Ventricular Fibrosis and Coronary Remodeling Following Short-Term Exposure of Healthy and Malnourished Mice to Bisphenol A.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor associated with higher risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases especially in susceptible populations. Because malnutrition is a nutritional disorder associated with high cardiovascular risk, we sought to compare the effects of short-term BPA exposure on cardiovascular parameters of healthy and protein-malnourished mice. Postweaned male mice were fed a normo- (control) or low-protein (LP) diet for 8 weeks and then exposed or not to BPA (50 µg kg-1 day-1) for the last 9 days. Systolic blood pressure was higher in BPA or LP groups compared with the control group. However, diastolic blood pressure was enhanced by BPA only in malnourished mice. Left ventricle (LV) end diastolic pressure (EDP), collagen deposition, and CTGF mRNA expression were higher in the control or malnourished mice exposed to BPA than in the respective nonexposed groups. Nevertheless, mice fed LP diet exposed to BPA exhibited higher angiotensinogen and cardiac TGF-ß1 mRNA expression than mice treated with LP or BPA alone. Wall:lumen ratio and cross-sectional area of intramyocardial arteries were higher either in the LP or BPA group compared with the control mice. Taken together, our data suggest that short-term BPA exposure results in LV diastolic dysfunction and fibrosis, and intramyocardial arteries inward remodeling, besides potentiate protein malnutrition-induced hypertension and cardiovascular risk.

Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Hypertension Models

Abstract Background: Hypertensive condition can lead to abnormalities in heart structure and electrical activity. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart and widely used to diagnose and detect heart problem. Objective: We conducted a comparative ECG analysis between two hypertension models (L-NAME and SHR) and their controls (Wistar and Wistar-Kyoto) at six and 15 th week of age. Methods: Blood pressure was measured at the end of the 15 th week, and electrocardiography was performed at six and 15 weeks of age in anaesthetized rats. Data normality was confirmed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test followed by unpaired Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney for parametric and non-parametric data, respectively. Results are expressed as mean ± SD. The accepted level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: L-NAME exhibited prolongation of JT and QT intervals and SHR showed a decrease in heart rate when compared to Wistar-Kyoto and L-NAME. Wistar-Kyoto exhibited short PR interval with increased QRS complex, and only QT prolongation at 15 weeks compared to Wistar. Conclusions: All the hypertension models used in this study featured an increase in blood pressure. However, while SHR showed cardiac dysfunction, L-NAME exhibited changes in ventricular performance. These results may guide future studies on different types and models of hypertension.

Long-term Leucine Supplementation Improves Metabolic But Not Molecular Responses in the Skeletal Muscle of Trained Rats Submitted to Exhaustive Exercise.

AIM: Although there is some evidence of an ergogenic effect of leucine supplementation on acute response to exercise, there is a paucity of information on whether long-term leucine supplementation influences the adaptive response to chronic endurance training and performance. The main aim of our study was to assess the role of long-term leucine supplementation on molecular and metabolic response in skeletal muscle of trained rats after an exhaustion test. METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Two of them (control and trained groups) received a balanced control diet (18% protein) and the other 2 (control leucine and trained leucine groups) received a leucine-rich diet (15% protein with 3% leucine) for 6 weeks. The trained groups were submitted to 1 hour of swimming exercise, 5 d/wk for 6 weeks. Three days after the exercise training period, trained groups were submitted to swimming exercise until exhaustion and muscle metabolic and molecular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: Endurance training increased citrate synthase activity significantly, whereas exercise until exhaustion increased cytokine levels and led to a lack of activation of phosphorylation of the signaling intermediates assessed. Long-term leucine supplementation enhanced muscle glycogen level in trained rats and citrate synthase activity in sedentary ones. However, it failed to enhance endurance performance of trained rats submitted to an exhaustion test and did not prevent exercise-induced reduction in Akt and mTOR activation. CONCLUSION: Long-term leucine supplementation can enhance citrate synthase activity by itself in sedentary individuals and glycogen content when combined with exercise; however, it does not improve endurance performance or prevent Akt and mTOR exercise-induced inhibition.

