A gastrosquise (G) é o defeito congênito de fechamento da parede abdominal, que causa inflamação intestinal. Avaliou-se aqui a expressão protéica e gênica de marcadores neurogênicos e oxidativos no intestino de fetos de ratas tratadas ou não com dexametasona - DMT. Estes foram divididos em grupos: não manipulado (controle; C), falso operado (sham; S) e operado (G). A atividade da mieloperoxidase (MPO) aumentou no grupo G vs. C, não sendo afetada pela DMT. A expressão RNAm do receptor NK2, mas não NK1, VPAC e TRPV1, foi reduzida nos grupos G e S vs. C, sendo esta revertida pela DMT. A iNOS, mas não nNOS e eNOS, foi maior no grupo G. A DMT não inibiu a iNOS mas aumentou a eNOS. COX-2 aumentou na G e não foi afetada pela DMT. A expressão protéica da SOD-1 ou 3-NT não diferiu entre grupos G e controle. O grupo G tratado com DMT exibiu maior nitração protéica. A IL-6 aumentou no grupo G versus C. Conclui-se que a inflamação no intestino de fetos com G origina-se de uma possível combinação entre mecanismos oxidativos, geração de prostanóides e fatores neurovasculares. / Gastroschisis (G) is a congenital defect of the abdominal wall closure resulting in perivisceritis. The role of neurovascular and oxidative mechanisms in this condition was investigated by analyzing the gene and proteic expressions of these markers in the gut of foetus from female rats treated or not with dexamethasone (DMT). Increased MPO activity was found in G vs. control (C) but not sham (S) group. Reduced mRNA expression of NK2 receptor was found in G and S groups. Neither NK1 nor both VIP and TRPV1 receptors expression changed among groups. Increased expression of iNOS and COX-2, but not nNOS, eNOS and COX-1, was seen in G group. DMT reversed the expression of NK2R and increased that of NK1R without affecting iNOS and COX-2 expression. Increased levels of IL-6 but neither SOD-1 nor 3-NT was found in G group. In conclusion, the inflammatory process observed in the gut of foetus with G arises through a combination of neurogenic mechanisms that act in concert with reactive oxygen species and generation of prostanoids to produce gut dysfunction.

A artrite reumatóide (AR) representa uma doença inflamatória crônica de alta prevalência, para a qual ainda não foi estabelecido um tratamento satisfatório. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: 1) investigar o efeito terapêutico da hemopressina e da depleção de neuropeptídeos sobre a artrite induzida por antígeno (AIA); 2) padronizar este modelo em duas linhagens de ratos: Wistar e Sprague Dawley (SD). Ambas as linhagens, exibiram sinais equipotententes de edema e dor; entretanto, a perda de peso, o infiltrado celular e a produção de citocinas foi maior no rato SD, sugerindo uma maior susceptibilidade do SD. O tratamento com hemopressina inibiu esses sinais inflamatórios, mas não preveniu a perda de peso e a gênese de citocinas. Em contraste, a depleção de neuropeptídeos falhou em suprimir os sinais da AIA, excluindo a participação de mecanismos neurovasculares na ação da hemopressina. Embora ainda não estabelecido o mecanismo de ação do efeito anti-artrítico da hemopressina, este achado inédito sugere uma alternativa promissora para o tratamento dessa doença. / Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are among the most prevalent diseases worldwide and the most frequent cause of disability. There are many treatment options, but an effective treatment has not been established. Our aims were to investigate a possible anti-inflammatory effect of hemopressin and neuropeptide depletion on Met-BSA induced arthritis (AIA); and to establish a suitable rat strain between Wistar and Sprague Dawley (SD) for the study. The classical signs of AIA such as oedema and pain were similar in both strains. But, the cell influx and cytokines production were higher in SD, thus suggesting a higher susceptibility for this strain. The treatment of rats with hemopressin greatly reduced the oedema, pain and cell influx, but did not prevent the body weight loss and cytokines. Depletion of neuropeptides failed to reduce the AIA signs, thus excluding a neurogenic component on hemopressin-induced effect. In conclusion, our findings reveal a potential alternative treatment for arthritis, although the mechanism of action for this peptide is not clear.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common motor neurodegenerative diseases, affecting 1-2% of the world's population over the age of 65. It is characterised by a loss of dopamine neurons within the substantia nigra, which is an integral part of the basal ganglia (BG) where dopamine is the most important modulating neurotransmitter. As the BG is primarily involved with the execution of movement, the lack of dopamine input results in dysfunctional motor control. The current PD treatment, L-DOPA, improves these motor symptoms, however only provides patients 5 to 10 years of improved quality of life before debilitating side effects, often worse than the original symptoms, begin. The neuropeptide substance P (SP) is found in high concentration in the substantia nigra, and BG in general, where it is involved in dopamine release. In the late stages of PD, SP content within the substantia nigra and BG is decreased, thus implicating SP in the pathophysiology of PD. However, SP production has not been examined in the early stages of PD when dopaminergic degeneration is first initiated. This thesis therefore sought to characterise the role of SP in dopaminergic degeneration in an experimental model of early PD, the 6-hydroxydopamine model in rats. In contrast to the prevailing dogma that a decline in SP is associated with neurodegeneration in PD, this thesis demonstrates that SP