Effect of substance P on the content of catecholamines and on the enzymes of their synthesis in the brain of chronically alcoholized rats

The effect of a single administration of the endogenous peptide substance P on the content of dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE), and on the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine β-hydroxylase (D-β-H) is studied in the hypothalamus and midbrain of rats after a 6-month alcoholization. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 7, pp. 46–48, July, 1994     

The effect of delta-sleep-inducing peptide on the Ca-transporting system of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and activity of the myocardial antioxidant enzymes

It is demonstrated that immobilization stress against the background of lowered catalase activity impairs the function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca pump, particularly at high Ca²⁺ levels. the membranes of intracellular Ca²⁺ depots are destroyed much more rapidly than in the control, which results in Ca²⁺ release. Administration of delta sleep-inducing peptide to control animals results in a 30% increase in catalase activity for an unchanged level of superoxide dismusase and markedly improves the function of the Ca-transporting system at elevated levels of free Ca²⁺. A long-term stress after administration of the peptide not only causes no damage to the Ca-transporting system but actually increases its efficiency (compared with the control) at a high catalase level. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 3, pp. 248–251, March, 1996 Presented by G. N. Kryzhanovskii, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

The use of a nonopiate leu-enkephalin analog and of hydra peptide morphogen for the correction of proliferation disturbances in tracheal epithelium and of LPO processes in lungs of newborn rats exposed to prenatal hypoxia

Newborn rats were born of females exposed to high-altitude hypoxia. Pregnant females were injected i.p. either nonopiate leu-enkephalin analog or hydra peptide morphogen 10 μg/kg 30 min prior to being placed in a pressure chamber. Prenatal hypoxia causes the inhibition of the proliferative processes in tracheal epithelium and activation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in lungs of newborn rats. The administration of nonopiate leu-enkephalin analog prevents the development of posthypoxic alterations in newborn rats. The administration of hydra peptide morphogen inhibits the proliferation of tracheal epithelium and lowers the activity of the antioxidant defense of the lungs in newborn rats. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 535–537, May, 1994 Presented by Yu. A. Romanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

The role of the lymphatic system in the changes of electrolyte balance in the febrile reaction

The shifts of the electrolyte level in the lymph and blood are of the same direction, namely, increased. The content of potassium, sodium, and calcium changes only after prolonged fever, while that of magnesium changes after just a single administration of pyrogenal. The lymph level of calcium and magnesium rises more significantly as compared to the blood. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 2, pp. 174–176, February, 1994     

The effect of extract fromRhodiola rosea on the level of inducible HSP-70 in the myocardium during stress

It is demonstrated that the cardioprotective activity of extract fromRhodiola rosea in stress reaches the maximum 5 days after the first dose. Heat shock proteins appear in the myocardium 3 days after an 8-day administration of the extract. It is believed that these proteins are not an important factor in the cardioprotective effect of the extract. Translated fromByullteen' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 3, pp. 256–258, March, 1996 Presented by R. S. Karpov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Assessment of theIn Vivo metabolic effect of exogenous lactate dehydrogenase

Active realization of 2-oxoglutarate, malate, and oxaloacetate is observed after administration of lactate dehydrogenase. The levels of transamination and urea formation are within the normal range. By its targeting of oxidative metabolism, lactate dehydrogenase may be regarded as a biogenic factor correcting the glycolytic processes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 480–481, May, 1994 Presented by T. T. Berezov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of synthetic analogs of dermorphin on mitosis in the corneal and lingual epithelium of albino rats

A study of the effects of synthetic analogs of dermorphin which are prime agonists of the μ-opiate receptors, on cell division in the corneal and lingual epithelium of albino rats showed that both analogs depressed DNA synthesis in the corneal and lingual epithelium 4 h after administration. In the lingual epithelium DNA synthesis and the mitogenic index were still depressed 24 h after drug administration. In the cornea cell division parameters had normalized by this time. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 11, pp. 508–510, November, 1994 Presented by Yu. A. Romanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Inhibition of generalized wound infection in immunized rats

The occurrence of the pyocyanic bacillus in the blood and spleen is compared after intramuscular administration to intact and immunized animals. It is demonstrated that blood clearance is performed by transferring the causative agent to splenic phagocytes. It is suggested that antibodies agglutinize the microorganisms in the primary focus of infection and prevent their entry into the blood. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 545–546, May, 1994 Presented by D. S. Sarkisov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effects of an organophosphorus compound on pulmonary and systemic circulations

Shortly (30–90 min) after an intragastric administration of the organophosphorus pesticide Anthio to cats, their cardiac output begins to decrease and the right ventricular output decreased to a greater extent than the left. Blood is redistributed to the greater circulation with a diminution of blood flow in the pulmonary lobar vessels. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 1, pp. 18–21, January, 1994     

Effect of interferon on the structural organization of rat thymus

Changes in the thymus of male Wistar rats were studied under a light microscope at various times after intranasal administration of α-interferon. The relative mass of the organ, the cortex volume, the total number of cells, the number of small and medium lymphocytes, and the number of mitoses decrease 14 days after interferon administration. At the same time, the number of macrophages, neutrophils, mature plasmacytes, eosinophils, and erythrocytes increases, and mast cells appear. Thus, α-interferon probably suppresses the formation of T cells, facilitates allergization of the organism, and increases the permeability of the vascular endothelium. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 12, pp. 609–612, December, 1994     

Cytoarchitectonics of the striate cortex in carnivores and primates following optic tract transection

