AVE 0991, a non-peptide Mas-receptor agonist, facilitates penile erection

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) plays a crucial role in erectile function. It has been shown that elevated angiotensin II levels contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction both in human and in aminals. On the other hand, the heptapeptide angiotensin-(1-7) appears to mediate penile erection by activation of receptor Mas. Recently we have shown that the erectile function of Mas gene-deleted mice was substantially reduced, which was associated with a marked increase in fibrous tissue in the corpus cavernosum. We have hypothesized that the synthetic non-peptide Mas agonist, AVE 0991, would potentiate the penile erectile function. To evaluate that, intracavernosal injection of AVE 0991 potentiates the erectile response of anesthetized Wistar rats, measured as corpus cavernosum pressure/mean arterial pressure (CCP/MAP) upon electrical stimulation of the major pelvic ganglion. The facilitatory effect of AVE 0991 on erectile function was dose-dependent and completely blunted by the nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor, L-NAME. Importantly, concomitant intracavernosal infusion of the specific Mas receptor blocker A-779 abolished the effect of AVE 0991. We demonstrated that AVE 0991 potentiates penile erectile response through Mas in a NO dependent manner. Importantly, these results suggest that Mas agonists, such as AVE 0991, might have significant therapeutic benefits for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Increased circulating angiotensin-(1-7) protects white adipose tissue against development of a proinflammatory state stimulated by high-fat diet

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a transgenic-induced chronic increase of Ang-(1-7) on the expression of inflammatory markers in adipose tissue and the metabolic profile in rats treated with high-fat diet. Research Design and Methods Transgenic rats expressing a Ang-(1-7)-producing fusion protein (TGR L-3292) and Sprague Dawley (SD) control rats 4weeks old were treated for 8weeks with high-fat diet. Food intake and body weight were measured once a week. Glucose-tolerance and insulin sensitivity tests were performed one week before the sacrifice. At end of experiment plasma lipids concentrations were measured in TGR and SD rats. Adipose tissue were weighted and corrected by the body weight. Proinflammatory markers in adipose tissue were analyzed using Western-blotting, real time-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: High-fat diet TGR rats presented increased HDL cholesterol levels and decreased abdominal fat mass, without changes in food intake. In addition, rats with increased Ang-(1-7) levels had lower body weight. Molecular analysis revealed decreased IL-1β and COX-2 in adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results show that chronic high circulating angiotensin-(1-7) levels protect against metabolic stress induced by high-fat diet decreasing the proinflammatory profile of adipose tissue

Evidence that the vasodilator angiotensin-(1-7)-Mas axis plays an important role in erectile function

The vasodilator/antiproliferative peptide angiotensin-(1-7) [ANG-(1-7)] is released into the corpus cavernosum sinuses, but its role in erectile function has yet to be defined. In this study, we sought to determine whether ANG-(1-7) and its receptor Mas play a role in erectile function. The ANG-(1-7) receptor Mas was immunolocalized in rat corpus cavernosum by confocal microscopy. Infusion of ANG-(1-7) into corpus cavernosum at a rate of 15.5 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1) potentiated the elevation of the corpus cavernosum pressure induced by electrical stimulation of the major pelvic ganglion (MPG) in rats. The facilitatory effect of ANG-(1-7) was completely blunted by the specific ANG-(1-7) receptor blocker A-779 and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Nitric oxide (NO) release in the corpus cavernosum was evaluated with the fluorescent dye 4-amino-5 methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein diacetate. Electrical stimulated-release of NO in rat corpus cavernosum was potentiated by ANG-(1-7). Furthermore, incubation of rat and mouse corpus cavernosum strips with ANG-(1-7) at 10 nmol/l resulted in an increase of NO release. This effect was completely abolished in mas-deficient mice. More importantly, genetic deletion of Mas resulted in compromised erectile function as demonstrated by penile fibrosis and severely depressed response to electrical stimulation of the MPG. Furthermore, the attenuated erectile function of DOCA-salt hypertensive rats was fully restored by ANG-(1-7) administration. Together these data provide strong evidence for a key role of the ANG-(1-7)-Mas axis in erectile function

Antibody response between pigs of Piau and a commercial breed naturally infected with Porcine circovirus 2

ABSTRACT Brazilian pig population is made up of several naturalized breeds; among them the Piau breed is known for its rusticity and large fat stores. The naturalized breeds, in comparison with commercial ones, may have an increased resistance to diseases circulating in their territory. Thus, this study aimed to verify if there are differences between the serologic profile against Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) of Piau pigs and that of a commercial breed from a farm naturally infected by PCV2. The serum viral load was measured by qPCR, and levels of anti-PCV2 antibodies were measured by ELISA. The results showed that the serum viral load was similar across all animals. However, Piau piglets showed higher levels of antibodies compared to commercial piglets (P= 0.05), while sows of the commercial breed showed higher levels than the Piau breed (P< 0.01). There was not a statistical difference between pigs of different production stages in the seroprevalence of PCV2 or the blood viral load. This work demonstrates that, with regard to a natural PCV2 infection, the Piau breed has a different humoral immune response compared to the response developed by the commercial pigs. The results support the importance of conservation of native breeds

Progresso científico em equideocultura na 1ª década do século XXI Scientific progress in equine production at 1st decade of the XXI century

No Brasil, como nos demais países, os investimentos em pesquisa com equinos estão relacionados às perspectivas dos segmentos da indústria equina no país. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de revisar a literatura corrente com a perspectiva de avaliar o recente desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico na produção de equídeos. As pesquisas estão relacionadas às diversas áreas da equideocultura, como produção e manejo, genética e melhoramento, nutrição e alimentação, reprodução, medicina e cirurgia, doenças, sanidade e defesa sanitária. Há ainda pesquisas em áreas relacionadas ao hipismo, envolvendo fisiologia esportiva, equitação e treinamento de equinos e também, além de estudos sobre o comércio nacional e internacional de equinos. Considerando todas as áreas da equideocultura, o maior número de artigos publicados está relacionado às áreas da medicina e cirurgia e doenças e sanidade. Na área da Zootecnia, predominam as publicações de artigos associados à nutrição e alimentação dos equinos. No entanto, deve-se considerar que os interesses do agronegócio do cavalo, das associações de criadores, dos governos e da sociedade em geral influenciam as pesquisas e, consequentemente, as publicações dos artigos e trabalhos técnicos sobre equídeos.<br>In Brazil, as in other countries, investments in research with horses are related to the objectives of the equine industry in the country. This study aimed to review the current literature with the purpose of assessing the latest scientific and technological development in horse's production. Researchers are related to many areas as in production and management, genetics and breeding, nutrition and feeding, reproduction, medicine and surgery, diseases and health protection. There is still research in areas related to equestrian sports, involving equine exercise physiology, riding and training horses and also studies on national and international equine trade. Considering all areas of interest of horse production the largest number of published articles is related to the medicine and surgery and diseases and health. In Animal Science, the largest number of articles is related to nutrition and feeding of horses. However, must be consider that interests of agribusiness, horse's breeders associations, governments and society in general, influence the research and consequently the publication of papers about horses