Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5375.pdf: 1850581 bytes, checksum: 822cefb40c25ca3fd51f51b23edfe47b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-14 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Hypoxic bradycardia is a reflex response to hypoxia observed in most fish species studied so far. This reflex is initiated by the stimulation of O2 chemoreceptors and induced by an increase in the inhibitory vagal tonus. Despite of being well described and characterized, the hypothesis that hypoxic bradycardia improves the O2 transference from the ventilatory water to the gills still remain to be proved. The utilization of different methods to inhibit hypoxic bradycardia (vagotomy and atropinization) may have contributed to generate different cardiorespiratory responses, making this issue even more controversial. In this study the cardiorespiratory variables (heart frequency fH, metabolic rate - VO2 , O2 extraction from the ventilatory current EO2, gill ventilation - VG , breathing frequency fR, and ventilatory requirement - VG / VO2 ) were measured in the tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, under normoxia and after 40 min of exposure to severe hypoxia (20 mmHg) and the 3 subsequent hours of recovery. Each fish was subjected to this protocol before (Control group), after atropine administration (A group) and after vagotomy (V group). Under hypoxia the fish of control group displayed the characteristic hypoxic bradycardia (reduction of 56% in fH) with hyperventilation (increases of 96% in fR and 650% in VG ). This hyperventilation was probably responsible by the decrease in EO2 (65%) and, consequently, in the VO2 (62%), resulting in an increase of 1800% in the VG / VO2 . The beginning of the recovery period was characterized by an elevated VO2 (~200% above the normoxic values) accompanied by tachycardia (50.6 bpm) and gradual recovery of EO2, fR, VT and VG . Atropine and vagotomy elevated the fH in normoxia (from 32.0 ± 1.7 to 77.8 ± 4.1 and 80.6 ± 5.8 bpm), indicating a high basal vagal tone. In these two groups the fH remained constant during the experimental time course. This evidenced that the post-hypoxia tachycardia probably occurred as a consequence of a reduction in the cholinergic tonus. The groups control, atropinized and vagotomized did not show significant differences in EO2, VO2 and the other respiratory variables analyzed in any protocol. This results point out that hypoxic bradycardia does not improve the O2 transference to the gills, independently of the method employed to abolish the bradycardic reflex. Therefore, other hypotheses on the hypoxic bradycardia must be investigated in this species. / A bradicardia hipóxica é uma resposta reflexa à hipóxia presente na maioria dos teleósteos. Este reflexo é induzido por um aumento no tônus vagal inibitório e iniciado pela estimulação de quimiorreceptores de oxigênio (O2). Apesar de muito descrita e bem caracterizada, a hipótese de que esta redução na frequência cardíaca (fH) melhore a transferência de O2 pelas brânquias ainda não foi comprovada. A utilização de diferentes métodos para inibir a bradicardia hipóxica (vagotomia e atropinização) pode ter contribuído para gerar respostas cardiorrespiratórias diversas e tornar esta questão ainda mais controversa. Neste trabalho foram avaliadas as variáveis cardiorrespiratórias (fH; taxa metabólica VO2 ; extração de O2 da corrente ventilatória EO2; ventilação branquial VG ; frequência respiratória fR; volume ventilatório VT e necessidade ventilatória VG / VO2 ) do tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, em normóxia, após 40 min de hipóxia severa (20 mmHg) e durante 3 h de recuperação subsequente. Cada animal foi submetido a este protocolo antes (Ctr), após administração de atropina (A) e após vagotomia (V). Em hipóxia os animais Ctr apresentaram a característica bradicardia hipóxica (redução de 56% na fH) com aumentos na fR (~96 %) e VT (~275 %) elevando muito a VG (~650 %). Esta alta VG , provavelmente foi responsável pela queda significativa na EO2 (65%), consequentemente reduzindo a VO2 (62 %) e aumentando muito a VG / VO2 (1800 %) em hipóxia. O início do período de recuperação do grupo Ctr foi caracterizado por elevada VO2 (~200 % acima dos valores de normóxia), acompanhada de taquicardia (50,6 bpm) e recuperação gradual da EO2, fR, VT e VG . A atropina e a vagotomia elevaram a fH em normóxia (de 32,0 ± 1,7 para 77,8 ± 4,1 e 80,6 ± 5,8 bpm) indicando um alto tônus vagal de repouso, sendo que nestes dois grupos a fH permaneceu constante em todos os tempos experimentais evidenciando que a taquicardia póshipóxia foi, provavelmente, consequência de uma redução no tônus colinérgico. Na EO2, VO2 e demais parâmetros respiratórios analisados não houve diferenças entre os grupos Ctr, A e V, em nenhum momento do protocolo. Estes resultados demonstram que a bradicardia hipóxica, possivelmente, não melhora a transferência de O2 pelas brânquias de tambaqui independente do método de abolição do reflexo bradicárdico. Portanto, outras hipóteses sobre a função da bradicardia hipóxica, como na proteção do miocárdio, devem ser investigadas nesta espécie.

