Drought and salt stress are the main global factors that reduce the average yield of most major crops. In order to meet global demands, we will need to double food production by 2050 (Tilman, Balzer, Hill, & Befort, 2011). Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are a group of bacteria that alleviate the harmful effects of abiotic stresses such as salt, heat and drought stress on plants and decrease the global dependence on hazardous agricultural chemicals. We identified that beneficial microbes isolated from desert plants (indigfera argentea) from Jizan region, in 2012 enhance the tolerance of a variety of crop plants to drought and salt stresses under laboratory conditions and in field trials. We analyzed the interaction of these bacteria with the plants by genetic, biochemical and imaging techniques. The goal of this dissertation is to ultimately improve our understanding of the mechanisms of drought and salt stress tolerance conferred by beneficial microbes that can be used as a sustainable solution for plants and crops in degrading lands (deserts) and land affected by abiotic stresses. Outlines how each of chapter of this dissertation will contribute to the discovery of novel drought and salt stress tolerance strategies using a desert-specific bacterial endophyte.

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<p dir="ltr">A neurological disorder, hydrocephalus, has an estimated global pediatric prevalence of 380,000 new cases each year [<a href="#_ENREF_1" target="_blank">1</a>]. It is a family of diseases that can occur at any age when cerebrospinal fluid builds up within the ventricles of the brain. Thus, the only available treatments are surgical, invasive, and prone to complications. There is a global need for successful treatment strategies without brain surgery.</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">Choroid plexus epithelial cells (CPEC) are responsible for production of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Ependymal cells line the ventricles and play roles in CSF maintenance and waste clearance. Astrocytes perform various functions, one being blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintenance. Collectively these cells contribute to brain fluid/electrolyte regulation and barrier integrity. Increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) fluorescence, a marker of activated astrocytes, appeared in hydrocephalic (<i>Tmem67</i>^-/-) animals by immunohistochemistry as early as postnatal day (P)10. The tight junction proteins expressed in choroid plexus (CP); claudin-1 (Cl-1) and zona occludin 1 (ZO-1) fluorescent intensity increased in P15 hydrocephalic animals compared to wildtype (<i>Tmem67</i>^+/+). These cells also contain aquaporins (AQP), aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4), important in regulating CSF and interstitial fluid (ISF). Increased fluorescent intensity of AQP4 in the subventricular zone and increased AQP1 apical localization and protein amount in the CP was observed in hydrocephalic animals at postnatal day (P)15. Many of these may be targeted for the treatment of hydrocephalus. However, there is no consensus in pathological findings between models of hydrocephalus and these finding may not translate to common pharmacological targets.</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">A transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily vanilloid, member 4 (TRPV4) antagonist (RN1734) ameliorates hydrocephalus in a rat model of congenital hydrocephalus (<i>Tmem67</i> model). It was hypothesized that targeting this mechanosensitive ion channel may slow production of CSF by targeting the CP. However, hydrocephalus pathology can have various effects on the brain. Astrocytes were visualized using fluorescent immunohistochemistry of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and RN1734 did not seem to change immunoreactivity to wildtype untreated levels. Increased immunoreactivity of TRPV4 and AQP1 was observed in CP of untreated and RN1734 treated <i>Tmem67</i>^-/- rats. AQP4 and TRPV4 immunoreactivity increased in the subventricular zone and periventricular white matter (WM) of hydrocephalic rats. With RN1734, TRPV4 immunoreactivity, but not AQP4, had similar immunoreactivity to wildtype untreated. Increased GFAP and AQP immunoreactivity may indicate residual inflammation in the <i>Tmem67</i>^-/- rats. More experiments must be done to further elucidate TRPV4’s role in hydrocephalus pathology.</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) is a kinase implicated in cell volume regulation and CSF production. SI113, an SGK1 inhibitor, ameliorates hydrocephalus in the <i>Tmem67</i> rodent model. The goal of this study was to determine if SI113 could be used with a new solvent other than dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which can have possible toxic effects. 