Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-03T11:52:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-02-24Bitstream added on 2015-03-03T12:07:01Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000807311.pdf: 1576554 bytes, checksum: 8c98005febc992a7fec3f6de5d99dd6a (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo á Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O câncer epitelial de ovário representa um desafio para Oncologia Ginecológica, devido à sua natureza insidiosa e alta mortalidade. Há também uma compreensão limitada da etiologia da doença ao nível molecular, o que continua a dificultar o desenvolvimento de alvos terapêuticos. Estudos recentes de morfologia, imuno-histoquímica e de genética molecular têm levado ao desenvolvimento de um novo paradigma para a patogênese e a origem do câncer epitelial de ovário, baseado em um modelo dualista de carcinogênese que divide o câncer epitelial de ovário (CEO) em duas grandes categorias chamadas de tipos I e II. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o padrão das citocinas e quimiocinas encontradas no tecido ovariano de mulheres saudáveis e mulheres com CEO tipo I e tipo II. Além disso, descrever a associação desses biomarcadores com os dados clínico-patológicos. Foram analisadas amostras de tecido ovariano e ascite obtidas de mulheres com CEO (n=26) e amostras de tecido ovariano e lavado peritoneal de mulheres sem evidências de malignidade (n=16 - grupo de controle). Nas amostras de tecido, a expressão gênica foi avaliada utilizando a metodologia de PCR quantitativo em tempo real (qPCR) para os genes IFNG, IL-10, TGFB1, CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9 e CXCL10. A detecção dos níveis de citoquinas/quimioquinas nos fluidos peritoneais foi realizada através do método Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) os marcadores IL-12p70, TNF, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1--8, IL-17A, IFN-IL-4, IL-2, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL-9 e CXCL-10. No grupo das pacientes com CEO, 10 (38,5%) apresentavam estágios I/II e 16 (61,5%) estágios III/IV. Com relação ao tipo de tumor, de acordo com a nova classificação, 8 (30,8%) eram do tipo I e 18 (69,2 %) do tipo II. A citorredução ótima foi obtida em 15 (57,7%) das mulheres com CEO. Mulheres com CEO tipo II apresentaram maiores níveis séricos do marcador CA-125 quando comparado às do tipo I. Não houve óbito no grupo ... / The epithelial ovarian cancer represents a challenge to Gynecologic Oncology due to its insidious nature and high mortality. There is also a limited understanding of disease etiology at the molecular level, which continues to hamper targeted therapeutic development. Recent morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic studies have led to the development of a new paradigm for the pathogenesis and origin of epithelial ovarian cancer based on a dualistic model of carcinogenesis that divides epithelial ovarian cancer into 2 broad categories designated types I and II. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytokines and chemokines pattern in ovarian tissue from healthy women and women with EOC type I and type II. Also, we described the association of these biomarkers with the clinicopathological data. Samples of ovarian tissue and ascite obtained from women with EOC (n=26), samples of ovarian tissue and peritoneal wash from women with no evidence of malignancy were analyzed (n=16 – control group). In the tissue samples, gene expression were evaluated by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) IFNG, IL-10, TGFB1, CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9 and CXCL10. The detection of cytokine/chemokine levels in peritoneal fluids was measured by cytometric bead array immunoassay (CBA), IL-12p70, TNF, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1--8, IL-17A, IFN--4, IL-2, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL-9 and CXCL-10. In the group of women with EOC, 10 (38.5 %) had stage I/II and 16 (61.5 %) were stage III/IV . Concerning tumor type , according to the new classification, 8 (30.8 %) were type I and type II were 18 ( 69.2 % ) . Optimal cytoreduction was achieved in 15 (57.7 %) women with EOC. The CA-125 showed higher serum levels in patients with EOC type II compared to type I. There were no deaths in women with type I tumor while 6 (33.3 %) of patients with type II tumor died . Increased expression of IL-10, CXCL8 and CXCL9 genes in the group of women