INTRODUÇÃO: A encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica (EHI) corresponde a uma das maiores causas de morbidade e mortalidade neonatal. Ocorre em consequência à asfixia perinatal aguda, representada por baixo escore de Apgar e evidências de distúrbios neurológicos ao nascimento. A hipotermia terapêutica (HT) tem mostrado benefícios relevantes no prognóstico neurológico a longo prazo, por reduzir o metabolismo cerebral, retardando o início da despolarização hipóxica celular. Os efeitos da HT no sistema cardiovascular foram pouco estudados, suscitando questionamentos quanto à adequada interpretação dos achados ecocardiográficos nesta condição terapêutica. OBJETIVO: avaliar o comportamento hemodinâmico e da função ventricular de recém-nascidos com EHI na vigência de HT, utilizando-se técnicas ecocardiográficas convencionais e avançadas. MÉTODO: trata-se de um estudo observacional desenvolvido em três instituições, em que 22 recém-nascidos com EHI foram avaliados por meio da ecocardiografia nas duas fases da HT (durante a hipotermia e após o reaquecimento). O grupo controle foi composto por 22 recém-nascidos saudáveis. Os bebês foram submetidos a HT seguindo critérios do protocolo de hipotermia de cada um dos serviços. RESULTADOS: Função ventricular esquerda: as frações de ejeção (FE) e de encurtamento foram maiores após o reaquecimento (74 ± 5% e 41 ± 5% respectivamente) em relação ao grupo controle (70 ± 5%, p = 0,003 e 37 ± 4%, p = 0,002). O índice de performance miocárdica (IPM) do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) avaliado pelo Doppler pulsado se manteve constante nas duas fases da HT (0,51 ± 0,13, hipotermia = reaquecimento) e foi menor na comparação destas com o grupo controle (0,63 ± 0,18, p = 0,02). Os valores do strain circunferencial e radial, do twist, da torção e do strain longitudinal global do VE (STLGLVE) foram semelhantes entre o grupo controle e o grupo estudo, tanto durante a hipotermia quanto após o reaquecimento. Função ventricular direita: Observou-se incremento da velocidade da onda s´ do ventrículo direito (VD) após o reaquecimento (de 0,07 ± 0,02 m/s durante a hipotermia para 0,09 ± 0,01 m/s, p < 0,001), sendo esta também mais elevada quando comparada aos valores do grupo controle (0,07 ± 0,01 m/s, p < 0,001). Houve queda dos valores da variação fracional das áreas (FAC) do VD após o reaquecimento (38 ± 11% durante a hipotermia, 36 ± 11% após o reaquecimento e 43 ± 10% grupo controle), com diferenças significativas entre esses dois últimos (p = 0,03). Quanto ao IPM do VD, o grupo controle apresentou médias menores (0,29 ± 0,13) que o grupo caso durante a hipotermia (0,46 ± 0,33, p = 0,03). O strain longitudinal global do VD (STLGLVD) foi significativamente pior tanto durante a hipotermia (-18 ± -5%, p = 0,02) quanto após o reaquecimento (-18 ± 4%, p = 0,01) quando comparados ao grupo controle (-21 ± 2%). Parâmetros hemodinâmicos: A pressão sistólica na artéria pulmonar foi mais elevada no grupo estudo durante as duas fases do tratamento (hipotermia 45 ± 24 mmHg, p = 0,02 e reaquecimento 53 ± 34 mmHg, p = 0,01 versus grupo controle 29 ± 11 mmHg). A FC foi significativamente mais baixa durante a hipotermia comparada ao período após o reaquecimento (FC 111 ± 19 bpm versus 144 ± 20 bpm, p < 0,001) e ao grupo controle (FC 130 ± 16 bpm, p < 0,001). Durante o reaquecimento, observou-se elevação do débito cardíaco (DC) esquerdo e direito em relação ao período de hipotermia (DC esquerdo 214 ± 39 ml/kg/min versus 155 ± 47 ml/kg/min, p < 0,001; DC direito 369 ± 141 ml/kg/min versus 269 ± 113 ml/Kg/min, p = 0,005) sendo significativamente mais elevado que no grupo controle (DC Esquerdo 174 ± 47 ml/kg/min, p = 0,004 e DC direito 288 ± 74 ml/Kg/min, p = 0,02). CONCLUSÕES: A função ventricular esquerda permanece estável nas duas fases da HT, demonstrando o baixo comprometimento cardíaco esquerdo do resfriamento induzido. Os valores da FE, da fração de encurtamento e da onda s´ do VD, maiores após o reaquecimento, podem ser consequentes a um estado hiperdinâmico do coração. Disfunção ventricular direita foi observada nos momentos em que a pressão pulmonar estava elevada. O STLGLVD foi a única