Effects of Angiotensin-(1-7) treatment in cardiac mitochondrial function and characteristics in a rat model of prematurity-related deleterious conditions

In Canada, 8% of youth are born preterm (<37 wks). It is thanks to advances in medical care that these infants have survived and the first generations of very preterm children are now young adults. However, recent studies support a direct association between preterm birth and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. How this exactly happens remains unclear. Utilizing an animal model mimicking difficult conditions associated with very preterm birth (newborn rats exposed for 8 days to high concentrations of breathing oxygen (O2), our laboratory has shown that abnormal activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) occurs early after O2 exposure and is involved in cardiac failure in young adulthood. The RAS is a powerful hormonal system involved in the development of cardiac diseases in human and experimental animal models. Furthermore, studies have shown that other perinatal abnormal conditions (such as prematurity) can lead to abnormal cardiac cell energy capacity. The current proposal will examine the cardioprotective ("good") arm of the RAS and how it can protect the heart from preterm born babies using our animal model.

Faculty Supervisor:

Anne Monique Nuyt

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: