Climate change is anticipated to raise overall temperatures in the twenty-first century and is likely to intensify population exposure to heat during the warm season and, as a result, increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths. While earlier studies of heat exposure and related health impacts generally focused on the acute effects of short-term exposure indicated by high daily temperature or several days of very hot weather, recent research has suggested that small changes in seasonal average temperature over a long period of time is likely to pose significant health risk as well. Using downscaled climate projections under three Representative Concentration Pathways emission scenarios, high-spatial-resolution population data, and the latest population projections by the United Nations, we aim at projecting future changes in long-term population exposure to summer heat across China in the mid- and late-twenty-first century resulting from global climate change. As the impacts of population growth are often overlooked in projecting future changes in heat exposure, we estimated changes in population-weighted average temperature in the warmest quarter over two future 20-year time periods and compared them with changes in temperature only. Our analysis shows that, nationally, population-weighted average temperature in the warmest quarter is projected to increase by 2.2 °C relative to the current situation in the 2050s and by 2.5 °C in the 2070s, as the result of climate change and population growth. Despite the foreseeable population stabilization in China, changes in population-weighted temperature are projected to be higher than changes in temperature itself for the majority of the 33 provinces (ranging from 0.02 °C to 1.27 °C, or 1% to 126% higher in the 2050s and from 0.02 °C to 1.16 °C, or 1% to 73% higher in the 2070s), with the largest differences mainly occurring in Western China. The impact of urbanization is projected to be relatively insignificant. Our findings provide evidence of possible underestimation of future changes in long-term exposure to summer heat if the effect of population growth is not factored in.

O arsênio é um elemento químico tóxico encontrado na natureza em várias formas químicas. Entretanto, cada uma delas apresenta diferença na toxicocinética e toxicodinâmica. Os alimentos são considerados a principal fonte de exposição pelos humanos, destacando o arroz, que pode conter o arsênio na forma inorgânica e nas formas de ácidos monometilarsônico e dimetilarsínico (DMA), e alimentos de origem marinha. Os compostos de arsênio encontrados na biota marinha são classificados como solúveis em água, como arsenobetaína e arsenoaçúcares, e solúveis em lipídeos como os arsenolipídeos. Assim, é importante o desenvolvimento de estudos que avaliem a exposição ao arsênio pela alimentação, sua distribuição em organismos e sua especiação química. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho está apresentado em dois capítulos. O capítulo I corresponde ao estudo de exposição crônica em camudongos machos Swiss ao arsênio presente na dieta e os efeitos em alguns parâmetros bioquímicos. Para isso os animais foram divididos em grupo controle, três grupos expostos à dieta contendo arroz naturalmente contaminado com arsênio e três grupos expostos à dieta preparada com sais de arsênio nas mesmas concentrações presentes no arroz. Concentrações de arsênio total foram determinadas nos tecidos dos animais em estudo por ICP-MS, sendo que as maiores concentrações foram observadas na bexiga > pêlos > pulmões > rins > fígado > coração > cérebro > sangue. Análises de especiação química usando HPLC-ICP-MS mostraram a presença de DMA e As5+ em amostras de fígado e rins. Adicionalmente, não foram observadas alterações nas concentrações de glicose e de óxido nítrico plasmáticos. Uma redução significativa nas concentrações de hemoglobina sanguínea foi observada apenas para os animais expostos à ração preparada com a maior concentração de arsênio na forma do sal. Alterações em alguns parâmetros relacionados ao estresse oxidativo foram encontradas nos animais expostos às dietas contendo a maior proporção de arroz e a maior concentração de arsênio na forma de sal. Portanto, as características pioneiras deste estudo levantam questionamentos diversos e incentivam a continuidade de pesquisas futuras relacionadas à avaliação da segurança do consumo de arroz. O capítulo II refere-se ao estudo de identificação e distribuição de arsenolipídeos em tecidos de baleia-piloto-de-aleta-longa (Globicephala melas), com diferenças na idade e sexo. Arsênio total foi determinado nas amostras por ICP-MS, sendo as maiores concentrações encontradas nos rins. Os resultados mostraram que as baleias-piloto adultas tendem a acumular maior concentração do elemento em relação a juvenis. As amostras de fígado, rins, músculo e camada de gordura foram submetidas a um procedimento de extração. As maiores concentrações de arsênio total foram determinadas nos extratos metanol/diclorometano por ICP-MS e 7 arsenolipídeos (ácidos graxos e hidrocarbonetos contendo arsênio) foram ii identificados nestes extratos após análise de especiação química por HPLC-ICP-MS/ESI-MS. Por outro lado, mesmo o extrato hexano apresentando menores concentrações do elemento, alguns arsenolipídeos foram identificados. Foi possível observar que cada tecido apresentou um perfil específico de distribuição destes compostos. Assim, este segundo estudo foi precursor na identificação e distribuição de arsenolipídeos em tecidos de baleias, contribuindo para o fortalecimento da avaliação de aspectos biogeoquímicos e toxicológicos do arsênio / Arsenic is a toxic and widely distributed element in the nature. It is found in different chemical forms and each of them presents different toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic. Food is considered the main source of exposure to humans highlighting the rice that usually contains inorganic arsenic, monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and sea food. Organic arsenic