Research activities

Research work in the Department of Pathological Physiology was first initiated under the direction of the first department head, Associate Professor L.F. Supron (1958-1962), on the topic of «Experimental Therapy of Acute Radiation Sickness with Leofas». However, due to the lack of approval from the State Pharmaceutical Committee for the drug's use, work on this topic was discontinued.

In 1963, with the arrival of Associate Professor D.A. Maslakov as the new department head, a new research direction began to develop: studying the hemodynamic properties of dextran preparations (polyglucin, rheopolyglucin). This research proved fruitful. The Department of Pathophysiology, together with researchers from other departments, discovered new properties of dextran, in addition to its hemodynamic properties (modification of cell membrane resistance and gastric secretion, its antiulcer effect, its influence on fluid and protein resorption in the abdominal cavity, the restoration of connective tissue function, etc.). Dextran began to be viewed not only as a plasma substitute but also as a biologically active substance – a polysaccharide with numerous previously unknown positive properties.

The results obtained under D.A. Maslakov's supervision were reflected in more than 130 published scientific papers and several defended PhD dissertations by department staff (M.V. Borisyuk, Ya.V. Lagodskiy, K.A. Eismont, S.P. Sivakova, P.M. Korolev). Thanks to this research, dextran preparations have found wider clinical application, particularly for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers, the prevention of abdominal adhesions, and preoperative patient preparation. At the same time, understanding of the biological activity of heparin (a polysaccharide) and its use in clinical practice, beyond its role as an anticoagulant, was expanded.

Another research area of ​​the department's research, developed at the same time by Associate Professor and later Professor V.V. Bakanskaya, was the establishment of the ability of certain vitamins to correct hypercoagulation processes in the body. Subsequently, the department's staff worked on studying the pathogenesis and rationale for treating histamine shock using dextran preparations (S.S. Malchik) and methods for suppressing the immune conflict in the maternal-fetal system caused by lipopolysaccharide preparations in experimental animals during pregnancy (N.Ye. Maksimovich).

Since 1999, the department's research has focused on the following topics:

• «Preclinical trials of anti-sclerotic drugs based on amino acid composition»;
• «Creation of new effective drugs».

In 2000, the department worked on the topic «Specialized Amino Acid Compositions in the Pathogenesis and Prevention of Atherosclerosis and Ischemic Disorders». During those years, the department worked closely with the Institute of Biochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The research demonstrated positive effects of the amino acid complex on atherosclerosis.

Subsequently, the department shifted its focus to studying the pathogenesis of ischemic and reperfusion injury in various organs and tissues.

From 2001 to 2003, the department worked on the topic «Experimental Development of Methods for the Prevention and Treatment of Post-Ischemic Reperfusion Syndrome», and from 2003 to 2005, the department worked on the topic «Development of New Pathogenetic Therapies for Reperfusion Injuries and Correction of Defense Responses in Alcoholism». As a result of this work, Associate Professor N.Ye. Maksimovich completed and defended her doctoral dissertation (2005). The author not only confirmed the involvement of nitric oxide in the mechanisms of ischemic and reperfusion brain injury but also identified pathways for its pathogenetic correction, associated with the ambiguous activity of endothelial, neuronal, and macrophage isoforms of NO synthase.

From 2006 to 2009, the research was conducted on the planned topics:

• «Development of correction of brain and liver damage of ischemic and reperfusion genesis through local and general hypoxic training»;
• «Characteristics of oxygen supply to the body under the influence of alcohol and its withdrawal».

In 2010, the department organized and held a Republican conference with international participation, «Current Theoretical and Applied Aspects of Pathophysiology». A collection of scientific papers, a bibliography of department staff works, and a commemorative booklet for the department's 50th anniversary were published.

Subsequently, the study of ischemic and reperfusion injuries to the brain and liver continued.

From 2013 to 2017, the department conducted research on the topic «The Course of Ischemic Injuries to the Brain and Liver in Conditions of Endothelial Dysfunction and Their Correction». Department staff investigated the mechanisms of ischemic brain injury in conditions of isolated ovariectomy, cholesterol loading, and their combinations. The effectiveness of antioxidant preparations, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish oil and flaxseed oil, was demonstrated as endothelioprotectors and antioxidant agents for the correction of ischemic brain injury. In addition, the effects of melatonin on blood oxygen transport and the prooxidant-antioxidant status of hepatocytes during transient liver ischemia were studied.

