Long-lasting behavioral effects of chronic neonatal treatment with ACTH (4-10) analogue semax in white rat pups

It is well known that ACTH/MSH-like peptides (melanocortins) have neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems in the early postnatal life. The aim of present work was to study consequences of the ACTH (4-10) analogue Semax influence on the developing brain. The work was carried out in white rat pups. The peptide (0.05 mg/kg, i/p) was injected daily on the 8th-21st postnatal days. Delayed long-lasting effects of such treatment on animal behavior were revealed. At the age of four to eight weeks, Semax-treated rats displayed elevated exploratory activity, decreased anxiety level and improved passive avoidance conditioning. The results suggest that neonatal Semax administration modulates the development of the central nervous system.     

Protective effect of peptide semax (ACTH(4-7)Pro-Gly-Pro) on the rat heart rate after myocardial infarction

Semax, a member of ACTH-derived peptides family, was used in treatment of ischemic stroke in patients. It decreased neurological deficiency and reduced NO hyperproduction in the rat brain caused by acute cerebral hypoperfusion. We suggest that semax is also capable of protecting the rat heart from ischemic damage 28 days after myocardial infarction (MI) induced by left descendent coronary artery occlusion. Semax (150 microg/kg) was given i. p. in the operating day twice: 15 min and 2 hours after coronary occlusion, and once a day for the following 6 days. In 28 days after infarction, the MI group developed cardiac hypertrophy, cell growth was caused mainly by the increase of contractile filaments not supported by the appropriate mitochondrial growth that indicated an impaired energy supply of the cells. Moreover, cardiac hypertrophy was accompanied by decreased mean arterial blood pressure and cardiac contractile function and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Pharmacological change of cardiac afterload revealed that, in 28 days after MI, the rat heart was not able to change its contractile performance in response to either increase or decrease of systemic blood pressure, and as a result could not maintain its diastolic pressure. All these changes obviously reflect development of heart failure. Semax did not affect cardiac work but partially prevented end-diastolic pressure growth in left ventricle as well as ameliorated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and disproportionate growth of contractile and mitochondrial apparatus, thus exerting beneficial effect on the left ventricular remodeling and heart failure development late after myocardial infarction.     

Strain-specific response in mice to the neonatal administration of ACTH(4-10) fragment: behavior, neurochemistry, and brain morphology

Neonatal injection of the ACTH4-10 fragment (5 micrograms daily for five days) caused genotype-dependent changes in concentrations of some monoaminergic neuromediators and their metabolites in hippocampus and brain stem of adult CBA and 101/HY mice. The catecholaminergic neurons increased in number in hypothalamic zona incerta of adult 101/HY mice. Neonatal injection of the peptide caused also genotype-dependent changes in the exploratory behavior of adult animals. Sound sensitivity was reduced in the 101/HY mice, whereas no sensitivity was revealed in both control and experimental groups of the CBA mice. The effects discovered were suggested to be caused by changes in neuronal differentiation.     

Effects of ACTH(1-24) and ACTH/MSH(4-10) on isolation-induced distress vocalization in domestic chicks

The effects of centrally administered ACTH(1-24) and ACTH(4-10) on isolation-induced distress vocalizations (DVs) were assessed in the presence or absence of social cues (mirrored and plain environments). A dose-response analysis indicated that ACTH(1-24) at doses of 0.5 nM and above increased DVs relative to controls when the animals were tested in mirrored or social environments which reduce baseline levels of calling. This effect, however, was short-lived (approx. 15 min). When tested again 1 hr after injection, the treated animals did not differ from controls. ACTH/MSH(4-10) had no effect on vocalization when the animals were tested immediately after injection, but marginally increased calling when animals were tested an hour later. In addition to vocalization changes, ACTH(1-24) induced squatting when animals were isolated in the test boxes, and yawning, head shaking, wing flapping and preening when animals were reunited after testing. ACTH(1-24)-treated chicks also exhibited longer latencies to close their eyes when they were held in the cupped hands of the experimenter. Taken together, the results suggest that ACTH(1-24) induces a central state of arousal in chicks that resembles fear/anxiety.     

