Abstract
The actions of the synthetic heptapeptide preparation Selank on learning and memory processes in rats with initially low levels of learning ability were compared with those in normal rats, using a method based on acquisition of a conditioned active avoidance reflex, with repeated administration of peptide 15 min before the start of training sessions for four days. The effects of Selank (300 μg/kg) were compared with the effects of the nootrope piracetam (400 mg/kg). These experiments showed that Selank significantly activated the learning process in rats with initially poor learning ability, with effects apparent after first dose on training day 1. The effect progressively increased on repeated administration of Selank: the total number of correct solutions increased and the number of errors decreased (p < 0.05). The maximum optimizing activity of Selank on learning in normal rats was seen on day 3 of repeated administration and training, i.e., after formation of the initial consolidation phase. The dynamic features of the development of the activating action of Selank and piracetam were described. Comparison of the results obtained here with data on the anti-anxiety actions of Selank suggested potential for its use in optimizing mnestic functions in conditions of elevated emotional tension.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
I. P. Ashmarin, A. I. Kuchnaev, and S. A. Chepurnov, “Single-directional regulatory cascade processes mediated by short-lived peptides,” Fiziol. Zh. SSR, 75, No. 5, 27 (1989).
I. P. Ashmarin and E. P. Karazeeva, Neuropeptides. Neurochemistry [in Russian], Publishing House of the Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow (1996), p. 296.
A. V. Val'dman, Yu. A. Belozertsev, M. M. Kozlovskaya, et al., Studies of the Actions of a Series of Psychostimulators and Short Peptides on the Acquisition of a Variety of Reflexes and on Memory. Neurochemical Mechanisms of Memory Regulation [in Russian], Publishing House of the ONTI NTsBI, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Pushchino (1984), p. 89.
E. A. Gromova, Emotional Memory and Its Mechanism [in Russian], Nauka, Moscow (1980).
L. V. Devoino and R. Yu. Il'yuchenok, Neurotransmitter Systems in Psychoneuroimmunomodulation: Dopamine, Serotonin, GABA, Neuropeptides [in Russian], TsERIS, Novosibirsk (1993).
A. A. Kamenskii, V. N. Kalikhevich, and N. Yu. Sarycheva, “The time characteristics of the action of tuftsin on behavioral reactions,” Byull. Éksperim. Biol. Med., 101, 55 (1986).
I. I. Kozlovskii, Psychophysiological and Neuropharmacological Studies of the Synthetic Heptapeptide Selank [in Russian], Author's abstract of doctoral thesis in medical sciences, P. K. Anokhin Institute of Normal Physiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (2000).
I. I. Kozlovskii, E. A. Val'dman, L. A. Andreeva, et al., “Experimental studies and perspectives for the clinical use of Selank,” in: Integrative Brain Activity [in Russian], Publishing House of the P. K. Anokhin Institute of Normal Physiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (2000), Vol. 9, p. 246.
M. M. Kozlovskaya, S. B. Seredenin, I. I. Kozlovskii, et al., “Comparative studies of tuftsin fragments on measures of a conditioned passive avoidance response,” Khim. Farm. Zh., 35, No. 3, 3 (2001).
R. I. Kruglikov, “The place of neuropeptides in the neurochemical mechanisms of learning and memory,” in: The Physiological and Clinical Significance of Regulatory Peptides [in Russian], Publishing House of the ONTI NTsBI, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Pushchino (1990), p. 85.
E. I. Sarychev, S. I. Morozov, I. I. Kozlovskii, et al., “Low molecular-weight regulatory peptides and adaptive behavior,” Proceedings of the XV All-Union Congress of the I. P. Pavlov Physiological Society [in Russian], Kishinev (1987), p. 37.
T. P. Semenova, Optimization of Learning and Memory Processes [in Russian], Publishing House of the ONTI NTsBI, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Pushchino (1992).
T. P. Semenova, M. M. Kozlovskaya, A. V. Val'dman, et al., “The effects of tuftsin and its analogs on learning, memory, and investigative behavior in rats,” Zh. Vyssh. Nerv. Deyat., 38, No. 6, 1033 (1988).
S. B. Seredenin, M. M. Kozlovskaya, T. P. Semenova, et al., “The role of the serotoninergic component in the formation of the anxiolytic action of a synthetic analog of tuftsin,” Klin. Farm. Toksikol., 58, No. 6, 3 (1995).
S. B. Seredenin, I. I. Kozlovskii, R. Chabak-Garbach, et al., “Studies of the anxiolytic action of an analog of the endogenous peptide tuftsin in inbred mice with different emotional/stress reaction phenotypes,” Zh. Vyssh. Nerv. Deyat., 48, No. 1, 153 (1998).
K. V. Sudakov, Oligopeptides in the Systems Mechanisms of Behavior. Physiologically Active Peptides [in Russian], Publishing House of the ONTI NTsBI, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Pushchino (1988), p. 58.
K. V. Sudakov, “The dominant motivation in the systems mechanisms of extraction of memory engrams,” in: The Systems Mechanisms of Learning and Memory. Studies at the Interdepartmental Scientific Congress on Experimental and Applied Physiology [in Russian], Publishing House of the P. K. Anokhin Science Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (1998), Vol. 7, p. 10.
T. N. Sollertinskaya, “Neurohormones and memory processes in monkeys,” in: Integrative Brain Activity [in Russian], Publishing House of the P. K. Anokhin Science Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (2000), Vol. 9, p. 99.
A. A. Titov, “The neurochemical bases of memory,” in: Brain Biochemistry [in Russian], St. Petersburg State University Press, St. Petersburg (1999), p. 57.
R. Czabak-Garbacz, B. Cygan, and I. J. Kozlovsky, “Tuftsin analog and behaviour of rabbits after electric stimulation of ventromedial hypothalamus nucleus (VMH),” Behav. Pharm., 7, Suppl. 1, 22 (1996).
M. Fridkin and V. A. Najjar, “Tuftsin: its chemistry, biology, and clinical potential,” Crit. Rev. Biochem. Mol. Biol., 24, Suppl. 1, 1 (1998).
J. O'Keefe, “Place units in the hippocampus of the freely moving rat,” Exptl. Neurol., 51, 78 (1976).
M. Mishkin, “What is recognition memory and what neural circuits are involved,” in: Abstracts of the 32nd Congress of the JUPS, Glasgow (1993), p. 42.
G. Shipens, “New biologically active fragments of immunoglobulins,” Surv. Immunol. Res., 4, No. 3, 220 (1985).
H. Weingarther, P. Jold, C. Ballenger, et al., “Effect of vasopressin on human memory functions,” Science, 211, 601 (1981).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kozlovskii, I.I., Danchev, N.D. The Optimizing Action of the Synthetic Peptide Selank on a Conditioned Active Avoidance Reflex in Rats. Neurosci Behav Physiol 33, 639–643 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024444321191
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024444321191