Background: Heart damage from cancer therapy is a significant problem for survivors. Some of the most effective treatments, such as anthracyclines, cause heart toxicity that can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Cardiotoxicity also contributes to the loss of promising cancer drugs in early development and is notoriously difficult to predict. This translational project employs parallel pre-clinical and clinical studies to explore circulating biomarkers and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) during development of anthracycline associated cardiotoxicity with the aim of finding biomarkers to aid clinical decision making and enable forward/back translation. Methods: Pre-clinical work: A rat model of chronic anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy was developed involving 8 weekly intravenous boluses of doxorubicin followed by a 4 week ‘washout’ period. A time course assessment of cardiac function using multiple MRI parameters was performed alongside a panel of circulating biomarkers measured prior to dosing. Clinical work: In parallel following ethical approval, 30 cancer patients receiving standard anthracycline chemotherapy were recruited. Serial CMR scans were performed using standard and new exploratory techniques before, during and after treatment and blood was taken to evaluate a similar panel of cardiotoxicity biomarkers using multiplex ELISA at corresponding time points. Results: Pre-clinical results: Systolic and diastolic function declined progressively, culminating in left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF < 50%) by 12 weeks. Myocardial electron microscopy revealed myofibrillar and mitochondrial damage after one dose and gross histopathological damage after 5 doses. Myocardial contrast enhancement and troponin I increased significantly after eight doses and preceded LV dysfunction. Extensive fibrosis was seen 1 month after drug cessation. Clinical results: LVEF declined progressively in all patients and 7 patients (23%) had persistent LV dysfunction 12 months after therapy. Troponin I elevations were seen towards the end of therapy and peak troponin I corresponded with LVEF decline. None of the other circulating biomarkers correlated strongly with outcome. Lower baseline extracellular volume (ECV) was associated with greater LVEF decline but little change in ECV was seen over time. Baseline dyssynchrony was associated with worse outcome and deteriorated with time alongside LVEF decline. Conclusions: Results suggest that troponin I and cardiac MRI are sensitive translational tools in drug induced cardiotoxicity. However, troponin I is a relatively late marker, peaking after substantial myocardial damage, too late to halt or change reatment. The imaging suggests that fibrosis and inflammation cannot be detected within a year of chemotherapy but baseline ECV and strain analysis may have a role in risk stratification.

FLIP (FLICE inhibitory protein) est une protéine anti-apoptotique qui a des identités de séquence partagées avec la protéine pro-apoptotique caspase-8. FLIP se trouve en compétence avec caspase-8 pour se fixer sur la protéine adaptatrice FADD, ce qui empêche l’activation de caspase-8 bloquant ainsi l'apoptose. Lors du développement des molécules interférant avec des protéines anti-apoptotiques, la recherche d'inhibiteurs de la protéine FLIP qui est surexprimée dans un très grand nombre de cancers, a échoué. Cela s'explique en partie par le fait que peu d'information structurelle de FLIP est actuellement disponible TRAIL est une cytokine de la famille TNFα. Elle est décrite pour activer des voies de signalisation conduisant à la mort cellulaire par apoptose. TRAIL a montré un grand intérêt dans la thérapie anticancéreuse, grâce à sa capacité d’induire la mort des cellules tumorales sans aucun effet sur les cellules normales. Cependant, l’efficacité de TRAIL est limitée par plusieurs mécanismes moléculaires. Un de ces mécanismes est la surexpression de FLIP qui fait compromettre l’utilisation thérapeutique de TRAIL. Le but principal de ce projet est de développer des nouvelles molécules capables d’inhiber la protéine FLIP dans les cellules tumorales, sans aucun effet sur la protéine homologue caspase-8. Après modélisation des protéines FLIP et caspase-8 sur la base de la structure cristallographique de FLIP viral et FADD respectivement, des premières expériences d’ancrage ou “docking” utilisant une banque de composés chimiques du «National Cancer Institute NCI » ont été réalisées. Les 9 molécules les plus intéressantes, étant comme sélectives pour FLIP et non caspase 8, ont été sélectionnées et testées sur des lignées de cancer de poumons surexprimant la protéine FLIP. Une co-administration de chacune des molécules inhibitrices de FLIP avec TRAIL a été faite pour vérifier la restauration de la voie apoptotique dans les cellules cancéreuses. Un test moléculaire de « Pull down assay » a été fait afin de confirmer l’inhibition de l’interaction de FLIP avec FADD. Finalement, l’évaluation de l’activité enzymatique des caspases a été étudiée pour vérifier la réactivation de la voie apoptotique après la combinaison de TRAIL avec les inhibiteurs de c-FLIP. En conclusion, la combinaison de TRAIL avec les inhibiteurs de FLIP aboutit à la restauration de la voie apoptotique dans des cellules cancéreuses. Ces composés nouvellement identifiés, peuvent servir ultérieurement comme des potentiels éléments des stratégies utilisées dans le domaine du traitement du cancer. / FLIP (FLICE Inhibitory Protein) is an anti-apoptotic protein which shares sequencesimilarity with the pro-apoptotic protein caspase-8. FLIP competes with caspase-8 for binding to the adaptor protein FADD (Fas-associated death domain), thus it inhibits caspase-8 activation, thereby blocking apoptosis. During the development of molecules interfering with anti-apoptotic proteins, searching for inhibitors of FLIP protein which is overexpressed in a very large number of cancers, has failed. This is partly due to the fact that little FLIP structural information is available at present. TRAIL is a member of TNFα superfamily. It has been described to activate the apoptotic signaling pathways. TRAIL showed great interest in anti-cancer therapy, due to its ability to induce tumor cell death without any effect on normal cells. However, the efficacy of TRAIL is limited by several molecular mechanisms. One of these mechanisms is the overexpression of FLIP which is able to compromise the therapeutic use of TRAIL. The main goal of this project is to develop novel inhibitory molecules able to interfere with FLIP in tumor cells without any effect on the homologous protein caspase 8. After the construction of FLIP and caspase-8 proteins on the basis of the crystallographic structure of the viral FLIP and FADD respectively, the first docking experiments using a chemical library of the National Cancer Institute NCI have been carried out. The most interesting molecules, being selective for FLIP versus caspase 8, were selected and tested on lung cancer cell lines that overexpress FLIP protein. Co-administration of FLIP inhibitors with TRAIL was performed to verify the restoration of the apoptotic pathway in cancer cells. A molecular test of "Pull down assay" was done in order to confirm the inhibition of the FLIP/FADD interaction. Finally, the evaluation of caspases activity was carried out to confirm the reactivation of the apoptotic machinery after TRAIL/FLIP-inhibitors combination. In conclusion, the combination of TRAIL with FLIP inhibitors resulted in apoptosis restoration in resistant tumor cells. These newly identified compounds may serve later as potential elements in cancer treatment field.

Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae), conhecida popularmente como sálvia, tem sido muito utilizada no sul do Brasil como condimento nos alimentos, tintura hidroalcoólica e chá para o tratamento de vários distúrbios de saúde. As propriedades dessa planta são estudadas por apontar possíveis mecanismos de ação antioxidante e antitumoral. Neste trabalho, o extrato hidroalcoólico e aquoso de sálvia foram analisados quimicamente por meio de cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrômetro de massas (GC-MS) e electrospray de alta resolução acoplada a espectrômetro de massas (ESI-QTOF MS/MS) em modo negativo. A identificação química mostrou a presença de ácidos como caféico, rosmarínico, málico, succínico, tartárico, cítrico, ursólico e compostos como luteolina-7-O-glucoronide, eucaliptol, β-tujona, β-cariofileno, α-cariofileno, α- tujona, cânfora viridiflorol, mannol, rosmanol e seus isômeros metilcarnosato e ácido 12-metoxicarnosinico. Os extratos apresentaram compostos polifenólicos com capacidade de varrer os radicais 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH•) e 2,2’- azino-bis(3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido sulfônico) (ABTS•+), além de atividade catalase (CATlike) e superóxido dismutase (SOD-like). Ambos os extratos apresentaram menor citotoxicidade em linhagens não tumorais (HeK-293 e MRC-5) e seletividade para linhagens tumorais (Hep-2, HeLa, A-549, HT-29, A-375 e HepG2). Além disso, verificou-se que o aumento do tempo de exposição ao extrato hidroalcoólico diminuiu a viabilidade em linhagens tumorais. Foram observadas alterações morfológicas por coloração de Giemsa e a avaliação da apoptose com anexina V e iodeto de propídeo mostraram a maioria das células tumorais em estágios finais do processo de apoptose e necrose após 24h de tratamento em ambos os extratos. Sugere-se que o extrato de Salvia officinalis (L.) possui atividade biológica em células tumorais, podendo ser objetivo de mais estudos com a finalidade de comprovar sua eficácia como possível agente para o tratamento do câncer. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-02-12T12:00:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Charlene Silvestrin Celi Garcia.pdf: 2151872 bytes, checksum: 7bfd73bdf5fd152982466e3f75044d21 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-12T12:00:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Charlene Silvestrin Celi Garcia.pdf: 2151872 bytes, checksum: 7bfd73bdf5fd152982466e3f75044d21 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, FAPERGS / Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae), popularly known as sage, has been used in south of Brazil as a condiment in foods, as tincture and tea for the treatment various health disorders. The properties of this plant have been studied and suggest possible mechanisms of antioxidant and antitumor action. Here, the sage hydroalcoholic and aqueous extract were chemically analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) in negative mode. The chemical identification showed the presence of acids as caffeic, rosmarinic, malic, succinic, tartaric, citric, ursolic and compouns like luteolin-7-O-glucoronide, eucalyptol, β-thujone, β-caryophyllene, α-caryophyllenen and α-thujone, camphor, viridiflorol, mannol, rosmanol and its isomers methylcarnosate and 12-methoxycarnosinic acid. The extracts showed the content of polyphenolic compounds, ability to scavenge the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+), moreover catalase (CAT-like) and superoxide dismutase (SOD-like) activity. Both extracts showed lower cytotoxicity in non-tumor lines (HEK-293 and MRC-5) and selectivity for tumor cell lines (Hep-2, HeLa, A-549, HT-29, A-375 e HepG2). Furthermore, it was found that increasing the treatment exposure time of the hydroalcoholic extract decreases the tumor cell viability. Morphological changes by giemsa were observed and staining for annexin V and propidium iodide showed majority of tumor cells at late stages of the apoptotic process and necrosis after 24h treatment with both extracts. The results of this study suggest that the extract of Salvia officinalis (L.) has biological activity against tumor cell and may be the objective of further studies in order to prove its effectiveness as a possible agent for the treatment of cancer.

Orientador: Agnaldo Lopes da Silva Filho / Coorientador: Andréa Teixeira de Carvalho / Resumo: O câncer epitelial de ovário representa um desafio para Oncologia Ginecológica, devido à sua natureza insidiosa e alta mortalidade. Há também uma compreensão limitada da etiologia da doença ao nível molecular, o que continua a dificultar o desenvolvimento de alvos terapêuticos. Estudos recentes de morfologia, imuno-histoquímica e de genética molecular têm levado ao desenvolvimento de um novo paradigma para a patogênese e a origem do câncer epitelial de ovário, baseado em um modelo dualista de carcinogênese que divide o câncer epitelial de ovário (CEO) em duas grandes categorias chamadas de tipos I e II. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o padrão das citocinas e quimiocinas encontradas no tecido ovariano de mulheres saudáveis e mulheres com CEO tipo I e tipo II. Além disso, descrever a associação desses biomarcadores com os dados clínico-patológicos. Foram analisadas amostras de tecido ovariano e ascite obtidas de mulheres com CEO (n=26) e amostras de tecido ovariano e lavado peritoneal de mulheres sem evidências de malignidade (n=16 - grupo de controle). Nas amostras de tecido, a expressão gênica foi avaliada utilizando a metodologia de PCR quantitativo em tempo real (qPCR) para os genes IFNG, IL-10, TGFB1, CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9 e CXCL10. A detecção dos níveis de citoquinas/quimioquinas nos fluidos peritoneais foi realizada através do método Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) os marcadores IL-12p70, TNF, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1--8, IL-17A, IFN-IL-4, IL-2, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL-9 e CXCL-10. No grupo das pacientes com CEO, 10 (38,5%) apresentavam estágios I/II e 16 (61,5%) estágios III/IV. Com relação ao tipo de tumor, de acordo com a nova classificação, 8 (30,8%) eram do tipo I e 18 (69,2 %) do tipo II. A citorredução ótima foi obtida em 15 (57,7%) das mulheres com CEO. Mulheres com CEO tipo II apresentaram maiores níveis séricos do marcador CA-125 quando comparado às do tipo I. Não houve óbito no grupo... / Abstract: The epithelial ovarian cancer represents a challenge to Gynecologic Oncology due to its insidious nature and high mortality. There is also a limited understanding of disease etiology at the molecular level, which continues to hamper targeted therapeutic development. Recent morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic studies have led to the development of a new paradigm for the pathogenesis and origin of epithelial ovarian cancer based on a dualistic model of carcinogenesis that divides epithelial ovarian cancer into 2 broad categories designated types I and II. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytokines and chemokines pattern in ovarian tissue from healthy women and women with EOC type I and type II. Also, we described the association of these biomarkers with the clinicopathological data. Samples of ovarian tissue and ascite obtained from women with EOC (n=26), samples of ovarian tissue and peritoneal wash from women with no evidence of malignancy were analyzed (n=16 - control group). In the tissue samples, gene expression were evaluated by quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) IFNG, IL-10, TGFB1, CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9 and CXCL10. The detection of cytokine/chemokine levels in peritoneal fluids was measured by cytometric bead array immunoassay (CBA), IL-12p70, TNF, IL-10, IL-6, IL-1--8, IL-17A, IFN--4, IL-2, CCL2, CCL5, CXCL-9 and CXCL-10. In the group of women with EOC, 10 (38.5 %) had stage I/II and 16 (61.5 %) were stage III/IV . Concerning tumor type, according to the new classification, 8 (30.8 %) were type I and type II were 18 ( 69.2 % ) . Optimal cytoreduction was achieved in 15 (57.7 %) women with EOC. The CA-125 showed higher serum levels in patients with EOC type II compared to type I. There were no deaths in women with type I tumor while 6 (33.3 %) of patients with type II tumor died . Increased expression of IL-10, CXCL8 and CXCL9 genes in the group of women / Doutor

Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae), conhecida popularmente como sálvia, tem sido muito utilizada no sul do Brasil como condimento nos alimentos, tintura hidroalcoólica e chá para o tratamento de vários distúrbios de saúde. As propriedades dessa planta são estudadas por apontar possíveis mecanismos de ação antioxidante e antitumoral. Neste trabalho, o extrato hidroalcoólico e aquoso de sálvia foram analisados quimicamente por meio de cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrômetro de massas (GC-MS) e electrospray de alta resolução acoplada a espectrômetro de massas (ESI-QTOF MS/MS) em modo negativo. A identificação química mostrou a presença de ácidos como caféico, rosmarínico, málico, succínico, tartárico, cítrico, ursólico e compostos como luteolina-7-O-glucoronide, eucaliptol, β-tujona, β-cariofileno, α-cariofileno, α- tujona, cânfora viridiflorol, mannol, rosmanol e seus isômeros metilcarnosato e ácido 12-metoxicarnosinico. Os extratos apresentaram compostos polifenólicos com capacidade de varrer os radicais 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH•) e 2,2’- azino-bis(3-etilbenzotiazolina-6-ácido sulfônico) (ABTS•+), além de atividade catalase (CATlike) e superóxido dismutase (SOD-like). Ambos os extratos apresentaram menor citotoxicidade em linhagens não tumorais (HeK-293 e MRC-5) e seletividade para linhagens tumorais (Hep-2, HeLa, A-549, HT-29, A-375 e HepG2). Além disso, verificou-se que o aumento do tempo de exposição ao extrato hidroalcoólico diminuiu a viabilidade em linhagens tumorais. Foram observadas alterações morfológicas por coloração de Giemsa e a avaliação da apoptose com anexina V e iodeto de propídeo mostraram a maioria das células tumorais em estágios finais do processo de apoptose e necrose após 24h de tratamento em ambos os extratos. Sugere-se que o extrato de Salvia officinalis (L.) possui atividade biológica em células tumorais, podendo ser objetivo de mais estudos com a finalidade de comprovar sua eficácia como possível agente para o tratamento do câncer. / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, FAPERGS / Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceae), popularly known as sage, has been used in south of Brazil as a condiment in foods, as tincture and tea for the treatment various health disorders. The properties of this plant have been studied and suggest possible mechanisms of antioxidant and antitumor action. Here, the sage hydroalcoholic and aqueous extract were chemically analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and by high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-HRMS) in negative mode. The chemical identification showed the presence of acids as caffeic, rosmarinic, malic, succinic, tartaric, citric, ursolic and compouns like luteolin-7-O-glucoronide, eucalyptol, β-thujone, β-caryophyllene, α-caryophyllenen and α-thujone, camphor, viridiflorol, mannol, rosmanol and its isomers methylcarnosate and 12-methoxycarnosinic acid. The extracts showed the content of polyphenolic compounds, ability to scavenge the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+), moreover catalase (CAT-like) and superoxide dismutase (SOD-like) activity. Both extracts showed lower cytotoxicity in non-tumor lines (HEK-293 and MRC-5) and selectivity for tumor cell lines (Hep-2, HeLa, A-549, HT-29, A-375 e HepG2). Furthermore, it was found that increasing the treatment exposure time of the hydroalcoholic extract decreases the tumor cell viability. Morphological changes by giemsa were observed and staining for annexin V and propidium iodide showed majority of tumor cells at late stages of the apoptotic process and necrosis after 24h treatment with both extracts. The results of this study suggest that the extract of Salvia officinalis (L.) has biological activity against tumor cell and may be the objective of further studies in order to prove its effectiveness as a possible agent for the treatment of cancer.

