[Changes of glucocorticoid level in plasma and adrenal glands of pregnant rats and their offspring after antenatal stress of different etiology].

We investigated the glucocorticoid level in plasma and adrenal glands of pregnant rats in the period of early organogenesis. Tests were performed 24 hours after stress of different etiology (acute hypobaric hypoxia, intermittent normobaric hypoxia, and immobilization) and then repeated in the adult offspring. There was a significant decrease in the glucocorticoid level in pregnant rats 24 hours after hypoxic stress. Various changes of the basal glucocorticoid level were found in the offspring after antenatal stress. Changes were mostly found in female offspring.

[The efficiency of ferrocin application in rats at strong stressor exposures].

The influence of ferrocine to transfer of the 137Cs from gastrointestinal tract to organs and tissues of rats in conditions of strong stressor exposures was investigated. It is established that mechanical, cold and locomotor exposures reduce the ferrocine application efficacy.

[Influence of antenatal intermittent normobaric hypoxia during early organogenesis on the development of white rats].

The influence of antenatal intermittent normobaric hypoxia during early organogenesis (days 9-10 of intrauterine development) on the physical development, vegetative balance, and antioxidant defense system of 60-day-old rats was studied. Antenatal exposure to intermittent hypoxia resulted in the impaired physical development of all offspring during the early 15-day postnatal period and caused changes in the vegetative balance of heart regulation, which were differently directed in males and females. Moreover, females that survived antenatal hypoxia had a decreased superoxide dismutase activity in the brain, compared to that in the control rats.

Effect of antenatal hypoxia on age-specific dynamics of ECG parameters and content of biogenic amines in the central nervous system.

We studied the effect of acute antenatal hypoxia during the stages of progestation and early organogenesis on some ECG parameters and level of biogenic amines in brain structures in rats. The effect of acute hypoxic exposure during the organogenesis period on the studied parameters was more pronounced than the effect of acute hypoxic exposure during the progestation period. The shift of the autonomic balance towards the sympathetic regulation of cardiac activity is linked with increased content of biogenic amines in the brain stem and cortical structures.

Effect of ultraviolet B irradiation on immobilization stress-induced changes in the protective systems of C57Bl/6 mice.

We studied the effect of ultraviolet B irradiation on superoxide dismutase activity, ceruloplasmin level in the plasma, and steroid hormone concentration in the adrenal glands of C57Bl/6 mice subjected to immobilization stress. Ultraviolet B irradiation did not abolish the increase in superoxide dismutase activity, but decreased ceruloplasmin level in the plasma and corticosteroid concentration in the adrenal glands of mice exposed to immobilization stress.

Effect of hypoxia during early organogenesis on cardiac activity and noradrenergic regulation in the postnatal period.

Cardiac activity in rats during the postnatal period was studied in vitro and in vivo after exposure of rat pups to antenatal acute hypobaric hypoxia at the stage of organogenesis (day 9-10 of gestation). Cultured cardiomyocytes from rat pups exposed to antenatal hypoxia were characterized by increased rate of contractions and decreased reactivity to norepinephrine. Heart rate elevation, predominance of sympathetic influences on cardiac activity, and significant increase in norepinephrine concentration in the cerebral cortex were found in freely moving animals exposed to antenatal hypoxia. Our results indicate that hypoxia at the stage of organogenesis modulated cardiac activity during the postnatal period, which manifested at the level of effector structures in the heart and activity of regulatory systems.

[Acute antenatal hypoxia on different stages of embryogenesis changes the offspring behavior patterns and biogenic amine levels].

The effects of acute hypobaric hypoxia on the stages of progestation or beginning of organogenesis on biogenic amines levels in brain stem and cerebral cortex of their mature offspring as well as on their behavior, were investigated. It was shown that acute hypoxia applied in the period of embryonic organogenesis resulted in severe delayed changes in offspring spontaneous behavior and led to marked changes of biogenic amine levels, particularly expressed for dopaminergic system. Females subjected to antenatal hypoxia happened to be more sensitive to its influences than males.

HLDF-6 peptide affects behavioral reactions and organism functions dependent on androgen hormones in normal and castrated male mice.

The hexapeptide Thr-Gly-Glu-Asn-His-Arg (HLDF-6), which was first identified as an active fragment of the human leukemia differentiation factor (HLDF) molecule, displays differentiation-inducing, neuroprotective and anti-drug abuse activities. Most of its in vivo effects were revealed only on male animals. We have studied HLDF-6 effects on a variety of organism functions and behavioral reactions, which are known to be dependent on androgen steroid hormones, both on castrated and normal (sham-operated) animals. Male NMRI mice were castrated or sham-operated at the age of 55 days (after puberty). After that, HLDF-6 peptide was injected daily during 3 weeks, followed by behavioral, morphological and biochemical testing. HLDF-6 increased testosterone level (1.5- to 2-fold) both in sham-operated and castrated animals. Sexual activity and pain sensitivity, which are strongly reduced in castrates, were completely or partially recovered by HLDF-6. At the same time, the peptide caused some effects similar to castration in sham-operated animals: aggression and locomotor activity were decreased; oral grooming was prolonged. Morphological studies of accessory sex glands showed that HLDF-6 partially normalizes the morphology and functional activity of seminal vesicles in castrates, but it does not prevent castration-induced apoptosis of prostate epithelial cells. Based on these observations, we can assume that HLDF-6 peptide displays at least two effects on androgen hormones metabolism in males: it stimulates testosterone biosynthesis by both testes and adrenals and simultaneously inhibits its conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), most probably by diminution of 5alpha-reductase isoform 1 mRNA expression.

