Pharmacokinetic investigation with 125I labeled T-actemodulin (TAM).

The aim of the study was to label TAM with radioactive iodine and to follow its distribution in different organs of rats. T-actemodulin is a thymic hormone isolated from calf thymus by a new technology. TAM was labeled according to the method of Greenwood and Hunter.

Influence of T-actemodulin on herpes simplex virus infection.

The aim of the investigation was to study the direct influence of T-actemodulin (TAM) on the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infection in vitro and in vivo. HSV-1 (strain Vic) and HSV-2 (strain Nissa) were used in the experiments in vitro. The experiments were performed using multicycle and singlecycle growth tests.

The influence of neonatal thymectomy on the blood serum level of total lipids, NEFA, triglycerides, total cholesterol and beta-lipoproteins in rats.

The time course of changes in the blood serum content of total lipids (TL), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and beta-lipoproteins (beta-LP), caused by neonatal thymectomy (NTE), was investigated in neonatally thymectomized and in sham-operated rats aged 15, 30, 45 days, 2, 3 and 5 months. TL were significantly increased on days 15, 30, 45 and 60 after operation; their level in 3- and 5-month-old rats was already normal. In control rats, NEFA level increased with age; their level in NTE rats was significantly higher on days 15, 30, 45 and 60 after thymectomy.

Time course changes in blood glucose and insulin levels of thymectomized rats.

The endocrine function of the thymus and its relations to other endocrine glands have been discussed in the scientific literature. Blood glucose contents (assayed on a 'Beckman' glucoanalyzer by the glucoseoxidase method) and serum insulin level (using radioimmunoassay) were studied in male Wistar rats--1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12 months after adult thymectomy. The results obtained demonstrated that the thymectomy provoked increase of insulin level accompanied by phasic decrease of blood glucose in comparison to age matched controls.

Changes in the connective tissue components of the aorta in thymectomized rats.

The character and essence of changes taking place in the connective tissue matrix of the vascular wall under the effect of thymus deficiency are not well enough clarified. The aim of the study was to assess the content of collagen, elastin, total glucosamines, total glycoproteins, total nonfibrillar protein and total protein in the aorta total glycoproteins, total nonfibrillar protein and total protein in the aorta of adult thymectomized rats of the Wistar strain and in control animals over a 12-month post-thymectomy period. The amount of collagen and elastin augments both in connection with the aging process (after 2-4 months), and as a result of thymectomy.