Värmechockprotein 90 kDa (HSP90) bildar ett anmärkningsvärt komplicerat nätverk med en mängd olika cochaperones. Komplexet av FK506-bindande protein 51 kDa (FKBP51) och HSP90 förmedlar proteinveckning och funktion, främjar tau aggregation vid Alzheimers sjukdom och påverkar stressrelaterade störningar, fetma, typ två-diabetes, etc. I samarbete med den molekylära chaperonen HSP90, FKBP51 har nyligen föreslagits som ett lovande terapeutiskt mål för Alzheimers sjukdom (AD). Således skapades knock-in-musen med punktmutationer i tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domänen av FKBP51, vilket gör den oförmögen att interagera med HSP90, för att undersöka de potentiella terapeutiska målen för behandling av dessa sjukdomar. Glukokortikoidreceptorn (GR) fungerade traditionellt som utgångspunkten för de initiala studierna av FKBP51-funktion och mekanism som kan stimuleras av den syntetiska glukokortikoiden dexametason (Dexa). Det primära målet med projektet är att förstå den biologiska betydelsen av FKBP51-HSP90 interaktioner. Det är oklart hur FKBP51-mutation påverkar protein-protein-interaktionen och glukokortikoidsignalering. Här analyserades embryonala fibroblaster (MEF) isolerade från vildtyp och FKBP51 mutant mus med avseende på proteinlokalisering, proteinuttryck och genuttryck. Även om ingen säker skillnad mellan vildtyp och mutantmöss sågs i Dexa-medierad glukokortikoidsignalering, förekommer de posttranslationella modifieringarna (PTM) vid exponering för Dexa-behandling av FKBP51 i vildtypmöss i en signifikant högre utsträckning än i Fkbp51mute-möss.Fosforyleringsmodifieringen av FKBP51 antogs initialt och bekräftades av fosforyleringsanrikningsstrategier. Bekräftelse har dock ännu inte erhållits. / Heat shock protein 90 kDa (HSP90) forms a remarkably complicated network with a variety of cochaperones. The complex of FK506-binding protein 51 kDa (FKBP51) and HSP90 mediates protein folding and function, promoting tau aggregation in Alzheimer's disease and influencing stress-related disorders, obesity, type two diabetes, etc. In collaboration with the molecular chaperone HSP90, FKBP51 has recently been proposed as a promising therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, the knock-in mouse harboring point mutations in the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain of FKBP51 rendering it unable to interact with HSP90 were created to investigate the potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of these diseases. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) traditionally served as the starting point for the initial studies of FKBP51 function and mechanism which can be stimulated by the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (Dexa). The primary goal of the project is to comprehend the biological significance of FKBP51-HSP90 interactions. It is unclear how FKBP51 mutation affects the protein-protein interaction and glucocorticoid signaling. Here, embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from wildtype and FKBP51 mutant mouse were analyzed with respect to protein localization, protein expression, and gene expression. Although no certain difference between wildtype and mutant mice was seen in Dexa-mediated glucocorticoid signaling, the post-translational modifications (PTMs) in exposure to Dexa treatment of FKBP51 occur in wildtype mice to a significantly higher extent than in Fkbp51mute mice. The phosphorylation modification of FKBP51 was initially hypothesized and confirmed by phosphorylation enrichment strategies. However, confirmation has not yet been obtained.

