Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:37:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sarah_Romano_Ortolan.pdf: 975526 bytes, checksum: d72ab61fc7bdc88b6ddbab0eb3a86e42 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Wheat is considered the main cereal diet of the world population, but in recent years has achieved some gain in productivity of this culture despite having increased the use of nitrogen fertilizer. The use of plant growth promoting bacteria such as Herbaspirillum seropedicae SmR1 among others has been studied to obtain development of plants with less use of nitrogen fertilizers. However there is little information relating the effects of this interaction in plant development and grain yield. Objective of this study was to evaluate the carbon and nitrogen metabolism by certain enzymes, metabolites and indices related to the response to infectious stress on the wheat cultivars CD 104 and CD 120 in association with Herbaspirillum seropedicae bacteria. Two experiments were conducted. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications in a 4x2. The first factor relates to the conditions inoculation with bacteria and/or nitrogen source in coverage are: control without inoculation with bacteria or added nitrogen fertilizer (C); application of nitrogen fertilizer (50 kg.ha-1) 30 days after sowing (N); inoculation with 106 cells of the bacterium H. seropedicae/seed at planting (Hs) and inoculation with bacteria combined with the application of nitrogen fertilizer (Hs + N) and the second factor refers to the phenological stages (tillering and booting). The results indicated that inoculation with H. seropedicae in wheat seeds of cv.s CD 104 and CD 120 in the two growth stages answered in relation to the indices related to stress with the involvement of enzymes of carbon and nitrogen metabolism. However prominent effect was not noticed to promote plant growth of wheat in late development, nor a deleterious effect of the bacterium for inoculation cv. CD 104 under the experimental conditions. For cv. CD 120 the differential effects indicate lower levels of stress and some level of association to positive effect on productivity when combined inoculation of bacteria to nitrogen fertilization. It was concluded that as well as pathogenic and stressors, H. seropedicae able to beneficially associate with wheat also provides similar interference pattern of carbon and nitrogen metabolism and stress levels / O trigo é considerado o principal cereal da dieta da população mundial, entretanto nos últimos anos tem se obtido pouco ganho de produtividade desta cultura apesar de se ter aumentado o uso de fertilizante nitrogenado. O uso de bactérias promotoras do crescimento vegetal, como Herbaspirillum seropedicae SmR1 entre outras, tem sido estudado para se obter desenvolvimento de plantas com menor uso de fertilizantes nitrogenados. Entretanto existem poucas informações que relacionam os efeitos desta interação no desenvolvimento da planta e de produtividade de grãos. Objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o metabolismo de carbono e nitrogênio através de algumas enzimas, metabólitos e índices relacionados à resposta ao estresse infeccioso em trigo das cultivares CD 104 e CD 120 em associação com a bactéria Herbaspirillum seropedicae em dois estádios fenológicos. Foram realizados dois experimentos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com 4 repetições, em esquema fatorial 4x2. O primeiro fator refere-se às condições de inoculação com bactéria e/ou fertilização nitrogenada em cobertura, sendo: controle, sem inoculação com bactéria ou adição de fertilizante nitrogenado (C); aplicação de fertilizante nitrogenado (50 kg.ha-1) após 30 dias da semeadura (N); inoculação de 106 células da bactéria H. seropedicae/semente na semeadura (Hs) e inoculação com a bactéria combinada com a aplicação de fertilizante nitrogenado (Hs + N) e o segundo fator refere-se aos estádios fenológicos (perfilhamento e emborrachamento). Os resultados indicaram que a inoculação com H. seropedicae em sementes de trigo das cv.s CD 104 e CD 120 nos dois estádios fenológicos responderam em relação aos índices relacionados ao estresse com envolvimento das enzimas do metabolismo de carbono e nitrogênio. Entretanto não foi percebido efeito proeminente de promoção do crescimento vegetal no final do desenvolvimento do trigo, tampouco efeito deletério da inoculação de bactéria para a cv. CD 104, nas condições experimentais. Para a cv. CD 120 os efeitos diferenciais indicam menor nível de estresse e algum nível de associação para efeito positivo na produtividade quando combinada a inoculação da bactéria com a fertilização nitrogenada. Foi possível concluir que assim como para agentes patogênicos e estressantes, a H. seropedicae, capaz de associar beneficamente com trigo também apresenta padrão semelhante de interferência do metabolismo de carbono e nitrogênio e índices de estresse

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Since the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) as the bacterial agent causing tuberculosis, the permanent eradication of this disease has proven challenging. Although a number of drugs exist for the treatment of tuberculosis, 1.7 million people still die every year from this infection. The current treatment regimen involves lengthy combination therapy with four different drugs in an effort to combat the development of resistance. However, multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains are emerging in all parts of the world. Therefore, new drugs effective in the treatment of tuberculosis are much-needed. The work presented in this thesis was focused on the early stages of drug discovery by applying different hit identification and hit expansion strategies in the exploration of two new potential drug targets, glutamine synthetase (GS) and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR). A literature survey was first carried out to identify new Mtb GS inhibitors from compounds known to inhibit GS in other species. Three compounds, structurally unrelated to the typical amino acid derivatives of previously known GS inhibitors, were then discovered by virtual screening and found to be Mtb GS inhibitors, exhibiting activities in the millimolar range. Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine analogues were also investigated as Mtb GS inhibitors. The chemical functionality, size requirements and position of the substituents in the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine hit were investigated, and a chemical library was designed based on a focused hierarchical design of experiments approach. The X-ray structure of one of the inhibitors in complex with Mtb GS provided additional insight into the structure–activity relationships of this class of compounds. Finally, new α-arylated fosmidomycin analogues were synthesized as inhibitors of Mtb DXR, exhibiting IC50 values down to 0.8 µM. This work shows that a wide variety of aryl groups are tolerated by the enzyme. Cinnamaldehydes are important synthetic intermediates in the synthesis of fosmidomycin analogues. These were prepared by an oxidative Heck reaction from acrolein and various arylboronic acids. Electron-rich, electron-poor, heterocyclic and sterically hindered boronic acids could be employed, furnishing cinnamaldehydes in 43–92% yield.

Many athletes incorporate high training volumes and limited recovery periods into their training regimes. This may disrupt the fragile balance and the accumulation of exercise stress may exceed an athlete's finite capacity of resistance. A state of elevated fatigue, increased mood disturbance and decreased exercise performance can result. This is commonly known as overreaching and if increased training and limited recovery is continued, it is believed that the more serious state of overtraining may develop. This is relatively commonly experienced in athletes, however little scientific investigation has been conducted to determine the characteristics and underlying mechanisms. The overall aim of this thesis was to gain a greater understanding of the state of overreaching and to specifically provide new information on potential markers of this state as well as possible mechanisms. To study the cumulative effects of exercise stress and subsequent recovery on performance changes, fatigue indicators and possible mechanisms, the training of endurance cyclists was systematically controlled and monitored in two separate investigations. A number of variables were assessed including performance, physiological, biochemical, psychological, immunological and hormonal variables. In addition heart rate variability and serotonergic responsiveness were also assessed. Some of the more pertinent effects of overreaching included an increase in heart rate variability, a reduction in carbohydrate oxidation, an increase in serotonergic responsiveness and a reduction in stress hormone concentrations. These results suggest that autonomic imbalance in combination with decreased hormonal release appears to be related to the decline in performance and elevated fatigue apparent in overreached athletes. Additionally it also appears that alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis may occur in overreached athletes.

CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Contaminação bacteriana que normalmente infecta o endométrio bovino no pós-parto prejudica a defesa imunológica quando há estresse metabólico, levando a endometrite e infertilidade. A resposta do endométrio contra bactérias depende da imunidade inata, com o reconhecimento de padrões moleculares associados a patógenos, estimulando a inflamação, caracterizadas por secreção de interleucinas (IL)-1p, IL-6 e IL-8. Entretanto, animais frequentemente falham em eliminar a infecção microbiana quando apresentam reduzidas concentrações de glicose e glutamina, que são fontes de energia para o endométrio no conhecido balanço energético negativo. A contínua inflamação e resposta imune inata contra infecção bacteriana no útero após o parto compromete o bem-estar animal. Neste estudo testou-se a hipótese de que as vias homeostáticas conferidas pela glicose, glutamina e biotina integram o metabolismo energético e a imunidade inata no tecido endometrial bovino. A ausência de glicose reduziu a secreção de IL-1P, IL-6 e IL-8 em culturas de órgãos endometriais desafiadas com a endotoxina lipopolissacarídeo (LPS). Depleção de glutamina também reduziu a atividade inflamatória do endométrio contra LPS. Entretanto, as atividades de glicose e glutamina dependem da presença de glicólise. A vitamina biotina demonstrou ter caráter anti- inflamatório, reduzindo a produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias no endométrio. Em conclusão, o estresse energético metabólico afetou as respostas inflamatórias à infecções bacterianas no endométrio. Providenciamos dados que demonstram como o balanço energético negativo pode estar ligado a doença uterina no pós-parto. / Bacteria that usually infect the bovine endometrium at postpartum impairs immune defense when exist metabolic stress, leading to endometritis and infertility. The response of the endometrium to bacteria depends on innate immunity, with the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns by stimulating inflammation, characterized by secretion of interleukins (IL) -1p, IL-6 and IL-8. However, animals often fail to eliminate the microbial infection when they have reduced levels of glucose and glutamine, which are sources of energy to the endometrium in the negative energy balance. Continuous inflammation and innate immune response to bacterial infection in the uterus after calving compromise animal welfare. In this study we tested the hypothesis that homeostatic pathways conferred by glucose , glutamine and biotin, link the energy metabolism and innate immunity in the bovine endometrial tissue. The deprivation of glucose reduced the secretion of IL-1P, IL-6 and IL-8 in cultures of endometrial organs challenged with the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Glutamine depletion also reduces the inflammatory activity of the endometrium to LPS. However, glucose and glutamine activities depend on the presence of glycolysis. The vitamin biotin demonstrates anti-inflammatory nature, reducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the endometrium. In conclusion, the energy metabolic stress disrupts inflammatory responses to bacterial infections in the endometrium. We provide data on how negative energy balance may be linked to postpartum uterine disease. / Tese (Doutorado)

INTRODUÇÃO: Relatos conflitantes têm dificultado para se estabelecer o potencial benefício da glutamina (GLN) no tratamento de condições inflamatórias agudas. Nós avaliamos o efeito da infusão parenteral de GLN, prévia à pancreatite aguda (PA) experimental, nos mediadores inflamatórios, morbidade e mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Ratos Lewis (n = 131) receberam glutamina parenteral (grupo GG), solução salina (grupo SS ou controle), ou permaneceram sem infusão parenteral (grupo Sham) por 48h. Após este período, foi induzida PA por meio da injecção retrógrada de taurocolato de sódio no ducto pancreático. Sangue, amostras de pulmão, fígado, pâncreas e líquido ascítico foram colhidos a partir de 2, 12 e 24 horas após PA para avaliação das variáveis propostas (citocinas, hsp, histologia, amilase). Sessenta animais permaneceram vivos após PA para a análise da mortalidade em sete dias. RESULTADOS: A