Vol 68, No 3 (2019)

Hypothesis/aims of study. Using early non-invasive markers of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in clinical practice is important to early start of nephroprotective therapy and leads to improving the quality of life, while decreasing disability and mortality of diabetic patients. The aim of the study was to estimate the potential of using serum cystatin C and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated by CKD-EPI_cys and CKD-EPI_cr-cys equations for an early diagnosis of DN in type 1 diabetic (T1D) women who were planning pregnancy or were in the I trimester of pregnancy.

Study design, materials, and methods. 47 T1D women were examined, of whom 25 individuals were pregnant and 22 ones were planning pregnancy. In all patients, glycated hemoglobin and serum cystatin C levels were determined, GFR was estimated by the creatinine clearance test, MDRD, CKD-EPI_cr, CKD-EPI_cys, and CKD-EPI_cr-cys equations, with diabetes training done.

Results. The pregnant group and the planning pregnancy group were distinguished by glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.001), serum creatinine (p = 0.001), and GFR estimated by the creatinine clearance test (р = 0.017), CKD-EPI_cr (р = 0.005), and CKD-EPI_cr-cys (р = 0.046) equations. There was no difference in urinary creatinine, serum cystatin C, and GFR estimated by CKD-EPI_cys equation and daily urinary protein excretion between the study groups. Most pregnant women (87.5%) were in stage C1 and only 12,5% in stage C2 as determined by estimated GFR using the CKD-EPI_cr formula, which was significantly different compared to the planning pregnancy group, where the percentage of women in stages C1 and C2 was comparable (р = 0.002). In addition, most pregnant patients were in stage C1, while most of the patients planning pregnancy were referred to stage C2 by GFR estimated by CKD-EPI_cysequation. Stage C3a was diagnosed in the both study groups only when CKD-EPI_cys equation for GFR estimation was used. Most women from both groups were in stage C1 when GFR was estimated by the creatinine clearance test, the percentage ratio of patients in stages C1 and C2 in both groups being comparable.

Conclusion. Our results demonstrated that serum cystatin C and GFR estimation by CKD-EPI_cys equation could improve nephropathy diagnostic accuracy among T1D patients with a normal serum creatinine level and intact GFR based on creatinine level.

Hypothesis/aims of study. The ongoing global problem of health care and medical science is an associated increase in the frequency of endocrine and metabolic diseases and cancer, including in women of childbearing age. Thus, the frequency of diabetes in the population has been growing rapidly for many years. Similar trends were observed in the dynamics of the frequency of cancer pathology, especially of breast cancer, which is one of the leading places in the structure of the cancer incidence in the female population. It is known that diabetes and related insulin resistance have a very negative effect on the female reproductive function, leading to hyperplastic processes of the mammary glands. The least studied problem so far is understanding the mechanisms of development, timely diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of fibrocystic mastopathy, the proliferative forms of which underlie malignant tumors, while its atypical variations are regarded as a precancerous condition. It is likely that the pathogenesis of hyperplastic processes in the mammary gland and the risk of neoplastic transformation in disorders of carbohydrate metabolism may have special factors. The actual problem is the development of a method for pathogenetically substantiated correction of fibrocystic breast disease. This is essential for the development of pharmacological strategies for secondary prevention of breast cancer and, in this regard, it is of great interest to study application possibilities of biguanides. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of metformin therapy in fibrocystic mastopathy patients with and without insulin resistance.

Study design, materials, and methods. The study involved 120 women, aged 18 to 40 years inclusive, with clinical and / or ultrasound signs of fibrocystic breast disease. According to the results of calculating HOMA index, patients were divided into two groups: the first group comprised 66 patients with insulin resistance (HOMA > 2.5) and the second group consisted of 54 patients with no insulin resistance (HOMA < 2.5). Assessment of mastalgia was performed using the Visual Analogue Scale. Breast ultrasound examination was performed on days 5 to 7 of the menstrual cycle. For the purpose of quantitative image analysis of the breast parenchyma, the following parameters were evaluated: a) thickness of the parenchyma (fibroglandular zone); b) diameter of the milk ducts; c) echogenicity. All patients received metformin at a dose of 1500 mg per day. Dynamic control of the clinical picture of the disease, as well as of mammographic breast parenchymal pattern, was performed after 3 and 6 months from the start of therapy.