forms, found in marine biota, are classified as water-soluble (arsenobetaine and arsenosugars), or lipid-soluble compounds (arsenolipids). Therefore, it is of extreme importance the development of studies that evaluate arsenic exposure by diet, the distribution of the element in organisms, and its chemical speciation. Thus, the present study is divided in two chapters. Chapter I is related to the effects on some biochemical parameters after a chronic exposure to arsenic through the diet by Swiss male mice. For this, animals were divided into a control group, three groups fed with a diet containing rice naturally contaminated with arsenic, and three groups fed with a diet prepared with arsenic salts at the same concentration present in rice. Total arsenic concentration in the tissues was determined by ICP-MS. The highest concentrations were observed in bladder > hair > lung > kidneys > liver > heart > brain > blood. The chemical speciation analysis using HPLC-ICP-MS showed the presence of DMA and As5+ in liver and kidneys samples. Additionally, no changes were observed in the plasmatic glucose and nitric oxide levels. A significant reduction in blood hemoglobin concentration was observed only in animals exposed to the diet prepared at the highest concentration of arsenic salts. Biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress were altered in the whole blood of animals exposed to the diets containing higher proportion of rice and higher concentration of arsenic added as a salt. So, the pioneer results of the present study contribute to the answer of a number of issues and may encourage future research concerning safety assessment of rice consumption. Chapter II refers to the identification of arsenolipids in tissue samples collected from long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala Melas). The investigation comprised whether arsenolipids were present in the tissues of pilot whales, and how they were distributed into the different organs. Total arsenic concentration in the tissues was determined, with the highest concentration found in the kidneys. The results showed that adult pilot whales tend to accumulate higher concentration of the element compared to the juvenile ones. Furthermore, extractions of nonpolar and polar arsenolipids from liver, kidneys, muscle, and blubber samples were performed. The highest arsenic concentration was found in the methanol/dichloromethane extracts by ICP-MS and also 7 arsenolipids (arsenic-containing fatty acids and hydrocarbons) were identified after chemical speciation analysis by HPLC-ICP-MS/ESI-MS. On the other hand, even the hexane extract having lower arsenic concentration, there were some arsenolipids identified. It was noticed that each tissue presented a specific profile of arsenolipids iv distribution. So, this second study was pioneer in identification of arsenolipids in whales tissues and contribute to biogeochemical and toxicological evaluation of arsenic.

O recente desenvolvimento de técnicas proteômicas tem permitido a análise do perfil proteico completo dos sistemas biológicos, permitindo um melhor entendimento da fisiologia normal do organismo, bem como dos mecanismos de doenças, descoberta de biomarcadores para detecção precoce de doenças, identificação de novas terapias e descobertas de fármacos. No presente trabalho, a análise proteômica foi usada para auxiliar no entendimento dos mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na intoxicação induzida pelo fluoretono fígado de ratos e definir biomarcadores potenciais de toxicidade. Três grupos de ratos Wistar machos recém-desmamados (21 dias de vida) foram tratados ad libitum com água de beber contendo 0 (controle), 5 ou 50 mg/L de fluoreto, por 60 dias (n=6/grupo). Os animais foram eutanasiados e o fígado e o soro foram coletados. O fígado foi dividido em lobos, sendo que o esquerdo foi destinado à dosagem de fluoreto (eletrodo íon-sensível, após difusão facilitada por hexametildisiloxano), o direito à análise histológica (hematoxilina e eosina) e o mediano, à análise proteômica (eletroforese bidimensional associada a LC-MS/MS). Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA e teste de Tukey (p<0,05). Foi possível detectar uma dose-resposta em relação à ingestão para os níveis de fluoreto presentes no soro e no fígado houve diferença significativa entre os grupos que receberam 5 e 50 mg/L de fluoreto. A análise morfométrica histológica não revelou alterações nas estruturas celulares e exame o morfológico indicou inclusões lipídicas nos grupos 5 mg/L e 50 mg/L de fluoreto, mais intensas no último. A análise quantitativa de intensidade (software ImageMaster 2D-Platinum v 7.0), comparando a porcentagem de alteração de volume do spot protéico, revelou que 33, 44 e 29 spots aumentaram ou diminuíram sua expressão nos grupos controle X 5 mg/L, controle X 50 mg/L e 5 mg/L X 50 mg/L de fluoreto, respectivamente. Além disto, foram encontradas 18, 1 e 5 spots exclusivos nos grupos controle, 5 mg/L e 50 mg/L de fluoreto, respectivamente. Dentre os spots proteínas com expressão diferencial, foram identificadas 94 proteínas (72,3%). Em síntese, a exposição ao fluoreto alterou a expressão a nível hepático de proteínas pertencentes a todas as categorias funcionais, com predominância daquelas relacionadas ao metabolismo, sendo que as alterações mais pronunciadas foram observadas no grupo de 50 mg/L de fluoreto. Proteínas que tiveram sua expressão ausente mediante exposição ao fluoreto ou que tiveram sua expressão induzida por este elemento são potenciais biomarcadores para este tipo de exposição e devem ser melhor investigadas. Uma vez que se trata do primeiro trabalho envolvendo análise proteômica de fígado de animais expostos a diferentes doses de fluoreto, estes achados apontam importantes vias e processos celulares afetados no fígado pela exposição ao fluoreto, os quais devem ser melhor analisados em estudos futuros. / The recent development of proteomic techniques allowed the analysis of the whole proteomic profile of the biological systems, allowing