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The review considers the involvement of the endothelium and endothelial glycocalyx in the systemic inflammatory response. The role of the endothelium in the inflammation is ambivalent and depends on the nature of the inflammatory process. The physiological response of endothelial cells to local inflammation is necessary to successful eliminate the pathogen and restore the tissue homeostasis. In systemic inflammation, the endothelium is the most «suffering» structure of the body. However, endothelial cells can be a source of systemic inflammatory mediators, supporting the pathological inflammatory process. The problem of generalization of inflammation is discussed where endotheliopathy develops and closes the vicious circle, being both a consequence of systemic inflammation and the cause of its prolongation and intensification. In the pathogenesis of a new coronavirus infection the relationship between endotheliopathy and systemic inflammation was most clearly manifested. Preceding endothelial dysfunction causes a severe course of COVID-19 with a «cytokine storm» and coagulopathy that can lead to the death. SARS-CoV-2 infection induces long-term endothelial dysfunction, which is recorded even after the virus elimination. The early detection of blood level of endothelial glycocalyx damage markers (i. e. syndecan-1, glycosaminoglycans like heparan sulfate and hyaluronic acid) may seem to be an effective approach to the prevention of severe forms of COVID-19. Endothelial-protective drugs can reduce the risk of severe new coronavirus infection and eliminate the manifestations of long-COVID.

The consequences of dietary intake of significant amounts of monosodium glutamate (MSG) are the excess body weight; structural and functional disorders of the central nervous system, liver, kidneys. We have not found information about the influence of excessive using of the MSG by a woman during pregnancy and lactation on the fetus and infants. The aim of the study was the experimental evaluation of the MSG consumption consequences during pregnancy and lactation to the offspring health. Material and methods. The offspring of 3-month old pregnant female white Wistar rats, who received 1% MSG solution (200 mg per kg of body weight per day) ad libitum as the source of liquid during the pregnancy and lactation, have been studied (MSG group). The control group included offspring of pregnant female rats that received water as the source of liquid. In 25-day-old offspring histological examination and morphometry of the nucleo-nucleolar apparatus of neurons in the neocortex of the proper parietal lobe, cardiomyocytes of the subendocardial zones of the left and right ventricles have been performed. Gravimetry have been also carried out (body weight and weight of brain, heart, liver, kidney, thymus and spleen); mitotic activity of anterior corneal epithelium has been evaluated, the state of erythrocyte membranes have been analyzed by the method of acid erythrograms; behavioral tests "Open field", "The elevated plus-maze test", "Hanging on a horizontal wire" have been performed. Results. MSG consumption during pregnancy and lactation led to an increase of brain (by 19.1%) and kidneys (by 7.8%) relative masses; masses of thymus and spleen were decreased. Significant decrease of locomotor activity and increase of time of hanging in "horizontal wire test" were registered. A histological study showed an increase in the number of nucleoli in the neurons of the V layer of the neocortex of the proper parietal lobe (control - 1.56±0.09; MSG group - 1.81±0.07, р=0.03); decrease of the nucleolar parameters of cardiomyocytes; increase of mitotic activity of anterior corneal epithelium (control - 4.021±0.612‰; MSG group - 6.985±0.889‰, р=0.019). A decrease of the resistance of erythrocyte membranes to acid hemolysis was also registered. Conclusion. The results obtained indicate the effect of oral consumption of MSG food additive during pregnancy and lactation on the organism of the offspring.

We studied the effect of echinochrome A on the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts under normal conditions and under oxidative stress. Exposure to echinochrome A (100 μM, 6 h) did not affect the production of superoxide radical by fibroblasts, area of their nuclei, and number of nucleoli, but reduced the total area of nucleolar organizer regions against the background of stable proliferative activity of the culture. Two-hour oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide solution (60 μM) increased the generation of superoxide radical, decreased DNA-synthetic activity of fibroblasts, area of fibroblast nuclei, and total area of nucleolar organizer regions. Preliminary administration of echinochrome A significantly attenuated the damaging effect of oxidative stress: the intensity of production of superoxide radicals decreased, DNA-synthetic activity and nucleus area of fibroblasts partially recovered; normalization of the total area of nucleoli was accompanied by an increase in their number.

