введение АБЗ в составе комплекса с динатрия глицирризинатом оказывает не только выраженный антигельминтный эффект, но и в большей степени, чем чистое вещество, улучшает некоторые физиологические показатели хомячков

Thyroid cancer risk in Belarus among children and adolescents exposed to radioiodine after the Chornobyl accident

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed an increased risk of thyroid cancer among children and adolescents exposed to radioactive iodines released after the Chornobyl (Chernobyl) accident, but the effects of screening, iodine deficiency, age at exposure and other factors on the dose-response are poorly understood. METHODS: We screened 11 970 individuals in Belarus aged 18 years or younger at the time of the accident who had estimated (131)I thyroid doses based on individual thyroid activity measurements and dosimetric data from questionnaires. The excess odds ratio per gray (EOR/Gy) was modelled using linear and linear-exponential functions. RESULTS: For thyroid doses \u3c5 \u3eGy, the dose-response was linear (n=85; EOR/Gy=2.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.81-5.47), but at higher doses the excess risk fell. The EOR/Gy was significantly increased among those with prior or screening-detected diffuse goiter, and larger for men than women, and for persons exposed before age 5 than those exposed between 5 and 18 years, although not statistically significant. A somewhat higher EOR/Gy was estimated for validated pre-screening cases. CONCLUSION: 10-15 years after the Chornobyl accident, thyroid cancer risk was significantly increased among individuals exposed to fallout as children or adolescents, but the risk appeared to be lower than in other Chornobyl studies and studies of childhood external irradiation

Influenza (H5N1) Viruses in Poultry, Russian Federation, 2005–2006

Migrating waterfowl may be the primary source of influenza (H5N1) in western Siberia and the European part of the Russian Federation

Оценка гуморального иммунного ответа экспериментальных животных на введение рекомбинантного эктодомена поверхностного S-гликопротеина вируса SARS-CoV-2 с ИСКОМ-адъювантом

