[Morphofunctional and molecular bases of pineal gland aging]

The review analyzed morphology, molecular and functional aspects of pineal gland aging and methods of it correction. The pineal gland is central organ, which regulates activity of neuroimmunoendocrine, antioxidant and other organisms systems. Functional activity of pineal gland is discreased at aging, which is the reason of melatonin level changing. The molecular and morphology research demonstrated, that pineal gland hadn't strongly pronounced atrophy at aging. Long-term experience showed, that peptides extract of pineal gland epithalamin and synthetic tetrapeptide on it base epithalon restored melatonin secretion in pineal gland and had strong regulatory activity at neuroimmunoendocrine and antioxidant organism systems.

[Peptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly and interferon gamma: their role in immune response during aging]

The decrease of lymphocyte interferon gamma expression during aging is one of the main mechanisms leading to the immunodeficiency state in the elderly. Cell penetrating geroprotective peptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly has the capability to activate the proliferation of lymphocytes in thymus during its aging. The nucleotide sequence which is complementary contacted with peptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly was found in promoter region of interferon gamma gene. Thus, the immune protection of this peptide can be explained by its activation of the interferon gamma production in T-cells.

[Tetrapeptide stimulates functional activity of the pancreatic cells in aging]

In this study the molecular mechanisms of pancreoprotective action of researched tetrapeptide H-Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp-NH2 in aging pancreatic cells of a human were investigated. It is established that the studied tetrapeptide increases the expression of matrix metalloproteinase MMP2, MMP9, serotonin, glycoprotein CD79alpha, antiapoptotic protein Mcl1, proliferation markers PCNA and Ki67 and decreases the expression of proapoptotic protein p53 in aged pancreatic cell cultures. Thus, the capability to activate the expression of signaling molecules--markers of functional activity of pancreatic cells lies behind the clinical effect of studied tetrapeptide observing in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Peptide bioregulators: the new class of geroprotectors. Communication 1. Results of experimental studies]

This review summarizes the results of long-term researches of the authors who studied the mechanisms of aging and the effectiveness of peptide bioregulators in preventing age-related diseases in laboratory animals. The data is provided on the evaluation of peptides effects which were produced using the most modern techniques in scientific institutions in Russia and abroad. The main attention is paid to the ability of peptide bioregulators to increase the life span and inhibit the carcinogenesis in animals.

Peptides regulate cortical thymocytes differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis

The processes of differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis were studied in a cell culture of human cortical thymocytes under the influence of short peptides T-32 (Glu-Asp-Ala) and T-38 (Lys-Glu-Asp). Peptides T-32 and T-38 amplified cortical thymocytes differentiation towards regulatory T cells, increased their proliferative activity, and decreased the level of apoptosis. Moreover, peptides under study stimulated proliferative and antiapoptotic activity of the mature regulatory T cells.

[Expression of AIF and CGRP markers in pineal gland and thymus during aging]

We investigated the expression of AIF (apoptotic inducing factor) and CGRP (calcitonin gene related peptide) at autopsy material of pineal gland and thymus of people after 60 years old. The expression of AIF and CGRP was identified in both organs, but it did not change with age, which demonstrates the probable safety of functional activity of neuroimmunoendocrine system at aging. We found correlation between expression AIF and CGRP at pineal gland, but the correlation at thymus wasn't found. It is possible that pineal gland can express unidentified signal molecule controlling the expression of AIF and CGRP.

[Coronarography in coronary heart disease in elderly patients of behavioral type A]

177 patients aged 32 to 74 years with CHD were examined. The data on angiographic situation and connection between the condition of coronary arteries and behavioral singularity of old-aged CHD patients of different behavioral types are revealed. The results of angiographic examination of heart vessels in old-aged CHD patients of behavioral type A are shown.

[Heat shock proteins: aging changes, development thrombotic diseases and peptidergic regulation of genes]

The review and the data of our own investigation demonstrated the role of heat shock proteins in regulation of intracellular and tissue homeostasis at stress influence. The review told that decrease of expression of heat shock proteins can be one of the main causes of aging. Heat shock proteins, which are regulators of proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation of cells and intracellular homeostasis, play important role in activity of immune, cardiovascular and other systems and take part in development of atherosclerosis, heart attack, ischemic stroke and other thrombotic diseases. One of the ways to repair the expression of heat shock proteins is using short peptides.

[Changes of thymocyte differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis induced by syntetic peptides]

The changes in the processes of differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis were studied in the culture of human cortical thymocytes after cell exposure to T-32 and T-38 bioregulator peptides. T-32 and T-38 peptides were shown to enhance the differentiation of immature cortical thymocytes (CD4+CD8+) into T-regulatory cells by increasing their proliferate activity and decreasing the level of apoptosis. Moreover, these peptides were found to stimulate the proliferative and antiapoptotic activity of mature T-regulatory (CD4+CD25+) cells.

