Effects of Non-Opiate Analogue of Leu-Enkephalin on the Ion Currents, Number of Nucleoli, and p53 Expression in Isolated Cardiomyocytes of Albino Rats.

Acute exposure of isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes to non-opiate analogue of leu-enkephalin (NALE peptide: Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg) in a concentration of 100 µg/liter and 6-h incubation in NALE solution did not significantly change ATP-dependent K+ current, L-type Ca2+ current, p53 protein expression, and number of nucleoli in the cardiomyocyte nuclei. Incubation of cardiomyocytes with NALE (100 µg/liter) in combination with NOP receptor blocker J-113397 (1 mg/liter) was followed by an increase in Ca2+ L-type current and the number of p53+ cells. The exposure of cardiomyocytes to NALE in a concentration 1000 µg/liter induced similar changes in the studied parameters (increase in Ca2+ L-type current and number of p53+ cardiomyocytes); an increase in the mean number of nucleoli was also observed. Our findings suggest that NALE peptide has direct effect on cardiomyocytes and NOP receptors are involved in this effect.

Effects of Neonatal Administration of Non-Opiate Analogues of Leu-Enkephalin to Heart Tissue Homeostasis of Prepubertal Albino Rats Exposed to Hypoxia.

Hypobaric hypoxia (pO2 65 mm Hg, duration 4 h) induced a significant increase in the number of cardiomyocytes expressing р53, beclin-1, endothelial NO synthase and accumulation and degranulation of mast cells in the epicardium in hearts of prepubertal female rats (age 45-47 days); the number of cardiomyocytes with nucleoli decreased, while the number of single-nucleolar cardiomyocytes increased after this exposure. Five-fold administration of non-opiate analogue of leu-enkephalin (NALE peptide: Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg; 100 µg/kg) during the neonatal period reduced the severity of the post-hypoxic changes in the heart. Neonatal administration of NALE (100 µg/kg) against the background of NO synthase blockade with L-NAME (50 mg/kg) did not abolish the cardioprotective effects of the peptide. A similar correction of posthypoxic changes in the heart was observed after neonatal administration of original peptide G (Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly; 100 µg/kg). Thus, NO synthase-NO system and C-terminal amino acid Arg in the molecule of non-opiate analogue of leu-enkephalin are not required for the cardioprotective effects of peptides. Non-opiate leu-enkephalin analogs, peptides NALE and G, can be considered as promising substances for increasing heart resistance to hypoxia during later age periods.

[Influence of monosodium glutamate consumption by albino rats during pregnancy and lactation on their offspring].

The consequences of dietary intake of significant amounts of monosodium glutamate (MSG) are the excess body weight; structural and functional disorders of the central nervous system, liver, kidneys. We have not found information about the influence of excessive using of the MSG by a woman during pregnancy and lactation on the fetus and infants. The aim of the study was the experimental evaluation of the MSG consumption consequences during pregnancy and lactation to the offspring health. Material and methods. The offspring of 3-month old pregnant female white Wistar rats, who received 1% MSG solution (200 mg per kg of body weight per day) ad libitum as the source of liquid during the pregnancy and lactation, have been studied (MSG group). The control group included offspring of pregnant female rats that received water as the source of liquid. In 25-day-old offspring histological examination and morphometry of the nucleo-nucleolar apparatus of neurons in the neocortex of the proper parietal lobe, cardiomyocytes of the subendocardial zones of the left and right ventricles have been performed. Gravimetry have been also carried out (body weight and weight of brain, heart, liver, kidney, thymus and spleen); mitotic activity of anterior corneal epithelium has been evaluated, the state of erythrocyte membranes have been analyzed by the method of acid erythrograms; behavioral tests "Open field", "The elevated plus-maze test", "Hanging on a horizontal wire" have been performed. Results. MSG consumption during pregnancy and lactation led to an increase of brain (by 19.1%) and kidneys (by 7.8%) relative masses; masses of thymus and spleen were decreased. Significant decrease of locomotor activity and increase of time of hanging in "horizontal wire test" were registered. A histological study showed an increase in the number of nucleoli in the neurons of the V layer of the neocortex of the proper parietal lobe (control - 1.56±0.09; MSG group - 1.81±0.07, р=0.03); decrease of the nucleolar parameters of cardiomyocytes; increase of mitotic activity of anterior corneal epithelium (control - 4.021±0.612‰; MSG group - 6.985±0.889‰, р=0.019). A decrease of the resistance of erythrocyte membranes to acid hemolysis was also registered. Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the effect of oral consumption of MSG food additive during pregnancy and lactation on the organism of the offspring.

