Bâti sur des données ayant identifié le noyau suprachiasmatique de l'hypothalamus (NSC), composante centrale de l'horloge circadienne des mammifères, comme une structure à fortes potentialités de plasticité structurale, ce travail de thèse a visé à déterminer si la synchronisation photique de l’horloge pouvait mettre en jeu une telle plasticité. Par une analyse ultrastructurale, nous démontrons que le cycle jour/nuit s’accompagne de remaniements neurono-gliaux du NSC affectant différentiellement les neurones à VIP, principales cibles d'intégration des messages rétiniens, et les neurones à vasopressine. Ces remaniements seraient bien liés à la synchronisation photique de l’horloge dans la mesure où, dans le NSC, l’expression rythmique de la GFAP, une protéine du cytosquelette des astrocytes, est abolie sous obscurité constante, tandis que les fluctuations journalières des glucocorticoïdes circulants, connues pour moduler la synchronisation photique, sont apparues être impliquées dans la régulation rythmique de cette plasticité. Grâce au développement d’une méthode d’analyse quantitative en imagerie confocale, nous montrons une augmentation diurne de la densité d’innervation synaptique, glutamatergique et non glutamatergique, sélective des neurones à VIP. Des données en microscopie électronique indiquent que ce remodelage synaptique n’implique pas les synapses GABAergiques, au moins au niveau dendritique des neurones à VIP. Ce travail a permis d’identifier formellement la composante centrale de l’horloge circadienne, le NSC, comme une structure capable d’adapter, de manière rapide et réversible, son architecture gliale et synaptique aux exigences fonctionnelles. / This thesis work was based on data identifying the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SCN), the central component of the mammalian circadian clock, as a structure with a high potential for structural plasticity. It was aimed at determining whether the photic synchronization of the clock may involve such a plasticity.Using an exhaustive ultrastructural analysis, we showed that the SCN underwent day/night rearrangements of its neuronal-glial network, which affected differentially the VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide)-synthesizing neurons, the main targets for retinal signals, and the vasopressin-synthesizing neurons. The rearrangements appeared to be linked with photic synchronization as the rhythmic expression of GFAP, an astrocytic cytosqueletal protein, was abolished in SCN under constant darkness. Moreover we found the daily fluctuations of circulating glucocorticoids, known as modulators of photic synchronization of the clock, to be involved in the rhythmic regulation of SCN structural plasticity.Thanks to the development of a quantitative analysis method in confocal imaging, we showed a selective increase at daytime in the glutamatergic and non-glutamatergic synapses made on the VIP neurons. Complementary electron-microscopic data indicated that the synaptic remodeling did not involve GABAergic synapses, at least at the dendritic level of VIP neurons.This work permitted to formally identify the central component of the circadian clock, the SCN, as a structure able to adapt, rapidly and reversibly, its glial and synaptic architecture to functional needs.