From 2018 to 2022, the department conducted research on the topic of «Characterization of Morphological and Functional Changes in the Brain, Liver, Vascular Endothelium, and Abdominal Cavity in Circulatory and Inflammatory Pathologies». This study demonstrated for the first time the adverse development of subtotal ischemia and experimental peritonitis under conditions of modeling endothelial dysfunction. The corrective effect of NO synthase substrate (NOS) and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in a subtotal ischemia model was established.

Currently (2023-2027), the department is conducting research on the topic of «Detailing Organ Damage in Certain Types of Hypoxic Conditions and the Search for Pathogenetic Pathways to Correct It».

During the existence of the department, its staff has defended 18 dissertations (4 doctoral and 14 candidate dissertations), published 15 monographs, received 11 patents for inventions and 3 author's certificates, certificates for more than 200 rationalization proposals. The authors of candidate dissertations defended at the department are: Kalinina. T.V. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 1966); Borisyuk M.V. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 1967); Lagodskiy Ya.V. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 1969); Eismont K.A. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 1973); Sivakova S.P. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 1975); Schneider A.B. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 1983); Sukhotskaya G.M. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 1988); Maksimovich N.Ye. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 1990); Mal'chik S.S. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 1990); Khodosovsky M.N. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 2003); Milosh T.S. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 2010); Bon' E.I. (Candidate of Biological Sciences, 2018), Gusakovskaya E.V. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 2023), Lelevich A.V. (Candidate of Medical Sciences, 2025) and doctoral dissertations: Maslakov D.A. (Doctor of Medical Sciences, 1974) - «Experimental justification for the use of polyglucin as a polysaccharide in the treatment of circulatory hypoxia of the liver and ulcerative diseases of the stomach and intestines»; Bakanskaya V.V. (MD, 1980) – «The Effect of Acute Hypoxia on the Hemocoagulation System, the Role of Certain Vitamins in Preventing Thrombus Formation and Improving the Body's Resistance to Hypoxia»; Maksimovich N.Ye. (MD, 2005) – «The Role of Nitric Oxide in the Pathogenesis of Ischemic-Reperfusion Brain Injuries and Rationale for Corrective Pathways»; Khodosovsky M.N. (MD, 2021) – «Gasotransmitters NO, H2S, and CO in the Correction of Metabolic Disorders in Liver Ischemia-Reperfusion».

The percentage of PhD holders in the department is 64%. The department employs two doctors of science (MD, Professor N.Ye. Maksimovich and MD, Professor M.N. Khodosovsky) and five candidates of science (Associate Professors I.K. Dremza, E.I. Bon, E.I. Troyan, A.V. Lelevich, and Senior Lecturer E.V. Gusakovskaya).

Over the past five-year period (2021-2025), the department has completed four research projects registered with the Belarusian Institute of Systems Analysis and Information Support for Science and Technology – two unfunded projects and two funded projects:

Funded research projects:

1. The Belarusian Republican Foundation for Basic Research, aimed at supporting young scientists' research projects on «New Morphological and Functional Diagnostic Markers of Neurons in Phylogenetically Different Regions of the Cerebral Cortex of Rat Brains under Experimental Ischemia» (2018-2022, contract number M18M-036). Supervisor: E.I. Bon, PhD, Associate Professor.

2. Research Project 4.1.1 «Study the Processes of Brain Damage and Adaptation during Ischemia and the Use of Corrective Therapy». State Research Program «Translational Medicine», Subprogram 4.1 «Experimental Medicine», 2021-2023. Supervisor: N.Ye. Maksimovich, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor.

Unfunded research projects:

1. «Characterization of Morpho-Functional Changes in the Brain, Liver, Vascular Endothelium, and Abdominal Cavity in Cases of Circulatory and Inflammatory Pathology», Completion Date: January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2022. Supervisor: Professor N.Ye. Maksimovich, MD

2. «Detailing Organ Damage in Certain Types of Hypoxic Conditions and Searching for Pathogenetic Pathways for Their Correction», Completion Date: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2027.