Malgré le nombre important de spécialités pharmaceutiques mises sur le marché, certains patients hospitalisés ne peuvent bénéficier d’un traitement pour lequel aucun dosage et/ou forme pharmaceutique n’est disponible. Dans ce cas, la pharmacotechnie hospitalière peut être autorisée à formuler et contrôler des préparations.L’objectif de ces travaux a été de développer une forme transdermique semi-solide, à partir de véhicules prêts à l’emploi et contenant trois antiémétiques, pour traiter les nausées et vomissements chimio-induits. Pour ce faire, l’ondansétron, la dexaméthasone et l’aprépitant ont été formulés dans cinq véhicules commerciaux de composition liposomale (PLO®, Lipovan®, Pentravan® et Pentravan Plus®) ou phytosomale (Phytobase®). Après avoir protocolisé la formulation, un contrôle qualité a été réalisé sur chaque préparation finie. Il a essentiellement porté sur l’évaluation de la teneur en principes actifs dans les formulations et sur leur homogénéité. Dans ce but une méthode séparative utilisant la CLHP-UV et une méthode basée sur la PLS-UV ont été développées et validées selon les recommandations de la Société Française des Sciences Techniques et Pharmaceutiques pour doser simultanément les trois antiémétiques.Deux études in vitro ont ensuite été mises en œuvre sur des cellules de Franz. La première, menée à l’aide de membranes d’acétate de cellulose, a montré que le PLO® et le Pentravan Plus® sont les véhicules les plus performants pour libérer les trois principes actifs (PA) formulés séparément. La seconde visait à évaluer la perméation des mêmes PA à travers des épidermes de peau d’oreilles de cochon. Elle a mis en évidence les performances du Pentravan Plus® comme véhicule pour l’administration simultanée de l’ondansétron et de la dexaméthasone par voie transdermique. La perméation de l’aprépitant étant trop faible pour envisager son administration par voie transdermique, il n’a pas été intégré à la formulation finale. Différents promoteurs d’absorption ont été évalués afin d’améliorer le passage transcutanée : le tween 20 s’est révélé tout aussi performant que l’éthanol classiquement utilisé pour l’incorporation des PA dans ces véhicules. / Despite the high number of formulations available for a drug on the pharmaceutical market, it can arise that a patient needs a treatment for which none pharmaceutical form or dosage is available. In this case, pharmacy department of the hospital may have to prepare this form, in accordance with health agency.The goal of this work was to develop a semi-solid transdermic formulation from ready for use vehicle and containing three antiemetic drugs for the treatment of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Hence, ondansetron, dexamethasone and aprepitant have been formulated in five commercial vehicles of liposomal (PLO®, Lipovan®, Pentravan® and Pentravan Plus®) or phytosomal (Phytobase®) composition. After development of a formulation protocol, quality control was carried out on every finished preparation It focused on the evaluation of the content of active ingredients in formulations and their homogeneity. For this purpose a separation method using HPLC-UV and a method based on PLS-UV have been developed and validated according to the recommendations of the French Society of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology to assay the three antiemetics simultaneously.Two in vitro studies were then implemented on a Franz cell. The first, using cellulose acetate membranes, has shown that the PLO® and the Pentravan Plus® are the most efficient vehicles for releasing the three drugs formulated separately. The second one was performed to assess the permeation of the same drug through pig ears skin epidermis. It highlighted the performances of Pentravan Plus® as a vehicle for the simultaneous transdermal administration of ondansetron and dexamethasone. Nevertheless, as permeation of aprepitant is too poor to consider its transdermal administration, it has not been included in the final formulation. Different chemical enhancers were evaluated to improve the transcutaneous passage: tween 20 appeared to be as powerful as ethanol conventionally used for the incorporation of drugs in these vehicles.

Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar os efeitos do tratamento com altas e baixas doses de metotrexato (MTX) na reparação de fraturas mandibulares, num modelo experimental com ratos. Métodos: O modelo experimental empregado consiste na criação de um defeito ósseo na mandíbula do rato, semelhante a uma fratura. Oitenta ratos foram distribuídos em 4 grupos de 20 animais que receberam, por via intraperitoneal: soro fisiológico (controle) (1 ml, após a cirurgia); dexametasona (DX) (0,15 mg / kg, dose única após a cirurgia); alta dose MTX (1,6 mg / kg, semanalmente); baixa dose MTX, (0,25 mg / kg, semanalmente). Os animais foram sacrificados no dia 1º, 7º, 15º e 30º dia após a cirurgia. As mandíbulas foram submetidas à análise radiográfica para medir a distância entre os cotos ósseos e a área de osteotomia. Avaliação histomorfométrica foi realizada usando um software analisador de imagens digitalizadas para verificar a formação de cartilagem e óssea. Resultados: Os resultados revelaram não haver alterações significantes entre os tratamentos nos parâmetros avaliados nos 10 e 70 dias após a cirurgia. Animais do grupo controle sacrificados no 15º dia após a cirurgia tiveram uma redução da distância entre as extremidades ósseas e na área da osteotomia, bem como um grande aumento na formação de cartilagem. O padrão desses parâmetros nos animais tratados com baixas doses de MTX e DX não foram significativamente diferentes do grupo controle neste período. No entanto, os animais tratados com alta dose de MTX tiveram aumento da distância entre os cotos ósseos e da área da osteotomia, bem como foi praticamente nulo o aumento da formação de cartilagem. Sobre o 30º dia após a cirurgia, os animais do grupo controle tinham praticamente recuperado a região da fratura, bem como aqueles tratados com doses baixas de MTX. Os grupos tratados com a alta dose de MTX e DX mantiveram abertos os defeitos ósseos. Conclusões: Este estudo mostra claramente que a baixa dose de MTX não afetou a reparação óssea de fraturas mandibulares em ratos, em contraste com a alta dose de MTX, que afeta desfavoravelmente a regeneração óssea. / Purpose: The present study aims to verify the effect of high and low dose of methotrexate (MTX) treatment on bone repair of mandibular fractures in rats. Methods: The experimental model employed consists in creating a defect in rat mandible, similar to a fracture. Eighty rats were distributed in 4 groups of 20 animals that received, intraperitoneally: saline (1 ml, after surgery); dexametazone (DX, 0.15 mg/Kg, one dose at surgery); high dose MTX (1.6 mg/Kg, weekly); low dose MTX, (0.25 mg/Kg, weekly). Groups of five animals were sacrificed on the 1st, 7th, 15th and 30th day after surgery. Mandibles were submitted to radiographic analysis to measure the distance between bony edges and the area of osteotomy. Histopathological evaluation was performed in digitalized images using an analyzer software to examine cartilage and bone formation. Results: The treatments did not alter any evaluated parameters on days 1 and 7 after surgery. Control animals sacrificed on the 15th day after surgery had a reduction of the distance between bony ends and in the area of osteotomy, as well as a great increase in cartilage formation. The pattern of these parameters in animals treated with low dose MTX and DX did not differ from control group. However, animals treated with higher dose of MTX kept increasing the distance between bony ends and the area of osteotomy, and the increase in cartilage formation was practically inexistent. On the 30th day after surgery, control animals had pratically recovered the fracture region, as well as those treated with low dose MTX. The group treated with higher dose MTX and DX still had an open bone defect. Conclusions: This study clearly shows that low dose MTX did not affect bone healing of mandibular fractures in rats, in contrast to a higher dose, which promotes impairment of bone regeneration.

L'ischémie/reperfusion (I/R) est un phénomène très fréquent en clinique humaine. Ce phénomène est observé lors de la désobstruction d'une artère digestive, du traitement d'un état de choc, ainsi qu'au cours d'autres pathologies. L'interruption de la perfusion tissulaire (ischémie) et le rétablissement de celle-ci (reperfusion) sont la cause de la mise en place de troubles hémodynamiques et métaboliques. L'I/R est souvent présentée comme étant la principale source de l'hyperlactatémie et le moteur de la réponse inflammatoire lors des états de choc (cardiogénique, hypovolémique, septique). Parallèlement, elle est responsable de l'induction de la production de la libération des espèces réactives de l'oxygène, des cytokines et du monoxyde d'azote. Suite à un choc hémorragique par Ischémie/reperfusion chez le rat, nous avons montré que 1) le NaHS, donneur d'H2S limite la diminution de la pression artérielle moyenne et diminue le lactate plasmatique, témoin de la souffrance tissulaire, 2) cette amélioration hémodynamique est associée à une baisse de l'expression myocardique des ARNm d'iNOS, une diminution de la concentration des dérivés NOx plasmatiques et une diminution des concentrations aortiques et myocardiques de NO et d'anion superoxyde et 3) l'inhibition d'H2S par la DL-propargylglycine aggrave le tableau hémodynamique et les conséquences tissulaires