[The role of peptides in aging control: results and prospects of research]

The paper summarizes results of long-term research designed to elucidate mechanisms of aging and evaluate efficacy of peptide bioregulators for the prevention of age-specific pathology. Peptides obtained by up-to-date methods in Russia, U.S.A., U.K., Germany, Italy, Spain, and France are reviewed. A molecular model is proposed to describe complementary interactions of short-chain peptides with gene promoters underlying initiation of protein synthesis. Prospects for the use of peptide bioregulators to prevent premature aging of the employable population in Russia are discussed.

Melting of DNA double strand after binding to geroprotective tetrapeptide

Experimental relationship between the hyperchromic effect of DNA [poly(dA-dT):poly(dA-dT)] interacting with Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly peptide is presented by a saturation isotherm. The free DNA double strand is melting (the strands separate) at 69.5 degrees C and at higher energy expenditures (enthalpy increase by 976.4 kJ/mol b.p.) in comparison with melting of the DNA-peptide complex (28 degrees C and 444.6 kJ/mol b.p.). The detected regularities of melting of duplex DNA and the thermodynamic parameters of this process indicate the natural mechanism of interaction between DNA and regulatory peptides underlying functioning of the living matter.

[Productive aging or "healthy worker effect"? Retrospective analysis of morbidity in motor transport drivers]

The morbidity with temporal workability loss (MTWL) was retrospectively analyzed among the drivers at cargo and passenger motor transport companies. The age-length of service peculiarities of MTWL dynamics in lorry drivers were studied. The risk group of 40-49 years old professional drivers of 15-19-years' driving experience with the highest morbidity indices was identified. The "healthy worker effect" was revealed as the phenomenon of unorganized professional selection, i.e., as a result of withdrawing persons with reduced adaptability from the risk age-length of service group only the drivers with higher health indices remained in the groups following the withdrawal interval. We defined the typical structure of MTWL and the dependence of the driver's health indices upon their shift work and the type of transportation. Factor dispersion analysis was used to determine the leading role of the driving experience as the factor and indicator of "healthy worker effect" formation among lorry drivers. The misrepresented influence of the "healthy worker effect" during the analysis of the morbidity and occupational risks of premature and (or) accelerating aging among professional drivers was shown.

[35-year experience in research of peptide regulation of aging]

The results of 35-year-long studies on mechanisms of aging and on efficacy of peptide bioregulators in prevention of age-related pathology are presented in this review paper. The data have been obtained with most advanced methods in collaboration with research laboratories of Russia, USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, France. The molecular model of complementary interrelation of short peptides with promoter site of genes which is a background of protein biosynthesis initiation has been suggested. The prospects of clinical use of peptide bioregulators for prevention of premature aging of the active population in Russia are discussed.

Comparative analysis of the expression of c-Fos and interleukin-2 proteins in hypothalamus cells during various treatments

The aim of the present work was to perform a combined analysis of the degree of activation of the anterior hypothalamus of the rat and expression of the interleukin-2 gene during treatments of different types: mild stress ("handling") and adaption to it, as well as intranasal administration of physiological saline and the peptides Vilon (Lys-Glu) and Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly). Changes in the numbers of c-Fos-and IL-2-positive cells in structures of the lateral area (LHA) and anterior (AHN), supraoptic (SON), and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei of the hypothalamus in Wistar rats. Ratios of the quantities of c-Fos-and IL-2-positive cells were determined in intact animals and after activation of brain cells initiated by different treatments; the influences of adaptation to handling on the nature of changes in the expression of these proteins was also studied. Combined analysis of the intensity of expression of these two proteins - c-Fos, a marker of neuron activation and a trans-factor for the IL-2 cytokine gene and other inducible genes, and IL-2 - in intact animals and after various treatments showed that the process of cell activation in most of the hypothalamic structures studied correlated with decreases in the quantity of IL-2-positive cells in these structures; different patterns of changes in the numbers of c-Fos-and IL-2-positive cells were seen in response to different treatments in conditions of stress and adaptation to it.

[The influences of geroprotectors on age-related changes of antioxidant system in rats liver under different light condition]

The influences of different light condition, melatonin and epithalon on liver antioxidant system in 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month-old rats of both sexes were studied. The activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as concentration of tocopherol demonstrate high stability. The maximal number of significant changes in antioxidant system parameters was found under continuous light exposure. Light condition, sex and preparation modulated age-related changes of antioxidant system.

