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Opioid/adrenergic interactions were studied to evaluate two hypotheses: (1) naloxone potentiates the effect of epinephrine on cardiac contractility by increasing circulating epinephrine concentrations; and (2) endogenous and exogenous opioids alter left cardiac nerve stimulationinduced norepinephrine release and cardiac function. A canine isolated heart-lung preparation was used for the first study. Plasma epinephrine was determined and myocardial epinephrine uptake was calculated during intravenous epinephrine infusion. Naloxone (4 mg) was given and the epinephrine infusion was repeated. Naloxone increased cardiac contractility, coronary blood flow, and the coronary sinus epinephrine concentration. When coronary blood flow was subsequently held constant (100% above resting), naloxone increased only contractility. This result indicated that the previously observed increase in coronary sinus epinephrine was flow dependent. Corticosterone (an uptake II blocker) was employed as a positive control. Corticosterone increased the contractile response to epinephrine, but unlike naloxone, corticosterone was accompanied by a clear decrease in myocardial epinephrine uptake. The stereospecificity of the response to naloxone was investigated and (+) naloxone equaled or exceeded (-) naloxone in potentiating the inotropic effect of epinephrine. In the second study, the left cardiac nerve was isolated and electrically stimulated in intact dogs. Norepinephrine overflow gradually declined during successive control stimulations. Pretreatment with naloxone (100 Mg/kg) prevented or delayed the decline. An intracoronary dynorphin 1-9 infusion (2 nmol/min/kg for 20 minutes) reduced both norepinephrine overflow and cardiac performance, and both effects were prevented by pretreatment with naloxone (100 /xg/kg) . To summarize, naloxone potentiated the inotropic effect of infused epinephrine without altering circulating epinephrine concentrations or myocardial epinephrine uptake. This effect of naloxone was not stereospecific and probably not mediated through a traditional opiate receptor. Endogenous and exogenous opioids inhibited the left cardiac nerve stimulation-induced norepinephrine overflow, suggesting that opiate receptors may regulate cardiac excitability by modulating norepinephrine release.

O infarto do miocárdio (IM) é uma patologia causada pela obstrução parcial ou total das artérias coronárias responsáveis pela irrigação do miocárdio. Sabe-se que logo após o IM, o treinamento físico (TF) promove melhora e adaptações benéficas ao sistema cardiovascular. O objetivo do presente estudo foi traçar o perfil de microRNAs na área remanescente ao IM de ratos submetidos ou não ao TF através da técnica de microarray, selecionar e confirmar a expressão de um microRNA específico, por programas de bioinformática que tenha alvos que possam estar envolvidos com a melhora da função cardíaca com o TF. Também foi objetivo deste estudo, verificar a expressão do microRNA-1, do microRNA-29 e do microRNA-214 e dos respectivos alvos destes microRNAs, como o colágeno, NCX e SERCA2a. Para isso, ratos Wistar foram divididos em quatro grupos: SEDENTÁRIO SHAM (SED-SHAM), SEDENTÁRIO INFARTADO (SED-IM), TREINADO SHAM (TR-SHAM) e TREINADO INFARTADO (TR-IM). A função ventricular foi acompanhada com ecocardiografia antes e após oito semanas do protocolo de TF de natação. Os animais foram sacrificados, o RNA foi extraído e posteriormente foi traçado o perfil de microRNAs. Para seleção dos microRNAs foram estipulados dois padrões de expressão entre os grupos. De acordo com os critérios aplicados foram observados, apenas 6 microRNAs para o primeiro padrão de expressão e 3 microRNAs para o segundo padrão de expressão que satisfizeram todos os critérios. O microRNA-339-5p foi escolhido por apresentar expressão diferencial pronunciada como efeito do TF por ter dois genes (alvos selecionados por programas de bioinformática TargetScan, Miranda e PicTar), o Myo1c e o PGC-1 ?, que estão envolvidos com a regulação da função cardíaca. Neste estudo, foi possível verificar que nos grupos TR-SHAM e TR-IM ocorreu aumento da expressão da Myo1c e redução da expressão do microRNA-339-5p. Nossos resultados também mostraram que o TF induziu aumento na expressão dos microRNAs-29a/c, o que está relacionado com significativa diminuição na expressão gênica do COLIAI, COLIIIAI, diminuição na concentração de hidroxiprolina e fração volumétrica de colágeno de ratos com IM. Outro