Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-10-30T14:05:00Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Renan Nunes Costa - 2014.pdf: 650263 bytes, checksum: 0a242695b84bbbe8d03ab17bd0c2d681 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-10-30T14:30:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Renan Nunes Costa - 2014.pdf: 650263 bytes, checksum: 0a242695b84bbbe8d03ab17bd0c2d681 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-30T14:30:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Renan Nunes Costa - 2014.pdf: 650263 bytes, checksum: 0a242695b84bbbe8d03ab17bd0c2d681 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / There is a consensus among researchers in the world that the declining number of amphibian species and the increasing frequency of abnormalities in individual attributes of anurans are associated with habitat reduction and environmental contamination. With advance of agriculture crops, also increased the use of agrochemicals defensives, and the fragility of Brazilian laws for aquatic environmental protection burst the level of environmental stress significantly. Organisms can show biological responses related to these environmental modifications, that can be used to assess the environmental impact of agricultural practices. This biological response can be particularly useful, especially when we are able to correlate the biological response in morphological and/or physiological attributes with environmental impacts. The fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is a tool based on observation of deviations in the homeostasis of bilateral traits throughout the organism development and can be used for biomonitoring protocols. The FA can clarify which type of stressor is acting on a population. In this context, the present study assesses how the FA in anurans larvae can elucidate the impact of stressful factors. In the first chapter, our objective was to test experimentally if exposure to glyphosate dosages (Roundup® Original herbicide) affect the survival and increase the development deviations in the Physalaemus cuvieri larvae. In acute exposure, the survival rate was decreased at higher levels of contamination and the LC50 observed was considered to moderately toxic. In the chronic exposure, resulting from contamination, individuals showed higher levels of FA in relation to control larvae. In the second chapter, based on field sampling, our objective was to assess if reduction of physical habitat integrity, expressed by land use and reduction of marginal vegetation near to water bodies, reflected in higher levels in fluctuating asymmetry in P. cuvieri and Scinax fuscomarginatus larvae. In this case, with increased level of impact on the surrounding matrix, the larvae of both species showed increased of FA levels. In S. fuscomarginatus, the FA levels were also higher in environments with lower percentage of edge vegetation. In summary, it’s observed that increasing environmental stress, either through contamination by glyphosate or increased anthropogenic modification of the margins of water bodies, reflects in the higher development deviations on the frog’s larvae. The affected structures can be associated with sensory capabilities of the species, in which the increased frequency of these deviations can reduce individual fitness and influence the population homeostasis over time, directly contributing to species declines. / Há um consenso entre os pesquisadores do mundo de que a redução do número de espécies de anfíbios e o aumento da frequência de anormalidades nos atributos individuais estão associados à redução e à contaminação de hábitats. Com o avanço dos cultivos agrícolas, o aumento da aplicação de produtos químicos e a fragilidade das leis de proteção de ambientes aquáticos, os níveis de estresse ambiental aumentam significativamente. Dessa forma, as respostas biológicas podem favorecer as avaliações de impacto ambiental, principalmente em espécies que apresentam plasticidade em seus atributos comportamentais, morfológicos e/ou fisiológicos, como as larvas de anuros. A assimetria flutuante (AF) é uma ferramenta que se baseia na observação de desvios na homeostase do desenvolvimento de caracteres bilaterais e pode favorecer o biomonitoramento, esclarecendo qual tipo de fator estressante está agindo sobre uma população. Neste contexto, o presente estudo avalia como a assimetria flutuante em larvas de anuros pode elucidar o impacto de fatores estressantes. No primeiro capítulo, o objetivo foi testar, experimentalmente, se a exposição a doses de glifosato (herbicida Roundup® Original) afetam a sobrevivência e aumentam os desvios no desenvolvimento de larvas da espécie Physalaemus cuvieri. Na exposição aguda, a taxa de sobrevivência foi reduzida em níveis maiores de contaminação e o LC50 observado foi considerado moderadamente tóxico. Na exposição crônica, decorrente da contaminação, os indivíduos apresentaram maiores níveis de AF em relação às larvas do controle. No segundo capítulo, baseado em coletas de campo, o objetivo foi avaliar se a redução da integridade física dos hábitats, expressa pelo uso do solo nas proximidades e pela redução da vegetação marginal nos corpos d’água, refletem em maiores níveis de assimetria flutuante nas larvas de P. cuvieri e Scinax fuscomarginatus. Neste caso, com o aumento do nível de impacto na matriz circundante, as larvas de ambas as espécies apresentaram um aumento dos níveis de AF. Em S. fuscomarginatus, os níveis de AF também foram maiores em ambientes com menor porcentagem de vegetação nas bordas. Em suma, observa-se que o aumento do estresse ambiental, seja pela contaminação por glifosato ou pelo aumento da influência antrópica nas margens dos corpos d’água, reflete em maiores desvios no desenvolvimento das larvas de anuros. As estruturas afetadas podem estar associadas à capacidade sensorial das espécies, no qual o aumento da frequência destes desvios pode reduzir a aptidão individual e influenciar a homeostase da população ao longo do tempo, contribuindo diretamente com o declínio de espécies.