Hypobaric hypoxia (pO

Incubation of primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts with non-opiate analogue of leuenkephalin (NALE; Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg, 0.1 μM) reduced generation of superoxide anion-radical (by 20.7%) and decreased the number of p53+ cells (by 40.2%) induced by exposure to H2O2 (60 μM). The cytoprotective effect of NALE was potentiated by NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME (1 mM): the number of p53+ cells decreased by 65.3% and morphometric parameters of the cell nuclei and nucleoli were improved. Incubation of pulmonary fibroblasts culture with peptide G (Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly, 0.1 μM) also significantly reduced the damaging effect of H2O2: the number of p53+ cells decreased by 73.5%, the area of cell nuclei returned to normal, and generation of superoxide anion-radical decreased by 18.4%. These results indicate that C-terminal amino acid Arg and activation of NO synthase are not involved in the direct cytoprotective effect of NALE.

We studied the effects of neonatal administration of non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue peptide NALE) on the morphological parameters of the liver and redox status of 60-dayold albino rats subjected to antenatal hypoxia. In animals subjected to antenatal hypoxia, a decrease body weight and reduction of the area of hepatocytes and total area of their nucleoli were observed; these changes were accompanied by activation of free-radical processes and impairment of antioxidant defense in the liver and blood serum. Intraperitoneal administration of NALE (100 μg/kg, daily) during postnatal days 2-6 normalized body weight, hepatocyte area, and total area of their nucleoli, significantly reduced the intensity of ROS generation, and improved antioxidant protection in the liver and blood serum in 60-day-old animals subjected to antenatal hypoxia.

Objective ― to evaluate the role of the amino acid arginine in the structure of the non-opioid analogue of leu-enkephalin (NALE) and the involvement of the nitric oxide system in the implementation of its cardioprotective effect in newborn albino rats subjected to intrauterine hypoxia. Material and Methods ― Pregnant female rats were subjected daily to 4-hour hypobaric hypoxia (oxygen partial pressure – 65 mm Hg) on days 15-19 of their gestation. The 7-day-old offspring of hypoxified female rats were examined. The progeny of intact animals served the control. We studied body and heart weights; activity of proliferative processes and autophagy in the myocardium of subendocardial parts of the left ventricle, expressed via the immunohistochemical detection of Ki-67 and Beclin-1 proteins, respectively; karyometric and nucleolometric indicators of cardiomyocytes (CMC); intensity of free radical processes in the tissues of the heart by chemiluminescence parameters. Correction of post-hypoxic changes in newborn rats was carried out by intraperitoneal injection of two peptides (Phe–D-Ala–Gly–Phe–Leu–Arg – non-opioid analogue of leu-enkephalin, or NALE, and Phe–D-Ala–Gly–Phe–Leu–Gly – G peptide) daily from day 2 through day 6 of their lives at a dose of 100 μg/kg. To assess the involvement of the nitric oxide system in the implementation of the NALE effects, the NO synthase inhibitor – N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was additionally administered at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Results ― Intrauterine hypoxia led to a decrease in body weights of 7-day-old animals, an increase in the number of CMC expressing the Beclin-1 protein, reduction in the size of CMC nuclei, activation of free radial oxidation, and a decrease in antiradical protection in the heart tissues. The administration of NALE to newborn animals, subjected to intrauterine hypoxia (IUH), normalized their body weight and size of the CMC nuclei, and partially corrected changes in Beclin-1 expression and in chemiluminescence parameters. In 7-day-old animals, subjected to IUH and neonatal administration of NALE and L-NAME, a lower body weight was observed than in the control. Against the background of nitric oxide blockade, the antioxidant effect of NALE diminished, but the corrective effect of NALE on the karyometric index and Beclin-1 expression remained. G peptide, which differs from NALE by the substitution of the C-terminal amino acid Arg for the amino acid Gly, exhibited a corrective effect similar to NALE on the consequences of IUH. Conclusion ― Administration of NALE and G peptides to newborn albino rats after IUH has a pronounced cardioprotective effect. The mechanisms of the NALE peptide effects are, in part, associated with the activation of the NOS-NO system. However, the affinity of this peptide for opioid-like receptors may be of greater importance.

