Enzymatic System of Metabolism and Detoxication of Xenobiotics as a Basis of Metabolic Portraiting during Prognostication of Risk of Pathological Processes

We studied intraspecific features of the main enzymes of metabolism and detoxication of xenobiotics on mice (eight inbred lines) and rats (five lines) for estimation of possible variants of complete or incomplete metabolic equality. Significant genetically determined intraspecific differences for activities of the enzymes of metabolism and detoxication of xenobiotics were described. Generalized criteria for comparison of the metabolic status were proposed on the basis of activities of the main enzymes: cytochrome P-450 (hydroxylation and epoxidation), epoxyhydrolase, glutathione-S-transferase, UDP-glucuronosyl transferase, and sulfotransferase. The proposed criteria for estimation of the metabolic parameters of an individual can serve as a basis of metabolic portraiting.     

Spectral and functional properties of ceruloplasmin under UV irradiation

During oxydase reaction spectral characteristics of ceruloplasmin at absorption of copper ions and protein part of the molecule are shown to change. It has been ascertained, that when irradiating ceruloplasmin by UV-light the functioning of intramolecular electron transport chain is broken, the degree of positive cooperativity (a Hill's constant) on substrate decreases. It is supposed, that these changes are caused by disturbance of interdomain interactions in a protein molecule.     

Physiological and ethnogenetic risk factors for cardiovascular thrombosis

An analysis of publications on the polymorphism of enzymes, receptors, and other systems of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism critical for the formation of vascular lipoprotein plaques and thrombi revealed the importance of certain genetic factors for the development of cardiovascular disorders. However, because of the polygenic nature of these disorders, the assessment of the corresponding hereditary risk factors requires multivariablecorrelation analysis. Population studies show that the polymorphism of individual genes manifests itself in the difference in incidence rates between ethnic groups.     

Neurodegenerative Disorders: The Role of Genetic Factors in Their Origin and the Efficiency of Treatment

The review considers the main molecular physiological causes of neurodegenerative disorders. The genetic factors involved in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases are conventionally divided into pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic. The former are analyzed at the levels of dopamine (DA) neurons and polymorphism of the D₁, D₂, and D₃ DA receptors. The role of polymorphisms of some proteins such as parkin (PARK1-PARK10) and α-synuclein in generation of Lewy bodies is described. The pharmacokinetic factors play a role in Parkinson’s disease (PD) at the level of metabolism of DA, dioxyphenylalanine, and tyrosine and include polymorphisms of enzymes and proteins involved in the relevant metabolic reactions. The profile of DA metabolites may contribute to neurotoxicity and the development of PD. Prospects of drug therapy of PD and the risk of adverse drug effects such as mental disorders and dyskinesia are considered in terms of polymorphisms of enzymes and transport proteins.__________Translated from Fiziologiya Cheloveka, Vol. 31, No. 4, 2005, pp. 119–130.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sukhanov, Ionov, Piruzyan.     

Characteristics of endocrine disorders in the early stages of the development of chronic experimental pancreatitis

The experiments on normal mongrel dogs and those with chronic experimental pancreatitis were performed to reveal the early changes of the endocrine pancreas function. The concentration of immunoreactive insulin and glucagon were studied in afferent vessels of the organ after intraarterial glucose-loading during pancreatic perfusion in situ. The data obtained have shown that in chronic pancreatitis the maximum secretion of insulin is decreased and delayed, as compared to normal animals. At the same time insulin-glucagon secretion ratio remains unchanged. That was indicative of the normal alpha-cell function at the early stages of the disease.     

Antibody dynamics of carnivorous mammals and corvine birds infected with Francisella tularensis

The time course of antibody formation in carnivorous mammals and corvine birds infected with a single injection of F. tularensis has been experimentally studied in the agglutination test and the passive hemagglutination test. In carnivorous mammals the allergic transformation of the body has been established by means of the leukocytolysis test.     

A new approach to biogeographical subdivision

The authors propose a new approach permitting subdivision of a water area into sectors, each including species with a similar biogeographical status. This approach relies on computer methods for construction of maps presenting the spatial distribution of continuous fields. The method is illustrated by data on the nekton from the north-western Sea of Japan. Different modifications of the method and prospects of its further development are discussed.