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Abstract Seasonal rhythms are gaining attention given their impact on metabolic disorders development such as obesity gut microbiota is emerging as a key factor in mediating this link. However, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this regard, corticosterone may play a role as it has been shown to be affected by gut bacteria and seasonal rhythms, and has been linked to obesity. Thus, this study aimed to investigate if seasonal rhythms effects on corticosterone are influenced by gut microbiota in obese rats and whether this may be related to seasonal and clock genes expression in the pituitary gland and colon. Fischer 344 male rats fed with cafeteria diet (CAF) were housed under different photoperiods for 9 weeks and treated with an antibiotic cocktail (ABX) in drinking water during the last 4 weeks. Rats fed with standard chow and CAF-fed rats without ABX were included as controls. ABX altered gut microbiota, corticosterone levels and seasonal clock expression in the pituitary depending on photoperiod conditions. These results suggest a link between gut bacteria, seasonal rhythms and corticosterone and a novel nutrigenomic target for obesity.

Con la creación del CubeSat se marcó el inicio de un creciente interés en la exploración de tecnologías espaciales. El CubeSat es una estandarización que tiene el propósito de reducir costos y tiempos de producción de satélites, permitiendo el acceso al espacio a universidades o grupos de investigación que cuentan con recursos científicos para experimentar nuevas tecnologías y facilitar la investigación aeroespacial. A lo largo de los años, se han mejorado aspectos clave, como la miniaturización de componentes, sistemas de propulsión, eficiencia energética y comunicación. Sin embargo, persisten desafíos en la robustez espacial, costos y longevidad operativa, por lo que la selección adecuada de materiales es esencial porque deben soportar las condiciones extremas del espacio. La impresión 3D ha ganado protagonismo en la industria espacial, aunque, se ha explorado su potencial en aplicaciones aeroespaciales, su adopción en CubeSats todavía enfrenta desafíos. Mediante una revisión sistemática de literatura se buscó comprender el impacto de la impresión 3D en las estructuras de CubeSats frente a materiales convencionales, comparando sus propiedades clave frente a las condiciones del espacio. Los resultados destacaron la flexibilidad y personalización que ofrece la fabricación tridimensional, pero también señalaron las ventajas de los materiales convencionales en resistencia mecánica. La fabricación aditiva está transformando la industria espacial, la elección entre la impresión 3D y materiales clásicos dependerá de las necesidades de la misión espacial.

Abstract This study was undertaken to determine whether a smaller lung volume or a stiffer lung tissue accounts for the greater lung elastance of C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice. The mechanical properties of the respiratory system and lung volumes were measured with the flexiVent and compared between male C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice (n = 9). The size of the excised lung was also measured by volume liquid displacement. One lobe was then subjected to sinusoidal strains in vitro to directly assess the mechanical properties of the lung tissue, and another one was used to quantify the content of hydroxyproline. In vivo elastance was markedly greater in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice based on 5 different readouts. For example, respiratory system elastance was 24.5 ± 1.7 vs. 21.5 ± 2.4 cmH2O/mL in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, respectively (p = 0.007). This was not due to a different lung volume measured by displaced liquid volume. On the isolated lobes, both elastance and the hydroxyproline content were significantly greater in C57BL/6 than BALB/c mice. These results suggest that the lung elastance of C57BL/6 mice is greater than BALB/c mice not because of a smaller lung volume but because of a stiffer lung tissue due to a greater content of collagen.