Submitted by Adriana Martinez (amartinez@unoeste.br) on 2017-05-31T21:00:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernanda Freire Marin Soares.pdf: 704573 bytes, checksum: bf544d5550ee825719abaa7a01a5e94c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-31T21:00:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernanda Freire Marin Soares.pdf: 704573 bytes, checksum: bf544d5550ee825719abaa7a01a5e94c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-20 / Cadmium is a metal that is widely used in industry. Cadmium exposure may result in a variety of pulmonary diseases. No studies have evaluated tracheal damage or even whether cadmium intake can damage the respiratory tract. The aim of this study was to investigate the histopathological changes caused by cadmium poisoning via intake into the respiratory tract and the possible effects of water pH in the genesis of these changes. Ninety male Wistar rats were used and were divided into six groups (n=15): Group A received 400 mg/l cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in the drinking water at a pH of 7.0; group B received CdCl2 (400 mg/l) in the drinking water at a pH of 5.0; group C received CdCl2 (400 mg/l) in the drinking water at a pH of 8.0; group D received water at a pH of 5.0; group E received water at a pH of 8.0; and group F received water at a pH of 7.0. Animals were euthanized after 6 months. Samples of the lung and trachea were removed. The histopathological analysis was performed to evaluate the presence or not of the following parameters: 1. Trachea: inflammatory infiltrate and type of inflammatory cell; tissue congestion; muscle hypertrophy; non-neoplastic lesions of the mucosa; dysplastic lesions; benign and malignant neoplastic lesions; mucus type (acid or basic); and the number of goblet cells; 2. Lung: interstitial inflammatory infiltrate, inflammatory cell type and location; tissue congestion; interstitial fibrosis; emphysema; necrosis of the parenchyma; dysplastic lesions and the presence of benign and malignant neoplastic lesions. Animals exposed to cadmium had a mean of goblet cells in the trachea of 65.83 cells / 6 high-power fields (HPF), while the animals exposed to cadmium had 85.16 cells / 6 HPF (p = 0.012). Pulmonary emphysema occurred in 71.43 to 100% of the cases, while the non-exposed had emphysema in 6.66% to 15.38% of the cases (p <0.001). The respiratory tract is a target for cadmium-related deficits after intake; however, the pH of the water did not influence the development of these lesions. / O cádmio é um metal muito utilizado na indústria. A exposição ao cádmio pode desenvolver uma variedade de doenças pulmonares. Não há na literatura avaliação do dano traqueal ou mesmo se a ingestão de cádmio pode também provocar danos ao trato respiratório. O objetivo do estudo é investigar as alterações histopatológicas causadas por intoxicação por cádmio via ingestão no trato respiratório e os possíveis efeitos do pH da água na gênese destas alterações. Utilizaram-se 90 ratos Wistar, divididos em 6 grupos (n=15): A – solução de cloreto de cádmio (CdCl2 - 400mg/L) na água de beber com pH 7,0; B – CdCl2 (400mg/L) na água de beber com pH 5,0; C – CdCl2 (400mg/L) na água com pH 8,0. D – água com pH 5,0; E – água com pH 8,0; F – água com pH 7,0. Todos os animais foram eutanasiados após 6 meses após o início do experimento. Retiraram-se fragmentos do pulmão e traquéia. A análise histopatológica foi realizada para avaliar presença ou não dos seguintes parâmetros: 1. Traquéia: infiltrado inflamatório e tipo de célula inflamatória; congestão tecidual; hipertrofia da musculatura; lesões não neoplásicas da mucosa; lesões displásicas; lesões neoplásicas benignas e malignas; tipo de muco (ácido ou básico); e o número de células caliciformes; 2. Pulmão: infiltrado inflamatório intersticial, tipo de célula inflamatória e localização; congestão tecidual; fibrose intersticial; enfisema; necrose do parênquima; lesões displásicas e presença de lesões neoplásicas benignas e malignas. Observou-se que os animais expostos ao cádmio apresentarem média de células caliciformes na traquéia de 65,83 células/6 campos de grande aumento (CGA), enquanto que os animais não expostos apresentaram 85,16 células/6CGA (p=0,012). Enfisema pulmonar ocorreu em 71,43 a 100% dos casos, enquanto os não expostos apresentaram enfisema em 6,66 a 15,38% dos casos (p<0,001). Concluiu-se que o trato respiratório é alvo do cádmio também na intoxicação via ingestão, porém o pH da água não influenciou no desenvolvimento das lesões.

O trato gastrointestinal (TGI) é a principal rota de exposição ao fluoreto (F) e o seu mais importante sítio de absorção. Acredita-se que a toxicidade do F comprometa a fisiologia do intestino, devido à relevante sintomatologia gastrointestinal relatada em consequência da exposição excessiva ao F. A função intestinal é controlada por uma complexa rede neuronal interligada e incorporada à parede deste órgão, denominada Sistema Nervoso Entérico (SNE). Embora os efeitos tóxicos do F sobre o Sistema Nervoso Central sejam descritos na literatura, não há estudos relacionados à sua toxicidade sobre o SNE. Neste estudo realizado em ratos, foi avaliado o efeito da exposição aguda ou crônica ao F, sobre a população geral de neurônios entéricos e sobre as subpopulações que expressam os principais neurotransmissores entéricos: Acetilcolina (ACh), Óxido Nítrico (NO), Peptídeo Vasoativo Intestinal (VIP), Peptídeo Relacionado ao Gene da Calcitonina (CGRP) e Substância P (SP). Os animais foram divididos em 5 grupos: 3 destinados à exposição crônica (0 ppm, 10 ppm ou 50 ppm de F na água de beber) e 2 à exposição aguda (0 ou 25 mgF/Kg por gavagem gástrica). Foram coletados os 3 segmentos do intestino delgado (duodeno, jejuno e íleo) e processados para a detecção da HuC/D, ChAT, nNOS, VIP, CGRP e SP, através de técnicas de imunofluorescência, no plexo mioentérico. Foram obtidas imagens para a realização da análise quantitativa dos neurônios da população geral (HuC/D) e nitrérgicos (imunorreativos à nNOS); e morfométrica dos neurônios imunorreativos à HuC/D ou nNOS; e das varicosidades