[Age-related changes in biogenic amine content and oxidative stress profile in the rat hypothalamus in hyperhomocysteinemia].

The article presents a detailed analysis of correlations between the content of a variety of biogenic amines in the hypothalamic structures responsible for the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone synthesis and secretion (the medial preoptic area and median eminence) and such independent factors as total L-homocysteine plasma level elevation induced by L-methionine loading and aging. Both a nature and a pattern of changes in oxidative stress profile were evaluated. It was shown that ageing, when compared to hyperhomocysteinemia, is a determining factor influencing biogenic amine content in the studied hypothalamic structures.

[Catecholamine content in the adrenal gland of rat offspring in the model of prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia].

Catecholamine content has been studied in the adrenal gland of rat females whose pregnant mothers were loaded daily with L-methionine administered per os during all the pregnancy period, on the first day of postnatal life, and in one and two months after birth. The animal model of hyperhomocysteinemia used in the experiment has been shown to result in the catecholamine content decreasing in the adrenal gland of both newly born rat offspring with high serum level of homocysteine and one-month old offspring with their homocysteine level decreased to the normal values. It was found that nitrotyrosine level increased significantly in the blood serum of the offspring aged one and two months.

[Oxidative modification of proteins, its role in pathologic states].

Generalized literature data covering principal mechanisms of oxidative modification of protein and its role in various pathologies are presented in the paper. It is emphasized that due to peculiarities of protein structure organization the process of oxidative modification is of complicated and specific character, which is determined by amino acid composition of the protein. Oxidative modification of protein can be connected with impairment of not only a polypeptide chain itself, but also particular amino acid residues with formation of several types of radicals.

[Free radical processes in aging, neurodegenerative diseases and other pathological states].

Literature data on the role of oxidative stress in the aging of an organism have been summarized. The connection of some parameters of free radical processes (intensity of generation of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria, oxidative modification to the mitochondrial DNA, the activity of desaturases participating in biosynthesis of polyunsaturated C20 and C22 fatty acids) with life expectancy has been demonstrated. Oxidative stress is one of pathogenetical events in many diseases, including various neurodegenerative disorders.