Evaluation of the mechanisms underlying the vascular dysfunction induced by restraint stress

• Grant number: 13/04470-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2013
• End date: October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Cardiorenal Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Renato Tirapelli
• Grantee: Ana Paula Possebon Carda
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Physical or psychological stress is defined as a state of disharmony or threat to homeostasis that may be caused by psychological, environmental or physiological stressors. Several studies show that physical, as well as psychological stress, contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. Therefore, stress causes significant changes in circulatory function, appearing as an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Some studies have suggested a myogenic mechanism in which stress alters the vascular reactivity inducing increased vascular responses to vasoconstrictors agents and reduced relaxation to vasodilating agents, further suggesting that stress induces endothelial dysfunction. The latter is defined as an imbalance in the synthesis, release or effect of endothelial relaxing factors such as nitric oxide (NO). The increase of oxidative stress is also an important mechanism that contributes to endothelial dysfunction. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion (O2-) oxidize biomolecules initiating lipid peroxidation, which leads to cardiovascular dysfunction. It is important to note that stress increases ROS production. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study is that acute stress stimulates the production of ROS in the vasculature and this response would lead to vascular dysfunction with consequent alterations in vascular reactivity, reduced bioavailability of NO and increased blood pressure. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the vascular dysfunction induced by acute stress.

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)

CARDA, ANA P. P.; MARCHI, KATIA C.; RIZZI, ELEN; MECAWI, ANDRE S.; ANTUNES-RODRIGUES, JOSE; PADOVAN, CLAUDIA M.; TIRAPELLI, CARLOS R.. Acute restraint stress induces endothelial dysfunction: role of vasoconstrictor prostanoids and oxidative stress. STRESS-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON THE BIOLOGY OF STRESS, v. 18, n. 2, p. 233-243, MAR 2015. (13/04470-1, 13/00808-8)