the comprehension of the normal physiology, as well as of the mechanisms underlying diseases. It has also made easier the discovery of biomarkers of diseases, as well as the identification of new therapies and drugs. In the present study, proteomic analysis was used as a tool to help understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic fluoride toxicity in rat liver and also to define potential biomarkers of toxicity. Three groups of weanling male Wistarrats (21 days) were treated ad libitum with drinking water containing 0 (control), 5 or 50 mg/L fluoride for 60 days (n=6/group). After euthanasia, liver and serum were collected. The liver was divided into lobes. The left lobe was used for fluoride analysis (ion-sensitive electrode, after hexamethyldisiloxane-facilitated diffusion). The right lobe was used for histological analysis (hematoxylin and eosine) while the median was used for proteomic analysis (2D-PAGE associated with LC-MS/MS). Data were analysed by ANOVA and Tukeys test, (p<0.05). A dose-response relationship was observed for serum fluoride levels. In liver, a significant increase in fluoride levels was observed in the 50 mg/L group when compared with the 5 mg/L group. Morphometric analysis did not reveal alterations in the cellular structures. The morphological exam revealed macrovesicular lipid droplets in the 5 and 50 mg/L groups which were more intense in the later. Quantitative intensity analysis (software ImageMaster 2D-Platinum v 7.0) comparing the percentage of alteration of volume of protein spots revealed 33, 44 and 29 protein spots that had increase or decrease in expression in the groups control X 5 mg/L, control X 50 mg/L and 5 mg/L X 50 mg/L, respectively. In addition, 18, 1 and 5 protein spots were detected exclusively in groups control, 5 mg/L and 50 mg/L, respectively. From the differentially expressed spots, 94 proteins were satisfactorily identified (72.3%). Briefly, exposure to fluoride altered the expression of liver proteins belonging to all the functional categories, especially those related to metabolism. More pronounced alterations were seen for the 50 mg/L group. Proteins that were not detected upon exposure to fluoride or that had their expression induced in the presence of fluoride are potential biomarkers of toxicity and should be better investigated. Since this is the first study involving proteomic analysis of liver in rats exposed to different doses of fluoride, these findings indicate important pathways and cellular processes affected by exposure to this element that should be addressed in details in future studies.

Introdução: Variações das condições ambientais no período neonatal alteram a fisiologia e o desenvolvimento de diferentes sistemas. Modelos animais de estimulação neonatal induzem alterações neuroendócrinas e comportamentais persistentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os efeitos da manipulação neonatal sobre o consumo de dieta palatável em diferentes períodos de exposição a esse tipo de alimento na vida adulta, e seus desfechos em resposta à abstinência ao alimento palatável. Métodos: No dia 0 de vida (dia de nascimento), as ninhadas foram divididas em manipuladas (M) e não manipuladas (NM), as que sofriam manipulação neonatal foram separadas das mães e colocadas em uma incubadora por 10 min/dia (do dia 1 ao dia 10 de vida). Aos 21 dias foi realizada a sexagem, apenas as fêmeas foram utilizadas neste trabalho. Entre os 80 e 100 dias de vida foram pesadas e randomizadas e o trabalho foi divido em: Experimento 1– exposição crônica à dieta palatável – comparação entre 15 dias e 30 dias de consumo da dieta e Experimento 2 – abstinência da dieta palatável – comparação de 24 horas e 7 dias de privação do alimento palatável com animais sem abstinência. A dieta foi oferecida a partir dos 90 dias de vida (todas as ratas tinham no mínimo 90 dias de vida). Foram avaliados: peso corporal, consumo alimentar, depósito de gordura abdominal (antes e depois da abstinência) e os níveis de corticosterona, de TH e p-CREB na amígdala após abstinência. As análises entre os grupos foram realizadas usando diferentes modelos estatísticos, ANOVA de duas vias, ANOVA de medidas repetidas seguidas pelo teste post-hoc de Tukey e o Teste t de Student. Resultados: Experimento 1 – Ambos os 15 e 30 dias de exposição crônica à dieta palatável induzem efeitos metabólicos semelhantes. Experimento 2- As ratas manipulados no período neonatal mostram uma resposta peculiar à abstinência do alimento palatável após a exposição crônica dessa dieta por 15 dias, menor ingestão de alimento palatável após a retirada por 24 horas, acompanhado pelo aumento de TH e pCREB na amígdala. Conclusões: Este estudo sugere que as variações no ambiente neonatal podem afetar a resposta a abstinência aguda de dieta palatável, principalmente em um nível neuroquímico, aumentando o TH e presença de p-CREB na amígdala de indivíduos que sofreram manipulação neonatal e restrição de dieta palatável por 24 horas. / Introduction: Variations in environmental conditions in the neonatal period change the physiology and development of different systems. Animal models of neonatal stimulation induce neuroendocrine alterations and persistent behaviors. The objective of this research was to study the effects of neonatal handling on the consumption of palatable diet in different period of exposure to this type of food in adult life, and its outcome as a response to withdrawal to palatable food. Methods: On the day 0 of life (birth date), the offspring was divided into handled (H) and not handled (NH), the ones which underwent neonatal handling were separated from their mothers and put into an incubator for 10min/day (from day 1 to day 10 of life). By the age of 21 days a sexing was realized, only females were used in this research. Between the 80 and 100 days of life they were weighted and randomized and the study was divided into: Experiment 1- chronic exposure to palatable diet – comparison between 15 days and 30 days of diet consumption and Experiment 2 – withdrawal