[An ACTH-like peptide immunocortin: effect on the activity of cells from the rat adrenal cortex]. / Vliianie AKTG-podobnogo peptida immunokortina na aktivnost' kletok kory nadpochechnikov krysy.

The effect of immunocortin, an ACTH-like decapeptide VKKPGSSVKV corresponding to the 11-20 sequence of the variable part of the human IgG1 heavy chain on the content of 11-hydroxycorticosteroids (CS) in rat adrenal glands and blood serum in vivo was studied. An intramuscular injection of immunocortin at a dose of 10 microg/kg was found in an hour to induce a twofold decrease in CS content in the adrenal glands and a 1.8-fold increase in the blood serum CS content. At the same time, an immunocortin dose of 100 microg/kg exerted practically no effect on the CS content and its dose of 1000 microg/kg increased the CS content both in adrenal glands and in blood serum by 1.6 and 2.2 times, respectively. Four hours after the injection of any of the three doses of immunocortin, the CS content in adrenal glands did not differ from the control value, and after 24 h the content decreased threefold. Immunocortin was shown to be bound by the ACTH receptors in the membranes of the rat adrenal cortex with a high affinity and specificity (inhibiting the specific binding of 125I-labeled ACTH-(11-24) peptide with Ki of 1.2 nM).

Elucidation and characteristics of non-opioid beta-endorphin receptors in rat adrenal cortex.

beta-Endorphin-like decapeptide immunorphin (SLTCLVKGFY), a selective agonist of non-opioid beta-endorphin receptor, was labeled with tritium to specific activity of 24 Ci/mmol. It was used for the detection and characterization of non-opioid beta-endorphin receptors on rat adrenal cortex membranes (Kd1 = 39.6 +/- 2.0 nM, Bmax1 = 40.7 +/- 2.3 pmol/mg protein; Kd2 = 0.25 +/- 0.01 micro M, Bmax2 = 187.8 +/- 9.4 pmol/mg protein). beta-Endorphin was found to inhibit the [3H]immunorphin specific binding to membranes (Ki = 70.0 +/- 9.2 nM); naloxone, [Met5]enkephalin, and alpha- and gamma-endorphins tested in parallel were inactive. Immunorphin at concentrations of 10(-9)-10(-6) M was found to inhibit the adenylate cyclase activity in adrenocortical membranes, while intramuscular injection of immunorphin at doses of 10-100 micro g/kg was found to reduce the secretion of 11-oxycorticosteroids from the adrenals to the bloodstream.

Synthetic peptide immunocortin stimulates the production of 11-oxycorticosteroides by rat adrenal cortex through ACTH receptors.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-like peptide immunocortin (IMC) VKKPGSSVKV, corresponding to the amino acid sequence 11-20 of the variable part of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) 1 heavy chain, at concentrations of 10(-9)-10(-6) I was found to increase the adenylate cyclase activity in adrenal cortex membranes, while intramuscular injection of immunocortin at doses of 10-100 microg/kg was found to stimulate the secretion of 11-oxycorticosteroids (CS) from the adrenals to the bloodstream. Immunocortin was labeled with tritium to specific activity of 22 Ci/mmol. Receptor binding studies revealed that [(3)H]immunocortin ([(3)H]IMC) bound with high affinity and specificity to ACTH receptors on rat adrenal cortex membranes (K(d)=2.1+/-0.2 nM, B(max)=1.1+/-0.1 pmol/mg protein).

Effect of acute progestational hypoxia on the content of biogenic amines in the brain of albino rat pups: Peptide correction.

We studied the effect of exposure to acute hypobaric hypoxia in the progestational period on the content of biogenic amines in the brainstem and cerebral cortex in rat pups of different age. The possibility of correcting hypoxia-induced changes with regulatory peptides was evaluated. We found that early antenatal hypoxia disturbs maturation of catecholaminergic systems in the brain. It should be emphasized that the differences from the control varied depending on the age of rat pups. Single intranasal administration of Semax heptapeptides and beta-casomorphine-7 to pregnant females prevented changes in the content of biogenic amines in CNS of the offspring during postnatal ontogeny.

The effects of ante- and postnatal hypoxia on the central nervous system and their correction with peptide hormones.

