Aerobic exercise attenuates dysautonomia, cardiac diastolic dysfunctions, and hemodynamic overload in female mice with atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular risk increases during the aging process in women with atherosclerosis and exercise training is a strategy for management of cardiac risks in at-risk populations. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate: (1) the influence of the aging process on cardiac function, hemodynamics, cardiovascular autonomic modulation, and baroreflex sensitivity in females with atherosclerosis at the onset of reproductive senescence; and (2) the impact of exercise training on age-related dysfunctions in this model. Eighteen Apolipoprotein-E knockout female mice were divided equally into young (Y), middle-aged (MA), and trained middle-aged (MAT).

Smoking accelerates renal cystic disease and worsens cardiac phenotype in Pkd1-deficient mice.

Smoking has been associated with renal disease progression in ADPKD but the underlying deleterious mechanisms and whether it specifically worsens the cardiac phenotype remain unknown. To investigate these matters, Pkd1-deficient cystic mice and noncystic littermates were exposed to smoking from conception to 18 weeks of age and, along with nonexposed controls, were analyzed at 13-18 weeks. Renal cystic index and cyst-lining cell proliferation were higher in cystic mice exposed to smoking than nonexposed cystic animals.

Effects of sympathectomy on myocardium remodeling and function.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of sympathectomy on the myocardium in an experimental model.

Methods: The study evaluated three groups of male Wistar rats: control (CT; n=15), left unilateral sympathectomy (UNI; n=15), and bilateral sympathectomy (BIL; n=31). Sympathectomy was performed by injection of absolute alcohol into the space of the spinous process of the C7 vertebra.

Acute renal denervation normalizes aortic function and decreases blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Mechanisms involved in the acute responses to renal denervation (RDN) have yet to be fully understood. We assessed urinary volume, autonomic control and aorta vascular reactivity after acute RDN. Male normotensive Wistar rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into normotensive + RDN (ND) or sham surgery (NS), and hypertensive + RDN (HD) or sham surgery (HS).

Proinflammatory Role of Angiotensin II in the Aorta of Normotensive Mice.

Angiotensin II plays important functions in cardiovascular system mediating actions leading to inflammatory responses such as activation of VSMC in order to produce ROS, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. Changes in angiotensin II production could stimulate the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells initiating local inflammatory response without effect on BP. We aimed to verify if angiotensin II induces an inflammatory response in the aorta and if it correlates with variations in BP.

Alamandine attenuates arterial remodelling induced by transverse aortic constriction in mice.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of vascular diseases, especially as a mediator of inflammation and tissue remodelling. Alamandine (Ala-angiotensin-(1-7)) is a new biologically active peptide from the RAS, interacting with Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor member D. Although a growing number of studies reveal the cardioprotective effects of alamandine, there is a paucity of data on its participation in vascular remodelling associated events.

Tonin Overexpression in Mice Diminishes Sympathetic Autonomic Modulation and Alters Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor Response.

Tonin, a serine-protease that forms Angiotensin II (AngII) from angiotensinogen, is increased in failing human heart samples. Increased blood pressure (BP) and decreased heart rate (HR) variabilities are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity. Losartan has been used to reduce hypertension and, therefore, lowers the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events.

Erratum: Interval and continuous aerobic exercise training similarly increase cardiac function and autonomic modulation in infarcted mice.

[This corrects the article on p. 257 in vol. 13, PMID: 28702435.

(Pro)renin receptor expression in myocardial infarction in transgenic mice expressing rat tonin.

The (pro)renin receptor [(P)RR] has been implicated as a renin/prorenin receptor, and plays a role in local renin angiotensin system activation. Our goal was to investigate whether a transgenic mouse that expresses rat tonin [TGM'(rTon)] can regulate (P)RR mRNA levels. Control (C) and TGM'(rTon) animals were subdivided into the C sham, C MI, TGM'(rTon) sham, and TGM'(rTon) MI groups.

Cardiac dysfunction in Pkd1-deficient mice with phenotype rescue by galectin-3 knockout.

Alterations in myocardial wall texture stand out among ADPKD cardiovascular manifestations in hypertensive and normotensive patients. To elucidate their pathogenesis, we analyzed the cardiac phenotype in Pkd1(cond/cond)Nestin(cre) (CYG+) cystic mice exposed to increased blood pressure, at 5 to 6 and 20 to 24 weeks of age, and Pkd1(+/-) (HTG+) noncystic mice at 5-6 and 10-13 weeks. Echocardiographic analyses revealed decreased myocardial deformation and systolic function in CYG+ and HTG+ mice, as well as diastolic dysfunction in older CYG+ mice, compared to their Pkd1(cond/cond) and Pkd1(+/+) controls.

