Peptides semax and selank affect the behavior of rats with 6-OHDA induced PD-like parkinsonism

Dokl Biol Sci. 2017 May;474(1):106-109. doi: 10.1134/S0012496617030048. Epub 2017 Jul 13.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common severe neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons (DA neurons) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) region of the brain. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the synthetic regulatory peptides Semax (analog of an ACTH 4-10 fragment (ACTH4-10)) and Selank (analog of immunomodulatory taftsin) on behavior of rats with 6-hydroxidopamine (6-OHDA) induced PD-like parkinsonism. It was showed that both peptides did not affect motor activity of rats in elevated cross shaped maze and passive defensive behavior of the animals. At the same time, Selank decreased level of anxiety of rats with toxic damage of DA neurons in elevated cross shaped maze. Previously such effects of Selank were revealed in healthy rodents (rats and mice) with different models of psycho-emotional stress. Therefore, toxic damage of substantia nigra does not affect the response of the rat organism on this peptide.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / analogs & derivatives
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anxiety / drug therapy
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / drug effects
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / metabolism
  • Male
  • Oligopeptides / therapeutic use
  • Oxidopamine / toxicity
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Parkinson Disease / etiology
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / chemically induced
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Pars Compacta / drug effects
  • Pars Compacta / metabolism
  • Peptide Fragments / therapeutic use
  • Rats

Substances

  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • ACTH (4-7), Pro-Gly-Pro-
  • Oxidopamine
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • TP 7