[Mechanism of hepatoprotective action of methionine and composition "Metovitan" against a background of antituberculosis drug administration to rats].

Oral administration of antituberculosis drugs to rats for 60 days in doses that are equivalent to clinical ones, causes changes in mRNA levels expression of liver cytochrome P-450 isoforms CYP3A2, CYP2C23, CYP2E1 and pro- and antioxidant state. Experimental composition "Metovitan" given with anti-TB drugs provided a correction of these abnormalities, that is evidenced by modulation of the level of CYP3A2, CYP2C23, CYP2E1 gene expression and antioxidant activity, inhibition of lipid peroxidation. "Metovitan" normalizes the enzymatic activity and content of total billirubin in the blood serum, shows high hepatoprotective properties, exceeding the efficiency of methionine.

[Use of vitamins for correction of the functional state of cytochrome P450 systems in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis].

It is known that inflammatory cytokines, which level is significantly increased in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as interferon-beta, which is used to treat autoimmune diseases, can inhibit cytochrome P450-dependent processes of detoxification and biotransformation. The uncontrolled decrease of the activity of these processes may have a negative affect on the state of patients, so it is urgent to study the functional state of the cytochrome P450 system and to develop effective means for its regulation in these conditions. The effect of vitamin D3 and efficiency of its composition with vitamins B1, B2, B6, PP, E, alpha-lipoic, alpha-linolenoic acid and mineral substances (Mg, Zn, Se) in prevention of a functional state changes of cytochrome P450- and b5-dependent systems of the rat brain and liver endoplasmic reticulum at EAE are investigated. It has been shown that the essential decrease of the level of these cytochromes is observed both in the brain and liver. In addition the level of activity of NADH- and NADPH-oxidoreductases, which are part of microsomal electron transport chain components and coupled with monooxigenases, was reduced. These changes confirm the disturbances of a redox state and functional activity of detoxication and biotransformation systems in the studied animal tissues. Supplement of vitamin D3 as well as the composition of biologically active substances, which we developed earlier, effectively eliminated the decrease of the level of cytochromes and activities of NADH-oxidoreductase in immunised rat tissues. Normalization of these disturbances can be explained by antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing properties of applied substances, and also by the ability to reduce the activity of inflammatory reactions by regulation of the level of inflammatory cytokines in rat organism at EAE. Thus the studied vitamin-mineral composition appeared to be more effective to normalize the found disturbances and it can be useful for prevention of exacerbations and for improvement of a status of patients with multiple sclerosis and other diseases, which are accompanied with hyperactivation of immune system.

[Nicotinamide influence on pancreatic cells viability].

The study was undertaken to investigate the modulating effect of nicotinamide (NAm) in different concentrations and under different glucose concentrations on the viability and oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 5 mmol/l) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 100 micromol/l) on isolated rat pancreatic cells of the Langerhans islets in vitro. Cell viability did not depend on the concentration of glucose in the range of 5-20 mmol/l, and in subsequent studies we used glucose in concentration of 10 mmol/l to protect cells against its hypo- and hyperglycemic action. Cytoprotective effect of NAm in concentrations from 5 to 20 mmol/l on cells survival was the same. It was found that the destructive action of STZ and H2O2 during 24 hours on isolated cells of the pancreas resulted in the significant cell death. It was revealed that NAm in concentration of 5 mmol/l not only had cytoprotective effects against STZ and H2O2 but also partially reduced the level of oxidative stress in the investigated cells induced by these compounds. High concentration of NAm, 35 mmol/l, causes cytotoxic effect on the viability of pancreatic islet cells and increase of oxidative stress induced by STZ and H2O2. Most likely these effects could be associated with direct modulatory action of NAm on important effector mechanisms involved in cell death, including PARP-dependent processes, or/and indirectly, through metabolic and antioxidant effects of the compound.

[Cardioprotective action of coenzyme Q in conditions of its endogenous synthesis activation in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion in old rats].