Introdução: Além do catabolismo protéico acentuado, o paciente com câncer apresenta alterações no metabolismo lipídico. Objetivo: o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as concentrações séricas de ácidos graxos (AG) antes, durante e após o tratamento oncológico de pacientes com neoplasia de estômago ou de esôfago. Casuística: O estudo prospectivo longitudinal foi conduzido com 14 pacientes com neoplasia de estômago ou de esôfago [62,1 anos (IC95% 55,6-68,6)], sob tratamento oncológico em unidade especializada. O estudo incluiu também 15 voluntários saudáveis [61,0 anos (IC95% 57,1-65,0)]. Métodos: Foram aplicados os questionários de ingestão alimentar (Recordatórios de 24h) e inquéritos relacionados com efeitos adversos e de toxicidade (CTCAE) que potencialmente interferem na ingestão alimentar e no estado nutricional. Foram feitas as medidas antropométricas, a impedância bioelétrica e coleta de sangue para os exames laboratoriais. Os AG foram determinados por cromatografia gasosa e expressos como porcentagem da área total. No Grupo Câncer, os procedimentos foram feitos antes do início, na metade e ao término do tratamento oncológico; o Grupo Controle foi submetido às mesmas avaliações em apenas uma ocasião. A análise estatística foi feita por meio do software Statistica 8.0, usando testes estatísticos não paramétricos. Resultados: As reações adversas relacionadas ao tratamento oncológico foram redução da ingestão de alimentos, saliva espessa com alteração no paladar e náuseas. Antes do início do tratamento, os pacientes com câncer já haviam perdido 17% do peso em relação ao usual; o peso corporal e o IMC reduziram entre a primeira e a terceira avaliação, mas não houve alteração na composição de massa corporal magra e gorda, na ingestão energética e da maioria dos macronutrientes no decorrer do estudo. Em relação ao Grupo Controle, o ácido nervônico foi maior enquanto que os ácidos gama-linolênico e alfalinolênico foram menores no Grupo Câncer. Na avaliação longitudinal, o ácido lignocérico reduziu durante o tratamento oncológico. Conclusão: os pacientes com câncer de esôfago e de estômago apresentam alteração discreta na concentração dos AG séricos em relação aos controles e o tratamento oncológico teve pouco impacto no perfil de AG circulantes / Introduction: In addition to enhanced protein catabolism, the cancer patient has alterations in lipid metabolism. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate serum concentrations of fatty acids (FA) before, during and after cancer treatment of patients with gastric or esophageal cancer. Subjects: The prospective longitudinal study was conducted with 14 patients with gastric or esophageal cancer [62.1 years (95% CI 55.6 to 68.6)], under cancer treatment in a specialized unit. The study also included 15 healthy volunteers [61.0 years (95% CI 57.1 to 65.0)]. Methods: The food intake questionnaires were applied (24-hour Dietary Recall) and inquiries related adverse effects and toxicity (CTCAE) that potentially interfere with food intake and nutritional status. Anthropometric measurements were made, the bioelectrical impedance and blood collection for laboratory tests. Gas chromatography determined the FA that was expressed as a percentage of the total area. In Cancer Group, the procedures were done before the start, the middle and at the end of cancer treatment; the control group underwent the same evaluations on only one occasion. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 8.0 software, using non-parametric statistical tests. Results: Adverse reactions related to cancer treatment have been reduced food intake, thick saliva with altered taste and nausea. Before the treatment, the patients with cancer had already lost 17% of weight with respect to the usual. Body weight and BMI reduced between the first and the third evaluation, but there was no change in the composition of lean and fat mass, energy intake and macronutrient most during the study. Compared to the control group, the nervonic acid was higher while the gamma-linolenic and alpha-linolenic acids were lower in the cancer group. In the longitudinal evaluation, the lignoceric acid reduced during cancer treatment. Conclusion: Patients with esophageal and stomach cancer have a mild change in the concentration of serum FA compared to controls and cancer treatment had little impact on the current FA profile

