Impaired endothelial vasomotor function is a hallmark of many chronic disease states, including essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Loss of the homeostatic role of the endothelium in large conduit arteries can contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular conditions in these vessels (e.g. stroke, atherosclerosis). A fundamental understanding of mechanisms controlling endothelial function in hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus is required for appropriate clinical strategies targeting the cardiovascular conditions associated with these diseases. The vast majority of basic science studies examining endothelial function in animal models of hypertension and type 2 diabetes have been conducted in males. Studying endothelial function in females is imperative for determining potential sex-specific mechanisms of dysfunction and thus appropriate therapeutic strategies. Thus the global purpose of this thesis is to identify and characterize the pathways controlling impaired vasomotor function in female animal models of two chronic disease states: hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Chapters 2 and 3 of this thesis examine sex differences in endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (EDR) and vasocontraction (EDC) of aortic segments isolated from male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a model of essential hypertension, as the animals age between 16 and 30 wk old. All endothelial vasomotor data presented in the Abstract are peak responses to 10⁻⁵ M acetylcholine. Endothelial vasomotor impairment is represented by lower EDR or by higher EDC. These present data confirmed well-established findings from the literature that 16 wk old male SHR exhibit endothelial vasomotor impairments (EDR: 77±4 %; EDC: 76±7 %) compared to normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY; EDR: 89±6 %; EDC: 59±8 %; p<0.05) controls, and that this impairment worsens with ageing in 30 wk male SHR (EDR: 63±2 %; EDC: 91±3 %; p<0.05). The observation that EDR was reduced in 30 wk female SHR (EDR: 76±4 %) compared to 16 wk counterparts (EDR: 101±2 %; p<0.05), however, was novel and interesting, as there were previously no reports of vasomotor responses in female SHR older than 19 wk. Moreover, the blunted EDR response of 30 wk female SHR approached the level of impairment exhibited by 30 wk male SHR (but was still slightly greater in females; p<0.05). The limited sex difference of the EDR within 30 wk SHR (males –13 % vs. females; p<0.05) contrasted that of 16 wk SHR (males –24 % vs. females; p<0.05), when the robust and unimpaired relaxation displayed by females was much greater than the significantly blunted response of males. Interestingly, endothelium-dependent contractions in quiescent rings were moderate and similar between 16 wk (EDC: 50±4 %) and 30 wk female SHR (EDC: 59±7 %; p=N/S) as compared to the greater contractions of males that were exacerbated with ageing (see above; p<0.05 both sex and ageing comparison). A major role has been established for the cyclooxygenase (COX)-1-thromboxane A₂/prostaglandin (TP) receptor pathway in the impaired endothelial vasomotor function of male SHR. Indeed, a similar mechanism appears to be responsible for the dysfunction observed in 30 wk female SHR in this thesis since robust endothelial function was restored in these animals with both antagonism of TP receptor (EDR: 111±2 %; EDC: 7±2 %; p<0.05) and preferential inhibition of COX-1 (EDR: 112±3 %; EDC: –5±3 %; p<0.05). In contrast, preferential inhibition of COX-2 only partially tempered endothelial impairments of 30 wk female SHR (EDR: 99±5 %; EDC: 27±3 %; p<0.05), suggesting that, similar to ageing male SHR, this isoform makes at most a secondary contribution to the dysfunction in 30 wk female SHR. Collectively, these data indicate that ageing female SHR exhibit a mechanism of endothelial impairment that is similar to that of male SHR and that is largely COX-1- and TP receptor-dependent. Chapter 4 examines the ability of chronic dietary administration of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3), to ameliorate endothelial vasomotor function in adult male SHR with established hypertension. The impaired endothelial function of aortic segments isolated from adult male SHR (EDR: 48±6 %) was not improved following 10–12 wk of DHA feeding (EDR: 45±5 %; p=N/S). This finding was unexpected since it has been shown in the literature that feeding other n-3 PUFAs improves vasomotor responses in younger SHR, in which hypertension and its associated consequences are still developing. This is the first report of the effects of n-3 PUFA on endothelial vasomotor responses in adult SHR with established hypertension. These data suggest that dietary DHA do not improve vasomotor function in adult SHR. Chapter 5 examines α₁ adrenergic contraction and EDR of aortic segments isolated from 14 wk old female Zucker diabetic fatty rats (ZDF), a genetic model of high fat diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes, and lean non-diabetic female Zucker Lean rats. Additionally, some ZDF received an 8 wk administration of anti-diabetic metformin drug therapy, aerobic exercise training, or a combination of the two. Maximal α₁ adrenergic contractions were over 2-fold higher in high fat-fed ZDF (1.69±0.16 g) compared to Lean (0.71±0.13 g; p<0.05). This elevation in ZDF was abolished by exercise training alone (1.02±0.17 g; p<0.05) but was not altered by metformin (1.56±0.19 g; p=N/S). In contrast to the severely impaired endothelial vasomotor function reported in male ZDF in the literature, robust EDR was observed in female ZDF (72±7 %) that was similar to Lean (75±6 %; p=N/S) and that was unaltered by exercise training (76±5 %; p=N/S) or metformin (76±6 %; p=N/S). These results indicate that enhanced α₁ adrenergic contraction is a mechanism of altered vasomotor function in female type 2 diabetic ZDF rats and that it could possibly be addressed by a chronic exercise training intervention. The main novelty of the thesis is the extension of the current understanding of endothelial vasomotor function to hypertensive and type 2 diabetic females. The knowledge gained from examining mechanisms involved in endothelial impairments in ageing hypertensive females and from testing the therapeutic potential of currently used anti-diabetic interventions in the type 2 diabetic female vasculature has interesting potential application. This basic scientific information could help direct clinical therapeutic strategies to target population-specific mechanisms of dysfunction. Understanding female sex-specific endothelial behaviour in patient populations is important for describing cardiovascular complications, defining mechanisms, and applying appropriate therapeutic targets. Findings from this thesis indicate a sex-dependence of the total divergence of endothelial function (e.g. female type 2 diabetic rats vs. male counterparts in the literature) and of the interaction of disease variables (e.g. age) and endothelial vasomotor responses.

Impaired endothelial vasomotor function is a hallmark of many chronic disease states, including essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Loss of the homeostatic role of the endothelium in large conduit arteries can contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular conditions in these vessels (e.g. stroke, atherosclerosis). A fundamental understanding of mechanisms controlling endothelial function in hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus is required for appropriate clinical strategies targeting the cardiovascular conditions associated with these diseases. The vast majority of basic science studies examining endothelial function in animal models of hypertension and type 2 diabetes have been conducted in males. Studying endothelial function in females is imperative for determining potential sex-specific mechanisms of dysfunction and thus appropriate therapeutic strategies. Thus the global purpose of this thesis is to identify and characterize the pathways controlling impaired vasomotor function in female animal models of two chronic disease states: hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Chapters 2 and 3 of this thesis examine sex differences in endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (EDR) and vasocontraction (EDC) of aortic segments isolated from male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a model of essential hypertension, as the animals age between 16 and 30 wk old. All endothelial vasomotor data presented in the Abstract are peak responses to 10⁻⁵ M acetylcholine. Endothelial vasomotor impairment is represented by lower EDR or by higher EDC. These present data confirmed well-established findings from the literature that 16 wk old male SHR exhibit endothelial vasomotor impairments (EDR: 77±4 %; EDC: 76±7 %) compared to normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY; EDR: 89±6 %; EDC: 59±8 %; p<0.05) controls, and that this impairment worsens with ageing in 30 wk male SHR (EDR: 63±2 %; EDC: 91±3 %; p<0.05). The observation that EDR was reduced in 30 wk female SHR (EDR: 76±4 %) compared to 16 wk counterparts (EDR: 101±2 %; p<0.05), however, was novel and interesting, as there were previously no reports of vasomotor responses in female SHR older than 19 wk. Moreover, the blunted EDR response of 30 wk female SHR approached the level of impairment exhibited by 30 wk male SHR (but was still slightly greater in females; p<0.05). The limited sex difference of the EDR within 30 wk SHR (males –13 % vs. females; p<0.05) contrasted that of 16 wk SHR (males –24 % vs. females; p<0.05), when the robust and unimpaired relaxation displayed by females was much greater than the significantly blunted response of males. Interestingly, endothelium-dependent contractions in quiescent rings were moderate and similar between 16 wk (EDC: 50±4 %) and 30 wk female SHR (EDC: 59±7 %; p=N/S) as compared to the greater contractions of males that were exacerbated with ageing (see above; p<0.05 both sex and ageing comparison). A major role has been established for the cyclooxygenase (COX)-1-thromboxane A₂/prostaglandin (TP) receptor pathway in the impaired endothelial vasomotor function of male SHR. Indeed, a similar mechanism appears to be responsible for the dysfunction observed in 30 wk female SHR in this thesis since robust endothelial function was restored in these animals with both antagonism of TP receptor (EDR: 111±2 %; EDC: 7±2 %; p<0.05) and preferential inhibition of COX-1 (EDR: 112±3 %; EDC: –5±3 %; p<0.05). In contrast, preferential inhibition of COX-2 only partially tempered endothelial impairments of 30 wk female SHR (EDR: 99±5 %; EDC: 27±3 %; p<0.05), suggesting that, similar to ageing male SHR, this isoform makes at most a secondary contribution to the dysfunction in 30 wk female SHR. Collectively, these data indicate that ageing female SHR exhibit a mechanism of endothelial impairment that is similar to that of male SHR and that is largely COX-1- and TP receptor-dependent. Chapter 4 examines the ability of chronic dietary administration of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3), to ameliorate endothelial vasomotor function in adult male SHR with established hypertension. The impaired endothelial function of aortic segments isolated from adult male SHR (EDR: 48±6 %) was not improved following 10–12 wk of DHA feeding (EDR: 45±5 %; p=N/S). This finding was unexpected since it has been shown in the literature that feeding other n-3 PUFAs improves vasomotor responses in younger SHR, in which hypertension and its associated consequences are still developing. This is the first report of the effects of n-3 PUFA on endothelial vasomotor responses in adult SHR with established hypertension. These data suggest that dietary DHA do not improve vasomotor function in adult SHR. Chapter 5 examines α₁ adrenergic contraction and EDR of aortic segments isolated from 14 wk old female Zucker diabetic fatty rats (ZDF), a genetic model of high fat diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes, and lean non-diabetic female Zucker Lean rats. Additionally, some ZDF received an 8 wk administration of anti-diabetic metformin drug therapy, aerobic exercise training, or a combination of the two. Maximal α₁ adrenergic contractions were over 2-fold higher in high fat-fed ZDF (1.69±0.16 g) compared to Lean (0.71±0.13 g; p<0.05). This elevation in ZDF was abolished by exercise training alone (1.02±0.17 g; p<0.05) but was not altered by metformin (1.56±0.19 g; p=N/S). In contrast to the severely impaired endothelial vasomotor function reported in male ZDF in the literature, robust EDR was observed in female ZDF (72±7 %) that was similar to Lean (75±6 %; p=N/S) and that was unaltered by exercise training (76±5 %; p=N/S) or metformin (76±6 %; p=N/S). These results indicate that enhanced α₁ adrenergic contraction is a mechanism of altered vasomotor function in female type 2 diabetic ZDF rats and that it could possibly be addressed by a chronic exercise training intervention. The main novelty of the thesis is the extension of the current understanding of endothelial vasomotor function to hypertensive and type 2 diabetic females. The knowledge gained from examining mechanisms involved in endothelial impairments in ageing hypertensive females and from testing the therapeutic potential of currently used anti-diabetic interventions in the type 2 diabetic female vasculature has interesting potential application. This basic scientific information could help direct clinical therapeutic strategies to target population-specific mechanisms of dysfunction. Understanding female sex-specific endothelial behaviour in patient populations is important for describing cardiovascular complications, defining mechanisms, and applying appropriate therapeutic targets. Findings from this thesis indicate a sex-dependence of the total divergence of endothelial function (e.g. female type 2 diabetic rats vs. male counterparts in the literature) and of the interaction of disease variables (e.g. age) and endothelial vasomotor responses.

Abstract A low level of physical activity and poor physical fitness are important risk factors of chronic non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality. Much of the risk of these diseases originates in fetal life. The associations of early-life determinants with physical activity and fitness later in life are as yet not well studied. The aim of this work was to investigate early-life factors as predictors of physical activity and fitness in adolescence and young adulthood. We assessed a wide range of parental and pregnancy-related factors in 16-year-old adolescent participants of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n=7,344), and focused on the long-term consequences of preterm birth in the 23-year-old adult participants of the ESTER study (n=1,161). Prenatal and parental predictors of low physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence included high gestational age-related birth weight as well as parental overweight or obesity. Also, both short and long gestational lengths were associated with lower physical activity, and maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and smoking during pregnancy were associated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Young adults born before 34 weeks of gestation reported substantially less leisure-time physical activity than those born at term, although this was not detected by accelerometer measurement. Those born preterm had lower muscular fitness, as individuals born before 37 weeks were able to perform fewer modified push-ups, and those born before 34 weeks had lower handgrip strength, but no difference was observed in cardiorespiratory fitness. Based on questionnaire data, young adults born before 34 weeks perceived themselves to be less fit than their term-born peers. Most individuals exposed to preterm birth or maternal gestational disorders are relatively healthy when reaching adulthood. However, their lower levels of physical activity and physical fitness compared with their peers born at term may contribute to a higher risk of chronic non-communicable diseases in later life. Finding physical activities that are suitable for each individual is essential to promote well-being and health and diminish the increased disease risk later in life. / Tiivistelmä Vähäinen fyysinen aktiivisuus ja heikko fyysinen kunto ovat merkittäviä kroonisten sairauksien ja ennenaikaisen kuoleman riskitekijöitä. Jo sikiökautisten tekijöiden tiedetään vaikuttavan syntyvän lapsen kroonisten sairauksien riskiin myöhemmin elämässä, mutta elämän varhaisvaiheen tekijöiden yhteyttä myöhempään fyysiseen aktiivisuuteen ja kuntoon on tutkittu verrattain vähän. Väitöstutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää elämän varhaisvaiheen tekijöiden yhteyttä fyysiseen aktiivisuuteen ja kuntoon nuoruusiässä ja nuorena aikuisena. Tarkastelimme useiden vanhempiin ja raskausaikaan liittyvien tekijöiden vaikutuksia Pohjois-Suomen syntymäkohortti 1986 16-vuotistutkimuksessa (n=7344) ja keskityimme ennenaikaisen syntymän pitkäaikaisvaikutuksiin ESTER-tutkimuksen 23-vuotiaiden nuorten aikuisten aineistossa (n=1161). Tutkimustulostemme mukaan raskauden kestoon suhteutettu suuri syntymäpaino sekä vanhempien ylipaino tai lihavuus ennustivat vähäisempää liikunta-aktiivisuutta ja heikompaa kestävyyskuntoa nuoruusiässä. Sekä keskimääräistä lyhyempi että pidempi raskaudenkesto olivat yhteydessä vähäisempään liikunta-aktiivisuuteen ja äidin raskausdiabetes ja tupakointi raskauden aikana puolestaan heikompaan kestävyyskuntoon. Alle 34-viikkoisena syntyneet raportoivat liikkuvansa nuorena aikuisena vapaa-aikanaan huomattavasti vähemmän kuin täysiaikaisena syntyneet, vaikka eroa ei kiihtyvyysantureilla mitattuna fyysisessä aktiivisuudessa havaittukaan. Verrattuna täysiaikaisena syntyneisiin, ennenaikaisesti syntyneillä aikuisilla oli heikompi lihaskunto etunojapunnerrustestillä mitattuna ja hyvin ennenaikaisesti syntyneillä käden puristusvoima oli heikompi. Kestävyyskunnossa ei havaittu eroja. Hyvin ennenaikaisesti syntyneet myös arvioivat fyysisen kuntonsa huonommaksi kuin täysiaikaisena syntyneet ikätoverinsa. Vaikka valtaosa ennenaikaisena syntyneistä ja äidin raskaudenaikaisille sairauksille altistuneista on aikuisena varsin terveitä, liikunnan vähäisyys ja heikko fyysinen kunto voivat lisätä kroonisten sairauksien riskiä myöhemmin elämässä. Siksi tähän ryhmään kuuluvia tulisi erityisesti auttaa löytämään itselleen sopivia liikuntamuotoja hyvinvoinnin ja terveyden edistämiseksi ja siten myöhempien sairauksien ennaltaehkäisemiseksi.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2015-07-20T18:01:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Suely Tomimura.pdf: 1781054 bytes, checksum: acaac7dbd088721fbe65530e5cd96c5f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-20T18:01:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Suely Tomimura.pdf: 1781054 bytes, checksum: acaac7dbd088721fbe65530e5cd96c5f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-12-17 / Due to the increasing numbers of Systemic Arterial Hypertension (HBP) patients in population and its senescence, steadily increased from 600 million in 1980 to 1.2 billion in 2008. The World Health Organization (WHO) in 2009 attributed to high blood pressure (BP) was the death cause for 9.5 million people worldwide. Currently, the hypertension has become a serious public health problem. This entity is an important risk factor for congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, acute myocardial infarction, nephropathy, retinopathy and peripheral vascular insufficiency. Studies have suggested that laser photobiomulation, employing a low power, acts into the inflammatory and proliferative phases of tissue repair, by modulating the inflammatory mediators synthesis as same as the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). According scientific publications indicate that the inflammation component is closely related to systemic arterial hypertension as well as