Evaluation of transcription factors of the hypothalamic-brainstem nuclei and cardiovascular benefits of exercising training in aging SHR

• Grant number: 12/22368-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Vagner Roberto Antunes
• Grantee: Laís Oliveira Dellacqua
• Home Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

High blood pressure (HBP) is characterized by chronic elevation of blood pressure levels. There are several evidences that elevated blood pressure is initiated and maintained by neurogenic factors, which may be related to changes in the brain nuclei responsible for autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system, such as nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Exercise training is strictly related to an improvement of hypertension because it can lead to a decrease in heart rate with a consequent decrease in blood pressure, which is related to neurochemical changes among NTS-PVN-NTS pathways, with consequent decrease in sympathetic outflow to the heart and vessels. Our hypothesis is that autonomic imbalance is related to changes in the expression of genes of brain nuclei involved in cardiovascular control that can be modulated by both age and physical activity. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify the putative transcription factors of the hypothalamus and brainstem autonomic nuclei that could be related to the protective effect of exercise training in aging SHR. In order to reach our goal we will be using SHR and WKY (normotensive) 12-14 months of age, trained for 8 weeks. Evaluations of the cardiovascular parameters, baroreflex sensitivity, autonomic balance, blood pressure and heart rate variability, gene (RT-PCR) and protein (Western Blott) expression of hypothalamus and brainstem autonomic nuclei will be performed at week 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 of trained (T) and sedentary (S) SHR and WKY groups.

Academic Publications

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

DELLACQUA, Laís Oliveira. Cardiovascular benefits of aerobic exercise training in aging spontaneously hypertensive rats.. 2017. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas São Paulo.