Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de diferentes métodos para a determinação de fluoxetina, norfluoxetina e bisfosfonatos, utilizando técnicas modernas de preparo de amostras. Dentre eles, um método simples e sensível, empregando microextração em fase sólida (SPME) e cromatografia líquida foi desenvolvido para a análise de fluoxetina e norfluoxetina em plasma. As condições de SPME foram otimizadas empregando planejamento fatorial. A extração foi realizada utilizando fibras com PDMS-DVB, e a etapa de dessorção foi realizada em uma nova interface homemade com sistema de aquecimento. Extração com sorção em barra de agitação (SBSE) com derivatização in-situ, combinada com dessorção com solventes ou dessorção térmica, acoplada à cromatografia gasosa e espectrometria de massas (GC-MS), foi também empregada para a determinação de fluoxetina em plasma. Avaliou-se a derivatização dos analitos in situ com cloroformato de etila, bem como os parâmetros tempo de extração, solvente e tempo de dessorção. A combinação de SBSE e LC-MS foi também avaliada. As amostras de plasma foram submetidas à precipitação de proteínas com ácido tricloroacético, extraídas com SBSE, e analizadas por LC-MS. Os métodos SPME-LC, SBSE-GC e SBSE-LC desenvolvidos foram completamente validados, demonstrando serem adequados para analisar fluoxetina em amostras de plasma. Métodos rápidos para a determinação de etidronato, clodronato, pamidronato e alendronato, baseados em cromatografia de troca iônica com detecção indireta no ultravioleta, foram também desenvolvidos. Os métodos são simples e demonstraram precisão, exatidão e especificidade. Além disso, os métodos validados empregam colunas de sílica, mais baratas e de mais disponibilidade do que as colunas poliméricas, frequentemente utilizadas em métodos descritos na literatura para o mesmo propósito. / This study describes different methods to analyze fluoxetine, norfluoxetine and bisphosphonates, employing modern sample preparation techniques. A simple and sensitive procedure using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with liquid chromatography was developed for the analysis of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in plasma samples. SPME conditions were optimized employing a factorial design. The sampling step was performed using a PDMS-DVB fiber and desorption was carried out in a novel homemade heated interface. Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) with in situ derivatization, in combination with either thermal or liquid desorption on-line coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), was employed for the analysis of fluoxetine. In situ derivatization using ethylchloroformate was evaluated as well as parameters such as solvent polarity, time for analytes desorption, and extraction time. SBSE combined with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry was also used to analyze fluoxetine in plasma. Plasma samples were first submitted to protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid, subjected to SBSE, and thereafter analyzed by LC-MS. SPME-LC, SBSE-GC, and SBSE-LC methods were completely validated showing to be adequate to assess fluoxetine in plasma samples. Rapid methods for etidronate, clodronate, pamidronate and alendronate assay were also developed. The methods were based on ion chromatography with indirect ultraviolet detection, which avoids the need for chemical derivatization procedures. The methods were simple, rapid, and demonstrated precision, accuracy, and specificity. Furthermore, they employed silica-based columns, cheaper and more readily available than polymeric columns, frequently used in previous reported methods.

Current interventions used to reduce skeletal fragility are insufficient at enhancing bone across multiple hierarchical levels. Bisphosphonates, such as Zoledronate (ZOL), treat a variety of bone disorders by increasing bone mass and bone mineral density to decrease fracture risk. Despite the mass-based improvements, bisphosphonate use has been shown to compromise bone quality. Alternatively, Raloxifene (RAL) has recently been demonstrated to improve tissue quality and overall mechanical properties by binding to collagen and increasing tissue hydration in a cell-independent manner. We hypothesized that a combination of RAL and ZOL would improve mechanical and material properties of bone more than either monotherapy alone by enhancing both quantity and quality of bone. In this study, wildtype (WT) and heterozygous (OIM+/-) male mice from the Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) murine model were treated with either RAL, ZOL, or RAL and ZOL from 8 weeks to 16 weeks of age. Combination treatment resulted in higher trabecular architecture, cortical mechanical properties, and cortical fracture toughness in diseased mouse bone. Two fracture toughness properties, direct measures of the tissue’s ability to resist the initiation and propagation of a crack, were significantly improved with combination treatment in OIM+/- compared to control. There was no significant effect on fracture toughness with either monotherapy alone in either genotype. Following the mass-based effects of ZOL, bone volume fraction was significantly higher with combination treatment in both genotypes. Similar results were seen in trabecular number. Combination treatment resulted in higher ultimate stress in both genotypes, with RAL additionally increasing ultimate stress in OIM+/-. RAL and combination treatment in OIM+/- also produced a higher resilience compared to the control. Given no significant changes in cortical geometry, these mechanical alterations were likely driven by the quality-based effects of RAL. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the beneficial effects of using combination therapy to increase bone mass while simultaneously improving tissue quality, especially to enhance the mechanical integrity of diseased bone. Combination therapies could be a future mechanism to improve bone health and combat skeletal fragility on multiple hierarchical levels.

