How it is thought to work
Prostamax is thought to induce activation of ribosome genes and decondensation of densely packed chromatin fibrils (PMID 15085253). This process, termed deheterochromatinization, may release genes that have become repressed due to age-specific condensation of cellular euchromatin regions (PMID 15085253, PMID 23221144). It is suggested that Prostamax's modifying effect on chromatin underlies its protective action (PMID 23221144).
In human lymphocytes, Prostamax is believed to cause a redistribution of heat among endotherms (T(d)III and T(d)IV) and shift them to lower temperatures, which may be connected with a partial relaxation of the 30-nm-thick fiber into a 10-nm filament (PMID 15612551). Small structural changes in nucleosomal organization within these fibers are also associated with Prostamax treatment (PMID 15612551).
What laboratory and animal studies report
In leukocytes from senile human subjects (aged 75-88 years), Prostamax induced activation of ribosome genes and decondensation of densely packed chromatin fibrils (PMID 15085253). It also led to decondensation of chromosome 1 pericentromeric structural chromatin in these cells (PMID 15085253).
A study on human lymphocytes showed that Prostamax caused a redistribution of heat among chromatin denaturation stages, shifting them to lower temperatures, suggesting structural changes in nucleosomal organization (PMID 15612551). Further studies on human lymphocytes from older individuals (75-86 years) found Prostamax increased the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) from 5.9±0.2 to 12.0±0.28 per cell, increased Ag-positive NORs frequency from 0.95 to 2.5 per cell, and reduced the frequency of large segments of pericentromeric heterochromatin for chromosomes 1 and 9 (PMID 23221144). Prostamax was also found to decondense heterochromatin that had been condensed by Cu(II) ions in human blood lymphocyte cultures (PMID 19359734).
In organotypic tissue cultures of explants from aged rats (18-month-old), Prostamax at 0.05 ng/ml showed a stimulating effect on prostate gland tissue culture (PMID 17152728).
Key terms explained
Chromatin: The complex of DNA and proteins (histones) found inside the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, which packages DNA into a more compact shape.
Heterochromatin: A tightly packed form of chromatin, generally associated with gene repression.
Euchromatin: A lightly packed form of chromatin, rich in genes, and often under active transcription.
Deheterochromatinization: The process of making heterochromatin less condensed, potentially making genes within it more accessible.
Ribosome genes: Genes that code for ribosomal RNA, a crucial component of ribosomes, which are responsible for protein synthesis.
Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE): The interchange of segments between sister chromatids (identical copies of a chromosome) during cell division, often used as an indicator of genetic damage or repair processes.
Ag-positive NORs: Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs) are chromosomal regions containing ribosomal RNA genes. 'Ag-positive' refers to staining with silver, which indicates active NORs.