is actually increased within the striatum in early PD, particular in perivascular tissue and within surviving dopaminergic neurons during the degenerative process. Increasing exposure of the dopaminergic neurons to SP, either by inhibition of substance P breakdown with Captopril or by direct injection with SP, exacerbated the disease progression as indicated by more profound neurogenic inflammation, functional deficits and increased dopaminergic cell death. However, when SP was inhibited by treatment with a SP NK₁ receptor antagonist, dopaminergic neurons were conserved, the inflammatory response was reduced and motor function was returned to near normal levels. We conclude that SP is increased in early PD, and that increased SP plays an important role in the degenerative process, specifically, in the genesis of BBB breakdown and initiation of neurogenic inflammation. Treatment with an NK1 antagonist may thus represent a novel therapeutic approach to early stage Parkinson’s disease. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medical Sciences, 2009

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common motor neurodegenerative diseases, affecting 1-2% of the world's population over the age of 65. It is characterised by a loss of dopamine neurons within the substantia nigra, which is an integral part of the basal ganglia (BG) where dopamine is the most important modulating neurotransmitter. As the BG is primarily involved with the execution of movement, the lack of dopamine input results in dysfunctional motor control. The current PD treatment, L-DOPA, improves these motor symptoms, however only provides patients 5 to 10 years of improved quality of life before debilitating side effects, often worse than the original symptoms, begin. The neuropeptide substance P (SP) is found in high concentration in the substantia nigra, and BG in general, where it is involved in dopamine release. In the late stages of PD, SP content within the substantia nigra and BG is decreased, thus implicating SP in the pathophysiology of PD. However, SP production has not been examined in the early stages of PD when dopaminergic degeneration is first initiated. This thesis therefore sought to characterise the role of SP in dopaminergic degeneration in an experimental model of early PD, the 6-hydroxydopamine model in rats. In contrast to the prevailing dogma that a decline in SP is associated with neurodegeneration in PD, this thesis demonstrates that SP is actually increased within the striatum in early PD, particular in perivascular tissue and within surviving dopaminergic neurons during the degenerative process. Increasing exposure of the dopaminergic neurons to SP, either by inhibition of substance P breakdown with Captopril or by direct injection with SP, exacerbated the disease progression as indicated by more profound neurogenic inflammation, functional deficits and increased dopaminergic cell death. However, when SP was inhibited by treatment with a SP NK₁ receptor antagonist, dopaminergic neurons were conserved, the inflammatory response was reduced and motor function was returned to near normal levels. We conclude that SP is increased in early PD, and that increased SP plays an important role in the degenerative process, specifically, in the genesis of BBB breakdown and initiation of neurogenic inflammation. Treatment with an NK1 antagonist may thus represent a novel therapeutic approach to early stage Parkinson’s disease. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medical Sciences, 2009

A artrite reumatóide (AR) representa uma doença inflamatória crônica de alta prevalência, para a qual ainda não foi estabelecido um tratamento satisfatório. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: 1) investigar o efeito terapêutico da hemopressina e da depleção de neuropeptídeos sobre a artrite induzida por antígeno (AIA); 2) padronizar este modelo em duas linhagens de ratos: Wistar e Sprague Dawley (SD). Ambas as linhagens, exibiram sinais equipotententes de edema e dor; entretanto, a perda de peso, o infiltrado celular e a produção de citocinas foi maior no rato SD, sugerindo uma maior susceptibilidade do SD. O tratamento com hemopressina inibiu esses sinais inflamatórios, mas não preveniu a perda de peso e a gênese de citocinas. Em contraste, a depleção de neuropeptídeos falhou em suprimir os sinais da AIA, excluindo a participação de mecanismos neurovasculares na ação da hemopressina. Embora ainda não estabelecido o mecanismo de ação do efeito anti-artrítico da hemopressina, este achado inédito sugere uma alternativa promissora para o tratamento dessa doença. / Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are among the most prevalent diseases worldwide and the most frequent cause of disability. There are many treatment options, but an effective treatment has not been established. Our aims were to investigate a possible anti-inflammatory effect of hemopressin and neuropeptide depletion on Met-BSA induced arthritis (AIA); and to establish a suitable rat strain between Wistar and Sprague Dawley (SD) for the study. The classical signs of AIA such as oedema and pain were similar in both strains. But, the cell influx and cytokines production were higher in SD, thus suggesting a higher susceptibility for this strain. The treatment of rats with hemopressin greatly reduced the oedema, pain and cell influx, but did not prevent the body weight loss and cytokines. Depletion of neuropeptides failed to reduce the AIA signs, thus excluding a neurogenic component on hemopressin-induced effect. In conclusion, our findings reveal a potential alternative treatment for arthritis, although the mechanism of action for this peptide is not clear.