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) has high solubility and ability to cross the BBB. These studies showed that NMP as a solvent did not have adverse effects on body weight, however thus far, it has not ameliorated hydrocephalus significantly at the concentration used in this study. There is a possibility that the concentration in NMP that we used was not efficacious enough. CSF and blood plasma samples from animals treated with SI113 24 hours and 30 minutes before euthanasia will be used to investigate the concentration of SI113 that remains in the circulation and the amount that crosses the BBB and blood-cerebrospinal fluid (BCSFB) barriers. We hope that the results will inform dosage for our future studies. Future studies may also examine SI113 mechanism of action in hydrocephalus.</p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr">This thesis addresses hydrocephalus cell and molecular pathology in the <i>Tmem67</i> model and examines potential treatment strategies. Future directions include comparing models of hydrocephalus to find common treatment strategies in the hope to find pharmaceutical strategies to better manage human hydrocephalus.</p>

[Truncated abstract] The hydraulic properties of the roots of three crop species important to Western Australia were examined: wheat (Triticum aestivum), narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) and yellow lupin (L. luteus). Generally, the hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) of root systems differs between species and can change in response to adverse conditions. To determine the significance of root anatomy and aquaporin activity on the pathway of water flow through roots, water flow was measured across cell membranes, individual roots and whole root systems. The combination of measurements identified that wheat and lupin roots have contrasting hydraulic properties. Wheat roots absorb water preferentially in the apical region, whereas lupin roots appear to absorb water more evenly along the entire root length. Lupin roots have a greater axial hydraulic conductance than wheat, due to more abundant xylem vessels and axial conductance increases with root length, in conjunction with xylem vessel development. However, water flow through the radial pathway is the limiting factor in whole root hydraulic conductance, in all species. Modelling and the inhibition of aquaporin activity with mercuric chloride demonstrated that radial water flow in wheat roots occurs by a combination of the cell-to-cell and apoplastic pathways, but in lupins, water flow appears to be predominantly apoplastic. Despite the presence of aquaporins in root cell membranes of all species, their role in regulating bulk water flow across roots is not clear in lupins, because of the significance of the apoplastic pathway ... After draining the chambers, the root systems of yellow lupin resumed growth, but there was no subsequent recovery in narrow-leafed lupin root systems. The growth and survival strategies of wheat and lupin root systems are disparate. Wheat root systems are comprised of numerous fine, highly branched, individual roots that extract water near the root tips and have the ability to regulate flow. These attributes may be advantageous in non-uniform or variable environments. Moreover, the ability of wheat roots to regulate flow may not only support survival during waterlogging, but also enhance recovery. In comparison, lupin root systems are designed like conduits, for the rapid uptake and transport of water when conditions are favourable. However, their thick taproots and lack of regulation of water transport or anatomical changes make them unsuitable for very wet soils.

A patogenia da hiponatremia decorrente do uso da Fluoxetina em pacientes idosos não está bem definida. Este achado tem sido atribuído a uma secreção inapropriada do Hormônio Antidiurétido (HAD), embora ainda não tenha sido evidenciado um aumento dos níveis plasmático deste hormônio nestes pacientes. Desta forma, este trabalho visa investigar o efeito da Fluoxetina sobre o rim e mais especificamente se ela teria um efeito direto sobre o Ducto Coletor Medular Interno (DCMI) de ratos normais: 1) Estudos in vivo- 10 ratos foram suplementados com aplicações intraperitoniais diárias de 10mg/kg de Fluoxetina. Após 10 dias os animais foram sacrificados e o sangue e os rins foram coletados para posterior análise. 2) Estudos in vitro- a) estudos com a técnica de Imunoblotting para avaliar a expressão da proteína da Aquaporina 2 (AQP2) em ratos suplementados e em suspensão de túbulos de DCMI de 10 ratos normais incubados com 10-7M de Fluoxetina por 30 min. b) estudos com microperfusão de segmentos isolados do nefron- a permeabilidade osmótica à água (Pf, mm./sec) foi determinada em DCMI perfundidos de ratos normais(n=6) com a técnica standart, na presença de10-7M de Fluoxetina. Resultados: 1) Os estudos in vivo mostraram que o peso caiu de 179±1,28g para 158±1,15g (p<0,0001), o Na plasmático caiu de 139,3±0,78mEq/l para 134,9±0,5mEq/l (p<0,0001) e não houve alterações do K e do HAD plasmáticos. 2) Os estudos in vitro-a) a análise densitométrica dos ensaios com imunoblotting mostraram um aumento da expressão da proteína da AQP2 de 40%, ambos, em ratos suplementados (cont-99,6± 5,2 vs Fx 145,6±16,9, p< 0,05) e em frações de membrana da suspensão de túbulos incubados com Fluoxetina (cont-100,0±3,5.vs 143,0±2,0, p<0,01). b) A Fluoxetina aumentou a Pf nos DCMI, na ausência de HAD de 7,24±2,07 para Fx- 15,77±3,25 (p<0,01). Em resumo, nossos dados revelaram que a Fluoxetina determinou uma diminuição do peso corporal e do nível plasmático de Na sem alterar os níveis plasmáticos de K e HAD e ocasionou um aumento da expressão da proteína da AQP2 e um aumento da permeabilidade à água nos DCMI, levando-nos à conclusão de que o efeito direto da Fluoxetina no DCMI, aumentando a reabsorção de água, pode ser responsável pela hiponatremia encontrada nos pacientes idosos com depressão que fazem uso desta droga. / The pathogenesis of the hyponatremia after Fluoxetine(Fx) supply in elderly is not well understood. This event has been attributed to an inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion although the vasopressin enhanced plasma level has not been demonstrated yet in these pacients. Thus, this experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Fx on the kidney and more specifically if it would have a direct effect in the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) from normal rats: 1) in vivo study- 10 rats were supplied daily with i.p. injections of Fx 10 mg/kg. After five days, the rats were sacrificed and blood and kidneys were collected. 2) in vitro studya) Immunobloting studies for AQP2 protein expression, in IMCD from supplied rats and in IMCD tubules suspension from 10 normal rats incubated with mm./sec) Fx. by 30 min. b) Microperfusion studies- the osmotic water permeability (Pf, mm./sec) was determined in normal rats IMCD(n=6) isolated and perfused by the standart methods.Fx (10-7M) was added to the bath fluid. Results: In vivo study showed that the weight decreased from 179±1.28g to 158±1.5g(p<0.0001); the Na+ plasma level decreased from 139.3±0.78mEq/l to 134.9±0.5mEq/l(p<0.0001), the K+ and the ADH plasma level remained unchanged. In vitro study- a) the densitometric analysis of the immunobloting essays showed an increase in AQP2 protein abundance of about about 40%, both, in supplied rats (cont-99.6± 5.2 vs Fx 145.6±16.9, p< 0.05), and in membrane fraction extracted from IMCD tubule suspension incubated with Fx ( cont-100.0±3.5.vs 143.0±2.0,p<0.01). b) Fx increased the Pf in IMCD in absence of vasopressin from the control period- 7.24±2.07 to Fx- 15.77±3.25 (p<0.01). In summary, our data revealed that, after Fx, weight, and plasma Na+ level decreased, the plasma K+ and ADH levels remained unchanged, whereas the AQP2 protein abundance and the water absorption in IMCD increased, leading us to conclude that the direct effect of Fx in the IMCD, could account for the hyponatremia produced by this drug in depressed elderly.

Introdução: As glândulas salivares humanas passam por diversos e complexos processos durante o período de desenvolvimento, até que adquiram maturidade estrutural para desempenhar sua função, a formação e secreção de saliva. Considerada essencial à saúde e homeostase da cavidade oral, a saliva é um fluido aquoso que depende de um mecanismo de transporte entre as membranas celulares por meio das aquaporinas. A família de proteínas aquaporinas possui treze membros. Somente algumas dessas proteínas atuam nas glândulas salivares formando poros na bicamada lipídica das membranas celulares facilitando o transporte de água e pequenos solutos, cruciais à regulação da qualidade e quantidade de saliva secretada. Proposição: Diante deste cenário, avaliamos por meio da técnica de imunoistoquímica o padrão de expressão das aquaporinas 1, 3 e 5 de glândulas salivares em desenvolvimento, com o intuito de contribuir com informações de base para futuras pesquisas. Metodologia: 47 espécimes parafinados de glândulas salivares em desenvolvimento, de diferentes sítios da cavidade oral de 20 fetos humanos, com idade entre 14 e 25 semanas, foram submetidos à técnica de imunoperoxidase. Os resultados foram analisados, de acordo com o estágio da morfogênese glandular e localização da expressão das aquaporinas. Resultados: Na fase de botão, houve a expressão das