A diabetes é um distúrbio endócrino do metabolismo dos carboidratos clinicamente caracterizado por hiperglicemia, resultante da incapacidade do organismo em secretar insulina, defeitos na sua ação ou ambos. Recentemente, as conseqüências neurológicas da diabetes no sistema nervoso central têm recebido maior atenção, entretanto os mecanismos pelos quais a hiperglicemia é capaz de danificar o tecido nervoso ainda permanecem pouco esclarecidos. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que a hiperglicemia é capaz de induzir dano oxidativo em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou produzir um modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal em ratos e investigar o papel do estresse oxidativo (EO) na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. Para a indução do modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal foram utilizados ratos Wistar de 5 dias de vida que foram submetidos a administração intraperitoneal de 100 mg/Kg de peso corporal de estreptozotocina (STZ), sendo que 5 dias após a administração de STZ os animais foram sacrificados e a média glicêmica do grupo diabético (222 mg/dL) durante todo tratamento é 82% maior do que a média do grupo controle (121 mg/dL). Os efeitos da hiperglicemia neonatal induzida por STZ foram estudados sobre os seguintes parâmetros de EO em cérebro de ratos: as atividades das enzimas glicose-6-fosfatodesidrogenase (G6PD), 6-fosfogluconato-desidrogenase (6PGD) e NADPH oxidase (Nox); o conteúdo de ânion superóxido (O2 -); as atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutationa peroxidase (GSHPx) e as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA-RS). Os ratos submetidos ao modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal apresentaram alto conteúdo de O2•- através da ativação da NADPH oxidase, possivelmente esta ativação dependa do NADPH derivado das enzimas G6PD e 6PGD. Além disso, o aumento dos níveis de O2 - pode ter promovido um efeito rebote de aumento das atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes (SOD, CAT e GSHPx) e ter induzido a lipoperoxidação em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, esses resultados sugerem que o EO pode representar um mecanismo envolvido nos efeitos da hiperglicemia no sistema nervoso central de ratos neonatos. No entanto, outros estudos parecem ser necessários a fim de melhor caracterizar o papel das espécies reativas na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. / Diabetes is an endocrine disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by hyperglycemia and is the result of body’s inability to secret insulin or a defect of insulin action or both. The neurological consequences of diabetes on the central nervous system have most recently been received greater attention, but the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia can cause brain damage remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that hyperglycemia induces oxidative damage in rat brain. Therefore, this study aimed to produce a model neonatal hyperglycemia and investigate the role of oxidative stress (OS) in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hyperglycemia. The neonatal hyperglycemia was induced by one intraperitoneal administration of 100 mg/ kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ), 5 days after the STZ administration, the animals were killed and the glucose diabetic group mean (222 mg/dL) during all treatment was 82% higher than the control group mean (121 mg/dL). So, the effects of streptozotocin-induced neonatal hyperglycemia were studied on the following oxidative stress parameters from rat brain: the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and NADPH oxidase (Nox), the content of superoxide anion (O2•-), the activities of the main antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS). Rats subjected to a model of neonatal hyperglycemia presented high content of O2•- through activation of NADPH oxidase and it is possible that this activation was dependent of G6PD- and 6PGD-derived NADPH. Also, increased levels on O2•- may have promoted a rebout effect, through to enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD, CAT and GSHPx) and led to lipid peroxidation in the brain. So, these results suggest that OS could represent a mechanism to understand the harmful effect of hyperglycemia on the central nervous system. However, further studies appear to be worthwhile in order to better characterize the role of reactive species in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hiperglycemia.