Previous studies on the cardiac data of healthy permanent residents living in high-altitude regions such as Tibet and the Andes have yielded inconsistent findings and significant disparities. These discrepancies can be mainly attributed to the invasive methods conventionally used for parameter evaluation. However, with the introduction of cutting-edge ultrasound technology, there is now an innovative approach to addressing and reconciling these variations. In this pilot study, we employed an ultrasound-based cardiac output monitoring (USCOM) device to evaluate cardiac output and related hemodynamic variables in a group of 20 healthy high-altitude Andean residents (comprising 10 men and 10 women) aged between 26 and 35 years old. The monocentric study was carried out in La Paz, Bolivia, located between at an altitude of 3,600–4,000 m. A total of 60 hemodynamic measurements were evaluated, accounting for three technical replicates per subject. Our results showed strong intrasubject reproducibility and revealed important differences related to both sex and hemodynamic parameters in highlanders compared to individuals residing at sea level. We conclude that USCOM represents a highly reliable technology for performing hemodynamic measurements in high-altitude residents. Our preliminary findings underscore the need for larger studies, encompassing larger sample sizes, specifically tailored to gender considerations, and extendable to broader highland populations. These findings have special significant implications for the management of hemodynamics in intensive care and postoperative settings, warranting further comprehensive research efforts.

Disruptions of the light/dark cycle and unhealthy diets can promote misalignment of biological rhythms and metabolic alterations, ultimately leading to an oxidative stress condition. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), which possesses antioxidant properties, has demonstrated its beneficial effects in metabolic-associated diseases and its potential role in modulating circadian disruptions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of GSPE administration on the liver oxidant system of healthy and diet-induced obese rats undergoing a sudden photoperiod shift. To this end, forty-eight photoperiod-sensitive Fischer 344/IcoCrl rats were fed either a standard (STD) or a cafeteria diet (CAF) for 6 weeks. A week before euthanizing, rats were abruptly transferred from a standard photoperiod of 12 h of light/day (L12) to either a short (6 h light/day, L6) or a long photoperiod (18 h light/day, L18) while receiving a daily oral dose of vehicle (VH) or GSPE (25 mg/kg). Alterations in body weight gain, serum and liver biochemical parameters, antioxidant gene and protein expression, and antioxidant metabolites were observed. Interestingly, GSPE partially ameliorated these effects by reducing the oxidative stress status in L6 through an increase in GPx1 expression and in hepatic antioxidant metabolites and in L18 by increasing the NRF2/KEAP1/ARE pathway, thereby showing potential in the treatment of circadian-related disorders by increasing the hepatic antioxidant response in a photoperiod-dependent manner.

Polyphenols play a key role in the modulation of circadian rhythms, while the cafeteria diet (CAF) is able to perturb the hepatic biological rhythm and induce important ROS production. Consequently, we aimed to elucidate whether grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) administration recovers the CAF-induced hepatic antioxidant (AOX) misalignment and characterize the chronotherapeutic properties of GSPE. For this purpose, Fischer 344 rats were fed a standard diet (STD) or a CAF and concomitantly treated with GSPE at two time-points (ZT0 vs. ZT12). Animals were euthanized every 6 h and the diurnal rhythms of hepatic ROS-related biomarkers, hepatic metabolites, and AOX gene expression were examined. Interestingly, GSPE treatment was able to recover the diurnal rhythm lost due to the CAF. Moreover, GSPE treatment also increased the acrophase of Sod1, as well as bringing the peak closer to that of the STD group. GSPE also corrected some hepatic metabolites altered by the CAF. Importantly, the differences observed at ZT0 vs. ZT12 due to the time of GSPE administration highlight a chronotherapeutic profile on the proanthocyanin effect. Finally, GSPE could also reduce diet-induced hepatic oxidative stress not only by its ROS-scavenging properties but also by retraining the circadian rhythm of AOX enzymes.

Robert Jacobs, Mostafa Aboouf, et al. examined the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) in hippocampal mitochondrial function and memory in two mouse models: one overexpressing EPO in the brain, and juvenile mice treated during three days with a high dose of intraperitoneal EPO. Their results suggest that erythropoietin in the neonatal brain may impact spatial memory by increasing mitochondrial content.

