Oral rapamycin attenuates atherosclerosis without affecting the arterial responsiveness of resistance vessels in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of the immunosuppressant rapamycin (Rapamune®, Sirolimus) on both resistance vessel responsiveness and atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient 8-week-old male mice fed a normal rodent diet. Norepinephrine (NE)-induced vasoconstriction, acetylcholine (ACh)- and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced vasorelaxation of isolated mesenteric bed, and atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated. After 12 weeks of orally administered rapamycin (5 mg·kg-1·day-1, N = 9) and compared with untreated (control, N = 9) animals, rapamycin treatment did not modify either NE-induced vasoconstriction (maximal response: 114 ± 4 vs 124 ± 10 mmHg, respectively) or ACh- (maximal response: 51 ± 8 vs 53 ± 5%, respectively) and SNP-induced vasorelaxation (maximal response: 73 ± 6 vs 74 ± 6%, respectively) of the isolated vascular mesenteric bed. Despite increased total cholesterol in treated mice (982 ± 59 vs 722 ± 49 mg/dL, P < 0.01), lipid deposition on the aorta wall vessel was significantly less in rapamycin-treated animals (37 ± 12 vs 68 ± 8 µm2 x 103). These results indicate that orally administered rapamycin is effective in attenuating the progression of atherosclerotic plaque without affecting the responsiveness of resistance vessels, supporting the idea that this immunosuppressant agent might be of potential benefit against atherosclerosis in patients undergoing therapy

Protective effects of kefir in the angiotensin II-dependent hypertension

Recently, we have reported cardiovascular protective effects of the probiotic kefir in a model of primary hypertension. Now, we evaluated the beneficial effects of kefir in a model of secondary hypertension under hyperactivation of the renin-angiotensin-system by partially clipping one kidney artery (2K1C) for 60 days and compared with Sham rats. Maximum levels of arterial pressure were reached 7–14 days post-clipping in both 2K1C and 2K1C-Kefir, but after that time the values were approximately 20% lower in 2K1C-Kefir rats. Also, kefir attenuated the angiotensin converting enzyme activity (intrarenal-40%/plasma-25%) preventing the increase of angiotensin II in both samples. Isolated aortic rings showed an impaired relaxation to acetylcholine in 2K1C (-38%) compared to the Sham group and this difference was attenuated in 2K1C-Kefir rats (~15%). Additional analysis revealed that kefir protected kidney and vascular endothelium against the synergistic oxidative stress/angiotensin II-axis. Thus, kefir is an effective nutraceutical therapy for prevention/treatment of hypertensionThis work was supported by the CNPq/FAPES -Brazil (PRONEX CNPq # 24/2018; Termo Outorga 569/2018); FAPES-Universal (# 21/2018, Termo Outorga 120/2019); FAPES (BPC 552/2018;120/2019) and CNPq (BVN 160990/2019-0; SSM 312056/2018-5, TMCP 309277/2019-1 and ECV 305740/2019-9)S

Remodelamento vascular em camundongos ateroscleróticos na coexistência de hipertensão renovascular 2R1C

