G-protein-coupled receptor MAS deletion produces a preeclampsia-like phenotype in FVB/N mice.

BACKGROUND: An unbalance in the renin-angiotensin (Ang) system (RAS) between the Ang II/AT1 and Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis appears to be involved in preeclampsia (PE), in which a reduction in Ang-(1-7) was observed. Here, we tested whether the reduction in the activity of the Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis could be a contributing factor for the development of PE, using Mas-deficient (Mas-/-) mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardiovascular parameters were evaluated by telemetry before, during pregnancy and 4 days postpartum in 20-week-old Mas-/- and wild-type (WT) female mice. Mas-/- mice presented reduced arterial blood pressure (BP) at baseline (91.3 ± 0.8 in Mas-/- vs. 94.0 ± 0.9 mmHg in WT, Diastolic, P<0.05). However, after the 13th day of gestation, BP in Mas-/- mice started to increase, time-dependently, and at day 19 of pregnancy, these animals presented a higher BP in comparison with WT group (90.5 ± 0.7 in Mas-/- vs. 80.3 ± 3.5 mmHg in WT, Diastolic D19, P<0.0001). Moreover, pregnant Mas-/- mice presented fetal growth restriction, increase in urinary protein excretion as compared with nonpregnant Mas-/-, oliguria, increase in cytokines, endothelial dysfunction and reduced ACE, AT1R, ACE2, ET-1A, and eNOS placental mRNA, similar to some of the clinical manifestations found in the development of PE. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that Mas-deletion produces a PE-like state in FVB/N mice.

Improved lipid and glucose metabolism in transgenic rats with increased circulating angiotensin-(1-7).

OBJECTIVE: Obesity and diabetes remain among the world's most pervasive health problems. Although the importance of angiotensin II for metabolic regulation is well documented, the role of the angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas axis in this process is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increased angiotensin-(1-7) plasma levels in lipid and glucose metabolism using transgenic rats that express an angiotensin-(1-7)-releasing fusion protein, TGR(A1-7)3292 (TGR). METHODS AND RESULTS: The increased angiotensin-(1-7) levels in TGR induced enhanced glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. In addition, TGR presented decreased triglycerides and cholesterol levels, as well as a significant decrease in abdominal fat mass, despite normal food intake. These alterations were accompanied by a marked decrease of angiotensinogen expression and increased Akt in adipose tissue. Furthermore, augmented plasma levels and expression in adipose tissue was observed for adiponectin. Accordingly, angiotensin-(1-7) stimulation increased adiponectin production by primary adipocyte culture, which was blocked by the Mas antagonist A779. Circulating insulin and muscle glycogen content were not altered in TGR. CONCLUSION: These results show that increased circulating angiotensin-(1-7) levels lead to prominent changes in glucose and lipid metabolism.

Avaliação do estresse ocupacional em Agentes Comunitários de Saúde da região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte - MG / Evaluation of occupational stress in health community agents of the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte-MG / Evaluación del estrés laboral en los agentes comunitarios de salud de la región metropolitana de Belo Horizonte-MG

Estudo de revisão que buscou justificar a importância de se avaliar o estresse dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde e a correlação deles com a atividade ocupacional, uma vez que as situações vivenciadas pelos mesmos, nas diferentes áreas de risco, bem como o contato direto com a comunidade, representam agentes estressantes de relevante magnitude. Sabe-se que a presença de trabalhadores estressados na equipe resulta em insatisfação, diminuição da produtividade e má assistência de saúde à comunidade. Portanto, especial atenção deve ser dada aos profissionais propensos a reações mais intensas aos agentes geradores de estresse, o que resulta em benefícios tanto para a equipe de Saúde da Família quanto para a comunidade assistida.

Review study that sought to justify the importance of evaluating the stress of communitarian agents of health and their correlation with occupational activity, since the situations experienced by them, in the different areas of risk, as well as direct contact with the community, represent stressful agents of relevant magnitude. It is known that the presence of workers stressed on team results in dissatisfaction, decreased productivity and poor health care to the community. Therefore, special attention should be given to the professionals likely to more intense reactions to the stress-generating agents, which results in benefits for both the family health team and the community.

Revisar el estudio que pretendía justificar la importancia de evaluar el estrés de los agentes comunitarios de salud y su correlación con la actividad profesional, ya que las situaciones experimentan por ellos, en las diferentes áreas de riesgo, así como contacto con el comunidad, representan agentes estresantes de magnitud relevante. Es conocido que la presencia de los trabajadores hizo hincapié en los resultados del equipo en insatisfacción, disminución de la productividad y mala atención de salud a la comunidad. Por lo tanto, debe ponerse especial atención a los profesionales propensos a reacciones más intensas a los agentes generadores de estrés, que se traduce en beneficios para el equipo de salud de la familia y la comunidad.