Influence of environmental temperature and electrolyte balance on the performance of quails (Coturnix Coturnix Coturnix)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Spirituality/religiosity and cardiovascular system

Introduction: Spirituality/religiosity is associated to well-being. In this article, we describe the association between spirituality/religiosity and cardiovascular system. Materials and methods: We performed searches using Medline, SciELO, Lilacs and Cochrane databases using crossing between the keywords “spirituality,” “cardiovascular system,” “parasympathetic nervous system,” and “sympathetic nervous system.”Results: The electronic search yielded 65 references by crossing the terms “spirituality” and “cardiovascular system.” Among these, the first round of elimination resulted in exclusion of 55 titles and abstracts that were not clearly related to the subject of the review. The titles of the remaining 10 abstracts were submitted to a final evaluation that accounted for the inclusion criteria. An investigation into the reference lists confirmed the absence of relevant documents. Summaries of the analysed studies were selected. Discussion: Among 10 studies selected, 8 of them indicated that spirituality/religiosity is very important for the cardiovascular system, whereas only 2 found no significant association between the two variables in women. Conclusion: We suggest that spirituality/religiosity is an alternative and non-pharmacological therapy for cardiovascular disorders.

Conformational changes in a hyperthermostable glycoside hydrolase: enzymatic activity is a consequence of the loop dynamics and protonation balance

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Initial physic nut nutrition and potassium balance in the soil-plant system

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Role of central α1- and α2-adrenoceptors on the dipsogenic and cardiovascular effect of angiotensin II

We investigated the effects of previous central treatment with prazosin (an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist) or clonidine (an α2-adrenoceptor agonist) on the dipsogenic, pressor and tachycardic responses produced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of angiotensin II (AII) in conscious rats. Holtzman rats with a chronic cannula implanted in the lateral ventricle were tested for dipsogenic and cardiovascular (arterial pressure and heart rate) responses in separate experiments. Previous ICV treatment with clonidine (20, 40, 80 and 120 nmol) abolished the pressor, tachycardic and dipsogenic effects of ICV AII. After all doses of prazosin (40, 80 and 120 nmol), AII induced bradycardic responses, but only the 80 and 120 nmol doses of prazosin reduced the pressor responses to AII. Prazosin produced no alteration in the dipsogenic effect of AII. The results show that the periventricular α1-adrenoceptors are involved only in the cardiovascular responses produced by central AII, whereas clonidine acting through α2-adrenergic and/or imidazole receptors can modulate all actions of AII. © 1990.

Pharmacokinetics of tetracycline in plasma, synovial fluid and milk using single intravenous and single intravenous regional doses in dairy cattle with papillomatous digital dermatitis

The purpose of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of tetracycline in plasma, synovial fluid, and milk following either a single systemic intravenous (i.v.) injection or a single i.v. regional antibiosis (IVRA) administration of tetracycline hydrochloride to dairy cattle with papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD). To this end, plasma and synovial fluid tetracycline concentrations were compared with the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the major bacteria, which are known to cause digital diseases and thus assess its efficacy in PDD. Residual tetracycline concentrations in milk from cows treated by both methods were also determined. Twelve Holstein cows with various stages of PDD were randomly assigned to two groups of six animals. Group 1 received a single systemic i.v. injection of 10 mg/kg of tetracycline hydrochloride. Group 2 received 1000 mg of tetracycline hydrochloride by IVRA of the affected limb. Blood, synovial fluid and milk samples were taken prior to tetracycline administration (time 0 control), and then at 22, 45 and 82 min, and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h following drug administration. Tetracycline concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Mean tetracycline plasma and milk concentrations in Group 1 were higher than Group 2. The opposite was observed for synovial fluid concentrations. Group 2 synovial fluid concentrations were higher than the MIC value over 24 h for the bacteria most frequently responsible for claw disease. Compared with i.v. administration, IVRA administration of tetracycline produced very high synovial fluid and low plasma and milk concentrations.

