[Hypothalamic neurosecretory cell apoptosis during stress in mice at different stages of ontogenesis]

The aim of this work was to detect the participation of cycloferon in apoptosis control of cells of hypothalamic neurosecretory centers in young and old mice subjected to immobilization stress. Apoptotic cells were detected using ethidium bromide staining. Optic density of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein was determined in the immunoreactive cells of supraoptic and paraventricular nucleus (PVN). It was observed that cycloferon reduced activity of apoptosis in hypothalamic neurosecretory centers via Bcl-2-independent pathway. Cycloferon administration prior to stress had no influence on the number of apoptotic cells, except those ones in PVN of old animals, which demonstrated an apoptosis inhibition.