análise entre grupos não mostrou diferenças significativas nos níveis de citocinas (p > 0,05). Análise cinética dentro de cada grupo ao longo do tempo mostrou maior INF-y no grupo Sham e SS às 2h do que em 12h e 24h, maior IL-2 e inferior IL-10 no Sham, às 24h do que em 2h e 12h, e menor IL-10 no SS e GG em 24 h do que no tempo de 2h (p <= 0.05). O grupo GG exibiu maior expressão de HSP 90 no pulmão e no fígado do que no grupo Sham nos tempos de 2h e 12h, respectivamente; e maior expressão no fígado de HSP90 e HSP70 no grupo SS no tempo 12 horas (p < 0,01). O grupo Sham apresentou maior expressão de HSP 70 no pulmão e HSP 90 no fígado do que os outros grupos no tempo de 24h. Não ocorreram alterações na taxa de mortalidade. CONCLUSÕES: Em modelo de PA experimental induzida por taurocolato de sódio, o pré-tratamento com GLN parenteral melhorou o perfil dos mediadores inflamatórios, sem afetar a mortalidade / INTRODUCTION: Conflicting reports have hindered establish the potential glutamine (GLN) benefit in treating acute inflammatory conditions. We evaluated the effect of parenteral GLN infusion before experimental acute pancreatitis (AP), as systemic inflammation-reproducing model, on inflammatory mediators and mortality. METHODS: Lewis rats (n=131) received parenteral glutamine (GG group), saline (SS or Control group), or remained without parenteral infusion ( Sham group) for 48h. Thereafter, AP was induced by retrograde injection of sodium taurocholate into pancreatic duct. Blood, lung, liver and pancreas samples were collected from 2, 12 and 24h post-AP to assess serum cytokines levels, tissue HSP expression, histology and amylase. Sixty animals remained alive post-PA for seven-day mortality analysis. RESULTS: Punctual between-groups analysis did not show differences in cytokine levels (p > 0.05). Intragroup analysis over time showed higher INF-y in Sham and SS at 2h than at 12h and 24h, higher IL-2 and lower IL-10 in Sham at 24h than at 2h and 12h, and lower IL-10 in SS and GG at 24h than at 2h timepoint (p <= 0.05). GG group exhibited higher lung and liver HSP90 than Sham at 2h and 12h timepoints, respectively; and higher liver HSP90 and HSP70 than SS at 12h timepoint (p < 0.01). Sham group presented higher lung HSP70 and liver HSP90 than the others at 24h timepoint (p < 0.02). No changes occurred on mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: In sodium taurocholate-induced PA model, pretreatment with parenteral GLN improved inflammatory mediator\'s profile, without affecting mortality

A Glutamina (Gln) melhora a regeneração hepática em ratos nutridos. Para avaliar o efeito molecular da Gln endovenosa no remanescente hepático, 52 ratos foram classificados em: 1. Nutridos com hepatectomia parcial (HP) e Gln (N-Gln=10) ou prolina (N-Pro=10); 2. Desnutridos com HP: (D-Gln=10) ou (D-Pro=10); 3. Nutridos e Desnutridos sem HP (N-Controle=6) e (D-Controle=6). Após 96 horas da HP os resultados foram: DNA = (D-Gln, D-Pro e D-Controle < N-Gln, N-Pro e N-controle), (N-Gln, N-Pro, D-Gln e D-Pro < N e D-Controle), (N-Gln > D-Gln); RNA= (N-Gln, N-Pro, D-Gln e D-Pro < N e D-Controle), (N-Gln > D-Gln e N-Pro). Não houve diferença nos genes transcritos (GT) para HGF, TGF-a e timidina kinase. Concluímos que: A desnutrição e HP reduzem DNA e RNA; A Gln não altera os GT estudados em ratos desnutridos 96 horas após HP / Glutamine dipeptide (Gln) improve hepatic regeneration of nourished rats. To evaluate molecular effect of Gln on liver remnant 52 rats was classified into: 1. Nourished with partial hepatectomy (PH) and Gln (N-Gln=10) or proline (N-Pro=10); 2. Malnourished (MN) with PH: (MN-Gln=10) or (MN-Pro=10); 3. Nourished and Malnourished rat without PH (N-Control=6) and (MN-Control=6). Results: DNA = (MN-Gln, MN-Pro and MN-Control < N-Gln, N-Pro and N-control), (N-Gln, N-Pro, MN-Gln and MN-Pro < N and MN-Control), (N-Gln > MN-Gln); RNA= (N-Gln, N-Pro, MN-Gln and MN-Pro < N and MN-Control), (N-Gln > MN-Gln and N-Pro). There was no difference on transcript genes (TG) for HGF, TGF-a and thymidine kinase. Conclusions: Malnutrition and PH decrease hepatic DNA and RNA; Gln does not modify TG studied 96 hours after PH in MN rats

