Aortic regurgitation and antidepressant: genic expression of oxytocin, central and peripherical modulation

• Grant number: 13/00742-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2013
• End date: April 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Juliana Irani Fratucci de Gobbi
• Grantee: Juliana Irani Fratucci de Gobbi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Aortic regurgitation (AR) leads to eccentric hypertrophy and eventually left ventricular dysfunction and overt heart failure. In Brazil, valvar heart disease is still prevalent, being the rheumatic fever the main cause. It has been demonstrated a correlation between depression and cardiovascular diseases. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are widely prescribed as antidepressants. Our laboratory showed that SSRI treatment for 4 weeks improved systolic function. A possible mechanism involved in this improvement might be increases in the central oxytocin (OT) activity. It is weel know that OT modulates the activity of the autonomic nervous system and secretion of peripherals neuromodulators. Thereby, it becomes interesting to investigate better the effects of paroxetine (a SSRI) in rats with AR. Among the mediators associated with OT, there are the participation of natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP). These peptides interfere with the expression of transcription factors and proteins of the myocardium, improving heart function. Therefore, the aims of the present project will be to evaluate the effects of paroxetine treatment, a SSRI, for 4 weeks in rats with subchronic AR on: a) autonomomic modulation; b) genic expression of OT, ANP, BNP, a- and b- MHC, SERCA2 and fosfolamban, and GATA4; and c) plasmatic concentrations of OT, ANP and BNP. (AU)