No abstract

The human gastrointestinal tract is more complex in its structure and volume of its functions, an organ, or rather, a system of organs. In addition, the intestinal microbiota, which, in turn, is part of the brain-intestine-microbiota axis, is also included in the process of implementing the tasks of the gastrointestinal tract. In this regard, not only instrumental, such as radio-radiological, ultrasound, endoscopic (with subsequent study of biopsy material) and other research methods are relevant, but also laboratory ones aimed at obtaining information about the microbiome and signal molecules involved in regulatory processes gastrointestinal tract. This literature review is devoted to the analysis of modern research methods for neurotransmitters synthesized by the digestive tract and of diagnostic value.

The aim of this study was to observe the features of chronic gastritis in children with celiac disease (СD). Materials and methods. 176 children with chronic gastritis (CG) aged from 3 to 16 years were examined. Group I consisted 58 child ren with CG and newly diagnosed CD not adherent to the gluten-free diet (GFD), group II consisted 49 children with CG and CD, adherent to the GFD. In the group III of comparisons were 69 children with CG and excluded CD. The exa mination included serological, morphological methods to confirm or exclude CD. The histological examination of the biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa, the determination of antiparietal antibodies by the method of iIFR and ELISA (antibodies to Castle’s intrinsic factor and Anti-H+/K+ ATPase antibodies) were carried out. Results. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed in vast majority of patients in all groups. Autoantibodies to the gastric mucosa were found in every tenth patient in groups I and III, and did not occur in group II. In group II statistically significant the etiology of gastritis remained not determined. Endoscopically the gastric mucosa in groups I and II often remained intact. Accor ding to the morphological study in groups I and II, the pathological process was more often localized in the body of the stomach, and in group III in the antrum. Autoimmune gastritis is presented in groups without a statistically significant difference. Conclusion. Chronic gastritis is a frequent co-morbid pathology in СD, and it is also not uncommon in these patients. Data of endoscopy in children, regardless of diet, does not reflect the complete picture of CG. All children with CD, regardless of compliance with GFD, are recommended to take biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa for histological examination in order to exclude CG, and in case of detecting atrophic changes in the gastric mucosa to define the antiparietal antibodies.

Results NAFLD was diagnosed in 8.5% of overweight and 24.9% of obese children. In obese children the prevalence of NAFLD was 22.3% for age group 6-11.9 years and 35.5% for age group 12-19 years. There was no significant difference between girls and boys (P= 0.521). Age was similar in children with and without NAFLD (P= 0.766). An increase of 10 U/L of ALT, AST and ALK increased the odds of NAFLD 6%, 5% and 3%, respectively. An increase of 10 mg/dl of triglycerides and glucose were associated with a 12% and 8% increase and one of TSH with a 15% increase in the odds of NAFLD. An increase of 1 unit of HOMA-IR was associated with a 21% increase in the odds of NAFLD. Conclusions ALT, AST, ALK and HOMA-IR can predict the progression of NAFLD. Findings emphasize on the importance of prevention of obesity and early intervention to prevent abnormalities among obese children.

The aim of the work was to study the characteristics of vaginal microbiota in women suffering from bronchial asthma, depending on the specific features of the course of pregnancy and to determine the levels of umbilical cord blood cytokines in children born to such mothers in order to identify the epigenetic factors contributing to early realization of the atopic phenotype. Patients and methods. 37 pregnant woman-baby pairs were examined. The main group included pregnant women suffering from bronchial asthma. The comparison group consisted of 24 healthy pregnant woman-baby pairs. Cord blood cytokines were studied in newborns. The quantitative and qualitative assessment of vaginal flora was carried out by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. In the examined samples, control material samples (CMS) were tested, total bacterial mass (TBM), absolute counts of microorganisms were determined, followed by calculation of relative values. Also, the relative quantitative indicators of microbiota were calculated, reflecting the ratio of the number of specific microorganisms to total bacterial mass. Umbilical cord blood samples were examined for cytokines (TGF-β1, IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-γ) by ELISA in 15 babies of the main group and 24 babies of the comparison group. Discussion and conclusions. The studies conducted are demonstrative of the fact that certain features of the course of pregnancy such as threatened miscarriage or preeclampsia are the factors affecting the composition of vaginal microbiota of a pregnant woman. A shift in the ratio of the main microaerophilic bacteria of vaginal secretion toward Gardnerella vaginalis and a decrease of Lactobacillus sp. might impair the development of fetal and infant intestinal microbiocenosis. At the same time, the microbiota of the newborn is similar to that of the mother and is closest to vaginal microbiota. Normally, it is characterized by predominance of such microorganisms as Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium infantis, Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus sp., Prevotella, Atopobium, which determine the direction of the immune response and the formation of tolerance in infancy. Conclusion. Changes in vaginal microbiota and intestinal microbiocenosis of a baby might become the epigenetic factor that triggers allergic inflammation even in utero, as evidenced by the imbalance of the main pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-13 and IL-10), the increased contents of which in the umbilical cord blood reflect the systemic response of the body to tissue and organ damage, and serves as one of the indicators of the intensity and duration of prenatal allergic inflammation, as well as progression of the disease. Higher levels of IL-13 and IL-10 in the umbilical cord blood might be regarded as a marker of the intrauterine onset of allergic inflammation in children with an allergic family history. Key words: allergy, pregnancy, vaginal microbiota, children, cytokines