Selank

Abstract

Therapeutic peptides are emerging as promising adjuncts in the management of orthopaedic injuries, grounded in their ability to modulate molecular signaling networks central to cellular medicine. By acting on key pathways such as PI3K/Akt, mTOR, MAPK, TGF-β, and AMPK, peptides exert influence over tissue regeneration, inflammation resolution, and neuromuscular recovery. Wound-healing peptides such as BPC-157, TB-500, and GHK-Cu promote angiogenesis, integrin-mediated extracellular matrix remodeling, and fibroblast activation, whereas growth hormone secretagogues like ipamorelin, CJC-1295, tesamorelin, sermorelin, and AOD-9604 activate IGF-1 signaling and satellite cell repair. Recovery-enhancing agents such as epithalon, delta sleep-inducing peptide, and pinealon target circadian and mitochondrial regulators, and neuroactive peptides like selank, semax, and dihexa enhance brain-derived neurotrophic factor and HGF/c-Met pathways critical to neuroplasticity. Although preclinical studies are promising, there is a current lack of clinical trials. This review integrates current mechanistic insights with orthopaedic relevance, emphasizing safety, efficacy, and future directions for responsible integration into musculoskeletal care.

Abstract

We studied the reparative and antioxidant effects of thymogen (10 and 100 μg/kg) and its modifications in equimolar doses (12 and 120 μg/kg) obtained by attaching the amino acid D-alanine (D-Ala) to the N- or C-terminus of the peptide molecule. A single intraperitoneal injection of hydrazine hydrochloride caused a decrease in catalase activity and an increase in molondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. Administration of peptides in lower doses inhibited LPO and stimulated reparative regeneration of hepatocytes. Thymogen analogue with D-Ala at the C-terminus was most effective. Increasing the doses of thymogen (100 μg/kg) and its analogues (120 μg/kg) did not lead to further increase in their hepatoprotective activity.

Abstract

This clinical study combined alanyl-glutamine and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) to investigate the effects of parenteral nutrition on postoperative inflammation and nutritional status in patients with gastroduodenal perforation to provide a basis and support for the use of clinical immunonutrients. Patients with gastroduodenal perforations who underwent surgery between January 2018 and December 2023 were included. From the first to the seventh postoperative day, Group A (GA) received conventional postoperative nutrition with fat emulsion (20%), amino acids (17), and glucose (11%) injection; Group B (GB), building on GA's regimen, was additionally treated with 10 g/day of ω-3 PUFAs; and Group C (GC), expanding on GB's regimen, was additionally treated with 10 g/day of alanyl-glutamine. A total of 168 patients were included in the study, with 71 in GA, 30 in GB, and 67 in GC. Total protein and albumin (Alb) levels increased in all 3 groups, with GC showing a more significant increase compared to GB and GA (TP: 7.73 ± 5.00 vs 4.35 ± 5.85 vs 3.92 ± 5.07, P < .05; Alb: 4.07 ± 4.52 vs 1.79 ± 4.00 vs 2.11 ± 4.10, P < .05); C-reactive protein levels decreased in all 3 groups, with the most pronounced decrease in GC (93.71 ± 80.97 vs 72.04 ± 80.48 vs 55.79 ± 83.68, P < .05); the length of hospitalization and among the 3 groups was statistically significant (10.7 ± 2.27 vs 13.39 ± 4.66 vs 12.52 ± 3.46, P < .05), and GB was shorter than GA; the incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower in GC than in other groups (P < .05). Parenteral nutrition supplemented with alanyl-glutamine and ω-3 PUFAs can increase postoperative total protein and Alb levels, thereby improving patient nutritional status, reducing the production of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein, mitigating the inflammatory response, and decreasing the incidence of postoperative complications, thus improving patient prognosis.