A diabetes é um distúrbio endócrino do metabolismo dos carboidratos clinicamente caracterizado por hiperglicemia, resultante da incapacidade do organismo em secretar insulina, defeitos na sua ação ou ambos. Recentemente, as conseqüências neurológicas da diabetes no sistema nervoso central têm recebido maior atenção, entretanto os mecanismos pelos quais a hiperglicemia é capaz de danificar o tecido nervoso ainda permanecem pouco esclarecidos. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que a hiperglicemia é capaz de induzir dano oxidativo em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou produzir um modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal em ratos e investigar o papel do estresse oxidativo (EO) na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. Para a indução do modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal foram utilizados ratos Wistar de 5 dias de vida que foram submetidos a administração intraperitoneal de 100 mg/Kg de peso corporal de estreptozotocina (STZ), sendo que 5 dias após a administração de STZ os animais foram sacrificados e a média glicêmica do grupo diabético (222 mg/dL) durante todo tratamento é 82% maior do que a média do grupo controle (121 mg/dL). Os efeitos da hiperglicemia neonatal induzida por STZ foram estudados sobre os seguintes parâmetros de EO em cérebro de ratos: as atividades das enzimas glicose-6-fosfatodesidrogenase (G6PD), 6-fosfogluconato-desidrogenase (6PGD) e NADPH oxidase (Nox); o conteúdo de ânion superóxido (O2 -); as atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutationa peroxidase (GSHPx) e as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA-RS). Os ratos submetidos ao modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal apresentaram alto conteúdo de O2•- através da ativação da NADPH oxidase, possivelmente esta ativação dependa do NADPH derivado das enzimas G6PD e 6PGD. Além disso, o aumento dos níveis de O2 - pode ter promovido um efeito rebote de aumento das atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes (SOD, CAT e GSHPx) e ter induzido a lipoperoxidação em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, esses resultados sugerem que o EO pode representar um mecanismo envolvido nos efeitos da hiperglicemia no sistema nervoso central de ratos neonatos. No entanto, outros estudos parecem ser necessários a fim de melhor caracterizar o papel das espécies reativas na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. / Diabetes is an endocrine disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by hyperglycemia and is the result of body’s inability to secret insulin or a defect of insulin action or both. The neurological consequences of diabetes on the central nervous system have most recently been received greater attention, but the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia can cause brain damage remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that hyperglycemia induces oxidative damage in rat brain. Therefore, this study aimed to produce a model neonatal hyperglycemia and investigate the role of oxidative stress (OS) in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hyperglycemia. The neonatal hyperglycemia was induced by one intraperitoneal administration of 100 mg/ kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ), 5 days after the STZ administration, the animals were killed and the glucose diabetic group mean (222 mg/dL) during all treatment was 82% higher than the control group mean (121 mg/dL). So, the effects of streptozotocin-induced neonatal hyperglycemia were studied on the following oxidative stress parameters from rat brain: the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and NADPH oxidase (Nox), the content of superoxide anion (O2•-), the activities of the main antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS). Rats subjected to a model of neonatal hyperglycemia presented high content of O2•- through activation of NADPH oxidase and it is possible that this activation was dependent of G6PD- and 6PGD-derived NADPH. Also, increased levels on O2•- may have promoted a rebout effect, through to enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD, CAT and GSHPx) and led to lipid peroxidation in the brain. So, these results suggest that OS could represent a mechanism to understand the harmful effect of hyperglycemia on the central nervous system. However, further studies appear to be worthwhile in order to better characterize the role of reactive species in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hiperglycemia.

A diabetes é um distúrbio endócrino do metabolismo dos carboidratos clinicamente caracterizado por hiperglicemia, resultante da incapacidade do organismo em secretar insulina, defeitos na sua ação ou ambos. Recentemente, as conseqüências neurológicas da diabetes no sistema nervoso central têm recebido maior atenção, entretanto os mecanismos pelos quais a hiperglicemia é capaz de danificar o tecido nervoso ainda permanecem pouco esclarecidos. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que a hiperglicemia é capaz de induzir dano oxidativo em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, o presente trabalho objetivou produzir um modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal em ratos e investigar o papel do estresse oxidativo (EO) na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. Para a indução do modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal foram utilizados ratos Wistar de 5 dias de vida que foram submetidos a administração intraperitoneal de 100 mg/Kg de peso corporal de estreptozotocina (STZ), sendo que 5 dias após a administração de STZ os animais foram sacrificados e a média glicêmica do grupo diabético (222 mg/dL) durante todo tratamento é 82% maior do que a média do grupo controle (121 mg/dL). Os efeitos da hiperglicemia neonatal induzida por STZ foram estudados sobre os seguintes parâmetros de EO em cérebro de ratos: as atividades das enzimas glicose-6-fosfatodesidrogenase (G6PD), 6-fosfogluconato-desidrogenase (6PGD) e NADPH oxidase (Nox); o conteúdo de ânion superóxido (O2 -); as atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutationa peroxidase (GSHPx) e as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBA-RS). Os ratos submetidos ao modelo de hiperglicemia neonatal apresentaram alto conteúdo de O2•- através da ativação da NADPH oxidase, possivelmente esta ativação dependa do NADPH derivado das enzimas G6PD e 6PGD. Além disso, o aumento dos níveis de O2 - pode ter promovido um efeito rebote de aumento das atividades das principais enzimas antioxidantes (SOD, CAT e GSHPx) e ter induzido a lipoperoxidação em cérebro de ratos. Portanto, esses resultados sugerem que o EO pode representar um mecanismo envolvido nos efeitos da hiperglicemia no sistema nervoso central de ratos neonatos. No entanto, outros estudos parecem ser necessários a fim de melhor caracterizar o papel das espécies reativas na neurotoxicidade da hiperglicemia neonatal. / Diabetes is an endocrine disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by hyperglycemia and is the result of body’s inability to secret insulin or a defect of insulin action or both. The neurological consequences of diabetes on the central nervous system have most recently been received greater attention, but the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia can cause brain damage remain poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that hyperglycemia induces oxidative damage in rat brain. Therefore, this study aimed to produce a model neonatal hyperglycemia and investigate the role of oxidative stress (OS) in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hyperglycemia. The neonatal hyperglycemia was induced by one intraperitoneal administration of 100 mg/ kg body weight of streptozotocin (STZ), 5 days after the STZ administration, the animals were killed and the glucose diabetic group mean (222 mg/dL) during all treatment was 82% higher than the control group mean (121 mg/dL). So, the effects of streptozotocin-induced neonatal hyperglycemia were studied on the following oxidative stress parameters from rat brain: the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and NADPH oxidase (Nox), the content of superoxide anion (O2•-), the activities of the main antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS). Rats subjected to a model of neonatal hyperglycemia presented high content of O2•- through activation of NADPH oxidase and it is possible that this activation was dependent of G6PD- and 6PGD-derived NADPH. Also, increased levels on O2•- may have promoted a rebout effect, through to enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities (SOD, CAT and GSHPx) and led to lipid peroxidation in the brain. So, these results suggest that OS could represent a mechanism to understand the harmful effect of hyperglycemia on the central nervous system. However, further studies appear to be worthwhile in order to better characterize the role of reactive species in the neurotoxicity of neonatal hiperglycemia.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-11T13:54:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jessica.pdf: 1060153 bytes, checksum: f96dc99a3a3b3f62efb2fa8880dc28d9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-08 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Background: The understanding of malaria disease has greatly improved in the last few years. Despite decades of research against the disease, it continues to be a major public health problem. The genetic component of malaria susceptibility is complex and evaluating these determinants of susceptibility and deciphering the mechanisms involved may lead to the discovery of new vaccines or targets for pharmacological agents. Main. Molecular characterization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and hemoglobin profile in patients with vivax malaria from Manaus-AM. Methods. For molecular characterization of G6PD were performed RFLP-PCR technique and qRT-PCR in 162 patients. Hemoglobin profile was determined by Highperformance liquid chromatography in 178 patients. Results. The hemoglobin profle showed 106 AA (92.7%), 09 AS (5.05%) e 04 