Le syndrome de stress post-traumatique est une pathologie caractérisée par des symptômes de réexpérimentation, d’évitement et d’hypervigilance. L’apparition d’un syndrome de stress posttraumatique après un événement traumatisant peut être prédit par un déficit de sécrétion en glucocorticoïdes. Le rôle de ce déficit dans la vulnérabilité individuelle face au stress a été analysé par deux approches différentes chez le rat. Dans une première approche, une déplétion pharmacologique a été induite par la métyrapone puis les réactions physiologiques et comportementales pendant le stress ont été caractérisées. Dans une seconde approche, les différences interindividuelles d’une population soumise à un stresseur intense ont été caractérisées en termes de réponse physiologique, comportementale et d’expression génique dans l’hippocampe. Ces études n’ont pas mis en évidence de vulnérabilité accrue induite par un déficit en glucocorticoïde. Au contraire, la métyrapone a montré des propriétés anxiolytiques indépendamment de son effet sur les glucocorticoïdes. La métyrapone a également modifié le métabolisme central et périphérique d’une façon qui pourrait expliquer ses propriétés neuroprotectrices. Enfin, l’approche naturaliste a mis en évidence l’importance de la plasticité synaptique dans la résilience face au stress / Post-traumatic stress disorder is a pathology characterized by reexperience, avoidance and hyper-arousal symptoms. Emergence of post-traumatic stress disorder after a traumatic event can be predicted, to a certain extent, by a glucocorticoid secretion deficiency. The role of this deficiency in stress vulnerability has been analysed by two different approaches in the rat. In a first approach, a pharmacological depletion has been induced by metyrapone, then, physiological and behavioural reactions during stress have been characterized. In a second approach, inter-individual differences of a population submitted to an intense stressor has been characterized in terms of physiological, behavioural and hippocampal gene expression responses. These studies failed to evidence an increased vulnerability induced by a glucocorticoid deficiency. On the contrary, metyrapone exhibited anxiolytic-like properties independently of its effects on glucocorticoids. Metyrapone has also modified central and peripheral metabolism in a way that could explain its neuroprotective properties. Finally, the naturalistic approach has evidenced the emphasis of synaptic plasticity in the resilience to stress

The circadian rhythm is a rhythm which permeates all aspects of biological life and follows the hours of the sun. The pace of the rhythm is controlled by a collection of neurons in the hypothalamus, called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), whose signals affect rhythms throughout the body as can be seen in aspects of life from behavior down to oscillations of proteins in the cells. A disruption of this rhythm such as what happens during jet lag, where the rhythm of the SCN is out of synch with the rhythm of the rest of the body, is something that can have adverse effects on mental and physical health. To realign the SCN and the rhythm of the body, different methods and be implemented. This thesis investigated the effectiveness of glucocorticoids on re-aligning the rhythms of the body following a disruption through a meta-analysis and a qualitative review. The meta-analysis and review incorporated experiments from six articles investigating the hours of circadian rhythm shifts in the mouse model, after administering glucocorticoids. What was found was that the individual experiments presented results with high effect sizes; however, the direction of said effects was not uniform as the rhythms shifted in different directions. The lack of uniform direction caused no significant combined effect size to be found by this meta-analysis (MES=0.11 ± 0.06), showing that a statistical analysis based on hours shifted could not find a significant combined effect. The qualitative review, however, indicates that the administration of glucocorticoids shows an effect in re-entraining the rhythm of the peripheral parts of the body to that of the environmental cues and the SCN. Though no significant statistical effect was found in this analysis, the effect of glucocorticoids should not be discounted and could still prove a promising treatment for circadian disruptions, such as jet lag.

Embora os glicocorticoides (GCs) sejam os anti-inflamatórios mais prescritos mundialmente, níveis elevados de GCs potencializam alguns aspectos da resposta inflamatória em regiões do encéfalo de ratos, dependentes da ativação dos receptores GR. Neste estudo visamos avaliar os efeitos dos glicocorticoides em alguns aspectos da resposta inflamatória induzida por LPS nas populações de células (neurônio, micróglia e astrócitos) primárias de córtex frontal derivadas de ratos Wistar neonatos. Através de ensaios EMSA e imunofluorescência, avaliamos indicativos da ativação do fator NFKB em culturas mistas e enriquecidas expostas ao pré-tratamento com CORT, seguido do estímulo inflamatório LPS. Verificamos que a CORT não exerceu sua clássica atividade anti-inflamatória, pois não foi capaz de diminuir a ativação do NFKB induzida pelo LPS nas culturas mistas, sugerindo ser parcialmente dependente da ativação de GR, concentração dos GCs e interações celulares, já que os astrócitos em culturas mistas exibem respostas diferentes quanto ao NFKB, mas a microglia e neurônios não. / Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory worldwide, high levels of GCs enhance some aspects of the inflammatory response in brain regions of rats, dependent on activation of GR. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of glucocorticoids in some aspects of the inflammatory response LPS-induced in populations of cells (neurons, astrocytes, and microglia) in primary frontal cortex derived from newborn rats. Through EMSA and immunofluorescence assays, we evaluated the indicative factor NFKB activation in mixed and enriched cultures exposed to pretreatment with CORT, followed by the LPS inflammatory stimulus. We found that CORT did not exerted its classic anti-inflammatory activity, whereas it was not able to decrease the activation of NFKB LPS-induced in mixed cultures, suggesting be partially dependent on the GR activation, GCs concentration and cellular interactions, since astrocytes in mixed cultures exhibit different responses relative to NFKB, but neurons and microglia did not.

