Biopolym. Cell. 2026; 42(3):194-209.
https://doi.org/10.7124/bc.000BBA
Molecular Biomedicine
The effect of "Nuclex" and "Metabol-norm" on acid-base balance and expression of selected genes in mouse blood
1Tkachuk Z. Yu., 1Melnichuk N. S., 2Melnychuk D. M., 1Yakovenko T. G.
  1. Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, NAS of Ukraine
    150, Akademika Zabolotnoho Str., Kyiv, Ukraine, 03143
  2. D. K. Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, NAS of Ukraine
    154, Academika Zabolotnoho Str., Kyiv, Ukraine, 03143

Abstract

Blood acid-base status is a critical factor in infectious diseases—particularly severe viral infections — and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Current therapeutic approaches to correcting acid-base status are limited by a reliance on respiratory compensation and the risk of CO2 overload. Therefore, the development of new agents capable of restoring buffering capacity without increasing the respiratory load is significant importance. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of the preparations "Nuclex" (a complex of protonated oligoribonucleotides with D-mannitol) and "Metabol-norm" on acid-base status parameters and gene expression in the blood of mice kept under uncontrolled wartime conditions. Methods. The study was conducted in vivo using BALB/c mice. Blood gas parameters (pH, pCO2, HCO3-, base excess (BE)) were analyzed, as well as the expression levels of transcription factors (c-Myc, Klf, Sox2, Rela, Nfkbia) and cytokine genes (Ifnα, Ifnβ, Ifnγ, Il6, Tnfα) using RT-qPCR. Results. Administration of the drug "Nuclex" resulted in a significant increase in pH, restoration of bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels, and a reduction in base deficit (BE), indicating effective correction of blood acid-base parameters without lowering pCO2. In contrast, the use of "Metabol-norm" alone did not ensure complete normalization of these parameters. Combined therapy demonstrated the most pronounced effect. At the molecular level, "Nuclex" reduced c-Myc and Rela expression, stabilized Nfkbia levels, and decreased Sox2 variability, indicating a normalization of the cellular inflammatory state. Furthermore, "Nuclex" selectively increased IFN-γ expression without affecting IFN-α or IFN-β, indicating a shift towards a controlled Th1-type immune response. Conclusions. The obtained results support the concept that protonated oligoribonucleotides act as non-bicarbonate buffering agents capable of binding H+ ions, replenishing bicarbonate reserves, and stabilizing acid-base homeostasis.
Keywords: Nuclex, Metabol-norm, blood gas parameters, transcription factors, cytokine genes
Full text: (PDF, in English)

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