AC (2.25%). These results demonstrated a lower frequency of severe malaria in AC (25%). Our results demonstrated the presence of nine (09) AS and four (04) AC, totaling 7.30% of the patients. Our results showed a lower frequency of severe malaria in AC group. This correlation among hemoglobin genotypes showed significant correlation between AA and AC (Neutrophils (p = 0.019), Band neutrophils (p = 0.049), Eosinophils (p = 0.046), Mean Cell Volume (p=0.004), Mean Cell Hemoglobin (p =0.008), there was no correlation between AA and the AS. The RDW was our only correlation between AA v/s AS (p=0.039) and AA v/s AC (p=0.019). The parasitaemia fever was the most frequent event in our study patients, occurring at 92.30% (12/13) of patients with AS/AC. The parasite density was lower in patients with AS (9352.35 ± 11622.78) and AC (11604.80 ± 11931.85) when compared with AA genotype (32431.57 ± 88719.63), but without statistical significance (p = 0.854). Of male presented 15.85% (13/82) for A− and 6.10% (05/82) Chatham variants, while 11.25% (09/80) of female presented A− in heterozygous and 1.25% (1/80) in homozygous. Male with G6PD A− demonstrated a higher frequency of severe malaria (OR=2.01, p=0.020) and strongly associated with previous malaria episodes (OR=2.35, p=0.004). When compared with G6PD wild type, male patients A− presented high platelet (p=0.009), lactate dehydrogenase (p<0.001) and direct bilirubin (p=0.045), while decreased in Gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase (p=0.035). Both gender presented decreased of erythrocytes (p=0.002) (p=0.015), hemoglobin (p=0.017) (p=0.031) and hematocrit (p=0.013) (p=0.020), male and female, respectively. We observed decreased hemoglobin (p=0.018), hematocrit (p=0.014), platelets (p=0.003), reticulocyte count (p<0.001) and glucose level (p=0.031) among male patients in severe malaria with G6PD A− compared to severe malaria patients with wild type allele. Conclusion. These results reveal important roles for malaria s hemoglobin genotypes clinical patients outcomes, and studies are warranted to determine their involvement in severe malaria as well as it possible mechanism of action. In summary, few G6PD mutations studies were performed from Amazonian communities. Additional G6PD deficiency surveys in both these areas of high P. vivax endemicity would be valuable, particularly focused in areas of high population density. / Introdução. A compreensão da doença malária tem aumentado muito nos últimos anos. Apesar de décadas de pesquisa contra a doença, esta continua a ser um dos principais problemas de saúde pública. Um dos desafios na luta contra esta doença é avaliar suscetibilidade genética e decifrar os mecanismos envolvidos para utilizá-los como novos alvos contra a malária. Objetivo. Caracterizar molecularmente a Desidrogenase da Glicose 6-Fosfato (G6PD) e determinar o perfil de hemoglobinas em pacientes com Malária vivax de Manaus-AM. Metodologia. A caracterização molecular da G6PD foi realizada pelas técnicas de RFLP-PCR e q-RT-PCR em 162 pacientes. O perfil de hemoglobinas por cromatografia líquida de alto desempenho (HPLC) em 178 pacientes. Os achados clínicos, hematológicos e bioquímicos foram associados com as hemoglobinas variantes e as mutações para a G6PD na tentativa de identificar possíveis biomarcadores de gravidade clínica da malária vivax. Resultados. O perfil de hemoglobina apresentou 106 AA (92,7%), 09 AS (5.05%) e 04 AC (2.25%). Malária grave acometeu 25% em AC e 44.4% em AS. Diminuição significativa dos valores de Neutrófilos (p=0,019); VCM (p=0,004) e HCM (p=0,008) e aumento de Bastonetes (p=0,049) e Eosinófilos (p=0,046), ocorreram apenas nos pacientes AC. RDW apresentou elevado em ambos, AS (p=0,039) e AC (p=0,019) quando comparados AA. A parasitemia febril foi o evento clínico mais freqüente 92,30% nos pacientes AS/AC. A densidade parasitária foi menor nos AS (9.352,4±11.622,8) e AC (11.604,8±11.931,9 ), quando comparado com AA (32.431,6 ± 88.719,6), porém, sem significância estatística (p=0,854). O estudo molecular para G6PD demonstrou 15,85% (13/82) para as mutações 202A/376G (A-) concomitantemente nos homens e pela primeira vez descrita na Região Amazônica, a mutação 1003A (Chatham) em 6,10% (05/82), enquanto nas mulheres 11,25% (09/80) heterozigostas e 1,25% (1/80) homozigostas para a A-. Homens A- demonstraram associação significativa para malária grave (RR=2,01, p=0,020) e episódios anteriores de malária (RR=2,35, p=0,004), aumento de plaquetas (p=0,009), lactato desidrogenase (p<0,001) e bilirrubina direta (p=0,045) e diminuição da gama-glutamil transferase (p=0,035). Ambos os gêneros, homens e mulheres, apresentaram diminuição das hemácias (p=0,002) (p=0,015), hemoglobina (p=0,017) (p=0,031) e hematócrito (p=0,013) (p=0,020), respectivamente. Foi demonstrado decréscimos significativos para hemoglobina (p=0,018), hematócrito (p=0,014), plaquetas (p=0,003), reticulócitos (p<0,001) e glicose (p=0,031) entre homens A- com malária grave quando comparado com homnes normais para G6PD com malária grave. Conclusão. Acreditamos que com o aumento do número de participantes para o estudo do perfil de hemoglobina, conseguiremos aprofundar o conhecimento de como os seres humanos se adaptaram a esta terrível doença, enfatizando algumas hipóteses importantes para fornecer caminhos que levem a uma solução duradoura e até permanente para a Malária. Além disso, poucos estudos das mutações para G6PD foram realizados em comunidades amazônicas. Outras pesquisas sobre a deficiência de G6PD em áreas de alta endemicidade para P. vivax seria valioso, especialmente focado em áreas de alta densidade populacional.

