УДК 338.5:615.252.349.7

Increasing the availability and affordability of medical and pharmaceuticalcare to the population is the most important task of all levels of government. The purpose of the work is to study the affordability of glucose-lowering drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Ukraine. Research materials are: State
Register of Medicinal Products and price of glucose-lowering drugs. Marketing, analytical, graphic and pharmacoeconomic analysis were used. On the pharmaceutical market of Ukraine 161 glucose-lowering drugs are registered, which contain 16 international non-proprietary names and 8 international non-proprietary names combinations. It was established that the cost of Defined Daily Dose for mono glucose-lowering drugs varies from UAH 1,1 for glibenclamide up to UAH 90,7 for liraglutide. Most of the Ukrainian-made and foreign drugs are highly affordable, but foreign preparations of modern groups are moderately affordable, only one foreign drug, Liraglutide, is unaffordable ratio. But the analysis of affovailability for pensioners only metformin (Ukrainian production), glibenclamide, gliclazide, and glimepiride are highly affordable, three of which are already subject to reimbursement. Modern glucose-lowering drugs, both of foreign and Ukrainian production, is scarcely affordable, which makes it practically impossible to use them in the majority of retirees with diabetes. Thus, the analysis showed that in order to implement modern treatment schemes for type 2 diabetes, which according to the current
legislation can be used in Ukraine, it is necessary to expand the list of glucose-lowering drugs included in the reimbursement program. This will improve treatment results, which in turn will reduce the development of diabetes complications and improve the quality of life of patients.  

Today there is a danger of spreading Ixodes ticks, which can cause Lyme disease, which is characterized by polysystemic lesions. As a rule, treatment involves antibiotic therapy. We studied the effectiveness of apitherapy by bee sting method in the complex treatment of patients with Lyme arthritis. Patients were prescribed a course of bee stings from 1 to 15 bee stings once every other day, a total of 102 stings. After a course of apitherapy, patients had significantly reduced or eliminated pain in the spine and joints, there was a significant decrease in IgM during bee stings between courses of antibiotic therapy and IgG in tests performed after a course of treatment with bees. Apitherapy can have a pronounced antibacterial effect over the next 2 years. In addition to these findings, further observations indicated that the immunomodulatory effects of bee venom may play a crucial role in mitigating inflammatory responses. Patients not only experienced relief from pain but also reported improved mobility and overall quality of life. The gradual reduction in specific antibody levels suggests that the bee sting treatment may help recalibrate the immune system over time. This additional benefit, coupled with the direct antibacterial properties of the venom, positions apitherapy as a promising complementary treatment approach. Continued research into the long-term effects is warranted to better understand its full therapeutic potential. Moreover, the observed improvements were supported by both subjective patient reports and objective clinical measurements. The treatment appeared to modulate the inflammatory cascade associated with Lyme arthritis, leading to fewer flare-ups and a reduction in joint stiffness. This innovative method also showed potential in preventing further joint degradation, thereby extending its benefit beyond immediate pain relief. Future studies are needed to explore the optimal dosing, frequency, and possible synergies with conventional antibiotic therapies, ensuring that patients receive the most effective comprehensive care.

Introduction. Celiac disease (CD) is a global public health problem. Recent studies have revealed the global prevalence of approximately 1.4% in adults. It is known to manifest usually in childhood and have different symptoms similar to other diseases. In the presented case reports the case of CD in adult, manifested by various atypical symptoms, that became the obstacle to diagnosis the CD in time was described.

Methods. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We performed a comprehensive literature search using such databases as Web of Science, Embase, PubMed. The search strategy included the following terms: "celiac disease", "gluten sensitivity", "pathophysiology", "diagnosis and treatment", "case report". Case description was described according to Case Report (CARE) guidelines.

Results. Recent advances in CD research have significantly enhanced our understanding of its epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management in adults. Advances in genetic and immunological research have deepened our understanding of disease mechanisms, paving the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

А female patient had the complaints of constant pain in the periumbilical and left hypochondriac areas, irregular defecation, diarrhea; legs swelling up to the level of knees. During the ultrasonography of the internal organs, free fluid in the abdominal cavity (approximately 2.0l) was detected. During the gastroscopy it was found pyloritis, gastroptosis, gastroduodenal reflux, CD was suspected, biopsy was taken. The results of the duodenal descending part biopsy: chronic enteritis with significant atrophic-inflammatory changes. To confirm the CD the serological testing also was conducted: IgA to deamidated gliadin > 9.0 (N-<1.0), IgG to deamidated gliadin 0.22 (N-<1.0), IgA to tissue transglutaminase 2 – 2.88 (N-<1.0), IgG to tissue transglutaminase 2 – 0.06 (N<1.0). After the mentioned examination the diagnosis of CD was set. The patient received symptomatic treatment followed by the gluten-free diet (GFD). After 10 days in the hospital the patient was discharged with improved condition and the main recommendation to maintain the GFD.

Discussion. CD is “getting older” and can be very similar to or accompanied by chronic pancreatitis, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome etc. As could be seen from the clinical case description, the combination of the characteristic symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, continuous or frequently repeated diarrhea should lead to the thorough examination of a patient including endoscopy with biopsy and if any suspicion exists, subsequent serological testing. GFD remains the cornerstone of treatment, ongoing research into enzyme supplements, immunomodulators, and even genetic modification of wheat offers hope for additional management options.

Conclusions. Only the multifaceted approach, combining serological tests, instrumental examinations and qualified histopathological assessment, offers a comprehensive means of identifying CD and enabling the timely treatment.

The fight against biological threats has been a key factor in humanity's survival throughout history. Taking into account the latest epidemiological, biotechnological, and geopolitical trends, this paper provides a comprehensive analysis of both natural and anthropogenic sources of biological hazards. Special attention is given to zoonotic infections, synthetic biology, biological weapons, bioterrorism, and global environmental factors that influence the epidemiological situation. International risk management strategies are summarized, the legal framework of biosafety is analyzed, and recommendations are proposed for improving systems for the prevention and response to biological threats.

UDC 616.379-008.64-07-036.86

Background. There is a lack of studies focusing on the combined impact of metformin, empagliflozin, and levothyroxine on the gut microbiota in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypothyroidism. The purpose of the study was to examine how the combination of metformin and empagliflozin affects gut microbiota composition in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypothyroidism.

Materials and methods. We enrolled 47 pa­tients who have been receiving hormone replacement therapy with levothyroxine at a stable dose over the past 2 years and were newly diagnosed with T2DM. All participants were divided into two groups and received either metformin alone or metformin plus empagliflozin for 6 months. Metabolic and hormonal parameters were measured before and after treatment, and stool samples were analyzed using PCR sequencing.

Results. The study found that in both groups, there was an improvement in carbohydrate metabolism, lipid profile, and liver transaminases after treatment. The group treated with metformin plus empagliflozin had a more significant reduction in glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and atherogenicity coefficient than the group treated with metformin alone. We also found that combination therapy resulted in lower levels of Firmicutes and an increase in the number of Actinobacteria, as well as a higher ratio of Bacteroides fragilis to Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

Conclusions. The study shows for the first time that the combination of metformin, empagliflozin, and levothyroxine can directly affect the gut microbiota composition in patients with T2DM and hypothyroidism. These changes may be necessary for treating this cohort of patients and require further investigation.