[A study of the mechanisms of action of Fertiwell in vivo].

AIM: To investigate the specific mechanisms of action of Fertiwell in a mouse model of D-galactose-induced aging of the reproductive system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were randomized into four groups: intact mice (control group), a group of mice with artificial accelerated aging treated with D-galactose alone (Gal), D-galactose followed by Fertiwell (PP), and D-galactose followed by a combination of L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine (LC). The artificial accelerated aging of reproductive system was induced by daily intraperitoneal administration of D-galactose at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 8 weeks. After the end of therapy in all groups, the characteristics of sperm, the level of serum testosterone, immunohistochemical parameters, and the expression of specific proteins were evaluated. RESULTS: Fertiwell had a pronounced therapeutic effect on testicular tissues and spermatozoa, restored testosterone levels to normal values, and, in addition, was more effective protector against oxidative stress in the reproductive system compared to L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine, which are widely used in male infertility. Fertiwell at a dose of 1 mg/kg allowed to significantly increase the number of motile spermatozoa to 67.4+/-3.1%, which was comparable to indicators in the intact group. The introduction of the Fertiwell positively affected the activity of mitochondria, which was also expressed in an increase in sperm motility. In addition, Fertiwell restored the intracellular level of ROS to the values of the control group and reduced the number of TUNEL+ cells (with fragmented DNA) to the level of intact control. Thus, Fertiwell, containing testis polypeptides, has a complex effect on reproductive function, leading to a change in gene expression, an increase in protein synthesis, the prevention of DNA damage in the testicular tissue, and an increase in mitochondrial activity in testicular tissue and spermatozoa of the vas deferens, which leads to the subsequent improvement of testicular function.

Structural insights in interactions between RNase from Bacillus Intermedius and rhamnogalacturonan I from potato.

Being biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, polysaccharides present a perspective material for drug delivery systems. This study aimed at unraveling the molecular details of interactions between rhamnogalacturonan I, brunched with galactan side chains, and RNase from Bacillus Intermedius, binase. FTIR- and NMR-spectroscopic analyses showed that binase interacts with side chains of the polysaccharide. In complexes with polysaccharide, the protein retains its native structure. The 2D-NMR techniques revealed eight protein residues responsive to polysaccharide binding. Further, computer simulations were carried out to provide the atomistic details of binase-polysaccharide complexes. Both blind and knowledge-based docking procedures elucidate the existence of epitopes on the binase surface with the preferential binding of galactan fragments. The refinement of these complexes by molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable protein-polysaccharide interactions. The results of this study strengthen the knowledge on non-specific protein-carbohydrate interactions and outline the rhamnogalacturonan I as a possible matrix material for protein delivery systems.

Effect of Semax peptide on survival of cultured rat pheochromocytoma cells during oxidative stress.

We studied the effects of Semax (antiinsulin peptide with neuroprotective effect) on the survival of cultured rat pheochromocytoma cell after oxidative stress induced by short-term incubation with hydrogen peroxide. Studies with fluorescent dyes propidium iodide and Hoechst 33258 showed that cell incubation with hydrogen peroxide led to the formation of damaged cells with characteristic signs of necrosis. Semax dose-dependently reduced the number of cells damaged by oxidative stress. The efficiency of Semax depended on the time of its addition to the culture medium. The results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of Semax in ischemic stroke can be due to its capacity to protect neurons from damage caused by oxidative stress.

Trophic effects of nootropic peptide preparations cerebrolysin and semax on cultured rat pheochromocytoma.

Trophic characteristics of neuroprotectors cerebrolysin and semax were evaluated by their capacity to induce differentiation and improve survival of cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Morphological signs of cell differentiation (enlargement and formation of processes) were seen 24 h after addition of cerebrolysin into culture medium. Cerebrolysin improved survival of PC12 cells in serum-free medium. In a concentration of 100 microg/ml cerebrolysin decreased the content of apoptotic cells from 32% (control) to 10%. Semax produced no trophic effect on PC12 cells. hence, the neuroprotective effect of cerebrolysin in vivo probably results from trophic activity, while the protective effects of semax are mediated by other mechanisms.