Chronic graft dysfunction (CGD) is an important post-transplant complication. CGD can be considered as an impaired repair process, which ultimately leads to the loss of graft function.To study non-immunological factors contributing to the development of CGD in kidney grafts we used in vitro and in vivo models, and clinical studies. We studied the actions of hyperlipidemia in vitro. LDL induced increased expression of TGF-β1 and TGF-β receptors type I and type II. Smad2 phosphorylation could be induced by conditioned medium from mesangial cells incubated with LDL. The effects of Fluvastatin and AT1 receptor blocker Candesartan cilexetil on aortic graft arteriosclerosis in the rat were evaluated. Fluvastatin neither alone nor in combination with Cyclosporine A affected allograft remodelling, but reduced neointima formation in isografts. Candesartan cilexetil treatment reduced graft arteriosclerosis. The effect is explained by the reduction of TGF-β1 expression. We investigated the effects of Carvedilol in patients with CGD. Carvedilol failed to alter the CGD progression despite the efficient control of blood pressure, and a beneficial effect on lipid pattern and oxidation. Close control of CyA blood levels is recommended due to interaction between CyA and Carvedilol. Measurement of Ab-oxLDL in kidney graft recipients demonstrated that these patients had lower Ab-oxLDL levels as compared with the control group. Decreased Ab-oxLDL levels were associated with graft loss due to acute rejection and with ischemic heart disease. In this thesis we have addressed several important complex issues, which are interconnected: (1) development of chronic graft dysfunction (2) lipoproteins and their role in inducing pathological conditions like atherosclerosis and graft damage, (3) oxidation, (4) TGF-β and its' role in different pathological conditions, including renal and vascular damage.

Many peptide receptors are of pharmaceutical interest and there is thus a need for new ligands for such receptors. Unfortunately, peptides are not suitable as orally administrated drugs since they are associated with poor absorption, rapid metabolism and low sub-receptor selectivity. One approach that should allow identification of more drug-like ligands is to use the structural information of the endogenous ligand to develop peptidomimetic compounds. The main objective of the work described in this thesis was to convert angiotensin II (Ang II, Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe) to small drug-like compounds with retained bioactivity at the AT2 receptor. The study was performed step-wise via incorporation of well-defined secondary structure mimetics and repeated truncation of the peptide. Five scaffolds, comprising a benzene ring as a central element, suitable as a γ-turn or dipeptide mimetics were designed and synthesized. In order to decorate the scaffolds, a method of microwave-assisted alkoxycarbonylation was developed. After incorporation of the scaffolds into Ang II-related peptides or peptide fragments, the affinities for both the AT1 and the AT2 receptor were determined. In the first series of ligands, two tyrosine-related scaffolds were introduced as γ-turn mimetics in Ang II. All five pseudopeptides exhibited good affinities for the AT2 receptor. One compound was chosen for functional studies and was shown to act as an AT2 receptor agonist. After truncation of Ang II it was shown that C-terminal pentapeptide analogs were AT2 receptor selective agonists. A series of pseudopeptides comprising tyrosine-related scaffolds, derived from the pentapeptides, displayed high AT2 receptor affinities. Two compounds had agonistic effect at the AT2 receptor. This study revealed that the N-terminal part was of less importance while a C-terminal Ile residue was a key element for enhanced AT2 receptor affinity. In the final set of compounds, the peptide was truncated to tripeptide C-terminal fragments. After replacing His-Pro by a histidine-related scaffold small drug-like peptidomimetic compounds with nanomolar affinity for the AT2 receptor were identified.