Hydrogen production from abundant renewable biomass would decrease reliance on crude oils, achieve nearly zero net greenhouse gas emissions, create more jobs, and enhance national energy security. Cell-free synthetic pathway biotransformation (SyPaB) is the implementation of complicated chemical reaction by the in vitro assembly of numerous enzymes and coenzymes that microbes cannot do. One of the largest challenges is the high cost and instability of enzymes and cofactors. To overcome this obstacle, strong motivations have driven intensive efforts in discovering, engineering, and producing thermostable enzymes. In this project, ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (RpiB), one of the most important enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway, was cloned from a thermophile Thermotoga maritima, and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized. High-purity RpiB was obtained by heat pretreatment through its optimization in buffer choice, buffer pH, as well as temperature and duration of pretreatment. This enzyme had the maximum activity at 80°C and pH 6.5-8.0. It had a half lifetime of 71 h at 60°C, resulting in its turn-over number of more than 2 x108 mol of product per mol of enzyme. Another two thermostable enzymes glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and diaphorase (DI) and their fusion proteins G6PDH-DI and DI-G6PDH were cloned from Geobacillus stearothermophilus, heterologouely expressed in E. coli and purified through its His-tag. The individual proteins G6PDH and DI have good thermostability and reactivity. However, the presence of DI in fusion proteins drastically decreased G6DPH activity. However, a mixture of G6PDH and a fusion protein G6PDH-DI not only restored G6PDH activity through the formation of heteromultimeric network but also facilitated substrate channeling between DI and G6PDH, especially at low enzyme concentrations. My researches would provide important building blocks for the on-going projects: high-yield hydrogen production through cell-free enzymatic pathways and electrical energy production through enzymatic fuel cells. / Master of Science

As bioconversões executadas com enzimas, que requerem NADP ou NADPH, são limitadas pela eficiência com que esta substância é mantida na forma particular requerida pelo catalisador ao longo de toda a reação, assim como pela sua recuperação no final do processo. Neste trabalho, foram caracterizadas as enzimas Glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (G6PDH) e Glutamato desidrogenase (GLUDH), além do estudo do reciclo NADP/NADPH em sistema constituído por essas enzimas. Determinou-se a temperatura (30ºC) e pH ótimo da G6PDH (pH 7,5), assim como a temperatura (40ºC) e o pH ótimo (pH 8,0) da GLUDH, além dos volumes e concentrações dos substratos utilizados na hidrólise enzimática. No caso da reação acoplada descontínua, a duração foi de 90min, às temperaturas de 30ºC e 40ºC, utilizando-se o cofator solúvel ou imobilizado. Em ambas as condições, mais de 85% das concentrações iniciais de G6P e NH4+, respectivamente, substratos da G6PDH e GLUDH, foram convertidas, sendo o reciclo NADP/NADPH mantido durante toda a reação. No caso da reação bienzimática em reator contínuo, não foi possível chegar ao estado estacionário da reação e a conversão dos subsratos G6P e NH4+ variaram de acordo com o período do teste. / The Bioconversion performed with enzymes that require NADPH or NADP are limited by the efficiency with which this substance is maintained in the particular form required by the enzyme throughout the reaction, as well as for his recovery at the end of the process. The main aim of this work was to study the NADP/NADPH recycling through a bienzyme coupled reaction constituted by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUDH). The reaction was carried out in the discontinuous or continuous mode. The discontinuous process, which was carried out with soluble or immobilized NADP at 30&#176;C or 40&#176;C, had a total duration of 90min. Independently on the temperature used, around 85% of the initial concentration of glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) and ammonia were consumed, being the recycle of NADP/NADPH maintained throughout the reaction. In the continuous process, the addition of G6P and ammonia into the membrane reactor was made by turns of 2h. During the 15h-process the NADP/NADPH recycling was attained and the mean consumption yield of ammonia and G6P neared 30% and 60%, respectively.

