Vol 163, No 6 (2017)

V1a receptor agonist [Phe², Ile³, Orn⁸]-vasopressin produces maximum diuretic and saluretic effects in a dose of 0.1 nmol/100 g body weight: renal excretion of Na⁺ increases by 50 times in comparison with the initial level over 90 min, excretion of K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Са²⁺ increases by 3, 2, and 16 times, respectively. New formulas were proposed for calculation of the clearance considering total cation content in the extracellular fluid and the time of total effect of the injected dose. After injection of V1a receptors agonist, clearance of Na⁺ was 7% of its total content in the extracellular fluid, the corresponding values for K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ were 63, 35, and 6%, respectively. The proposed approach differs significantly from the standard cation excretion evaluation and characterizes selective shifts in ion balance induced by physiologically active substances and possible side effects due to unbalanced loss of certain ions.

Depolarization of cardiomyocytes triggered by stretch and activation of mechanically gated ion channels can lead to serious arrhythmias. However, stretch-induced signaling activating these channels remain little studied. This study tested the hypothesis on implication of NO in shaping the electrical abnormalities provoked by stretch of the right atrial myocardium in rat via a mechanism engaging a signaling cascade, where NO plays a significant role. This approach showed that in isolated right atrial preparation, NO donor SNAP induces the electrical abnormalities similar to those provoked by stretch, and the latter results from activation of NO synthase.

Biofilm of the gingival sulcus from 22 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and periodontitis, 30 patients with periodontitis not complicated by diabetes mellitus (reference group), and 22 healthy volunteers without signs of gingival disease (control group) was studied by quantitative PCR. Quantitative analysis for the content of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, A. ctinomycetemcomitans, T. denticola, P. intermedia, F. nucleatum/periodonticum, and P. endodontalis in the dental plaque was performed with a Dentoscreen kit. The presence of other bacterial groups was verified by metagenomic sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to evaluate some specific features of the etiological factor for periodontitis in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Specimens of the Porphiromonadaceae and Fusobacteriaceae families were characterized by an extremely high incidence in combined pathology. The amount of Sphingobacteriaceae bacteria in the biofilm was shown to decrease significantly during periodontitis. Metagenomic analysis confirmed the pathogenic role of microbiota in combined pathology, as well as the hypothesis on a possible influence of periodontitis on the course and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

We compared samples of microencapsulated naloxone prepared by using spray drying technique. 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, sodium alginate, polycaprolactone, and carboxymethyl cellulose were used as the carriers. It was found that the combination of naloxone with sodium alginate was characterized by the highest naloxone content in the matrix and the lowest release rate (100% release time was 60 min). Using the model of respiratory disturbances caused by 10 ED₅₀ fentanyl (anesthetic effect), we studied the effects of naloxone—sodium alginate complex on the dynamics of CO₂ concentration in the expired air. It was shown that treatment with the developed microencapsulated naloxone after fentanyl injection allowed reducing the therapeutic dose of the antagonist by more than 2 times and eliminated the necessity of repeated injections.

External magnetic field is characterized by low toxicity and existence of magnetic properties, which contributes to an interest in the development of products from ferromagnetic nanoparticles (FNP) for antitumor therapy. Previously we synthesized a conjugate of ferromagnetic magnetite nanoparticles and viscumin (mistletoe lectin I, MLI), which exhibits the antitumor activity. Studying the pharmacological properties of this conjugate (FNP-MLI) was directed to the evaluation of FNP-MLI elimination after intratumor injection in mice. The elimination rate of FNP-MLI was much lower than that of native plant MLI. The presence of FNP-MLI was not accompanied by undesired changes in the tumor tissue. The use of a FNP-MLI conjugate allowed us to prolong the time of MLI presence in tissues without increasing the dose of exogenous lectin. These features contribute to the prolongation of an immunomodulatory effect of MLI.

