Objetivos:Determinar a concentração do Marcador de Peroxidação Lipídica: Malondialdeído (MDA) e dos Marcadores Antioxidantes: Superóxido Dismutase (SOD), Glutationa Peroxidase (GPX), Catalase (CAT); no sangue do cordão umbilical e na saliva não estimulada nas primeiras 24 e 48 horas de vida nos RNPT com e sem fatores de risco maternos para sepse neonatal precoce. Casuística/Metodologia: Foram estudados 21 RNPT nascidos na Maternidade e provenientes do Serviço de Neonatologia do Hospital Municipal de Barueri, São Paulo. Os RNPT foram classificados em dois grupos: Grupo 1- RNPT de mães com fatores de risco maternos para sepse neonatal e Grupo 2- RNPT de mães sem fatores de risco maternos para sepse. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue do cordão umbilical e da saliva não estimulada nas primeiras 24 e 48 horas de vida para dosage de MDA, SOD, CAL, GPX. Resultados: Na amostra houve prevalência do sexo feminino, de RNPT adequados para a idade gestacional. Quanto a necessidade de oxigênio (61,9%) utilizaram. Foi feito o diagnóstico de sepse presumida em 9,5%. Houve somente diferença estatística na variável GPX no grupo 1.).Conclusão: Os dados deste estudo apontam para um aumento da concentração da GPX no sangue da veia umbilical dos RNPT do grupo das mães com fatores de risco maternos para sepse neonatal precoce. Sem significância estatística na comparação da saliva e o sangue do cordão umbilical. Não houve diferença estatísticamente significante nas variáveis MDA, SOD, CAT entre os dois grupos tanto na saliva de 24 e 48 horas de vida quanto no sangue do cordão umbilical. A dosagem de GPX o sangue do cordão umbilical pode ser uma possível ferramenta diagnóstica para identificar de forma mais rápida a suspeição de sepse neonatal precoce do RNPT de mãe com fator de risco para sepse neonatal precoce sem produzir maior estresse ao paciente / Objectives: To determine the concentration of the Lipid Peroxidation Marker: Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Antioxidant Markers: Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), Catalase (CAT); in umbilical cord blood and non-stimulated saliva in the first 24 and 48 hours of life in Pre-Term Newborns (PTN) with and without maternal risk factors for early neonatal sepsis. Casuistic / Methodology: Twenty - one PTN born at the Maternity Hospital and from the Neonatal Service of the Municipal Hospital of Barueri, São Paulo, Brazil, were studied. Preterm infants were classified into two groups: Group 1 - Preterm infants of mothers with maternal risk factors for neonatal sepsis and Group 2 - Preterm infants of mothers without maternal risk factors for sepsis. Blood samples from umbilical cord and non-stimulated saliva were collected in the first 24 and 48 hours of life for dosage of MDA, SOD, CAT, GPX. Results: In the sample, there was a prevalence of female, preterm infants suitable for gestational age. Regarding the need for oxygen (61.9%) they used. The diagnosis of presumed sepsis was made in 9.5%. There was only statistical difference in the GPX variable in group 1. Conclusion: The data from this study point to an increase in GPX concentration in the umbilical vein blood of the PTNB group of mothers with maternal risk factors for early neonatal sepsis. No statistical significance in the comparison of saliva and umbilical cord blood. There was no statistically significant difference in the MDA, SOD, and CAT variables between the two groups in both saliva of 24 and 48 hours of life and in umbilical cord blood. The measurement of GPX umbilical cord blood may be a possible diagnostic tool to more quickly identify the suspicion of early neonatal sepsis of the PTN from a mother with maternal risk factor for early neonatal sepsis without producing greater stress to the patient

Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-08-14T18:09:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LucianaFarias.pdf: 24712291 bytes, checksum: d8760f57e945d0cde298c31a44b38539 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-14T18:09:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LucianaFarias.pdf: 24712291 bytes, checksum: d8760f57e945d0cde298c31a44b38539 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-11-04 / This work is discussed the conceptual model of a multi-agent system for environmental monitoring with the use of biomarkers of aquatic organisms present in the port complex of São Luís-Maranhão-Brasil, second most important in the country in cargo handling. Located in the São Marcos Bay, this complex have an estuarine ecosystems which have suffered attacks in the current process of economic development, caused by intense port handling, dumping of ballast water and washing the vessels, overfishing, introduction of exotic species in the middle pollution in urban and industrial effluents, subject to severe environmental impacts that should be monitored. Methodologically, the modeling of the monitoring solution, we used the existing environmental conditions and aquatic life caught in two different sites of the port complex, the first in a potentially contaminated area and the second in a contamination-free (control), proposing the creation of a network of sensors in these locations. Invest conceded data by Carvalho-Neta (2007) whose research includes to catch fish in these perimeters, then submitting them for laboratory analysis to measure the enzyme activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and Catalase (CAT), the result was processed and recorded in bio-ontology . The core of the solution of Multi-agent system is based on the results derived from the biochemical analysis of GST, inspiring the modeling software agent that simulates the behavior of this enzyme. The solution also includes