imunorreativas à ChAT, VIP, CGRP ou SP. Amostras dos 3 segmentos intestinais foram preparadas e coradas em Hematoxilina e Eosina para análise histológica da morfologia básica. O segmento intestinal considerado mais afetado na análise morfométrica da população geral de neurônios, o duodeno, foi selecionado para a realização da análise proteômica, com o objetivo de oferecer o seu perfil proteico e determinar diferenças na expressão proteica em decorrência da exposição crônica ou aguda ao F. A análise da concentração de F no plasma sanguíneo foi realizada para a confirmação da exposição. Na análise quantitativa, o grupo de 50 ppm F, apresentou uma diminuição significativa na densidade da população geral de neurônios do jejuno e do íleo e na densidade dos neurônios imunorreativos à nNOS no duodeno e no jejuno. Quanto à análise morfométrica, a população geral e as subpopulações neuronais entéricas avaliadas apresentaram alterações morfológicas significativas, tanto após a exposição crônica quanto a aguda. Para a análise proteômica do duodeno, verificou-se que da associação de seus genes a um termo, e assim classificadas de acordo com diferentes processos biológicos. No caso do grupo da dose aguda, o processo biológico com a maior porcentagem de genes associados foi a geração de metabólitos precursores e energia (27% das proteínas); enquanto para os grupos de 10 e 50 ppm F foram o processo metabólico da piridina (41%) e a polimerização proteica (33%), respectivamente. / The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is the main route of fluoride (F) exposure, and the most important site of its absorption. It is believed that F toxicity compromises the intestine physiology, due to the relevant gastrointestinal symptomatology reported in consequence to excessive exposure. The intestinal function is controlled by a complex neuronal net, which is interconnected and embedded in the wall of this organ, named Enteric Nervous System (ENS). Although the toxic effects of F on the Central Nervous system are described in the literature, there are no studies related to its toxicity on the ENS. Therefore, in this study performed in rats, the effects of chronic and acute F exposure were evaluated, on the general population of enteric neurons and on the subpopulations that express the main enteric neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine (Ach), Nitric Oxide (NO), Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), and Substance P (SP). The animals were divided into 5 groups: 3 designed to the chronic exposure (0 ppm, 10 ppm ou 50 ppm de F in the drinking water) and 2 to the acute exposure (0 ou 25 mgF/Kg - gastric gavage). Three intestinal segments were collected (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and processed for the immunofluorescence techniques to detect HuC/D, ChAT, nNOS, VIP, CGRP and SP, on the myenteric plexus. Images were obtained for the quantitative analysis of the general population of neurons (HuC/D immunoreactive) and the nitrergic neurons (nNOS immunoreactive), for the morphometric analysis of the general population and nitrergic neurons and also for the immunoreactive varicosities to ChAT, VIP, CGRP or SP. Samples of the 3 intestinal segments were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological analysis of the basic morphology. Duodenum, the intestinal segment considered the most affected in the morphological analysis of the general population of neurons, was selected for the proteomic analysis, with the objective to offer the entire protein profile and to determine differences in the protein expression due to chronic or acute F exposure. Plasma F concentration was analyzed to confirm the exposure. In the quantitative analysis, the 50 ppm F group presented a significant decrease in the density of the general population of neurons in the jejunum and ileum, and in the density of the nitrergic neurons in the duodenum and jejunum. Regarding the morphometric analysis, the general population of neurons and all the neuronal subpopulations evaluated presented significant morphological alterations, for both exposures, chronic and acute. In the proteomic analysis of the duodenum, it was verified that both exposures caused alterations in the expression of intestinal proteins. These proteins identified with differential expression were distributed according the association of their genes to a specific term, and by this term classified in different biological process. In the group that received the acute dose the biological process with the highest percentage of associated genes was the generation of precursor metabolites and energy (27% of proteins), and for the 10 and 50 ppm F groups, they were pyridine nucleotide metabolic process (41%) and protein polymerization (33%), respectively.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5474.pdf: 2975915 bytes, checksum: e9d30ed81c2e8431af179d83ebf62b96 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-10 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Lead acetate (Pb) is a nonessential and highly toxic heavy metal which is released to the environment by several routes, mainly by industrial and mining activities. Recent studies have suggested that lead caused a decrease in femur strength of adult rats. A wide range of chelating has been evaluated as possible protective agents against lead acetate toxicity. Dissodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Na2EDTA) is the chelating agent most widely used in the treatment of Pb poisoning. The chelating therapy with EDTA might induce Pb mobilization from inert deposition organs toward such critical tissues as the brain. But, it is questioned the safety of the use of this compound in the management of Pb poisoning. The lack of safety and efficacy demonstrated by conventional chelating has encouraged the search for new ways to remove heavy metals from the body. Recently, a supplementation of Chlorella vulgaris extract (CV) was shown to alleviate the heavy metals toxicity in rats. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible protective influence of Chlorella and Na2EDTA supplementation on bone physical and biomechanical properties of rats exposed to lead acetate. For this purpose, male Wistar rats were distributed into eight groups (n=8): Control (0.9% saline 0.1 ml/100g body weight- BW), EDTA (150 mg/Kg BW), CV 50 (50 mg/Kg BW), CV 250 (250 mg/Kg BW), Pb (250 mg/Kg BW), Pb (250 mg/Kg BW) plus EDTA (150 mg/Kg BW), Pb (250 mg/Kg BW) plus CV 50 (50 mg/Kg BW) and Pb (250 mg/Kg BW) plus CV 250 (250 mg/Kg BW). The treatment was done once a week, for 8 weeks by gastric gavage. Bone volume, bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical properties (maximum load, resilience and stiffness) of the femoral diaphysis and 5th lumbar vertebra were examined. The biomechanical properties of femurs were obtained by the three-points bending test and compression test for vertebrae, using a universal test machine Instron, model 4444. Bone MMP-2 activitie was measured by gelatin zymography. Concentrations of lead and zinc in whole blood and lead, zinc, calcium and magnesium in the left femur and 4th lumbar vertebra were determined by ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). Exposure to 250 mg/kg BW of Pb caused significant reduction of maximum load, stiffness and resilience indicating the ability of this element to damage the quality of bone tissue. In the 5th lumbar vertebrae, exposure to Pb caused significant reduction of bone mineral density. The treatment with Chlorella vulgaris (50 mg/kg BW and 250 mg/Kg BW) and EDTA (150 mg/Kg BW) during Pb exposure prevented the weakening of the bone strength. In the 5th lumbar vertebrae, the CV and EDTA prevented the reduction of bone mineral density due to Pb. The pro, intermediate and active MMP-2 activity in bone of animals exposed to lead showed a significant increase compared to control. The CV 50 administration in animals exposed to lead reduced the activity of MMP-2 isoforms in their pro, intermediate and active levels compared to control group. The exposure to Pb resulted in an increase of the blood concentration of this heavy metal and its accumulation in the liver, kidney, brain and bone concentration. The CV and EDTA reduced blood lead concentrations, leading to reduction of lead concentration in liver, kidney, brain and bone. These findings seem to indicate that treatment with Chlorella vulgaris and EDTA during exposure to Pb may be beneficial for the skeleton of subjects chronically exposed to Pb. / O chumbo, um metal não-essencial e altamente tóxico, é liberado no ambiente por diversas vias, principalmente através da atividade industrial e mineração. Estudos recentes sugerem que o acetato de chumbo causa redução da resistência óssea em ratos. Uma grande variedade de quelantes tem sido usada como possíveis agentes protetores contra a toxicidade provocada pelo acetato de chumbo. Etilenodiaminotetraacetato Cálcico Dissódico (EDTA) é o agente quelante mais usado no tratamento do envenenamento por chumbo. A terapia quelante com EDTA pode induzir redistribuição do chumbo endógeno e sua deposição em órgãos críticos, tal como o cérebro. Entretanto, é questionada a segurança do uso deste composto no tratamento do envenamento com chumbo. A falta de segurança e eficácia demonstrada pelos quelantes convencionais tem encorajado pesquisas por novas maneiras de remover metais tóxicos do organismo. Recentemente, uma suplementação com Extrato de Chlorella vulgaris (CV) mostrou aliviar a toxicidade de metais tóxicos em ratos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a possível influência protetora da suplementação com Chlorella e Na2EDTA sobre as propriedades físicas e biomecânicas ósseas de ratos expostos ao acetato de chumbo. Para este propósito, ratos Wistar foram distribuídos em oito grupos (=8): Controle (0,9% salina 0,1 ml/100g massa corporal - MC), EDTA (150 mg/Kg MC), CV 50 (50 mg/Kg MC), CV 250 (250 mg/Kg MC), Pb (250 mg/Kg MC), Pb (250 mg/Kg MC) mais EDTA (150 mg/Kg MC), Pb (250 mg/Kg MC) mais CV 50 (50 mg/Kg MC) e Pb (250 mg/Kg MC) mais CV 250 (250 mg/Kg MC). O tratamento foi realizado uma vez por semana, durante 8 semanas por gavagem gástrica. Volume ósseo, densidade mineral óssea (DMO) e densidade óssea (DO) e propriedades biomecânicas (força máxima, rigidez e resiliência) da diáfise femoral e das quintas vértebras lombares foram examinados. As propriedades biomecânicas dos fêmures foram obtidas pelo teste de flexão a três pontos e das vértebras pelo teste de compressão, usando uma máquina universal Instron 4444. A atividade de MMP-2 óssea foi mensurada por zimografia de gelatina. Foram também realizadas as análises das concentrações de Pb e Zn no sangue, fígado, rim, cérebro e ossos e das concentrações de Ca e Mg nos fêmures e vértebras determinadas por Espectometria de Emissão Atômica. A exposição ao Pb, na dose de 250 mg/Kg MC causou redução significativa da força máxima, rigidez e resiliência dos fêmures, indicando a habilidade deste elemento em prejudicar a qualidade do tecido ósseo. Nas vértebras, a exposição ao chumbo causou redução da densidade mineral óssea. O tratamento com Chlorella vulgaris (50 mg/kg MC e 250 mg/Kg MC) ou EDTA (150 mg/Kg MC) durante exposição ao chumbo, preveniu o enfraquecimento da resistência óssea dos fêmures. Na vértebra, o tratamento com Chlorella vulgaris (50 mg/kg MC e 250 mg/Kg MC) ou EDTA (150 mg/Kg MC) preveniu a redução da densidade mineral óssea. A atividade da MMP-2 pro, intermediária e ativa aumentaram nos ossos de animais expostos ao chumbo quando comparada ao controle. A administração de CV 50 aos animais expostos a este metal reduziu a atividade da MMP-2 nas suas isoformas pro, intermediária e ativa a níveis comparados ao controle. A exposição ao chumbo resulta em aumento da concentração de chumbo sanguínea e sua acumulação no fígado, rim, cérebro e ossos. O tratamento com CV ou EDTA reduziu as concentrações sanguíneas de chumbo, levando à redução da concentração de chumbo nos diversos órgãos estudados (fígado, rim, cérebro e ossos). Os resultados indicam que o tratamento com Chlorella vulgaris e EDTA durante a exposição ao chumbo pode ser benéfico ao osso de indivíduos expostos cronicamente ao acetato de chumbo.