from palatable diet – comparison of 24 hours and 7 days of deprivation of palatable food on animals without withdrawal. The diet was offered from the 90th day of life on (all rats were at least 90 days of life). The following were evaluated: body weight, food consumption, abdominal fat deposit (before and after withdrawal) and the levels of corticosterone, TH and p-CREB of the amygdala after withdrawal. The analysis among the groups were carried out based on different statistic models, two-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA followed by the Tukey post-hoc test and the Student’s t-test. Results: Experiment 1- both 15 and 30 days of chronic exposure to palatable food induce comparable metabolic effects. Experiment 2 –rats handled during the neonatal period show a peculiar response to palatable food withdrawal after chronic exposure to this diet for 15 days, ingesting less of this food after 24h withdrawal, accompanied by increased amygdala TH and pCREB. Conclusions: This study suggests that variations in the neonatal environment may affect the response to acute withdrawal from palatable diet, mainly at a neurochemical level, increasing the TH and p-CREB presence in the amygdala of neonatally handled individuals that suffered such restriction for 24 hours of palatable food.

Introdução: Variações das condições ambientais no período neonatal alteram a fisiologia e o desenvolvimento de diferentes sistemas. Modelos animais de estimulação neonatal induzem alterações neuroendócrinas e comportamentais persistentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os efeitos da manipulação neonatal sobre o consumo de dieta palatável em diferentes períodos de exposição a esse tipo de alimento na vida adulta, e seus desfechos em resposta à abstinência ao alimento palatável. Métodos: No dia 0 de vida (dia de nascimento), as ninhadas foram divididas em manipuladas (M) e não manipuladas (NM), as que sofriam manipulação neonatal foram separadas das mães e colocadas em uma incubadora por 10 min/dia (do dia 1 ao dia 10 de vida). Aos 21 dias foi realizada a sexagem, apenas as fêmeas foram utilizadas neste trabalho. Entre os 80 e 100 dias de vida foram pesadas e randomizadas e o trabalho foi divido em: Experimento 1– exposição crônica à dieta palatável – comparação entre 15 dias e 30 dias de consumo da dieta e Experimento 2 – abstinência da dieta palatável – comparação de 24 horas e 7 dias de privação do alimento palatável com animais sem abstinência. A dieta foi oferecida a partir dos 90 dias de vida (todas as ratas tinham no mínimo 90 dias de vida). Foram avaliados: peso corporal, consumo alimentar, depósito de gordura abdominal (antes e depois da abstinência) e os níveis de corticosterona, de TH e p-CREB na amígdala após abstinência. As análises entre os grupos foram realizadas usando diferentes modelos estatísticos, ANOVA de duas vias, ANOVA de medidas repetidas seguidas pelo teste post-hoc de Tukey e o Teste t de Student. Resultados: Experimento 1 – Ambos os 15 e 30 dias de exposição crônica à dieta palatável induzem efeitos metabólicos semelhantes. Experimento 2- As ratas manipulados no período neonatal mostram uma resposta peculiar à abstinência do alimento palatável após a exposição crônica dessa dieta por 15 dias, menor ingestão de alimento palatável após a retirada por 24 horas, acompanhado pelo aumento de TH e pCREB na amígdala. Conclusões: Este estudo sugere que as variações no ambiente neonatal podem afetar a resposta a abstinência aguda de dieta palatável, principalmente em um nível neuroquímico, aumentando o TH e presença de p-CREB na amígdala de indivíduos que sofreram manipulação neonatal e restrição de dieta palatável por 24 horas. / Introduction: Variations in environmental conditions in the neonatal period change the physiology and development of different systems. Animal models of neonatal stimulation induce neuroendocrine alterations and persistent behaviors. The objective of this research was to study the effects of neonatal handling on the consumption of palatable diet in different period of exposure to this type of food in adult life, and its outcome as a response to withdrawal to palatable food. Methods: On the day 0 of life (birth date), the offspring was divided into handled (H) and not handled (NH), the ones which underwent neonatal handling were separated from their mothers and put into an incubator for 10min/day (from day 1 to day 10 of life). By the age of 21 days a sexing was realized, only females were used in this research. Between the 80 and 100 days of life they were weighted and randomized and the study was divided into: Experiment 1- chronic exposure to palatable diet – comparison between 15 days and 30 days of diet consumption and Experiment 2 – withdrawal from palatable diet – comparison of 24 hours and 7 days of deprivation of palatable food on animals without withdrawal. The diet was offered from the 90th day of life on (all rats were at least 90 days of life). The following were evaluated: body weight, food consumption, abdominal fat deposit (before and after withdrawal) and the levels of corticosterone, TH and p-CREB of the amygdala after withdrawal. The analysis among the groups were carried out based on different statistic models, two-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA followed by the Tukey post-hoc test and the Student’s t-test. Results: Experiment 1- both 15 and 30 days of chronic exposure to palatable food induce comparable metabolic effects. Experiment 2 –rats handled during the neonatal period show a peculiar response to palatable food withdrawal after chronic exposure to this diet for 15 days, ingesting less of this food after 24h withdrawal, accompanied by increased amygdala TH and pCREB. Conclusions: This study suggests that variations in the neonatal environment may affect the response to acute withdrawal from palatable diet, mainly at a neurochemical level, increasing the TH and p-CREB presence in the amygdala of neonatally handled individuals that suffered such restriction for 24 hours of palatable food.

O recente desenvolvimento de técnicas proteômicas tem permitido a análise do perfil proteico completo dos sistemas biológicos, permitindo um melhor entendimento da fisiologia normal do organismo, bem como dos mecanismos de doenças, descoberta de biomarcadores para detecção precoce de doenças, identificação de novas terapias e descobertas de fármacos. No presente trabalho, a análise proteômica foi usada para auxiliar no entendimento dos mecanismos moleculares envolvidos na intoxicação induzida pelo fluoretono fígado de ratos e definir biomarcadores potenciais de toxicidade. Três grupos de ratos Wistar machos recém-desmamados (21 dias de vida) foram tratados ad libitum com água de beber contendo 0 (controle), 5 ou 50 mg/L de fluoreto, por 60 dias (n=6/grupo). Os animais foram eutanasiados e o fígado e o soro foram coletados. O fígado foi dividido em lobos, sendo que o esquerdo foi destinado à dosagem de fluoreto (eletrodo íon-sensível, após difusão facilitada por hexametildisiloxano), o direito à análise histológica (hematoxilina e eosina) e o mediano, à análise proteômica (eletroforese bidimensional associada a LC-MS/MS). Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA e teste de Tukey (p<0,05). Foi possível detectar uma dose-resposta em relação à ingestão para os níveis de fluoreto presentes no soro e no fígado houve diferença significativa entre os grupos que receberam 5 e 50 mg/L de fluoreto. A análise morfométrica histológica não revelou alterações nas estruturas celulares e exame o morfológico indicou inclusões lipídicas nos grupos 5 mg/L e 50 mg/L de fluoreto, mais intensas no último. A análise quantitativa de intensidade (software ImageMaster 2D-Platinum v 7.0), comparando a porcentagem de alteração de volume do spot protéico, revelou que 33, 44 e 29 spots aumentaram ou diminuíram sua expressão nos grupos controle X 5 mg/L, controle X 50 mg/L e 5 mg/L X 50 mg/L de fluoreto, respectivamente. Além disto, foram encontradas 18, 1 e 5 spots exclusivos nos grupos controle, 5 mg/L e 50 mg/L de fluoreto, respectivamente. Dentre os spots proteínas com expressão diferencial, foram identificadas 94 proteínas (72,3%). Em síntese, a exposição ao fluoreto alterou a expressão a nível hepático de proteínas pertencentes a todas as categorias funcionais, com predominância daquelas relacionadas ao metabolismo, sendo que as alterações mais pronunciadas foram observadas no grupo de 50 mg/L de fluoreto. Proteínas que tiveram sua expressão ausente mediante exposição ao fluoreto ou que tiveram sua expressão induzida por este elemento são potenciais biomarcadores para este tipo de exposição e devem ser melhor investigadas. Uma vez que se trata do primeiro trabalho envolvendo análise proteômica de fígado de animais expostos a diferentes doses de fluoreto, estes achados apontam importantes vias e processos celulares afetados no fígado pela exposição ao fluoreto, os quais devem ser melhor analisados em estudos futuros. / The recent development of proteomic techniques allowed the analysis of the whole proteomic profile of the biological systems, allowing the comprehension of the normal physiology, as well as of the mechanisms underlying diseases. It has also made easier the discovery of biomarkers of diseases, as well as the identification of new therapies and drugs. In the present study, proteomic analysis was used as a tool to help understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic fluoride toxicity in rat liver and also to define potential biomarkers of toxicity. Three groups of weanling male Wistarrats (21 days) were treated ad libitum with drinking water containing 0 (control), 5 or 50 mg/L fluoride for 60 days (n=6/group). After euthanasia, liver and serum were collected. The liver was divided into lobes. The left lobe was used for fluoride analysis (ion-sensitive electrode, after hexamethyldisiloxane-facilitated diffusion). The right lobe was used for histological analysis (hematoxylin and eosine) while the median was used for proteomic analysis (2D-PAGE associated with LC-MS/MS). Data were analysed by ANOVA and Tukeys test, (p<0.05). A dose-response relationship was observed for serum fluoride levels. In liver, a significant increase in fluoride levels was observed in the 50 mg/L group when compared with the 5 mg/L group. Morphometric analysis did not reveal alterations in the cellular structures. The morphological exam revealed macrovesicular lipid droplets in the 5 and 50 mg/L groups which were more intense in the later. Quantitative intensity analysis (software ImageMaster 2D-Platinum v 7.0) comparing the percentage of alteration of volume of protein spots revealed 33, 44 and 29 protein spots that had increase or decrease in expression in the groups control X 5 mg/L, control X 50 mg/L and 5 mg/L X 50 mg/L, respectively. In addition, 18, 1 and 5 protein spots were detected exclusively in groups control, 5 mg/L and 50 mg/L, respectively. From the differentially expressed spots, 94 proteins were satisfactorily identified (72.3%). Briefly, exposure to fluoride altered the expression of liver proteins belonging to all the functional categories, especially those related to metabolism. More pronounced alterations were seen for the 50 mg/L group. Proteins that were not detected upon exposure to fluoride or that had their expression induced in the presence of fluoride are potential biomarkers of toxicity and should be better investigated. Since this is the first study involving proteomic analysis of liver in rats exposed to different doses of fluoride, these findings indicate important pathways and cellular processes affected by exposure to this element that should be addressed in details in future studies.