Breakfast frequency, adiposity, and cardiovascular risk factors as markers in adolescents

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor or fluoxetine treatment on depression-like state and cardiovascular changes induced by chronic variable stress in rats

Comorbidity between mood disorders and cardiovascular disease has been described extensively. However, available antidepressants can have cardiovascular side effects. Treatment with selective inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) induces antidepressant effects, but whether the antidepressant-like effects of these drugs are followed by cardiovascular changes has not been previously investigated. Here, we tested in male rats exposed to chronic variable stress (CVS) the hypothesis that nNOS blockers are advantageous compared with conventional antidepressants in terms of cardiovascular side effects. We compared the effects of chronic treatment with the preferential nNOS inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) with those evoked by the conventional antidepressant fluoxetine on alterations that are considered as markers of depression (immobility in the forced swimming test, FST, decreased body weight gain and increased plasma corticosterone concentration) and cardiovascular changes caused by CVS. Rats were exposed to a 14-day CVS protocol, while being concurrently treated daily with either 7-NI (30 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg). Fluoxetine and 7-NI prevented the increase in immobility in the FST induced by CVS and reduced plasma corticosterone concentration in stressed rats. Both these treatments also prevented the CVS-evoked reduction of the depressor response to vasodilator agents and baroreflex changes. Fluoxetine and 7-NI-induced cardiovascular changes independent of stress exposure, including cardiac autonomic imbalance, increased intrinsic heart rate and vascular sympathetic modulation, a reduction of the pressor response to vasoconstrictor agents, and impairment of baroreflex activity. Altogether, these findings provide evidence that fluoxetine and 7-NI have similar effects on the depression-like state induced by CVS and on cardiovascular function.

Alcohol levels in cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples from patients under pathological conditions

We measured alcohol levels by the Cordebard method in 148 CSF samples from individuals who had abstained from alcohol for at least 7 days prior to the beginning of the study. Each blood sample was accompanied by a CSF sample from the same patient. CSF samples found to be normal after analysis were used as controls. Mean alcohol concentration in blood did not differ significantly between the control group and the groups with altered CSF. The group with altered CSF had statistically higher alcohol levels in CSF than in blood. CSF lactate, glucose and protein levels were not correlated with alcohol level. The results suggest the presence of endogenous alcohol in the CSF, with levels increasing in the presence of pathological processes involving the nervous system.

Activation of serotonergic 5-HT1A receptors in the lateral parabrachial nucleus increases NaCl intake

Previous studies using non-specific serotonergic agonists and antagonists have shown the importance of serotonergic inhibitory mechanisms in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) for controlling sodium and water intake. In the present study, we investigated whether the serotonergic 5-HTIA receptor subtype in the LPBN participates in this control. Male Holtzman rats had cannulas implanted bilaterally into the LPBN. Bilateral injections of the 5-HTIA receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 0.1, 1.25, and 2.5 mu g/ 0.2 mu l), into the LPBN enhanced 0.3 M NaCl and water intake of rats injected subcutaneously with the diuretic furosemide (10 mg/kg bw) and a low dose of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril (5 mg/kg bw). The increase in NaCl intake produced by 8-OH-DPAT injections was reduced in dose-related manner by pre-treating the LPBN with the selective 5-HTIA serotonergic antagonist, WAY-100635 (WAY, I and 2 mu g/0.2 mu l). In contrast, WAY did not affect water intake produced by 8-OH-DPAT. WAY-100635 injected alone into the LPBN had no effect on NaCl ingestion. Injections of 8-OH-DAPT (0.1 mu g/0.2 mu l) into the LPBN also increased 0.3 M NaCl intake induced by 24-h sodium depletion (furosemide, 20 mg/kg bw plus 24 h of sodium-free diet). Serotonin (5-HT, 20 mu g/0.2 mu l) injected alone or combined with 8-OH-DPAT into the LPBN reduced 24-h sodium depletion-induced 0.3 M NaCl intake. Therefore, the activation of serotonergic 5-HTIA receptors in the LPBN increases stimulated hypertonic NaCl and water intake, while 5-HT injections into the LPBN reduce NaCl intake and prevent the effects of serotonergic 5-HTIA receptor activation. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Higher salt preference in heart failure patients

Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome that involves changes in behavioral, neural and endocrine regulatory systems. Dietary salt restriction along with pharmacotherapy is considered an essential component in the effective management of symptomatic HF patients. However, it is well recognized that HF patients typically have great difficulty in restricting sodium intake. We hypothesized that under HF altered activity in systems that normally function to regulate body fluid and cardiovascular homeostasis could produce an increased preference for the taste of salt. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the perceived palatability (defined as salt preference) of food with different concentrations of added salt in compensated chronically medicated HF patients and comparable control subjects. Healthy volunteers (n = 25) and medicated, clinically stable HF patients (n = 38, NYHA functional class II or III) were interviewed and given an evaluation to assess their preferences for different amounts of saltiness. Three salt concentrations (0.58, 0.82, and 1.16 g/100 g) of bean soup were presented to the subjects. Salt preference for each concentration was quantified using an adjective scale (unpleasant, fair or delicious). Healthy volunteers preferred the soup with medium salt concentration (p = 0.042), HF patients disliked the low concentration (p < 0.001) and preferred the high concentration of salted bean soup (p < 0.001). When compared to healthy volunteers, HF patients demonstrated a significantly greater preference for the soup with a high salt concentration (p = 0.038). It is concluded that medicated, compensated patients under chronic treatment for HF have an increased preference for salt. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved,