Objective ― Our study aimed to evaluate the possibility of correcting cardiac consequences of intrauterine hypoxia (IUH) by injecting leu-enkephalin analog, lacking affinity for opiate receptors, in the early postnatal period. Material and Methods ― To model IUH, we placed pregnant Wistar rats in a hypobaric chamber with an oxygen partial pressure of 52 mmHg. The procedure was repeated for 4 h daily over the 15th-19th days of gestation. From the 2nd through the 6th days of their lives, the offspring were injected intraperitoneally with non-opiate leu-enkephalin analog at a dose of 100 μg/kg (NALE: Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg). This analog did not have affinity for opiate receptors. The 7- and 60-day old offspring of female rats subjected to IUH were investigated. The control group included the descendants of intact animals. We investigated gravimetric indicators, DNA-synthetic activity of cardiomyocytes (CMC) by tritium-labeled thymidine autoradiography method, the size of the CMC nuclei, as well as size and amount of nucleoli in the CMC nuclei. The activity of free radical oxidation was evaluated in cardiac homogenates by chemiluminescence. Results ― In 7-day old rats subjected to IUH vs. control animals, we observed decreases in body mass by 32.6%, in heart mass by 27.3%; in the proportion of 3Н-thymidine labeled CMC nuclei by 32.7% in the left ventricle and by 30.4% in the right ventricle; in the number of nucleoli in the CMC nuclei (in the left ventricle: control – 2.384±0.027, IUH – 2.282±0.027*, p0.05; in the right ventricle: control – 11.61±0.78%; IUH + NALE – 11.26±0.58%, p>0.05). The number of nucleoli in the CMC nuclei of the left and right ventricles in the heart of 7-day old animals in the IUH + NALE group did not differ from the control too. The CML indices of heart homogenates in the IUH + NALE group were significantly lower than those in the IUH group. In 60-day old male rats exposed to IUH, there was a decrease in heart mass by 18.5%, sizes of CMC nuclei by 7.5% and 16.1% in the left and right ventricles, respectively, and in the total nucleoli area in the CMC nuclei of the left ventricle (control – 3.953±0.085; IUH – 3.372±0.078*; p0.05) and the size of the CMC nuclei of the right ventricle (control – 54.25±0.84; IUH + NALE – 55.24±0.94; p>0.05) did not differ significantly from the control. The size of the nuclei, the number and size of the nucleoli in the CMC of the left ventricle, as well as the area of the nucleoli in the CMC of the right ventricle in 60-day old male rats of the IUH + NALE group significantly exceeded control group values. Conclusion ― Administration of the NALE peptide to albino rats subjected to IUH normalized DNA-synthetic activity and the number of nucleoli in the nuclei of CMC in 7-day old animals, and also reduced the severity of oxidative stress in the heart tissue. In 60-day old albino male rats exposed to IUH, injecting NALE from the 2nd to the 6th days of their lives eliminated declines in heart mass and sizes of the CMC nuclei and nucleoli, and also led to an increase in the values of the nucleus-and-nucleolus complex indices compared with the control.

We studied the effects of a synthetic analogue of dermorphin peptide sedatin on DNA synthesis, nucleolar apparatus, and parameters of free radical oxidation in the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts under conditions of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress significantly enhanced production of superoxide anion radical in the culture, sufficiently inhibited DNA synthesis in fibroblasts, and reduced the size of cell nuclei and parameters of the nucleolar apparatus. Sedatin prevented accumulation of free radical oxidation products and changes in karyometry parameters induced by oxidative stress. The peptide completely eliminated changes in the parameters of fibroblast nucleolar apparatus and abolished the inhibitory effect of oxidative stress on the number of DNA-synthesizing cells. Pretreatment with non-selective opioid receptor antagonist naloxone hydrochloride partially abolished the effects of sedatin in the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts.

In 60-day-old male rats after antenatal hypoxia, the body weight and the absolute weight of the cerebral hemispheres were significantly lower than in the progeny of intact animals. Analysis of brain sections stained with silver nitrate revealed reduced number of nucleoli in neocortical layer II and hippocampal CA1 neurons and smaller area of neuronal nuclei in neocortical layer V and total area of nucleoli in neurons of all studied zones. The animals demonstrated increased locomotor activity in the elevated plus-maze test. Chemiluminescent analysis of brain homogenates revealed the presence of oxidative stress at the organ level. Neonatal administration of non-opioid analog of leu-enkephalin (peptide NALE) after antenatal hypoxia normalized body weight, neutralized morphometric changes in the nucleoli and nuclei of neurons in the neocortex and hippocampus, and improved oxidative status of the brain. In 30- and 60-day-old male rats subjected to antenatal hypoxia and receiving peptide NALE during the neonatal period, behavioral responses were partially normalized. Non-opioid analog of leu-enkephalin can be a promising drug for correction of cerebral consequences of antenatal hypoxia.

