The Association of Insomnia and Stress on Cardiovascular Risk Factors during COVID-19 Confinement in the Mexican Population

During the pandemic confinement, the WHO changed the term "social distancing" to "physical distancing", to help people deal with the lack of social contact. As a result, there was an increase in mental health problems, including insomnia and stress, with a negative impact on cardiovascular health. The objective of this research was to identify the association between insomnia and stress and cardiovascular risk (CVR) during the pandemic in a sample of the general population in Mexico; the participants were chosen using the non-probabilistic method. The data were obtained from an online questionnaire about medical histories focused on cardiovascular risk, according to the Official Mexican Standards and Regulations for patients' clinical records, NOM-004-SSA3-2012, along with an index for the severity of insomnia, measured with a seven-item guide, and an instrument to measure stress. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics for several different variables: sociodemographics, stress, insomnia, and cardiovascular risk. Cardiovascular risk was compared to insomnia and stress variables, which led to statistically significant differences and correlations between the variables. Participants were divided into four groups with respect to CVR, from low to very high CVR. This research demonstrated that women were more susceptible to stress and cardiovascular risk. However, stress was a more major indicator of CVR than insomnia, but in the high and very high CVR groups, insomnia contributed along with stress; coping strategies reduced the risk in the high CVR group but did not function as expected with respect to reducing risk in the very high CVR group. These findings suggest that sleep patterns and mental health alterations present during the pandemic may persist even when the pandemic was declared as having ended and may contribute to increases in cardiovascular risk in the long-term.

2,4-Dichlorophenol Shows Estrogenic Endocrine Disruptor Activity by Altering Male Rat Sexual Behavior

Chlorophenols (CPs) have been extensively used worldwide as a treatment to prevent the growth and proliferation of different microorganisms, mainly in the wood and farm industries. Chlorine has been used for water disinfection, and phenol groups are water contaminants; these two groups can react with each other to form species such as 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). 2,4-DCP is still used as an herbicide in many countries such as Mexico. CPs have been largely analyzed, like bisphenol A, for their probable endocrine-disrupting effects in humans and aquatic animals. We still do not understand whether these endocrine responses can be manifested as an impairment in sexual behavior in rodents. With the present toxicology study, the endocrine-disrupting effects of 2,4-DCP on male sexual behavior were investigated. Sexually naïve male Wistar rats were used to assess the endocrine-disrupting effects of 2,4-DCP. The rats were divided into two groups: one control group and one experimental group that was administered 1.25 mg/day of 2,4-DCP for 45 days. After completing treatment, the male sexual behavior of the rats was evaluated. The results of this investigation demonstrated that 2,4-DCP affected male sexual behavior. A decrease in mount latency, intromission latency, and post ejaculation period compared with the control animals was found.

Prolactin in ovarian follicular fluid stimulates endothelial cell proliferation

Angiogenesis is essential for the growth and maturation of the ovarian follicle and its transition into the corpus luteum. In addition to the main proangiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), follicular fluid (FF) contains the hormone prolactin (PRL), which is known to promote angiogenesis in vivo. Here, we show that FF from large follicles, which contains twice the PRL level of FF from small follicles, stimulates endothelial cell proliferation to a greater extent than the latter, and that immunoneutralization of PRL prevents FF from stimulating endothelial cell proliferation. Notably, the FF increases the expression of the short and long PRL receptor isoforms in endothelial cells, and a purified PRL standard stimulates endothelial cell proliferation but only after the cells have been pretreated with FF. However, purified PRL activates the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in endothelial cells in the absence of pretreatment with FF. In summary, PRL present in the FF stimulates the proliferation of endothelial cells. This effect likely involves the upregulation of the short and long PRL receptor isoforms and is independent of PRL-induced JAK2/STAT3 signaling.

Mechanisms for Growth Factor-Induced Pituitary Tumor Transforming Gene-1 Expression in Pituitary Folliculostellate TtT/GF Cells

PTTG1, a securin protein, also behaves as a transforming gene and is overexpressed in pituitary tumors. Because pituitary folliculostellate (FS) cells regulate pituitary tumor growth factors by paracrine mechanisms, epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR)-mediated PTTG1 expression and cell proliferation was tested in pituitary FS TtT/GF cells. EGFR ligands caused up to 3-fold induction of Pttg1 mRNA expression, enhanced proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and increased entry of G0/1-arrested cells into S-phase. PTTG binding factor mRNA expression was not altered. EGF-induced Pttg1 expression and cell proliferation was abolished by preincubation of TtT/GF cells with EGFR inhibitors AG1478 and gefitinib. Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase, protein kinase C, and MAPK, but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase and Janus activating kinase signaling regulated EGF-induced Pttg1, as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen mRNA expression and entry into S-phase. EGF-induced EGFR and ERK1/2 phosphorylation was followed by rapid MAPK kinase/ERK kinase-dependent activation of Elk-1 and c-Fos. EGF-induced Pttg1 expression peaked at the S-G2 transition and declined thereafter. Pttg1 cell cycle dependency was confirmed by suppression of EGF-induced Pttg1 mRNA by blockade of cells in early S-phase. The results show that PTTG1 and its binding protein PTTG binding factor are expressed in pituitary FS TtT/GF cells. EGFR ligands induce PTTG1 and regulate S-phase, mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase, protein kinase C, and MAPK pathways. PTTG1 is therefore a target for EGFR-mediated paracrine regulation of pituitary cell growth.