possibly to the oxidative stress, both participates in the Hypertension genesis. The aim of this study was to verify the long-term effects of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) application in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats-SHR (Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats) through on cardiovascular autonomic modulation and oxidative stress in the blood. The experiment consisted in 3 phases: Phase I – LLLT irradiation on SHR: The experiment's phase I consisted of animal’s irradiation, when the laser group received three times LLLT applications weekly for a 7 weeks total; the sham group received three times per week of LLLT simulation for 7 weeks and a total of 21 applications. Prospective, randomized, controlled study, with 16 SHR approximately 2 months age, randomly divided into 2 groups : Sham (n = 8) and Laser (n = 8). The animals were irradiated in a prompt, onto the tail’s dorsal area, using a Diode Laser (MMOptics, São Carlos, SP, Brazil) with a wavelength (λ) of 780 ± 2 (nm), output power at 40 mW, with a 0.04 cm2 beam area, dose of 30 J/cm2 power density of 1W/cm2 and irradiation time of 90 s. In Phase II - Hemodynamic and autonomic cardiovascular evaluation: for a period of 7 weeks, consisted in the cannulation procedure, collecting and analysis. The animals were cannulated, evaluated hemodynamically and analyzed the cardiovascular autonomic modulation. Phase III - Oxidative stress analysis, were analyzed: a) protein damage; b) cell membrane damage; c) antioxidant enzyme activity; d) nitrite concentrations. Data from phase II and III were collected and statistically analyzed applying One Way ANOVA test, followed by post hoc Student - Newman Keulls and considering the significance level of p < 0.05, equivalent to an error α 0.05. The results demonstraded hemodynamic parameters of group LLLT treated showed a BP reduction, when compared with the Sham group. In laser group the diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) showed a reduction of -14 mmHg (± 143 * 4 x 157 ± 3 mmHg Sham) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) - 13mmHg (169 ± 4 * x 182 ± 4 mmHg Sham) there were statistically significant difference. Although the value of systolic arterial pressure (SAP) (196 ± 5 x 207 ± 4 mmHg) showed no differences. There was a decreased in resting HR with a statistically significant difference in the laser group compared to Sham (312 ± 14 vs. 361 ± 13 bpm sham). The spectral reviews in the field of time and frequency showed that the Laser group decreased sympathetic activity on the heart and blood vessels while compared to the Sham group. The heart rate variation was analyzed using the DP-PI ( standard deviation of the pulse interval) VAR-PI components (pulse interval variability) and it demonstrated that LLLT was effective in diminishing variation in heart rate (HR) and sympathetic activity in heart, inducing a substantial fall in blood pressure. Lasertherapy presented a rise in spectral low-frequency component in the pulse interval (LF - IP action of the sympathetic at heart), though the sham group showed up exaggeratedly decreasing (6.77 ± 4:35 and 2:31 ± 0:16 ms ² Sham) as a function of saturation variation. Thus, there was a significant reduction in sympathetic activity after LLLT using. A high-frequency band on interval pulse HF-IP (parasympathetic activity) showed no statistically significant differences between the groups and Laser Sham group. The baroreceptor sensitivity, assessed by the alpha index, signalized a significant increase in the Laser (1:07 ± 0:23 vs. 0:45 ± 0:20 ms / mmHg Sham) group, presenting an improvement in the receptors sensitivity. The baroreflex results were associated with other relevant data, the VAR - SAP (49.55 ± 15.94 * vs 70.51 ± 13:55 mmHg² Sham) and SD -SAP (6.94 ± 1.21 * vs 8.68 ± 1.11 mmHg Sham) that proved to be diminished in the laser group, indicating baroreflex improvement sensitivity concomitantly to the positive SAP variation reduction of. There were no significant differences in baseline SAP (196 ± 5 vs. 207 ± 4 mmHg Sham) between the two groups. The results in the oxidative stress and autonomic analysis demonstrated an association between increased NO production (nitrite 0:36 ± 0:03 vs 0:26 ± 0:03 nm / mg Sham) and decreased in the vascular sympathetic (LF - SAP 7.28 ± 1.63 * vs 9.86 ± 0.47 Sham), both leading to a profound vasodilatation then a significant fall in of blood pressure. Lasertherapy shown to alter the plasma parameters such as oxidative nitrite, revealing an NO increased metabolism, as described above and, moreover, accounted for a significant reduction in carbonyl plasma concentration (vs 3.93 ± 0.24, 4.75 ± 0:26 * nm / mg Sham). Our experimental study indicate that LLLT was able to reduce the oxidative stress parameters through diminishing the damage to the proteins. The enzymatic defense was analyzed by the enzyme SOD concentration in blood plasma, denoted that no significant differences (4:42 ± 0:10 4:25 ± 0:06 vs usod / mg) between groups. Thus, low level laser therapy has shown to improve cardiovascular autonomic activity as well as oxidative parameters which resulted in steadily staggeringly reduce the blood pressure of hypertensive animals. / Em razão do aumento populacional e a senescência, o número de indivíduos com Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (HAS) cresceu de 600 milhões em 1980 para 1,2 bilhões (OMS 2011). Lim (2012) atribuiu que a pressão arterial (PA) elevada fosse a causa mortis de 9,5 milhões de indivíduos ao redor do mundo. Atualmente, a HAS tornou-se um grave problema de saúde pública. A hipertensão é um importante fator de risco para insuficiência cardíaca congestiva, doenças cerebrovasculares, infarto agudo do miocárdio, nefropatia, insuficiência vascular periférica e retinopatia hipertensiva. Considerando publicações científicas que demonstram que o componente da inflamação e do estresse oxidativo estão intimamente relacionados à gênese da hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), e que o laser com potência baixa tem efeito positivo no estresse oxidativo e apresenta ação antiinflamatória eficaz, desta forma buscamos estudar a resposta da Laserterapia na HAS. Inúmeros estudos vêm sugerindo, ao longo de décadas, que a fotobiomulação pelo laser empregado uma potência baixa, atua durante as fases inflamatórias e proliferativas da reparação tissular, modulando síntese de mediadores inflamatórios e espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS). O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os efeitos da aplicação do laser de baixa intensidade em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos SHR (Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats) em longo prazo na modulação autonômica cardiovascular e no estresse oxidativo sangúineo. Estudo prospectivo, randomizado e controlado com 16 ratos SHR, divididos aleatoriamente em 2 grupos: Sham (n=8) e Laser (n=8).O experimento foi dividido em três fases: Fase I – Irradiação dos animais: constituiu-se na irradiação com laser nos animais SHR, onde o grupo Laser recebeu três aplicações semanais de LBI durante sete semanas; já no grupo Sham foram realizados três simulações de aplicação semanais de Laser de Baixa Intensidade (LBI) durante 7 semanas, totalizando 21 aplicações de LBI. Os animais foram irradiados pontualmente, na região dorsal da cauda, utilizando um Laser Diodo (MMOptics, São Carlos, SP, Brasil) com comprimento de onda de λ = 780 ± 2 (nm); potência de 40 mW, área do feixe de 0,04 cm2, densidade de energia de 30 J/cm2, densidade de potência de 1W/cm2, tempo total de irradiação de 90 s de exposição. Fase II – Avaliação hemodinâmica e autonômica cardiovascular: constituiu-se nos procedimento de canulação, registro de dados e coleta de material, teve inicio após sete semanas de irradiação. Os animais canulados foram avalidados de forma hemodinâmica, bem como analisada a modulação autonômica cardiovascular. Fase III – Análises do estresse oxidativo, foram analisadas: a) danos à proteína; b) danos à membrana celular; c) atividade enzimática; d) concentração de nitrito. Os dados da fase II e III foram coletados e analisados estatisticamente através dos testes Anova One Way, seguido de Post Hoc de Student Newman-Keulls, considerando-se o nível de significância p < 0,05, equivalendo a um erro α de 0.05. Os resultados hemodinâmicos do grupo tratado com LLLT denotaram um decréscimo significativo da PA quando comparado com o grupo Sham. A pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) do grupo Laser revelou uma redução de -14 mmHg (143± 4*vs157±3 mmHg Sham) e a pressão arterial média (PAM) -13mmHg (169±4*vs182±4 mmHg Sham), a frequência cardíaca (FC) em repouso (312±14*vs361±13 bpm Sham) revelando uma diferença estatisticamente significante, porém o valor da pressão arterial sistólica(PAS) não mostrou (196±5 x 207±4 mmHg) alterações entre os grupos. As avaliações espectrais no domínio do tempo e da frequencia demostraram que o grupo Laser reduziu a atividade simpática sobre o coração e vasos sanguíneos quando comparados ao grupo Sham. A variação frequência cardíaca foi analisada através dos componentes VAR-IP (variabilidade do intervalo de pulso) e o DP-IP (desvio do intervalo de pulso) que evidenciaram que o LBI foi eficaz no decréscimo variação da FC e da atividade simpática no coração, induzindo assim a queda das pressões arteriais. A laserterapia mostrou um incremento no componente espectral baixa frequência no intervalo de pulso (BF-IP ação do simpático no coração), porém o grupo Sham apresentou-se exacerbadamente diminuído (6.77 ± 4.35 e 2.31±0.16 ms² Sham) em função da saturação da variação desse componente que foi reduzido. Desta forma, houve um importante decréscimo da atividade simpática com o uso do LBI, significando uma importante diminuição dos níveis pressóricos. A banda de alta frequência (AF-IP atividade parassimpática cardíaca) não mostrou diferenças estatísticas significantes entre os grupos Laser e grupo Sham. A sensibilidade dos barorreceptores, avaliada pelo índice alfa, demonstrou um significativo incremento da resposta no grupo Laser (1.07 ± 0.23 vs 0.45 ± 0.20 ms/mmHg Sham), revelando uma melhora na sensibilidade destes receptores. Os resultados dos barorreflexos encontravam-se associados a outro dado relevante, o componente VAR-PAS (49.55 ± 15.94* vs 70.51 ± 13.55 mmHg² Sham) e DP-PAS (6.94 ± 1.21* vs 8.68 ± 1.11 mmHg Sham) que mostrou-se diminuído no grupo Laser, indicando que a melhora da sensibilidade barorreflexa ocorreu, concomitantemente, à redução positiva da variação da PAS. Não houve diferenças estatísticas significantes na PAS basal (196±5 vs 207 ± 4 mmHg Sham) entre os dois grupos. Já os resultados encontrados na análise do estresse oxidativo e autonômica demonstraram uma associação entre o incremento da produção do óxido nitrico (NO) (nitrito 0.36 ± 0.03 vs 0.26 ± 0.03 nm/mg Sham) e redução do simpático vascular (BF-PAS 7.28 ± 1.63* vs 9.86 ± 0.47 Sham), ambos levando a uma vasodilatação com consequente queda dos níveis pressóricos arteriais. A laserterapia mostrou alterar parâmetros oxidativos como as espécies reativas de nitrogênio (RNS reactive nitrogen species), o nitrito plasmático, revelando um aumento do metabolismo do NO, como já descrito anteriormente e denotou uma diminuição significativa da concentração de carbonilas plasmáticas (3.93 ± 0.24 * vs 4.75 ± 0.26 nm/mg Sham). A defesa enzimática foi analisada através da concentração da enzima SOD no plasma sanguíneo, que não apontou diferenças significativas (4.42 ± 0.10 vs 4.25 ± 0.06 usod/mg) entre os grupos. Evidenciamos que o LBI foi capaz de reduzir este parâmetro oxidativo, reduzindo os danos às proteínas decorrente do estresse. Desta forma, concluímos que a laserterapia demonstrou resposta positiva ao melhorar a atividade autonômica cardiovascular e parâmetros oxidativos que resultaram na redução dos níveis pressóricos dos animais hipertensos.

