No setor de Ginecologia do Hospital das Clínicas da FMUSP, 67 mulheres com leiomiomas do útero e idade de 24 a 39 anos, nuligestas foram estudadas. 31 receberam goserelin a cada 28 dias por 6 meses (grupo I) e 36 não (grupo II). Do grupo I, 16 apresentaram redução volumétrica menor ou igual a 36% (subgrupo Ia) e 15, maior ou igual a 36% (subgrupo Ib). Após a miomectoma, os nódulos foram encaminhados para anatomopatológico. Um único leiomioma de cada mulher foi submetido ao estudo eimuno-histoquímico para avaliação das concentrações de receptores de estrógeno, progesterona, vasos sanguíneos, colágeno, AgNOR e da celularidade. Concluiu-se que o análogo do GnRH está relacionado à diminuição da concentração de receptores de estrógeno. Não apresentou influência uniforme para progesterona, vasos sanguíneos, colágeno e celularidade / From 1994 to 1998, a total of 67 women with leiomyomas in the uterus, aging from 24 to 39, nuliparous and avid for pregnancy were studied in the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Hospital das Clínicas of Medical School of the University of São Paulo. From these, 31 received Goserelin 3,6mg at each 28 days for six months (group I) and 36 did not received medication (group II or control group). From the pacients who received medication, 16 presented volumetric reduction equal to or less than 36% (subgroup Ia) and the other 15 reduction larger than 36% (subgroup Ib). All women were submitted to myomectomy and the nodes were sent to anatomicopathological study. Only one leiomyoma of each woman was submitted to histochemical and immunohistochemical study to measure the concentrations of receptors of estrogen and progesterone, blood vessels, collagen, AgNOR and cellularity. It was observed that the group that presented larger volumetric reduction after using this medication showed variations of the concentration of receptors of estrogen (p0,001), progesterone (p=0.019), blood vessels (p=0.060), collagen (p=0.048), AgNOR (p=0.321) and number of cells (p=0.221), in comparison to the subgroup Ia and the group II (control group). As a result , it was observed that the GnRH analogue is related to the decrease of the concentration of receptors of estrogen, however it did not present uniform influence in the receptors of progesterone, blood vessels, collagen, and cellularity of this tumor

Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) / Two recently identified transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, TRPM8 and TRPA1, have been proposed to play an important role in mammalian cool and cold peripheral sensory transduction. When expressed in cell-lines the cloned TRPM8 and TRPA1 receptors have distinct pharmacological and temperature response characteristics. Although these receptors are also transported to the central terminals of primary afferents, little is known about their centrally mediated actions. In this thesis, I use an in vitro electrophysiological approach to investigate the dorsal horn processing of cool afferent modalities and the role of TRP ion channels. The results of this thesis provide further information on thermal processing, indicate direction for further research and suggest possible therapeutic targets for the management of abnormal cold sensory processing. Initial experiments demonstrate that the cooling agents and known TRPM8 and TRPA1 agonists, menthol and icilin, inhibit primary afferent evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in rat spinal cord dorsal horn neurons. In addition, temperature reduction, menthol and icilin increase the frequency of miniature EPSCs without affecting amplitude distribution or kinetics. Little or no direct postsynaptic effect on dorsal horn neurons, GABAergic or glycinergic transmission was found. In combination, these observations demonstrate that temperature reduction, menthol and icilin act presynaptically to increase the probability of glutamate release from primary afferent fibres. Further examination of the changes in glutamatergic synaptic transmission induced by temperature reduction, menthol and icilin reveals a subset of neurons sensitive to innocuous cool (< 29 oC) and low concentrations of icilin (3-10 µM) which closely match the temperature activation and pharmacological profile of TRPM8. In addition, the majority of lamina I and II neurons displayed characteristics partly consistent with TRPA1-activation, including a concentration-dependent response to icilin and blockade by ruthenium red. The present experiments did not allow thermal characterisation of these TRPA1-like responses. Together these observations indicate that the effects of menthol and icilin on glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the superficial dorsal horn are mediated by TRPM8 and possibly by TRPA1. Examination of the anatomical location of neurons activated by temperature reduction, menthol, icilin and capsaicin allowed the central termination pattern of thermoreceptive primary afferent fibres with specific TRP-like response characteristics to be determined. TRPM8-like presynaptic activation was confined to a subpopulation of neurons located in lamina I and outer lamina II, while the majority of neurons throughout laminae I and II received inputs sensitive to menthol, high concentrations of icilin and capsaicin. These findings suggest that innocuous cool sensation projects to a specific subpopulation of superficial dorsal horn neurons unlike other modalities (mediated by TRPV1, possibly TRPA1 and other receptors), which non-selectively engage circuits within the entire superficial dorsal horn. No morphological specificity was identified for recovered neurons after electrophysiological characterisation. Finally, mu-opioids were shown to inhibit basal glutamatergic synaptic transmission as well as menthol- and icilin-induced transmission in the superficial dorsal horn. Of particular interest, delta-opioids selectively inhibited icilin-induced synaptic transmission within the same location. The selective effect of delta-opioids suggests a possible role in modulating receptors activated by icilin (TRPM8 and TRPA1). Overall, this thesis provides further evidence that TRPM8 is responsible for the transduction of innocuous cold sensation in mammals and is a potential therapeutic target in humans with cold hyperaesthesia secondary to abnormal thermal processing. The use of delta-opioid agonists warrants further investigation in cold hypersensitivity states and potentially other forms of pain.

Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) / Two recently identified transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, TRPM8 and TRPA1, have been proposed to play an important role in mammalian cool and cold peripheral sensory transduction. When expressed in cell-lines the cloned TRPM8 and TRPA1 receptors have distinct pharmacological and temperature response characteristics. Although these receptors are also transported to the central terminals of primary afferents, little is known about their centrally mediated actions. In this thesis, I use an in vitro electrophysiological approach to investigate the dorsal horn processing of cool afferent modalities and the role of TRP ion channels. The results of this thesis provide further information on thermal processing, indicate direction for further research and suggest possible therapeutic targets for the management of abnormal cold sensory processing. Initial experiments demonstrate that the cooling agents and known TRPM8 and TRPA1 agonists, menthol and icilin, inhibit primary afferent evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in rat spinal cord dorsal horn neurons. In addition, temperature reduction, menthol and icilin increase the frequency of miniature EPSCs without affecting amplitude distribution or kinetics. Little or no direct postsynaptic effect on dorsal horn neurons, GABAergic or glycinergic transmission was found. In combination, these observations demonstrate that temperature reduction, menthol and icilin act presynaptically to increase the probability of glutamate release from primary afferent fibres. Further examination of the changes in glutamatergic synaptic transmission induced by temperature reduction, menthol and icilin reveals a subset of neurons sensitive to innocuous cool (< 29 oC) and low concentrations of icilin (3-10 µM) which closely match the temperature activation and pharmacological profile of TRPM8. In addition, the majority of lamina I and II neurons displayed characteristics partly consistent with TRPA1-activation, including a concentration-dependent response to icilin and blockade by ruthenium red. The present experiments did not allow thermal characterisation of these TRPA1-like responses. Together these observations indicate that the effects of menthol and icilin on glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the superficial dorsal horn are mediated by TRPM8 and possibly by TRPA1. Examination of the anatomical location of neurons activated by temperature reduction, menthol, icilin and capsaicin allowed the central termination pattern of thermoreceptive primary afferent fibres with specific TRP-like response characteristics to be determined. TRPM8-like presynaptic activation was confined to a subpopulation of neurons located in lamina I and outer lamina II, while the majority of neurons throughout laminae I and II received inputs sensitive to menthol, high concentrations of icilin and capsaicin. These findings suggest that innocuous cool sensation projects to a specific subpopulation of superficial dorsal horn neurons unlike other modalities (mediated by TRPV1, possibly TRPA1 and other receptors), which non-selectively engage circuits within the entire superficial dorsal horn. No morphological specificity was identified for recovered neurons after electrophysiological characterisation. Finally, mu-opioids were shown to inhibit basal glutamatergic synaptic transmission as well as menthol- and icilin-induced transmission in the superficial dorsal horn. Of particular interest, delta-opioids selectively inhibited icilin-induced synaptic transmission within the same location. The selective effect of delta-opioids suggests a possible role in modulating receptors activated by icilin (TRPM8 and TRPA1). Overall, this thesis provides further evidence that TRPM8 is responsible for the transduction of innocuous cold sensation in mammals and is a potential therapeutic target in humans with cold hyperaesthesia secondary to abnormal thermal processing. The use of delta-opioid agonists warrants further investigation in cold hypersensitivity states and potentially other forms of pain.

