Background: The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), location of the sympathetic premotor neurons, plays a pivotal role in central cardiovascular regulation. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-£^ (PPAR£^) agonist is commonly prescribed for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus by its insulin sensitizing ability. Intriguingly, both animal and human studies revealed that PPAR£^ agonist also possesses blood pressure lowering effect although the underlying mechanism is unknown. We designed a study to evaluate the hypothesis that activation of PPAR£^ in the RVLM mediates the blood pressure lowering effect of PPAR£^ agonist, rosiglitazone. Materials and Methods: The 12-week spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and the age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used in this study. Basal systemic arterial pressure (SAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured for one week, followed by oral administration of a synthetic PPAR£^ agonist, rosiglitazone (80 mg/kg/day), or saline for 7 days. The hemodynamic profile was recorded for 4 weeks post treatment. The role of PPAR£^ in the RVLM on blood pressure lowering effect of rosiglitazone was examined by microinjection bilaterally into the RVLM of the PPAR£^ antagonist, GW9662 (5 nmol). In a separated series of experiments, the RVLM of SHR or WKY rats was removed at the end of rosiglitazone or saline treatment. Protein expression of PPAR£\, PPAR£]/£_ or PPAR£^ in the RVLM was analyzed by Western blotting. To ascertain that changes in protein expression are not secondary to perturbation of SAP, expression of PPARs was also examined inSHR that received oral administration of a calcium channel inhibitor, amlodipine (16 mg/kg/day), for 7 days. Results: Compared to saline intake, rosiglitazone significantly lowered the mean SBP (MSBP, 159.2¡Ó9.9 mmHg vs. 139.8¡Ó12.6 mmHg) in SHR, but not WKY rats. This blood pressure lowering effect of rosiglitazone in SHR lasted for at least 10 days post treatment. Rosiglitazone treatment, on the other hand, had no significant effect on HR in SHR or WKY rats. At the end of 7-day treatment, microinjection bilaterally into the RVLM of PPAR£^ antagonist, GW9662 (5 nmol), significantly reversed the blood pressure lowering effect of rosiglitazone in SHR. In addition, protein expression of PPAR£\ or PPAR£^ was significantly upregulated in the RVLM of the SHR but not WKY rats that received rosiglitazone treatment. Oral intake of amlodipine (16 mg/kg/day) for 7 days in SHR significantly lowered MSBP (164.8¡Ó7.7 mmHg to 131.8¡Ó7.8 mmHg), but did not affect protein expression of PPAR£\, PPAR£]/£_ or PPAR£^ in the RVLM of SHR. Conclusion: These results suggest that oral administration of rosiglitazone exerts blood pressure lowering effect via activation of PPARs in the RVLM of SHR. Moreover, upregulation of PPAR£\ or PPAR£^ in the RVLM may underlie the antihypertensive effect of rosiglitazone.

The dissection of etiology of hypertension is a medical imperative. In the central nervous system, rostral ventral lateral medulla (RVLM) plays an essential role in the maintenance of arterial pressure and heart rate through tonic activation of the sympathetic vasomotor activity and regulation of baroreflex response. Oxidative stress of an enhanced cellular content of the reactive oxygen species, in particular the superoxide anion (O2-), has been implicated in hypertension. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the most important defense enzymes against the oxidative stress through catalysis of O2- into O2 and H2O2. SOD treatment has been demonstrated to decrease arterial pressure. Moreover, in addition to its peripheral vasodilatory effect, nitric oxide (NO) plays an active role in central regulation of arterial pressure and heart rate via modulation of the autonomic system. In the RVLM, both O2- and NO have been demonstrated to be involved in hypertension. Interactions between these two molecules, however, are not understood. The aims of this study are therefore to establish the significance of O2- and NO in the RVLM on blood pressure regulation in hypertension and to examine whether O2- interacts with NO to participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension. To examine their long term effects on mean systemic arterial pressure (MSAP) and heart rate (HR), SOD and/or NO was over-expressed by microinjection of the adenoviral vectors encoding the endothelial NO synthase (AdeNOS) and/or mitochondrial SOD (AdSOD2) into RVLM of the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats or the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). I found that microinjection of AdeNOS in the RVLM of SHR or WKY rats significantly decreased MSAP or HR that lasted for around 10 days postinjection. The hypotensive effect of AdeNOS was significantly greater in SHR than WKY rats. The AdeNOS-promoted hypotension in SHR, but not WKY rats, was followed by a rebound hypertension, detected in 28 days after the gene transfer. In the AdeSOD2-treated animals, I found a significant decrease in the MSAP in SHR, but not WKY rats, that lasted for about 7 days postinjection. On the other hand, no change in HR was detected in either SHR or WKY rats after the AdSOD2 gene transfer into the RVLM. In animals that received co-microinjection into the bilateral RVLM of AdeNOS and AdSOD2, there was a further prolonged decrease in MSAP or HR in SHR. The rebound hypertension observed in the AdeNOS-treated SHR was reversed to hypotension in the AdeNOS+AdSOD2-treated SHR. There was no difference in the hypotensive or bradycardiac effects in WKY rats that received the AdeNOS+AdSOD2 or AdeNOS gene transfer. Together these results suggest that (1) NO in RVLM plays an important role in central regulation of arterial pressure and heart rate under both normotensive and hypertensive conditions. A greater reduction in MSAP in the AdeNOS-treated SHR further indicates a reduced action of NO at the RVLM in the pathogenesis of hypertension. (2) An excessive oxidative stress of a reduced function of SOD2 in RVLM may be an important factor in neural mechanism of hypertension in SHR. The same mechanism, at the same time, may underlie the rebound hypertensive observed in the AdeNOS-treated SHR. (3) The excessive oxidative stress in the RVLM contributes to hypertension by at least two mechanisms. One is to cause oxidative injury in the RVLM and the other is to interact with NO to decrease already insufficient activity of NO in central cardiovascular regulation.

