A population of stromal cells that retains osteogenic capacity in adult bone (adult bone stromal cells or aBSCs) exists and is under intense investigation in relation to osteogenesis and relevant pathology. aBSCs may be different from their embryonic or neonatal counterparts, and are influenced by species-/age-specific and other factors. Mice heterozygous for a null allele of prkar1a (Prkar1a+/-, a gene encoding for cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate (cAMP)-dependent regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PKA), developed bone lesions that resembled fibrous dysplasia (FD) originated from cAMP-responsive osteogenic cells. Prkar1a +/- mice were crossed with mice heterozygous for catalytic subunit Calpha (Prkaca+/-), the main PKA activity-mediating molecule and generated mouse model with double heterozygosity for prkar1a and prkaca (Prkar1a +/-Prkaca+/-). Unexpectedly, Prkar1a+/-Prkaca+/- mice developed a large number of osseous lesions starting at 2--3 months of age that varied from the rare chondromas in the long bones and the ubiquitous osteochondrodysplasia of tail vertebral bodies to the occasional sarcoma in older animals. Cells from these lesions were fibroblast- and FD-like, and almost always originated from an area proximal to the growth plate and adjacent to endosteal surface of the periosteum; they expanded gradually in the bone marrow space. These cells expressed osteogenic cell markers, showed higher PKA activity that was mostly type II (PKA-II) and display an alternate pattern of catalytic subunit expression, and surprisingly possessed higher cAMP levels. In addition, markers of bone synthesis and lysis were increased. Gene expression profiling not only confirmed an early (progenitor) osteoblastic nature for these cells but also showed a signature that was indicative of mesenchymal-to-epithelial (MET) transition and increased Wnt signaling, particularly the brachyury expression. These studies show that a specific subpopulation of aBSCs can be stimulated in adult bone by PKA-II and altered Calpha activity, generating the only available germline mutant mouse model of a disorder that has similarities to human FD. Along with previous data, these studies also suggest that the effects of cAMP signaling on osteogenesis and stromal cell maintenance and proliferation in mice are age-, bone-, site- but also PKA-type and catalytic subunit-specific. / Parts of the work have been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 2010; 107(19):8683--8. / Tsang, Kit Man. / Advisers: Constantine A. Stratakas; Kwak-Pui Fung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-183). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

INTRODUÇÃO: As proteínas desacopladoras de prótons (UCPs: uncoupling proteins) pertencem à família dos transportadores mitocondriais H+/ácidos graxos e têm distribuição diferenciada nos tecidos. Sabe-se que a UCP1 é responsável pela termogênese, mas o exato papel fisiológico da UCP2 e UCP3 ainda não está completamente estabelecido. Os hormônios tireoideanos (T3 e T4) estimulam a expressão da UCP3 em músculo cardíaco e esquelético, no entanto o mecanismo pelo qual exercem esse efeito não é conhecido. Este projeto visa avaliar se as alterações na expressão gênica da UCP3 são relacionadas a efeito primário do T3 ou são secundárias à estimulação do sistema renina-angiotensina ou do sistema ?-adrenérgico. MÉTODOS: Para a realização do estudo, criou-se um modelo animal de hipertireodismo, em ratos machos Sprague-Dawley, através da 3 administrações de 100 ?g/100 g peso corpóreo de LT3, em dias alternados, associado ou não à captopril (1 mg/100 g de peso corpóreo), ?-bloqueador propranolol (1 mg/100g de peso corpóreo) ou ?2-agonista clenbuterol (0,04 mg/100 g de peso corpóreo). A expressão do mRNA da UCP3 foi semi-quantitativamente determinada por Northern blot em amostras de músculo ventricular cardíaco e músculo esquelético (gastrocnemius e soleus). A expressão da proteína UCP3 foi avaliada por Western blot em músculo esquelético (quadríceps). Os resultados foram expressos em unidades arbitrárias de densitometria óptica. RESULTADOS: O tratamento com LT3 resultou em aumento estatisticamente significativo do conteúdo de mRNA da UCP3 em miocárdio (~3 vezes) e músculo esquelético (~8 vezes) (p<0,05) e esse efeito não foi alterado por nenhuma das medicações usadas concomitantemente. Não houve efeito sinergístico ou aditivo sobre a expressão do mRNA da UCP3 quando o LT3 foi administrado conjuntamente ao ?2-agonista. O aumento na quantidade de mRNA da UCP3, em músculo esquelético, foi associado à aumento na expressão da proteína UCP3. CONCLUSÃO: O efeito do LT3 sobre a expressão da UCP3, nos tecidos analisados, não são dependentes da angiotensina II, nem do sistema ?-adrenérgico, provavelmente refletindo uma ação direta do LT3 sobre a expressão do gene UCP3 / Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) stimulate UCP-3 expression in skeletal muscle. Here, we examined whether thyroid hormone-induced changes in UCP-3 mRNA expression are related to directs effects of T3 or reflect secondary effects of the hormone through stimulation of renin-angiotensin or ?-adrenergic systems. Hyperthyroidism was produced by three injections of 100 ?g T3/100 g body weight on alternate days with or without concomitant treatment with either captopril (an ACE inhibitor), propranolol (a ?-blocker) or clenbuterol (a ?2-agonist). The relative abundance of UCP-3 mRNA was measured in ventricular myocardium and skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius and soleus). T3 resulted in a significant increase in the relative abundance of UCP-3 in heart and skeletal muscle (P < 0.05), and the effect was not altered by captopril or propanolol; the inhibitors alone had no effect of UCP-3 mRNA content. There was no synergistic or additive effect of T3 and clenbuterol on UCP-3 mRNA expression in skeletal muscle. Increased UCP-3 mRNA levels were associated with increased UCP-3 protein expression in skeletal muscle. We conclude that the effect of T3 on UCP-3 expression in cardiac and skeletal muscle is not dependent on either angiotensin II or the ?-adrenergic system and probably reflects a direct action of the hormone on UCP-3 gene expression

O domínio da técnica de microanastomose vascular é um pré-requisito essencial para a realização de procedimentos microcirúrgicos reconstrutivos, como reimplantes e transferência livre de tecidos. Até hoje, a técnica de sutura convencional é a mais aceita na prática clínica, por sua segurança e versatilidade. Apesar disso, ela apresenta alguns problemas por ser tecnicamente difícil, consumir tempo considerável e causar traumatismo adicional à parede do vaso. O objetivo deste estudo, foi testar um método alternativo de microanastomose arterial, reduzindo o número de pontos de sutura com aplicação do adesivo de fibrina. Sessenta ratos da raça Wistar foram submetidos a microanastomose vascular nas artérias femorais ou carótidas. Os animais foram divididos em quatro subgrupos de acordo com a artéria operada e a técnica de sutura empregada: FSC (femoral - sutura convencional), FAF (femoral - sutura mínima com adesivo de fibrina), CSC (carótida - sutura convencional) e CAF (carótida - sutura mínima com adesivo de fibrina). As duas técnicas de anastomose foram comparadas através de análise estatística dos parâmetros clínicos e histopatológicos. A média de pontos de sutura por anastomose nos subgrupos FSC e CSC foi de 7,7 e 9,5, respectivamente. No subgrupo FAF, as anastomoses foram realizadas com apenas quatro pontos de sutura e no subgrupo CAF, com apenas seis. O tempo de anastomose foi, em média: 15,81 minutos no subgrupo FSC, 13,62 minutos no subgrupo FAF, 18,87 minutos no subgrupo CSC e 17,33 minutos no subgrupo CAF. A aplicação do adesivo de fibrina reduziu, significativamente, o número de pontos e o tempo necessário para realização das anastomoses, nos subgrupos FAF e CAF. A intensidade do sangramento anastomótico também foi reduzida de maneira significativa nestes subgrupos. A freqüência da permeabilidade imediata e tardia foi de 100% em todos os subgrupos, exceto no subgrupo FAF, onde a permeabilidade tardia foi de 93,33%. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as duas técnicas, em relação aos parâmetros histopatológicos avaliados (processo inflamatório, fibrose da camada média e hiperplasia subintimal). O autor concluiu que a técnica de sutura mínima com aplicação do adesivo de fibrina foi mais fácil e rápida que a técnica de sutura convencional, sem aumento da trombogenicidade das anastomoses, no modelo experimental utilizado. / Mastering of the microvascular anastomosis technique is an essencial requirement to perform reconstructive microsurgical procedures, such as replantation surgery and free tissue transfers. Until now, the conventional suture technique is the most widely accepted in the clinical setting, for its safety and versatility. However, this technique presents some problems for being technically difficult, time consuming and causes additional trauma to the vessel wall. The aim of this study was to test an alternative method of microvascular arterial anastomosis, by reducing the number of sutures with application of fibrin adhesive. Sixty Wistar rats underwent to microvascular anastomosis at the femoral or carotid arteries. The animals were divided into four subgroups, according to the operated artery and the employed suture technique: FCS (femoral - conventional suture), FFA (femoral - minimal suture with fibrin adhesive), CCS (carotid - conventional suture) and CFA (carotid - minimal suture with fibrin adhesive). Both anastomosis techniques were compared by means of statistical analisys of the clinical and histopathological parameters. The mean number of sutures required to complete the anastomosis was 7,7 in subgroup FCS and 9,5 in subgroup CCS. In subgroup FFA, the anastomosis was performed with only four sutures and in subgroup CFA, with only six. The mean anastomotic time was 15,81 minutes in subgroup FCS, 13,62 minutes in subgroup FFA, 18,87 minutes in subgroup CCS and 17,33 minutes in subgroup CCS. The application of fibrin adhesive, significantly reduced the number of sutures and the time taken to perform the anastomosis, in subgroups FFA and CFA. The amount of anastomotic bleeding was also significantly reduced in these subgroups. The immediate and late patency rates were 100% in all subgroups, except in subgroup FFA where it was 93,33%. No significant differences were observed among the two techniques, concerning the evaluated histopathological parameters (inflammatory process, medial fibrosis and subintimal hyperplasia). The author concluded that, the fibrin adhesive application with minimal suture technique was faster and easier than the conventional suture technique, without increasing the trombogenicity of the anastomosis, in this experimental model.

A seizure is defined as an abnormal electrical discharge from the brain that results in the affected area losing its normal function and reacting uncontrollably. A particular subset of seizures, known as absence seizures, are characterized by brief, paroxysmal losses of consciousness that are associated with bilaterally synchronous 3 Hz spike and wave discharges (SWDs) on electroencephalography (EEG). The optimal way to understand any disease state is to study it within the human. Unfortunately, well controlled experiments in humans are difficult due to small patient populations, treatment medications which alter the seizure, and the ethical problems associated with invasive experimental procedures. Animal models of absence seizures provide a means of avoiding the above difficulties but the model should mimic, as closely as possible, the human condition. The goal of this thesis was to develop an animal model of absence epilepsy that could be used to explore, non-invasively, the underlying mechanisms of absence seizures. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to non-invasively monitor brain activity during absence seizures in various animal models. In this dissertation I report the development of a pharmacological rat model of absence seizures for use in fMRI investigations. Imaging was performed after absence seizure induction using γ-butyrolactone (GBL) and it was found that the cortico-thalamic circuitry, critical for the formation of SWDs, showed robust signal changes consistent with electroencephalographic recordings in the same animals. Since a major disadvantage of the GBL rat model is that it produces acute, drug-induced seizures, a genetic rat model with spontaneous absence seizures was subsequently developed for fMRI. EEG-triggered fMRI was used to identify areas of brain activation during spontaneous SWDs in the epileptic WAG/Rij rat strain under awake conditions. Significant signal changes were apparent in several areas of the cortex and several important nuclei of the thalamus. These results draw an anatomical correlation between areas in which there is increased fMRI signal and those where SWDs have been previously recorded using electrophysiologic techniques. One way in which absences differ between humans and both of these rat models is that the SWD frequency in humans is classically 3 Hz while in rats it varies from 7 to 11 Hz. Marmoset monkeys were found to model the human absence seizure condition better than other animals because GBL administration in these non-human primates results in the formation of 3 Hz SWDs. This monkey model was developed for awake functional imaging and changes in signal intensity in the thalamus and sensorimotor cortex correlated with the onset of 3 Hz SWDs. The change in BOLD signal intensity was bilateral but heterogeneous, affecting some brain areas more than others.

