Antiamnesic effect of combined treatment with galantamine and estradiol in middle-aged ovariectomized female rats

The effect of chronic combined treatment with galantamine and 17β-estradiol on passive avoidance retention was studied in middle-aged ovariectomized female rats (15 months) with scopolamine-induced amnesia. Combined treatment with galantamine and estradiol completely restored retrieval of memory traces in middle-aged ovariectomized female rats. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 4, pp. 411–413, April, 2006     

Increased CD36 expression in middle-aged mice contributes to obesity-related cardiac hypertrophy in the absence of cardiac dysfunction

As aging is a significant risk factor for the development of left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular disease, we hypothesized that hearts from middle-aged mice may be more sensitive to the effects of a high fat (HF) diet than hearts from young mice. To investigate this, young (10–12 week old) and middle-aged (40–44 week old) male mice were fed a low fat (LF) or HF diet (10 or 60 kcal% fat, respectively) for 12 weeks. Following this 12-week period, we show that CD36 protein expression was not changed in hearts from young mice yet was increased 1.5-fold in the middle-aged HF group compared with LF-fed age-matched counterparts. Correlated with increased CD36 expression, middle-aged mice displayed a greater degree of cardiac hypertrophy compared with young mice when fed a HF diet, and this was observed in the absence of cardiac dysfunction. Furthermore, middle-aged CD36 knockout mice were protected against HF diet-induced cardiac hypertrophy, supporting a link between CD36 and cardiac hypertrophy. To further explore potential mechanisms that may explain why middle-aged mice are more susceptible to HF diet-induced cardiac hypertrophy, we investigated mediators of cardiac growth. We show that myocardial ceramide levels were significantly increased in middle-aged mice fed a HF diet compared with LF-fed controls, which was also correlated with inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Consistent with AMPK being a negative regulator of cardiac hypertrophy, decreased AMPK activity also resulted in the activation of the mTOR/p70S6K pathway, which is known to enhance protein synthesis associated with cardiac hypertrophy. Together, these data suggest that increased myocardial CD36 expression in hearts from middle-aged mice may contribute to HF diet-induced cardiac hypertrophy and that this may be mediated by elevated ceramide levels signaling through AMPK. Overall, we suggest that inhibition of CD36-mediated fatty acid uptake may prevent obesity-related cardiomyopathies in the middle-aged population.     

Restoration of gastrocnemius muscle in mdx mice of different age after injury and implantation of xenogenic muscle tissue

The intensity of regeneration of crossed gastrocnemius muscle was evaluated in two groups of mdx mice of different age 2 weeks after implantation of crushed muscle tissue from newborn rats into the wound defect area. The effect of xenoplasty manifested in increased weight of the damaged muscle. The effect was observed in mice aging 12–16 weeks but not in those aged 40–48-weeks. Structural changes in the skeletal muscle tissue intrinsic of mdx mice and augmenting with age were detected in intact mice before the experiment. Activity of muscle fiber regeneration in intact and injured muscle of 40–48-week-old mice was significantly lower than in 12–16-week-old ones. Myoblasts of the xenogenic transplant retained viability in recipient muscles for at least 2 weeks. Post-traumatic regeneration was stimulated in only 12–16-week animals. Xenoplasty was ineffective in older animals and even somewhat enhanced the destructive processes in the muscle. It seems that age-specific regeneration activity of the recipient skeletal muscle tissue should be taken into consideration in the development of effective strategy of cell therapy for progressive muscular dystrophy. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 8, pp. 216–220, August, 2006     

Endothelial dysfunction of cerebral and major arteries during chronic obstructive disease

Vasomotor activity of the major and cerebral arteries was studied in mice with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Regional differences were revealed in the endothelium-dependent response of arteries. The development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with a paradoxical response of the dilatational component of vasoregulation against the background of increased constrictive influences of the vascular endothelium in the major and cerebral vessels. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 12, pp. 617–620, December, 2007     

Combined administration of NAN-190 and 17β-estradiol abolishes the amnesic effect of scopolamine in middle-aged ovariectomized rats

Chronic combined administration of 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist NAN-190 and 17β-estradiol improved conditioned passive avoidance performance in middle-aged ovariectomized rats with scopolamine-induced amnesia. Our results suggest that the ovarian hormonal, cholinergic, and serotoninergic systems play a role in age-related cognitive disturbances under conditions of hypoestrogenic syndrome. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 7, pp. 90–93, July, 2006     

