Abstract Obesity and dyslipidemia are major risk factors for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, and musculoskeletal disorders. In prevention, the major goal is to limit calorie consumption and to reduce LDL-C and triglyceride. Dietary fiber (DF) intake is inversely related to body weight gain, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and CVD. This thesis investigated the effects of the DFs polydextrose (PDX) and lignin-rich insoluble residue (INS) from brewer’s spent grain (BSG) on lipid metabolism and obesity in diet-induced obese mice. In study 1, PDX was investigated on lipid metabolism in Western-diet-fed mice. We found that PDX reduced fasting plasma cholesterol and triglyceride, food intake, and increased bacteria such as Allobaculum, Bifidobacterium and Coriobacteriaceae in the gut. These changes in the gut microbiota with PDX were associated with downregulation of the genes Fiaf, Dgat1 and Cd36, and upregulation of Fxr in the intestine. We suggest that the hypolipidemic effect of PDX is exerted via diet-induced modification of gut microbiota and gene expression. In study II, INS from BSG was studied for its degradation products in mice fed with a fiber-deficient diet. We found that INS was partially degraded by gut microbiota and contributed to the phenolic pool. The major metabolite in mouse urine was 4-methylcatechol, a degradation product of lignin. In study III, the effects of INS from BSG were studied on lipid metabolism and obesity in high-fat diet-fed mice. INS showed hypocholesterolemic effects, reduced body weight and hepatic steatosis, and increased bacterial diversity, Clostridium leptum, and Bacteroides. INS increased bile acid excretion in the feces and upregulated the genes Srebp2, Hmgcr, Ldlr, Cyp7a1, Pparα, Fxr and Pxr in the liver. The present results suggest that INS from BSG induced beneficial systemic changes via bile acid and gut microbiota. In study IV, PDX was investigated for food intake and appetite-related parameters in healthy and overweight females in an acute study. A midmorning preload of 12.5 g PDX reduced hunger by 31.4% during satiation period while there was no significant change in energy intake compared to placebo. In addition, PDX lowered plasma insulin significantly, by 15.7%, and increased GLP-1 by 39.9%. PDX may reduce appetite, but a larger trial would be needed. / Tiivistelmä Liikalihavuus ja rasvatasapainon häiriöt ovat riskitekijöitä sydän- ja verisuonisairauksien, tyypin 2 diabeteksen, syövän sekä luuston ja lihaksiston sairauksien kehittymiseen. Näiden sairauksien ehkäisyssä pääasiallisena tavoitteena on vähentää energiansaantia, LDL-kolesterolia ja triglyseridejä. Ruoan ravintokuitujen saannin on osoitettu olevan yhteydessä painon ja plasman rasvatasojen laskuun sekä sydän- ja verisuonisairauksien vähenemiseen. Tässä tutkimuksessa selvitettiin ravintokuitu polydekstroosin (PDX) ja viljanjyvien prosessoinnista ylijäävän (BSG, brewer’s spent grain) ligniinipitoisen liukenemattoman sivutuotteen (INS) merkitystä rasva-aineenvaihduntaan ja aineenvaihduntasairauksiin liikalihavilla hiirillä. Tutkimuksessa I tarkasteltiin ravintokuitu PDX:n vaikutusta rasvojen aineenvaihduntaan länsimaisella ruokavaliolla ruokituilla hiirillä. Tutkimus osoitti, että ruokavalioon lisätty PDX alensi plasman kolesteroli- ja triglyseriditasoja paastossa sekä hillitsi ravinnonottoa ja lisäsi Allobaculum-, Bifidobacterium- ja Coriobacteriaceae-suolistobaktereja. Nämä suolistomikrobiston muutokset ovat yhteydessä Fiaf, Dgat1 ja Cd36 -geenien ilmentymistasojen laskuun ja Fxr -geenin ilmentymistason nousuun PDX-lisäruokittujen hiirien suolistossa. PDX:n hypolipideeminen vaikutus näyttäisi välittyvän ruokavaliosta johtuvan suoliston geenien ilmentymisen ja suolistomikrobiston muuttumisen kautta. Tutkimuksessa II tarkasteltiin runsaasti ligniiniä sisältävän INS:n hajoamistuotteiden vaikutusta aineenvaihduntaan hiirillä, joiden ruokavaliossa on vähemmän kuitua. Tutkimuksessa havaittiin, että suolistomikrobit hajottivat ravintokuitu INS:n osittain fenoliyhdisteiksi verenkiertoon. INS lisäsi virtsassa 4-metyylikatekolin määrää, joka on ligniinin hajoamistuote. Tutkimuksessa III tarkasteltiin INS-lisäyksen vaikutusta rasva-aineenvaihduntaan ja liikalihavuuteen korkearasvapitoisella ruokavaliolla ruokituilla hiirillä. Tulokset osoittivat, että INS-lisäys ruokavalioon alensi kolesterolia ja eläimen painoa sekä vähensi maksan rasvoittumista ja lisäsi vallitsevien bakteerien monimuotoisuutta, Clostridium leptum- ja Bacteroides -bakteereja. INS lisäsi sappihappojen erittymistä ulosteeseen ja Srebp2, Hmgcr, Ldlr, Cyp7a1, Pparα, Fxr ja Pxr -geenien ilmentymistä maksassa. Tuloksemme osoittivat, että BSG-ylijäämätuotteesta saatu ligniinipitoinen INS sai aikaan hyödyllisiä systeemisiä vaikutuksia suoliston mikrobiston ja sappihappojen muutosten kautta. Tutkimuksessa IV tarkasteltiin PDX:n vaikutusta ravinnonottoon ja ruokahaluun vaikuttaviin muuttujiin normaalipainoisilla ja liikalihavilla naisilla akuutissa tutkimuksessa. Tulosten mukaan ravintokuitu PDX:n nauttiminen aamiaisella vähensi näläntunnetta (31,4 %) seuraavalla aterioinnilla, kun taas plasebolla ei ollut vaikutusta. Lisäksi PDX alensi merkitsevästi insuliinitasoa (15,7 %) ja nosti GLP-1-tasoa (39,9 %). PDX vaikuttaisi vähentävän ruokahalua, mutta lisätutkimuksia tarvitaan.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an increasing problem in modern society, both with regards to public health and cost of care. The causes of AD are not yet fully understood, and there is no cure or inhibiting drug. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the association between the bile acid profile as an indicator of dysbiosis and AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using machine learning algorithms. The hypothesis that bile acid data can be used to predict AD or MCI at the time of diagnosis has been tested, and could not be confirmed. Somewhat better test results were obtained for the transition from normal cognitive function to MCI and from MCI to AD over time. Limitations relevant for this study included the possible uncertainties in the diagnostic patient data as well as in the relationship between bile acids and dysbiosis. The results from transitions in patient's diagnosis could warrant further research on the relationship between the bile acid profile or dysbiosis and changes in cognitive function. We suggest such research is conducted with more sophisticated models. / Alzheimers sjukdom (AD) är ett viktigt och ökande problem i dagens samhälle, både vad gäller folkhälsan och kostnaderna för samhället. Orsakerna bakom AD är än idag inte helt utredda och det finns inget botemedel eller bromsmedicin. Målet med den här studien är att undersöka sambandet mellan gallsyraprofilen som en indikator på dysbios och AD och mild kognitiv störning (MCI) med hjälp av maskininlärningsalgoritmer. Hypotesen att gallsyraprofilen kan användas för att förutsäga AD eller MCI vid diagnostillfället har studerats och kunde inte fastställas. Något bättre resultat erhölls vad gäller övergången från normal kognitiv funktion till MCI och från MCI till AD över tid. Begränsningar som är relavanta för studien inkluderar möjlig osäkerhet vad gäller diagnosen och även vad gäller sambandet mellan gallsyraprofilen och dysbios. Resultaten från förändringen i patienters diagnos kan vara en grund för fortsatt forskning om samband mellan gallsyraprofilen eller dysbios och förändringar i kognitiv funktion. Vi föreslår att mer sofistikerade modeller används för sådan forskning.