Hypoxia is common in lung diseases and a potent stimulator of the long non-coding RNA Metastasis-Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1 (MALAT1). Herein, we investigated the impact of Malat1 on hypoxia-induced lung dysfunction in mice. Malat1-deficient mice and their wild-type littermates were tested after 8 days of normoxia or hypoxia (10% oxygen). Hypoxia decreased elastance of the lung by increasing lung volume and caused in vivo hyperresponsiveness to methacholine without altering the contraction of airway smooth muscle. Malat1 deficiency also modestly decreased lung elastance but only when tested at low lung volumes and without altering lung volume and airway smooth muscle contraction. The in vivo responsiveness to methacholine was also attenuated by Malat1 deficiency, at least when elastance, a readout sensitive to small airway closure, was used to assess the response. More impressively, in vivo hyperresponsiveness to methacholine caused by hypoxia was virtually absent in Malat1-deficient mice, especially when hysteresivity, a readout sensitive to small airway narrowing heterogeneity, was used to assess the response. Malat1 deficiency also increased the coefficient of oxygen extraction and decreased ventilation in conscious mice, suggesting improvements in gas exchange and in clinical signs of respiratory distress during natural breathing. Combined with a lower elastance at low lung volumes at baseline, as well as a decreased propensity for small airway closure and narrowing heterogeneity during a methacholine challenge, these findings represent compelling evidence suggesting that the lack of Malat1 protects the access to alveoli for air entering the lung.

The brain requires over one-fifth of the total body oxygen demand for normal functioning. At high altitude (HA), the lower atmospheric oxygen pressure inevitably challenges the brain, affecting voluntary spatial attention, cognitive processing, and attention speed after short-term, long-term, or lifespan exposure. Molecular responses to HA are controlled mainly by hypoxia-inducible factors. This review aims to summarize the cellular, metabolic, and functional alterations in the brain at HA with a focus on the role of hypoxia-inducible factors in controlling the hypoxic ventilatory response, neuronal survival, metabolism, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and plasticity.

Injuries that occur early in life are often at the root of adult illness. Neonatal maternal separation (NMS) is a form of early life stress that has persistent and sex-specific effects on the development of neural networks, including those that regulate breathing. The release of stress hormones during a critical period of development contributes to the deleterious consequences of NMS, but the role of increased corticosterone (CORT) in NMS-induced respiratory disturbance is unknown. Because erythropoietin (EPO) is a potent neuroprotectant that prevents conditions associated with hyperactivation of the stress neuroaxis in a sex-specific manner, we hypothesized that EPO reduces the sex-specific alteration of respiratory regulation induced by NMS in adult mice. Animals were either raised under standard conditions (controls) or exposed to NMS 3 h/day from postnatal days 3–12. We tested the efficacy of EPO in preventing the effects of NMS by comparing wild-type mice with transgenic mice that overexpress EPO only in the brain (Tg21). In 7-days-old pups, NMS augmented CORT levels ~2.5-fold by comparison with controls but only in males; this response was reduced in Tg21 mice. Respiratory function was assessed using whole-body plethysmography. Apneas were detected during sleep; the responsiveness to stimuli was measured by exposing mice to hypoxia (10% O2; 15 min) and hypercapnia (5% CO2; 10 min). In wild-type, NMS increased the number of apneas and the hypercapnic ventilatory response (HcVR) only in males; with no effect on Tg21. In wild-type males, the incidence of apneas was positively correlated with HcVR and inversely related to the tachypneic response to hypoxia. We conclude that neural EPO reduces early life stress-induced respiratory disturbances observed in males.

Excessive carotid body responsiveness to O2 and/or CO2/H+ stimuli contributes to respiratory instability and apneas during sleep. In hypogonadal men, testosterone supplementation may increase the risk of sleep-disordered breathing; however, the site of action is unknown. The present study tested the hypothesis that testosterone supplementation potentiates carotid body responsiveness to hypoxia in adult male rats. Because testosterone levels decline with age, we also determined whether these effects were age-dependent. In situ hybridization determined that androgen receptor mRNA was present in the carotid bodies and caudal nucleus of the solitary tract of adult (69 days old) and aging (193–206 days old) male rats. In urethane-anesthetized rats injected with testosterone propionate (2 mg/kg; i.p.), peak breathing frequency measured during hypoxia (FiO2 = 0.12) was 11% greater vs. the vehicle treatment group. Interestingly, response intensity following testosterone treatment was positively correlated with animal age. Exposing ex vivo carotid body preparations from young and aging rats to testosterone (5 nM, free testosterone) 90–120 min prior to testing showed that the carotid sinus nerve firing rate during hypoxia (5% CO2 + 95% N2; 15 min) was augmented in both age groups as compared to vehicle (