The changes of functional state isolated by Lanhendorf old rat hearts with low content of ubiqinone--coenzyme Q (CoQ) under activation of it endogenous synthesis through administration of precursors--4-hydroxybenzoic acid, methionine and modulator vitamin E were studied. The activation of ubiqinone biosynthesis contribute to cardioprotective effect due to reduce the degree of the ischemia-reperfusion injury in old rat heart, namely the restoration of myocardial contractile function and coronary flow as well as decrease the end diastolic pressure and oxygen cost of the heart compared with control group of the animals during ischemia-reperfusion. Thus the results allow to conclude that the activation of KoQ biosynthesis under administration of it precursors has protective effect in the development of the heart postreperfusion damages in aging.

[In vivo effect of precursors of ubiquinone biosynthesis on sensitivity of mitochondrial permeability transition pore in the heart of old rats].

This research work is devoted to study of the sensitivity of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening to its inductors--ions Ca2+ (10(-4) mol/l) and oxidant phenylarsine oxide (10(-4) mol/l) and content of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q, CoQ) and vitamin E in heart mitochondria of adult, old (control) and old rats under administration of precursors an modulator of CoQ biosynthesis--4-hydroxybenzoic acid, methionine and modulator of CoQ biosynthesis, namely vitamin E. The results of our research demonstrate that administration of complex of biologically active substances, which are precursors and modulators of CoQ biosynthesis, leads to decrease in the sensitivity of MPTP opening to its inductors and increase of CoQ and vitamin E content in old rats heart mitochondria. Therefore the results obtained lead to a conclusion that increase of CoQ content due to administration of precursors and modulator of its biosynthesis is an effective way in the inhibition of MPTP opening. This approach as well as application of CoQ-containing medicals may be used for correction of mitochondrial dysfunction under various pathologies of cardiovascular system and in aging.

[Peculiarities of leukotrienes metabolism in vitamin E deficiency in rats].

Some changes take place in the spectrum of fatty acid, cholesterol and individual phospholipids' composition in the rat liver, under E-hypovitaminosis, that can play a considerable role in the cell damage. The level of cysteinyl leucotriene decreases in the blood and liver under E-hypovitaminosis and it rises to the control level under vitamin E correction. This demonstrates the influence of tocopherol on 5-LO pathway arachidonic acid.

[Intensity of metabolism processes and ubiquinone and ubichromenol content in the liver of rats in A,E-hypovitaminosis].

The paper is dedicated to the study of peculiarities of ubiquinone and ubichromenol distribution and metabolism in subcellular fractions of rats' liver under A,E-hypovitaminosis. It is shown, that dietary deprivation of vitamins A and E leads to a sharp decrease in intensity of CoQ biosynthesis in rats' liver tissue and to its intracellular redistribution. Under these circumstances the observed decrease in the inclusion of labelled tyrosine in rats' liver CoQ under A,E-hypovitaminosis may be really caused by dietary deprivation of vitamin E.

[Lipids and caplain in guinea pig tissues in the process of development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis].

The character of some lipids level change--cholesterol and phospholipids--as basic lipid components of cell membranes in the guinea-pig brain and liver tissue, and in serum in conditions of development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) have been investigated on the 11th, 21st, 27th day after inoculation. It has been detected, that the level of the investigated lipids changes wavely and indifferent-direction in the brain tissue on the 21st day of EAE. Similar variability observed in the activity of proteolytic ferment calpain, which is authentically reduced in the brain tissue by the 11th hour and increases up to the test objective level in the subsequent periods of EAE development. In the liver the level of alpha-tocopherol is reduced, while the content of studied lipids does not change. The investigated parameters can be attributed to the factors, which play an essential role in structural stability of cell membranes and their variability in conditions of EAE development is related to the processes of nervous cells demyelinisation and, hence to occurrence of such pathology as multiple sclerosis in people.

[Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defence enzyme activity in multiple sclerosis].

Changes of state of lipid peroxidation and activity of antioxidant defence enzymes katalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase - in the brain and liver tissue of guinea-pig in conditions of different stages of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE; 11th, 21st, 27th day after inoculation) and in blood of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with different types, degrees of severity and length of disease and blood level of reduced glutathione have been investigated. We have found, that the development of oxidative stress in animal organism during the disease development is progressive and intensive lipid peroxide oxidation without compensation by antioxidant mechanisms have been shown in the late period (27th day) of the experiment. In MS conditions this state was accompanied with high activity of demyelination process, severe degree of neuronal injury and length of disease above 5 years. In addition reduced glutathione level was increased in many patient groups: remitting type, light (II) degree of severity and among the patients with strongly disturbed neurological functions and long course of the disease. The obtained data allow us to suppose that the development of oxidative stress under demyelination conditions is a result of strong metabolic disorders and decrease of antioxidant defence in the patients during the disease development. The necessity of individual approaches for antioxidant therapy of patients with MS is discussed.

[Mechanisms of diabetes-induced impairements of serotonin release from rat brain synaptosomes: effect of nicotinamide].

It has been previously shown that diabetes-associated central nervous system abnormalities are characterized by progressive alterations of neurotransmission. In particular, recent studies from our group have demonstrated that more early diabetes is accompanied by the increased spontaneous serotonin release from isolated synaptic endings; however the mechanism is still not clear. The current study was undertaken to estimate the relative importance of membrane potential and extracellular Ca2+ in the serotonin secretion process in diabetes. With the premise that increased phosphorylation of target proteins may be responsible for the increase in transmitter release we tested whether cAMP/PKA-mediated phosphorylations as well as mono-ADP-ribosylation of effector proteins were implicated in diabetes-associated brain failures. In addition, the effects of nicotinamide, a multiple-action compound, were examined. It was shown that diabetes caused a significant increase in spontaneous release of [2-(14)C]serotonin that was accompanied by synaptic membranes depolarization. Omission of Ca2+ from the incubation medium largely inhibited serotonin release only in untreated diabetes. Exposure of diabetic synaptosomes to cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor H89, similar to Ca2+ -free medium, downregulated serotonin release. The level of constitutively mono-ADP-ribosylated proteins of diabetic synaptosomes was elevated vs control. Protein mono-ADP-ribosylation induced by cholera toxin (CTX), activator of Gs-protein-coupled adenylyl cyclase, resulted in excessive 1.2-fold enhancement over basal level but to the less extent in diabetes as compared with that of control. Nevertheless, CTX as well as forskolin exerted more strong stimulating effect on serotonin release from diabetic synaptosomes as compared to control. H89 counteracted CTX-related action on this variable strongly suggesting that impaired serotonin release is, at least, dependent on Gs-protein-mediated phosphorylation. Nicotinamide treatment virtually normalized both protein mono-ADP-ribosylation and serotonin release as well as synaptosomal response to all stimuli used. The data suggest that alterations in protein mono-ADP-ribosylation may be involved as a possible mechanism responsible for the impaired neurotransmission in diabetes and nicotinamide may efficiently protect against ADP-ribosylationmediated abnormalities in brain function.

[Biochemical properties and functional role of ubiquinone (CoQ). Aspects of practical use].

In addition to well known function of ubiquinone as a component of mitochondrial electron-transport chain and antioxidant, the latest research data that evidence for its function as a regulator of the processes connected with gene expression, signal transduction, including regulation of apoptosis are considered in this review. We also discuss practical aspects of use of ubiquinone for prophylaxis and treatment of cardiovascular, oncological diseases, pathologies of immune system, disorders caused by the effect of ionizing radiation.

[Redox-state of NAD pairs and activity of lactatedehydrogenase and NADase in guinea pig tissues at different stages of development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis]. / Okysno-vidnovnyi stan NAD-par i aktyvnist' laktatdehidrohenazy ta NAD-azy u tkanynakh mors'kykh svynok na riznykh stadiiakh eksperymental'noho alerhichnoho entsefalomiielitu.

Changes of NAD content, redox-state, enzyme activity in the brain and liver tissues of Guinea pigs at different stages of development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) were investigated using the model of multiple sclerosis. It was shown, that the most legible changes of the investigated parameters occur on the preclinical stage and the stage of initial neurological symptoms. The increase of the brain NAD level and reduction properties of NAD+/NADH pairs reduction properties against a background of inhibition of lactatedehydrogenase activity was observed in the early terms of EAE development (7-15 day). The liver lactatedehydrogenase activity is increased at an initial stage. NAD-ase activity is increased in the medium term (18-21 day) that correlates with changes of this enzyme activity in the blood serum. In the term of strongly expressed neurological signs (26-33 day) the sharp drop of NAD content in the brain and liver is observed. The role of the obtained results at different stages of EAE development is discussed.