Les évidences scientifiques révèlent l’implication des actions proinflammatoires de l’angiotensine II (Ang II) dans le développement de l’athérosclérose. Cependant, la caractérisation des bases moléculaires de l’Ang II sur le tissu vasculaire n’est pas totalement élucidée. La majorité des actions de l’Ang II implique l’activation d’une variété de cascades de signalisation dont les voies mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ; c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), p38 kinases et extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) et l’activation du facteur de transcription NF-κB via le complexe IKK. Récemment, une nouvelle modification post-traductionnelle dans les actions de l’Ang II, soit la polyubiquitination de la sous-unité NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) du complexe IKK, a été révélée. L’objectif de mon projet de recherche est de vérifier l’importance de la polyubiquitination en K63 tout en caractérisant les protéines impliquées dans la modification de NEMO dans des cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires (CMLV) exposées à l’Ang II. Notre étude suggère, selon une approche siARN combinant Ubc7 et Ubc13, la diminution de la phosphorylation du complexe IKK, de Akt et des MAPKs. De plus, nos résultats illustrent l’implication de TRAF6 dans la signalisation cellulaire de l’Ang II. Finalement, notre étude révèle la présence de la polyubiquitination en K63 dans la signalisation cellulaire de l’Ang II par chromatographie d’affinité. Cette étude met en évidence l’implication de la polyubiquitination en K63 dans la signalisation de l’Ang II dans des CMLV et implique Ubc13 et Ubc7 dans le remodelage vasculaire et l’inflammation dépendante de l’Ang II dans des CMLV. / Several studies have demonstrated that the proinflammatory and growth promoting actions of Angiotensin II (Ang II) are implicated in cardiovascular disease. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in Ang II actions are still not completely elucidated. Most of the known biological effects of Ang II are through the activation of several cell signaling pathways, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways (MAPKs; c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), p38 kinases and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)), and nuclear factor kappaB transcription factor (NF-κB) pathway by IKK complex activation. Recently, another post-translational modification, polyubiquitination of the IKK complex sub-unit NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) has been demonstrated to be implicated in Ang II signaling. The objective of my research project was to illustrate the importance of K63-linked polyubiquitination, and characterizing the proteins involved in the modification of NEMO in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) exposed to Ang II. Using siRNA, we show that Ubc7 and Ubc13 together are involved in MAPK, IKK and Akt phosphorylation in VSMC exposed to Ang II. Moreover, our results show that TRAF6, a ubiquitin ligase, is involved in Ang II signaling. Finally, our study reveals involvement of K63-linked polyubiquitination in Ang II signaling by chromatography affinity. Here, we report K63-linked polyubiquitination involvement in Ang II signaling and also identify Ubc7 and Ubc13 as a ubiquitin conjugating enzymes involved in MAPKs, ERK and NF-kB signalling pathway suggesting a role of these proteins in Ang II-dependent vascular remodelling and proinflammatory effects in VSMC.

L’inflammation est un procédé complexe qui vise l’élimination de l’agent causal de dommages tissulaires en vue de faciliter la réparation du tissu affecté. La persistance de l’agent causal ou l’incapacité à résoudre l’inflammation mène à un dérèglement homéostatique chronique qui peut avoir une incidence sur la morbidité et la mortalité. L’athérosclérose est une condition inflammatoire chronique des vaisseaux sanguins dont l’origine est multifactorielle. L’hypertension et l’état infectieux représentent respectivement des facteurs de risque classiques et émergents du développement de cette maladie. Les fondements initiaux de l’inflammation font intervenir l’immunité innée, la première ligne de défense dont disposent les cellules pour répondre à un signal de danger. Le but de cette thèse est d’examiner le rôle pro-inflammatoire d’une famille de kinases essentielles à l’immunité innée, soit celle des kinases de IkappaB (IKK) et des kinases IKK-related. Les kinases IKKalpha et IKKbeta forment le complexe IKK avec la molécule adaptatrice NEMO/IKKgamma. Ce complexe est chargé d’effectuer la phosphorylation de l’inhibiteur de NF-kappaB, IkappaBalpha, ce qui mène à sa dégradation et à la libération du facteur de transcription NF-kappaB. Nous montrons que le peptide vasoactif angiotensine II (AngII) induit l’activité phosphotransférase d’IKKbeta dans les VSMC par immunoprécipitation de NEMO puis essai kinase in vitro. Grâce à une approche ARN interférence (ARNi) dirigée contre IKK, nous montrons que cette kinase est responsable de la phosphorylation de p65/RelA. Nous montrons que le mécanisme d’induction de NF-kappaB par l’AngII est atypique, puisqu’il ne module pas IkappaBalpha, et montrons à l’aide d’inhibiteurs pharmacologiques que l’activation de p65 est indépendante des voies MEK-ERK-RSK, PI3K et de la transactivation du récepteur de l’EGF. Les kinases IKK-related Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) et IKK-i sont quant à elles principalement activées suite à une infection bactérienne ou virale. Ces kinases phosphorylent directement le facteur de transcription interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-3. Nous montrons que le cytomégalovirus humain, un pathogène associé à l’athérosclérose, a la capacité d’induire l’activation de TBK1 dans les VSMC. L’usage d’ARNi dirigé contre TBK1 et IKKi montre que les 2 kinases sont impliquées dans l’activation d’IRF-3. De plus, nous montrons à l’aide d’une lignée de VSMC exprimant une version dominante négative d’IRF-3 que ce dernier est essentiel à la synthèse des chimiokines RANTES et IP-10, tel qu’analysé par RT-PCR. Par ailleurs, il a récemment été montré que les kinases IKK-related étaient étroitement liées à la transformation oncogénique, et que TBK1 était pro-angiogénique. Or, l’angiogenèse est le plus souvent modulée par la réponse hypoxique qui est d’ailleurs commune à la majorité des processus inflammatoires. Le facteur de transcription hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 module l’angiogenèse, l’inflammation et la survie cellulaire. Nous montrons à l’aide de cellules Tbk1 et Ikbke -/- et d’une approche lentivirale que TBK1 est spécifiquement impliquée dans l’induction traductionnelle de HIF-1alpha en condition de stress hypoxique. L’expression de TBK1 est induite sous ces conditions, et cette kinase module la phosphorylation de ERK, RSK, Akt et TSC1. Les résultats originaux présentés dans cette thèse montrent donc que les kinases IKK et IKK-related exercent leurs actions pro-inflammatoires par des mécanismes distincts. / Inflammation is a complex process that allows elimination of tissular damaging agents and thus facilitates wound repair. Persistance of a damaging agent or the incapacity to resolve the inflammatory state leads to chronic homeostatic deregulation with putative incidence on morbidity and mortality. Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory state of blood vessels which origins are multifactorial. Hypertension and the infectious state represent classical and emerging factors of atherosclerosis development, respectively. The innate immune response takes place in the initial steps of inflammation, and represents the first cellular line of defense against danger signals. The goal of this thesis is to examine the pro-inflammatory roles of the IkB kinases (IKK) and the IKK-related kinases, which are essential innate immune response protein kinases. IKKalpha and IKKbeta form, together with NEMO/IKKgamma, the IKK complex. This complex is responsible of the phosphorylation of the inhibitor of NF-kappaB, IkappaBalpha, a process that leads to its degradation and NF-kappaB release. By immunoprecipitation of NEMO and assessment of the IKK complex activity in vitro, we show that the vasoactive peptide angiotensin II (AngII) induces IKKbeta phosphotransferase activity in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The use of RNA interference (RNAi) against IKKbeta reveals that this kinase is responsible for p65/RelA phosphorylation. AngII modulation of NF-kappaB is atypical since it does not modulate IkappaB. Moreover, the use of pharmacological inhibitors shows that p65 induction is independent of both MEK-ERK-RSK and PI3K pathways, and that it does not involve EGF receptor transactivation. IKK-related kinases Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and IKK-i are known to be induced by bacterial and viral infections. These kinases are able to phosphorylate directly interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-3 transcription factor. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) seropositivity was shown to be linked to atherosclerosis development. We show that TBK1 activity is induced in HCMV-infected VSMC. RNAi directed against TBK1 and IKK-i reveals that both kinases are required for IRF-3 activation. The use of a VSMC line that express a dominant negative version if IRF-3 shows that this transcription factor is involved in the induction of RANTES and IP-10 chemokines, as assessed by RT-PCR. In addition, IKK-related kinases were recently shown to be implicated in oncogenic transformation. TBK1 was also shown to be pro-angiogenic. Angiogenesis is known to be regulated by the hypoxic response, a common condition of inflammatory processes. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 is a transcription factor that modulates angiogenesis, inflammation and cell survival. We show with the use of Tbk1 and Ikbke -/- cells combined with the use of a lentiviral approach that TBK1 is specifically involved in HIF-1alpha translational induction under hypoxic stress. We also show that TBK1 expression is enhanced under theses conditions, and that this kinase modulates the phosphorylation of ERK, RSK, Akt and TSC1. In conclusion, the results presented in this thesis show that the IKK and IKK-related kinases are both pro-inflammatory, and exert their actions by distinct mechanisms.