La gélification est un phénomène courant dans lequel une grande quantité de solvant est immobilisée dans un réseau constitué de relativement petites quantités de substrat. Avec des propriétés à la fois solides et liquides, un gel est un état unique. L'étude des propriétés et du mécanisme de la gélification attire l'attention des chercheurs du monde entier. Cependant, de nombreuses questions restent en suspens, telles que le processus d'auto-assemblage et les interactions moléculaires dans le système de gel, la relation entre les solutions, les gels et les cristaux et l'organisation moléculaire dans le réseau de gel. L'exploration de ces questions fournira des connaissances sur le mécanisme de gélification et contribuera à la conception et à la fabrication de nouveaux gels aux applications diverses. Cette thèse décrit notre étude des gels et de leur relation avec les solutions et les cristaux à l'aide de sels biliaires, qui sont des molécules amphiphiles naturelles abondantes. La rigidité de la partie stéroïde et l'hydrophobie variable des sels biliaires facilitent l'étude du processus d'autoassemblage. La recherche est présentée à travers trois articles publiés ou soumis au cours de mon programme de doctorat. Le premier article explore les interactions moléculaires qui se produisent dans la formation d'hydrogels moléculaires fabriqués à partir de mélanges de désoxycholate de sodium et d'acide formique. La spectroscopie de résonance magnétique nucléaire fournit de nouvelles informations sur la transition gel-sol au niveau moléculaire, l'interaction entre les espèces libres/gélifiées et l'interaction des régions hydrophobes des sels biliaires avec le réseau de gel. Le deuxième article résume notre exploration de la relation entre les gels et les cristaux, en particulier la façon dont les composants moléculaires sont organisés. Les sels d'ammonium d'acide lithocholique produisent différents modèles d'auto-assemblage, tels que des gels, des fibres et des cristaux, avec divers anions d'ammonium. L'organisation moléculaire de l’acide lithocholique dans différentes conditions est remarquablement cohérente, indiquant qu'il existe une relation intime entre la gélification et la cristallisation dans ce système. Les résultats ont également mis en lumière la question de longue date de l'agencement des molécules dans les fibres de gel. Le troisième article décrit notre étude systématique de la gélification et de la cristallisation en utilisant une gamme plus large de sels biliaires. Généralement, avec l'augmentation de iii l'hydrophobie des sels biliaires, la préférence pour la formation de solutions est progressivement remplacée par une tendance à produire des gels et finalement des cristaux. Une association bord à bord d'anions biliaires est également observée dans différents types de sels biliaires. Les résultats renforcent notre conclusion selon laquelle les structures moléculaires internes des fibres dans les gels et dans les cristaux sont étroitement liées. / Gelation is a common phenomenon in which a large amount of solvent is immobilized in a network made up of relatively small amounts of substrate. With properties of both solid and liquid, a gel is a unique state. Gelation draws attention from researchers worldwide to study its properties and mechanism. However, many questions are still unraveled, such as the self-assembly process and molecular interactions in the gel system, the relationship between solutions, gels, and crystals, and the molecular organization in the gel network. Exploring these questions will provide knowledge about the mechanism of gelation and contribute to the design and fabrication of new gels for different applications. This thesis describes our study of gels and their relationship with solutions and crystals using bile salts, which are abundant natural amphiphiles. The rigid steroid moiety and the variable hydrophobicity of the bile salts facilitate the study of the self-assembly process. The research is presented through three articles published or submitted during my Ph.D. program. The first paper probes the molecular interactions that occur in the formation of molecular hydrogels made from mixtures of sodium deoxycholate and formic acid. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy provides new information about the gel-sol transition on the molecular level, the interaction between free/gelated species, and the interaction of hydrophobic regions of bile salts with the gel network. The second paper summarizes our exploration of the relationship between gels and crystals, especially how the molecular components are organized. Ammonium salts of lithocholic acid produce different patterns of self-assembly, such as gels, fibers, and crystals, with various ammonium anions. The molecular organization of lithocholates under different conditions is remarkably consistent, indicating that there is an intimate relationship between gelation and crystallization in this system. The results also shed light on the long-existing question of how molecules are arranged in gel fibers. The third paper describes our systematic study of gelation and crystallization using a broader range of bile salts. Generally, with increasing hydrophobicity of the bile salts, the preference to form solutions is gradually superseded by a trend to produce gels and finally crystals. An edge-to-edge association of bile anions is also observed in different kinds of bile salts. The results strengthen our conclusion that the internal molecular structures of fibers in gels and in crystals are closely related.