We studied the effect of glyprolines Pro-Gly-Pro (PGP) and Arg-Gly-Pro (RGP) on the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts from newborn albino rats under normal conditions and during oxidative stress. Under physiological conditions, the peptides had no effect on parameters of cell division. Hydrogen peroxide induced intensive oxidative stress accompanied by suppression of protein-synthesizing function. When hydrogen peroxide was added to the culture containing the test peptides, correction of the oxidative status was observed accompanied by activation of DNA-synthesizing activity and inhibition of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence.

DNA-synthetic activity of myocardial cells was studied by (3)H-thymidine autoradiography in newborn albino rats after intraperitoneal injection of hydra peptide morphogen and its analogues. Administration of hydra peptide morphogen stimulated proliferative activity in the myocardium. Short analogues of hydra peptide morphogen, 6C and 3C peptides, produced a similar effect. Administration of arginine-containing analogue of hydra peptide morphogen significantly reduced the number of DNA-synthesizing nuclei in the ventricular myocardium of newborn albino rats. The role of the structure of the peptide molecule in the realization of the morphogenetic effects of hydra peptide morphogen is discussed.

The effects of endothelin-1 on tissue homeostasis in newborn and adult albino rats were studied by 3H-thymidine autoradiography, staining with AgNO3, computer-assisted morphometry, and biochemiluminescence. In adult rats the ability of endothelin-1 to activate DNA synthesis in epithelial cells decreased compared to that in newborn animals; inversion of the stimulatory effects of endothelin-1 on the nucleolar apparatus of cardiomyocytes and pronounced intensification of free radical oxidation in the heart were also seen in adult animals. These differences can be related to ontogenetic peculiarities of endothelin-1 reception.

We studied the effect of dalargin and its analogue [Dala]2-leu-enkephalin on the gastric mucosa in indomethacin-receiving animals. Indomethacin treatment was followed by severe injury to the gastric mucosa, decrease in proliferative activity of the epithelium, and stimulation of free-radical processes in gastric tissues. Dalargin significantly decreased the area of erosive and ulcerative lesions, had a normalizing effect on proliferation of epithelial cells, and reduced the degree of oxidative stress. Administration of [Dala]2-leu-enkephalin did not improve the state of the gastric mucosa.

We studied the effect of beta-casomorphin-7 on DNA synthesis in cell populations of newborn albino rats. Intraperitoneal administration of a beta-casein fragment heptapeptide beta-casomorphin-7 (1 mg/kg, 1 or 5 injections) activated proliferative processes in the myocardium and ectodermal and endodermal epithelium of newborn rats.

3H-thymidine autoradiography and chemiluminescence study demonstrated pronounced effect of dalargin on the state of the gastric mucosa in albino rats. Dalargin stimulated DNA synthesis in the epithelium of the gastric mucosa and increased buffer capacity of its antiradical and antioxidant systems. Dalargin analogue not containing arginine ([D-Ala2]-leu-enkephalin) had little effect on these parameters. NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME abolished the effects of dalargin on DNA synthesis in the gastric mucosa. Our results suggest that the NO system plays an important role in the effect of dalargin on the gastric mucosa.

We studied age-dependent dynamics of some liver parameters in albino rats after antenatal hypoxia. A decrease in body weight, absolute liver weight in newborn and mature rats, and a reduction of relative weight of the liver in mature animals were observed under these conditions. It was found that antenatal hypoxia promotes a decrease in DNA-synthetic activity of hepatocytes, intensifies free radical processes in the liver of newborn rats, and reduces the number of nucleoli in hepatocytes. In mature animals, antenatal hypoxia was followed by a decrease in hepatocyte sizes and area of nucleoli, an increase in the number of binuclear cells relative to mononuclear cells, and a decrease in the number of nucleoli in hepatocyte nuclei. These data can reflect impairment of tissue homeostasis in the liver of mammals exposed to antenatal hypoxia.

Body weight, absolute and relative heart weight, DNA-synthetic activity of cardiomyocytes, and number of nucleoli in cardiomyocyte nuclei were reduced in newborn albino rats exposed to antennal hypoxia. All these changes developed against the background of oxidative stress. In mature animals, the absolute and relative heart weights were decreased, but the ratio of mononuclear cardiomyocytes in both ventricles was higher than in the control. These changes were accompanied by an increase in the percent of collagen fi bers in the myocardial stroma. In the right ventricle, an increase in the cardiomyocyte length to width ratio and a decrease in the number of nucleoli were found. The observed changes can probably induce heart function disturbances under pathological conditions.

Somatometric indexes were modified in the offspring of rats exposed to hypobaric hypoxia. DNA synthesis and tissue mitotic index increased in 5-day-old male rats, but underwent less pronounced changes in females. Our results indicate that hypoxia modulates morphogenesis of the myocardium. We revealed sex differences in the reaction of newborn albino rats to intrauterine hypoxia.

We studied the effect of simvastatin (24 mg/kg per os for 30 days) on DNA synthesis ((3)H-thymidine autoradiography) and free radical oxidation (chemiluminescent method) in the gastric mucosa of albino mice under normal conditions and in ulcerative process induced by single indometacin administration. Simvastatin treatment activated free radical oxidation, which was seen from enhanced chemiluminescence in the mucosa homogenate (by 1.7-4.6 times). Administration of indometacin against the background of simvastatin treatment potentiated local oxidative stress and inhibited DNA synthesis. Under these conditions, the area of ulcerative lesion in the gastric mucosa increased by 3.0 times.

Effects of repeated treatment (5 times) with L-NAME, a NO synthase (eNOS) inhibitor on DNA synthesis in various zones of the heart in newborn albino rats was studied using 3H-thymidine autoradiography. This compound decreased (by 1.22-1.59 times) the count of labeled cardiomyocyte nuclei in various myocardial zones, particularly, in the myocardium of the left atrium, left ventricle, and interventricular septum. Changes in tissue proliferative activity were accompanied by activation of lipid peroxidation and inhibition of the antioxidant system in the myocardium.

Intrauterine hypoxia decreased the nucleolar organizator quantity in enameloblasts of newborn albino rats tooth germ. Influence the leu-encepgalin synthetic analog dalargin and non-opiate synthetic leu-encephalin on newborn rats from 2 to 6 day abolished the intrauterine hypoxia affect. The main mechanism of peptide antioxidant effect may be NO system stimulation.

The aim of this study was to examine the intrauterine hypoxia influence on dental hard tissue development. Pregnant rats were exposed in hypoxic environments between day 14 and 19 of pregnancy. The study was performed on 36 newborn albino rats. Analysis of nucleolar organizator parameters were performed in enameloblasts, odontoblasts and saliva gland epitheliocytes. Data obtained demonstrated that intrauterine hypoxia decreased nucleolar organizator quantity in enameloblasts of tooth germ.

It was described the results of antenaltal hypoxia's influence upon osteogenesis processes. Reliable changes of the ossification nodus of the lower jaw, that in turn, influenced the frequency of occurrence of dentition anomalies were determined.

Effect of intraperitoneal injection of tetrapeptide A10 (H-Tyr-D-Orn-Phe-Gly-OH), selective μ-opiate receptor agonist, synthetic analog of dermorphine, in a dose of 100 μg/kg on DNA synthesis and protein content in the myocardium was studied in albino rats. Five injections of tetrapeptide on days 2–6 after birth caused no changes in DNA synthesis 17 days after the last injection,i. e. in 24-day rats. The number of nucleoli and their area increased. In adult males long-term (3-week) treatment with tetrapeptide A10 increased the number of nucleoli and the mean and integral optical density of isolated cardiomyocytes stained with amido black B, which probably attested to activation of protein synthesis in the myocardium. Simultaneously, the content of catecholamines in the heart increased. These data are comparable with delayed effects of κ-opiate receptor agonist dinorphine A1–13 and indicate that morphogenetic properties of opioid peptides in rat myocardium are realized via the same routes.

