Les médiateurs lipidiques de l’inflammation dont le leucotriène B4 (LTB4) et le facteur d’activation plaquettaire (PAF) permettent la régulation de la migration des neutrophiles polymorphonucléaires (PMNs) et l’extravasation plasmatique au site inflammatoire. Afin de déterminer leurs rôles dans la régulation de la migration des PMNs au site inflammatoire, nous avons étudié leur effet potentiellement coopératif en utilisant une approche pharmacologique à l’aide d’antagonistes sélectifs des récepteurs du LTB4 et du PAF dans un modèle d’inflammation dermique chez le lapin. Les résultats montrent un effet inhibiteur additif des antagonistes des deux médiateurs lipidiques, lorsque utilisés de façon concomitante, sur la migration des neutrophiles induite par le LTB4, le PAF et aussi sur des médiateurs non-chimiquement apparentés comme le facteur nécrosant des tumeurs (TNFα), ainsi que sur l'inhibition de l’extravasation plasmatique induite par le leucotriène D4, suggérant un rôle régulateur des récepteurs du LTB4 et du PAF dans la migration des PMNs au site inflammatoire. Nous avons déterminé le rôle de ces médiateurs dans la régulation de la migration des PMNs en réponse à une ischémie-reperfusion des membres inferieurs chez le lapin. Les résultats appuient l’hypothèse selon laquelle le LTB4 et le PAF exercent un rôle important dans l’accumulation des PMNs au site inflammatoire. En effet l’administration concomitante des antagonistes des récepteurs de ces deux médiateurs lipidiques a réduit de façon significative la migration des PMNs aux poumons, intestins et foie. Nos résultats contribuent à élucider le rôle du LTB4 et du PAF dans la régulation de l’extravasation des PMNs et du plasma au site inflammatoire. / Inflammatory lipid mediators including leucotriene B4 (LTB4) and platelet activating factor (PAF) regulate the trafficking of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and plasma extravasation at inflammatory sites. To delineate their role in regulating PMNs extravasation, we studied the effect of PAF and/or LTB4 selective receptor antagonists in dermal inflammation induced by a variety of agonists in a rabbit bioassay model. The results show that there is an additive inhibitory effect when the two antagonists are used concomitantly on PMNs dermal accumulation induced by LTB4 and PAF, as well by chemically unrelated agonists including TNFα, in addition to inhibiting plasma extravasation induced by LTD4. These results support a regulatory role of LTB4 and PAF in regulating PMNs trafficking and plasma extravasation at inflammatory sites. Next, we studied the regulatory role of lipid mediators in regulating PMNs trafficking in response to hind limb ischemia-reperfusion. The results show that the administration of both PAF and LTB4 receptor antagonists reduced significantly PMNs migration to the lung, the liver and the intestine. Our results contributed to elucidate the role of LTB4 and PAF in the regulation of PMNs migration and oedema formation at inflammatory sites.

O estado de São Paulo é responsável por 70% da produção nacional de flores e plantas ornamentais. Esses cultivos ocupam 7,5 mil hectares e mais da metade desta área é cultivada em estufas. Atualmente existem aproximadamente 8 mil produtores de pequeno, médio e grande porte em todo Brasil e este setor gera em torno de 200 mil empregos diretos, abrangendo produção e comércio. As estufas são microcosmos planejados para propiciar as condições ambientais adequadas ao crescimento de plantas. Qualquer infestação é controlada usando praguicidas que, devido ao enclausuramento e ajustes das condições climáticas, podem prolongar e intensificar a exposição ocupacional aos mesmos. Alguns estudos sugerem que os trabalhadores de estufas de flores e plantas ornamentais estão expostos a níveis mais elevados de praguicidas durante o carregamento, mistura e aplicação dos praguicidas, bem como pelo contato contínuo com as flores e plantas ornamentais, quando comparados a outros trabalhadores que entram em contato com essa classe de compostos. No presente trabalho, objetivou-se conhecer o processo de trabalho, práticas de saúde, higiene e segurança e localizar possíveis fontes de exposição ocupacional a praguicidas nas estufas de flores da região do Alto Tietê, e também otimizar métodos analíticos para a detecção e quantificação de praguicidas organofosforados (diclorvós, metil-paration e metidation) em patches de algodão e em tubos coletores XAD-2, com o intuito de analisar a exposição ocupacional dérmica e inalatória. O processo de avaliação incluiu o acompanhamento da jornada de trabalho, entrevistas e aplicação de questionários de trabalhadores de 18 estufas. Destas 18 foram selecionadas 6 estufas para coleta de amostras. Os organofosforados diclorvós, metidation e metilparation foram detectados e quantificados por cromatografia gasosa/espectrometria de massas (GC-MS), operado no modo de ionização por impacto de elétrons. Os dados da avaliação qualitativa demonstraram percentual elevado de desconhecimento das práticas adequadas de saúde, higiene e segurança para a utilização destes compostos, sugerindo que há risco de exposição durante a manipulação, armazenamento e descarte dos mesmos. Os limites de quantificação (LQ) obtidos foram abaixo de 0,4 ng/mL e limites de detecção (LD) foram abaixo de 0,1 ng/mL para todos os compostos. O método mostrou boa linearidade na concentração estudada (LSQ-500 ng/mL), com coeficiente (r) maior que 0,99. A precisão foi avaliada pelo desvio padrão relativo e apresentou valores inferiores a 15% para todos os compostos estudados. Após os métodos serem validados, foi realizada a amostragem dérmica e do ar e encontraram-se concentrações