Long-term leucine supplementation aggravates prolonged strenuous exercise-induced cardiovascular changes in trained rats.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Can long-term leucine supplementation prevent prolonged strenuous endurance exercise induced cardiac injury? What is the main finding and its importance? Prolonged endurance exercise does not seem to exceed cardiac energetic capacity, hence it does not represent an energy threat to this organ, at least in trained subjects. However, it may induce, in susceptible individuals, a state of cardiac electrical instability, which has been associated with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. This situation might be worsened when combined with leucine supplementation, which leads to increased blood pressure and cardiac injury. Leucine supplementation failed to prevent cardiac fatigue symptoms and may aggravate prolonged strenuous exercise-induced cardiovascular disturbances in trained rats. Observational studies have raised concerns that prolonged strenuous exercise training may be associated with increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia and even primary cardiac arrest or sudden death. It has been demonstrated that leucine can reduce prolonged exercise-induced muscle damage and accelerate the recovery process. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged strenuous endurance exercise on cardiovascular parameters and biomarkers of cardiac injury in trained adult male rats and assess the use of leucine as an auxiliary substance to prevent the likely cardiac adverse effects caused by strenuous exercise. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to receive a balanced control diet (18% protein) or a leucine-rich diet (15% protein plus 3% leucine) for 6 weeks. The rats were submitted to 1 h of exercise, 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Three days after the training period, the rats were submitted to swimming exercise until exhaustion, and cardiac parameters were assessed. Exercising until exhaustion significantly increased cardiac biomarker levels, cytokines and glycogen content inhibited protein synthesis signalling and led to cardiac electrical disturbances. When combined with exercise, leucine supplementation led to greater increases in the aforementioned parameters and also a significant increase in blood pressure and protein degradation signalling. We report, for the first time, that leucine supplementation not only fails to prevent cardiac fatigue symptoms, but may also aggravate prolonged strenuous exercise-induced cardiovascular disturbances in trained rats. Furthermore, we find that exercising until exhaustion can cause cardiac electrical disturbances and damage cardiac myocytes.

Suramin attenuates dystrophin-deficient cardiomyopathy in the mdx mouse model of duchenne muscular dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of suramin, an antifibrotic agent, on cardiac function and remodeling in mdx mice. METHODS: mdx mice (8 months old) received intraperitoneal injections of suramin twice a week for 3 months. Control mdx mice (8 months old) were injected with saline. RESULTS: Suramin improved the electrocardiography profile with the main corrections seen in S- to R-wave ratio, PR interval, and Q amplitude, and a significant decrease in the cardiomyopathy index. Suramin decreased myocardial fibrosis, inflammation, and myonecrosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that suramin may be a new adjunctive therapy to help improve cardiomyopathy in DMD.

Melatonin reduces oxidative stress and cardiovascular changes induced by stanozolol in rats exposed to swimming exercise.

OBJECTIVE: Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are nominated for clinical use to promote protein synthesis in many therapeutic conditions. However, the indiscriminate use of AAS is related to hazardous cardiac disturbances and oxidative stress. We designed a study to investigate whether prolonged treatment with high doses of stanozolol modifies the activities of some antioxidant enzymes in the heart in sedentary and trained rats and whether this treatment causes alterations of cardiovascular parameters. In addition, the effectiveness of melatonin as an antioxidant and as a modulator of the cardiovascular side effects of stanozolol (STA) treatment was analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into the following six groups: sedentary (S), stanozolol sedentary (SS), stanozolol-melatonin sedentary (SMS), trained (T), stanozolol trained (ST) and stanozolol-melatonin trained (SMT). The stanozolol-treatment rats received 5 mg.kg(-1) by subcutaneous injection before each exercise session (5 d.wk(-1), i.e., 25 mg.kg(-1).wk(-1)), while control groups received only saline solution injection. The melatonin-treatment groups received intraperitoneal injections of melatonin (10 mg.kg(-1)), 5 d.wk(-1) for 6 wk. Electrocardiography, blood pressure and antioxidant enzyme activity measurements were performed at the end of the experimental period for cardiac function and molecular assessment. RESULTS: This is the first time that the in vivo effects of melatonin treatment on stanozolol-induced cardiovascular side effects have been studied. Stanozolol induced bradycardia and significantly increased cardiac superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Trained stanozolol-treated rats experienced an increase in blood pressure and relative heart weight, and they developed left cardiac axis deviation. Although melatonin did not prevent cardiac hypertrophy in exercised stanozolol-treated animals, it maintained blood pressure and cardiac catalase activity, and it prevented stanozolol-induced cardiac electrical axis deviation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, under our experimental conditions, chronic stanozolol administration induced mild cardiovascular side effects that were partly attenuated by melatonin treatment. However, these results showed that the combination of melatonin and exercise could minimize the stanozolol side effects in the cardiovascular system.