As bioconversões executadas com enzimas, que requerem NADP ou NADPH, são limitadas pela eficiência com que esta substância é mantida na forma particular requerida pelo catalisador ao longo de toda a reação, assim como pela sua recuperação no final do processo. Neste trabalho, foram caracterizadas as enzimas Glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase (G6PDH) e Glutamato desidrogenase (GLUDH), além do estudo do reciclo NADP/NADPH em sistema constituído por essas enzimas. Determinou-se a temperatura (30ºC) e pH ótimo da G6PDH (pH 7,5), assim como a temperatura (40ºC) e o pH ótimo (pH 8,0) da GLUDH, além dos volumes e concentrações dos substratos utilizados na hidrólise enzimática. No caso da reação acoplada descontínua, a duração foi de 90min, às temperaturas de 30ºC e 40ºC, utilizando-se o cofator solúvel ou imobilizado. Em ambas as condições, mais de 85% das concentrações iniciais de G6P e NH4+, respectivamente, substratos da G6PDH e GLUDH, foram convertidas, sendo o reciclo NADP/NADPH mantido durante toda a reação. No caso da reação bienzimática em reator contínuo, não foi possível chegar ao estado estacionário da reação e a conversão dos subsratos G6P e NH4+ variaram de acordo com o período do teste. / The Bioconversion performed with enzymes that require NADPH or NADP are limited by the efficiency with which this substance is maintained in the particular form required by the enzyme throughout the reaction, as well as for his recovery at the end of the process. The main aim of this work was to study the NADP/NADPH recycling through a bienzyme coupled reaction constituted by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLUDH). The reaction was carried out in the discontinuous or continuous mode. The discontinuous process, which was carried out with soluble or immobilized NADP at 30&#176;C or 40&#176;C, had a total duration of 90min. Independently on the temperature used, around 85% of the initial concentration of glucose 6-phosphate (G6P) and ammonia were consumed, being the recycle of NADP/NADPH maintained throughout the reaction. In the continuous process, the addition of G6P and ammonia into the membrane reactor was made by turns of 2h. During the 15h-process the NADP/NADPH recycling was attained and the mean consumption yield of ammonia and G6P neared 30% and 60%, respectively.