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR) are members of the nuclear receptor family that act as transcription factors to regulate target gene expression. In addition to their well-known effects in regulation of glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism, PPAR activators have recently been shown to exert antihypertensive effects, although the underlying mechanism is not clear. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that oxidative stress of an augmented tissue level of superoxide anion (£R2¡E−) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), where promotor neurons for generation of sympathetic vasomotor outflow reside, contributes to neural mechanism of hypertension. I therefore propose to test in my thesis the hypothesis that protection against oxidative stress after activation of the PPARs in the RVLM may contribute to the antihypertensive effect of these transcription factors. Experiments were performed in the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) or normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats under anesthesia or conscious condition. Compared to WKY rats, microinjection bilaterally into the RVLM of a synthetic activator of PPAR£^, rosiglitazone (1 nmol), evoked significantly greater decreased in mean systemic arterial pressure (MSAP) and heart rate (HR) in SHR. These cardiovascular suppressive effects of rosiglitazone were accompanied by greater decrease in tissue level of O2 - and upregulation of the antioxidant uncoupling proteins (UCPs) in the RVLM of SHR. Rosiglitazone also caused a significant greater increase in PPAR£^ expression in the nuclear extracts from RVLM of SHR than WKY rats. All these cellular events induced by rosiglitazone were antagonized by co-administration into the RVLM of the PPAR£^ inhibitor, GW9662 (5 nmol). This PPAR£^ inhibitor also significantly reversed the cardiovascular depressive effects of rosiglitazone. Together these results suggest that PPAR£^ in the RVLM may participate in central cardiovascular regulation by promoting hypotension and bradycardia via amelioration of O2- production and upregulation of antioxidant UCPs. Moreover, a downregulation of the PPAR£^ in the RVLM may contribute to neural mechanism of hypertension.

The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is the origin of a ¡§life-and-death¡¨ signal identifies from systemic arterial blood pressure spectrum that reflects failure of central cardiovascular regulation during brain stem death. It is also a target site where endogenous angiotensin II acts on angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R) to increase blood pressure (BP); or on type 2 receptors (AT2R) to inhibit baroreceptor reflex (BRR) response. This study investigated the roles of AT1R and AT2R and their signaling pathways in RVLM for ¡§life-and-death¡¨ signal response during experimental brain stem death, using organophosphate mevinphos (Mev) as the experimental insult. In Sprague-Dawley rats, Mev (640 £gg/kg, i.v.) elicited an increase (pro-life phase) followed by a decrease (pro-death phase). Real-time PCR analysis revealed that whereas AT1R level underwent a 10% increase at pro-life phase, AT2R exhibited a significance increase of up to 40% at pro-death phase. Western blot analysis revealed that whereas AT1R level underwent a 20% increase at pro-life phase, AT2R exhibited a significant increase of up to 50% at pro-death phase. Pretreatment with microinjection of an AT1R antagonist losartan (2 nmol) into RVLM elicited abrupt death because of drastic hypotension through inhibiting NADPH oxidase and its downstream superoxide anion. Pretreatment with NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI (1.5 nmol) inhibited NADPH oxidase avtiviting and superoxide anion production and decreased ¡§life-and-death¡¨ signal at pro-life phase; using superoxide anion inhibitor tempol (5 nmol) potentiated blood pressure and ¡§life-and-death¡¨ signal at pro-death phase. However, pretreatment with an AT2R antagonist PD123319 (2 nmol) potentiated the ¡§life-and-death¡¨ signal and antagonized hypotension during pro-death phase through inhibiting protein phosphotase 2A (PP2A) then activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Similar to AT2R antagonist PD123319, pretreatment with PP2A inhibitor okadaic acid (0.5 fmol) inhibit PP2A, leading to activation of ERK1/2, potentiate ¡§life-and-death¡¨ signal and antagonized hypotension during pro-death phase. These results suggest that AT1R in RVLM plays a ¡§pro-life¡¨ role through NADPH oxidase/superoxide anion during experimental brain stem death by maintaining BP and ¡§life-and-death¡¨ signal; AT2R plays a ¡§pro-death¡¨ role through PP2A/ERK1/2 by inhibiting BP and ¡§life-and-death¡¨ signal, and superoxide may also plays a ¡§pro-life and pro-death¡¨ role at pro-death phase.

