Abstract:
This project was born as an attempt to find efficient answers for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, in particular, hemorrhagic strokes; nature gives us the answers to our problems, we only need to make connections. Our starting point was a simple observation of the behavior of male Paradisaea rudolphi birds during their matting season, during which they turn upside down for extended periods of time. As we know, reproductive cycles are regulated by hormones; but other factors affect hormone producing and release, for example, light. Bats belonging to the suborder Microchiroptera are an example of animal that always stands upside down and has poorly developed eyes, thus capturing very low doses of light; this is the key point of our project – establishing a correlation between these animals' ability to sustain high blood pressures on their brains, without suffering strokes, and their morphophysiology.
Using different experimental methods, the goal of this project is to understand which biochemical processes and/or anatomical adaptations are involved in this capacity. Can we establish a correlation with hormone production? Are there any anatomical or histological adaptations? Can we extrapolate these results to treat diseases related with high blood pressure in human beings?
Using different experimental methods, the goal of this project is to understand which biochemical processes and/or anatomical adaptations are involved in this capacity. Can we establish a correlation with hormone production? Are there any anatomical or histological adaptations? Can we extrapolate these results to treat diseases related with high blood pressure in human beings?
The method:
The group opted for a three-stage experimental approach. The first
stage is based on a non-invasive approach, whose study object will be the bats. Measurements of
intracranial blood pressure in bats at rest and right after flight, using
noninvasive techniques, and blood analysis will be the first steps of this
stage. The group hopes to isolate substances (nominated, on a non compromising
way, H1 and H2) that are involved in the regulation of the muscular tonus of
the blood capillaries. Isolating these substances will allow a second
experimental stage,
the administration of H1 and H2 ,as well as already identified human hormones, in rats where
elevated intracranial pressure was induced. performing histological cuts in the
end of the experiment is crucial.The first step of the second stage consists of a series of experiments in order to test the action of angiotensin and kinin, produced in normal conditions by humans, that affect the constriction and dilatation of capillaries. Blocking the action of angiotensin and kinin administration in rats where elevated intracranial pressure was induced will allow us to watch the interaction of these hormones in a real pathologic situation. This will be followed by the next step, in which the group will also test the effects of H1 and H2 on rats, according to the detailed method showed in this website.
On the end of this experiment, performing histological sections is crucial to identify the most affected areas and the changes in the brain capillaries. |
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