O infarto do miocárdio (IM) é a doença cardiovascular que mais causa morte e invalidez em todo o mundo. O uso de animais experimentais tem auxiliado a compreender melhor a fisiopatologia e as formas de tratamento do IM. Sabendo que as dislipidemias estão associadas com o IM e que o treinamento físico pode ser prescrito para prevenção e tratamento de doenças cardiovasculares, no presente trabalho, investigamos os efeitos de dois tipos de treinamentos físicos em um modelo experimental de dislipidemia e isquemia miocárdica. Camundongos selvagens (WT) e knockout para o receptor LDL (LDL-/-) foram divididos em oito grupos: a) LDLr-/- sedentário (LDL-S); b) LDLr-/- infartado sedentário (LDL-IM-S); c) LDLr-/- infartado submetido a treinamento contínuo (LDL-IM-C); d) LDLr-/- infartado submetido a treinamento intervalado (LDL-IM-I); e) WT sedentário (WT-S); f) WT infartado sedentário (WT-IM-S); g) WT infartado submetido a treinamento contínuo (WT-IM-C); h) WT infartado submetido a treinamento intervalado (WT-IM-I). Após 60 dias da ligadura da artéria coronária descendente, o treino contínuo constou de corrida a 60% do máximo e o intervalado de 8 tiros de 4min a 80% do máximo e recuperação de 4min a 40% do máximo. Nos animais WT infartados, ambos os treinamentos aumentaram a tolerância ao esforço e provocaram diminuição do balanço simpatovagal e aumento do índice alfa em magnitudes semelhantes. O treinamento intervalado reduziu o número de fibras do tipo II em relação aos grupos WT-S e WT-IM-C, bem como reduziu a quantidade de fibras do tipo II-X em relação aos WT-S. A área de secção transversa das fibras do tipo I foi maior no grupo WT-IM-I do que no WT-IM-S e WT-S. A razão capilar/fibra foi maior nos animais do grupo WT-I do que no WT-S. A fração de ejeção e a fração de encurtamento foi menor no grupo LDL-IM-I em relação aos demais, mas sem diferenças entre os grupos WT-S, WT-IM-C e WT-IM-I. Nos animais LDL-/-, o LDL foi maior e o VLDL menor no grupo LDL-IM-C em relação aos demais. O HDLtg(%) foi superior no LDL-C em relação ao LDL-S. O HDLc (mg e %) do LDL-IM-I foi maior que o do grupo LDL-IM-C, sendo que o HDLc (mg) do LDL-IM-I foi, ainda maior do que o grupo LDL-S. O triglicérides total foi menor no grupo LDL-IM-C do que no LDL-S. Somente o grupo LDL-IM-I diminuiu a FC de repouso em relação ao grupo LDL-IM-S. A PA diastólica foi menor no grupo LDL-IM-S em relação ao LDL-S, enquanto que o grupo LDL-IM-I apresentou PA diastólica maior do que o grupo LDL-IM-C. A variância do intervalo de pulso foi maior no grupo LDL-S somente em relação ao grupo LDL-IM-I. Em conjunto nossos resultados demonstraram que os animais LDL possuem diferenças funcionais e fisiológicas importantes em relação ao WT, especialmente na morfologia muscular, na hemodinâmica e no controle autonômico. Que o IM acarretou prejuízos em ambas as linhagens investigadas e que os dois tipos de TF atenuaram semelhantemente esses prejuízos em grande parte das variáveis analisadas / Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. The use of experimental animals has supported to better understand the pathophysiology and treatment forms of myocardial infarction (MI). Knowing that the dyslipidemia associated with IM and that physical training can be prescribed for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the present study investigated the effects of two types of physical training on an experimental model of dyslipidemia and myocardial ischemia. Wild mice (WT) and LDL receptor knockout (LDL-/- ) were divided into eight groups: a) LDLr-/- sedentary (LDL-S), b) LDLr-/- myocardium infarction sedentary (LDL-MI-S), c) LDLr-/- myocardium infarction submitted to continuous training (LDL-MI-C), d) LDLr-/- myocardium infarction submitted to interval training (LDLMI- I), e) sedentary WT (WT-S); f) WT myocardium infarction sedentary (WT-MI-S); g) WT myocardium infarction submitted to continuous training (WT-MI-C), h) WT myocardium infarction submitted to interval training (WT-IM-I). After 60 days of descending coronary artery ligation, the continuous training consisted of running at 60% of maximum, while the interval training consisted of eight sprints of 4 min at 80% of maximum and a 4 min recovery at 40% of maximum. In infarcted WT animals, both training programs increased exercise tolerance and promoted decrease of sympathetic-vagal balance and increase of alpha index in similar magnitudes. Nevertheless, the interval training reduced