Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric condition that is characterized by two main symptom cohorts, namely recurrent inappropriate thoughts (obsessions) and seemingly purposeless repetitive motor actions (compulsions). In 70% of cases, the condition only re–sponds to chronic, but not sub–chronic, high dose treatment with the selective serotonin reup–take inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine and escitalopram. This indicates a role for hyposero–tonergic functioning in the primary brain areas involved in OCD, namely the components of the cortico–striatal–thalamic–cortical (CSTC) circuit which include the prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and the thalamus. A number of studies have demonstrated a lower serotonin trans–porter (SERT) availability in OCD patients compared with healthy controls, supporting the hy–pothesis of a hyposerotonergic state in OCD. The current study focuses on the validation of the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) model of OCD and builds on previous work done in our laboratory. Deer mice that are bred and housed in confinement naturally develop two main forms of stereotypical behaviour, namely vertical jumping and pattern running. Furthermore, these behaviours can be catego–rized into various levels of severity, namely high (HSB), low (LSB) and non–stereotypic (NSB) cohorts. The seemingly purposeless and repetitive nature of these behaviours mimics the com–pulsions that characterize human OCD and constitutes the basis for the face validity of the model. However, although these two forms of stereotypy seem equally repetitive and persis–tent, stereotypical pattern runners do not complete the required number of cage revolutions per 30 minutes compared to the amount of jumps executed by stereotypical vertical jumpers. As only one set of criteria for the appraisal of the different topographies of deer mouse stereotypy has been applied in previous studies, the matter of whether pattern runners do in fact generate stereotypical behaviour of the same persistent and severe nature as opposed to the behaviour expressed by vertical jumpers, is problematic. Therefore, the first objective of the current study was to develop a new classification system for the appraisal of the different forms of behavioural topographies of deer mice and subse–quently to evaluate whether pattern runners can indeed be categorized into non–, low– and high stereotypical cohorts. After an eight–week behavioural assessment period, deer mice express–ing the two different behavioural topographies could be classified into non–, low– and high stereotypical cohorts (NSB, LSB, and HSB respectively), applying different criteria for each be–havioural topography. Based on the weekly mean stereotypy count generated during three 30–minute intervals of highest stereotypical behaviour over the course of a 12–hour assessment period, HSB pattern runners were found to execute on average 296 cage revolutions per 30 minutes, while HSB vertical jumpers executed an average of 3063 jumps per 30 minutes. This discrepancy between the generated numbers of the different topographies of stereotypy indi–cates that one classification system for the appraisal of both behavioural topographies is indeed inappropriate, and hence requires re–evaluation and validation. As patients with OCD present with a lower central SERT availability compared to healthy controls, the second objective of the study was to determine whether a decrease in SERT den–sity could be demonstrated in HSB animals compared to the NSB and LSB controls. After eight weeks of behavioural assessment, animals were sacrificed and frontal–cortical and striatal SERT binding was performed. HSB deer mice presented with significantly lower striatal, but not fron–tal–cortical SERT availability compared to the [NSB/LSB] control animals (p = 0.0009). As far as it concerns a lower SERT availability in HSB animals and involvement of the CSTC circuitry, this data is congruent with that demonstrated in human OCD and strengthens the construct