We investigated the role of Shc¡BPYK2¡BGrb2-sos binding complex¡BRas and Raf proteins at the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), the origin of sympathetic neurogenic vasomotor tone, in mevinphos (Mev) intoxication. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats anesthetized by sodium pentobarbital (45 mg/kg) and maintained by propofol (20-25 mg/kg/hr) were used. Bilateral microinjection of Mev (10 nmol) into the RVLM elicited two distinct phases of cardiovascular responses, designated Phase I (sympathoexcitatory) and Phase II (sympathoinhibitory) Mev intoxication. Pretreatment with microinjection of a phospho-Shc-tyrosine 317, phospho-PYK2-tyrosine 402, phospho-PYK2-tyrosine 579/580 antibody (1:20), Grb2-sos complex inhibitor (SH3b-p), Ras specific inhibitors (manumycin A or FTA) or Raf specific inhibitor (GW5074) into the bilateral RVLM blunted the magnitude of the Mev-elicited sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular effect without affecting the duration. The Mev-elicited sympathoinhibitory cardiovascular effect was not influenced. Our results suggest that signaling pathways that involve Shc, PYK2, Grb2-sos complex, Ras or Raf protein in the RVLM participate in the sympathoexcitatory phase of Mev intoxication.

Nesse estudo investigamos os efeitos da hipóxia tecidual aguda (HA) sobre as propriedades eletrofisiológicas intrínsecas dos neurônios pré-simpáticos bulboespinhais da área rostro-ventrolateral do bulbo (RVLM) de ratos jovens adultos submetidos previamente à hipóxia crônica intermitente (HCI) e os seus respectivos controle. Para marcarmos os neurônios pré-simpáticos bulboespinhais da RVLM, ratos Wistar jovens (P19-P21) anestesiados com ketamina e xilazina, receberam microinjeções bilaterais de rodamina, um traçador fluorescente retrógrado, na coluna intermediolateral da medula espinhal (T3-T6) e 2 dias após a recuperação da cirurgia, os animais foram submetidos ao protocolo de HCI, enquanto que ratos controle foram mantidos em condições de normóxia, durante 10 dias. No décimo primeiro dia, os ratos foram novamente anestesiados para a remoção do cérebro e as fatias do tronco cerebral contendo neurônios pré-simpáticos com marcação positivas foram registrados. Utilizamos a técnica de whole cell patch-clamp para estudo das propriedades eletrofisiológicas desses neurônios. As propriedades eletrofisiológicas intrínsecas foram analisadas antes e após a HA, a qual foi produzida pela perfusão das fatias do tronco cerebral com uma solução hipóxica (95% N2 + 5% CO2) durante 2 minutos na presença de bloqueadores sinápticos excitatórios e inibitórios. Todos os neurônios pré-simpáticos apresentaram característica intrínseca de autodespolarização e a frequência de disparos basal de potenciais de ação (PAs) desses neurônios de ratos do grupo controle e HCI foram similares [Controle= 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz (n=39) vs HCI= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz (n=31); p > 0,05]. No grupo controle, a HA não alterou a frequência média de disparos de PAs (BS = 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz vs HA = 5,24 ± 0,3 Hz (n=39); p > 0,05], porém revelou diferentes perfis de disparo de PAs após 2 min de exposição à HA: i) 11 neurônios com aumento na frequência de disparos (BS = 5,1 ± 0,7 Hz vs HA = 7 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05]; ii) 21 neurônios sem alteração na frequência de disparos (BS = 4,8 ± 0,5 Hz vs HA = 5,36 ± 0,6 Hz; p > 0,05] e iii) 7 neurônios com diminuição na frequência de disparos (BS = 7,3 ± 1,1 Hz vs HA = 3,6 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05). No grupo HCI, a HA produziu aumento na frequência média de disparos (BS= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz vs HA= 7,25 ± 0,8 Hz; n=31 - p < 0,05) e na análise do perfil de disparo de PAs, a HA revelou 2 subpopulações: i) 9 neurônios com aumento na frequência de disparos (BS = 4,7 ± 0,8 Hz vs HA = 8,2 ± 1,4 Hz; p < 0,05) e ii) 22 neurônios sem alteração na frequência de disparos (BS = 7,0 ± 1,0 Hz vs HA = 6,8 ± 1,0 Hz; p > 0,05). Esse estudo nos permitiu revelar diferentes subpopulações de neurônios pré-simpáticos que responderam de forma distintas à HA. Os resultados também sugerem que a HCI teria um efeito pré- condicionante na excitabilidade intrínseca dos neurônios pré-simpáticos em resposta à HA / In this study we evaluated the effects of acute hypoxia (AH) on the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of presympathetic neurons from rostro ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of juvenile rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) or normoxic condition (control group). To label the RVLM bulbospinal presympathetic neurons, young Wistar rats (P 19 - 21) anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine, received