[Effect of renal artery stenting on the clinical and geriatric status of elderly patients with vasorenal hypertension.]

The study consists in determining the effect of renal artery stenting in patients with arterial hypertension in combination with renal artery stenosis on the dynamics of clinical and geriatric status in terms of such indicators as the number of drugs taken, cognitive status, determined by the MMSE scale, prevalence of the frequency of falls, psycho-emotional status by the Beck scale, the quality of sleep on the VAS scale, the index of age discrimination according to the E.Palmore ageism questionnaire, the quality of life according to the SF 36 questionnaire. The study involved 72 elderly patients with arterial hypertension in combination with renal artery stenosis. According to the results of the study, as a result of stenting of the renal arteries, there is a decrease in the number of drugs taken, an improvement in the cognitive status on the MMSE scale, a decrease in the frequency of falls, an improvement in the psycho-emotional status on the Beck scale, an improvement in the quality of sleep on the VAS scale, a decrease in the level of age discrimination, an increase in the quality of life according to questionnaire SF-36 on all scales.

[Diagnosis of fragility and age resilience from a dynamical systems perspective.]

The concepts of fragility and resilience are often used together to describe elderly people with reduced physical activity. While fragility, which develops with the aging of the body, is a biological syndrome of a decrease in the stressors response resulting from cumulative regression in many physiological systems, and age related a comprehensive assessment of the ability resistance to stress. In this regard, it is important to develop systems and scales for the identification groups of risk among the elderly. The complexity of the solution lies in the fact that the study of fragility and physical resilience is interdisciplinary, primarily related to the health and increase in the active life of older people. The review describes theories based on the mechanisms of physiological aging, among them the theory of a decrease in the ability to stress, in which stress-related to diseases. The cycles of the development of fragility and a decrease in physiological reserves are considered, and, as a consequence, a change in reactivity to stress, which leads to the development and progression of diseases. The article presents data on homeostatic dysregulation in the accumulation of cumulative deficiency and related changes in heart rate variability, which allows early diagnosis of stressors in the elderly. These data will be useful for the development and implementation of preventive measures aimed at improving the quality of life and resistance to stress factors in elderly and senile people.

[Rheumatic polymyalgia is a rarely diagnosed, but often occurring disease in elderly patients.]

Verification of the diagnosis of rheumatic polymyalgia at the reception of a general practitioner, geriatrician presents significant difficulties due to the lack of pathognomonic signs of the disease. The «calling card¼ of the disease is a combination of severe pain in the proximal muscle groups in combination with a high acute inflammatory response.

[Antioxidative properties of geroprotective peptides.]

The results of studies on the antioxidant effect of a number of peptide drugs, which is manifested at various levels, ranging from cells to the whole body, in adulthood and during aging, under the influence of extreme environmental factors, indicate the important role of low-molecular peptides in the mechanisms of regulating homeostasis during aging. The antioxidant properties of regulatory peptides are shown in experiments both on intact sexually mature animals, and especially clearly during aging or the action of extreme environmental factors (hypoxia, hypokinesia). A number of the studied substances (AEDG, KE) have a membrane-stabilizing effect, preventing osmotic and acid hemolysis of red blood cells and reducing the level of extra-erythrocyte hemoglobin and total peroxidase activity in blood plasma. It is shown that the studied peptides are able to have a neuroprotective effect by stabilizing the activity of enzymes (neprilysin, an insulin degrading enzyme) that play an important role in the catabolism of beta-amyloid, and prevent its accumulation in concentrations toxic to cells. The involvement of regulatory peptides with antioxidant properties on the expression of genes that ensure the stabilization of mitochondrial membranes, the functioning of the electron transport chain and the activity of antioxidant enzymes is considered.

[Neuroprotective effects of peptides.]

Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of nervous system pathologies. They are found mainly in people of an older age group. The incidence of neurodegenerative diseases is continuously growing due to an increase in the average life expectancy of the population. At the moment, there are no effective and safe treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, which are most often diagnosed at the stage of decompensation, when therapy is ineffective and does not bring positive outcomes. Most of the currently used drugs act only symptomatically. The review provides analyzed data and information about the prospects of using peptide bioregulators as neuroprotectors with high physiological activity and low immunogenicity.

[Indicators of lipid exchange as early markers of development calcific aortic valve disease.]

A comprehensive study of lipidograms of 36 patients with initial signs of calcification of aortic semilunium was performed. It was determined that the content of apolipoprotein A-1 was significantly lower in comparison with the control groups, which requires further studies of the evaluation of the effect on the process of early development of calcification of drugs capable to increasing its content. If the concentration of apolipoprotein A-1 is less than 1,1 mg/dl and/or the apoB/apoA ratio is increased by more than 1, it is advisable to recommend dispensary follow-up with regular (no less than 1 time in 5 years) echocardiographic study with a detailed study of the functional state of the aortic valve.

[Epigenetic Mechanisms of Peptide-Driven Regulation and Neuroprotective Protein FKBP1b].

Cortexin is a clinically approved cerebral cortex polypeptide complex in calves. The mechanism of cortexin action is not understood well. Two cortexin derivatives, short peptides EDR and DS with neuroprotective activity, were synthesized. According to the data of molecular modeling, these peptides are able to bind to the histone H1.3 protein. This can affect the conformation of histone H1.3, which leads to a change in the chromatin structure in the loci of some genes, in particular Fkbp1b encoding the FK506-binding protein. Electrophysiological processes associated with the Ca^(2+) exchange are disturbed in the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus during aging of the brain. The Fkbp1b gene encodes peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase, regulating the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum of neurons. The activation of the Fkbp1b gene transcription under treatment with short peptides can promote the synthesis of its protein product and the activation of the Ca^(2+) release from organelles of the sarcoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum of neurons, which, in turn, can lead to an increase in the functional activity of neurons.

[Stimulating effect of water-soluble fraction from brown algae Fucus vesiculosus extract on cell proliferation in tissue culture of young and old rats.]

The influence of water-soluble fraction F-55 of brown algae extract Fucus vesiculosus on the development of organotypic tissue culture of different genesis, originating from three germ leaves in young and old rats was studied. The preparation F-55 has a stimulating effect on the processes of cell proliferation in the tissues of ecto-, ento- and mesodermal genesis (cerebral cortex, myocardium, spleen and liver), by regulating the processes of cell proliferation and apoptosis. The revealed strengthening of regeneration processes in explants from both young and old rats under the influence of F-55 preparation in the range of ultra-low concentrations of 10-100 ng/ml can serve as a basis for the creation of new medicinal cytoprotective substances that allow to enhance cell regeneration in various tissues in pathological conditions, including those associated with age.

[Effect of carboxylic acids and L-amino acids on the cellular proliferation in the organotypic culture of different genesis tissues in young and old rats.]

Effect of carboxylic acids - structurally related to amino acids, on the proliferation activity of the cells in organotypic cultures of brain cortex (ectodermal genesis) and liver (entodermal genesis) tissues was first studied in young and old rats. It was found that some aliphatic carboxylic acids have stimulating effects on proliferative activity of cells. Only acetic acid inhibited proliferation. In contrast many amino acids were able not only stimulate, but also inhibit cellular proliferation in the explants of young and old rats. This reflects the biological regularity, that the structure amplification leads to increase of the specificity. A decrease of number of active carboxylic acids and amino acids was observed in the explants of old rats. The carboxylic acids preserved the stimulating proliferation activity in the old rat. The data obtained create basis for the synthesis of new medicines, including the carboxylic acids, for increase of the regeneration processes by tissue pathology, also associated with aging.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of rehabilitation of elderly patients with metabolic syndrome, taking into account the provisions of International classification of functioning, disability and health.]

The article contains data on rehabilitation measures in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome. Individual-oriented treatment and rehabilitation programs implemented in primary health care allow to reliably reduce the severity and risk of progression of restrictions of life, increase the independence of patients The elderly, having metabolic syndrome, complicated the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is proposed to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation, taking into account the provisions of the International Classification of functioning, restrictions on life and health and by drawing up an individual geriatric profile.

[Effect of tryptophan and kynurenine on the cellular proliferation in the organotypic tissue culture of brain cortex in young and old rats.]

Metabolic disorders of L-kinurenin, which is an intermediate product of the breakdown of genetically encoded amino acid L-tryptophan, is one of the links in the development of a number of neuropathological processes. The influence of tryptophan and kynurenine on cell proliferation in organotypic tissue culture of the cerebral cortex in young and old rats was studied. Tryptophan in effective concentration (0,5 ng/ml) inhibited cellular proliferation of the cerebral cortex of young and old rats by 35 and 18%, respectively. However, under the action of kinurenin (1 ng/ml), stimulation of cell proliferation occurred, and more pronounced in the explants of the cerebral cortex of old rats-by 22% compared to the control. The data obtained about the ability of kynurenine to stimulate cellular proliferation in the cerebral cortex of old animals has the potential to create new drugs of nootropic drugs for diseases of the nervous system associated with age.

