FEATURES OF DISTRIBUTION OF SOYBEAN AGGLUTININ (SBA) RECEPTORS IN THE EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX OF THE MENISCI OF RAT KNEE JOINT AFTER INTRAFETAL INJECTION OF ANTIGENS

of humoral immunity which may be a trigger for the development of autoimmune diseases and other inflammation-induced processes. Given the introduction of L and PL-308 a significant decrease of BSC was observed (respectively for L – 6.70±0.80 %, PL-308 – 2.50±0.50 %, р≤0.05). It should be noted that the compound PL-308 was more effective because it credibly reduced BSC even with respect to the comparator of L. The leptin level in the conditions of OVE and in the combination of OVE with MS tended to decrease compared to the intact group (respectively 8.20 ± 0.15 ng / ml and 8.10 ± 0.10 ng / ml against 9.00 ± 0.30 ng / ml, 0.05<р<0.1) which may be due to the short duration of the experiment and, as we stated already, may be associated with the formation of insulin resistance at this stage [3]. The compounds L and PL-308 credibly increased the leptin level in comparison with OVE and OVE+MS (respectively L 11.30 ± 0.80 ng / ml, Pl308 – 10.00 ± 0.80 ng / ml, р≤0.05), herewith the Pl-308 indicators were not significantly different from intact control. It should be noted that L has a thymomimetic, cholinergic and nicotinic effect which promotes the increase of insulin receptors on insulindependent cells to which adipocytes belong, and they affect the intensification of metabolic processes and the reduction of manifestations of the state of insulin resistance in conditions of estrogen deficiency. Thus, the reduction of cytotoxicity and the increase / normalization of leptin level under the influence of immunomodulatory compounds indicate the feasibility of immunocorrection application during menopause to reduce the manifestations of MS. Prospects for further scientific research. The obtained data indicate the prospect of further study of the compound Pl-308 especially given the fact that acute toxicity estimation of the compound Pl-308 is considered as class 5 (almost non-toxic compounds) while levamisole is considered as class 4 (low-toxic compounds).

of humoral immunity which may be a trigger for the development of autoimmune diseases and other inflammation-induced processes. Given the introduction of L and PL-308 a significant decrease of BSC was observed (respectively for L -6.70±0.80 %, PL-308 -2.50±0.50 %, р≤0.05). It should be noted that the compound PL-308 was more effective because it credibly reduced BSC even with respect to the comparator of L. The leptin level in the conditions of OVE and in the combination of OVE with MS tended to decrease compared to the intact group (respectively 8.20 ± 0.15 ng / ml and 8.10 ± 0.10 ng / ml against 9.00 ± 0.30 ng / ml, 0.05<р<0.1) which may be due to the short duration of the experiment and, as we stated already, may be associated with the formation of insulin resistance at this stage [3]. The compounds L and PL-308 credibly increased the leptin level in comparison with OVE and OVE+MS (respectively L 11.30 ± 0.80 ng / ml, Pl-308 -10.00 ± 0.80 ng / ml, р≤0.05), herewith the Pl-308 indicators were not significantly different from intact control. It should be noted that L has a thymomimetic, cholinergic and nicotinic effect which promotes the increase of insulin receptors on insulindependent cells to which adipocytes belong, and they affect the intensification of metabolic processes and the reduction of manifestations of the state of insulin resistance in conditions of estrogen deficiency. Thus, the reduction of cytotoxicity and the increase / normalization of leptin level under the influence of immunomodulatory compounds indicate the feasibility of immunocorrection application during menopause to reduce the manifestations of MS. Prospects for further scientific research. The obtained data indicate the prospect of further study of the compound Pl-308 especially given the fact that acute toxicity estimation of the compound Pl-308 is considered as class 5 (almost non-toxic compounds) while levamisole is considered as class 4 (low-toxic compounds).

