Cyclolinopeptides (CLs) are hydrophobic cyclic peptides found in flaxseed. They show immunosuppressive activity, but the biological function of these compounds is largely unknown. This thesis presents the results of studies that were conducted to determine whether CLs could act as antioxidants. In the first study, flaxseed oil was passed over a silica adsorbent column to remove polar compounds. The polar compounds were then eluted from the silica absorbant using a series of increasingly polar solvents. Individual polar fractions were then added back to the silica-treated flaxseed oil and the oxidative stability index of these samples was determined at 100 °C. A polar fraction containing mainly CLA, β/γ- and δ-tocopherol increased the induction time of silica-treated flaxseed oil from 2.3 ± 0.28 h to 3.2 ± 0.41 h. A positive effect of the polar fraction containing a mixture of CLA and CLD-CLG on the oxidative stability of oil was also observed. The antioxidant mechanism of CLs was investigated in several model systems using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The concentration of radicals in a DMPO (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide) radical-CLs reaction mixture was monitored. All CLs exhibited dose dependent scavenging activities. CLA–CLC reactions with DMPO-OH at a concentration of 5 mM resulted in a 24–30% decrease in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal intensity. The reaction of CLs and the stable radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) revealed a more complex interaction than simple radical scavenging. Peptides (CLG and CLG") that contained both tryptophan and methionine showed stronger radical scavenging activity than did CLs containing methionine or methionine sulfoxide but not tryptophan (CLB and CLC). Irradiation of the reaction mixture of DPPH• and peptide with UV light also affected the radical scavenging behaviour. Scavenging activities of DPPH• by CLB, CLC and CLA were enhanced by light, whereas scavenging of DPPH• by the tryptophan containing peptides CLG and CLG″ was not affected. High-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis of the reaction mixtures after a radical scavenging reaction was used to determine the impact of radical scavenging on the peptides. These reactions revealed new masses that were identified and characterized. It was established that DPPH• reacted with the methionine of CLB and with tryptophan in CLG and CLG, by formation of a new covalently-bonded species. Covalent linkages between these amino acids (alone or in peptides) and DPPH• have not been reported previously.

No / This study was designed to investigate the nutraceutical potential of monofloral Indian mustard bee pollen (MIMBP). MThe nutritional value of MIMBP was examined in terms of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and energy value. Its chemical composition in terms of total polyphenol and flavonoid content was determined. MIMBP was screened for free flavonoid aglycones by developing and validating a high-performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) method. MIMBP was analyzed for in vitro antioxidant effect in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity. MIMBP was found to be comprised of proteins ((182.2+/-5.9) g/kg), fats ((137.7+/-6.8) g/kg) and carbohydrates ((560.6+/-17.4) g/kg), which result in its high energy value ((17 616.7+/-78.6) kJ/kg). MIMBP was found to contain polyphenols ((18 286.1+/-374.0) mg gallic acid equivalent/kg) and flavonoids ((1 223.5+/-53.1) mg quercetin equivalent/kg). The HPLC-PDA analysis revealed the presence of kaempferol ((65.4+/-0.5) mg/kg) and quercetin ((51.4+/-0.4) mg/kg) in MIMBP, which can be used as markers for determining the quality of bee pollen. The MIMBP extract showed DPPH free radical-scavenging activity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 54.79 mug/mL. The MIMBP was found to be a rich source of nutrients providing high caloric value, which makes it a candidate for a potential nutraceutical agent. The study also illustrated the high antioxidant content of MIMBP, especially in the principle polyphenols and flavonoids, which suggests its potential role in the prevention of free radical-implicated diseases. The DPPH-scavenging effect of MIMBP further confirmed its antioxidant potential. Additionally, we developed a simple, specific and accurate HPLC-PDA method for the identification and quantification of free flavonoid aglycones. This can be applied in future screenings of the quality of pollen collected by honeybees.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The antioxidant effects of the hydro-alcoholic guaraná extracts (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis Mart.) on nitric oxide (NO ) and other compounds generated from degradation of Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) in embryonic fibroblast culture (NIH-3T3 cells) were evaluated. The guaraná bioactive compounds were initially determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): caffeine=12.240 mg/g, theobromine=6.733 mg/g and total catechins= 4.336 mg/g. To the experiments, initially the cells were grown in DMEM (Dulbecco s Modified Eagle Medium) medium and incubated in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 37°C until reach 90% confluence. Cell cultures were exposed to 10μM SNP during six hours since in this concentration the cells present >90% mortality. Guaraná diluted in water was added in the cultures in five concentrations (0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg/mL). MTT and Trypan blue viability, biochemical oxidative markers and genotoxicity (DNA Comet assay) analysis were performed. Additionally, the cell oxidative stress was evaluated by 2,7 dihydrodichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) fluorescence assay by confocal microscopy. Guaraná reverted the SNP toxicity mainly in lower concentrations (<5 mg) decreasing cell mortality, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and cell oxidative stress and increasing the SOD levels. However, guarana was unable to reverse the inhibition of catalase probably triggered by the presence of cyanide which is also produced in the decomposition of SNP. The results suggest that guarana has effects on the modulation of excessive amounts of NO probably through its antioxidant properties. These results supported previous studies that suggest guarana have a protective effect against morbidity as obesity and metabolic syndrome that are related to metabolism. / Os efeitos antioxidantes do extrato hidro-alcoólico de guaraná (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) sobre o Óxido Nítrico (NO ) e outros compostos gerados a partir da decomposição do Nitroprussiato de Sódio (NPS) em cultura de fibroblastos embriônicos (NIH 3T3) foram avaliados. Os compostos bioativos do guaraná foram inicialmente determinados por cromatografia líquida de alta performance (HPLC): cafeína=12,240 mg/g, teobromina=6,733 mg/g e catequinas totais=4,336 mg/g. Para os experimentos as células foram inicialmente cultivadas em meio DMEM (Dulbecco s Modified Eagle Medium) e incubadas em uma atmosfera umidificada de 5% de CO2 a 37°C até chegar a uma confluência de 90%. As culturas de células foram expostas ao NPS na concentração de 10μM durante seis horas. Nesta concentração de NPS e tempo de exposição ocorre uma taxa de mortalidade celular >90%. O guaraná diluído em água foi adicionado em cinco diferentes concentrações (0,5, 1, 5, 10 e 20 mg/mL). Os ensaios de viabilidade MTT e azul de tripan, de marcadores bioquímicos de estresse oxidativo e genotoxicidade (ensaio cometa) foram realizados. Adicionalmente, o estresse oxidativo celular foi avaliado através do ensaio da fluorescência do diacetato de 2,7 diclorofluoresceína (DCFDA) via microscopia confocal. O guaraná reverteu à toxicidade induzida pelo NPS principalmente em concentrações mais baixas (<5mg/mL), diminuindo a: mortalidade celular, peroxidação lipídica, dano de DNA e produção de espécies reativas a aumentou os níveis da enzima Super Óxido Dismutase (SOD). Entretanto, o guaraná não conseguiu reverter a inibição da catalase provavelmente desencadeada pela presença de cianeto que também são produzidos na decomposição do NPS. Os resultados sugerem que o guaraná tem efeitos na modulação das quantidades excessivas de NO provavelmente através de suas propriedades antioxidantes. Estes resultados confirmaram estudos prévios que sugerem que o guaraná tem efeito protetor contra morbidades como obesidade e síndrome metabólica que são relacionadas ao metabolismo.

<p>&Scaron;tavelj (Rumex crispus, Polygonaceae) je vi&scaron;egodi&scaron;nja zeljasta biljka, koja predstavlja bogat izvor fenolnih komponenti. Iako se smatra invazivnim korovom, mlado li&scaron;će &scaron;tavelja je jestivo i često se koristi kao salata. Dalje, upotreba plodova &scaron;tavelja opisana je u srpskoj i turskoj narodnoj medicini u lečenju gastrointestinalnih tegoba. Cilj ovog rada bio je procena in vitro i in vivo antioksidantne/prooksidantne i citotoksične aktivnosti, i određivanje eventualnog in vitro antiinflamatornog efekta vodenog ekstrakta ploda Rumex crispus. Ukupan sadržaj flavonoida određen je spektrofotometrijskom metodom. Kvalifikacija i kvantifikacija flavonoida potvrđena je visokoefikasnom tečnom hromatografijom (HPLC). Antioksidantna aktivnost vodenog ekstrakta ploda &scaron;tavelja procenjena je na osnovu in vitro testova: Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), sposobnosti ekstrakta da neutrali&scaron;e slobodne radikale NO&bull;, OH&bull; i DPPH&bull; i uticaja na lipidnu peroksidaciju u lipozomima. Citotoksičnost ispitivanog