[Theoretical and practical aspects of vitaminology in development of animal husbandry in Ukraine]. / Teoretychni ta praktychni aspekty vitaminologii u rozvytku tvarynnytstva v Ukraïni.

The paper deals with fundamental and applied aspects ofvitaminology development in Ukraine. Its foundations have been laid by A. V. Palladin and R. V. Chagovets, leading scientists of the country, and continued by their followers. Joint efforts of scientists in the field of veterinary, medicine, food branch will permit creating new up-to-date technologies for production of vitamin drugs of a new generation with the corresponding financial support of the state. That is rather necessary for health of the future generation of people.

[Rostyslav Vsevolodovych Chahovets'. Creative activity and scientific school (on the 100th anniversary of birthday)]. / Rostyslav Vsevolodovych Chahovets'. Tvorchyi shliakh ta naukova shkola (do 100-richchia vid dnia narodzhennia).

Herein we review the main stages of life and scientific work of Rostislav Vsevolodovich Chagovets, prominent biochemist and vitaminologist, Member of the Academy of Sciences of Ukrainian SSR, professor and talanted pedagogue. As a founder of scientific school of vitaminologists and researcher in the field of muscle biochemistry, nutrition and vitamins he made a valuable contribution to development of the national and world biochemistry. This work reflects the main trends of fundamental scientific investigations and developments of vitaminological school founded by R. V. Chagovets which underlied the development of contemporary practical vitaminology.

[State of GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex in diabetic neuropathy: effect of nicotinamide and nicotinoyl-GABA]. / Stan HAMK-benzodiazepinovoho retseptornoho kompleksu za diabetychnoï neiropatiï: efekt nikotynamidu ta nikotynoïl-HAMK.

An increase in GABA uptake by isolated rat brain synaptic endings as well as a decrease of pharmacologically active GABA analogue muscimol specific binding have indicated a physiologically drastic failure in realization of GABA-mediated inhibitory effects in CNS induced by diabetic encephalopathy. In spite of the impairment of inhibitory function of GABAergic transmission in diabetes a crucial activation of benzodiazepine receptors was determined, as it is tested by the increase in specific binding of flunitrazepam by synaptic membranes. This increase may play an important role in endogenous control of neural activity associated with the factors undefined so far. Using the approach that GABA, and several synthetic GABA agonists, appear to increase the affinity of the benzodiazepine recognition sites for such ligands, presumably by some allosteric mechanism, the findings concerning the in vitro binding assay technique confirm at least some of the functional characteristics observed between GABA and benzodiazepine receptors in vivo under pathological conditions. Indeed, the absence of activating effect on the affinity of flunitrazepam specific binding in the presence of micromolar concentrations of exogenous GABA implicate diabetes-induced alterations in coupling GABA- and benzodiazepine receptors that might be linked to changes in conformantial state of this membrane-bound complex and could partially explain diabetes-induced impairments of GABAergic transmission evaluated in the present study. Our study suggests that nicotinamide and especially GABA play an important role in improving the functioning of brain GABA-benzodiazepine complex impaired in diabetes through specific ligand-mediated mechanism and can be useful in the management of diabetes-associated brain failures.

[Activity of antioxidant enzymes in enterocytes of the small intestine and blood cells after ionizing irradiation and administration of vitamin E in rats]. / Aktyvnist' fermentiv antyoksydantnoho zakhystu v enterotsytakh tonkoho kyshechnyka ta klitynakh krovi za ionizuiuchoho oprominennia ta vvedennia shchuram vitaminu E.

The long-term influence of low X-ray irradiation increases lipid peroxidation (LP) in radiosensitive (bone marrow, enterocytes of small intenstine) and in relatively radioresistant blood cells (erythrocytes). The activation of antioxidant system enzymes in observed cells does not decrease LP intensity. We concluded that additional administration of alpha-tocopherol provided the decrease of the first and end products of LP in the observed tissues mostly in the beginning of the experiment. Antioxidant effect of the preparation is more significant in cells with high proliferative activity but normal activity of enzymes was not determined.

[Study of the effect of a short-chain vitamin E analog on the structural and functional state of the plasma membrane of cardiomyocytes in vitro]. / Vyvchennia vplyvu korotkolantsiuhovoho analoha vitaminu E na strukturno-funktsional'nyi stan membran kardiomiotsytiv in vitro.