La dysfonction endothéliale vasculaire constitue un marqueur précoce des maladies cardiovasculaires car l’endothélium est l’une des premières cibles des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire. La présence d'un stress chronique engendré par les facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire sollicite les mécanismes de défense endogènes, tels que les enzymes antioxydantes, qui servent au maintien de la fonction endothéliale. L’environnement vasculaire auquel l’endothélium est exposé a un effet direct sur son fonctionnement à long terme. Certaines habitudes de vie sont ainsi associées à une bonne santé cardiovasculaire. Par exemple, la diète méditerranéenne et/ou la pratique régulière de l’exercice physique aident à maintenir une fonction endothéliale adéquate et à réduire l’incidence des maladies cardiovasculaires. D'autre part, certains gènes clés, comme le gène suppresseur de tumeurs p53, régulent plusieurs voies métaboliques importantes pour préserver l’intégrité des cellules endothéliales. Nous posons l’hypothèse que l’environnement vasculaire post-natal influence la mise en place de mécanismes de défenses endogènes tels que les enzymes antioxydantes afin de faire face à des stress plus tard dans la vie. Notre objectif global était d’évaluer les impacts d’interventions post-natales bénéfiques et d’une diminution endogène du gène suppresseur de tumeurs p53, sur la fonction endothéliale vasculaire et sur sa capacité à faire face à un stress métabolique. Dans une première étude, nous avons soumis des souris saines C57Bl/6 dès leur sevrage et jusqu’à l’âge de 9 mois, à un programme d’exercice physique volontaire (course dans une roue) ou à un antioxydant (catéchine), comparé à un groupe de souris sédentaires et sans antioxydant. Puis les interventions ont été stoppées et une diète riche en gras a été introduite, ou non, pour une période de 3 mois; les souris ont été sacrifiées à l'âge de 9 ou 12 mois. Nous avons observé que l’exercice a protégé les cellules endothéliales des effets délétères induits par la diète riche en gras en préservant la fonction endothéliale par le maintien d’un profil rédox sain et en évitant la hausse de l’inflammation. La catéchine a maintenu la fonction endothéliale aortique, mais n’a pas prévenu le profil inflammatoire en présence de la diète riche en gras. Finalement, chez les souris sédentaires, la fonction endothéliale a été détériorée en présence de la diète riche en gras, sans indice d’inflammation vasculaire. Dans une seconde étude, des souris partiellement déficientes en p53 (p53+/-) et contrôles C57Bl/6 ont été exposées à la même diète riche en gras à partir de 3 mois et ce jusqu’à l’âge de 6 mois. Notre raisonnement était basé sur la démonstration que p53 est un régulateur de l’expression des enzymes antioxydantes in vitro. Chez les souris p53+/-, les cellules endothéliales ont été protégées du stress induit par l’hypercholestérolémie engendrée par la diète riche en gras. Cependant, chez les souris p53+/- cette protection pourrait être secondaire à un métabolisme accru des acides biliaires, qui en prévenant la hausse de cholestérol, protègerait indirectement l'endothélium. Nous avons donc pu démontrer l’importance de l’environnement vasculaire sur la fonction endothéliale. La diète riche en gras a stimulé certains mécanismes de défense vasculaires tels que la voie des EDHF et la superoxyde dismutase afin de maintenir la fonction endothéliale malgré les conditions pro-athérosclérotiques. Nous avons observé que l’exercice et la catéchine influencent différemment l’endothélium malgré leurs capacités antioxydantes. Ces études soulignent la sensibilité de l’endothélium aux changements dans l’environnement vasculaire. En accord avec le vieillissement de la population et la progression des maladies cardiovasculaires, la proportion de personnes ayant une dysfonction endothéliale augmente. Ainsi, une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes ou d’interventions qui permettent le maintien de la fonction endothéliale à long terme s’avère utile. / Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular risk factors generate a chronic stress, challenging endogenous defense mechanisms that are critical to maintain endothelial function, such as antioxidant enzymes. The vascular environment impacts the integrity and long-term function of endothelial cells. Thus, a healthy lifestyle is beneficial for cardiovascular health: regular physical training and/or a Mediterranean diet are associated with the maintenance of endothelial function and a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, some key genes such as tumor suppressor gene p53, are known to regulate numerous cellular functions that are necessary to maintain endothelial cells integrity. We hypothesized that the post-natal vascular environment impacts the development of endogenous cellular defense mechanisms such as antioxidant enzymes, in order to protect against vascular stress that will occur later in life. Our major goal was to evaluate the impact of post-natal interventions and endogenous reduction of p53 expression on vascular endothelial function and its capacity to resist against a metabolic stress. In our first study, healthy C57Bl/6 mice were exposed from weaning to the age of 9 months to physical voluntary training (running wheel) or to the antioxidant catechin, and were compared to physically inactive mice that did not receive catechin. Then, exercise and catechin were stopped and mice were subjected to a regular or a high fat diet for 3 months; mice were sacrificed either at the age of 9 or 12 months. In trained mice, we observed that exercise prevented endothelial dysfunction and inflammation induced by the high fat diet. In catechin-treated mice, aortic endothelial function was maintained despite exposure to the high fat diet, but an inflammatory profile was observed. In physically inactive mice, the high fat diet induced endothelial dysfunction without inflammation. In our second study, mice partially deficient in p53 (p53+/-) were exposed to the same high fat diet from 3 to 6 months of age. Our rationale was based on the discovery that in vitro, p53 regulates antioxidant enzymes gene expression. In p53+/- mice, endothelial cells were protected from the stress of hypercholesterolemia induced by the high fat diet. However, this endothelial protection could be linked with an unexpected enhanced bile acid metabolism in p53+/- mice: low endogenous expression of p53 prevents the rise in plasma total cholesterol when fed a high fat diet, indirectly protecting the endothelium. In summary, we were able to demonstrate the importance of the vascular environment on endothelial function. The pro-atherosclerotic environment induced by the high fat diet stimulated vascular defense mechanisms, as observed by the activation of the compensatory EDHF pathway and superoxide dismutase activity, to maintain an adequate endothelial function. We observed that exercise and catechin had a different impact on the endothelium despite their antioxidant properties. These studies demonstrate the sensitivity of the endothelium to changes within the vascular environment. As the population is aging and the incidence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, endothelial dysfunction will be more frequent. Therefore, a better comprehension of mechanisms or interventions that can protect endothelial function can only be beneficial.

Nuclear receptors play significant roles in the regulation of transporters and enzymes to balance the level of endogenous molecules and to protect the body from foreign molecules. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) and its natural ligand, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], was shown to upregulate rat ileal apical sodium dependent bile acid transporter (Asbt) to increase the reclamation of bile acids, ligands of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). FXR is considered to be an important, negative regulator of the cholesterol metabolizing enzyme, Cyp7a1, which metabolizes cholesterol to bile acids in the liver. In rats, decreased Cyp7a1 and increased P-glycoprotein/multidrug resistance protein 1 (P-gp/Mdr1) expressions pursuant to 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment was viewed as FXR effects in which hepatic VDR protein is poorly expressed. In contrast, changes in rat intestinal and renal transporters such as multidrug resistance associated proteins (Mrp2, Mrp3, and Mrp4), Asbt, and P-gp after administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 were attributed directly as VDR effects due to higher VDR levels expressed in these tissues. Higher VDR expressions were found among mouse hepatocytes compared to those in rats. Hence, fxr(-/-) and fxr(+/+) mouse models were used to discriminate between VDR vs. FXR effects in murine livers. Hepatic Cyp7a1 in mice was found to be upregulated with 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment, via the derepression of the short heterodimer partner (SHP). Putative VDREs, identified in mouse and human SHP promoters, were responsible for the inhibitory effect on SHP. The increase in hepatic Cyp7a1 expression and decreased plasma and liver cholesterol were observed in mice prefed with a Western diet. A strong correlation was found between tissue Cyp7a1 and P-gp changes and 1,25(OH)2D3 plasma and tissue concentrations, confirming that VDR plays an important role in the disposition of xenobiotics and cholesterol metabolism. Moreover, renal and brain Mdr1a/P-gp were found to be directly upregulated by the VDR in mice, and concomitantly, increased renal and brain secretion of digoxin, a P-gp substrate, in vivo. The important observations: the cholesterol lowering and increased brain P-gp efflux activity properties suggest that VDR is a therapeutic target for treatment of hypercholesterolemia and Alzheimer’s diseases, since beta amyloid, precursors of plague, are P-gp substrates.

Nuclear receptors play significant roles in the regulation of transporters and enzymes to balance the level of endogenous molecules and to protect the body from foreign molecules. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) and its natural ligand, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], was shown to upregulate rat ileal apical sodium dependent bile acid transporter (Asbt) to increase the reclamation of bile acids, ligands of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR). FXR is considered to be an important, negative regulator of the cholesterol metabolizing enzyme, Cyp7a1, which metabolizes cholesterol to bile acids in the liver. In rats, decreased Cyp7a1 and increased P-glycoprotein/multidrug resistance protein 1 (P-gp/Mdr1) expressions pursuant to 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment was viewed as FXR effects in which hepatic VDR protein is poorly expressed. In contrast, changes in rat intestinal and renal transporters such as multidrug resistance associated proteins (Mrp2, Mrp3, and Mrp4), Asbt, and P-gp after administration of 1,25(OH)2D3 were attributed directly as VDR effects due to higher VDR levels expressed in these tissues. Higher VDR expressions were found among mouse hepatocytes compared to those in rats. Hence, fxr(-/-) and fxr(+/+) mouse models were used to discriminate between VDR vs. FXR effects in murine livers. Hepatic Cyp7a1 in mice was found to be upregulated with 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment, via the derepression of the short heterodimer partner (SHP). Putative VDREs, identified in mouse and human SHP promoters, were responsible for the inhibitory effect on SHP. The increase in hepatic Cyp7a1 expression and decreased plasma and liver cholesterol were observed in mice prefed with a Western diet. A strong correlation was found between tissue Cyp7a1 and P-gp changes and 1,25(OH)2D3 plasma and tissue concentrations, confirming that VDR plays an important role in the disposition of xenobiotics and cholesterol metabolism. Moreover, renal and brain Mdr1a/P-gp were found to be directly upregulated by the VDR in mice, and concomitantly, increased renal and brain secretion of digoxin, a P-gp substrate, in vivo. The important observations: the cholesterol lowering and increased brain P-gp efflux activity properties suggest that VDR is a therapeutic target for treatment of hypercholesterolemia and Alzheimer’s diseases, since beta amyloid, precursors of plague, are P-gp substrates.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) protects the mammalian intestinal epithelium by effluxing toxins from the epithelial cells as well as release of human endocannabinoids that inhibit neutrophil infiltration. Diminished or dysfunctional P-gp is associated with intestinal inflammation including ulcerative colitis (UC). Due to the microbiome dysbiosis associated with UC, we hypothesize that the healthy microbiota promote colonic P-gp expression. Utilizing mouse models of antibiotic treatment, microbiota reconstitution, and metabolite perturbation, we have shown butyrate and secondary bile acids, dependent on vancomycin-sensitive bacteria, induce P-gp expression in vivo. We have shown these metabolites together potentiate induction of P-gp in intestinal epithelial cell lines in vitro, which is sufficient to inhibit primary human neutrophil transmigration. Furthermore, in UC patients we find diminished P-gp expression is coupled to reduction of anti-inflammatory endocannabinoids and luminal content with reduced capability to induce P-gp expression. Additionally, we have found butyrate contributes to P-gp expression via histone deacetylase inhibition, and secondary bile acids regulate P-gp expression via nuclear receptors pregnane X receptor and vitamin D receptor. Employing RNA sequencing (RNAseq) in IECs uncovered signaling networks that are uniquely triggered with the combination of butyrate and secondary bile acids, suggesting additional pathways required for maximal P-gp expression in the colon. Together we identify a mechanistic link between cooperative functional outputs of the complex microbial community and suppression of intestinal inflammation. These data emphasize the importance of the intestinal microbiome in driving the P-gp axis to suppress aberrant neutrophil infiltration and identify potential therapeutic targets for promoting P-gp expression in an inflamed colon to reset homeostasis.

Koffein (1,3,7-Trimethylxanthin) und Coprostanol (5beta-cholestan-3beta-ol) wurden im Berliner Oberflächenwasser nachgewiesen. Ihre Konzentrationen korrelierten mit dem Verunreinigungsgrad der Proben, was nahelegt, dass sie sich als Marker für menschliche Aktivität eignen. Bemerkenswerterweise wurde Koffein in jeder einzelnen Oberflächenwasserprobe oberhalb der Bestimmungsgrenze von 0,025 µg/L gefunden. Um Oberflächenwasserproben in größeren Serien zu untersuchen, war die Entwicklung zweier neuer Methoden erforderlich: ein Immunoassay, basierend auf einem monoklonalen Antikörper für Koffein und eine dispersive flüssig-flüssig Mikroextraktionsmethode (DLLME), gefolgt von Flüssigkeitschromatographie gekoppelt mit Tandem-Massenspektrometrie (LC-MS/MS) für Coprostanol. Der entwickelte Koffein-Immunoassay zeigt die beste je erhaltene Nachweisgrenze für Koffein (0,001 µg/L), erlaubt Hochdurchsatz-Analysen und erfordert keine Probenvorbereitung. Der Assay wurde auch erfolgreich für die Messung von Koffein in Getränken, Haarwaschmitteln, Koffeintabletten und menschlichem Speichel angewendet. Antikörper gegen Coprostanol sind nicht kommerziell erhältlich. Eine neue Strategie Anti-Coprostanol-Antikörper zu generieren wurde erarbeitet, die eine analoge Verbindung – Isolithocholsäure (ILA) – als Hapten verwendet, mit der eine Gruppe von Mäusen immunisiert wurde. Ein polyklonales Anti-ILA-Serum wurde produziert, welches Coprostanol bindet, aber die niedrige Affinität erlaubte nicht den Aufbau eines Immunoassays, der die Messung von Umweltkonzentrationen des Anayten (im Bereich ng/L) zulässt. Spezifische Anti-ILA-Immunglobuline G wurden auch in den Faeces der Mäuse gefunden. Coprostanol wurde in den Wasserproben durch die Verwendung einer neuentwickelten LC-MS/MS-Methode unter APCI-Ionisation (atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation) gemessen. Konzentrationen oberhalb von 0,1 µg/L wurden nach Voranreicherung der Probe mittels DLLME bestimmt. / Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) and coprostanol (5beta-cholestan-3beta-ol) were detected in samples of Berlin’s surface water. Their concentrations correlated with the contamination status of the samples, suggesting their usefulness as markers of human activity. Remarkably, caffeine concentrations were always well above the limit of quantitation of 0.025 µg/L. In order to screen surface water samples in larger series, the development of two novel methods was required: a monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay for caffeine and a dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) method, followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for coprostanol. The caffeine immunoassay developed shows the best analytical limit of detection (LOD) obtained so far for caffeine (0.001 µg/L), allows high-throughput analysis, and does not require sample pre-treatment. The assay was also successfully employed to measure caffeine in beverages, shampoos, caffeine tab-lets, and human saliva. Antibodies to coprostanol are not commercially available. A new strategy to generate anti-coprostanol antibodies was elaborated using an analogous com-pound as hapten – isolithocholic acid (ILA) – and immunizing a group of mice. A polyclonal anti-ILA serum was produced, which binds coprostanol but the low affinity did not permit setting up an immunoassay to measure environmental concentrations of the analyte (in the range of ng/L). Specific anti-ILA immunoglobulin G were also found in the faeces of the immunized mice. Coprostanol was quantified in the water samples using a newly developed LC-MS/MS method using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI). Concentrations above 0.1 µg/L were determined after sample preconcentration using DLLME. This extraction method also proved to be successful for enrichment of coprostanol-related compounds such as cholesterol, cholestanol, cholestanone, ergosterol, and stigmasterol.

<p>Danas, u raznim analitičkim laboratorijama postoji veći broj analitičkih protokola,<br />zasnovanih bilo na izuzetno sofisticiranim ili jednostavnijim tehnikama, koji služe za<br />određivanje različitih ciljnih analita od farmakolo&scaron;kog značaja. Među tim grupama ciljnih analita pripadaju i antibiotici koji predstavljaju veliko otkriće u oblasti medicine i zahvaljujući njima spa&scaron;eno je vi&scaron;e od sedam miliona života, ali pored navedenih koristi, antibiotici mogu da izazovu&nbsp; veliki broj neželjenih efekata i žučne kiseline zajedno sa svojim derivatima, koji su fiziolo&scaron;ki deterdženti, mogu biti citotoksične za organizam ako se njihova koncentracija ne kontroli&scaron;e. U ovoj doktorskoj disertaciji prikazan je razvoj analitičkih metoda pre svega voltametrijskihmetoda u kombinaciji sa jednostavnim i savremenim elektrodama/senzorima za određivanje&nbsp; odabranih analita kao &scaron;to je antraciklični antibiotik doksorubicin (DOX), makrolidni antibiotici<br />eritromicin-etilsukcinata (EES), azitromicina (AZI), klaritromicina (CLA) i roksitromicina&nbsp; (ROX) i 3-dehidro-deoksiholne kiseline.</p><p>Voltametrijska karakterizacija i određivanje gore navedenih antibiotika primenom obnovljive srebro-amalgam film elektrode (Hg(Ag)FE)rađena je direktnom katodnom&nbsp; voltametrijom sa pravougaonim talasima (SWV) i visoko osetljivom adsorptivnom voltametrijom sa pravougaonim talasima (SW-AdSV) u Briton-Robinson puferu, kao pomoćnom elektrolitu, obuhvatajući &scaron;irok opseg pH vrednosti. Odgovor DOX-a primenom&nbsp; Hg(Ag)FE&nbsp;praćen je u intervalu potencijala od -0,20 do -0,80 V.