Topologia do simportador tireoideano sódio/iodeto / Topology of the thyroid sodium-iodine symporter

A síntese de hormônios tireoideanos depende fundamentalmente da captação de iodo do meio extracelular para o interior do tireócito. Esse processo é mediado por uma glicoproteína transmembrânica denominada simportador sódio/iodeto, que transporta iodeto para o interior do tireócito, juntamente com dois íons sódio em um processo de cotransporte. Esse processo é orquestrado pelo potencial eletroquímico gerado pela bomba Na+/K+ ATPïase dependente. O simportador sódio/iodeto também está envolvido no transporte ativo de iodeto em tecidos extratireoideos, tais como glândulas salivares, mucosa gástrica e a mama em lactação. A alta capacidade de acumular iodeto pelo tireócito constitui a base do diagnóstico cintilográfico e também da terapêutica com radioiodo em situações de hiperfunção tireoidea, como, por exemplo, na doença de Graves. Algumas mutações no simportador sódio/iodeto geram prejuízo no transporte de iodeto para o tireócito, resultando em hipotireoidismo congênito; além disso, o simportador sódio/iodeto pode tornar-se alvo de imunocomplexos, como, por exemplo, nas doenças tireoideanas autoimunes. Finalmente, o estudo molecular do simportador sódio/iodeto apresenta importância em muitas áreas, que compreendem desde proteínas transportadoras até o diagnóstico e tratamento de cânceres em tecidos tireoidianos e extratireoideos. Este artigo objetivou descrever o simportador sódio/iodeto presente na glândula tireoide, destacando sua sequência de resíduos de aminoácidos, topologia e todos os demais aspectos pertinentes a sua estrutura e função. Foi desenvolvido através de revisão sistemática da literatura nacional e internacional pelo indexador Medline/PubMed, utilizando os unitermos: iodeto, tireoide, transportador, topologia, sequência de resíduos de aminoácidos e estrutura

The synthesis of thyroid hormones depends essentially on the uptake of iodide by thyrocytes, which is mediated by an intrinsic membrane glycoprotein, the sodium-iodide symporter. The NIS actively cotransports a sodium cation and an iodide anion simultaneously. NIS-mediated transport of iodide is driven by the electrochemical sodium gradient generated by Na+/K+ ATPïase. Sodium-Iodide Symporter also mediates active iodide transport in other tissues, including salivary glands, gastric mucosa, and lactating mammary gland. The ability of the thyroid to accumulate iodide via NIS has long provided the basis for diagnostic scintigraphic imaging of the thyroid with radioiodine and served as an effective means for therapeutic doses of radioiodide to target and destroy hyperfunctioning thyroid tissue, as seen in Graves? disease. Another relevant clinical aspect of Sodium-Iodide Symporter is the fact that some spontaneous mutations have been identified as the cause of congenital iodide transport defect, resulting in hypothyroidism. Furthermore, the sodium-iodide symporter can become the target of autoantibodies, resulting in autoimmune thyroid diseases. Finally, the molecular analysis of NIS clearly holds the potential of having an even greater impact on a wide spectrum of s, ranging from the structure and function of transport proteins to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, in thyroid and nonthyroid tissues. The aim of this paper is to describe the sodium/iodide symporter present in the thyroid gland, highlighting its sequence of amino acid residues, topology, and all other relevant aspects of structure and function. This study is based on a systematic review of the domestic and international literature found in Medline/ PubMed with the keywords: iodide, thyroid, carrier, topology, sequence of amino acid residues and structure

