As part of the ongoing development of international scientific cooperation between the State Institution Research Institute of Fundamental Medicine of the University and the Federal State Budgetary Institution National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, an international scientific expedition is being conducted from 4 to 12 July 2026 to investigate microcirculation and vascular endothelial function among residents of the high-altitude districts of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The expedition has been organized with the support of the Rector of the University, Professor N. D. Muhiddin, Doctor of Medical Sciences, and the Director of the National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Professor O. M. Drapkina, Doctor of Medical Sciences and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The research team includes A. A. Fedorovich, Senior Research Fellow at the National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, Candidate of Medical Sciences; F. A. Shukurov, Head of the Department of Microcirculation and Endothelium, Candidate of Medical Sciences; S. Navruzbekova, Research Fellow at the Department of Stem Cells; and H. Maripov, postgraduate researcher at the Department of Microcirculation and Endothelium.

During the first stage of the expedition, conducted in the city of Khorugh, the researchers performed a comprehensive assessment of blood microcirculation using the LAZMA PF hardware and software system. In addition, oxidative metabolism parameters were evaluated, while blood samples were collected to determine the number of circulating desquamated endothelial cells (CDECs). The study is being carried out among both apparently healthy individuals and patients with cardiovascular diseases.

The primary objective of the expedition is to investigate the characteristics of microcirculation and vascular endothelial function in populations permanently residing at high altitudes, to identify the physiological mechanisms that enable human adaptation to high-mountain environments, and to determine the factors contributing to the development of cardiovascular diseases.

The scientific expedition is currently continuing its field research in other districts of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region. The findings are expected to provide a solid foundation for future collaborative research projects, strengthen international scientific cooperation, and contribute to the advancement of preventive strategies and the early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases.