Stem cell factor levels during physical activities of varying intensities and upon meldonium treatment

The mechanisms of liver regeneration after damage are associated with activation of cytokines. SCF is an important signaling factor since, along with hematopoiesis regulation, it is involved in liver restoration and regeneration after damage. In this respect, the aim of our study was to evaluate SCF levels in blood plasma and liver during physical activity of varying intensity and after Meldonium admonistration. Material and methods: The experiments were conducted with male rats. The study was performed in two stages. Initially, the rats were subject to exertion of varying intensity: the 1^st group of rats performed light physical activity, the 2^nd group underwent moderate exercises, the 3^rd group performed heavy physical activity. A total of 10 sessions of swimming loading were performed. The Intact, sexually mature male rats did not undergo physical activity. The number of these animals corresponded to the number of experimental group. The rat SCF concentration (rat stem cell factor / mast cell growth factor) in blood plasma and the levels of SCF in the liver tissue were determined by means of enzyme immunoassay. The study has shown that SCF level in the intact group was higher in liver tissue than in blood plasma. In the 1^st group of animals, an increase in SCF by 1.5 times in the blood and a decrease in the liver were noted, as compared to the intact group (p < 0.05). In the 2^nd group, SCF contents in the liver was increased, along with a decrease in blood plasma by 1.1 times when compared to the 1^st group. However, this parameter remained higher than in intact animals by 1.4 times (p < 0.05). In the 3^rd group, a decrease in SCF was noted both in blood plasma, and in liver samples as compared to intact animals (p < 0.05). After administration of meldonium during mild and moderate physical exertion, an increase in SCF in the liver by 1.1 times was noted. During severe physical exertion it was 1.4 times higher when compared to experimental animals that did not receive meldonium. Hence, usage of meldonium during physical exercise of varying intensity led to a significant increase in the liver SCF concentration.

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