[Effects of vascular peptide bioregulator on cerebral microcirculation of old hypertensive rats].

Using a TV device to study brain microcirculation, we found that after a course of vascular peptide bioregulator the density of microvascular network of pia matter of old hypertensive rats (12 months) sensomotor cortex increased about 1,7 times compared to intact old rates SHR. This perfusion in the tissue of the cerebral cortex and the degree of blood oxygen saturation in the microvasculature of this tissue region raised.

[Effect of genetically coded amino acids and their precursors carboxylic acids on the cellular proliferation in the organotypic culture of spleen in young and old rats].

Effect of carboxylic acids - structurally related to amino acids, on the proliferation activity of the cells in organotypic cultures of rat spleen was first studied. It was found that almost all aliphatic carboxylic acids have stimulating effects on proliferative activity of cells in young and old rats. In contrast only 3 from 14 active amino acids in young rats were able stimulate proliferation, but 11 amino acids inhibited it. In the old rats a number of the active amino acids was decreased until 4, an inhibiting effect was observed in 3 of them. Thus, the carboxylic acids are able to stimulate the regeneration processes in the immune tissue both in the young and old organisms. This fact can be a base for the research of new medical substances for the stimulation of the immunogenesis by the aging.

[Molecular aspects of vasoprotective peptide KED activity during atherosclerosis and restenosis].

Peptide KED (Lys-Glu-Asp) has vasoprotective effects and is effective substance in treatment of of atherosclerosis and other cardio-vascular disorders in elderly people. One of the probable mechanisms of biological activity of this peptide is epigenetic genes regulation. These genes can coding proteins, which are markers of endothelium functional activity. The goal of investigation was to study the KED peptide effect on signal molecules expression in normal, atherosclerotic and restenotic endothelium in vitro. It was shown, that KED peptide has normalized endothelin-1 expression, which increased during atherosclerosis and restenosis. KED peptide also restorates cells interactions by connexin expression. Geroprotective effect of KED peptide is realized by increasing of sirtuin1 expression, which has took part in DNA reparation.

["Protein of senility" CCL11, "protein of juvenility" GDF11 and their role in age-related pathology].

The paper presents the latest literature data on the structure and functions of «protein of juvenility¼ - CCL11 and «protein of senility¼ - GDF11. Chemokine CCL11 injected to young animals has been shown to lead to degenerative changes in the central nervous system (CNS), disturb cognitive functions and impede tissue regeneration. CCL11 concentration increases dramatically in schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, neuro-inflammatory disorders, cerebral malaria, drug addiction, as well as in atherosclerosis, periodontal disease, macular degeneration, cancer and other pathologies. In contrast to CCL11, differentiation growth factor 11 (GDF11), being administered to old mice, eliminates age-associated hypertrophy of the heart, improves muscle tone and prevents degenerative changes in the CNS, improves cognitive functions and enhances tissue regeneration. Its concentration decreases in cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and other «diseases of old age¼. At the same time, the higher the GDF11 level in the blood, the milder myocardial infarction, stroke and other age-related diseases of the cardiovascular system.

[The role of a lysine residue in the antioxidant and dna-protective activity of oligopeptides].

Oligopeptides present in the living cell were found to have antioxidative activity and to be involved in the regulation of antioxidant balance by interaction with the redox-dependent cellular signaling cascades. Experiments on animal models have shown that the introduction of oligopeptides causes geroprotective and adaptogenic effects. In the present work, we investigate the biological action of a number of synthetic oligopeptides using bacterial biosensors. This approach allows us to precisely estimate the antioxidant properties of the compounds without affecting their participation in regulatory cascades typical to eukaryotic cells. It has been shown that the ability of oligopeptides to protect cells from action of physical prooxidant factors (UV irradiation) is related to the presence of a lysine residue in the molecule. For chemical pro-oxidants (dioxidine), we have observed a similar, though less strict pattern. This effect also correlates with DNA-protective activity of the investigated oligopeptides.

