Encheva-Stoykova E.N.Tsekova D.S.Hodzhev Y.K.Nocheva H.H.Tancheva L.P.2024-07-162024-07-162024-07-162024-07-162020-01-011314-79781314-7471SCOPUS_ID:85088121229https://rlib.uctm.edu/handle/123456789/1281Peptidomimetics are a class of chemical compounds, many of which are being developed as potential medications. Social isolation stress is known to negatively affect neurodevelopment and normal neural functions. The purpose of the study was to examine the neuropharmacological effects of M6 peptidomimetic, a derivative of the branched chain amino acid L-Valine and m-pyridinic acid, while focusing on the sexual dimorphism among its effects on memory, balance and exploratory behavior in adolescent male and female rats under social isolation stress. The aim was also to compare the effects observed with those of the peptidomimetic on control (grouped) adolescent male and female rats. The post-weaning social isolation (21st PND) of 12 Wistar male and 12 female rat pups over a period of 6 weeks was used as a method of chronic stress. Half of the animals (grouped and isolated) received M6 150 mg/kg (i. p.) daily for 3 days. Then they participated in a battery of behavioral tests: Rotarod test, Hole board test, and Step-through test. The rats were tested for memory retention 1 h after acquaintance of the animal with the Step through test, and 24 h later. ANOVA (mixed design) was used to compare and analyze the results obtained. It is shown that the rats' memory and neuro-muscular coordination during their early post-adolescent period are diversely influenced by the chronic stress and the administration of peptidomimetic depending on the animals' sex and on the isolation stress effect.enArticle