Chronic damage to pulmonary vessels leads to pulmonary hypertension (PH). Different forms of PH are quite frequent and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The treatment of PH is most successful, if its cause can be identified and removed before irreversible damage to the pulmonary vascular bed occurs. For patients, in whom the elimination of the underlying cause is not possible or where the cause is unknown, the treatment is aimed at reduction of pulmonary vascular resistance and improvement of cardiac and circulatory response to pressure overload of the right ventricle. One option for the PH treatment is modification of metabolism of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP), which is the second messenger of nitric oxide and induces vascular vasodilation. Cyclic GMP is degraded by phosphodiesterases (PDE 5). In the clinical part, we tested the hypothesis that acute inhibition of PDE5 by sildenafil provides more selective pulmonary vasodilation than high doses of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). The study showed that the vasodilator effects of sildenafil on pulmonary circulation is more pronounced than in the systemic circulation and that sildenafil had a greater ability to detect reversible component precapillary PH due to advanced chronic heart failure than PGE1. The aim of our...

Nitric oxide (NO) is a neurotransmitter which is synthesized on demand from L-arginine by the enzyme nitric-oxide-oxidase, and is implicated in a variety of physiological functions, including release and uptake of dopamine. Amphetamine induces stereotyped behavior via release of dopamine from dopaminergic neurons in the striatum and related structures, while apomorphine induces such behavior via activation of central dopaminergic receptors. Recently we have demonstrated that a NO donors and a NO-synthase inhibitor modify the response of some central dopaminergic receptors to their agonists and antagonists. In the present study we examined the effect of two NO donors and one NO-synthase inhibitor on stereotyped behavior induced in rats by amphetamine and apomorphine, and the sex-selectivity of this effect. A highly significant dose-dependent sexual differentiation was recorded in the stereotyped behavior of amphetamine, as the duration and intensity of this effect was shortened by L-NAME but not by L-arginine and Molsidomine. Differences in the stereotyped behavior between female and male rats administered apomorphine were dose-dependent, but were not affected by any of the three drugs tested. It is concluded that while nitric oxide is involved in the reactivity of central dopamine receptors, the intensity and duration of this effect is drug- and sex-dependent.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第20661号 / 医博第4271号 / 新制||医||1024(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 川口 義弥, 教授 柳田 素子, 教授 斎藤 通紀 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the most frequent cause of death in children and young adults in the United States. Besides emergency neurosurgical procedures, there are few medical treatment options to improve recovery in people who have experienced a TBI. Management of patients who survive TBI is complicated by both central nervous system and peripheral systemic effects. The pathophysiology of systemic inflammation and coagulopathy following TBI has been attributed to trauma-induced endothelial cell dysfunction; however, there is little knowledge of the mechanisms by which trauma might impact the functions of the vascular endothelium at sites remote from the injury. The endothelium lining these small vessels normally produces nitric oxide (NO), arachidonic acid metabolites, and endothelial-dependent hyperpolarizing factors to relax the surrounding vascular smooth muscle. For this research study we investigated the effects of fluid-percussion-induced TBI on endothelial-dependent vasodilatory functions in a remote tissue bed (the mesenteric circulation) 24 hours after injury. We hypothesized that TBI causes changes in the mesenteric artery endothelium that result in a loss of endothelial-dependent vasodilation. We found that vasodilations induced by the muscarinic-receptor agonist, acetylcholine, are attenuated following TBI. While the endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing component of vasodilation was preserved, the NO component was severely impaired. Therefore, we tested whether the loss of NO component was due to a decrease in bioavailablity of the NO synthase (NOS) cofactor BH4, the NOS substrate L-arginine, or to changes in expression/activity of the enzyme arginase, which competes with NOS for L-arginine. We found that supplementation of L-arginine and inhibition of the enzyme arginase rescues endothelial-dependent vasodilations in TBI arteries. This study demonstrates that there are pathological systemic effects outside the point of injury following TBI leading to a dysfunctional endothelial vasodilatory pathway. These data provide insight into the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction after trauma and may lead to new potential targets for drug therapy.

