Resting spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac autonomic control in anabolic androgenic steroid users

OBJECTIVES: Misuse of anabolic androgenic steroids in athletes is a strategy used to enhance strength and skeletal muscle hypertrophy. However, its abuse leads to an imbalance in muscle sympathetic nerve activity, increased vascular resistance, and increased blood pressure. However, the mechanisms underlying these alterations are still unknown. Therefore, we tested whether anabolic androgenic steroids could impair resting baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac sympathovagal control. In addition, we evaluate pulse wave velocity to ascertain the arterial stiffness of large vessels. METHODS: Fourteen male anabolic androgenic steroid users and 12 nonusers were studied. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate were recorded. Baroreflex sensitivity was estimated by the sequence method, and cardiac autonomic control by analysis of the R-R interval. Pulse wave velocity was measured using a noninvasive automatic device. RESULTS: Mean spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity, baroreflex sensitivity to activation of the baroreceptors, and baroreflex sensitivity to deactivation of the baroreceptors were significantly lower in users than in nonusers. In the spectral analysis of heart rate variability, high frequency activity was lower, while low frequency activity was higher in users than in nonusers. Moreover, the sympathovagal balance was higher in users. Users showed higher pulse wave velocity than nonusers showing arterial stiffness of large vessels. Single linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between mean blood pressure and baroreflex sensitivity and pulse wave velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence for lower baroreflex sensitivity and sympathovagal imbalance in anabolic androgenic steroid users. Moreover, anabolic androgenic steroid users showed arterial stiffness. Together, these alterations might be the mechanisms triggering the increased blood pressure in this population.

Characterization of oleic acid-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome model in rat.

Animal studies using oleic acid (OA) model to produce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been inconsistent. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to establish an acute model of ARDS in rats using OA and to characterize its effect on cardio-respiratory parameters and lethality. The trachea, jugular vein and femoral artery of anesthetized adult rats were cannulated. A dose of OA (30-90 µL; iv) was injected in each animal and changes in respiratory frequency (RF), heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded. Minute ventilation and PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio were also determined. At the end, lungs were excised for determination of pulmonary water content and histological examination. At all doses of OA, there was immediate decrease followed by increase in RF, however at 75 and 90 µL of OA, RF decreased abruptly and the animals died by 63 ± 8.2 min and 19 ± 6.3 min; respectively. In all the groups, HR and MAP changes followed the respiratory changes. The minute ventilation increased in a dose-dependent manner while the values of P/F ratio decreased correspondingly. Pulmonary edema was induced at all doses. Histological examination of the lung showed alveolar damage, microvascular congestion, microvascular injury, infiltration of inflammatory cells, pulmonary edema and necrosis in a dose-dependent manner. With these results, OA can be used to induce different grades of ARDS in rats and OA doses of 50, 60 and 75 µL resemble mild, moderate and severe forms of ARDS respectively. Hence, OA model serves as a useful tool to study the pathophysiology of ARDS.

Effects of acute administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on sympathetic nerve activity

Serotonergic mechanisms have an important function in the central control of circulation. Here, the acute effects of three selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on autonomic and cardiorespiratory variables were measured in rats. Although SSRIs require 2-3 weeks to achieve their full antidepressant effects, it has been shown that they cause an immediate inhibition of 5-HT reuptake. Seventy male Wistar rats were anesthetized with urethane and instrumented to record blood pressure, heart rate, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and respiratory frequency. At lower doses, the acute cardiovascular effects of fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline administered intravenously were insignificant and variable. At middle and higher doses, a general pattern was observed, with significant reductions in sympathetic nerve activity. At 10 min, fluoxetine (3 and 10 mg/kg) reduced RSNA by -33±4.7 and -31±5.4%, respectively, without changes in blood pressure; 3 and 10 mg/kg paroxetine reduced RSNA by -35±5.4 and -31±5.5%, respectively, with an increase in blood pressure +26.3±2.5; 3 mg/kg sertraline reduced RSNA by -59.4±8.6%, without changes in blood pressure. Sympathoinhibition began 5 min after injection and lasted approximately 30 min. For fluoxetine and sertraline, but not paroxetine, there was a reduction in heart rate that was nearly parallel to the sympathoinhibition. The effect of these drugs on the other variables was insignificant. In conclusion, acute peripheral administration of SSRIs caused early autonomic cardiovascular effects, particularly sympathoinhibition, as measured by RSNA. Although a peripheral action cannot be ruled out, such effects are presumably mostly central.

