The role of transaminases in realizing the protective effect of L-aspartate in hypoxia]

Activation of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase of mitochondria introduced to the incubation medium of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (40 microM) is approximately 2 times higher than that of the corresponding cytoplasmic forms. At hypoxia aspartate aminotransferase activity in mitochondria and postmitochondrial supernatant tends to an increase while that of alanine aminotransferase decreases (above 2 times). The protection from hypoxic damage when using L-aspartate (100 mg/kg subcutaneously 3-5 min before hypoxia) intensifies an adaptive increase of aspartate aminotransferase activity and removes a decrease of alanine aminotransferase activity. Under these conditions stimulating effect of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate on transaminases activity in vitro weakens. A simultaneous administration of vitamin-coenzyme complex (thiamine pyrophosphate, lipoate, sodium 4-phospho-pantothenate, flavin-mononucleotide, nicotinate) intensifies these metabolic shifts and protective action of L-aspartate.     

Effect of thiamine on the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in rat liver following stimulation of lipogenesis

It is shown that thiamine administration to rats (250 micrograms per 100 g of mass) who were given high-carbohydrate diet (lipogenesis intensification) after fasting inhibits an increase in the pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in the liver homogenate and mitochondria usual under these conditions. This is observed when determining total activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and activity of its first component--pyruvate dehydrogenase estimated from the ferricyanide reduction and [1-14C] CO2 formation from [1-14C] pyruvate. Fasting animals and animals whom thiamine was administered against a background of lipogenesis intensification revealed a higher ability of the liver tissue to synthesize acetoin as compared with the control group and animals with the intensified lipogenesis without thiamine administration.     

Influence of thymosin on some indices of immunogenesis in intact and adrenalectomized guinea pigs]

The authors studied the effect of injections of the biologically-active preparation of the thymus -- thymosine -- on the development of delayed hypersensitivity (DHS) and hypersensitivity of the immediate type, as well as on the number of rosette-forming and antibody-forming cells in adrenalectomized and unoperated guinea pigs. Thymosine produced more intensive influence upon the immunological status of the organism in adrenalectomized animals. Under conditions of sensitization used by the authors adrenalectomy enhanced the DHS manifestations in this work at the initial stage of its development; this intensification was of short duration. However, thymosine injections promoted a more prolonged and intensive expression of these sequelae of adrenalectomy. At some of the stages, there was also an increase in the number of antibody-forming and rosette-forming cells under the effect of thymosine. Thymosine gave a more pronounced effect when administered during the sensitization. The periods of supervention of the immediate type of reaction depended on the scheme of thymosine administration.     

Hyaluronic capsule as one of the factors of hemolytic streptococcal pathogenicity]

Experiments were conducted on albino mice. It was shown that treatment of streptococci with testicular hyaluronidase or a single administration of the enzyme to infected animals failed to inhibit the infectious process. Injection of hyaluronidase solution to every 3 or 4 hours depressed the development of the process and increased the percentage of survived animals during its first stages. A marked intensification of the hyaluronidase action inhibiting the infectious process was observed under conditions of a moderately active or passive immunity and also in the case of preliminary treatment of streptococci with homologous immune serum. The data obtained permit to regard the hyaluronic capsule in the hemolytic streptococci as one of the pathogenicity factors of this microbial species providing survival of the causative agent after its entrance into the macroorganism.     

Autoradiographic study of the rate of collagen synthesis under conditions of stimulation of the wound process]

A study was made of the rate of the tropocollagen synthesis by the granulation tissue fibroblasts and of its passage into the intercellular space in control animals and under conditions of stimulation of the wound process by potassium orotate, one of the pyrimidine series derivatives. It appeared that the process of tropocollagen synthesis became accelerated under the effect of the stimulant; collagen fiber precursor appeared in the intercellular space earlier than in control and became included into the fibrous structures of the granulation tissue, this correlating with the intensification of the RNA synthesis in the fibroblast nuclei and an accelerated passage of the newly-synthesized RNA from the nucleus into the cell cytoplasm under analogous conditions. There was noted no sharp excess of collagen in the granulation tissue of animals given potassium orotate.     