An experiment was conducted using forty-one Bonsmara steers (age ± 7 months) to determine the effect of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics. The trial was structured using a completely randomized design with two treatments, control and ZH group. The steers were fed ZH for 28 consecutive days at the end of the finishing period and ZH was withdrawn from the diet 2 days prior to slaughter of the animals. The steers were placed in individual pens and weighed fortnightly throughout the 4 months trial. Zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) was included in the diet at a rate of 8.3 mg/kg of DM. Feeding of ZH increased (P< 0.05) body weight (BW) gain and ADG (1.102 vs. 1.444) and tended to increase (P = 0.067) feed efficiency (F:G) during the last month of the finishing period. There were no significant differences (P> 0.05) in daily dry matter intakes (DMI). For the control group, high treatment weight gains were significantly associated with high initial weight (r = 0.424, P = 0.049) and also high pre-treatment body weight (r = 0.678, P= 0.001). Treatment weight gain increased as the initial and pre-treatment weight gain increased in the control group. For the steers that were fed ZH, there was no significant correlation between the treatment body weight gain with initial weight (r = 0.097, P = 0.694) and also pre- treatment live weight (r = 0.393, P = 0.096). Supplementation of ZH significantly increased (P < 0.0001) the dressing percentage (56.4% vs. 58.4%) and had no significant (P>0.05) effect on the carcass weight. The outcome of the study suggest that supplementation of ZH in the diet during the last month of the finishing period enhances growth performance and shows the repartitioning capacity of the feed additive as a beta- agonist. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture (Animal Science)

La synapse glutamatergique assure la majeure partie de la transmission excitatrice du cerveau et des changements de sa force constituent un corrélat cellulaire des processus d’apprentissage et de mémoire. Ces processus adaptatifs nécessitent souvent l’activation des récepteurs ionotropiques au glutamate de type NMDA (NMDAR) et l’influx calcique dans le compartiment postsynaptique qui suit leur ouverture. Jusqu’alors, l’activation des voix de signalisations sous-jacentes était considérée comme le seul mécanisme essentiel à la plasticité synaptique. Il est apparu récemment que les NMDAR diffusent à la surface des neurones, assurant un remodelage dynamique de leur distribution. La possibilité que la dynamique de surface des NMDAR joue un rôle déterminant dans les propriétés plastiques des synapses a donc émergé. Au cours de ma thèse, je me suis intéressé à cette problématique à l’aide d’approches d’imagerie dynamique à haute-résolution (ex. suivi de nanoparticules uniques, FRAP) et d’outils moléculaires de haute spécificité (ex. ligand biomimétique, x-link de récepteurs via les anticorps). J’ai dans un premier temps étudié la dynamique de surface des NMDAR endogènes au cours de la plasticité synaptique au sein de réseaux neuronaux hippocampiques in vitro. Mes résultats révèlent que l’induction de la potentialisation à long terme (LTP) des synapses glutamatergiques s’accompagne d’une redistribution latérale des NMDAR de surface dans la région postsynaptique. De façon remarquable, la réduction de la diffusion de surface des NMDAR via des anticorps commerciaux, mais aussi des anticorps purifiés de patients atteints d’encéphalite auto-immune, ciblant des épitopes extracellulaires des NMDAR, bloque la LTP. Dans un second temps, je me suis intéressé à la régulation de cette dynamique des NMDAR. En collaboration avec le groupe de Stéphane Oliet (CRI, INSERM), nous avons découvert qu’une redistribution rapide de surface des NMDAR s’opère différemment sous l’effet des co-agonistes du récepteur, la glycine et la D-sérine, et cela de façon dépendante des sous-unités GluN2A/GluN2B des NMDAR. De plus, j’ai démontré que l’interaction directe entre les NMDAR et les récepteurs dopaminergiques D1 membranaires contrôle la distribution des deux types de récepteurs aux abords de la synapse et module la plasticité synaptique. L’ensemble de ces données indique que la dynamique de surface des NMDAR est régulée par la présence d’un neuromodulateur, la dopamine, et de co-agonistes, contrôlant de façon dynamique la fenêtre plastique des synapses. / Glutamate synapse mediates most synaptic excitation in the brain and changes in its strength constitute a cellular basis for learning and memory processes. These adaptive properties often require ionotropic glutamate NMDA receptor (NMDAR) and the calcium influx in the postsynaptic compartment following their opening. So far, the activation of the subsequent signaling pathways was considered as the only mechanism essential for synaptic plasticity. It recently appeared that NMDAR diffuse at the neuronal surface, dynamically shaping their distribution. Whether the NMDAR surface dynamics and its potential regulators play an instrumental role in the plastic properties of synapses emerged thus as a possibility. During my PhD, I tackled this question using a combination of high resolution imaging techniques (e.g. single nanoparticle tracking, FRAP) and high specificity molecular approaches (e.g. biomimetic ligand, antibody based receptor cross-link). First, I studied surface dynamics of endogenous NMDAR during synaptic plasticity on hippocampal neurons in vitro. My results reveal that the induction of glutamate synapse long-term potentiation (LTP) is accompanied by a lateral redistribution of surface NMDAR within the postsynaptic area. Strikingly, reducing the surface diffusion of NMDAR using both commercial and purified antibodies from autoimmune encephalitis patients targeting extracellular epitopes of the NMDAR prevents LTP. Second I investigated whether NMDAR dynamics were regulated. In collaboration with Stephane Oliet’s group (CRI, INSERM), we uncovered that rapid surface redistribution can also be achieved differentially using the NMDAR co-agonists, glycine and D-serine, in a GluN2A/GluN2B NMDAR subunit dependent manner. In addition, I demonstrated that the direct interaction between NMDAR and dopamine D1 receptor at the membrane controls both receptors distribution in the synaptic area and modulates synaptic plasticity. Altogether, these data indicate that the NMDAR surface dynamics is regulated by ambient neuromodulators such as dopamine and co-agonists, dynamically controlling then the plastic range of synapses.

GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. GABA[subscript A]Rs are multimeric transmembrane receptors, which are composed of 5 subunits. It is known that there are 19 subunits that can make up the GABA[subscript A]Rs, allowing for a vast array of receptor subtypes. In addition to the GABA binding site GABA[subscript A]Rs have distinct allosteric binding sites for benzodiazepines, barbiturates, ethanol, certain general anaesthetics and neuroactive steroids. The molecular heterogeneity of the GABA[subscript A]R is accompanied by distinct pharmacological profiles of the different receptor subtypes. The advance of transgenic mouse models has allowed the functional significance of this heterogeneity to be studied in vivo. Therefore, this thesis utilises a variety of transgenic mouse models carrying either mutations or deletions of certain subunits to study the functional significance of the receptor heterogeneity. Mice lacking the α1 subunit (α1[superscript(-/-)]), carrying a point mutation of the α1 subunit (α1H101R), and mice lacking the δ subunit (δ[superscript(-/-)]) have been utilised to investigate the role of these subunits in the sedative actions of benzodiazepines and the GABA[subscript A]R agonist THIP. Although there are limitations to the interpretation of these results due genetic background of the α1[superscript(-/-)] and α1H101R, experiments suggest that the α1H101R mutation is not behaviourally silent as previously suggested and provide further evidence that the α1 subunit mediates the sedative properties of benzodiazepines. These experiments also reveal that the extrasynaptic δ containing receptors are responsible for mediating the sedative effects of THIP, and these findings combined with evidence from collaborators, implicates the thalamus as an anatomical mediator of these effects. An investigation of the putative cognitive enhancing effects of THIP using an attentional set-shifting task for mice suggested that pre-treatment with THIP reduces the number of errors to reach criterion. δ[superscript(-/-)] mice could not be trained to perform the task, therefore further behavioural investigation of these mice was performed, which suggested a heightened level of anxiety and reduced motivation for a food reward. This thesis has furthered our understanding of the functional role of GABA[subscript A]R subtypes. With the advance in genetic manipulations that allow for regionally selective mutations of the receptor the anatomical structures involved in these functions can be identified.