the number of type II fibers in infarcted WT animals compared to WT-S and WT-MI-C groups, as well as reduced the amount of fiber type II-X compared to WT-S. The cross-sectional area of the fiber type I was higher in the WTMI- I animals than in WT-MI-S and S-WT groups. The reason capillary/fiber was higher in group WT-I than in the WT-S. Ejection fraction and shortening fraction were lower in LDL-MII compared to the others, but with no differences among the WT-S, WT-IMI-C and WT-MI-I groups. About the LDL-/- animals, the LDL was higher and VLDL was lower in the group LDL-MI-C in relation to the others. The HDLtg (%) was higher in LDL-C compared to LDL-S. The HDLc (mg and %) of LDL-MI-I was higher than the LDL-MI-C group, and the HDLc (mg) of LDL-MI-I was even higher than LDL-S group. The total triglycerides was lower in LDL- MIC than in LDL-S animals. Only in LDL-MI-I group the resting HR was decreased in comparison to LDL-MI-S. The diastolic blood pressure was lower in LDL-MI-S in relation to LDL-S, while the LDL-MI-I group presented a higher diastolic BP than the LDL-MI-C group. The pulse interval variance was greater in LDL-S than in LDL-MI-I only. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that LDL animals have important functional and physiological differences compared to WT, especially in relation to muscle morphology, hemodynamic and autonomic cardiovascular control. Furthermore, MI leads to damage in both investigated strains and the two types of physical training attenuate similarly the impairment of most of the analyzed variables

O uso do agente embolizante Onyx na oclusão de vazamentos pós-tratamento endovascular de aneurisma da aorta abdominal. São Paulo, 2003. 125p. Tese (Doutorado) – Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Radiologia. Objetivos: Criar um modelo experimental para estudar os vazamentos de aneurisma da aorta abdominal (AAA) pós-tratamento endovascular, verificar a eficácia do agente embolizante Onyx na oclusão de vazamentos no modelo experimental, avaliar a oclusão do vazamento com Onyx após 5 semanas (fase tardia) e analisar a resposta tecidual e reação inflamatória local ao Onyx no modelo experimental. Materiais e métodos: Doze cães machos, provenientes do biotério da Cleveland Clinic Foundation, foram utilizados para criação de AAA, utilizando-se o stent Palmaz P4014. Endopróteses medindo 10 mm de diâmetro por 5 cm de comprimento e com orifício parietal de 4 mm no seu terço médio foram colocadas no interior da aorta abdominal (AA) com o intuito de criar um vazamento de endoprótese de aorta. Após uma semana foram realizadas tomografias e angiografias para constatação da presença de vazamento. Em seguida, os orifícios das endopróteses foram cateterizados e posteriormente Onyx foi injetado no interior do aneurisma e das artérias lombares. Após quatro semanas, todos os animais que sobreviveram ao procedimento foram submetidos a nova tomografia e angiografia para constatação da presença ou ausência de vazamento. Logo após, os cães foram sacrificados e tiveram suas aortas ressecadas e submetidas à análise histológica. Resultados: Três cães morreram por ruptura aórtica na criação do AAA Obteve-se sucesso na oclusão dos vazamentos em 9/12 cães. A oclusão foi confirmada através de angiografia realizada logo após a injeção de Onyx e pela tomografia a que os animais foram submetidos após uma semana da oclusão. A análise histológica revelou a presença de Onyx misturado com trombos em diferentes estágios de organização preenchendo o aneurisma e artérias lombares. Conclusão: Obteve-se sucesso na criação do modelo experimental em nove dos doze cães. A oclusão do vazamento com Onyx&#63194; foi efetiva e permaneceu durável durante o período de estudo. A análise histológica da AA demonstrou uma discreta reação inflamatória local à presença do Onyx. / Twelve mongrel dogs were used in this study to create abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with endoleak after endovascular treatment. The next step was seal this endoleak with an embolic material called Onyx(R) The presence or occlusion of the endoleaks was proved by computer tomography and angiography. Succeed in the creation of the experimental model was observed in 9/12 dogs. OnyxÒ was capable to seal endoleaks in all nine dogs that survived from AAA creation. The occlusion was stable until the end of the study and the histological analysis showed minimal inflammatory response to Onyx(R).