an application running on mobile devices that makes the collection of environmental variables in the selected points, validates them and makes the inference of those who could not be collected. Multi-agent System for Environmental Monitoring of the Port Complex of the Island of São Luís-Maranhão- Brasil, therefore, is made up of the bio-ontology, sensor networking, mobile application collection and inference of data from environmental conditions, software agents to simulate biochemical analysis, calculation of GST activity and other staff related to the maintenance and security of the SMA. / Nesta dissertação é discutido o modelo conceitual de um sistema multiagente para monitoramento ambiental com uso de marcadores biológicos de organismos aquáticos presentes no complexo portuário de São Luís-MA, segundo mais importante do país em movimentação de carga. Situado na Baía de São Marcos, esse complexo possui um dos ecossistemas estuarinos que mais têm sofrido agressões no atual processo de desenvolvimento econômico, provocadas pela intensa movimentação portuária, despejo de água de lastro e lavagem dos navios, pesca predatória, introdução de espécies exóticas no meio, poluição por efluentes domésticos e industriais, sujeitando o ambiente a fortes impactos ambientais que devem ser monitorados. Metodologicamente, na modelagem da solução de monitoramento, utilizou-se o registro das condições ambientais e de organismos aquáticos capturados em dois pontos distintos do complexo portuário: o primeiro, em uma área potencialmente contaminada e o segundo em uma livre de contaminação (controle), propondo-se a criação de uma rede de sensores nesses locais. Empregou-se dados cedidos por Carvalho-Neta (2007) cuja pesquisa contou com a captura de peixes nesses perímetros, submetendo-os posteriormente a análise laboratorial para medição da atividade enzimática da Glutationa s- Transferase (GST) e Catalase (CAT), tendo todos os resultados processados e registrados em bio-ontologia. O núcleo da solução do Sistema Multiagente baseia-se nos resultados oriundos da análise bioquímica da GST, inspirando a modelagem de agente de software que simula o comportamento desta enzima. Todos esses dados foram registrados em bio-ontologia. A solução contempla também uma aplicação executada em dispositivos móveis que realiza a coleta das variáveis abióticas nos pontos selecionados, valida-as e realiza a inferência daquelas que não puderam ser coletadas. O Sistema Multiagente para Monitoramento Ambiental do Complexo Portuário da Ilha de São Luís, portanto, é constituído pelo conjunto da bio-ontologia, rede de sensores, aplicação móvel de coleta e inferência de dados das condições do meio ambiente, agentes de software para simulação de análise bioquímica, cálculo da atividade da GST e outros agentes relacionados à manutenção e segurança do SMA.

Submitted by Diego Santos (diegosantos@unipampa.edu.br) on 2015-04-10T11:49:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 111010003.pdf: 1306168 bytes, checksum: 65e96979f53ded7b91f629af13358a87 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-10T11:49:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 111010003.pdf: 1306168 bytes, checksum: 65e96979f53ded7b91f629af13358a87 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-20 / O metilmercúrio (MeHg) é um agente tóxico que causa importantes prejuízos à saúde humana e ambiental. Parte desses efeitos está relacionado a sua capacidade de induzir estresse oxidativo. Os mecanismos precisos pelos quais o MeHg leva ao estresse oxidativo ainda não estão bem esclarecidos. Dados na literatura apontam para a participação de selenoproteínas como a glutationa peroxidase e a tioredoxina redutase neste processo. Neste estudo, buscou-se investigar o papel de isoformas de glutationa peroxidase (GPx1 e GPx4) e da tioredoxina redutase (TrxR1) na neurotoxicidade induzida por MeHg em camundongos, focando na atividade e expressão destas proteínas. Nossos resultados mostraram, que o tratamento de camundongos Swiss machos adultos com MeHg (40 mg/L na água de beber) durante 21 dias causa uma diminuição significativa na atividade das enzimas GPx e TrxR no córtex e cerebelo dos animais tratados, em comparação com os controles. Observou-se também uma significativa redução na expressão de GPx1, GPx4 e TrxR1 no cerebelo dos animais tratados, enquanto que no córtex apenas GPx4 e TrxR1 foram afetadas. Concomitantemente a estes resultados, observou-se um aumento significativo na atividade das enzimas antioxidantes SOD, CAT, GR e GST no cerebelo e da CAT no cortex. A expressão de HSP70 foi significativamente aumentada no cerebelo dos animais tratados. Estes dados denotam uma clara resposta celular antioxidante frente aos efeitos tóxicos do MeHg em nosso modelo, reforçando dados da literatura que indicam o estresse oxidativo como um importante mecanismos na neurotoxicidade induzida por este organometal. Além disso, nossos resultados apontam para isoformas de glutationa peroxidase e tioredoxina redutase como importantes alvos moleculares do MeHg e, ao menos, em nosso conhecimento, este é o primeiro estudo demonstrando o papel da GPx4 na neurotoxicidade induzida por este agente tóxico ambiental. Outro objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar os efeitos biológicos do extrato da alga Prasiola crispa(PcE), oriunda do continente Antártico, nos modelos de Drosophila melanogaster e Nauphoeta cinérea. Organismos adaptados a ambientes extremos como a Antártica tendem a apresentarem uma constituição única em termos de metabólitos secundários. Desta forma, estudos que visem à elucidação de efeitos biológicos de organismos oriundos destas regiões tendem a apresentarem relevância do ponto de vista biotecnológico. Nossos dados apontam