Scientific relevance. The use of recombinant antigens in vaccine production is limited because vaccines based on such antigens tend to have low immunogenicity. However, a COVID-19 vaccine that combines recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein as its antigen and virus-like immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs) as its adjuvant (Nuvaxovid) induces a protective virus-neutralising response. The State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector” (hereinafter, Vector) has developed the ISCOM adjuvant Matrix-V, which plays a key role in inducing virus-neutralising antibodies. Studying Matrix-V will provide for the wide use of recombinant antigens combined with this adjuvant in the development and production of novel Russian vaccines.Aim. This study aimed to evaluate the humoral immune responses of experimental animals to intramuscular injections of a complex combining the recombinant Wuhan-type SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD antigen and the virus-like ISCOM adjuvant containing Quillaja saponaria saponins.Materials and methods. The Matrix-V ISCOM adjuvant was produced using Vector’s proprietary technology, which involves cross-flow filtration through Sartorius VivaFlow cassettes. To determine the saponin and residual detergent concentrations in Matrix-V, the authors conducted high-performance liquid chromatography. Having produced the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD antigen, the authors used electron microscopy to analyse the ultrastructure of the ISCOM–antigen complex. In the study of the ISCOM–antigen complex, 25 female Balb/c mice (5 groups) and 15 male and female outbred guinea pigs (3 groups) received two intramuscular injections with a 14-day interval. Serum tests relied on virus neutralisation (VN) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods and used antigens of 8 SARS-CoV-2 variants (State Collection of Viruses and Rickettsia, Vector). The authors used Statistica 10 to analyse the results.Results. Two injections of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD antigen (mice: 7 μg, guinea pigs: 1 μg) alone did not induce statistically significant virus-neutralising antibody responses, as shown by the VN results. Two injections of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD antigen (mice: 7 μg, guinea pigs: 1 μg) adjuvanted with Matrix-V (25 μg) resulted in geometric mean antibody titres of 1:83–1:178 (mice) and 1:174–1:587 (guinea pigs) in the VN tests with the Wuhan variant. One injection of the antigen (1 μg or 7 μg) with Matrix-V (25 μg) induced antibodies only in individual cases, as demonstrated by the VN and/or ELISA results. The most intensive immune response was observed in ELISA tests with the Delta variant after two injections of the Ecto-S-Wuhan (1 μg) and Matrix-V (25 μg) complex. Immune responses did not differ between the group that received two injections of the Ecto-S-Wuhan antigen (1 μg) without the ISCOM adjuvant and the negative control group (titres below 1:100; p=0.95). Two injections of the SARS-CoV-2 RBD antigen (7 μg) without the ISCOM adjuvant induced antibodies in mice (titres between 1:248 and 1:1477).Conclusions. Two intramuscular injections of the complex containing the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD antigen and the Matrix-V ISCOM adjuvant induce virus-neutralising antibodies. The approach proposed by the authors has the potential for use in the development of immunobiological medicinal products to prevent and treat a wide range of infectious diseases.Актуальность. Использование рекомбинантных антигенов в вакцинах ограничено низкой иммуногенностью таких препаратов. Однако вакцина от COVID-19 (Nuvaxovid), содержащая не только рекомбинантный антиген гликопротеина Spike вируса SARS-CoV-2, но и вирусоподобный иммуностимулирующий комплекс ИСКОМ-адъювант, индуцирует выработку протективного вируснейтрализующего ответа. Исследование разработанного в ФБУН ГНЦ ВБ «Вектор» Роспотребнадзора ИСКОМ-адъюванта «Матрикс-В», играющего ключевую роль в формировании вируснейтрализующего иммунного ответа, позволит широко использовать рекомбинантные антигены в комплексе с адъювантом для разработки и производства новых отечественных вакцин.Цель. Оценка гуморального иммунного ответа на внутримышечное введение животным комплекса рекомбинантного антигена RBD поверхностного Spike-гликопротеина SARS-CoV-2 (штамм «Ухань») и полученных вирусоподобных ИСКОМ с сапонинами Quillaja saponaria.Материалы и методы. ИСКОМ-адъювант «Матрикс-В» получали по разработанной в ФБУН ГНЦ ВБ «Вектор» Роспотребнадзора технологии с применением метода тангенциальной фильтрации в системе Sartorious VivaFlow. Оценивали концентрацию сапонинов и детергента в препарате методом высокоэффективной жидкостной хроматографии. Получен рекомбинантный антиген RBD SARS-CoV-2, проведено электронно-микроскопическое исследование ультраструктуры комплекса «ИСКОМ — антиген». Комплексами «ИСКОМ — антиген» внутримышечно двукратно (через 14 сут) иммунизировали 25 (5 групп) мышей линии Balb/c и 15 (3 группы) разнополых аутбредных морских свинок. Образцы сыворотки крови исследовали в реакции нейтрализации и методом ИФА с антигенами 8 штаммов вируса SARS-CoV-2 (Государственная коллекция возбудителей вирусных инфекций и риккетсиозов ФБУН ГНЦ ВБ «Вектор» Роспотребнадзора). Результаты обрабатывались статистически в программе Statistica 10.Результаты. Двукратное введение антигена RBD SARS-CoV-2 морским свинкам (по 1 мкг) и мышам (по 7 мкг) не приводило в реакции нейтрализации к достоверному формированию вируснейтрализующего ответа. В реакции нейтрализации со штаммом «Ухань» средние геометрические значения титров антител сыворотки крови животных, двукратно иммунизированных комплексом RBD SARS-CoV-2 (мыши — по 7 мкг, морские свинки — по 1 мкг) + Матрикс-В (по 25 мкг), были в пределах 1:83–1:178 и 1:174–1:587 соответственно. В группах животных, однократно иммунизированных комплексом (1 мкг и 7 мкг антигена + Матрикс-В) антитела определялись в реакции нейтрализации (и/или ИФА) только в единичных случаях. В опытах ИФА наиболее интенсивный ответ (на антиген штамма Delta) получен после двукратной иммунизации комплексом Ecto-S-Wuhan (1 мкг) + Матрикс-В (25 мкг). Ответ на двукратное введение антигена Ecto-S-Wuhan (1 мкг) без ИСКОМ-адъюванта (p=0,95) не отличался от отрицательного контроля (значение титра менее 1:100). Двукратное введение мышам антигена RBD SARS-CoV-2 (по 7 мкг) приводило к формированию антител (значения титров 1:248–1:1477).Выводы. Комплекс рекомбинантного антигена RBD SARS-CoV-2 и адъюванта «Матрикс-В» при двукратном внутримышечном введении индуцирует выработку вируснейтрализующих антител. Предложенный подход перспективен для разработки иммунобиологических препаратов профилактики и терапии широкого спектра инфекционных заболеваний