ekstrakta je određena in vitro na tumorskim ćelijskim linijama: humani karcinom cerviksa (HeLa), adenokarcinom (HT-29) i adenokarcinom dojke (MCF7). Takođe, moguća in vivo hepatoprotektivna i antioksidantna svojstva ekstrakta određena su kod oksidativnog stresa izazvanog CCl4 kod eksperimentalnih životinja. Pored toga, proverena je hipoteza u kojoj testiran ekstrakt pokazuje in vivo antiproliferativnu aktivnost kod Ehrlich-ovih (EAC) i Hepatoma AS30D ćelija, merenjem zapremine ascitesa, procenta vijabilnih ćelija i nivoa nekoliko antioksidantnih enzima. Optimizovan in vitro test za određivanje potencijala inhibicije ciklooksigenaze-1 (COX-1) i 12-lipooksigenaze (12-LOX) preduzet je u svrhu procene antiinflamatornog efekta vodenog ekstrakta ploda R. crispus. HPLC analiza otkrila je da je mikvelianin najdominantniji flavonoidni konstituent ekstrakta. Testirani ekstrakt pokazao je potencijalnu antioksidantnu aktivnost rezultujući velikom moći u neutralizaciji slobodnih radikala, i sposobno&scaron;ću da smanji lipidnu peroksidaciju u lipozomima. Rezultati su ukazali na tkivno-selektivnu citotoksičnost ekstrakta ploda R. crispus in vitro. Najizraženija antitumorska aktivnost primećena je prema HeLa i MCF7 ćelijskim linijama. Podaci sugeri&scaron;u da bi se ispitivani ekstrakt mogao smatrati potencijalnim in vivo hepatoprotektivnim i antioksidantnim agensom, sprečavajući oksidativna o&scaron;tećenja jetre. S druge strane, pomenuti ekstrakt može pokazati in vivo prooksidantna svojstva, uzrokujući oksidativni stres u maligno transformisanim EAC i AS30D ćelijama i smanjujući zapreminu ascitesa i udeo vijabilnih ćelija, u poređenju sa kontrolnom grupom. Promene u aktivnosti antioksidantnih enzima su verovatno posledica indukovanog oksidativnog stresa u EAC i AS30D ćelijama, naročito kod pretretiranih životinja. Vodeni ekstrakt ploda &scaron;tavelja pokazao je COX-1, kao i 12-LOX inhibitornu aktivnost, navodeći da bi ispitivani ekstrakt mogao biti antiinflamatorni agens. Vodeni ekstrakt ploda R. crispus ima potencijalnu antioksidantnu, citotoksičnu i antiinflamatornu aktivnost. Ispoljavanje prooksidantnih svojstava predstavlja mogući mehanizam antiproliferativnog efekta ekstrakta.</p> / <p>Curly dock (Rumex crispus, Polygonaceae) is a wild perennial herbaceous plant, which products are described as a rich source of phenolic compounds. Apart from being considered a seriously invasive weed, young leaves of curly dock are edible and often used as salad. Furthermore, the use of its fruits has been described in Serbian and Turkish traditional medicine against stomach complaints. The objectives of this study were to evaluate in vitro and in vivo antioxidant/prooxidant and cytotoxic activities, and to determine an eventual in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of the aqueous extract of Rumex crispus fruits. Total flavonoid content was determined by spectrophotometric method. Qualification and quantification of flavonoids were confirmed using High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The aqueous extract of curly dock fruits was evaluated for its antioxidant activity by in vitro assays for Ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), NO&bull;, OH&bull; and DPPH&bull;-free radical scavenging activities and the influence on lipid peroxidation in liposomes. The cytotoxicity of tested extract was examined in vitro in human cervix carcinoma (HeLa), colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7). Also, the potential in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of investigated extract were determined on CCl4-induced oxidative stress in experimental animals. Furthermore, the hypothesis that the examined extract might show in vivo antiproliferative activity in Ehrlich carcinoma (EAC) and Hepatoma AS30D cells was tested by measuring volume of ascites, percentage of viable cells and level of several antioxidant enzymes. The optimized in vitro test for determination of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) inhibition potency was undertaken in order to estimate an anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extract of R. crispus fruits. HPLC analysis revealed miquelianin as the most abundant flavonoid constituent of the extract. The tested extract might have an antioxidant activity resulting in scavenging of free radicals and ability to decrease lipid peroxidation in liposomes. The results could indicate tissue-selective cytotoxicity of R. crispus fruit extract in vitro. The most prominent antitumor activity was observed towards HeLa and MCF7 cell lines. The data suggested that investigated extract may be considered as potential in vivo hepatoprotective and antioxidant agent due to prevention of the liver injuries induced by oxidative damage. On the other hand, mentioned extract could exhibit in vivo prooxidant