Use of Selank to correct measures of integrative brain activity and biogenic amine levels in adult rats resulting from antenatal hypoxia.

The effects of Selank, the active component of which is the heptapeptide Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, which includes the tetrapeptide tuftsin and three natural levorotatory amino acids, on behavior and brain serotonin and noradrenaline levels were studied in adult rats subjected to antenatal hypoxia on days 14-16 of gestation. Administration of Selank (300 microg/kg, i.p.) improved sensory attention levels by factors of 2-3 (p < 0.01), facilitated the learning process by a factor of 1.5 (p < 0.01), normalized the level of investigative activity in the open field and hole board, and restored the balance of activity between the serotoninergic and noradrenergic systems of the brain. The data obtained here provide evidence that Selank can be used to compensate for the long-term negative effects of antenatal hypoxia on brain integrative activity and the activity of monoaminergic transmitter systems.