This study investigated whether exogenous supplementation with reduced glutathione (GSH) increased kidney mitochondrial and cytosolic GSH levels in young and old female Lewis rats. The young rats were 3 months of age and old rats were 22 months old. The rats were divided into a young control group (n=8), an old control group (n=5), a young experimental group (n=7), and an old experimental group (n=7). Rats in the young and old control groups did not receive any treatment, while rats in both the young and old experimental groups were injected with GSH (250 mg/Kg of body weight) into the peritoneal cavity once a day for a week. At the end of the injection period, the rats were anesthetized and kidneys were harvested. The mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions were separated from rat cortex and medulla by differential centrifugation. GSH concentrations were measured using a spectrophotometric assay. Both mitochondrial and cytosolic GSH levels in kidneys from young and old female Lewis rats were significantly increased with GSH supplementation. The results indicate that kidneys from both young and old rats respond to exogenous dietary supplementation with GSH. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

The experiments in this thesis investigated the neuropharmacology of memory in the caudate nucleus, using the conditioned emotional response (CER) with visual and olfactory conditioned stimuli (CS). / In experiment 1, post-training, intrastriatal microinjections of both amphetamine and LY 171555, but not SKF 38393: (1) into the posteroventral area improved memory of a visual, but not an olfactory, CER; (2) into the ventrolateral area improved memory of an olfactory, but not a visual, CER. In experiment 2, sulpiride, but not SCH 23390, blocked the memory improving effect of amphetamine. These findings are consistant with the hypothesis that dopamine D2 receptor stimulation mediates the memory enhancement effect of amphetamine in the neostriatum. / In three experiments on a visual CER, pre-training intrastriatal micro-injections of scopolamine impaired acquisition; post-training micro-injections improved consolidation; and pre-testing micro-injections impaired retrieval. These findings are consistant with the hypothesis that striatal muscarinic receptor stimulation mediates some aspects of acquisition and retrieval of sensory-motor memory, and that blockade of these receptors following training has an effect on memory consolidation similar to that of D2-receptor stimulation. / In experiment 6, destruction of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons abolished the memory improving effect of intrastriatal post-training micro-injections of scopolamine and AFDX-384, a specific muscarinic M2 antagonist. These results suggest that the post-training memory improvement produced by muscarinic blockade may be mediated by an M2 receptor, known to be located on dopaminergic nigro-striatal terminals.

Graduation date: 1993

Bibliography :leaves 250-302. / xix, 302, [19] leaves, [4] leaves of plates : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Results suggest that IGF-I peptides significantly influence gastrointestinal growth in normal adult and suckling rats and indicate they may have therapeutic implications both in conditions of impaired gut function in the adult gastrointestinal tract and in the treatment of gut disease in the immature intestine. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 1995?

Bibliography : leaves 168-189. / xix, 197 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Examines the role of renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems in hypertension development in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, 1995?

Bibliography: 197-226 p. / xiv, 226 p. : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Examines the alterations in electrophysiological function during hypoxia in the rat hippocampal slice, in particular those alterations induced by extracellular accumulation of adenosine. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Faculty of Science, 1996