Introdução: Inúmeros estudos estabeleceram correlações entre o índice tornozelo-braço (ITB), um marcador de aterosclerose subclínica, e o prognóstico cardiovascular em diferentes populações. No entanto, poucos estudos avaliaram a correlação entre os valores do ITB e lesões cardiovasculares e renais, exclusivamente, em pacientes com hipertensão arterial e diabetes. Objetivo: Estudar a prevalência de alterações morfofuncionais cardíacas, carotídeas, retinianas e renais de acordo com a presença ou não de valores de ITB alterados (ITB <= 0,9 ou ITB > 1,4) em pacientes hipertensos com diabetes tipo 2. Métodos: Foram incluídos no estudo 99 pacientes hipertensos diabéticos com idade entre 50 e 80 anos. A aferição do ITB foi realizada em todos os pacientes por método validado e estes foram classificados em Grupo 1 (ITB normal, n = 49) ou Grupo 2 (ITB alterado, n =50). Todos os pacientes foram submetidos, em até 06 meses, à realização de ecodopplercardiograma, ultrassonografia de carótidas, retinografia colorida, aferição da taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) e da albuminúria de 24h. Os pacientes foram analisados para a ocorrência ou não de um desfecho-composto ecocardiográfico que incluiu alterações morfológicas e funcionais cardíacas relevantes para a prática clínica. Os pacientes dos grupos 1 e 2 foram também comparados quanto à prevalência de placas carotídeas com ou sem repercussão hemodinâmica, TFG < 60 ml/mim/m2, albuminúria de 24h > 30mg e presença ou não de retinopatia. Por fim, foram comparadas as frequências médias das seguintes lesões de órgãos-alvo de ambos os grupos, considerando-se valor unitário para a presença de cada uma delas: hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo, retinopatia hipertensiva, TFG < 60 ml/min/m2 e estenose da artéria carótida interna > 50% do seu diâmetro. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi 65,4 ± 7 anos, sendo 61,6% deles do sexo feminino. A presença de níveis elevados de pressão arterial sistólica (153,4 ± 18 versus 170 ± 26 mmHg), de albuminúria de 24h > 30mg (55,3% versus 82,6%) e de TFG < 60 ml/min/m2 (12,8% versus 33,3%) foi significativamente maior (p < 0.05) entre os pacientes do Grupo 2. O desfecho-composto ecocardiográfico foi mais prevalente no grupo 2 (84,0% versus 59,2%; p = 0,006) e a frequência média de lesões de órgãos-alvo também foi maior nos pacientes do grupo 2 (0,36 ± 0,31 versus 0,19 ± 0,19; p = 0,001). Análise por regressão logística binária revelou que o ITB foi uma das variáveis preditoras independentes para o desfecho-composto ecocardiográfico (OR = 3,43; IC 95% = 1,07 - 11,0; p = 0,04). A partir da análise por regressão linear obteve-se um modelo final no qual o ITB foi uma das três variáveis preditoras independentes para a estimativa da frequência média de lesões de órgãos-alvo com coeficiente beta = 13,22 (1,81 - 24,63), ao lado da idade e do infarto prévio. Conclusão: Nossos dados mostram que valores de ITB alterados estão associados à maior prevalência de lesões em órgãos-alvo, principalmente alterações ecocardiográficas, em pacientes com hipertensão arterial e diabetes / Introduction: A lot of studies have established strong correlations between the ankle-brachial index (ABI), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular prognosis in different populations. However, few studies have assessed the correlation between the values of the ABI and cardiovascular and renal lesions in patients with hypertension and diabetes. Objective: To study the prevalence of cardiac, carotid, renal and retinal morphological and functional changes according to the presence or not of altered ABI values (ABI <= 0.9 or ABI > 1.4) in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: It was included 99 diabetic hypertensive patients aged between 50 and 80 years. The measurement of the ABI was performed in all patients by validated method and they were classified in Group 1 (normal ABI, n = 49) or group 2 (altered ABI, n = 50). All patients were submitted, up to 6 months, to Doppler echocardiography, carotid ultrasound, color retinography, assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and 24h albuminuria. Patients were analyzed for the occurrence or not of a composite echocardiographic outcome which included morphological and functional cardiac alterations relevant to clinical practice. Patients in groups 1 and 2 were compared regarding the prevalence of carotid plaques with or without hemodynamic repercussion, TFG < 60 ml/min/m2, 24h albuminuria > 30 mg and the presence or not of retinopathy. Finally, we compared the prevalence of mean frequency of the following end-organ lesions of both groups, considering unit value for each one: left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertensive retinopathy, TFG < 60 ml/min/m2 and internal carotid artery stenosis > 50%. Results: The mean age of the patients was 65.4 ± 7 years, with 61.6% of them female. The presences of elevated levels of systolic blood pressure (153.4 ± 18 versus 170.0 ± 26 mmHg), of 24h albuminuria > 30 mg (55.3% versus 82.6%) and TFG < 60 ml/min/m2 (12.8% vs. 33.3%) were significantly greater (p < 0.05) among the patients of Group 2. The composite echocardiographic outcome was more prevalent in Group 2 (84.0% versus 59.2%, p = 0.006) and the average frequency of subclinical injury of target organs was also greater in patients of Group 2 (0.36 ± 0.31 versus 0.19 ± 0.19; p = 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the ABI was one of the independent predictors of composite echocardiographic outcome (OR = 3.43; IC 95% = 1.07 - 11.0; p = 0.04). From the linear regression analysis it was obtained a final model in which the ABI was one of three independent predictors for the estimation of the average frequency of end-organ damage with ? coefficient = 13.22 (1.81-24.63), besides age and previous myocardial infarction. Conclusion: Our data demonstrates that changed ABI values are associated with higher prevalence of subclinical end-organ lesions, principally changes in echocardiographic parameters, in patients with hypertension and diabetes

The adrenergic system plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. In the spontaneously hypertensive rat, the most studied model of essential hypertension, many components of the adrenergic system are altered. Changes in expression level of any catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes or any adrenergic receptor subtypes could be one of the causes of hypertension development. In this work, the expression of adrenergic system genes was measured in adrenal gland, renal cortex and renal medulla of the spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), Wistar-Kyoto and Brown Norway rats at the age of thirteen weeks. In adrenal gland of SHR, all four catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes (tyrosine hydroxylase, DOPA decarboxylase, dopamine β-hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine-N- methyltransferase) and almost all subtypes of adrenergic receptors (with the exception of Adra1a and Adra1d) were underexpressed. This generally decreased expression in adrenal gland of SHR suggests that at least a part of regulation of adrenergic system gene expression is common. The mechanism of this downregulation in SHR could be a negative feedback through adrenergic receptors stimulated by high plasma noradrenaline concentration. In the kidney of SHR, there were no differences in the expression of most of adrenergic receptor subtypes with the...

