O objetivo deste trabalho foi ampliar o estudo do mecanismo de ação antidepressivo de Hypericum polyanthemum (POL) e de seu composto derivado da classe dos floroglucinóis uliginosina B (ULI). Considerando o potencial desta planta para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos, realizou-se um estudo pré-clínico de toxicidade aguda e doses repetidas de POL em camundongos. A administração via oral (v.o.) do extrato ciclo-hexano de POL (90 mg/kg) foi capaz de reduzir significativamente o tempo de imobilidade de ratos e camundongos no teste de natação forçada (TNF). A administração de ULI (10 mg/kg, v.o.) igualmente reduziu o tempo de imobilidade no TNF e também no teste de suspensão pela cauda (TSC). A administração simultânea (v.o), das subdoses de POL (45 mg/kg) e ULI (5 mg/kg) foram capazes de potencializar o efeito antidepressivo das subdoses de imipramina (10 mg/kg), bupropiona (3 mg/kg) e fluoxetina (15 mg/kg), no TNF em camundongos. O pré- tratamento de camundongos, pela via intraperitoneal, com SCH 23390 (antagonista de receptor dopaminérgico D1); sulpirida (antagonista de receptor dopaminérgico D2); prazosin (antagonista de receptor α1-adrenérgico); ioimbina (antagonista de receptor α2-adrenérgico) e p-clorofenilalanina metil éster (pCPA- inibidor da síntese de serotonina (5-HT), preveniu o efeito anti-imobilidade de ULI no TNF. In vitro, ULI inibiu a recaptação sinaptossomal de dopamina ([3H]-DA), noradrenalina ([3H]-NA) e serotonina ([3H]-5-HT), sem ligação aos transportadores, e isto foi demonstrado através das diferentes concentrações de ULI que não afetaram a ligação de [3H]- mazindol, [3H]-nisoxetina e [3H]-citalopram aos sítios de recaptação de DA, NA e 5- HT, respectivamente. Estes resultados sugerem que ULI tem ação não-seletiva sobre o sistema monoaminérgico, o que pode representar um novo composto com inibição tripla da recaptação; além disso possui mecanismo de ação diferente dos antidepressivos clássicos, inibindo a recaptação das monoaminas sem se ligar aos respectivos sítios específicos dos transportadores. Também realizou-se estudo bioquímico da atividade da Na+,K+-ATPase em córtex cerebral e hipocampo de camundongos. O tratamento agudo e repetido por via oral (3 dias, 1 x ao dia) aumentou a atividade desta enzima em córtex cerebral de camundongos em diferentes tempos. ULI não alterou a atividade da Na+,K+-ATPase em hipocampo dos camundongos, e esse resultado corrobora com a hipótese de que ULI pode estar contribuindo para a manutenção da excitabilidade neuronal estimulando esta enzima, e agindo seletivamente no córtex cerebral. Além disso, investigou-se o papel de ULI sobre os canais de sódio dependentes de voltagem (Na+), através da pré-administração de veratrina (ativador de canal de Na+). A veratrina bloqueou o efeito antidepressivo de ULI no TNF e este resultado indica a possibilidade de ULI estar bloqueando os canais de Na+ alterando o gradiente iônico através da estimulação da atividade da Na+,K+-ATPase e, prejudicando ou inibindo a recaptação das monoaminas. Nos experimentos de toxicidade, as mudanças fisiológicas, bioquímicas e histopatológicas mais pronunciadas foram observadas nos camundongos que receberam POL nas doses 5 e/ou 10 vezes maiores que a dose efetiva no TNF em camundongos. Entretanto, POL apresenta constituição química diferente de H. perforatum, sugerindo baixo risco desta espécie em relação à fototoxicidade (ausência de hipericina). Através dos dados obtidos neste estudo, acredita-se que POL pode se tornar uma espécie promissora no desenvolvimento de um novo fitoterápico com ação neuroativa. A inibição da recaptação das monoaminas pode estar relacionada a uma alteração do gradiente iônico de Na+, através da estimulação da atividade da Na+,K+-ATPase, o que leva a crer que ULI possui um perfil de ação lamotrigina-like. Dessa forma, ULI torna-se um novo e promissor padrão molecular de substância com atividade no sistema nervoso central. / The aim of