In vivo efficiency of Semax in global cerebral ischemia

The efficiency of neuropeptide preparation Semax was studied on an animal model of global cerebral ischemia caused by irreversible bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries. Semax significantly alleviated neurological deficit and slightly improved postischemic survival. These effects can be attributed to the antihypoxic and neurotrophic effects of the preparation. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 8, pp. 172–174, August, 1999     

Effect of semax heptapeptide on the human electroencephalogram

The effect of the new regulatory peptide Semax (ACTH_4–10 fragment) on the electroencephalogram of a healthy person was studied. Semax was administered at 0.5 mg/kg intranasally in 9 volunteers without causing any nervous system pathology. The control group comprised 6 examinees treated in the same way with distilled water. The effect of Semax manifested itself on the electroencephalogram as a boost of biopotential strength in all ranges but especially in that of the α-rhythm, the zonal differences of which were enhanced, without any pathological signs being evident. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 1, pp. 116–117, January, 1996 Presented by I. P. Ashmarin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of semax on homeostasis of gastric mucosa in albino rats

The ACTH_4–7 analogue Semax administered intrapeitoneally in a dose of 50 μg/kg 1 h before exposure to ulcerogenic factors (ethanol, water immersion immobilization stress) protected gastric mucosa from damage. Postoperative treatment with Semax for 5 days after application of glacial acetic acid on the mucosa prevented acetic acid-induced ulcers and promoted their healing. The antiulcer effects of Semax in the studied dose were comparable with those of tripeptide Pro-Gly-Pro in a dose of 1 mg/kg. Translated fromByulleten “Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsniy, Vol. 130, No. 9, pp. 300–302, September, 2000     

Activation of μ-opiate receptors as a factor of regulation of heart resistance to ischemia-reperfusion and oxidative stress

Intravenous injection of the selective μ-opiate receptor agonist DAMGO (0.1 mg/kg, 15 min before isolation of the heart) improved resistance of isolated perfused rat heart to ischemia (45 min) and reperfusion (60 min) damages.In vivo administration of DAMGO prevented reperfusion-induced damages to cardiomyocytes and decreased the content of conjugated dienes in the myocardium during ischemia-reperfusionin vitro. Furthermore, stimulation of μ-opiate receptors promoted recovery of myocardial contractility during reoxygenation, but had no effect on heart resistance to free radical-induced damages during perfusion of isolated heart with a solution containing Fe²⁺ and ascorbic acid.     

Energy metabolism disturbances induced by multiple ischemic preconditioning worsen the recovery of cardiac function in reperfusion

Single ischemic preconditioning improves functional recovery of isolated rat heart subjected to global ischemia and reperfusion. Two preconditioning cycles abolish this protective effect, while 4 cycles impair functional recovery of the heart. These phenomena are due to the fact that repetitive ischemic preconditioning reduces the content of phosphocreatine and adenine nucleotides in the heart before long-term ischemia, which prevents the recovery of energy metabolism and induces additional damage to cardiomyocyte membranes during reperfusion. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 10, pp. 403–405, October, 1997     

Analgesic action of the new drug Semax

Intranasal administration of the new regulatory peptide Semax (0.5 mg/kg) relieves migraine headache and pain caused by dental plexalgia. The analgesic effect of Semax is due to spasmolytic and general regulatory activities but not to its influence on pain sensitivity system. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 11, pp. 527–529, November, 1996     

Effect of semax heptapeptide on rat heart activity during acute hypobaric hypoxia in the early postnatal period

The effects of Semax heptapeptide on the resistance to acute hypobaric hypoxia and on hypoxic changes in the ECG chronotropic index were studied in 14- and 21-day-old pups. The resistance to hypoxia decreased with age. Hypoxic exposure caused bradycardia in both age groups. Semax reduced the bradycardiac reaction and exerted an antiarrhythmic effect without affecting the resistance to hypoxia. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 8, pp. 161–164, August, 1999     

Prevention of ischemic disturbances of contractile function of isolated heart by short-term total ischemia episodes

Short-term total ischemia episodes restrict the drop in the force and rate of contractions of isolated rat heart during long-term reperfusion period after long-term ischemia. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 5, pp. 512–514, May, 1997     

Contribution of free oxygen radicals to disorders in aerobic metabolism recovery in transplanted heart after preservation for different periods

Experimental transplantation of the heart after preservation for different periods in St. Thomas solution showed that recovery of aerobic metabolism during reperfusion is impaired in the transplant weakened by ischemia because of activation of free-radical oxygen-dependent processes. Functional disorders were reversible after preservation for up to 4 h and involved adaptation changes in the recipient. After longer preservation, changes in the myocardium were irreversible. They manifested by failure of recovery of heart function caused by intracellular damage. In addition, pathological changes were observed in the recipient, caused by failure of antioxidant defense. This necessitates modification of the preserving solution in order to improve the transplant stability. Moreover, antioxidant drugs should be used for protecting the recipient. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 5, pp. 528–531, May, 1998     

Neuroprotective and antiamnesic effects of Semax during experimental ischemic infarction of the cerebral cortex

Semax had a pronounced neuroprotective and antiamnesic effect during focal photoinduced ischemia of the prefrontal cortex. Intranasal administration of Semax for 6 days decreased the volume of cortical infarction and improved retention and performance of conditioned passive avoidance response. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 12, pp. 618–621, December, 2006     

Structural and functional changes in the brain of rats with different behavioral types at later stages of circulatory hypoxia

Structural changes in the brain were studied at later (one and three months) stages of cerebral hypoxia caused by occlusion of the common carotid arteries, which were indicative of the development of recovery and destructive processes. Brain ultrastructure was found to be better preserved in rats with an active type of behavior one month after the onset of ischemia than in rats of the other groups; motor activity was restored to the baseline level, thus demonstrating a higher rate of recovery processes. Significant ultrastructural damage to the brain at the same stage of ischemia was observed in rats with a passive type of behavior (especially in rats of the middle group), while motor activity was increased. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 11, pp. 529–534, November, 1994 Presented by P. V. Simonov, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences     

Effect of substance P on neurological status and behavioral responses altered as a result of prolonged brain ischemia in rats with different types of behavior

Substance P administered 30 min after the onset of cerebral ischemia improved the neurological status and prevented postischemic hyperactivity in rats with a passive type of behavior; had no effect on the neurological status of rats with an intermediate type of behavior but reduced their postischemic hyperactivity; aggravated the neurological status of rats with an active type of behavior without exerting a significant effect on their behavioral responses; and averted a rise in the level of depression in rats of all three groups. The results of this study indicate that there is a relationship between the type of behavior, manifestations of cerebral ischemia, and the effects of substance P. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 8, pp. 132–136, August, 1995 Presented by P. V. Simonov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

ATP-sparing effect of histochrome in acute myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary heart disease

Afterin vitro ischemia, the content of adenosine triphosphate in myocardial bioptates from patients with heart diseases is reduced. This reduction is more pronounced in patients with coronary heart disease than in patients with rhythm disturbances. Administration of the antioxidant preparation histochrome to patients with coronary heart disease preserves ATP during ischemic exposure. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 12, pp. 669–671, December, 1997     

Effect of the adrenocorticotropic hormone fragments and atriopeptides on the development of toxic brain edema

A fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone and its analog Semax exhibit pronounced antiedematous activity in rats and cause dehydration of the arbitrarily intact hemisphere. By contrast, atriopeptides protect the hemisphere, but exhibit no antiedematous activity. These peptides may be involved in the pathogenesis of toxic brain edema. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 11, pp. 521–523, November, 1996     

Effects of regulatory peptides on changes in the content of brain stem catecholamine in rats during hypoxia and hemorrhage

Effects of regulatory peptides FMRFa, thyroliberin, and Semax (ACTH_4–10 analogue) on changes in the content of biogenic amines in rat brain stem observed 1 and 20 min after termination of hypoxia and 5 min after bloodletting (hemorrhage) were studied. The content of norepinephrine decreased to 82% of the control level 20 min after hypobaric hypoxia, while preliminary administration of the peptide complex abolished this effect. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 11, pp. 518–520, November, 1999     

Blocked production of thermal shock proteins prevents the cardioprotective effect of adaptation to exercise

The resistance of isolated rat heart to ischemia and reperfusion increases after adaptation to exercise (swimming, 30 sessions 1 h/day), which correlated with accumulation of HSP70 cytoprotector proteins in the myocardium. Quercetin blockage of HSP70 production during adaptation prevents the development of adaptation defense of the heart. It was hypothesized that the accumulation of HSP70 in the myocardium is an important mechanism of local adaptation defense of the heart. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 126, No. 9, pp. 299–301, September, 1998     

Relationship between blood supply to myocardial segments and their contractility in dogs with intact and ischemic myocardium

In dogs with an intact heart, intravenously administered dipyridamole increased the contractility of a myocardial segment 30–80% and the volume rate of coronary blood flow 142±14%. Dipyridamole administered to dogs before their coronary artery was occluded for 3 min did not decrease the contractility of the ischemia-affected myocardial segment. In dipyridamole-treated dogs with well-developed collaterals, blood was redistributed to the intact zone and the blood flow in the vein draining the ischemic zone increased by 168±17%. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 11, pp. 473–477, November, 1995 Presented by G. N. Kryzhanovskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

The effect of antiorthostatic hypokinesia training on central hemodynamics in rats

Antiorthostatic training increased stroke and minute blood volumes, and decreased heart rate and peripheral vascular resistance. In test and control rats these parameters changed individually during antiorthostatic hypokinesia. After returning to horizontal position, rats (control) exhibited the signs of orthostatic instability. Preliminary training raised the tolerance of the central hemodynamics to antiorthostatic hypokinesia and to the horizontal position recovery. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii I Meditsiny, Vol. 126, No. 9, pp. 289–293, September, 1998     

Vestibuloprotective and antiamnestic properties of adrenocorticotropic hormone fragments and their analogs

It is established that low-intensity electromagnetic waves of superhigh frequency and motion sickness induce in rats a retrograde amnesia revealed in the passive avoidance test. Fragments of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (4–10) and (5–10), ORG-2766 [ACTH (4–9) analog], and a domestic ACTH (4–10) analog, ACTH (4–7)-Pro-Gly-Pro (semax), in doses of 0.05–0.1 mg/kg significantly weaken the anamnestic effect of both extreme factors. Semax and ORG-2766 also possess a marked anti-motion sickness activity. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, Nulo 6, pp. 634–636, June, 1995 Presented by I. P. Ashmarin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences