[Regeneration of the Skin Pigment System during Larval Development of the Clawed Frog].

We demonstrate regeneration capability of the skin pigment system of clawed frog larvae after local damage to melanophores without skin rupture. The contribution to recovery of pigmentation of the injured area of de novo differentiation of melanophores is compared to contribution of mitotic division of undamaged melanophores localized on the boundaries of the injured area. The regeneration process is observed during various stages of pigment system development of larvae.

Effects of Melatonin on Differentiation Potential of Ito Cells in Mice with Induced Fibrosis of the Liver.

We studied the effects of melatonin on differentiation potential of Ito cells during atypical regeneration of mouse liver under conditions of CCl-induced fibrosis. The dynamics of fibrosis was traced at the histological level and the effects of melatonin on the differentiation potential of mouse Ito cells were evaluated. Melatonin alleviated fibrotic changes in the liver tissue and reduced differentiation of Ito cells into myofibroblasts under conditions of atypical regeneration of the liver in induced fibrosis.

Amino Acid Correction of Regulatory Volume Decrease Evoked by Hypotonic Stress in Mouse Oocytes In Vitro.

Regulatory volume decrease in response to hypotonic stress is typical of the oocytes and early mouse embryos. Changes in the kinetics of osmotic reaction can be used as a marker of the modulating effect of the incubation medium on transmembrane transport in embryonic cells. Quantitative laser scanning microtomography (QLSM) was used to measure oocyte volume.

[Cellular dynamics of the outer layers of the hair follicle of fine-wool sheep during the phase of stable hair growth].

The structure, origin, and migration of outer sheath cells of the hair follicles of domestic sheep were studied by electron microscopic, autoradiographic, and histochemical (glycogen) in order to understand the role of this layer in hair morphogenesis. We demonstrated that the cells of the outer layers of the outer sheath interpose into the inner "companion" layer of the outer sheath. Although this process takes place all along the hair follicle from the lower bulb up to the sebaceous glands orifices, it mainly takes place over the bulb.

[Metabolic syndrome and melatonin].

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by the following symptoms: obesity, AH, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance. Pathophysiologically, MS is underlain by disorders of many biochemical and physiological processes, such as elevated levels of low density lipoproteins, hyperstimulation of pancreatic b-cells, increased insulin secretion, substitution of lipid metabolism for carbohydrate one, overgrowth of adipose tissue, excess production of adiponectin, leptin and other signal molecules and a rise in their local intravascular concentration, weight gain. Endogenous and exogenous melatonin inhibits these pathophysiological mechanisms, normalizes metabolism, equilibrates insulin secretion, prevents pancreatic hyperfunction, phosphorylates insulin receptors, inactivates active oxygen and nitrogen species including those produced in LDLP metabolism.