this work was to continue studying the antidepressant mechanism of Hypericum polyanthemum (POL) and its compound derived from phloroglucinols class uliginosin B (ULI). Considering the potential for development of new drugs with this plant, a preclinical study of toxicity with POL was accomplished, administering acute and repeated-doses in mice. The cyclo-hexane extract administration by oral route (p.o.) of POL (90 mg/kg) was able to significantly reduce the immobility time of rats and mice in the forced swimming test (FST). ULI (10 mg/kg, p.o.) also produced a reduction in immobility time in two models predictive of antidepressant activity in mice, FST and the tail suspension test (TST). Simultaneously administration (p.o) of subeffective doses of POL (45 mg/kg) and ULI (5 mg/kg) were able to potentiate the antidepressant effect of subeffective dose of imipramine (10 mg/kg), bupropion (3 mg/kg ) and fluoxetine (15 mg/kg), in the mouse FST. The pretreatment of mice, by i.p. route, with SCH 23390 (dopamine D1 receptor antagonist); sulpiride (dopamine D2 receptor antagonist); (α1 adrenoceptor antagonist); yohimbine (α2 adrenoceptor antagonist) and p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (pCPA- an inhibitor of serotonin (5-HT) synthesis) prevented anti- immobility effect of ULI in FST. In vitro, ULI inhibited synaptosomal uptake of dopamine ([3H]-DA), noradrenaline ([3H]-NA) and 5-HT ([3H]-5-HT), without binding with monoaminergic transporters, and this was demonstrated by different concentrations of ULI that did not affect the binding of [3H]-mazindol, [3H]-nisoxetine and [3H]-citalopram to DA, NA and 5-HT uptake sites, respectively. These results suggest that ULI has non-selective action on the monoaminergic system, which may represent a new compound with triple reuptake inhibition; furthermore, ULI has a mechanism of action different from the classical antidepressants by inhibiting monoamine reuptake without bind to respective neurotransporters. In addition we have performed a biochemical study for activity of Na+, K+-ATPase in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice. Acute and repeated oral treatment (3 days, 1 x per day) increased enzyme activity in cortex at different times. ULI did not alter Na+, K+- ATPase activity in hippocampus, and this result confirms the hypothesis that ULI can be contributing to the maintenance of neuronal excitability by stimulating this enzyme, and acting selectively in cerebral cortex. Moreover, we investigated the role of ULI on voltage-gated sodium channels (Na+), through pre-administration of veratrine ( Na+ channel oppener). Veratrine was able to abolish the antidepressant effect of ULI in TNF and this result indicates the possibility that ULI blocks the Na+ channels by altering the ionic gradient through the stimulation of Na+, K+-ATPase and impairing or inhibiting the reuptake of monoamines. In toxicity experiments, the more pronounced physiological, biochemical and histopathological changes were observed in mice that received POL at doses 5 and/or 10 fold higher than the effective dose in TNF. However, POL has chemically different from H. perforatum, suggesting low risk of this species in relation to phototoxicity (absence of hypericin). Considering all results, we supposed that POL could be a product with potential for the development of new drugs. The monoamine reuptake inhibition can be related to a change on the gradient of Na+ ion, by stimulation of Na+, K+-ATPase, which suggests that ULI has a lamotrigine-like profile. Therefore, we suggest that phloroglucinol derivative ULI represents a promising new molecular pattern with central nervous system activity.