Weight-drop model as a valuable tool to study potential neurobiological processes underlying behavioral and cognitive changes secondary to mild traumatic brain injury.

The pathophysiology of post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) behavioral and cognitive changes is not fully understood, especially in its mild presentation. We designed a weight drop TBI model in mice to investigate the role of neuroinflammation in behavioral and cognitive sequelae following mild TBI. C57BL/6 mice displayed depressive-like behavior at 72 h after mild TBI compared with controls, as indicated by a decrease in the latency to first immobility and climbing time in the forced swim test.

Evidence for a role of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in proteinuria of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Renin angiotensin system (RAS) plays a role in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). Most studies investigated only the classical RAS axis. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to evaluate urinary levels of RAS molecules related to classical and to counter-regulatory axes in pediatric patients with INS, to compare the measurements with levels in healthy controls and to search for associations with inflammatory molecules, proteinuria and disease treatment.

RAS in the Central Nervous System: Potential Role in Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

Background: The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is a key regulator of cardiovascular and renal homeostasis, but also plays important roles in mediating physiological functions in the central nervous system (CNS). The effects of the RAS were classically described as mediated by angiotensin (Ang) II via angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptors. However, another arm of the RAS formed by the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), Ang-(1-7) and the Mas receptor has been a matter of investigation due to its important physiological roles, usually counterbalancing the classical effects exerted by Ang II.

Urinary cytokine profiles according to the site of blockade of the renin-angiotensin system in nephrectomized rats.

Introduction: It is still unknown how the pharmacological inhibition of the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) impacts the levels of inflammation and fibrosis biomarkers.

Objective: This study sought to evaluate the effect of enalapril, candesartan and aliskiren on urinary levels of cytokines in a model of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Male Wistar rats were submitted to surgical removal of ¾ of renal parenchyma to induce CKD (¾ nephrectomy), or subjected to sham surgery (control).

T-lymphocyte-expressing inflammatory cytokines underlie persistence of proteinuria in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Objective: There is evidence of an important role of immune system changes in the triggering and maintenance of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of cytokines in lymphocyte populations of patients with INS in comparison to healthy individuals, according to proteinuria.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 44 patients with INS and eight healthy children, matched for age and sex (controls).