&nbsp; Za analizu tragova, optimizacija metode ukazuje da su optimalni parametri za analitički pik na potencijalu (Ep ) -0,57 V u odnosu na zasićenu kalomelovu elektrodu (ZKE): pH 6,0, potencijal&nbsp; akumulacije -0,20 V i vreme&nbsp; akumulacije 140 s. U model rastvoru, DOX je određivan u koncentracionom opsegu 4,99-59,64&nbsp; ng mL^-1. Razvijena SW-AdSV metoda je primenjena za određivanje DOX-a u obogaćenom uzorku humanog urina. Niža koncentracija DOX-a 9,89ng mL^-1&nbsp;u voltametrijskoj&nbsp; ćeliji je određivana sa relativnom standardnom devijacijom (RSD) manjom od 6,0%. &Scaron;to se ispitivanih makrolida tiče oni su pokazali redukcione signale u dalekoj negativnoj oblasti potencijala. Ispitivanja direktnom katodnom SWV rađena su u opsegu potencijala od -0,75 V do -2,00 V u odnosu na ZKE, pri čemu su dobijena jedan ili dva redukciona pika u opsegu potencijala od -1,5 V do -1,9 V. Oblik i intenzitet signala zavisi od primenjene pH vrednosti u &scaron;irokoj pH oblasti. Za analitičke svrhe, radi razvoja direktne katodne SWV i adsorptivne inverzne/striping SWV metode, pogodnim su se pokazale neutralna i slabo alkalna sredina tj. pH 7,0 sa&nbsp; E_p na -1,67 V u odnosu na ZKE za ROX i EES i pH 7,2 sa E_p na -1,85 V u odnosu na ZKE za AZI i pH 7,4 sa E_p na -1,64 V u odnosu na ZKE za CLA. Na osnovu snimljenih cikličnih voltamograma na&nbsp; optimalnim pH vrednostima, može se predložiti adsorptivno-kontrolisan kinetički proces na elektrodi u slučaju sva&nbsp; četiri ispitivana jedinjenja. Takođe,&nbsp; ¹H NMR merenja uz potiskivanje&nbsp; signala vode u pH oblasti između pH 6,0 i 10,5 ukazuju na to da su makrolidni molekuli pri optimalnim analitičkim uslovima predominantno u protonovanoj formi preko tercijerne amino grupe &scaron;to potpomaže, u sva&nbsp; četiri slučaja, njihovu adsorpciju na odgovarajuće polarizovanoj Hg(Ag)FE. Optimizovane direktne katodne SWV metode&nbsp; pokazuju dobru linearnost u koncentracionom opsegu 4,81-23,3&nbsp; &micro;g mL^-1 , 4,53-29,8&nbsp; &micro;g mL^-1 , 1,96-28,6&nbsp; &micro;g mL^-1 i 1,48-25,9 &micro;g mL^-1 za AZI, EES, CLA odnosno ROX. Razvijene SW-AdSV metode rezultiraju u linearnom odgovoru pri nižim koncentracionim intervalima 1,0-2,46 &micro;g mL^-1 ,&nbsp; 0,69-2,44&nbsp; &micro;g mL^-1, 0,05-0,99 &micro;g mL^-1 i 0,10-0,99&nbsp; &micro;g mL^-1 , za AZI, EES, CLA i ROX. RSD za sve razvijene metode nije veća od 1,5% izuzev SWV metode u slučaju AZI-a gde je 4,5%. Direktna katodna SWV metoda&nbsp; je uspe&scaron;no primenjena za određivanje EES-a u farmaceutskom proizvodu Eritromicin^&reg; dok SW-AdSV metoda je primenjena u slučaju određivanja EES-a u obogaćenom uzorku humanog urina i&nbsp;za određivanje ROX-a u farmaceutskom proizvodu Runac^&reg; . U svim pomenutim slučajevima, primenjena je metoda standardnog dodatka. Pouzdanost i tačnost elaboriranih procedura u slučaju određivanja EES-a u model sistemu i&nbsp; farmaceutskom proizvodu Eritromicin^&reg; su potvrđena poređenjem sa rezultatima dobijenim primenom HPLC-DAD metode.</p><p>Nakon preliminarnih studija 3-dehidro-deoksiholne&nbsp; kiseline/3-dehidro-deoksiholata primenom elektrode od staklastog ugljenika (GCE), gde je uočeno da ne dolazi do formiranja redukcionog signala u Briton-Robinson puferu između pH 5,0 i 11,8 primenom direktne katodne SWV, bizmut-film je izdvojen&nbsp; <em>ex situ</em> na povr&scaron;ini iste elektrode od staklastog ugljenika (BiF-GCE) iz uobičajeno kori&scaron;ćenog rastvora za elektrodepoziciju (0,02 mol L^-1 Bi(NO₃)₃, 1,0 mol L^-1 HCl i 0,5 mol L^-1 KBr) i tako pripremljena elektroda je primenjena za karakterizaciju i određivanje pomenutog jedinjenja u alkalnoj sredini. Redukcioni signal ispitivanog analita od analitičkog značaja je uočen jedino primenom BiF-GCE u Briton-Robinson puferusa pH vrednostima između 9,5 i 11,8 u režimu adsorptivne inverzne/stripingvoltametrije sa pravougaonim talasima, dok u slučaju direktnih katodnih SWV eksperimentalnih uslova uočen je slab redukcioni pik sa niskom strujom maksimuma pika. Optimizovani eksperimentalni uslovi za određivanje 3-dehidro-deoksiholata obuhvataju odgovarajuće kondicioniranje elektrode uključujući kondicioniranje&nbsp; <em>ex situ</em> pripremljene BiF-GCE u Briton-Robinson pomoćnom elektrolitu pH 11,8 do stabilizacije struje bazne linije elektrohemijskim cikliranjem potencijala radne elektrode u potencijalskom opsegu između -1,00 i -2,00 V u odnosu na ZKE (blizu 15 puta) i primenu dva ključna parametara adsorptivne voltametrije sa pravougaonim talasima: vreme akumulacije od 30 s i potencijal akumulacije&nbsp; -1,00 V u odnosu na ZKE. Zbog relativne asimetričnosti dobijenih redukcionih signala ispitivanog analita sa&nbsp; E_p na -1,35 V u odnosu na ZKE, &scaron;to je takođe prisutno i u slučaju primene SW-AdSV, određivanje ispitivanog analita je zasnovano na linearnoj zavisnosti između povr&scaron;ine pika redukcionog signala&nbsp; spitivanog analita i njegove odgovarajuće koncentracije i postignuta granica detekcije je 1,43 &micro;g mL^-1 sa dva linearna opsega kalibracione krive od 4,76 &micro;g mL^-1 do 13,0 &micro;g mL^-1 i od 13,0 &micro;g mL^-1 do 23,1 &micro;g mL^-1 za razvoj analitičke metode. RSD metode je 3,22%. Dodatni eksperimenti, elektroliza ispitivanog analita na potencijalu -1,55 V (blizu maksimuma pika ciljnog analita) u odnosu na ZKE su rađeni primenom GCE u obliku ploče (povr&scaron;ina 33,52 cm 2 ) modifikovane sa&nbsp; <em>ex situ&nbsp;</em>pripremljenim bizmut-filmom. Rastvor od interesa uzorkovan je na početku eksperimenta, nakon 2,5 h i nakon 4,5 h tretmana. Ovakvi uzorci su analizirani primenom ¹H NMR merenja uz potiskivanje signala vode u puferskom rastvoru pH 11,8. Može se pretpostaviti da tokom elektrolize 3-dehidro-deoksiholata dolazi do redukcije keto grupe prisutne u strukturi ispitivanog analita.</p><p>Na osnovu literaturnih podataka da neki od ciljnihmakrolidnih antibiotika kao &scaron;to je npr. azitromicin pokazuju oksidativno pona&scaron;anje na elektrodi od ugljenične paste i elektrodi od zlata deteljna karakterizacija i određivanje&nbsp; četiri makrolidna antibiotika rađena je primenom&nbsp; asične&nbsp;elektrode od ugljenične paste (CPE) koja se sastoji samo od grafitnog praha i parafinskog ulja sa optimizovanih direktnih anodnih SWV metoda. U slučaju EES-a i AZI-a diferencijalna pulsna voltametrija (DPV) je testirana za iste svrhe. Ključni&nbsp; parametar u slučaju razvoja analitičkih voltametrijskih metoda je odabir pH vrednosti pomoćnog elektrolita gde je oblik/simetričnost i intenzitet oskidacionog pika glavni kriterijum prilikom odabira. Kao odgovarajuće pH vrednosti za voltametrijsko određivanje EES-a primenom SWV metode odabrana je pH 8,0 sa E_p na 0,83<br />V u odnosu na ZKE, dok u slučaju DPV metode pH 12,0 sa&nbsp; E_p na 0,55 V u odnosu na ZKE je bila najpogodnija za analitičke svrhe. Za