Local control of regional blood flow is exerted mainly through the arterioles. An adequate minute-to-minute regulation of blood perfusion of the kidney and the pancreas is obtained by the modulation of arteriolar reactivity, which will influence the organ function. The importance of purinergic signaling in this concept has been addressed, with special emphasis on the role of the adenosine A1 receptor. The effects of adenosine on two specialized vascular beds, namely the renal glomerulus and the pancreatic islets, have been examined. Characteristic for these regional circulations is their very high basal blood flow, but with somewhat different responses to vasoconstrictor and vasodilator stimuli. By adapting a unique microperfusion technique it was possible to separately perfuse isolated single mouse arterioles with attached glomeruli or pancreatic islets ex vivo. Microvascular responses were investigated following different additions to the perfusion fluid to directly examine the degree of dilation or constriction of the arterioles. This has been performed on transgenic animals in this thesis, e.g. A1 receptor knockout mice. Also effects of P2Y receptors on islet arterioles were examined in both normoglycemic and type 2 diabetic rats. Furthermore, interference with adenosine transport in glomerular arterioles were examined.. Our studies demonstrate important, yet complex, effects of adenosine and nucleotide signaling on renal and islet microvascular function, which in turn may influence both cardiovascular and metabolic regulations. They highlight the need for further studies of other purinergic receptors in this context, studies that are at currently being investigated.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-10-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:21:06Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 rodrigues_la_dr_arafcf.pdf: 878561 bytes, checksum: 1b0302d7b78c8400814eb99c68c33070 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O choque séptico, que é a maior causa de morte no Brasil e no Mundo, consequência de trauma infeccioso, a indução da óxido nítrico sintase (NOS) do endotélio vascular por produtos originados da parede de bactérias é considerado a causa, mas também parte da ativação de mecanismos de defesa do hospedeiro contra a infecção. Uma pronunciada hipotensão seguida de redução da reatividade vascular a mediadores vasoconstritores é determinada pela intensa liberação de mediadores relaxantes, como o próprio óxido nítrico (NO), que podem progredir para a morte do hospedeiro. Em ratos, este fenômeno é igualmente observado. O quadro de choque séptico ou Sepsis pode ser reproduzido pela injeção parenteral de endotoxina de várias bactérias Gram-negativas, como a endotoxina de E. coli (Etx), que produz intensa hipotensão aguda e prolongada, com pronunciada hiporreatividade a angiotensina II (AII)... / In septic schock that is major cause of death folowing in infeccious trauma, the induction of nitric oxide sinthase (NOS) of vascular endothelium by bacterial products is considered to be part of the defense mechanism of hosp against infection. But the hypotension and vascular hyporeactivity determinated by intense release of relaxing factors essentially from endothelial cells, in response to substances, released from walls bcteria which can progress to death of hosp. The hyporreactivity to angiotensin II (AII) is observed in Etx-induced hypotension. The current study show that the vasoconstriction response of AII in rats is reversed by an inhibitor of NOS (N NLA) in control rats, but in adrenalectomized rats these inhibitor did not reversed the hyporreactivity. The dexamethasone impaired the protective effect of N NLA against Etx-induced hyporreactivity . In adrenalectomized rats the N NLA not reverts vascular hyporreactivity to AII. The involvement of antiinflammatory nonsteroids drugs (diclofenac [Diclo] and nimesulide [Nime]) not was involved in reversion of vascular hyporreactivity to AII. Dextran injection, produced hypotension but not produced vascular hyporreactivity to AII. These mechanism is not clarified...(Complete abstract, access undermentioned eletronic address)

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Submitted by Diogo Misoguti (diogo.misoguti@gmail.com) on 2016-06-29T12:59:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 cp118956.pdf: 11152798 bytes, checksum: 413c607598471e1abd0db7c49883c8ac (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diogo Misoguti (diogo.misoguti@gmail.com) on 2016-06-29T13:00:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 cp118956.pdf: 11152798 bytes, checksum: 413c607598471e1abd0db7c49883c8ac (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-29T13:00:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 cp118956.pdf: 11152798 bytes, checksum: 413c607598471e1abd0db7c49883c8ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Com o crescente aumento da prevalência mundial de diabetes mellitus, tem-se buscado modelos experimentais para melhor compreensão de sua fisiopatologia e tratamento que atendam