The Hypotensive and bradycardic effects of mouth opening: evidence in an animal model.

Objective Previous studies in normotensive anesthetized rats (Lapi Arch.Ital.Biol 151:11-23,2013) showed that peripheral stimulation of the trigeminal nerve induced by submaximal mouth opening (mandibular extension, ME) caused prolonged (at least 80min) bradycardia, hypotension and cerebral hemodynamic changes (pial arterioles showed a characteristic response pattern consisting in a significant constriction during ME followed by a dilatation for the entire remaining observation time). Design and method In this study we assessed the in vivo effects of ME on HR, MABP and pial microcirculation in hypertensive rats. Experiments were performed in male Wistar rats weighing 250-300g (n = 8). Hypertension was induced by intraperitoneal daily injection of dexamethasone (0.03mg/kg/day) for 10 days. ME was obtained by inserting an ad hoc developed retractor between the dental arches. HR and MABP were recorded by ECG and a catheter placed in the left femoral artery and measured by a computer-assisted system. Pial arterioles were observed through a closed cranial window implanted above the left parietal cortex and visualized by an in vivo fluorescence microscopy technique to assess vessel diameter changes before (baseline), during 10min ME and thereafter until 160min. Arteriolar diameters were measured with a computer-assisted method (MIP Image program, frame by frame). Results In sham-treated (no ME) hypertensive rats (n=3) HR, MABP and pial microcirculation did not change during whole observation period. Hypertensive rats subjected to ME (n=5) showed a significant decrease of HR and MABP. HR declined by 42bpm, (p<0.01) starting from 60 min after ME up to 160min, while MABP by 18mmHg (p<0.05) starting from 20min after ME up to 100min, compared with baseline. Pial arterioles exhibited a biphasic response: the arteriolar diameter decreased by 2.94&#956;m (p<0.05) during ME, afterwards it significantly increased by 3.46&#956;m (p<0.01) starting from 20min after ME; this vasodilatation lasted for the whole observation period. Conclusions Our results suggest that ME is able to exert profound and prolonged regulatory effects on systemic arterial blood pressure and pial arteriolar tone in hypertensive rats

Hypotensive and bradycardic effects of mouth opening: evidence in the human

Objective Previous studies in normotensive anesthetized rats (Lapi Arch.Ital.Biol 151:11-23,2013) showed that peripheral stimulation of the trigeminal nerve induced by submaximal mouth opening (mandibular extension, ME) caused prolonged (at least 80min) bradycardia, hypotension and cerebral hemodynamic changes (pial arterioles showed a characteristic response pattern consisting in a significant constriction during ME followed by a dilatation for the entire remaining observation time). Design and method In this study we assessed the in vivo effects of ME on HR, MABP and pial microcirculation in hypertensive rats. Experiments were performed in male Wistar rats weighing 250-300g (n = 8). Hypertension was induced by intraperitoneal daily injection of dexamethasone (0.03mg/kg/day) for 10 days. ME was obtained by inserting an ad hoc developed retractor between the dental arches. HR and MABP were recorded by ECG and a catheter placed in the left femoral artery and measured by a computer-assisted system. Pial arterioles were observed through a closed cranial window implanted above the left parietal cortex and visualized by an in vivo fluorescence microscopy technique to assess vessel diameter changes before (baseline), during 10min ME and thereafter until 160min. Arteriolar diameters were measured with a computer-assisted method (MIP Image program, frame by frame). Results In sham-treated (no ME) hypertensive rats (n=3) HR, MABP and pial microcirculation did not change during whole observation period. Hypertensive rats subjected to ME (n=5) showed a significant decrease of HR and MABP. HR declined by 42bpm, (p<0.01) starting from 60 min after ME up to 160min, while MABP by 18mmHg (p<0.05) starting from 20min after ME up to 100min, compared with baseline. Pial arterioles exhibited a biphasic response: the arteriolar diameter decreased by 2.94&#956;m (p<0.05) during ME, afterwards it significantly increased by 3.46&#956;m (p<0.01) starting from 20min after ME; this vasodilatation lasted for the whole observation period. Conclusions Our results suggest that ME is able to exert profound and prolonged regulatory effects on systemic arterial blood pressure and pial arteriolar tone in hypertensive rats

