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

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

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.

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

SLOVENE NATIONAL THEATRE IN LJUBLJANA Author Report Of The Diploma Work Author: Bc. Petr Hýl Supervisor: doc. ing. arch. Zdeněk Makovský