Objective. To study the effect of the 8-week treatment with atorvastatin on the quality of life (QOL) of hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome. Design and methods. An 8-week open prospective study included 35 patients with essential hypertension (stage II), associated with metabolic syndrome. Along with the complete clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination, taken in a specialized cardiology clinic, MOS SF-36® questionnaire was used to study the QOL during atorvastatin treatment. Results and conclusions. The 8-week atorvastatin treatment (20 to 40 mg/day titrated individually) both contributes to statistically signifi cant reduction of atherogenic fractions of cholesterol and provides a positive dynamics of subjective evaluation of QOL by SF-36® scales in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome.

Abstract. This study demonstrates ability of carbon monoxide to trigger mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis induction of Jurcat cells. We have shown that proapoptotic action of carbon monoxide is coupled to permeabilization of cellular mitochondrial membranes. Imbalance in Bcl-2 family of regulatory proteins may be considered among possible reasons of the membrane pore formation. We have shown downregulated cl-2 and Bcl-xl mRNA expression and decreased levels of antiapoptotic proteins, along wih decreased mRNA expression and increase of Bad proapototic protein level in Jurkat cells following incubation with 50 μm of CORM-2, a carbon monoxide donor.

Abstract. Malignant diseases of blood system, associated with an eosinophilic syndrome, are accompanied by altered production of some key cytokines regulating proliferation, differentiation and activation events in the cells of eosinophilic lineage, as detected with ELISA approach. An imbalanced secretion of Th2 cytokines, as studied in lymphoproliferative diseases, may be a promoting factor of eosinophilia development in malignant disorders of blood system.