resultado deste estudo é que o TF induziu diminuição na expressão dos microRNAs-1 e 214, o que está relacionado com aumento na expressão protéica dos alvos SERCA-2a e NCX de ratos com IM. Esses efeitos estão associados com a melhora da função ventricular avaliada pela FEAT% (função sistólica) e pela relação E/A (função diastólica), realizado por avaliação ecocardiográfica após o período de TF. / Myocardial infarction (MI) is a disease caused by partial or total blockage of the myocardial coronary arteries. It is known that after MI, physical training (PT) improves and promotes beneficial adaptations to the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to analyse the microRNAs profile in the remaining area to MI in rats submitted to PT by microarray and select a specific microRNA by bioinformatics software that has targets involved with the improvement of cardiac function by PT. Also, the aim of this study was to verify the expression of the microRNA-1, microRNA-29 and microRNA-214 and its targets, such as collagen, NCX and SERCA2a. For this, rats were divided into four groups: SEDENTARY SHAM (SHAM - SED), INFARCTED SEDENTARY (SED-MI), TRAINED SHAM (TR-SHAM) and INFARCTED TRAINED (TR-IM). Ventricular function was monitored with echocardiography before and after eight weeks of the PT. The animals were sacrificed, the RNA was extracted and traced the profile of microRNAs. For selection of microRNAs were stipulated two patterns of expression between the groups. The first standard, 6 microRNAs were selected and in the second standard, 3 microRNAs were selected to satisfy all criteria. The microRNA- 339-5p was chosen because of pronounced differential expression with PT and have two target genes selected by bioinformatics programs (TargetScan, Miranda and PicTar) Myo1c and the PGC-1 ? are involved in the regulation of cardiac function. In this study, we found that the SHAM group and the group with MI undergoing PT increased expression of Myo1c in contrast to a decreased expression of microRNA-339- 5p. Our results also showed that PT induced increased expression of microRNA-29a/c, which is associated with a significant decrease in gene expression of COLIAI, COLIIIAI, the hydroxyproline xvii concentration and collagen volume fraction of rats with MI. Another result of this study is that the PT induced decrease in the expression of microRNA-1 and microRNA-214, which is related to the increase in protein expression of the targets SERCA-2a and NCX of rats with MI. These effects are associated with improved ventricular function assessed by FEAT % (systolic function) and E/A ratio (diastolic function), performed by echocardiography after the period of PT

O infarto do miocárdio (IM) é uma patologia causada pela obstrução parcial ou total das artérias coronárias responsáveis pela irrigação do miocárdio. Sabe-se que logo após o IM, o treinamento físico (TF) promove melhora e adaptações benéficas ao sistema cardiovascular. O objetivo do presente estudo foi traçar o perfil de microRNAs na área remanescente ao IM de ratos submetidos ou não ao TF através da técnica de microarray, selecionar e confirmar a expressão de um microRNA específico, por programas de bioinformática que tenha alvos que possam estar envolvidos com a melhora da função cardíaca com o TF. Também foi objetivo deste estudo, verificar a expressão do microRNA-1, do microRNA-29 e do microRNA-214 e dos respectivos alvos destes microRNAs, como o colágeno, NCX e SERCA2a. Para isso, ratos Wistar foram divididos em quatro grupos: SEDENTÁRIO SHAM (SED-SHAM), SEDENTÁRIO INFARTADO (SED-IM), TREINADO SHAM (TR-SHAM) e TREINADO INFARTADO (TR-IM). A função ventricular foi acompanhada com ecocardiografia antes e após oito semanas do protocolo de TF de natação. Os animais foram sacrificados, o RNA foi extraído e posteriormente foi traçado o perfil de microRNAs. Para seleção dos microRNAs foram estipulados dois padrões de expressão entre os grupos. De acordo com os critérios aplicados foram observados, apenas 6 microRNAs para o primeiro padrão de expressão e 3 microRNAs para o segundo padrão de expressão que satisfizeram todos os critérios. O microRNA-339-5p foi escolhido por apresentar expressão diferencial pronunciada como efeito do TF por ter dois genes (alvos selecionados por programas de bioinformática TargetScan, Miranda e PicTar), o Myo1c e o PGC-1 ?, que estão envolvidos com a regulação da função cardíaca. Neste estudo, foi possível verificar que nos grupos TR-SHAM e TR-IM ocorreu aumento da expressão da Myo1c