Relevance of the immune-pineal axis in rat lung defense response to air pollution.

Author(s)

Eliana Paula Pereira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2016-06-16

Examining board members

Regina Pekelmann Markus; Fernanda Gaspar do Amaral; Cristiane Lopes; Leticia Veras Costa Lotufo; Cristoforo Scavone

• Advisor: Regina Pekelmann Markus

Abstract

During assembly of an inflammatory response a stimulation recognized as a risk factor triggers the suppression of nocturnal pineal melatonin and by inducing the production in immunocompetent cells. Air pollution is one of the major risk factors to health of the urban population. In this in vivo study, acute exposure to air pollutants generates a pulmonary oxidative stress triggers an inflammatory response from the signaling pathway of activation of NF-κB, the increase in adhesion molecules PECAM and ICAM and nitric oxide synthase induced (iNOS) as well as inflammatory cytokines. As time progresses exposure to pollution, nocturnal plasma melatonin concentration is reduced by 39%, while the lung increases by 55%. Both AA-NAT enzymes and ASMT involved in the biosynthesis of melatonin, as the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx has its gene expression in lung duplicate, as well as its increased activities. The mRNAs of antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT lung were reduced from blocking the MT1 and MT2 receptors. These results support pharmacological actions to protect or reverse the harmful effects caused by air pollution through the immune-pineal axis taking melatonin as a therapeutic agent. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/04508-6 - Effect of urban air pollution in São Paulo on pineal gland production of melatonin and on the rat endothelial cell reactivity.
• Grantee: Eliana Paula Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate