[Dirofilariasis in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea].

The paper presents data on the prevalence of dirofilariasis in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea during 5 years from 1999 to 2003. The nematode Dirofilaria repens is a causative agent of the disease. Sporadic cases of helminthiasis are annually registered in some urban and rural areas on the plain of the peninsula.

[The effect of eicosapentaenoic acid and the calcium antagonist isradipin on lipid metabolism and erythrocytes in experimental hypercholesterolemia in rabbits].

The effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and a new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist isradipine on plasma cholesterol free fatty acids (FFA) and erythrocytes have been studied in 48 cholesterol-fed rabbits after 3-month experiment. EPA had no statistically significant reduction of total cholesterol, FFA but showed the accumulation of cholesterol in plasma and altered morphological and functional properties of erythrocytes. Isradipine revealed a dose-dependent reduction of hypercholesterolemia.

[The effect of isradipine on the central and cerebral hemodynamics of patients with circulatory encephalopathy and hypertension].

The new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist isradipine versus nifedipine was tested in 41 patients with essential hypertension and cerebrovascular insufficiency. The tests have shown that isradipine shows all hemodynamic effects by significantly improving cerebral blood flow and it is better tolerated than nifedipine. It is concluded that isradipine is an effective agent in the long-term management of hypertensive patients at a high risk for cerebral hypoperfusion.

[The role of myeloperoxidase, a product of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes, in the pathogenesis of cataract].

The capacity of myeloperoxidase which is the product of polymorphonuclear leucocytes to induce the lens opacity was studied in young and old rabbits. It was found that the injection of myeloperoxidase solution into anterior chamber of the eye causes the irreversible lens opacification in old rabbits, not in young ones. Light microscopy of the lens section has shown the following alterations: the local thickening of the anterior capsule, disorderly accumulation of epithelial cells, formation of so-called "bladder cells" under the lens epithelium.