aquaporinas 1, 3 e 5 em todas as células epiteliais; na fase pseudoglandular, a expressão dessas proteínas foi vista nos ductos rudimentares (com exceção da aquaporina 1) e nas porções terminais (futuros ácinos); na fase canalicular as aquaporinas foram principalmente detectadas nos ácinos rudimentares e ductos. Finalmente, na fase de botão terminal, as aquaporinas 3 e 5 foram detectadas nas membranas das células acinares e os ductos expressaram todas as aquaporinas. Conclusão: O presente trabalho evidenciou a imunoexpressão das aquaporinas 1, 3 e 5 nas glândulas salivares humanas durante o período de embriogênese. A análise topográfica dessas proteínas nos permitiu identificar diferenças no padrão de expressão entre as diferentes regiões estruturais e estágios do desenvolvimento glandular, sugerindo diferentes papéis para cada proteína / Introduction: The human salivary glands morphogenesis depends on complex processes during the development period until they reach full structural maturity to perform its function - the synthesis and secretion of saliva. The saliva is a complex aqueous fluid considered essential to health and homeostasis of the oral cavity; its synthesis depends on several molecular mechanisms, including the transport of water, solutes, ions, amongst others across the cell membranes. The aquaporin family of proteins is essential in this process. This protein family consists of thirteen members that form channels across the cell membrane facilitating water and small solutes transportation, crucial to the regulation of quality and quantity of secreted saliva. Aims: In this scenario, we evaluated, using the immunohistochemistry technique, the expression pattern of aquaporins 1, 3 and 5 in the different phases of salivary glands development, in order to understand the role of these protein in the formation of human salivary gland morphogenesis. Methodology: 47 specimens of paraffin embedded human salivary glands at various developmental phases were included in the study. The specimens were derived from various sites of the oral cavity of 20 human fetuses aged between 14 and 25 weeks of gestation. All specimens were subjected to the imunohistochemical immunoperoxidase technique. The results were qualitatively and semiquantitatively analyzed according to the stage of glandular morphogenesis and express location of aquaporin. Results: In the bud stage, there was expression of aquaporin 1, 3 and 5 in all glandular epithelial cells; in pseudoglandular stage, the expression of these proteins was seen in rudimentary ducts (except aquaporin-1) and the terminal end buds (future acini); in the canalicular phase the aquaporins were mainly detected in the rudimentary ducts and acini. Finally, in terminal bud stage, the aquaporin 3 and 5 were detected in the membranes of the ducts and acinar cells expressed all aquaporins. Conclusion: This study showed the presence of aquaporins 1, 3 and 5 in human salivary glands during embryogenesis period. The topographic analysis of these proteins allowed us to identify differences in the expression pattern between the different structural regions and stages of glandular development, suggesting different roles for each of these proteins

Introdução: As glândulas salivares humanas passam por diversos e complexos processos durante o período de desenvolvimento, até que adquiram maturidade estrutural para desempenhar sua função, a formação e secreção de saliva. Considerada essencial à saúde e homeostase da cavidade oral, a saliva é um fluido aquoso que depende de um mecanismo de transporte entre as membranas celulares por meio das aquaporinas. A família de proteínas aquaporinas possui treze membros. Somente algumas dessas proteínas atuam nas glândulas salivares formando poros na bicamada lipídica das membranas celulares facilitando o transporte de água e pequenos solutos, cruciais à regulação da qualidade e quantidade de saliva secretada. Proposição: Diante deste cenário, avaliamos por meio da técnica de imunoistoquímica o padrão de expressão das aquaporinas 1, 3 e 5 de glândulas salivares em desenvolvimento, com o intuito de contribuir com informações de base para futuras pesquisas. Metodologia: 47 espécimes parafinados de glândulas salivares em desenvolvimento, de diferentes sítios da cavidade oral de 20 fetos humanos, com idade entre 14 e 25 semanas, foram submetidos à técnica de imunoperoxidase. Os resultados foram analisados, de acordo com o estágio da morfogênese glandular e localização da expressão das aquaporinas. Resultados: Na fase de botão, houve a expressão das aquaporinas 1, 3 e 5 em todas as células epiteliais; na fase pseudoglandular, a expressão dessas proteínas foi vista nos ductos rudimentares (com exceção da aquaporina 1) e nas porções terminais (futuros ácinos); na fase