Distribution of glucocorticoid receptor in the gastric mucosa of rats submitted to early weaning

• Grant number: 10/03059-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2010
• End date: June 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Patrícia Gama
• Grantee: Heloisa Ghizoni
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Milk is the only nutrient source during suckling period and contains hormones and growth factors which are able to control the development of gastrointestinal tract and its functional maturation. Weaning represents the gradual change from suckling to solid food feeding. In contrast, early weaning is an experimental model in which suckling is abruptly substituted for semi-solid and solid diet from day 15th onwards. Such sudden change can stress the pups and our team has been studying the relationship among diet pattern, stress, growth factors and corticosterone. Corticosterone availability is regulated by its receptor (GR), among other elements. GR is an intracytoplasmic protein that remains in the cytoplasm while still unbound to the hormone; once it binds corticosterone, it translocates to the nucleus. Because early weaning triggers important changes in the gastric mucosa, and such effects might be mediated by corticosterone, our aim was to evaluate the expression and traffic of GR in the gastric mucosa of rats submitted to this dietary pattern. More specifically, we aim to 1) make a screening of GR in the gastric epithelium throughout early weaning using immunohistochemistry, western blot and RT-PCR; 2) observe how GR translocates to the nucleus in early weaned-rats, in order to study the action and activity of plasma corticosterone. To that we will use western and immunoblots after cellular fractioning. According to the results obtained, we may block GR activity through RU-38486 antagonist.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GHIZONI, HELOISA; FIGUEIREDO, PRISCILA MOREIRA; MOISAN, MARIE-PIERRE; OGIAS, DANIELA; OSAKI, LUCIANA HARUMI; GAMA, PATRICIA. Regulation of corticosterone function during early weaning and effects on gastric cell proliferation. NUTRITION, v. 30, n. 3, p. 343-349, MAR 2014. (09/00272-5, 11/17415-3, 10/03059-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

GHIZONI, Heloisa. Distribution of glucocorticoid receptor in the gastric mucosa of rats submitted to early weaning.. 2012. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.