Introdução: Variações das condições ambientais no período neonatal alteram a fisiologia e o desenvolvimento de diferentes sistemas. Modelos animais de estimulação neonatal induzem alterações neuroendócrinas e comportamentais persistentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os efeitos da manipulação neonatal sobre o consumo de dieta palatável em diferentes períodos de exposição a esse tipo de alimento na vida adulta, e seus desfechos em resposta à abstinência ao alimento palatável. Métodos: No dia 0 de vida (dia de nascimento), as ninhadas foram divididas em manipuladas (M) e não manipuladas (NM), as que sofriam manipulação neonatal foram separadas das mães e colocadas em uma incubadora por 10 min/dia (do dia 1 ao dia 10 de vida). Aos 21 dias foi realizada a sexagem, apenas as fêmeas foram utilizadas neste trabalho. Entre os 80 e 100 dias de vida foram pesadas e randomizadas e o trabalho foi divido em: Experimento 1– exposição crônica à dieta palatável – comparação entre 15 dias e 30 dias de consumo da dieta e Experimento 2 – abstinência da dieta palatável – comparação de 24 horas e 7 dias de privação do alimento palatável com animais sem abstinência. A dieta foi oferecida a partir dos 90 dias de vida (todas as ratas tinham no mínimo 90 dias de vida). Foram avaliados: peso corporal, consumo alimentar, depósito de gordura abdominal (antes e depois da abstinência) e os níveis de corticosterona, de TH e p-CREB na amígdala após abstinência. As análises entre os grupos foram realizadas usando diferentes modelos estatísticos, ANOVA de duas vias, ANOVA de medidas repetidas seguidas pelo teste post-hoc de Tukey e o Teste t de Student. Resultados: Experimento 1 – Ambos os 15 e 30 dias de exposição crônica à dieta palatável induzem efeitos metabólicos semelhantes. Experimento 2- As ratas manipulados no período neonatal mostram uma resposta peculiar à abstinência do alimento palatável após a exposição crônica dessa dieta por 15 dias, menor ingestão de alimento palatável após a retirada por 24 horas, acompanhado pelo aumento de TH e pCREB na amígdala. Conclusões: Este estudo sugere que as variações no ambiente neonatal podem afetar a resposta a abstinência aguda de dieta palatável, principalmente em um nível neuroquímico, aumentando o TH e presença de p-CREB na amígdala de indivíduos que sofreram manipulação neonatal e restrição de dieta palatável por 24 horas. / Introduction: Variations in environmental conditions in the neonatal period change the physiology and development of different systems. Animal models of neonatal stimulation induce neuroendocrine alterations and persistent behaviors. The objective of this research was to study the effects of neonatal handling on the consumption of palatable diet in different period of exposure to this type of food in adult life, and its outcome as a response to withdrawal to palatable food. Methods: On the day 0 of life (birth date), the offspring was divided into handled (H) and not handled (NH), the ones which underwent neonatal handling were separated from their mothers and put into an incubator for 10min/day (from day 1 to day 10 of life). By the age of 21 days a sexing was realized, only females were used in this research. Between the 80 and 100 days of life they were weighted and randomized and the study was divided into: Experiment 1- chronic exposure to palatable diet – comparison between 15 days and 30 days of diet consumption and Experiment 2 – withdrawal from palatable diet – comparison of 24 hours and 7 days of deprivation of palatable food on animals without withdrawal. The diet was offered from the 90th day of life on (all rats were at least 90 days of life). The following were evaluated: body weight, food consumption, abdominal fat deposit (before and after withdrawal) and the levels of corticosterone, TH and p-CREB of the amygdala after withdrawal. The analysis among the groups were carried out based on different statistic models, two-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA followed by the Tukey post-hoc test and the Student’s t-test. Results: Experiment 1- both 15 and 30 days of chronic exposure to palatable food induce comparable metabolic effects. Experiment 2 –rats handled during the neonatal period show a peculiar response to palatable food withdrawal after chronic exposure to this diet for 15 days, ingesting less of this food after 24h withdrawal, accompanied by increased amygdala TH and pCREB. Conclusions: This study suggests that variations in the neonatal environment may affect the response to acute withdrawal from palatable diet, mainly at a neurochemical level, increasing the TH and p-CREB presence in the amygdala of neonatally handled individuals that suffered such restriction for 24 hours of palatable food.