variadas de praguicidas. / The state of São Paulo - Brazil, accounts for 70% of domestic production of flowers and ornamental plants. Currently, these crops occupy 7.5 thousand hectares and over 50% of this area is cultivated in greenhouses. This market has an average of 8.000 producers and generates around 200.000 jobs. Greenhouses are microcosms designed to provide environmental conditions suitable for plant growth. Infestation is controlled using pesticides that due to the closure and adjustment to the weather conditions can prolong and intensify the exposure to them. Some studies suggest that workers in greenhouses of flowers and ornamental plants are exposed to higher levels of pesticides during loading, dilution and application, as well as by continuous contact with flowers and ornamental plants, when compared to other workers who enter in contact with this class of compounds. The aim of the present was to know the work process, to survey the practices of health, hygiene and safety standards and locate possible sources of occupational exposure to pesticides in greenhouses of flowers in the Alto Tietê region (São Paulo state), and to optimize analytical methods for detection and quantification of organophosphate pesticides (dichlorvos, methyl parathion and methidathion) in patches of cotton and in XAD-2 sorbent tubes, with the aim of analyzing the occupational dermal and inhalation exposure. The evaluation process included the monitoring of the working day, interviews and questionnaires, and samples collected in greenhouses. The organophosphorus compounds were detected and quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) operated in electron impact ionization. The data show a high percentage of lack of appropriate health practices, hygiene and safety for pesticide use suggests that there is risk of exposure during handling, storage and disposal of them. The limits of quantification (LOQ) obtained were below 0.4 ng/mL and limits of detection (LOD) were below 0.1 ng/mL for all compounds. The method showed good linearity in the studied concentration (LOQ-500 ng/mL), with coefficient (r) greater than 0.99. The precision was evaluated by relative standard deviation and showed values below 15% for all compounds studied. After the methods are validated, the dermal and air sampling was performed and a great range of pesticide concentrations was found. So it is evident that this study is valuable for future analysis and guidance to workers about possible hazards and proper use for reducing exposure to these compounds.

Introdução: A regeneração óssea guiada baseia-se no princípio de seletividade celular, utilizando membranas para impedir a migração de células indesejadas dos tecidos moles e guiar a proliferação de células osteogênicas. A MDA é um biomaterial que tem sido amplamente utilizado em procedimentos regenerativos periodontais, não somente por ser biocompatível, mas também pela sua capacidade reconstrutiva em proporcionar um aumento da faixa de tecido queratinizado. Em pesquisas recentes, foi demonstrado o envolvimento de uma cadeia de 15 aminoácidos do colágeno (P-15) na diferenciação celular de fibroblastos e osteoblastos. A associação de matriz óssea inorgânica bovina com o P-15 (MOI/P-15) tem apresentado bons resultados. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar a eficácia da MDA associada à MOI/P-15 na preservação da crista alveolar após extração dentária em humanos. Metodologia: Foram selecionados 18 pacientes que necessitavam de exodontia de dentes anteriores da maxila com pelo menos dois dentes não contíguos. Foi adotado o modelo boca dividida. Após as extrações dentárias foram realizadas cirurgias regenerativas de preservação da crista alveolar utilizando MOI/P-15 (GT) em um alvéolo e o coágulo sanguíneo no outro alvéolo (GC). Após a inserção do substituto ósseo, a MDA foi posicionada e fixada com parafusos sobre os dois alvéolos para servir como membrana. O retalho foi suturado deixando 2 mm da MDA expostos na porção central. As medidas clínicas MVEP, MVEV e MAH foram registradas na primeira cirurgia e após 6 meses, na cirurgia de reentrada, tomando-se como pontos de referência os parafusos de titânio. Resultados Na análise intragrupos, após seis meses, houve redução estatisticamente significante nas medidas MVEP, MVEV e MAH para ambos os grupos. Para o grupo teste, houve redução na MVEP de 2,80 ± 1,61 para 1,97 ± 1,67 mm; na MVEV de 5,80 ± 1,74 para 4,60 ± 2,05 mm e na MAH de 7,40 ± 2,16 para 4,87 ± 1,51 mm. Para o grupo controle, a MVEP variou de 2,50 ± 1,24 para 1,63 ± 1,32 mm; a MVEV de 6,27 ± 1,75 para 4,77 ± 1,59 mm e MAH de 7,60 ± 1,18 para 4,20 ± 1,00 mm. Para a comparação entre os grupos, além das medidas iniciais e finais, foram calculadas as diferenças entre elas para cada grupo. No grupo teste, a diferença para MVEP foi de 0,83 ± 1,53 e no controle foi de 0,87 ± 1,13 mm; e para MVEV foi de 1,20 ± 2,02 e 1,50 ± 1,15 mm para os grupos teste e controle, respectivamente. Na medida horizontal (MAH) foi encontrada diferença estatística quando comparadas as diferenças no grupo teste e controle que foi de 2,53 ± 1,81 mm para o grupo teste e 3,40 ± 1,39 mm para o grupo controle (p<0,05). Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo mostram que a MDA, associada ou não a MOIP-15, pode ser utilizada com sucesso como membrana para preservação do rebordo alveolar após extração dentária de dentes maxilares anteriores. A associação com o enxerto favorece de maneira significativa a manutenção da espessura no sentido horizontal da crista alveolar. / Background: Preventing ridge collapse with the extraction of maxillary anterior teeth is vital to an esthetic restorative result. Several techniques are available to regenerative procedures and are used for socket preservation. The aim of this study was to analyze by clinical parameters the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and anorganic bovine bone matrix (ABM) with a synthetic cell-binding peptide P-15 to preserve alveolar bone after tooth extraction. Methods: Eighteen patients in need of extraction of maxillary anterior teeth were selected and they were randomly assigned to the test (ADM plus ABM/P-15) or control (ADM only). Clinical measurements were recorded at initial and 6 months after ridge preservation procedures. Results: In the clinical measurements - External Vertical Palatal, External Vertical Buccal and Alveolar Horizontal (EVPM, EVBM and AHM) -, the statistical analysis showed no difference between test and control groups in the initial and at six months. The intragroup analysis, after six months, showed a statistically significant reduction in the measurements for both groups. In the comparison between the groups, the differences (mm), in the test group, were: EVLM=0.83±1.53, EVBM=1.20±2.02, AHM=2.53±1.81 and in the control were: EVLM=0.87±1.13, EVBM=1.50±1.15, AHM=3.40±1.39. The differences in EVLM and EVBM measurements were no statistically significant; however, in horizontal measurement (AHM), there was statistically difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study show that ADM, with or without ABM/P-15, can be successfully when it is used as a membrane for preservation of alveolar ridge after tooth extraction of maxillary teeth earlier.

Background. The development of non-invasive imaging techniques has been stimulated by the shortcomings of histopathology. Currently the only valid diagnostic technique in dermatology is skin biopsy which remains a painful, invasive intervention for the patient. Moreover, this approach is not always convenient for monitoring and follow-up of a skin disease. Optical imaging technologies could solve these shortcomings as they are fast, precise, repeatable and painless. There are four established non-invasive skin imaging techniques used in daily practice: dermoscopy, high-frequency ultrasound, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and conventional optical coherence tomography (C-OCT). In imaging there is a trade-off between resolution and penetration depth. The former permits the visualization of cells, if the resolution is at least 3 µm. The latter enables the recognition of patterns and structures in deeper layers of the skin if the penetration depth is deeper than 150 µm. New non-invasive techniques using infrared light sources have been developed recently. The technique used in this work is a high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT).Objectives. The overall aims of this thesis were the feasibility of HD-OCT to visualize in/ex vivo, in real time and in 3-D the cellular and structural morphology of the skin, secondly the assessment of the capability of this technology to measure in vivo and real time the cutaneous optical properties, and finally the determination of the contribution of this technique to the non-invasive near-infrared imaging technologies. Five specific objectives have been established: i) could cells be observed in their 3-D microenvironment in normal and diseased skin, ii) could we describe morphologic features of cells and structures in normal and diseased skin (m_HD-OCT), iii) could these morphologic features be quantified by optical property analysis (o_HD-OCT), iv) was it possible to perform accurate thickness measurements in normal and diseased skin, and finally v) what was the diagnostic potential of this technique?Methodology. HD-OCT uses a combination of parallel time-domain interferometry, high power tungsten lamp (with Gaussian filter, very low lateral coherence and ultra-high bandwidth (1300 nm +/- 100 nm)), and last but not least, full field illumination with real time focus tracking. A constant homogeneous resolution of 3 µm resolution in all three dimensions is obtained up to a depth of 570 µm. Hence, the system is capable of capturing real time full 3-D images. Moreover, the in vivo assessment of optical properties of the skin is only applicable to OCT when operating in focus-tracking mode, which is the case for HD-OCT. The means to obtain answers to the five specific questions were the comparison of en face HD-OCT images with RCM and HD-OCT cross-sectional images with histopathology and C-OCT. Results. At least 160 line pares were observed by imaging a high resolution phantom with HD-OCT. This suggested a 3 µm lateral resolution. The presence of cells such as keratinocytes, melanocytes, inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and melanophages in their 3-D cutaneous microenvironment in vivo as well as ex vivo has been demonstrated .A qualitative description of structures and patterns in normal and diseased skin could be performed by HD-OCT. Clear structural changes of the epidermis, dermo-epidermal junction, papillary dermis and reticular dermis related to intrinsic skin ageing could be observed. Lobulated structures, surrounded by stretched stromal fibers and arborizing vessels, could be demonstrated in nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The o_HD-OCT of normal and diseased skin could be assessed in vivo. This approach permitted the quantitative assessment of the OCT signal attenuation profiles of normal healthy skin, actinic keratosis (AK) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Differences in signal attenuation profiles could be demonstrated between these three groups. These differences were also observed between BCC subtypes. The slope of the exponential