bilateral microinjections of a fluorescent retrograde tracer (rhodamine retrobeads) were performed into the intermediolateral column of spinal cord (T3-T6) and two days after recovery of the surgery, the animals were submitted to CIH or normoxic protocol, during 10 days. On the 11th day, under anesthesia, brainstem slices were obtained and only the labeled RVLM presympathetic neurons were recorded, using whole-cell patch-clamp approach to study the electrophysiological properties of these neurons. The intrinsic electrophysiological properties were analyzed before and after AH, which was produced by slice perfusion with hypoxic solution (95% N2 and 5% CO2) during 2 min in the presence of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic antagonists. All recorded RVLM presympathetic neurons presented intrinsic pacemaker activity and the baseline firing frequency of these neurons from control and CIH group were similar [Control= 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz (n=39) vs HCI= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz (n=31); p > 0,05]. In the control group, AH do not change the firing rate (BS = 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz vs HA = 5,24 ± 0,3 Hz (n=39); p > 0,05), but revealed different pattern of firing frequency after 2 min of AH: i) 11 neurons increased the firing frequency (BS = 4,9 ± 0,9 Hz vs HA = 6,9 ± 1,0 Hz; p < 0,05) ; ii) 21 neurons do not change the firing frequency (BS = 4,8 ± 0,5 Hz vs HA = 5,36 ± 0,6 Hz; p > 0,05) and iii) 7 neurons decreased the firing frequency (BS = 7,3 ± 1,1 Hz vs HA = 3,6 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05). In the CIH group, the AH increased the firing rate comparing with basal condition (SB= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz vs AH= 7,25 ± 0,8 Hz; n=31 - p < 0,05) and analyzing the pattern of action potential, AH revealed 2 subpopulations in this group: i) 9 neurons increased the firing frequency (SB = 4,7 ± 0,8 Hz vs AH = 8,2 ± 1,4 Hz; p < 0,05) and ii) 22 neurons do not change the firing frequency (SB = 7,0 ± 1,0 Hz vs AH = 6,8 ± 1,0 Hz; p > 0,05).. The data shows that AH revealed different subpopulations of presympathetic neurons and suggest that CIH plays a preconditioning in the intrinsic excitability of presympathetic neurons in response to acute hypoxia

Neste trabalho investigamos a interação entre ATP-glutamato na modulação de potenciais de ação e atividade sináptica de neurônios PVN-RVLM, além de avaliar se esta interação induziria mudanças na atividade simpática lombar (ANSL) por estímulo osmótico. Utilizamos de técnicas de imunohistoquímica, whole-cell patch clamp e registro eletroneurográfico. Observou-se que o ATP aumenta a frequência de potenciais de ação em neurônios PVN-RVLM, efeito bloqueado por acido quinurênico (KYN) e PPADS. A injeção de ATP no PVN aumenta a ANSL (25 nmol: 72%), um efeito atenuado por PPADS e/ou KYN, e também por CNQX. O ATP não afeta a função sináptica, mas aumenta correntes glutamatérgicas induzidas por aplicação AMPA em 52%, a qual foi bloqueada por PPADS ou por quelação de Ca2+ intracelular. Além disso, o estímulo osmótico ativa neurônios do PVN que expressam receptores P2X2 e potencia as correntes mediadas por AMPA (53%), um efeito bloqueado por PPADS. Finalmente, demonstrou-se que receptores P2 no PVN são importantes na simpatoexcitação induzida por estímulo osmótico agudo. / In the present study we investigate the interaction of ATP-glutamate on the firing activity and synaptic function in PVN-RVLM neurons, besides whether that interaction would be translated in changes on sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) induced by osmotic stimulus. Immunohistochemistry, whole-cell patch clamp and electroneurography technical approaches were used. Our data have shown that ATP increases firing rate of PVN-RVLM neurons, an effect blocked by kynurenic acid (KYN) or PPADS. ATP injection into the PVN enhanced SNA (72%), which was attenuated by PPADS and/or KYN, or CNQX. ATP did not affect synaptic function but, glutamatergic currents evoked by AMPA application were augmented with ATP (AMPA area: 52%), blocked by PPADS and chelation of intracellular Ca2+. In addition, we observed that acute osmotic stimulus activates P2X2 expressing neurons in the PVN. Moreover, an osmotic challenge potentiated AMPA responses (53%), an effect blocked by PPADS. Finally, we demonstrated that P2 receptors in the PVN are important for osmotically-driven sympathoexcitation.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-03-09T11:08:45Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Marina Conceição dos Santos Moreira - 2017.pdf: 6188399 bytes, checksum: 681adfb98615a74796e956aca28b207f (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-03-09T11:10:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Marina Conceição dos Santos Moreira - 2017.pdf: 6188399 bytes, checksum: 681adfb98615a74796e956aca28b207f (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-09T11:10:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Marina Conceição dos Santos Moreira - 2017.pdf: 6188399 bytes, checksum: 681adfb98615a74796e956aca28b207f (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-01-17 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and their complications are the main causes of death around the world nowadays. Among these diseases, the hypertension stands out because of its great prevalence and multifactorial characteristic. Several studies demonstrate that, among other factors, the increased intake of industrialized food (rich in both salt and sugar) contribute to the pathophysiology of salt-dependent hypertension and obesity-related hypertension. However, the high sucrose intake induced cardiovascular modifications still need to be clarified. Based on these information, we sought to evaluate the effects of high salt intake of different durations during the post-natal period and of high sucrose intake in adulthood on cardiovascular parameters in adult animals. The present study sought to determine the cardiovascular and autonomic effects of salt and sucrose overload in adult animals. We evaluated the mean arterial pressure (MAP), the heart rate (HR) and the baroreflex sensitivity of the animals submitted to salt overload after weaning and to sucrose overload in adulthood and the cardiac morphology and Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla (RVLM) sensitivity after salt overload. 21 days old male Wistar rats received hypertonic saline solution (NaCl 0,3M) for 30 or 60 days (experimental groups). The control groups were maintained with tap water for equivalent period. After the treatment, the groups were maintained with tap water and food for 15 days (recovery period). A distinct group of adult animals was submitted to sucrose overload for 30 days. At the end of the experimental protocols, the animals were chronically cannulated. 24h after the surgery, the basal cardiovascular parameters and its modifications induced by baroreflex/chemoreflex stimulation were recorded. The baroreflex index was calculated as the ratio between HR and MAP changes after each infusion of phenylephyne and sodium nitroprusside. There were no differences between baseline MAP and HR of the animals treated during 30 days compared to the age-matched control animals (cont.: 118.2 ± 3.7 mmHg vs. exp.: 112.3 ± 4.0 mmHg; cont.: 404.0 ± 10.6 bpm vs. exp.: 374.7 ± 9.1 bpm). However, these animals presented diminished baroreflex sensitivity compared to the control group (BI: cont.; -2.441 ± 0.359 bpm/mmHg vs. exp.: -1.434 ± 0.086 bpm/mmHg, p<0.05). The animals submitted to high salt intake for 60 days after weaning presented increased MAP (cont. 98.6 ± 2.6 mmHg vs. exp. 117.7 ± 4.2 mmHg; p<0.05) and HR (cont. 365.4 ± 12.2 bpm vs. exp. 392.5 ± 10.3 bpm; p<0.05) compared to their control group. Moreover, the baroreflex sensitivity was diminished in those animals (cont. -1.83 ± 0.04 bpm/mmHg vs. exp. -1.24 ± 0.19 bpm/mmHg; p<0.05). The type I collagen relative frequency increased in the hearts of adult animals after 60 days after salt overload (cont.: 15.74 ± 0.61% vs. exp.: 19.79 ± 1.26%; p<0.05) but no differences were observed in the cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area. Furthermore, the pressure response to glutamate nanoinjections into the RVLM was increased in the animals treated for 60 days compared to the control group (cont.: Δ15.47 ± 2.56 mmHg vs. exp.: Δ34.31 ± 4.65 mmHg; p<0.05). The sucrose-treated animals presented increased MAP and HR compared to the control group (cont.: 102.5 ± 1.4 mmHg vs. exp.: 111.3 ± 0.9 mmHg; cont.: 334.7 ± 7.3 bpm vs. exp.: 371.6 ± 4.7 bpm; p<0.05). Furthermore, they presented diminished hypotension-induced baroreflex sensitivity (cont.: 5.0 ± 0.1 bpm/mmHg vs. exp.: 4.0 ± 0.1 bpm/mmHg; p<0.05) and increased pressure response after chemoreflex stimulation (cont.: 14.9 ± 1.9 mmHg vs. exp.: 29.2 ± 5.5 mmHg; p<0.05). Our results allow us to conclude that changes in the reflex regulation of blood pressure induced by salt overload after weaning precede the cardiovascular effects induced by such protocol, indicating that baroreflex sensitivity modifications can occur independently on permanent blood pressure changes. Moreover, salt overload after weaning promotes increases in RVLM sensitivity in adult animals. Furthermore, sucrose overload promotes MAP, HR and chemoreflex sensitivity elevation, whereas it promotes diminish of baroreflex sensitivity in adult rats. Taken together, our results allow us to conclude that changes in salt or sucrose intake produce permanent modifications in the arterial pressure control and such modifications