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-05-11T13:12:44Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Nathalia Oda Amaral - 2014.pdf: 1540433 bytes, checksum: cd3e674df4e9e84f991223a293b3d3c2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-05-11T13:31:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Nathalia Oda Amaral - 2014.pdf: 1540433 bytes, checksum: cd3e674df4e9e84f991223a293b3d3c2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-11T13:31:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Nathalia Oda Amaral - 2014.pdf: 1540433 bytes, checksum: cd3e674df4e9e84f991223a293b3d3c2 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / In recent decades, several studies have demonstrated that hyperosmolarity induced by hypertonic saline infusion (HS) it’s a benefit for hypovolemic hemorrhage treatment. The median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) is known to receive information from central osmoreceptors and peripheral afferents about plasma osmolarity changes, reflexively modulating autonomic and neuroendocrine adjustments, primarily through its projections to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The present study aim to determine MnPO involvement in cardiovascular recovery induced by HSI in rats subjected to hemorrhagic shock (HC). Wistar rats (250 - 300 g) were prepared to record mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), renal blood flow (RBF) and aortic (ABF). The renal vascular conductance (RVC) and aortic (AVC) were calculated through the ratio between RBF and ABF with MAP, respectively. Hemorrhagic shock was induced by blood withdrawal over 10 min until the MAP reached approximate values of 60 mmHg. The sodium overload by infusion HS (3 M NaCl, 1.8 ml ∙ kg-1 body mass index) was made 2 min after the nanoinjection (100 nL) of GABA agonist muscimol (4 mM experimental group 1 - EXP 1 ), α-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (13 mM ; experimental group 2 - EXP 2) or isotonic saline (NaCl, 0.15 M, control group - CON) in MnPO. This resulted in HC CON (n=6) MAP reduction (98.4 ± 5.3 to 62.2 ± 1.1 mmHg after 20 min HC, p<0.05), a decrease in RVC (- 59.4 ± 9.2%, 20 min after HC, p<0.05) and did not alter the AVC (-11.5 ± 10.5%, 20 min after HC) and HR (387.2 ± 12 to 351.7 ± 13 bpm after 20 min HC). HC promoted in EXP 1 (n=6) MAP reduction (98 ± 5.4 to 61 ± 0.7 mmHg after 20 min HC, p<0.05), a decrease in RVC (-64.8 ± 10.9%, 20 min after CH, p<0.05) and CVA (-32.3 ± 4.4%, 20 min after HC, p<0.05) and did not alter HR (389 ± 23.9 ± 17.1 to 360 bpm after 20 min HC). In EXP 2 (n=6) HC resulted in a MAP reduction (102.0 ± 4.2 to 62.0 ± 1.1 mmHg, 20 min after HC, p<0.05), a decrease in CVR (-27.6 ± 5.8% after 20 min HC, p <0.05), CVA (-4.5 ± 4.1% after 20 min HC, p<0.05) and HR (387 ± 14 to 347 ± 7.4 bpm after 20 min HC). HS infusion enabled MAP restoration (105.2 ± 3 mmHg, 60 min after infusion of HS, p<0.05), did not alter HR (400 ± 18.4 bpm, 60 min after infusion of HS) raised the RVC to baseline xi levels (-14.6 ± 14.2%, 60 min after infusion of HS, p<0.05) and reduced AVC (- 27.4 ± 4.3%, 60 min after infusion HS, p<0.05) in CON. HS infusion in EXP 1 was not able to restore MAP (54 ± 3.8 mmHg, 60 min after infusion of HS, p<0.05) and RVC (- 48.1 ± 9.7%, 60 min after infusion of HS, p<0.05), did not alter HR (361 ± 15.3 bpm, 60 min after infusion of HS) and was able to promote an increase in AVC similar to baseline (-23.2 ± 10.6%, 60 min after infusion HS, p<0.05) levels. In EXP 2, HS infusion enabled MAP restoration (89 ± 3.3 mmHg, 60 min after infusion of HS, p<0.05) but this return to baseline was delayed and occurred only 50 min after HS infusion (88 ± 3.3 mmHg), HR return (379 ± 6.5 bpm, 60 min after infusion of HS) and RVC to basal levels (-16.1 ± 8.9%, 60 min after infusion HS, p<0.05) and an increase in AVC 10 min after HS infusion (20.3 ± 6.4%, p<0.05), which was restored to levels similar to baseline at registration end (-15.7 ± 6.2%, 60 min after infusion of HS, p<0.05). Together, the results obtained in this study showed that MnPO plays an important role in cardiovascular recovery induced by HS infusion in HC cases. Furthermore, the cardiovascular adjustments involved in this