du choc. Dans un autre modèle d'ischémie/reperfusion intestinale, les résultats obtenus, montrent que l'administration de la Protéine C activée (PCa) ou de la dexaméthaosne (Dexa) : 1) améliore la PAM et la réactivité vasculaire, 2) permet d'augmenter le pH et de diminuer la lactatémie, 3) diminue la production des cytokines pro-inflammatoires et 4) inhibe les médiateurs de l'apoptose. Ces résultats sont reliés à une down régulation d'iNOS, une restauration de la voie Akt/eNOS et à une resensibilisation des adrénorécepteurs alpha. Ces résultats ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives cliniques dans les traitements de l'I/R / Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a very common phenomenon, observed during intestinal artery surgery, shock treatment, as well as in several other diseases. The disruption of tissue perfusion (ischemia) and recovery (reperfusion) induce hemodynamic and metabolic dysfunction. Gut ischemia/reperfusion is often presented as the main source of lactate and the motor of the inflammatory response, such as cardiogenic, hypovolemic and septic shock. In parallel, gut reperfusion produces numerous mediators such as reactive oxygen metabolites, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and high concentrations of nitric oxide. In a model of ischemia/reperfusion induced by hemorrhagic shock, we found that 1) NaHS an injectable form of H2S, limited the decrease in arterial pressure induced by shock and decreased plasmatic lactate, a witness of tissue suffering, 2) this hemodynamic improvement was associated with a fall in myocardial iNOS mRNA expression, a reduction in the concentration of plasmatic NOx and a reduction of aortic and myocardial concentrations of NO and superoxide anion and 3) the inhibition of H2S with DL-propargylglycine worsened hemodynamics and tissue consequences of shock An experimental model of intestinal I/R has been developed, we demonstrated that the administration of APC or Dexa : 1) Improves MAP and vascular reactivity, 2) increased pH and decreased lactate, 3) decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines production and 4) inhibited apoptosis mediators expression. These results are related to a down regulation of iNOS, to a restoration of the AKT/eNOS pathway, and to alpha-adrenoreceptor resensitization. These results open new perspectives in clinical treatment of I/R

<p>Large amounts of nitric oxide (NO) are produced by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) upon inflammatory stimuli. NO is a multifaceted molecule, which may have beneficial effects as an antimicrobial agent in the immune defense, or cytotoxic effects in chronic inflammations, manifested as e.g. arthritis and asthma. Understanding the mode of regulation of the iNOS gene is a prerequisite for developing intervention strategies in various pathological conditions where detrimental effects of NO need to be prevented.</p><p>Transcriptional processes of the iNOS gene regulation are well described, while post-transcriptional events have not been studied in detail. The aim of the present thesis was to investigate post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involving the 3’untranslated region (UTR) of the murine iNOS mRNA.</p><p>Inflammation-dependent RNA-protein interactions with the iNOS mRNA 3’UTR were characterized by RNA gel shift analysis and UV cross-linking. <i>Trans</i>-acting factors interacting with the 3’UTR were detected in mouse liver and macrophages and identified as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNP) I and L. Western blot revealed that reduced hnRNPI levels are responsible for the decreased interaction of hnRNPI with iNOS 3’UTR upon induction in inflammatory conditions. This decrease was reversed by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone, concomitant with decreased iNOS mRNA levels and stability. Introduction of the iNOS 3’UTR into a luciferase reporter gene reduced its expression in macrophages. Upon deletions of the binding sites for hnRNPI and hnRNPL, the luciferase expression was recovered. In addition, inflammatory stimuli increased the luciferase activity of the construct with the full-length 3’UTR, while only weak effects of the stimuli were seen on the deletion constructs.</p><p>In conclusion, the results suggest that binding of hnRNPI and hnRNPL to the iNOS mRNA 3’UTR promotes degradation of the transcript. Induction of iNOS by inflammatory stimuli dissociates the RNA-protein complex, yielding a more stable mRNA. In addition, post-transcriptional down-regulation of the iNOS gene by the anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid dexamethasone, seems to involve hnRNPI.</p>