attenuation of the signal in the upper part of the epidermis was very high in benign nevi. The more malignant the lesion the lower the slope. Thickness measurements of epidermis and papillary dermis could be performed by m_HD-OCT, based on a cross-sectional images and their corresponding en face image. More accurate measurements of epidermal and papillary dermal thickness could be performed based on the optical analysis of a skin volume by o_HD-OCT. The diagnostic potential of HD-OCT in comparison with dermoscopy, RCM and C-OCT could be assessed regarding i) melanoma, ii) BCC differentiation from BCC imitators and BCC sub-differentiation and iii) SCC differentiation from AK. A much higher diagnostic potential could be demonstrated for o_HD-OCT in comparison with m_HD-OCT concerning melanoma detection. The diagnostic potential of HD-OCT to discriminate BCC from clinical BCC imitators was moderate. However, HD-OCT seemed to have high potential in sub-differentiation of BCC subtypes: i) it seemed to be the best technique to include and exclude a superficial BCC, ii) the technique appeared to be the best approach to exclude nodular BCC, and iii) HD-OCT looked to be the best technique to include an infiltrative BCC. Finally, HD-OCT has proven to be a powerful method to discriminate AK from SCC.Conclusions. HD-OCT is able to capture real time 3-D imaging with a sufficiently high optical resolution and penetration depth to allow the visualization of cells in and ex vivo in their micro-architectural context. At the same time, HD-OCT permits the recognition of patterns and structures in a sufficiently large volume of skin (1.5 mm³). HD-OCT closes therefore the gap between RCM with a high resolution but low penetration depth and C-OCT with a low resolution but high penetration depth. Moreover, HD-OCT permits, in contrast to RCM and C-OCT, the real time in vivo analysis of optical properties of the skin. HD-OCT seems to be a promising tool for early diagnosis of melanoma, BCC sub-differentiation and differentiation between SCC and AK.Future perspectives. Multicenter validation studies are needed to determine the diagnostic performance of this promising new technology, especially in other clinical settings combining both morphological and optical property analysis. This combined analysis could be a valuable method not only for diagnosis, monitoring and therapeutic guidance of dermatologic diseases but it could also be helpful in the management of non-dermatologic conditions such as diabetic micro-angiopathy, infantile cystinosis or even osteoporosis. / Doctorat en Sciences médicales (Santé Publique) / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Introdução: A regeneração óssea guiada baseia-se no princípio de seletividade celular, utilizando membranas para impedir a migração de células indesejadas dos tecidos moles e guiar a proliferação de células osteogênicas. A MDA é um biomaterial que tem sido amplamente utilizado em procedimentos regenerativos periodontais, não somente por ser biocompatível, mas também pela sua capacidade reconstrutiva em proporcionar um aumento da faixa de tecido queratinizado. Em pesquisas recentes, foi demonstrado o envolvimento de uma cadeia de 15 aminoácidos do colágeno (P-15) na diferenciação celular de fibroblastos e osteoblastos. A associação de matriz óssea inorgânica bovina com o P-15 (MOI/P-15) tem apresentado bons resultados. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar a eficácia da MDA associada à MOI/P-15 na preservação da crista alveolar após extração dentária em humanos. Metodologia: Foram selecionados 18 pacientes que necessitavam de exodontia de dentes anteriores da maxila com pelo menos dois dentes não contíguos. Foi adotado o modelo boca dividida. Após as extrações dentárias foram realizadas cirurgias regenerativas de preservação da crista alveolar utilizando MOI/P-15 (GT) em um alvéolo e o coágulo sanguíneo no outro alvéolo (GC). Após a inserção do substituto ósseo, a MDA foi posicionada e fixada com parafusos sobre os dois alvéolos para servir como membrana. O retalho foi suturado deixando 2 mm da MDA expostos na porção central. As medidas clínicas MVEP, MVEV e MAH foram registradas na primeira cirurgia e após 6 meses, na cirurgia de reentrada, tomando-se como pontos de referência os parafusos de titânio. Resultados Na análise intragrupos, após seis meses, houve redução estatisticamente significante nas medidas MVEP, MVEV e MAH para ambos os grupos. Para o grupo teste, houve redução na MVEP de 2,80 ± 1,61 para 1,97 ± 1,67 mm; na MVEV de 5,80 ± 1,74 para 4,60 ± 2,05 mm e na MAH de 7,40 ± 2,16 para 4,87 ± 1,51 mm. Para o grupo controle, a MVEP variou de 2,50 ± 1,24 para 1,63 ± 1,32 mm; a MVEV de 6,27 ± 1,75 para 4,77 ± 1,59 mm e MAH de 7,60 ± 1,18 para 4,20 ± 1,00 mm. Para a comparação entre os grupos, além das medidas iniciais e finais, foram calculadas as diferenças entre elas para cada grupo. No grupo teste, a diferença para MVEP foi de 0,83 ± 1,53 e no controle foi de 0,87 ± 1,13 mm; e para MVEV foi de 1,20 ± 2,02 e 1,50 ± 1,15 mm para os grupos teste e controle, respectivamente. Na medida horizontal (MAH) foi encontrada diferença estatística quando comparadas as diferenças no grupo teste e controle que foi de 2,53 ± 1,81 mm para o grupo teste e 3,40 ± 1,39 mm para o grupo controle (p<0,05). Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo mostram que a MDA, associada ou não a MOIP-15, pode ser utilizada com sucesso como membrana para preservação do rebordo alveolar após extração dentária de dentes maxilares anteriores. A associação com o enxerto favorece de maneira significativa a manutenção da espessura no sentido horizontal da crista alveolar. / Background: Preventing ridge collapse with the extraction of maxillary anterior teeth is vital to an esthetic restorative result. Several techniques are available to regenerative procedures and are used for socket preservation. The aim of this study was to analyze by clinical parameters the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and anorganic bovine bone matrix (ABM) with a synthetic cell-binding peptide P-15 to preserve alveolar bone after tooth extraction. Methods: Eighteen patients in need of extraction of maxillary anterior teeth were selected and they were randomly assigned to the test (ADM plus ABM/P-15) or control (ADM only). Clinical measurements were recorded at initial and 6 months after ridge preservation procedures. Results: In the clinical measurements - External Vertical Palatal, External Vertical Buccal and Alveolar Horizontal (EVPM, EVBM and AHM) -, the statistical analysis showed no difference between test and control groups in the initial and at six months. The intragroup analysis, after six months, showed a statistically significant reduction in the measurements for both groups. In the comparison between the groups, the differences (mm), in the test group, were: EVLM=0.83±1.53, EVBM=1.20±2.02, AHM=2.53±1.81 and in the control were: EVLM=0.87±1.13, EVBM=1.50±1.15, AHM=3.40±1.39. The differences in EVLM and EVBM measurements were no statistically significant; however, in horizontal measurement (AHM), there was statistically difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study show that ADM, with or without ABM/P-15, can be successfully when it is used as a membrane for preservation of alveolar ridge after tooth extraction of maxillary teeth earlier.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in solar light is important for skin biology. It is involved in the development acute and chronic skin inflammation, aging and cancer, causing erythema, tanning and local or systemic immunosuppression. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are considered anti- inflammatory and could reduce the damage caused by overexposure to UVR. Although, n-3 PUFA have been considered as photoprotective agents, their exact mechanisms of action is not completely understood. The aim of the work is to determine the effect of UVR and the n-3 PUFA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on human skin cells (in vitro study), specifically on: cell viability, apoptosis and their metabolism through the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways. Also, to study the cellular incorporation and effect of n-3 PUFA on the fatty acid profile of skin cells. A clinical study was undertaken to assess the incorporation of n-3 PUFA supplements in human skin. A clinical study was performed in 40 healthy women (active group) supplemented with 4g/day of EPA (70%) and DHA (10%) and 40 healthy women (placebo group) supplemented with 4g/day of glyceryl tricoprylate coprate (GTCC). After 3 months, both blood samples and skin punch biopsies were collected and analysed for fatty acids by gas chromatography (GC). HaCaT keratinocytes and 46BR.1N fibroblasts were cultured and treated with 10 and 50μM of either EPA, or DHA or oleic acid (OA) for 72h and exposed to 15 and 50 mJ/cm2. Cell viability was measured by the MTT assay and cell apoptosis by a colorimetric method, at 24h post UVR. Cells and culture media were analysed by GC and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) to assess cellular fatty acids and production of eicosanoids. The clinical a study showed that in RBC saturated fatty acids (SFA) (44.27±7.43%) were the main fatty acid group followed by n-6 PUFA (29.61±5.53%). While in dermal tissue monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (58.90±9.80%) was the main fatty acid group followed by SFA (27.06±6.78%). A significant increase in EPA, DHA and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) was observed in RBC but only EPA was significantly increased in the dermis post n-3 PUFA supplementation. . The viability of HaCaT keratinocytes and 46BR.1N fibroblasts decreased post UVR and this was further reduced post PUFA treatment. Cell apoptosis increased when cells were exposed to UVR and further increased when cells were treated with EPA and DHA. . In HaCaT keratinocytes MUFA (54.22±8.82%) was the main fatty acid group followed by FAS (37.11±.9.16%), while SFA (51.94±8.68%) was the main group followed by MUFA (27.07±4.79) in 46BR.1N. Treated both cells with EPA and DHA showed significant increased in cellular EPA, DPA and DHA. 46BR.1N fibroblasts produced higher levels of prostaglandins (PG) compared to HaCaT keratinocytes: PGE2 and PGD2 were the main PG in both HaCaT (7.96±3.18 and 1.48±1.19 pg/million cell; respectively) and 46BR.1N with (44.2±23.00 and 17.1±9.71 pg/million cell; respectively). Significant increase in PGE1 and PGE2 occurred when cells were exposed to 15mJ/cm2 UVR. Treatment with n-3 PUFA decreased the level of PGE1 and PGE2, and increase production PGE3 at the baseline and post UVR. Both cell lines produced hydroxy fatty acids and the concentration of these mediators was higher in 46BR.1N than HaCaT. The concentrations of these mediators were significant increased post UVR: treatment with n-3 PUFA decreased the level of HODE and HETE, and increase production of HEPE and HDHA at baseline and post UVR. Overall, n-3PUFA treatment led to increases in the content of EPA and DHA on RBC, dermal tissue and human skin cell lines. EPA and DHA in skin cell lines appear to offer protection by increasing cellular apoptosis, decreasing inflammatory mediators specifically PGE2 and 12-HETE, and increasing anti-inflammatory mediators such as PGE3, 15-HEPE and 17-HDHA.

O estado de São Paulo é responsável por 70% da produção nacional de flores e plantas ornamentais. Esses cultivos ocupam 7,5 mil hectares e mais da metade desta área é cultivada em estufas. Atualmente existem aproximadamente 8 mil produtores de pequeno, médio e grande porte em todo Brasil e este setor gera em torno de 200 mil empregos diretos, abrangendo produção e comércio. As estufas são microcosmos planejados para propiciar as condições ambientais adequadas ao crescimento de plantas. Qualquer infestação é controlada usando praguicidas que, devido ao enclausuramento e ajustes das condições climáticas, podem prolongar e intensificar a exposição ocupacional aos mesmos. Alguns estudos sugerem que os trabalhadores de estufas de flores e plantas ornamentais estão expostos a níveis mais elevados de praguicidas durante o carregamento, mistura e aplicação dos praguicidas, bem como pelo contato contínuo com as flores e plantas ornamentais, quando comparados a outros trabalhadores que entram em contato com essa classe de compostos. No presente trabalho, objetivou-se conhecer o processo de trabalho, práticas de saúde, higiene e segurança e localizar possíveis fontes de exposição ocupacional a praguicidas nas estufas de flores da região do Alto Tietê, e também otimizar métodos analíticos para a detecção e quantificação de praguicidas organofosforados (diclorvós, metil-paration e metidation) em patches de algodão e em tubos coletores XAD-2, com o intuito de analisar a exposição ocupacional dérmica e inalatória. O processo de avaliação incluiu o acompanhamento da jornada de trabalho, entrevistas e aplicação de questionários de trabalhadores de 18 estufas. Destas 18 foram selecionadas 6 estufas para coleta de amostras. Os organofosforados diclorvós, metidation e metilparation foram detectados e quantificados por cromatografia gasosa/espectrometria de massas (GC-MS), operado no modo de ionização por impacto de elétrons. Os dados da avaliação qualitativa demonstraram percentual elevado de desconhecimento das práticas adequadas de saúde, higiene e segurança para a utilização destes compostos, sugerindo que há risco de exposição durante a manipulação, armazenamento e descarte dos mesmos. Os limites de quantificação (LQ) obtidos foram abaixo de 0,4 ng/mL e limites de detecção (LD) foram abaixo de 0,1 ng/mL para todos os compostos. O método mostrou boa linearidade na concentração estudada (LSQ-500 ng/mL), com coeficiente (r) maior que 0,99. A precisão foi avaliada pelo desvio padrão relativo e apresentou valores inferiores a 15% para todos os compostos estudados. Após os métodos serem validados, foi realizada a amostragem dérmica e do ar e encontraram-se concentrações variadas de praguicidas. / The state of São Paulo - Brazil, accounts for 70% of domestic production of flowers and ornamental plants. Currently, these crops occupy 7.5 thousand hectares and over 50% of this area is cultivated in greenhouses. This market has an average of 8.000 producers and generates around 200.000 jobs. Greenhouses are microcosms designed to provide environmental conditions suitable for plant growth. Infestation is controlled using pesticides that due to the closure and adjustment to the weather conditions can prolong and intensify the exposure to them. Some studies suggest that workers in greenhouses of flowers and ornamental plants are exposed to higher levels of pesticides during loading, dilution and application, as well as by continuous contact with flowers and ornamental plants, when compared to other workers who enter in contact with this class of compounds. The aim of the present was to know the work process, to survey the practices of health, hygiene and safety standards and locate possible sources of occupational exposure to pesticides in greenhouses of flowers in the Alto Tietê region (São Paulo state), and to optimize analytical methods for detection and quantification of organophosphate pesticides (dichlorvos, methyl parathion and methidathion) in patches of cotton and in XAD-2 sorbent tubes, with the aim of analyzing the occupational dermal and inhalation exposure. The evaluation process included the monitoring of the working day, interviews and questionnaires, and samples collected in greenhouses. The organophosphorus compounds were detected and quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) operated in electron impact ionization. The data show a high percentage of lack of appropriate health practices, hygiene and safety for pesticide use suggests that there is risk of exposure during handling, storage and disposal of them. The limits of quantification (LOQ) obtained were below 0.4 ng/mL and limits of detection (LOD) were below 0.1 ng/mL for all compounds. The method showed good linearity in the studied concentration (LOQ-500 ng/mL), with coefficient (r) greater than 0.99. The precision was evaluated by relative standard deviation and showed values below 15% for all compounds studied. After the methods are validated, the dermal and air sampling was performed and a great range of pesticide concentrations was found. So it is evident that this study is valuable for future analysis and guidance to workers about possible hazards and proper use for reducing exposure to these compounds.

Les médiateurs lipidiques de l’inflammation dont le leucotriène B4 (LTB4) et le facteur d’activation plaquettaire (PAF) permettent la régulation de la migration des neutrophiles polymorphonucléaires (PMNs) et l’extravasation plasmatique au site inflammatoire. Afin de déterminer leurs rôles dans la régulation de la migration des PMNs au site inflammatoire, nous avons étudié leur effet potentiellement coopératif en utilisant une approche pharmacologique à l’aide d’antagonistes sélectifs des récepteurs du LTB4 et du PAF dans un modèle d’inflammation dermique chez le lapin. Les résultats montrent un effet inhibiteur additif des antagonistes des deux médiateurs lipidiques, lorsque utilisés de façon concomitante, sur la migration des neutrophiles induite par le LTB4, le PAF et aussi sur des médiateurs non-chimiquement apparentés comme le facteur nécrosant des tumeurs (TNFα), ainsi que sur l'inhibition de l’extravasation plasmatique induite par le leucotriène D4, suggérant un rôle régulateur des récepteurs du LTB4 et du PAF dans la migration des PMNs au site inflammatoire. Nous avons déterminé le rôle de ces médiateurs dans la régulation de la migration des PMNs en réponse à une ischémie-reperfusion des membres inferieurs chez le lapin. Les résultats appuient l’hypothèse selon laquelle le LTB4 et le PAF exercent un rôle important dans l’accumulation des PMNs au site inflammatoire. En effet l’administration concomitante des antagonistes des récepteurs de ces deux médiateurs lipidiques a réduit de façon significative la migration des PMNs aux poumons, intestins et foie. Nos résultats contribuent à élucider le rôle du LTB4 et du PAF dans la régulation de l’extravasation des PMNs et du plasma au site inflammatoire. / Inflammatory lipid mediators including leucotriene B4 (LTB4) and platelet activating factor (PAF) regulate the trafficking of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and plasma extravasation at inflammatory sites. To delineate their role in regulating PMNs extravasation, we studied the effect of PAF and/or LTB4 selective receptor antagonists in dermal inflammation induced by a variety of agonists in a rabbit bioassay model. The results show that there is an additive inhibitory effect when the two antagonists are used concomitantly on PMNs dermal accumulation induced by LTB4 and PAF, as well by chemically unrelated agonists including TNFα, in addition to inhibiting plasma extravasation induced by LTD4. These results support a regulatory role of LTB4 and PAF in regulating PMNs trafficking and plasma extravasation at inflammatory sites. Next, we studied the regulatory role of lipid mediators in regulating PMNs trafficking in response to hind limb ischemia-reperfusion. The results show that the administration of both PAF and LTB4 receptor antagonists reduced significantly PMNs migration to the lung, the liver and the intestine. Our results contributed to elucidate the role of LTB4 and PAF in the regulation of PMNs migration and oedema formation at inflammatory sites.

L’obésité et le diabète sont associés à des complications, notamment une fragilité cutanée. Celle-ci pourrait être associée à une altération du métabolisme du glucose et à une augmentation du tissu adipeux sous-cutané. Il a été montré que l’hypoderme pourrait avoir une fonction spécifique pour la peau. Notre travail a consisté d’une part à caractériser l’adiposité hypodermique et à étudier son influence dans la réactivité du tissu cutané en réponse à des pressions faibles ou fortes chez des souris obèses et d’autre part à étudier le processus de cicatrisation. Les fortes pressions augmentent la fragilité cutanée ce qui peut aboutir à des lésions, notamment des ulcères de pression. Les études ont été réalisées chez des souris C57BL/6J développant une obésité induite par une alimentation riche en lipides et en sucres pendant 4 et 12 semaines. La taille des adipocytes de l’hypoderme a été mesurée ainsi que leur réponse lipolytique en présence ou non d’insuline. La réactivité tissulaire a été évaluée en mesurant les variations du flux sanguin en réponse : 1) à l’application d’une pression locale faible afin de déterminer la vasodilatation induite par la pression (PIV), 2) par iontophorèse d’acétylcholine ou de nitroprussiate de sodium. Afin d’explorer le processus spécifique d’ulcère de pression chez les souris obèses diabétiques, une compression par cycles d’ischémie-reperfusion a été réalisée. Ces études ont été complétées par des explorations métaboliques, histologiques et biochimiques. Par ailleurs nous avons déterminé l’impact de l’augmentation de l’adiposité sur des fibroblastes dermiques in vitro afin de mieux comprendre le processus de cicatrisation.Dans ce travail de thèse, nous avons mis en évidence une augmentation de l’adiposité hypodermique associée à une insulinorésistance tissulaire et systémique. Nous avons également montré un retard de cicatrisation en fonction de l’évolution de l’obésité et des réponses micro vasculaires diminuées post cicatrisation par rapport à une peau non lésée / Obesity and diabetes led to complications, including skin fragility. Skin fragility could be associated to a glucose metabolism alteration and a subcutaneous adipose tissue increase. It has been shown that hypodermis could have a specific function for the skin. Our work consisted on the one hand in characterizing the dermal adiposity and studying its involvement in the skin tissue reactivity in response to low or high pressures in obese mice and, on the other hand, in studying the healing process. High pressures increase cutaneous fragility which can lead to skin wounds, in particular pressure ulcers. This study was realized using C57BL/6J male mice with a diet-induced obesity. C57BL/6J mice were fed a high fat and high sugar diet during 4 or 12 weeks. Hypodermis adipocytes size was measured as well as their lipolytic response in