O Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH) é um dos transtornos neuropsiquiátricos mais prevalentes da infância caracterizado pelos sintomas de desatenção, hiperatividade e impulsividade. O TDAH é uma desordem neurocomportamental heterogênea e fenotipicamente complexa e sua etiologia ainda não foi completamente esclarecida, mas sabe-se que a interação de fatores ambientais e genéticos e o acúmulo de seus efeitos possivelmente aumenta a vulnerabilidade ao transtorno. Nesse estudo, foram investigados o imunoconteúdo de proteínas sinápticas e do desenvolvimento a partir de neurônios da região do córtex pré-frontal de animais SHR, um dos modelos animais mais validados para o estudo do TDAH. Também foi realizada uma análise morfomética do padrão de desenvolvimento dessas células ao longo de diferentes dias in vitro e o papel do BDNF, fator neurotrófico crucial para a sobrevivência e maturação das sinapses, no desenvolvimento dos neurônios SHR. A análise do imunoconteúdo da SNAP-25 mostrou aumento nos níveis dessa proteína no 2º DIV e diminuição no 5º DIV nos neurônios SHR em relação ao controle WKY, sem alterações entre as cepas nos outros dias analisados. Em relação aos níveis de sinaptofisina nos neurônios SHR, foi observado aumento somente no 5º DIV. A análise do proBDNF mostrou diminuição nos neurônios SHR no 5º DIV e aumento no 8º DIV. A imunodetecção do CREB mostrou que os neurônios SHR apresentam níveis diminuídos dessa proteína somente no 1º DIV. O receptor TrkB também apresentou alterações no seu imunoconteúdo, com aumento no 2º DIV e diminuição no 5º DIV nos neurônios SHR. O imunoconteúdo do BDNF e do TrkB fosforilado não apresentaram alterações entre as linhagens nos dias analisados. Além disso, foi realizada uma análise morfométrica de diferentes parâmetros de desenvolvimento dos neurônios ao longo de diferentes dias in vitro por meio da marcação da proteína da região somatodendrítica MAP-2. Foi observada diminuição no comprimento total dos neuritos dos neurônios SHR no 5º DIV em relação aos neurônios WKY. Também foi verificado redução no número de raízes no 2º DIV e redução no número de pontos de ramificação no 5º DIV nos neurônios SHR. As alterações observadas em proteínas que são relacionadas aos processos de sinapses e de desenvolvimento neuronal podem auxiliar na compreenssão das diferenças encontradas no padrão de desenvolvimento dos neurônios SHR. Essas modificações a nível proteico podem estar alterando o crescimento e o padrão de arborização dendrítica e implicar em modificações na funcionalidade dessas células importantes para a melhor compreensão das bases neurobiológicas do TDAH. / Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD is a heterogeneous and phenotypically complex neurobehavioral disorder with unknown etiology, but the interaction between environmental and genetic factors have been described to increase the vulnerability to the disorder. In this study, we investigated the immunocontent of synaptic and development proteins of prefrontal cortex neurons from one of the most validated animal models for the study of ADHD (SHR). We also performed a morphometric analysis along development of these cells at different days in vitro and the role of a neurotrofic factor (BDNF) in neuronal outgrowth. SNAP-25 immunocontent was increased at 2 DIV and decreased at 5 DIV in SHR neurons. Synaptophysin levels show increases only at 5 DIV in SHR neurons. The levels of proBDNF were decreased at 5 DIV and increased at 8 DIV in SHR neurons. CREB immunodetection showed that SHR neurons present decreased levels only at 1 DIV. The TrkB receptor also presented changes in immunocontent, with increase at 2 DIV and decrease at 5 DIV in the SHR neurons. Morphometric analysis during neuronal development by immunostaining with MAP-2 somatodendritic protein show decrease in total length at 5 DIV in SHR neurons in relation to WKY neurons. Besides that, SHR neurons exhibit reduction in number of roots at 2 DIV and number of branch points at 5 DIV. Changes in proteins related to synaptic processes and neuronal during development can help to understand differences found in the pattern of development of the neurons SHR. These changes at protein level may be altering neuronal outgrowth and dendritic arborization and possible involve modifications in functionality of these cells important for better understanding the neurobiological bases of ADHD.