Orientadores: Dora Maria Grassi-Kassisse, Regina Celia Spadari / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T19:18:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Estrela_HederFrankGianotto_M.pdf: 2827124 bytes, checksum: 2164e7c83b8b84f2615251a98db5bfb3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: Lipídios provenientes da dieta têm importante participação nas alterações vasculares observadas na síndrome plurimetabólica. O objetivo desta tese foi analisar a reatividade vascular de anéis de aorta com e sem endotélio isoladas de ratos normo ou hiperlipidêmicos, sedentários ou submetidos à natação. Ratos Wistar machos adultos foram usados após uma semana de adaptação em salas climatizadas 22±2ºC e com ciclo claro-escuro de 12 h (luzes acendendo as 6:30 da manhã). Os experimentos foram realizados de acordo com os princípios para utilização de animais em pesquisa e educação e adotados pelo COBEA (Colégio Brasileiro de Experimentação Animal). Os animais foram randomicamente distribuídos em dois grupos: sedentários (S) e que praticaram exercício físico (T). O exercício constou de sessões de natação na freqüência de 5 dias na semana com 50 minutos de duração durante 20 dias em tanque de água com temperatura de 34 ± 2oC. Estes dois grupos foram ainda subdivididos em 2 subgrupos, o que recebia ração padrão (N) e outro que recebia dieta rica em lipídios (H). Anéis de aorta com e sem endotélio foram isoladas e curvas cumulativas concentração-efeito à noradrenalina (NA), à acetilcolina (ACh) e ao nitroprussiato de sódio (SNP) foram obtidas, na ausência ou presença de L-NAME ou indometacina. Os ratos sedentários e tratados com dieta hiperlipídica (HS) apresentaram aumento das concentrações plasmáticas de triacilgliceróis, colesterol total e das frações LDL e VLDL, determinados ao final da quarta semana de tratamento. O protocolo de natação não induziu qualquer alteração no perfil lipídico dos ratos normolipidêmicos (NT vs NS). Entretanto este programa de atividade física impediu o aumento das concentrações plasmáticas de triacilgliceróis, colesterol total, e suas frações LDL e VLDL, induzidos pela dieta hiperlipídica. A remoção do endotélio promoveu aumento da resposta máxima (gf) e dos valores pD2 à noradrenalina em todos os grupos [2,13±0,18 e 7,19±0,14 (NScom) - 3,60±0,20* e 7,69±0,09* (NSsem); 1,46±0,14 e 7,31±0,09 (NTcom) - 3,14±0,10* e 7,86±0,10* (NTsem); 2,02±0,08 e 7,09±0,13 (HScom) - 3,52±0,10* e 7,89±0,06* (HSsem); 2,08±0,19 e 7,37±0,10 (HTcom) - 3,17±0,19* e 7,82±0,13* (HTsem). Estatisticamente diferente (p<0,05) em: * comparado aos anéis com endotélio (Teste t de student)]. A dieta hiperlipídica não promoveu alterações vasculares aos diferentes agonistas, em animais sedentários (NS vs HS). O programa de exercício físico proposto induziu redução da resposta máxima à noradrenalina e aumento da resposta máxima à acetilcolina em ratos normolipidêmicos (NS vs NT). A resposta máxima (%) e os valores pD2 à acetilcolina foram respectivamente: 61,87 ± 6,13 e 6,91 ± 0,06 (NS), 90,35 ± 3,15abc e 7,11 ± 0,08a (NT), 53,22 ± 2,80 e 6,78 ± 0,06 (HS); 69,70 ± 4,63 e 6,94 ± 0,11 (HT), a comparado ao grupo NS; b comparado ao grupo HS e c comparado ao grupo HT (p<0,05 ANOVA seguida de teste de Tukey). A associação da dieta hiperlipídica e a atividade física fez com que não fossem observadas redução da resposta máxima à noradrenalina e aumento da resposta à acetilcolina nos animais exercitados (NT vs HT). Estes efeitos induzidos pelas sessões de natação foram abolidos pela remoção do endotélio ou tratamento com L-NAME, indicando a participação do NO derivado do endotélio. Nenhuma alteração foi observada na curva concentração-efeito ao SNP nos diferentes grupos: 100% e 7,83 ± 0,11 (resposta máxima e valores pD2, respectivamente). Assim podemos sugerir que o programa de exercício físico proposto diminui a resposta vascular à noradrenalina e aumenta a resposta vasorelaxante à acetilcolina por aumento do NO derivado do endotélio, e que a dieta hiperlipídica embora não cause alterações vasculares nos animais sedentários, impede os efeitos benéficos do exercício / Abstract: Ingesting a lipid diet has an important effect on vasomotor changes found in metabolic syndrome. The aim of this work was to analyze the vascular reactivity on isolated aortic rings with or without endothelium from normo or hyperlipidemic rats, sedentary or submitted to swimming. Adult male Wistar rats were used after one week of adaptation in acclimated room at 22±2ºC and 12h light-dark cycle (lights on at 6:30 a.m.). The experiments were carried out in accordance to the principles for animals use in research and education and adopted by COBEA (Brazilian College for Animal Experimentation). The animals were randomly distributed into two groups, sedentary (S) and exercised (T) with swimming sessions, 5 days a week (50 min. session) for 20 days in a glass tank with water at 34 ± 2oC. These two groups were divided into two subgroups; one of them fed with a standard chow (N) and the other, a high fat-CHO diet (H). Aortic rings with or without endothelium were isolated and cumulative concentration-effect curves to noradrenaline (NA), acetylcholine (ACh), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were obtained, in presence or absence of L-NAME or indomethacin. High fat-CHO diet ingestion during four weeks induced a significant increase in triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and, very low density lipoprotein plasma levels. The physical exercise program did not altered blood lipid levels in normolipidemic rats however avoided the increase in triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and, very low density lipoprotein blood levels induced by high fat-CHO diet. The absence of endothelium increased the maximum response (gf) and pD2 values to noradrenaline in all groups [2.13±0.18 e 7.19±0.14 (NSwith) ¿ 3.60±0.20* e 7.69±0.09* (NSwithout); 1.46±0.14 e 7.31±0.09 (NTwith) ¿ 3.14±0.10* e 7.86±0.10* (NTwithout); 2.02±0.08 e 7.09±0.13 (HSwith) ¿ 3.52±0.10* e 7.89±0.06* (HSwithout); 2.08±0.19 e 7.37±0.10 (HTwith) ¿ 3.17±0.19* e 7.82±0.13* (HTwithout). Statistically difference (p<0.05) in: * compared to rings with endothelium (student¿s t test)]. The high fat-CHO diet didn¿t promote any changes in the vasomotor response to any of the compounds, in sedentary rats (NS vs HS). The physical exercise program induced decrease of the maximum response to noradrenaline and increase of maximum response to acetylcholine in normolipidemic rats (NS vs NT). The maximum response (%) and pD2 values to acetylcholine were respectively: 61.87 ± 6.13 e 6.91 ± 0.06 (NS), 90.35 ± 3.15abc e 7.11 ± 0.08a (NT), 53.22 ± 2.80 e 6.78 ± 0.06 (HS); 69.70 ± 4.63 e 6.94 ± 0.11 (HT); a compared to NS group; b compared to HS group, and c compared to HT group (p<0.05 ANOVA, after by Tukey¿s test). The high fat-CHO diet avoided the decrease of maximum response to noradrenaline and increase to acetylcholine on exercised rats (NT vs HT). Those effects induced by the swimming program were prevented by the endothelium removal or tissue treatment with L-NAME, suggesting the participation of endothelium derived NO. No changes were observed in the concentration-effect curves to SNP in aorta of rats from any group: 100% e 7.83 ± 0.11 (maximum response and pD2 value, respectively). We suggest that the physical exercise program decreased vasomotor response to noradrenaline and increased the vasorelaxant response to acetylcholine by increasing of endothelium derived NO, and that the high fat-CHO diet avoids the benefit effects from physical exercise, although it doesn¿t cause vasomotor changes in sedentary rats / Mestrado / Fisiologia / Mestre em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