O metabolismo da glutamina (Gln) é alvo de atenções recentes para a compreensão da reprogramação metabólica para o suprimento energético das células tumorais em proliferação e para o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias terapêuticas em câncer. Tanto a absorção de glutamina quanto a taxa de glutaminólise, o catabolismo da Gln para gerar adenosina trifosfato (ATP) e lactato na mitocôndria estão aumentados em diferentes tumores. A Gln e glicose participam do processo da proliferação de células tumorais tanto na produção de (ATP) como no fornecimento de produtos intermediários utilizados na síntese de macromoléculas e Gln é utilizado para anaplerose do ciclo do ácido tricarboxílico. Nesse estudo, nosso objetivo foi analisar a expressão dos genes envolvidos na glutaminólise: ASCT2, LAT1, GLS, GLSISO1, GLSISO2, GLS2, GOT1, GOT2, GLUD1 e GPT2 em astrocitomas de diferentes graus de malignidade (AGI-AGIV), classificados de acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS), em relação às expressões em tecidos cerebrais não neoplásicos e correlacionar os níveis de expressão destes genes aos dados clínicos. PCR quantitativo em tempo real (qRT-PCR) foi realizado em 175 amostras, sendo 22 dentre estes de tecidos não neoplásicos. Observou-se tempo de sobrevida menor entre os pacientes com hiperexpressão de LAT1, na presença de hipoexpressão de ASCT2. A expressão de GLS foi comparativamente maior que a expressão de GLS2 entre os astrocitomas de diferentes graus de malignidade, corroborando descrições prévias de que GLS relaciona-se à proliferação tumoral e GLS2 à supressão do crescimento tumoral. Observou-se, adicionalmente, o aumento da associação das expressões destes genes conforme o aumento do grau de malignidade, culminando em GBM, onde estas correlações foram estatisticamente significativas. Apesar da demonstração da ativação gradativa desta via da glutaminólise com o aumento da malignidade, a hiperexpressão dos genes relacionados a esta via mostrou-se hiperexpressa em apenas um subgrupo de pacientes com GBM. Esta observação ressalta a heterogeneidade observada em GBM e a elegibilidade restrita deste subgrupo a eventuais estratégias terapêuticas que forem desenvolvidas com alvos nesta via / The metabolism of glutamine (Gln) is the target of recent attentions to understand the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cell for the energetic needs for cell proliferation, and to develop new cancer therapeutic strategies. Glutamine absortion and glutamine conversion to ATP and lactate in the mitochondria through glutaminolysis are both increased in different cancer types. Gln and glucose participate in metabolic pathways which provide ATP and intermediate substrats for synthesis of macromolecules, and Gln is used for anaplesoris of tricyclic acid cycle. The aims of the present study were to analyze the differential mRNA expressions of genes involved in the glutaminolysis pathways: ASCT2, LAT1, GLS, GLSISO1, GLSISO2, GLS2, GOT1, GOT2, GLUD1 e GPT2 in astrocytomas of different grades of malignancy (WHO grades I to IV) compared to non-neoplastic brain tissues, and to correlate these expression data to clinical outcome. Shorter overall survival time was observed among a subset of GBM patients presenting hyperexpression of LAT1 while ASCT2 was hypoexpressed. GLS expression was comparatively higher than GLS2 expression among astrocytomas of different grades of malignancy, which corrobates previous reports relating GLS to tumor proliferation and GLS2 to suppression of tumor growth. Additionally, increased gene expression correlation was observed in parallel to the increase of malignancy, and these associated expressions were significant among GBM. Although a stepwise increase of the glutaminolysis pathway was demonstrated with the increase of malignancy in astrocytomas, the hyperexpression of genes involved in this pathway were detected only in a subset of GBM patients. This finding confirm the heterogeneity observed among GBM, and highlights the fact that any therapeutic strategy aiming this pathway will be restricted to a subset of GBM patients

