EFFECT OF MELANOCORTINS AND EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL STRESS ON THE LEVEL OF CASPASE-3 AND CASPASE-8

Abstract

At present the study of stress-generating effects and key mechanisms of regulation of apoptosis remain in the focus of attention of researchers. Stress causes dysfunctions of many body systems which lead to disruption of homeostasis and molecular cell mechanisms of programmed cell death. In this context, the problem of pharmacological regulation and correction of these disorders poses an urgent problem. Neuropeptide compounds such as melanocortins are interesting in this direction as regulators and correctors. Under conditions of experimental social stress activation of apoptotic processes was established due to an increase in the level of caspase-3 and caspase-8. The studied neuropeptides Semax (ACTH (4-7)-Pro-Gly-Pro) and ACTH (6-9)-Pro-Gly-Pro exhibit antiapoptotic effects under conditions of induced social stress in rats. This action of neuropeptides is manifested by a decrease in the activity of the initiating and effector caspases in the blood serum of experimental animals.