resuscitation seem to depend partly on adrenergic neurotransmission in this nucleus. / Nas últimas décadas, estudos demonstram que a hiperosmolaridade induzida pela infusão de salina hipertônica (SH) traz grandes benefícios para o tratamento da hemorragia hipotensiva. O núcleo pré-óptico mediano (MnPO) é conhecido por receber informações de osmoreceptores centrais e de aferentes periféricos acerca das mudanças na osmolaridade plasmática, modulando os ajustes autonômicos e neuroendócrinos, principalmente através de suas projeções para o núcleo paraventricular do hipotálamo (PVN). O presente estudo buscou determinar o envolvimento do MnPO na recuperação cardiovascular induzida pela infusão intravenosa de solução SH em ratos submetidos ao choque hemorrágico (CH). Ratos Wistar (250 – 300 g) foram anestesiados e instrumentados para registros de pressão arterial média (PAM), frequência cardíaca (FC), fluxo sanguíneo renal (FSR) e aórtico (FSA). Os valores de condutância vascular renal (CVR) e aórtica (CVA) foram calculados a partir da razão entre o FSR ou o FSA e a PAM, respectivamente. O choque hemorrágico foi induzido através da retirada de sangue ao longo de 10 min até que a PAM atingisse valores aproximados de 60 mmHg. A sobrecarga de sódio, pela infusão de SH (NaCl 3 M; 1,8 ml ∙ kg-1 de massa corpórea), foi realizada 2 min após a nanoinjeção (100 nL) do agonista gabaérgico muscimol (4 mM; grupo experimental 1 – EXP 1); do antagonista α-adrenérgico fentolamina (13 mM; grupo experimental 2 – EXP 2) ou de salina isotônica (NaCl; 0,15 M; grupo controle - CON) no MnPO. O CH provocou no CON (n=6) uma redução da PAM (98,4 ± 5,3 para 62,2 ± 1,1 mmHg, 20 min após CH; p<0,05), uma queda na CVR (-59,4 ± 9,2%, 20 min após CH; p<0,05) e não alterou a CVA (-11,5 ± 10,5%, 20 min após CH) e a FC (387,2 ± 12 para 351,7 ± 13 bpm, 20 min após CH). O CH promoveu no EXP 1 (n=6) uma redução da PAM (98 ± 5,4 para 61 ± 0,7 mmHg, 20 min após CH; p<0,05), uma queda na CVR (-64,8 ± 10,9%, 20 min após CH; p<0,05) e na CVA (-32,3 ± 4,4%, 20 min após CH; p<0,05) e não alterou a FC (389 ± 23,9 para 360 ± 17,1 bpm, 20 min após CH). No EXP 2 (n=6) o CH resultou em uma redução da PAM (102,0 ± 4,2 para 62,0 ± 1,1 mmHg, 20 min após CH; p<0,05), uma queda na CVR (- 27,6 ± 5,8%, 20 min após CH; p<0,05) e na FC (387 ± 14 para 347 ± 7,4 bpm, ix 20 min após CH) não alterando a CVA (-4,5 ± 4,1%, 20 min após CH; p<0,05) A infusão de SH possibilitou a restauração da PAM (105,2 ± 3 mmHg, 60 min após infusão de SH; p<0,05), não alterou a FC (400 ± 18,4 bpm, 60 min após infusão de SH), elevou a CVR a níveis basais (-14,6 ± 14,2%, 60 min após infusão de SH; p<0,05) e reduziu a CVA (-27,4 ± 4,3%, 60 min após infusão de SH; p<0,05) no CON a infusão de SH no EXP 1 não foi capaz de restaurar da PAM (54 ± 3,8 mmHg, 60 min após infusão de SH; p<0,05) e a CVR (-48,1 ± 9,7%, 60 min após infusão de SH; p<0,05), não alterou a FC (361 ± 15,3 bpm, 60 min após infusão de SH) e foi capaz de promover uma elevação da CVA a níveis semelhantes aos basais (-23,2 ± 10,6%, 60 min após infusão de SH; p<0,05). No EXP 2, a infusão de SH possibilitou a restauração da PAM (89 ± 3,3 mmHg, 60 min após infusão de SH; p<0,05) porém esse retorno aos valores basais foi tardio e só ocorreu a partir de 50 min da infusão de SH (88 ± 3,3 mmHg), um retorno da FC (379 ± 6,5 bpm, 60 min após infusão de SH) e da CVR a níveis basais (-16,1 ± 8,9%, 60 min após infusão de SH; p<0,05) e uma elevação da CVA 10 min após a infusão de SH (20,3 ± 6,4%, p<0,05) que se restabeleceu a níveis semelhantes aos basais ao final do registro (-15,7 ± 6,2%, 60 min após infusão de SH; p<0,05). Em conjunto, os resultados obtidos no presente trabalho demostraram que o MnPO exerce um importante papel na recuperação cardiovascular induzida pela infusão de SH em quadros de CH. Ademais, os ajustes cardiovasculares envolvidos nessa ressuscitação parecem depender parcialmente da neurotransmissão adrenérgica neste núcleo.