određivanje AZI-a, u slučaju obe SWV i DPV metode pH 7,0 se pokazala najpogodnijom sa E_p analitičkog signala na 0,85 V odnosno 0,80 V u odnosu na ZKE, dok u slučaju CLA i ROX koji su ispitivani samo primenom SWV metode za analitičke svrhe pH 12,0 je bila najpogodnija sredina sa E_p analitičkog signala na 0,65 V odnosno na 0,63 V&nbsp;u odnosu na ZKE. Postignute granice detkcije primenom nemodifikovane CPE i direktne anodne SWV su uglavnom u submikrogramskom koncentracionom opsegu 0,17 &micro;g mL^-1 , 0,32&nbsp; &micro;g mL^-1 i 0,30&nbsp; &micro;g mL^-1, u slučaju EES-a, AZI-a i ROX-a i u niskom mikrogramskom koncentracionom opsegu 1,43&nbsp; &micro;g mL^-1 za CLA. Razvijena SWV metoda sa jednostavnom CPE pokazala se pogodnom za određivanje ROX-a u komercijalnom proizvodu Runac^&reg; tableti. U slučaju optimizovanih DPV metoda postignute granice detekcije za EES i AZI su u niskom mikrogramskom&nbsp; koncentracionom opsegu 1,03&nbsp; &micro;g mL^-1 odnosno 1,53&nbsp; &micro;g&nbsp; mL^-1 . U želji da se&nbsp;postigne niža granica detekcije za AZI, DPV metoda&nbsp; je testirana u kombinaciji sa&nbsp; CPE radnom elektrodom povr&scaron;inski modifikovanom sa zlatnim nanočesticama&nbsp; prečnika 10 nm (Au-CPE) i&nbsp; postignuta granica detekcije je 0,95&nbsp; &micro;g mL^-1 sa&nbsp; E_p analitičkog signala na 0,80 V u odnosu na&nbsp; ZKE. RSD metode u slučaju Au-CPE je 3,5%, dok je u slučaju nemodifikovane CPE 6,0%.&nbsp; Linearnost analitičke metode zasnovane na primeni Au-CPE je dva puta &scaron;ira nego u slučaju&nbsp; primene nemodifikovane CPE.</p><p>Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata može se zaključiti da&nbsp; odgovarajuće kombinacije&nbsp; optimizovanih voltametrijskih tehnika sa ekolo&scaron;ki prihvatljivim i lako primenljivim radnim&nbsp; elektrodama, kao &scaron;to su Hg(Ag)FE, BiF-GCE i CPE zajedno sa Au-CPE, rezultuju razvojem&nbsp; pouzdanih analitičkih metoda, kako u oksidacionim tako i u redukcionim proučavanjima, koje&nbsp; često omogućuju&nbsp; određivanje tragova analita od farmakolo&scaron;kog značaja u jednostavnim, a u&nbsp;nekim slučajevima i u složenim sistemima.&nbsp;</p> / <p>Nowadays in different analytical laboratories there is the increasing number of analytical protocols, either based on highly sophisticated or simpler measurements techniques, which serving for determination of different target analytes of pharmacological importance. Among such target groups of the analyte belongs the antibiotics which present a great discovery in the field of medicine and thanks to them were saved more than seven million people but beside to the mentioned great benefits, antibiotics can cause a large number of side effects and bile acids together with their derivatives which are physiological detergents but if their concentration is not<br />controlled they can be cytotoxic to the body. In the present doctoral dissertation the development of analytical methods, primarily analytical voltammetric methods in combination with simple and contemporary electrodes/sensors, for the determination of selected analytes as antracycline antibiotic doxorubicin (DOX), macrolide antibiotics erythromycin ethylsuccinate (EES), azithromycin (AZI), clarithromycin (CLA) and roxithromycin (ROX) and 3-dehydrodeoxycholic acid were performed.</p><p>Voltammetric characterization and determination of the above mentioned antibiotics using a renewable silver-amalgam film electrode (Hg(Ag)FE) was performed by direct cathodic square-wave voltammetry (SWV) and by highly sensitive adsorptive square-wave voltammetry (SW-AdSV) in aqueous Britton-Robinson buffer solutions as supporting electrolyte covering the wider pH range. The Hg(Ag)FE response of DOX was monitored in the potential range between -0.20 and -0.80 V. For the trace level analysis the method optimization showed that the optimal conditions for the analytical peak with peak potential (E_p) at -0.57 V vs. SCE were: the pH 6.0, the accumulation potential -0.20 V, and the accumulation time 140 s. In the model solutions, DOX was determined in the concentration range of 4.99-59.64 ng mL^-1. The developed SWAdSV method was applied for the determination of DOX in spiked human urine sample. The lowest concentration of DOX of 9.89 ng mL^-1 in voltammetric vessel was determined with the relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 6%. As for the investigated macrolides, they showed reduction signals in fairly negative potential range. During direct cathodic SWV investigations conducted over the potential range from -0.75 V to -2.00 V vs. SCE, either one or two reduction peaks were obtained in the&nbsp; potential range from -1.5 to -1.9 V. For analytical purposes concerning the development of direct cathodic SWV and adsorptive stripping SWV methods the neutral&nbsp; and slightly alkaline media were suitable as pH 7.0 with E_p at -1.67 V vs.&nbsp; SCE for ROX and EES and pH 7.2 and pH 7.4 with E_p at -1.85 V and -1.64 V vs. SCE for AZI and CLA, respectively. Based on the cyclic voltammograms recorded at these pH values, adsorptioncontrolled electrode kinetics process can be proposed for all four investigated compounds. The water suppressed ¹H NMR measurements in the pH range between 6.0 and 10.5 indicated that the macrolide molecules at the optimal analytical conditions are predominantly in protonated form via their tertiary amino groups which supported in all four cases their adsorption on the appropriately polarized Hg(Ag)FE electrode. The optimized direct cathodic SWV methods showed good linearity in concentration ranges 4.81-23.3 &mu;g mL^-1, 4.53-29.8 &mu;g mL^-1, 1.96-28.6&nbsp; &mu;g mL^-1, and 1.48-25.9 &mu;g mL^-1 for AZI, EES, CLA and ROX, respectively. The SW-AdSV methods resulted in the linear responses at lower concentration ranges as 1.0-2.46 &mu;g mL^-1, 0.69- 2.44 &mu;g mL^-1, 0.05-0.99 &mu;g mL^-1 and 0.10-0.99 &mu;g mL^-1, for AZI, EES, CLA and ROX, respectively. The RSD for all developed methods was not higher than 1.5% except the SWV method for AZI with 4.7%. The direct cathodic SWV method was successfully applied for the determination of EES in the pharmaceutical preparation Eritromicin^&reg;, while SW-AdSV was tested in the case of the spiked urine sample and for determination of ROX in pharmaceutical preparation Runac^&reg;. In all above cases, the standard addition method was used. The reliability and accuracy of the above procedures in the case of EES determination in model system and pharmaceutical preparation Eritromicin^&reg; were validated by comparing them with those obtained by means of HPLC-DAD measurements.