Abstract

Pathogenetic mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy are associated with the toxic effects of hyperglycemia and subsequent activation of stress-sensitive systems. The purpose was to determine the features of immune dysfunction in patients with diabetic retinopathy against the background of metabolic syndrome. Clinical and laboratory examinations of 130 patients with diabetic retinopathy have been carried out (70 insulin-dependent patients – group 1 and 60 insulin-independent patients – group 2). In determining the surveyed individuals’ contents of the lymphocyte populations and subpopulations, the monoclonal antibodies were used to CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD19 +, CD23 +, CD25 +, CD56 + in the reaction of indirect immunofluorescence with fluorescein-isothiocyanate labeled antibodies and indices were calculated – the ratio of the lymphocyte populations and subpopulations. The population and subpopulation composition of blood lymphocytes were studied, and the ratio of cellular factors of immunity in patients with diabetic retinopathy was calculated. The immune status of patients with diabetic retinopathy is characterized by more pronounced changes in insulin-dependent patients’ cellular immunity – the activation of nonspecific killer immunity, suppressor potential and humoral immunity than in insulin-independent patients. The results allow the pathogenetic correction of diabetic retinopathy with the immune imbalance.

ABSTRACT
Introduction and aim. Information concerning lactoferrin and interleukin-8 (IL-8) local levels in breast milk are not numerous and requires further research. The aim of this study was to determine the content of lactoferrin and interleukin-8 in the breast milk of patients with lactational mastitis, and to identify new potential markers for assessing the activity of the inflammatory process in the mammary gland. Material and methods. This study analyzed the breast milk of 30 women with lactostasis (group I), 37 women with lactational mastitis (group II) and 30 healthy lactating women (age 26±5 years old). The milk content of lactoferrin and interleukin-8 (IL-8) was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. The average value of lactoferrin in breast milk of healthy women was 4.78±0.47 mg/mL, exceeding levels in group I 1.8 times (p<0.05). The level of lactoferrin in group II exceeds the control values 3.1 times (p<0.05). The content of IL-8 in breast milk of women in group I was 7.3 times higher than the control (3.63±0.12 pg/mL, p<0.05). In lactational mastitis, the concentration of IL-8 in breast milk exceeded the group I 13.9 times (p<0.05) and was 1.9 times higher than group I (p<0.05). Conclusion. The analysis has revealed an increase of lactoferrin and IL-8 in breast milk of the test groups, which indicates the activation of non-specific protection.