O L-glutamato (L-Glu) é o principal neurotransmissor excitatório em vertebrados e é fundamental para funções primordiais do sistema nervoso central (SNC), tais como aprendizagem e memória. Entretanto, quando este neurotransmissor está em excesso na fenda sináptica, pode provocar uma série de eventos excitotóxicos, que por sua vez, estão associados a muitas neuropatologias. A terapia da maioria dessas doenças é ineficiente e provoca sérios efeitos colaterais. Portanto, é necessário desenvolver fármacos mais efetivos e com menos efeitos colaterais. Assim, peçonhas de artrópodes como a da aranha P. bistriata, se apresentam como fontes alternativas de compostos neuroativos, pois já demonstraram efeitos neuroprotetores in vitro e in vivo, bem como anticonvulsivos. Destarte, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar um possível efeito neuroprotetor da fração RT10, isolada da peçonha de P.bistriata, em cultura primária de neurônios e glia (CPNGs), do tecido nervoso de ratos recém-nascidos, expostos a concentrações tóxicas de L-Glu (5 mM). As CPNGs foram tratadas durante 3 horas, previamente à lesão, que foi feita por um período de 12h. Ambas as exposições (tratamento e lesão) foram conduzidas no 7.º dia in vitro (DIV). Para analisar quantitativamente e qualitativamente os efeitos dos tratamentos, bem como demonstrar a composição das CPNGs foram realizados ensaios de viabilidade celular, com o sal sódico de resazurina (SSR) e, imunomarcações com anticorpos primários para MAP2, NeuN e GFAP. A fração RT10 foi neuroprotetora, pois diminuiu a perda celular nos testes com o SSR em 10%, nas CPNGs, expostas ao L-Glu, além de apresentarem efeito maior (5%), que o do fármaco Riluzol (RIL). A neuroproteção da RT10 também foi observada nos ensaios de imunocitoquimica. Os neurônios tratados com RT10 e RIL, que foram marcados com anti-MAP2 tiveram maior prolongamentos dos dendritos em relação aos neurônios não tratados. Portanto, a intensidade da fluorescência de anti-MAP2 para os neurônios tratados com esta fração foi 38% maior em relação aos não tratados; e 21% maior quando comparados ao grupo RIL. Deste modo, podemos considerar a RT10, como uma ferramenta para a prospecção de novos fármacos contra neurodegenerações, in vitro e principalmente estudos de mecanismo de ação, cujas variáveis podem ser mais bem controladas. / L-Glutamate (L-Glu), the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of vertebrates, is essential to the occurrence of cognitive functions. However, when L-Glu is over-accumulated in a synaptic cleft it can provoke excitotoxicity (EXT), which has been implicated in many neurological disorders (NDs). The current therapies against NDs are undereffective and can provoke side effects, so it is necessary to develop new treatments. In this regard, neuroactive compounds obtained from Parawixia bistriata spider venom are an alternative source of neuroactive compounds, because they showed neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. Thus, the main aim of this work was to evaluate a possible neuroprotective effect of RT10 fraction obtained from P. bistriata venom in primary culture of neuron and glial cells (PCNGCs) from cerebral tissue of newborn Wistar rats, after the exposition to L-glu toxic concentration (5mM). The PCNGCs were submitted to the neuroprotection treatments for 3 hours and previously to the neurotoxic treatment, which the L-glu stayed for 12h in the PNGCs. The both expositions were conducted on the 7th day in vitro (DIV). The Resazurin sodium salt (RSS) and immunocytochemistry (MAP2, NeuN e GFAP primary antibodies) trials were utilized to measure quantitatively and qualitatively the treatments, as well as to prove the culture composition. In the RSS trial, the RT10 was neuroprotector, since avoided the cell death in 10%, under the PCNGCs which were exposed to L-Glu. in addition, RT10 demonstrated higher effect than rilozole (5%). RT10 attenuated the toxic effects of L-Glu under the neuromorphology, consequently the fluorescence intensity of MAP2 at PCNGC treated with RT10 was 38% higher than untreated group and it was 21% higher than riluzole group. Thus, we can consider that RT10 compounds are valuable tools to the prospection of new drugs against NDs.

Lithium is a drug used to treat mood disorders and also has many side effects, including central nervous system (CNS) complications (such as cognitive dulling), associated with its use. The mechanism of its action still remains unknown. Over the years, many leads have started emerging. It has been shown to inhibit several enzymes in the cell and has been implicated in altering many neurotransmitter systems and signal transduction pathways (serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmissions). Effect of exposure to therapeutic levels of lithium on mature glutamatergic synapses is being studied and several changes in glutamate receptor subtypes have already been reported. Effects of lithium on developing glutamatergic synapses have not been studied. The thesis