[Steadfastly increased level of the ciliary neurotrophic factor in the blood serum within the positive therapeutic dynamics of depression as possible prognostic marker of depressive relapse]

OBJECTIVE

To study a role of the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in the pathogenesis of depression and its prognostic significance in dynamics of the antidepressant therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

CNTF level was investigated in the blood serum of patients with melancholic depression (n=32) before the start of therapy and after 30 days, when improvement was achieved by at least 75% of baseline scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

RESULTS

Steadfastly increased level of CNTF in the blood serum of patients with melancholic depression compared with the control, remaining practically unchanged with an obvious improvement in the condition - 732.2±126.5 and 679.1±63.1 pg/ml of serum, respectively (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The initially elevated level of CNTP indicates its probable significance in the pathogenesis of depression; persistently high serum CNTP level, despite clinical improvement during therapy, can serve as a predictor of the stability of the biological mechanisms of recurrent depressive disorder with a continuing risk of another relapse of a depressive episode.

[Some aspects of metabolic dysregulation in patients with ischemic stroke]

To study the mechanisms of formation of an endogenous intoxication syndrome in patients after ischemic stroke, the activity of platelet monoaminooxidase (MAO) and serum aminooxidase, concentration of middle-size molecules and parameters of functional albumin activity have been determined in 27 patients with illness duration 4-5 months and 16 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. The significant dysregulation of biogenic amine metabolism and total homeostasis was observed in patients compared to controls. There were a significant increase of MAO and concentration of middle-size molecules and a decrease of aminooxidase and functional albumin activity (p < 0.01). Such metabolic disturbances suggest a presence of endogenous intoxication. A possible mechanism of formation of an endogenous intoxication syndrome in ischemic stroke is discussed.

[Prediction of individual radio-resistance in animals by the parameters of initial endocrine functioning of the organism]

Predictability of individual radioresistance by initial parameters of endocrine functions, i.e. peripheral blood levels of adrenal hormones (corticosterone) and thyroid hormones (triiodthyronin and thyroxin) was tested. An integral logarithmic index of parameter deviation from the mean statistical norm was used as a predictive criterion. The initial corticosterone content was found to be very informative of future radioresistance and allowed identification of subgroups of animals whose survivability reached 92.3% against group-average 57.2%. Triiodthyronin also turned to be a predictor as survivability of animals positively qualified by the parameter made up 83.5%. In the experiment with irradiation of rats with a higher dose resulting in group-average survivability of 28.7%, a subgroup with 2.2-fold higher survivability was identified.

Some neurotropic effects of low-intensity electromagnetic waves in rats with different typological characteristics of higher nervous activity

The effects of low-intensity electromagnetic waves (4200 MHz, modulated with quasichaotic signals at 20-20,000 Hz, energy density 15 microW/cm2; specific energy absorption not greater than 15 mJ/kg) on the neurochemical systems of the brain and on behavioral reactions were studied in experimental animals with different typological characteristics of higher nervous activity. These studies showed that electromagnetic waves produced marked changes in the state and activity of the monoaminergic mediator systems which were in general terms concordant with changes at the integrative level (mostly selective inhibitory effects). The nature of these processes depended to a significant extent on the typological characteristics of the animals.

[Modulation by ultralow intensity electromagnetic fields on pharmacologic effects of psychotropic drugs]

The ultralow-intensity electromagnetic fields (EMF, frequency of 4200, modulated by a quasistochastic signal in the range of 20-20,000 Hz, power density of 15 microW/cm2, specific body absorption rate up to 4.5 mJ/kg) potentiated the hypnogenic effect of hexenal. The exposure to the EMF shortened the time of falling asleep induced by this drug and increased sleep duration in rats. The exposure to the EMF also potentiated haloperidol catalepsy: it decreased the drug threshold dose and increased the catalepsy duration. The EMF influence on the haloperidol effects was of a prolonged character: it was manifest in a selected suppression of the emotional excitation in the open-field test within 24 hours after the exposure.

[The neurotropic effects of low-intensity electromagnetic waves in rats with different typological characteristics of higher nervous activity]

The effects of the ultralow-intensity electromagnetic fields (EMF, frequency of 4200 and 970 MHz, modulated by a quasistochastic signal in the range of 20-20,000 Hz, power density 15 microW/cm2, specific body absorption rate up to 4.5 mJ/kg) on the reactions of the central nervous system (CNS) of rats with different types of behavior were studied. Some neurochemical and behavioral mechanisms of rats' reactions were investigated. It was shown that the EMF produce pronounced changes in the state and activity of monoaminergic brain systems. These changes, on the whole, correspond to the alterations at the integrative level (predominantly, of the inhibitory character).

[Species specificity, age factors, and various neurochemical correlates of the animal spontaneous behavior after exposure to electromagnetic field of the ultralow intensity]

Behavioral and neurochemical reactions of small laboratory animals (mice and rats of different age) under exposure to ultralow-intensity electromagnetic fields (EMF, frequency of 4200 and 970 MHz, modulated by a quasistochastic signal in the range of 20-20,000 Hz, power density 15 microW/cm2, specific body absorption rate up to 4.5 mJ/kg) were studied. The EMF basically inhibited the locomotor and exploratory activity in the "open-field" test. The species- and age-specific features rather than radiation conditions dominated. However, decrease in the EMF frequency considerably intensified the observed effect. Change in animal behavior was accompanied by shifts in neurochemical processes, i.e., sharp activation of serotoninergic and inhibition of morepinephrinergic system.

[Behavioral characteristics and protein synthesis in the brain of rats receiving ethanol with the mother's milk]

The authors studied behavioral responses, conditioned reflexes and indices of protein synthesis in the structures of the brain in the progeny of female rats which received ethanol during the period of lactation.

[Effect of dalargin on the behavior of rats subjected to intrauterine ethanol exposure]

Influence was studied of dalargin--synthetic analogue of enkephalin administered in early postnatal period to young rats with intrauterine ethanol injection, on their behaviour and conditioned activity. Parameters were established of spontaneous motor activity, behaviour in the open field, acquisition and preservation of conditioned reflexes of passive and active avoidance in experimental and intact rats, injected with dalargin. A reduction of sensitivity to corasol convulsive effect was observed under the influence of dalargin.

[Changes in the met- and leu-enkephalin levels in the rat brain during burn shock]

The dynamics of met-and leu-enkephalin content in the brain cortex and hypothalamus of rats with severe burn shock caused by 50% burns by boiling water were studied. A tendency towards burn-induced growth in leu-enkephalin hypothalamus level was observed, with the content of met-and leu-enkephalins in the hypothalamus significantly increasing 30 min later. Met-enkephalin content in the brain cortex also rises. 2 hours later the changes are less pronounced, with met-enkephalin hypothalamus level remaining elevated. The adaptive nature of changes, mobilization of endogenous anti-pain defensive mechanisms in severe burn shock and the role of hypothalamus structures in this process are suggested.

[Structural reconstruction of chemo-sensitive biomembranes during the action of low molecular weight compounds using spin resonance]

Using the spin probe technique, the changes in the supramolecular structure of the central nervous system synaptic membranes and of olfactory hair membranes of Rana temporaria induced by low molecular weight organic substances of different chemical nature, were investigated. It was found that the membrane structures under study differ considerably in their sensitivity to chemical stimulation and in temporal kinetics of structural transitions. A correlation between physiological parameters of olfactory perception of the compounds used and the parameters of structural transitions in olfactory hair membranes was established. The interrelationship between the experimental data and chemoreception of odorants and mediators as well as the applicability of these preparations for membrane screening of biologically active substances are discussed.