canalicular as aquaporinas foram principalmente detectadas nos ácinos rudimentares e ductos. Finalmente, na fase de botão terminal, as aquaporinas 3 e 5 foram detectadas nas membranas das células acinares e os ductos expressaram todas as aquaporinas. Conclusão: O presente trabalho evidenciou a imunoexpressão das aquaporinas 1, 3 e 5 nas glândulas salivares humanas durante o período de embriogênese. A análise topográfica dessas proteínas nos permitiu identificar diferenças no padrão de expressão entre as diferentes regiões estruturais e estágios do desenvolvimento glandular, sugerindo diferentes papéis para cada proteína / Introduction: The human salivary glands morphogenesis depends on complex processes during the development period until they reach full structural maturity to perform its function - the synthesis and secretion of saliva. The saliva is a complex aqueous fluid considered essential to health and homeostasis of the oral cavity; its synthesis depends on several molecular mechanisms, including the transport of water, solutes, ions, amongst others across the cell membranes. The aquaporin family of proteins is essential in this process. This protein family consists of thirteen members that form channels across the cell membrane facilitating water and small solutes transportation, crucial to the regulation of quality and quantity of secreted saliva. Aims: In this scenario, we evaluated, using the immunohistochemistry technique, the expression pattern of aquaporins 1, 3 and 5 in the different phases of salivary glands development, in order to understand the role of these protein in the formation of human salivary gland morphogenesis. Methodology: 47 specimens of paraffin embedded human salivary glands at various developmental phases were included in the study. The specimens were derived from various sites of the oral cavity of 20 human fetuses aged between 14 and 25 weeks of gestation. All specimens were subjected to the imunohistochemical immunoperoxidase technique. The results were qualitatively and semiquantitatively analyzed according to the stage of glandular morphogenesis and express location of aquaporin. Results: In the bud stage, there was expression of aquaporin 1, 3 and 5 in all glandular epithelial cells; in pseudoglandular stage, the expression of these proteins was seen in rudimentary ducts (except aquaporin-1) and the terminal end buds (future acini); in the canalicular phase the aquaporins were mainly detected in the rudimentary ducts and acini. Finally, in terminal bud stage, the aquaporin 3 and 5 were detected in the membranes of the ducts and acinar cells expressed all aquaporins. Conclusion: This study showed the presence of aquaporins 1, 3 and 5 in human salivary glands during embryogenesis period. The topographic analysis of these proteins allowed us to identify differences in the expression pattern between the different structural regions and stages of glandular development, suggesting different roles for each of these proteins

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T14:17:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Patricia Mata.pdf: 1374526 bytes, checksum: 67db6228e85d4c5c26a146b237710efc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-16 / The increase of fat tissue, in obesity, can be associated to physiological alterations, including important modifications in the concentration of circulating hormones, including the sexual steroid hormones. The epididymis, organ of the male genital system, is androgynous-dependent, therefore, susceptible to resulting modifications of sexual steroids hormones concentrations, which can compromise its main functions: transport, maturation, maintenance, protection and storage of the spermatozoids. The water transporting, in the epididymis, is essential to form the adequate luminal environment so the epididymal and spermatozoid related functions can happen; thus, alterations in aquaporins (AQPs), may intervene in the homeostasis of the duct and, consequently, negatively affect fertility. The accumulation of fat may increase the local temperature and alter the epididymal functions and, even, influence in the synthesis and secretion of cytokines such as the interleukin-6 (IL6), due to the chronicle inflammatory estate of low intensity as a consequence of obesity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the cafeteria diet over the morphology of the coating epithelium of the epididymal duct of rats and about the expression of IL6 and AQPs 1 and 9 in the mentioned epithelium. The analysis were made using tissue samples of the epididymis of Wistar rats of the groups control (CON, animals fed with the pattern diet) and cafeteria (CAF, animals fed with a cafeteria diet) treated throughout the experimental period of 24 