Red wine but not alcohol consumption improves cardiovascular function and oxidative stress of the hypertensive-SHR and diabetic-STZ rats.

AIMS: This raised the issue of whether in vivo long-term red wine treatment can act as a modulator of these targets. MAIN METHODS: We monitored SBP, glucose tolerance, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular function. Aortic and atrial tissues from normotensive-WKY, hypertensive-SHR, and diabetic-STZ animals, chronically exposed to red wine (3.715 ml/kg/v.o/day) or alcohol (12%) for 21-days, were used to measure contractile/relaxation responses by force transducers. Key findings: red wine, but not alcohol, prevented the increase of SBP and hyperglycemic peak. Additionally, was observed prevention of oxidative stress metabolites formation and an improvement in ROS scavenging antioxidant capacity of SHR. We also revealed that red wine intake enhances the endothelium-dependent relaxation, decreases the hypercontractile mediated by angiotensin-II in the aorta, and via ß1-adrenoceptors in the atrium. SIGNIFICANCE: The long-term consumption of red wine can improve oxidative stress and the functionality of angiotensin-II and ß1-adrenoceptors, inspiring new pharmacologic and dietetic therapeutic approaches for the treatment of hypertension and diabetes.Abbreviation Acronyms and/or abbreviations: [Ca2+]cyt = Cytosolic Ca2+ Concentration; ACh = Acetylcholine; ANG II = Angiotensin II; AT1 = ANG II type 1 receptor; AUC = Area Under the Curve; Ca2+ = Calcium; Endo + = Endothelium Intact; Fen = Phenylephrine (1 µM); GTT = Glucose Tolerance Test; ISO = Isoprenaline (isoproterenol); KHN = Krebs-Henseleit Nutrient; LA = Left Atria; LH = Lipid Hydroperoxide; NO = Nitric Oxide; RA = Right Atria; RAS = Renin-Angiotensin System; ROS = Reactive Oxygen Species; SBP = Systolic Blood Pressure; SHR = Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats; STZ = Streptozotocin; WKY = Normotensive Wistar Kyoto Rats.

Intrinsic Adaptation of SHR Right Atrium Reduces Heart Rate.

Hypertension represents an autonomic dysfunction, characterized by increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic cardiovascular tone leading to resting tachycardia. Therefore, studies assessing hypertension-associated changes in isolated cardiac tissues were conducted under electric field stimulation to stimulate the neurons. Herein, we characterize the influence of the autonomic neurotransmitter on the baseline atrial chronotropism of unpaced isolated right atria of normotensive Wistar rats (NWR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Our results revealed a resting bradycardia in tissues from SHR in comparison to NWR. The release of autonomic neurotransmitters, acetylcholine or norepinephrine, still occurs in the electrically unstimulated right atrium, after excision of the sympathetic nerve, which could explain differences in basal heart rate between NWR and SHR. Nicotine and the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine reduced the chronotropism of right atria from either NWR or SHR. Conversely, the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine did not affect the basal chronotropism of tissues from both strains. Furthermore, tyramine increased the chronotropism of NWR and SHR atria indicating availability of the neuronal stocks of noradrenaline. Although the monoamine uptake inhibitor cocaine increased right atrium chronotropism in both strains, the basal heart rate was not affected by the ß-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol. In summary, after acute section of the sympathetic nerve, autonomic neurotransmitters are still released either in resting conditions or upon pharmacological stimulation of right atria from both strains. Nevertheless, autonomic neurotransmission does not affect resting chronotropism, nor is the responsible for reduced basal heart rate of the isolated right atrium of hypertensive rats.

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. MAIN METHODS: To perform the experiments, Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), diabetic streptozotocin-induced WKY rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used, and stimulation of cardiovascular function was done by means of the following drugs: angiotensin II, novokinin and the antagonists losartan and PD123177. We also measured the systolic blood pressure (SBP). RESULTS: An increase in AT1R function was observed in diabetic and hypertensive rats (18% in right atria [RA] and 11% in left atria [LA]). We also observed an increase in calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum in right atria of diabetic rats (31%) and in right atria of hypertensive rats (35%). On the other hand, a decreased response of AT2R in diabetic and hypertensive rats was observed, this decreased response was greater in hypertensive rats (RA, 10%; LA, 12%). These results have demonstrated a dysfunction of the RAS that may contribute to the common dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system in diabetic and hypertensive rats.