(EN) Research in interactions between the nervous and immune systems is focused mainly on mammals, while in other vertebrates, including birds, it remains neglected. Two types of cannabinoid receptors interconnect the nervous and immune systems: CB1, which is in mammals involved in regulation of neural processes, and CB2, which is in mammals involved in regulation of immune processes. However, little is presently known about the roles of these receptors in nervous and especially immune processes in birds. Therefore, in this work I focus on the expression of cannabinoid receptors in cognitively advanced bird species (parrots, passerines) during induced sterile peritoneal inflammation. Unlike passerines, parrots appear to lack the gene for CB2, which may affect the inflammation regulation. I have revealed no changes in the expression of these receptors during peritoneal inflammation neither in parrots, nor in songbirds. Nevertheless, the increase in expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL- 1β in the brain in parrots confirms the importance of neuroimmune interaction and mutual influences along the gut-brain axis. This work suggests that even in birds, the central nervous system is affected by inflammation through the gut-brain axis. The expression of cannabinoid receptors does not change much...

Neste estudo efetuou-se uma análise comparativa da resposta inflamatória e estresse oxidativo produzido pela administração intratraqueal (i.tr.) das PED e/ou 1,2-NQ em vias aéreas de ratos. O efeito destes poluentes sobre a funcionabilidade dos macrófagos foi também avaliado. A injeção i.tr. das PED, numa dose incapaz de causar edema, promoveu efeito aditivo no edema e influxo de leucócitos induzido pela 1,2-NQ nas vias aéreas. O edema foi inibido por antagonistas de taquicininas ou capsaicina, mas o influxo de leucócitos não. O tratamento com estes poluentes aumentou a expressão gênica dos receptores TRPV1, taquicininas e TNFR1, as quais foram reduzidas, mas a iNOS aumentada, em animais depletados de neuropeptídeos. Concentrações elevadas de citocinas pró-inflamatórias foram encontradas no brônquio de ratos saudáveis e, mais intensamente, naqueles tratados com capsaicina. Níveis basais de 3-NT, IL-10 ou IFN-?? no brônquio não foram alterados pelos poluentes. A fagocitose de partículas de zimosan foi aumentada após a exposição de animais saudáveis e depletados de neuropeptídeos aos poluentes. A inflamação nas vias aéreas de ratos expostos ao MP do diesel é influenciada por concentrações de 1,2-NQ no ambiente, via mecanismo neurogênico. / Pharmacological approaches on the healthy side effects evoked by the interaction between environmental pollutants are poorly studied. Here we tested the hypothesis that the environmental chemical 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) is implicated in the exacerbation of airways diseases induced by exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP), and that involves a neurogenic-mediated mechanism. Intra-tracheal (i.tr.) injection of DEP (1 and 5 mg/kg) or 1,2-NQ (35 and 100 nmol/kg) caused oedema in rat airways. DEP (at a dose unable to produce oedema) increased the 1,2-NQ-induced responses in the rat airways in a additive manner. This effect was reduced by L-732,138, an NK1 receptor antagonist, and in a lesser extent by the NK2 receptor SR48968. Capsaicin treatment also markedly reduced pollutants-induced oedema. Exposure to pollutants increased the TRPV1, NK1 and NK2 receptors gene expression in bronchus, an effect nearly abolished by capsaicin treatment. No evidence of increased 3-NT in main bronchus was found. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that DEP-induced airways oedema is highly influenced by increased ambient levels of 1,2-NQ, and takes place by neurogenic-mediated mechanisms involving up-regulation of TRPV1 and tachykinin receptors.