weeks. The samples were submitted to a histological routine and immunohistochemical reactions for morphological, morphometric and the expression of IL6 and AQPs 1 and 9 analysis. The analysis evidenced a modification in the relative cellular distribution, with decrease of basal cells in the region of the epididymal body, and a significant increase of halo cells in the epididymal segments initial, head and tail of the CAF animals. The luminal diameter and the epithelial height didn t show significant differences between the animals. The intense expression of IL6 in the initial segment of the CAF animals was the outstanding result for this interleukin. The expression of AQP1 was altered in the CAF group animals, in general, with bigger expression in the vascular channels, mainly, the initial segment and the head; besides the bigger expression in the peritubular cells in the initial segment. The expression of AQP9 was altered only in the initial segment of the CAF group, which reactivity was average, while the reactivity was intense in this segment in the animals of the CON group. The results obtained indicate that the cafeteria diet promoted segment-specific alterations in the distribution of basal cell and halo and expression of IL6 and AQPs 1 and 9. These results allow us to deduce that the increase of body mass, induced by a cafeteria diet may promote alterations in the epididymal luminal environment with possible damage in the transport, maturation, maintenance, protection and storage of the spermatozoids. In order to enlighten the extension of the damage caused by the alterations resulting from the cafeteria diet, new studies such as epididymal biochemical alterations, ultrastructural analysis of the epididymal cell types and morphology and motility of the spermatozoids are necessary / O aumento de tecido adiposo, na obesidade, pode ser associado a alterações fisiológicas, incluindo modificações importantes nas concentrações circulantes de hormônios, inclusive dos hormônios esteroides sexuais. O epidídimo, órgão do sistema genital masculino, é andrógeno-dependente, portanto, susceptível a modificações resultantes das alterações nas concentrações de hormônios esteroides sexuais, as quais podem comprometer suas principais funções: transporte, maturação, manutenção, proteção e armazenamento dos espermatozoides. O transporte de água, no epidídimo, é essencial para formar o ambiente luminal adequado para que as funções epididimárias e relativas aos espermatozoides sejam realizadas; assim, alterações das, aquaporinas (AQPs), podem intervir na homeostase do ducto e, consequentemente, afetar negativamente a fertilidade. O acúmulo de gorduras pode aumentar a temperatura local e alterar as funções epididimárias e, ainda, influenciar na síntese e secreção de citocinas como a interleucina-6 (IL6), em razão do estado inflamatório crônico de baixa intensidade em consequência da obesidade. O objetivo este estudo foi avaliar a influência da dieta de cafeteria sobre a morfologia do epitélio de revestimento do ducto epididimário de ratos e sobre a expressão de IL6 e de AQPs 1 e 9 no referido epitélio. As análises foram realizadas utilizando amostras teciduais do epidídimo de ratos Wistar dos grupos controle (CON, animais alimentados com dieta padrão) e cafeteria (CAF, animais alimentados com dieta de cafeteria), tratados pelo período experimental de 24 semanas. As amostras foram submetidas à rotina histológica e reações imunohistoquímicas para análises morfológica, morfométrica e da expressão de IL6 e AQPs 1 e 9. As análises evidenciaram uma modificação na distribuição celular relativa, com diminuição de células basais na região de corpo epididimário, e aumento significativo de células halo no segmento inicial, cabeça e cauda epididimária dos animais CAF. O diâmetro luminal e altura epitelial não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os grupos experimentais. Houve aumento na expressão de IL6 no segmento inicial do epidídimo dos animais CAF. A expressão de AQP1 foi alterada nos animais do grupo CAF, em geral, com maior expressão nos canais vasculares, principalmente, do segmento inicial e cabeça; além de maior expressão nas células peritubulares do segmento inicial. A expressão de AQP9 foi diminuída apenas no segmento inicial do grupo CAF, cuja reatividade foi média, enquanto a reatividade foi intensa neste segmento dos animais do grupo CON. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a dieta de cafeteria promoveu alterações segmento-específicas na distribuição de células basais e halo e na expressão de IL6 e de AQPs 1 e 9. Estes resultados permitem inferir que o aumento de massa corpórea, induzido por dieta de cafeteria, pode promover alterações no ambiente luminal epididimário com possível prejuízo das funções de transporte, maturação, manutenção, armazenamento e proteção dos espermatozoides. A fim de esclarecer a extensão do prejuízo causado pelas alterações resultantes da dieta de cafeteria, novos estudos tais como alterações bioquímicas epididimárias, análises ultraestruturais dos tipos celulares epididimários; capacidade reprodutiva e morfologia e motilidade dos espermatozoides são necessários