Repeated mandibular extension in rat: A procedure to modulate the cerebral arteriolar tone

Previous data have shown both in the rat and in the human that a single mandibular extension lasting 10 min induces a significant important and prolonged reduction in blood pressure and heart rate, affecting also rat pial microcirculation by the release of endothelial factors. In the present work, we assessed whether repeated mandibular extension could further prolong these effects. We performed two mandibular extensions, the second mandibular extension being applied 10 min after the first one. The second mandibular extension produced a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate for at least 240 min. As in the case of a single mandibular extension, pial arterioles dilated persisting up to 140 min after the second extension. Spectral analysis on 30 min recordings under baseline conditions and after repetitive mandibular extensions showed that the pial arterioles dilation was associated with rhythmic diameter changes sustained by an increase in the frequency components related to endothelial, neurogenic, and myogenic activity while a single mandibular extension caused, conversely, an increase only in the endothelial activity. In conclusion, repetitive mandibular extension prolonged the effects of a single mandibular extension on blood pressure, heart rate and vasodilation and induced a modulation of different frequency components responsible of the pial arteriolar tone, in particular increasing the endothelial activity

Effects of ischemic postconditioning on isolated hearts of males and females

Nuestro objetivo fue determinar los efectos del posacondicionamiento isquémico (PCI) sobre las alteraciones miocárdicas producidas por la isquemia- reperfusión en ratas Wistar macho (M) y hembra (H). Los corazones aislados y perfundidos por el sistema de Langendorff, fueron asignados a los grupos: 1) Control no isquémico (C): perfusión durante 90 minutos (min); 2) Control isquémico (CI): 30 min de isquemia global (IG) y 60 min de reperfusión (R); 3) PCI: 3 ciclos de 30 segundos (s) de IG y 30 s de R se aplicaron al inicio de R. Se midió el tamaño del infarto (TI). La función sistólica se evaluó a través de la presión desarrollada del ventrículo izquierdo (PDVI) y la velocidad máxima de ascenso de la presión (+dP/dtmáx); la diastólica a través de la velocidad máxima de descenso de la presión (−dP/dtmáx), el tiempo hasta la mitad de la relajación (t50), la constante de tiempo de relajación (τ) y la presión diastólica final del ventrículo izquierdo (PDFVI). En CI el TI fue mayor en M que en H (40 ± 2% vs. 29 ± 4%, p<0,05). Los valores de PDVI y +dP/dtmáx fueron 19 ± 4% y 23 ± 5% en M y de 55 ± 3% y 59 ± 7% en H (p<0,05). La –dP/dtmáx fue 21 ± 4% para M y 54 ± 7% para H (p<0,05) y la PDFVI fue 50 ± 4 mmHg para M y 26 ± 8 mmHg para H (p<0,05). El t50 no mostró cambios: aumentó a los 5 y 10 min de R y se normalizó al final de R sólo en M. El PCI disminuyó el TI en M y H (16 ± 1% y 15 ± 1%, p<0,05), pero aumentó la recuperación posisquémica de la función miocárdica solo en M. Estos resultados muestran que: 1) el TI fue menor y la recuperación contráctil posisquémica fue mayor en H que en M; 2) el PCI disminuyó el TI en M y H, pero mejoró la respuesta contráctil posisquémica sólo en M. Estos datos sugieren que el PCI es una herramienta cardioprotectora más efectiva en M que en H.Our objective was to determine the effects of ischemic postconditioning (IPC) on myocardial alterations caused by ischemia-reperfusion in male (M) and female (F) young adult (4-5 months old) Wistar rats. After a 20-min stabilization period, isolated hearts perfused by the Langendorff system were assigned to the following experimental groups: 1) Non-ischemic control (NIC): perfusion for 90 min; 2) Ischemic control (IC): 30-min global ischemia (GI) and 60-min reperfusion (R); 3) IPC: 3 cycles of 30 sec of GI and 30 sec of R at the beginning of R. Infarction size (IS) was determined by TTC staining technique. Systolic function was assessed by the developed pressure of left ventricle (LVDP) and the maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (+dP/dtmax). Diastolic function was measured using the maximum rate of decrease of left ventricular pressure (–dP/dtmax), half-relaxation time (t50), time constant of relaxation (τ) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) as an index of diastolic stiffness. In the IC group the IS was significantly higher in M than F (40 ± 2% vs. 29 ± 4%, respectively; p&lt;0.05). At the end of R, LVDP and +dP/dtmax were higher in F compared to M. The values were 19 ± 4% and 23 ± 5% for M and 55 ± 3% and 59 ± 7% for F (p&lt;0.05). Similarly the –dP/dtmax was higher in F than M (54 ± 7% and 21 ± 4%, respectively; p&lt;0.05). LVEDP was 50 ± 4 mmHg for M and 26 ± 8 mmHg for F (p&lt;0.05). t50 did not change in M and F, increased at 5 and 10 min of R and normalized at the end of R only in M. IPC significantly decreased IS in hearts from both sexes (16 ± 1% and 15 ± 1% for M and F, respectively) but increased the post-ischemic recovery of systolic and diastolic myocardial function only in M. These results show that in Wistar rats young adults: 1) IS and post-ischemic myocardial function was significantly higher in M than F; 2) IPC decreased IS in hearts from both sexes; 3) IPC improved post-ischemic recovery of myocardial function in M but did not modify it in F. These data suggest that IPC is a more effective cardioprotective tool in M than in F.Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculare

Trigeminocardiac reflex by mandibular extension on rat pial microcirculation: Role of nitric oxide

In the present study we have extended our previous findings about the effects of 10 minutes of passive mandibular extension in anesthetized Wistar rats. By prolonging the observation time to 3 hours, we showed that 10 minutes mandibular extension caused a significant reduction of the mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate respect to baseline values, which persisted up to 160 minutes after mandibular extension. These effects were accompanied by a characteristic biphasic response of pial arterioles: during mandibular extension, pial arterioles constricted and after mandibular extension dilated for the whole observation period. Interestingly, the administration of the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone abolished the vasoconstriction observed during mandibular extension, while the administration of Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, abolished the vasodilation observed after mandibular extension. Either drug did not affect the reduction of mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate induced by mandibular extension. By qRT-PCR, we also showed that neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene expression was significantly increased compared with baseline conditions during and after mandibular extension and endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene expression markedly increased at 2 hours after mandibular extension. Finally, western blotting detected a significant increase in neuronal and endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein expression. In conclusion mandibular extension caused complex effects on pial microcirculation involving opioid receptor activation and nitric oxide release by both neurons and endothelial vascular cells at different times

Survival kinase-dependent pathways contribute to gender difference in the response to myocardial ischemia–reperfusion and ischemic post-conditioning

The response to ischemia/reperfusion and the effects of ischemic post-conditioning (IPC) are sex-dependent, but the mechanisms have not been clarified. Male (M) and female (F) rat hearts isolated and perfused using the Langendorff technique were subject to 30 min of global ischemia (GI) and 60 min reperfusion (R). In IPC hearts, three cycles of 30-sec GI/30-sec R were applied at the beginning of R. Infarct size and myocardial function were assessed. Superoxide production, antioxidant systems, and expressions of phosphorylated forms of serine/threonine kinase (Akt), glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), protein kinase C ε (PKCε), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and apoptosis were measured. In the basal state, superoxide production and apoptosis were lower, and antioxidant systems and phospho-kinase expressions were higher in F rather than in M hearts. After ischemia–reperfusion, infarct size was less in F hearts, and post-ischemic recovery of myocardial function was higher in F rather than in M hearts. Superoxide production, phospho-kinase activity, phospho-eNOS, and apoptosis increased in both sexes while antioxidants decreased in both sexes. After IPC, infarct size, superoxide production, and apoptosis decreased and phospho-eNOS increased in F and M hearts but phospho-kinase expressions and post-ischemic recovery of myocardial function improved only in M hearts. These results show that Akt/GSK-3β/PKCε/eNOS-dependent pathways-mediated superoxide production and apoptosis appear as important factors involved in the observed gender differences.Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculare

Survival kinase-dependent pathways contribute to gender difference in the response to myocardial ischemia–reperfusion and ischemic post-conditioning

The response to ischemia/reperfusion and the effects of ischemic post-conditioning (IPC) are sex-dependent, but the mechanisms have not been clarified. Male (M) and female (F) rat hearts isolated and perfused using the Langendorff technique were subject to 30 min of global ischemia (GI) and 60 min reperfusion (R). In IPC hearts, three cycles of 30-sec GI/30-sec R were applied at the beginning of R. Infarct size and myocardial function were assessed. Superoxide production, antioxidant systems, and expressions of phosphorylated forms of serine/threonine kinase (Akt), glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), protein kinase C ε (PKCε), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and apoptosis were measured. In the basal state, superoxide production and apoptosis were lower, and antioxidant systems and phospho-kinase expressions were higher in F rather than in M hearts. After ischemia–reperfusion, infarct size was less in F hearts, and post-ischemic recovery of myocardial function was higher in F rather than in M hearts. Superoxide production, phospho-kinase activity, phospho-eNOS, and apoptosis increased in both sexes while antioxidants decreased in both sexes. After IPC, infarct size, superoxide production, and apoptosis decreased and phospho-eNOS increased in F and M hearts but phospho-kinase expressions and post-ischemic recovery of myocardial function improved only in M hearts. These results show that Akt/GSK-3β/PKCε/eNOS-dependent pathways-mediated superoxide production and apoptosis appear as important factors involved in the observed gender differences.Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculare

Estudio observacional del estado auditivo de adolescentes y jóvenes aspirantes a una institución pública

Millones de personas en el mundo experimentan pérdida de la audición inducida por el ruido, consecuencia de la excesiva exposición a sonidos tanto en el ámbito ocupacional como recreacional, siendo ejemplo el uso de reproductores portátil de música (RPM). Actualmente los problemas de audición afectan a personas cada vez más jóvenes, producto de la modernidad, por lo que aumentó la población expuesta a sufrir síntomas auditivos. El trauma acústico agudo (TAA) es la exposición coclear a un ruido muy intenso y el trauma acústico crónico (TAC) la exposición mantenida a intensidades superiores a 90 dB. La audiometría valora la pérdida auditiva. El TAA y TAC muestran perfiles audiométricos característicos. La pérdida de la audición suele ser minimizada o ignorada, constituyéndose en un verdadero problema para la salud pública.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Estudio observacional del estado auditivo de adolescentes y jóvenes aspirantes a una institución pública

Millones de personas en el mundo experimentan pérdida de la audición inducida por el ruido, consecuencia de la excesiva exposición a sonidos tanto en el ámbito ocupacional como recreacional, siendo ejemplo el uso de reproductores portátil de música (RPM). Actualmente los problemas de audición afectan a personas cada vez más jóvenes, producto de la modernidad, por lo que aumentó la población expuesta a sufrir síntomas auditivos. El trauma acústico agudo (TAA) es la exposición coclear a un ruido muy intenso y el trauma acústico crónico (TAC) la exposición mantenida a intensidades superiores a 90 dB. La audiometría valora la pérdida auditiva. El TAA y TAC muestran perfiles audiométricos característicos. La pérdida de la audición suele ser minimizada o ignorada, constituyéndose en un verdadero problema para la salud pública.Facultad de Ciencias Médica

Estudio observacional del estado auditivo de adolescentes y jóvenes aspirantes a una institución pública

Millones de personas en el mundo experimentan pérdida de la audición inducida por el ruido, consecuencia de la excesiva exposición a sonidos tanto en el ámbito ocupacional como recreacional, siendo ejemplo el uso de reproductores portátil de música (RPM). Actualmente los problemas de audición afectan a personas cada vez más jóvenes, producto de la modernidad, por lo que aumentó la población expuesta a sufrir síntomas auditivos. El trauma acústico agudo (TAA) es la exposición coclear a un ruido muy intenso y el trauma acústico crónico (TAC) la exposición mantenida a intensidades superiores a 90 dB. La audiometría valora la pérdida auditiva. El TAA y TAC muestran perfiles audiométricos característicos. La pérdida de la audición suele ser minimizada o ignorada, constituyéndose en un verdadero problema para la salud pública.Facultad de Ciencias Médica