In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Expression von Angiotensinogen, Renin, Angiotensin-Converting-Enzym (ACE) und von den Agiotensin-Rezeptoren AT1 und AT2 in humaner Haut untersucht, um zu sehen, ob humane Haut ein lokales Gewebe Renin-Angiotensin-System (RAS) besitzt und fähig ist, Angiotensin II (Ang II) zu synthetisieren sowie welche physiologische Rolle Ang II in humaner Haut haben könnte. Außerdem wurde das Expressionsmuster von Angiotensinogen, Renin und ACE in gesunder humaner Haut mit dem in Psoriasis, Basaliom und Spinaliom (SCC) verglichen, um einen Einblick in pathophysiologische Funktionen des RAS zu gewinnen. Mit Hilfe von RT-PCR konnten alle Komponenten des RAS in vitro auf mRNA Ebene in kultivierten primären Keratinozyten, Melanozyten, dermalen Fibroblasten und dermalen mikrovaskulären Endothelzellen (MVEC´s) nachgewiesen werden, mit einer Ausnahme: Melanozyten scheinen keine AT2-Rezeptoren zu exprimieren. Immunhistochemische Untersuchungen zeigten die Expression aller Komponenten auf Proteinebene in Epidermis und dermalen Gefäßwänden in Gewebeschnitten humaner Haut. Zusätzlich erfolgte der Nachweis von Ang II in kultivierten Keratinozyten mittels enzymatischen immunometrischen Assays. Während Angiotensinogen, Renin und ACE bei immunhistochemischen Untersuchungen an Gewebeschnitten gesunder menschlicher Haut in allen Epidermalschichten gleichmäßig verteilt waren, zeigte sich bei der Psoriasis eine deutliche Betonung der unteren Epidermalschichten. Immunhistochemische Untersuchungen von Basaliomen erbrachten eine verminderte Expression von Angiotensinogen und Renin innerhalb der Tumornester. ACE wurde in den Tumorzellen noch weniger exprimiert. In immunhistochemischen Untersuchungen von Spinaliomen färbten sich die Tumorzellen deutlich homogen an. Die Experimente haben gezeigt, dass alle Komponenten des RAS in enger Lokalisation in menschlicher Haut vorkommen und dass folglich ein lokales Gewebe RAS in humaner Haut existiert sowie dass humane Haut fähig ist, Ang II ohne Zufuhr weiterer Komponenten und ohne regulatorische Einflüsse aus der Zirkulation zu synthetisieren. Eine mögliche physiologische Rolle von Ang II könnte die Regulation von Keratinozyten-Proliferation und –Differenzierung über seine Rezeptoren sein. Bezüglich der pathophysiologischen Rolle haben die Untersuchungen eine Fehlregulation des kutanen RAS in Epidermis psoriatisch veränderter Haut gezeigt, welches ein Hinweis auf eine pathogenetische Rolle des RAS bei der gestörten Keratinozyten-Proliferation und –Differenzierung sein könnte. Das Expressionsmuster in den untersuchten Tumoren war uneinheitlich, weshalb eine Interpretation der Rolle des RAS in kutanen Tumoren ohne weitere Untersuchungen kaum möglich erscheint. 1 / The present study was designed to elucidate whether a local tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is expressed in human skin, whether cutaneous cells are able to autonomously synthesise angiotensin II (Ang II), and to get a first insight into a putative physiological role of Ang II in this location. For this purpose, the expression of angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and of the angiotensin receptors AT1 and AT2 was examined in human skin samples and in diverse cutaneous cells in primary culture on mRNA- and protein-level. Furthermore, the study compared the expression pattern of angiotensinogen, renin and ACE in healthy human skin with that in psoriasis, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to look for possible differences between healthy and diseased skin. Using mRNA derived from cultured primary keratinocytes, melanocytes, dermal fibroblasts and dermal microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs), all components of the RAS could be demonstrated by RT-PCR except for AT2 receptors in melanocytes. Immunohistochemical stainings of cryostat sections of human skin revealed the expression of all components at protein level within the epidermis and in dermal vessel walls. In addition, the presence of Ang II in cultured keratinocytes and their supernatants could be proven by enzyme immunometric assay giving strong evidence for the ability of keratinocytes to autonomously synthesise Ang II. Regarding the comparison of RAS expression in healthy versus diseased skin, expression of angiotensinogen, renin and ACE was altered in all dermatoses examined. While in normal skin, RAS components were distributed equally and homogenously throughout all layers of the epidermis, in psoriatic skin their expression was more intense in the basal epidermal layers and less intense in the upper layers. In BCC sections, expression of angiotensinogen and renin was down-regulated, and tumour cells stained negatively for ACE. In SCC cryostat sections, tumour cells stained positively for all RAS components with an intensity comparable to normal skin. Taken together, the experiments revealed that a local tissue RAS exists in human skin, and that human skin is able to autonomously synthesise Ang II without any supply of components from the circulation. The physiological role of Ang II in normal skin may comprise the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Concerning a putative pathophysiological role of Ang II in skin, this study provides evidence for a deregulation of the RAS in psoriatic skin and in BCC pointing to an involvement of the RAS in the pathomechanisms of these dermatoses. 1

