[Molecular mechanisms of genetic damages of the myocardium in cardiomyopathy].

The review highlighted problems of reorganization of myocardical contractile and cytoskeletal proteins in cardiomyopathy (CM). The role of the genetic factors coding contractile proteins, proteins of thin and thick filaments, and also extracellular matrix proteins in processes of formation and development of hypertrophic (HCM) and dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathy are analyzed. The mechanisms responsible for the changes in cardiac proteins on regulation involved into force generation, its transfer, recycling ATP, impairments in transmembranal signals, that finally lead to cardiac cell dysfunction determining various manifestations of CM are considered.

[The role of changes of matrix metalloproteinase in cardiovascular diseases].

The review summarizes information about changes of extracellular matrix (ECM) in cardiovascular diseases. Special attention is paid to different groups of extra cellular matrix proteins (collagen I and III type, fibronectine) in the development of cardiac fibrosis in chronic heart failure. The role of matrix metalloproteinases in degradation of components of ECM is analyzed.

[Biochemical and immunological markers of insufficiency of blood circulation at children with cardiomiopathies].

Complex clinical-laboratory investigation of children with congestive heart failure (CHF) developed on the basis of dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been carried out. The development of CHF in children with cardiomyopathy was accompanied by changes of blood serum lactate, MB isoform of creatine phosphokinase, TNF-6, interleukin-6 (IL-6) (but not IL-2), and soluble receptors for IL-2 and IL-6.

[Cellular mechanisms of calcium regulation of cardiac rhythm in children with ectopic arrhythmias].

Regulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis by means of secondary mediators calmodulin and 4,5-inositol phosphates (products of phosphatidyl inositol hydrolysis) was studied in children with ectopic forms of arrhythmias. Alterations in the system calmodulin-Ca2+ and the activity of phosphoinosite metabolism correlated highly with clinical manifestations of the arrhythmias. The data obtained suggest that a number of molecular mechanisms and responsible for arrhythmias were realized in cell membranes and depended on a complex of intracellular messengers affected within various steps of the hormonal signal transmission.

[Disorders of membrane mechanisms for regulating calcium homeostasis in cardiac arrhythmias in children].

Importance of calmodulin and Ca2+ in membranes of erythrocytes and myocardium was studied in children with ectopic forms of cardiac arrhythmia--extrasystole, paroxysmal and nonparoxysmal tachycardia. Activation of lipid peroxidation and shifts in cytomembrane phospholipid spectrum were shown to be involved in impairments of calcium homeostasis regulation, which is responsible for control of electromechanical parameters and may be related to deterioration of myocardial electrophysiological properties.

[Disorders of membrane mechanisms in stressor damage to the heart in rats of various strains].

The resistance of the rat's organism to emotional stress is determined by alterations of the heart's electric stability. The condition of lipid oxidation is accompanied by alterations of cholesterol and ionised calcium concentrations. Such alterations were expressed in Fisher rats to a greater extent.

[The intracellular second messenger system and its regulatory effects in children with a bronchial asthma attack complicated by heart failure].

Components of the intracellular mediators system: calmodulin in leukocytes, Ca2+ and cyclic nucleotides in leukocytes and blood plasma were studied in children with attack of bronchial asthma and heart failure. Alterations in content of these biologically active substances correlated with clinical manifestations of bronchial asthma: severity of the disease, duration of the attack, contractile activity of myocardium. Calmodulin, Ca2+ and cyclic nucleotides were demonstrated to be involved in development of the asthmatic attack.

[Clinical significance of cyclic nucleotide metabolism and calcium level in children with arrhythmia].

The cyclic nucleotides (CN) system and Ca2+ content were examined in children with various heart rhythm disorders (HRD). Marked changes were demonstrated which correlated to clinical manifestations of the arrhythmias: their type, phase, duration and favorable changes in their course. Antiarrhythmic therapy was associated with a normalization of the altered levels of cyclase components and Ca2+.

[Interrelation of changes in the levels of calcium, calmodulin and cyclic nucleotides in children with ectopic types of arrhythmia].

In 61 children with different patterns of ectopic arrhythmias (premature heart beat, paroxysmal and non-paroxysmal tachycardia), the peripheral blood leukocytes and myocardial tissues were examined for the content of calmodulin (CM), ionized calcium (Ca2+) and cyclic nucleotides (CN). The data obtained indicate that the CM-Ca2+ and CN system are involved in the genesis of arrhythmias in children and may be used as additional criteria in the diagnosis of cardiac rhythm abnormalities.

[Cyclic nucleotides and creatine phosphokinase activity in children with cardiac arrhythmias].

Forty-one children with cardiac arrhythmias were examined. It was established that cardiac rhythm disorders in children were accompanied by an increase in the cGMP levels as well as a decrease in the cAMP content, CPK activity and the cAMP/cGMP ratio varying in relation to the form of arrhythmia and the nature of heart damage.

[N-nitrosamine content in sausage products manufactured using protein preparations].

The content of carcinogenous N-nitrosamines was measured in protein preparations and sausages manufactured with the use of these preparations. Isolates from sunflower and soybean proteins and casein as well as sausages manufactured with the use of the indicated proteins did not differ from control samples as regards the content of nitrosamines. However, up to 6 micrograms/kg N-nitrosodimethylamine was detected in fish protein isolates.

[N-nitrosamines in beer and nonalcoholic beverages].

The content of carcinogenic N-nitrosamines was examined in beer, kvas, kvas wort, in dried pear and drink prepared from the dried fruit. An analysis was made with the use of the fluorescence technique. It was found that only some of the beer grades contain a negligible amount of N-nitrosamines.