e redução da expressão do microRNA-339-5p. Nossos resultados também mostraram que o TF induziu aumento na expressão dos microRNAs-29a/c, o que está relacionado com significativa diminuição na expressão gênica do COLIAI, COLIIIAI, diminuição na concentração de hidroxiprolina e fração volumétrica de colágeno de ratos com IM. Outro resultado deste estudo é que o TF induziu diminuição na expressão dos microRNAs-1 e 214, o que está relacionado com aumento na expressão protéica dos alvos SERCA-2a e NCX de ratos com IM. Esses efeitos estão associados com a melhora da função ventricular avaliada pela FEAT% (função sistólica) e pela relação E/A (função diastólica), realizado por avaliação ecocardiográfica após o período de TF. / Myocardial infarction (MI) is a disease caused by partial or total blockage of the myocardial coronary arteries. It is known that after MI, physical training (PT) improves and promotes beneficial adaptations to the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to analyse the microRNAs profile in the remaining area to MI in rats submitted to PT by microarray and select a specific microRNA by bioinformatics software that has targets involved with the improvement of cardiac function by PT. Also, the aim of this study was to verify the expression of the microRNA-1, microRNA-29 and microRNA-214 and its targets, such as collagen, NCX and SERCA2a. For this, rats were divided into four groups: SEDENTARY SHAM (SHAM - SED), INFARCTED SEDENTARY (SED-MI), TRAINED SHAM (TR-SHAM) and INFARCTED TRAINED (TR-IM). Ventricular function was monitored with echocardiography before and after eight weeks of the PT. The animals were sacrificed, the RNA was extracted and traced the profile of microRNAs. For selection of microRNAs were stipulated two patterns of expression between the groups. The first standard, 6 microRNAs were selected and in the second standard, 3 microRNAs were selected to satisfy all criteria. The microRNA- 339-5p was chosen because of pronounced differential expression with PT and have two target genes selected by bioinformatics programs (TargetScan, Miranda and PicTar) Myo1c and the PGC-1 ? are involved in the regulation of cardiac function. In this study, we found that the SHAM group and the group with MI undergoing PT increased expression of Myo1c in contrast to a decreased expression of microRNA-339- 5p. Our results also showed that PT induced increased expression of microRNA-29a/c, which is associated with a significant decrease in gene expression of COLIAI, COLIIIAI, the hydroxyproline xvii concentration and collagen volume fraction of rats with MI. Another result of this study is that the PT induced decrease in the expression of microRNA-1 and microRNA-214, which is related to the increase in protein expression of the targets SERCA-2a and NCX of rats with MI. These effects are associated with improved ventricular function assessed by FEAT % (systolic function) and E/A ratio (diastolic function), performed by echocardiography after the period of PT

Non-invasive remote detection of cardiac and blood displacements is an important topic in cardiac telemedicine. Here we propose kinocardiography (KCG), a non-invasive technique based onmeasurement of body vibrations produced by myocardial contraction and blood flow through thecardiac chambers and major vessels. KCG is based on ballistocardiography and seismocardiographyand measures 12 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) of body motion. The integral of kinetic energy (iK)and maximum Power (Pmax) obtained from the linear and rotational SCG/BCG signals, was computedover the cardiac cycle, and used as a marker of cardiac mechanical function. We showedthat KCG metrics show high repeatability, can be computed on 50 Hz and 1 kHz SCG/BCG signalsindifferently, that most of the metrics were highly similar when computed on different sensors,and with less than 5% of error when computed on record length longer than 60 s. Finally, weshow that KCG metrics allow detecting dobutamine-induced haemodynamic changes with a highaccuracy and present a major improvement over single axis ballistocardiography or seismocardiography.These results suggest that KCG may be a robust and non-invasive method to monitorcardiac inotropic activity. / La détection à distance et non invasive des déplacements cardiaques et sanguins est un sujet important en télémédecine. Nous proposons ici la kinocardiographie (KCG), une technique non invasive basée sur mesure des vibrations corporelles produites par la