L’Uranium (U) est un métal lourd radioactif dispersé dans l’environnement. Du fait de cette présence naturelle mais aussi de ses applications civiles et militaires, la population générale peut être exposée à l’U par ingestion d’eau de boisson ou d’aliments contaminés. Le système pro/anti-oxydant est un système de défense fréquemment impliqué lors d'une exposition aiguë à l'uranium. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’étudier le rôle du système pro/anti-oxydant après contamination chronique à l’U dans le foie et les reins. Après contamination chronique de rats à différentes concentrations d’U, une accumulation dose dépendante de l’U dans les organes -jusqu'à 6 µg/g dans les reins- ainsi qu’une localisation préférentielle de l’U dans le noyau des cellules du tube contourné proximal sont observées. L’absence de néphrotoxicité observée, même à la plus forte concentration, pourrait s’expliquer par le renforcement du système anti-oxydant et notamment l’augmentation du taux de glutathion. L’étude des effets de la contamination à l’U chez un modèle déficient pour Nrf2, facteur de transcription cytoprotecteur impliqué dans la défense anti-oxydante, a mis en évidence une accumulation d’U plus importante chez les animaux Nrf2 -/-. Néanmoins, les effets biologiques de l’U sur le système pro/anti-oxydant ne semblent pas impliquer Nrf2. Par ailleurs, il existe une corrélation entre la localisation de l’U dans des cellules HepG2 en culture et les effets biologiques sur ce système après exposition à de faibles concentrations d’U. Ce radionucléide se localise dans les noyaux sous forme soluble et l’apparition de précipités est corrélée à la mise en place de mécanismes d’adaptation qui sont ensuite débordés au cours du temps et de la concentration, laissant apparaître une toxicité cellulaire. L’ensemble de ces résultats suggèrent que le renforcement du système anti-oxydant serait un mécanisme d’adaptation après exposition chronique à faible concentration d’U. / Uranium is a radioactive heavy metal found in the environment. Due to its natural presence and to civil and militaries activities, general population can be exposed to U throughout drinking water or contaminated food. The pro/anti-oxidative system is a defense system which is often implicated in case of acute exposure to U. The aim of this thesis is to study the role of the pro/anti-oxidative system after chronic exposure to U in the liver and the kidney. After chronic exposure of rats to different U concentrations, this radionuclide accumulated in the organs in proportion to U intake; until 6 µg.g-1 of kidney tissues. U is localized in nucleus of the proximal tubular cells of the kidney. No nephrotoxicity was described even for the higher U level in drinking water and a reinforcement of the pro/anti-oxidative system with an increase in glutathione is observed. The study of U internal contamination in Nrf2 deficient mice, a cytoprotective transcription factor involved in the anti-oxidative defense has been realized. U accumulate more in Nrf2 -/- mice than in WT mice but the biologic effects of U on the pro/anti-oxidative system did not seem to implicate Nrf2. At the cell level, a correlation between U distribution in HepG2 cells and the biological effects on this system is observed after U exposure at low concentrations. Soluble distribution of U is observed in cell nucleus. The apparition of U precipitates is correlated to the establishment of the adaptive mechanisms overtime which are overwhelmed and lead to a cellular toxicity at higher U level. In conclusion, these results suggest that the reinforcement of pro/anti-oxidative system could be an adaptive mechanism after chronic exposure at low U concentration.

