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Aim: In this study, we identified characteristics of systemic inflammation associated with surgical sepsis in animals. We evaluated the role of purine metabolism, functionally associated lipoperoxidation processes of membrane structures, and the antioxidant system in the development of surgical sepsis in dogs. Materials and Methods: Dogs with a provisional exclusion of sepsis were included in the study. The control group (Group 1) included clinically healthy dogs (n=5), and medium-breed dogs with systemic inflammation response syndrome (n=30) were categorized in the experimental group (Group 2). Along with hemogram and biochemical analysis, we determined the amount of malondialdehyde, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase on the 1st and 14th day of the study. Treatment included a thorough reorganization of the septic focus, followed by antibacterial therapy. Sick animals were injected with a drug (dexamethasone) that suppresses the synthesis and inhibits the action of inflammatory mediators. Decompensation of the functions of organs and systems was carried out using symptomatic therapy. Results: We found that enhanced lipid peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids of membrane structures stimulates the generalization of inflammatory process, as evidenced by the significant deviation from the physiologically normal values of lipid peroxidation, C-reactive protein, blood cell count, etc. The course of systemic inflammation associated with surgical sepsis in animals can be attributed to several consistently developing processes that function as a result of increased purine mononucleotide catabolism, peroxide compound formation, and their excessive breakdown in reactions associated with the consumption of glutathione due to the insufficient recovery of glutathione disulfide. Conclusion: The amount of uric acid, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid in blood plasma, and the content of malondialdehyde, glutathione, and glutathione reductase in erythrocytes should be considered when assessing the severity of the systemic inflammatory process. The increased glutathione requirement in dogs with surgical sepsis requires intervention with pharmacological agents, and further research is needed in this aspect.

Background. VNTR-polymorphism at 5 HTTLPR regulatory region of human serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4, which is associated with some psychiatric diseases and personality traits, is presented by two alleles, S and L, affecting the gene transcription level. A correlation between the S allele frequency in populations of European and Asian origin and a Hofstede’s individualism-collectivism index was revealed and a hypothesis of culture-gene coevolution was suggested (Chiao, Blizinsky, 2010). Methods. As another reason for the correlation we examined underlying population genetic substructure, which may affect genetic association level. Results. We have experimentally established the 5 HTTLPR genotypes for 2144 individuals to calculate S and L allele frequencies in 21 populations of Eurasia and Africa. In contrast to Eurasia populations, we have found low S allele frequencies in all four African populations studied, although the collectivism index in the populations was high. The total set of Eurasian and African populations analysis does not confirm the correlation (R= 0.263, p=0.146). We have applied principal component (PC) analysis to check a correlation between S allele frequency distribution and a frequency distribution for alleles which are supposed to be neutral. PC analysis for 68 alleles of five CODIS STR loci revealed correlation between PC2 and S allele frequency (R= 0.820, p0.0001). The correlation means that S allele frequency distribution corresponds to general genetic variability distribution in the human populations studied. The correlation between the Hofestede’s index and frequency of four out of 68 STR alleles is even higher than the correlation with S allele frequency in the same populations. Conclusion. Our findings do not support the hypothesis on culture-gene coevolution of “individualism-collectivism” and the S allele frequency of serotonin transporter gene.

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ADH1B and ALDH2 genes are coding for key alcohol metabolism enzymes. Both allele ADH1B*Arg48His and ALDH2*504Lys are associated with lower alcohol consumption level. The allele frequencies were determined for rather few populations of Russia. The article presents аn updated review on the allele frequencies worldwide including the data for populations of Russia which were determined by our lab in recent years. Possible role of factors influencing the peculiarities of ADH1B*48His and ALDH2*504Lys allele frequencies geographic distribution are being discussed.