Would antidepressant treatment in rats with aortic regurgitation modify central gene expression of oxytocin and vasopressin?

Abstract

Aortic regurgitation (AR) leads to left ventricle dilation and hypertrophy in response to a chronic volume overload. It is still very frequent in developing countries, for instance, Brazil, and often secondary to rheumatic fever. Usually, chronic AR is generally well tolerated for many years, when with the heart dilated the patient search for treatment. Bidirectional association with depression and cardiovascular disease has been described. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are widely prescribed to treat several affective disorders, especially for cardiovascular patients since they decrease arrhythmia probability. These SSRIs improve cardiac function in rats submitted to stress protocols. A preliminary study from our laboratory showed that following 4 weeks of treatment with one SSRI (paroxetin) in subchronic AR rats there was a decrease in daily sodium intake and an improvement in systolic function. An increase in the central oxytocinergic transmission may be involved in this peripheral improvement of the heart. The investigation of the mechanisms underlying this improvement is necessary. Therefore the aim of this project is to investigate the effects of 4 weeks of treatment of paroxetin, an SSRI, in rats with a subchronic AR over the central gene expression of oxytocin and vasopressin using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).(AU)