Nous avons précédemment montré que les cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires(CMLV) des rats spontanément hypertendus (SHR) présentent une expression augmentée des protéines G inhibitrices (Gi) et une prolifération cellulaire accrue par rapport aux CMLV des rats Wystar-Kyoto (WKY). Le niveau d'AMPc s’est également avéré plus faible dans les CMLV de SHR. La présente étude a donc été entreprise afin d'examiner la contribution de la diminution du niveau intracellulaire d'AMPc à l’augmentation de l'expression des protéines Gi et à la prolifération accrue des CMLV de SHR et de continuer à explorer les mécanismes moléculaires sous-jacents responsables de cette réponse. Les CMLV de SHR ont montré par rapport aux CMLV des WKY une expression accrue de Giα-2 et Giα-3 qui a été diminué d'une manière dépendante de concentration par le dbcAMP, un analogue d'AMPc perméable à la membrane cellulaire. En outre, les fonctions augmentées des protéines Gi comme démontrées par l'amplification de l’inhibition de l'adénylate cyclase par les hormones inhibitrices et l'activité forskoline (FSK)-stimulée de l’adénylate cyclase par une faible concentration de GTPγS dans les CMLV de SHR ont également été restaurées aux niveaux de WKY par le dbcAMP. La prolifération accrue des CMLV de SHR a également été atténuée par le dbcAMP et la forskoline, un activateur de l'adénylate cyclase. De plus, dbcAMP a restauré la production augmentée d'anion superoxyde (O2-), l'activité de la NAD(P)H oxydase et l’expression accrue des protéines Nox 4 et p47phox observée dans les CMLV de SHR jusqu’au niveau contrôle. Par ailleurs, la phosphorylation accrue des PDGF-R, EGF-R, c-Src et ERK1/2 énoncée par les CMLV de SHR a également été diminuée par le dbcAMP d'une manière dépendante de concentration. Ces résultats suggèrent que le niveau réduit d'AMPc intracellulaire montré par les CMLV de SHR contribue à l'expression accrue des protéines Gi et à l’hyperprolifération cellulaire à travers l’augmentation du stress oxydatif, la transactivation des EGF-R, PDGF-R et la voie de signalisation des MAP kinases. / We have previously shown that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibit enhanced expression of inhibitory G proteins (Gi) and enhanced cell proliferation as compared to VSMC from Wystar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The levels of cAMP were shown to be decreased in VSMC from SHR. The present study was therefore undertaken to examine the contribution of the decreased intracellular level of cAMP in the enhanced expression of Gi proteins and increased proliferation of VSMC from SHR and to further explore the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for this response. VSMC from SHR showed an enhanced expression of Giα-2 and Giα-3 as compared to VSMC from WKY which was decreased in a dose-dependent manner by dbcAMP, a cell-permeable cAMP analog. In addition, the enhanced functions of Gi proteins as demonstrated by enhanced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by inhibitory hormones and forskolin (FSK)-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by low concentration of GTPγS in VSMC from SHR were also restored to the WKY levels by dbcAMP. The enhanced proliferation of VSMC exhibited by SHR was also attenuated by dbcAMP and forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase. In addition, dbcAMP also restored the increased production of superoxide anion (O2-), NAD(P)H oxidase activity and enhanced expression of Nox 4 and p47phox proteins observed in VSMC from SHR to control levels. Furthermore, the increased phosphorylation of PDGF-R, EGF-R, c-Src and ERK1/2 exhibited by VSMC from SHR were also decreased by dbcAMP in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that decreased levels of intracellular cAMP exhibited by VSMC from SHR contributes to the enhanced expression of Gi proteins and hyperproliferation through increasing oxidative stress and transactivation of EGF-R, PDGF-R and MAP kinase signaling pathway.

A hipertensão arterial (HA) é uma doença multifatorial na qual há a interação de vários mecanismos, e está relacionada com alterações funcionais e/ou estruturais dos órgãos-alvo. Alterações funcionais dos mecanismos regulatórios da pressão arterial (PA) a curto prazo, como os barorreceptores e os quimiorreceptores, vem sendo bastante exploradas com o objetivo de entender os possíveis mecanismos que podem estar relacionadas à gênese da HA. Diante disso, utilizamos o modelo experimental de desnervação sinoaórtica (DSA) e desnervação seletiva desses aferentes (aórtica DA) e/ou carotídea (DC) e a ligadura da artéria do corpúsculo carotídeo (LA) para avaliarmos a importância relativa dos barorreceptores e quimioreceptores no controle neurogênico da circulação mediando respostas cardíacas e músculo-esqueléticas na HA. Para tanto, utilizamos ratos Wistar (CTR) e espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) submetidos às diferentes desnervações (SHRDSA/ SHRDA / SHRDC), bem como, a ligadura da artéria do corpúsculo carotídeo (SHRLA). Os animais foram acompanhados durante 10 semanas após as desnervações seletivas, e em seguida foram realizadas as avaliações ecocardiográficas, gasometria arterial, hemodinâmicas, autonômicas e de fluxo sanguíneo regional. Posteriormente, os animais foram eutanasiados para a coleta dos tecidos para as avaliações gênicas e histológicas. Resultados: Os animais SHR apresentaram disfunções hemodinâmicas, autonômicas e gasométricas (alcalose respiratória) quando comparado ao grupo CTR, assim como nas análises de hipertrofia, fluxo e histologia do músculo esquelético, como transição no fenótipo para um perfil mais glicolítico no sóleo e aumento da área de secção transversa das fibras do tipo I e redução das fibras do tipo IIB no músculo diafragma. Nos grupos experimentais hipertensos, os animais com prejuízo do quimiorreflexo (SHRDC, SHRLA e SHRDSA), apresentaram valores maiores de pCO2 em relação ao grupo SHR e SHRDA. Todos os grupos com as diferentes desnervações apresentaram alterações autonômicas, de fluxo sanguíneo e de capilarização. Entretanto, nossos maiores