Mediators involved in the vasopressin secretion alterations during experimental sepsis

• Grant number: 10/08477-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2010
• End date: February 28, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Maria José Alves da Rocha
• Grantee: Maria José Alves da Rocha
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto (FORP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Fábio Alves Aguila ; Gabriela Ravanelli de Oliveira Pelegrin ; Josilene Fioravanti dos Santos ; Juliana Borges Pereira ; Paulo José Basso

Abstract

Despite considerable technological advances, systemic infections, including sepsis and its complications (septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction), still are the major cause of death in Intensive Care Units all over the world. The incidence of these symptoms has increased in the last decade, not only because we still have a considerable lack of knowledge on sepsis, but also due to an increasing ageing in the population demography, an increase in the application of invasive surgical techniques, and an increase in the number of immunocompromised individuals. The morbidity and associated mortality rates of sepsis and its different clinical stages represent a major challenge to medical doctors, especially since current treatments are merely those of support. Important progress in the comprehension of the pathophysiology of sepsis has been made through experiments, but many more studies are still needed to come to a more profound understanding of the alterations caused by this disease. In the last years, we established in our laboratory three animal models, that of experimental endotoxemia (through injection of low doses of LPS) and two for septic shock (through injection of high dose of LPS or cecal ligation and puncture). With these models we investigate the vasopressin alteration during the early and late phase of sepsis. The Results were published in journals of impact and also in book chapter of international circulation. We were also invited to joint as a researcher a Network in sepsis studies" -PROCAD/CAPES program a joint program USP, UNESP, UFRGS. The present project intend to improve the knowledge of the endocrine alterations that occurr during sepsis by evaluating the mediators involved in the vasopressin secretion alteration during experimental sepsis. We intend to study the role of leukotrienes and NO in this alteration and analyse apoptose in brain structures in septic rats. (AU)