Tissues samples of leiomyoma and myometrium obtained intraoperatively were analyzed. For evaluation of the synthesis of MIP-lalpha, MIP-1beta, RANTES, eotaxin, eotaxin-2, interleukin-8, CCR1, CCR3, CCR5, CXCR1, and CXCR2, mRNA isolated from tissues samples of leiomyoma and myometrium was subjected to reverse transcription-PCR and assayed by a semiquantitative method (relative to beta-actin). The content of eotaxin, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and CCR5 mRNA in leiomyoma tissue was lower than in the myometrium. The concentration of MIP-1beta, CCR5, and eotaxin mRNA in common leiomyoma was much lower than in the myometrium. Eotaxin mRNA expression in myometrial tissue of patients with single nodes was much higher than in those with multiple nodes. Moreover, expression of eotaxin mRNA in common leiomyoma was higher than in proliferating leiomyoma. The concentration of mRNA for interleukin-8 in leiomyoma tissue, as well as the content of mRNA for MIP-1alpha and CCR3 in myometrial tissue increased in patients with submucosal nodes (as distinct from nodes of another location). A direct correlation was revealed between the size of the uterus and concentration of mRNA for interleukin-8 and MIP-1beta in myometrial tissue. The concentration of mRNA for MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta in leiomyoma tissue negatively correlated with the size of the uterus (maximum size of the node) and duration of leiomyoma, respectively. Our results indicate that chemokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyoma.

The incidence and prevalence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyronmonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythensis in specimens of subgingival dental deposit were evaluated in 495 residents of St. Petersburg aged 6-82 years. The microorganisms were detected by gene-specific PCR of 16S rDNA. In accordance with age-specific increase in the incidence of gingival diseases, the percentage of samples containing T. forsythensis and P. gingivalis was significantly higher in adult and elderly patients in comparison with adolescents. The presence of T. forsythensis significantly correlated with the presence of gingivitis and dental deposit. In addition, the incidence of T. forsythensis was significantly higher in tobacco smokers. These results attest to a relationship between T. forsythensis infection and more frequent periodontal diseases associated with aging and tobacco smoking.