Effect of hyperthyroidism on Wistar rat endothelium and vascular smooth muscle

• Grant number: 08/08442-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2009
• End date: December 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Patricia Pinto Saraiva
• Grantee: Patricia Pinto Saraiva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e Profissões da Saúde. Universidade do Sagrado Coração (USC). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are important regulators of cardiac function and cardiovascular haemodynamics. The cardiovascular system responds to changing minimal, but persistent, in circulating levels of thyroid hormones, producing changes in reactivity and vascular endothelial function and these changes allow early identification of individuals at risk. There are few studies in the literature on the effect of hyperthyroidism in the structure of the intimate-average, comprising endothelium and smooth muscle, in blood vessels of larger size. Thus, a study histomorphological will be done in descending aorta of rats with hyperthyroidism. 40 rats will be divided in the control group (no hormonal treatment) and experimental group (treated with T4). It will be held histomorphometry (vascular changes in size and thickness of the smooth muscle, and the observation of changes in the endothelium) in the descending aorta, to observe the changes brought about due to increased hormone. (AU)