Murine pituitary tumor-transforming gene functions as a securin protein in insulin-secreting cells

Human pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) encodes a securin protein critically important in regulating chromosome separation. Murine PTTG (mPTTG) is 66% homologous to human PTTG1 and PTTG-null (PTTG-/-) mice exhibit pancreatic beta-cell hypoplasia and abnormal nuclear morphology with resultant diabetes. As we show that ductal beta-cell neogenesis is intact in PTTG-/- mice, we explored mechanism for defective beta-cell replication. We tested whether mPTTG exhibits securin properties in mouse insulin-secreting insulinoma MIN6 cells, using a live-cell system to monitor mitosis in cells transfected with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged mPTTG conjugate (mPTTG-EGFP). To fulfill the criteria for securin properties, the protein should undergo degradation immediately before the metaphase-to-anaphase transition when expression levels are low, and should inhibit metaphase-to-anaphase transition when expression levels are high. EGFP itself did not undergo degradation throughout mitosis and high levels of EGFP per se did not affect normal mitosis progression (n=25). However, mPTTG-EGFP was degraded 2 min before the metaphase-to-anaphase transition when expression levels were low (n=19), and high mPTTG-EGFP levels blocked metaphase-to-anaphase transition in 13 cells. mPTTG-EGFP inhibited MIN6 cell proliferation and caused apoptosis. Immunocoprecipitation demonstrated binding of mPTTG-EGFP and separase. These results show that mPTTG exhibits properties consistent with a murine securin in insulin-secreting mouse cells and mPTTG overexpression inhibits cell proliferation, suggesting that defective beta-cell proliferation observed in PTTG-/- mice is likely due to abnormal cell-cycle progression.

Na+-K+-ATPase inhibitors and renin release: relationship to calcium

The inhibition of renin secretion and the vasoconstrictive action of cardiac glycosides may be attributed to increases in cytosolic calcium as a result of inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase. These studies examined in the dog in vivo the role of calcium on the renal actions of ouabain as assessed from the modifying effects of calcium channel blockers. Since vanadate, another Na+-K+-ATPase, inhibitor, enhances in vitro the binding of ouabain to Na+-K+-ATPase, we examined the capacity of vanadate to modify the renal effects of ouabain in vivo. Infusion of ouabain (1 microgram X kg-1 X min-1) into the renal artery decreased RBF, GFR, and renin secretion, and produced diuresis and natriuresis. When ouabain was infused in dogs receiving the calcium channel blocker verapamil (100 microgram/min), it failed to suppress renin secretion or cause renal vasoconstriction. In addition, verapamil produced diuresis and natriuresis, which were greatly enhanced by ouabain (e.g., verapamil FENa 12.0 +/- 1.1----34.2 +/- 5.1%). The data strongly suggest that calcium entry into cells is a major mediator of the renin inhibitory effect and of the renal vasoconstriction induced by cardiac glycosides. The natriuresis observed during the calcium channel blocker infusion suggests that this drug may have a direct tubular effect on sodium reabsorption. Superimposition of vanadate (0.5 mumol/min) on ouabain infusion led to massive natriuresis (FENa, 5 +/- 1----35 +/- 4%), renal vasodilation (RBF 90 +/- 12----170 +/- 15 ml/min), and an increase in renin secretion (delta, 100%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distal acidification in the rabbit: role of diet and blood pH

A distal acidification defect is said to exist in rabbits because this species does not achieve a normal urine minus blood (U-B) PCO2 gradient in response to sodium bicarbonate infusion. This observation contrasts with data derived from studies in isolated rabbit cortical collecting tubules that have shown an acidifying capacity when the tubules were obtained from acidotic animals. The present study was designed to examine the role of diet and blood pH on distal acidification in the rabbit. Maximal alkalinization of the urine by acute sodium bicarbonate infusion was associated with a low U-B PCO2 gradient (0.7 +/- 2.1 mmHg). Rabbits made acidotic by ammonium chloride administration for 1 wk achieved a substantial U-B PCO2 gradient (29 +/- 5 mmHg) in response to neutral sodium phosphate infusion. To further evaluate the role of blood pH on the ability to raise U-B PCO2 gradient, rabbits and rats made acidotic by chronic ammonium chloride administration were studied. Neutral sodium phosphate was then infused to stimulate distal acidification. At comparable levels of urinary phosphate concentration and blood pH, acidotic rabbits were able to achieve a U-B PCO2 (50 +/- 7 mmHg) comparable with that of acidotic rats (48 +/- 8.3 mmHg). These data show that the failure of rabbits to raise U-B PCO2 gradient can be partially corrected by prior exposure to acid in the diet and further corrected by maintaining the blood pH within the acidotic range.

