N. F. Starodub¹, L. M. Samokhina², S. N. Koval², I. A. Snegurskaya²

1National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
e-mail: nikstarodub@yahoo.com;
²GD L. T. Malaya National Institute of Therapy of NAMS of Ukraine, Kharkov;
e-mail: lub.samokhina@yandex.ua

Calpains are a family of cytoplasmic calcium-dependent proteinases with papain-like activity. They participate in a variety of processes in the body: age changes, functioning of endothelium and pulmonary system, regulation of apoptosis and necrosis, development of various hypometabolic states, arterial hypertension, diabetes and chronic kidney disease, tumor growth. It is concluded that calpains, causing limited proteolysis of substrates, play an important role in a wide range of biological phenome­na. Their activity is associated with the response to the calcium-dependent signaling and the effects of aging. Inhibition of calpains activity contributes to inhibition of endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, formation of structural and functional changes in the kidney tissue, has neuroprotective effect, preventing sarcopenia, reduces inflammatory reactions caused by hyperventilation of the lungs.