Results and conclusion. After 6 months of therapy, there was a decrease in the frequency of mastalgia, and significant changes in breast ultrasound picture were observed. The data obtained on the positive effect of metformin on clinical mastitis and structural changes in the mammary parenchyma in patients with mastopathy allow considering such an approach as a promising therapeutic strategy in this pathological association.

Hypothesis/aims of study. Melatonin is found in almost all living organisms, the range of its effects being quite diverse. Effects of this hormone in the human body are realized via two ways, through specific receptors and non-receptor pathways. Melatonin may act through both membrane and nuclear receptors. In the present work, the expression of MTR1 and MTR2 melatonin receptors was studied in the eutopic endometrium and endometrioid heterotopies, and the level of melatonin metabolite, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, in daily urine in patients with genital endometriosis (GE) was analyzed.

Study design, materials and methods. The experimental group included 67 patients of reproductive age with a verified diagnosis of GE, and the control group consisted of 18 individuals with an ovulatory menstrual cycle without gynecological pathology. The 6-sulfatoxymelatonin level in daily urine was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The study of MTR1 and MTR2 melatonin receptor expression in the endometrium and endometrioid heterotopies was performed in 24 patients with GE and in 10 women of reproductive age who were examined for infertility who did not have gynecological pathology based on diagnostic laparoscopy. To study the expression of melatonin receptors, the endometrium and endometrial heterotopy sampling was carried out from day 18 to day 22 of the menstrual cycle. Morphological assessment included histological and immunofluorescence studies using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Results. In patients with GE, there was found a tendency to a decrease in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion in daily urine compared to the control group. It was also found that the total relative expression area of melatonin receptors in the endometrium of women with GE was significantly lower compared to the endometrium of patients from the control group. Significant differences between the average brightness and optical density were not found. In addition, it was revealed that the relative expression areas of MTR1 and MTR2 melatonin receptors in the eutopic endometrium and in endometrioid heterotopies did not differ significantly. A negative correlation was stated between the relative expression area of melatonin receptors and GE prevalence. Particular attention is paid to the role of melatonin in the development of GE and to the possibilities of working out new treatment regimens with its use.

Conclusion. The data obtained confirm the undoubted role of melatonin in the pathogenesis of GE, however, the development of new treatment regimens with its use requires further study.

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory hormone-dependent disease characterized by abnormal proliferation in the endometrium, nerves, blood vessels, fibroblasts, etc. and accompanied by immunological disorders. Growth factors are an important part of the mechanisms that underlie intercellular communication, auto- and paracrine regulation. This literature review presents data on abnormal expression of growth factors in patients with endometriosis, relationship of growth factors and hormonal status in normal and endometrial tissues, and the supposed role of growth factors in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Hypothesis/aims of study. Endometriosis is a chronic recurrent disease that leads to a significant decrease in the quality of life. Despite the existing therapeutic methods, the prevalence of the disease is steadily increasing. The pathogenesis of endometriosis has not been studied enough, resulting in failure to achieve high efficiency in its treatment. Due to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and dissatisfaction with the quality of life, women suffering from endometriosis present with various mental disorders of different degrees of severity. This study aims to summarize the literature discussing the possible role of oxytocin in the pathogenesis of both endometriosis and affective disorders.

Study design, materials, and methods. Literature data for the period from 1986 to 2019.

Conclusion. The role of oxytocin in the pathogenesis of endometriosis needs further study. Oxytocin receptor antagonists can be considered promising in the treatment of this medical condition, as well as in prevention and management of affective disorders in patients with endometriosis.