Sevoflurane preconditioning during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion reduces infarct size and preserves autonomic control of circulation in rats.

Purpose: To investigate the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion with sevoflurane anesthetic preconditioning (APC) would present beneficial effects on autonomic and cardiac function indexes after the acute phase of a myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.

Methods: Twenty Wistar rats were allocated in three groups: control (CON, n=10), myocardial infarction with sevoflurane (SEV, n=5) and infarcted without sevoflurane (INF, n=5). Myocardial ischemia (60 min) and reperfusion were performed by temporary coronary occlusion.

Glucose and fatty acid metabolism in infarcted heart from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after 2 weeks of tissue remodeling.

Background: The effects of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes on heart metabolism and function after myocardial infarction (MI) remodelling were investigated in rats.

Methods: Fifteen days after STZ (50 mg/kg b.w.

Characterization of the renal renin-angiotensin system in transgenic mice that express rat tonin.

Introduction: Tonin is an enzyme that is able to generate angiotensin II (Ang II) from angiotensin I (Ang I) or directly from angiotensinogen. Our goal was to characterize the renal renin-angiotensin system in transgenic mice that express rat tonin (TGM`(rTon)).

Materials And Methods: Mice were euthanized and the kidneys removed for analysis.

Increase in Vascular Injury of Sodium Overloaded Mice May be Related to Vascular Angiotensin Modulation.

This study aimed to analyzing the effect of chronic sodium overload upon carotid and femoral injury, and its relation to vascular angiotensin modulation. Male C57Bl6 mice were divided in: control (cont), receiving 1% NaCl solution for 2 weeks (salt-2) or 12 weeks (salt-12). Two-weeks before the end of the study, a 2mm catheter was implanted around the left femoral and carotid arteries to induce injury.

Cardiac impairment evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography and invasive measurements in rats undergoing sinoaortic denervation.

Background: Sympathetic hyperactivity may be related to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and baro- and chemoreflex impairment in hypertension. However, cardiac function, regarding the association of hypertension and baroreflex dysfunction, has not been previously evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) using intracardiac echocardiographic catheter.

Methods And Results: We evaluated exercise tests, baroreflex sensitivity and cardiovascular autonomic control, cardiac function, and biventricular invasive pressures in rats 10 weeks after sinoaortic denervation (SAD).

Renal cyst growth is the main determinant for hypertension and concentrating deficit in Pkd1-deficient mice.

We have bred a Pkd1 floxed allele with a nestin-Cre expressing line to generate cystic mice with preserved glomerular filtration rate to address the pathogenesis of complex autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) phenotypes. Hypertension affects about 60% of these patients before loss of renal function, leading to significant morbimortality. Cystic mice were hypertensive at 5 and 13 weeks of age, a phenotype not seen in noncystic controls and Pkd1-haploinsufficient animals that do not develop renal cysts.

Cholinergic stimulation with pyridostigmine improves autonomic function in infarcted rats.

In the present study we evaluated the effects of short-term pyridostigmine bromide (0.14 mg/mL) treatment started early after myocardial infarction (MI) on left ventricular (LV) and autonomic functions in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into control, pyridostigmine, infarcted and infarcted + pyridostigmine-treated groups.

Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in non-obese diabetic mice.

It is known that diabetes is associated with autonomic dysfunction; however, data about autonomic function in non-obese diabetic mice (NOD) remain scarce. We evaluated the autonomic profile of NOD mice. Female mice, 24-28 week old, were divided in two groups: NOD (n = 6) and control (n = 6, Swiss mice).

Beneficial effects of long-term administration of an oral formulation of Angiotensin-(1-7) in infarcted rats.

In this study was evaluated the chronic cardiac effects of a formulation developed by including angiotensin(Ang)-(1-7) in hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), in infarcted rats. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by left coronary artery occlusion. HPβCD/Ang-(1-7) was administered for 60 days (76 μg/Kg/once a day/gavage) starting immediately before infarction.

An oral formulation of angiotensin-(1-7) produces cardioprotective effects in infarcted and isoproterenol-treated rats.

In this study we evaluated the cardiac effects of a pharmaceutical formulation developed by including angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) in hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), in normal, infarcted, and isoproterenol-treated rats. Myocardial infarction was produced by left coronary artery occlusion. Isoproterenol (2 mg/kg, IP) was administered daily for 7 days.

Role of exercise training in cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction and mortality in diabetic ovariectomized rats.

Diabetes and menopause markedly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in women. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of exercise training on cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction and on total mortality in diabetic female rats undergoing ovarian hormone deprivation. Female Wistar rats were divided into ovariectomized groups: sedentary and trained controls and sedentary and trained diabetic rats (streptozotocin, 50 mg/kg IV).