tries to document and understand the changes brought about by long term lithium treatment on developing glutamatergic synapses in vitro in hippocampal neuronal cultures. In the present work, patch clamp technique was used to monitor the changes in the postsynapse and fluorescence imaging to study the presynaptic changes. The hippocampal neuronal cultures were treated with 1 mM lithium for 6 days during the synaptogenesis stage (DIV 4-10) and termed as chronic Li treatment (CLi). Following CLi treatment the changes occurring in amplitude and rectification property of the AMPA receptor (AMPAR), a subtype of glutamate ionotropic receptor, mediated miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) have been reported (Chapter III). Lithium inhibits protein kinase A (PKA), glycogen synthase kinase–3β (GSK-3β) and glutamate reuptake. Effect of inhibiting PKA, GSK-3β and glutamate reuptake was also studied with a view to understand the molecular basis of lithium action on AMPAR mEPSCs (Chapter IV). It was found that chronic lithium treatment (CLi) caused a reduction in the mean amplitude of mEPSCs mediated by AMPARs and also changed the rectification property of these receptors from being more outwardly rectifying to being more inwardly rectifying, an indication probably of increase in contribution of Ca2+-permeable AMPARs to the synaptic events. AMPAR events in chronic lithium treated cultures were more sensitive to both N-acetyl spermine (NASPM) application and di-fluoro-methyl-ornithine (DFMO) treatment, both specific to Ca2+-permeable AMPARs, indicating that there was an increase in the contribution from Ca2+-permeable AMPARs to the synaptic events. PKA inhibition with H-89 treatment (starting from DIV 4 (for 6 days)) reduced the mean amplitude of AMPAR mEPSCs and increased the mean rectification index (RI). GSK-3β inhibition with SB415286 (starting from DIV 4 (for 6 days)) did not alter the mean mEPSC amplitude but reduced the mean RI. Transient (24 hrs) glutamate reuptake inhibition with threo-β-Hydroxy-Aspartic-Acid (THA) at DIV 4 followed by a period of recovery led to smaller amplitudes but no change in RI. The 24 hr glutamate reuptake block on DIV 4 had long term effects. It led to an increase in AMPAR mEPSC frequency while AMPAR mEPSC amplitudes were reduced. The mean RI decrease seen when glutamate reuptake was blocked for 24 hrs on DIV 10, was absent in DIV 4 THA treated neurons. However, when the neuronal cultures were maintained in the presence of PKA and GSK-3β inhibitors, the DIV 4 THA treated neurons showed AMPAR mEPSC characteristics similar to CLi neurons. Thus, it was seen that individual inhibition of PKA, GSK-3β and glutamate reuptake did not lead to changes in AMPAR mEPSCs similar to that seen in lithium treated neurons. The effect of lithium exposure during synapse development on AMPARs could be reproduced closely by co-inhibiting PKA, GSK-3β and glutamate reuptake. Using the styryl dye FM1-43, the changes induced in presynaptic release by a similar chronic lithium treatment was studied (Chapter V). It was found that lithium exposure (1 mM, DIV 4-10) brought down the extent of dye loading, destaining and also slowed down the rate of dye loss in response to high KCl stimulation (the τfast component of destaining was significantly slower). Minimum loading experiments did not reveal any difference in mode of exocytosis (kiss and run/full-collapse) in control and lithium treated cultures. Chlorpromazine treatment (that inhibits clathrin-mediated endocytosis) affected dye loading to a lesser extent in lithium treated cultures as compared to control. Surprisingly, exposure to hyperosmotic solution 10 minutes after dye wash out boosted the extent of dye loading and destaining in lithium treated cultures (a phenomenon not seen in control). This could happen if the FM1-43 is trapped away from the wash solution during the wash period. This would be possible if endocytosis in CLi takes place, differently from control, through a process involving membrane infoldings similar to bulk endocytosis albeit a slower/compromised one. Taken together, the data presented here indicates that lithium treatment during synaptogenesis affects vesicular recycling mostly at the endocytosis and docking/priming steps (mobilization of vesicles for release). Lithium treated cultures also did not show the high KCl associated presynaptic potentiation observed in control which is a significant finding. In conclusion, chronic lithium treatment affected both the presynaptic and postsynaptic compartments of the glutamatergic synapse. The effect of lithium on AMPAR mEPSC could not be reproduced by individual inhibitions of biochemical effectors but by multiple inhibitions. Thus, the study done here underscores the need to look at the manifold effect of lithium in an integrated way. The study also might have implications in understanding the CNS complications seen in patients taking lithium treatment and in babies perinatally exposed to lithium.

No description available.