In einer prospektiven, randomisierten, doppelblinden, Placebo-kontrollierten Cross-over-Studie wurden hämodynamische und immunologische Effekte einer dreitägigen adjunktiven Therapie mit niedrig dosiertem Hydrocortison (HC) (100 mg Bolus + 10 mg/Stunde) bei 40 Patienten im septischen Schock untersucht. Die Therapie mit HC führte zum Anstieg des mittleren arteriellen Drucks und des systemischen Gefäßwiderstands sowie zur Reduktion des Herzzeitvolumens und der Herzfrequenz, die pulmonalvaskulären Widerstände blieben unverändert. Die Nitrit/Nitrat-Plasmaspiegel (Stickstoffmonoxid-Synthese) und der Katecholaminverbrauch nahmen ab. Die Immunreaktionen waren komplex: Abnahme proinflammatorischer (Interleukin-(IL)-6, 8) und antiinflammatorischer (IL-10, lösliche Tumor-Nekrosefaktor-Rezeptoren) Mediatoren, Anstieg proinflammatorischer Zytokine (IL-12 und Interferon-?), Reduktion der Endothel- (E-Selektin) und Granulozytenaktivierung (CD11b, CD64), Reduktion der T-Helfer- und Suppressorzellzahl und der eosinophilen und basophilen Granulozyen, die Monozytenzahl stieg an und die neutrophilen Granulozyten sowie die Gesamtleukozytenzahl blieben unverändert. Parameter der unspezifischen (Respiratory Burst, Phagozytose) und der spezifischen Immunreaktion (HLA-DR auf Monozyten, Antigenpräsentation) wurden nicht oder nicht wesentlich supprimiert, die Phagozytosefähigkeit von Monozyten nahm zu. Eine Beendigung der HC-Therapie führte zu ausgeprägten hämodynamischen und immunologischen Rebound-Phänomenen. Die Wirkung von niedrig dosiertem HC im septischen Schock kann daher als kreislaufstabilisierend und immunmodulatorisch charakterisiert werden, Zeichen einer ausgeprägten Immunsuppression fanden sich nicht. / In a prospective, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled cross-over study, hemodynamic and immune effects of a three-day adjunctive treatment with low doses of hydrocortisone (HC) (100 mg bolus followed by 10 mg per hour) were investigated in forty patients with septic shock. HC-therapy induced a rise of mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance and a decline of cardiac index and heart rate without altering pulmonary vascular resistance. Both, nitrite/nitrate levels (nitric oxide formation) and cathecholamine requirement were reduced. Immune responses were complex and included: reduction of proinflammatory (interleukin-(IL)-6, 8) and antiinflammatory (IL-10, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors) mediators, an increase of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12 and interferon-?), a reduction of endothelial (E-selectin) and granulocyte activation (CD11b, CD64), and a decrease of T-helper and suppressor cells as well as eosinophil and basophil granulocytes; monocytes increased and total granulocyte and leukocyte counts remained unaltered. Parameters of innate (respiratory burst, phagocytosis) and adaptive immune responses (HLA-DR-expression on monocytes, antigen presentation) were not essentially affected, monocyte phagocytosis rather increased. HC-withdrawal induced marked hemodynamic and immunologic rebound effects. In conclusion, effects of low dose HC-therapy in septic shock is characterised by hemodynamic stabilisation and immunomodulation, without inducing severe immunosuppression.

