Category Archives: Uncategorized
Age-dependent metabolic and morphological response of rat adipose tissue to a high-fat diet
O. S. Tkachenko1*, H. V. Kosiakova1, T. M. Horidko1,
O. F. Mehed1, A. H. Berdyshev1, V. M. Klimashevsky1,
S. A. Mykhalskiy2, N. M. Hula1
1Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy
of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
2D.F.Chebotarev State Institute of Gerontology, National Academy
of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: 888oksana.tkachenko@gmail.com
Received: 24 December 2025; Revised: 09 February 2026;
Accepted: 03 April 2026; Available on-line: 21 April 2026
Obesity and related metabolic disorders remain one of the most pressing problems of modern biomedicine. Both obesity and aging cause functional and structural changes in the adipose organ, but the age-specificity of adipose tissue’s response to high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. The aim of the study was to analyze correlation between glucose, lipoproteins and adiponectin plasma levels, to determine Δ9-desaturase activity in adipocyte and to explore the morphological state of adipose tissue in rats of different ages. The experiment was carried out on male Wistar rats for 24 weeks, when young animals reached the age of 10 months, and older – 24 months. Animals of both age groups were divided into kept on a standard rodent diet or a diet with addition of pork visceral lard. The fatty acid composition was identified by gas-liquid chromatography with mass-detection, HDL and LDL cholesterol content – by commercial kits, adiponectin levels – using ELISA kit. The activity index of Δ9-desaturase was calculated as the ratio of oleic to stearic acid. It was shown that the saturated/ unsaturated fatty acids ratio in a standard pelleted feed was 1:4, whereas in the lard it was close to 1:1. No correlation between increased body weight and glucose level, and a positive correlation between adiponectin and HDL cholesterol levels were found in younger rats. In the older rats a positive correlation between body weight and glucose level, and a significant negative correlation between adiponectin and LDL cholesterol levels was observed. Activity of Δ9-desaturase in adipocytes was found to be increased with aging. When animals were kept on a HFD diet, Δ9-desaturase activity in younger group was increased to a large extent, while in older group it decreased significantly as compared with age-matched controls. Morphological analysis showed age-related differences in the morphology, cellular adaptation, and inflammation development in brown and white adipose tissue in response to a dietary fat overload. The results of our study facilitate the identification of potential biomarkers for the prevention and treatment of obesity and associated diseases across different age groups.
Vitamin D auto-/paracrine system activity in rat liver depending on vitamin D status
M. Veliky1, I. Shymanskyi1*, O. Lisakovska1, A. Khomenko1,
Yu. Parkhomenko1, Ye. Kucheriavyi2, V. Bilous3
1Department of Biochemistry of Vitamins and Coenzymes, Palladin Institute
of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
2Department of Protein Structure and Function, Palladin Institute
of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
3Department of Enzyme Chemistry and Biochemistry, Palladin Institute
of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: ihorshym@gmail.com
Received: 11 January 2026; Revised: 19 February 2026;
Accepted: 03 April 2026; Available on-line: 21 April 2026
The liver plays a central role in vitamin D metabolism, facilitating its primary activation and systemic transport. However, the molecular mechanisms of vitamin D hydroxylation and reception involving the auto-/paracrine vitamin D system in the liver remain insufficiently understood. The aim of the study was to evaluate cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in the liver of rats with nutritional vitamin D3 deficiency and after therapeutic treatment. Vitamin D deficiency was modeled by maintaining female Wistar rats on vitamin D-free diet for 60 days. The treatment was performed by cholecalciferol (1000 IU/kg bw) oral administration for 30 days. Serum 25(OH)D level was determined by ELISA, 25-hydroxylase activity in hepatocytes was evaluated using [3H]cholecalciferol as a substrate. The level of CYP2R1, CYP27A1, CYP27B1, CYP24A1 and VDR proteins in the liver was studied via Western blot analysis. A 60-day vitamin D-deficiency led to a critical decrease in 25(OH)D level in the serum, significant increase in 25-hydroxylase activity, CYP2R1 and VDR expression, against the background of reduced CYP24A1 level, in the liver. Vitamin D3 administration ensured the restoration of serum 25(OH)D, as well as the level of the molecular markers of vitamin D transformation and reception in the liver, except for CYP27B1, which maintained moderately elevated expression. Thus, the metabolic adaptation under vitamin deficiency was manifested through compensatory enhancement in vitamin D synthesis and increased receptor sensitivity against the background of suppressed catabolic pathways. Nutritional correction effectively restored the balance in the auto-/paracrine vitamin D system, ensuring stable homeostasis.
The interaction between polyreactive immunoglobulins and antigens is completely nonspecific
S. A. Bobrovnik*, M. А. Demchenko, S. V. Komisarenko
Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,
Department of Molecular Immunology, Kyiv;
*e-mail: s-bobrov@ukr.net
Received: 09 December 2025; Revised: 21 January 2025;
Accepted: 03 April 2026; Available on-line: 21 April 2026
The interaction of PRIGs with various antigens differs radically from the interaction of specific antibodies and the corresponding antigen. First of all, this difference lies in the lower specificity of PRIGs, although there are other fundamental differences. For example, the binding of PRIGs and antigen is extremely dependent on the temperature at which the process occurs, whereas the binding of specific antibodies to antigen is not very dependent on temperature. There are also a number of substances, such as Tween 20, that significantly affect the binding of PRIGs to antigens, but have a much weaker effect on the binding of specific antibodies. This article is devoted to studying the degree of non-specificity of the PRIGs and antigen reaction, and the ability of serologically unrelated antigens to inhibit this interaction. According to the data presented in this article, the interaction between PRIGs and antigens is completely nonspecific.
Ivan Dmytrovych Holovatsky on the 100th anniversary of his birth
Ye. Makukh1, S. Grabovskyi1, R. Stoika2
1Department of Biochemistry, Stepan Gzhytskyi National University
of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies, Lviv, Ukraine;
2Department of Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis,
Institute of Cell Biology, National Acadermy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv
Ivan Dmytrovych Holovatskyi (1926–2015) was a distinguished Ukrainian biochemist and enzymologist, professor, and the founder of a school of biochemistry in Lviv. His research focused on carbohydrate metabolism, with particular emphasis on the pentose phosphate pathway and the regulation of glycolysis in normal and tumor cells. He authored more than 650 scientific publications, including monographs and a textbook, supervised numerous PhD and Doctoral dissertations, and served for many years as head of the Lviv branch of the Ukrainian Biochemical Society. His career was shaped by political repression and institutional obstacles; nevertheless, he remained committed to scientific research, mentorship, and public engagement, maintaining intellectual integrity and a principled approach to science and civic life.
Screening of soybean plants for Rsv1 resistance gene and antioxidant enzyme isoforms under conditions of soybean mosaic virus infection
L. T. Mishchenko1*, O. О. Molodchenkova2*, A. A. Dunich1,
I. A. Mishchenko3, A. V. Dashchenko3, P. S. Tykhonov2,
I. I. Motsniy2, Ya. S. Fanin2
1Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, ESC “Institute of Biology and Medicine”, Ukraine;
*e-mail: lmishchenko@ukr.net;
2Plant Breeding and Genetics Institute – National Center of Seed and Cultivar Investigation,
Laboratory of Plant Biochemistry, Odesa, Ukraine;
*e-mail: olgamolod@ukr.net;
3National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv
Received: 11 May 2025; Revised: 20 August 2025;
Accepted: 30 January 2026; Available on-line: 23 February 2026
Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) infection is recognized as the most serious, long-standing problem in soybean producing areas in the world. The Rsv1 locus is a part of resistance genes family involved in plant defense mechanisms against pathogens. Rsv1 and antioxidant enzymes peroxidase and superoxide dismutase are known for their role in providing resistance to the soybean mosaic virus. This work aimed at screening soybean plants both SMV infected and healthy on the presence of Rsv1 locus and peroxidase and superoxide dismutase isozyme patterns. The presence of 3gG2 gene at the Rsv1 locus was detected with PCR in uninfected plants of 17 studied soybean varieties. The presence of 3gG2 gene was also revealed in SMV-infected plants of four varieties indicating that the gene was not expressed in these plants. electrophoresis in PAAG demonstrated that the spectrum of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase isoforms in soybean leaf tissues depends on genotype specificity and the presence/absence of the 3gG2 gene at the Rsv1 locus. The outcome of work will be useful for identification genotypes resistant to SMV and their implementation in soybean breeding programs in Ukraine.