As ações cardiovasculares decorrentes do tabagismo devem-se principalmente à nicotina. O alcalóide exerce suas funções quando na corrente sangüínea, mas também atravessa a barreira hemato-encefálica onde pode participar da regulação de sistemas de neurotransmissão importantes para o controle central da pressão arterial e, eventualmente, desenvolvimento da hipertensão. Portanto, o abuso à nicotina pode ser especialmente relevante para indivíduos com predisposição genética à hipertensão. Desta forma, os objetivos do presente trabalho foram o de estudar os sistemas de neurotransmissão em núcleos encefálicos envolvidos no controle cardiovascular após tratamento crônico periférico com nicotina, assim como avaliar a influência da nicotina sobre o desenvolvimento da hipertensão essencial em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) e compará-los a ratos normotensos (WKY). Para isso, utilizaram-se técnicas como a imunohistoquímica, análise da ligação de receptores, hibridização in situ, cultura de células neuronais e gliais, PCR em tempo Real e Western Blotting. Nossos resultados demonstraram que o tratamento crônico com nicotina não só antecipou o desenvolvimento como também intensificou a hipertensão nos animais SHR. Os ratos WKY não tiveram a pressão arterial alterada. De modo geral, o efeito do alcalóide sobre os sistemas catecolaminérgico e do neuropeptídeo Y não parece ter relação com a antecipação e a intensificação da hipertensão nos ratos SHR. O sistema glutamatérgico está, pelo menos em parte, relacionado à antecipação e intensificação da hipertensão em ratos SHR após exposição crônica à nicotina. O tratamento com nicotina gerou evidências de que o alcalóide interage com o sistema angiotensinérgico a fim de promover a hipertensão em ratos SHR. Por fim, os resultados apresentados aqui indicam que a nicotina modula diferentes sistemas de neurotransmissão, os quais podem estar envolvidos na antecipação e intensificação da hipertensão em ratos SHR submetidos ao tratamento com nicotina. / Nicotine is one of the most important agents for cardiovascular diseases in tobacco smoking. This alkaloid acts in the blood stream, but it also crosses the blood-brain-barrier and participate in the regulation of pivotal neurotransmitter systems for the blood pressure control and, eventually, for hypertension development. In this context, nicotine abuse could be very relevant to individuals carrying genetic factors to hypertension. The objectives of the present work were to study neurotransmitter system in brain cardiovascular areas involved in the control of blood pressure after chronic peripheral nicotine exposure, as well as to evaluate nicotine influence on essential hypertension development in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive rats (WKY). By means of immunohistochemistry, binding, in situ hybridization, neuron and glial culture, real time PCR and Western Blotting, we have demonstrated that chronic treatment with nicotine not only anticipated but also intensified hypertension on SHR. WKY rats did not showed any change on blood pressure. We observed no evidences of the involvement of neuropeptide Y and catecolamines systems in the development of hypertension after nicotine treatment. However, it seems that the glutamatergic system is, at least in part, responsible for the hypertension development after chronic nicotine exposure. To study the angiotensinergic system we cultivated neuron and glial cells from SHR and WKY rats and treated them with nicotine. The responses of this system agree with the hypothesis that nicotine interacts with angiotensin to promote hypertension only in the hypertensive strain. In conclusion, results presented herein support the hypothesis that nicotine modulates neurotransmitter systems that might have relevant functions in the development and intensification of hypertension in SHR.

Les transporteurs vésiculaires du glutamate (VGLUTs) sont impliqués dans la recapture du glutamate du cytosol vers les vésicules présynaptiques. Depuis leurs caractérisations récentes en 2000, leurs implications dans plusieurs maladies neurodégénératives ont été démontrées. Ils jouent ainsi un rôle primordial dans la transmission nerveuse glutamatergique. Deux colorants naturels, le Rose Bengale et le Bleu Trypan, restent les meilleurs inhibiteurs connus à ce jour, avec respectivement des CI50 de 25 et 50 nM. Dans un premier temps, nous avons conçu et optimisé une série d'analogues basée sur le synthon Rose Bengale (inhibiteur non-compétitif). Ce travail a notamment permis de mettre en évidence l'effet des formes tautomères (quinone et lactone) sur l'inhibition des VGLUTs. Ainsi la forme quinonique, présente à pH physiologique, a été confirmée comme étant la seule capable de bloquer la recapture du glutamate. Dans un second temps, nous nous sommes intéressés à la famille du Bleu Trypan (inhibiteur compétitif) et nous avons déterminé la structure minimale active avec l'objectif de rendre ces molécules plus " drug-like ". En effet, l'intérêt de ce projet est de développer de petites structures aisément radiomarquables pour une utilisation dans un contexte physio-pathologique.