are, in part, induced by changes in neuronal regulation of blood circulation. / Atualmente as doenças cardiovasculares e suas complicações são as maiores causas de morte em todo o mundo. Dentre estas doenças, a hipertensão arterial sistêmica destaca-se por sua grande prevalência e por sua característica multifatorial. Diversos estudos demonstram que, entre outros fatores, a alta ingestão de alimentos industrializados, ricos em sal e em açúcar, contribui para a patofisiologia da hipertensão arterial sal-dependente e relacionada à obesidade. Entretanto, as alterações induzidas pela sobrecarga de sacarose sobre o sistema cardiovascular e a regulação reflexa da pressão arterial ainda precisam ser esclarecidas. A partir do exposto, objetivamos avaliar os efeitos da sobrecarga de sal de diferentes durações durante o período pós-natal e da sobrecarga de sacarose na fase adulta sobre parâmetros cardiovasculares de animais adultos. Avaliamos a pressão arterial média (PAM), a frequência cardíaca (FC) e a sensibilidade barorreflexa dos animais submetidos à sobrecarga de sal após o desmame e à sobrecarga de sacarose na fase adulta. Nos animais submetidos à sobrecarga de NaCl, foram avaliadas também a morfologia cardíaca e a sensibilidade da região Rostro Ventrolateral do Bulbo (RVLM). Machos Wistar com 21 dias de vida receberam solução salina hipertônica (NaCl 0,3M) durante 30 dias ou 60 dias (grupos experimentais). Os grupos controle foram mantidos com água durante período equivalente. Após o tratamento, todos os grupos foram mantidos com água e ração por um período de 15 dias (recuperação). Um grupo distinto de animais adultos foi submetido à sobrecarga de sacarose por 30 dias. Ao final dos protocolos experimentais, os animais foram submetidos ao procedimento de canulação crônica. 24h após a cirurgia, os parâmetros cardiovasculares basais e suas alterações induzidas por estimulação barorreflexa e/ou quimiorreflexa foram registrados. O índice de barorreflexo (IB) foi calculado como a razão entre as variações de FC e de PAM induzidas por cada infusão de fenilefrina e nitroprussiato de sódio. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os valores basais de PAM e FC dos animais submetidos à sobrecarga de sal durante 30 dias em comparação com os animais controle de mesma idade (PAM: cont.: 118,2 ± 3,7 mmHg vs. exp.: 112,3 ± 4,0 mmHg. FC: cont.: 404,0 ± 10,6 bpm vs. exp.: 374,7 ± 9,1 bpm, respectivamente). Entretanto, estes animais apresentaram diminuição da sensibilidade barorreflexa, em comparação com o grupo controle (IB: cont.: -2,441 ± 0,359 bpm/mmHg vs. exp.: -1,434 ± 0,086 bpm/mmHg, p<0,05). Os animais submetidos a sobrecarga de sal por 60 dias apresentaram elevação de PAM (cont. 98,6 ± 2,6 mmHg vs. exp. 117,7 ± 4,2 mmHg; p<0,05) e de FC (cont. 365,4 ± 12,2 bpm vs. exp. 392,5 ± 10,3 bpm; p<0,05) em comparação com seu grupo controle. Além disso, a sensibilidade barorreflexa induzida por hipertensão se mostrou diminuída nestes animais (cont. -1,83 ± 0,04 bpm/mmHg vs. exp. -1,24 ± 0,19 bpm/mmHg; p<0,05). A sobrecarga de sal por 60 dias aumentou a frequência relativa de colágeno tipo I nos corações dos animais adultos (cont.: 15,74 ± 0,61% vs. exp.: 19,79 ± 1,26%; p<0,05), mas não promoveu hipertrofia de cardiomiócitos. Além disso, a resposta pressora às nanoinjeções de glutamato na região RVLM se mostrou aumentada nos animais tratados por 60 dias, em comparação com o grupo controle (cont.: Δ15,47 ± 2,56 mmHg vs. exp.: Δ34,31 ± 4,65 mmHg; p<0,05). Os animais tratados com sacarose apresentaram elevação de PAM e FC em comparação com o grupo controle (cont.: 102,5 ± 1,4 mmHg vs. exp.: 111,3 ± 0,9 mmHg; cont.: 334,7 ± 7,3 bpm vs. exp.: 371,6 ± 4,7 bpm; p<0.05). Além disso, apresentaram diminuição da sensibilidade barorreflexa induzida por hipotensão (cont.: 5,0 ± 0,1 bpm/mmHg vs. exp.: 4,0 ± 0,1 bpm/mmHg; p<0,05) e aumento da resposta pressora após estimulação quimiorreflexa (cont.: 14,9 ± 1,9 mmHg vs. exp.: 29,2 ± 5,5 mmHg; p<0,05). Os resultados nos permitem concluir que as alterações na modulação reflexa da pressão arterial induzidas pela sobrecarga de sal após o desmame precedem os efeitos cardiovasculares induzidos por tal protocolo, indicando que modificações na sensibilidade barorreflexa podem ser independentes de alterações permanentes de pressão arterial. Além disso, a sobrecarga de sal após o desmame promove elevação da sensibilidade da região RVLM nos animais adultos. Por sua vez, a sobrecarga de sacarose promove elevação de PAM, FC e sensibilidade quimiorreflexa, enquanto que a sensibilidade barorreflexa diminui. Em conjunto, estes resultados nos permitem concluir que modificações da ingestão de sal ou sacarose produzem alterações permanentes no controle da pressão arterial, sendo estas, em partes, desencadeadas por alterações na regulação neural da circulação sanguínea.

Nesse estudo investigamos os efeitos da hipóxia tecidual aguda (HA) sobre as propriedades eletrofisiológicas intrínsecas dos neurônios pré-simpáticos bulboespinhais da área rostro-ventrolateral do bulbo (RVLM) de ratos jovens adultos submetidos previamente à hipóxia crônica intermitente (HCI) e os seus respectivos controle. Para marcarmos os neurônios pré-simpáticos bulboespinhais da RVLM, ratos Wistar jovens (P19-P21) anestesiados com ketamina e xilazina, receberam microinjeções bilaterais de rodamina, um traçador fluorescente retrógrado, na coluna intermediolateral da medula espinhal (T3-T6) e 2 dias após a recuperação da cirurgia, os animais foram submetidos ao protocolo de HCI, enquanto que ratos controle foram mantidos em condições de normóxia, durante 10 dias. No décimo primeiro dia, os ratos foram novamente anestesiados para a remoção do cérebro e as fatias do tronco cerebral contendo neurônios pré-simpáticos com marcação positivas foram registrados. Utilizamos a técnica de whole cell patch-clamp para estudo das propriedades eletrofisiológicas desses neurônios. As propriedades eletrofisiológicas intrínsecas foram analisadas antes e após a HA, a qual foi produzida pela perfusão das fatias do tronco cerebral com uma solução hipóxica (95% N2 + 5% CO2) durante 2 minutos na presença de bloqueadores sinápticos excitatórios e inibitórios. Todos os neurônios pré-simpáticos apresentaram característica intrínseca de autodespolarização e a frequência de disparos basal de potenciais de ação (PAs) desses neurônios de ratos do grupo controle e HCI foram similares [Controle= 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz (n=39) vs HCI= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz (n=31); p > 0,05]. No grupo controle, a HA não alterou a frequência média de disparos de PAs (BS = 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz vs HA = 5,24 ± 0,3 Hz (n=39); p > 0,05], porém revelou diferentes perfis de disparo de PAs após 2 min de exposição à HA: i) 11 neurônios com aumento na frequência de disparos (BS = 5,1 ± 0,7 Hz vs HA = 7 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05]; ii) 21 neurônios sem alteração na frequência de disparos (BS = 4,8 ± 0,5 Hz vs HA = 5,36 ± 0,6 Hz; p > 0,05] e iii) 7 neurônios com diminuição na frequência de disparos (BS = 7,3 ± 1,1 Hz vs HA = 3,6 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05). No grupo HCI, a HA produziu aumento na frequência média de disparos (BS= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz vs HA= 7,25 ± 0,8 Hz; n=31 - p < 0,05) e na análise do perfil de disparo de PAs, a HA revelou 2 subpopulações: i) 9 neurônios com aumento na frequência de disparos (BS = 4,7 ± 0,8 Hz vs HA = 8,2 ± 1,4 Hz; p < 0,05) e ii) 22 neurônios sem alteração na frequência de disparos (BS = 7,0 ± 1,0 Hz vs HA = 6,8 ± 1,0 Hz; p > 0,05). Esse estudo nos permitiu revelar diferentes subpopulações de neurônios pré-simpáticos que responderam de forma distintas à HA. Os resultados também sugerem que a HCI teria um efeito pré- condicionante na excitabilidade intrínseca dos neurônios pré-simpáticos em resposta à HA / In this study we evaluated the effects of acute hypoxia (AH) on the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of presympathetic neurons from rostro ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of juvenile rats exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) or normoxic condition (control group). To label the RVLM bulbospinal presympathetic neurons, young Wistar rats (P 19 - 21) anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine, received bilateral microinjections of a fluorescent retrograde tracer (rhodamine retrobeads) were performed into the intermediolateral column of spinal cord (T3-T6) and two days after recovery of the surgery, the animals were submitted to CIH or normoxic protocol, during 10 days. On the 11th day, under anesthesia, brainstem slices were obtained and only the labeled RVLM presympathetic neurons were