Three master's theses were defended in the department from 2021 to 2025:

1. M.V. Vasilevich. «The Effect of Sodium Hydrosulfide on the Osmotic Resistance of Erythrocytes» (2022). Supervisor: Head of the Department, Professor N.Ye. Maksimovich, MD

2. Feduto M.A. «Morphofunctional Characteristics of the Occipital Cortex and Medulla Oblongata during Experimental Asphyxia» (2022). Supervisor: Head of Department, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor N.Ye. Maksimovich.

3. Rusak T.S. «The Effect of Prenatal Administration of the Non-Selective NO Synthase Blocker L-NAME on the Postnatal Health of the Cerebral Cortex in Rats» (2023). Supervisor: Head of Department, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor N.Ye. Maksimovich.

The department trains scientific personnel:

- 1 doctoral student – ​​E.I. Bon, dissertation topic: «Processes of Brain Damage and Compensation in Rat Brain Ischemia and the Use of Corrective Therapies», study period: November 1, 2021–November 1, 2026 (research advisor: Head of Department, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor N.Ye. Maksimovich).

During this period, a patent for an invention, 14 certificates for rationalization proposals, and 15 implementations of research results in the educational process were obtained:

List of rationalization proposals for 2021-2025

1. A Method for Correcting Peritonitis in Rats Using Aminoguanidine / N.Ye. Maksimovich, E.V. Gusakovskaya // Certificate of Innovative Proposal No. 1891 dated October 10, 2022.

2. A Method for Correcting the Severity of Intoxication Syndrome in Experimental Peritonitis in Rats by Administering L-Arginine / N.Ye. Maksimovich, E.V. Gusakovskaya // Certificate of Innovative Proposal No. 1892 dated October 10, 2022.

3. A Method for Determining the Bactericidal Activity of Neutrophils in Vitro in Experimental Peritonitis / N.Ye. Maksimovich, E.V. Gusakovskaya // Certificate of Innovative Proposal No. 1893 dated October 10, 2022.

4. Method for Assessing Morphological Changes in the Peritoneum in Experimental Peritonitis / Maksimovich N.Ye., Gusakovskaya E.V. // Certificate for Rationalization Proposal No. 1894 dated 10.10.2022.

5. Method for Visually Displaying the Size and Shape of Mitochondria / Maksimovich N.Ye., Bon' E.I., Kopitsky A.V. // Certificate for Rationalization Proposal No. 1894 dated 10.10.2022.

6. Method for Visually Displaying the Size and Shape of a Cell / Maksimovich N.Ye., Bon' E.I., Kopitsky A.V. // Certificate for Rationalization Proposal No. 1895 dated 10.10.2022.

7. Method for Modeling Cerebral Anoxia in Rats of Respiratory Genesis / Maksimovich N.Ye., Feduto M.A., Bon' E.I. // certificate for rationalization proposal No. 1898 dated 10.10.2022.

8. Method for fixing paraffin sections on a glass slide with paraffin tapes / Maksimovich N.Ye., Rusak T.S., Bon' E.I. Certificate for rationalization proposal No. 1901 dated December 28, 2022.

9. Method for determining the density of neurons in a histological preparation of brain structures / Maksimovich N.Ye., Rusak T.S., Bon' E.I. // Certificate for rationalization proposal No. 1907 dated April 29, 2023.

10. Method for determining the number of neurons with varying degrees of cytoplasmic chromatophilia in a histological preparation of brain structures / Maksimovich N.Ye., Rusak T.S., Bon' E.I. // Certificate for rationalization proposal No. 1908 dated April 29, 2023.

11. Method for Modeling a Device for Determining Muscle Strength in Rodents / Maksimovich N.Ye., Rusak T.S., Val'ko N.A. // Certificate of Rationalization Proposal No. 1917 dated April 29, 2023.

12. Modeling the Anoxia/Reoxygenation Syndrome of the Rat Brain. Rationalization Proposal No. 1927 Maksimovich N.Ye., Val'ko N.A., Bon' E.I. Issued November 17, 2023.