As ações cardiovasculares decorrentes do tabagismo devem-se principalmente à nicotina. O alcalóide exerce suas funções quando na corrente sangüínea, mas também atravessa a barreira hemato-encefálica onde pode participar da regulação de sistemas de neurotransmissão importantes para o controle central da pressão arterial e, eventualmente, desenvolvimento da hipertensão. Portanto, o abuso à nicotina pode ser especialmente relevante para indivíduos com predisposição genética à hipertensão. Desta forma, os objetivos do presente trabalho foram o de estudar os sistemas de neurotransmissão em núcleos encefálicos envolvidos no controle cardiovascular após tratamento crônico periférico com nicotina, assim como avaliar a influência da nicotina sobre o desenvolvimento da hipertensão essencial em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) e compará-los a ratos normotensos (WKY). Para isso, utilizaram-se técnicas como a imunohistoquímica, análise da ligação de receptores, hibridização in situ, cultura de células neuronais e gliais, PCR em tempo Real e Western Blotting. Nossos resultados demonstraram que o tratamento crônico com nicotina não só antecipou o desenvolvimento como também intensificou a hipertensão nos animais SHR. Os ratos WKY não tiveram a pressão arterial alterada. De modo geral, o efeito do alcalóide sobre os sistemas catecolaminérgico e do neuropeptídeo Y não parece ter relação com a antecipação e a intensificação da hipertensão nos ratos SHR. O sistema glutamatérgico está, pelo menos em parte, relacionado à antecipação e intensificação da hipertensão em ratos SHR após exposição crônica à nicotina. O tratamento com nicotina gerou evidências de que o alcalóide interage com o sistema angiotensinérgico a fim de promover a hipertensão em ratos SHR. Por fim, os resultados apresentados aqui indicam que a nicotina modula diferentes sistemas de neurotransmissão, os quais podem estar envolvidos na antecipação e intensificação da hipertensão em ratos SHR submetidos ao tratamento com nicotina. / Nicotine is one of the most important agents for cardiovascular diseases in tobacco smoking. This alkaloid acts in the blood stream, but it also crosses the blood-brain-barrier and participate in the regulation of pivotal neurotransmitter systems for the blood pressure control and, eventually, for hypertension development. In this context, nicotine abuse could be very relevant to individuals carrying genetic factors to hypertension. The objectives of the present work were to study neurotransmitter system in brain cardiovascular areas involved in the control of blood pressure after chronic peripheral nicotine exposure, as well as to evaluate nicotine influence on essential hypertension development in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive rats (WKY). By means of immunohistochemistry, binding, in situ hybridization, neuron and glial culture, real time PCR and Western Blotting, we have demonstrated that chronic treatment with nicotine not only anticipated but also intensified hypertension on SHR. WKY rats did not showed any change on blood pressure. We observed no evidences of the involvement of neuropeptide Y and catecolamines systems in the development of hypertension after nicotine treatment. However, it seems that the glutamatergic system is, at least in part, responsible for the hypertension development after chronic nicotine exposure. To study the angiotensinergic system we cultivated neuron and glial cells from SHR and WKY rats and treated them with nicotine. The responses of this system agree with the hypothesis that nicotine interacts with angiotensin to promote hypertension only in the hypertensive strain. In conclusion, results presented herein support the hypothesis that nicotine modulates neurotransmitter systems that might have relevant functions in the development and intensification of hypertension in SHR.

Grundlage der vorgelegten Arbeit sind die bei der Alzheimerschen Erkrankung beobachtbaren pathologischen Merkmale, wie die progressive Akkumulation von β-Amyloid-Plaques, cholinerger Dysfunktion und zerebrovaskuläre Abnormalitäten. Die in englischer Sprache verfasste Dissertation ist eine tierexperimentelle Studie, die versucht, den Zusammenhang von β-Amyloid, cholinerger Neurotransmission und zerebralem Gefäßsystem bei der Alzheimerschen Erkrankung näher zu charakterisieren. An Hirnmaterial aus der transgenen Maus Tg2576, die die schwedische Mutation des humanen Amyloidpräkursorproteins als Transgen trägt und ab dem 10. Lebensmonat durch humane β-Amyloid-Plaqueablagerungen in der Hirnrinde imponiert, wurden im Altersverlauf (4 bis 18 Monate) immunhistochemische Untersuchungen zur morphologischen Integrität der zerebralen Mikrogefäße, der kortikalen cholinergen Nervterminalen und der intrazerebralen cholinergen neurovaskulären Innervation durchgeführt. Am somatosensorischen Kortex werden beispielhaft die Expression des Glukosetransporters 1 oder Solanum tuberosum Lektin als Kapillarmarker und des vesikulären Acetylcholintransporters als Marker für cholinerge Fasern mittels Immunfluoreszenz und Laser-Scanning Mikroskopie erfasst, einer semiquantitativen Computer-gestützten Bildanalytischen Auswertung unterzogen und mit dem Ausmaß der kortikalen Plaquebeladung korreliert. So konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Dichte der Blutgefäße und cholinergen Fasern im somatosensorischen Kortex von transgenen Tieren mit dem Alter im Vergleich zu nichttransgenen Kontrolltieren abnimmt, was mit einer Reduktion der perivaskulären cholinergen Innervation einhergeht. Die erhobenen Befunde stützen die von J.C. de la Torre und T. Mussivand schon im Jahre 1993 formulierte „vaskuläre Hypothese“, wonach bei der sporadischen Form der Alzheimerschen Erkrankung alters- und Lebensstil-bedingte Schädigungen des zerebralen Gefäßsystems eine zentrale Rolle bei der Manifestierung der Erkrankung spielen.

No description available.