O trato gastrointestinal (TGI) é a principal rota de exposição ao fluoreto (F) e o seu mais importante sítio de absorção. Acredita-se que a toxicidade do F comprometa a fisiologia do intestino, devido à relevante sintomatologia gastrointestinal relatada em consequência da exposição excessiva ao F. A função intestinal é controlada por uma complexa rede neuronal interligada e incorporada à parede deste órgão, denominada Sistema Nervoso Entérico (SNE). Embora os efeitos tóxicos do F sobre o Sistema Nervoso Central sejam descritos na literatura, não há estudos relacionados à sua toxicidade sobre o SNE. Neste estudo realizado em ratos, foi avaliado o efeito da exposição aguda ou crônica ao F, sobre a população geral de neurônios entéricos e sobre as subpopulações que expressam os principais neurotransmissores entéricos: Acetilcolina (ACh), Óxido Nítrico (NO), Peptídeo Vasoativo Intestinal (VIP), Peptídeo Relacionado ao Gene da Calcitonina (CGRP) e Substância P (SP). Os animais foram divididos em 5 grupos: 3 destinados à exposição crônica (0 ppm, 10 ppm ou 50 ppm de F na água de beber) e 2 à exposição aguda (0 ou 25 mgF/Kg por gavagem gástrica). Foram coletados os 3 segmentos do intestino delgado (duodeno, jejuno e íleo) e processados para a detecção da HuC/D, ChAT, nNOS, VIP, CGRP e SP, através de técnicas de imunofluorescência, no plexo mioentérico. Foram obtidas imagens para a realização da análise quantitativa dos neurônios da população geral (HuC/D) e nitrérgicos (imunorreativos à nNOS); e morfométrica dos neurônios imunorreativos à HuC/D ou nNOS; e das varicosidades imunorreativas à ChAT, VIP, CGRP ou SP. Amostras dos 3 segmentos intestinais foram preparadas e coradas em Hematoxilina e Eosina para análise histológica da morfologia básica. O segmento intestinal considerado mais afetado na análise morfométrica da população geral de neurônios, o duodeno, foi selecionado para a realização da análise proteômica, com o objetivo de oferecer o seu perfil proteico e determinar diferenças na expressão proteica em decorrência da exposição crônica ou aguda ao F. A análise da concentração de F no plasma sanguíneo foi realizada para a confirmação da exposição. Na análise quantitativa, o grupo de 50 ppm F, apresentou uma diminuição significativa na densidade da população geral de neurônios do jejuno e do íleo e na densidade dos neurônios imunorreativos à nNOS no duodeno e no jejuno. Quanto à análise morfométrica, a população geral e as subpopulações neuronais entéricas avaliadas apresentaram alterações morfológicas significativas, tanto após a exposição crônica quanto a aguda. Para a análise proteômica do duodeno, verificou-se que da associação de seus genes a um termo, e assim classificadas de acordo com diferentes processos biológicos. No caso do grupo da dose aguda, o processo biológico com a maior porcentagem de genes associados foi a geração de metabólitos precursores e energia (27% das proteínas); enquanto para os grupos de 10 e 50 ppm F foram o processo metabólico da piridina (41%) e a polimerização proteica (33%), respectivamente. / The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is the main route of fluoride (F) exposure, and the most important site of its absorption. It is believed that F toxicity compromises the intestine physiology, due to the relevant gastrointestinal symptomatology reported in consequence to excessive exposure. The intestinal function is controlled by a complex neuronal net, which is interconnected and embedded in the wall of this organ, named Enteric Nervous System (ENS). Although the toxic effects of F on the Central Nervous system are described in the literature, there are no studies related to its toxicity on the ENS. Therefore, in this study performed in rats, the effects of chronic and acute F exposure were evaluated, on the general population of enteric neurons and on the subpopulations that express the main enteric neurotransmitters: Acetylcholine (Ach), Nitric Oxide (NO), Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), and Substance P (SP). The animals were divided into 5 groups: 3 designed to the chronic exposure (0 ppm, 10 ppm ou 50 ppm de F in the drinking water) and 2 to the acute exposure (0 ou 25 mgF/Kg - gastric gavage). Three intestinal segments were collected (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and processed for the immunofluorescence techniques to detect HuC/D, ChAT, nNOS, VIP, CGRP and SP, on the myenteric plexus. Images were obtained for the quantitative analysis of the general population of neurons (HuC/D immunoreactive) and the nitrergic neurons (nNOS immunoreactive), for the morphometric analysis of the general population and nitrergic neurons and also for the immunoreactive varicosities to ChAT, VIP, CGRP or SP. Samples of the 3 intestinal segments were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological analysis of the basic morphology. Duodenum, the intestinal segment considered the most affected in the morphological analysis of the general population of neurons, was selected for the proteomic analysis, with the objective to offer the entire protein profile and to determine differences in the protein expression due to chronic or acute F exposure. Plasma F concentration was analyzed to confirm the exposure. In the quantitative analysis, the 50 ppm F group presented a significant decrease in the density of the general population of neurons in the jejunum and ileum, and in the density of the nitrergic neurons in the duodenum and jejunum. Regarding the morphometric analysis, the general population of neurons and all the neuronal subpopulations evaluated presented significant morphological alterations, for both exposures, chronic and acute. In the proteomic analysis of the duodenum, it was verified that both exposures caused alterations in the expression of intestinal proteins. These proteins identified with differential expression were distributed according the association of their genes to a specific term, and by this term classified in different biological process. In the group that received the acute dose the biological process with the highest percentage of associated genes was the generation of precursor metabolites and energy (27% of proteins), and for the 10 and 50 ppm F groups, they were pyridine nucleotide metabolic process (41%) and protein polymerization (33%), respectively.