presence or absence of insulin. The skin tissue reactivity was assessed measuring the skin blood flow variations in response to 1) a local pressure application in order to determine the pressure-induced vasodilation (PIV), 2) an acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside iontophoresis. To examine the specific mechanism of the pressure ulcer in obese diabetic mice, a compression with ischemia-reperfusion cycles was realized. Metabolic assessment, histological and molecular biological studies were carried out to characterize each stage of healing through obesity. Furthermore, we determined the adiposity increase on dermal fibroblasts in vitro to better understand the healing process. In this thesis work, we have highlighted a hypodermis adiposity linked to a tissue and a systemic insulin resistance. We have also showed a delayed healing depending on the evolution of the obesity. The microvascular responses were decreased post healing compared to a non-wounded skin

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a toxic alkaloid produced by several freshwater cyanobacterial species, the most prevalent in Australian waters being Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. The occurrence of CYN-producing cyanobacteria in drinking water sources worldwide poses a potential human health risk, with one well-documented case of human poisoning attributed to the toxin. While extensive characterisation of CYN-induced toxicity has been conducted in rodents both in vivo and in primary cell cultures, little is known about mechanisms of toxicity in human cell types. This thesis describes studies undertaken to further define the molecular mechanisms of CYN toxicity in human cells. Concentration-response relationships were determined in various cultured human cell types using standard toxicity assays. As expected, CYN caused dose-dependent decreases in the growth of three cell lines, HepG2, Caco-2 and HeLa, and one primary cell type, human dermal fibroblasts, according to tetrazolium reduction assays. CYN treatment did not disrupt cellular membranes according to the lactate dehydrogenase release assay in HepG2 or Caco-2 cells after 24, 48 or 72 h exposure, but did cause membrane disruption in fibroblasts after 72 h exposure to relatively high concentrations of the toxin. Apoptosis occurred more readily in HeLa cells than HepG2 cells or fibroblasts, with 72 h exposure to 1 &mug/mL required before statistically significant rates of apoptosis occurred in the latter cell types. CYN did not appear to directly affect the structure of actin filaments or microtubules under the conditions used in the present study. The major portion of the work presented in this thesis comprises a large-scale interrogation of changes in gene expression induced by the toxin in cultured cells. To assess the effects of CYN on global gene expression, relative messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in human dermal fibroblasts and HepG2 cells after 6 h and 24 h exposure to 1 &mug/mL CYN were determined using oligonucleotide microarrays representing approximately 19 000 genes. Overall, the number of transcripts significantly altered in abundance was greater in fibroblasts than in HepG2 cells. In both cell types, mRNA levels for genes related to amino acid biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and protein folding and transport were reduced after CYN treatment, while transcripts representing genes for apoptosis, RNA biosynthesis and RNA processing increased in abundance. More detailed data analyses revealed the modulation of a number of stress response pathways—genes regulated by NF-&kappaB were induced, DNA damage response pathways were up-regulated, and a large number of genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress were strongly down-regulated. Genes for the synthesis and processing of mRNA, tRNA and rRNA were strongly up-regulated, indicating that CYN treatment may increase the turnover of all forms of cellular RNA. A small group of genes were differentially expressed in HepG2 cells and fibroblasts, revealing cell-specific responses to the toxin. Selected changes in transcript level were validated using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). The modulation of stress response pathways by CYN, indicated by microarray analysis, was further investigated using other methods. The role of tumour suppressor protein p53 in CYN-mediated gene expression was confirmed by measuring the expression of known p53-regulated genes following CYN treatment of HepG2 cells and human dermal fibroblasts using qRT-PCR. Western blotting of protein extracts from CYNtreated cells showed that p53 protein accumulation occurred in HepG2 cells, providing additional evidence of the activation of the p53 pathway by CYN in this cell line. The immediate-early genes JUN and FOS were found to be induced by CYN in a concentration-dependent manner, and MYC was induced to a lesser extent. The mitogen-activated protein kinase c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, implicated in the ribotoxic stress response initiated by damage to ribosomal RNA, appeared to become phosphorylated in HeLa cells after CYN exposure, suggesting that ribotoxic stress may occur in response to CYN in at least some cell types. The expression of a reporter gene under the control of a response element specific for NF-&kappaB was induced at the mRNA level but inhibited at the protein level. This shows that while transcription factors such as p53 and NF-&kappaB are apparently activated in response to the toxin, transactivation of target genes may not necessarily manifest a corresponding increase at the protein level. The current work contributes significantly to the current understanding of cylindrospermopsin toxicity in human-derived cell types, and provides further insight into putative modes of action.