de maneira mais adequada à preservação de células beta, proteção de órgãos-alvo e atenuação da aterosclerose. Objetivos: Desenvolver modelo experimental de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 induzido por meio de dieta, e utilizá-lo para examinar os efeitos de um inibidor da enzima conversora de angiotensina (IECA) e de um bloqueador do receptor de angiotensina (BRA) na proteção de órgãos-alvo. Métodos: Coelhos machos Nova Zelândia (n=49) receberam dieta acrescida de banha (10%), sacarose (40%) durante todo o protocolo do estudo além de colesterol (0,5% nos três primeiros meses e 0,1% nos meses subseqüentes). Os animais receberam aleatoriamente: apenas a dieta sem fármacos (G1), olmesartana 5 mg (G2), quinapril 30 mg (G3), ou a combinação de ambos (G4), acrescidos à mesma dieta por seis meses. Foram analisados lípides, frutosamina, glicose e insulina em jejum com cálculo dos índices para resistência à insulina e função de células beta pancreáticas. Foram ainda examinadas as áreas sob as curvas de insulina e glicose, após infusão de glicose intraperitoneal. Angiofluoresceinografias e análises histopatológicas avaliaram lesões em órgãos-alvo. Resultados: Os coelhos ganharam peso, e houve aumento dos níveis de glicose, colesterol total, LDL-C e triglicérides e redução do HDL-C (p <0,05 vs. basal). A frutosamina e o HOMA-IR se elevaram, enquanto houve redução do HOMA-β (p <0,05 vs. basal). Sinais precoces de retinopatia diabética foram observados a partir do terceiro mês, progredindo até o final do experimento (p<0,0005). Lesões ateroscleróticas em aorta, esteatofibrose hepática e infiltrado glomerular de macrófagos constituíram os principais achados histomorfológicos. O bloqueio do sistema renina-angiotensina modificou favoravelmente a glicemia e o HOMA-β (p<0,05) e houve atenuação do número e grau dos microaneurismas pelo tratamento com BRA isoladamente ou combinado com IECA (p<0,05 vs. G1). Conclusões: Nosso modelo reproduziu várias características glucometabólicas do diabetes mellitus tipo 2 humanóide, incluindo déficit de secreção e resistência à insulina. O bloqueio do sistema renina-angiotensina atenuou algumas alterações bioquímicas e as lesões microvasculares em retina. / With the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus worldwide, new experimental models are required to better understand the pathophysiology of this disease and to offer therapeutic options that can preserve pancreatic beta-cells, protect target organs and attenuate atherosclerosis. Objective: The aims of this study were to develop an experimental model of type 2 diabetes mellitus induced by diet and assess on this model the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and an antagonist of the angiotensin II type1 receptor (AT1R) on target organ protection. Methods: New Zealand male white rabbits (n=49) were fed high-fat/high-sucrose (10/40%) during the study protocol and cholesterol-enriched diet (0.5% in the first three months followed by 0.1% until the end of the study). These animals were randomized to receive: diet alone (G1), olmesartan 5 mg (G2), quinapril 30mg (G3), or combination of both drugs (G4), added to the same diet for six months. Fasting lipids, fructosamine, glucose and insulin, with calculation of insulin resistance and beta-cell function indexes were evaluated. The areas under the curves for glucose and insulin were obtained after intraperitoneal glucose bolus injection. Fluorescein angiography and histopathological analyses were performed to assess target-organs lesions. Results: The animals gained weight, and there were increases in blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides, and decrease in HDL-C (p<0.05 vs. baseline). Fructosamine levels and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were increased, while there was a reduction in the HOMA-β (p<0.05 vs. baseline). Early clinical features of diabetic retinopathy were seen since the third month, progressing up to the end of the experiment (p<0.0005). Aortic atherosclerosis, hepatic steatofibrosis and glomerular macrophage infiltration were the main histomorphologic findings of this study. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade favorably modified blood glucose and the HOMA- β (p<0.05) and promoted attenuation of the number and grade of microaneurysms in retina in the group of animals receiving AT1R antagonist or combined therapy with the ACEI (p<0.05 vs. G1). Conclusion: Our model reproduced several glucometabolic characteristics of humanoid type 2 diabetes, including decreased insulin secretion and insulin resistance. The RAS blockade attenuated some biochemical abnormalities and the diabetic retinopathy. / FAPESP: 07/51058-8