Relationship between central behavioral effects and peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission functionality during acute cocaine withdrawal syndrome in adult rats.

BACKGROUND: Acute cocaine withdrawal syndrome (ACWS) is characterized as a set of organic alterations triggered by abrupt discontinuation of chronic cocaine consumption, usually occurring at 24-40 hours after withdrawal. However, little is known about the relationship between central and peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission during ACWS. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We investigated the mechanisms involved in central and peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission and how ACWS affects the sympathetic functionality. Cocaine was administered twice daily for 5 days in Wistar rats (at least 5 in each group): on the first and second day, 15 mg/kg/i.p.; third day, 20 mg/kg/i.p.; and finally in the last two days, 30 mg/kg/i.p. Subsequently, at 1, 24, 48 and 120 h after cocaine administration the following experiments were done: (i) at the central level, behavioral tests of open-field and elevated plus maze; and (ii) at the peripheral level, tests of catecholamine release, function of α2-adrenergic receptors (α2-ARs), imidazoline receptors (I(1,2)-Rs), L-type voltage-gated (Ca(v1.2)) Ca(2+) channels and α1-ARs. RESULTS: During ACWS, rats showed hypolocomotion and exacerbation of anxiogenic-effects 24 h after cocaine withdrawal. Likewise, a decrease in the catecholamine release and activity of α2-ARs/I(1,2)-Rs at 24-48 h after cocaine withdrawal was observed. A decrease in Ca(v1.2) channels and α1-ARs function at 48 h after cocaine withdrawal was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship of central and peripheral sympathetic neurotransmission during ACWS possibly due to a failure in activation and/or inactivation of presynaptic α2-ARs/I(1,2)-Rs, may offer a potential target for attenuating ACWS.

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

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.

Bcl-2 modulates endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial calcium stores in PC12 cells.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria are intracellular organelles and their interactions are directly involved in different processes such as Ca(2+) signaling in cell survival and death mechanisms. Bcl-2 is an anti-apoptotic protein intrinsically related to ER and mitochondria, modulating Ca(2+) content in these organelles. We investigated the effects of Bcl-2 overexpression on ER and mitochondrial Ca(2+) dynamics in PC12 cells. Bcl-2 overexpressing and control cells were loaded with Fura 2/AM and stimulated with different drugs. Results showed that in Bcl-2 cells, ACh induced a lower Ca(2+) response compared to control. Ca(2+) release induced by TG was decreased in Bcl-2 cells, however, it was greater in Caff induced Ca(2+) rise. In addition, FCCP induced a higher Ca(2+) release in Bcl-2 cells. These results suggest that Bcl-2 overexpression modulate the ER Ca(2+) pools differently and the release of ER Ca(2+) may increase mitochondrial Ca(2+) accumulation. These alterations of intracellular Ca(2+) stores are important mechanisms for the control of Ca(2+) signaling.

Alteration of purinergic neurotransmission in isolated atria of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Cardiac dysfunctions are described in diabetes. However, the role of purinergic neurotransmission in diabetes-related cardiovascular diseases is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the purinergic neurotransmission in isolated atria from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The animals were grouped as control and diabetic with 30 days (D30) and 60 days (D60) after streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The isolated left and right atria were used in functional experiments. The effects of adenosine triphosphate, uridine diphosphate, and adenosine were evaluated on atrial inotropism and chronotropism. The antagonists 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine and pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonate were also used, as blockers of P1 and P2 receptors, respectively. A negative inotropic effect followed by a positive inotropic effect was induced by adenosine triphosphate in isolated atria. This negative inotropic effect was decreased by 25% in left atria of D30. Additionally, the apparent affinity for adenosine was diminished in left atria of D30, suggesting changes in P1 receptor function. No changes were found in the right atria of D30 stimulated by adenosine. The left atria and right atria stimulated by uridine diphosphate showed an increased inotropic effect of 92% and 17%, respectively. No changes were observed in left and right atria of D30 stimulated by uridine diphosphate. Our data showed the involvement of purinergic neurotransmission in diabetes-related cardiovascular changes.

Physiopharmacological properties of the testicular capsule: A concise review.

