HPD Research Day | February 16, 2018

15 Morris Auditorium Morris Auditorium 10:45 – 11:15 a.m. Effect of Ovariectomy on Brain Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor Binding, Blood Pressure, and Hippocampal Gene Methylation and BDNF mRNA Expression in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive and Dahl Salt-Resistant Normotensive Rats Robert Charles Speth, Ph.D., Professor, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Hong Weng Pang, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Andrea Linares, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Natasha Rose, Nova Southeastern University Tulsi Patel, Nova Southeastern University Amrita Pai, Georgetown University Aline Arlindo de Souza, Georgetown University Emma J. Pollner, Georgetown University Crystal A. West, Georgetown University Malav S. Trivedi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Hong Ji, Georgetown University Kathryn Sandberg, Georgetown University Objective. To assess the importance of gonadal steroids for blood pressure regulation, brain AT 1 receptors, and regulation of gene expression in the hippocampus of a hypertensive and normotensive rat strain. Background. Women’s resistance to hypertension and cardiovascular disease prior to, but not after menopause, arises from ovarian hormones. Post-menopausally, women are more susceptible to cognitive impairment and dementias. The brain angiotensin system plays a role in cognitive function in addition to regulating the cardiovascular system. Methods. AT 1 R binding was determined autoradiographically in selected brain regions of ovariectomized versus sham-operated (at 13-weeks) Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats which were sacrificed at 33- weeks. Hippocampal DNA methylation was assessed by ELISA, while BDNF mRNA expression was determined by PCR. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was determined telemetrically (DSI technology) at 29-weeks. Results. The MAP of DS sham rats was 181±5mmHg while the MAP of DR sham rats was 96±4mmHg (p1R expression in the solitary tract nucleus of the DS-OVX rats was significantly reduced (p Conclusion. Strain differences and gonadal functionality have limited effects on brain AT 1 R expression. The global DNA methylation and BDNF mRNA changes suggest gonadal hormone and strain-specific alterations in gene expression in the hippocampus. Grants Funding. NIH NHLBI HL121456, HPD Research Grant, Cardiovascular Neuroscience Fund. Videoconferencing: Broadcast from Morris Auditorium to regional campuses. Morris Auditorium 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. The Impact of Antidepressants Use on Mental Healthcare Use Ammena Binsaleh, MS, PhD(c), Ph.D. student, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Alexandra Perez, PharmD, Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Silvia Rabionet, Ed.D., Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Ioana Popovici, Ph.D., Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University Objective. To determine whether patients with type 2 diabetes on antidepressant treatment were being monitored by a mental health professional (MHP). Background. Depression often occurs co-morbidly with diabetes; however, it is often unrecognized and undertreated in nearly two-thirds of patients with both conditions. Studies that assess mental health treatment are limited. Methods. This retrospective study was a secondary data analysis of the cross- sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2014). It included adults with type 2 diabetes and mild to severe depression symptoms. The dichotomous outcome was whether patients had seen a MHP (e.g., psychologist or psychiatrist) in the last 12 months. Sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors were compared among 2 study groups: those on an antidepressant and those on no treatment. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses evaluated the association of antidepressant use and MHP monitoring. Results. 966