Change in temperature in young and old rats exposed to emotional-noise and immobilization stress]

Experiments with rats have shown that thermoregulation under normal conditions and in response to stressful factors (immobilization, emotionally significant sound) is different in animals of different age. The effect of these stressful factors leads to more significant temperature changes in the group of young animals, as compared with the adult ones.     

The amino acid composition of blood serum of harp seal pups in the period of adaptation to captivity]

It is cited results of investigation of amino acid composition of blood serum of harp seal pups in the first days after catch adaptation in conditions of oceanarium. It is shown that changes of amino acid composition are most expressed in the first ten-day period of observation and manifest itself by increase of free amino acid concentration at the expense of their endogenous entrance in blood. At the same time it was detected amino acid imbalance which is conditioned by stress of animals. Results of investigation witness intensification of protein catabolism under conditions of stress. Because of it it is necessary to correlate protein metabolism for prophylaxis of hypotrophy seal pups.     

Interferonogenic and antiviral activity of the double-stranded replicative form of phage f2 RNA in tissue culture and on animals]

Biological activity of a new natural interferon inductor, the replicative RNA form of phage f2 (RFf2) was studied. A possibility of using RFf2 for production of highly active interferon under conditions of superinduction providing an increase in the interferon yield by to 256--512 times as compared to the control samples was shown. The protective interferonogenic and antiviral effect of RFf2 in mice infected with Semliki forest virus (SFV) and tickborne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was studied on administration of the inductor by various routes. It was found that intraperitoneal administration of RFf2 in a dose of 10 gamma per a mouse protected the infected animals from death. It was accompanied by production of up to 1280 units/ml of interferon in the blood serum of the animals. Maximum protection of the animals from death under conditions of the experiment (80 per cent on infection with SFV and 65 per cent on infection with TBEV) was observed when the preparation was administered twice: 4 hours after the infection. Combined use of RFf2 with chemotherapeutics (rimantadine) increased the protective effect both in the tissue culture and in vivo.     

Effects of pyrazidol on resistance of animals to hypobaric hypoxia]

The influence of monoamine oxidase type A inhibitor pyrazidol on rats sensitivity to hypobaric hypoxia was investigated. Preliminary pyrazidol administration shows evident protective effect under hypoxia. It increases animals survival at the altitude of 12,000 m above the sea level, prevents lungs affection and erythrocyte membrane destabilization at the altitude of 9,000 m during 3 hours. Plasma total peroxidase activity, extraerythrocyte hemoglobin concentration and free iron content were used as the indexes of erythrocyte membrane stability reflecting the organism state under stress effects.     

DNA synthesis in rat liver following administration of antihepatocytotoxic serum]

Experiments were conducted on adult female rats. The autoradiographic method was applied to the study of thymidine-3H incorporation into the parenchymatous and reticulo-endothelial cells of the liver under conditions of using low doses (0.06 microgram of protein per 100 of body weight) of antihepatocytotoxic serum (AHCS), gamma-globulin isolated from it (gammaAHCS) and gamma-globulin fraction of normal rabbit serum (gammaNRS) to intact animals and rats with carbon tetrachloride affection of the liver. The labelled nuclei index of both the parenchyma and the reticuloendothelial cells increased in case of gammaAHCS administration, and, to a lesser extent, of AHCS to intact animals. gammaAHCS used against the background of CCl4 administration intensified the reparative regeneration. The action of gammaAHCS has phasic character--the period of the labeled nuclei elevation was followed by their reduction, replaced by new intensification of the proliferative processes.     

Effect of humoral factors of the spleen after irradiation]

It is stated that therapeutic effect of humoral factors isolated from the cattle spleen is associated with its influence on alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-MG) performing a protective function. The results obtained permit recommending the isolated preparations to increase total resistivity of the organism under irradiation.     