ferramenta capaz de identificar o comprometimento da função sistólica do VD durante a HT. / INTRODUCTION: The hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) corresponds to one of the biggest causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. It occurs in consequence to acute perinatal asphyxia, represented by low Apgar score and evidences of neurological disorders in birth. The therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has shown significant benefits in long term neurological prognosis, by reducing the cerebral metabolism, delaying the onset of the hypoxic depolarization in cellular level. The TH effects in cardiovascular system have been insufficiently researched, raising questions regarding the adequate reading of the echocardiographic results in this condition. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the hemodynamic and the ventricular performance of neonates with HIE submitted to TH, using conventional and advanced echocardiographic techniques. METHODS: this research is an observational study developed in three institutions, in which 22 neonates with HIE were evaluated by echocardiography in the two phases of TH (during hypothermia and after rewarming). The control group was composed by 22 healthy neonates. The infants were submitted to TH following hypothermia protocol criteria of each services. RESULTS: Left ventricular function: the ejection fraction (EF) and the shortening fraction were higher after rewarming (74 ± 5% and 41 ± 5% respectively) compared to the control group (70 ± 5%, p = 0.003 and 37 ± 4%, p = 0.002). The myocardial performance index (MPI) of the left ventricle (LV), evaluated by pulsed wave Doppler, remained constant in the two phases of TH (0.51 ± 0.13, hypothermia = rewarming) and this MPI was lower in comparison to the control group (0.63 ± 0.18, p = 0.02). The values of the circumferential and radial strain, the twist, the torsion and the global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the LV were similar between the control group and the study group, as during hypothermia as after rewarming. Right ventricular function: it was noted increment of the right ventricle (RV) s´ wave velocity after rewarming (from 0.07 ± 0.02 m/s during hypothermia to 0.09 ± 0.01 m/s, p < 0.001), also it was higher when compared to the control group (0.07 ± 0.01 m/s, p < 0.001). There was decrease of the RV fractional area change (FAC) values after rewarming (38 ± 11% during hypothermia, 36 ± 11% after rewarming and 43 ± 10% in control group), with significant differences between these two last values (p = 0.03). Regarding RV\'s MPI, the control group presented lower averages (0.29 ± 0.13) than the case group during hypothermia (0.46 ± 0.33, p = 0.03). The RV GLS was worse as during hypothermia (-18 ± -5%, p = 0.02) as after rewarming (-18 ± 4%, p = 0.01) when compared to the control group (-21 ± 2%). Hemodynamic parameters: The pulmonary artery systolic pressure was higher in the study group during the two phases of the treatment (hypothermia 45 ± 24 mmHg, p = 0.02 and rewarming 53 ± 34 mmHg, p = 0.01 versus control group 29 ± 11 mmHg). The heart rate (HR) was significantly lower during hypothermia compared to the after rewarming period (HR 111 ± 19 bpm versus 144 ± 20 bpm, p < 0.001) and to the control group (HR 130 ± 16 bpm, p < 0.001). After rewarming it was seen increase of the left and right cardiac output (CO) compared to the hypothermia period (left CO 214 ± 39 ml/kg/min versus 155 ± 47 ml/kg/min, p < 0.001; right CO 369 ± 141 ml/kg/min versus 269 ± 113 ml/Kg/min, p = 0.005), remaining significantly higher than in the control group (left CO 174 ± 47 ml/kg/min, p = 0.004 and right CO 288 ± 74 ml/Kg/min, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The LV function remains stable in the two phases of TH, showing low left cardiac impairment of the induced cooling. The values of EF, shortening fraction and RV s´ wave were higher after rewarming, possibly due to a hyperdynamic heart state. A right ventricular dysfunction was observed when the pulmonary artery systolic pressure was high. The RV GLS was the only tool able to identify the RV systolic impairment during TH.