property, causing the oxidative stress in malignant transformed EAC and AS30D cells and reducing volume of ascites and percentage of viable cells, in comparison with control group. Changes in activities of antioxidant enzymes might be the results of induced oxidative stress in EAC and AS30D cells, especially in the pretreated animals. The aqueous extract of curly dock fruits showed COX-1, as well as 12-LOX inhibitory activity, suggesting that tested extract might be an anti-inflammatory agent. It could be concluded that aqueous fruit extract of R. crispus might have antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities. The prooxidant properties of examined extract could be the mechanism of potential antiproliferative effect of extract.</p>

Estudos experimentais e clínicos amparam a participação do estresse oxidativo na progressão da doença renal na doença renal policística autossômica dominante (DRPAD). A administração do agente antioxidante N-acetilcisteína (NAC), por sua vez, apresenta efeitos benéficos em vários modelos animais de injúria renal. Neste estudo, utilizamos um camundongo cístico gerado por meio do cruzamento de uma linhagem portadora de um alelo floxed Pkd1 com outra que expressa nestin-Cre para avaliar os efeitos da NAC sobre um modelo ortólogo à DRPAD humana. O tratamento de longo prazo com NAC foi iniciado na concepção, nascimento, desmame ou oito semanas de idade, de modo a permitir a avaliação de seus efeitos em diferentes fases da vida. Nossas análises revelaram que a administração de NAC reduziu o nível de substâncias reativas com ácido tiobarbitúrico e aumentou o de glutationa nos rins de camundongos císticos tratados com NAC desde a concepção (Ci-NAC-Conc) comparados a animais císticos não tratados (Ci-Co). A excreção urinária de óxido nítrico também foi maior em camundongos císticos tratados com NAC. Animais Ci-NAC-Conc apresentaram ureia sérica, número de cistos renais, índice cístico e fibrose intersticial renal mais baixos que os camundongos Ci-Co. Animais Ci-NAC-Conc apresentaram, além disso, fração de ejeção e fração de encurtamento de ventrículo esquerdo maiores que camundongos Ci-Co, assim como menor fibrose cardíaca. O tratamento com NAC iniciado na concepção aumentou a sobrevida dos animais císticos. Notavelmente, o peso corpóreo mostrou-se significantemente menor em camundongos Ci-NAC-Conc que nos animais Ci-Co em todas as idades avaliadas, uma diferença não observada entre animais não císticos tratados e não tratados com NAC. Ainda é incerto se todas as ações observadas da NAC são causadas por suas propriedades antioxidantes. Esses resultados apóiam efeitos benéficos de tratamento precoce com NAC em camundongos císticos deficientes em Pkd1, determinados pela melhora de seus fenótipos renal, cardíaco e sistêmico. Nossos achados também revelam uma redução não deletéria no crescimento corpóreo, induzida pela administração de longo prazo de NAC no background deficiente em Pkd1 avaliado. Nossos dados abrem uma linha de pesquisa significativa e provavelmente robusta para se intervir nos fenótipos renal, cardíaco e sistêmico da DRPAD / Oxidative stress has been postulated to participate in the progression of renal disease in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in turn, has been shown to determined beneficial effects on several animal models of renal injury. In the current study, a cystic mouse generated by breeding a Pkd1 floxed allele with a nestin Cre expressing line was used to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of NAC on a model orthologous to human ADPKD. Long-term NAC treatment was initiated at conception, birth, weaning or 8 weeks of life, to allow the evaluation of its effects on different phases of life. Our analyses revealed that NAC decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and increased glutathione levels in the kidneys of mice treated with NAC since conception (CY-NAC-Con) compared with non-treated cystic animals (CY-Ctl). Nitric oxide urinary excretion was also higher in NAC-treated cystic mice. These animals showed lower serum urea nitrogen (SUN), number of renal cysts, cystic index and renal interstitial fibrosis than CY-Ctl mice. CY-NAC-Con animals displayed, in addition, higher left ventricle ejection fraction and fractional shortening compared with CY-Ctl mice, as well as decreased cardiac fibrosis. NAC treatment started at conception increased the survival of cystic mice, demonstrating beneficial systemic effects. Interestingly, body weight was significantly lower in CY-NAC-Con than CY-Ctl mice at all evaluated times, a difference not observed between non-cystic animals treated and not treated with NAC Whether all observed NAC actions are caused by its antioxidant properties is yet not clear. These results support beneficial effects of early treatment with NAC on Pkd1-deficient cystic mice, by determining improvement in their renal, heart and systemic phenotypes. Our findings also reveal a non-deleterious reduction in body growth induced by long-term NAC administration in the evaluated Pkd1-deficient background. Our data open a likely significant and robust research track to intervene in renal, extra-renal and systemic ADPKD phenotypes