para um potencial biocida de PcE nos modelos de mosca-da-fruta (Drosophila melanogaster) e barata cinerea (Nauphoeta cinerea), visto que a administração do extrato induziu toxicidade nos dois modelos. A toxicidade em D. melanogaster foi avaliada como percentagem de mortalidade, atividade locomotora (geotaxia negativa) e alterações bioquímicas incluindo atividade acetilcolinesterase (AChE) e marcadores de estresse oxidativo.Também foi investigada a ação cardiotóxica do extrato no modelo de coração semi-isolado de barata cinerea. A administração do extrato(2mg/ml) foi feita por 24 horas e, nas moscas, causou um aumento massivo na mortalidade (aumento de 7,6 vezes em relação ao controle). Também foi observado um aumento significativo na atividade locomotora, indicando uma ação neurotóxica do extrato. A atividade AChE, os níveis de glutationa e formação de hidroperóxido manteve-se inalterada. A atividade da glutationa S-transferase aumentou significativamente após a administração de PcE, já a atividade da catalase diminuiu significativamente em moscas que receberam o extrato. No modelo de coração semi-isolado de barata, foi observado uma diminuição da freqüência cardíaca. A incubação do extrato com DTNB, um forte agente oxidante, bloqueou significativamente o efeito cardiotóxico do extrato, sugerindo que compostos redutores podem ser responsáveis pelo efeito observado. Desta forma, este estudo demonstrou os efeitos tóxicos de PcE, em dois modelos de inseto, sugerindo seu potencial como bioinseticida. Os mecanismos precisos relacionados a este efeito ainda necessitam de esclarecimentos, entretanto, alterações em sistemas antioxidantes vitais podem estar envolvidos. / Methylmercury (MeHg) is a toxic agent that causes severe damage to human health and the environment. These effects are related to its ability to induce oxidative stress. The precise mechanisms by which MeHg leads to oxidative stress are not well understood. Data from literature point to the involvement of selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase in this process. In this study, we sought to investigate the role of isoforms of glutathione peroxidase (GPx4 and GPx1) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1) in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity in mice, focusing on activity and expression of these proteins. Our results showed that treatment of adult male mice Swiss with MeHg (40 mg / L in drinking water) for 21 days causes a significant decrease in GPx and TrxR enzyme activity in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of treated animals when compared to controls. We also observed a significant reduction in the expression of GPx1, GPx4 and TrxR1 in the cerebellum of the treated animals, whereas in the cortex only GPx4 and TrxR1 are affected..In parallel, we observed a significant increase in antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, GR and GST in the cerebellum and CAT in cortex. HSP70 expression was significantly increased in the cerebellum of the treated animals. These results show a clear antioxidant cell response against the toxic effects of MeHg in our model, reinforcing the literature data indicating oxidative stress as an important mechanism in the neurotoxicity induced by this organometal. Furthermore, our results point to isoforms of glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase as important molecular targets of MeHg and, at least, to our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the role of GPx4 in the neurotoxicity induced by this toxic environmental agent. Another objective of this study was to investigate the biological effects of the extract of the alga Prasiola crispa (PcE), from the Antarctic continent, in the insect models Drosophila melanogaster and Nauphoeta cinerea. Organisms adapted to extreme environments such as Antarctica tend to present a unique composition in terms of secondary metabolites. Thus, studies aimed at elucidating the biological effects of organisms from these areas tend to be relevant in a biotechnological point of view. Our data demonstrates a potential biocide PcE effect in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and lobster cockroach (Nauphoeta cinerea), since the administration of the extract induced toxicity in both models. Toxicity in D. melanogaster was assessed as percentage of mortality, locomotor activity (negative geotaxis) and biochemical measurements including acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and markers of oxidative stress. We also investigated the cardiotoxic action of the extract in a cockroach semi-isolated heart model. The administration of the extract (2 mg / ml) for 24 hours toflies, caused a massive increase in mortality (7.6-fold increase compared to control). We also observed a significant increase in locomotor activity, indicating a neurotoxic action of the extract. AChE activity, glutathione levels and the formation of hydroperoxide remained unchanged. The activity of glutathione S-transferase significantly increased after administration of PcE while catalase activity was significantly decreased in flies that received the extract. A significant decrease in heart rate in the cockroach semi-isolated heart model was observed after PcE administration. The incubation of the extract with DTNB, a strong oxidizing agent, significantly blocked the cardiotoxic effect of the extract, suggesting that reducing compounds may be responsible for the observed effect. Thus, this study demonstrated, for the first time, the toxic effects of PcE, in two insect models, suggesting its potential as a bioinsecticide. The precise mechanisms related to this effect still need clarification, however, changes in vital antioxidant systems may be involved.

