Selank Explained

Selank (Russian: Cеланк) is a nootropic, anxiolytic peptide based drug developed by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Selank is a heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (TKPRPGP). It is a synthetic analogue of human tuftsin.

Pharmacology

Selank is a synthetic analogue of the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin; as such, it mimics many of its effects. It has been shown to modulate the expression of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and affect the balance of T helper cell cytokines.[1] It has been shown to influence the concentration of monoamine neurotransmitters[2] and induce metabolism of serotonin.[3] [4] Selank has also been found to rapidly elevate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of rats.[5]

Selank, as well as a related peptide drug, Semax, have been found to inhibit enzymes involved in the degradation of enkephalins and other endogenous regulatory peptides, and this action may be involved in their effects.[6] It has also been found to affect the activity of carboxypeptidase H and phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride-inhibited carboxypeptidase in rat nervous system tissue.[7]

Selank has been found to produce antidepressant-like effects in animal models of depression and anhedonia.[8]

Clinical trials

In clinical trials, the drug has shown to provide a sustained nootropic and anxiolytic effect which is useful for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).[1] Selank has an advantage over traditional anxiety treatments, such as benzodiazepines, as it has no sedating or negative cognitive side effects and no associated addiction or withdrawal problems.

Selank is closely related to another nootropic drug, Semax, also developed by the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Russia. This drug is currently available in Russian and Ukrainian pharmacies.[9]

As with all lyophilized peptides, it needs refrigeration to remain stable within sterile water solutions, such as bacteriostatic water concentrations.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Uchakina ON, Uchakin PN, Miasoedov NF, Andreeva LA, Shcherbenko VE, Mezentseva MV, Gabaeva MV, Sokolov OI, Zozulia AA, Ershov FI . 6 . [Immunomodulatory effects of selank in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders] . Zhurnal Nevrologii I Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova . 108 . 5 . 71–75 . 2008 . 18577961 .
  2. Narkevich VB, Kudrin VS, Klodt PM, Pokrovskiĭ AA, Kozlovskaia MM, Maĭskiĭ AI, Raevskiĭ KS . [Effects of heptapeptide selank on the content of monoamines and their metabolites in the brain of BALB/C and C57Bl/6 mice: a comparative study] . Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia . 71 . 5 . 8–12 . 2008 . 19093364 .
  3. Semenova TP, Kozlovskiĭ II, Zakharova NM, Kozlovskaia MM . [Experimental optimization of learning and memory processes by selank] . Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia . 73 . 8 . 2–5 . August 2010 . 20919548 .
  4. Semenova TP, Kozlovskiĭ II, Zakharova NM, Kozlovskaia MM . [Comparison of the effects of selank and tuftsin on the metabolism of serotonin in the brain of rats pretreated with PCPA] . Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia . 72 . 4 . 6–8 . 2009 . 19803361 .
  5. Inozemtseva LS, Karpenko EA, Dolotov OV, Levitskaya NG, Kamensky AA, Andreeva LA, Grivennikov IA . Intranasal administration of the peptide Selank regulates BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus in vivo . Doklady Biological Sciences . 421 . 241–243 . 2008 . 18841804 . 10.1134/s0012496608040066 . 40709909 .
  6. Kost NV, Sokolov OI, Gabaeva MV, Grivennikov IA, Andreeva LA, Miasoedov NF, Zozulia AA . Semax and selank inhibit the enkephalin-degrading enzymes from human serum . ru . Bioorganicheskaia Khimiia . 27 . 3 . 180–183 . 2001 . 11443939 . 10.1023/A:1011373002885 . 26029820 .
  7. Solov'ev VB, Gengin MT, Sollertinskaia TN, Latynova IV, Zhivaeva LV . [Effect of selank on the main carboxypeptidases in the rat nervous tissue] . ru . Zhurnal Evoliutsionnoi Biokhimii I Fiziologii . 48 . 3 . 254–257 . 2012 . 22827026 .
  8. Sarkisova KI, Kozlovskiĭ II, Kozlovskaia MM . [Effects of heptapeptide selank on genetically-based and situation-provoked symptoms of depression in behavior in WAG/Rij and Wistar rats, and in BALB/c mice] . ru . Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deiatelnosti Imeni I P Pavlova . 58 . 2 . 226–237 . 2008 . 18661785 .
  9. Web site: СЕМАКС: лекарственное средство широкого спектра действия эффективный стимулятор нервной системы . Moscow . Institute of Molecular Genetics . https://web.archive.org/web/20110722134441/http://www.img.ras.ru/innov/ . 2011-07-22 . SEMAX: a broad-spectrum drug effective stimulant of the nervous system . ru .

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