Relevance. The results of previous investigations at the Department of Human
Anatomy of Zaporizhzhia State Medical University have shown that intrafetal injection of antigens leads to changes in the rates of morphogenesis of fetal organs and tissues, that can be used for the modeling of the syndrome of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia in rats [3]. Lectins are informative molecular probes that can detect glycoconjugates in cells and tissues. Lectins and their receptors provide extracellular, cell-matrix interactions, participate in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of cells [1,2]. Previously we have shown that distribution of the receptors to other lectins (WGA, VSA) differs in intact knee joint menisci and after intrauterine antigenic effect [4,5].
Aim of the work was to establish the features of distribution of Soybean agglutinin (SBA) receptors in the extracellular matrix of the menisci of rat knee joint after intrafetal injection of antigens.
Material and methods. Menisci of knee joints were studied in 160 white laboratory rats from the 1 st to the 90 th days of life. Group I -60 intact rats. Group II -60 experimental rats -the offspring of female rats, which on the 18 th day of the dated pregnancy underwent the injection of purified staphylococcal toxoid (1:10, 0.05 ml) according to the method of professor N.A. Voloshyn (1981). 40 rats of group III after injection of saline solution served as control. When working with animals we were guided by «European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes» (Strasbourg, 18.03.86) and Law of Ukraine «On the protection of animals against cruel treatment» (№ 3447-IV). Receptors for Soybean agglutinin (SBA) in the histological sections were detected using standardized sets of SBA-HRP (RPC «Lectinotest»). The imaging was carried out in the diaminobenzidine-hydrogen peroxide system. The intensity of the deposition of benzidine label was assessed semiquantitatively.
Results. On the 1 st day after birth the intensity of the benzidine label deposition in the menisci of all groups of rats causes the light-brown staining (+) of extracellular matrix of the inner zone and yellow-brown of the outer one (++). These revealed features of the contents of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine in extracellular matrix of menisci zones persist until the end of the first week of postnatal life. The visceral part of the joint capsule covering the menisci in all groups of animals is most intensely stained in brown (+++) color, which is not changed during three months of observation and does not depend on the antigen influence.
On the 11 th day after the birth in the menisci of intact and control groups the level of SBA receptors increases in extracellular matrix of the inner zone (++). However, in experimental rats, the amount of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residues remains at the previous level (+).The staining intensity of the outer zone structures of the menisci of all groups of rats does not change and does not differ between groups (++).
On the 14 th day of postnatal life, the quantity of Soybean agglutinin receptors (SBA) in the extracellular matrix of the inner meniscus zone of all groups of animals is not changed. In experimental animals the intensity of the benzidine label deposition in the extracellular matrix of this zone is reduced. In the outer zone there is a decrease in the content of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residues in intact and control animals (+). Instead, in antigen-treated animals level characteristic for the previous observation period (++) remains, which exceeds the intensity of the benzidine label deposition in the control groups. This level of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine residues remains until the end of the third week of life inclusively.
Further, on the 30 th day after birth, the quantity of receptors to the Soybean agglutinine (SBA) in both zones of the menisci in rats of intact and control groups does not change. In experimental animals there is an increase in the content of N-acetyl-Dgalactosamine residues in the inner zone with simultaneous decrease in the outer one to the level of intact animals.
On the 45 th day of life in the inner zone of the menisci in rats of all research groups a decrease in the content of SBA receptors (+) was observed. The intensity of the benzidine label deposition in the outer zone remains unchanged (+). Such affinity for Soybean agglutinin receptors persists until the end of the 90 th day of observation period in all animal groups. Since the 45 th day, there is an increased deposition of benzidine label on the cell membrane of large-sized, vacuolated fibrochondrocytes located in the deep regions of the cartilage tissue. Subsequently, there is cartilage resorption and subchondral bone formation in their place.
Thus, the content of Soybean agglutinin receptors (SBA) in the intact and control group increases in the inner zone (from + to ++) on the 11 th -30 th days of life and decreases on the 45 th . In the outer zone there is a decrease in the quantity of N-acetyl-Dgalactosamine residues (from ++ to +) on the 14 th day. Intrauterine injection of antigens leads to changes in the rate of distribution of Soybean agglutinin (SBA) receptors in both menisci from the 11 th to the 30 th day of life.