Effect of 4-aminopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine on the catabolism of high-density lipoprotein apolipoprotein A-I in the rat

The in vivo turnover and sites of catabolism of O-(4-diazo-3-[125I]iodobenzoyl)sucrose-labelled rat high-density lipoprotein (HDL) apolipoprotein A-I were studied in rats treated for 3 days with 4-aminopyrazolo-[3,4-d]pyrimidine (4APP). It was found that 4APP treatment decreases the serum cholesterol concentration to 6 mg/dl and stimulates the serum decay of labelled HDL. The latter effect could be attributed to an increased catabolism of radioactive HDL apolipoprotein A-I by the liver. When the serum cholesterol concentration was raised to physiological levels by a bolus injection of unlabelled rat HDL, at the time of administration of the labelled HDL, the serum decays and the tissue uptakes of apolipoprotein A-I labelled HDL were identical in 4APP-treated rats and control animals. When a bolus injection of unlabelled human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was administered to 4APP-treated rats, the serum decay and tissue uptake of apolipoprotein A-I labelled HDL remained rapid. The recovery of radioactivity in the adrenal glands was increased almost 10 fold by 4APP treatment, a phenomenon which was reversed by a bolus injection of unlabelled HDL, but not by injection of unlabelled LDL. It is concluded that treatment of rats with 4APP does not affect the rate of catabolism of rat HDL apolipoprotein A-I, when the serum HDL concentration in the treated animals is restored to physiological levels.     

Characteristics of the intensity of glycolytic and oxidative processes in rat brain tissue under hypoxia and hyperoxia

Effect of hypoxia and hyperoxia on some indexes of energy metabolism was studied in the brain of intact rats and those with preliminarily administered hydrocortisone. So hypoxia (8 and 5.5% of oxygen in the medium) increases considerably the lactate and pyruvate content and has no effect on the oxidation and photophosphorylation in the brain mitochondria. The hyperoxic medium (1 at. abs. for 3-5h) inhibits consumption of oxygen and inorganic phosphate by the brain mitochondria, does not effect the lactate content and lowers the pyruvate level. The preliminary administration of hydrocortisone (1 mg per 100 g) under conditions of hypoxia and hyperoxia leads to the further intensification of the glycolysis independently of the initial level of the process. At the same time hormone administration favours normalization of the oxidative processes in the brain tissue under conditions of hyperoxia.     

Body Temperature Changes in Young and Adult Rats in Response to Emotionally Significant Sound and Immobilization

Experiments with rats have shown that thermoregulation under normal conditions and in response to stressful factors (immobilization, emotionally significant sound) is different in animals of different age. The effect of these stressful factors leads to more significant temperature changes in the group of young animals, as compared with the adult ones.     

Radiation injury of hemopoiesis in alpine conditions depending upon the duration of adaptation

A study was made of the disturbance of haemopoiesis in the small laboratory animals and dogs kept in Alpine conditions (3200 m) and exposed to ionizing radiation on days 3, 15, 22, 25 and 33 of adaptation. The radiation damage to haemopoiesis in Alpine conditions was shown to decrease at the beginning of the adaptation due to the intensification of the regenerating processes, which was manifested by the increase in the rate of DNA synthesis in the haemopoietic organs, and activation of erythropoiesis, myelopoiesis and lymphopoiesis. Later (after 30-35 days), a 2-4-fold increase was noted in the number of haemopoietic stem cells which improved the compensatory potency of the tissue under study and increased the total resistance of the organism.     

Development of the graft versus host reaction and its influence on pregnancy in mice following heparin administration]

The influence of heparin on the graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) and the peculiarities attending the development of pregnancy in female animals which survived after the GVHR were studied. Preliminary administration of heparin to the recipients prevented their death or increased their life span. An intensification of the GVHR was noted after the administration of heparin to donors or its addition to the transplanted cells. In mice which survived after the GVHR as a result of heparin administration the intrauterine fetuses death and abortions were noted in 60-100% of cases during subsequent pregnancy (3 to 6 months after the cell transplantation). In the case of repeated pregnancies of these female animal pathology of pregnancy was less frequent; however, some of the offspring displayed the rant syndrome. No such disturbances of pregnancy were observed in mice given heparin alone or in those which survived after the transplantation of lymphoid cells only. The sustained pregnancy promoted the intensification of the GVHR induced in the female animals earlier after the heparin administration.     