A serotonina e a histamina são duas das mais importantes aminas biogênicas do organismo. Regulam série de funções fisiológicas, como fluxo sanguíneo, temperatura corpórea, sono, fome, liberação de hormônios, comportamento afetivo e humor, entre outras. Assim, há grande interesse no planejamento e desenvolvimento de fármacos que interferem na transmissão serotoninérgica e histaminérgica, para futura aplicação como antidepressivos, antipsicóticos, ansiolíticos e anorexígenos, além de perifericamente, apresentarem possíveis ações antiinflamatórias. O objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar a síntese de compostos contendo os núcleos pirrolquinolínico, benzoindólico e benzodiidrofurânico com potencial atividade ligante nos receptores 5-HT2C e H4, assim como avaliar a seletividade desses compostos em comparação aos receptores 5-HT2A/B e H3. Sintetizou-se série de compostos utilizando reações de alilação, adição à carbonila, termociclização, rearranjo de Claisen, iodociclização e substituição nucleofílica para a obtenção dos compostos finais. Estudos de otimização de síntese por metodologia de superfície de resposta também são apresentados, assim como estudos de relações quantitativas entre estrutura química e atividade biológica de compostos ligantes dos receptores 5-HT2C e H4. / Serotonin and histamine are two major biogenic amines in the body. They regulate several physiological functions such as blood flow, body temperature, sleep, hunger, hormone release, emotional behavior and mood, among others. Thus, there is great interest in the design and development of drugs that interfere with serotoninergic and histaminergic transmission, for future use as antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics and anorectic, and peripherally, possible anti-inflammatory actions. The aim of this work is to present the synthesis of compounds containing the pyrroloquinoline, benzoindole and benzodihydrofurane nucleus with potential binding activity to 5-HT2C and H4 receptors, as well as to evaluate the selectivity of these compounds in comparison to 5-HT2A/B and H3. Series of compounds were synthesized using allylation, carbonyl addition, thermal cyclization, Claisen rearrangement, iodocyclization and nucleophilic substitution reactions. Optimization studies for the synthesis using response surface methodology are also presented, as well as quantitative structure-activity relationships studies of ligands of 5-HT2C and H4 receptors.

O melanoma é o mais agressivo tumor da pele, cuja resistência aos tratamentos quimioterápicos tem promovido a crescente utilização de imunoquimioterapia, como é o caso da utilização de agonistas dos receptores Toll-Like (TLRs). Nesse contexto, os compostos abreviados por P-MAPA e seu sintético estrutural MRB-CFI-1 com reconhecidas propriedades antitumorais e imunológicas, são fortes candidatos na terapia e prevenção desse tipo de câncer. Esse estudo visa determinar o potencial anticâncer do P-MAPA e de MRB-CFI-1 contra o melanoma murino em consequência ao padrão de resposta microambiental semelhante ao de morte imunogênica, em regimes de tratamento terapêutico ou vacinal, na vigência de quimioterapia com cisplatina e/ou em associação com antígenos de células tumorais totais. Após avaliação In vivo do crescimento de tumores B16F10 implantados em modelos murinos selvagem e nocaute para o gene Myd88, na vigência ou não do tratamento com cisplatina e/ou P-MAPA, nossos resultados mostraram que o P-MAPA apresentou atividade pró-tumoral e antagonizou a ação da cisplatina em inibir o crescimento dos tumores, de forma dependente de Myd88. Além disso, através de análises qualitativa e quantitativa pelo software ImageJ em fotomicrografias de secções tumorais coradas histologicamente, observamos que o P-MAPA promoveu mudanças microambientais nos tumores que podem impactar negativamente em seu desempenho. Como monoterapia em esquema de vacinação com lisado tumoral total em combinação com quimioterapia, o P-MAPA em dose baixa falhou em suprimir o crescimento de tumores B16F10, mas o seu sintético MRB-CFI-1 foi capaz de prevenir o crescimento desse tipo de melanoma num regime de vacinação profilática. Apesar do sucesso terapêutico desse imunomodulador em diversos modelos de câncer e de doenças infecciosas, o P-MAPA não foi eficaz em produz respostas microambientais contra o melanoma murino, dados esses que limitam a aplicabilidade clínica do composto. De outro modo, o composto fosfato inorgânico MRB-CFI-1 foi protetivo em retardar o aparecimento desse tipo de doença. Assim, o presente estudo foi importante por ampliar o entendimento funcional do P-MAPA numa abordagem imunoquimioterápica em modelos biológicos de tumores de melanoma, e representa uma importante mudança na utilização de constituintes individuais similares ao P-MAPA que sejam mais eficazes, de fácil obtenção, e de produção controlada e garantida / Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer, whose resistance to chemotherapeutic treatments has promoted the increasing use of immunochemotherapy, as is the case for the use of Toll-Like receptor agonists (TLRs). In this context, the compounds abbreviated by P-MAPA and its structural synthetic MRB-CFI-1 with recognized antitumor and immunological properties are strong candidates in the therapy and prevention of this type of cancer. This study aims to determine the anti-cancer potential of P-MAPA and MRB-CFI-1 against murine melanoma as a consequence of the microenvironmental response pattern similar to that of immunogenic death in therapeutic or vaccine treatment regimens when using chemotherapy with cisplatin alone or in combination with whole tumor cell antigens. After In vivo evaluation of the growth of B16F10 tumors implanted in wild-type and Myd88 gene knockout mice, under treatment or not with cisplatin and / or P-MAPA, our results showed that P-MAPA showed pro-tumor activity and antagonized the action of cisplatin in inhibiting the growth of tumors in a Myd88-dependent manner. In addition, using qualitative and quantitative analysis by ImageJ software in histological images of tumor sections, we observed that P-MAPA promoted microenvironmental changes in tumors that may negatively impact its performance. As monotherapy in vaccination schedule with total tumor lysate in combination with chemotherapy, low dose P-MAPA failed to suppress the growth of B16F10 tumors, but its synthetic MRB-CFI-1 was able to prevent the growth of this type of melanoma in prophylactic vaccination regimen. Despite the therapeutic success of this immunomodulator in various cancer models and infectious diseases, P-MAPA has not been effective in producing microenvironmental responses against murine melanoma, data that limit the clinical applicability of the compound. Otherwise, the inorganic phosphate compound MRB-CFI-1 was protective in delaying the onset of this type of disease. Thus, the present study was important because it broadened the functional understanding of P-MAPA in an immuno-chemotherapeutic approach in biological models of melanoma tumors and represents an important change in the use of individual constituents similar to P-MAPA that are more efficient, easily obtainable, and controlled and guaranteed production

O sistema nervoso simpático (SNS) desempenha importante papel sobre o controle da pressão arterial assim como o endotélio, pela liberação de fatores de relaxamento e contração que atuam sobre a modulação do tônus vascular. A hipertensão renovascular (2R-1C) está associada à elevada produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio, hiperatividade do SNS e disfunção endotelial. A hipótese deste trabalho é de que os agonistas adrenérgicos noradrenalina (NOR) e adrenalina (ADR), catecolaminas endógenas, promovam efeito anti-contrátil devido à ativação da eNOS em aorta de ratos 2R-1C. Este estudo teve por objetivo investigar se a ativação de adrenoceptores (AR) com NOR ou ADR leva à maior ativação da eNOS em aortas de ratos 2R-1C do que em 2R e os mecanismos relacionados. Realizamos curvas concentração-efeito para NOR ou ADR, em aortas com ou sem endotélio de ratos 2R e 2R-1C em ausência (controle) ou presença dos antagonistas ?-AR (propranolol), ?2-AR (ioimbina), e inibidor não seletivo da NOS (L-NAME). Por western blot, verificamos a fosforilação do resíduo de ativação da enzima eNOS, Serina1177 (Ser1177), via ativação de ?-AR ou ?-AR, pela NOR ou ADR em aortas com endotélio, de ratos 2R e 2R-1C e se a via PI3K/AKT e o H2O2 estariam envolvidos nesse processo. Avaliamos a produção de NO pelas células endoteliais isoladas de ratos 2R e 2R-1C, por citometria de fluxo. Realizamos a dosagem de NOR e ADR plasmática e tecidual (adrenais) por meio de HPLC. Nos estudos de reatividade vascular avaliamos a potência (pD2) e eficácia (Emax) dos agonistas em induzir contração. O Emax da NOR foi menor na contração de aorta de ratos 2R-1C comparada a 2R, provavelmente devido à maior atividade da eNOS evidenciada pelo efeito do L-NAME em aorta de 2R-1C. A particularidade mais significativa da resposta da NOR é de que em aorta de ratos 2R-1C, a NOR promove a maior fosforilação de Ser1177 via ?-AR, e esta envolve a participação da via PI3K/AKT e do H2O2, não havendo alteração dos níveis plasmáticos e tecidual de NOR entre 2R e 2R-1C. O estímulo com ADR, em aorta de 2R-1C, promoveu aumento da atividade da eNOS, certificada pelo efeito do L-NAME, que pode contribuir para o menor Emax da ADR em 2R-1C do que em 2R. Entretanto, a ADR promoveu maior fosforilação de Ser1177 via ?