Suite aux accidents nucléaires de Tchernobyl (1986) ou Fukushima (2011), de grandes quantités de radioéléments ont été disséminées dans l’environnement. Parmi ces derniers, le césium 137 est le radionucléide le plus abondant et constitue la principale source d’exposition des populations avoisinantes sur le long terme, notamment par son intégration dans la chaîne alimentaire. Ce sont quelques milliers de becquerels qui sont quotidiennement ainsi ingérés. Un important questionnement concerne donc les effets potentiels que peuvent induire une telle exposition sur les fonctions physiologiques.Concernant le système cardiovasculaire, il existe une corrélation entre la dose d’exposition et la fréquence d’apparition de pathologies cardiovasculaires. Cependant, lorsqu’il s’agit d’une exposition à faibles doses, comme en cas de situations post-accidentelles, les études ne sont pas toutes en accord, dû au caractère multifactoriel de ces maladies, une grande prudence est nécessaire quant à l’interprétation des données épidémiologiques. Ainsi, ce travail de thèse vise à compléter les études épidémiologiques disponibles suivant une exposition interne à faibles doses de césium 137, et plus particulièrement dans le cadre de la pathologie athéromateuse. En effet, l’athérosclérose est reconnue comme étant la 1ère cause de mortalité/morbidité dans les pays industrialisés. Des animaux prédisposés à la pathologie (souris ApoE-/-), ont été exposés à des concentrations de césium de 4 à 100 kBq.L-1 pendant 3, 6 ou 9 mois.Ainsi, au bout de 3 mois d’exposition, les animaux ayant reçu la plus forte concentration présentent une augmentation de certains paramètres inflammatoires, notamment IFN-γ et VCAM-1, ainsi qu’une augmentation de l’épaisseur média-intima comparé aux animaux témoins. De plus, nous avons noté des variations concomitantes de l’expression d’enzymes pro/anti oxydantes (p47, p67, GPx). Ces observations ne perdurent pas au fil du temps. En effet, après 6 et 9 mois d’exposition, les plaques d’athérome qui se sont formées présentent des caractéristiques de stabilité plus importantes que les animaux témoins, avec des paramètres pro-inflammatoires (CRP, TNF-α, MCP-1 et IFN-γ) diminués, une augmentation du contenu en collagène, ainsi qu’une baisse de l’expression de certaines collagénases.L’ensemble de ces résultats suggèrent qu’une exposition interne chronique à faibles doses de césium 137 ne potentialise pas la pathologie athéromateuse dans notre modèle expérimental. Une telle exposition induit la mise en place d’une réponse adaptative au cours du temps, allant en faveur d’une amélioration du phénotype des plaques d’athérome, en agissant sur la balance des cytokines pro/anti inflammatoires, ainsi qu’une modulation du système anti-oxydant. / Large amounts of radionuclides were released in the environment after the Chernobyl (1986) or Fukushima-Daichii (2011) nuclear accidents, and mostly cesium 137. Populations living in contaminated territories are chronically exposed to radionuclides by ingestion of contaminated food. There is a real interrogation about the potential effects that could be induced following such ionizing exposure on physiological functions in the long term.Concerning the cardiovascular system, there is a correlation between the irradiation dose and the appearance of cardiovascular diseases. However, when we focused on post-accidental situations, with a low dose exposure, available data are not all in accordance, due to multifactorial aspect of these pathologies. Epidemiological results should be interpreted carefully.Thus, the aim of my thesis is to complete epidemiological studies about chronic internal γ low dose exposure, using cesium 137, in an atheromatous context. Atherosclerosis and its consequences are known to be the main cause of mortality/morbidity in industrialized countries.Predisposed animals (ApoE-/- mice) were exposed to 137Cs through the drinking water. The concentration range was 4 to 100 kBq.L-1, to surround concentration found in contaminated territories around Chernobyl. Exposure times were 3, 6 or 9 months to follow atherosclerosis progression.After 3 months exposure, for the early stages, mice exposed to the highest dose presented an increase in some inflammatory cytokines, notably IFN-γ and VCAM-1, with an intimal-medial thickness increased compared to non-exposed animals. Moreover, at this time exposure, we noticed concomitant variation of genic expression of pro and anti-oxydative enzymes (p47, p67, GPx). These effects are only transient and do not perdure over the time. Indeed, after 6 and 9 months exposure, atheromatous plaque observed in the aortic sinus, present more stability parameters than the control group (collagen), with also a decrease in pro-inflammatory profile cytokines expression (CRP, TNF-α, MCP-1 et IFN-γ), and MMPs expression, and increase in GPx activity compared to the control group.All together, these results suggest that chronic internal exposure to low dose ionizing radition with 137Cs do not potentiate atherosclerosis progression. Such exposure induces an adaptive response along the experimental process, with an amelioration of atheromatous plaque phenotype, acting on the balance of pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines, pro/anti oxydant system.

The Saltville Waste Disposal Site is a National Priority List site used during the 77- year operation (1895–1972) of an electrolytic chlorine and caustic soda plant. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine disease prevalence among Saltville Medical Center (SMC) patients. Diseases associated with chronic exposures to mercury, arsenic, and lead were reviewed in patient records and these data were analyzed. Ratios of illness observed at the SMC were compared to health studies of similar environmental exposures and disease prevalence among residents of neighboring communities. Prevalence ratios were calculated for residents and non-residents of Saltville who were SMC patients. Saltville residence accounted for a higher risk of developing the targeted diseases (odds ratio=1.68, 95% confidence interval (1.54, 1.82)). Increased risk was among patients aged 31-45 years; with a history of smoking; and family history of the same disease.