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio (fiscina@bahia.fiocruz.br) on 2012-11-27T18:17:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Carla Patrícia Novais Luz Efeito agudo... 1997.pdf: 28638306 bytes, checksum: 690203708866521de7b4f58b702d4398 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-11-27T18:17:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carla Patrícia Novais Luz Efeito agudo... 1997.pdf: 28638306 bytes, checksum: 690203708866521de7b4f58b702d4398 (MD5) Previous issue date: 1997 / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, Bahia, Brasil / Trabalho realizado com o objetivo de estudar os possíveis efeitos da injeção intracerebroventricular aguda de chumbo e cádmio sobre a função renal. Ratos Wistar machos receberam duas sobrecargas hídrica oral de 5% do peso corporal com intervalo de 60 minutos. Vinte minutos após a segunda sobrecarga hídrica os animais receberam injeções de PbAc e CdCb no terceiro ventrículo em três diferentes doses (0.03, 0.3, 3.0 nmol/rato), sendo comparados ao grupo tratado com salina. Ambos os metais induziram um aumento significante na exaeção de sódio e potássio, sem nenhuma modificação no fluxo urinário. O pré-tratamento com losarían, um antagonista seletivo dos receptores aiigiotensinérgicos ATI (10,8 nmol/rato no terceiro ventrículo 10 minutos antes da injeção cenü'al dos metais), inibiu o efeito natriurético e kaliuréüco induzido pelo chumbo. Quanto ao cádmio o losarían foi capaz apenas de inibir o efeito natriurético, não interferindo na kaliurese.O pré-tralamento com gadolinio, um bloqueador dos canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes (0.3 nmol/rato no terceiro ventrículo 20 minutos antes da injeção central dos melais), reverteu o aumento na excreção de sódio e potássio induzido pela administração central de PbAc e CdCli. Esses dados indicam que o aumento na natriurese e kaliurese é um efeito agudo da injeção central de cádmio e chumbo. A natriurese observada nos animais tratados com com esses metais parece depender da integridade funcional das vias angiotensinérgicas centrais já que esta foi revertida pelo losartan. Entretanto, a resposta kaliurética observada nos animais tratados com cádmio não é dependente do componente angiotensinérgico central, já que o losartan não foi capaz de reverter a kaliurese observada nos animais tratados com cádmio.O Gadolinio, um bloqueador dos canais de cálcio voltagem-dependentes, é capaz de reverter o efeito natriurético e kahurétíco induzido pelo cádmio e chumbo. Isso sugere, que as ações do chumbo e do cádmio dependem da integridade funcional dos canais de cálcio. Nos animais que receberam apenas a injeção central de gadolinio não foi observado nenhum efeito na exaeção de sódio e potássio. Assim, sugerimos que os metais entram na célula através dos canais de cálcio e, uma vez dentro da célula, interagem com alguns passos bioquímicos dependentes de cálcio levando a alterações na neurotransmissão que induzem a resposta aqui observada. / In the present work we studied the effects of acute intracerebroventricular injections of lead and cadmium on the central control of kidney function. Wistar, adult, male rats received an oral water load equivalent to 10% of their body weight. Twenty minutes after the water load experimental animals received third ventricle injections of PbAc or CdClj in three different doses (0.03, 0.3 and 3.0 nmol/rat) being compared to saline-treated controls. The injection of both metals induced a significant inaease in renal sodium and potassium excretion. Urine flow was not affected by the injections of the metals. Central pretreatment with losartan, a specific angiotensin II ATI receptor antagonist (10.8 nmol/rat into the third ventricle, 10 minutes before the injection of the metals) inhibited botli natriuretic and kaliuretic effects of lead administration. Losartan pretreatment was able to block the natriuretic effect of cadmium injections being unable to modify the kaliuretic effect of this metal. On the other hand, third ventricle injections of gadolinium, a voltage-dependent calcium channels blocker (0.3 nmol/rat 20 minutes before the central injection of the metals) reversed the increase in both natriuretic and kaliuretic response evoked by lead and cadmium administration. These data indicate that natriuresis and kaliuresis enhancement is an acute effect of central injections of both lead and cadmium. The inaeased renal sodium exaetion observed in animals receiving both metals seems to rely on a central angiotensin Il-dependent mechanism since it is reversed by losartan. However, the kaliuretic response observed in cadmium-treated animals is not dependent on this central angiotensinergic component, since losartan is unable to reverse the inaeased renal potassium excretion observed in animals treated with cadmium.Gadolinium, a voltage-dependent calcium channels blocker, is able to reverse the metal-induced kaliuretic and natriuretic effects here observed. Thus, we think that the present actions of lead and cadmium seem to require the functional integrity of calcium channels. The central injection of gadolinium in animals free of metals is devoid of any effect on renal sodium and potassium excretion. It is suggested that the metals enter the brain cell via calcium channels and, once inside the cells, interact with some calcium-related biochemical step leading to an altered neurotransmission state that induces the responses h^e observed.