Аннотация:Analysis of experimental data shows that interaction of charges in an aqueous medium is satisfactorily evaluated by macroscopic dielectric water permeability even at small (approximately 3--4 A) distances. It has been shown that a non-polar molecule located between the charges weakens their interaction. At the same time interaction between charges situated on the non-polar molecules somewhat increases. An estimate is made of the free energy loss of alpha- and beta-structures of polypeptides, resulting from the insertion of charged groups as well as of the free energy of interactions involving charged groups in different secondary structures.