The testicular capsules of different mammalian species exhibit spontaneous motor activity. In addition, contractions can be mediated by neuronal stimulation or exogenous drug administration. However, the physiological role of testicular capsule motor activity is still not well understood. Nevertheless, there is evidence for putative roles in spermatozoa transport from the testis to the caput epididymis, control of interstitial/intratesticular pressure and testicular blood flow. In this review, we have collated information about the agents that regulate testicular capsule motor activity, their receptors and second messengers as well as the impact of altered testicular capsule function on the male reproductive system. Furthermore, we highlight the knowledge gaps in the physiology and pharmacology of the testicular capsule as indicators of future research directions that may lead to a better understanding of the physiological role of testicular capsule motor activity and its importance in male fertility.

Chronic resveratrol consumption prevents hypertension development altering electrophysiological currents and Ca2+ signaling in chromaffin cells from SHR rats.

Resveratrol (RESV) is one of the most abundant polyphenol-stilbene compounds found in red wine with well-established cardioprotective and antihypertensive effects. Hyperactivity of the sympathoadrenal axis seems to be one of the major contributing factors in the pathogenesis of human essential hypertension. Alterations in outward voltage-dependent potassium currents (IK) and inward voltage-dependent sodium (INa), calcium (ICa) and nicotinic (IACh) currents, CCs excitability, Ca2+ homeostasis, and catecholamine exocytosis were previously related to the hypertensive state. This raised the issue of whether in vivo long-term RESV treatment can directly act as a modulator of Ca2+ influx or a regulator of ion channel permeability in CCs. We monitored outward and inward currents, and cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]c) using different pharmacological approaches in CCs from normotensive (WKY) and hypertensive (SHR) animals chronically exposed to trans-RESV (50 mg/L/v.o, 28 days). The long-term RESV treatment prevented the increase of the systolic blood pressure (SBP) in SHR, without reversion of cardiac hypertrophy. We also found an increase of the outward IK, reduction in inward INa,ICa, and IACh, and the mitigation of [Ca2+]c overload in CCs from SHR at the end of RESV treatment. Our data revealed that electrophysiological alterations of the CCs and in its Ca2+ homeostasis are potential new targets related to the antihypertensive effects of long-term RESV treatment.

Role of the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria on quantal catecholamine release from chromaffin cells of control and hypertensive rats.

Here, we present the first study on the effects of compounds that interfere with calcium (Ca(2+)) handling by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria on amperometrically measured quantal catecholamine release from single adrenal chromaffin cells of control and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Acetylcholine (ACh) or K(+) pulses triggered spike bursts of secretion by Ca(2+) entry through Ca(2+) channels. ER Ca(2+) release triggered by a mixture of caffeine, ryanodine, and thapsigargin (CRT) or carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) (a mitochondrial protonophore) also caused bursts of secretory spikes. The spike bursts generated by ACh, K(+), CRT, and FCCP were 3 to 4 times longer in SHRs compared with control cells; furthermore, the individual spikes were faster and had 3-fold greater quantal size. In additional experiments, a 90-s treatment was made with CRT or FCCP to block Ca(2+) handling by the ER and mitochondria. In these conditions, the integrated spike burst responses elicited by ACh and K(+) were potentiated 2- to 3-fold in control and SHR cells. This suggests that variations in Ca(2+) entry and its subsequent redistribution into the ER and mitochondria are not responsible for the greater secretion seen in SHRs compared with control cells; rather, such differences seem to be due to greater quantal content of spike bursts and to greater quantal size of individual amperometric events.

Functionomics: the analysis of a postgenomic concept on the basis of pregenomic pharmacological studies in smooth muscle.

The term functionomics (Amin 2003, Neumann et al. 2004) refers to a postgenomic integrated Systems Biology (Attur et al. 2002) using a multidimensional approach for cells, tissues and organs. It considers current or future involvement among genomics, proteomics or metabolomics, including the main factors that cause biological responses and modulation under different conditions. Our objective in the present review is to summarize the contemporary understanding of functionomics of smooth muscle pharmacology, based on the results obtained on the pregenomic era during several years in our laboratory. The present approach is based on the knowledge of the dynamics of the receptor system, which comprises a cascade of phenomena, leading from the drug administration to the final biological response. We will describe several conditions in which the final effect is modified, based on perturbations induced on drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, interaction with receptors and mobilization of second messengers, as well as by interactions with a second receptor system. We will also discuss the gaps that need to be fulfilled in order to obtain a clear and better understanding of the receptor system in smooth muscle, and to narrow the bridge between ourknowledge of the function of biological systems, genomics, and other recently introduced areas.