For the development of a G6PD-deficient mouse model, we introduced the mutant Gpdxa-m1Neu allele (a severe ENU-induced mutation that results in 13-15% G6PD activities of wild type littermates) into the C57L/J background (a strain that constitutively exhibits low G6PD activity) through a breeding program. Of significance is that 78% of the F2 generation had G6PD activities &lt;2 U/g Hb, levels similar to those of severe G6PD deficiency in human. The efficacy of this model was preliminary verified by the known haemolytic agent, naphthalene, as demonstrated by the decrease of GSH/GSSG ratio by 24.6% (P=0.032) and increase of methaemoglobin by 4.5 fold (P=0.8) when compared with the respective control without treatment. / Genetic analysis of 14 mutation hotpots was performed on 98 hemi-/homozygous and 17 heterozygous G6PD-deficient human subjects. We developed a novel Multiplex Primer Extension Reaction (MPER) assay and detected seven specific mutations in 97 subjects: c.1376G>T (33.7%), c.1388G>A (29.6%), c.871G>A + c.1311C>T (12.3%), c.95A>G (9.2%), c.392G>T (7.1%), c.1024C>T (6.2%) and c.1360C>T (1.0%). For the genotyping of 15 heterozygous female, all mutations were identified as follows: c.1376G>T/Normal (33.3%), c.1388G>A/Normal (26.7%), c.871G>A/Normal + c.1311C>T/Normal (20.0%), c.95A>G/Normal (13.3%) and c.392G>T./Normal (6.7%). The c.871G>A and 'silent' mutation c.1311 C>T was newly found to coexist in a high proportion of genotype in our population. / Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient subjects are vulnerable to chemical-induced haemolysis if exposed to oxidative agents. Little is known, however, of the haemolytic effects of Chinese herbal medicine on G6PD-deficient subjects. Only one case study has reported that a G6PD-deficient newborn developed severe haemolysis after ingestion of Rhizoma Coptidis. Besides, recent studies reported that green tea and its constituents exerted pro-oxidative effects on cellular systems in culture. / Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is a genetic disorder inherited in the X-linked manner. The condition is prevalent in the Mediterranean region, Africa and Southeast Asia. In Hong Kong, the frequency of G6PD deficiency is around 4.5% in males and 0.3% in females. Over 140 specific mutations of the X-linked gene for G6PD have been characterized in various geographic regions. However, the local mutation pattern has not been clearly determined. / In conclusion, some Chinese herbal medicine, tea and tea polyphenols significantly altered the oxidative status of G6PD-deficient erythrocytes in vitro. Their in vivo effects on G6PD-deficient individuals would be further investigated by the novel G6PD-dificient mouse model. / In this study, we aim (1) to investigate effects of (a) a panel of Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM), (b) tea and its constituents, on the oxidative status of human G6PD-deficient erythrocytes in vitro ; (2) to characterize the genotype of G6PD-deficiency in the Chinese population and their specific response to oxidative stress; (3) to develop a novel strain of mice as a model for study of chemicals agents on G6PD-deficient red cell in vivo. / Our results showed that six of eighteen CHM significantly reduced GSH levels in the G6PD-deficient erythrocytes (p&lt;0.05, n=10). After exposure to 1 mg/mL of Rhizoma Coptidis, GSH levels in G6PD-deficient erythrocytes was decreased by 48.9 +/- 5.4% (P&lt;0.001, n=10). At 5 mg/mL of Cortex Moutan, Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Bupleuri, Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati and Flos Chimonanthi, GSH levels were decreased significantly (P=0.001 to 0.004) by 51.8 +/- 7.6%, 25.9 +/- 6.7%, 21.0 +/- 6.9%, 17.5 $ 6.7% and 8.7 +/- 6.8% respectively. There were noticeable increases in levels of methaemoglobin by 2.8 fold (5 mg/mL, P=0.012) and 3.4 fold (10 mg/mL, P=0.016) in the presence of Rhizoma Coptidis and Cortex Moutan, respectively, in G6PD-deficient erythrocytes. / We also investigated the pro-oxidative effect of tea and its polyphenolic components on G6PD erythrocytes from G6PD-deficient (n=8) and normal adult (n=8) subjects. The tea extracts significantly reduced GSH and increased GSSG levels in G6PD-deficient erythrocytes in a dose-dependent manner (0.5-10 mg/mL), but not in normal erythrocytes. Similar dose-dependent responses to (-)-Epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-Epigallocatechin-3gallate (EGCG), but not to the other polyphenols, were observed. In G6PD-deficient cells, GSH was reduced by 43.3% (EGC at 0.05 mg/mL) and 33.3% (EGCG at 0.5 mg/mL), compared with pre-challenged levels. The concentration of methaemoglobin was increased significantly when these cells were challenged with tea extracts, and EGC. Plasma haemoglobin levels were higher in G6PD-deficient samples after exposure to tea extracts, EGCG, EGC and gallic acid, compared with those in normal blood. / Ko Chun Kay. / "August 2006." / Advisers: Tai Fai Fok; Kwai Har Karen Li. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1577. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. xxii-xliii). / 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, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2000. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 126 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-115).