Reparative osteogenesis markers during bone defects substitution with germanium-doped ceramics under experimental osteoporosis
T. Todosiuk1*, V. Chemerovskiy1, А. Rublenko2,
N. Ulianchych3, V. Kolomiiets3, S. Firstov3
1Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University, Bila Tserkva, Ukraine;
2Vinnytsia Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine;
3Frantsevich Institute for Problems of Materials Science,
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: tatyana.todosyuk@gmail.com
Received: 04 June 2025; Revised: 05 August 2025;
Accepted: 30 January 2026; Available on-line: 23 February 2026
Osteoporosis, as a systemic skeletal disease, is characterized by the loss of bone mass, decreased mineral density, and microarchitecture changes. In cases of traumatic fractures and critical-size bone defects osteoporosis can lead to spontaneous fractures, impair regeneration and complication when using bone substituting materials. Ceramic implants, doped with germanium to impart osteoinductive properties, are among promising bone substituting materials. In this study we aimed to assess biochemical markers of reparative osteogenesis at bone defects substitution with germanium-doped ceramics in rabbits under osteoporosis. The study was conducted on California White rabbits with osteoporosis, induced by administration of 0.4% dexamethasone solution. The model defects were created in trabecular and cortical bones, following the exposure of the periosteum with drills of 3 and 4.2 mm diameters, respectively, in compliance with the anesthetic regimen and antiseptic rules. Calcium phosphate ceramic granules with a size of 700 μm, synthesized from hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate and doped with 0.8 mass.% germanium (CPC-Ge) were used for healing. In the control group of animals (n = 9) bone defects were healed under a blood clot. In the experimental group (n = 9), the defects were replaced with CPC-Ge granules. Blood samples for biochemical studies were collected before modeling the bone defect and on the 7th, 14th, 30th, and 60th days of reparative osteogenesis. The activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and its bone isoenzyme, as well as circulating immune complexes, protein C and NO serum levels were determined. It was shown that substitution of both trabecular and cortical bones defects with CPC-Ge, as compared to healing under a blood clot, leads to reduced inflammatory and immune responses, prevented the depletion of protein C and promotes a more dynamic course of reparative osteogenesis in animals with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
Indicators of musculus soleus contractility disorder in obese rats
D. M. Nozdrenko, O. V. Rizun, O. O. Kalmukova,
M. Yu. Kuznietsova, N. G. Raksha, T. I. Halenova*,
O. V. Lynchak, Yu. I. Prylutskyy
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine;
*e-mail: galenovatanya@knu.ua
Received: 23 October 2025; Revised: 12 November 2025;
Accepted: 30 January 2026; Available on-line: 23 February 2026
Obesity has become a widespread issue across the globe, reaching epidemic proportions. Being overweight is a known risk factor for developing impairments in muscle performance. The aim of the study was to estimate mechanokinetic parameters of musculus soleus contraction in obese animals to better understand the possible impact of obesity on muscle contractile activity, tissue structure and appearance of damage markers in the blood. Experiments were carried out on 40 male white non-linear rats, divided equally into two groups. Control group were fed a standard diet for 10 weeks. Rats in the obesity group were maintained on a high-fat diet for the same time period. At the end of the experiment animals were anesthetized, musculus soleus was dissected, the ventral roots were severed from the spinal cord. Stimulation was performed by electrical impulses generated by a pulse generator. Tissue samples histological analysis was done with the use of Van Gieson’s trichrome and Sudan Black staining. Creatinine concentration, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the blood was determined. Reduction in musculus soleus maximum contraction force and muscle force impulse, prolonged relaxation time and delayed muscle return to initial state in obese animals as compared to control group were detected indicating on skeletal muscle fatigue. The appearance of intramyocellular lipid droplets and increased amount of intramuscular collagen fibers in the muscle tissue, as well as the elevated creatinine level and increased LDH and CPK activity in the blood, confirmed the impairment of muscle state in obese rat.
ROS production and phagocytic activity in human blood phagocytes treated with bacteriophage preparation Pyofag
I. Semchuk1, A. Kharina1, N. Korniienko2, M. Rudyk1, R. Dovhyi1,
K. Ostrovska1, K. Liashenko1, Yu. Kortous1, L. Skivka1
1NSC “Institute of Biology and Medicine”,
Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine;
2NPBC-UKRAINE LLC;
*e-mail: 03semiramida02@knu.ua
Received: 19 November 2025; Revised: 22 January 2026;
Accepted: 30 January 2026; Available on-line: 23 February 2026
The growing use of bacteriophages in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections highlights the need to clarify their direct effects on innate immune cells. This study investigated the effect of polyvalent phage preparation Pyofag on oxidative metabolism and phagocytic function of nonsensitized peripheral blood monocytes and granulocytes under physiological whole-blood conditions. Blood samples from healthy donors were collected using lithium heparin, incubated with Pyofag at phage-to-cell ratios of 1:2, 1:5, and 1:10, centrifuged and the cell pellet was used. ROS production was assessed with the use of DCFDA, phagocytic activity was estimated by fluorescent polystyrene latex beads-uptake intensity. The percentage of phagocytic cells and their mean fluorescence index (MFI) were measured by flow cytometry. It was shown that Pyofag induced statistically significant moderate ROS generation in both phagocyte populations only at the highest dose, remaining markedly lower than that induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Upon Pyofag treatment, only minor reduction in the proportion of phagocytosing monocytes and minor increased in the percentage of phagocytosing granulocytes was observed with no effect on MFI. The mild oxidative activation and stable phagocytic performance observed in Pyofag-treated blood phagocytes point to a noninflammatory, balanced immunomodulatory profile, supporting the safety of this phage preparation for potential systemic administration.