<p>Uvod: Vi&scaron;eplodne trudnoće se javljaju u 1,5% svih trudnoća nakon spontane koncepcije, dok nakon postupaka vantelesne oplodnje ovaj postotak u Evropi iznosi preko 20% uz velike varijacije među zemljama. U na&scaron;oj sredini, stopa vi&scaron;eplodnih trudnoća nakon postupaka vantelesne oplodnje iznosi daleko iznad 30%. Pojava hipertenzivnog sindroma u trudnoći, gestacijskog dijabetesa, operativnog zavr&scaron;avanja trudnoće, prevremenog porođaja, male porođajne telesne mase, neurolo&scaron;kih sekvela kod rođene dece i gotovo svih drugih komplikacija po majku i plod, kao i celokupno opterećenje zdravstvenog sistema vi&scaron;estruko su veći kod vi&scaron;eplodnih u odnosu na jednoplodne trudnoće i udeo navednih komplikacija raste sa brojem plodova. Sa druge strane deca iz postupaka vantelesne oplodnje čine i do 4,5% sve živorođene dece u pojedinim zemljama, &scaron;to uz činjenicu da infertilitet pogađa 16-18% parova u na&scaron;oj sredini daje ovoj pojavi posebnu dimenziju i činije i dru&scaron;tvenim problemom. Perinatalni ishodi trudnoća iz postupaka vantelesne oplodnje su u velikoj meri kompromitovani visokom stopom multiplih trudnoća, koje se danas smatraju komplikacijom, a ne uspehom postupaka vantelesne oplodnje. Jednoplodne trudnoće iz postupaka vantelesne oplodnje u većim studijama pokazuju diskretno slabije perinatalne ishode u odnosu na one spontano začete, dok kod vi&scaron;eplodnih trudnoća ova korelacija nije jasno izražena i dokumentovana, uz prisutnu dilemu da li je vi&scaron;eplodnost sama po sebi ili način koncepcije glavni problem u zapaženoj pojavi. Cilj rada: Uporediti perinatalne ishode vi&scaron;eplodnih trudnoća nastalih postupcima vantelesne oplodnje i spontano začetih kao i perinatalne ishode jednoplodnih i vi&scaron;eplodnih trudnoća iz postupaka vantelesne oplodnje. Pored navdenog cilj rada je i ukazati sveobuhvatnost navedenog problema i na moguća re&scaron;enja za smanjenje njihove učestalosti. Materijal i metode: Kombinacijom retrospektivne opservacione studije i prospektivne longitudinalne kohortne studije u periodu analizom perinatalnih ishoda pacijentkinja porođenih na Klinici za ginekologiju i aku&scaron;erstvo Kliničkog centra Vojvodine u periodu od od 01.01.2008. do 31.12.2010. godine, studija je analizirala i poredila perinatalne ishode kod 174 spontano začete vi&scaron;eplodne trudnoće, 163 vi&scaron;eplodne trudnoće nastale postupkom vantelesne oplodnje, kao i 155 jednoplodnih trudnoća začete postupkom vantelesne oplodnje. Analizirani parametric bili su telesna masa novorođenčeta, dostignuta gestacijska starost, vrednosti Apgar skora, učestalost hipertenzivnog sindroma kod majke i brojni drugi parametri perinatalnog ishoda. Uzeti od strane obučenih kliničara i uno&scaron;eni u posebno dizajniranu bazu podataka, rezultati su statistički analizirani u program JMP ver 9.0 (SAS publisher) uz kori&scaron;ćenje ANOVA analize za testiranje statističke značajnosti između srednjih vrednosti kontinuiranih varijabli, dok je statistička značajnost razlike učestalosti kategorijskih varijabli je određivana Pearsonovim &chi;2 testom. Rezultati: Jednoplodne ART trudnoće uz prosečnu starost od 33,5 godine, prosečnu gestacijsku starost na porođaju od 38,26 gn, udeo prevremenih porođaja od 12,9%, prosečnu telesnu masu od 3258 g, AS u prvom minutu od 8,35 i u petom minutu od 9,2, stopu carskog reza od 65,81%, udeo GDM-a od 7,1%, anemije od 41,94% i preeklampsije od 4,52%, ima sve relevantne parametre perinatalnog ishoda statistički značajno (p&lt;0.0001) superiornije od kako ART tako i non ART blizanačkih trudnoća. ART blizanačke trudnoće pokazale su prosečnu starost majke od 32,9 godina, prosečnu gestacijsku starost na porođaju od 35,6 gn, udeo prevremenih porođaja od 58,27%, prosečnu telesnu masu od 2374 g, AS u prvom minutu od 7,45 i u petom minutu od 8,65, stopu carskog reza od 83,7%, udeo GDM-a od 15,11%, anemije od 78,42% i preeklampsije od 12,23%, dok su non ART blizanačke trudnoće pokazale prosečnu starost majke od 28,8 godina, prosečnu gestacijsku starost na porođaju od 36,08 gn, udeo prevremenih porođaja od 49,71%, prosečnu telesnu masu od 2433 g, AS u prvom minutu od 7,75 i u petom minutu od 8,75, stopu carskog reza od 58,33%, udeo GDM-a od 7,02%, anemije od 67,84% i preeklampsije od 11,11%. Pored godina majke i udela carskog reza koji su bili vi&scaron;i u ART blizanačkim trudnoćama (&lt;0.0001), kao i blago veće pojavi poremećaja količine plodove vode (p=0,033), gotovo svi ostali pokazatelji toka i ishoda trudnoće bili su komparabilni u navedenim grupama. Diskusija i zaključak: Studija je pokazala da su tok i ishod vi&scaron;eplodnih trudnoća nastalih spontano i postupcima vantelesne oplodnje ekvivalentni u gotovo svim pokazateljima uz sličnu prosečnu telesnu masu i gestacijsku starost novorođenčadi, kao i da su svi navedeni parametri ovih vi&scaron;eplodnih trudnoća bez obzira na način koncepcije upadljivo i podjednako lo&scaron;iji u poređenju sa jednoplodnim trudnoćama iz postupka vantelesne oplodnje. Izuzimajući vi&scaron;eplodnost kao factor rizika deca iz postupaka vantelesne oplodnje su generalno zdrava. Sama vi&scaron;eplodnost, a ne način koncepcije predstavljaju problem, koje se sa pravom smatra najvećom komplikacijom vantelesne oplodnje. Dodatna analiza iskustava drugih zdravstvenih sistema ukazuje da jedino &scaron;iroka i sveobuhvatna implementacija strategije vraćanja samo jednog embriona (Single embryo transfer &ndash; SET) može da dovede do smanjivanje stope multiplih trudnoća nakon postupaka vantelesne oplodnje, i sledstvenih komplikacija, a bez ugrožavanja samog uspeha vantelesne oplodnje. Iskustva drugih zdravstvenih sistema ukazuju da je uspe&scaron;na implementacija SET-a jedino moguća uz angažovanje celog dru&scaron;tva, zajedno sa brojnim legislativnim merama iz domena nadzora, kontrole i finansiranja postupaka vantelesne oplodnje. Obim i način finansiranja postupaka vantelesne oplodnje od strane države (uz vi&scaron;e besplatnih poku&scaron;aja za infertilne parove) uz obaveznu upotrebu SET-a, i sistema krioprezervacije na osnovu primera iz prakse predstavlja ključ u borbi za smanjenje problema vi&scaron;eplodnih trudnoća nakon postupaka vantelesne oplodnje.