achados foram em relação ao grupo SHRDA, que apresentou valores significativamente maiores que o grupo SHR nos parâmetros PAS (212±2 vs 200±3), PAD (156±4 vs 144±3) PAM (185±9 vs 172±3) e FC (377±4 vs 350±7). Além disso, apresentou aumento da variabilidade da PA (VPAS), bem como o simpático periférico (BFPAS), contrariamente ao observado nos grupos SHRDC e SHRLA em relação ao grupo SHR. No controle autonômico da FC, o grupo SHRDA apresentou menor efeito parassimpático e maior efeito simpático em relação ao grupo SHR. Já os grupos SHRDC e SHRLA apresentaram um menor efeito parassimpático, sem alterações no efeito simpático, embora a resistência vascular periférica estivesse aumentada no grupo SHRLA. As adaptações morfofuncionais cardíacas (ecocardiografia e marcadores de hipertrofia cardíaca) foram mais evidentes no grupo que apresentava disfunção total de ambos receptores (SHRDSA). Conclusão: A ausência do controle reflexo exercido predominantemente pelos barorreceptores arteriais demonstrou uma maior influência do componente aórtico do que o carotídeo sobre a PA. Em adição, a função sistólica parece maior nos grupos SHRDA e SHRDSA, sugerindo que a desnervação aórtica esteja associada com ativação simpática. Não se observou alteração cardíaca na desnervação carotídea. Em relação ao músculo esquelético, todas as desnervações mostraram aumento de capilarização, enquanto somente o grupo SHRDSA mostrou redução de fibras intermediárias. O aumento de capilarização pode estar associado com a liberação do simpático periférico nas desnervações que incluem a retirada dos barorreceptores aórticos, levando ao aumento de VPA e à ausência dos quimiorreceptores nos grupos com desaferentação dos receptores carotídeos / Arterial hypertension (AH) is a multifactorial disease on which there is the interaction of several mechanisms , therefore is related to functional and / or structural changes of the target organ . Functional changes of the regulatory mechanisms of blood pressure (BP) in the short term , as pressoreceptor and chemoreceptors, has been extensively explored in order to understand the possible mechanisms that may be related to the genesis of hypertension. Thus, we used the experimental model of sinoaortic denervation (DSA) and selective denervation of those afferent aortic (DA) and / or carotid (DC) and the ligature of the carotid body artery (LA) to evaluate the relative importance of baroreceptors and chemoreceptors on control of neurogenic circulation mediating cardiac and musculoskeletal responses in HA. There by, we used Wistar rats (CTR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) subjected to different denervation (SHRDSA / SHRDA / SHRDC) and the ligature of the carotid body artery (SHRLA). The animals were followed for 10 weeks after the selective denervation it was performed echocardiographic evaluations, blood gas, hemodynamic, autonomic and regional blood flow. Subsequently, the animals were euthanized for tissue collection for genetic and histological evaluations. Results: SHR animals showed hemodynamic, autonomic dysfunction and gas exchange (respiratory alkalosis) compared to CTR group as well as the analysis of hypertrophy, flow and histology of skeletal muscle, such as the transition to a more glycolytic phenotype profile in soleus and increased cross-sectional area of type I fibers and reduction of type IIB fibers in the diaphragm . In hypertensive experimental groups, animals with prejudice chemoreflex (SHRDC, SHRLA and SHRDSA) , showed higher pCO2 compared to SHR and SHRDA group. All groups with different denervation showed autonomic changes in blood flow and capillarization. However, our major findings were compared to SHRDA group, which was significantly higher than the SHR in SBP (212 ± 2 vs 200 ± 3), DBP (156 ± 4 vs 144 ± 3), MAP (185 ± 9 vs 172 ± 3) and HR (377 ± 4 vs 350 ± 7) parameters. Furthermore, we showed an increase in BP variability (BPV) and in the peripheral sympathetic (BFPAS), otherwise showed in the groups SHRDC and SHRLA compared to SHR . Autonomic control of HR, the SHRDA group showed lower sympathetic and higher parasympathetic effect effect in relation to SHR. Already SHRDC and SHRLA groups had a lower parasympathetic effect without changes in sympathetic, although peripheral vascular resistance was increased in SHRLA group. The cardiac morphofunctional adaptations (echocardiography and cardiac hypertrophy markers) were more evident in the group that had total dysfunction of both receptors (SHRDSA). Conclusion: The absence of reflex control exerted by arterial baroreceptors predominantly showed a greater influence of the aortic component of the carotid on BP. In addition, systolic function appears higher in groups SHRDA and SHRDSA, suggesting that aortic denervation is associated with sympathetic activation. No cardiac abnormality was observed in the carotid denervation. Regarding skeletal muscle, all denervations showed an increased of capillarization, while only SHRDSA group showed reduction of intermediate fibers. Increased capillarization may be associated with the release of the peripheral sympathetic denervation, including removal of the aortic baroreceptors, leading to increased VPA and the absence of chemoreceptors in groups with deafferentation of the carotid receptors