Objetivos. Avaliar o papel do transplante de células hematopoiéticas (TCH) e da interleucina 6 (IL – 6) sobre vários parâmetros de estresse oxidativo em pacientes com Adrenoleucodistrofia ligada ao cromossomo X (X-ALD). Métodos. A concentração de malondialdeído (MDA), o conteúdo de carbolinas e sulfidrilas e a concentração de ácido hexacosanóico (C26:0) foram quantificados no plasma de pacientes X-ALD antes e após serem submetidos ao TCH. E, a concentração de MDA, a formação de carbonilas e a concentração de IL-6 foram quantificados em plasma e o conteúdo de glutationa reduzida (GSH) foi quantificado em eritrócitos de pacientes X-ALD com fenótipos cerebral infantil (cALD) ou assintomáticos no momento diagnóstico. Resultados. Observamos um aumento significativo na concentração de MDA em plasma de pacientes X-ALD antes e após o TCH em comparação ao grupo controle e uma redução significativa nesses valores após o transplante em comparação aos anteriores ao procedimento. Verificamos uma redução significativa no conteúdo de sulfidrilas no plasma de pacientes X-ALD antes do TCH em comparação ao grupo controle e um aumento significativo desses níveis após o TCH. Não observamos diferenças significativas no conteúdo de carbonilas no plasma de X-ALD antes e após o TCH, em comparação aos controles, apesar de observarmos uma redução significativa nesta determinação nos pacientes após o transplante em relação a antes do TCH. Os pacientes X-ALD apresentam níveis plasmáticos de C26:0 significativamente aumentados antes do TCH em comparação aos controles e, após o TCH, as concentrações de C26:0 foram reduzidas. Observamos uma correlação negativa significativa entre a medida do conteúdo de sulfidrilas e os níveis plasmáticos de C26:0 de indivíduos X-ALD antes do TCH. Também evidenciamos elevados níveis de MDA e da formação de carbonilas no plasma de pacientes cALD e assintomáticos em comparação ao grupo controle. Ainda, observamos redução significativa do conteúdo de GSH nos dois grupos testados comparados aos controles. A quantificação de IL-6 foi significativamente maior nos pacientes cALD, o que não foi observado nos pacientes assintomáticos, apesar destes mostrarem uma tendência de aumento da concentração de IL-6. Conclusões. Os resultados obtidos a partir do plasma de pacientes X-ALD antes e após o TCH demonstram que esta terapia, quando bem indicada e bem sucedida, tem alta efetividade em reduzir a concentração plasmática de C26:0 e é eficaz em reduzir a peroxidação lipídica e o dano oxidativo às proteínas nos pacientes X-ALD. Ainda, é possível relacionar o acúmulo de C26:0 e o dano oxidativo na patogênese da X-ALD. Nossos dados permitem sugerir que a lipoperoxidação e o dano oxidativo às proteínas possam de alguma forma estar envolvidos na fisiopatologia da X-ALD. Além disso, podemos presumir que, nos pacientes X-ALD assintomáticos estudados, o dano oxidativo e os aspectos inflamatórios desempenham papéis importantes na evolução e nas futuras manifestações do fenótipo neuronal. Também podemos supor que a administração de antioxidantes deve ser considerada como uma terapia adjuvante potencial para os pacientes assintomáticos e sintomáticos afetados pela X-ALD, inclusive para aqueles submetidos ao TCH. / Objective. We aimed to evaluate the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and interleukin 6 (IL – 6) on various parameters of oxidative stress in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) patients. Methods. Malondialdehyde (MDA), sulfhydryl, carbonyl and hexacosanoic acid (C26:0) levels were measured in plasma from X-ALD patients before and after HSCT. And, MDA, carbonyl and IL-6 levels were measured in plasma and reduced glutathione (GSH) content was measured in erythrocytes from X-ALD patients with different phenotype (asymptomatic and childhood cerebral (CCER patients) at diagnosis moment. Results. We observed increased levels of MDA in plasma from X-ALD before and after HSCT compared to control group, but there was a significant reduction in MDA values after transplantation compared to levels found before the procedure. We verified a significant decrease in sulfhydryl content in plasma of X-ALD patients before HSCT compared with the control group and we also verified a significant increase in the levels of sulfhydryl content after HSCT. No significant differences were observed in carbonyl content in plasma of X-ALD before and after HSCT, compared to controls. However, we observed a significant reduction of plasma carbonyl content from X-ALD patients after HSCT compared to before HSCT. X-ALD patients presented a significant increase of C26:0 plasma level before HSCT when compared to controls and an important reduction of C26:0 plasma concentration in X-ALD patients after HSCT when compared to before HSCT C26:0 levels. We observed an inverse significant correlation between sulfhydryl content and plasma C26:0 levels of X-ALD individuals before HSCT. We also evidenced high levels of MDA and carbonyl formation in plasma from CCER and asymptomatic patients compared to controls. Still, we observed a significant decrease of GSH content in both groups tested compared to controls. The quantification of IL-6 is significantly higher in CCER patients, which is not observed in asymptomatic patients, despite these patients show a tendency of increased concentration of IL-6. Conclusions. The results obtained from plasma of X-ALD patients before and after HSCT demonstrate that this therapy, when well indicated and successful, has high effectiveness in reducing C26:0 plasma and is effective in reducing lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage to proteins in X-ALD patients. Still, it is possible to relate the accumulation of C26:0 and oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of X-ALD. Our data also suggest that lipid peroxidation and protein damage may somehow be involved in the pathophysiology of X-ALD. Moreover, we can assume that in our asymptomatic X-ALD patients, oxidative damage and inflammatory issues seem to play an important role in the evolution and future manifestations of neuronal phenotype. We can also assume that the administration of antioxidants should be considered as a potential adjuvant therapy for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients affected by X-ALD, including those that are submitted to HSCT.