Erythropoietin (EPO) regulates respiration under conditions of normoxia and hypoxia through interaction with the respiratory centers of the brainstem. Here we investigate the dose-dependent impact of EPO in the CB response to hypoxia and hypercapnia. We show, in isolated “en bloc” carotid body (CB) preparations containing the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) from adult male Sprague Dawley rats, that EPO acts as a stimulator of CSN activity in response to hypoxia at concentrations below 0.5 IU/ml. Under hypercapnic conditions, EPO did not influence the CSN response. EPO concentrations above 0.5 IU/ml decreased the response of the CSN to both hypoxia and hypercapnia, reaching complete inhibition at 2 IU/ml. The inhibitory action of high-dose EPO on the CSN activity might result from an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production. Accordingly, CB preparations were incubated with 2 IU/ml EPO and the unspecific NO synthase inhibitor (L-NAME), or the neuronal-specific NO synthase inhibitor (7NI). Both NO inhibitors fully restored the CSN activity in response to hypoxia and hypercapnia in presence of EPO. Our results show that EPO activates the CB response to hypoxia when its concentration does not exceed the threshold at which NO inhibitors masks EPO’s action.

Consumption of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) has beneficial effects on the functionality of white adipose tissue (WAT). However, although WAT metabolism shows a clear diurnal rhythm, whether GSPE consumption could affect WAT rhythmicity in a time-dependent manner has not been studied. Ninety-six male Fischer rats were fed standard (STD, two groups) or cafeteria (CAF, four groups) diet for 9 weeks (n = 16 each group). From week 6 on, CAF diet animals were supplemented with vehicle or 25 mg GSPE/kg of body weight either at the beginning of the light/rest phase (ZT0) or at the beginning of the dark/active phase (ZT12). The two STD groups were also supplemented with vehicle at ZT0 or ZT12. In week 9, animals were sacrificed at 6 h intervals (n = 4) to analyze the diurnal rhythms of subcutaneous WAT metabolites by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. A total of 45 metabolites were detected, 19 of which presented diurnal rhythms in the STD groups. Although most metabolites became arrhythmic under CAF diet, GSPE consumption at ZT12, but not at ZT0, restored the rhythmicity of 12 metabolites including compounds involved in alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. These results demonstrate that timed GSPE supplementation may restore, at least partially, the functional dynamics of WAT when it is consumed at the beginning of the active phase. This study opens an innovative strategy for time-dependent polyphenol treatment in obesity and metabolic diseases.

Phylogeographic studies showed that house mice (Mus musculus) originated in the Himalayan region, while common rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) come from the lowlands of China and India. Accordingly, it has been proposed that its origins gave mice, but not rats, the ability to invade ecological niches at high altitudes (pre-adaptation). This proposal is strongly supported by the fact that house mice are distributed throughout the world, while common rats are practically absent above 2,500 m. Considering that the ability of mammals to colonize high-altitude environments (>2,500 m) is limited by their capability to tolerate reduced oxygen availability, in this work, we hypothesize that divergences in the ventilatory, hematological, and metabolic phenotypes of mice and rats establish during the process of acclimatization to hypoxia (Hx). To test this hypothesis male FVB mice and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were exposed to Hx (12% O2) for 0 h (normoxic controls), 6 h, 1, 7, and 21 days. We assessed changes in ventilatory [minute ventilation (VE), respiratory frequency (fR), and tidal volume (VT)], hematological (hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration), and metabolic [whole-body O2 consumption (VO2) and CO2 production (VCO2), and liver mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR) parameters]. Compared to rats, results in mice show increased ventilatory, metabolic, and mitochondrial response. In contrast, rats showed quicker and higher hematological response than mice and only minor ventilatory and metabolic adjustments. Our findings may explain, at least in part, why mice, but not rats, were able to colonize high-altitude habitats.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in North, Central, and South America has become the epicenter of the current pandemic. We have suggested previously that the infection rate of this virus might be lower in people living at high altitude (over 2,500 m) compared to that in the lowlands. Based on data from official sources, we performed a new epidemiological analysis of the development of the pandemic in 23 countries on the American continent as of May 23, 2020. Our results confirm our previous finding, further showing that the incidence of COVID-19 on the American continent decreases significantly starting at 1,000 m above sea level (masl). Moreover, epidemiological modeling indicates that the virus transmission rate is lower in the highlands (>1,000 masl) than in the lowlands (