Submitted by Marcos Anselmo (marcos.anselmo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2017-06-12T18:43:01Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) LIANE DA SILVA DE VARGAS.pdf: 6540879 bytes, checksum: 22a70d7a5b558ca0d495a2273ba31f92 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcos Anselmo (marcos.anselmo@unipampa.edu.br) on 2017-06-12T18:43:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) LIANE DA SILVA DE VARGAS.pdf: 6540879 bytes, checksum: 22a70d7a5b558ca0d495a2273ba31f92 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-12T18:43:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) LIANE DA SILVA DE VARGAS.pdf: 6540879 bytes, checksum: 22a70d7a5b558ca0d495a2273ba31f92 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 / A persistência é a principal característica da memória de longa duração (MLD). Uma vez consolidada, a MLD pode persistir por horas, dias ou anos, sendo que a sua persistência irá depender de diferentes fatores. Considerando a importância da memória no cotidiano de cada indivíduo, sendo ela responsável pela construção da personalidade e também pela manutenção das nossas ações, torna-se necessário e indispensável que haja a persistência de algumas memórias. Nesse sentido, é importante investigar os mecanismos envolvidos nesse processo, visando não só o entendimento das suas bases neurobiológicas, as quais ainda não são totalmente claras, mas também, buscar por estratégias que mantenham ou melhorem a memória ao longo do tempo. Diante disso, este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar diferentes estratégias para promoção da persistência das MLD. A tese é composta de dois estudos principais que buscaram investigar: (i) o efeito de uma sessão única de exercício físico, uma estratégia não farmacológica, na persistência da memória de reconhecimento de objetos (RO) em roedores; e, (ii) o efeito do tratamento com a Metilprednisolona (MP), um fármaco glicocorticoide, na persistência da memória aversiva em roedores. Na primeira etapa, demonstramos que a ativação noradrenérgica é necessária para que haja a persistência da memória de RO e que uma sessão única de exercício físico após a aprendizagem é capaz de promover a persistência da memória de RO por meio da ativação do sistema noradrenérgico hipocampal. Na segunda etapa, demonstramos que o tratamento crônico por 10 dias com baixa dose de MP promove a persistência da memória aversiva, além de promover o aumento 10 do influxo de Ca2+ em cultura de células de hipocampo e facilitar a indução da LTP (Potenciação de longa duração) nessa mesma estrutura. Com base nos resultados obtidos, podemos concluir que o exercício físico pode ser adotado como estratégia comportamental para a promoção da persistência das MLD. Além disso, o uso de glicocorticoides também tem potencial para ser utilizado como estratégia farmacológica que melhora a memória, entretanto seu efeito depende da dose, e estudos futuros são necessários para melhor elucidar os mecanismos de ação envolvidos, bem como seus efeitos colaterais. / Persistence is the main characteristic of long-term memory (LTM). When consolidated the LTM may persist for hours, days or years, and the persistence will depend of different factors. Considering the importance of memory in individual's daily life, being responsible for personality construction and also for the maintenance of our actions, it is necessary and essential that some memories persist along the time. Therefore, it is important to investigate the mechanisms involved in this process, not only to understanding of its neurobiology, which is not entirely clear, but also to find strategies to maintain or improve memory over time. Thus, this study aimed to investigate different strategies for promoting LTM persistence. This thesis is composed of two main studies that pursued to investigate: (i) the effect of one-single physical exercise session, a non-pharmacological strategy, in the persistence of object recognition memory (OR) in rodents; and (ii) the effect of treatment with methylprednisolone (MP), a glucocorticoid drug, on persistence of aversive memory in rodents. In the first stage, we show that noradrenergic activation is required to the persistence of OR memory and that one-single exercise session after learning promotes OR memory persistence through noradrenergic hippocampal system activation. In the second stage, we demonstrated that a chronic treatment for 10 days with low MP dose promotes aversive memory persistence, promotes increased Ca2+ influx in hippocampal cell culture and facilitates LTP induction in the same structure. Based on the results obtained, we can conclude that physical exercise can be adopted as a behavioral strategy for promoting the persistence of LTM. In addition, the use of glucocorticoids 12 also has potential to be used as a pharmacologic strategy that improves memory. However its effect depends on the dose, and future studies are needed to better elucidate the mechanisms involved, as well as its side effects.

Na gestação há aumento da proliferação e redução da apoptose das células b pancreáticas. Prolactina (PRL) desencadeia estas mudanças, que são revertidas após o parto mesmo na presença de PRL. In vitro, dexametasona (DEX) se contrapõe a PRL. Avaliamos se o estresse do retículo endoplasmático (ERE) está envolvido na apoptose do pós-parto e se os glicocorticóides (GC) participam deste mecanismo. A fragmentação do DNA aumenta no 3° dia pós-parto (L3), em paralelo com a diminuição de pAKT e aumento do TRB3, indutor da apoptose por ERE. BiP, ATF4, CHOP, e a ligação de CHOP e CHOP-ATF4 no promotor do TRB3 aumentam em L3. O inibidor do ERE PBA restaurou os níveis de pAKT e CHOP e inibiu a apoptose. Células RINm5F tratadas com DEX (24h) têm aumento de BiP e ATF4, de p-eIF2 e do XBP-1 ativo. DEX também induz TRB3, mas inibe a ligação de CHOP ao TRB3. O tratamento por 72h não altera p-eIF2a, diminui XBP-1 ativo e promove apoptose, único evento revertido pela PRL. Concluímos que a apoptose das ilhotas em L3 é desencadeada por ERE, mas os GC não induzem este mecanismo. / During gestation occurs increase on the proliferation and apoptosis reduction of pancreatic b cells. Prolactin (PRL) promotes these changes which are reverted after delivery. Dexametasone (DEX) in vitro opposed to PRL. We evaluate whether endoplasmatic reticulum stress (ERS) was involved on post-delivery apoptosis and glycocorticoids (GC) participate on this mechanism. DNA fragmentation increased on the 3rd day post-delivery (L3), in parallel with pAKT diminution and inductor of apoptosis-TRB3 augment by ERS. BiP, ATF4, CHOP along with binding of CHOP and CHOP-ATF4 to the TRB3 promoter increased in L3. ERS inhibitor-PBA restored pAKT, CHOP levels and inhibited apoptosis. RINm5F cells with DEX (24h) showed increase in BiP, ATF4, p-eIF2 and in active XBP-1. DEX induced TRB3, but inhibited the binding of CHOP to TRB3. The 72h treatment did not alter p-eIF2a, diminished active XBP-1 and promoted apoptosis; the unique event reverted by PRL. We concluded that apoptosis of islets in L3 is generated by ERS; nevertheless this mechanism is not induced by GC.