O uso do agente embolizante Onyx na oclusão de vazamentos pós-tratamento endovascular de aneurisma da aorta abdominal. São Paulo, 2003. 125p. Tese (Doutorado) – Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Radiologia. Objetivos: Criar um modelo experimental para estudar os vazamentos de aneurisma da aorta abdominal (AAA) pós-tratamento endovascular, verificar a eficácia do agente embolizante Onyx na oclusão de vazamentos no modelo experimental, avaliar a oclusão do vazamento com Onyx após 5 semanas (fase tardia) e analisar a resposta tecidual e reação inflamatória local ao Onyx no modelo experimental. Materiais e métodos: Doze cães machos, provenientes do biotério da Cleveland Clinic Foundation, foram utilizados para criação de AAA, utilizando-se o stent Palmaz P4014. Endopróteses medindo 10 mm de diâmetro por 5 cm de comprimento e com orifício parietal de 4 mm no seu terço médio foram colocadas no interior da aorta abdominal (AA) com o intuito de criar um vazamento de endoprótese de aorta. Após uma semana foram realizadas tomografias e angiografias para constatação da presença de vazamento. Em seguida, os orifícios das endopróteses foram cateterizados e posteriormente Onyx foi injetado no interior do aneurisma e das artérias lombares. Após quatro semanas, todos os animais que sobreviveram ao procedimento foram submetidos a nova tomografia e angiografia para constatação da presença ou ausência de vazamento. Logo após, os cães foram sacrificados e tiveram suas aortas ressecadas e submetidas à análise histológica. Resultados: Três cães morreram por ruptura aórtica na criação do AAA Obteve-se sucesso na oclusão dos vazamentos em 9/12 cães. A oclusão foi confirmada através de angiografia realizada logo após a injeção de Onyx e pela tomografia a que os animais foram submetidos após uma semana da oclusão. A análise histológica revelou a presença de Onyx misturado com trombos em diferentes estágios de organização preenchendo o aneurisma e artérias lombares. Conclusão: Obteve-se sucesso na criação do modelo experimental em nove dos doze cães. A oclusão do vazamento com Onyx&#63194; foi efetiva e permaneceu durável durante o período de estudo. A análise histológica da AA demonstrou uma discreta reação inflamatória local à presença do Onyx. / Twelve mongrel dogs were used in this study to create abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with endoleak after endovascular treatment. The next step was seal this endoleak with an embolic material called Onyx(R) The presence or occlusion of the endoleaks was proved by computer tomography and angiography. Succeed in the creation of the experimental model was observed in 9/12 dogs. OnyxÒ was capable to seal endoleaks in all nine dogs that survived from AAA creation. The occlusion was stable until the end of the study and the histological analysis showed minimal inflammatory response to Onyx(R).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third commonest cancer worldwide. However HCC is considered to be highly resistant to chemotherapy. Gene therapies aimed to regulate Bd-2 proteins may sensitize HCC cells to chemotherapy. Studies have demonstrated that Bid/tBid are crucial in hepatocyte apoptosis. Bid also plays important roles in the development and chemotherapeutic sensitivity of HCC. The objective of this study is to test effect of Ad/AFPtBid and chemotherapeutic agents in combination on an orthotopic HCC model. / In conclusion, (1) Ad/AFPtBid can specifically target and effectively suppress the AFP-producing HCC. (2) Ad/AFPtBid can significantly sensitize HCC to 5-FU, their combination can significantly increase the anti-tumor effectiveness. (3) Ad/AFPtBid shows little toxicity in vivo. (4) The complementary effect of tBid and 5-FU on different phases of the cell cycle may explain the better therapeutic result if both are used to treat HCC. (5) The elucidation of phase specific effect of tBid points to a possible therapeutic option that combines tBid with different phase specific agents to treat HCC. / It is well established that many apoptosis inducers act in a cell cycle-specific fashion. This leads us to hypothesize