Ante- and postnatal hypoxia significantly worsened the postnatal development of animals. The posthypoxic behavioral model included hyperactivity and decreased learning ability, these being typical manifestations of attention deficit disorder. A peptide constellation prevented and significantly improved posthypoxic postnatal development and eliminated the majority of negative behavioral changes.

[Synthetic peptides -- analogs of biologically active fragment of the differentiation factor from HL-60 cells show radioprotective and adaptogenic activities]. / Sinteticheskie peptidy -- analogi biologicheski aktivnogo fragmenta faktora differentsirovki kletok HL-60 proiavliaiut radioprotektornuiu i adaptogennuiu aktivnost'.

It was shown that the addition of synthetic six-membered peptide (HLDF-6) and its Tyr-analog (HLDF-Y) to cultural medium significantly increased the survival of cells HL-60, treated by cold shock. The prophylactic administration of HDLF-Y (1 mg/kg, 4 hours prior to applied actions) decreased the response of hypothalamushypophysis-adrenal glands system and sympathicoadrenal system of rat males on supercooling and also increased the resistance of mouse males to supercooling and X-irradiation. In the experiences with females HDLF-Y did not show the similar biological activity.

[Effect of antenatal and postnatal hypoxia on the central nervous system and its correction with peptide hormones]. / Vliianie na tsentral'nuiu nervnuiu sistemu ante- i postnatal'noi gipoksii i ikh korrektsiia peptidnymi gormonami.

Ante- and postnatal acute hypoxia significantly aggravated the postnatal development. The posthypoxic behaviour patterns included hyperactivity and training ability inhibition typical for the attention deficit syndrome. A preventive injection of peptide constellation significantly improved the posthypoxic postnatal development and abolished the most of the negative modifications of behavioural patterns.

Effects of cold stress and epinephrine on degranulation of peritoneal mast cells in rats.

We studied the effects of histamine liberators calcium ionophore A23187 and substance 48/80 on mast cells during cold stress and epinephrine load. Under the effect of both stress factors, ionophore A23187-induced histamine release from mast cells underwent more pronounced changes than that stimulated by substance 48/80. Cold stress and epinephrine load produce different changes in functional activity of Ca2+ channels in mast cell membranes.

[Effect of natural radioprotector carnosine on histamine-diamine oxidase system of rat's myocardium after action of various extreme factors]. / Vliianie prirodnogo radioprotektora karnozina na sistemu gistamin-diaminoksidaza miokarda krys posle deistviia razlichnykh ékstremal'nykh faktorov.

The unbalance in system histamine-diaminooxydase in myocardium of rats subjected to various stress actions (intensive cold influence, hyperthermia and hypoxia) was found. The preventive application of a natural radioprotector carnosine prevented apparent changes, that gives the basis to assume about carnosine ability to enlarge a nonspecific resistance of an organism.

Effect of middle-wave ultraviolet irradiation and red light on degranulation of peritoneal mast cell in rats.

Middle-wave UV-irradiation inhibits liberator-induced histamine release from mast cells. Red light stimulated liberator-induced degranulation of mast cell. The existence of a membrane-dependent system activated by long-wave (red) light in mammalian cells is discussed.

[Effect of small doses of ionizing radiation on the level of catecholamines and corticosteroids in mouse adrenals]. / Vliianie malykh doz ioniziruiushchei radiatsii na uroven' soderzhaniiakatekholaminov i kortikosteroidov v nadpochechnikakh myshei.

Effects of 137Cs gamma-radiation (0.06-0.54 cGy, 0.06 cGy/day) on the levels of catecholamines and corticosteroids in mouse adrenals were investigated. There were observed increase of these parameters after mice irradiation during 1-2 days and their decrease after mice irradiation during 9 days.

[The biogenic amine content of rat tissues in the postresuscitation period following hemorrhagic shock and the effect of the preparation semax]. / Soderzhanie biogennykh aminov v tkaniakh krys v postreanimatsionnom periode posle gemorragicheskogo shoka i vliianie preparata semaks.

LPO products were measured in plasma and biogenic amines (serotonin, adrenalin, noradrenalin) in tissues of rats in different periods after hemorrhagic shock provoked by taking blood and maintenance of arterial pressure at the level of 40 mm Hg for 1 hour. Resuscitation was conducted by administration of autoblood. It was found that splenic serotonin levels decreased on experiment day 7 and went up on day 28. On late experiment stages noradrenalin levels in the adrenals were high. Early after resuscitation the trend was noted to higher LPO products concentration in plasma and serotonin in the brain stem. Intravenous injection of semax prevented serotonin fall in the spleen on experiment day 7. It is suggested that biogenic amines, especially serotonin system, are involved in mechanisms of postresuscitation disorders, in cerebral defects in particular, through prolongation of secondary hypoxia early after hemorrhagic shock and activation of hypothalamo-hypophyso-adrenal system late after the shock.