The results of study of influence of C6-analog of alpha-tocopherol on the structural and functional state of cardiomyocytes plasma membranes (CPM) in vitro are given. Under condition of incubation of CPM of intact animals the level of phospholipids was decreased, the level of fatty acids was increased, intensity of processes of free-radical oxidation (FRO) was significantly increased and activity of Na+, K(+)-ATPase was decreased in control samples of CPM. The analog of vitamin E supplementation at a concentration of 10 mg/ml of the medium significantly prevented the development of these changes. All of these can be evidence of effective membranes protective action of C6-analog of vitamin E on CPM.

[Oxidative stress correction by nicotinamide and nicotynol-GABA in diabetic neuropathy]. / Korektsiia nikotynamidom ta nikotynoïl-HAMK oksydatyvnoho stresu za diabetychnoï neiropatiï.

Concentration of lipid peroxidation products and antioxidant enzyme activities in rat brain and erythrocytes and the effects of nicotinamide and nicotinoyl-GABA administration on these parameters were estimated on 21st day of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. It was demonstrated more then two-fold diabetes-induced accumulation of conjugated dienes and malondialdehyde in tissues studied. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities of both brain homogenate and erythrocytes as well as catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities of brain homogenate were shown to decrease significantly in diabetic rats, meanwhile, catalase activity of erythrocytes was increased and glutathione peroxidase unchanged. So the correlation between changes in enzymatic antioxidant system in brain and erythocytes failed to be found. Alterations observed were virtually prevented by the course of nicotinamide and nicotinoyl-GABA treatment. The results suggested that the suppression of antioxidant system could be primary biochemical disturbance in diabetic neuropathy progression. It was shown that the antioxidant efficacy of nicotinoyl-GABA is lower than that of nicotinamide. It was suggested that the mechanism of antioxidant action of nicotinamide and its structural analogue consists of both scavenging of lipid peroxides and NAD biosynthesis that leads to activation and normalization of altered energy and lipid metabolism.

[Assessment of the protective effect of vitamin E during development of experimental myocardial damage]. / Otsinka zakhysnoï diï vitaminu E za rozvytku eksperymental'noho dribnovohnyshchevoho urazhennia miokarda.

It was shown that creatinphosphokinase activity of blood serum might be used as a criterion for evaluating the level of sparsely distributed damage in myocardium as a result of adrenaline administration. The protective effect of vitamin E under adrenaline-induced myocarditis was studied. The best effect was obtained after triple intramuscular injection of vitamin E before administration of pathological agent. Intravenous injection of the preparation has no benefits over that of intramuscular way of administration. Preventive action of vitamin E shows functioning itself in an increase of the quantity and activity of ubiquinone--the component of electron transport chain in mitochondria.

[Interaction of rat brain thiamine kinase with thiamine and its derivatives]. / Vzaiemodiia tiaminkinazy mozku shchuriv iz tiaminov i ioho pokhidnymy.

Participation of the enzyme which provides the phosphorylation of thiamine to thiamindiphosphate (TDP) thiaminkinase (thiaminpyrophosphokinase, KF 2.7.6.2) of rat brain in the realization of thiamine action on the syntheses of acethylcholine (AC) was studied. The thiamine and its structure analogue, which differ the nature of the radicals in the 3-d and 5-e positions of the thiazollium cycle were used: 3-[(4-amino-2methylpyrimidinyl-5)methyl]-4-methylthiazolium chloride, 3-decyloxycarbonylmethyl-4-metyl-5-beta-hydrozyethylthiazolium chloride, 3-decyloxycarbonylmethyl-4-methylthiazolium chloride. All salts in the concentrations lower then Km render active influence on thiaminkinase. The analysis of data shows the presence of the regulation site on the enzyme distinguishing from the active enzyme centre and participating in the interaction with which the hydrophobic fragments of thiamine molecule participating. The comparative studies of thiamine and above mentioned derivatives influence on the inclusion of the labelled carbon with [2-(14)C] pyruvate in acethylcholine confirm an assumption about the key-role of the thiamine interaction with thiaminkinase (meaning its phosphorilation) regarding its action on the acethylcholine syntheses, and probably, on the function of the nervous cells as a whole.