Effects of maternal protein restriction on central and peripheral renin-angiotensin systems in male rat offspring.

Aims: We investigated the involvement of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) on the cardiorespiratory control in rats from dams fed with a low-protein diet.

Main Methods: Male offspring were obtained from dams fed a normoprotein diet (NP, 17% casein) and low-protein diet (LP, 8% casein) during pregnancy and lactation. Direct measurements of arterial pressure (AP), heart rate (HR) and respiratory frequency (RF) were recorded in awake 90-day-old at resting and after losartan potassium through either intracerebroventricular (ICV) microinjections or intravenous (IV) administration.

Serotonin modulation in neonatal age does not impair cardiovascular physiology in adult female rats: Hemodynamics and oxidative stress analysis.

Aims: The present study investigates the effects of neonatal serotonin modulation in female rats on cardiac parameters related to hemodynamics and oxidative metabolism in the mature animal.

Main Methods: Female Wistar rat pups were administered daily subcutaneous injections of fluoxetine (Fx-treated group) or vehicle solution (Ct-group) from the 1st to 21st day of life. At 60days of age, animals from both groups were either used for cardiovascular evaluation or sacrificed for tissue collection for biochemical assays.