A corticoterapia tem sido utilizada frequentemente nas éguas suscetíveis. O uso de isuflupredona melhora a taxa de prenhez e altera o perfil proteico do líquido endometrial em relação a éguas não tratadas. A utilização de dexametasona diminui o acúmulo de líquido pós-cobertura, reduz o edema do útero, porém, desconhecem-se seus efeitos no perfil proteico do líquido endometrial. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o efeito da dexametasona em éguas suscetíveis à endometrite persistente póscobertura sobre perfil proteico do líquido endometrial na presença ou ausência de infecção. Nove éguas suscetíveis foram utilizados, com idade entre 7 a 30 anos. Após a verificação dos sinais de estro as éguas foram submetidas a quatro tratamentos: (C) éguas não receberam nenhum tipo de tratamento e serviram como controle; (D) éguas receberam 40mg de dexametasona (IV), no momento da cobertura, com coleta da amostras após 6 horas, (I-6 e I-24) infusão intra-uterina de 1 x 109 de S. zooepidemicus/mL, com coleta da amostra após 6 e 24 horas; (I/D-6 e I/D-24) infusão intra-uterina de 1 x 109 S. zooepidemicus/mL e administração de 40mg de dexametasona (IV), com coleta da amostra após 6 e 24 horas. Todas as éguas foram submetidas a todos os tratamentos. As amostras foram coletadas e submetidas à eletroforese bidimensional para separação proteica e espectrometria de massa para a identificação das bandas proteicas relevantes. A corticoterapia provocou alteração na proteômica do líquido endometrial de éguas suscetíveis, caracterizada pelo aumento (TTR) e/ou diminuição (ApoA1) na densidade óptica de proteínas da fase aguda da inflamação. Conclui-se que a utilização da dexametasona em éguas com e sem presença de infecção altera a proteômica do fluido endometrial de éguas suscetíveis. Sugere-se que a dosagem ou a frequência de aplicação da dexametasona deva ser aumentada. / Corticotherapy has often been used in susceptible mares. The use of isuflupredona improves pregnancy rate and alters the protein profile of the endometrial fluid in relation to untreated mares. The use of dexamethasone decreases the post breeding fluid accumulation, reduces the uterine edema, however is unaware of its effects on the protein profile of endometrial fluid. The aim of the present study was analyze the effect of dexamethasone in mares susceptible to post-breeding persistent endometritis on the protein profile of endometrial fluid in the presence or absence of infection. Nine susceptible mares were used, aged 7-30 years old. After checking the signs of estrus, mares were subjected to four treatments: (C) mares received no treatment and served as controls; (D) mares received 40 mg of dexamethasone at breeding time, with collection of samples after 6 hours; (I-6 and I-24) intrauterine infusion of 1 x 109 S. zooepidemicus/ml and the sample was collected after 6 and 24 hours; (I/D-6 and I/D-24) intrauterine infusion of 1 x 109 S. zooepidemicus/ml and 40 mg of dexamethasone administration, collecting the sample after 6 and 24 hours. All of the mares were subjected to all treatments. Samples were collected and subjected to two-dimensional electrophoresis for protein separation and mass spectrometry for the identification of relevant protein bands. Corticotherapy resulted in alteration of the protein profile of the endometrial fluid of susceptible mares, characterized by an increase (TTR) and/or decrease (ApoA1) in optical density of the acute phase of proteins of inflammation. We conclude that the use of dexamethasone in mares with and without the presence of infection alters the protein profile of endometrial fluid of susceptible mares. It is suggested that the dosage or frequency of application of dexamethasone should be increased.

Embora os glicocorticoides (GCs) sejam os anti-inflamatórios mais prescritos mundialmente, níveis elevados de GCs potencializam alguns aspectos da resposta inflamatória em regiões do encéfalo de ratos, dependentes da ativação dos receptores GR. Neste estudo visamos avaliar os efeitos dos glicocorticoides em alguns aspectos da resposta inflamatória induzida por LPS nas populações de células (neurônio, micróglia e astrócitos) primárias de córtex frontal derivadas de ratos Wistar neonatos. Através de ensaios EMSA e imunofluorescência, avaliamos indicativos da ativação do fator NFKB em culturas mistas e enriquecidas expostas ao pré-tratamento com CORT, seguido do estímulo inflamatório LPS. Verificamos que a CORT não exerceu sua clássica atividade anti-inflamatória, pois não foi capaz de diminuir a ativação do NFKB induzida pelo LPS nas culturas mistas, sugerindo ser parcialmente dependente da ativação de GR, concentração dos GCs e interações celulares, já que os astrócitos em culturas mistas exibem respostas diferentes quanto ao NFKB, mas a microglia e neurônios não. / Although glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory worldwide, high levels of GCs enhance some aspects of the inflammatory response in brain regions of rats, dependent on activation of GR. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effects of glucocorticoids in some aspects of the inflammatory response LPS-induced in populations of cells (neurons, astrocytes, and microglia) in primary frontal cortex derived from newborn rats. Through EMSA and immunofluorescence assays, we evaluated the indicative factor NFKB activation in mixed and enriched cultures exposed to pretreatment with CORT, followed by the LPS inflammatory stimulus. We found that CORT did not exerted its classic anti-inflammatory activity, whereas it was not able to decrease the activation of NFKB LPS-induced in mixed cultures, suggesting be partially dependent on the GR activation, GCs concentration and cellular interactions, since astrocytes in mixed cultures exhibit different responses relative to NFKB, but neurons and microglia did not.