Les nanoparticules métalliques manufacturées (NPs) sont des polluants émergents dont la concentration augmente dans les sols en raison de leur utilisation croissante dans de nombreux produits commerciaux de la vie courante (cosmétiques, aliments, peintures…). Des études in vitro ont montré la toxicité des NPs pour les microorganismes, mais il existe encore peu de données sur l'écotoxicité et le devenir de ces contaminants dans les sols. L'objectif de cette thèse est donc d'évaluer l'influence des paramètres abiotiques du sol sur (i) les caractéristiques physico-chimiques et le transfert des NPs, et (ii) sur la toxicité des NPs pour les communautés microbiennes du sol, en particulier pour des groupes fonctionnels microbiens impliqués dans le cycle du carbone et de l'azote. Nous avons mis en évidence que les propriétés du sol influençaient l'agrégation et la charge de surface des NPs de dioxyde de titane (TiO2) et d'oxyde de cuivre (CuO). Dans les six sols agricoles étudiés, nous avons observé un transport très faible des NPs testées lors d'une expérimentation en colonnes de sols. Nous avons mis en évidence une absence de toxicité des NPs de TiO2 sur les communautés microbiennes, sauf dans un sol limono-argileux à forte teneur en matière organique. Dans ce sol, des effets négatifs ont été observés après 90 jours d'exposition sur les activités microbiennes, sur l'abondance des microorganismes nitrifiants et la diversité des bactéries et des archées. Des études complémentaires en colonnes de sol, ont permis de mettre en évidence des effets délétères des NPs plus importants que la nitrification lors d'une contamination chronique au TiO2 que lors d'une contamination aigüe / Manufactured metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are emerging pollutants of soils due to their increasing utilization in numerous commercial products (cosmetics, food, paint…). In vitro studies have demonstrated NPs toxicity on microorganisms but data are still scarce on the fate and ecotoxicity of these contaminants in soils. The objective of this thesis was to assess the influence of soil properties on (i) the physicochemical characteristics and the transport of NPs, and (ii) on the NPs toxicity on soil microbial communities, especially on microbial functional groups involved in carbon and nitrogen cycles. This work highlighted that soil properties influenced the aggregation and the surface charges of titanium dioxide NPs (TiO2-NPs) and copper oxide NPs (CuO-NPs). In the six agricultural soils studied, we observed a very low transport of the two NPs in a soil column experiment. We observed a low toxicity of TiO2-NPs for soil microbial communities, except in a silty-clay soil with a high organic matter content. In this soil, microbial activities (soil respiration, nitrification and denitrification) and nitrifier abundances were strongly decreased and archaeal and bacterial community structure were altered after 90 days of exposure. Furthermore in this soil, we observed decreases of nitrification activity, even for very low TiO2-NPs concentrations (0.05 mg kg-1) which were explained by a high sensitivity of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) involved in this process. Additional studies in soil columns demonstrated that chronic contamination with TiO2-NPs caused more deleterious effects on nitrification than acute contamination

L'évaluation de l'impact écologique d'une exposition aux rayonnements ionisants est devenue une préoccupation majeure. L'objectif de ce doctorat était d'étudier les effets multigénérationnels d'une irradiation gamma chronique selon une approche intégrée, des traits d'histoire de vie aux mécanismes subcellulaires chez un organisme modèle, le nématode Caenorhabditis elegans. L'étude des effets d'une irradiation gamma chronique sur les traits d'histoire de vie de C. elegans a d'abord été effectuée. Pour cela, trois générations ont été exposées et deux générations ont été placées en environnement « contrôle » après exposition parentale. Puis, différents mécanismes subcellulaires pouvant expliquer les effets observés sur les traits d'histoire de vie ont été par la suite caractérisés. Les résultats obtenus ont mis en évidence que (i) la reproduction était le critère d'effet le plus sensible, (ii) une augmentation de la radiosensibilité était observée sur trois générations exposées et (iii) les effets de la génération parentale étaient transmis aux générations non-exposées. Une augmentation de l'apoptose, une diminution du stock de spermatozoïdes et du nombre de cellules mitotiques semblent expliquer la diminution de la reproduction dans les générations exposées. Seule une diminution du nombre de spermatozoïdes a été observée en parallèle d'une diminution de la reproduction dans les générations placées non exposées. Ce projet de recherche a permis d'apporter des connaissances sur les effets multigénérationnels d'une irradiation gamma et montre l'intérêt d'utiliser une approche intégrée pour mieux comprendre les mécanismes d'action liés à l'action d'un polluant. / The environmental risk assessment of chronic exposure to ionizing has become a major concern. The aim of this PhD was to study the multigenerational effects of chronic gamma radiation in an integrated manner (to the life history traits from the subcellular mechanisms) in a model organism, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. First, studying the effects of chronic gamma radiation on the life history traits of C. elegans was performed. For that, three generations have been exposed to different dose rates and two generations have been placed in "control" environment after parental exposure. The second part of this thesis aimed to characterize the different subcellular mechanisms that could explain the observed effects on the life history traits after multigenerational exposure. The results showed that (i) the reproduction was the most sensitive endpoint to gamma radiation, (ii) an increase in radiosensitivity was observed over three exposed generations and (iii) the effects of the parental generation were transmitted to the non-exposed generations. An increase in apoptosis, a reduction in the stock of sperm, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in the number of mitotic cells, could explain the observed decrease in reproduction for the exposed generations. Only a decrease in sperm number was observed in parallel with a reduction in the cumulative number of larvae in the non-exposed generations. This research contributes to our knowledge on the multigenerational effects of gamma irradiation and shows the importance of an integrated approach to better understand the mechanisms of action related to the action of a pollutant and improve the environmental risk assessment.

