Laboratory of Experimental Physiology
The Laboratory of Experimental Physiology serves as a base for fundamental and applied scientific researches that are undertaken by three Chairs of our University: the Chair of Human & Animal Physiology and Morphology; the Chair of Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Biochemistry; and the Chair of Human Morphology.
The researches that are currently undertaken by the staff of these three Chairs are combined into one concept – “Role of Free Radical Processes and Antioxidant Protection in Regulating Functional Processes, Which Provide Homeostasis of Organisms in Their Ontogenesis and When Extreme Factors Affect Them”.
This Concept aims at researching how the mechanisms of incomplete molecular oxygen recovery perform their functions in living systems. We also research the harm done to living systems when active forms of oxygen arise. The results of our researches make it possible to determine what role the systems of free radicals and bioantioxidants play in modulation mechanisms of those systems that regulate functions.
Our Laboratory has its own, up-to-date photometric and computer electrographic equipment, high-resolution microscopic appliances, and hematological equipment that makes it possible for us to undertake complex psychophysiological researches.
The territory of our Laboratory houses not only Physiological and Morphological Departments, but also a large vivarium where more than 500 laboratory animals live.
The Laboratory of Experimental Physiology researches how pharmacological concentrations of biological and synthetic antioxidants influence:
- The functional state of the central and the vegetative nervous system;
- The metabolic function of lungs;
- The functioning of the heart and the reproductive system when oxidative stresses affect them. Such stresses may be caused by emotions, cold, aging, or by toxic agents of industrial origin from the Astrakhan Gas-Condensate Field.
We have also explored free radical processes that proceeded in organisms of our laboratory animals, and the results of these researches enabled us to develop:
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The means to determine the toxic effect of mucosa therapy with interferon;
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The means of diagnosing hyperplastic processes that accompany hysteromyoma;
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The means to diagnose epithelioma in ovaries when it is necessary to determine albumen peroxidation.
These researches are undertaken jointly with the Chair of Microbiology, the Chair of General Biology and Medical Genetics, and the Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Astrakhan State Medical Academy (Institution of Advanced Training for Physicians).
Our long-term plans of scientific activities include:
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Making a complex ontogenetic analysis of tissue-specific features that are inherent to the reaction upon the biologic effect of activated oxygen metabolites. This reaction is performed by the system of regulating functions and effector organs;
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Analysis of molecular and cellular mechanisms that develop programmed cellular deaths of nervous cells when oxidative stresses and progressing age involution affect them.
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Analyzing the impacts that free radicals (as stressors) may have upon the endocrine, cardiorespiratory, and reproductive systems;
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Searching possible ways of efficient correcting the age-specific abnormalities in programmed cellular deaths that take place in regulatory and effector organism systems.
We are also planning to explore the regulatory principles of the aging process. Such principles are determined by abnormalities of adaptosis at the physiological level, which arise owing to intensification of free radical processes taking place in the old age and to the weakening of the antioxidant protection system. These researches are planned to be undertaken jointly with the Laboratory of Somnology and Neuroendocrinology at St.-Petersburg Sechenov Evolutional Physiology and Biochemistry Institution (affiliate of the Russian Academy of Sciences).
The Laboratory of Experimental Physiology is headed by David Lvovich TYOPLY – D.Sc. in Biology, Full Professor, and Full Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences.
