Determination of subpopulations of T- and B-lymphocytes in human blood using an immunofluorescence method

The immunofluorescent technique for assaying T- and B-lymphocyte subpopulations, using monoclonal (OCT3, OCT4, OCT8) and monospecific antibodies is described. The results of immunocompetent cell determinations in normal subjects and in patients are presented. A conclusion is made that use of universal immunofluorescent method for assays of the lymphocyte subpopulations widens the possibilities of diagnosis of immunodeficiency states.     

Age-associated endocrine dysfunctions and approaches to their correction

This review discusses age-specific functional changes in different components of the endocrine system (pituitary, epiphysis, adrenals, and gonads), their role in aging and age-specific diseases, and possible approaches to correction of endocrine disorders and prevention of accelerated aging.     

Geroprotective effect of Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly peptide in male rats exposed to different illumination regimens

Exposure of male rats to permanent or natural illumination of North-Western Russia accelerated their death in comparison with animals exposed to standard (12 h) light. Permanent illumination promoted the development of spontaneous tumors in comparison with the standard photoregimen. Injection of epithalone (synthetic Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly peptide; subcutaneously 0.1 μg/rat 5 times a week from the age of 4 months until natural death) virtually did not change the mean lifespan of male rats, but was associated with a significant (p<0.05) normalization of population aging rate and hence, time of mortality rate doubling in groups exposed to natural or constant illumination. Epithalone injected to rats exposed to any photoregimen significantly inhibited the development of spontaneous tumors, primarily testicular leydigomas and leukemias. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 4, pp. 455–460, April, 2008     

Effect of epitalon on the lifespan increase in Drosophila melanogaster

The geroprotector activity of epitalon, a synthetic tetrapeptide Ala–Glu–Asp–Gly, was studied on the Drosophila melanogaster wild strain Canton-S. The substance was added to the culture medium only at the developmental stage (from egg to larva). Epitalon significantly increased the lifespan (LS) of imagoes by 11–16% when applied at unprecedented low concentrations — from 0.001×10^–6 to 5×10^–6 wt.% of culture medium for males and from 0.01×10^–6 to 0.1×10^–6 wt.% of culture medium for females. The increase in LS did not depend on the substance dose. Effective concentrations of epitalon were 16 000–80 000 000 times lower than those of melatonin. The possible mechanisms of the antioxidant and regulatory effects of epitalon are discussed.     

Effect of peptides of the tracheal mucosa and vascular wall in acute hyperoxic lung injury]

It was demonstrated that peptides of the tracheal mucosa (PTM) and peptides of the vascular wall (PVW) produce a certain protective effect in hyperoxic lung injury. The peptides, (PTM to a greater measure) prolonged the survival of mice and inhibited the dynamics of the growth of the lung coefficient in rats. PTM reduced the formation of malonic dialdehyde and increased the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the lungs. Morphometric studies showed that PTM produce a more marked inhibiting effect on exudation in to the alveoli; besides, the administration of PTM contributed greatly to maintenance of the empty space and "total volume" of the alveoli.     

Effect of vilon on biological age and lifespan in mice

Subcutaneous administration of vilon (Lys-Glu) to female CBA mice starting from the 6th month of life increased physical activity and endurance, decreased body temperature, prolonged the lifespan, and prevented the development of spontaneous neoplasms. Vilon had no effect on age-related changes of estrous function and free radical processes. Long-term administration of vilon caused no unfavourable effects on animal development. The obtained results show safety of chronic vilon administration and allow to use this preparation for geroprotection and prophylaxis of age pathology. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 7, pp. 88–91, July, 2000     

Inhibitory effect of peptide Epitalon on colon carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine in rats

The effect of synthetic pineal peptide Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) on colon carcinogenesis was firstly studied in rats. Eighty 2-month-old outbred male LIO rats were subdivided into four groups and were weekly exposed to five subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) at a single dose of 21 mg/kg body weight. Additionally, 5 days a week, some of the rats were given subcutaneous injections of saline at a dose of 0.1 ml during the whole experiment (group 1, control) or Epitalon at a single dose of 1 microg during the whole experiment (group 2), Epitalon after termination of carcinogen injections (group 3) or during the period of DMH exposure (group 4). Colon carcinomas developed in 90-100% of DMH-treated rats. The number of total colon tumors per rat was 4.1; 2.7; 3.7; 2.9 in groups 1, 2, 3, 4, respectively (the difference in groups 2 and 4 compared with group 1 is significant). In rats from group 2, colon tumors were smaller than in control animals. In group 2, the incidence, as well the multiplicity of tumors in ascending and descending colon, were significantly decreased in comparison with group 1. In group 4, the mean number of tumors per rat was significantly decreased, too. A trend to decrease the number of tumors in the rectum in rats from groups 2, 3 and 4, treated with Epitalon was found. Epitalon inhibited also the development of tumors in jejunum and ileum. Thus, our results demonstrated an inhibitory effect of Epitalon on chemically induced bowel carcinogenesis in rats.     

Use of thymalin in trauma patients

A clinical study of the thymus preparation Thymalin was carried out in 23 patients with special reference to its use for prevention and treatment of infectious complications of critical traumas. The complex treatment can improve the clinical course of the trauma disease and normalize immune indices of the patients.