Les milieux aquatiques constituent des réservoirs ultimes pour de nombreux polluants organiques persistants,notamment les polychlorobiphényles (PCB, composés bioaccumulables) et les hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (HAP, composés accumulés dans le sédiment et métabolisés par les vertébrés). Les poissons peuvent être exposés à ces polluants à plusieurs stades de vie, ce qui peut altérer leur intégrité fonctionnelle. Les objectifs de cette thèse étaient d'évaluer les altérations physiologiques entrainées par des expositions représentatives de situations environnementales. Ainsi, d’une part, des juvéniles et adultes de poissons zèbres ont été exposés par voie trophique à des mélanges de PCB représentatifs des estuaires européens. Les résultats montrent que la bioaccumulation varie en fonction des congénères de même que le transfert vers les oeufs, et pour ce dernier, le niveau de substitution par des chlores est déterminant. Une altération de la reproduction caractérisée par une réduction du taux de fécondation et l'apparition d'une atrésie folliculaire massive ont été montrées. Ces travaux pourraient être complétés 1) au niveau moléculaire pour mieux comprendre les mécanismes sous-jacents et notamment l'activité perturbateur endocrinien et 2) par l'évaluation des effets au niveau des populations par une approche de modélisation. D’autre part, des embryons ont été exposés pendant 96h à des sédiments enrobés par des HAP individuels. Les phénotypes obtenus sont conformes aux effets décrits pour ces HAP et ont permis de valider la procédure d'exposition. Cette procédure pourrait être utilisée pour évaluer la toxicité de sédiments naturels après extraction de la fraction aromatique, ainsi que pour évaluer la toxicité de molécules hydrophobes. Pour être fiable dans le cadre de tests, il reste indispensable d'identifier des marqueurs précoces d'effets tardifs pour éviter de sous-estimer la toxicité d'un composé. / Aquatic environments are ultimate reservoir for many persistent organic pollutants, including polychlorinatedbiphenyls (PCBs, bioaccumulative compounds) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, compoundsaccumulated in the sediment and metabolized by vertebrates). Fish can be exposed to these pollutants at different life stages which can alter their functional integrity. The objectives of this PhD were to assess physiological alterations following exposure to mixtures representative of environmental situations. Thus, on the one hand,juvenile and adult zebrafish were exposed through the trophic pathway to PCB mixture representative of European Estuaries. The results showed that bioaccumulation varied with the congeners as well as transfer to eggs and for the latter, the level of chlorination is decisive. Impaired reproduction characterized by a reduction in the rate of fertilization and the appearance of a massive follicular atresia were shown. This work could be completed 1) at the molecular level to better understand the underlying mechanisms including endocrine disruptive activity and 2) by the evaluation of effects at the population level by a modelling approach. On the other hand, embryos were exposed for 96 h to sediment spiked with individual PAHs. The obtained phenotypes were consistent with the effects described for these PAHs and thus validated the exposure process. This procedure could be used to assess the toxicity of natural sediment after extraction of the aromatic fraction as well as to assess the toxicity of hydrophobic molecules. To be reliable tests, it remains essential to identify early markers of late effects to avoid under estimating the toxicity of a compound.

Increases in basolateral amygdala (BLA) activity drive avoidance-seeking behavior that may be associated with stress induced drug seeking. Activity of BLA pyramidal neurons is regulated by local and paracapsular gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons. The lateral paracapsular interneurons (LPCs) border the external capsule, receive dense cortical/thalamic input and provide feed-forward inhibition onto BLA principle neurons. The GABAergic LPCs also express high concentrations of g-protein coupled µ-opioid receptors (MORs). Therefore, the effects of opiates on LPC activity and local GABA release were examined. Fluorescently double labeled LPCs were observed in glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) 65-mcherry/GAD67-green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice. Whole-cell electrophysiology experiments demonstrated that acute exposure to [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO; a synthetic selective MOR agonist), reduced LPC firing and spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current (sIPSC) frequency in LPCs, with no apparent effect on spontaneous excitatory currents (sEPSCs). Current injection induced firing in LPC neurons, but less effectively than in saline controls. Morphine-exposed mice (10mg/kg/day, across 5 days, 1-2 days off) had increased sIPSCs compared to saline-injected controls, as well as enhanced adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity. Together these data show that LPC neurons are a highly sensitive targets for opiate-induced inhibition, and that long-term opiate exposure results in impaired LPC excitability, possibly contributing to anxiety observed during opiate withdrawal.

Exposure to herbicides poses a threat to aquatic biofilms by affecting their community structure, physiology and function. These changes render biofilms to become more tolerant, but on the downside community tolerance has ecologic costs. A concept that addresses induced community tolerance to a pollutant (PICT) was introduced by Blanck and Wängberg (1988). The basic principle of the concept is that microbial communities undergo pollution-induced succession when exposed to a pollutant over a long period of time, which changes communities structurally and functionally and enhancing tolerance to the pollutant exposure. However, the mechanisms of tolerance and the ecologic consequences were hardly studied up to date. This thesis addresses the structural and functional changes in biofilm communities and applies modern molecular methods to unravel molecular tolerance mechanisms. Two different freshwater biofilm communities were cultivated for a period of five weeks, with one of the communities being contaminated with 4 μg L-1 diuron. Subsequently, the communities were characterized for structural and functional differences, especially focusing on their crucial role of photosynthesis. The community structure of the autotrophs was assessed using HPLC-based pigment analysis and their functional alterations were investigated using Imaging-PAM fluorometry to study photosynthesis and community oxygen profiling to determine net primary production. Then, the molecular fingerprints of the communities were measured with meta-transcriptomics (RNA-Seq) and GC-based community metabolomics approaches and analyzed with respect to changes in their molecular functions. The communities were acute exposed to diuron for one hour in a dose-response design, to reveal a potential PICT and uncover related adaptation to diuron exposure. The combination of apical and molecular methods in a dose-response design enabled the linkage of functional effects of diuron exposure and underlying molecular mechanisms based on a sensitivity analysis. Chronic exposure to diuron impaired freshwater biofilms in their biomass accrual. The contaminated communities particularly lost autotrophic biomass, reflected by the decrease in specific chlorophyll a content. This loss was associated with a change in the molecular fingerprint of the communities, which substantiates structural and physiological changes. The decline in autotrophic biomass could be due to a primary loss of sensitive autotrophic organisms caused by the selection of better adapted species in the course of chronic exposure. Related to this hypothesis, an increase in diuron tolerance has been detected in the contaminated communities and molecular mechanisms facilitating tolerance have been found. It was shown that genes of the photosystem, reductive-pentose phosphate cycle and arginine metabolism were differentially expressed among the communities and that an increased amount of potential antioxidant degradation products was found in the contaminated communities. This led to the hypothesis that contaminated communities may have adapted to oxidative stress, making them less sensitive to diuron exposure. Moreover, the photosynthetic light harvesting complex was altered and the photoprotective xanthophyll cycle was increased in the contaminated communities. Despite these adaptation strategies, the loss of autotrophic biomass has been shown to impair primary production. This impairment persisted even under repeated short-term exposure, so that the tolerance mechanisms cannot safeguard primary production as a key function in aquatic systems.:1. The effect of chemicals on organisms and their functions .............................. 1 1.1 Welcome to the anthropocene .......................................................................... 1 1.2 From cellular stress responses to ecosystem resilience ................................... 3 1.2.1 The individual pursuit for homeostasis ....................................................... 3 1.2.2 Stability from diversity ................................................................................. 5 1.3 Community ecotoxicology - a step forward in monitoring the effects of chemical pollution? ................................................................................................................. 6 1.4 Functional ecotoxicological assessment of microbial communities ................... 9 1.5 Molecular tools – the key to a mechanistic understanding of stressor effects from a functional perspective in microbial communities? ...................................... 12 2. Aims and Hypothesis ......................................................................................... 14 2.1 Research question .......................................................................................... 14 2.2 Hypothesis and outline .................................................................................... 15 2.3 Experimental approach & concept .................................................................. 16 2.3.1 Aquatic freshwater biofilms as model community ..................................... 16 2.3.2 Diuron as model herbicide ........................................................................ 17 2.3.3 Experimental design ................................................................................. 18 3. Structural and physiological changes in microbial communities after chronic exposure - PICT and altered functional capacity ................................................. 21 3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 21 3.2 Methods .......................................................................................................... 23 3.2.1 Biofilm cultivation ...................................................................................... 23 3.2.2 Dry weight and autotrophic index ............................................................. 23 3.2.4 Pigment analysis of periphyton ................................................................. 23 3.2.4.1 In-vivo pigment analysis for community characterization ....................... 24 3.2.4.2 In-vivo pigment analysis based on Imaging-PAM fluorometry ............... 24 3.2.4.3 In-vivo pigment fluorescence for tolerance detection ............................. 26 3.2.4.4 Ex-vivo pigment analysis by high-pressure liquid-chromatography ....... 27 3.2.5 Community oxygen metabolism measurements ....................................... 28 3.3 Results and discussion ................................................................................... 29 3.3.1 Comparison of the structural community parameters ............................... 29 3.3.2 Photosynthetic activity and primary production of the communities after selection phase ................................................................................................. 33 3.3.3 Acquisition of photosynthetic tolerance .................................................... 34 3.3.4 Primary production at exposure conditions ............................................... 36 3.3.5 Tolerance detection in primary production ................................................ 37 3.4 Summary and Conclusion ........................................................................... 40 4. Community gene expression analysis by meta-transcriptomics ................... 41 4.1 Introduction to meta-transcriptomics ............................................................... 41 4.2. Methods ......................................................................................................... 43 4.2.1 Sampling and RNA extraction................................................................... 43 4.2.2 RNA sequencing analysis ......................................................................... 44 4.2.3 Data assembly and processing................................................................. 45 4.2.4 Prioritization of contigs and annotation ..................................................... 47 4.2.5 Sensitivity analysis of biological processes .............................................. 48 4.3 Results and discussion ................................................................................... 48 4.3.1 Characterization of the meta-transcriptomic fingerprints .......................... 49 4.3.2 Insights into community stress response mechanisms using trend analysis (DRomic’s) ......................................................................................................... 51 4.3.3 Response pattern in the isoform PS genes .............................................. 63 4.5 Summary and conclusion ................................................................................ 65 5. Community metabolome analysis ..................................................................... 66 5.1 Introduction to community metabolomics ........................................................ 66 5.2 Methods .......................................................................................................... 68 5.2.1 Sampling, metabolite extraction and derivatisation................................... 68 5.2.2 GC-TOF-MS analysis ............................................................................... 69 5.2.3 Data processing and statistical analysis ................................................... 69 5.3 Results and discussion ................................................................................... 70 5.3.1 Characterization of the metabolic fingerprints .......................................... 70 5.3.2 Difference in the metabolic fingerprints .................................................... 71 5.3.3 Differential metabolic responses of the communities to short-term exposure of diuron ............................................................................................................ 73 5.4 Summary and conclusion ................................................................................ 78 6. Synthesis ............................................................................................................. 79 6.1 Approaches and challenges for linking molecular data to functional measurements ...................................................................................................... 79 6.2 Methods .......................................................................................................... 83 6.2.1 Summary on the data ............................................................................... 83 6.2.2 Aggregation of molecular data to index values (TELI and MELI) .............. 83 6.2.3 Functional annotation of contigs and metabolites using KEGG ................ 83 6.3 Results and discussion ................................................................................... 85 6.3.1 Results of aggregation techniques ........................................................... 85 6.3.2 Sensitivity analysis of the different molecular approaches and endpoints 86 6.3.3 Mechanistic view of the molecular stress responses based on KEGG functions ............................................................................................................ 89 6.4 Consolidation of the results – holistic interpretation and discussion ............... 93 6.4.1 Adaptation to chronic diuron exposure - from molecular changes to community effects.............................................................................................. 93 6.4.2 Assessment of the ecological costs of Pollution-induced community tolerance based on primary production ............................................................. 94 6.5 Outlook ............................................................................................................ 97