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We studied the influence of melanin from yeast-like fungi Nadsoniella nigra strain X1 on the changes of the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol in blood serum of rats, adrenal glands weight ratio and lesions of the gastric mucosa (GM) caused by neuromuscular tension by Selye. Melanin administration restored functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that was evident by an increase of ACTH concentration by 42% and a decrease of cortisol concentration by 19% compared to the rats injected with water (group 2). In rats treated with melanin, the adrenal glands weight ratio, didn't differ from intact control group of the rats. Melanin decreased ulcers area by 64% and reduced the content of free hydroxyproline by 29%, the free fucose by 16% and the free hexuronic acids by 24% in the GM compared to the group 2 of the rats. It is established that the mechanism of melanin stress-protective properties are based on its regulation of the glucocorticoids secretion and prevention of GM collagen and extracellular matrix substances depolymerization. Melanin possesses gastroprotective properties and is a perspective agent for preventing and treatment of consequences of the stress influence on the organism.

Influence of prolonged immobilization (6 h strict horizontal position of rats in the tight containers daily for 2 weeks) on oxygen tension, oxygen consumption, pro-/antioxidant balance, and energetic metabolism of soft and hard periodontal tissues has been investigated. It was established that prolonged immobilization stress resulted in marked decrease in the gum tissue PO2 (36%) and in the bone tissue oxygen consumption rate (46%) compared to control. It was also determined that prolonged stress led to a reduction in the gum mitochondrial respiration rate. The latter was more expressed in case of the NAD-dependent substrate oxidation than of the FAD- dependent one. It was determined that the prolonged stress results in intensification of peroxide processes and depletion of antioxidant protection of soft tissues of periodontum. It was found that Thiotriazolin and Actovegin have modified and diminished stress-induced disorders in the soft and hard periodontal tissues oxygen homeostasis under prolonged immobilization stress.

The dynamics of blood plasma corticosterone, testosterone and androstenedione levels and their reaction to acute stress (30 min immobilization) in 35-, 40- and 45-day old female rats exposed to chronic stress (daily 30-min immobilization from 35th to 45th day of life) and/or to excess of exogenous androgens (implantation of capsules with testosterone to 33-day old animals) during pubescence was studied. Both control and experimental females in all age groups responded to acute stress by significant elevation of blood plasma corticosterone levels. At the end of the chronic stress session, the extent of adrenals activation in response to acute dosed stress was lowered in androgenized 45-day old females and increased gradually in stressed ones. After acute stress, the blood plasma testosterone level decreased in control 35-day old females and rose - in androgenized females against 10-fold rising of basal hormonal level. In 40-day old control females as well as in androgenized ones exposed to chronic stress during 5 days, the acute dosed stress did not result in significant changes of blood plasma testosterone and elevated blood plasma androstenedione. Stressed 40-day old females with increased basal androstenedione secretion did not respond to acute stress by the hormone level changes while blood plasma testosterone declined significantly. At the end ofpubescence (on the 45th day of life), acute stress did not affect the blood plasma testosterone level in control and androgenized animals, while decreased it in stressed females and increased - in androgenized rats exposed to chronic stress against elevated basal level of the hormone. The conclusion is made about possible functional relationship between the changes in hormonal homeostasis during pubescence and development of reproductive system in mature animals.

Activity modifications of two enzymes included in antioxidant system have been studied in roots and leaves of corn seedlings during 10-day exposition to 0.1 M NaCl. In roots of salt-stressed seedlings both activities were reduced but their decreasing was changed at rising at the exposition end. The changes of catalase activity in corn leaves had the same character but peroxidase one rose greatly and was considerable higher than in the leaves of the control seedlings. Seed pretreating with preparations methiure and ivine enhanced activities of the both enzymes in roots whereas in leaves they increased catalase activity only. Obtained results demonstrate that under the salt stress conditions catalase and peroxidase activities are directed to the maintenance of prooxidant-antioxidant balance, and methiure and ivine, that reveal the antioxidant properties, induce enzyme activities.