Informative parameters of normalized electrograms of the brain of cats under the action of regulatory neuropeptides with nootropic properties were established using the example of the Semax drug. The results obtained were confirmed by a comparative pharmaco-EEG analysis with various pharmacological agents of  directed  action.  The  pronounced  stable  activating  and  nootropic  effects  of  this  pharmacological group in brain electrograms are distinguished by a unidirectional action that coincides with the data of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

This article presents the research findings regarding protein, lipid, and carbohydrate-energy metabolism indices in rats under acute (AS) and chronic hypokinetic stress (HS) and their combinations. HS and its combinations with AS were found to decrease protein metabolism indices to various extents, causing a negative nitrogen balance in the body. HS and its combinations with AS increased lipid metabolism indices, which are the factors of atherogenesis in the body (levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins). HS and its combinations with AS increased the glucose level and decreased the creatinine kinase activity, with the values being statistically significant. AS and HS and their combinations increased significantly the lactate dehydrogenase activity.

Alcohol experienced during gestation is associated with the development of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric dysfunctions, as well as addictive behavior in the offspring. However, the biological basis of these effects remains poorly understood. Taking into account that the extrahypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system plays an important role in regulation of the negative emotional state produced by alcohol abuse and withdrawal, the present study was aimed at investigating: 1) the effect of prenatal alcohol exposure (PA) on voluntary alcohol drinking (free choice 24 hours/day) or intermittent (“drinking in the dark”) regimen in adult Wistar rats; 2) differences in the basal gene expression levels of CRF and CRF-R1 in amygdala of adult PA and control rats; and 3) the effect of voluntary alcohol drinking on the above mRNA levels. PA males displayed a significantly greater voluntary alcohol intake than control males as observed by both drinking paradigms. 24 hours after the first withdrawal episode, PA males demonstrated a higher level of anxiety in the light-dark box test. No differences were found between PA and control females. Basal amygdalar CRF and CRFR1 mRNA levels did not differ between PA and control rats of both sexes. No difference was observed in the amygdalar CRF and CRFR1 mRNA levels after alcohol drinking in PA and control males. Conversely, the CRF mRNA levels in amygdala of PA female rats decreased under the action of alcohol consumption, compared to control female rats. The results show that the PA effect on future alcohol-related behavior is sex-specific, but do not support the hypothesis that changes in CRF and CRFR1 mRNA levels in amygdala may be responsible for high alcohol intake in males.

Despite the proven efficacy and relative safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), the issue of reducing the risk of complications associated with their use, depending on the genetic characteristics of patients, remains controversial. A personalized approach to the selection of DOAC should be developed. In this article, we review the available information on the feasibility of prescribing DOAC to patients with various diseases associated with hypercoagulation and on pharmacogenetic aspects of the DOAC application. The need for further research is substantiated, along with the importance of a wider introduction of the molecular-biological analysis of gene polymorphisms, whose presence affects the efficacy and safety of these drugs. In the course of the work, publications from the MedScape, PubMed, and eLIBRARY databases were analyzed.

Hypoxia is associated with reduced oxygen levels in the body, individual organs, or tissues. Hypoxia is the most common cause of cell damage, emerging under a lack of oxygen in the inhaled air, blood (hypoxemia), or tissues (violations of tissue respiration). When the strength or duration of hypoxic exposure exceeds the adaptive capabilities of the body, an organ, or a tissue, irreversible changes may develop. Resistance to hypoxia can be enhanced by pharmacological agents that improve oxygen delivery and/or the effectiveness of its use. This study was conducted to determine the antihypoxic effect of the Epophen drug. Epophen was found to exhibit a pronounced antihypoxic effect, with the efficacy varying from 24 to 89% depending on the drug dose and hypoxia type.

Macrophages are the key thymic cells that take part in the antigen-independent differentiation of T-lymphocytes and their further selection. The level of macrophages indicates changes in the functions of the organ under study. As an essential trace element, selenium is part of a variety of proteins and enzymes, which perform cytoprotective, antimutagenic, and anticancerogenic action. Selenium also plays a significant role in the functioning of the immune system, increasing the activity of natural killers, production of interleukins, and stimulation of phagocytosis. This study was aimed at investigating the response of thymic macrophages to the administration of selenium and a chemical carcinogen. During the experiment, an increase in the level of CD68-positive cells was revealed in all experimental animals receiving selenium and a carcinogen, as well as under their combined action. The observed effects were assumed to be related to the immune-stimulating effect of selenium.

Maintaining a good level of fitness through regular exercise is essential for the treatment and prevention of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the question of which components of physical fitness have the greatest impact remains controversial. We studied the relationship between cardiorespiratory endurance and MS severity z-score in men. The study involved 44 untrained men (38.7±5.6 years). Anthropometric parameters (height, weight, BMI), glucose level, triglyceride level, high-density lipoprotein level, blood pressure, and MS severity z-score were assessed. We also assessed the level of cardiorespiratory endurance in a 12-minute Cooper test. The results of our study showed an inverse relationship between the z-score of MS severity and cardiorespiratory endurance in men, which was (r=–0.84; p˂0.05). People in the highest quartile of cardiorespiratory endurance (quartile 1) had a significantly lower MS severity z-score compared to people in the lowest quartile of cardiorespiratory endurance (quartile 4) (p˂0.01). In addition, people who demonstrated the highest cardiorespiratory endurance (quartile 1) had statistically significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels and abdominal girth (p˂0.05), as well as statistically significantly lower levels of triglycerides, systolic blood pressure and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (p˂0.01) compared to people in the lowest quartile of cardiorespiratory endurance (quartile 4). The obtained data confirm the protective role of cardiorespiratory endurance against MS in men.

Direkord is an original drug containing the active substance of dicholine succinate, which enhances neuronal insulin sensitivity. In this work, we study the tolerability, safety, and pharmacokinetic parameters of dicholine succinate when administered intramuscularly in a phase I clinical trial in healthy volunteers. In total, 18 healthy volunteers –11 men and 7 women – with a mean age of 30.4±7.8 years, were recruited into a randomized study. At stage I, 6 volunteers (group 1) received dicholine succinate intramuscularly every other day with a dose escalation from 0.16 mg/kg/day to 600 mg/day. At stage II, 12 volunteers (group 2) received dicholine succinate intramuscularly at a single dose of 200 mg, and then, at stage III, the same 12 volunteers received dicholinesuccinate at a dose of 600 mg/day (3 x 200 mg at an interval of 8 hours) for seven days. The safety population in this study included all randomized volunteers. Data from 12 volunteers (group 2) were included in the calculation of the pharmacokinetic parameters. All volunteers completed all procedures of the three research stages in accordance with the protocol. According to clinical and laboratory monitoring data, no adverse events were registered during the study. The drug was well tolerated, with no signs of hyperemia, edema, and bruising being observed at the injection site. The volunteers did not complain of pain, itching, and burning. After a single injection of dicholine succinate, the concentration of choline in the bloodstream reached its maximum value after an average of 0.375±0.365 hours with the half-life of 1.271±1.071 hours. After repeated administration at a dose of 600 mg per day, no cumulation of the active substance was observed. The data obtained have confirmed a good safety profile of Direkord; therefore, the drug can be recommended for further investigation in a study involving patients.