Distribution of glucocorticoid receptor in the gastric mucosa of rats submitted to early weaning.

Author(s)

Heloisa Ghizoni

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2012-08-21

Examining board members

Patricia Gama; Zulma Felisbina da Silva Ferreira; Vanessa Morais Freitas

• Advisor: Patricia Gama

Abstract

Early weaning (EW) is the abrupt change from suckling (S) to solid food and it can impair stomach development. This is a stressful situation for pups and it augments corticosterone levels, which acts through glucocorticoid receptor (GR). We studied GR expression, tissue and subcellular distribution in the gastric mucosa of S and EW pups. GR expression was higher at 17 d in S pups (p<0,05), whereas in EW group, it increased from the 17th to 18th d (p<0,05). GR protein levels decreased throughout EW, mainly at 18 d (p<0,05). However, EW did not alter tissue distribution of GR along the gastric gland. As for GR subcellular distribution, we found that in S group GR was more concentrated in the cytoplasm, (p<0,05), whereas in EW pups, GR was similarly distributed between compartments, though we detected a decrease in the cytoplasm (p<0.05) and a slight increase in the nucleus. We suggest that GR response to EW indicates the change of an essential element of corticosterone cascade, and such alteration might be important in the coordination of gastric mucosa growth. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/03059-8 - Distribution of glucocorticoid receptor in the gastric mucosa of rats submitted to early weaning
• Grantee: Heloisa Ghizoni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master