ApoE-/- knockout mouse is a model for studies of hypercholesterolemia, which is characterized by developing atherosclerotic lesions mainly in great arterial vessels such as the aortic arch, which is a site of baroreceptor nerve endings. In addition, it is known that angiotensin affects the atherosclerotic process and baroreflex sensitivity. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate morphological changes in the aortic arch in ApoE-/- mice with renovascular hypertension. Male (12-14 weeks old) C57 and ApoE-/- mice received a clip (0.12mm) on the renal artery to induce renovascular hypertension (C57-HT, N=11; ApoE-HT, N=11) and were compared with age-matched sham mice (C57-Sham, N=11; ApoE-Sham, N=11). After 28 days, mean arterial pressure (MAP) measured in conscious animals was higher in C57-HT and ApoE-HT (128±3 and 126±3 mmHg) than in their respective controls (103±2 and 104±2 mmHg, p<0.05). The animals were euthanized and perfused with a fixative solution at pressure equal to the MAP observed in each animal. The cross section area of the aortic arch was greater in C57-HT and ApoE-HT (0.76±0.05 and 0.73±0.03 mm2) than in their respective controls (0.64±0.02 and 0.63±0.03 mm2, p<0.05). The wall vessel area was also greater in these hypertensive groups (0.18±0.01 and 0.19±0.01 mm2) than in the normotensive groups (0.15±0.01 and 0.17±0.01 mm2, p<0.05). Consequently, the lumen vessel area followed the same results. In conclusion, our data indicate that at least at the early stage of atherosclerosis the remodeling process is not yet observed in the ApoE-/- mouse. Renovascular hypertension by itself leads to a positive remodeling of the aortic arch, which is aggravated by the association with atherosclerosis when compared with the C57 control.O camundongo knockout para apolipoproteína E (apoE-/-) é um modelo para hipercolesterolemia e aterosclerose, cujas lesões se localizam principalmente nas grandes artérias. Sabe-se também que este processo é afetado pela angiotensina II. Por isto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da aterosclerose e da hipertensão renovascular sobre a morfologia do arco aórtico, um dos sítios das terminações barorreceptoras. Camundongos, machos, 12-14 semanas de idade, C57 e apoE-/- foram submetidos a estenose da artéria renal, para produção da hipertensão 2-rins e 1-clipe (2R1C; n=11 por grupo) e comparados com os respectivos controles (Sham, n=11 por grupo). Após 28 dias, a pressão arterial media (PAM), no animal acordado, foi maior nos grupos C57-2R1C e apoE-2R1C (128±3 e 126±3 mmHg) do que nos seus controles (103±2 e 104±2 mmHg, p<0,01, ANOVA). Em seguida, os animais foram sacrificados e perfundidos, sob pressão equivalente à PAM de cada animal. A área de secção transversa do arco aórtico foi maior no grupo C57-2R1C (0,75±0,05 mm2) do que no grupo C57-Sham (0,65±0,02 mm2, p<0,01, ANOVA), enquanto que no grupo apoE-2R1C verificou-se uma tendência a maiores valores do que nos apoE-Sham (0,73±0,03 vs. 0,68±0,04 mm2) e um aumento significante quando comparado com os C57-Sham (p<0,05, ANOVA). A área de parede vascular também foi maior nos grupos hipertensos (C57: 0,18±0,01 e apoE: 0,19±0,01 mm2) do que nos grupos controles (C57: 0,15±0,01 e apoE: 0,17±0,01 mm2, p<0,05, ANOVA). A área do lúmen apresentou valores que seguiram o mesmo padrão da área de secção transversa. Os dados indicam que a hipertensão 2R1C, por si só, causa um remodelamento positivo (alargamento compensatório) no arco aórtico de camundongos C57. Além de que no estágio inicial da aterosclerose, a associação desta hipertensão agrava o processo de remodelamento de maneira significativa quando comparado com o controle C57.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológic

Advances in the Knowledge about Kidney Decellularization and Repopulation

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is characterized by the progressive deterioration of renal function that may compromise different tissues and organs. The major treatment indicated for patients with ESRD is kidney transplantation. However, the shortage of available organs, as well as the high rate of organ rejection, supports the need for new therapies. Thus, the implementation of tissue bioengineering to organ regeneration has emerged as an alternative to traditional organ transplantation. Decellularization of organs with chemical, physical, and/or biological agents generates natural scaffolds, which can serve as basis for tissue reconstruction. The recellularization of these scaffolds with different cell sources, such as stem cells or adult differentiated cells, can provide an organ with functionality and no immune response after in vivo transplantation on the host. Several studies have focused on improving these techniques, but until now, there is no optimal decellularization method for the kidney available yet. Herein, an overview of the current literature for kidney decellularization and whole-organ recellularization is presented, addressing the pros and cons of the actual techniques already developed, the methods adopted to evaluate the efficacy of the procedures, and the challenges to be overcome in order to achieve an optimal protocol