Orientador: Antonio Carlos Boschiero / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-09T03:49:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_KellyElizeuda_M.pdf: 1866524 bytes, checksum: 87ae185f2da61d551d322f4375943e54 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: O INGAP-PP é um pentadecapeptídeo constituído pela seqüência de aminoácidos do resíduo 104 ao 118 do INGAP (Islet Neogenesis Associated Protein), o qual é expresso no pâncreas exócrino e também nas células ductais durante a neogênese de células ßpancreáticas. Nesse trabalho, analisamos o efeito do tratamento crônico (4 dias) com INGAP-PP sobre a secreção de insulina, expressão gênica e protéica das subunidades Kir6.2 e SUR1 que formam o canal de K+ATP e do fator de transcrição Foxa2 (regulador da expressão das subunidades desse canal), em ilhotas isoladas de ratos adultos. As ilhotas tratadas com INGAP-PP (10 µg/mL) secretaram significativamente mais insulina quando incubadas por 1 h em concentrações entre 2.8 e 22.2 mM de glicose em comparação às ilhotas controles. Resultados de RT-PCR mostram que ilhotas tratadas com INGAP-PP tiveram expressão gênica do Foxa2 e das subunidades SUR1 e Kir6.2 aumentada. A expressão das proteínas SUR1 e Foxa2, analisada por Western Blotting, também foi maior nas ilhotas tratadas com INGAP-PP. Quando perfundidas na presença de 22,2 mM de glicose o aumento da secreção de insulina pelas ilhotas tratadas se manifestou com um primeiro pico secretor significativamente maior do que as ilhotas controles. Em presença de 2,8 mM de glicose, ilhotas tratadas com INGAP-PP secretaram mais insulina frente à concentrações despolarizantes de KCl ou tolbutamida (100 µM). Entretanto, a secreção de insulina estimulada por tolbutamida não diferiu entre os grupos em presença de 22,2 mM de glicose. A análise do efluxo de 86Rb mostrou que as ilhotas cultivadas com INGAP-PP apresentam menor efluxo do isótopo em relação às controle. Portanto, a maior secreção de insulina frente à glicose e concentrações despolarizantes de K+ indica que o tratamento com INGAP-PP induziu alterações que tornaram as células ßmais sensíveis a agentes despolarizantes. Quando associamos estes resultados ao aumento da expressão das proteínas formadoras do canal K+ATP e à redução do efluxo de 86Rb pelas ilhotas tratadas com INGAP-PP, podemos sugerir que o aumento no número de canais KATP pode ser um dos responsáveis pelo aumento na secreção de insulina nas ilhotas tratadas com o peptídeo / Abstract: Cultured adult rat islets were used to study the effect of INGAP-PP upon: a) gene expression of Kir6.2 and SUR1 of K+ATP channels and of their transcription factor Foxa2 (RT-PCR), b) protein levels (Western blotting) of SUR1 and Foxa2, c) static and dynamic insulin secretion elicited by metabolic and non metabolic stimuli and d) 86Rb efflux from perifused islets. INGAP-PP increased significantly the expression of Kir6.2, SUR1 and Foxa2 and the protein levels of SUR1 and Foxa2. Islets cultured with INGAPPP and further incubated for 1 h with 2.8 mM glucose, significantly enhanced the release of insulin in response to 40 mM KCl, and 100 µM tolbutamide. The dose-response curve of insulin secretion to increasing glucose concentrations (2.8 to 22.2 mM) shifted to the left in INGAP-PP-cultured islets with an EC50 of 10.0 ± 0.4 vs. 13.7 ± 1.5 mM glucose of the controls (P < 0,05). In dynamic studies INGAP-PP increased significantly the first-phase of insulin secretion elicited by either 22.2 mM glucose or 100 µM tolbutamide and promotes a higher glucose-induced reduction of 86Rb efflux from perifused islets. These results confirm the enhancing effect of INGAP-PP upon insulin release induced by different secretagogues and provide new evidence that such effect is due, at least partly, to an enhanced expression of the SUR1 and Kir6.2 genes of K+ATP channels and of the Foxa2 gene that controls their expression. They would also suggest that INGAP-PP could potentially be used to maintain the capacity of cultured islets to release insulin in response to glucose and maybe for the treatment of diabetes / Mestrado / Fisiologia / Mestre em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