AimsThe objective of this study is to analyze how the impact of Diabetes Mellitus [DM] in patients with COVID-19 varies according to altitudinal gradient.MethodsWe obtained 1,280,806 records from adult patients with COVID-19 and DM to analyze the probability of COVID-19, development of COVID-19 pneumonia, hospitalization, intubation, admission to the Intensive Care Unit [ICU] and case-fatality rates [CFR]. Variables were controlled by age, sex and altitude of residence to calculate adjusted prevalence and prevalence ratios.ResultsPatients with DM had a 21.8% higher prevalence of COVID-19 and an additional 120.2% higher prevalence of COVID-19 pneumonia. The adjusted prevalence was also higher for these outcomes as well as for hospitalization, intubation and ICU admission. COVID-19 and pneumonia patients with DM had a 97.0% and 19.4% higher CFR, respectively. With increasing altitudes, the probability of being a confirmed COVID-19 case and the development of pneumonia decreased along CFR for patients with and without DM. However, COVID-19 patients with DM were more likely to require intubation when residing at high altitude.ConclusionsThe study suggests that patients with DM have a higher probability of being a confirmed COVID-19 case and developing pneumonia. Higher altitude had a protective relationship against SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, it may be associated with more severe cases in patients with and without DM. High altitude decreases CFR for all COVID-19 patients. Our work also shows that women are less affected than men regardless of altitude.

Variations in the light/dark cycle and obesogenic diets trigger physiological and behavioral disorders. Proanthocyanidins, in addition to their healthy properties, have recently demonstrated a modulating effect on biological rhythms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the administration of a grape seed proanthocyanidin-rich extract (GSPE) to mitigate the disruption caused by a sudden photoperiod change in healthy and cafeteria (CAF)-diet obese rats. For this, 48 photoperiod-sensitive Fischer 344 rats were fed standard or CAF diets for 6 weeks under a standard (12 h light/day, L12) conditions. Then, rats were switched to a long (18 h light/day, L18) or short (6 h light/day, L6) photoperiod and administered vehicle or GSPE (25 mg/kg) for 1 week. Body weight (BW) and food intake (FI) were recorded weekly. Animal activity and serum hormone concentrations were studied before and after the photoperiod change. Hormone levels were measured both at 3 h (ZT3) and 15 h (ZT15) after the onset of light. Results showed the impact of the CAF diet and photoperiod on the BW, FI, activity, and hormonal status of the animals. GSPE administration resulted in an attenuation of the changes produced by the photoperiod disruption. Specifically, GSPE in L6 CAF-fed rats reduced serum corticosterone concentration, restoring its circadian rhythm, increased the T3-to-T4 ratio, and increased light phase activity, while under L18, it decreased BW and testosterone concentration and increased the animal activity. These results suggest that GSPE may contribute to the adaptation to the new photoperiods. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the metabolic pathways and processes involved in these events.

