[The prospects for the use of chronomodulated chemo- and radiotherapy in oncology].

We have analysed the available worlds scientific literature concerning chronotherapy of malignant neoplasms of different localization. The review is focused on the results of multicenter investigations into this problem organized by the chronotherapy group in the framework of EORTC that have demonstrated a higher antiblastoma activity and improved tolerability of preparations applied in the chronomodulated regimen in comparison with the traditional treatment. Our original observations and recommendations ensuing from our many-year experience with the use of chemo- and radiotherapy of rectal and cervical cancer in the optimal time of day for the normal tissues constitute a basis for the more extensive introduction of chronobiological techniques to clinical practice.

Effects of aging and life-prolonging diet on thyroid regulation of protein synthesis.

The effect of thyroxin on the intensity of protein synthesis in rats of different age was studied during natural aging and in rats maintained on a low-caloric diet inhibiting aging. The intensity of protein synthesis decreased and the reaction to hormonal stimulus was absent in animals fed life-prolonging diet.

Lysosomal proteolysis: effects of aging and insulin.

Age-related characteristics of the effect of insulin on the activity of lysosomal proteolytic enzymes were studied. The relationship between the insulin effect on protein degradation and insulin degradation was analyzed. The effect of insulin on the activities of lysosomal enzymes was opposite in young and old rats (inhibitory in 3-month-old and stimulatory in 24-month-old animals). The activities of proteolytic enzymes were regulated by insulin in a glucose-independent manner: similar hypoglycemic effects of insulin in animals of different ages were accompanied by opposite changes in the activities of lysosomal enzymes. The inhibition of lysosomal enzymes by insulin in 3-month-old rats is consistent with a notion on the inhibitory effect of insulin on protein degradation. An opposite insulin effect in 24-month-old rats (i.e., stimulation of proteolytic activity by insulin) may be partly associated with attenuation of the degradation of insulin, resulting in disturbances in signaling that mediates the regulatory effects of insulin on protein degradation.

Age-related changes of protein- and RNA-synthetic processes in experimental hyper- and hypothyroidism.

The rate of liver and plasma protein synthesis and the activity of liver RNA polymerases 1 and 2 were investigated in rats of various age under experimental hyper- and hypothyroidism. The rate of plasma protein synthesis decreased with age more dramatically than that of liver proteins. Hyper- and hypothyroidism exerted opposite effects on protein synthesis in rats: stimulation and inhibition, respectively. The manifestation of these effects was age related. The thyroid status of animals also influenced the balance of protein synthesis. Thyroxin administration caused preferential incorporation of a label into blood plasma proteins. Changes of thyroid status of old animals insignificantly affected the absolute values of the label incorporation into proteins and the ratio of the label incorporation into local and secreted liver proteins. Age-related decrease of total hepatic nuclear RNA-polymerase activity was due to reduction of the template-bound functionally active forms of RNA-polymerases 1 and 2. Administration of thyroxin caused initial redistribution of the enzyme activity between template-bound and free fractions accompanied by the increase of template bound RNA-polymerases. Prolonged hormonal stimulus also caused an increase of free RNA-polymerases, which reflects the increased synthesis of these enzymes. Mecrazolyl administration reduced the activity of RNA-polymerase 1 and 2. All age groups were characterized by preferential reduction of the bound form. RNA-polymerase 2 activity decreased to a greater extent than that of RNA-polymerase 1. The data suggest age-determined reactions of the body to altered thyroid status.