Dysfunction of central dopaminergic systems has been implicated in neuroendocrine, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Monoamine oxidase and catechol-Omethyltransferase represent the key catabolic enzymes of dopamine, terminating neurotransmission following synaptic release of this catecholamine. Thus, both enzymes have been associated with the pathology of dopaminergic systems and represent therapeutic targets elf enormous clinical importance. Some neuroendocrine and circadian effects of melatonin have been attributed to an antidopamimetic effect of this pineal hormone in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Furthermore, both melatonin and dopamine modulate the behavioural output of the mesencephalic dopaminergic pathways of the basal ganglia, including movement disorders. However, the biochemical basis for the tonic inhibitory effect of melatonin in the nigro-striatal pathway has been poorly delineated. Thus, this study determined whether melatonin influences dopaminergic function in the corpus striatum of the Wistar rat by modulating monoamine oxidase and catecholO- methyltransferase activity. Reciprocally, the putative existence of an intrapineal dopaminergic system was investigated by determining the effect of selective dopaminergic agents, R-( -)apomorphine, haloperidol and dopamine, on indole metabolism of the pineal gland. The akinetic state of drug-induced catalepsy was employed as an animal model of Parkinson's disease to probe the neurotransmitter systems involved in the behavioural effects of melatonin. Indole metabolism was a reliable indicator of state-dependent metabolic fluxes in pineal gland function. These included a robust diurnal and seasonal variation in N-acetylserotonin and melatonin biosynthesis, and photoperiod- and drug-induced alterations of Inftabolism. The predominant changes could be attributed to an effect on serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity and/or the melatoninl5-methoxytryptophol ratio. Pineal 5-methoxyindole biosynthesis was determined primarily by the bioavailability of the corresponding 5-hydroxyindole and its affinity for hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase. Evidence was found for the negative feedback or paracrine control of pineal indole metabolism by melatonin. A high inter-individual variability was observed in the biosynthesis of N-acetylserotonin and melatonin biosynthesis, and the weight of the pineal glands. Accordingly, the rats could be classified as either high or low capacity producers of these two indoles. R-(-)-apomorphine and dopamine in vitro, but not acute haloperidol in vivo, had dose- and phase-dependent effects on pineal indole metabolism. The predominant effect was a suppression of the scotophase-dependent induction ofN-acetylserotonin and melatonin biosynthesis by dopamine and R-( -)-apomorphine. It is postulated that these agonists inhibited nocturnal N-acetyltransferase activity via postsynaptic pineal D2 or D2-like receptors. The observed modulatory nature of the intrapineal dopaminergic system suggests that dopamine may be involved in the long-term regulation of pineal indole biosynthesis. Several lines of evidence are presented that the activity of striatal monoamine oxidase A and catechol-O-methyltransferase, represented predominantly by the soluble isoform, is statedependent and regulated in vivo by endogenous melatonin. Firstly, both enzymes showed a daynight variation in activity. Secondly, acute and subchronic administration and photoperiod manipulation studies indicated that both exogenous and endogenous melatonin inhibited each enzyme in a chronotypic fashion, with a more robust effect against catechol- -methyltransferase. The intensity of the in vivo effects was critically dependent on the dose, duration, route and the phase-timing of administration during the light dark cycle, and the length of the exposure to constant light. Melatonin in vitro had no effect on basal or Mg2+ -induced catechol-Omethyltransferase activity. Thus, it is proposed that the in vivo effects of the hormone can be attributed to a time-dependent change in the amount of active molecules of this enzyme. In contrast, melatonin and numerous other endogenous indolic compounds were found to be reversible inhibitors of striatal monoamine oxidase A in vitro. Structure-activity modeling revealed that the 5-methoxy moiety on the indole nucleus and substitution of the free primary amine of these compounds were the principal determinants of the potency and time-dependency of inhibition. Thus melatonin most likely has a direct inhibitory effect in vivo at the level of the active site of monoamine oxidase A. Exogenous melatonin alone had no cataleptogenic potential whereas a variety of behavioural responses were observed following intraperitoneal administration of y-hydroxybutyrate. The latter responses were state-dependent with day-night variations in intensity. Furthermore, yhydroxybutyrate stimulated melatonin biosynthesis during the photophase both in vitro and in vivo. These results point to a possible involvement of melatonin in the behavioural and neurochemical effects of y-hydroxybutyrate. Thus the general conclusion is that dopamine and melatonin display functional antagonism at the level of the pineal gland and corpus striatum of the Wistar rats. Therefore melatonin may be an important homeostatic modulator of dopaminergic neurotransmission throu~out the central nervous system. Furthermore, the putative existence of a functional pineal-striatal axis would greatly strengthen the argument for a holistic concept of brain homeostasis. The ability of endogenous melatonin to regulate monoamine oxidase A and catechol-O-methyltransferase may represent an alternative strategy for the treatment of disorders associated with these enzymes.