Major susceptibility to alterations in liver function (e.g., hepatic steatosis) in a prone environment due to circadian misalignments represents a common consequence of recent sociobiological behavior (i.e., food excess and sleep deprivation). Natural compounds and, more concisely, polyphenols have been shown as an interesting tool for fighting against metabolic syndrome and related consequences. Furthermore, mitochondria have been identified as an important target for mediation of the health effects of these compounds. Additionally, mitochondrial function and dynamics are strongly regulated in a circadian way. Thus, we wondered whether some of the beneficial effects of grape-seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) on metabolic syndrome could be mediated by a circadian modulation of mitochondrial homeostasis. For this purpose, rats were subjected to “standard”, “cafeteria” and “cafeteria diet + GSPE” treatments (n = 4/group) for 9 weeks (the last 4 weeks, GSPE/vehicle) of treatment, administering the extract/vehicle at diurnal or nocturnal times (ZT0 or ZT12). For circadian assessment, one hour after turning the light on (ZT1), animals were sacrificed every 6 h (ZT1, ZT7, ZT13 and ZT19). Interestingly, GSPE was able to restore the rhythm on clock hepatic genes (Bmal1, Per2, Cry1, Rorα), as this correction was more evident in nocturnal treatment. Additionally, during nocturnal treatment, an increase in hepatic fusion genes and a decrease in fission genes were observed. Regarding mitochondrial complex activity, there was a strong effect of cafeteria diet at nearly all ZTs, and GSPE was able to restore activity at discrete ZTs, mainly in the diurnal treatment (ZT0). Furthermore, a differential behavior was observed in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) metabolites between GSPE diurnal and nocturnal administration times. Therefore, GSPE may serve as a nutritional preventive strategy in the recovery of hepatic-related metabolic disease by modulating mitochondrial dynamics, which is concomitant to the restoration of the hepatic circadian machinery.

Disruptions of the light/dark cycle and unhealthy diets can promote misalignment of biological rhythms and metabolic alterations, ultimately leading to an oxidative stress condition. Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), which possesses antioxidant properties, has demonstrated its beneficial effects in metabolic-associated diseases and its potential role in modulating circadian disruptions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of GSPE administration on the liver oxidant system of healthy and diet-induced obese rats undergoing a sudden photoperiod shift. To this end, forty-eight photoperiod-sensitive Fischer 344/IcoCrl rats were fed either a standard (STD) or a cafeteria diet (CAF) for 6 weeks. A week before euthanizing, rats were abruptly transferred from a standard photoperiod of 12 h of light/day (L12) to either a short (6 h light/day, L6) or a long photoperiod (18 h light/day, L18) while receiving a daily oral dose of vehicle (VH) or GSPE (25 mg/kg). Alterations in body weight gain, serum and liver biochemical parameters, antioxidant gene and protein expression, and antioxidant metabolites were observed. Interestingly, GSPE partially ameliorated these effects by reducing the oxidative stress status in L6 through an increase in GPx1 expression and in hepatic antioxidant metabolites and in L18 by increasing the NRF2/KEAP1/ARE pathway, thereby showing potential in the treatment of circadian-related disorders by increasing the hepatic antioxidant response in a photoperiod-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antihypertensive effect of wine lees powder (WLPW) from a Cabernet grape variety was related to its high content in flavanols and anthocyanins compounds. This study investigates the involvement of endothelial-derived factors and SIRT1 in its bioactivity. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were orally administered water or WLPW (125 mg/kg bw). Posteriorly, both groups were intraperitoneally administered saline, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide (NO) synthesis inhibitor, indomethacin, a prostacyclin synthesis inhibitor, or sirtinol, an inhibitor of sirtuins. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded before and 6 h after WLPW administration. In an additional experiment, SHR were administered water or WLPW and endothelial expressions of eNos, Sirt1, Nox4, and Et1 were determined. The BP-lowering properties of WLPW were abolished by L-NAME and partially reduced by indomethacin, demonstrating that WLPW antihypertensive effect was mediated by changes in NO availability, although prostacyclin also contributed to this activity. Moreover, BP-lowering effect was reduced by sirtinol, indicating that WLPW decreased BP in a SIRT1-dependent manner. Furthermore, WLPW upregulated eNos and Sirt1 and downregulated Nox4 and Et1 endothelial gene expression. These results evidence the vasoprotective effect of WLPW and show that its antihypertensive effect in SHR is endothelium dependent and mediated by SIRT1.

The antihypertensive effect of wine lees (WL) has been previously evidenced. In this study, the antihypertensive properties of different doses of WL were evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In addition, the blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect of dried (dealcoholized) WL powder (WLPW) and the mechanisms involved in its functionality were investigated. Furthermore, a possible hypotensive effect of WLPW was discarded in Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats. The administration of WL at different doses caused a dose-dependent decrease in BP of SHR up to 5.0 mL/kg bw, exhibiting the maximum decrease at 6 h post-administration. WLPW caused a greater drop in BP than WL, showing an antihypertensive effect higher and more prolonged than the drug Captopril. Moreover, the BP-lowering effect of WLPW was specific to the hypertensive state since an undesirable hypotensive effect in normotensive WKY rats was ruled out. Finally, WLPW improved oxidative stress and increased the activity of the antioxidant endogen system of SHR. These results suggest that WLPW could be used as functional ingredient for foods or nutraceuticals to ameliorate hypertension. Nevertheless, further clinical studies are needed to evaluate its long-term antihypertensive efficiency.

Wine lees (WL) are by-products generated in the winemaking process. The aim of this study was to investigate the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEi) activity, and the blood pressure (BP) lowering effect of WL from individual grape varieties. The relationship among their activities and phenolic profiles was also studied. Three WL, from Cabernet, Mazuela, and Garnacha grape varieties, were firstly selected based on their ACEi properties. Their phenolic profiles were fully characterized by UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS. Then, their potential antihypertensive effects were evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). BP was recorded before and after their oral administrations (2, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 48 h) at a dose of 5 mL/kg bw. Cabernet WL (CWL) exhibited a potent antihypertensive activity, similar to that obtained with the drug Captopril. This BP-lowering effect was related to the high amount of anthocyanins and flavanols present in these lees. In addition, a potential hypotensive effect of CWL was discarded in normotensive Wistar–Kyoto rats. Finally, the ACEi and antihypertensive activities of CWL coming from a different harvest were confirmed. Our results suggest the potential of CWL for controlling arterial BP, opening the door to commercial use within the wine industry.

Compared with mice, adult rats living at 3,600 m above sea level (SL—La Paz, Bolivia) have high hematocrit, signs of pulmonary hypertension, and low lung volume with reduced alveolar surface area. This phenotype is associated with chronic mountain sickness in humans living at high altitude (HA). We tested the hypothesis that this phenotype is associated with impaired gas exchange and oxidative stress in the lungs. We used rats and mice (3 months old) living at HA (La Paz) and SL (Quebec City, Canada) to measure arterial oxygen saturation under graded levels of hypoxia (by pulse oximetry), the alveolar surface area in lung slices and the activity of pro- (NADPH and xanthine oxidases—NOX and XO) and anti- (superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase—SOD and GPx) oxidant enzymes in cytosolic and mitochondrial lung protein extracts. HA rats have a lower arterial oxygen saturation and reduced alveolar surface area compared to HA mice and SL rats. Enzymatic activities (NOX, XO, SOD, and GPx) in the cytosol were similar between HA and SL animals, but SOD and GPx activities in the mitochondria were 2–3 times higher in HA vs. SL rats, and only marginally higher in HA mice vs. SL mice. Furthermore, the maximum activity of cytochrome oxidase-c (COX) measured in mitochondrial lung extracts was also 2 times higher in HA rats compared with SL rats, while there was only a small increase in HA mice vs. SL mice. Interestingly, compared with SL controls, alterations in lung morphology are not observed for young rats at HA (15 days after birth), and enzymatic activities are only slightly altered. These results suggest that rats living at HA have a gradual reduction of their alveolar surface area beyond the postnatal period. We can speculate that the elevation of SOD, GPx, and COX activities in the lung mitochondria are not sufficient to compensate for oxidative stress, leading to damage of the lung tissue in rats.