-AR, em aorta de ratos 2R-1C, e esta não envolve participação da via PI3K/AKT e do H2O2. Os níveis teciduais de ADR foram semelhantes entre 2R e 2R- 1C, mas a concentração plasmática de ADR foi menor em 2R-1C do que em 2R. Não houve diferença na produção de NO pelas células endoteliais entre 2R e 2R-1C. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a ativação de ?-AR com NOR envolve participação de H2O2 e da via PI3K/AKT para maior ativação da eNOS em aortas de ratos 2R-1C, mecanismo que pode contribuir para o menor Emax da NOR em aorta de 2R-1C. A ADR ao ativar ?-AR leva à maior ativação da eNOS, porém sem participação efetiva de H2O2 e da via PI3K/AKT em aortas de ratos 2R-1C. / The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) plays important role on the arterial pressure control as well the vascular endothelium by relaxing and contractile factors release that modulates the vascular tone. The renovascular hypertension (2K-1C) is related to the increased production of oxygen reactive species, SNS hyperactivity and endothelium dysfunction. The hypothesis of this work is that the adrenoceptor (AR) agonists noradrenaline (NOR) and adrenaline (ADR), the endogenous catecholamine promote anti-contractile effect due to eNOS activation in 2K-1C rat aorta. This study aimed to investigate if AR activation by NOR or ADR leads to the increased activation of eNOS in 2K-1C rat aorta, and the mechanisms activated by these agonists. Concentration-effect curves were constructed for NOR or ADR, in intactendothelium or denuded aortas isolated from 2K-1C and 2K rats in the absence (control) or in the presence of the AR antagonists propranolol (?-AR) or yohimbine (?2-AR), or the non-selective NOS inhibitor, L-NAME. By using western blot, we have veryfied the the effects of activation of ?-AR ou ?-AR and the phosphorylation of NOS activation site Serine1177 (Ser1177) by NOR or ADR in intact endothelium aorta from 2K and 2K-1C and also whether the PI3K/AKT pathway and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are related to this phosphorylation. We evaluated by flow cytometry the NO production in the isolated endotelial cells from 2K and 2K-1C. Plasma and tissue (adrenal) levels of NOR and ADR were measured by HPLC. In the vascular reactivity studies, we evaluated the potency (pD2) and efficacy (Emax) of the agonists in inducing contraction. The Emax induced by NOR was lower in 2K-1C than in 2K rat probably due to the higher activity of eNOS as shown by the effect of L-NAME. The most interesting finding was in 2K-1C aorta that NOR increases the Ser1177 phosphorylation via ?-AR activation that involves the signaling trough PI3K/AKT and H2O2. There is no differences in NOR at the plasma and tissue levels between 2K-1C and 2K. ADR activates more eNOS in 2K-1C rat aorta as shown by the effect of LNAME. It could contribute to the lower Emax of ADR in 2K-1C than in 2K. However, ADR increased Ser1177 phosphorylation via ?-AR activation in 2K-1C rat aorta, which does not involve PI3K/AKT and H2O2 pathway. The tissue levels of ADR were not different between 2K-1C and 2K, but the plasma concentration of ADR was lower in 2K-1C than in 2K. There was no difference in the NO production in the endothelial cells from 2K-1C and 2K. Taken together, our results suggest that ?-AR activation by NOR involves H2O2 and PI3K/AKT that activates eNOS in 2K-1C rat aorta that could contribute to the lower contractile effect induced by NOR in 2K-1C. ?-AR activation by ADR leads to the eNOS activation without activation of H2O2 and PI3K/AKT pathway in 2K-1C rat aorta.

O sistema nervoso simpático (SNS) desempenha importante papel sobre o controle da pressão arterial assim como o endotélio, pela liberação de fatores de relaxamento e contração que atuam sobre a modulação do tônus vascular. A hipertensão renovascular (2R-1C) está associada à elevada produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio, hiperatividade do SNS e disfunção endotelial. A hipótese deste trabalho é de que os agonistas adrenérgicos noradrenalina (NOR) e adrenalina (ADR), catecolaminas endógenas, promovam efeito anti-contrátil devido à ativação da eNOS em aorta de ratos 2R-1C. Este estudo teve por objetivo investigar se a ativação de adrenoceptores (AR) com NOR ou ADR leva à maior ativação da eNOS em aortas de ratos 2R-1C do que em 2R e os mecanismos relacionados. Realizamos curvas concentração-efeito para NOR ou ADR, em aortas com ou sem endotélio de ratos 2R e 2R-1C em ausência (controle) ou presença dos antagonistas ?-AR (propranolol), ?2-AR (ioimbina), e inibidor não seletivo da NOS (L-NAME). Por western blot, verificamos a fosforilação do resíduo de ativação da enzima eNOS, Serina1177 (Ser1177), via ativação de ?-AR ou ?-AR, pela NOR ou ADR em aortas com endotélio, de ratos 2R e 2R-1C e se a via PI3K/AKT e o H2O2 estariam envolvidos nesse processo. Avaliamos a produção de NO pelas células endoteliais isoladas de ratos 2R e 2R-1C, por citometria de fluxo. Realizamos a dosagem de NOR e ADR plasmática e tecidual (adrenais) por meio de HPLC. Nos estudos de reatividade vascular avaliamos a potência (pD2) e eficácia (Emax) dos agonistas em induzir contração. O Emax da NOR foi menor na contração de aorta de ratos 2R-1C comparada a 2R, provavelmente devido à maior atividade da eNOS evidenciada pelo efeito do L-NAME em aorta de 2R-1C. A particularidade mais significativa da resposta da NOR é de que em aorta de ratos 2R-1C, a NOR promove a maior fosforilação de Ser1177 via ?-AR, e esta envolve a participação da via PI3K/AKT e do H2O2, não havendo alteração dos níveis plasmáticos e tecidual de NOR entre 2R e 2R-1C. O estímulo com ADR, em aorta de 2R-1C, promoveu aumento da atividade da eNOS, certificada pelo efeito do L-NAME, que pode contribuir para o menor Emax da ADR em 2R-1C do que em 2R. Entretanto, a ADR promoveu maior fosforilação de Ser1177 via ?-AR, em aorta de ratos 2R-1C, e esta não envolve participação da via PI3K/AKT e do H2O2. Os níveis teciduais de ADR foram semelhantes entre 2R e 2R- 1C, mas a concentração plasmática de ADR foi menor em 2R-1C do que em 2R. Não houve diferença na produção de NO pelas células endoteliais entre 2R e 2R-1C. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a ativação de ?-AR com NOR envolve participação de H2O2 e da via PI3K/AKT para maior ativação da eNOS em aortas de ratos 2R-1C, mecanismo que pode contribuir para o menor Emax da NOR em aorta de 2R-1C. A ADR ao ativar ?-AR leva à maior ativação da eNOS, porém sem participação efetiva de H2O2 e da via PI3K/AKT em aortas de ratos 2R-1C. / The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) plays important role on the arterial pressure control as well the vascular endothelium by relaxing and contractile factors release that modulates the vascular tone. The renovascular hypertension (2K-1C) is related to the increased production of oxygen reactive species, SNS hyperactivity and endothelium dysfunction. The hypothesis of this work is that the adrenoceptor (AR) agonists noradrenaline (NOR) and adrenaline (ADR), the endogenous catecholamine promote anti-contractile effect due to eNOS activation in 2K-1C rat aorta. This study aimed to investigate if AR activation by NOR or ADR leads to the increased activation of eNOS in 2K-1C rat aorta, and the mechanisms activated by these agonists. Concentration-effect curves were constructed for NOR or ADR, in intactendothelium or denuded aortas isolated from 2K-1C and 2K rats in the absence (control) or in the presence of the AR antagonists propranolol (?-AR) or yohimbine (?2-AR), or the non-selective NOS inhibitor, L-NAME. By using western blot, we have veryfied the the effects of activation of ?-AR ou ?-AR and the phosphorylation of NOS activation site Serine1177 (Ser1177) by NOR or ADR in intact endothelium aorta from 2K and 2K-1C and also whether the PI3K/AKT pathway and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are related to this phosphorylation. We evaluated by flow cytometry the NO production in the isolated endotelial cells from 2K and 2K-1C. Plasma and tissue (adrenal) levels of NOR and ADR were measured by HPLC. In the vascular reactivity studies, we evaluated the potency (pD2) and efficacy (Emax) of the agonists in inducing contraction. The Emax induced by NOR was lower in 2K-1C than in 2K rat probably due to the higher activity of eNOS as shown by the effect of L-NAME. The most interesting finding was in 2K-1C aorta that NOR increases the Ser1177 phosphorylation via ?-AR activation that involves the signaling trough PI3K/AKT and H2O2. There is no differences in NOR at the plasma and tissue levels between 2K-1C and 2K. ADR activates more eNOS in 2K-1C rat aorta as shown by the effect of LNAME. It could contribute to the lower Emax of ADR in 2K-1C than in 2K. However, ADR increased Ser1177 phosphorylation via ?-AR activation in 2K-1C rat aorta, which does not involve PI3K/AKT and H2O2 pathway. The tissue levels of ADR were not different between 2K-1C and 2K, but the plasma concentration of ADR was lower in 2K-1C than in 2K. There was no difference in the NO production in the endothelial cells from 2K-1C and 2K. Taken together, our results suggest that ?-AR activation by NOR involves H2O2 and PI3K/AKT that activates eNOS in 2K-1C rat aorta that could contribute to the lower contractile effect induced by NOR in 2K-1C. ?-AR activation by ADR leads to the eNOS activation without activation of H2O2 and PI3K/AKT pathway in 2K-1C rat aorta.