Large amounts of nitric oxide (NO) are produced by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) upon inflammatory stimuli. NO is a multifaceted molecule, which may have beneficial effects as an antimicrobial agent in the immune defense, or cytotoxic effects in chronic inflammations, manifested as e.g. arthritis and asthma. Understanding the mode of regulation of the iNOS gene is a prerequisite for developing intervention strategies in various pathological conditions where detrimental effects of NO need to be prevented. Transcriptional processes of the iNOS gene regulation are well described, while post-transcriptional events have not been studied in detail. The aim of the present thesis was to investigate post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involving the 3’untranslated region (UTR) of the murine iNOS mRNA. Inflammation-dependent RNA-protein interactions with the iNOS mRNA 3’UTR were characterized by RNA gel shift analysis and UV cross-linking. Trans-acting factors interacting with the 3’UTR were detected in mouse liver and macrophages and identified as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNP) I and L. Western blot revealed that reduced hnRNPI levels are responsible for the decreased interaction of hnRNPI with iNOS 3’UTR upon induction in inflammatory conditions. This decrease was reversed by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone, concomitant with decreased iNOS mRNA levels and stability. Introduction of the iNOS 3’UTR into a luciferase reporter gene reduced its expression in macrophages. Upon deletions of the binding sites for hnRNPI and hnRNPL, the luciferase expression was recovered. In addition, inflammatory stimuli increased the luciferase activity of the construct with the full-length 3’UTR, while only weak effects of the stimuli were seen on the deletion constructs. In conclusion, the results suggest that binding of hnRNPI and hnRNPL to the iNOS mRNA 3’UTR promotes degradation of the transcript. Induction of iNOS by inflammatory stimuli dissociates the RNA-protein complex, yielding a more stable mRNA. In addition, post-transcriptional down-regulation of the iNOS gene by the anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid dexamethasone, seems to involve hnRNPI.

Type 2 diabetes is usually caused by a combination of pancreatic β-cell failure and insulin resistance in target tissues like liver, muscle and fat. Insulin resistance is characterised by an impaired effect of insulin to reduce hepatic glucose production and to promote glucose uptake in peripheral tissues. The focus of this study was to further elucidate cellular mechanisms for insulin resistance that may be of relevance for type 2 diabetes in humans. We used rat and human adipocytes as an established model of insulin’s target cells. Glucocorticoids, e.g. cortisol, can induce insulin resistance in vivo. In the present study, pretreatment of rat adipocytes in vitro for 24 h with the cortisol analogue dexamethasone produced a downregulation of glucose uptake capacity as well as a marked depletion of cellular insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and protein kinase B (PKB), two proteins suggested to play a critical role in the intracellular signal transduction pathway of insulin. The amount of phosphorylated PKB in response to acute insulin treatment was decreased in parallel to total PKB content. The basal rate of lipolysis was enhanced, but insulin’s antilipolytic effect was not consistently altered following dexamethasone pretreatment. Alterations in blood glucose as well as insulin levels may be of great importance for cellular as well as whole-body insulin resistance. High glucose (≥15 mM) for 24 h induced a decrease in glucose uptake capacity in rat adipocytes and IRS-1 content was reduced whereas IRS-2 was increased. Long-term pretreatment with a high insulin concentration downregulated insulin binding capacity and when combined with high glucose, it produced a pronounced reduction of cellular IRS-1 and 2 content together with insensitivity to insulin’s effect to activate PKB and a decrease in glucose uptake capacity. A common denominator for a decrease in glucose uptake capacity in our rat adipocyte studies seems to be a decrease in IRS-1 content. Adipocytes from type 2 diabetes patients are insulin-resistant, but in our work the insulin resistance could be reversed by incubation of the cells at a physiological glucose level for 24 h. Insulin resistance in fresh adipocytes from type 2 diabetes patients was associated with in vivo insulin resistance and glycemic level and with adipocyte cell size and waist-hip ratio (WHR). As a potential mechanism for postprandial dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes, we examined the nutritional regulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. It was upregulated by ~40-50 % after a standardised lipid-enriched meal and this was very similar in type 2 diabetes patients and control subjects, suggesting that the postprandial hypertriglyceridemia found in type 2 diabetes is not explained by an altered nutritional regulation of LPL in subcutaneous fat. In conclusion, the present work provides evidence for novel interactions between glucocorticoids and insulin in the regulation of glucose metabolism that may potentially contribute to the development of insulin resistance. High levels of glucose and insulin produce perturbations in the insulin signalling pathway that may be of relevance for human type 2 diabetes. Cellular insulin resistance may be secondary to the diabetic state in vivo, e.g. via glucotoxicity. This is supported by our finding that insulin resistance in adipocytes from type 2 diabetes patients can be reversed after incubation at a physiological glucose level. Key words: adipocyte, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, insulin signalling, glucose uptake, insulin, glucose, dexamethasone, insulin receptor substrate, protein kinase B, GLUT4, lipoprotein lipase.

