No abstract

Take-down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim.

HSS may improve the density of mesenteric perfused small vessels due to its effects on eNOS and endothelin-1 protein expression, and reduces inflammation by decreasing leukocyte adhesion and migration in a rat model of BD.

Brazil. CNPq Researcher, level 1D. Scientific and intellectual content of the study; conception and design of the study; analysis and interpretation of data; statistical analysis; manuscript preparation and writing; critical revision; final approval. ABSTRACT PURPOSE:To investigate gender differences in the evolution of the inflammatory process in rats subjected to brain death (BD). METHODS:Adult Wistar rats were divided into three groups: female; ovariectomized female; and male rats. BD was induced using intracranial balloon inflation and confirmed by maximal pupil dilatation, apnea, absence of reflex, and drop of mean arterial pressure. Six hours after BD, histological evaluation was performed in lungs, heart, liver and kidneys, and levels of inflammatory proteins, estrogen, progesterone, and corticosterone were determined in plasma. RESULTS:In the lungs, females presented more leukocyte infiltration compared to males (p<0.01). Ovariectomized female rat lungs were more hemorrhagic compared to other groups (p<0.001). In the heart, females had higher leukocyte infiltration and tissue edema compared to males (p<0.05). In the liver and kidneys, there were no differences among groups. In female group estradiol and progesterone were sharply reduced 6 hours after BD (p<0.001) to values observed in ovariectomized females and males. Corticosterone levels were similar. CONCLUSIONS:Sex hormones influence the development of inflammation and the status of organs. The increased inflammation in lungs and heart of female rats might be associated with the acute reduction in female hormones triggered by BD.

No abstract