A hipertensão arterial pulmonar é uma síndrome caracterizada por vasoconstrição e remodelamento vascular pulmonar, levando a um aumento progressivo na resistência vascular pulmonar, que eleva a pós-carga imposta ao ventrículo direito, gerando consequente hipertrofia e insuficiência cardíaca direita. Essa doença acomete duas vezes mais mulheres do que homens. O estresse oxidativo está envolvido na patogênese da hipertensão arterial pulmonar. O hormônio estrogênio, comportando-se como scavenger de radicais livres, é capaz de modular o estresse oxidativo. O modelo experimental de hipertensão arterial pulmonar induzido por monocrotalina vem sendo utilizado por mimetizar as alterações que decorrem desta patologia em humanos. Dessa maneira, o objetivo desse estudo foi testar a hipótese de que o estrogênio poderia atenuar a hipertrofia do ventrículo direito e sua progressão para insuficiência cardíaca, modulando o estresse oxidativo, nos animais que receberam a monocrotalina. Ratas wistar fêmeas com 60 dias foram ovariectomizadas ou sofreram simulação da mesma. Após sete dias, receberam implantação de pellets subcutâneos com 17β-estradiol ou óleo de girassol. Neste momento, foi também administrada injeção intraperitoneal de monocrotalina ou salina. Os grupos experimentais foram: sham (S) - simulação da cirurgia de ovariectomia, não submetidas ao tratamento com MCT; sham + MCT (SM) - simulação da cirurgia de ovariectomia, e tratadas com MCT; ovariectomia (O) - cirurgia de ovariectomia, não submetidas ao tratamento com MCT; ovariectomia + MCT (OM) - cirurgia de ovariectomia, e tratadas com MCT; ovariectomia + MCT + reposição estrogênio (OMR) - cirurgia de ovariectomia, tratadas com MCT e estrogênio. As medidas hemodinâmicas foram realizadas 21 dias após a administração da monocrotalina ou salina nos animais ovariectomizados e, nos outros grupos, na fase do diestro. Foi verificada a pressão diastólica final do ventrículo direito, pressão sistólica do ventrículo direito e frequência cardíaca. Após a análise, as ratas foram mortas por deslocamento cervical e o coração, pulmão, fígado e útero foram coletados. As análises morfométricas foram realizadas após a retirada dos órgãos para avaliar hipertrofia cardíaca, congestão pulmonar e hepática. Amostras de ventrículo direito foram utilizadas para analisar a concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio, a razão da glutationa reduzida/oxidada, lipoperoxidação e defesas antioxidantes enzimáticas. O imunoconteúdo de ANP (peptídeo natriurético atrial) foi também avaliado em homogeneizado cardíaco. Os dados de pressão sistólica, hipertrofia cardíaca, defesa antioxidante enzimática, concentração de peróxido de hidrogênio e lipoperoxidação não mostraram diferença entre os grupos. Houve congestão pulmonar no grupo OM, sendo esta diminuída no grupo OMR. Isto sugere que o estrogênio esteja atenuando a resistência vascular pulmonar. Também houve aumento da pressão diastólica final do ventrículo direito nos grupos OM e OMR. A razão das glutationas se mostrou diminuída nos grupos O, OM e OMR, assim como a glutationa reduzida nos grupos O e OM, sugerindo a influência do estrogênio na modulação do estado redox celular. Os dados sugerem que o estrogênio possa exercer grande influência no equilíbrio redox celular, podendo este efeito contribuir para evitar o surgimento do edema pulmonar, característico deste modelo de hipertensão arterial pulmonar e insuficiência do ventrículo direito. / Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a syndrome characterized by vasoconstriction and pulmonary vascular remodeling, leading to a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, which increases the afterload imposed on the right ventricle, causing consequent hypertrophy and heart failure. This disease affects twice as many women as men. The oxidative stress is involved in pulmonary artery hypertension, as well as the estrogen hormone modulating the oxidative stress, behaving like scavenger of free radicals. The experimental model of pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline has been used to mimic the changes from this pathology. Thus, the objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that estrogen could attenuate ventricular hypertrophy law and its progression to heart failure, modulating oxidative stress in animals received monocrotaline. Female Wistar rats aged 60 days were ovariectomized or underwent sham same, 7 days after implantation of pellets were subcutaneous 17β-estradiol or sunflower oil more intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline or saline. The experimental groups (n = 9-13 per group) were: SHAM (S) – sham surgery, ovariectomy, no treated with MCT, MCT + SHAM - simulation of ovariectomy surgical and treated with MCT; OVARIECTOMY (O) – ovariectomy surgical, no treated with MCT, MCT + OVARIECTOMY (OM) –ovariectomy surgical, and treated with MCT; MCT + + OVARIECTOMY ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT (OMR) - surgery, ovariectomy, and treated with MCT estrogen. Hemodynamic measurements were performed 21 days after administration of saline or monocrotaline in ovariectomized animals and other groups in diestrus phase with anesthetized animals. The ventricular end diastolic pressure right ventricular systolic pressure and right heart rate was verified. After analyzing, the rats were killed by cervical dislocation and the heart, lung, liver and