validity of the model. Although previous studies undertaken in our laboratory demonstrated that deer mouse stereotypy is attenuated after chronic (21–day) fluoxetine administration, OCD only responds to chronic, but not sub–chronic treatment with the SSRIs. The lack of response of deer mouse stereotypy to sub–chronic treatment has not been established and therefore the third study ob–jective was to assess the behavioural effects of sub–chronic (7–day) and chronic (28–day) SSRI treatment on expression of deer mouse stereotypy. Chronic, but not sub–chronic treatment with oral escitalopram (50 mg/kg/day) significantly increased the number of intervals over a 12–hour assessment period during which no stereotypical behaviour were expressed by HSB deer mice (p = 0.0241) and decreased the number of intervals during which high–stereotypical be–haviour were executed (p = 0.0054). Neither chronic, nor sub–chronic treatment significantly affected the behaviour of animals in the [NSB/LSB] cohort. The fact that the model demon–strates a lack of response to sub–chronic treatment with high dose SSRIs, positively contributes to the predictive validity of the deer mouse model of OCD. The results from the current study therefore strengthens the construct and predictive valid–ity of the deer mouse model of OCD and confirm the model’s status as a prominent animal model of OCD. Not only is hyposerotonergic functioning in the CSTC circuitry implicated in the behaviour of HSB animals, but the model also demonstrates selective response to chronic SSRI–treatment - two core characteristics of human OCD. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmacology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

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Submitted by Clebson Anjos (clebson.leandro54@gmail.com) on 2016-03-29T17:44:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1922192 bytes, checksum: 6f50e098ac1e02adb9b434bdbc12154e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-29T17:44:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1922192 bytes, checksum: 6f50e098ac1e02adb9b434bdbc12154e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-25 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / TRP channels have been extensively studied in many physiological and pathological processes involved in blood pressure regulation. Carvacrol is well known to act on TRP channels in the vasculature, however there are no studies of its effects in hypertensive rats. Our aim was to evaluate the contribution of TRP channels in hypertension and evaluate the effects of carvacrol on TRP channels of SHR. In an electrophysiological approach, carvacrol (300 μM) inhibited the barium current, suggesting a reduction of calcium influx through L-type voltage-operated Ca2+ channels. We found that the mRNA expression of the following TRP channels: TRPV1 (p=0.0007), TRPV4 (p=0.0002), TRPM7 (p=0.0091) and TRPM8 (p=0.0008) are decreased and TRPC1 (p=0,02) are increased in SHR compared to control. In aortic rings preparations precontracted with 1 μM of phenylephrine, carvacrol (10-8 - 3x10-4 M) induced vasorelaxation in WKY (pD2 = 4.88  0.09, Emax = 100.73  2.24%, n = 6) and SHR (pD2 = 4.93  0.08, Emax= 110.06  2.07%, n = 6) in the presence of functional endothelium and that effect was not altered after endothelium removal in WKY (pD2 = 5.09  0.08, Emax = 99.60  0.88%, n = 6) and SHR (pD2 = 5.00  0.08, Emax = 101.23  1.96%, n = 6), proposing an endotheliumindependent mechanism. To assess the role of TRP channels, aortic rings were incubated with ruthenium red. In this assay, the vasorelaxant response was not changed in the WKY. On the other hand both potency (p<0.001) and efficacy (p<0.001) were reduced in SHR, suggesting that carvacrol could activate the subtypes TRPV in hypertensive animals. When using magnesium, equally potency (p<0.001) and pharmacological efficacy (p<0.01) were attenuated in both WKY and SHR, suggesting the involvement of TRPM7. In preparations with 2-APB, CPZ and BCTC, the vasorelaxant effect was potentiated (p<0.01) in both WKY and SHR, suggesting the participation of TRPV1, TRPM8 and TRPM7 channels in the vasorelaxant effect induced by carvacrol. Nevertheless, in the presence of capsaicin, the vasodilator effect was attenuated (p<0.001) in both WKY and SHR endorsing a possible action of carvacrol on TRPV1 and TRPV4 channel. In addition, in vivo studies showed that carvacrol produced hypotension and bradycardia in unanesthetized WKY and SHR. In order to address the cardiovascular responses in vivo, we performed experiments using ruthenium red and capsaicin to evaluate the contribution of TRP channels in this effect. Our results suggested an action of carvacrol on TRPV1 and TRPV4, confirming the in vitro assays. In conclusion, these results suggest that the expression of TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPM7 and TRPM8 was reduced and TRPC1 increased in SHR and carvacrol induced a vasorelaxant effect probably by acting on TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPC1, TRPM7 and TRPM8 in SHR. Furthermore, the in vivo effects induced by carvacrol exhibited a hypotensive and bradycardic activity and this effect, at least in part, is due to an activation of TRPV1 and TRPV4 channels in these responses. / Os canais TRP têm sido amplamente estudados, em diversos processos de regulação fisiológico e patológico no sistema cardiovascular. Carvacrol (5-isopropil-2metilfenol) é conhecido por agir na vasculatura ativando ou bloqueando canais TRP, entretanto não há relatos dos seus efeitos em ratos hipertensos. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar o envolvimento dos canais TRP na hipertensão e o papel do carvacrol nos efeitos cardiovasculares em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos. Em ensaios eletrofisiológicos carvacrol (300μM) promoveu inibição das correntes de bário, sugerindo uma inibição do influxo de cálcio por canais de Ca2+ tipo-L. Ao avaliar a expressão do RNAm dos canais TRP em SHR, observamos pela primeira vez que a expressão de TRPV1 (p=0,0007), TRPV4 (p=0,0002), TRPM7 (p=0,0091), TRPM8 (p=0,0008) foram diminuídas e TRPC1 (p=0,02) aumentada. Em anéis de aorta précontraídos com 1 μM de FEN, o carvacrol (10-8 - 3 ₓ 10-4 M) induziu vasorelaxamento em ratos wistar kyoto (WKY) (pD2 = 4,88  0,09, Emáx = 100,73  2,24%, n = 6; pD2 = 5,09 0,08, Emáx = 99,60  0,88%, n = 6) e em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) (pD2 = 4,93  0,08, Emáx = 110,06  2,07%, n = 6) na presença e na ausência do endotélio funcional, respectivamente. Para avaliar a participação dos canais TRP, na ausência do endotélio funcional as preparações foram incubadas com vermelho de rutênio, em WKY não houve alteração da resposta, mas em animais SHR tanto sua potência (p<0,001) como sua eficácia (p<0,001) foram diminuídas, sugerindo que carvacrol pode estar agindo em TRPV nos SHR. Ao utilizar magnésio, em WKY e SHR tanto sua potência (p<0,01) quanto sua eficácia (p<0,001) farmacológica foram atenuadas, sugerindo ação sobre o canal TRPM7. Nas preparações com 2-APB, CPZ e BCTC os seus efeitos foram potencializados (p<0,01), sugerindo ação sobre os canais TRPV1, TRPC1, TRPM7 e TRPM8. Já com capsaicina, um ativador de TRPV1, esse efeito foi atenuado (p<0,001) confirmando uma possível ação do carvacrol sobre TRPV1. Nos estudos in vivo, com WKY e SHR não anestesiados, carvacrol produziu hipotensão e bradicardia, onde ao avaliar a ação dos canais TRP em ensaios com vermelho de rutênio e capsaicina pode-se sugerir uma possível ação de carvacrol sobre TRPV1 e TRPV4, diminuindo a pressão arterial, corroborando com os ensaios in vitro. Em conclusão, esses resultados sugerem que os canais TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPM8 e TRPM7 têm sua expressão diminuída e TRPC1 a expressão aumentada em animais SHR e carvacrol induz efeito vasorelaxante provavelmente agindo em TRPV1, TRPV4, TRPC1, TRPM7 e TRPM8 em SHR. Além disso, os efeitos induzidos por carvacrol in vivo mostraram uma atividade hipotensora e bradicárdica e uma possível influencia dos canais TRPV1 e TRPV4 nessas respostas.