[Case of chronic radiation sickness with subsequent leukemia in track driver subjected to long-external gamma-irradiation (cesium-137)]. / Sluchai khronicheskoi luchevoi bolezni s perekhodom v leikoz u voditelia gruzovika vsledstvie dlitel'nogo vneshnego gamma-oblusheniia.

The article deals with consequences seen in track driver after prolonged exposure to radiation caused by "lost" gamma-source (cesium-137) that long remained in receptacle of the vehicle's left door. Radiation dose averaged 8 Gy. The authors presented clinical manifestations, changes in peripheral blood and bone marrow, cytogenetic data by progression of radiation hemopoiesis hypoplasy to myelodysplastic syndrome and to acute leukaemia.

[Spondyloarthropathies and HLA-B27 subtypes in the populations of the Russian North]. / Spondiloartropatii i subtipy HLA-B27 v nekotorykh populiatsiiakh Severa Rossii.

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of HLA-B27 subtypes in development of ankylosing spondylitis and other seronegative spondylarthropathies. Using oligotyping techniques we studied native DNA of 219 HLA-B27 positive natives: 88 Chukotka residents and 131 Mordovians (Russian Ugro-Finnish population). Only subtypes HLA-B*2705 and B*2702 were revealed. A dominant subtype of HLA-B27 among the natives was HLA-B*2705: 99% among residents of Chukotka and 86% among Mordovians. It was established that among spondylarthropathic patients the frequency of B*2705 does not differ from its incidence in the studied populations. The data support the suggestion that several B27 subtypes and common genetic determinant of B27 gene may be involved in pathogenesis of spondylarthropathy.

Internal exposure of the staff involved in the cleanup after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986.

This article presents the results of our work from 1987 to 1994 on the reconstruction of internal exposure of the witnesses to the Chernobyl accident with respect to inhalation of airborne particles of nuclear fuel. Our results eliminate the hypothesis that inhalation intake of radioactive aerosols was a considerable pathway of exposure for staff at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. It would conceivably lead to a nonuniform dose distribution in the body. Under that condition, actual equivalent doses in some organs, e.g., in lungs and in the wall of the lower large intestine are much higher than the actual effective dose. Therefore it is impossible to correctly assess the health risk for certain cohorts of the Chernobyl accident witnesses if the inhalation pathway is neglected. In that case not only the actual effective dose, but the actual equivalent doses too play a role in radiological measurement, when evaluating the hazard for less-exposed accident witnesses. That conclusion is of great importance to radiation protection policy, the planning of epidemiological studies and the carrying out of medical remedial actions for the different cohorts of accident witnesses. The findings should be taken into consideration in planning protective measures and in assessing health effects following the Chernobyl accident.

[An assessment of the contribution of internal irradiation to the early manifestations of acute radiation sickness in the victims of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station]. / Otsenka vklada vnutrennego oblucheniia v rannie proiavleniia ostroi luchevoi bolezni u postradavshikh pri avarii na Chernobyl'skoi AES.

Materials of the investigation of victims of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant were used for the estimation of a contribution of exposure with incorporated radionuclides to a course of acute radiation syndrome thyroid and pulmonary lesions. Attention was granted to patients who died as a result of accidental exposure. Dose values of thyroid, pulmonary and total body exposure were given. The severity of the affection of the bronchopulmonary and hypophysial-thyroid systems was assessed. The results of cytogenetic investigations to estimate absorbed doses were represented for some persons. Internal exposure was shown to make a considerable effect on the development of acute radiation syndrome in two persons only, internal whole-body exposure doses being compatible with a total exposure dose.