uterus were collected. Analyses morphometry were performed after withdrawal of agencies to evaluate cardiac hypertrophy, congestion lung and liver. The right ventricular mass was used to analyze the redox status (hydrogen peroxide and glutathione ratio) antioxidant enzymatic defenses and protein expression of ANP. The Data for systolic blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, antioxidant defense enzyme concentration hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation showed no difference between the groups, which may be related with normal distribution. There was congestion pulmonary CO group and decreased in group OMR, suggesting that estrogen is attenuating the pulmonary vascular resistance, as well as increased end-diastolic pressure in the right ventricle OMR and OM groups. The glutathione ratio was shown decreased in groups O, CO and OMR, as well as reduced glutathione in groups O and CO, suggesting the influence of estrogen on modulation of cellular redox state. The data suggest that estrogen can exert great influence on the cellular redox balance and this effect may help to avoid the appearance of pulmonary edema, a characteristic of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure.

Apparues il y a environ trois milliards d'années, les cyanobactéries ont façonné notre planète, en produisant l’atmosphère oxygénique. De nos jours, les cyanobactéries sont les organismes photosynthétiques les plus abondants dans notre environnement, elles assurent environ 30 à 40% de la production d'O2, et de la consommation du CO2 par les océans et constituent le premier maillon de la chaîne alimentaire. A part la photosynthèse, leur métabolisme est encore très mal connu. Ainsi, pour mieux comprendre le métabolisme cyanobactérien et proposer des stratégies de reprogrammation, il est primordial de développer des méthodes analytiques permettant l’étude globale de leur métabolisme en réponse à des variations de conditions environnementales et de stress. La cyanobactérie modèle Synechocystis PCC6803 convient parfaitement à ce type d’analyse. En effet, Synechocystis est un unicellulaire, hétérotrophe facultative capable de se développer en eau douce ou saumâtre et à un pH alcalin. Synechocystis possède un petit génome d’environ 4.0 Mb entièrement séquencé et facilement manipulable grâce aux outils développés au laboratoire. Son génome prédit l'existence d'un métabolisme carboné complexe mais encore peu étudié. Mon travail de thèse est centré sur cette analyse par la combinaison de deux approches, la génomique fonctionnelle et la métabolomique. Durant ma thèse en collaboration avec le LEMM dirigé par Christophe Junot iBiTec-S/SPI, j’ai développé un protocole d’extraction des métabolites de Synechocystis, ainsi qu’une méthode d’analyse métabolomique par couplage de la chromatographie liquide à la spectrométrie de masse LTQ-Orbitrap à haute résolution. L’application de cette nouvelle méthode analytique m’a permis d’étudier l’influence de la lumière et du glucose sur le métabolisme de Synechocystis. Ainsi, j’ai montré que Synechocystis cultivée en présence du glucose reprogramme fortement son métabolisme. Parmi les résultats très intéressants, j’ai montré que le glucose engendre un stress oxydant. Chez tous les organismes, une forte activité du métabolisme carboné entraîne la production de métabolites toxiques tels que le méthyglyoxal (MG). Le MG modifie irréversiblement de nombreuses bio-molécules. Dans le cadre de ma thèse, j’ai commencé à m’intéresser à l'effet du MG sur la physiologie et le métabolisme de Synechocystis. J'ai construit 25 mutants KO pour les gènes de la glycolyse et du métabolisme du glycérol permettant de moduler la concentration intracellulaire de MG et également les gènes impliqués dans les voies de détoxication du MG dont celle dépendante de la synthèse du GSH (la voie des glyoxalases). J’ai pu montrer que les gènes responsables de la synthèse du GSH sont essentiels à la viabilité cellulaire. Je suis parvenu toutefois à obtenir un mutant déplété de gshB et ne produisant plus de GSH à un niveau détectable. En faisant une analyse métabolomique approfondie, j’ai mis en évidence pour la première fois que Synechocystis était capable produire deux tripeptides non-thiolés analogues structuraux du GSH; l’acide ophthalmique et l’acide norophthalmique identifiés jusqu’à présent uniquement chez les mammifères. La comparaison des métabolomes de culture de souches sauvage, ou dépletées en gshA, gshB ou ggt, a permis de montré que ces analogues sont synthétisés par les mêmes enzymes que le GSH à savoir GshA et GshB. Par ailleurs, une autre molécule anti-oxydante dont la synthèse est connue chez quelques champignons et qui s’accumule chez l’Homme par l’apport alimentaire a également été observée. / Cyanobacteria are fascinating microorganisms. They are among the oldest life forms, regarded as the progenitors of the oxygenic photosynthesis and plant chloroplast. Furthermore, cyanobacteria have evolved as the largest and most diverse groups of bacteria in colonizing most marine and fresh waters, as well as soils. An important reason for the hardness of cyanobacteria is their successful combination of effective metabolic pathways driven by their efficient photosynthesis that uses nature's most abundant resources, solar energy, water and CO2, to produce a large part of the Planet's oxygenic atmosphere and organic assimilates for the food