We designed a new complex drug with antiallergic effect containing, in addition to the main component loratadine, a phytocomplex for an extra therapeutic effect. A collection of plants with sedative activity is chosen and the optimal agent for extraction of bioactive compounds (40% ethanol) and optimal degree of plant fragmentation are determined. Chemical composition of the sedative tea is evaluated by reverse phase HPLC. The marker components of the species are detected: xanthohumol and isoxanthohumol — Humulus lupulus cone components, Mentha piperita rosmarinic acid, and scutellareine, Menyanthes trifolia element — quercetin-3-rutinoside, and caffeic acid. Standardization of the species by the absolute graduation method in conversion to quercetin-3-rutinoside is suggested.

Intracellular fragments of latent phase protein LMP1 of Epstein—Barr virus, denoted as CTAR1/2/3, can trigger a variety of cell cascades and contribute to the transforming potential of the virus. Generation of recombinant proteins CTAR1/2/3 is expected to yield more ample data on functional and immunogenic characteristics of LMP1. We created genetic constructs for prokaryotic expression of LMP1 CTAR fragments and selected optimal conditions for their production and purification. Using a new library of LMP1 CTAR fragments, we carried out epitope mapping of a diagnostic anti-LMP1 antibody S12. Analysis of polyclonal serum antibodies from mice immunized with full-length LMP1 confirmed immunogenicity of CTAR elements comparable with that of full-length protein

We studied the effects of a concentrate of metabolites of Trichoderma harzianum Rifai F-180, an active producer of L-lysine-α-oxidase, and homogenous enzyme on a highly virulent bacteria Erwinia amylovora. The producer of antitumor and antiviral Trichoderma enzyme L-lysine-α-oxidase was cultured on a processing system of G. K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences (Pushchino). Activity of L-lysine-α-oxidase in the prepared concentrate of metabolic products of the producer was 5.4 U/ml, and activity of the homogenous enzyme was 50 U/ml. Antibacterial activity of the enzyme was shown in our experiments.

The expression of Notch2, Numb, and Cas8 genes, whose protein products are involved in regulation of neurogenesis/neuroapoptosis processes, was studied in the relevant cerebral structures of male Wistar rats trained in a spatial habit. The formation of long-term spatial memory was found to be associated with the formation of a specific pattern of transcription activity of the studied genes in different brain structures. The maximum expression of Notch2 gene was found in the hippocampus and cerebellum, the maximum expression of Numb was detected in the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum, and the maximum expression of Cas8 was revealed in the prefrontal cortex of trained animals.

Immunocytochemistry and transmission electron microscopy were employed to examine the ultrastructural morphometric parameters of the left ventricular cardiomyocytes and right atrial secretory myocytes in rats during early and delayed postreperfusion periods. The revealed alterations in these cells are stereotypical, but differed by their severity, probably due to specific morphofunctional peculiarities of these heart structures.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different methods of sutureless fixation of lightweight meshes made of different polymers for repair of experimental hernias. Two lateral hernia defects were modeled in male rats and covered with polyester and polypropylene prostheses. The meshes were fixed with Histacryl glue (group 1), or self-gripping meshes were used (group 2), or the meshes were implanted without fixation (group 3). On day 5 after surgery, mesh position and efficiency of fixation were evaluated. It was found that fixation is necessary for all light surgical meshes. Polyester meshes demonstrated better adhesive properties than polypropylene meshes. The most pronounced differences in the adhesive properties were found for self-gripping prosthesis, while in the groups with glue fixation, the differences were less pronounced.

Experiments on random-bred albino mice showed that of β2-adrenoreceptor agonist hexaprenaline sulfate significantly reduced mortality of mice from experimental sepsis (intraperitoneal administration of E. coli) in 4 and 24 h after modeling by reducing blood levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6. The antagonist of β2AR ICI-118,551 eliminated this effect.

We studied the influence of lipid surface composition on the kinetics of fibrin clot formation and its structure. It was shown that lipid surface affects all phases of fibrin polymerization and chances clot morphology. The magnitude and character of the effect depend on the charge and phase state of lipids that determine the interaction of fibrinogen with the lipid surface and its conformational changes, which modulated the process of fibrinogen conversion into fibrin and, as a result, the formation and morphology of the fibrin clot.