[Biological activity of regulatory peptides in model experiments in vitro]

Biological effects of short regulatory peptides, pinealon, vesugen, vilon and epitalon were studied in model experiments in vitro. These peptides were found not to demonstrate direct antioxidant activity but be able to restrict lipid peroxidation of human lipoproteins by modification of their structure. The short peptides increase stability of red blood cell membranes toward osmotic hemolysis. They also elevate the stationary level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and at the same time decrease (all excepting epitalon) percent of dead cells in neuronal population. The suggestion was made that under in vivo conditions, short peptides may participate in apoptosis/necrosis regulation.

Molecular mechanism of interaction between oligopeptides and double-stranded DNA

Formation of Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly peptide complex with duplex DNA [poly(dA-dT):poly(dA-dT)] at neutral pH and ambient temperature was studied experimentally. Peptide binding to duplex DNA was associated with hyperchromic effect indicating local separation of the double helix. Energies of paired interactions between amino acid residues and nucleotide bases were compared with the energy of bond between two bases in the nucleotide pair (dA-dT). A new concept of interaction between two types of information-carrying molecules is put forward. This interaction underlies triggering of protein synthesis mechanism and can explain the emergence of life on the Earth.

[Parallel analysis of c-Fos protein and interleukin-2 expression in hypothalamic cells under different influence]

The objective of this work was to perform a parallel analysis of activation of the rat anterior hypothalamus cells as judged by c-Fos protein expression, and of the expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) under different influences, i. e., mild stress (handling) and adaptation to it, and intranasal administration of saline and the peptides Vilon (Lys-Glu) and Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly). Changes in the counts of cells positive for c-Fos- and IL-2 proteins were studied in structures of the lateral (LHA) area, anterior (AHN), supraoptic (SO) and paraventricular (PVH) nuclei of Wistar rat hypothalamus. Quantity of the interleukin-2-positive and c-Fos-positive cells was calculated. The findings were: a negative correlation between the activation of cells and the amount of IL-2 in the cells in the hypothalamic structures under study, and the specific patterns of changes in the counts of cells positive for c-Fos and IL-2 under stress and adaptation to stress.

[Occupational risk of accelerated ageing in motor transport drivers]

The authors studied biologic age, ageing speed, occupational performance in automobile drivers. Results prove intensive decrease in mental performance in automobile drivers. Findings are pre mature narrowing range of adaptive cardiovascular reactions to physical exertion in the drivers vs. control group. Premature ageing of physiologic parameters in automobile drivers is proved to be only "risk indicators", whereas prolonged length of service in driving is a real risk factor accelerating ageing process.

[Normalizing effect of the pineal gland peptides on the daily melatonin rhythm in old monkeys and elderly people]

In the course of aging both monkeys and people reveal decreased night and average daily level of melatonin in the blood plasma and reduced hormone circadian rhythm amplitude, which evidence the disorder of the pineal gland melatonin releasing function. Peptide preparations of the pineal gland (Epithalamin--a complex of peptides isolated from the pineal gland and Epitalon--synthetic tetrapeptide) recover night release of endogenous melatonin and lead to the normalization of the hormone circadian rhythm in the blood plasma. In elderly people Epithalamin and Epitalon modulate pineal gland functional state: people with pineal gland functional insufficiency report an increase of night melatonin level. The preparations of the pineal gland, effectively increasing melatonin concentration and having no side effects, can be used in clinical geriatric practice.

[Effect of peptide regulators on the structural and functional status of bone tissue in ageing rats]

The wide spread of osteoporosis in women in the post-menopausal period stipulates the need for new effective means of prevention and correction of pathologic alterations in the bone tissue. Effect of two peptide bioregulators: cartilages preparation based on the cartilaginous tissue extract and T-31 substance on the mineral density of rat bone tissue has been studied in the experimental model of osteoporosis. The study has revealed an osteoprotective effect of both studied substances, with significantly higher efficacy of the preparation based on cartilaginous tissue extract. The substances exerted both prophylactic effect on the status of the cartilaginous tissue, preventing the decrease of mineral density of the bone tissue in rats after ovariectomy, and corrective effect by increasing the bone tissue density, which was reduced as a result of ovariectomy.

Interleukin-2 concentration in hypothalamic structures of rats receiving peptides during mild stress

The number of hypothalamic IL-2-containing cells changed in rats receiving Vilon and Epithalon during mild stress (handling). The number of IL-2-positive cells in hypothalamic structures decreased 24 h after intramuscular injection of Epithalon and 2 h after intranasal administration of the test peptides. Adaptation of animals to experimental conditions prevented the decrease in the number of IL-2-positive cells in the supraoptic nucleus after intranasal administration of Epithalon.