Skeletal fragility is characterized by low bone mass, negative changes in bone microarchitecture, and compromised tissue matrix properties, including accumulation of microdamage. Microdamage accumulates in vivo from daily physiological loading and is targeted for repair through a normal remodeling process, thus preventing microcrack growth and potential fracture. However, impaired remodeling is associated with aging and osteoporosis, resulting in an increased accumulation of microdamage which contributes to reduced bone mechanical properties. The current clinical method for assessing increased risk of fracture involves measuring bone mineral density (BMD) of the hip and spine, locations of trabecular bone where high rates of remodeling occur. The bisphosphonate alendronate (ALN) reduces clinical risk for fracture by significantly increasing BMD, but studies have shown a concomitant reduction in intrinsic properties that may be the underlying cause for recent reports of spontaneous fractures with long-term alendronate use. Another anti-resorptive agent called raloxifene (RAL) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and has been shown to modestly improve BMD while decreasing fracture risk to a similar degree as alendronate. The combination of RAL and ALN as a treatment for osteoporosis may provide the benefits of each drug without the negative effects of ALN. Therefore, the overall goal of this thesis was to address the effects of aging and anti-resorptive agents on the properties of bone through the formation of microdamage. Assessment of age-related effects on bone was conducted through quantification of microdamage progression. It was found that old bone results in greater incidences of microdamage progression, reflecting a compromised tissue matrix with reduced resistance to crack growth. Effects of combination treatment with RAL and ALN were evaluated through biomechanical testing, micro-CT imaging, and microdamage quantification. Results showed improved trabecular bone volume and ultimate load with positive effects on trabecular architecture. Combination treatment reduced the proportion of microdamage that may lead to catastrophic fracture, indicating an improvement in the local tissue matrix properties.

One indication of increasing fragility of bone is the accumulation of microscopic cracks, or microdamage, within the bone matrix. Microdamage accumulates in bone of the elderly, when changes in bone material properties and matrix architecture coupled with a decrease in bone repair mechanisms compromise bone integrity. To preserve bone mass and reduce fracture risk, therapeutics such as alendronate are prescribed which increase bone volume fraction by decreasing the rate of bone turnover. However, concerns over adverse effects of prolonged turnover suppression have been reinforced by findings of increased microdamage density with alendronate use. Microdamage formation is not always pathologic, but extensive accumulation of damage can be an indicator of reduced bone quality. The work in this thesis explores the hypothesis that microdamage in bone of lower quality will form more easily and progress more extensively than in bone of higher quality. Microdamage initiation stresses and strains were obtained for trabecular bone from older females, older males, and younger females to determine whether thresholds for damage initiation were lower in older females. Results suggest that the stress threshold for damage initiation in older females may indeed be lower compared with younger females, and that normalized strain thresholds for severe damage formation in older males may be decreased compared with older females. Damage propagation was evaluated as a function of age and sex to determine whether damage in older women progressed more extensively than in younger women or men. Results suggest that bone from older individuals had decreased resistance to crack propagation evidenced by an increased number of severely damaged trabeculae which expanded in area under cyclic loading; however no sex differences were uncovered. Finally, the stress/strain thresholds for damage initiation were investigated in alendronate-treated bone, and results indicate that a decreased stress threshold was needed to initiate damage formation of a linear and severe morphology after one year of treatment. After three years of treatment, however, micromechanical properties recovered, perhaps due to increased matrix mineralization which increased tissue level stiffness.

No description available.

Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de diferentes métodos para a determinação de fluoxetina, norfluoxetina e bisfosfonatos, utilizando técnicas modernas de preparo de amostras. Dentre eles, um método simples e sensível, empregando microextração em fase sólida (SPME) e cromatografia líquida foi desenvolvido para a análise de fluoxetina e norfluoxetina em plasma. As condições de SPME foram otimizadas empregando planejamento fatorial. A extração foi realizada utilizando fibras com PDMS-DVB, e a etapa de dessorção foi realizada em uma nova interface homemade com sistema de aquecimento. Extração com sorção em barra de agitação (SBSE) com derivatização in-situ, combinada com dessorção com solventes ou dessorção térmica, acoplada à cromatografia gasosa e espectrometria de massas (GC-MS), foi também empregada para a determinação de fluoxetina em plasma. Avaliou-se a derivatização dos analitos in situ com cloroformato de etila, bem como os parâmetros tempo de extração, solvente e tempo de dessorção. A combinação de SBSE e LC-MS foi também avaliada. As amostras de plasma foram submetidas à precipitação de proteínas com ácido tricloroacético, extraídas com SBSE, e analizadas por LC-MS. Os métodos SPME-LC, SBSE-GC e SBSE-LC desenvolvidos foram completamente validados, demonstrando serem adequados para analisar fluoxetina em amostras de plasma. Métodos rápidos para a determinação de etidronato, clodronato, pamidronato e alendronato, baseados em cromatografia de troca iônica com detecção indireta no ultravioleta, foram também desenvolvidos. Os métodos são simples e demonstraram precisão, exatidão e especificidade. Além disso, os métodos validados empregam colunas de sílica, mais baratas e de mais disponibilidade do que as colunas poliméricas, frequentemente utilizadas em métodos descritos na literatura para o mesmo propósito. / This study describes different methods to analyze fluoxetine, norfluoxetine and bisphosphonates, employing modern sample preparation techniques. A simple and sensitive procedure using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with liquid chromatography was developed for the analysis of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in plasma samples. SPME conditions were optimized employing a factorial design. The sampling step was performed using a PDMS-DVB fiber and desorption was carried out in a novel homemade heated interface. Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) with in situ derivatization, in combination with either thermal or liquid desorption on-line coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), was employed for the analysis of fluoxetine. In situ derivatization using ethylchloroformate was evaluated as well as parameters such as solvent polarity, time for analytes desorption, and extraction time. SBSE combined with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry was also used to analyze fluoxetine in plasma. Plasma samples were first submitted to protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid, subjected to SBSE, and thereafter analyzed by LC-MS. SPME-LC, SBSE-GC, and SBSE-LC methods were completely validated showing to be adequate to assess fluoxetine in plasma samples. Rapid methods for etidronate, clodronate, pamidronate and alendronate assay were also developed. The methods were based on ion chromatography with indirect ultraviolet detection, which avoids the need for chemical derivatization procedures. The methods were simple, rapid, and demonstrated precision, accuracy, and specificity. Furthermore, they employed silica-based columns, cheaper and more readily available than polymeric columns, frequently used in previous reported methods.

