Effects of polyphenol compounds fromAlchemilla vulgaris on morphofunctional state of thyroid gland in rats exposed to low temperature

In control rats and animals receiving polyphenol compounds extracted fromAlchemilla vulgaris, intense cooling stimulated synthesis of thyroid hormones and promoted their peripheral deiodination. In control rats, the period of recovery after cooling (readaptation period) was characterized by a compensatory reduction in thyroid function. In rats receiving test preparation, this period was characterized by significant activation of thyroid hormone synthesis and by further growth of reserve follicles that appeared during the cooling. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsyni, Vol. 127, No. 6, pp 697–699, June, 1999     

Individual variations of the immune response in BALB/c mice

The nature and the causes of variations of the immune response to thyroid hormones are analyzed in BALB/c mice. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 1, pp. 80–82, January, 1995 (Presented by Yu. A. Romanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences)     

Effect of thyroid hormones on neurosecretory cells of supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of rat hypothalamusin vitro

The direct effect of thyroid hormones on oxytocin-and vasopressinergic cells is studiedin vitro on cultured slices of rat hypothalamus containing the paraventricular and/or supraoptic nuclei. It is shown that 30- and 60-min exposure to thyroxine leads to considerable shrinkage of the nucleoli of oxytocin-and vasopressin-secreting cells in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, which reflects the decrease in their functional activity. The addition of triiodothyronine leads to stimulation of neurosecretory cells (30-min incubation) followed by a drop in their functional activity. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 5, pp 528–530, May, 1997     

Changes in the morphofunctional state of the thyroid gland under the combined influence of hypokinesia and hypothermia

It is shown that under the influence of a 5-day hypokinesia and hypothermia applied as individual and combined factors the rat thyroid gland develops a compromised response, displaying elements of a reaction to both hypokinesia and hypothermia. Some follicles in the central zone of the thyroid were in substantial functional tension, while in other areas of the organ synthesis and secretion were markedly suppressed. A severe deficiency of thyroid hormones in the organism leads to profound metabolic changes, impairments of thermoregulation mechanisms, and even death of some animals toward the end of the study. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Medistiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 11, pp. 523–528, November, 1994 Presented by M. A. Medvedev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Norepinephrine-induced inhibition of thyroid-stimulating effects of oxytocin in rats

In vivo andin vitro experiments on rats and isolated fragments of the thyroid gland showed³H-oxytocin incorporation into thyrocytes followed by activation of the synthesis and release of thyroid hormones. Norepinephrinein vivo activates the thyroid gland, but combined action of norepinephrine and oxytocin suppressedin vivo andin vitro thyroid-stimulating effects of oxytocin. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 12, pp. 657–659, December, 1999.     

Effect of iodine isotope on the pituitary-thyroid and immune systems of children living on the territories polluted by radionuclides

Examination of thyroid function and immune status of children living on the territories polluted by radionuclides in 1993–1994 revealed¹³¹I-dependent thyroid autoimmune reactions. These data indicate a possible effect of¹³¹I on the pituitary-thyroid and immune systems of children living on the radiation controlled territories. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 126, No. 8, pp. 216–220, August, 1998     

Role of thyroid hormones in stress-induced synthesis of heat-shock proteins in the myocardium

Thyroxine in near-physiological doses increased the content of heat-shock proteins in the myocardium and stimulated their accumulation during immobilization stress. Blockade of thyroid functions with methimazole decreased the content of heat-shock proteins in rat myocardium during stres and heat shock and prevented their accumulation during adaptation to short-term immobilizations. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 12, pp. 617–619, December, 2000     

Extrapineal melatonin and its role in the neuroendocrine regulation of homeostasis

The hormone of melatonin is the main regulator of biological rhythms. It was first found in the pineal gland in 1958. Melatonin is involved in the regulation of many vital physiological processes: maturation and development of genitalias, metabolism of pigments and free radicals, immune response, mood and sleep, and cell proliferation and differentiation. The pineal gland is not the only organ synthesizing melatonin. Extrapineal melatonin is widely dis-tributed in humans and animals. Melatonin-producing cells are found in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, pancreas, adrenal and thyroid glands, thymus, cerebellum, urogenital system, placenta, and other organs. Melatonin is intensely synthesized in non-endocrine cells: mast cells, natural killers, eosinophilic leukocytes, platelets, and endotheliocytes. Such a wide distribution of melatonin reflects its key role as an intercellular neuroendocrine regulator and coordinator of many complex and interrelated biological processes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 4, pp. 364–730, April, 1999     

Effects of sex hormones on plasma lipid peroxidationin vitro

The effects of sex steroid hormones on the level of plasma lipid peroxidation are studiedin vitro. Estradiol shows pronounced antioxidative activity; progesterone and testosterone slightly suppress lipid peroxidation only when used in high concentrations. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 7, pp. 73–76, July, 1997     

Changes in thymosin-α1 content in patients with nonspecific gynecologic diseases depending on inflammation type and efficacy of antiinflammatory and immunomodulating therapy

Plasma content of thymosin-α₁ and its circadian variations in patients with inflammatory gynecologic diseases differ from those in healthy donors and depend on the type of inflammation and efficacy of treatment. It is concluded that not only the absolute content of thymic hormones, but also their biorhythmic variations are important for immune regulation. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 9, pp. 327–329, September, 2000     

The target cell plasma membrane and steroid hormones: the beginning or end of the debate?

Drawing on experience gained in previous studies, the authors propose their own approach to defining the role the plasma membrane of the target cell plays in the mechanism of action of steroid hormones. The properties of membrane receptors for glucocorticoids on lymphoid cells are identified and examined, and possible ways in which the hormonal signal is transformed into a biological response of the target cell are described. The results provide a theoretical basis for the development of novel diagnostic techniques and pharmaceutical preparations. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 10, pp. 342–348, October, 1995     

Regulating effect of epithalone on gastric endocrine cells in pinealectomized rats

Endocrine cells in the stomach of pinealectomized rats after injection of epithalone (pineal gland peptide) were studied by immunohistochemical tests, morphometry, and image analysis microscopic images. A functional relationship was found between the pineal gland and stomach, which is regulated by peptides produced by the pineal gland. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 12, pp. 651–653, December, 2000     

支松果体大鼠甲状腺形态和机能的变化

观察了去松果体大鼠甲状腺形态和甲状腺激素分泌功能的变化。结果如下（１）去松果体后 １天和１０天，大鼠血清甲状腺激素水平升高；（２）去松果体后１天，大鼠甲状腺滤泡上皮细胞吞噬的胶体颗粒明显增长；（３）去松果体后１０天，大鼠甲状腺滤泡变小，滤泡上皮细胞体积增大，数量增多。     

Steroid hormones modulate lipid spectrum in lysosomal membranes of skin fibroblasts

It is shown that estradiol and hydrocortisone modulate lipid composition and affect lipidprotein interaction in fibroblast lysosome membranes, which can promote enzyme release from lysosomes. These effects are particular mechanisms of hormone regulation of functional lysosome activity in the skin. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 2, pp. 165–167, February, 1998     

Effect of pineal tetrapeptide on antioxidant defense inDrosophila melanogaster

Effect of synthetic pineal tetrapeptide L-Ala-L-Glu-L-Asp-L-Glu (Epithalon) on specific catalase activity and the content of conjugated hydroperoxides in highly inbredDrosophila melanogaster lines differing in reproductive functions were studied. It was shown that Epithalon is a potent modulator of the antioxidant defense, whose biological activity 1000-fold surpasses that of the complex pineal peptide preparation Epithalamin.     

Ultrastructural organization of blood-C-cell interrelationships in thyroid gland guanethidine-desympathized four-week-old rats

Morphometry of electron microscopic preparations reveals a compensatory and adaptive nature of ultrastructural changes in the thyroid blood-C-cell junctions induced by desympathization. The data suggest the involvement of adrenergic innervation in neurohumoral regulation of the blood-C-cell relationships in the thyroid gland. Translated fromByulleten', Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 12, pp. 678–681, December, 1996.     

State of ovarian function in experimental hyperthyroidism and hyperthyrotropinemia

The effect of experimental hyperthyroidism and hyperthyrotropinemia on histophysiological processes in the female reproductive system is studied. Thyroid hormones and thyrotropin are found to exhibit a pronounced modulatory effect on morphogenetic processes in the female gonad. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 10, pp. 422–424, October, 1995     

Effects of various of illumination regimens on the structure and circadian rhythms of rat epiphyseal proteins in postnatal ontogeny

It is demonstrated that the absence of the natural day/light cycle has no principal effects on the development of the pineal gland during the first two weeks of postnatal ontogeny. Starting from the 21st day, functional activity of the pineal decreases, particularly under conditions of constant illumination. The shift of acrophase testifies to relative structural stability of the investigated rhythm. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 6, pp. 692–694, June, 1998     

Sex steroids and their receptors in patients with tumors of the pancreas

A tendency toward an increase in serum content of sex steroid-binding globulin and a decrease in the total concentration of testosterone and its free and globulin-bound fractions and in the index of free androgens was observed in patients with pancreatic cancer. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline serum levels of hypophyseal hormones and prolactin in male patients and in the control. One or both types of steroid hormone receptors, the content of androgen receptors being higher than that of estrogen receptors, varying in a wide range were detected in 71% of the patients with malignant neoplasms. The occurrence of steroid hormone receptors was higher in adenocarcinomas, while their content was significantly higher in normal pancreatic tissues. The occurrence of androgen receptors was higher in male patients at the early stages of the disease, predominantly in highly differentiated adenocarcinomas located in the body of the pancreas. The content of androgen receptors was higher in male patients, in metastasizing tumors, in adenocarcinomas located in the body of the pancreas, and in patients without clinical and laboratory evidence of the mechanical jaundice syndrome. The content of androgen receptors positively correlated with the maximum size of the tumor. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii, I Meditsiny, Vol. 126, No. 8, pp. 197–200, August, 1998     

Morphological and histochemical changes in the thyroid gland after a single exposure to 2,4-DA herbicide

Pathomorphological and quantitative histochemical studies revealed injury and changes in the membrane transport and synthetic processes in the thyroid gland of rats after acute exposure to herbicide 2,4-DA (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid amine salt). Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 12, pp. 676–677, December, 1997