La utilización de algunas sustancias antimicrobianas y algunos corticosteroides como promotores del crecimiento es una práctica ilegal en la UE. Una nueva aproximación para la detección y el control del suministro de estos compuestos puede ser el análisis del pelo. Esta matriz presenta ciertas ventajas frente a otras matrices de análisis, pero los métodos analíticos así como los principales mecanismos por los cuales estas sustancia se acumulan, no están del todo claros ni bien definidos. En este trabajo se desarrollan protocolos de análisis rápidos y específicos para detectar residuos de sulfametacina (SMZ), enrofloxacino (ENR) y dexametasona (DEX) en pelo, músculo e hígado de animales de producción (vacuno y porcino). Asimismo, se confirma la deposición de estos compuestos en el pelo de animales tratados y se evalúa el pelo como matriz analítica y de control de la administración de estos compuestos en producción animal. / The use of antimicrobial substances and some corticosteroids as growth promoters is an illegal practice in the EU countries. A new approximation to detect and control these practices could be hair analysis. This matrix offers certain advantages if compared to other tissues, but the analytical protocols as well as the mechanisms of drugs incorporation into hair are not well known and defined. The objectives of this work are to develop rapid and specific analytical protocols to detect residues of sulphamethazine (SMZ), enrofloxacin (ENR) and dexamethasone (DEX) in hair, muscle and liver of treated animals (cattle and pigs). The accumulation of these compounds in the hair of treated animals as well as the evaluation of the hair as a tool to control the administration of these compounds is studied and evaluated in this work.

No description available.

Background: Lithium augmentation is a first-line strategy for depressed patients resistant to antidepressive therapy, but little is known about patients’ subsequent long-term course or outcome predictors. We investigated long-term outcomes of unipolar depressed patients who had participated in a study on the effects of lithium augmentation on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical system using the combined dexamethasone/corticotrophin-releasing hormone (DEX/CRH) test. Methods: Twelve to 28 months (mean 18.6 ± 4.6 months) after lithium augmentation, 23 patients were assessed with a standardized interview, of which 18 patients had complete DEX/CRH test results. Relapse was diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV; SCID I). Results: Only 11 patients (48%) had a favorable follow-up, defined as absence of major depressive episodes during the observation period. Patients with a favorable and an unfavorable course did not differ in clinical or sociodemographic parameters, endocrinological results or continuation of lithium. However, fewer previous depressive episodes tended to correlate (p = 0.09) with a favorable course. Conclusion: Results from studies using the DEX/CRH test to predict relapse in depressed patients treated with antidepressants were not replicated for lithium augmentation. Our finding could reflect the elevation of DEX/CRH results by lithium, independent of clinical course. Limitations of the study are its small sample size, the heterogeneous clinical baseline conditions and the lack of lithium serum levels. The fact that lithium continuation did not predict the course might be related to the difference between the efficacy of lithium in controlled studies and its effectiveness in naturalistic settings. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.