ACTH/MSH(4-10) peptide increases postnatal metabolic activity of EDL muscle following early prenatal administration

ACTH/MSH(4-10) (10 micrograms/kg/b.i.d.; IP), administered to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats during gestational days (GD) 3 to 12, significantly increased the metabolic activity of extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle at postnatal day 14. ACTH/MSH peptide, administered from day of birth to postnatal day 13, had no effect on EDL muscle metabolic activity using the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride indicator. By postnatal day 30, no differences were seen between the early prenatally treated group and saline controls. These results confirm our previous electrophysiological studies that showed that early prenatal ACTH/MSH(4-10) administration accelerates EDL muscle maturation.     

Hormonal activity of the ACTH(4-10) analog--a prolonged-action stimulant of learning

Possible hormonal activity of ACTH4-7, a long-acting ACTH4-10 analog (ProGly Pro) was studied. Unlike ACTH5-10 the peptide did not reveal steroidogenic and melanocyte-stimulating activity.     

Antiparallel beta-sheets in the crystal structure of the heptapeptide Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly (ACTH 4-10)

The conformation of the molecules in ACTH 4-10 has been determined as part of a study of the conformations of the biologically active N-terminal fragments of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH 4-10 crystallizes in two different superstructures. The substructure considered in the present work, is monoclinic, space group C2, a = 25.75(1) A, b = 27.78(1) A, c = 20.35(1) A, beta = 114.0(1) degrees, Z = 8 molecules ACTH 4-10 plus 22 weight per cent solvent. The crystals contain antiparallel beta-sheets, the orientations of the side groups are not found, because of disorder. The present crystal structure and those of other linear oligopeptides emphasize that antiparallel beta-sheets are energetically favourable. It is very unlikely, however, that the ACTH 4-10 crystals contain the molecules in their biologically active form.     

Centrally administered N-terminal fragments of ACTH (1-10, 4-10, 4-9) display convulsant properties in rabbits

Electroencephalographic and behavioral effects of the following ACTH fragments: 1-4, 4-9, 4-11, 1-10, 4-10, 1-13, 1-17 and 1-24 were studied in rabbits. Sequences 4-9, 1-10 and 4-10 displayed some epileptic properties, i.e., they induced epileptic seizures (only electrographic or also behavioral) or increased hippocampal spiking. The 4-9 sequence seemed to be the common sequence responsible for these proconvulsant effects. The possible involvement of the enkephalinergic system is discussed.     

Anticipated and unexpected physiological effects of oligopeptides (glyprolines, ACTH (4-10) analogs, taftsin, and thyroliberin)

A short review of investigations resulting in determination of a new family of regulatory peptides (glyprolines) participating in modulation of hemostasis and protection of mucous membranes, obtaining of the ACTH4-10 new analogues which are potent neuroprotectors and nootrops, and revealing of unexpected biological activities of some other peptides (behavioural effects of tuftsin, lymph flow stimulation by thyroliberin, etc.). Further investigations into the functional peptide continuum is discussed.     

Neonatal neuromuscular parameters vary in susceptibility to postnatal ACTH/MSH 4-10 administration

Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats administered the fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH/MSH 4-10 (10 micrograms/kg/daily, SC) postnatally, show marked differences in the plasticity of the functional and morphological parameters of their neuromuscular system. Initial contraction durations of the immature fast muscle, extensor digitorum longus (EDL), are shorter than saline-treated controls indicating accelerated development. Qualitative studies of the developing EDL neuromuscular junctions as viewed by the scanning electron microscope and quantitative analysis permitted by light microscopy confirms that ACTH/MSH 4-10 affects the maturation of the endplate region. Motor behavior of rat pups demonstrates an age-related difference in the susceptibility to this peptide fragment; one week old neonates showing no response to ACTH/MSH 4-10, two week old pups showing an increase in motor activity. The results indicate that while the developing neuromuscular system is sensitive to the input of ACTH/MSH peptide treatment, this susceptibility is age-related.     

ACTH 4-9 effects on the human visual event-related potential

Three oral doses (5, 10 and 20 mg) of an analog of ACTH 4-9 were compared with a vehicle control and d-amphetamine (10 mg). In a double-blind procedure, five men and five women were tested at weekly intervals with each treatment. In each session, four visual event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded at hourly intervals. Visual ERPs were averaged from the electroencephalogram recorded from the left and right hemisphere. Dosage, time after administration, hemisphere of the brain and sex of the subject influenced the ERP. The ACTH 4-9 analog decreased amplitude of P100 but increased integrated activity of the ERP. This effect peaked at 60 minutes then "recovered." The effects of the peptide were more pronounced with doses of 5 and 10 mg, in the right hemisphere of men and in the left hemisphere of women. The findings indicated that the ACTH 4-9 analog influenced components of ERP commonly related to the perceptual/attentional state of the organism in a sexually dimorphic manner.     

Chemico-enzymatic synthesis of an oligonucleotide template for an analog of ACTH (4-10) fragment

Six oligodeoxyribonucleotides ranging from 9-mer to 13-mer were synthesized in solution by the phosphotriester approach and enzymatically joined by T4 DNA ligase. The obtained double-stranded DNA (32 b.p.) with protruding 5'-ends corresponding to the recognition sites for restrictases EcoRI and BamHI represents an oligonucleotide template coding for the modified amino acid sequence 4-10 of the adrenocorticotropic hormone, [Pro8,Gly9,Pro10]ACTH-(4-10).     

重组ACTH(4-10)与GDNF融合蛋白及其生物活性研究

通过PCR方法构建了促肾上腺皮质激素4-10 (ACTH(4-10))与胶质细胞源性神经营养因子（GDNF）的融合基因,并将它重组克隆到表达载体pET-28a(+)中,构建表达质粒pET-ACTH(4-10)-GDNF,转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导可高效表达ACTH(4-10)-GDNF融合蛋白.用Ni²⁺-NTA树脂一步法纯化目的蛋白,纯度达85％以上.纯化和复性的ACTH(4-10)-GDNF融合蛋白能显著促进脊髓神经元存活,作用强于ACTH(4-10)及GDNF蛋白.     

ACTH4-9类似物对小鼠海马突触体Ca2+水平的调节作用

本工作观察了Ｏｒｇ２７６６（ＡＣＴＨ４－９的类似物）对海马突触体内游离Ｃａ＾２＋水平及对＾４５Ｃａ＾２＋摄取的影响。采用细胞内钙离子荧光探针Ｆｕｒａ－２,通过Ｓｐｅｘ－阳离子测定系统检测突触体内［Ｃａ＾２＋］ｉ的动态变化,并用液闪光谱仪测定突触体对＾４５Ｃａ＾２＋的摄取。结果表明：较低剂量的ＯＲＧ２７６６对突触体内［Ｃａ＾２＋］ｉ的影响不明显,却显著降低突触体对＾４５Ｃａ＾２＋的摄取;高剂量的Ｏｒ     

Intranasal administration of ACTH(1-24) stimulates catecholamine secretion.