M.A. (Social Work) / Cancer is a common condition and is becoming an important issue in South Africa. During their lifetime people may develop different forms of cancer such as lung -, throat -, skin -, colon -, and breast cancer. Cancer affects people of different age groups from small children up to older people. It cuts across different racial groups and different socio economic levels. The patient with cancer faces one of the greatest stress situations known to man. Cancer is frequently a chronic disease. Acute periods of illness or intensive therapy may interrupt periods of normality for months or years. Treatment may necessitate major alterations in lifestyle or normal body functions. The diagnosis of cancer is seen by many as synonymous with death. (Kellogg & Sullivan : 1978) Kellogg (1978) believes that the fear of loss of self determination, of being dependent and non - productive, can be more stressful than the prospect of death itself. The patient may also fear that the disease, the results of treatment, or the changes he presumes will result, will cause others to isolate or abandon him...

Ph.D. / Ligands bis(pyrazolyl)acetic acid (L1) and bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)acetic acid (L2) were synthesised by reacting pyrazoles and dibromoacetic acid under phase transfer conditions, by using benzyltriethylammonium chloride as the catalyst. Ligands L1 and L2 were characterised by a combination of 1H, 13C{1H} NMR, IR spectroscopy and microanalysis. Esterification of L1 and L2 led to formation of bis(pyrazolyl)ethyl acetate (L3) and bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)ethyl acetate (L4). Ligands L3 and L4 were also characterised by a combination of 1H, 13C{1H} NMR, IR spectroscopy and microanalysis. Subsequently, new pyrazolyl palladium(II) and platinum(II) compounds, [PdCl2(L1)] (1), [PdCl2(L2)] (2), [PtCl2(L1)] (3a) and [PtCl2(L2)] (4) were prepared by reacting bis(pyrazolyl)acetic acid ligands (L1-L2) with K2[PdCl4] or K2[PtCl4] respectively. The structures of complex 1 and 2 reveal distorted square planar geometries. The bond angles of N-Pd-N, N-Pd-Cl, N-Pd-Cl, for 1 and 2 are between 85.8(3)o and 90.81(4)o). The platinum compound, K2[Pt4Cl8(L1)2(deprotonated-L1)2].2H2O (3b), crystallised from aqueous solutions containing 3a when such solutions were left to stand overnight. Each platinum coordination environment consists of two cis-Cl ligands and one K2-N^N(L1) unit (L1 = bis(pyrazolyl)acetic acid), with two ligand moieties in 3b that are deprotonated with two K+ counter ions. Reaction of bis(pyrazolyl)acetic acid ligands (L1-L2) with [HAuCl4].4H2O gave gold(III) complexes [AuCl2(L1)]Cl (5a) and [AuCl2(L2)]Cl (6a). The spectroscopic, mass spectroscopy and microanalysis data were used to confirm the formation of the desired complexes. However, attempts to crystallise 5a and 6a led to formation of [AuCl2(pz)(pzH)] (5b) and [AuCl2(3,5-Me2pz)(3,5-Me2pzH)] (6b). This was confirmed by the structural characterisation of 5b, which has a distorted square-planar geometry. When complexes 1-6a were screened for their anti-tumour activity against CHO-22 cells, they showed no appreciable biological activities against CHO-22 cells. Substitution reactions of complexes 1-6a with L-cysteine performed to probe any relationship between the observed antitumour activities and the rates of ligand substitution of these complexes were inconclusive. Dithiocarbamate ligands L5-L8 were synthesised as potassium salts by introducing a CS2 group in positions 1 of pyrazole, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, indazole and imidazole. The reaction of L5-L8 with [AuCl(PPh3)], [Au2Cl2(dppe)], [Au2Cl2(dppp)] and [Au2Cl2(dpph)], led to isolation of complexes [Au(L)(PPh3)] (13-16), [Au2(L)2(dppe)] (17a-19), [Au2(L)2(dppp)] (20-22) and [Au2(L)2(dpph)] (23-25) (dppe = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, dppp = bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, dpph = bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane; L = anions of