EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Pathology
doi: 10.25005/2074-0581-2025-27-4-911-921
THE ADAPTOGENIC EFFECT OF SEMAX IN WISTAR RATS DURING SHORT-TERM PHYSICAL EXERTION

V.N. KOROBOVA1, A.O. VORVUL1, I.I. BOBYNTSEV1, YA.I. BOBYNTSEV1, L.A. ANDREEVA2, N.F. MYASOEDOV2

1Department of Pathophysiology, Research Institute of General Pathology, Kursk State Medical University, Kursk, Russian Federation
2Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology of Peptides, National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow, Russian Federation

Objective: To investigate the effects of the Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro peptide, also known as Semax, on heart rate variability (HRV) in Wistar rats during short-term physical activity.

Methods: The study was conducted on 24 Wistar rats. HRV was recorded using the Physiobelt 2.5.1 (Neurobotics, Moscow, Russia). The HRV frequencydomain analysis included several components: Total Power (TP), High Frequency (HF), and Very Low Frequency (VLF), all expressed in absolute power units (milliseconds squared, ms²) and as percentages (%) of total power. Furthermore, the Low Frequency to High Frequency (LF/HF) ratio and the Index of Complexity (IC) were calculated as unitless measures. Semax was administered intraperitoneally to the laboratory animals at a single dose of 450 μg/kg/day. Four recordings of the cardiac signal were made: the first to assess baseline levels of HRV components; the second, 15 minutes after administering Semax; the third, after physical exertion; and the fourth, after 15 minutes of rest.

Results: Baseline HRV parameters did not differ significantly between groups. The percentage spectrum values for both groups showed a pattern of LF>VLF>HF, indicating a predominance of sympathetic nervous system and associated neurohumoral activity in regulating the heart rate of the studied animals. After exercise, the control group exhibited sympathicotonia, while the Semax group showed vagotonia (as evidenced by HF (%), LF (%), and the LF/HF ratio). The administration of Semax influenced autonomic regulation, enhancing adaptive capacity and resistance to external stressors, such as exercise. During the recovery period, there were statistically significant differences in TP (ms²), HF (ms²), and LF (ms²). These parameters were significantly higher in the control group than in the Semax group. This finding suggests tension in the autonomic circuit and activation at the suprasegmental level, implicating the hypothalamus in the regulation of cardiac rhythm. Additionally, it indicates a depletion of functional reserves in the control animals. In contrast, the animals that received Semax injections maintained a stable resting state, showed no tension in the regulatory mechanisms of the sinoatrial node, and achieved autonomic balance.

Conclusion: The study on the effects of Semax on HRV in Wistar rats demonstrated that it has an adaptogenic, or "optimizing", effect on HRV at a dose of 450 μg/kg body weight during physical activity. This effect is attributed to the Semax influence on the central and autonomic circuits that regulate heart rhythm.

Keywords: Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, ACTH4-7Pro-Gly-Pro, heart rate variability, spectral parameters, physical activity, Wistar rats.

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Authors' information:

Korobova Viktoria Nikolaevna,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department of Pathophysiology, Head of the Laboratory of Heart Pathophysiology of the Research Institute of General Pathology, Kursk State Medical University
Scopus ID: 57219598765
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2737-3435
SPIN: 5193-4027
Author ID: 838407
E-mail: viktoria.korobova@mail.ru

Vorvul Anton Olegovich,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pathophysiology, Senior Researcher at the Research Institute of General Pathology, Kursk State Medical University
Researcher ID: AAE-2202-2022
Scopus ID: 57222709711
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1529-6014
SPIN: 8398-9376
Author ID: 1037601
E-mail: vorvul1996@mail.ru

Bobyntsev Igor Ivanovich,
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Full Professor, Head of the Department of Pathophysiology, Director of the Research Institute of General Pathology, Kursk State Medical University
Researcher ID: H-8849-2013
Scopus ID: 6602416028
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7745-2599
SPIN: 3947-0114
Author ID: 276199
E-mail: bobig@mail.ru

Bobyntsev Yaroslav Igorevich,
Junior Researcher at the Research Institute of General Pathology, Kursk State Medical University
SPIN: 6411-2366
Author ID: 982363
E-mail: bobfocus@ya.ru

Andreeva Lyudmila Aleksandrovna,
Deputy Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology of Peptides, National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute»
Researcher ID: K-5686-2018
Scopus ID: 7102725159
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3927-8590
SPIN: 4785-5621
Author ID: 55567
E-mail: landr@img.ras.ru

Myasoedov Nikolay Fyodorovich,
Academician of RAS, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, full Professor, Head of the Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology of Peptides, National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute»
Researcher ID: K-5575-2018
Scopus ID: 7005093383
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1294-102X
SPIN: 1262-2698
Author ID: 104890
E-mail: nfm@img.ras.ru

Information about support in the form of grants, equipment, medications

This research was conducted with the support of Kursk State Medical University, as outlined in contract No. 16 for the provision of paid services, dated March 17, 2022. The authors did not receive financial support from manufacturers of medicines and medical equipment

Conflicts of interest: No conflict

Address for correspondence:

Korobova Viktoria Nikolaevna
Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department of Pathophysiology, Head of the Laboratory of Heart Pathophysiology of the Research Institute of General Pathology, Kursk State Medical University

305041, Russian Federation, Kursk, K. Marx str., 3

Tel.: +7 (915) 5124066

E-mail: viktoria.korobova@mail.ru


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