that tBid might have phase specific effect. So, we tested the susceptibility of Hep3B cells at 00/01, S or G2/M phases to tBid. The results revealed that tBid significantly reduced Hep3B cells in G0/G1 phase, increased cells in G2/M phase. On the contrary, 5-FU arrested Hep3B cells in G0/G1 phase, and significantly reduced cells in G2/M phase. The levels of cell cycle-related proteins were altered in line with the result of the cell cycle. This suggests Hep3B cells in G0/G1 phase may be more susceptible to tBid. The complementary effects tBid and 5-FU on different phases of the cell cycle may explain the better therapeutic result if both are used to treat HCC. / The mice bearing orthotopic HCC tumors were treated with Ad/AFPtBid alone or in combination with 5-FU/Dox. Serum AFP levels were measured to mornitor tumor progression. The mice were killed four weeks after treatment. Liver tissues were subjected to immunohistochemical staining of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and TUNEL staining. Another batch of mice was observed for survival rate over a six month period. In addition, possible side effects of Ad/AFPtBid were tested in BALB/c mice. Results demonstrated that Ad/AFPtBid significantly inhibited Hep3B tumor growth. The combination of Ad/AFPtBid with 5-FU was more effective in tumor regression than either agent alone. However, the combination of Ad/AFPtBid with Dox treatment failed to demonstrated better effect than Dox treatment alone because the mice that received Dox exhibited serious weight loss. Tumor tissues from Ad/AFPtBid alone or combination treatment groups showed a decrease in cells positive for PCNA, and an increase in apoptosis by TUNEL staining, indicating that Ad/AFPtBid induced tumor regression through its pro-apoptotic effect. Inflammatory cell infiltration was also increased. Furthermore, Ad/AFPtBid did not suppress the hepatic tumor formed by non-AFP producing SK-HEP-1 or DLD-1. Finally, Ad/AFPtBid and 5-FU in combination results in better survival rate. No acute toxic effect of Ad/AFPtBid was observed. / Ma, Shihong. / "December 2009." / Adviser: CHEN Gong George. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 114-138). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

O infarto do miocárdio (IM) é a doença cardiovascular que mais causa morte e invalidez em todo o mundo. O uso de animais experimentais tem auxiliado a compreender melhor a fisiopatologia e as formas de tratamento do IM. Sabendo que as dislipidemias estão associadas com o IM e que o treinamento físico pode ser prescrito para prevenção e tratamento de doenças cardiovasculares, no presente trabalho, investigamos os efeitos de dois tipos de treinamentos físicos em um modelo experimental de dislipidemia e isquemia miocárdica. Camundongos selvagens (WT) e knockout para o receptor LDL (LDL-/-) foram divididos em oito grupos: a) LDLr-/- sedentário (LDL-S); b) LDLr-/- infartado sedentário (LDL-IM-S); c) LDLr-/- infartado submetido a treinamento contínuo (LDL-IM-C); d) LDLr-/- infartado submetido a treinamento intervalado (LDL-IM-I); e) WT sedentário (WT-S); f) WT infartado sedentário (WT-IM-S); g) WT infartado submetido a treinamento contínuo (WT-IM-C); h) WT infartado submetido a treinamento intervalado (WT-IM-I). Após 60 dias da ligadura da artéria coronária descendente, o treino contínuo constou de corrida a 60% do máximo e o intervalado de 8 tiros de 4min a 80% do máximo e recuperação de 4min a 40% do máximo. Nos animais WT infartados, ambos os treinamentos aumentaram a tolerância ao esforço e provocaram diminuição do balanço simpatovagal e aumento do índice alfa em magnitudes semelhantes. O treinamento intervalado reduziu o número de fibras do tipo II em relação aos grupos WT-S e WT-IM-C, bem como reduziu a quantidade de fibras do tipo II-X em relação aos WT-S. A área de secção transversa das fibras do tipo I foi maior no grupo WT-IM-I do que no WT-IM-S e WT-S. A razão capilar/fibra foi maior nos animais do grupo WT-I do que no WT-S. A fração de ejeção e a fração de encurtamento foi menor no grupo LDL-IM-I em relação aos demais, mas sem diferenças entre os