Use of transgenic (knockout) mice reveals a site distinct from the alpha2A-adrenoceptors for agmatine in the vas deferens.

The inhibitory effect of agmatine on electrically induced contractions was studied in vas deferens of Adra 2a transgenic mice lacking alpha(2A)-adrenoceptors. Agmatine and clonidine caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of twitches. However, while agmatine showed a similar pIC(50) value in control and transgenic mice, the pIC(50) value for clonidine was about 30-fold lower in knockout mice. In both strains, yohimbine shifted the curve for clonidine, but not for agmatine, even when a 100-fold higher concentration of yohimbine was employed. Our results indicate that inhibition by agmatine in mouse vas deferens is not simply due to interactions with alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in our experimental conditions.

Single-vesicle catecholamine release has greater quantal content and faster kinetics in chromaffin cells from hypertensive, as compared with normotensive, rats.

In a previous study performed in the intact adrenal gland (Lim et al., 2002), stimulation with acetylcholine (ACh) or high K(+) concentrations (K(+)) produced greater catecholamine release in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), as compared with normotensive animals. In this study, the time course of secretion was in the range of minutes. Hence, we do not know whether enhanced release is due to greater quantal content and/or distinct kinetics in SHRs and control animals. To get insight into the mechanism involved in such enhanced catecholamine secretory responses, we performed a single-vesicle release study in primary cultures of adrenal chromaffin cells, recorded with amperometry. Cells were stimulated with 2-s pulses of 1 mM ACh or 70 mM K(+). The secretory responses to ACh or K(+) pulses in SHR cells as compared with control cells had the following characteristics: 1) double number of secretory events, 2) 4-fold augmentation of total secretion, 3) cumulative secretion that saturated slowly, 4) 3-fold higher complex events with two to four superimposed spikes that may be explained by faster spike kinetics, 5) about 2- to 3-fold higher event frequency at earlier post stimulation periods, and 6) 2- to 5-fold higher quantal content of simple spikes. We conclude that SHR cells have faster and larger catecholamine release responses, explained by more vesicles ready to undergo exocytosis and greater quantal content of vesicles. This could have relevance to further understand the pathogenic mechanisms involved in the development of high blood pressure, as well as in the identification of new drug targets to treat hypertension.

Time-dependent up-regulation of Ca(2+) channels in vas deferens of newborn rats fed with breast milk of mothers under treatment with nifedipine.

Our aim was to check for calcium channel maturation and regulation on newborn rats during breastfeeding by mothers treated with the L-type calcium channel blocker nifedipine. Contractions by KCl and radioligand binding techniques were used to verify if Ca(2+) channels are modified in rat vas deferens of 40-day old litters that were breastfed by mothers injected daily with nifedipine during nursery. Injections were applied in the beginning (1st until 8th day), middle (9th until 16th day), or end (17th until 24th day) of nursery, to verify the period of highest susceptibility of newborn to nifedipine receptor regulation. Contractile responses revealed that only after the middle period of treatment of mothers the maximal effects (E(max)) induced in pups by KCl were increased by about 35%, without changes of apparent affinity (pD(2)). Additionally, binding studies with [(3)H] Isradipine in cell membrane preparations showed a greater density (B(max)) of Ca(2+) channels by about 55%, without changes of affinity (K(d)). Changes were not detected after treatment of mothers in the beginning or end of breastfeeding. In addition, in vas deferens of 60-day old litters, the E(max) returned to control values, showing that changes were not persistent. Moreover, body and vas deferens weights and blood testosterone of newborn were never changed. The histology of mammary gland was similar for treated and control mothers, suggesting a stable milk production. It is concluded that nifedipine treatment of mothers, if made during the 9th to 16th day of lactation, produced a short lasting reversible up-regulation of L-type Ca(2+) channels.

Increased Gi protein signaling potentiates the negative chronotropic effect of adenosine in the SHR right atrium.

Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which have been associated with dysfunction of sympathetic and purinergic neurotransmission. Therefore, herein, we evaluated whether modifications of adenosine receptor signaling may contribute to the cardiac dysfunction observed in hypertension. Isolated right atria from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) or normotensive Wistar rats (NWR) were used to investigate the influence of adenosine receptor signaling cascade in the cardiac chronotropism. Our results showed that adenosine, the endogenous agonist of adenosine receptors, and CPA, a selective agonist of A1 receptor, decreased the atrial chronotropism of NWR and SHR in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, culminating in cardiac arrest (0 bpm). Interestingly, a 3-fold lower concentration of adenosine was required to induce the negative chronotropic effect in SHR atria. Pre-incubation of tissues from both strains with DPCPX, a selective A1 receptor antagonist, inhibited the negative chronotropic effect of CPA, while simultaneous inhibition of A2 and A3 receptors, with ZM241385 and MRS1523, did not change the adenosine chronotropic effects. Moreover, 1 µg/ml pertussis toxin, which inactivates the Gαi protein subunit, reduced by 80% the negative chronotropic effects of adenosine in the NWR atrium, with minor effects in SHR tissue. These data indicate that the negative chronotropic effect of adenosine in right atrium depends exclusively on the activation of A1 receptors. Moreover, the distinct responsiveness of NWR and SHR atria to pertussis toxin reveals that the enhanced negative chronotropic response of SHR right atrium is probably due to an increased activity of Gαi protein-mediated.

Cardiac arrest induced by muscarinic or adenosine receptors agonists is reversed by DPCPX through double mechanism.

In the right atrium (RA), adenosine and acetylcholine inhibit the pacemaker function of the sinoatrial node and induce cardiac arrest. Pre-incubation of receptor antagonists is known to inhibit the cardiac arrest induced by these agonists; however, the effect of antagonist administration after established cardiac arrest has not been described. Therefore, we assessed whether specific receptor antagonists could revert cardiac arrest induced by adenosine and muscarinic receptors activation. RA isolated from adults Wistar rats were mounted in an organ bath containing Krebs solution. Cardiac arrest was induced by adenosine or ATP (1mM), the A1 adenosine receptor agonist CPA (0.1-1µM), and muscarinic receptor agonists, carbachol (0.3-1µM) and acetylcholine (1mM). After establishing the cardiac arrest, the A1 adenosine receptor antagonist DPCPX (0.3-30µM), the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (10nM to 100µM) or the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX (10-300µM) were incubated in order to check for the return of spontaneous contractions. DPCPX reversed the cardiac arrest induced by adenosine, ATP and CPA. In addition, atropine reversed the cardiac arrest induced by carbachol. Unexpectedly, DPCPX also reversed the cardiac arrest induced by carbachol. Similarly to DPCPX, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX reversed the cardiac arrest induced by adenosine, CPA and carbachol. The antagonism of adenosine and acetylcholine receptors activation, as well as phosphodiesterase inhibition, are able to revert cardiac arrest. DPCPX restore spontaneous contractions via the selective antagonism of A1 adenosine receptor and through a secondary mechanism likely related to phosphodiesterase inhibition.

Aging-induced decrease of cholinergic response and calcium sensitivity on rat jejunum contractions.

The role of aging on contraction or relaxation through muscarinic or alpha-adrenergic receptors, respectively, was studied in isolated rat jejunum. Furthermore, the influence of extracellular calcium was analyzed, through functional and radioligand binding assays. The rank order of potency for selective muscarinic antagonists for M(1), M(2), and M(3) receptor subtypes, measured from affinity (pA(2)) values, was p-fluorohexahydrosiladifenidol (pFHHSiD) (M(3)) > pirenzepine (M(1)) > methoctramine (M(2)), indicating a predominance of M(3) subtype. This order was unchanged with age. Contractions by muscarinic agonist methacholine (MCh) were diminished in aged rats, resulting in lower apparent affinity (pD(2)) values, compared with adult controls. A larger decrease of MCh contractions occurred in aged rats after Ca(2+) withdrawal or after the calcium channel blocker isradipine. Changes were not detected for relaxation by adrenergic agonists. In conclusion, aging caused a decrease of MCh potency, which is probably related to the reduction of calcium sensitivity in jejunum.