Submitted by Maria Anália Conceição (marianaliaconceicao@gmail.com) on 2016-06-23T13:14:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-NOVO-05.pdf: 1218530 bytes, checksum: 4ed86e26ba531f290cfc9a29f57fba4d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Anália Conceição (marianaliaconceicao@gmail.com) on 2016-06-23T13:15:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-NOVO-05.pdf: 1218530 bytes, checksum: 4ed86e26ba531f290cfc9a29f57fba4d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-23T13:15:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-NOVO-05.pdf: 1218530 bytes, checksum: 4ed86e26ba531f290cfc9a29f57fba4d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Introdução: A disfunção na liberação de neuropeptídeos acarreta alterações na pele, podendo gerar distúrbios no processo cicatricial e/ou afecções cutâneas. Sendo assim, a liberação de neuropeptídeos é estudada na literatura, relacionando a utilização de agentes eletrofísicos. Objetivo: Investigar o efeito da estimulação elétrica na liberação de neuropeptídeos SP e CGRP em pele de ratos. Métodos: Foram utilizados 28 animais distribuídos em 4 grupos, Grupo Controle (GC): as amostras foram coletadas após 60 minutos da tricotomia sem estímulo elétrico; Grupo Sham (GS): após 60min da tricotomia foram colocadas as placas de eletrodos com esponja umedecida com cloreto de sódio 0,9% e sobreposto na linha mediana dorsal e dispersivo na região ventral, com o aparelho desligado por 30minutos; Grupo Estimulação Elétrica com Polo Positivo (GPP): após 60 minutos da tricotomia, foi realizada a estimulação elétrica sobre a linha mediana dorsal com polaridade Positiva e o no Grupo Estimulação Elétrica com polaridade Negativa (GPN): os mesmos parâmetros utilizados acima, com a mudança, onde o polo negativo passou para linha mediana dorsal. Ao término da estimulação elétrica, foram coletadas amostras de pele, submetidas ao Western blotting para análise dos neuropeptídeos CGRP e SP. Para a análise estatística foi utilizado o teste de Análise Variância (ANOVA) para identificar a diferença entre os grupos. Resultado: Não causou diferença significante na liberação de CGRP e SP na pele de rato. Conclusão: A estimulação elétrica ultraexcitante não influenciou na liberação de neuropeptídeos, CGRP e SP, em pele de ratos. / Introduction: A dysfunction in the release of neuropeptides cause changes in the skin, and may cause disturbances in the healing process and/or skin disorders. Therefore the release of neuropeptides has been studied in the literature, connecting the use of electrophysical agents. Objective: To investigate the effect of electrical stimulation on the release of neuropeptides SP and CGRP in rat skin. Methods: 28 animals were randomly divided into 4 groups, Control Group (CG): the samples were collected 60 minutes after shaving without electrical stimulation; Sham Group (SG): after 60 minutes of trichotomy were placed electrodes plates with damp sponge with sodium chloride 0.9% and superimposed on the dorsal midline and dispersive on the ventral region, with the equipment off for 30 minutes; Electrical Stimulation Positive Pole Group (GPP): later 60 minutes of trichotomy, electrical stimulation was performed on the dorsal midline with positive polarity and the Electrical Stimulation Group with negative polarity (NPG): the same parameters used above, with the change where the negative pole was passed into the dorsal midline. At the end of electrical stimulation, skin samples, tested by Western Blotting for analysis of neuropeptides CGRP and SP, were collected. For statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify differences between the groups. Result: There was a minor release of neuropeptides from the negative and positive polarity, however, not significant. Conclusion: The ultra-exciting electrical stimulation did not influence the release of neuropeptides, SP and CGRP, in rat skin.