Previously, we reported that intranasal (IN) ACTH(1-24) administration stimulates adrenocortical steroid secretion in normal subjects. To determine the efficiency of transmucosal absorption of ACTH into the adrenal medulla, we measured serum cortisol, aldosterone, epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine levels after IN vs. intravenous (IV) administration of 250 microg ACTH(1-24) in 7 healthy adult men (mean age 21.7 +/- 1.2 yr; range, 21 - 24 yr). Blood was collected at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min after administration of ACTH(1-24), and the levels of adrenocortical steroids and catecholamines were measured by specific RIA and HPLC methods, respectively. There were no side effects associated with IN or IV ACTH administration. Consistent with the previous study, serum cortisol and aldosterone increased after IN administration of ACTH(1-24), peaking 30 min after administration. Sixty minutes after IN and IV administration of ACTH, epinephrine levels increased by 41.9 +/- 13.1 % and 63.3 +/- 11.8 %, respectively, and remained elevated throughout the sampling period. Thirty minutes after IN or IV administration of ACTH(1-24), plasma norepinephrine levels increased by 55.9 +/- 13.4 % and 73.7 +/- 15.0 %, respectively, peaking 30 min after ACTH(1-24) administration, and decreasing to basal levels within 60 min. Plasma dopamine levels did not change after IN administration of ACTH(1-24). Adrenocortical steroid and catecholamine levels did not increase after IN administration of saline. These results demonstrate that IN administration of ACTH(1-24) not only stimulates adrenocortical steroids, but also epinephrine and norepinephrine.     

Neurochemical effects of the synthetic ACTH4-9-analog Hoe 427 (Ebiratide) in rat brain

The ACTH4-9-analog Hoe 427 systemically injected in a dose range from 0.01-10 micrograms/kg caused a fall in acetylcholine (ACh) content in different brain areas of the rat. This effect occurred 0.5 hour after a single administration and lasted up to 24 hours. The decrease in ACh content induced by Hoe 427 was more pronounced when the animals were pretreated with dexamethasone (over 7 days 1 mg/kg SC, daily). Coadministration of the choline uptake inhibitor hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) and Hoe 427 potentiated the decrease in ACh content induced by HC-3. In the same dose range Hoe 427 acutely evoked an increase of the activity of the enzyme choline acetyltransferase as well as an elevation of brain cyclic GMP content. These data indicate that Hoe 427 enhances ACh metabolism in rat brain after systemic administration.     

Possible mechanisms of the divergent effects of ACTH4--10 and its analog containing the D-isomer of phenylalanine on behavior

The effect of two oligopeptides--ACTG4-10 and hexopeptide met-glu-his-D-phen-lis-L-phen (Dphen-GP) on memorizing the situation and on orienting-investigating reaction was studied in albino rats by the method of elaboration of food-procuring habit in T-maze and by the method of "open field". It was shown that these peptides in a dose of 15 mcg/kg with certain periods of administration, have an opposite effect on maze learning but a similar effect on memorizing in the "open field". ACTG4-10 slightly increases motor activity in the "open field", whereas Dphen-GP decreases it considerably. It is suggested that ACTG4-10 improves the formation of trace processes independently of the sign of reinforcement, whereas Dphen-GP selectively enhances defensive reaction and memorizing, connected with negative reinforcement.     

Effect of ACTH1-24 and ACTH4-10 on distribution of 3H-noradrenaline in the brain of adrenalectomized rats.

Painful stimuli led to a decrease of the radioactive catecholamine pool in adrenalectomized rats. Intraventricular administration of both tritiated noradrenaline and ACTH produced a greater decrease of the labelled catecholamine pool than in the control adrenalectomized rats in 12 to 18 hr following injection. Blocking of monoamino-oxidase activity or biosynthesis by systemic administration of Pargyline or alpha-methyl-tyrosine did not prevent the effect of ACTH on brain catecholamines. It is concluded that ACTH exerts a direct influence on the brain catecholaminergic system and that this effect might be involved in ACTH dependent behavioural responses.     

Effect of ACTH 4-10 on passive avoidance of rats lacking vasopressin (Brattleboro strain).

The hypothesis that the effects of ACTH 4-10 on avoidance are mediated via the release of endogenous vasopressin was investigated. To test this hypothesis, we observed the effect of ACTH 4-10 on the passive avoidance of Brattleboro rats with diabetes insipidus resulting from a total genetic deficiency of vasopressin (DI) and Brattleboro rats without diabetes insipidus (HE). Normal Long-Evans rats (LE) were also included for comparison purposes. The results did not support the hypothesis. ACTH 4-10 did influence the passive avoidance of DI rats; this should not have occurred if the release of endogenous vasopressin is necessary for ACTH 4-10 to influence avoidance.