L5-L8). The mononuclear molecular structure of 15 features a near linear geometry with a P(1)-Au(1)-S(1) angle of 175.36(2) o. The binuclear gold(I) complexes 20-22 and 23-25 have two P-Au-S moieties as evident in the solid state structure of 25. Attempts to crystallise complex 17a led to the formation of a gold(I) cluster complex [Au18S8(dppe)6]2+ (17b) as confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Cluster 17b features weak Au···Au interactions (2.9263(7)-3.1395(7) Å). Complexes 13-16 and 20-25 were tested in vitro for anticancer activity on HeLa cells. The activities of gold(I) complexes 13-16 were comparable to that of cisplatin. Dinuclear gold(I) complexes 20-25 also showed appreciable antitumour activity against HeLa cells. However, the dpph gold(I) compounds (23-25) were highly active, with 24 showing the highest activity against HeLa cells (IC50 = 0.1 μM). The tumour specificity (TS) factors for 23 and 24 were 31.0 and 70.5, respectively.

The present study was undertaken to determine the effects and possible mechanism of action of cimetidine in cancer and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Throughout this study emphasis is placed on free radical levels since the magnitude of the relationship between diseases and the levels of free radicals vary from one disease to another. Studies were carried out to examine the effect of cimetidine on free radical levels using superoxide formation and lipid peroxidation as indicators of free radical levels. The experiments revealed that addition of cimetidine, especially in high concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 x10-6 M) significantly inhibited WHCO6 cancer cell growth rather than cancer cell growth, as no normal control was available. Free radical formation as well as hydroxyl radical formation were reduced in the deoxyribose assay. In addition, cimetidine exhibits properties of binding to metals such as copper and iron. To maintain consistency in the experiments, a WHCO6 (Wits Human Carcinoma of the Oesophagus) cell line was used to investigate the effect of cimetidine in cancer. Neurodegeneration was induced in the rat brain using neurotoxins such as cyanide to investigate the relationship between cimetidine in AD. A decrease in cancer cell growth was accompanied by a concomitant decrease in the levels of free radicals and lipid peroxidation, suggesting that the growth-inhibitory effects of cimetidine on WHCO6 cancer cells in vitro may be due to free radical scavenging properties. This proposal was further strengthened by determination of free radical levels in the rat brain. After treatment with neurotoxins to induce neurodegeneration, the levels of free radicals in the rat brain suggest that addition of cimetidine reduces free radical levels in the rat brain in a dosedependent manner. Further experiments were done in an attempt to uncover the underlying mechanism by which cimetidine exhibits free radical scavenging properties. Metal binding studies were done using electrochemical, HPLC and UV/Vis studies. The results show that cimetidine binds iron and copper. These metals have been implicated in free radical production via the Fenton reaction. By binding with cimetidine the metals become unavailable to produce free radicals and hence cimetidine indirectly reduces the formation of free radicals. The final experiment was the determination of cimetidine as a hydroxyl radical scavenger in the deoxyribose assay. Cimetidine was shown to act as a potent hydroxyl radical scavenger, thereby confirming its activity as a free radical scavenger. In addition, cimetidine protects against damage to the deoxyribose sugar, a component of DNA. Whilst there are many theories that explain the therapeutic role of cimetidine in degenerative disease, the actual mechanism of the role of cimetidine is emphasized as a free radical scavenger. Regardless of the mechanism of action, cimetidine does inhibit tumour growth according to this study and also reduce free radical levels in neurodegeneration, which suggests a role for cimetidine as a possible additive in treatment of patients with such disease states. These findings have important clinical implications, and needs to be investigated further.