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| Author(s): |
Núbia de Souza Lobato
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | São Paulo. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) |
| Defense date: | 2010-12-10 |
| Examining board members: |
Zuleica Bruno Fortes;
Maria Helena Catelli de Carvalho;
Ana Paula Couto Davel;
Maria do Carmo Pinho Franco;
Cristoforo Scavone
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| Advisor: | Zuleica Bruno Fortes |
| Abstract | |
This study aimed to investigate the effects of obesity on the response of mesenteric arteries to cannabinoid agonists. Obese Zucker rats (OZRs) displayed decreased relaxation to anandamide, to CB1 and CB2 agonists as well as to capsaicin (vanilloid agonist) compared to lean rats (LZRs). The CB1 and CB2 expression was decreased in OZRs. Anandamide response was decreased in LZRs after blockade of K+ channels and inhibition of NOS, COX or cannabinoid transport. Anandamide response in OZRs was corrected by: inhibition of anandamide degradation, activation of cAMP and AMPK pathway and inhibition of ERK1/2. Anandamide increased AMPK, ACC and eNOS phosphorylation in LZRs, but it reduced in OZRs. The expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2, increased in OZRs, was potentiated by anandamide. In conclusion, obesity decreases anandamide relaxation through: reduction of CB1 and CB2 receptors; impairment of signaling pathways mediated by vanilloid receptors; reduced uptake and increased degradation of anandamide; reduction of AMPK/eNOS activation and increase in ERK1/2 activation. (AU) | |