contraction du myocarde et par le flux sanguin au travers des cavités cardiaques et des principaux vaisseaux sanguins. La KCG est basée sur la balistocardiographie et la seismocardiographie et mesure 12 degrés de liberté (DOF) de mouvement corporel. L'intégrale de l'énergie cinétique (iK) et la puissance maximale (Pmax) obtenue à partir des signaux SCG / BCG linéaire et rotationnel, a été calculée au cours du cycle cardiaque, et sont utilisées comme marqueur de la fonction mécanique cardiaque. Ce travail montre que les métriques KCG sont caractérisées par une répétabilité élevée, peuvent être calculées sur des signaux SCG / BCG à 50 Hz et à 1 kHz indifféremment, que la plupart des métriques étaient très similaires lorsqu'elles étaient calculées sur différents capteurs, et avec moins de 5% d'erreur lors du calcul sur une longueur d'enregistrement supérieure à 60 s. Enfin ce travail montre que les métriques KCG permettent de détecter les changements hémodynamiques induits par la dobutamine avec précision et présentent une amélioration majeure par rapport à la balistocardiographie à un seul axe ou à la seismocardiographie. Ces résultats suggèrent que la KCG peut être une méthode robuste et non invasive pour surveiller l'activité inotrope du coeur. / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur et technologie / La défense publique a eu lieu le 05/05/2021. Cet upload remplace l'upload pécédent et contient les derniers commentaires du jury après la défense publique. / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2018-08-16T17:44:08Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Michelle Mendanha Mendonça - 2017.pdf: 20722346 bytes, checksum: 2ee7a850badae565954ebdb18346c83d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-08-17T11:31:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Michelle Mendanha Mendonça - 2017.pdf: 20722346 bytes, checksum: 2ee7a850badae565954ebdb18346c83d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T11:31:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Michelle Mendanha Mendonça - 2017.pdf: 20722346 bytes, checksum: 2ee7a850badae565954ebdb18346c83d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-25 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Within the hypothalamic areas involved in the control of cardiovascular function, neurons of the paraventricular hypothalamus play a key role, either by projecting to the sympathetic premotor neurons of rostroventrolateral medulla (RVLM) or by reaching preganglionic neurons of the spinal intermediolateral column (IML). Despite describing the role of PVH in the cardiovascular control, literature lacks of data on the PVH contribution to the control of cardiac function. In this regard, the aim of the present study was to assess whether gabaergic and adrenergic synapses, known for being active at the PVH, are involved in the control of cardiac function by its neurons in normotensive anesthetized animals. Experiments were performed in adult male Wistar rats (250-350g) that were anesthetized with urethane (1.2-1.4 g/kg i.p.) and underwent catheterization of femoral to record arterial pressure and heart rate. Femoral vein was used to inject the vasoactive drugs phenylephrine (10μg/kg) the sodium nitroprussiate (10μg/kg), the blocker of cardiac pacemaker zatebradine (1mg/kg) and to supplement anesthesia. The cardiac left ventricle was catheterized to record the left ventricular pressure and its derivative. Craniotomy allowed for injections into the PVH of: muscimol (20mM – 100nL), bicuculline (0,4mM - 100nL), propranolol (10mM – 100nL), isoproterenol (100μM – 100nL), fentolamine (13mM – 100nL), phenylephrine (30nM – 100nL). The main results were: i) inhibition of PVH by injecting GABAA agonist muscimol, reduced arterial pressure and cardiac inotropy; ii) disihibition of PVH neurons by injecting bicuculline evoked positive chronotropy and inotropy; iii) Alfa adrenergic receptors control cardiac function; iv) Beta adrenergic receptors of PVH do not influence cardiac function; v) afterload seems to poorly contribute to the PVH-evoked inotropy. Jointly, our results suggest that PVH provides substantial contribution to the tonic control of cardiac function. We conclude that the PVH participates in the control of cardiac function. Changes in the activity of these neurons by gabaergic and adrenergic influences may set autonomic control of cardiac function, thus resulting in contractile and heartbeat responses. Deepen the knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the control of central areas and its influence on the cardiovascular system may feed the understanding of cardiovascular pathophysiology. / Dentre as áreas hipotalâmicas envolvidas no controle da função cardiovascular, os neurônios do hipotálamo paraventicular (PVH) desempenham um papel fundamental no controle da função cardíaca por meio de suas projeções para neurônios pré-motores simpáticos do bulbo rostroventrolateral (RVLM) pelas projeções diretas que alcançam os neurônios pré-ganglionares da coluna intermediolateral espinhal (IML). Contudo, não há dados na literatura sobre sua contribuição para o controle da função cardíaca em animais normotensos e anestesiados. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar se as sinapses gabaérgicas e adrenérgicas, presentes no PVH, estão envolvidas no controle da função cardíaca por esses neurônios. Os experimentos foram realizados em ratos Wistar machos (250-350g), que foram anestesiados com uretana (1,2 a 1,4 g / kg i.p.) e tiveram sua artéria femoral canulada para registrar pressão arterial e frequência cardíaca. A veia femoral foi utilizada para injeções de fármacos vasoativos fenilefrina (10μg/kg) e nitroprussitato de sódio (10μg/kg), do bloqueador do marcapasso cardíaco zatebradina (1mg/kg) e para suplementação de anestesia. O ventrículo esquerdo cardíaco foi cateterizado para medir a pressão ventricular esquerda e sua derivativa. A craniotomia foi realizada para permitir injeções no PVH de: muscimol (20mM – 100nL), bicucullina (0,4mM - 100nL), propranolol (10mM – 100nL), isoproterenol (100μM – 100nL), fentolamina (13mM – 100nL), fenilefrina (30nM – 100nL). Os principais achados deste estudo são: i) A inibição dos neurônios do PVH pela injeção do agonista GABAA muscimol reduziu a pressão arterial e o inotropismo cardíaco; ii) A desinibição dos neurônios do PVH pela injeção de bicuculina provocou respostas cronotrópicas e inotrópicas positivas; iii) Os receptores α-adrenérgicos contribuem para o cronotropismo e inotropismo cardíacos; iv) Os receptores β- adrenérgicos do PVH não influenciam o controle da função cardíaca; v) A pós-carga exerceu pouca influência nas respostas inotrópicas controladas pelo PVH. Em conjunto, os resultados sugerem que o PVH contribui de forma relevante para o controle tônico da função cardíaca em animais normotensos e anestesiados. Assim conclui-se que o PVH participa do controle da função cardíaca.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2019-01-31T10:46:56Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Allancer Divino de Carvalho Nunes - 2018.pdf: 10933019 bytes, checksum: ec8f5a33649eddf1e5ff660120efcca9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2019-01-31T10:49:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Allancer Divino de Carvalho Nunes - 2018.pdf: 10933019 bytes, checksum: ec8f5a33649eddf1e5ff660120efcca9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2019-01-31T10:49:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Allancer Divino de Carvalho Nunes - 2018.pdf: 10933019 bytes, checksum: ec8f5a33649eddf1e5ff660120efcca9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Despite Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] and Angiotensin II (Ang II) be considered important regulators of the cardiovascular system, its direct effects on cardiac contractility remain unclear and even controversial. Several studies, using different preparations, have showed that Ang-(1-7) or Ang II produce positive, negative or no inotropic effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to increase the knowledge about the effect of the low concentration of Ang-(1-7) and Ang II on cardiac contractility, coronary vascular function and the possible receptors and mechanisms of action involved in these effects. The in vivo effects of Ang-(1-7) and Ang II on cardiac contractility were evaluated in anesthetized rats. The Ang-(1-7) 4 nmol/L and Ang II 40 nmol/L caused negative inotropism in anesthetized rats. None of the peptides were able to change heart rate or arterial blood pressure in anesthetized rats. The direct effects of the Ang-(1-7) and Ang II on cardiac contractility were evaluated in isolated perfused rat hearts. After a basal period (30-40 minutes), the hearts were perfused for an additional 15 min with Ang-(1-7) and Ang II (20 pmol/L) in presence or absence of Mas receptor antagonist A-779 (2 nmol/L), AT2 receptor antagonist PD1233190 (2 nmol/L), AT1 receptor antagonist Losartan (1μmol/L), MrgD receptor antagonist D-PRO (2 nmol/L), ACE2 inhibitor DX600 (2nmol/L), Nitric Oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-Name (10 nmol/L), Guanylyl cyclase (GC) inhibitor ODQ (200 nmol/L) and Adenylyl cyclase (AC) inhibitor MDL 12,330A (1μmol/L). Low concentrations of Ang-(1-7) and Ang II reduced the left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVESP). The A-779 did not blocked the effect of Ang-(1-7) or Ang II. PD123319 and Losartan inhibited the Ang-(1-7) but not Ang II-induced negative inotropic effects. On the other hand, D-PRO was able to block the negative inotropic effect of the Ang II and Ang-(1-7). Furthermore, L-Name, ODQ and MDL 12,330A inhibited the Ang-(1-7) but not Ang II-induced negative inotropic effects. Similarly, low concentrations of Ang- (1-7) and Ang II-induced coronary vasodilatation. The A-779, D-PRO, L-Name, MDL 12,330A blocked the effect of Ang-(1-7) or Ang II. The DX600 blocked the vasodilatation induced by Ang II. PD123319, Losartan and ODQ inhibited the Ang-(1-7) but not Ang II-induced coronary vasodilatation. In addiction, the pharmacological blocked and gene silencing of AT1 receptor in endothelial human cells stimulated with Ang-(1-7) decreased AKT phosphorilation induced by Ang-(1-7). These data demonstrate that Ang-(1-7) and Ang II, at picomolar concentrations, induce significant and similar negative inotropic and coronary vasodilatation effects involving complex interaction mechanisms between many different receptors, altering intracellular signaling and their constitutive activity. / Embora a Angiotensina-(1-7) e Angiotensina II sejam considerados importantes peptídeos para regulação do sistema cardiovascular, seus efeitos sobre a contratilidade cardíaca ainda não estão totalmente elucidados. Diversos estudos, utilizando diferentes preparações, têm demonstrado que a Ang II e a Ang-(1-7) promovem efeito inotrópico positivo, negativo ou nenhum efeito inotrópico. Diante disso, o objetivo deste estudo foi ampliar os conhecimentos sobre os efeitos da Ang II e Ang-(1-7) no controle da contratilidade ventricular e função vascular coronariana. Além disso, avaliaremos o envolvimento dos receptores envolvidos nestes efeitos e os possíveis mecanismos de ação. Os efeitos in vivo da Ang-(1-7) e Ang II na contratilidade cardíaca foram avaliados em ratos anestesiados com uretana através da canulação intraventricular esquerda. A infusão de Ang-(1-7) 4 nmol/L e Ang II 40 nmol/L promoveram inotropismo negativo em corações de ratos anestesiados. Nenhum dos peptídeos foram capazes de alterar a pressão arterial e frequência cardíaca em ratos anestesiados. Os efeitos diretos da Ang- (1-7) e Ang II na contratilidade cardíaca foram avaliados em corações isolados de ratos. Após o período basal (30-40 minutos), os corações foram perfundidos durante 15 minutos com Ang-(1-7) ou Ang II na concentração de 20 pmol/L na presença ou ausência de antagonista do receptor Mas A-779 (2 nmol/L), antagonista do receptor AT2 PD123319 (2 nmol/L), antagonista do receptor AT1 Losartan (1μmol/L), antagonista do receptor MrgD D-PRO (2 nmol/L),inibidor da enzima ECA2 DX600 (2nmol/L), inibidor de Óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) L-Name (10 nmol/L), inibidor de Guanilato Ciclase (GC) ODQ (200 nmol/L) e inibidor de Adenilato Ciclase (AC) MDL 12,330A (1μmol/L). Concentrações picomolares de Ang-(1-7) e Ang II reduziram a pressão intraventricular sistólica (PIS). O A-779 não bloqueou os efeitos da Ang-(1-7) ou Ang II. PD123319 e Losartan inibiram somente o efeito inotrópico da Ang-(1-7). Por outro lado, D-PRO foi capaz de bloquear o efeito inotrópico de ambos os peptídeos angiotensinérgicos. Além disso, L-Name, ODQ e MDL 12,330A bloquearam apenas o efeito inotrópico da Ang-(1-7). Semelhantemente, baixas concentrações de Ang-(1-7) e Ang II induziram vasodilatação coronariana. O A- 779, D-PRO, L-Name, MDL 12,330A bloquearam a vasodilatação induzida por Ang-(1-7) e Ang II. O DX600 bloqueou a vasodilatação coronariana induzida por Ang II. PD 123319, Losartan e ODQ inibiram apenas a vasodilatação coronariana induzida por Ang-(1-7). Além disso, o bloqueio farmacológico e o silenciamento gênico do receptor AT1 em células endoteliais humanas estimuladas com Ang-(1-7) reduziram a fosforilação de AKT promovida por este peptídeo. Esses resultados demonstram que Ang-(1-7) e Ang II, em concentrações picomolares induzem significante e similar efeito inotrópico negativo e vasodilatação coronariana, envolvendo complexos mecanismos de interação entre os receptores.