Homocisteína e risco cardiovascular: [revisão] / Homocysteine and cardiovascular risk: [review]

Numerosos estudos epidemiológicos têm demonstrado que a hiper-homocisteinemia é um forte e independente fator de risco para o desenvolvimento da doença vascular. A hiper-homocisteinemia pode ser decorrente da deficiência de enzimas envolvidas no metabolismo desse aminoßcido ou de seus cofatores (vitaminas). Várias hipóteses têm sido propostas para explicar o mecanismo celular que envolve a hiper-homocisteinemia, hipertensão arterial, diabetes mellitus e tabagismo, que respondem por aproximadamente 50 por cento dos casos...

Effects of metformin on QT and QTc interval dispersion of diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Several drugs can cause prolonged QT interval, as well as prolonged QT dispersion (QTd) in electrocardiographic (EKG) recordings. QTd may be a potentially sensitive marker of increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Metformin is an effective antihyperglycemic agent used in the treatment of diabetes. However, studies have correlated dose-dependent effects of metformin on glycemia and cardiovascular risk markers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dose-response effects of metformin on QT and QTd of diabetic rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were distributed in five groups: non-treated control (C), non-treated diabetics (D), diabetics treated with metmorfin at the doses of 3.5, 30 and 74 microg/kg/bw (DM 3.5, DM 30 and DM 74). Diabetes was induced by an alloxan injection (40 mg/kg, IV). EKG was recorded (days 1, 15 and 30) using four electrodes inserted into the subcutaneous layer of the paws. Both RR and QT intervals were measured, and then corrected QT and QT dispersion values were calculated. RESULTS: The DM 3.5 and DM 30 groups showed a significant reduction of glycemia (p< 0.05) when compared with the high dose (DM 74). Rats of the DM 74 group presented prolonged QTc, QTd and QTcd intervals, whereas rats of the DM 3.5 and DM 30 groups presented less prolonged intervals. CONCLUSION: Metformin at high doses provided greater dispersion of the QT interval probably because of the increased ventricular repolarization inhomogeneity, whereas at low doses decreased QT intervals were observed in diabetic rats.

Os efeitos da metformina sobre a dispersão do intervalo QT e QTc de ratos diabéticos / Effects of metformin on QT and QTc interval dispersion of diabetic rats

FUNDAMENTO: Diversos fármacos podem causar aumento do intervalo QT, bem como da sua dispersão (QTd) em registros eletrocardiográficos (ECG). O QTd pode ser um marcador potencialmente sensível ao aumento do risco de arritmias cardíacas e morte súbita cardíaca. Metformina é uma substância de eficácia anti-hiperglicêmica utilizada no tratamento do diabete. Entretanto, estudos têm relacionado efeitos dose-dependentes da metformina sobre a glicemia e marcadores de riscos cardiovasculares. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos dose-resposta da metformina sobre o QT e QTd de ratos diabéticos. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar machos foram distribuídos em cinco grupos: controle não-tratado (C), diabético não-tratado (D), diabéticos tratados com metformina nas doses 3,5, 30 e 74 µg/kg/pc (DM 3,5, DM 30 e DM 74). O diabete foi induzido por uma injeção de aloxana (40 mg/kg, i.v.). O ECG foi registrado (1º, 15º e 30º dias) através de quatro eletrodos inseridos na camada subcutânea das patas. Ambos os intervalos, RR e QT, foram medidos, e então os valores do QT corrigido e da dispersão de QT foram calculados. RESULTADOS: Os grupos DM 3,5 e DM 30 mostraram significativa redução da glicemia (p< 0,05) quando comparados à alta dose (DM 74). Ratos do grupo DM 74 apresentaram aumento dos intervalos QTc, QTd e QTcd, enquanto os ratos dos grupos DM 3,5 e DM 30 apresentaram menor prolongamento desses intervalos. CONCLUSÃO: A metformina em altas doses proporcionou maior dispersão do intervalo QT, em razão, provavelmente, do aumento da não-homogeneidade do processo de repolarização ventricular, enquanto em baixas doses houve diminuição do intervalo QT em ratos diabéticos.

BACKGROUND: Several drugs can cause prolonged QT interval, as well as prolonged QT dispersion (QTd) in electrocardiographic (EKG) recordings. QTd may be a potentially sensitive marker of increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Metformin is an effective antihyperglycemic agent used in the treatment of diabetes. However, studies have correlated dose-dependent effects of metformin on glycemia and cardiovascular risk markers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dose-response effects of metformin on QT and QTd of diabetic rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were distributed in five groups: non-treated control (C), non-treated diabetics (D), diabetics treated with metmorfin at the doses of 3.5, 30 and 74 µg/kg/bw (DM 3.5, DM 30 and DM 74). Diabetes was induced by an alloxan injection (40 mg/kg, IV). EKG was recorded (days 1, 15 and 30) using four electrodes inserted into the subcutaneous layer of the paws. Both RR and QT intervals were measured, and then corrected QT and QT dispersion values were calculated. RESULTS: The DM 3.5 and DM 30 groups showed a significant reduction of glycemia (p< 0.05) when compared with the high dose (DM 74). Rats of the DM 74 group presented prolonged QTc, QTd and QTcd intervals, whereas rats of the DM 3.5 and DM 30 groups presented less prolonged intervals. CONCLUSION: Metformin at high doses provided greater dispersion of the QT interval probably because of the increased ventricular repolarization inhomogeneity, whereas at low doses decreased QT intervals were observed in diabetic rats.

Hipercolesterolemia e produção de radicais livres: efeitos protetores das fibras alimentares / Hypercholesterolemia and production of free radicals: protect effects of dietary fibers

A expectativa de vida do homem continua aumentando. Conseqüentemente, como resultado da maior longevidade humana há o aparecimento de morbidades relacionadas ao envelhecimento. Cânceres e doenças cardiovasculares são responsáveis por, aproximadamente, 66% da causa mortis em países desenvolvidos com elevadas rendas per capita. A hipercolesterolemia é um importante fator de risco cardiovascular porque o colesterol exerce efeito pró-oxidante que leva ao aumento na produção de radicais livres, os quais têm importante papel na gênese da aterosclerose. Estudos epidemiológicos sugerem que, o consumo habitual de dietas ricas em frutas e vegetais reduz o risco do desenvolvimento de tais condições. De fato, os benefícios decorrentes de uma dieta rica em vegetais são comprovados por estudos epidemiológicos, especialmente os relacionados à prevenção de câncer, peroxidação lipídica e doenças cardiovasculares

Influência da fonte lipídica da dieta na utilizaçäo de caseína e proteína de soja por ratos Wistar / Influence of dietary lipid on utilization of casein and soybean protein by Wistar rats

Estudou-se a influência das fontes lipídicas, óleo de soja e banha de porco, nas propriedades nutricionais de caseína e isolado protéico de soja, sob forma de dieta balanceada, com ratos Wistar, em termos de ganho de peso, quociente de eficiência alimentar e proteíca e índices aparentes de digestibilidade, valor biológico e utilizaçäo líquida da proteína. Verificou-se que, para uma mesma fonte protéica, a fonte lipídica näo influiu nesses índices de qualidade, mas ocorreu influência a comparar fontes protéicas diferentes. Assim, inferiu-se que a combinaçäo caseína e óleo de soja forneceu os melhores resultados e a combinaçäo isolado protéico de soja e óleo de soja, o pior desempenho. Entretanto, ao combinar-se o isolado protéico de soja com a banha de porco, o valor nutritivo da proteína de soja näo diferiu daquele da caseína