Microglia in normal condition and pathology.

Microglia, one of three types of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS), plays an important role as resident immunocompetent and phagocytic cells in CNS in the event of injury and disease. It was del Rio Hortego who in 1927 determined that microglia belong a distinct glial cell type apart from astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Since 1970s there has been wide recognition that microglial cells are immune effectors in the CNS that respond to pathological conditions and participate in initiation and progression of neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome dementia complex by releasing potentially cytotoxic molecules such as proinflammatory cytokine, reactive oxygen intermediates, proteinases and complement proteins.

Effects of isoflurane on hippocampal seizures at immature rats in vivo.

In the present study we examined the effect of isoflurane on seizure-like activity at hippocampal CA3 pyramidal region of immature rats in vivo. We found that isoflurane in clinically relevant concentrations effectively stops hippocampal seizures. When animal was under isoflurane anesthesia seizure-like activity still can be evoked by application of proconvulstant agents, but this activity was qualitatively different from that obtained in nonanesthetized rats.

Remodeling of ammon's horn during the first two weeks of experimental diabetes development.

It is known that long-term diabetes mellitus causes hippocampal dysfunction, however, early events leading to diabetes-related impairments of hippocampal tissue remain obscure. The present study was performed to examine temporal and spatial patterns of neuronal damage and astrogliosis in hippocampal CA1-C3 areas during the early stage of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. NeuN and GFAP immunohistochemistry was used to visualize neurons and glial cells.

[Comparative testing of analgesia induced by polarized light and analgetics].

In experiments on mice with the tonic pain locus the comparison of analgesia caused by the action of polarized light on an acupuncture point or by two classic analgetics (analginum, tramadol) was performed. The pain was evoked by hypodermic injection of formalin (30 ml of 5% solution) in the plantar region of hindlimb. Intensity of a pain was judged by duration of painful (licking of the pain locus) and non-painful (slipping, eating, running, washing) behavioral reactions for 60 minutes of observation.

[Allelic polymorphism of endothelial NO-synthase gene and its functional activity].

Investigation of phenotypic realization of the eNOS gene allelic polymorphism has shown that eNOS RNA content and eNOS activity in platelets depends on genotype. Using the reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction it was shown that eNOS mRNA content is the lowest at -786C/C promoter's genotype. In exon 7 homozygotes (894T/T) the RNA level is lower than in normal homozygotes (894G/G), but it is higher than in heterozygotes (894G/T).

[Central neuronal pathways in the Bezold-Jarisch reflex in rats].

The distribution of the Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) and NADPH-diaphorase-positive/NOS-containing neurons in the medulla and thoracic spinal cord in rats was studied after the veratrine injection into v. jugularis ext. followed by reproduction of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex.

[Phospholipid membrane modification as a protection factor of the myocardium during stress injury].

In experiments on the isolated rat hearts we investigated the influence of phospholipid membrane modification by omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the heart reactivity to adrenergic influences, myocardial ultrastructure and peroxidation processes under the immobilization stress. It was shown that omega-3 PUFAs reduced ultrastructural changes in the heart, limited lipid peroxidation and attenuated inotropic response of the heart to exogenous norepinephrine.

[Effect of tonic painful squeezing of the finger distal joint on the evoked potential of different spectral frequency ranges in electroencephalogram of humans].

EEG changes caused by the tonic squeezing of the distal joint of the little finger of both hands were investigated on 12 healthy volunteers, age 20-56 (average 35.5). Pain stimulation applied to the right hand was stronger than that applied to the left.

[The effect of linoleyl hydroxamic acid on lipid peroxidation processes and on the enzymatic activity of the antioxidant system in rats under hypoxia].

It was studied the effect of new blocker of lipoxygenase way of arachidontic acid metabolism--linoleyl-hydroxamic acid--on the status of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in blood, heart, liver, lung and brain in rats under acute hypoxic hypoxia. It was shows that preliminary introduction of this substance lead to increase of antioxidant enzymes activity--superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmine, and to decrease of lipid peroxidation level during hypoxia in blood, heart, liver and lung (without brain).

[The interrelation of neural and humoral cardiogenic influences and their action on the blood circulation].

The role of some endogenous bioregulators in formation of cardiogenic reflectory effects on circulation were investigated in acute experiments on anesthetized animals with using various methods (direct recording of impulse activity from cardiac afferent nerves, humoral isolation of the heart). Interrelations between development of cardiogenic depressor reactions and nitric oxide production was established. Systemic inhibition of NOS led to decrease in dilatation of coronary and peripheral vessels.