[Adhesion molecule JAM-A, its function and mechanism of epigenetic regulation].

The article represents evidence about structures, properties and functions of adhesion molecule JAM-A/1 belonging to JAM subfamily. This protein plays an important role in epithelial tight junction formation and immune function. Current article focuses on the role of JAM-A protein in pathogenesis associated to ageing: atherosclerosis, apoplexy, thrombosis, hypertension, ophthalmological pathology. We propose short peptides Lys-Glu, Lys-Glu-Asp, and Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly could influence on F11R gene expression that leads to recovery of JAM-A synthesis in cells.

[The influence of hyperhomocysteinemia on monoaminoergic systems of hypothalamus and hippocampus of female rats at aging].

The data presented have shown the different effect of hyperhomocysteinemia (induced by 0,12-0,15 mg of methionine loading per os during 30 days) on monoamines content in hypothalamus and hippocampus of young (6-7 month) and old (20-22 month) female rats. It has been established that the level of catecholamines (noradrenaline, dopamine), 5 oxitryptamine and 5 oxyindolacetic acid in hypothalamic areas responsible for synthesis and secretion of gonadoliberin (medial preoptic area and medial eminence with arcuate nuclei) is considerable less in old animals compared with young ones. These data are in agreement with the low content of gonadoliberin found by us in medial eminence with arcuate nuclei. It has been also shown the decreased level of monoamines level in hippocampus of old rats, which does not depend on methionine loading. However in hippocampus of young animals hyperhomocysteinemia induced a noticeable reduction of noradrenaline and 5 oxyindolacetic acid, which can lead to weakening of animal's cognitive function.

[Chartered specialist training in gerontology and geriatrics. Dissertation Council no. 601.001.01 working practice].

The article highlights basic facts about the foundation and activity of the Gerontology and Geriatrics Dissertation Council of St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, which took invaluable part in chartered specialist training in this field of science that has actively developed in Russia in recent decades. Over the period from June, 2001 to December, 2013, a total of 41 doctoral dissertations were defended, of which 32 dissertations were on Medicine and 9 on Biological Sciences. Likewise, over the same period, a total of 186 candidate's dissertations were defended, of which 152 dissertations were on Medicine and 34 on Biological Sciences, the defenders coming from various regions of Russia and other countries. The defence-representative trend data acquired over the period of the Dissertation Council activities shows that the number of defended doctoral dissertations was relatively small within the period from 2002 to 2008, but it increased significantly in the years 2009 to 2013. The number of defended candidate's dissertations increased significantly over the same period, too. Among many others considered by the Dissertation Council, there were dissertations dedicated to basic research in the field of gerontology and geriatrics. The priority topics of a large number of dissertations performed in St. Petersburg and other Russian towns are age pathology mechanisms, geroprotective effects of regulatory peptides and effectiveness of their use in clinic.

[The connection of polymorphism I/D of the gene angiotensin-converting ferment and D442G gene of protein-carrier of cholesterol ethers with atherosclerosis risk factors in patients of elderly and senile age with coronary heart disease in the Republic Sakha (Yakutia)].

The authors analyse allocation of genotypes frequencies of polymorphism I/D of the gene of angiotensin-converting ferment (ASYA) and D442G gene of protein-transmitting agent of cholesterol ethers (CETP) in patients of elderly, senile age and long-livers with coronary heart disease taking into account their nationality, age and sex. With the age, the frequency reduction of occurrence of genotype ACE*I/*I has been observed and there is a tendency to increase of genotype frequency ACE*D/*D. Sexual distinctions in frequency of revealing of homozygous genotype ACE*D/*D have been revealed at the relative analysis of genotypes ACE*D/*D and ACE*D/*I. The carriers of genotype ACE*D/*D significantly more are males than females. In the general group (especially in the group of Yakuts), the carriers of genotype ACE*I/*I have demonstrated significantly more often the hypertrophy of myocardium of the left ventricle, which is accurately reflected with the help of ECG sign of Sokolov-Lion. While studying the polymorphism D442G of the gene CETP, the carriers of genotype CETP:D*/*G are significantly more often met among Yakuts, than non-indigenous population. The comparison of genotypes frequencies I/D-polymorphism of the gene ACE have showed reliable distinctions of BBI, indexes of blood lipids. The comparison of genotypes CETP*D/*D, CETP*D/*G has not yielded authentic connection with risk factors of coronary heart disease.