</p><p>After initial study of 3-dehydro-deoxycholic acid/3-dehydro-deoxycholate by glassy carbon electrode, where the absence of any reduction peak was observed in the Britton-Robinson buffer solutions between pH 5.0 and 11.8 by direct cathodic SWV, a bismuth-film was electrodeposited ex situ on the same glassy carbon electrode surface (BiF-GCE) from the usually used plating solution (0.02 mol L^-1 Bi(NO₃)₃, 1.0 mol L^-1 HCl and 0.5 mol L^-1 KBr) and such prepared film-electrode was applied for the characterization and determination of the the target analyte in alkaline media. The reduction signal of analytical importance was observed only by BiF-GCE in Britton-Robinson buffer solutions with pH values between 9.5 and 11.8 in adsorptive stripping square-wave voltammetry working regime, while in the case of the direct cathodic SWV experimental protocol only a very poor reduction peak was obtained. The optimized experimental conditions for the 3-dehydro-deoxycholate determination consist of the optimized electrode conditioning including the electrochemical cycling of the <em>ex situ </em>prepared BiF-GCE potentials in the potential span between -1.0 and -2.0 V vs. SCE (nearly 15 times) in the Britton-Robinson supporting electrolyte pH 11.8 till the stabilization of the baseline current, and the application of two key parameters of the adsorptive square-wave voltammetric protocol: the accumulation time as 30 s and accumulation potential as -1.0 V vs. SCE. Because of the relative asymmetry of the obtained reduction signals of the target analyte with peak E_p at -1.35 V vs. SCE, which is still present in the case of the SW-AdSV, the quantification of the target analyte was based on the linear correlation between peak area of the reduction signal and its appropriate concentrations, and reached limit of detection is 1.43 &mu;g mL^-1 and with two linear ranges of calibration curve from 4,76 &mu;g mL^-1 to 13.0 &mu;g mL^-1 and from 13,0 &mu;g mL^-1 to 23,1 &mu;g mL^-1 for the development of analytical method. The RSD of the method&nbsp; was 3.22%. Additional experiments were performed applying GCE with rectangular form (area 35.32 cm²) modified with ex situ prepared bismuth-film for the electrolysis of the target analyte which was performed at the potential -1.55 V (nearly the peak maxima of the target analyte) vs. SCE. The solution of interest was sampled at the beginning of the experiment, after 2.5 h and after 4.5 h of treatment. Such samples were analysed by simply water suppressing ¹H NMR measurements in the buffered solution at pH 11.8. It can be assumed that during electrolysis of 3-dehydrodeoxycholate the reduction of the keto group present in the structure of the target analyte can be occurred.</p><p>Driven by earlier literature data about the fact that some of the target macrolide antibiotics as e.g. azithromycin showed oxidation behavior at a carbon paste and gold working electrodes detailed characterization and determination of four target macrolide antibiotics were performed on classical carbon paste electrode (CPE) constituted only from graphite powder and paraffin oil with optimized direct anodic SWV methods. In the cases of EES and AZI differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) methods were tested for the same purpose as well. The key parameter in the case of the development of the analytical voltammetric methods is the selection of the pH value of the supporting electrolyte where the shape/simmetry and intensity of the oxidation peak were the criteria. As the appropriate pH value for determination of EES by SWV method the pH 8.0 was selected with E_p at 0.83 V vs. SCE while in the case of the DPV method the pH 12.0 with E_p at 0.55 V vs. SCE was the most suitable for analytical&nbsp; purpose. As for AZI determination, in the case of both SWV and DPV methods the pH 7.0 was the most appropriate supporting electrolyte with the Ep of analytical signal at 0.85 V and 0.80 V vs. SCE, respectively, while in the case of CLA and ROX which were investigated only with SWV method for the analytical purposes the pH 12.0 was the most suitable with E_p at 0.65 V and at 0.63 V vs. SCE. The obtained detection limits applying the bare CPE and the direct anodic SWV are mainly&nbsp; in submicrogram concentration range as 0.17 &mu;g mL^-1; 0.32 &mu;g mL^-1 and 0.30 &mu;g mL^-1 for EES, AZI, and ROX and in the low microgram concentration range as 1.43 &mu;g mL^-1 for the CLA, respectively. The developed method succesfully tested for the determination of ROX in the commercial formulation, Runac^&reg; tablet. In the case of the optimized DPV methods the obtained detection limits for EES and AZI are in the low microgram concentration range 1.03 &mu;g mL^-1 and 1.53 &mu;g mL^-1, respectively. For the improvement of the sensitivity for AZI the DPV method was tested in combination with a&nbsp; CPE working electrode surface modified with gold nanoparticles with diameter of 10 nm (Au-CPE) and reached the limit of detection was 0.95 &mu;g mL^-1 at E_p of 0.80 V vs. SCE. The RSD of the method in the case of the Au-CPE is 3.5% while in the case of the native CPE 6.0%. The linearity of the Au-CPE based analytical method is twice wider then it is case with the bare CPE applying protocol.</p><p>Based on the obtained results it can be conclude that the appropriate combination of the optimized voltammetric pulse techniques and the environmentally friendly and easy to use working electrodes as Hg(Ag)FE, BiF-GCE and CPE together with Au-CPE resulted in the development of reliable analytical method either in the oxidation or reduction studies, often allowing trace level determination of pharmacological importance target analytes in simpler and in some case complexes systems.</p>

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