Investigamos os efeitos dos exercícios físicos (EF) aeróbios e/ou suplementação de L-Arginina (L-ARG) sobre as possíveis alterações da composição corporal (CC) de ratas hipertensas (SHR) ovariectomizadas. As ratas (com aproximadamente 13 semanas de idade) foram submetidas a remoção cirúrgica dos ovários para podermos estudar o efeito da depleção de hormônios ovarianos, que ocorre na menopausa. Após 30 dias de ovariectomia, as ratas realizaram um protocolo de EF em esteira ergométrica de moderada intensidade ou mantidos sedentários por oito semanas e suplementadas com L-ARG. Enquanto o ganho de massa corporal (MC) relativa não foi afetada pelos EF ou L-ARG, o consumo alimentar (CA) aumentou significativamente nos grupos EXER (hipertenso treinado) e EXER-ARG (hipertenso treinado associado com suplementação de L-ARG), quando comparado ao grupo CONT (hipertenso sedentário - controle) Como esperado, os EF e a L-ARG, foram eficientes em elevar a capacidade física dos grupos EXER e EXER-ARG, com aumento extremamente significativo (p<0.001) da distância máxima alcançada na 8ª semana de EF, porém não causou alterações na massa úmida dos músculos estriados esqueléticos (MEE). Em associação, verificamos um aumento da massa úmida do coração nos grupos EXER e EXER-ARG, porém no grupo EXER-ARG observou-se uma discreta queda na PA (pressão arterial) final, ainda que não significante. Paralelamente, os dados mostraram que a L-ARG e/ou os EF não foram efetivos para a diminuição da reabsorção do osso ou a formação óssea crescente. / We investigated the effects of physical exercise (PE) aerobic and/or supplementation of L-arginine (L-ARG) on the possible changes in body composition (CC) of hypertensive rats (SHR) ovariectomized. The rats (approximately 13 weeks old) underwent surgical removal of the ovaries in order to study the effect of depletion of ovarian hormones at menopause occurring. After 30 days of ovariectomy, the rats underwent a protocol of PE treadmill of moderate intensity or kept sedentary for eight weeks and supplemented with L-ARG. While the gain in body mass (BM) was not affected by the relative PE or L-ARG, food consumption (CA) increased significantly in groups EXER (hypertensive trained) and EXER-ARG (hypertensive trained associated with supplementation of L-ARG) when compared to the CONT group (untrained - control) As expected, PE and L-ARG, were effective in increasing the physical capacity of groups EXER and EXER-ARG, with highly significant increase (p <0.001) the maximum distance reached the 8th week of PE, but caused no change in wet mass of striated skeletal muscle (ESM). In combination, we see an increase in wet weight of the heart in groups EXER and EXER-ARG, but in the group EXERARG showed a slight drop in BP (blood pressure) end, though not significant. Simultaneously, the data show that L-Arg and/or PE were not effective to decrease bone resorption or increasing bone formation.

A capacitação é um pré-requisito fisiológico importante para que a célula espermática fertilize o oócito. O óxido nítrico (NO) é sintetizado in vivo durante a conversão da L-arginina em L-citrulina por reações oxidativas catalisadas pela enzima óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) desempenhando um papel importante na regulação da motilidade e na capacitação dos espermatozoides. Estudos indicam que o NO é capaz de regular a concentração da AMP cíclico e, por conseguinte, através da atividade da adenil ciclase, estimular a capacitação espermática em várias espécies. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a função do NO na capacitação de espermatozoides equinos criopreservados. Três ejaculados foram colhidos de três garanhões (n=9). O sêmen foi diluído em meio Botu-Crio&reg; na concentração final de 200×106 células/mL, envasado em palhetas de 0,5 mL e criopreservado usando um sistema automatizado. Para cada análise, foram descongeladas quatro palhetas da mesma partida e do mesmo garanhão em banho-maria a 37oC/30 s. e em seguida, o sêmen foi submetido à centrifugação em meio FIV. Posteriormente, o sêmen foi incubado neste mesmo meio na presença de L-arginina, com ou sem inibidor da enzima óxido nítrico sintase o (L-NAME), e com ou sem o removedor de NO (azul de metileno) nos tratamentos: 1) C= (FIV); 2) A= L-arginina (10 mM); 3) L = L-NAME (1 mM); 4) M = azul de metileno (100 mM); 5) AL = L-arginina (10 mM) + L-NAME (1 mM); 6) AM = L-arginina (10 mM) + azul de metileno (100 mM). As amostras foram incubadas a 38oC e 5 % de CO2. Após a incubação realizou-se a análise computadorizada da motilidade do espermatozoide e as análises por citometria de fluxo. Para a análise computadorizada da motilidade espermática foram avaliados os tempos de incubação de 0, 60, 120 e 300 min. e para as análises por citometria de fluxo os tempos de 60, 120 e 300 min. Para avaliar a integridade das membranas plasmática e acrossomal usou-se a associação FITC-PSA e IP. Para a detecção da fosforilação do aminoácido tirosina, usou-se o anticorpo antifosfotirosina conjugado a uma fluoresceína (DAF-2). A fim de dosar a quantidade de NO produzido pelo espermatozoide equino criopreservado foi utilizada a sonda DAF e para avaliar a peroxidação lipídica da membrana espermática utilizou a sonda C11-BODIPY. A sonda H33342 foi usada com a finalidade de evitar que partículas do mesmo tamanho e granulosidade da célula espermática fossem incluídas na contagem das análises por citometria de fluxo. Os dados foram analisados por meio da ANOVA e a comparação das médias, dentro de cada tempo, pelo teste de Tukey, com o nível de significância de 5 %, usando o software SAS. A remoção do NO do meio de cultura inibiu a motilidade das células espermáticas em todos os tempos de incubação. A motilidade total e motilidade progressiva foram reduzidas nos grupos M e AM. Os espermatozoides incubados com o removedor do NO apresentaram maior porcentagem de células com membrana plasmática e acrossomal íntegras nos 60 e 120 minutos de incubação (p<0,05). A reação acrossomal foi induzida nos tratamentos que receberam L-arginina (A; AL). Dentro de cada tratamento, a quantidade de NO produzido pelo espermatozoide, a fosforilação do aminoácido tirosina e a peroxidação lipídica não apresentaram diferenças entre os tempos (p>0,05). Foi verificada uma redução destas variáveis nos grupos M e AM (p<0,05). Contudo, a dose de 1 mM de L-NAME, não foi suficiente para inibir a NOS em espermatozoides criopreservados de equinos. A remoção do NO mantém a integridade das membranas plasmática e acrossomal, entretanto inibe totalmente a motilidade espermática, sugerindo um papel benéfico do NO endógeno na manutenção da motilidade dos espermatozoides equinos criopreservados. / Capacitation is an essential physiological prerequisite in order to sperm cell fertilize the oocyte. Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized in vivo during the conversion of L-arginine in L-citruline by oxidative reactions catalyzed by nitric oxide synthase enzyme (NOS) and plays an important role in regulation of motility and in sperm capacitation. Studies indicated that NO is capable of regulating cAMP concentration and, therefore, by adenylyl cyclase, stimulate sperm capacitation in several species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of nitric oxide in cryopreserved equine sperm capacitation.Three ejaculates from three stallions were collected (n=9). Semen samples were diluted with Botu-Crio&reg; extender to a final concentration of 200×106 sperms/mL, and then packaged in 0.5mL straws and cryopreserved using an automated freezing system. For each analysis, four straws from the same batch and the same stallion were thawed in a water bath at 37oC/30 s. washed by centrifugation in FIV medium. Thereafter, samples were incubated in FIV medium in the presence of L-arginine, with or without the inhibitor of nitric oxide sinthase (L-NAME), and with or without the scavenger of NO (Methylene blue) in the following treatments: 1) C = Control (FIV); 2) A = L-arginine 10 mM; 3) L = L-NAME 1mM; 4) M = Methylene blue 100 mM; 5) AL = L-arginine (10 mM) + L-NAME (1 mM); 6) AM = L-argine (10 mM) + Methylene blue (100 mM). The treatments were incubated at 38oC and CO2 at 5 %. After incubation, the computer-assisted sperm motility (CASA) and flow cytometry analyses were performed. For CASA analysis, the incubation times of 0, 60, 120 e 300 min. were evaluated and for flow cytometry analyses times 60, 120 e 300 min. were evaluated. Plasma and acrosomal membranes integrity were evaluated by FITC-PSA and PI association. In order to detect amino acid tyrosine phosphorylation, we used the anti-phosphotyrosine antibody conjugated to a fluorescein (DAF-2). In order to quantify the amount of nitric oxide produced by cryopreserved equine sperm, the fluorescent probe DAF was used, and to evaluate the lipid peroxidation of sperm membrane we used the probe BODIPY-C11. The probe H33342 was used in order to prevent that particles of the same size and granularity of sperm cell were included in the counting of flow cytometry analyses. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and comparison of means within each time by the Tukey test, at a significance level of 5%, using SAS software. Removing NO from the culture medium inhibited the motility of sperm cells at all incubation times. Total and progressive motilities were reduced in both groups, M and AM. Sperms incubated with the scavenger of NO had the highest percentage of cells with intact plasma and acrosomal membranes at 60 and 120 minutes of incubation (p <0.05). Acrosomal reaction was induced in treatments with L-arginine (A, AL). Within each treatment, the amount of NO produced by sperms, the level of amino acid tyrosine phosphorylation and lipid peroxidation had no differences between the times used (p> 0.05). A reduction of these variables in groups M and AM (p <0.05) was observed. However, a dose of 1 mM L-NAME was not sufficient to inhibit NOS in cryopreserved equine sperm. Removal of NO maintains plasma and acrosomal membranes integrity, however completely inhibits sperm motility, suggesting a beneficial role of endogenous NO in the maintenance of motility of cryopreserved equine spermatozoa.

Orientador: Norma Sueli Pinheiro Modolo / Resumo: Justificativa: Durante lesão de isquemia e reperfusão renal ocorre a inativação de óxido nítrico (NO), essa inativação diminui o relaxamento arterial endotélio-dependente e independente. O aumento nos níveis de NO poderia melhorar a disfunção endotelial e o relaxamento arterial diminuindo a lesão renal. O NO, sintetizado a partir da L-arginina pela enzima óxido nítrico sintase (NOS), parece exercer um efeito protetor sobre os rins durante a lesão de isquemia/reperfusão (I/R). O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o efeito da L-arginina nos níveis dos biomarcadores de lesão (NGALp, NGALu, KIM-1 e IL-18) na função e na histopatologia renal em ratos submetidos a lesão de I/R.Métodos: 32 ratos Wistar foram randomizados em 4 grupos: Sham (S): Laparotomia e nefrectomia direita. Controle (C): Laparotomia e nefrectomia direita, I/R em rim esquerdo. Controle L-arginina (CLA): Laparotomia e nefrectomia direita, L-arginina na dose de 800mg.kg-1.dose-1, 24 e 1 hora antes. L-arginina (LA): Laparotomia e nefrectomia direita, I/R em rim esquerdo, L-arginina na dose de 800mg.kg-1.dose-1, 24 e 1 hora antes. Foram analisados os níveis de NGALp, NGALu, KIM-1 e IL-18, creatinina e histopatologia renal. Nível de significância: p<0,05.Resultados: Creatinina aumenta em todos os grupos com LA≈C>S≈CLA. A NGALp, aumenta em todos os grupos com evolução semelhante. A NGALu foi maior no grupo C e CLA em relação ao grupo LA e apresentou valores intermediários no grupo S. Os níveis de KIM-1 aumentam nos gru... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor