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Aim: to investigate the composition of plasma fatty acids (FA) and red blood cells and the level of eicosanoids in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and to assess whether metabolic disturbances may be corrected during a cycle use of an ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)., Subjects and Methods: Examinations were made in 46 patients, including Group 1 (a control group) of 15 persons without MS components; Group 2 of 31 patients with MS, Group 3 of 16 MS patients who had taken an ω-3 PUFA for 6 months, and Group 4 of 15 MS patients who had received the drug for 12 months. The composition of plasma FA and red blood cells was analyzed on a gas-liquid chromatograph. An enzyme immunoassay was used to measure the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and eicosanoids (thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α, leukotriene B4). A biologically active additive from the king crab (Paralithodes camtschatica) hepatopancreas was used as a source of ω-3 PUFA., Results: Having a higher proportion of linoleic and α-linolenic acids in the plasma, the patients were found to have decreased levels of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs (linoleic and α-linolenic, arachidonic, and eicosapentaenoic acids) and a larger proportion of Mead acid and saturated FAs (myristic and stearic acids) in the red blood cells, suggesting that that cellular blood FA transfer was impaired and FAs were absorbed by cells. Their serum samples showed the high levels of leukotriene B4, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α, and thromboxane A2. The long-term (6- and 12-month) use of ω-3 PUFA from the king crab hepatopancreas had a positive impact in modifying the lipid FA composition of red blood cells and in eliminating deficiencies of physiologically important ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs in the blood cells., Conclusion: The findings suggest that FAs and their metabolites play an important role in the pathogenesis of MS and that dietary ω-3 PUFA should be incorporated into a package of preventive and therapeutic measures for MS.

The status of vasodilatational and vasoconstrictoral eicosanoids in patients with vibration disease combined with hypertension disease are presented. The increase of the concentration vasodilators observed in patients with vibration disease. The maximum growth vasoconstrictoral eicosanoids observed in groups with comorbidity.

Fatty acid composition of erythrocyte and leukocyte membranes has been studied in children (with normal body mass and obesity) with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and children with bronchial asthma in comparison with basically healthy children. Fifty seven children aged from 7 to 14 years were examined: 13 with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (IDGIT) (eosophagitis, gastroduodenitis, stomach ulcer), 25 with obesity stages (I-III) complicated by IDGIT, 9 with bronchial asthma and 10 basically healthy children. The study revealed that both IDGIT and bronchial asthma caused significant and similar changes in fatty acid composition of cell membranes. These included accumulation of omega3-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and the decrease of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); this phenomenon observed in both erythrocyte and leukocyte membranes suggests a common feature of the detected changes in fatty acid composition of cell membranes in inflammation. There was a significant decrease in the level of membrane omega6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), first of all arachidonic acid and total omega6 PUFA. Consequently, EPA accumulation in membranes may be a compensatory response to low dietary arachidonic acid supply and/or its increased synthesis of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids (prostaglandins, leukotriens, thromboxans) during inflammatory process.

The work was designed to study levels of serum prostaglandin F1a (6-keto-PGF1a), thromboxane B2, and leukotriene B4 (LTB4)--stable products of cyclooxygenase and lipogenase-catalyzed reactions of arachidonic acid, in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) differing in glucose homeostasis. It was shown that MS is associated with excess production of anti-inflammatory oxilipines (LTB4) regardless of the presence or absence of insulin resistance. LTB4 are known to influence inflammatory processes due to compensatory synthesis of vasodilating eicosanoids (6-keto-PGF1a) that antagonize vasoconctriction and inflammation. Combination of MS with insulin resistance in patients with elevated LTB4 and 6-keto-PGF1a levels is associated with enhanced synthesis of thromboxane A2 responsible for vasoconstriction, platelet formation, and development of endothelial dysfunction. The study suggests disturbed synthesis of eicosanoids in patients with MS and their important role in pathogenesis of this condition.

Contents of leukotrienes B4, C4, C4/D4/E4, prostaglandins E and F2a, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-PgF1a were studied by radioimmunoassay in patients with fresh and chronic pulmonary tuberculosis. Eicosanoids were established to take an active part in pathogenetical mechanisms of tuberculous process. Local forms of the disease were characterized by moderately risen level both of leukotrienes and prostaglandins. Freshly detected disseminated destructive process was accompanied by increased activity mainly of LtC4, LtC4/D4/E4 as well as of prostacyclin-thromboxane system and PgF2a. Advance of pulmonary tuberculosis was associated with activated LtB4 and TxB2 synthesis and decreased production of PgI2, PgE, LtC4, LtC4/D4/E4.

A study of 126 patients with stenocardia receiving antianginal treatment was carried out with purpose of evaluating the effect of plasmapheresis on the clinical course of the disease, functional activity of thrombocytes, eicosanoids and lipid metabolism. It was shown that plasmapheresis improves the clinical condition of patients with ischemic heart disease, increases the tolerance to physical loads in patients with stenocardia. The mechanism of action of plasmapheresis is related to improvement of the lipid metabolism, system of eicosanoids, and thrombocytic link of hemostasis.

An investigation into the pathogenesis of acute pneumonia in 37 young men made it possible to ascertain the role of arachidonic acid metabolites and hormonal regulation in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory reaction in acute bacterial pneumonia. At the initial stage of inflammation, invasion of the infectious agent leads to phagocytosis activation, stimulates the output of immunoglobulins belonging to different classes, which, binding antigens, form immune complexes influencing the output of biologically active substances. This is accompanied by the destruction of pulmonary tissue, release of lipid peroxidation radicals and proteinases, by the enhancement of arachidonic acid degradation under the destructive action on the membranes of phospholipase A2 cells to form prostaglandins participating in the changes in the tone of bronchi, pulmonary vessels and affecting blood coagulation. Activation of the hypophyseo-adrenal system leads to the attenuation of the effects produced by biologically active substances and exerts varying actions in the acute and convalescence periods. The data obtained stress an important role played by metabolic functions of the lungs in the integrative connections of all the systems of the body maintaining homeostasis in pneumonia and the main function of the lungs, namely ventilation.

Serum levels of eicosanoids in patients suffering from chronic hepatic diseases were analysed in correlation with morphological characteristics of the hepatic lesion, body reactivity, manifestations of the alternative and immune phases of the inflammation. The results could be contributing to diagnosing and treating chronic inflammation in the liver.