Introdução: Estima-se que 10% dos doentes com asma t€m sintomas e limita‚es importantes, como exacerba‚es freqƒentes ou redu„o persistente da fun„o respirat…ria As altera‚es do par€nquima pulmonar distal tem sido recentemente abordadas na fisiopatologia da asma. Apesar do uso de corticoster…ides, pacientes com asma refrat†ria t€m mais estresse oxidativo, assim como apresentam ativaao da iNOS. Al‡m disso, muitos dos dispositivos utilizados para administra„o de ester…ides inalat…rios geram partˆculas que n„o chegam efetivamente ‰s vias a‡reas distais e ao par€nquima pulmonar. Objetivos: Avaliamos os efeitos do tratamento com montelucaste ou dexametasona tratamentos associados ou n„o a um inibidor especˆfio da iNOS (1400W) na resposta eosinofˆlica, remodelamento da matriz extracelular, estresse oxidativo, conteŠdo de actina, c‡lulas positivas para IL4, IL5, MMP9, TIMP1, IFN, TGF do par€nquima em cobaias com inflama„o crnica pulmonar. Métodos: As cobaias foram inaladas com ovalbumina (grupo OVA) 2X/semana por 4semanas. Ap…s a 4Ž inala„o, as cobaias foram tratadas diariamente com montelucaste (grupo OVAM 10mg/Kg/PO/dia) ou dexametasona (grupo OVAD 5mg/Kg/IP/dia). O inibidor da iNOS, 1400W (grupo OVAW 1mg/kg/dia) foi administrado intraperitonealmente nos Šltimos 4 dias (OVAW, OVADW e grupos OVAMW). Ap…s 72 horas da 7Ž inala„o, as cobaias foram anestesiadas, e os fragmentos de tecido pulmonar distal foram submetidos ‰ avalia„o histopatol…gica. Resultados: Houve um aumento no infiltrado eosinofˆlco, nas c‡lulas positivas para IL4, IL5, TIMP1, MMP9, iNOS, IFN TGF, conteŠdo de actina, isoprostano PGF2 alfa, fibras col†genas e el†sticas nos animais OVA em compara„o com animais SAL (p<0,05). Houve uma diminui„o no nŠmero de eosin…filos, c‡lulas positivas para IL4, IL5, MMP9, TIMP1, IFN, TGF, conteŠdo de actina, col†geno e isoprostano PGF2 alfa em todos os grupos tratados em compara„o com animais OVA (p<0,05). O conteŠdo de fibras el†sticas foram reduzidas somente nos grupos OVAMW, OVADW e OVAW em compara„o com animais OVA (p<0,05). A associa„o de 1400W e o tratamento com montelucaste (grupo OVAMW) potencializou a redu„o do conteŠdo de actina, fibras el†sticas, isoprostano PGF2 alfa de c‡lulas positivas para IL4, IL5, TIMP1, IFN TGF e iNOS em rela„o ao grupo montelucaste (OVAM) (p<0,05). Os tratamentos com 1400W e dexametasona (grupo OVADW) contribuˆram para uma maior redu„o do conteŠdo das fibras el†sticas, actina e isoprostanoPGF2 alfa e o nŠmero de c‡lulas positivas para IL4, IL5, IFN e TIMP1 em rela„o ao grupo dexametasona (OVAD) (p<0,05). Conclusões: O tratamento com corticoster…ides associados ‰ inibi„o da iNOS contribuiu para uma maior redu„o da remodela„o da matriz extracelular, diminuiu o estresse oxidativo, e tamb‡m foi eficiente para atenuar a resposta inflamat…ria Th2 no par€nquima pulmonar distal. Por outro lado, o tratamento com montelucaste associado à inibição da iNOS mostrou uma maior eficácia para reduzir o teor de fibras elásticas, a ativação do estresse oxidativo, conteúdo de actina e expressão das células positivas para IL4, IL5 no parênquima pulmonar distal. Estas associações podem representar futuras ferramentas farmacológicas para o controle das alterações histopatológicas