Promoting effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminoazotoluene on hepatocarcinogenesis is accompanied by the increase in inflammatory and proliferative processes in liver tissue and decrease in the concentration of free thyroxin in the blood

o-Aminoazotoluene in noncarcinogenic doses promoted the development of liver tumors in female ICR mice induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine during early ontogeny. Severe inflammatory infiltration and proliferation of oval cells were found in liver tissue of these animals. The concentration of free thyroxin decreased in the blood. Our results supplement published data that promoters of hepatocarcinogenesis inhibit thyroid function. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 12, pp. 672–675, December, 2007     

Production of lymphocyte-activating factors by mouse macrophages during aging and under the effect of short peptides

Age-specific characteristics of production of lymphocyte-activating factor by mouse peritoneal macrophages and modulation of this production by short synthetic peptides (Vilon, Epithalon, and Cortagen) were studied. The production of lymphocyte-activating factors by macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharides in vitro was lower in old animals. The opposite modulating effects of short peptides on the production of lymphocyte-activating factors by resident and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages in young and old mice were demonstrated for the first time. This is a possible mechanism of immune system dysfunction during aging, which opens new vistas for its correction with short synthetic peptides. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 9, pp. 333–336, September, 2006     

Generation of free oxygen radicals and clastogenesis in bone marrow cells in MRL/1 mice

The level of chemiluminescence induced by phorbol myristate acetate or opsonized zymosan in the bone marrow cells of 5–6-month-old male MRL/1 mice is significantly higher than that in the same cells of 1–2-month-old mice. The number of chromosome aberrations induced by the prooxidant mutagen dioxydine in bone marrow cellsin vivo is significantly higher in 5–6-month-old MRL/1 mice than in 1–2-month-old mice. It is suggested that these effects are more pronounced in 5–6-month-old animals due to progressive development of rheumatic pathology in this mouse strain. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 1, pp. 22–25, January, 1997     

Effect of diazepam on anxiety,sexual motivation,and blood testosterone in anxious male mice

The effects of diazepam on anxious behavior, sexual motivation, and blood level of testosterone in the presence of a female were studied in male mice with elevated anxiety. Diazepam produced an anxiolytic effect in novel environment, but was ineffective during social contacts. The drug potentiated the primary sexual interest, but failed to correct exhaustion of sexual motivation. The drug produced no effect on blood testosterone. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 140, No. 12, pp. 608–613, December, 2005     

Effect of Serum from Mice Immunized with Group A Streptococcus Antigens on the Efficiency of <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Cloning of Stromal Precursor Cells

The efficiency of cloning of stromal precursor cell in mouse bone marrow culture increases significantly (2–3-fold) in the presence of serum from mice immunized with type 5 group A streptococcus antigens (5-20 μl serum/ml culture medium) in comparison with intact animal serum. The levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ are significantly reduced (2.7 times and more than 6-fold, respectively) in the sera of immunized mice in comparison with normal serum. Serum levels of IL-2, -4, -5, -10, and -12 were about the same in both groups; no granulocyte-macrophage CSF was detected. These data attest to appreciable effect of immunization with streptococcal antigens on the bone marrow stromal tissue; this effect is presumably mediated through serum cytokines. Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 146, No. 12, pp. 663–666, December, 2008     

Effect of head-down hanging on the course of degenerative process in the hind paw muscles of 12-month-old MDX mice

Effect of functional unloading on the course of degenerative process in muscles was studied in dystrophin-deficient mdx mice. Head down-hanging of animals led to a significant decrease in the cross-section area of muscle fibers, increase in the percentage of fibers with centrally located nuclei and of Evans blue-stained fibers. Gravitation unloading of 12-month-old animals with pronounced manifestations of muscular dystrophy did not inhibit this pathological process. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 6, pp. 702–705, June, 2006     

Comparative study of macrophage response in mice after DNA immunization and infection with herpes simplex virus type 1

Functional activity of macrophages and intensity of T cell immune response in mice were studied after intravaginal and intraperitoneal infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 and DNA vaccination in combination with adjuvant treatment (recombinant granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor and glucosaminylmuramyl dipeptide). DNA vaccination induced a virus-specific T cell immune response with no macrophagic inflammatory reaction. Infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 was accompanied by sustained inflammation, but not by the T cell immune response. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 140, No. 12, pp. 670–673, December, 2005     

Effect of the age of pregnant females on brain development in the offspring

We examined offspring of 9–10 and 3.5–4 month-old female rats. Female offspring (14, 21, 28, 35, and 40 days) of old rats had higher body weight than offspring of young animals. No intergroup differences were revealed in the body weight of male offspring. At the age of 40 days the offspring of old females differed from the offspring of young rats by higher absolute weight of the brain (females), lower size of ganglionic neurons in the parietal lobe (males and females), and lower blood testosterone concentration (males). Thirty-day-old offspring of old rats exhibited higher locomotor activity and lower degree of anxiety compared to the offspring of young animals. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 8, pp. 214–217, August, 2004     

Effect of transplantation of immunocompetent cell on orientation and exploratory behavior and cytokine gene expression in the brain of experimental animals

Intravenous injection of adherent splenocyte fraction from donor (CBA×C57Bl/6)F₁ mice characterized by specific open-field behavior modified this behavior in syngeneic recipient mice. This was paralleled by appropriate changes in the levels of IL-1β and type 1 IL-1 receptor mRNA in the brain cells of recipient mice. Hence, we demonstrated the possibility of directed regulation of orientation and exploratory behavior in mice by transplantation of immunocompetent cells. Mononuclear phagocytes play an important role in this phenomenon. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 9, pp. 309–312, September, 2006     

Therapeutic Efficacy of a Composition of Amphotericin B and Dialdehyde Dextran in Kidney Damage in Mice of Various Strains with Systemic Candidiasis

The therapeutic efficacy of a composition of amphotericin B and dialdehyde dextran was much higher than that of amphotericin B in the therapy for systemic candidiasis. This conclusion was derived from the earlier and progressive decrease in the numberand size of candidal granulomas in the kidneys. The composition of amphotericin B and dialdehyde dextran was more potent than amphotericin B in decreasing the nephrotoxiceffect of C. albicans. The opposite strains of CBA and C57Bl/6 mice differed in morphologicalsigns of granulomatosis in the kidneys, but not in the nephrotoxic effect of C. albicans metabolites. Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 149, No. 12, Suppl. 1, pp. 76–79, December, 2008     

Orientation and exploratory behavior and anxiety of CBA mice with anosmia induced by N-trimethylindole (skatole)

The behavior of CBA mice in the hole-board test and elevated plus maze was studied after intraperitoneal injection of skatole leading to destruction of the epithelium in the main olfactory system. Locomotor and exploratory activity and degree of anxieties were low in intact mice. Anosmia was accompanied by an increase in orientation and exploratory activities and degree of anxiety. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 1, pp. 4–7, January, 2007     

Antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of N-docosahexaenoyl dopamine

N-Docosahexaenoyl dopamine exhibited antioxidant activity in the test with a stable oxygen radical galvinoxyl. This compound produced a dose-dependent protective effect on cultured granular cells from rat cerebellum under conditions of oxidative stress. N-Docosahexaenoyl dopamine decelerated the development of symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in mice receiving neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 10, pp. 406–408, October, 2006     

Immunotropic action of nonlaser monochromatic radiation

It is shown that infrared or monochromatic red light from a novel device stimulates immune processes and nonspecific resistance in mice. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 1, pp. 70–72, January, 1997     

Specific and nonspecific reactions of mouse immune system under the effect of short-term exposure in warm and/or cold water

Transient changes in environmental temperature produce a short-term, but significant effect on the immune system reactions in laboratory mice. Activities of nonspecific resistance factors (peritoneal macrophages) in mice exposed in warm or cold water were characterized by similar reactions, while the reactions of cellular and humoral immunity were opposite. Exposure to cold water activated cellular immunity, while warm water activated humoral immune system. The most significant changes in the immune system reactions were observed during the first 3 days of thermal exposure. Temperature alteration from cold to warm leads to activation of cellular and suppression of humoral components of the immune system. Alteration of water temperature from warm to cold leads to activation of nonspecific resistance factors, cellular and humoral immunity. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 140, No. 12, pp. 674–677, December, 2005     

In vivo anticancer activity of lysates from Trypanosoma cruzi of different genetic groups

Lyzed epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi clones P_209-1, Gamba₁, Sp_104-1, MAS_u, Y_7/1, MN₁₂, Cl-Brener, 86/2036, Y_7/2-1 inhibit the growth of Ehrlich adenocarcinoma in mice. The tumor decreased 1.5–3 times after 12 daily injections of lysates from 15 million epimastigotes. The protective effect progressed after the injections were discontinued and depended on the dose and lysate producer clone. Trypanosoma lysates in the studied doses were nontoxic. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 10, pp. 454–457, October, 2006