Examination of brains from Old World monkeys and cats one year after optic tract transection showed a significantly reduced density of neurons in layer IV C of area 17 (striate cortex) in the projection of central vision on the transection side in the monkeys but not in the cats. It is concluded that peripheral vision is less vulnerable to deafferentation than central vision. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 7, pp. 95–96, July, 1994 Presented by O. S. Adrianov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Spermatogenesis in rats after administration of the anthracycline antibiotic pharmorubicin

It is established that Wistar rat testes demonstrate stable morphological changes attended by a diminishment of the stem cell population, depletion of the other layers of the spermatogenic epithelium, a decrease of the number of tubules with meiosis stage XII, and intensified desquamation of epithelial cells during 30 days after administration of pharmorubicin in the maximal permissible dose. The depletion of the stem cell population may result in long-term damage to the reproductive function and manifest itself long after antibiotic treatment. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 3, pp. 308–310, March, 1995     

A study of nonpathogenicFrancisella,Brucella, andYersinia strains as producers of recombinant β-endorphin

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Brucella abortus, andFrancisella tularensis strains producing a recombinant β-endorphin have been obtained. The highest production of this peptide, which displays physiological activity, was recorded for cells of theY. pseudotuberculosis strain 2243 (pSK95E). Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 6, pp. 612–615, June, 1994     

Effect of a peptide extract of fetal brain tissue on the intracellular pH of mouse peritoneal phagocytes

The intracellular pH (pH_i) of mouse peritoneal neutrophils, initially 0.2 U, drops after a 15-min incubation of these cells with a peptide extract of fetal brain tissue. Treatment with the preparation leads to appreciable changes in the distribution of neutrophils by the examined parameter. For macrophages, the acidifying effect of the agent and its effect on the pattern of cell distribution in terms of pH values are far less expressed. The effects of the agent in dilutions 1∶10² and 1∶10⁴ on the mean pH_i are virtually the same. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 12, pp. 626–630, December, 1995 Presented by V. I. Kulakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Role of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the activation of heparin secretion by mast cells in stressed rats

A morphometric analysis of mast cell populations in the subcutaneous tissue and mesentery from rats demonstrated stimulation of heparin secretion by adrenocorticotropic hormone. Thirty minutes after the administration of this hormone to unstressed rats, the functional stutus of mast cells did not differ from that of such cells from rats stressed by being immobilized for 30 min after receiving physiological saline instead of the hormone. In contrast, the 30-minute immobilization failed to elicit an adequate secretory response from the mast cells of rats in which the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone had been blocked by dexamethasone. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o 10, pp. 349–351, October, 1995 Presented by I. P. Ashmarin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of melipramine on the development of experimental depressive syndrome induced by systemic administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)

The effects of chronic administration of melipramine on the development of behavioral signs of depression in rats are studied using the model of a depressive syndrome induced by systemic administration of MPTP. Preadministration of melipramine prevents such MPTP-induced behavioral signs of depression in rats as decreased motor activity, reduced total daily liquid intake, reduced preference of sucrose solution over water, and increased depression index. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Giologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o . 8, pp. 160–163, August, 1995     

Significance of bacterial agglutination in the development of experimental sepsis

The development of signs of generalized infection were studied in rats infected with a suspension ofPseudomonas aeruginosa, with dissociated (controls) or agglutinated (experiment) immune serum. All signs of the generalization of the process were reliably lower in the experiment than in the control. A favorable course of the infection after the administration of agglutinated agent indicated that the infection was generalized and secondary foci were initiated during the first days postinoculation, when antibodies to the agent had not yet been produced. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 118, N ^o 9, pp. 292–294, September, 1994 Presented by V. D. Fedorov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of amiridine and tacrine on reuptake of neurotransmitters in experimental amnesia

It is demonstrated that a single administration of amiridine, tacrine, piracetam, and physostigmine has no effect on the reuptake of adrenalin, noradrenalin, dopamine, and glycine, or of γ-aminobutyric, glutamic, and aspartic acids. Scopolamine (single administration or a 20-day treatment) also has no effect on the reuptake of these neurotransmitters. Administration of amiridine to intact rats during a 20-day period leads to a decrease in the reuptake of dopamine and γ-aminobutyric acid. A course of amiridine therapy of rats after repeated administration of scopolamine results in a reduced reuptake of dopamine. Tacrine, piracetam, and physosostigmine exhibit no activity under the chosen experimental conditions. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 5, pp. 512–514, May, 1995 Presented by Yu. A. Romanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of vagotomy on the feedback inhibition of pancreatic secretion

Chronic experiments on fistulized dogs showed that the pancreatic secretion stimulated by intraduodenal administration of acidified hydrolysine was depressed after bilateral supradiaphragmatic truncal vagotomy, and that the inhibitory influence of exogenous pancreatic enzymes on pancreatic secretion disappeared on postoperative days 10–16. Subsequently, the feedback inhibition of pancreatic secretion was slowly restored, but even 45 days after vagotomy it was still weaker than in intact dogs. It is concluded that the feedback inhibition of pancreatic secretion is centrally controlled from the duodenum via the vagus nerves. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 5, pp. 465–469, May, 1995 Presented by K. V. Sudakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effect of thymoptin on passive avoidance reaction conditioning in 18-month-old and castrated rats

The effect of the immunomodulator thymoptin containing thymic peptide hormones on the conditioned passive avoidance reaction is studied in aging and postcastration. The preparation, which inhibits atrophy of the thymus, is found to improve conditioning in aging rats and has no effect on learning or memory in castrated rats. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, N ^o . 8, pp. 167–168, August, 1995 Presented by Yu. A. Romanov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences