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.
Background. The spread of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and overcoming its consequences, including immune-related disorders, is one of the critical issues requiring extensive study and resolution in practical medicine, particularly under present conditions in Ukraine.
Materials and methods. The study group consisted of 79 (27.5%) patients with verified PTSD: 46 (58.2%) female and 33 (41.8%) male, with an average age of 38.7±7.2 years; a control group of 20 apparently healthy people was used. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) American National Center for PTSD (2013) questionnaire was used to verify PTSD. In addition, history taking, clinical examination, general and biochemical laboratory tests, and statistical analysis were performed.
Results. All patients with PTSD experienced clinical disorders and changes in laboratory indicators, with a probable increase in absolute and relative values of neutrophils and mononuclear cells, an increase in the levels of acute phase proteins, and activation of transaminases. In addition, these patients were characterized as immunocompromised patients with the potential to study immunological disorders.
Conclusions. The results of the review of the scientific literature and the clinical and paraclinical manifestations that we found in patients with PTSD indicate the role of immune mechanisms in the development of this syndrome and necessitate expanding diagnostic measures among such patients with the different pathogenetic approach of their management.