Neste estudo efetuou-se uma análise comparativa da resposta inflamatória e estresse oxidativo produzido pela administração intratraqueal (i.tr.) das PED e/ou 1,2-NQ em vias aéreas de ratos. O efeito destes poluentes sobre a funcionabilidade dos macrófagos foi também avaliado. A injeção i.tr. das PED, numa dose incapaz de causar edema, promoveu efeito aditivo no edema e influxo de leucócitos induzido pela 1,2-NQ nas vias aéreas. O edema foi inibido por antagonistas de taquicininas ou capsaicina, mas o influxo de leucócitos não. O tratamento com estes poluentes aumentou a expressão gênica dos receptores TRPV1, taquicininas e TNFR1, as quais foram reduzidas, mas a iNOS aumentada, em animais depletados de neuropeptídeos. Concentrações elevadas de citocinas pró-inflamatórias foram encontradas no brônquio de ratos saudáveis e, mais intensamente, naqueles tratados com capsaicina. Níveis basais de 3-NT, IL-10 ou IFN-?? no brônquio não foram alterados pelos poluentes. A fagocitose de partículas de zimosan foi aumentada após a exposição de animais saudáveis e depletados de neuropeptídeos aos poluentes. A inflamação nas vias aéreas de ratos expostos ao MP do diesel é influenciada por concentrações de 1,2-NQ no ambiente, via mecanismo neurogênico. / Pharmacological approaches on the healthy side effects evoked by the interaction between environmental pollutants are poorly studied. Here we tested the hypothesis that the environmental chemical 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ) is implicated in the exacerbation of airways diseases induced by exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP), and that involves a neurogenic-mediated mechanism. Intra-tracheal (i.tr.) injection of DEP (1 and 5 mg/kg) or 1,2-NQ (35 and 100 nmol/kg) caused oedema in rat airways. DEP (at a dose unable to produce oedema) increased the 1,2-NQ-induced responses in the rat airways in a additive manner. This effect was reduced by L-732,138, an NK1 receptor antagonist, and in a lesser extent by the NK2 receptor SR48968. Capsaicin treatment also markedly reduced pollutants-induced oedema. Exposure to pollutants increased the TRPV1, NK1 and NK2 receptors gene expression in bronchus, an effect nearly abolished by capsaicin treatment. No evidence of increased 3-NT in main bronchus was found. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that DEP-induced airways oedema is highly influenced by increased ambient levels of 1,2-NQ, and takes place by neurogenic-mediated mechanisms involving up-regulation of TRPV1 and tachykinin receptors.

L’asthme est une maladie inflammatoire chronique induite par des allergènes ou des substances environnementales irritantes et caractérisée par une hyperréactivité des voies respiratoires. Il existe un lien entre l’inflammation neurogène et l’inflammation immunitaire au niveau des voies respiratoires. Des études suggèrent que des facteurs neurotrophiques participent à l’apparition des symptômes de l’asthme.Chez la souris, la Neurturine (NTN) est un facteur neurotrophique qui serait capable de moduler les principaux symptômes liés à l’asthme via un récepteur spécifique, le GDNF Family Receptor alpha 2 (GFRalpha2) et son co-récepteur, la tyrosine kinase RET. Afin de déterminer par quels mécanismes la NTN peut influencer le niveau d’inflammation de la voie Th2, des souris sauvages et NTN-/- ont été comparées dans différents modèles d’asthme aigu ou chronique induits avec les allergènes ovalbumine ou du « House Dust Mite ». L’implication de la NTN au niveau de l’inflammation neurogène, de la régulation des cellules immunitaires et dans le remodelage des tissus a été évaluée. Son rôle anti-inflammatoire a également été testé in vitro.Les résultats obtenus suggèrent que la Neurturine est capable d’agir in vivo et in vitro comme médiateur anti-inflammatoire. / Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease in response to allergens and environmental irritants. The pathophysiology of asthma is defined by airway inflammation and airway hyperreactivity. Interestingly, it has been shown that there is a link between neurogenic and immune airway inflammation. Moreover studies suggest that neurotrophic factors participate in the pathogenesis of many features and symptoms of asthma.Neurturin (NTN) is a neurotrophic factor which could be involved in the modulation of many symptoms of asthma through the GDNF family receptor alpha 2 (GFRalpha2) and the proto-oncogene RET co-receptor. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. By studying WT and NTN-/- mice after acute and chronic airway inflammation protocols induced by the allergens ovalbumin or house dust mite, we investigated how NTN is able to modulate the level of Th2 responses through neurogenic inflammation and immune cells’ regulation. We analysed its relationship with structural airway remodelling and we also tested the potential anti-inflammatory role of NTN in vitro.The achievements suggest that Neurturin acts in vivo and in vitro as an anti-inflammatory mediator.