Efeito da associação de furosemida e fenilbutazona sobre variáveis hidroeletrolíticas de cavalos antes e após a corrida

The objective of this study was to verify the effects of furosemide and phenylbutazone association on fluid and electrolyte balance characteristics of horses before and after a race. Nineteen horses were divided into three groups according to treatment protocols. The first group (five animals - control) was not medicated. A second group (seven animals) was treated with furosemide (1mg/kg, intramuscular up to four hours before the race). A third group (seven animals) received furosemide (1mg/kg) and phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg), both intramuscular, up to four hours before race. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after and two hours after a race to evaluate the plasma osmolality and sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations. The use of furosemide and furosemide plus phenylbutazone up to four hours before the race altered (P<0.05) the plasma osmolality but did not change (P>0.05) the sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations. It was not possible to determine an antagonist effect of phenylbutazone on furosemide, based on fluid and electrolyte balance. Due to the high intensity exercise, the increase in plasma osmolality and potassium concentration was attributed to the race effect.

Central nitrergic system regulation of neuroendocrine secretion, fluid intake and blood pressure induced by angiotensin-II

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Involvement of the atrial natriuretic peptide in cardiovascular pathophysiology and its relationship with exercise

In this minireview we describe the involvement of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in cardiovascular pathophysiology and exercise. The ANP has a broad homeostatic role and exerts complex effects on the cardio-circulatory hemodynamics, it is produced by the left atrium and has a key role in regulating sodium and water balance in mammals and humans. The dominant stimulus for its release is atrial wall tension, commonly caused by exercise. The ANP is involved in the process of lipolysis through a cGMP signaling pathway and, as a consequence, reducing blood pressure by decreasing the sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle to the action of vasoconstrictors and regulate fluid balance. The increase of this hormone is associated with better survival in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). This minireview provides new evidence based on recent studies related to the beneficial effects of exercise in patients with cardiovascular disease, focusing on the ANP. © 2012 de Almeida et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Interaction between arginine vasopressin and angiotensin II receptors in the central regulation of sodium balance

We speculated that the influence of lateral preoptic area (LPO) in sodium balance, involves arginine(8)-vasopressin (AVP) and angiotensin (ANG II) on Na+ uptake in LPO. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of central administration of specific AVP and ANG 11 antagonists (d(CH2)(5)-Tyr (Me)-AVP (AAVP) and [Adamanteanacetyl(1), 0-ET-D-Tyr(2), Val(4), Aminobutyryl(6), Arg(8.9)]-AVP (ATAVP) antagonists of V-1 and V-2 receptors of AVP. Also the effects of losartan and CGP42112A (selective ligands of the AT(1) and AT(2) angiotensin receptors, respectively), was investigated on Na+ uptake and renal fluid and electrolyte excretion. After an acclimatization period of 7 days, the animals were maintained under tribromoethanol (200 mg/kg body weight, intraperitonial) anesthesia and placed in a Kopf stereotaxic instrument. Stainless guide cannula was implanted into the LPO. AAVP and ATAVP injected into the LPO prior to AVP produced a reduction in the NaCl intake. Both the AT(1) and AT(2) ligands administered into the LPO elicited a decrease in the NaCl intake induced by AVP injected into the LPO. AVP injection into the LPO increased sodium renal excretion, but this was reduced by prior AAVP administration. The ATAVP produced a decreased in the natriuretic effect of AVP. The losartan injected into LPO previous to AVP decreased the sodium excretion and the CGP 421122A also decreased the natriuretic effect of AVP. The AVP produced an antidiuresis effect that was inhibited by prior administration into LPO of the ATAVP. The AAVP produced no change in the antidiuretic effect of AVP. These results suggest that LPO are implicated in sodium balance that is mediated by V-1, V-2, AT(2) and AT(2) receptors. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.