Influence of castration on the leukocyte behavior and adhesion molecule expression in mesenteric microcirculation of rats.

Author(s)

Fernando Paranaiba Filgueira

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2008-07-08

Examining board members

Maria Helena Catelli de Carvalho; Maria Christina Werneck de Avellar; Maria Luiza Morais Barreto de Chaves

• Advisor: Maria Helena Catelli de Carvalho

Abstract

Inflammation can have an important role in the cardiovascular diseases. Testosterone exerts important effects on the vascular function, which is altered in arterial hypertension, contributing for the possible alterations in inflammatory response. In this study we evaluated the influence of hypertension and the castration on the leucocytes behavior in post-capillaries venules of the mesenteric bed of spontaneously hypertensive rats, investigating the participation of the adhesion molecules. We have shown that the hypertension interfere in leukocyte behavior and androgens can participate in this process. In addition, circulating leukocyte and hemodynamics parameters are not involved in those alterations. The higher expression of adhesion molecules such as P-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and PECAM-1 present in hypertensive rats, compared to the normotensive ones, contribute for the higher leukocyte rolling and adhesion. Furthermore, castration correct those alterations of the leukocyte behavior by modulating the expression of the adhesion molecule. (AU)