Nous avons précédemment montré que les cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires(CMLV) des rats spontanément hypertendus (SHR) présentent une expression augmentée des protéines G inhibitrices (Gi) et une prolifération cellulaire accrue par rapport aux CMLV des rats Wystar-Kyoto (WKY). Le niveau d'AMPc s’est également avéré plus faible dans les CMLV de SHR. La présente étude a donc été entreprise afin d'examiner la contribution de la diminution du niveau intracellulaire d'AMPc à l’augmentation de l'expression des protéines Gi et à la prolifération accrue des CMLV de SHR et de continuer à explorer les mécanismes moléculaires sous-jacents responsables de cette réponse. Les CMLV de SHR ont montré par rapport aux CMLV des WKY une expression accrue de Giα-2 et Giα-3 qui a été diminué d'une manière dépendante de concentration par le dbcAMP, un analogue d'AMPc perméable à la membrane cellulaire. En outre, les fonctions augmentées des protéines Gi comme démontrées par l'amplification de l’inhibition de l'adénylate cyclase par les hormones inhibitrices et l'activité forskoline (FSK)-stimulée de l’adénylate cyclase par une faible concentration de GTPγS dans les CMLV de SHR ont également été restaurées aux niveaux de WKY par le dbcAMP. La prolifération accrue des CMLV de SHR a également été atténuée par le dbcAMP et la forskoline, un activateur de l'adénylate cyclase. De plus, dbcAMP a restauré la production augmentée d'anion superoxyde (O2-), l'activité de la NAD(P)H oxydase et l’expression accrue des protéines Nox 4 et p47phox observée dans les CMLV de SHR jusqu’au niveau contrôle. Par ailleurs, la phosphorylation accrue des PDGF-R, EGF-R, c-Src et ERK1/2 énoncée par les CMLV de SHR a également été diminuée par le dbcAMP d'une manière dépendante de concentration. Ces résultats suggèrent que le niveau réduit d'AMPc intracellulaire montré par les CMLV de SHR contribue à l'expression accrue des protéines Gi et à l’hyperprolifération cellulaire à travers l’augmentation du stress oxydatif, la transactivation des EGF-R, PDGF-R et la voie de signalisation des MAP kinases. / We have previously shown that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibit enhanced expression of inhibitory G proteins (Gi) and enhanced cell proliferation as compared to VSMC from Wystar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The levels of cAMP were shown to be decreased in VSMC from SHR. The present study was therefore undertaken to examine the contribution of the decreased intracellular level of cAMP in the enhanced expression of Gi proteins and increased proliferation of VSMC from SHR and to further explore the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for this response. VSMC from SHR showed an enhanced expression of Giα-2 and Giα-3 as compared to VSMC from WKY which was decreased in a dose-dependent manner by dbcAMP, a cell-permeable cAMP analog. In addition, the enhanced functions of Gi proteins as demonstrated by enhanced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by inhibitory hormones and forskolin (FSK)-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by low concentration of GTPγS in VSMC from SHR were also restored to the WKY levels by dbcAMP. The enhanced proliferation of VSMC exhibited by SHR was also attenuated by dbcAMP and forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase. In addition, dbcAMP also restored the increased production of superoxide anion (O2-), NAD(P)H oxidase activity and enhanced expression of Nox 4 and p47phox proteins observed in VSMC from SHR to control levels. Furthermore, the increased phosphorylation of PDGF-R, EGF-R, c-Src and ERK1/2 exhibited by VSMC from SHR were also decreased by dbcAMP in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that decreased levels of intracellular cAMP exhibited by VSMC from SHR contributes to the enhanced expression of Gi proteins and hyperproliferation through increasing oxidative stress and transactivation of EGF-R, PDGF-R and MAP kinase signaling pathway.

A hipertensão arterial (HA) é uma doença multifatorial na qual há a interação de vários mecanismos, e está relacionada com alterações funcionais e/ou estruturais dos órgãos-alvo. Alterações funcionais dos mecanismos regulatórios da pressão arterial (PA) a curto prazo, como os barorreceptores e os quimiorreceptores, vem sendo bastante exploradas com o objetivo de entender os possíveis mecanismos que podem estar relacionadas à gênese da HA. Diante disso, utilizamos o modelo experimental de desnervação sinoaórtica (DSA) e desnervação seletiva desses aferentes (aórtica DA) e/ou carotídea (DC) e a ligadura da artéria do corpúsculo carotídeo (LA) para avaliarmos a importância relativa dos barorreceptores e quimioreceptores no controle neurogênico da circulação mediando respostas cardíacas e músculo-esqueléticas na HA. Para tanto, utilizamos ratos Wistar (CTR) e espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) submetidos às diferentes desnervações (SHRDSA/ SHRDA / SHRDC), bem como, a ligadura da artéria do corpúsculo carotídeo (SHRLA). Os animais foram acompanhados durante 10 semanas após as desnervações seletivas, e em seguida foram realizadas as avaliações ecocardiográficas, gasometria arterial, hemodinâmicas, autonômicas e de fluxo sanguíneo regional. Posteriormente, os animais foram eutanasiados para a coleta dos tecidos para as avaliações gênicas e histológicas. Resultados: Os animais SHR apresentaram disfunções hemodinâmicas, autonômicas e gasométricas (alcalose respiratória) quando comparado ao grupo CTR, assim como nas análises de hipertrofia, fluxo e histologia do músculo esquelético, como transição no fenótipo para um perfil mais glicolítico no sóleo e aumento da área de secção transversa das fibras do tipo I e redução das fibras do tipo IIB no músculo diafragma. Nos grupos experimentais hipertensos, os animais com prejuízo do quimiorreflexo (SHRDC, SHRLA e SHRDSA), apresentaram valores maiores de pCO2 em relação ao grupo SHR e SHRDA. Todos os grupos com as diferentes desnervações apresentaram alterações autonômicas, de fluxo sanguíneo e de capilarização. Entretanto, nossos maiores achados foram em relação ao grupo SHRDA, que apresentou valores significativamente maiores que o grupo SHR nos parâmetros PAS (212±2 vs 200±3), PAD (156±4 vs 144±3) PAM (185±9 vs 172±3) e FC (377±4 vs 350±7). Além disso, apresentou aumento da variabilidade da PA (VPAS), bem como o simpático periférico (BFPAS), contrariamente ao observado nos grupos SHRDC e SHRLA em relação ao grupo SHR. No controle autonômico da FC, o grupo SHRDA apresentou menor efeito parassimpático e maior efeito simpático em relação ao grupo SHR. Já os grupos SHRDC e SHRLA apresentaram um menor efeito parassimpático, sem alterações no efeito simpático, embora a resistência vascular periférica estivesse aumentada no grupo SHRLA. As adaptações morfofuncionais cardíacas (ecocardiografia e marcadores de hipertrofia cardíaca) foram mais evidentes no grupo que apresentava disfunção total de ambos receptores (SHRDSA). Conclusão: A ausência do controle reflexo exercido predominantemente pelos barorreceptores arteriais demonstrou uma maior influência do componente aórtico do que o carotídeo sobre a PA. Em adição, a função sistólica parece maior nos grupos SHRDA e SHRDSA, sugerindo que a desnervação aórtica esteja associada com ativação simpática. Não se observou alteração cardíaca na desnervação carotídea. Em relação ao músculo esquelético, todas as desnervações mostraram aumento de capilarização, enquanto somente o grupo SHRDSA mostrou redução de fibras intermediárias. O aumento de capilarização pode estar associado com a liberação do simpático periférico nas desnervações que incluem a retirada dos barorreceptores aórticos, levando ao aumento de VPA e à ausência dos quimiorreceptores nos grupos com desaferentação dos receptores carotídeos / Arterial hypertension (AH) is a multifactorial disease on which there is the interaction of several mechanisms , therefore is related to functional and / or structural changes of the target organ . Functional changes of the regulatory mechanisms of blood pressure (BP) in the short term , as pressoreceptor and chemoreceptors, has been extensively explored in order to understand the possible mechanisms that may be related to the genesis of hypertension. Thus, we used the experimental model of sinoaortic denervation (DSA) and selective denervation of those afferent aortic (DA) and / or carotid (DC) and the ligature of the carotid body artery (LA) to evaluate the relative importance of baroreceptors and chemoreceptors on control of neurogenic circulation mediating cardiac and musculoskeletal responses in HA. There by, we used Wistar rats (CTR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) subjected to different denervation (SHRDSA / SHRDA / SHRDC) and the ligature of the carotid body artery (SHRLA). The animals were followed for 10 weeks after the selective denervation it was performed echocardiographic evaluations, blood gas, hemodynamic, autonomic and regional blood flow. Subsequently, the animals were euthanized for tissue collection for genetic and histological evaluations. Results: SHR animals showed hemodynamic, autonomic dysfunction and gas exchange (respiratory alkalosis) compared to CTR group as well as the analysis of hypertrophy, flow and histology of skeletal muscle, such as the transition to a more glycolytic phenotype profile in soleus and increased cross-sectional area of type I fibers and reduction of type IIB fibers in the diaphragm . In hypertensive experimental groups, animals with prejudice chemoreflex (SHRDC, SHRLA and SHRDSA) , showed higher pCO2 compared to SHR and SHRDA group. All groups with different denervation showed autonomic changes in blood flow and capillarization. However, our major findings were compared to SHRDA group, which was significantly higher than the SHR in SBP (212 ± 2 vs 200 ± 3), DBP (156 ± 4 vs 144 ± 3), MAP (185 ± 9 vs 172 ± 3) and HR (377 ± 4 vs 350 ± 7) parameters. Furthermore, we showed an increase in BP variability (BPV) and in the peripheral sympathetic (BFPAS), otherwise showed in the groups SHRDC and SHRLA compared to SHR . Autonomic control of HR, the SHRDA group showed lower sympathetic and higher parasympathetic effect effect in relation to SHR. Already SHRDC and SHRLA groups had a lower parasympathetic effect without changes in sympathetic, although peripheral vascular resistance was increased in SHRLA group. The cardiac morphofunctional adaptations (echocardiography and cardiac hypertrophy markers) were more evident in the group that had total dysfunction of both receptors (SHRDSA). Conclusion: The absence of reflex control exerted by arterial baroreceptors predominantly showed a greater influence of the aortic component of the carotid on BP. In addition, systolic function appears higher in groups SHRDA and SHRDSA, suggesting that aortic denervation is associated with sympathetic activation. No cardiac abnormality was observed in the carotid denervation. Regarding skeletal muscle, all denervations showed an increased of capillarization, while only SHRDSA group showed reduction of intermediate fibers. Increased capillarization may be associated with the release of the peripheral sympathetic denervation, including removal of the aortic baroreceptors, leading to increased VPA and the absence of chemoreceptors in groups with deafferentation of the carotid receptors

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.

Thesis evaluated by: Dr. Rémy Sauvé, Dr. Puttaswamy Manjunath and Dr. Madhu Anand-Srivastava. Thank you for all your help. / L’hypertension est associée au remodelage vasculaire dû à l’hyperprolifération et l’hypertrophie des cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires (CMLVs). Nous avons démontré par le passé l’implication de l’expression élevée des protéines Gqα et PLCβ1 dans les CMLVs de rats spontanément hypertendus (RSH) âgés de 16 semaines. Le C-ANP4-23 est un agoniste du récepteur au peptide natriurétique de type C (NPR-C) qui possède la capacité d’inhiber la synthèse de protéines en réponse aux peptides vasoactifs dans les CMLVs. Cette étude a eu pour but d’examiner si le C-ANP4-23 pouvait atténuer l’hypertrophie dans un modèle de rat souffrant d’hypertrophie cardiaque et d’explorer les mécanismes responsables de cette inhibition. Pour ce faire, des CMLVs aortiques de RSH âgés de 16 semaines ont été utilisées. Le taux de synthèse de protéines, un marqueur d’hypertrophie, a été déterminé par l’incorporation de (3H)leucine et l’expression des protéines a été déterminée par la technique d’immunobuvardage de type Western. Le volume cellulaire a été estimé par imagerie confocale tridimensionnelle. Le taux de synthèse de protéines et le volume cellulaire étaient considérablement accrus dans les CMLVs des RSH comparativement aux rats WKY et ont été largement atténués par le traitement au C-ANP4-23. De plus, le traitement au C-ANP4-23 a normalisé l’expression élevée du récepteur AT1 et des protéines Gqα et PLCβ1, des niveaux intracellulaires d’anions superoxide (O2-), de l’activité de la NADPH (de l’anglais nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxydase, ainsi que l’expression des protéines Nox4 et de p47phox dans les CMLVs des RSH. En outre, le C-ANP4-23 a réduit l’activation des récepteurs à L’EGF (de l’anglais epidermal growth factor), au PDGF (de l’anglais platelet-derived growth factor), et à l’IGF-1 (de l’anglais insulin-like growth factor 1). Le C-ANP4-23 a également atténué la phosphorylation des ERK1/2 (de l’anglais extracellular regulated kinase1/2), AKT et c-Src. Ces résultats indiquent que l’activation du NPR-C par C-ANP4-23 a atténué l’hypertrophie des CMLVs par sa capacité à diminuer la surexpression du récepteur AT1, l’expression élevée des protéines Gqα/PLCβ1, le stress oxydatif accru, l’activation augmentée des facteurs de croissance et l’augmentation de la phosphorylation des voies de signalisation MAPK/AKT. Ainsi, ces travaux suggèrent que le C-ANP4-23 peut être utilisé comme agent thérapeutique pour le traitement des complications vasculaires associées à l’hypertension et à l’athérosclérose. / Hypertension is associated with vascular remodelling due to hyperproliferation and hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We earlier showed the implication of enhanced expression of Gqα and PLCβ1 proteins in VSMCs from 16- week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The present study was undertaken to investigate whether C-ANP4-23, a natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C) agonist that has been shown to inhibit vasoactive peptide-induced enhanced protein synthesis in VSMCs, could attenuate VSMC hypertrophy in rat models of cardiac hypertrophy and to explore the underlying mechanisms contributing to this inhibition. For these studies, aortic VSMCs from 16-week-old SHR were used. The protein synthesis, a marker of hypertrophy, was determined by (3H)leucine incorporation and the expression of proteins was determined by Western blotting. Cell volume was determined by three-dimensional confocal imaging. The protein synthesis was significantly enhanced in VSMC from SHR as compared to WKY and C-ANP4-23 treatment attenuated the enhanced protein synthesis to WKY control levels. In addition, the enhanced expression of the AT1 receptor as well as Gqα and PLCβ1 proteins, enhanced levels of superoxide anion (O2 -), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, as well as the increased expressions of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) and p47phox exhibited by VSMC from SHR were all attenuated by C-ANP4-23 treatment. Furthermore, C-ANP4-23 also attenuated the enhanced activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) and the enhanced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), AKT and c-Src. These results indicate that C-ANP4-23, via the activation of NPR-C, attenuates VSMC hypertrophy through its ability to decrease the overexpression of the AT1 receptor and Gqα/PLCβ1 proteins, the enhanced oxidative stress, the increased activation of growth factors and the enhanced phosphorylation of the MAPK/AKT signalling pathway. Thus, it can be suggested that C-ANP4-23, an activator of NPR-C, may be used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of vascular complications associated with hypertension and atherosclerosis.

INTRODUÇÂO: Durante o desenvolvimento da hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) ocorre a hiperatividade simpática, que está relacionada ao comprometimento dos sistemas baro e quimiorreflexo arteriais e disfunção ventricular esquerda (VE). Entretanto, a função ventricular direita (VD) tem sido pouco avaliada no contexto da HAS associada à desnervação sino-aórtica (DSA). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a função biventricular de forma não-invasiva e invasiva, a capacidade funcional, a sensibilidade barorreflexa e o controle autonômico cardiovascular em ratos Wistar (W) e ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) submetidos ou não à DSA. MÉTODOS: Após 10 semanas de DSA, a função cardíaca foi avaliada pelo teste de esforço (TE), ecocardiograma transtorácico e transesofágico, e a pressão diastólica final biventricular; as funções hemodinâmica e autonômica foram avaliadas pelo registro da pressão arterial (PA) e da freqüência cardíaca (FC), variabilidade da PA e da FC e sensibilidade barorreflexa. Os ratos (n = 32) foram divididos em 4 grupos: 16 W com (n = 8) e sem DSA (n = 8), 16 SHR com (n = 8) ou sem DSA (n = 8). RESULTADOS: A PA e a FC não apresentaram alterações entre os grupos DSA e não-DSA, entretanto, os SHR apresentaram níveis mais elevados da PA comparado com W. O TE mostrou que os SHR apresentaram melhor capacidade funcional em relação ao DSA e SHRDSA (W: 1,16±0,3m/s, DSA: 0,9±0,15m/s, *SHR: 1,46±0,29m/s, SHR-DSA: 1,02±0,31, *p< 0,05 vs. DSA e SHRDSA). Os SHRs apresentaram aumento da variabilidade da PA comparados aos W. Após a DSA houve aumento da variabilidade PA em todos os grupos comparados ao W (W: 15±29 mmHg2, *DSA: 49±27 mmHg2, *SHR: 60±29 mmHg2, *SHR-DSA: 137±76 mmHg2, *p<0,05 vs. W). Foi observado hipertrofia concêntrica do VE; disfunção sistólica segmentar e diastólica global do VE; disfunção sistólica global e segmentar, e diastólica global do VD; sinais indiretos de hipertensão arterial pulmonar pela ecocardiografia, mas evidentes no grupo SHRDSA. A pressão diastólica final do VD mostrou aumento em todos os grupos comparados com W (W: 3±0.39mmHg, *DSA:4,7±0,52mmHg, *SHR: 6;6±1.1mmHg, *SHRDSA: 7,8±0.87mmHg, *p< 0,05 vs. W), enquanto a pressão diastólica final do VE mostrou aumento dos grupos SHR e SHRDSA em relação ao W, e dos SHRDSA em relação aos DSA (W: 5,83±0,19 mmHg, DSA: 8,98±1,2 mmHg, *SHR: 12,51±4,73 mmHg, *#SHRDSA: 14,57±2.52 mmHg, *p< 0,05 vs. W, #p< 0,05 vs. DSA). Houve relação entre medidas não- invasivas e invasivas do VD, mostrando uma boa acurácia das medidas ecocardiográficas. CONCLUSÕES: Nossos resultados sugerem que a disfunção baroreflexa compromete a função biventricular. Além disso, os achados observados nos índices ecocardiográficos do VD indicam que a DAS pode induzir a elevação da pressão arterial pulmonar, reforçando o papel da disfunção