No description available.

Astronauts at are risk of losing 1.0-1.5% of their bone mass for every month they spend in space despite their adherence to high impact exercise training programs and diets high in nutrients, potassium, calcium, and vitamin D, all designed to preserve the skeletal system. This article reviews the basics of bone formation and resorption and details how exposure to microgravity or simulated microgravity affects the structure and function of osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts, and their mesenchymal and hematologic stem cell precursors. It details the critical roles that insulin-like growth factor-1 and its receptor insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (GFR1) play in maintaining bone homeostasis and how exposure of bone cells to microgravity affects the function of these growth factors. Lastly, it discusses the potential of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, syncytin-A, sclerostin inhibitors and recombinant IGF-1 as a bone-saving treatment for astronauts in space and during their colonization of the Moon.

No description available.

Os bisfosfonatos são medicamentos amplamente e efetivamente utilizados para o tratamento de doenças osteolíticas. Entretanto, na cavidade oral, é de particular relevância, pois possuem como efeito adverso a osteonecrose dos maxilares induzida pelo uso de bisfosfonatos. Sua etiopatogenia ainda não é bem estabelecida, os métodos de detecção são insatisfatórios e as terapias recomendadas são por vezes, medidas paliativas e ineficazes. Pouco ainda é sabido sobre o efeito do Ácido Zoledrônico na microestrutura óssea, portanto, propusemo-nos a realizar um estudo em modelo animal que analisasse o trabeculado ósseo da mandíbula através da Micro-CT. Foram utilizados 24 ratos machos (Rattus novergicus, albinus, Wistar), com 12 semanas de vida, divididos em 2 grupos: grupo controle (cloreto de sódio 0,9%) e grupo ácido zoledrônico (ácido zoledrônico 0,6mg/kg). As substâncias foram administradas via intraperitoneal a cada 28 dias em um total de 5 doses. Após 150 dias do início do experimento, foi realizada a eutanásia dos animais e então as amostras foram preparadas e escaneadas (Skyscan 1174) para análise da microestrutura óssea através da Micro- CT. O teste t-student demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) em todos os fatores: volume ósseo, densidade óssea, fator de padrão trabecular, índice de modelo estrutural, espessura trabecular, separação trabecular, porosidade total exceção de número de trabéculas e volume tecidual, demonstrando que há alterações significativas na estrutura trabecular pelo uso de bisfosfonatos. O grupo medicado com ácido zoledrônico comparado ao grupo controle demonstrou trabéculas mais espessas, menos separadas e com menores ligações. / Bisphosphonates are widely and effectively drugs used for the treatment of osteolytic disorders. However, in the oral cavity, this situation is of particular relevance as it can lead to bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws. Its etiopathogenesis is still not established, detection methods are unsatisfactory and recommended therapies are sometimes palliative and often ineffective. Little is known about the effect of zoledronic acid on the quality of trabecular bone, therefore, we proposed to conduct a study in an animal model to examine the trabecular bone of the jaw through the Micro-CT. 24 male rats were used (Rattus norvegicus, Albinus, Wistar), with 12 weeks old, divided into 2 groups: control group (sodium chloride 0.9%) and group with zoledronic acid (zoledronic acid 0.6 mg / kg). The substances were administered intraperitoneally every 28 days for a total of 5 doses. After 150 days from the beginning of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and then the samples were prepared and scanned (Skyscan 1174) for analysis of the bone microstructure through Micro-CT. The \"t-student\" test demonstrated statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in all factors: bone volume, osseous density, trabecular pattern, structure model index, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, total porosity except trabecular number and tissue volume, demonstrating that there are significant changes in the trabecular structure of the bisphosphonates. Zoledronic Acid compared to control group shows thicker, less separate and lower connected trabeculae.