La zona de San Pedro del Zapallar se caracteriza por tener un paisaje montañoso que determina las características de los suelos, heterogéneos en cuanto a la profundidad de su perfil y textura, en general muy frágiles, susceptibles a la erosión hídrica y la lixiviación de sales y minerales. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar y representar la aptitud del suelo mediante un mapa digital en un área piloto como San Pedro del Zapallar, para contribuir al uso y manejo adecuado de los sistemas de producción según la capacidad y las características de los suelos. Se seleccionaron áreas homogéneas a priori mediante información remota y perspectivas de agricultores, y se representó en un sistema de información geográfica (SIG). Esta zonificación fue corroborada en el campo donde se reconocieron tres ambientes diferentes de acuerdo a su posición en el paisaje. Áreas planas en las partes bajas de las pendientes (A), las partes inferiores de las laderas con pendientes cercanas a 45º (B) y las planicies de inundación del río (C). En cada uno de los ambientes se realizaron calicatas donde se observaron las características del perfil del suelo, y tres sub muestras tomadas con barreno a las mismas profundidades que los horizontes detectados en el perfil, por cada punto de muestreo. Se analizaron las propiedades físicas y químicas de las muestras. Los suelos de la zona A presentaron mejores condiciones de fertilidad, en comparación de los suelos B y C, ya que tienen mayores contenidos de materia orgánica y de fósforo disponible, mayor capacidad de intercambio catiónico (CIC) y una textura más fina, con un contenido promedio de arcilla más limo de 33.8%. Además, la ubicación de estos suelos en áreas planas los predestina para el uso con cultivos, ya que la susceptibilidad a la erosión es casi nula. En cambio, los suelos de la zona B presentan altos peligros de erosión debido a que se ubican en pendientes pronunciadas. La mayor limitación de estos suelos es la pendiente muy pronunciada y el peligro de erosión, lo cual implica recomendar un uso con cobertura permanente de pasturas perennes o pastizal nativo. Los suelos de la zona C se caracterizan por ser de muy poco desarrollo y textura muy arenosa debido al aporte de sedimentos nuevos por la acción del río. Son suelos aptos para la agricultura, debido a la cercanía de la capa freática y la posibilidad de riego, ya que se sitúan en los planos aluviales. Los suelos de la zona A pertenecen a la clase 2, subclase c. En cambio, los suelos de la zona B son considerados no aptos para la agricultura y aptos para pastizales, clase 5, subclase e. Se recomienda prácticas adecuadas, tales como la construcción de terrazas y un manejo cuidadoso para prevenir la erosión hídrica. Por último, los suelos de la zona C pertenecen a la clase 3, sub clases s y w. Estos suelos pueden ser considerados para actividades productivas, siempre y cuando se tenga la disponibilidad de buena calidad de agua para el riego. La clasificación taxonómica para la zona A, es Hapludalf típico, mientras para la zona B son Dystrudept típico, y para la zona C la clasificación taxonómica es Udifluvent oxiacuico.

Perinatal exposure to adverse experiences disrupts brain development, including the brainstem network that regulates breathing. At adulthood, rats previously subjected to stress (in the form of neonatal maternal separation; NMS) display features reported in patients suffering from sleep disordered breathing, including an increased hypoxic ventilatory response and hypertension. This effect is also sex-specific (males only). Based on these observations, we hypothesised that NMS augments the carotid body’s O2-chemosensitivity. Using an isolated and perfused ex vivo carotid body preparation from adult rats we compared carotid sinus nerve (CSN) responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia in carotid bodies harvested from adult rats that either experienced control conditions (no experimental manipulation) or were subjected to NMS (3h/day from postnatal days 3 to 12). In males, the CSN response to hypoxia measured in preparations from NMS males was 1.5 fold higher than controls. In control rats, the female’s response was similar to that of males; however, the increase in CSN activity measured in NMS females was 3.0 times lower than controls. The CSN response to hypercapnia was not influenced by stress or sex. We conclude that NMS is sufficient to have persistent and sex-specific effects on the carotid body’s response to hypoxia. Because NMS also has sex-specific effects on the neuroendocrine response to stress, we propose that carotid body function is influenced by stress hormones. This, in turn, leads to a predisposition towards cardio-respiratory disorders.