Dysautonomias in parkinson's disease: cardiovascular changes and autonomic modulation in conscious rats after infusion of bilateral 6-OHDA in substantia nigra

Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)

Gene expression of estrogen receptor-alpha in orbital fibroblasts in Graves’ ophthalmopathy

Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) is one of the most severe clinical manifestations of Graves’ disease (GD), and its treatment might involve high-dose glucocorticoid therapy. The higher incidence of GO among females, and the reported association between polymorphisms of estrogen receptor (ER) and GD susceptibility have led us to question the role of estrogen and its receptor in GO pathogenesis. We, thus, assessed estrogen receptor-alpha (ERA) gene expression in cultures of orbital fibroblasts from a patient with GO before (controls) and after treatment with 10 nM and 100 nM dexamethasone (DEX). Orbital fibroblasts showed ERA gene expression. In the cells treated with 10 nM and 100 nM DEX, ERA gene expression was, respectively, 85% higher and 74% lower, than in the control group. We concluded that ERA gene expression is found in the orbital fibroblasts of patient with GO, which may be affected by glucocorticoids in a dose-related manner. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2015;59(3):273-6

Changes in the TNF-alpha/IL-10 ratio in hyperglycemia-associated pregnancies

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

Gabaergic and opioid receptors mediate the facilitation of NaCl intake induced by alpha(2)-adrenergic activation in the lateral parabrachial nucleus

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

Involvement of alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors in the anti-immobility effect of imipramine in the tail suspension test

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effect of random/aligned nylon-6/MWCNT fibers on dental resin composite reinforcement

The aims of this study were (1) to synthesize and characterize random and aligned nanocomposite fibers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT)/nylon-6 and (2) to determine their reinforcing effects on the flexural strength of a dental resin composite.Nylon-6 was dissolved in hexafluoropropanol (10 wt%), followed by the addition of MWCNT (hereafter referred to as nanotubes) at two distinct concentrations (i.e., 0.5 or 1.5 wt%). Neat nylon-6 fibers (without nanotubes) were also prepared. The solutions were electrospun using parameters under low- (120 rpm) or high-speed (6000 rpm) mandrel rotation to collect random and aligned fibers, respectively. The processed fiber mats were characterized by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopies, as well as by uni-axial tensile testing. To determine the reinforcing effects on the flexural strength of a dental resin composite, bar-shaped (20 x 2 x 2 mm(3)) resin composite specimens were prepared by first placing one increment of the composite, followed by one strip of the mat, and one last increment of composite. Non-reinforced composite specimens were used as the control. The specimens were then evaluated using flexural strength testing. SEM was done on the fractured surfaces. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and the Tukey's test (alpha=5%).Nanotubes were successfully incorporated into the nylon-6 fibers. Aligned and random fibers were obtained using high- and low-speed electrospinning, respectively, where the former were significantly (p<0.001) stronger than the latter, regardless of the nanotubes'presence. Indeed, the dental resin composite tested was significantly reinforced when combined with nylon-6 fibrous mats composed of aligned fibers (with or without nanotubes) or random fibers incorporated with nanotubes at 0.5 wt%. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Elucidating the real-time Ag nanoparticle growth on alpha-Ag2WO4 during electron beam irradiation: experimental evidence and theoretical insights

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

Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha in canine malignant mammary tumors

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

Lycopene supplementation reduces TNF-alpha via RAGE in the kidney of obese rats

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

Determinação sérica de haptoglobina, ceruloplasmina, alpha(1)-glicoproteína ácida, transferrina e alpha(1)-antitripsina, em equinos com cólica

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

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating the norepinephrine-induced contractile response in the rat vas deferens

The effects of chlorethylclonidine (CEC), 5-methyl-urapidil (5-MU), ryanodine and prolonged exposition to norepinephrine (NE) on the concentration-response curves (CRC) to this agonist on the bisected rat vas deferens (RVD) were investigated. 2. CEC did not affect the 50% effective concentration (EC50) of NE in either the prostatic (PP) or the epididymal (EP) portions of the RVD. 3. 5-MU did not alter the EC50 of NE in the PP but caused a significant and concentration-dependent rightward shift of the CRC to NE in the EP. 4. Ryanodine caused a shift to the right of the CRC to NE in the PP associated to a decrease in maximal response, but did not affect the CRC to NE in the EP. 5. Incubation of the EP with NE for 6 hr elicited a significant decrease in the maximal response with no changes in the EC50. Similar treatment of the PP was associated with a significant shift to the right of the CRC to NE without modifications in the maximal response. 6. These results suggest that in the RVD, NE interacts with two different alpha 1-adrenoceptors subtypes which are disposed in a selective manner along the RVD: the alpha 1(a) subtype in the EP, and non-alpha 1b-non-alpha 1a adrenoceptor subtype mainly located at the PP.

