Cardioprotection and neurobehavioral impact of swimming training in ovariectomized rats.

Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the major cause of mortality. Estrogens (E) exert multiple CV and neuroprotective effects. During menopause, CV and cognitive pathologies increase dramatically.

Beneficial Consequences of One-Month Oral Treatment with Cannabis Oil on Cardiac Hypertrophy and the Mitochondrial Pool in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

It has been demonstrated the dysregulation of the cardiac endocannabinoid system in cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the modulation of this system through the administration of phytocannabinoids present in medicinal cannabis oil (CO) emerges as a promising therapeutic approach. Furthermore, phytocannabinoids exhibit potent antioxidant properties, making them highly desirable in the treatment of cardiac pathologies, such as hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy (CH).

New advances in the protective mechanisms of acidic pH after ischemia: Participation of NO.

Background: It has been previously demonstrated that the maintenance of ischemic acidic pH or the delay of intracellular pH recovery at the onset of reperfusion decreases ischemic-induced cardiomyocyte death.

Objective: To examine the role played by nitric oxide synthase (NOS)/NO-dependent pathways in the effects of acidic reperfusion in a regional ischemia model.

Methods: Isolated rat hearts perfused by Langendorff technique were submitted to 40 min of left coronary artery occlusion followed by 60 min of reperfusion (IC).

Cardiac Mineralocorticoid Receptor and the Na/H Exchanger: Spilling the Beans.

Current evidence reveals that cardiac mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation following myocardial stretch plays an important physiological role in adapting developed force to sudden changes in hemodynamic conditions. Its underlying mechanism involves a previously unknown nongenomic effect of the MR that triggers redox-mediated Na/H exchanger (NHE1) activation, intracellular Na accumulation, and a consequent increase in Ca transient amplitude through reverse Na/Ca exchange. However, clinical evidence assigns a detrimental role to MR activation in the pathogenesis of severe cardiac diseases such as congestive heart failure.

Gender differences in cardiac left ventricular mass and function: Clinical and experimental observations.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate gender-associated impact on left ventricular mass (LVM) and on left ventricular function (LVF) in humans and rats with aging.

Methods: Myocyte area and collagen volume fraction (CVF) were studied in rats. LVM and LVF were evaluated in animals and humans by echocardiography and LVM index (LVMI) was obtained.