pulmonares distais induzidas pela inflamação crônica / Introduction: It is estimated that 10% of asthma patients have symptoms and important limitations such as frequent exacerbations or persistent reduction of resiratory function, despite the use of corticosteroids. The alterations of distal lung parenchyma have been recently evaluated on asthma pathophysiology, particulary in patients with refractory asthma and difficcult to control. These patients have increased oxidative stress responses, mainly with significant activation of iNOS. Aims: We evaluated the effects of montelukast or dexamethasone treatments associated or not to an iNOS inhibitor (1400W) on eosinophilic response, extracellular matrix remodeling, oxidative stress, actin content, IL4, IL5, MMP9, TIMP1, IFN gama, TGF beta positive cells of distal lung parenchyma in guinea pigs with chronic alergic inflammation. Methods: Guinea Pigs were inhaled with ovalbumin (OVA group) twice a week for four weeks. After 4th inhalation, GP were treated with montelukast (OVAM group-10mg/Kg/PO/day) or dexamethasone (OVAD group-5mg/Kg/IP/day). The treatment with iNOS inhibitor 1400W (OVAW group-1mg/kg/day) was given daily in the last 4 days (OVAW, OVADW and OVAMW groups). After 72 hours of 7th inhalation, GP were anesthetized, lung strips were retired and submitted to histopathological evaluation. Results: There was an increase in eosinophilic infiltrate, in the number of positive cells for IL4, IL5, TIMP1, MMP9, iNOS, IFN gama TGF beta, actin, isoprostane PGF2 alpha, elastic and collagen fiber contents in OVA animals comparing to SAL group (p<0,05). There was a decrease in the number of eosinophils, IL4, IL5, MMP9, TIMP1, IFN gama, TGF beta positive cells, collagen, actin and isoprostane PGF2 alpha content in all treated groups compared to OVA animals (p<0.05), but the treatment with montelukast did not reduce the positive cells for IFN gama, compared to OVA (p>0.05). Elastic fiber content were reduced only in OVAMW, OVADW and OVAW groups compared to OVA animals (p<0.05). The association of 1400W and montelukast treatments potentiated the reduction of actin, elastic fibres and isoprostane PGF2 alpha contents and the number of IL4, IL5, TIMP1, IFN gama, TGF beta and iNOS positive cells compared to montelukast group (p<0.05). The treatments with 1400W and dexamethasone contributed to a greater reduction of elastic fibers, actin and isoprostane PGF2 alpha contents and the number of IL4, IL5, IFNgama and TIMP1 positive cells compared to dexamethasone group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Corticosteroid treatment associated to iNOS inhibition contributes to a greater reduction of extracellular matrix remodeling, decreases the oxidative stress, and also is efficient to attenuate the Th2 inflammatory response in distal lung parenchyma. On the other hand, montelukast treatment associated to iNOS inhibition showed a higher efficacy to reduce elastic fibres content, oxidative stress activation, actin content and IL4 and IL5 expression in distal lung parenchyma. These associations may represent future pharmacological tools for controlling distal pulmonary histopathological alterations induced by chronic inflammation