recorded, using whole-cell patch-clamp approach to study the electrophysiological properties of these neurons. The intrinsic electrophysiological properties were analyzed before and after AH, which was produced by slice perfusion with hypoxic solution (95% N2 and 5% CO2) during 2 min in the presence of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic antagonists. All recorded RVLM presympathetic neurons presented intrinsic pacemaker activity and the baseline firing frequency of these neurons from control and CIH group were similar [Control= 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz (n=39) vs HCI= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz (n=31); p > 0,05]. In the control group, AH do not change the firing rate (BS = 5,03 ± 0,4 Hz vs HA = 5,24 ± 0,3 Hz (n=39); p > 0,05), but revealed different pattern of firing frequency after 2 min of AH: i) 11 neurons increased the firing frequency (BS = 4,9 ± 0,9 Hz vs HA = 6,9 ± 1,0 Hz; p < 0,05) ; ii) 21 neurons do not change the firing frequency (BS = 4,8 ± 0,5 Hz vs HA = 5,36 ± 0,6 Hz; p > 0,05) and iii) 7 neurons decreased the firing frequency (BS = 7,3 ± 1,1 Hz vs HA = 3,6 ± 0,7 Hz; p < 0,05). In the CIH group, the AH increased the firing rate comparing with basal condition (SB= 6,31 ± 0,7 Hz vs AH= 7,25 ± 0,8 Hz; n=31 - p < 0,05) and analyzing the pattern of action potential, AH revealed 2 subpopulations in this group: i) 9 neurons increased the firing frequency (SB = 4,7 ± 0,8 Hz vs AH = 8,2 ± 1,4 Hz; p < 0,05) and ii) 22 neurons do not change the firing frequency (SB = 7,0 ± 1,0 Hz vs AH = 6,8 ± 1,0 Hz; p > 0,05).. The data shows that AH revealed different subpopulations of presympathetic neurons and suggest that CIH plays a preconditioning in the intrinsic excitability of presympathetic neurons in response to acute hypoxia

Neste trabalho investigamos a interação entre ATP-glutamato na modulação de potenciais de ação e atividade sináptica de neurônios PVN-RVLM, além de avaliar se esta interação induziria mudanças na atividade simpática lombar (ANSL) por estímulo osmótico. Utilizamos de técnicas de imunohistoquímica, whole-cell patch clamp e registro eletroneurográfico. Observou-se que o ATP aumenta a frequência de potenciais de ação em neurônios PVN-RVLM, efeito bloqueado por acido quinurênico (KYN) e PPADS. A injeção de ATP no PVN aumenta a ANSL (25 nmol: 72%), um efeito atenuado por PPADS e/ou KYN, e também por CNQX. O ATP não afeta a função sináptica, mas aumenta correntes glutamatérgicas induzidas por aplicação AMPA em 52%, a qual foi bloqueada por PPADS ou por quelação de Ca2+ intracelular. Além disso, o estímulo osmótico ativa neurônios do PVN que expressam receptores P2X2 e potencia as correntes mediadas por AMPA (53%), um efeito bloqueado por PPADS. Finalmente, demonstrou-se que receptores P2 no PVN são importantes na simpatoexcitação induzida por estímulo osmótico agudo. / In the present study we investigate the interaction of ATP-glutamate on the firing activity and synaptic function in PVN-RVLM neurons, besides whether that interaction would be translated in changes on sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) induced by osmotic stimulus. Immunohistochemistry, whole-cell patch clamp and electroneurography technical approaches were used. Our data have shown that ATP increases firing rate of PVN-RVLM neurons, an effect blocked by kynurenic acid (KYN) or PPADS. ATP injection into the PVN enhanced SNA (72%), which was attenuated by PPADS and/or KYN, or CNQX. ATP did not affect synaptic function but, glutamatergic currents evoked by AMPA application were augmented with ATP (AMPA area: 52%), blocked by PPADS and chelation of intracellular Ca2+. In addition, we observed that acute osmotic stimulus activates P2X2 expressing neurons in the PVN. Moreover, an osmotic challenge potentiated AMPA responses (53%), an effect blocked by PPADS. Finally, we demonstrated that P2 receptors in the PVN are important for osmotically-driven sympathoexcitation.