Effects of castration and of testosterone replacement on alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes in the rat vas deferens

The contractions of the rat vas deferens in response to noradrenaline are mediated through alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors. We observed participation of alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors in these contractions after castration. We now investigated the time course of this plasticity and the effects of testosterone by determining the actions of competitive antagonists on noradrenaline-induced contractions after 7, 14, 21 and 30 days of castration. BMY 7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane-7,9-dione dihydrochloride) antagonised noradrenaline-induced contractions in control and castrated rats with low pA(2) values (approximately = 6.8). In control vas deferens, WB 4101 (2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane hydrochloride) had a slope in the Schild plot no different from 1.0, while slopes lower than 1.0 (approximately 0.6) were observed for vas deferens from castrated rats. Chloroethylclonidine was ineffective in the control vas while it inhibited noradrenaline-induced contractions in vasa from castrated rats and converted the complex antagonism by WB 4101 into simple competitive antagonism. Treatment of castrated rats with testosterone prevented the effects of castration. The results suggest that alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors are detectable in vas deferens from at least the 7th through the 30th day after castration and that testosterone prevents this plasticity.

Modulation of thyroid hormone receptors, TR alpha and TR beta, by using different doses of triiodothyronine (T3) at different times

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cocaine effects on mouse incentive-learning and human addiction are linked to alpha 2 subunit-containing GABA(A) receptors

Because GABA(A) receptors containing alpha 2 subunits are highly represented in areas of the brain, such as nucleus accumbens (NAcc), frontal cortex, and amygdala, regions intimately involved in signaling motivation and reward, we hypothesized that manipulations of this receptor subtype would influence processing of rewards. Voltage-clamp recordings from NAcc medium spiny neurons of mice with alpha 2 gene deletion showed reduced synaptic GABA(A) receptor-mediated responses. Behaviorally, the deletion abolished cocaine`s ability to potentiate behaviors conditioned to rewards (conditioned reinforcement), and to support behavioral sensitization. In mice with a point mutation in the benzodiazepine binding pocket of alpha 2-GABA(A) receptors (alpha 2H101R), GABAergic neurotransmission in medium spiny neurons was identical to that of WT (i.e., the mutation was silent), but importantly, receptor function was now facilitated by the atypical benzodiazepine Ro 15-4513 (ethyl 8-amido-5,6-dihydro-5-methyl-6-oxo-4H-imidazo [1,5-a] [1,4] benzodiazepine-3-carboxylate). In alpha 2H101R, but not WT mice, Ro 15-4513 administered directly into the NAcc-stimulated locomotor activity, and when given systemically and repeatedly, induced behavioral sensitization. These data indicate that activation of alpha 2-GABA(A) receptors (most likely in NAcc) is both necessary and sufficient for behavioral sensitization. Consistent with a role of these receptors in addiction, we found specific markers and haplotypes of the GABRA2 gene to be associated with human cocaine addiction.

Direct effect of PGF2 alpha pulses on PRL pulses, based on inhibition of PRL or PGF2 alpha secretion in heifers

The relationships between PRL and PGF(2 alpha) and their effect on luteolysis were studied. Heifers were treated with a dopamine-receptor agonist (bromocriptine; Bc) and a Cox-1 and -2 inhibitor (flunixin meglumine [FM]) to inhibit PRL and PGF(2 alpha), respectively. The Bc was given (Hour 0) when ongoing luteolysis was indicated by a 12.5% reduction in CL area (cm(2)) from the area on Day 14 postovulation, and FM was given at Hours 0, 4, and 8. Blood samples were collected every 8-h beginning on Day 14 until Hour 48 and hourly for Hours 0 to 12. Three groups of heifers in ongoing luteolysis were used: control (n = 7), Bc (n = 7), and FM (n = 4). Treatment with Bc decreased (P < 0.003) the PRL concentrations averaged over Hours 1 to 12. During the greatest decrease in PRL (Hours 2-6), LH concentrations were increased. Progesterone concentrations averaged over hours were greater (P < 0.05) in the Bc group than in the controls. In the FM group, no PGFM pulses were detected, and PRL concentrations were reduced. Concentrations of PGFM were not reduced in the Bc group, despite the reduction in PRL. Results supported the hypothesis that a decrease (12.5%) in CL area (cm(2)) is more efficient in targeting ongoing luteolysis (63%) than using any day from Days 14 to >= 19 (efficiency/day, 10-24%). The hypothesis that PRL has a role in luteolysis was supported but was confounded by the known positive effect of LH on progesterone. The hypothesis was supported that the synchrony of PGFM and PRL pulses represents a positive effect of PGF(2 alpha), on PRL, rather than an effect of PRL on PGF(2 alpha). (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.