13. Method for Visualizing the Size and Shape of Neurons during Cerebral Anoxia / Maksimovich N.Ye., Feduto M.A., Bon' E.I. // Certificate of Rationalization Proposal No. 1935 dated April 24, 2024.

14. A method for modeling subtotal obstructive respiratory hypoxia of the brain in rats / Maksimovich N.Ye., Feduto M.A., Bon' E.I. // Certificate of Rationalization Proposal No. 1959 dated October 15, 2024.

Over the past 5 years, 323 scientific publications have been published, including 43 abstracts, 74 articles in collections of scientific papers and conference materials, 206 articles in journals, including 142 articles in non-CIS countries, 40 articles in the CIS countries, and 24 articles in the Republic of Belarus. Conferences include Republican conferences with international participation (Grodno, Minsk, Gomel), and All-Russian conferences with international participation (St. Petersburg, Yaroslavl).

Student Science Club

Over the past five years (2021-2025), more than 190 students participated in all forms of research, publishing 181 papers: 86 articles and 95 abstracts. Twenty-two papers were presented at university, national, and international student research conferences in Grodno, Vitebsk, Gomel, Minsk, St. Petersburg, Ryazan, Moscow, and other cities. Eight diplomas were awarded at the National Student Research Paper Competition (one paper was a Laureate, five papers were First Category winners, and two papers were Second Category winners). The most active student research supervisors are the Head of Department, Professor N.Ye. Maksimovich, and Associate Professor E.I. Bon'.

Staff Research Grants:

• Maksimovich N.Ye. (2002-2003) – Queen Jadwiga Research Grant at the Jagiellonian University (Krakow, Poland).
• Maksimovich N.Ye. (2003) – UNESCO Research Grant at the Jagiellonian University (Krakow, Poland).
• Khodosovsky M.N. (2004-2006) – «Possibilities of Using L-Arginine and Nitric Oxide Donors for Correction of Post-Ischemic Liver Damage», Grant from the Foundation for Fundamental Research of the Republic of Belarus for Young Scientists.
• Khodosovsky M.N. (2005) – Queen Jadwiga Research Grant (Krakow, Poland).
• Milosz T.S. (2006-2008) – «The Role of Nitric Oxide in the Development of Disturbances in the Mother-Fetus System during Pregnancy Complicated by Infection, and the Substantiation of Pathways for Their Pathogenetic Correction», a grant from the Foundation for Fundamental Research of the Republic of Belarus for young scientists.
• Khodosovsky M.N. (2007-2009) – «Study of the Mechanism of the Protective Effect of Methylnicotinamide on the Liver during Ischemia-Reperfusion», a grant from the Foundation for Fundamental Research of the Republic of Belarus for young scientists.
• Milosh T.S. (2008-2010) – «Characteristics of the oxygen-transport function of blood after administration of lipopolysaccharide during pregnancy», grant from the Foundation for Fundamental Research of the Republic of Belarus for young scientists.
• Lelevich A.V. (2009-2011) – «Functional state of the cardiovascular system in students with the risk factor for arterial hypertension B 10M-206», grant from the Foundation for Fundamental Research of the Republic of Belarus for young scientists.
• Maksimovich N.Ye. (2011-2013) – «Bioenergetics and redox state of the rat brain under conditions of reperfusion and correction using a bioregulatory complex», grant from the Foundation for Fundamental Research «Higher Educational Institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus».
• Bon' E.I. (2015-2017) – «Disturbances in the Development of Cortical Brain Structures in Antenatal Alcoholism and the Possibility of Their Correction with Piracetam», Nauka Foundation for Fundamental Research, Moscow.
• Bon' E.I. (2018-2020) – «New Morphological and Functional Diagnostic Markers of Neurons in Phylogenetically Different Regions of the Cerebral Cortex of Rat Cerebral Hemispheres under Experimental Ischemia», a grant from the Foundation for Fundamental Research of the Republic of Belarus for young scientists.
• Maksimovich N.Ye. (2021-2023) – «Study the Processes of Brain Damage and Adaptation during Ischemia and the Use of Correction», State Scientific Research Program.

The training of scientific and pedagogical personnel takes place through postgraduate and doctoral studies.