Estudos experimentais e clínicos amparam a participação do estresse oxidativo na progressão da doença renal na doença renal policística autossômica dominante (DRPAD). A administração do agente antioxidante N-acetilcisteína (NAC), por sua vez, apresenta efeitos benéficos em vários modelos animais de injúria renal. Neste estudo, utilizamos um camundongo cístico gerado por meio do cruzamento de uma linhagem portadora de um alelo floxed Pkd1 com outra que expressa nestin-Cre para avaliar os efeitos da NAC sobre um modelo ortólogo à DRPAD humana. O tratamento de longo prazo com NAC foi iniciado na concepção, nascimento, desmame ou oito semanas de idade, de modo a permitir a avaliação de seus efeitos em diferentes fases da vida. Nossas análises revelaram que a administração de NAC reduziu o nível de substâncias reativas com ácido tiobarbitúrico e aumentou o de glutationa nos rins de camundongos císticos tratados com NAC desde a concepção (Ci-NAC-Conc) comparados a animais císticos não tratados (Ci-Co). A excreção urinária de óxido nítrico também foi maior em camundongos císticos tratados com NAC. Animais Ci-NAC-Conc apresentaram ureia sérica, número de cistos renais, índice cístico e fibrose intersticial renal mais baixos que os camundongos Ci-Co. Animais Ci-NAC-Conc apresentaram, além disso, fração de ejeção e fração de encurtamento de ventrículo esquerdo maiores que camundongos Ci-Co, assim como menor fibrose cardíaca. O tratamento com NAC iniciado na concepção aumentou a sobrevida dos animais císticos. Notavelmente, o peso corpóreo mostrou-se significantemente menor em camundongos Ci-NAC-Conc que nos animais Ci-Co em todas as idades avaliadas, uma diferença não observada entre animais não císticos tratados e não tratados com NAC. Ainda é incerto se todas as ações observadas da NAC são causadas por suas propriedades antioxidantes. Esses resultados apóiam efeitos benéficos de tratamento precoce com NAC em camundongos císticos deficientes em Pkd1, determinados pela melhora de seus fenótipos renal, cardíaco e sistêmico. Nossos achados também revelam uma redução não deletéria no crescimento corpóreo, induzida pela administração de longo prazo de NAC no background deficiente em Pkd1 avaliado. Nossos dados abrem uma linha de pesquisa significativa e provavelmente robusta para se intervir nos fenótipos renal, cardíaco e sistêmico da DRPAD / Oxidative stress has been postulated to participate in the progression of renal disease in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), in turn, has been shown to determined beneficial effects on several animal models of renal injury. In the current study, a cystic mouse generated by breeding a Pkd1 floxed allele with a nestin Cre expressing line was used to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of NAC on a model orthologous to human ADPKD. Long-term NAC treatment was initiated at conception, birth, weaning or 8 weeks of life, to allow the evaluation of its effects on different phases of life. Our analyses revealed that NAC decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and increased glutathione levels in the kidneys of mice treated with NAC since conception (CY-NAC-Con) compared with non-treated cystic animals (CY-Ctl). Nitric oxide urinary excretion was also higher in NAC-treated cystic mice. These animals showed lower serum urea nitrogen (SUN), number of renal cysts, cystic index and renal interstitial fibrosis than CY-Ctl mice. CY-NAC-Con animals displayed, in addition, higher left ventricle ejection fraction and fractional shortening compared with CY-Ctl mice, as well as decreased cardiac fibrosis. NAC treatment started at conception increased the survival of cystic mice, demonstrating beneficial systemic effects. Interestingly, body weight was significantly lower in CY-NAC-Con than CY-Ctl mice at all evaluated times, a difference not observed between non-cystic animals treated and not treated with NAC Whether all observed NAC actions are caused by its antioxidant properties is yet not clear. These results support beneficial effects of early treatment with NAC on Pkd1-deficient cystic mice, by determining improvement in their renal, heart and systemic phenotypes. Our findings also reveal a non-deleterious reduction in body growth induced by long-term NAC administration in the evaluated Pkd1-deficient background. Our data open a likely significant and robust research track to intervene in renal, extra-renal and systemic ADPKD phenotypes

No description available.