Modulating effects of epithalamin and epithalon on the functional morphology of the spleen in old pinealectomized rats

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2001 Nov;132(5):1116-20. doi: 10.1023/a:1017989113287.

Abstract

Immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis showed that epithalamin and epithalon produced similar effects on the functional morphology of the spleen in pinealectomized rats. Both peptides prevented hyperplasia of lymphoid cells in follicular germinative centers induced by pinealectomy and potentiated the decrease in extramedullary hemopoiesis. These findings confirm the data on functional relationships between the pineal gland and immune system. The effects of epithalamin and epithalon on cell and tissue homeostasis in the spleen of old pinealectomized rats can be regarded as a manifestation of the general regulatory effect of these peptides.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Necrosis
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Pineal Gland / metabolism*
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / pharmacology
  • Prostaglandins / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Spleen / drug effects*
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • Prostaglandins
  • epithalamin
  • alanyl-glutamyl-aspartyl-glycine