chain. Hence, cyanobacteria are receiving a growing attention because of their potential for the carbon-neutral production of biofuels and bioplastics. To better understand cyanobacteria and turn their biotechnological potentials into an industrial reality, we need to develop robust protocols for global analysis of their metabolism and its responses to environmental stresses. The model cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC6803 is well suited for this purpose. Synechocystis is a basic organism, i.e. unicellular, which grows well (i) in fresh- and marine-waters; (ii) in the presence of glucose that can compensate for the absence of light; and (iii) at high pH that prevents microbial contaminations. Furthermore, Synechocystis harbors a small sequenced genome (about 4.0 Mb), which can be easily manipulated. In the present work, we developed a robust protocol for metabolome analyses of Synechocystis, using liquid chromatography (LC) for metabolite separation, coupled to a LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer that provides high sensitivity and resolution, accurate mass measurements, and structural informations with MS/MS or sequential MSn experiments that facilitate metabolite identification. Consequently, we applied the PFPP-LC/MS method to analyze the metabolome of Synechocystis growing under various conditions of light and glucose, which strongly influence cell growth. We found that glucose increases glucose storage and catabolism, while it decreases the Calvin-Benson cycle that consumes photosynthetic electrons for CO2 assimilation. Depending on light and glucose availabilities, this global metabolic reprogramming can generate an oxidative stress, likely through the recombination of the glucose-spared electrons with the photosynthetic oxygen thereby producing toxic reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, we studied the metabolism of an endogenous toxic the méthylglyoxal and its main catabolic pathway going through the glyoxalases system glutathione dependent.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a grade IV astrocytoma and is the most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Without treatment, patients are expected to survive an average of three months. Conversely, current treatment regimens only extend survival to 12-14 months. Characteristically, GBM tumors are highly proliferative, invasive and stop responding to treatments relatively fast due to therapy resistance. Interestingly, GBM also exhibits high metabolic activity but manages to maintain a low level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS neutralization capabilities are sustained by system Xc–, a sodium-independent, electro neutral transporter that is found in the plasma membrane of GBM cells. System Xc– is composed of a regulatory heavy subunit (4F2hc) linked to a 12 transmembrane domain catalytic light chain subunit (xCT) that mediates the uptake of L-cystine into the cell, and L-glutamate out of the cell, at a 1:1 ratio. Imported cystine is quickly reduced to L- cysteine, the rate limiting substrate in glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Glutathione is a major antioxidant in the central nervous system that is responsible for maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis by neutralizing ROS by direct and indirect methods. The function of chemo and radiation therapy is to generate significant levels of ROS that tigger the cell to undergo apoptosis. High intracellular GSH levels in cancer cells are associated with drug resistance and detoxification of alkylating agents such as temozolomide (TMZ). Therefore, system Xc– represents a potential target to reduce glioma cell survival and reduce tumor progression. Sulfasalazine is an FDA approved drug in the treatment of arthritis and Crohne’s disease and has been shown to inhibit system Xc–. In vitro SASP studies demonstrated a strong antitumor potential in preclinical mouse models of malignant glioma. However, two clinical trials using sulfasalazine with standard chemo and radiation therapy to treat GBM patients were terminated due to off-target effects. Both results showed high toxicity and no change in the overall survival of patients. These studies demonstrate the need for a more effective inhibitor of system Xc–. To further elucidate the role of system Xc– in GBM survival, stable xCT knock-down and over-expressing U251 glioma cells were generated. These lines were characterized for survival, proliferation, apoptosis and resistance to oxidative and genotoxic insult. As expected xCT-knockdown cells exhibited lower GSH levels, increased intracellular ROS and markers for apoptosis after oxidative and genotoxic insult. The xCT-over-expressing cells displayed higher levels of GSH, increased resistance to hydrogen peroxide and various chemotherapy drugs including TMZ. An interesting unforeseen result of xCT over-expression in glioma cells was an increase in the metabolic activity as a result of increased mitochondria. Using xCT-modified glioma lines stably, we demonstrate for the first time that system XC– over-expression not only promotes survival under oxidative stress but may also decreases sensitivity to chemotherapy treatment and increase metabolic properties. Therefore, therapeutic manipulation of this transporter either alone or in combination with other treatments may improve clinical outcome in patients diagnosed with GBM.

