Evaluation of two new arylidene-thiazolidinediones effects on stem cell derived cardiomyocytes

• Grant number: 12/08126-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: August 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Dulcineia Saes Parra Abdalla
• Grantee: Renila Ferrer
• Supervisor: Jürgen Hescheler
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Cologne (UoC), Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/24020-5 - Evaluation of angiogenic properties and cardiac effects of new arylidene-thiazolidinediones, BP.IC

Abstract

The thiazolidinedione (TZDs) are drugs widely used for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. Despite its hypoglycemic activity, the TZDs also have pleiotropic effects in the vasculature. Indeed, TZDs, including rosiglitasone and pioglitasone, can inhibit endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis, a process associated with diabetic complications. However, although beneficial effects are described with treatment with these compounds, adverse effects are also reported. Importantly, weight gain, increased rate of bone fracture and augmented risk of congestive heart failure are associated with TZD therapy. Therefore, the development of new TZDs with similar beneficial effects and less adverse effects is needed. The present study aims to investigate the effects of two new arylidene-TZDs, called as GQ2 and GQ11 in cardiomyocytes derived from stem cells. By a 3-month cooperation work with Dr. Hescheler, University of Cologne (Germany), intends to learn techniques that are not readily available in Brazil as well as evaluate the cardiac and cardiotoxic effects of the two new ATZDs. This project will be carried along together with the research project of the postdoctoral fellow Martina Rudnicki, that will be at the same laboratory with a BEPE scholarship, which was recently granted by FAPESP(process n 2011/23292-1). (AU)