We studied the effects of peptide drugs (HLDF-6, PGP, RPGP, and PGLP) and peptide pharmaceutical products (Semax, Selank, and thyroliberin) on proliferation and survival of mouse embryonic stem cells and their derivatives. Differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into neuronal precursors was evaluated. PGP and PGLP in concentrations of 10 and 0.1 μM, respectively, had little, but significant inhibitory effect on proliferative activity of cells. These peptides in concentrations of 10 and 0.1 μM, respectively, and Semax (10 and 0.1 μM) significantly increased the survival rate of mouse embryonic stem cells (serum deprivation). Moreover, study peptides had little effect on the formation of neuronal precursors from mouse embryonic stem cells. HLDF-6, Selank, and thyroliberin produced an insignificant effect on the differentiation of these cells into mature neurons. Analysis of differentiation of embryonic stem cells into GABA⁺ neurons showed that Selank, thyroliberin (100 μM), and NGF (100 ng/ml) decrease the ratio of these cells by 61, 58, and 87%, respectively, in comparison with the control. Our results indicate that these peptide compounds do not produce toxic effect during the embryonic and fetal period of life.

We studied the effects of human platelet-rich plasma and platelet lysate on proliferation, migration, and colony-forming properties of rat mesenchymal stem cells. Platelet-rich plasma and platelet lysate stimulated the proliferation, migration, and colony formation of mesenchymal stem cells. A real-time study showed that platelet-rich plasma produces the most potent stimulatory effect, while both platelet-rich plasma and platelet lysate stimulated migration of cells.

We studied the influence of nontoxic phytoadaptogen complex on the lifespan and somatic status (body weight, coat state, and motor activity) of CBA mice predisposed to spontaneous hepatomas. Administration of the complex phytoadaptogen during the first month of postnatal ontogeny increased mean animal lifespan by 17.1% (p<0.001) and median of survival by 25.6% (p<0.001) and promoted maintenance of satisfactory physical status of CBA mice during spontaneous hepatocarcinogenesis.

The study examined implication of tributyrin, a metabolic precursor in small intestinal microflora, in stimulation of electrical activity of duodenum and jejunum. Enteral administration of tributyrin enhanced electrical activity of both examined structures in small intestine with elimination of the rest periods. The stimulatory effect was manifested in a prolongation of the periods of irregular activity. The up-regulating effects of tributyrin on electrical activity in upper segments of small intestine are mediated via the cholecystokinin receptors being also associated with activation of cholinergic and blockade of nitrinergic signal transduction pathways.

Morphofunctional activity of mast cells in renal cancer is studied on specimens from the center of the tumor, peritumorous zone (with an obligatory fragment of the pseudocapsule), and from renal tissues maximally distant from the tumor. The counts and areas of tumor cells were maximum in the peritumorous zone in comparison with intact kidney tissue and central zone of the tumor. Analysis of correlations revealed a direct correlation between the tumor cell count in the peritumorous zone and some clinical morphological parameters of the tumor (anaplasia degree, size, presence of invasion and metastases, and angiogenesis). The count of mast cells in the renal peritumorous zone inversely correlated with 5-year survival: 100% cumulative 5-year survival in patients with mast cell count <6.7±1.6 per field of view.

A new method for selection of bacterium antibiotic resistance genes is proposed and tested for solving the problems related to selection of primers for PCR assay. The method implies clustering of similar nucleotide sequences and selection of group primers for all genes of each cluster. Clustering of resistance genes for six groups of antibiotics (aminoglycosides, β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, glycopeptides, macrolides and lincosamides, and fusidic acid) was performed. The method was tested for 81 strains of bacteria of different genera isolated from patients (K. pneumoniae, Staphylococcus spp., S. agalactiae, E. faecalis, E. coli, and G. vaginalis). The results obtained by us are comparable to those in the selection of individual genes; this allows reducing the number of primers necessary for maximum coverage of the known antibiotic resistance genes during PCR analysis.