A systems biology approach was adopted in order to assess various aspects of the disease oral squamous cell carcinoma. Three main aims were addressed; assess the ability of CoCl2 to mimic the hypoxic response in a eukaryotic cell line, assess the role of PDE4D in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and the construction of a normoxic/hypoxic mathematical model to identify therapeutic targets.Cancer cells often acquire a revised metabolism which aids in initiation, survival and progression of the tumour. This is predominantly due to the transcription factor HIF-1 which is activated under hypoxic conditions. Certain compounds such as cobalt chloride (CoCl2) have been used extensively to inhibit the degradation of HIF-1α and simulate hypoxia. CoCl2 is likely to have off-target effects on metabolism; these effects were examined when exposing human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) cells to 100μM CoCl2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) based metabolomics were utilised in combination with ELISA assays for HIF-1α and ATP. Central metabolism was accurately mimicked when hTERT cells were subjected to 100μM CoCl2, however; it was apparent that this concentration of CoCl2 does not induce an equal extent of hypoxia as 1% oxygen. A number of off-target effects of CoCl2 were observed in secondary metabolism, specifically in lipids and fatty acids. In conclusion, CoCl2 should be used with caution as a hypoxic mimicker with the caveat that interpretation of results should be restricted to its effects on central metabolism.The transcription factor CREB has the ability to regulate approximately 4000 genes, a number of which are associated with cancer initiation and progression. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is required to activate CREB and is partially regulated through its degradation via the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 4D (PDE4D). A homozygous deletion of PDE4D has been associated with OSCC; however; the exact consequence of this deletion has not been fully elucidated. PDE4D was knocked down in the OSCC cell line BicR16 and cellular proliferation, migration, resistance to ionising radiation and central metabolism was investigated using MTT, scratch, clonogenic and GC-MS, respectively. The knockdown resulted in an increase in proliferation, migration and radiation resistance suggesting the role of PDE4D as a TSG. Amino acids, cholesterol, fatty acids, carbohydrates and TCA intermediates were found to be altered in concentration.A mathematical model of glycolysis, TCA and glutaminolysis under normoxia and hypoxia was constructed through the amalgamation of two established models from the literature. New reactions, parameters and metabolite concentrations were added and unnecessary entities were deleted. COmplex PAthway SImulator (COPASI) was utilised to construct the model before validating the model using experimental data from the literature and steady state and flux analyses. Sensitivity analysis and a reduction in external glucose and glutamine were mimicked and the alterations in hypoxic and normoxic metabolism analysed. The reactions vCSII, vGS, vPGK and vGII were identified as potential therapeutic targets which may affect metabolism in hypoxia only. However, certain validation methods proved unsuccessful and hence the model requires further work before attempting the analyses again.

We measured ventilation, oxygen consumption and blood gases in burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) breathing moderate and extreme hypoxic gas mixtures to determine their hypoxic ventilatory threshold (HVT) and to assess if they, like other birds and mammals, exhibit a relationship between HVT and hemoglobin O2 affinity (P50) of their blood. An earlier report of an attenuated ventilatory responsiveness of this species to hypoxia was enigmatic given the low O2 affinity (high P50) of burrowing owl hemoglobin. In the current study, burrowing owls breathing 11% and 9% O2 showed a significantly elevated total ventilation. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) at which ventilation is elevated above normoxic values in burrowing owls was 58 mm Hg. This threshold value conforms well to expectations based on the high P50 of their hemoglobin and the HVT vs. P50 relationship for birds developed in this study. Correcting for phylogenetic relatedness in the multi-species analysis had no effect on the HVT vs. P50 relationship. Also, because burrowing owls in this study did not show a hypometabolic response at any level of hypoxia (even at 9% O2); HVT described in terms of percent change in oxygen convection requirement is identical to that based on ventilation alone.