Effect of temperature on the phototransformation of purple sulfur bacteria bacteriochlorophylls and isolated chromatophores]

Photobleaching of P890 was shown to be independent of temperature within the range of +20 to -160 degrees C in purple sulphur bacteria and isolated chromatophores under oxidative conditions; therefore changes in the absorption at 890 nm are due to the primary photoact. No changes were detected in the absorption at 850 nm upon a slight decrease of temperature, which suggested the absorption at 850 nm upon a slight decrease of temperature, which suggested the conformation nature of these changes. The effect of temperature, which suggested the conformation nature of these changes. The effect of temperature on the photoinduced changes of absorption under reductive conditions seems to be due to the electron transport and the accompanying processes being blocked. The effect of temperature on the kinetics of P890+ reduction in the darkness under conditions when the cytochromes are preliminarily oxidized is determined by the participation of the secondary electron acceptors in this process. A decrease in temperature leads to blocking the transport of electrons from the primary acceptor to the secondary acceptors, which is expressed by a gradual disappearance of a slow component in the kinetics of p890+ reduction in the disappearance of a slow component in the kinetics of P890+ reduction in the darkness and by the intensification of a fast component resulting from the darkness and by the intensification of a fast component resulting from the interaction between the primary acceptor and P890+. Methodical aspects of absorption differential spectrophotometry of photosynthesizing organisms at low temperatures are discussed.     

Dry erythrocytic diagnostic agent for the determination of antiglobulins]

Dry erythrocytic diagnostic agents were obtained under experimental conditions for determination of antiglobulins forming in the organism of man and animals under the effect of serum preparations from the blood of horses and homologoum immunoglobulins. A study was made of the sera of 100 patients with tick-borne encephalitis treated with heterologous and homologous immunoglobulins of directed action; in response to the administration of horse gamma-globulin antiglobulins (in titres below 1 : 10000) appeared in the serum; they circulated in the blood for long periods and inhibited the accumulation of hormonal antibodies to the causative agent; in the majority of cases a high level of antiglobulins to the foreign protein correlated with the presence of remote side-reactions of the serum sickness type. In patients treated with immunoglobulin of human origin antiglobulins were determined in low titres, disappeared from the blood in 15--20 days and did not hinder the accumulation of antihemmagglutinins to the tick-borne encephalitis virus.     

Effect of silicoorganic compounds on protein biosynthesis in granulation-fibrous tissue]

The authors studied the effect of propoxysilatran (POS) on the biosynthesis of the main connective tissue biopolymeres. The use of POS in the form of 0.5 and 2.0% ointments on lanolin-vaseline base caused stimulation of cellular proliferation in the granulation fibrous tissue developing in the open skin defects of albino rats. Stimulation of cellular proliferation in these animals was accompanied by increase of collagen biosynthesis and of noncollagen proteins. In concentrations of 10(-3)--10(-4) M POS caused intensification of collagen biosynthesis (formation of peptide-bound nondialyzed 14C-oxyproline) in vitro in the cartilage tissue of chick embryos. Thus, silatrans are biologically-active substances producing a regulating effect on the course of the reparative-proliferative processes in the connective tissue.     

Interhemisphere Asymmetry of the Pro-/Antioxidant Systems in the Rat Brain: Effects of Hypokinesia and Extrahigh-Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation

We studied changes in the interhemisphere asymmetry of the intensity of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and total content of thiol groups (TTG) in the rat cerebral neocortex. These indices characteristic for animals with different motor phenotypes (dextrals, sinistrals, and ambidextrals) were measured in the control and under the influence of hypokinesia, low-intensity millimeter-range electromagnetic radiation (mmR EMR), and their combination. The development of hypokinetic stress in rats (after 10-day-long motor restriction) resulted in a sharp activation of LPO and suppression of thiol/disulfide metabolism in the neocortex of rats with different types of motor asymmetry. Hypokinesia was accompanied by considerable drops in the coefficients of interhemisphere asymmetry (up to reversal of their signs); this can be related to decreases in the resistivity of the organism to stress and adaptability to external influences. When intact animals with different types of motor asymmetry were irradiated with mmR EMR, the intensity of LPO in the neocortex of both hemispheres decreased concurrently with intensification of thiol/ disulfide metabolism. The combined influence of hypokinesia and mmR EMR led to considerably smaller shifts in the above indices, as compared with those after isolated action of hypokinesia. When mmR EMR influenced animals were kept under conditions of normal motor mode and motor restriction, the signs of the coefficients of asymmetry of the indices under study did not change, while the intensity of interhemisphere asymmetry increased. We suppose that this is related to an increase in the adaptability of the organism to the action of stressor factors.