Decreased noradrenergic and serotonergic reactivity of vas deferens of newborn rats from mothers treated with the serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Female Wistar rats were treated with the serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (10 mg/kg/i.p/day), during pregnancy and breast-feeding, for the study of the corresponding newborn rats. At the end of the preweaning period, the 30-day old litters had their vas deferens removed for testing peripheral sympathetic reactivity, through the following experiments in vitro: (a) concentration-contraction curves for serotonin and for the adrenergic agonists noradrenaline, phenylephrine, clonidine and dopamine or for the indirect agonist tyramine (b) contractions induced by electric field stimulation, as an indicator of sympathetic neurotransmission (c) release of endogenous noradrenaline, measured by real-time determinations on HPLC (d) Ca(+2) time-contraction curves, to check for changes on Ca(+2) translocation. Our results showed that the affinity (pD(2)) for serotonin was strikingly decreased by about 1.5 log units. The pD(2) for adrenergic agonists was decreased by about 0.5 log units, except for dopamine and clonidine. The maximum effects and intrinsic activity were decreased only for dopamine. On the other hand, the response to Ca(+2) and the release of noradrenaline from nerve terminals were not modified. In additional experiments, the mother's body weights were measured, showing a decrease during gestation and a recovery during lactation while the offspring's weights were lower than controls. It is concluded that, besides the alterations on body weights, changes on noradrenergic and serotonergic mechanisms were observed and persisted in the newborn, at least one month after parturition.

Effects of in vitro, acute and chronic treatment with fluoxetine on the sympathetic neurotransmission of rat vas deferens.

It is described that fluoxetine treatment is able to induce ejaculatory disorders. However, the exact mechanism is still not fully understood. Therefore, this study was carried out to further evaluate the anti-ejaculatory effects of fluoxetine, using different approaches (in vitro or in vivo treatments), on the sympathetic neurotransmission of the rat vas deferens. Vas deferens from male Wistar rats were used to check the in vitro effects of fluoxetine 10-6M, 3.10-6M or 10-5M. Animals were also acutely (20mg/kg, i.p. 4h or 24h) or chronically (10mg/kg, i.p., 30days) treated with fluoxetine or drug-free vehicle. The vas deferens from non-treated and treated animals were isolated and mounted in an isolated organ bath for the study of the contractions induced by adrenergic agonists, tyramine, 5-HT, Ca2+ or electrical field stimulation. In vitro or acute treatment with fluoxetine decreased the contraction induced by agonists, Ca2+ or electrical field stimulation. The chronic treatment with fluoxetine decreased the contractions induced agonists, tyramine or Ca2+, but did not modify the contractions induced by electrical field stimulation. We have shown that in vitro or in vivo fluoxetine treatment is able to alter the sympathetic neurotransmission of the rat vas deferens which could be related to alterations in the calcium signalling.

Electrophysiological properties and augmented catecholamine release from chromaffin cells of WKY and SHR rats contributing to the hypertension development elicited by chronic EtOH consumption.

It is known that chronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption leads to hypertension development and has been associated with deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. Whether this condition alters calcium (Ca2+) signaling and exocytosis in adrenal chromaffin cells (CCs) as the case is for genetic hypertension, is unknown. We explored this question in four randomized experimental groups, male Wistar Kyoto (WKY/EtOH) and Spontaneously Hypertensive (SHR/EtOH) rats were subjected to the intake of increasing EtOH concentrations (5-20%, for 30 days) and their respective controls (WKY/Control and SHR/Control) received water. WKY/EtOH developed hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy; blood aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and H2O2 were also augmented. In comparison with WKY/Control, CCs from WKY/EtOH had the following features: (i) depolarization and higher frequency of spontaneous action potentials; (ii) decreased Ca2+ currents with slower inactivation; (iii) decreased K+ currents; (iv) augmented K+-elicited cytosolic Ca2+ transients ([Ca2+]c); (v) enhanced K+-elicited catecholamine release. These cardiovascular, blood and CCs changes were qualitatively similar to those undergone by SHR/Control and SHR/EtOH. The results suggest that the hypertension elicited by chronic EtOH has pathogenic features common to genetic hypertension namely, augmented [Ca2+]c transients and catecholamine release from their CCs.