</p> / <p>Introduction: Multiple pregnancies occur in 1.5% of all pregnancies after spontaneous conception and in more than 20 % of all pregnancies concieved after assisted reproductive technologies in Europe, with large variations between countries. In our setting, the rate of multiple pregnancies after the ART is well above 30%. The occurrence of hypertensive syndrome in pregnancy, gestational diabetes, operative delivery, premature birth, low birth weight, neurological and developmental impairment in children, and almost all the other complications for the mother and fetus, as well as the entire burden of the health system are several times higher in multiple pregnancies compared with singleton pregnancies. Incidence of&nbsp; forementioned complications rises with number of fetuses. On the other hand, children from in vitro fertilization procedures make up 4.5% of all live births in some countries, which together with the fact that infertility affects aproximately 16-18% of couples in our country gives an extra dimension to this phenomenon and makes it not just medical but wider social problem. Perinatal outcomes of pregnancies after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are greatly compromised by the high rate of multiple pregnancies, which are now considered to be a complication rather than success of ART procedures. ART Singleton pregnancies have, in larger studies, show discretely lower perinatal outcomes compared with those conceived spontaneously, while for the multiple pregnancies, this correlation is not clearly expressed and documented. There remains dilemma whether multiplicity itself or the way of conception (ART vs. non ART) constitutes a major problem in the observed differences regarding perinatal outcome of ART pregnancies. Objective: To compare the perinatal outcomes of multiple pregnancies conceived by In vitro fertilization (IVF) and spontaneously and perinatal outcomes of IVF conceived singleton and multiple pregnancies. Additional aim of this thesis is to point out the complexity of this problem and offer possible solutions. Materials and Methods: Design of a study was a combination of retrospective and prospective observational longitudinal cohort study. Analysis included pregnancies which had delivery at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Vojvodina in the period from 1.01.2008. to 31.12.2010. The study analyzed and compared the perinatal outcomes in 174 spontaneous conceived multiple pregnancies, 163 multiple pregnancies resulting from IVF procedures, and 155 singleton pregnancies conceived by IVF procedure. Analyzed parameters were newborns birth weight, gestational age at delivery, the value of the Apgar score, occurrence of hypertensive syndrome in pregnancy, gestational diabetes, as well as numerous parameters of perinatal outcome. Taken by trained clinicians and were entered into a specially designed database, the results were statistically analyzed in JMP ver 9.0 software (SAS publisher) using ANOVA analysis to test the statistical significance between the mean values of continuous variables, while the statistical significance of the difference in frequency of categorical variables was assessed by Pearsons &chi;2 test. Results: ART singleton pregnancies had an average mothers age of 33.5 years, the average gestational age at birth of 38.26 gestational weeks (gw), preterm delivery rate of 12.9%, average birth weight 3258 g, Apgar score (AS) in the first minute 8.35, and in the fifth minute 9.2, cesarean section rate 65.81%, Gestational diabetes (GDM) in 7.1% pregnancies, anemia occurred in 41.94% of pregnancies, while preeclampsia was observed in 4.52% of all pregnancies. All relevant parameters of perinatal outcome were significantly (p&lt;0.0001) superior to both ART and non-ART twin pregnancies. ART twin pregnancy showed the average mothers age of 32.9 years, the average gestational age at birth of 35.6 gw, the preterm delivery rate 58.27%, the average body weight newborns 2374 g, AS in the first minute of 7.45, and in the fifth minute of 8.65, the cesarean section rate of 83.7%, GDM in 15.11% of all pregnancies, anemia occurred in 78.42% and preeclampsia in 12.23% of pregnancies, while the non-ART twin pregnancy showed an average mothers age of 28.8 years, the average gestational age at birth of 36.08 gw, the preterm delivery rate of 49.71%, the average body weight of 2433 g, AS in the first minute of 7.75 in the fifth minute 8.75, the caesarian section rate of 58.33%, GDM-a occurred in 7.02%, anemia in 67.84% and preeclampsia in 11.11% of pregnancies. Except for maternal age and the caesarean section rate, which were significantly higher in ART twin pregnancies (p&lt;0.0001), as well as small increase in proportion of amniotic fluid volume disorders (p = 0.033), almost all other parameters of perinatal outcome of were comparable in these groups. Discussion and Conclusion: The study showed that the course and outcome of multiple pregnancies conceived spontaneous and after IVF procedures are equivalent in almost all parameters with similar average body weight and gestational age at birth, and that all these parameters of multiple pregnancies regardless of the conception mode are equally worse compared with singleton pregnancies from IVF procedures. With the exception of multiplicity as a risk factor children from in vitro fertilization procedures are generally healthy. Multiplicity itself and not the mode of conception presented a problem, which is rightly considered the major complication of IVF today. Additional analysis of the experiences of other health system indicates that only a broad and comprehensive implementation of strategy to return only one embryo (SET&ndash;single embryo transfer) can lead to a reduction of the rate of multiple pregnancies after IVF procedures, and the accompanying complications, without compromising IVF success. The experience of other health systems indicate that a successful implementation of SET is only possible with the involvement of the whole society, along with a number of legislative measures in the field of monitoring, control and reimbursement of assisted reproduction procedures. The scope and funding of an IVF procedures (with more free attempts for infertile couples, reimbursed by public health) with mandatory use of SET, and good cryopreservation programs are, based on examples in other countries who had successfully dealt with his problem, is the key in reducing the problem of multiple pregnancies after IVF procedures.</p>