The objective of the research was to investigate proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions involving antioxidants to gain insight into the detailed mechanisms of glutathione (GSH), Trolox, and α-tocopherol (α-TOH). PCET reactions are complex redox reactions that transfer electrons and protons sequentially or in concert. These reactions are ubiquitous in natural or artificial processes that produce electrochemical energy that is extractable as electricity or as chemical fuels of high energy content. Examples of processes based on PCET are photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogen fixation, carbon dioxide reduction, redox fuel cells, and artificial photosynthesis. Antioxidants were selected as a PCET model to understand the coupling between proton transfer (PT) and electron transfer (ET) in order to elucidate structure-reactivity relationships under different experimental conditions. PCET reactions were studied with a set of electrochemical techniques to propose a preliminary mechanism that could be validated with digital simulations matching the electrochemical response. In some cases, other analytical techniques were used to aid in the system characterization. This thesis presents the results and discussion of the effects of oxidant-base pairs on the mediated oxidation of GSH, the -2e-/-H+ process of Trolox in aqueous and nonaqueous solvents with various pH values, and the particle collision electrolysis of α-tocopherol in oil-in-water emulsion droplets on an ultramicroelectrode. Ultimately our goal was to determine the kinetic and thermodynamic factors that control PCET reactions so that they can be applied in designing artificial systems for the production of energy using more abundant reagents with lower cost and better yields.

<p>Glutathione transferases (GSTs) are detoxication enzymes involved in the cellular protection against a wide range of reactive substances. The role of GSTs is to catalyze the conjugation of glutathione with electrophilic compounds, which generally results in less toxic products. </p><p>The ability to catalyze the denitrosation of the anticancer drug 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)- 1-nitrosourea (BCNU) was measured in twelve different GSTs. Only three of the enzymes showed any measurable activity with BCNU, of which human GST T1-1 was the most efficient. This is of special interest, since human GST T1-1 is a polymorphic protein and its expression in different patients may be crucial for the response to BCNU.</p><p>DNA shuffling was used to create a mutant library by recombination of cDNA coding for two different Theta-class GSTs. In total, 94 randomly picked mutants were characterized with respect to their catalytic activity with six different substrates, expression level and sequence. A clone with only one point mutation compared to wild-type rat GST T2-2 had a significantly different substrate-activity pattern. A high expressing mutant of human GST T1-1 was also identified, which is important, since the yield of the wild-type GST T1-1 is generally low. </p><p>Characterization of the Theta library demonstrated divergence of GST variants both in structure and function. The properties of every mutant were treated as a point in a six-dimensional substrate-activity space. Groups of mutants were formed based on euclidian distances and K-means cluster analyses. Both methods resulted in a set of five mutants with high alkyltransferase activities toward dichloromethane and 4-nitrophenethyl bromide (NPB). </p><p>The five selected mutants were used as parental genes in a new DNA shuffling. Addition of cDNA coding for mouse and rat GST T1-1 improved the genetic diversity of the library. The evolution of GST variants was directed towards increased alkyltransferase activity including activity with the anticancer drug BCNU. NPB was used as a surrogate substrate in order to facilitate the screening process. A mutant from the second generation displayed a 65-fold increased catalytic activity with NPB as substrate compared to wild-type human GST T1-1. The BCNU activity with the same mutant had increased 175-fold, suggesting that NPB is a suitable model substrate for the anticancer drug. Further evolution presented a mutant in the fifth generation of the library with 110 times higher NPB activity than wild-type human GST T1-1.</p>

<p>The glutathione transferases (GSTs) represent a superfamily of dimeric proteins involved in cellular detoxication by catalyzing the nucleophilic addition of the reduced glutathione (GSH) to the hydrophobic electrophiles. The present work focuses on the functional role of the conserved structures of GSTP1-1. The lock-and-key motif is a highly conserved hydrophobic interaction in the subunit interface of Pi, Mu, and Alpha class GSTs. The key residue (Tyr⁵⁰ in hGSTP1-1) of one subunit is wedged into a hydrophobic pocket of the neighboring subunit. The heterodimer GSTP1/Y50A was constructed from the fully active wild-type GSTP1-1 and the nearly inactive Y50A in order to study how an essentially inactive subunit influences the activity of the neighboring subunit. The results illuminate the vital role of the lock-and-key motif in modulating the GSH binding and the rate of catalysis. Additionally, the two active sites of the dimeric enzyme work synergistically. An observed water network, in hGSTP1-1 structures, connects the two active sites, thereby offering a mechanism for communication between the two active sites.</p><p>Cys⁴⁸ and Tyr⁵⁰ were targeted by mutations and chemical modifications for understanding how the α2 loop residues modulate GSH binding and catalysis. The replacement of Tyr⁵⁰ with different unnatural amino acids showed that the nature of the key residue side-chain influences the interaction with the lock structure and, consequently, the catalytic activity. The K_M^GSH, GSH affinity and protein stability can be modulated by fitting key residue into the lock cavity of the neighbor subunit and, consequently, restriction of the flexibility of the α2 loop. Optimization of the interaction between the key residue and the lock-cavity increases k_cat. Also, the crystal structure of the Cys-free variant was determined. The result indicated that Cys⁴⁸ restricts the flexibility of the α2 loop by interacting with surrounding residues and, consequently, contributes to GSH binding and protein stability.</p>