Zakharchenko T. Cellular factors of natural immunity in the aetiology and pathogenesis of different forms of experimental diabetes mellitus and influence of thymus preparations on these factors.

Quantitative and functional (activity of natural killer cells - NK cells) indicators of cellular factors of natural immunity in blood and spleen in different forms of experimental diabetes mellitus have been studied. A comparative study of the effect of officinal thymus preparations on the indicators of natural immunity has been performed. The aim of this investigation was to determine the possible involvement of cellular factors of natural immunity in the aetiology and pathogenesis of different forms and types of experimental diabetes, and to development of most effective method of immunocorrection of the immune disturbances. Immunological, hematological, cell culture methods were used, and such devices as laminar box, incubator, microscope, centrifuge, beta-counter. It has been established that indicators of cellular factors of natural immunity , especially NK cells, may be involved in autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islets in experimental diabetes and may be an important component of its pathog enesis. The activity of NK cell, content of indicators of cell immunity depends on the form, type and stage of experimental diabetes. It has been shown for the first time the selective effect of thymus preparations on NK cell activity depending on the type and stage of experimental diabetes. The new method of immunocorrection of indicators of natural immunity has been introduced in the course of studies for students of the Bukhovyna State Medical Academy of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and may also be used in endocrinological establishments. Field of application: Endocrinology and Immunology.