Diego Castro Musial

Increase of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and peripheral sympathetic dysfunction could contribute to hypertension development in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes augments the risk of hypertension. Although several factors have been implicated in the development of such hypertensive state, we designed this study to investigate blood pressure development, the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in blood as well as sympathetic neurotransmission in the vas deferens of diabetic rats. We used streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (60 mg/kg) in order to evaluate the systolic blood pressure (SBP), ACE activity and peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission. We observed the following changes of parameters: increase of SBP, decrease of heart rate, augmentation of plasma ACE activity, enhancement of phasic and tonic vas deferens contractions elicited by electrical stimulation at 5 Hz, increase of maximal response to noradrenaline (NA) and decrease of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-elicited contraction of vasa deferentia. The results reveal that in the development of hypertension in diabetic rats, augmentation of circulating ACE activity precedes the sympathetic dysfunction. Additionally, it seems that the purinergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission is compromised.

Chronic treatment with red wine modulates the purinergic neurotransmission and decreases blood pressure in hypertensive SHR and diabetic-STZ rats

Abstract It is known that red wine has cardioprotective properties. However, its influence is unknown about purinergic system. Therefore, we study the influence of the treatment with red wine or ethanol in purinergic neurotransmission. We used Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), diabetic streptozotocin-induced WKY and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), treated with red wine (12.5%) or ethanol (12.5%). The cardiovascular function stimulated with purinergic agonists and systolic blood pressure (SBP) was assessed. In atria of diabetics and SHRs, the P1 receptor response was decreased, unlike the P2 receptor response was increased. Likewise, in aorta the affinity to adenosine (ADO) was decreased from SHRs and diabetics. Furthermore, the P2X function was increased just SHRs. All these alterations were improved after treatment with red wine, resulting in reduction of SBP from diabetics and SHRs, but not when treated with ethanol. This study has important implications, because it is shown that consumption of red wine can improve cardiovascular system by purinergic neurotransmission.

Function of AT1 and AT2 receptors in atrial contractions from spontaneous hypertensive and diabetic‐induced streptozotocin rats

Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are diseases that are strongly correlated. A major factor in this correlation is the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), with the peptide angiotensin II being a key component. This study analyzed the impact of Angiotensin Type 1 receptor (AT1R) and Angiotension Type 2 receptor (AT2R) in atrial function.

Altered mitochondrial function, calcium signaling, and catecholamine release in chromaffin cells of diabetic and SHR rats

Abstract Comorbidity of diabetes and hypertension is frequent. Here, we have performed a comparative study in three animal models namely, normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats (STZ), and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). With respect WKY rats, we have found the following alterations in adrenal chromaffin cells from STZ and SHR rats: (1) diminished Ca2+ currents; (2) augmented [Ca2+]c elevations and catecholamine release in cells stimulated with angiotensin II or high K+; (3) unchanged expression of angiotensin II receptors AT1 and AT2; (4) higher density of secretory vesicles at subplasmalemmal sites; (5) mitochondria with lower cristae density that were partially depolarized; and (6) lower whole cell ATP content. These alterations may have their origin in (i) an augmented capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum [Ca2+] store likely due to (ii) impaired mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake; (iii) augmented high‐[Ca2+]c microdomains at subplasmalemmal sites secondary to augmented calcium‐induce calcium release and to inositol tris‐phosphate receptor mediated enhanced Ca2+ mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum; and (iv) augmented vesicle pool. These alterations seem to be common to the two models of human hypertension here explored, STZ diabetic rats and SHR hypertensive rats.

Comparative Study of Hypocholesterolemic Potential of Ananas Comosus Peels and Passiflora Edulis Mesocarp in Rats and Mice

Researchers showed the importance of diets on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. As the passion fruit mesocarp and the peel of pineapple are rich in fibers, this work aimed was to evaluate their influence on lipid metabolism in hypercholesterolemic rats and mice. The rats and mice were divided into five groups, being control group that received normocaloric diet, high calorie diet group, high calorie diet group treated with passion fruit mesocarp (DHM), high calorie diet group treated with pineapple peels (DHA), and high calorie diet group treated with simvastatin (DHS). In rats, there was a significant reduction in total cholesterol levels in DHM, DHA and DHS groups, and in mice, only the group treated with simvastatin (DHS) reduced the plasma cholesterol levels. Front of results found, it is possible to say that the influence of the peels of pineapple and passion fruit mesocarp in rats and mice is different. DOI: 10.14685/rebrapa.v6i1.205