Selank and GABA

"Clinical studies have suggested that Selank may have strong anti-anxiety and neuroprotective effects," says Dr. Anastasiya Volkova of Russia's Institute of Molecular Genetics. As an allosteric modulator of GABA receptors, Selank may increase the inhibitory activity of GABA and may have potential action comparable to anti-anxiety compounds. Studies suggest the properties of Selank may include ameliorating nervousness, decreasing tension, bolstering cognitive functions, including memory and learning. 

Scientists hypothesize Selank may highly regulate seven out of the 84 genes involved in GABA signaling in rat studies. Studies suggest that other 45 genes report at least a little alteration in expression after receiving the peptide. In all, 52 genes involved in GABA signaling appear to be modulated by Selank. These findings suggest that Selank may directly alter gene expression in neurons by modifying the GABA receptor's affinity for GABA [i]. Selank's synergism with other GABA receptor agonists may be explained by the fact that it allegedly alters receptor affinity.

Research suggests anxiety and GAD, in particular, may respond similarly to Selank when presented alone. It seems that a combination of Selank and other compounds may be another way to mitigate chronic moderate stress in test settings [ii]; however, Selank may have a modest edge when trying to lower increased anxiety levels in test models.

The breakdown of enkephalin may play a role in mediating Selank's actions on GABA receptors. The enkephalins produced in high-stress environments exhibit apparently shorter half-lives in test subjects [iii] due to higher enkephalinase activity in the blood. Selank may protect natural anxiolytic peptides by resetting this enzymatic pathway and preventing the breakdown of enkephalins. Research in anxious mice supports the theory that Selank's potential may be partly due to inhibiting enkephalin breakdown [iv].

Selank and The Immune System

Selank may inhibit the gene expression that codes for the inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Interestingly, this impact seems to occur exclusively in high stress testing environments [v]. 

Research suggests Selank and other anxiolytic compounds may exhibit similar action in reducing anxiety, but research in Selank specifically suggests the peptide may alleviate asthenic symptoms like exhaustion and pain [vi]. Researchers speculate Selank's potential to modify IL-6 expression is likely responsible for some impact. At the same time, the peptide's potential to change the breakdown rate of natural pain relievers, enkephalins, is also likely responsible for some of the potential action, research suggests.

Selank peptide testing in rats has speculated that it may control the expression of about 34 inflammatory genes. These genes are considered to impact chemokines, cytokines, and their receptors. Specifically, Selank has been speculated to modify the expression of BcI6, a gene that plays a role in immune system development [vii]. More than any other research, this suggests that Selank may have highly complicated biological impacts, but it might help researchers learn more about how the immune system develops.

Gene expression studies in the mouse spleen have speculated that exposure to Selank or Selank fragments may briefly affect the expression of C3, CAsp1, Il2rf, and Xcr1. By manipulating these genes, Selank may shift the immune system's equilibrium and control inflammation [viii].

Selank and Memory

Anxiety and the ability to learn and remember have been linked for a long time. The association is negative, with higher levels of worry being linked to worse memory recall and storage. Although Selank, like conventional anxiety compounds, may possibly mitigate this action, it may exhibit other properties in cognitive function.

Scientists hypothesize Selank may increase memory trace stability, which may aid in preserving previously learned information, according to research using rats trained with food incentives and given saline or Selank [ix]. It's worth noting that the rats appeared to gain from the peptide's anti-stress properties regardless of their anxiety levels, suggesting that its properties go beyond this narrow mechanism.

Researchers speculate several genes involved in memory formation seem to have their expression modified by Selank in the hippocampal region. In rat studies, Selank presentation seemed to alter the mRNA levels of 36 distinct genes. Most of these genes are considered to encode membrane-associated proteins that may control ion channels involved in memory and learning [x]. Much more work is still needed to understand how Selank may improve memory and learning. Still, this study provides a compelling early signal that it may change how neurons behave to simplify storing and retrieving memories.

Studies have suggested that Selank may assist in restoring cognitive functions after brain injury, including memory and learning. At least one research study speculated that giving rats Selank after exposure to a neurotoxic appeared to improve their cognitive abilities. This result may be linked to Selank's potential to artificially suppress the brain's catecholamine system [xi]. 

More investigation is required to test its potential in scientific research, and these studies must continue. Only academic and scientific institutions are allowed to use Selank for sale. If you are a licensed professional interested in purchasing Selank peptides for your clinical studies, visit Biotech Peptides. Please note that none of the items mentioned are approved for human or animal consumption. Laboratory research chemicals are only for in-vitro and in-lab use. Any kind of physical introduction is illegal. Only authorized academics and working professionals may make purchases. The content of this article is intended only for instructional purposes.

References

[i] A. Volkova et al., “Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission,” Front. Pharmacol., vol. 7, Feb. 2016. [PubMed]

[ii] A. Kasian et al., “Peptide Selank Enhances the Effect of Diazepam in Reducing Anxiety in Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Conditions in Rats,” Behavioural Neurology, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bn/2017/5091027/ Links to an external site.

[iii] A. A. Zozulya et al., “The inhibitory effect of Selank on enkephalin-degrading enzymes as a possible mechanism of its anxiolytic activity,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 131, no. 4, pp. 315–317, Apr. 2001. [PubMed]

[iv] O. Y. Sokolov, V. K. Meshavkin, N. V. Kost, and A. A. Zozulya, “Effects of Selank on behavioral reactions and activities of plasma enkephalin-degrading enzymes in mice with different phenotypes of emotional and stress reactions,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med. [PubMed]

[v] O. N. Uchakina et al., “[Immunomodulatory effects of selank in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders],” Zh. Nevrol. Psikhiatr. Im. S. S. Korsakova, vol. 108, no. 5, pp. 71–75, 2008. [PubMed]

[vi] A. A. Zozulia et al., “[Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia],” Zh. Nevrol. Psikhiatr. Im. S. S. Korsakova, vol. 108, no. 4, pp. 38–48, 2008. [PubMed]

[vii] T. Kolomin, M. Shadrina, L. Andreeva, P. Slominsky, S. Limborska, and N. Myasoedov, “Expression of inflammation-related genes in mouse spleen under tuftsin analog Selank,” Regul. Pept., vol. 170, no. 1–3, pp. 18–23, Oct. 2011. [PubMed]

[viii] T. I. Agapova et al., “[Effect of semax on the temporary dynamics of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor gene expression in the rat hippocampus and frontal cortex],” Mol. Genet. Mikrobiol. Virusol., no. 3, pp. 28–32, 2008. [PubMed]

[ix] T. P. Semenova, I. I. Kozlovskiĭ, N. M. Zakharova, and M. M. Kozlovskaia, “[Experimental optimization of learning and memory processes by selank],” Eksp. Klin. Farmakol., vol. 73, no. 8, pp. 2–5, Aug. 2010. [PubMed]

[x] T. A. Kolomin et al., “[c],” Zh. Vyssh. Nerv. Deiat. Im. I. P. Pavlova, vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 365–374, Jun. 2013.

[xi] T. P. Semenova, M. M. Kozlovskaya, N. M. Zakharova, I. I. Kozlovskii, and A. V. Zuikov, “Effect of selank on cognitive processes after damage inflicted to the cerebral catecholamine system during early ontogeny,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 144, no. [PubMed]