barorreflexa na patogênese da doença cardíaca hipertensiva / INTRODUCTION: During the development of hypertension, sympathetic hyperactivity commonly seems to be related to the left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and baro and chemoreflexes impairment. However, right ventricle (RV) function has not been evaluated specially regarding the association of hypertension and baroreflex dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate noninvasively and invasively the biventricular myocardial function, the functional capacity, the baroreflex sensitivity and the cardiovascular autonomic control in Wistar (W) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) submitted or not to sinoaortic denervation (SAD). METHODS: Ten weeks after DSA, cardiac function was evaluated by the maximal exercise test (MET), by transthoracic (TT) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and the biventricular end diastolic pressures (EDP). Additionally, hemodynamic and autonomic functions were evaluated by the blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) records, BP and HR variability and baroreflex sensitivity. The rats (n=32) were divided in 4 groups: 16 Wistar (W) with (n=8) or without SAD (n=8) and 16 SHR, with (n=8) or without SAD (n=8). RESULTS: Blood pressure and HR did not show any change between the groups SAD and without SAD, although, SHR showed higher BP levels in comparison to W. MET results showed that SHR had better functional capacity compared to SAD and SHRSAD (W: 1,16±0,3m/s, DSA: 0,9±0,15m/s, *SHR: 1,46±0,29m/s, SHR-DSA: 1,02±0,31, *p< 0.05 vs. SAD and SHRSAD). BP variability was increased in SHR groups compared to W. After SAD, BP variability increased in all groups compared to W (W: 15±29 mmHg2, *DSA: 49±27 mmHg2, *SHR: 60±29 mmHg2, *SHR-DSA: 137±76 mmHg2, *p<0.05 vs. W). Left ventricular concentric hypertrophy; segmental systolic dysfunction and global diastolic LV dysfunction; segmental and global systolic dysfunction, and global diastolic RV dysfunction; indirect signals of pulmonary arterial hypertension were shown by echocardiography, mostly evident in SHRSAD. The RV-EDP increased in all groups compared to W (W: 3±0.39mmHg, *SAD:4.7±0.52mmHg, *SHR: 6.6±1.1mmHg, *SHRSAD: 7.8±0.87mmHg, *p<0.05 vs. W), and the LV-EDP increased in SHR and SHRSAD groups compared to W, and in SHRSAD compared to SAD (W: 5,83±0,19 mmHg, SAD: 8.98±1.2 mmHg, *SHR: 12.51±4.73 mmHg, *#SHRSAD: 14.57±2.52 mmHg, *p<0.05 vs. W, #p<0.05 vs. DSA). There was a relation between invasive or noninvasive measurements of the RV showing good accuracy of echocardiographic measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that baroreflex dysfunction impaired biventricular function. Moreover, the findings of RV echocardiographic indices indicate that SAD may lead to increased pulmonary artery pressure, supporting a role for baroreflex dysfunction in the pathogenesis of the hypertensive cardiac disease

Brain stroke is considered as one of the three diseases that threaten human health all over the world. Hypertension and cerebral arteriosclerosis are thought to be the most dangerous risk factors of brain stroke, and they frequently occur together, leading to ischemia of brain tissue. Unfortunately, it is not clear whether the pathological changes resulting from hypertension are related to those resulting from cerebral arteriosclerosis. There have been no ideal animal models mimicking the pathological changes in such a combined condition. In this thesis, an animal model of hypertension combined with cerebral arteriosclerosis in rats was established by occlusion of both the left and right common carotid arteries in spontaneous hypertension rats. Pien Tze Huang (PTH), a reputed traditional Chinese medicinal complex, contains Radix notoginseng, snake bile, calculus bovis, and musk and some other components that are known to protect vessels and cells from injuries. Since different tissue injuries share many common cellular mechanisms, the protection by PTH to in nerves and the circulation systems may also be benefical to cerebrovascular conditions as well. In present experiments, PTH was used to treat hypertension rats that also developed chronic brain ischemia as a result of the bilateral carotid occlusion, and its protective role for neurons and blood vessels was investiaged. / From the data above, more severe damage could be caused by hypertension combined with chronic ischemia. The model of SHR with bilaterally occluded common carotid artery can be used to study pathological changes resulted from hypertension combined with chronic ischemia. PTH was able to protect neurons in stroke. / In the initial part of the work, patients from clinics in two cities in South and North China were compared and analysed; they had been suffering from brain ischemic stroke. About two thirds of the stroke patients were found to have hypertension before the onset of stroke. Their prognosis was significantly worse than those stroke patients without hypertension. In the hypertensive rats with occluded arteries, mean of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) examination showed that brain blood flow was very weak or even transiently became undetectable at the beginning of the acute stage of brain ischemia, but was restored one hour after the occlusion surgery. In addition, pathological changes in brains of hypertensive rats with induced brain ischemia (carotid occlusion) were examined by Nissl staining, TUNEL staining, cell death ELISA and anti-oxidation enzymes. At day 15 after ischemia, a large number of pyramid cells in the hippocampus of SHR were lost and a great deal of apoptotic cells were found in the CA1 of the hippocampus, while activities of some enzyme including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were increased. At day 30 and 60, some degenerative changes appeared to have subsided and the cells appeared morphologically normal. The activities of the above enzymes were also decreased at day 60. In WKY control rats with normal blood pressure, neurons in the CA1 were found less damaged after the bilateral carotid occlusion. It was found that apoptotic and dead cells were significantly reduced in rats with hypertension combined with chronic brain ischemia if they had been pre-treated with PTH. Moreover, brain stroke damage was less severe in this pretreated rats. / Zhang, Lihong. / "March 2010." / Adviser: WH Kwong. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-134). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric condition that is characterized by two main symptom cohorts, namely recurrent inappropriate thoughts (obsessions) and seemingly purposeless repetitive motor actions (compulsions). In 70% of cases, the condition only re–sponds to chronic, but not sub–chronic, high dose treatment with the selective serotonin reup–take inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine and escitalopram. This indicates a role for hyposero–tonergic functioning in the primary brain areas involved in OCD, namely the components of the cortico–striatal–thalamic–cortical (CSTC) circuit which include the prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and the thalamus. A number of studies have demonstrated a lower serotonin trans–porter (SERT) availability in OCD patients compared with healthy controls, supporting the hy–pothesis of a hyposerotonergic state in OCD. The current study focuses on the validation of the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) model of OCD and builds on previous work done in our laboratory. Deer mice that are bred and housed in confinement naturally develop two main forms of stereotypical behaviour, namely vertical jumping and pattern running. Furthermore, these behaviours can be catego–rized into various levels of severity, namely high (HSB), low (LSB) and non–stereotypic (NSB) cohorts. The seemingly purposeless and repetitive nature of these behaviours mimics the com–pulsions that characterize human OCD and constitutes the basis for the face validity of the model. However, although these two forms of stereotypy seem equally repetitive and persis–tent, stereotypical pattern runners do not complete the required number of cage revolutions per 30 minutes compared to the amount of jumps executed by stereotypical vertical jumpers. As only one set of criteria for the appraisal of the different topographies of deer mouse stereotypy has been applied in previous studies, the matter of whether pattern runners do in fact generate stereotypical behaviour of the same persistent and severe nature as opposed to the behaviour expressed by vertical jumpers, is problematic. Therefore, the first objective of the current study was to develop a new classification system for the appraisal of the different forms of behavioural topographies of deer mice and subse–quently to evaluate whether pattern runners can indeed be categorized into non–, low– and high stereotypical cohorts. After an eight–week behavioural assessment period, deer mice express–ing the two different behavioural topographies could be classified into non–, low– and high stereotypical cohorts (NSB, LSB, and HSB respectively), applying different criteria for each be–havioural topography. Based on the weekly mean stereotypy count generated during three 30–minute intervals of highest stereotypical behaviour over the course of a 12–hour assessment period, HSB pattern runners were found to execute on average 296 cage revolutions per 30 minutes, while HSB vertical jumpers executed an average of 3063 jumps per 30 minutes. This discrepancy between the generated numbers of the different topographies of stereotypy indi–cates that one classification system for the appraisal of both behavioural topographies is indeed inappropriate, and hence requires re–evaluation and validation. As patients with OCD present with a lower central SERT availability compared to healthy controls, the second objective of the study was to determine whether a decrease in SERT den–sity could be demonstrated in HSB animals compared to the NSB and LSB controls. After eight weeks of behavioural assessment, animals were sacrificed and frontal–cortical and striatal SERT binding was performed. HSB deer mice presented with significantly lower striatal, but not fron–tal–cortical SERT availability compared to the [NSB/LSB] control animals (p = 0.0009). As far as it concerns a lower SERT availability in HSB animals and involvement of the CSTC circuitry, this data is congruent with that demonstrated in human OCD and strengthens the construct validity of the model. Although previous studies undertaken in our laboratory demonstrated that deer mouse stereotypy is attenuated after chronic (21–day) fluoxetine administration, OCD only responds to chronic, but not sub–chronic treatment with the SSRIs. The lack of response of deer mouse stereotypy to sub–chronic treatment has not been established and therefore the third study ob–jective was to assess the behavioural effects of sub–chronic (7–day) and chronic (28–day) SSRI treatment on expression of deer mouse stereotypy. Chronic, but not sub–chronic treatment with oral escitalopram (50 mg/kg/day) significantly increased the number of intervals over a 12–hour assessment period during which no stereotypical behaviour were expressed by HSB deer mice (p = 0.0241) and decreased the number of intervals during which high–stereotypical be–haviour were executed (p = 0.0054). Neither chronic, nor sub–chronic treatment significantly affected the behaviour of animals in the [NSB/LSB] cohort. The fact that the model demon–strates a lack of response to sub–chronic treatment with high dose SSRIs, positively contributes to the predictive validity of the deer mouse model of OCD. The results from the current study therefore strengthens the construct and predictive valid–ity of the deer mouse model of OCD and confirm the model’s status as a prominent animal model of OCD. Not only is hyposerotonergic functioning in the CSTC circuitry implicated in the behaviour of HSB animals, but the model also demonstrates selective response to chronic SSRI–treatment - two core characteristics of human OCD. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmacology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.