[Species-specific features of tocopherol content in carnivorous mammals during autumn period].

A comparative study of the major liposoluble antioxidant, vitamin E (α-tocopherol), content was conducted in carnivorous mammals (polar fox, silver fox, raccoon dog, mink, sable) during late autumn under natural lowering of temperature. The highest vitamin E content in liver and kidney was found in polar fox and raccoon dog, obviously due to seasonal metabolic changes and ecological specialization determining the accumulation of considerable amounts of tocopherol both in polar and hibernating species. To investigate the features of vitamin E accumulation, the tocopherol loading experiment was implemented on three species (polar fox, silver fox, mink). It was shown that polar fox, as compared to silverfox and mink, exhibits a higher ability to reserve vitamin E. The established differences in tocopherol content and distribution in different species should be considered as a genetically fixed reaction to the effect of environment underlain by metabolic differences in animals with different ecological specialization. The ability of tocopherol to accumulate in tissues and organs allows considering its essential role in stabilization of the antioxidant system and ensuring thereby a seasonal cold resistance.

[Light pollution, desynchronosis and aging: the state of problem and solutions].

The effect of different light conditions (constant illumination, light deprivation, the standard regime of lighting and natural for Northwest Russia lighting in different seasons of the annual cycle) on indicators of biological age and homeostasis, the development of age-related pathology, oncogenesis and longevity of rats was investigated. Exposure to constant light on the studied parameters was evaluated at different ages--antenatal, early and late postnatal period. The data about influences of substances and hormones of pineal gland on biomarkers of aging, homeostasis, spontaneous oncogenesis and longevity in experimental animals was obtained. It has been established that the light pollution and disturbance of photoperiod lead to desynchronosys and as a result to premature aging of the organism and age associated diseases. Ways of preventing accelerated aging were outlined.

[Influence of prenatal and postnatal illumination on male rat physiologycal parameters].

Influence of different light conditions on some physiological parameters of 3-month old male rats was studied. It was established that influence of constant light on mothers during pregnancy or on their posterity from birth leads to one-way changes of the antioxidant system, isoenzymatic spectrum of lactate dehydrogenase, blood indices and leucogram. However, the reaction is different and depends on moment of exposure. The results of testicular development of male rat indicate less sensitivity to light condition in the prenatal period compared to the postnatal ontogenesis.

[Results of clinical trials on reactogenicity, safety, and immunogenicity of influenza allantoic intranasal live vaccine "Ultragrivac" (type A/H5N2)].

Results of phase II of a clinical trial of the influenza allantoic intranasal live vaccine "Ultragrivac" (type A/H5N2) are presented. The vaccine was developed based on strain /17/Duck/Potsdam/86/92 H5N2 [17/H5] - reassortant of two viruses, /Leningrad/134/17/57 (H2N2) and /Duck/Potsdam/1402-86 (H5N2), obtained from the Virology Department, St. Petersburg Institute of Experimental Medicine.Two schemes of immunization (with revaccination on days 10 and 21) were used. Evaluation of vaccine immunogenicity included determination of local, cellular and humoral immunity. A significant rise in the level of secretory IgA in the nasal cavity of vaccinated volunteers (with revaccination on days 10 and 21) was documented after application of the vaccine. The postvaccination humoral immune response was estimated from the level of significant (4-fold and more) antibody seroconversions, geometric mean titers of antibodies to two strains of influenza virus /17/Duck/Potsdam/86/92 H5N2 [17/H5] and /Chicken/Suzdalka/Nov-11/2005 (H5N1), and their incremental rate. Results of measurement of antibody titers in hemagglutination-inhibition assay are presented, with two antigens being used to analyse all serum samples from volunteers twice vaccinated with influenza vaccine "Ultragrivac" at 10 and 21 day intervals. Result of phase II of this clinical study show that influenza allantoic intranasal live vaccine "Ultragrivac" is nonreactogenic and safe for both vaccinated and surrounding individuals. Moreover, it is sufficiently immunogenic with respect not only to homologous virus A(H5N2) but also to the A(H5N1) strain.

[The influences of geroprotectors on age-related changes of antioxidant system in rats liver under different light condition].

The influences of different light condition, melatonin and epithalon on liver antioxidant system in 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month-old rats of both sexes were studied. The activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as concentration of tocopherol demonstrate high stability. The maximal number of significant changes in antioxidant system parameters was found under continuous light exposure. Light condition, sex and preparation modulated age-related changes of antioxidant system.

[Tocopherol content in tissues of mammals of different ecogenesis].

Concentration of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) was studied in liver, kidney, heart, and skeletal muscle of 12 mammalian species. 9 of them inhabiting under natural conditions, while 3 being farm-bred. In most of the species the highest tocopherol distribution and level have been revealed, including those in taxonomically close species. These differences seem to be due to ecological peculiarities of the animals. The obtained results allow considering as one of factors of maintenance of the natural antioxidant system at the steady level.

Influence of products of the vital activity of helminths on the corticosterone content in the adrenals and blood.

The content of corticosterone in the adrenals and blood plasma, as well as the weight of the adrenals and their histology, were investigated in 77 inbred rats (38 animals of the August line and 39 animals of the Wistar line). It was shown that after products of ascarid metabolism were administered to the experimental rats, the corticosterone content in the adrenals and blood plasma changed substantially. Despite the equal doses of the agent administered, statistically significant differences between lines were detected in the corticosterone indices in the blood plasma of the experimental rats, and they were also present in the control (healthy) animals. In the latter, no differences between lines were established in the corticosterone content in the adrenals, although in the experimental rats these differences arose at many periods of observation. It is concluded that the level of corticosterone content of the blood in the initial normal state, as well as the degree of its deviations from the initial norm, are determined (with equal conditions with respect to paratypic factors) by the genetic constitution (genotype) of the organism.