Analysis of the antioxidant and autophagic system in the Wistar female hippocampus during reproductive senescence

• Grant number: 21/01521-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2021
• End date: April 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Rita Cássia Menegati Dornelles
• Grantee: Luana Galante Douradinho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The life stages of human beings are marked by cycles understood as childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Functional capacity and homeostatic control mechanisms act and provide interaction with the environment, with characteristics specific to each cycle. The transition from adulthood to old age in women is marked by hormonal changes that trigger and enhance reproductive senescence and the aging process. The important role of estrogen as neuroprotective, antioxidant, modulator of autophagic activity and in the development of synapses should be highlighted. The decrease in gonadal steroid synthesis and secretion contributes to senescence. Therefore, in this study, the possible correlation of the autophagic process and enzymatic effectiveness of the hippocampus antioxidant system in different periods of reproductive senescence will be analyzed. For this, 36 multiparous rats of the Wistar lineage with confirmation of the estrous cycle of cyclic animals (9 months), with irregular estrous cycle (periestropause - 16months) and acyclic (estropause - 24 months), will be distributed in the control groups, will receive solution saline (6 rats / age), or colchicine (0.4 mg / Kg / day ip; 6 rats / age). One hour after the last injection of saline or colchicine, the hippocampus will be collected and processed. Analysis of oxidative stress markers will be carried out, the expression of autophagic proteins(LC3-I, LC3-II, p62, Beclin 1 and mTor) and analysis of the hippocampus rats' hippocampus flow in different reproductive stages.