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The translation represents one of the most crucial processes in the cell. That is why it is often targeted by various regulations. Its initiation phase has a particularly important role in regulatory processes. Initiation of translation usually starts by recognition and binding of canonical eukaryotic initiation factor 4E1 (eIF4E1) to the methylguanosine cap present on the 5' end of the majority of eukaryotic mRNA. The family of 4E translation initiation factors contains two more members - eIF4E2 and eIF4E3. Those two proteins can bind cap structure as well which predetermines it to function in the regulation of translation. Protein eIF4E2 is well known for being a translational repressor in development processes and it takes part in specific miRNA-dependent silencing. It was proven to be able to initiate translation in hypoxia which is consistent with its proposed role in hypoxic tumor cells. The biological roles of the protein eIF4E3 are much less understood. This thesis propounds the picture of the overall functions of all discussed translation initiation factors using cell lines with their overexpression or deletion. Experimental data confirmed the role of the eIF4E2 in the regulation of developmental processes. Cell lines with deleted eIF4E2 and eIF4E3 were characterized based on the influence...

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Infarction irreversibly damages the heart, with formation of an akinetic scar that may lead to heart failure. Endogenous cardiac stem cells (CSCs) are a promising candidate cell source for restoring lost tissue and thereby preventing heart failure. CSCs would be most beneficial if administered soon after infarction, thus the aim of this project was to optimize CSC culture conditions to enhance their therapeutic potential for myocardial infarction. CSCs were isolated and expanded in vitro via the formation of cardiospheres to give cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs). Neonatal rat CDCs were found to be heterogenous, containing cells expressing the cardiac stem cell marker, c-Kit, pluripotent cell markers, Oct-4, Sox 2, Klf-4 and Nanog, and early cardiac specific differentiation markers, Nkx 2.5 and GATA 4. Administration of CDCs to the infarcted rat heart increased the cardiac ejection fraction by 9%, capillary density by 9% and reduced scar volume by 33%, compared to the non-treated group. The proliferation rates and the expression of c-Kit were significantly decreased in CSCs isolated from aged rats and after extended culture in vitro, so, CSC culture was optimized using hypoxic preconditioning. Under hypoxia, CDC proliferation rates were 1.7-fold greater, and larger cardiosphere clusters were formed. Hypoxic CDCs had an increased cardiac stem cell population, in that c-Kit was increased by 220% and CD90 and CD105 were decreased by 55% and 35%, respectively, compared to normoxic CDCs. Further, hypoxia induced the expression of CXCR-4 (~3.2-fold), EPO (~3.0-fold) and VEGF (~1.5-fold), indicating that hypoxic preconditioning may stimulate stem cell homing and neovascularization in the infarcted myocardium. Notably, hypoxic CDCs were able to switch to anaerobic glycolytic metabolism and had approximately 80% lower oxygen consumption, suggesting that they may be better adapted to survive within the hypoxic infarct scar, compared with normoxic CDCs. Culture of CDCs with hypoxia-mimicking prolyl-4-hydroxylase inhibitors (PHDIs) using DMOG, BIC and a novel compound, EDBA, induced similar effects to hypoxic culture by increasing c-Kit, EPO, VEGF, CXCR-4, decreasing CD90 and CD105 and increasing glycolytic metabolism. However, PHDI treatment for 24 hours did not alter CDC proliferation rates and cells died after 24 hours. In conclusion, CDCs are a potential cell source for therapy after myocardial infarction and their therapeutic potential can be enhanced using hypoxia or PHDI-preconditioning techniques.

Title: Functional consequences of perinatal hypoxia-ischemia in rat Objectives: The aim of this diploma thesis is to design a set of behavioral tests which provide an effective assessment of motor and cognitive-behavioural deficits in adults rats after experimental hypoxic-ischemic insult during the perinatal period (P7). Supposed benefit is to establish a model of motor and cognitive-behavioural abilities of individuals after this procedure. Methods: The present thesis has a theoretical-empirical character. The practical part describes how the experiment was performed. 32 long Evans Rats were randomly devided into two groups: experimental group (HIE) and control group (Ctrl). The method to produce hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in the 7 day-old rats consisted of right common carotid ligation followed by systemic hypoxia by the inhalation of 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen. The adult animals (55-75 days old) were tested by the following list of behavioral tests: Bar holding test, Rotarod test, Ladder rung walking test, Reaching test, Open field test and Morris water maze test. Sigma Plot and Microsoft Excel 2010 were the programs used for statistical analysis. Results: Results of Open field test, Ladder rung walking test and Morris water maze test confirmed that hypoxic-ischemic insult affects the...