Influence of Semax on the Level of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in Conditions of "Social" Stress

Introduction: This study was devoted to the experimental study of the effect of Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) on the level of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL- 6, TNF-α, TGF-β1) in conditions of "social" stress. Aim of the Study: To study the effect of Semax on the level of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1) under conditions of “social” stress. Materials and Methods: White nonlinear rats (males, 6–8 months of age) were used as experimental animals. The animals were divided into groups: 1 – the control group (n=10); 2 – animals exposed to "social" stress (20 days) (n=10 aggressors/10 victims); 3 – rats exposed to "social" stress and receiving Semax intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 μg / kg / day (20 days) (n=10 aggressors/10 victims). Sensory contact was chosen as an experimental model of "social" stress. The level of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1) was determined by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Currently, within the framework of the development of a direction to study the functioning of the unified cytokine network of the body, there is a need for a detailed analysis of changes in the production of individual cytokines during various pathophysiological reactions, including stressful effects. The experimental "social" stress is accompanied by an increase in the production of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, which allowed us to consider stress as the main inducer of the production of cytokines of the family of proinflammatory interleukins and various growth factors. It was previously thought that inflammation and the immune response are the only factors capable of causing the production of most cytokines. In recent years, scientific works have appeared in which stress occupies an important place among the inducers of cytokine production. This fact has been confirmed by our experiments. Experimental "social" stress is accompanied by changes in the production of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, which allowed us to consider stress as the main inducer of the production of proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Conclusion: Evaluation of the effect of Semax on the level of cytokines under conditions of "social" stress showed that the effect of Semax is aimed at restoring the level of the studied cytokines in the group of stressed animals.