INTRODUÇÂO: Durante o desenvolvimento da hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) ocorre a hiperatividade simpática, que está relacionada ao comprometimento dos sistemas baro e quimiorreflexo arteriais e disfunção ventricular esquerda (VE). Entretanto, a função ventricular direita (VD) tem sido pouco avaliada no contexto da HAS associada à desnervação sino-aórtica (DSA). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a função biventricular de forma não-invasiva e invasiva, a capacidade funcional, a sensibilidade barorreflexa e o controle autonômico cardiovascular em ratos Wistar (W) e ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) submetidos ou não à DSA. MÉTODOS: Após 10 semanas de DSA, a função cardíaca foi avaliada pelo teste de esforço (TE), ecocardiograma transtorácico e transesofágico, e a pressão diastólica final biventricular; as funções hemodinâmica e autonômica foram avaliadas pelo registro da pressão arterial (PA) e da freqüência cardíaca (FC), variabilidade da PA e da FC e sensibilidade barorreflexa. Os ratos (n = 32) foram divididos em 4 grupos: 16 W com (n = 8) e sem DSA (n = 8), 16 SHR com (n = 8) ou sem DSA (n = 8). RESULTADOS: A PA e a FC não apresentaram alterações entre os grupos DSA e não-DSA, entretanto, os SHR apresentaram níveis mais elevados da PA comparado com W. O TE mostrou que os SHR apresentaram melhor capacidade funcional em relação ao DSA e SHRDSA (W: 1,16±0,3m/s, DSA: 0,9±0,15m/s, *SHR: 1,46±0,29m/s, SHR-DSA: 1,02±0,31, *p< 0,05 vs. DSA e SHRDSA). Os SHRs apresentaram aumento da variabilidade da PA comparados aos W. Após a DSA houve aumento da variabilidade PA em todos os grupos comparados ao W (W: 15±29 mmHg2, *DSA: 49±27 mmHg2, *SHR: 60±29 mmHg2, *SHR-DSA: 137±76 mmHg2, *p<0,05 vs. W). Foi observado hipertrofia concêntrica do VE; disfunção sistólica segmentar e diastólica global do VE; disfunção sistólica global e segmentar, e diastólica global do VD; sinais indiretos de hipertensão arterial pulmonar pela ecocardiografia, mas evidentes no grupo SHRDSA. A pressão diastólica final do VD mostrou aumento em todos os grupos comparados com W (W: 3±0.39mmHg, *DSA:4,7±0,52mmHg, *SHR: 6;6±1.1mmHg, *SHRDSA: 7,8±0.87mmHg, *p< 0,05 vs. W), enquanto a pressão diastólica final do VE mostrou aumento dos grupos SHR e SHRDSA em relação ao W, e dos SHRDSA em relação aos DSA (W: 5,83±0,19 mmHg, DSA: 8,98±1,2 mmHg, *SHR: 12,51±4,73 mmHg, *#SHRDSA: 14,57±2.52 mmHg, *p< 0,05 vs. W, #p< 0,05 vs. DSA). Houve relação entre medidas não- invasivas e invasivas do VD, mostrando uma boa acurácia das medidas ecocardiográficas. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados sugerem que a disfunção baroreflexa compromete a função biventricular. Além disso, os achados observados nos índices ecocardiográficos do VD indicam que a DAS pode induzir a elevação da pressão arterial pulmonar, reforçando o papel da disfunção barorreflexa na patogênese da doença cardíaca hipertensiva / INTRODUCTION: During the development of hypertension, sympathetic hyperactivity commonly seems to be related to the left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and baro and chemoreflexes impairment. However, right ventricle (RV) function has not been evaluated specially regarding the association of hypertension and baroreflex dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate noninvasively and invasively the biventricular myocardial function, the functional capacity, the baroreflex sensitivity and the cardiovascular autonomic control in Wistar (W) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) submitted or not to sinoaortic denervation (SAD). METHODS: Ten weeks after DSA, cardiac function was evaluated by the maximal exercise test (MET), by transthoracic (TT) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and the biventricular end diastolic pressures (EDP). Additionally, hemodynamic and autonomic functions were evaluated by the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) records, BP and HR variability and baroreflex sensitivity. The rats (n=32) were divided in 4 groups: 16 Wistar (W) with (n=8) or without SAD (n=8) and 16 SHR, with (n=8) or without SAD (n=8). RESULTS: Blood pressure and HR did not show any change between the groups SAD and without SAD, although, SHR showed higher BP levels in comparison to W. MET results showed that SHR had better functional capacity compared to SAD and SHRSAD (W: 1,16±0,3m/s, DSA: 0,9±0,15m/s, *SHR: 1,46±0,29m/s, SHR-DSA: 1,02±0,31, *p< 0.05 vs. SAD and SHRSAD). BP variability was increased in SHR groups compared to W. After SAD, BP variability increased in all groups compared to W (W: 15±29 mmHg2, *DSA: 49±27 mmHg2, *SHR: 60±29 mmHg2, *SHR-DSA: 137±76 mmHg2, *p<0.05 vs. W). Left ventricular concentric hypertrophy; segmental systolic dysfunction and global diastolic LV dysfunction; segmental and global systolic dysfunction, and global diastolic RV dysfunction; indirect signals of pulmonary arterial hypertension were shown by echocardiography, mostly evident in SHRSAD. The RV-EDP increased in all groups compared to W (W: 3±0.39mmHg, *SAD:4.7±0.52mmHg, *SHR: 6.6±1.1mmHg, *SHRSAD: 7.8±0.87mmHg, *p<0.05 vs. W), and the LV-EDP increased in SHR and SHRSAD groups compared to W, and in SHRSAD compared to SAD (W: 5,83±0,19 mmHg, SAD: 8.98±1.2 mmHg, *SHR: 12.51±4.73 mmHg, *#SHRSAD: 14.57±2.52 mmHg, *p<0.05 vs. W, #p<0.05 vs. DSA). There was a relation between invasive or noninvasive measurements of the RV showing good accuracy of echocardiographic measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that baroreflex dysfunction impaired biventricular function. Moreover, the findings of RV echocardiographic indices indicate that SAD may lead to increased pulmonary artery pressure, supporting a role for baroreflex dysfunction in the pathogenesis of the hypertensive cardiac disease

En esta Tesis Doctoral se ha estudiado en modelos experimentales el potencial antihipertensivo de dos tipos de péptidos bioactivos: péptidos derivados de distintas zonas de la secuencia de la lactoferrina bovina (LF), incluido su dominio antimicrobiano lactoferricina (LfcinB), y heptapéptidos obtenidos mediante diseño racional a partir de hexapéptidos parentales. Se han realizado tres tipos de ensayos: ensayos in vitro para determinar los efectos inhibitorios sobre la actividad de la enzima conversora de la angiotensina I (ECA); ensayos funcionales ex vivo, usando segmentos arteriales aislados de conejo, para analizar los efectos inhibitorios de los péptidos sobre la vasoconstricción ECA-dependiente producida por angiotensina I (Ang I); y ensayos in vivo mediante la administración de los péptidos a ratas espontáneamente hipertensas (SHR) para estudiar los efectos antihipertensivos. En algunos casos, también se han realizado ensayos in vitro para determinar el potencial efecto tóxico de los péptidos no naturales y de digestión gastrointestinal simulada para analizar la biodisponibilidad de los péptidos. Se obtuvieron péptidos derivados de LfcinB mediante elongaciones tanto del extremo C-t como del N-t del péptido LfcinB20-25 (RRWQWR). Estos péptidos mostraron diferentes potencias de inhibición de la actividad ECA in vitro, e inhibieron la vasoconstricción ECA-dependiente ex vivo. No se encontró una clara correlación entre los resultados in vitro y ex vivo. Solamente LfcinB20-25 y un fragmento derivado (WQ) producido mediante digestión gastrointestinal simulada mostraron efectos antihipertensivos in vivo. Sin embargo, el fragmento no mostró efecto inhibidor de la vasoconstricción ECA-dependiente en contraste con LfcinB20-25. Por otro lado, se preparó un hidrolizado de lactoferrina bovina con pepsina y se ultrafiltró para enriquecerlo en péptidos con peso molecular menor de 3 kDa (LFH<3kDa). Este hidrolizado mostró efectos antihipertensivos mantenidos hasta 24 h tras la administración oral. LFH<3kDa se fraccionó y se identificaron 38 péptidos de los cuales se sintetizaron los 11 péptidos más abundantes. Tres de estos péptidos (LIWKL, RPYL y LNNSRAP) mostraron diferentes grados de inhibición de la actividad ECA in vitro y efectos antihipertensivos in vivo, aunque solamente dos de ellos, LIWKL y RPYL, mostraron efectos inhibidores de la vasoconstricción ECA-dependiente ex vivo. Por último, seis heptapéptidos mostraron diferentes grados de inhibición de la actividad ECA in vitro y de la vasoconstricción ECA-dependiente, pero no de la vasoconstricción ECA-independiente producida por angiotensina II. Los heptapétidos PACEI50L (RKWHFLW) y PACEI52L (RKWLFHW), y el hexapéptido parental PACEI32L (RKWHFW), mostraron efectos antihipertensivos in vivo, sin afectar a la presión arterial en ratas normotensas. Los péptidos sintetizados con D-aminoácidos mostraron mucho menos efecto inhibidor de la actividad ECA in vitro, no tuvieron efecto ex vivo, y mostraron efectos antihipertensivos in vivo tras administración intravenosa pero no oral. La toxicidad de estos péptidos no naturales para reducir la viabilidad celular in vitro se mostró a concentraciones milimolares, mucho más altas que las concentraciones micromolares con efecto inhibidor de la actividad ECA. En conclusión, se ha demostrado el potencial antihipertensivo de un péptido derivado de la lactoferricina (LfcinB20-25), de un hidrolizado con pepsina de la lactoferrina enriquecido en péptidos de bajo peso molecular (LFH<3kDa), de péptidos contenidos en dicho hidrolizado procedentes de otras zonas de la lactoferrina diferentes de LfcinB (LIWKL, RPYL y LNNSRAP), y de hexa- y heptapéptidos obtenidos mediante diseño racional (PACEI32L, PACEI50L y PACEI52L). En la mayor parte de ellos, el efecto antihipertensivo se asocia a su efecto vasoactivo por su capacidad para inhibir la actividad ECA / Ruiz Giménez, P. (2013). Efecto antihipertensivo, mediante inhibición de la enzima conversora de angiotensina I, de péptidos derivados de lactoferrina bovina y péptidos diseñados racionalmente [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/31123 / TESIS

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for 3 months and is characterized by progressive loss of renal function. The second leading cause of CKD is hypertension. More than half of CKD patients also suffer from hypertension. Arteries and arterioles adjust to the fluctuations in the systematic blood pressure through a mechanism called autoregulation. In the kidneys, autoregulation protects the delicate glomeruli capillaries from high blood pressure and occurs through myogenic constriction (MC). MC refers to contraction of arterioles in response to an increase in the blood pressure. Chronically hypertensive individuals and animal models have an enhanced MC, leading to minimal renal injury despite their elevated blood pressure. Experimental and clinical evidence point to a role for the MC in the pathogenesis of the CKD, however, the mechanism through which preglomerular arterial MC contributes to CKD has not been fully elucidated. This thesis showed that augmented MC in chronically hypertensive animal models was due to increased thromboxane A2 prostaglandin that was not released from the endothelium (Chapter 2). Nevertheless, inhibiting MC while also reducing the blood pressure prevented salt-induced renal injury even though the blood pressure was still not normalized compared to the normotensive controls (Chapter 3). The resulting improvement in renal structure and function could be attributed to the reduction in the blood pressure, albumin, and uromodulin (UMOD) excretion (Chapter 3). UMOD is a kidney-specific glycoprotein that, based on a genome-wide association study have the strongest association to CKD (Chapter 3). Comparing two CKD hypertensive animal models further revealed that CKD progression was independent of the blood pressure and strongly associated with UMOD excretion levels (Chapter 4). Collectively, the data discussed in this thesis demonstrates potential therapeutic targets in CKD hypertensive animal models. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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