Wilson Teixeira Beraldo
Encyclopedia
Wilson Teixeira Beraldo was a Brazilian physician and physiologist, a co-discoverer of bradykinin
.
Beraldo graduated in medicine
in 1942, having studied at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. He was also associate professor of physiology of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo
, and full professor and chairman of physiology of the Faculty of Medicine of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (1962). Beraldo was also a fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation
(1949) and of the British Council
(1954), a member of the New York Academy of Sciences
and of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences.
As a scientific leader, Beraldo was very important for the development of physiology in Brazil, and of the scientific establishment in general. He was a founding member of the Brazilian Association for Advancement of Science
and its honorary president, of the Brazilian Society of Physiology.
While in São Paulo
, Beraldo was part of the pharmacological research team of the Instituto Biológico
de São Paulo (Biological Institute of São Paulo), led by Dr. Maurício Rocha e Silva
, which, in 1949, discovered bradykinin
, a new autopharmacological principle which was released in the blood by the snake
venom of the jararaca (lancehead), Bothrops jararaca
. Beraldo had also an important role in demonstrating that urinary kallikrein
is of renal
origin and not pancreatic
, as it was thought, and that its oxytocic
activity is a direct action, rather than through the intermediate formation of kinin
s.
Bradykinin
Bradykinin is a peptide that causes blood vessels to dilate , and therefore causes blood pressure to lower. A class of drugs called ACE inhibitors, which are used to lower blood pressure, increase bradykinin further lowering blood pressure...
.
Beraldo graduated in medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
in 1942, having studied at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. He was also associate professor of physiology of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo
University of São Paulo
Universidade de São Paulo is a public university in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. It is the largest Brazilian university and one of the country's most prestigious...
, and full professor and chairman of physiology of the Faculty of Medicine of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (1962). Beraldo was also a fellow of the Rockefeller Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a prominent philanthropic organization and private foundation based at 420 Fifth Avenue, New York City. The preeminent institution established by the six-generation Rockefeller family, it was founded by John D. Rockefeller , along with his son John D. Rockefeller, Jr...
(1949) and of the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
(1954), a member of the New York Academy of Sciences
New York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is the third oldest scientific society in the United States. An independent, non-profit organization with more than members in 140 countries, the Academy’s mission is to advance understanding of science and technology...
and of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences.
As a scientific leader, Beraldo was very important for the development of physiology in Brazil, and of the scientific establishment in general. He was a founding member of the Brazilian Association for Advancement of Science
Sociedade Brasileira para o Progresso da Ciência
Sociedade Brasileira para o Progresso da Ciência is a Brazilian scientific society created in 1948 by several prominent scientists, with the aim of promoting science, culture and education in the country by means of publications, conferences and political actions on behalf of science's advancement...
and its honorary president, of the Brazilian Society of Physiology.
While in São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, Beraldo was part of the pharmacological research team of the Instituto Biológico
Instituto Biológico
Biological Institute is an applied research center organised in 1924 in São Paulo, Brazil. It is a governmental organisation concerned with the prevention of zoonoses and foodborne animal pathogens such as rabies and tuberculosis, sanitary advertisement campaigns, alternatives to the chemical...
de São Paulo (Biological Institute of São Paulo), led by Dr. Maurício Rocha e Silva
Maurício Rocha e Silva
Maurício Oscar da Rocha e Silva was a Brazilian physician, biomedical scientist and pharmacologist...
, which, in 1949, discovered bradykinin
Bradykinin
Bradykinin is a peptide that causes blood vessels to dilate , and therefore causes blood pressure to lower. A class of drugs called ACE inhibitors, which are used to lower blood pressure, increase bradykinin further lowering blood pressure...
, a new autopharmacological principle which was released in the blood by the snake
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
venom of the jararaca (lancehead), Bothrops jararaca
Bothrops jararaca
Bothrops jararaca is a venomous pit viper species found in southern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina. The species name is derived from the Tupi words yarará and ca, which means "large snake." Within its range it is often abundant and is an important cause of snakebite...
. Beraldo had also an important role in demonstrating that urinary kallikrein
Kinin-kallikrein system
The kinin-kallikrein system or simply kinin system is a poorly understood system of blood proteins that plays a role in inflammation, blood pressure control, coagulation and pain...
is of renal
Kidney
The kidneys, organs with several functions, serve essential regulatory roles in most animals, including vertebrates and some invertebrates. They are essential in the urinary system and also serve homeostatic functions such as the regulation of electrolytes, maintenance of acid–base balance, and...
origin and not pancreatic
Pancreas
The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as a digestive organ, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist...
, as it was thought, and that its oxytocic
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone that acts primarily as a neuromodulator in the brain.Oxytocin is best known for its roles in sexual reproduction, in particular during and after childbirth...
activity is a direct action, rather than through the intermediate formation of kinin
Kinin
A kinin is any of various structurally related polypeptides, such as bradykinin and kallikrein. They are members of the autacoid family.They act locally to induce vasodilation and contraction of smooth muscle.It is a component of the kinin-kallikrein system....
s.
External links
- Wilson Teixeira Beraldo. Biography (In Portuguese)