Background. The kidney is one of the major organs involved in whole-body homeostasis and it is well understood that chronic renal impairment is further complicated with deranged carbohydrate metabolism, dyslipidemia, altered abdominal fat distribution and the activation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Recently, RAS blockades of angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) have been noticed for their potential effects on improve glucose and lipid metabolisms and lowering the risk of new-onset diabetes. However, underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are not fully established. / Conclusions. (1) UNX induces progressive renal impairment and dysregulation of pancreatic and renal RAS in rats. (2) Pancreatic RAS activation leads to intra-islet fibrosis, insulin-secreting beta-cell deficit and insulin secretory deficiency. (3) Renal cortex RAS dysregulation induces ectopic adipocyte differentiation and lipid infiltration, in combination with lipodystrophy and lipid peroxidation, results to insulin resistance. (4) Pancreatic insulin-secretion deficit and insulin resistance contribute to the development of glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia. (5) Kidney impacting on glucose and lipid metabolism by affecting pancreatic islet and adipocyte, suggesting an essential role of the kidney in maintaining the whole-body homeostasis. (6) RAS blockade with ACEI or ARB may prevent the development of chronic renal impairment and glucose and lipid dysmetabolisms in UNX rats. (7) Common pathways modulating blood pressure, glucose and lipid metabolism warrant future studies for the better management of the global epidemic of metabolic syndrome. / Materials and methods. Chronic renal impairment and RAS disturbance were induced by unilateral nephrectomy (UNX) in adult Sprague-Dawley rats undergoing as long as 10 months of observation. Three-month old male rats were randomized into 4 groups: (1) sham operated control rats (n=10), (2) untreated UNX model rats (n=10), (3) ACEI---lisinopril treated UNX rats (n=10), and (4) ARB-olmesartan treated UNX rats (n=10). Blood glucose levels during fasting and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) conditions, lipids, insulin and renal function were measured at 3, 6, 8 and 10 months after operation. Histological changes of kidney, pancreas, liver, and adipose tissue were examined at 10 months post-operation. / Objectives. (1) To set up a rat model with persistent chronic renal impairment and RAS activation. (2) To examine changes of fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, blood lipids and insulin sensitivity. (3) To examine changes of pancreatic islets and the factors contributing to pancreatic islet damage such as RAS, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA). (4) To examine changes of systemic and renal adipose tissue and the factors contributing to adipopathy such as RAS, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) and hydroxy-3-methylglutary coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR). (5) To investigate preventive effect of RAS blockades by the ACEI-lisinopril (4 mg/kg body weight) and ARB-olmesartan (4 mg/kg body weight) on the rat model of progressive renal deficiency. / Results. (1) UNX rats developed time-dependent progressive renal functional impairment and marked glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial lesions. (2) UNX rats showed fasting hyperglycemia, progressive glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. (3) UNX rats demonstrated insulin secretory deficiency in parallel to pancreatic islet fibrosis, beta-cell deficit, and overexpression of RAS components, TGF-beta, and alpha-SMA. (4) UNX rats displayed adipopathy evidenced by shifts the subcutaneous and visceral fats to the ectopic fat with lipid accumulation, lipofuscin pigmentation and adipocytes transformation. The adipopathy associated with down-regulation of AT1R and over-expression of angiotensin, AT2R, PPAR-gamma and HMGCR in the remnant kidney. (5) Treatment with lisinopril and olmesartan significantly attenuated the development of chronic renal impairment, RAS dysregulation and aberrant proteins expression, islet damage, adipose redistribution, and glucose and lipid dysmetabolism. / Sui, Yi. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: B, page: 3422. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 195-220). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Thesis (MScMedSc (Biomedical Sciences. Molecular Biology and Human Genetics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), an inherited primary cardiac disorder mostly caused by defective sarcomeric proteins, is considered a model for studying left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in the absence of increased external loading conditions. The disease manifests extreme variability in the degree and pattern of LVH, even in HCM patients with the same causal mutation. The clinical phenotype of HCM can therefore be viewed as a product of the effect of sarcomere dysfunction and of additional genetic modifiers. Components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are plausible candidate modifiers because of their effect on blood pressure and their direct hypertrophic effect on cardiomyocytes. The present study investigated genes encoding components of the RAAS for association with cardiac hypertrophy traits, in 353 individuals comprised of genetically and echocardiographically affected and unaffected family members, belonging to 22 HCM families with HCM founder mutations by employing a multi-SNP approach with TaqMan allelic discrimination technology. Gene-gene interaction analysis was also performed to investigate the effect of epistasis on hypertrophy. Candidate genes for analysis included the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2 receptor), renin, renin-binding protein (RnBP), the (pro)renin receptor, the mineralocorticoid receptor as well as genes encoding subunits of the epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) and Na+/K+-ATPase that showed evidence for cardiac expression. The present study demonstrates for the first time that variations in the renin and RnBP genes play a role in modulating hypertrophy in HCM, independent of blood pressure and confirms the involvement of the AT2 receptor in hypertrophy in HCM. Additionally we report an association between Na+/K+-ATPase α1- and β1-subunits as well as the ENaC α- and β-subunits and hypertrophy. Significant evidence for epistasis was found between renin and downstream RAAS effectors, suggesting a complex interplay between these RAAS variants and the hypertrophic phenotype in HCM. The identification of such modifiers for HCM may offer novel targets for hypertrophy research and ultimately antihypertrophic therapy.

In the course of this study, several endogenous compounds and model substances were used to mimic the conditions in patients suffering from hypertension. As endogenous compounds, angiotensin II and aldosterone were chosen. As model substances, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (NQO), hydrogen peroxide and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were selected. Benfotiamine as well as α-tocopherol proved in the course of the experiments to be able to prevent angiotensin II-induced formation of oxidative DNA strand breaks and micronuclei. This could be due to a prior inhibition of the release of reactive oxygen species and is in contrast to results which were achieved using thiamine. Furthermore, experiments in which cells were pre-incubated with benfotiamine followed by incubation with NQO showed that benfotiamine was not able to prevent the induction of oxidative stress. The hypothesis that benfotiamine has, like α-tocopherol, direct antioxidative capacity was fortified by measurements in cell free systems. In brief, a new working mechanism for benfotiamine in addition to the ones already known could be provided. In the second part of the study, angiotensin II was shown to be dose-dependently genotoxic. This effect is mediated via the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) which. Further experiments were extended from in vitro settings to the isolated perfused kidney. Here it could be shown that angiotensin II caused vasoconstriction and DNA strand breaks. Co-perfusion of kidneys with angiotensin II and candesartan prevented vasoconstriction and formation of strand breaks. DNA strand break formation due to mechanical stress or hypoxia could be ruled out after additional experiments with the thromboxane mimetic U 46619. Detailed investigation of the DNA damage in vitro revealed that angiotensin II induces single strand breaks, double strand breaks and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-oxodG)-adducts as well as abasic sites. Investigations of the effects of aldosterone-treatment in kidney cells showed an increase of oxidative stress, DNA strand breaks and micronuclei which could be prevented by the steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist eplerenone. Additional experiments with the non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (S)-BR-4628 revealed that this substance was also able to prevent oxidative stress and genomic damage and proved to be more potent than eplerenone. In vivo, hyperaldosteronism was imitated in rats by aid of the deoxycorticosteroneacetate (DOCA) salt model. After this treatment, levels of DNA strand breaks and chromosomal aberrations in the kidney could be observed. Furthermore, an increase in the release of ROS could be measured. Treatment of these animals with spironolactone , BR-4628 and enalaprile revealed that all antagonists were effective BR-4628 was the most potent drug. Finally, rosuvastatin was investigated. In HL-60 cells phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate caused oxidative stress. Rosuvastatin was able to prevent the release of ROS and subsequent oxidative DNA damage when co-incubated with PMA. Furthermore, not only an inhibition of PMA-induced oxidative stress but also inhibition of the unspecific release of ROS induced by hydrogen peroxide was observable. Addition of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), and mevalonate, intermediates of the cholesterol pathway, caused only a marginal increase of oxidative stress in cells treated simultaneously with PMA and rosuvastatin, thus indicating the effect of rosuvastatin to be HMG-CoA-reductase-independent. Investigation of the gene expression of subunits of NAD(P)H oxidase revealed a down-regulation of p67phox following rosuvastatin-treatment. Furthermore, it could be shown that rosuvastatin treatment alone or in combination with PMA increased total glutathione levels probably due to an induction of the gene expression and enzyme activity of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS). / Im Zuge dieser Studie wurden sowohl endogene Substanzen als auch Modellsubstanzen eingesetzt, um die pathologischen Verhältnisse in Patienten, die an Bluthochdruck leiden, zu imitieren. Als endogene Substanzen wurden Angiotensin II und Aldosteron ausgewählt. Als Modellsubstanzen wurden 4-Nitrochinolin-1-oxid (NQO), Wasserstoffperoxid und Phorbol-12-myristat-13-gewählt. Der erste Teil dieser Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit zwei Vitaminen, nämlich Benfotiamin und α-Tocopherol. Sowohl Benfotiamin als auch α-Tocopherol zeigten im Laufe der Experimente, dass sie in der Lage sind, durch Angiotensin II verursachte DNA-Strangbrüche und chromosomale Aberrationen zu verhindern. Dies ist möglicherweise auf eine ebenfalls beobachtbare vorausgegangene Inhibition der Freisetzung reaktiver Sauerstoffspezies zurückzuführen. Zusammenfassend konnte ein neuer Wirkmechanismus für Benfotiamin vorgestellt werden. Im zweiten Teil dieser Studie konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass Angiotensin II eine dosisabhängige Gentoxizität verursacht. Dieser Effekt wird durch den Angiotensin II-Rezeptor Typ 1 vermittelt. Im weiteren Verlauf der Studie wurden die in vitro Experimente auf das Modell der isolierten perfundierten Mäuseniere ausgeweitet. Hier konnte gezeigt werden, dass Angiotensin II Vasokonstriktion und DNA-Strangbrüche verursacht. Co-Perfusion der Nieren mit Angiotensin II und Candesartan verhinderte hingegen die Vasokonstriktion und die Bildung von DNA-Strangbrüchen. Die Verursachung von Strangbrüchen durch mechanischen Stress oder Hypoxie konnte ausgeschlossen werden. Die Untersuchung der ex vivo beobachteten DNA-Schäden in vitro ließ erkennen, dass Angiotensin II Einzelstrangbrüche, Doppelstrangbrüche, die Bildung des DNA-Addukts 8-OxodG und abasische Stellen induziert. Ein Reparatur-Comet Assay, parallel durchgeführt mit der Messung des phosphorylierten Histons 2AX (γ-H2AX) über 24 h, zeigte eine vollständige Reparatur der Einzelstrangbrüche, wohingegen die Zahl der Doppelstrangbrüche in diesem Zeitraum sogar zunahm. Untersuchungen der Effekte, die eine Aldosteron-Behandlung auf Nierenzellen hat, zeigten einen Anstieg des oxidativen Stress, der DNA Strangbrüche und der Mikrokerne. Diese Effekte konnten durch Eplerenon verhindert werden. Weitere Experimente mit dem nicht-steroidalen Mineralocorticoid Rezeptor-Antagonisten (S)-BR-4628 zeigten, dass auch diese Substanz oxidativen Stress und DNA Schäden verhindern konnte, im Gegensatz hierzu hatte das (R)-Isomer, das keine Aktivität am Mineralocorticoid Rezeptor zeigt, keine präventiven Effekte. In vivo wurde der Hyperaldosteronismus mit Hilfe des Deoxycorticosteronacetat- (DOCA) Salzmodells nachgeahmt. Unter dieser Behandlung konnten Level an DNA-Strangbrüchen und chromosomalen Aberrationen beobachtet werden. Des Weiteren konnten in den DOCA-Tieren erhöhte Level an oxidativem Stress gemessen werden. Wurden die Versuchstiere zusätzlich zur DOCA-Behandlung mit Spironolacton, BR-4628 und dem Enalapril behandelt, konnte gezeigt werden, dass BR-4628 potenter war als Spironolacton Enalapril. Zuletzt wurde mit Rosuvastatin eine Substanz untersucht, die die antioxidative Abwehr der Zellen aktivieren kann. In der humanen Leukämie-Zelllinie HL-60 verursachte Phorbol-12-myristat-13-acetat (PMA) oxidativen Stress. Rosuvastatin war in der Lage, die Freisetzung von ROS und daraus resultierende DNA-Strangbrüche bei Co-Inkubation mit PMA zu verhindern. Außerdem konnte gezeigt werden, dass Rosuvastatin nicht nur PMA-induzierten oxidativen Stress, sondern auch die unspezifische Wasserstoffperoxid-induzierte Freisetzung von ROS verhinderte. Die Untersuchung der Genexpression von Untereinheiten der NAD(P)H Oxidase ergab, dass p67phox nach Rosuvastatin-Behandlung herabreguliert wurde. Behandlung mit Rosuvastatin allein oder zusammen mit PMA konnte außerdem die Glutathion-Spiegel erhöhen. Dies ist vermutlich auf die Induktion der Genexpression und der Enzymaktivität der γ-Glutamylcystein-Synthetase (γ-GCS), des Schrittmacherenzyms des Glutathionsystems, zurückzuführen.

A hiperatividade do Sistema Renina Angiotensina (SRA) está intimamente relacionada a hipertensão. Avaliamos os efeitos sequênciais do treinamento aeróbio e sedentarismo sobre a pressão arterial média (PAM), frequência cardíaca (FC) e o SRA vascular em ratos SHR e WKY. Ao início dos protocolos SHR vs WKY apresentaram elevada PAM e FC. Ang II era superior em SHR vs WKY nas artérias renais, femorais e carótidas. O conteúdo de Ang (1-7) em SHR vs WKY era inferior nas renais, superior nas femorais e nas carótidas. O treinamento promoveu já na primeira semana redução de Ang II nas renais e aorta de SHR e WKY, femorais e carótidas de SHR; redução de Ang (1-7) nas renais, carótidas e aorta de SHR e WKY, e femoral de SHR. Redução da PAM foi observada apenas nos SHR a partir da 8ª semana de treinamento, por outro lado SHR e WKY apresentaram bradicardia de repouso na 2ª e 8ª semanas respectivamente. Em linhas gerais o treinamento promoveu imediata, progressiva e mantida redução da Ang II e Ang (1-7) vascular, favorecendo a redução da PAM nos SHR e da FC em ambos os grupos. / Hyperactivity of the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) is closely related to hypertension. We evaluated the effects of aerobic training and sedentarism on blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR) and vascular RAS in SHR and WKY. At the beginning of protocols SHR vs. WKY showed high MAP and HR. Ang II was higher in SHR vs. WKY renal, femoral and carotid arteries. The contents of Ang (1-7) in SHR vs. WKY was lower in renal than in the femoral and carotid arteries. The training caused a reduction in the first week of Ang II in renal artery and aorta of SHR and WKY, femoral and carotid arteries SHR. And reduction of Ang (1-7) in renal artery, carotid and aorta of SHR and WKY, with reduction only in SHR femoral artery. Reduction of MAP was observed only in SHR from 8 weeks of training, on the other hand SHR and WKY had resting bradycardia at 2 and 8 weeks respectively. In general the training caused immediate, sustained and progressive reduction of Ang II and Ang (1-7) vascular, favoring the reduction in MAP in SHR.

A Abstinência ao Etanol (AE) é uma complicação de curta duração desenvolvida após a interrupção parcial ou total do consumo crônico de etanol. Alguns dos sintomas descritos incluem: aumento transitório da pressão arterial, alteração da resistência vascular periférica e alterações comportamentais; entretanto, os mecanismos envolvidos nessas respostas continuam elusivos. O objetivo desse estudo foi o de investigar os efeitos da abstinência ao etanol sobre o sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona (SRAA) e a função vascular. Ratos Wistar (250g) foram divididos em 3 grupos: Controle (CTR): os animais receberam água ad libitum por 23 dias; Etanol (EtOH): o tratamento crônico com etanol foi iniciado com uma solução de etanol 3% (vol./vol.), sendo gradualmente aumentada a cada três dias para 6% (4º dia) e 9% (7º dia em diante), mantendo-se esta concentração até o 21° dia; Abstinência ao Etanol (AE): os animais foram tratados da mesma maneira que o grupo EtOH até o 20º dia, neste dia a solução de etanol 9% foi retirada e retornada no dia seguinte (21º dia) por apenas 2h; após o término deste período, os animais receberam água até o dia do teste (23º dia), garantindo assim, o quadro de abstinência por 48h. Para avaliar o comportamento, os animais foram testados no Labirinto em Cruz Elevado (LCE). A pressão arterial foi medida por pletismografia de cauda. Foram avaliados os níveis plasmáticos de: a) etanol por cromatografia gasosa; b) corticosterona (CORT), angiotensina I e II (ANGI e II), vasopressina (AVP), ocitocina e peptídeo natriurético atrial (ANP) por radioimunoensaio; c) aldosterona (ALDO), renina (REN) e espécies reativas de oxigênio ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) por ELISA; atividade plasmática da enzima conversora de angiotensina por fluorímetria; d) atividade da NAD(P)H-oxidase em aorta e leito mesentérico pelo método de quimioluminescência da lucigenina; d) de sódio (Na+ ) por fotometria de chama; e) osmolaridade foi medida pelo abaixamento do ponto de congelamento da água. Foi realizada avaliação da reatividade vascular em aorta isolada para angiotensina II (ANG II), fenilefrina, cloreto de potássio, acetilcolina e nitroprussiato de sódio (NPS). A abstinência ao etanol promoveu diminuição significativa da porcentagem de entrada e tempo despendido nos braços abertos do LCE; além disso, houve aumento da concentração plasmática de corticosterona. Em conjunto estes resultados mostram o efeito ansiogênico da abstinência ao etanol. A abstinência ao etanol também promoveu aumento da pressão arterial sistólica e média. Houve aumento do estresse oxidativo sistêmico e tecidual. Em relação ao balanço hidroeletrolítico, não foi encontrada nenhuma alteração induzida pela abstinência ao etanol. A abstinência ao etanol induziu alterações vasculares independentes de endotélio representada por diminuição da contração para ANG II, fenilefrina e KCl e aumento do relaxamento para o nitroprussiato de sódio. A partir destes resultados podemos concluir que a abstinência ao etanol induz ansiedade, estimula o SRAA, induz hipertensão e estresse oxidativo e altera a função vascular de maneira independente de endotélio. / Ethanol withdrawal is a short-term complication developed after partial or total interruption of chronic ethanol consumption. Some of the symptoms described include: transient increase in blood pressure, peripheral vascular resistance changes and behavioral changes, however, the mechanisms involved in these responses remain elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanol withdrawal on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and vascular function. With this purpose, male Wistar rats (250g) were divided into 3 groups: control (CTR): animals received water ad libitum for 23 days, ethanol (EtOH): chronic treatment with ethanol was started with an ethanol solution 3% (vol. / vol.) being gradually increased every three days to 6% (day 4) and 9% (day 7 onwards), being this concentration maintained until day 21; Ethanol abstinence (EA): animals were treated in the same way of the EtOH group until day 20. Then, ethanol solution 9% was removed and returned the next day (day 21) for 2h. After the end of this period, the animals received water until day 23, ensuring abstinence for 48 hours. Animals were tested on the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). Blood pressure was measured by tail plethysmography. Plasma levels of: a) ethanol were determined by gas chromatography, b) corticosterone (CORT), angiotensin I and II (ANGI and II), vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) by radioimmunoassay; c ) aldosterone (ALDO), plasma activity of angiotensin converting enzyme by fluorimetry; renin (REN) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) by ELISA; d) activity of NAD (P)H in the aorta and mesenteric arterial bed by lucigenin chemiluminescence assay; d) sodium (Na+ ) by photometry; e) osmolarity was measured by the lowering of the freezing point of water. Vascular reactivity of isolated aorta to angiotensin II (ANG II), phenylephrine, KCl, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was evaluated. Abstinence to ethanol induced a significant reduction in the percentage of entries and time spent in the open arms of the EPM. Increased corticosterone plasma levels were also detected in animals from the EA group. Together these findings suggest that abstinence to ethanol induces an anxiogenic-like effect. Abstinence to ethanol induced an increase in plasma ANG II with no changes on ANG I, renin or aldosterone levels. The levels of ANG I and ANG II in the aorta and mesenteric arterial bed were not altered in animals from the EA group. Abstinence to ethanol also induced increase in systolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure. Abstinence to ethanol increased systemic oxidative stress and the vascular generation of superoxide anion. No change in the fluid balance was detected in animals from the EA group. In endothelium-denuded, but not intact aortic rings, abstinence to ethanol decreased the contraction induced by ANG II, phenylephrine and KCl. Increased NPS-induced relaxation was also observed in rings from EA animals. We conclude that ethanol withdrawal: a) induces anxiety; b) stimulates the systemic RAAS; c) increases blood pressure; d) induces systemic and vascular oxidative stress; e) alters the vascular function in an endothelium-independent manner.

O presente trabalho buscou identificar uma possível relação causa-efeito entre exercício, SRA, remodelamento cardíaco e função autonômica na redução da pressão arterial (PA) induzida pelo treinamento aeróbio (T) iniciado na fase pré-hipertensiva. SHR, com 4 semanas de idade, foram submetidos ao T (55% da capacidade física, 1h/dia, 5x/semana) ou mantidos sedentários (S) por 8 semanas. WKY serviram como controle temporal. Os parâmetros foram avaliados nas semanas 0, 1, 2, 4 e 8. Nossos dados indicam que o treinamento iniciado ainda na fase pré-hipertensiva, protege o coração reduzindo a expressão relativa de receptores AT1 e a hipertrofia cardíaca, reduz a FC basal e aumenta sua variabilidade por facilitar o componente vagal alterando o balanço simpato-vagal ao coração. Estas adaptações contribuem para retardar a instalação, reduzindo substancialmente os níveis pressóricos atingidos na fase crônica da hipertensão arterial. A oposição precoce aos efeitos deletérios da hipertensão pelo treinamento é fundamental para minimizar seus prejuízos estruturais e funcionais. / In the present dissertation, we identified a possible cause-effect relation between exercise training, SRA, cardiac remodeling and autonomic function during the establishment of essential hypertension. 4 weeks-old SHR were submitted to aerobic training (5x/week; 1hour/day; 55% of maximal exercise capacity). Factors were assessed on weeks 0,1,2,4 and 8. Exercise training was able to attenuate increase AP, vascular sympathetic activity, cardiac remodeling and cardiac AT1 protein expression; to intensify decrease HR; to increase HR variance and cardiac vagal activity. Our data indicate that aerobic training, during pre-hypertensive phases, attenuates cardiac remodeling associated with decrease of AP, cardiac AT1 protein expression and autonomic dysfunction in SHR. Premature modulation of maladaptative effects of hypertension induced by aerobic tranining seem to be crucial to minimize long-term deleterious effects in cardiac structure and function.

Descrevemos recentemente um novo modelo de DRC, baseado nos efeitos adversos da administração de L na lactação (LLact). Os objetivos do presente estudo foram; caracterizar os mecanismos patológicos envolvidos com a nefropatia do LLact e investigar se o extraordinário efeito renoprotetor obtido com a associação L+H no modelo NX seria reproduzido no modelo LLact. Utilizamos 20 ratas Munich-Wistar lactantes, com 6 filhotes cada. As matrizes receberam L, 250mg/Kg/d durante a amamentação e a droga atingiu a prole via leite materno. Os filhotes machos foram acompanhados até os 7 meses de vida, quando se verificou; pressão caudal, albuminúria, creatinina sérica, glomerulosclerose, expansão intersticial, proliferação celular, presença de miofibroblastos intersticiais e rarefação capilar. Os animais LLact restantes foram divididos em 3 novos grupos: LLact+V, mantido sem tratamento, LLact+L, LLact+H, e LLact+LH. Os parâmetros foram reavaliados após 3 meses nesses grupos e também em animais controle (C). Os ratos, LLact apresentaram hipertensão, albuminuria, glomerulosclerose (GS) e lesão intersticial com inflamação e fibrose aos 10 meses de vida. O tratamento com L+H na vida adulta limitou a hipertensão, albuminúria, GS, proliferação intersticial e infiltração de miofibroblastos. Porém, a renoproteção obtida pela associação foi moderada em relação aos resultados previamente obtidos com o modelo NX, especialmente no tocante ao comprometimento tubulointersticial / We recently standardized a severe CKD model based on impaired nephrogenesis by suppression of angiotensin II (Ang II) activity during lactation (LLact). In the present study we sought to gain further insight into the mechanisms associated with the LLact model and to verify if the renoprotection obtained with the association of the Ang II receptor blocker, Losartan (L), and Hydrochlorothiazide (H), which arrested renal injury in the remnant kidney model, could be also obtained in the LLact model. Twenty Munich-Wistar dams, each nursing 6 pups, received L, 250 mg/kg/d, until weaning. The male LLact offspring remained untreated until 7 months of age, when renal functional and structural parameters were studied in 17 of them, used as pretreatment control (LLactPre), followed no further. The remaining rats were divided in groups: LLact+V, untreated, LLact+L, given L, 50 mg/kg/day, now as a therapy, LLact+H, given H, 6mg/kg/day and LLact+LH, given L and H. All the parameters were reassessed 3 months later in these groups and in agematched controls (C). At this time, LLact rats exhibited hypertension, albuminuria, glomerulosclerosis (GS), interstitial expansion and inflammation, enhanced cell proliferation, myofibroblast infiltration, and creatinine retention. LH therapy normalized blood pressure, albuminuria, GS, and limited interstitial cell proliferation and -smooth muscle actin (-SMA) accumulation. However, LH renoprotection achieved with the LLact model was only mild if compared previous studies with the 5/6 renal ablation model

Para avaliar os efeitos de angiotensina II (Ang II) ou endotelina-3 (ET-3), ratos Wistar foram organizados nos grupos: controle, tratados com Ang II ou ET-3 por 42 dias, tratados com losartan, atrasentan ou BQ788 ou co-tratados com Ang II e losartan ou ET-3 e atrasentan ou BQ 788. Foram avaliados: pressão arterial, concentrações plasmáticas e intrarrenais das Angs e ETs, morfologia e função renal. A Ang II induziu hipertensão arterial, aumentou as concentrações plasmáticas das ETs e das Angs e a expressão de RNAm para renina; induziu injuria glomerular e remodelamento das arteríolas renais. O tratamento com losartan reverteu a maioria dos efeitos da Ang II. A ET-3 induziu hipertensão arterial, injúria glomerular, alteração da função renal e aumento de RNAm intrarrenal para os componentes do SRA. O bloqueio do receptor ETA atenuou os efeitos de ET-3 na hipertensão, enquanto o bloqueio de ETB foi melhor nos parâmetros renais. Nossos resultados sugerem uma interação entre os sistemas SRA e endotelinas, induzindo mudanças na estrutura e função renal. / To evaluate the chronic effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) and /or losartan or endothelin-3 (ET-3) and /or atrasentan or BQ788, Wistar rats were organized as: control, treated with Ang II, or ET-3 for 42 days, losartan-treated, co-treated with Ang II and losartan. Treated with ET-3, treated with BQ788 or atrasentan, co-treated with ET-3 and antagonists. Were evaluated: blood pressure, plasma and intrarenal concentrations of Angs and ETs, protein expression, renal morphology and function. Ang II induced hypertension, increased plasma levels of ETs and Angs; increased mRNA for renin; induced glomerular injury and renal arterioles remodeling. Treatment with losartan restored most of the changes induced by Ang II. ET-3 induced hypertension, glomerular injury, renal dysfunction and increased intrarenal mRNA for SRA components. The ETA receptor blockage reverted the ET-3 effects on hypertension, while ETB blockage reverted renal parameters. Our results suggest a crosstalk of renin-angiotensin and endothelin systems, inducing renal structural and functional changes.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se a infusão de angiotensina II (ANG II) modulava a expressão do receptor B1 (RB1) de cininas em aorta (AO),arteríolas mesentéricas (AM) de ratos Wistar e também verificar a influência do RB1 na pressão arterial e reatividade desses vasos sanguíneos através do agonista de RB1, DABK. Os ratos receberam por 28 dias infusão de ANG II ou de ANG II e antagonista de RB1. O DABK induziu relaxamento dependente de endotélio e NO em anéis de AO de ratos ANG II. A infusão de ANG II causou hipertensão arterial, aumento da expressão de RNAm de RB1 em AO e AM, da expressão protéica de RB1 em AO e disfunção endotelial caracterizada por diminuída resposta á acetilcolina (ACH).O antagonista de B1R não interferiu no desenvolvimento de hipertensão e na disfunção endotelial causada, mas aumentou a sensibilidade da AO à ACH e a expressão de NO Sintase nos ratos ANG II. Esses resultados nos permitem sugerir que a ANG II e cininas podem atuar sinergicamente no desenvolvimento das alterações vasculares observadas nesse modelo de hipertensão arterial. / The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the angiotensin II (ANG II) infusion modulates the kinin B1 receptor (B1R) mRNA, protein expression in aorta (AO) and mesenteric arterioles (MA) in Wistar rats. It was also verified the role of RB1 in the control of blood pressure and vascular reactivity using DABK a B1R agonist Rats were infused either with ANG II (400ng/Kg/min) or ANG II plus RB1antagonist(350ng/Kg/min) during 28 days.DABK induced endothelium-NO dependent relaxation in AO of ANG II rats. ANG II infusion caused hypertension, increased RB1 mRNA expression in AO and MA, protein expression in AO and caused endothelial dysfunction, characterized as a decreased maximal response to acetylcholine (ACH). The B1R antagonist did not interfere in the development of hypertension and endothelium dysfunction caused by ANG II, however, increased the sensitivity to ACH and NO synthase expression in AO of ANG II rats. Altogether, we may suggest that ANG II and kinins can act synergistically in the development of vascular changes in this model of hypertension.