The purpose of my study was to determine and compare the effects of three calcium antagonists on systemic hemodynamics, ECG, blood flow distribution, tissue conductance and venous tone of the rat. The effects of a representative drug from Spedding's (1985) three subclasses of calcium antagonists on systemic hemodynamics, ECG, cardiac output and the distribution of blood flow were investigated by the microsphere technique in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. The representative drugs were: I, nifedipine (12 and 35 µg/kg/min); II, verapamil (43 and 83 µg/kg/min) and III, flunarizine (174 and 275 µg/kg/min). Low and high doses were selected to give a decrease in mean arterial pressure of 10 and 20 mmHg, respectively, compared with control rats. At equal depressor levels, all the drugs similarly decreased total peripheral resistance while slightly but not significantly increasing cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume. Heart rate was decreased by verapamil and flunarizine, but increased by nifedipine. The high dose of nifedipine decreased contractility as measured by dP/dt and had no effect on PR-interval, while verapamil decreased dP/dt and prolonged the PR-interval. The low dose of nifedipine and both doses of flunarizine slightly but not significantly decreased dP/dt and had no effect on PR-interval. All three drugs similarly affected the distribution of blood flow. Blood flow to lungs, liver, and heart was increased while flow to the intestine, kidneys, spleen and skin was decreased. Arterial conductances in lungs, liver, heart and skeletal muscle were increased by the three drugs. These results show that representative drugs from the three subclasses of calcium antagonists had similar effects on the distribution of blood flow and arterial conductances but different chronotropic, dromotropic and inotropic effects. A final set of experiments were designed to evaluate calcium antagonist actions on venous tone, as venous tone is a primary determinant of CO and the calcium antagonists generally increase CO. The effects of three calcium antagonists, verapamil, nifedipine and flunarizine on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP), an index of total body venous tone, were investigated in the. conscious rat. Infusions of all three drugs caused a dose-dependent decrease in MAP and an increase in MCFP, compared with the corresponding values in control rats. HR was decreased by verapamil and flunarizine and slightly increased by nifedipine. Further experiments investigated whether the increase in MCFP by verapamil was indirectly caused by reflex activation of the autonomic nervous system. Rats were pretreated with a continuous infusion of the ganglionic blocker hexamethonium prior to infusion of verapamil. After treatment with hexamethonium, verapamil did not increase the MCFP. In fact the highest dose of verapamil significantly decreased MCFP. The results suggest that calcium antagonists have greater dilator effects in arterioles compared to veins. It appears that any direct venodilator effects of verapamil in conscious rats are masked due to reflex activation of the autonomic nervous system. / Medicine, Faculty of / Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Department of / Graduate