Despite the development and use of specialised cardiac preservation solutions, the quality of the donor heart may still be compromised by its obligatory exposure to periods of ischaemia (both cold and warm) followed by reperfusion upon reintroduction of the recipient circulation. This is reflected in Transplant Registry data showing increased primary allograft failure as a function of increasing ischaemic time. The research described in this thesis is designed to further the understanding of the mechanisms by which the donor heart may be adapted to these prolonged periods of ischaemia and reperfusion by the activation of endogenous pro-survival signalling pathways by the addition of pharmacological agents to Celsior, a clinical preservation solution. Studies were conducted in an isolated working rat heart model of donor heart preservation. The first study investigated the cardioprotective effects of a novel inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1, INO-1153. Maximum protective effect (after a 6 hour storage period) was observed when the PARP inhibitor was administered prior to cardiac arrest and storage and when the agent was added to the Celsior cardioplegic / storage solution. This protective affect was associated with activation of the Akt signalling pathway and could be prevented by inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and activation. The second study examined functional protection and pro-survival signalling pathway activation in hearts arrested and stored for 6 hours in Celsior supplemented with glyceryl trinitrate (an exogenous source of nitric oxide) and Cariporide (an inhibitor of sodium hydrogen exchange). Here, cardiac protection was accompanied by activation of the ERK 1/2 pro-survival pathway as well as a decrease in apoptosis. The third study examined the cardioprotective effect of supplementation of Celsior with all three agents after an extended (10 hour) period of hypothermic storage. Significant recovery of function was only observed in the triply supplemented hearts, being accompanied by activation of both the Akt and ERK pathways. These studies demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of recruitment of endogenous pro-survival pathways as an approach to increasing the post-storage function of the donor heart. Importantly, for the logistics of clinical transplantation, these pathways can be recruited by addition of appropriate pharmacological agents to the arresting and storage solution.

Zymosan-induced peritonitis is a model commonly used to study systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. However, effects of zymosan on cardiac function have not been reported. We evaluated cardiac responses to zymosan in mice and the role of β-Glucan and dectin-1 in mediating these responses. Temperature and cardiac function were evaluated before and after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of zymosan (100 or 500 mg/kg) or saline. Chronotropic and dromotropic functions were measured using electrocardiograms (ECGs) collected from conscious mice. Cardiac inotropic function was determined by echocardiography. High-dose zymosan caused a rapid and maintained hypothermia along with visual signs of illness. Baseline heart rate (HR) was unaffected but HR variability (HRV) increased, and there was a modest slowing of ventricular conduction. High-dose zymosan also caused prominent decreases in cardiac contractility at 4 and 24 h. Because zymosan is known to cause gastrointestinal tract pathology, peritoneal wash and blood samples were evaluated for bacteria at 24 h after zymosan or saline injection. Translocation of bacterial occurred in all zymosan-treated mice (n=3), and two had bacteremia. Purified β-Glucan (50 and 125 mg/kg, i.p.) had no effect on temperature or ECG parameters. However, deletion of dectin-1 modified the ECG responses to high-dose zymosan; slowing of ventricular conduction and the increase in HRV were eliminated but a marked bradycardia appeared at 24 h after zymosan treatment. Zymosan-treated dectin-1 knockout mice also showed hypothermia and visual signs of illness. Fecal samples from dectin-1 knockout mice contained more bacteria than wild types, but zymosan caused less translocation of bacteria. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that zymosan-induced systemic inflammation causes cardiac dysfunction in mice. The data suggest that dectin-1-dependent and -independent mechanisms are involved. Although zymosan treatment causes translocation of bacteria, this effect does not have a major role in the overall systemic response to zymosan.