A patogenia da hiponatremia decorrente do uso da Fluoxetina em pacientes idosos não está bem definida. Este achado tem sido atribuído a uma secreção inapropriada do Hormônio Antidiurétido (HAD), embora ainda não tenha sido evidenciado um aumento dos níveis plasmático deste hormônio nestes pacientes. Desta forma, este trabalho visa investigar o efeito da Fluoxetina sobre o rim e mais especificamente se ela teria um efeito direto sobre o Ducto Coletor Medular Interno (DCMI) de ratos normais: 1) Estudos in vivo- 10 ratos foram suplementados com aplicações intraperitoniais diárias de 10mg/kg de Fluoxetina. Após 10 dias os animais foram sacrificados e o sangue e os rins foram coletados para posterior análise. 2) Estudos in vitro- a) estudos com a técnica de Imunoblotting para avaliar a expressão da proteína da Aquaporina 2 (AQP2) em ratos suplementados e em suspensão de túbulos de DCMI de 10 ratos normais incubados com 10-7M de Fluoxetina por 30 min. b) estudos com microperfusão de segmentos isolados do nefron- a permeabilidade osmótica à água (Pf, mm./sec) foi determinada em DCMI perfundidos de ratos normais(n=6) com a técnica standart, na presença de10-7M de Fluoxetina. Resultados: 1) Os estudos in vivo mostraram que o peso caiu de 179±1,28g para 158±1,15g (p<0,0001), o Na plasmático caiu de 139,3±0,78mEq/l para 134,9±0,5mEq/l (p<0,0001) e não houve alterações do K e do HAD plasmáticos. 2) Os estudos in vitro-a) a análise densitométrica dos ensaios com imunoblotting mostraram um aumento da expressão da proteína da AQP2 de 40%, ambos, em ratos suplementados (cont-99,6± 5,2 vs Fx 145,6±16,9, p< 0,05) e em frações de membrana da suspensão de túbulos incubados com Fluoxetina (cont-100,0±3,5.vs 143,0±2,0, p<0,01). b) A Fluoxetina aumentou a Pf nos DCMI, na ausência de HAD de 7,24±2,07 para Fx- 15,77±3,25 (p<0,01). Em resumo, nossos dados revelaram que a Fluoxetina determinou uma diminuição do peso corporal e do nível plasmático de Na sem alterar os níveis plasmáticos de K e HAD e ocasionou um aumento da expressão da proteína da AQP2 e um aumento da permeabilidade à água nos DCMI, levando-nos à conclusão de que o efeito direto da Fluoxetina no DCMI, aumentando a reabsorção de água, pode ser responsável pela hiponatremia encontrada nos pacientes idosos com depressão que fazem uso desta droga. / The pathogenesis of the hyponatremia after Fluoxetine(Fx) supply in elderly is not well understood. This event has been attributed to an inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion although the vasopressin enhanced plasma level has not been demonstrated yet in these pacients. Thus, this experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Fx on the kidney and more specifically if it would have a direct effect in the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) from normal rats: 1) in vivo study- 10 rats were supplied daily with i.p. injections of Fx 10 mg/kg. After five days, the rats were sacrificed and blood and kidneys were collected. 2) in vitro studya) Immunobloting studies for AQP2 protein expression, in IMCD from supplied rats and in IMCD tubules suspension from 10 normal rats incubated with mm./sec) Fx. by 30 min. b) Microperfusion studies- the osmotic water permeability (Pf, mm./sec) was determined in normal rats IMCD(n=6) isolated and perfused by the standart methods.Fx (10-7M) was added to the bath fluid. Results: In vivo study showed that the weight decreased from 179±1.28g to 158±1.5g(p<0.0001); the Na+ plasma level decreased from 139.3±0.78mEq/l to 134.9±0.5mEq/l(p<0.0001), the K+ and the ADH plasma level remained unchanged. In vitro study- a) the densitometric analysis of the immunobloting essays showed an increase in AQP2 protein abundance of about about 40%, both, in supplied rats (cont-99.6± 5.2 vs Fx 145.6±16.9, p< 0.05), and in membrane fraction extracted from IMCD tubule suspension incubated with Fx ( cont-100.0±3.5.vs 143.0±2.0,p<0.01). b) Fx increased the Pf in IMCD in absence of vasopressin from the control period- 7.24±2.07 to Fx- 15.77±3.25 (p<0.01). In summary, our data revealed that, after Fx, weight, and plasma Na+ level decreased, the plasma K+ and ADH levels remained unchanged, whereas the AQP2 protein abundance and the water absorption in IMCD increased, leading us to conclude that the direct effect of Fx in the IMCD, could account for the hyponatremia produced by this drug in depressed elderly.