Monosodium glutamate neonatal treatment induces cardiovascular autonomic function changes in rodents

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular autonomic function in a rodent obesity model induced by monosodium glutamate injections during the first seven days of life. METHOD: The animals were assigned to control (control, n = 10) and monosodium glutamate (monosodium glutamate, n = 13) groups. Thirty-three weeks after birth, arterial and venous catheters were implanted for arterial pressure measurements, drug administration, and blood sampling. Baroreflex sensitivity was evaluated according to the tachycardic and bradycardic responses induced by sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine infusion, respectively. Sympathetic and vagal effects were determined by administering methylatropine and propranolol. RESULTS: Body weight, Lee index, and epididymal white adipose tissue values were higher in the monosodium glutamate group in comparison to the control group. The monosodium glutamate-treated rats displayed insulin resistance, as shown by a reduced glucose/insulin index (-62.5%), an increased area under the curve of total insulin secretion during glucose overload (39.3%), and basal hyperinsulinemia. The mean arterial pressure values were higher in the monosodium glutamate rats, whereas heart rate variability (>7 times), bradycardic responses (>4 times), and vagal (~38%) and sympathetic effects (~36%) were reduced as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that obesity induced by neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment impairs cardiac autonomic function and most likely contributes to increased arterial pressure and insulin resistance.

Supplementary effect of carbohydrate-electrolyte drink on sports performance, lactate removal & cardiovascular response of athletes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Carbohydrate-electrolyte drink has a significant role on energy balance during exercise. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of oral carbohydrate-electrolyte supplementation on sports performance and cardiovascular status of the national level male athletes during exercise and recovery. METHODS: A total of 10 male athletes (age range: 20-25 yr) were selected. The experiment was performed in laboratory (25 degrees C and 60% relative humidity) in two phases; phase 1 - no supplementation, and phase 2 - a 5 g per cent carbohydrate-electrolyte drink was given orally during exercise and a 12.5 g per cent carbohydrate-electrolyte drink during recovery. Subjects performed an exercise test at 70 per cent of VO(2)max. Performance time, heart rate during exercise and recovery were noted, blood samples were collected during exercise and recovery for the analysis of glucose and lactate levels in both the phases. RESULTS: Significant improvements were noted in total endurance time, heart rate responses and blood lactate during exercise at 70 per cent VO(2)max after the supplementation of 5 g per cent carbohydrate-electrolyte drink. However, no significant changes were noted in blood glucose and peak lactate level irrespective of supplementation of carbohydrate-electrolyte drink. Significant improvement in cardiovascular responses, blood glucose and lactate removal were noted during recovery following a 12.5 g per cent carbohydrate-electrolyte drink. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Carbohydrate-electrolyte drink can increase endurance performance as well as enhance lactate removal and thereby delaying the onset of fatigue.

Cardiovascular actions of angiotensin-(1-7)

Angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)) is now considered to be a biologically active member of the renin-angiotensin system. The functions of Ang-(1-7) are often opposite to those attributed to the main effector component of the renin-angiotensin system, Ang II. Chronic administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) increases 10- to 25-fold the plasma levels of this peptide, suggesting that part of the beneficial effects of ACEI could be mediated by Ang-(1-7). Ang-(1-7) can be formed from Ang II or directly from Ang I. Other enzymatic pathways for Ang-(1-7) generation have been recently described involving the novel ACE homologue ACE2. This enzyme can form Ang-(1-7) from Ang II or less efficiently by the hydrolysis of Ang I to Ang-(1-9) with subsequent Ang-(1-7) formation. The biological relevance of Ang-(1-7) has been recently reinforced by the identification of its receptor, the G-protein-coupled receptor Mas. Heart and blood vessels are important targets for the formation and actions of Ang-(1-7). In this review we will discuss recent findings concerning the biological role of Ang-(1-7) in the heart and blood vessels, taking into account aspects related to its formation and effects on these tissues. In addition, we will discuss the potential of Ang-(1-7) and its receptor as a target for the development of new cardiovascular drugs.

Effects of alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, terazosin, on cardiovascular functions in anaesthetised dogs.

Initially a dose-response curve of phenylephrine was constructed at dose strengths of 1-16 microg/kg in a cumulative manner. Phenylephrine caused a significant rise in the mean arterial pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular contractility, stroke volume and a significant decline in the heart rate. Terazosin was administered in three selected doses of 10, 100 and 300 microg/kg. Following each dose of terazosin, dose-response curve of phenylephrine was constructed. Terazosin, per se, decreased the basal mean arterial pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure, left ventricular contractility and stroke volume significantly in a dose dependent manner with an increase in the heart rate with no significant change in the cardiac output. The baroreflex sensitivity at all the three doses remained unchanged. In conclusion, the present findings support the view that terazosin reduces the blood pressure in a physiologically more favorable manner by maintaining the neural integrity of the cardiovascular system.

Oxido nítrico: un gas contaminante con propiedades biológicas: su importancia en fisiopatología cardiovascular / Nitric oxide, a contamining gas with biological properties

Se revisa la fisicoquímica y la biología del óxido nítrico (NO), una molécula inorgánica antes conocida como factor relajante derivado del endotelio (EDRF). Los descubridores de sus propiedades biológicas fueron galardonados con el premio Nobel de Medicina en 1998. NO se forma de la L-arginina por acción de la NO sintetasa (NOS), tiene una vida media muy corta y ejerce una acción paracrina en las inmediaciones del sitio en que se produce. Su mecanismo consiste en la activación de la guanilato ciclasa (GC) con aumento de cGMP intracelular, lo que desencadena mecanismos de transducción distintos en los diversos órganos y sistemas. En el aparato cardiovascular interviene en la homeostasis de la circulación e impide la agregación de plaquetas y leucocitos. Se compara NO endógeno del endotelio con NO exógeno de los nitrovasodilatadores. En el sistema nervioso central NO participa en la plasticidad sináptica, favoreciendo aprendizaje y memoria; en el sistema nervioso autónomo es el neurotransmisor de nervios no adrenérgicos no colinérgicos (NANC), por ello llamados también "nitrérgicos". NO ejerce un doble papel: es una señal intercelular de acción citoprotectora y es una molécula citotóxica de la respuesta inmunitaria inespecífica. Su disregulación se ha asociado a distintos procesos patológicos entre los que destacan: aterogénesis, hipertensión, enfermedad coronaria, síndromes isquémicos, miocardiopatías, enfermedad de Alzheimer y otros procesos neurodegenerativos, susceptibilidad a infecciones, enfermedades autoinmunes, desarrollo de tumores e impotencia. El entendimiento de la físiopatología de NO abre nuevos campos terapéuticos para éstos y otros procesos patológicos.

Efeito de tratamentos anti-hipertensivos no coração de ratos com inibição crônica da síntese do óxido nítrico: biometria, alometria e estereologia / Antihypertensive drugs treatment effects in rats heart with inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis: biometry, allometry and stereology

Alterações estruturais do miocárdio devidas á inibição da síntese de óxido nítrico e concomitante tratamento com três drogras anti-hipertensivas foram estudadas quantitativamente após de 40 dias do tratamento. Cinco grupo de 10 ratos: Controle, L-NAME, espironolactona, enalapril e verapamil foram estudados. L-NAME foi administrado na dose de 50 mg/kg/dia na água do bebedouro. No 41§ dia de experimentação os ratos foram anestesiados, pesados e sacrificados. A pressão arterial da cauda (PAC) aumentou 76 por cento e 16 por cento nos grupos L-NAME e espironolactona, respectivamente, em comparação ao grupo de controle. A espironolactona, o enalapril e o verapamil foram eficientes em reduzir a PAC nos respectivos grupos (a espironolactona foi menos eficiente na redução da PAC). O volume do coração (VC) foi maior no grupo L-NAME que nos outros grupos, mas não foi diferente entre os grupos L-NAME e espironolactona. O ventrículo esquerdo foi o responsável pelas mudanças no VC. A relação entre o VC e a massa corporal (MC) não foi significativa entre os grupos L-NAME e espironolactona. Porém, esta relação foi alométrica nos grupos controle, enalapril e verapamil. No grupo controle o VC teve uma tendência alométrica positiva em relação a MC, mas nos trupos enalapril e verapamil esta tendência foi alométrica negativa. A hipertrofia cardíaca nestes animais foi prevenida mais eficazmente pelo uso do enalapril e do verapamil do que pela espironolactona. A inibição da síntese do ON provocou modificações no miocárdio e as drogas anti-hipertensivas foram eficientes na prevenção das modificações causadas pela hipertensão e a estereologia quantificou estas alteraçoes. Foram determinadas as densidades de volume dos cardiomiócitos (Vv[c]), intertício cardíaco (Vv[i]), densidade de superfície de cardiomiócitos (Sv[c]) e área transversão média dos cardiomiócitos (A[c]). Ocorreu hipertrofia dos cardiomiócitos vista através do aumento da A[c] que foi 30 por centro maior no grupo L-NAME, 13 por cento nos grupos espironolactona e enalapril. Aos 40 dias ocorrei diminuilão do Vv[c] e aumento do Vv[i] nos animais L-NAME (15 por centro e 24 por centro respectivamente)...

Efeitos cardiovasculares dos agentes anestesicos / Cardiovascular effects of anesthetic agents

Uma meta importante em anestesia e a manutencao de condicoes hemodinamicas estaveis e satisfatorias, tendo em vista os problemas que a instabilidade hemodinamica pode causar ao paciente. Desta forma, e importante o conhecimento da acao dos diversos anestesicos utilizados sobre o sistema cardiocirculatorio, para que a proposta anestesica resulte em anestesia adequada...