Metabolic and hormonal factors influencing extrarenal buffering of an acute acid load

This study evaluates metabolic and hormonal factors influencing extrarenal buffering of an acute acid load. Phosphate deprivation of 2 weeks duration was associated with enhanced extrarenal acid buffering. The enhanced extrarenal buffering capacity of phosphate deprivation was not dependent on the presence of parathyroid glands. Parathyroid hormone administration to phosphate-deprived rats promoted a further enhancement of the buffering capacity of an acid load. Blood pH and HCO3 during acid loading were not significantly different between control and diphosphonate-treated rats and between phosphate-deprived rats and phosphate-deprived rats treated with diphosphonate. The mortality rate, however, was significantly higher in diphosphonate-treated rats than in rats not receiving the drug suggesting that diphosphonate blunts the buffering of an acid load in both control and phosphate-deprived rats. Chronic vitamin D administration and acute administration of arginine vasopressin in pharmacologic doses were associated with significant enhancement of buffering capacity as compared to control rats. Thyrocalcitonin administration to intact but not thyroparathyroidectomized rats was associated with diminished capacity to buffer an acid load. These data demonstrate that the buffering of an acute acid load is influenced by a number of dietary and hormonal factors probably acting at the level of the bone.

The effects of chronic papillary necrosis on acid excretion

Complete papillary necrosis in rats can be induced within 1 month following a single injection of 2-bromoethylamine hydrobromide (BEA) (50 mg, i.v.). Utilizing a combination of clearance and balance techniques the effects of complete absence of the papilla was examined as regards urinary acidification, whole kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR), single nephron GFR, and morphology. Whole kidney GFR was not different from control, however, the percent filtering juxtamedullary nephrons was markedly diminished (87.2 +/- 2.1 vs. 31.5 +/- 3.6% filtering, control vs. BEA, respectively, P less than 0.001) and significantly reduced in the superficial nephrons (80.6 +/- 3.6 vs. 62.2 +/- 6.1% filtering, control vs. BEA, respectively, P less than 0.05). There was a significant decrease in juxtamedullary single nephron GFR and an increase in the superficial single nephron GFR as assessed by the quantitative Hanssen's technique in the animals with chronic papillary necrosis. Complete papillary necrosis was associated with normal arterial bicarbonate concentration, pH, and plasma electrolyte concentrations. At the same degree of acidemia (induced by NH4Cl administration) minimal urinary pH, ammonium excretion, and titratable acid excretion were not different than seen in age matched controls. The response to Na2SO4 infusion and phosphate infusion was the same in both groups of animals. The urine-blood (U-B)pCO2, and index of urinary acidification, was identical in BEA and control animals. Scanning electron microscopy showed scarring of the juxtamedullary glomeruli one month after BEA. The papilla was sloughed and lying free in the renal pelvis in every experimental animal. These data demonstrate that complete papillary necrosis is not associated with acidosis nor a defect in urinary acidification.

Parathyroid hormone and extrarenal acid buffering

The role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the extrarenal buffering of an acid load was examined during HCl infusion (5 meq x kg-1 x h-1) to bilaterally nephrectomized rats. Thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats replaced with PTH had significantly higher blood pH and HCO3 values than TPTX rats not infused with PTH. Administration of EDTA, in a dose shown to release PTH, was associated with a significant increase in buffering capacity in intact but not in TPTX rats. Colchicine, given in a dose capable of stimulating PTH release, was also associated with enhanced buffering capacity in intact but not in TPTX rats. In TPTX rats infused with acetazolamide and PTH, the hormone failed to enhance extrarenal buffering of an acid load. Animals with chronic renal failure, induced by infarction of the kidney, also had an enhanced capacity to buffer an acid load. This enhanced buffering capacity in chronic renal failure was abolished by TPTX. Acute renal failure induced by bilateral ureteral ligation was also associated with increased buffering only in the presence of parathyroid glands. These data demonstrated that PTH, from either an exogenous or endogenous source, enhances extrarenal buffering capacity of an acid load. Chronic and acute renal failure are associated with increased buffering capacity, which is dependent on the presence of parathyroid glands. The data suggest that this effect is mediated through carbonic anhydrase.