Effect of intraperitoneal injection of endothelin-1 on DNA synthesis in the myocardium of newborn albino rats was studied by3H-thymidine autoradiography. Endothelin-1 injected in a single dose of 10 μg/kg stimulated proliferative processes: the index of labeled nuclei and labeling intensity increased. Repeated (5 times) administration of endothelin-1 in doses of 1 and 10 μg/kg increased labeling intensity, but did not change the index of labeled nuclei. The data suggest that endothelins, are involved in morphogenesis of the myocardium during the early postnatal ontogeny.

DNA synthesis and state of the nucleolar apparatus in myocardial cells of newborn albino rats receiving intraperitoneal injection of sedatin, a synthetic dermorphin analogue, were studied by means of autoradiography and silver impregnation. Labeling intensity significantly increased, while the number of nucleoli in nuclei decreased. Chemiluminescence study showed that the concentration of reactive oxygen metabolites significantly decreased in the myocardium of treated animals after sedatin administration. Non-arginine analogue of sedatin had little effect on tissue homeostasis in the myocardium.

We studied delayed effects of sedatin (arginine-containing mu/delta-opioid receptor agonist) and its arginine-free analog on the ontogenetic development of fish. Fertilized eggs of the Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) were treated with the peptides. The results indicate that sedatin increased activities of the antiradical and antioxidant defense systems, stimulated fry development by increasing body weight and length, and increased the number of nucleoli in the myocardium and liver of young fish.

Diet is effective method of atherosclerosis prevention. Traditional meet food consists the high cholesterol level. It was shown that cholesterol level is considerable low in new functional meet food. Such food-stuff may be use for the atherosclerosis prevention.

The effects of endothelin-1 on tissue homeostasis in newborn and adult albino rats were studied by(3)H-thymidine autoradiography, staining with AgNO(3), computer-assisted morphometry, and biochemiluminescence. In adult rats the ability of endothelin-1 to activate DNA synthesis in epithelial cells decreased compared to that in newborn animals; inversion of the stimulatory effects of endothelin-1 on the nucleolar apparatus of cardiomyocytes and pronounced intensification of free radical oxidation in the heart were also seen in adult animals. These differences can be related to ontogenetic peculiarities of endothelin-1 reception.

Effects of repeated treatment (5 times) with L-NAME, a NO synthase (eNOS) inhibitor on DNA synthesis in various zones of the heart in newborn albino rats was studied using 3H-thymidine autoradiography. This compound decreased (by 1.22-1.59 times) the count of labeled cardiomyocyte nuclei in various myocardial zones, particularly, in the myocardium of the left atrium, left ventricle, and interventricular septum. Changes in tissue proliferative activity were accompanied by activation of lipid peroxidation and inhibition of the antioxidant system in the myocardium.

Effect of intraperitoneal injection of endothelin-1 on DNA synthesis in the myocardium of newborn albino rats was studied by(3)H-thymidine autoradiography. Endothelin-1 injected in a single dose of 10 microg/kg stimulated proliferative processes: the index of labeled nuclei and labeling intensity increased. Repeated (5 times) administration of endothelin-1 in doses of 1 and 10 microg/kg increased labeling intensity, but did not change the index of labeled nuclei. The data suggest that endothelins are involved in morphogenesis of the myocardium during the early postnatal ontogeny.

Effect of intraperitoneal injection of tetrapeptide A10 (H-Tyr-D-Orn-Phe-Gly-OH), selective mu-opiate receptor agonist, synthetic analog of dermorphine, in a dose of 100 microg/kg on DNA synthesis and protein content in the myocardium was studied in albino rats. Five injections of tetrapeptide on days 2-6 after birth caused no changes in DNA synthesis 17 days after the last injection, i. e. in 24-day rats. The number of nucleoli and their area increased. In adult males long-term (3-week) treatment with tetrapeptide A10 increased the number of nucleoli and the mean and integral optical density of isolated cardiomyocytes stained with amido black B, which probably attested to activation of protein synthesis in the myocardium. Simultaneously, the content of catecholamines in the heart increased. These data are comparable with delayed effects of kappa-opiate receptor agonist dinorphine A1-13 and indicate that morphogenetic properties of opioid peptides in rat myocardium are realized via the same routes.