grupos WT-S, WT-IM-C e WT-IM-I. Nos animais LDL-/-, o LDL foi maior e o VLDL menor no grupo LDL-IM-C em relação aos demais. O HDLtg(%) foi superior no LDL-C em relação ao LDL-S. O HDLc (mg e %) do LDL-IM-I foi maior que o do grupo LDL-IM-C, sendo que o HDLc (mg) do LDL-IM-I foi, ainda maior do que o grupo LDL-S. O triglicérides total foi menor no grupo LDL-IM-C do que no LDL-S. Somente o grupo LDL-IM-I diminuiu a FC de repouso em relação ao grupo LDL-IM-S. A PA diastólica foi menor no grupo LDL-IM-S em relação ao LDL-S, enquanto que o grupo LDL-IM-I apresentou PA diastólica maior do que o grupo LDL-IM-C. A variância do intervalo de pulso foi maior no grupo LDL-S somente em relação ao grupo LDL-IM-I. Em conjunto nossos resultados demonstraram que os animais LDL possuem diferenças funcionais e fisiológicas importantes em relação ao WT, especialmente na morfologia muscular, na hemodinâmica e no controle autonômico. Que o IM acarretou prejuízos em ambas as linhagens investigadas e que os dois tipos de TF atenuaram semelhantemente esses prejuízos em grande parte das variáveis analisadas / Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. The use of experimental animals has supported to better understand the pathophysiology and treatment forms of myocardial infarction (MI). Knowing that the dyslipidemia associated with IM and that physical training can be prescribed for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the present study investigated the effects of two types of physical training on an experimental model of dyslipidemia and myocardial ischemia. Wild mice (WT) and LDL receptor knockout (LDL-/- ) were divided into eight groups: a) LDLr-/- sedentary (LDL-S), b) LDLr-/- myocardium infarction sedentary (LDL-MI-S), c) LDLr-/- myocardium infarction submitted to continuous training (LDL-MI-C), d) LDLr-/- myocardium infarction submitted to interval training (LDLMI- I), e) sedentary WT (WT-S); f) WT myocardium infarction sedentary (WT-MI-S); g) WT myocardium infarction submitted to continuous training (WT-MI-C), h) WT myocardium infarction submitted to interval training (WT-IM-I). After 60 days of descending coronary artery ligation, the continuous training consisted of running at 60% of maximum, while the interval training consisted of eight sprints of 4 min at 80% of maximum and a 4 min recovery at 40% of maximum. In infarcted WT animals, both training programs increased exercise tolerance and promoted decrease of sympathetic-vagal balance and increase of alpha index in similar magnitudes. Nevertheless, the interval training reduced the number of type II fibers in infarcted WT animals compared to WT-S and WT-MI-C groups, as well as reduced the amount of fiber type II-X compared to WT-S. The cross-sectional area of the fiber type I was higher in the WTMI- I animals than in WT-MI-S and S-WT groups. The reason capillary/fiber was higher in group WT-I than in the WT-S. Ejection fraction and shortening fraction were lower in LDL-MII compared to the others, but with no differences among the WT-S, WT-IMI-C and WT-MI-I groups. About the LDL-/- animals, the LDL was higher and VLDL was lower in the group LDL-MI-C in relation to the others. The HDLtg (%) was higher in LDL-C compared to LDL-S. The HDLc (mg and %) of LDL-MI-I was higher than the LDL-MI-C group, and the HDLc (mg) of LDL-MI-I was even higher than LDL-S group. The total triglycerides was lower in LDL- MIC than in LDL-S animals. Only in LDL-MI-I group the resting HR was decreased in comparison to LDL-MI-S. The diastolic blood pressure was lower in LDL-MI-S in relation to LDL-S, while the LDL-MI-I group presented a higher diastolic BP than the LDL-MI-C group. The pulse interval variance was greater in LDL-S than in LDL-MI-I only. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that LDL animals have important functional and physiological differences compared to WT, especially in relation to muscle morphology, hemodynamic and autonomic cardiovascular control. Furthermore, MI leads to damage in both investigated strains and the two types of physical training attenuate similarly the impairment of most of the analyzed variables