INTRODUÇÃO: Metionina (Met), cisteína (Cys), homocisteína (Hcy) e taurina (Tau) são os quatro aminoácidos sulfurados (AAS), mas apenas a Met e Cys são incorporadas em proteínas. Os três principais produtos doS AAS, glutationa, (GSH), Hcy e Tau influenciam, principalmente, as respostas inflamatória e imune. A Tau e GSH diminuem a inflamação, enquanto que a Hcy apresenta efeito oposto. Os pacientes HIV+ apresentam baixos níveis de GSH e outros nutrientes antioxidantes, mostrando relação direta entre Cys (e GSH) com células CD4+. Não se conhece o mecanismo pelo qual as mudanças na ingestão dos AAS influenciam este fenômeno. Paralelamente, as relações entre Hcy, doenças inflamatórias e alterações in vitro no comportamento das células imunes levantou ressalvas sobre a suplementação de dietas com AAS. OBJETIVOS : investigar as vias dos AAS em pacientes HIV+ nas condições de jejum e pós-sobrecarga de Met frente à dieta habitual (OH) isolada ou acompanhada da suplementação de Cys (NAC) ou glutamina (Gln). MÉTODOS : 12 pacientes HIV+ (6 M e 6 F, de 25 a 36 anos), sob tratamento anti-retroviral pelo esquema tríplice, sem infecções secundárias e 20 controles saudáveis (10M e 10F, 23-28 anos) foram randomicamente distribuídos para suplementação com NAC (N-acetilcisteína, 1g/d) ou Gln (20 g/d) em estudo cruzado com 7 dias de dieta separados por uma semana de washout (Wo com DH). Amostras de sangue após jejum noturno de 10 a 12 horas foram coletadas antes (MO) e após (M1) cada regime dietético. A seguir, os indivíduos ingeriram metionina (100 mg/kg), com coletas de sangue após 2 e 4 horas para a determinação da área abaixo da curva (AAC). No MO, ambos os grupos foram avaliados quanto à antropometria (IMC, kg/m2), funções glomerular (uréia, creatinina) e hepatocelular (&#947;-GT), estados nutricional (albumina, cálcio, ácido fólico e vitamina 812) e antioxidante (ácido úrico, GSH, GSSG, Hcy), glicose, lipídios (triacilgliceróis e frações de colesterol) e AAS, serina (Ser), glicina (Gly), glutamato (Glu) e Gln. O grupo HIV também foi caracterizado pela carga viral e contagem de CD4+ e CD8+. As comparações estatísticas entre os grupos e entre as dietas mostraram homogeneidade para IMC, albumina, cálcio, vitamina 812, Hcy, HDL-colesterol, uréia e creatinina. Os pacientes apresentaram valores maiores de glicose, triacilgliceróis, &#947;-GT, LDL-colesterol e GSSG paralelalemente às menores concentrações de ácido úrico, GSH e todos os AAS, exceto Hcy. A sobrecarga de metionina igualou (pelos valores de delta) os grupos para Met, Hcy, Tau e Gln. As suplementações de NAC e Gln levaram o grupo HIV+ a concentrações maiores de GSH (NAC > Gln), atuando diferentemente em seus precursores: G/y (Gln > NAC) e Cys (NAC > Gln) e resultando em consumo similar de Ser e produção de Tau. Ambas as dietas reduziram GSSG/GSH (NAC > Gln) e apenas NAC aumentou (6 x) a Hcy. Esta última foi piorada pela sobrecarga de Mel. Assim, HIV+ resulta em deficiências múltiplas de vitaminas e aminoácidos levando a menores níveis de GSH e GSSG/GSH mais elevada. Os principais problemas de menor formação de Cys e menor incorporação de Cys em GSH foram resolvidos dando-se Met, NAC e Gln aos pacientes, ainda permanecendo a desvantagem do aumento da Hcy com Met ou suplementação de NAC. / BACKGROUNO: Methionine (Met), cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and, taurine (Tau) are the 4 sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA), but only Met and Cys are incorporated into proteins. The 3 major products of SAA, glutathione (GSH), Hcy and Tau influence, mainly, inflammatory and of immune responses. Tau and GSH ameliorate inflammation whereas Hcy has the opposite effect. HIV+ patients present low levelis of GSH and other antioxidants nutrients, showing a direct relationship between Cys (and GSH) with CD4+/ cells. How changes in SAA intake influence this phenomenon is unknown and the relationships among Hcy, inflammatory diseases, and in vitro alterations in immune cell behavior create a cautionary note about supplementation of diets with SAA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate SAA pathways in HIV+ patients on fast and Met-overload (Met-DL) states after taken diet habitual without (HD) or with supplements of Cys (NAC) or glutamine (Gln). METHOOS: 12 HIV+ (6M and 6F, 25-36 yrs old) patients under HAART without secondary infections and 20 healthy (10M and 10F, 23-28 yrs old) controls were randomly assigned to either NAC (N-acetylcysteine, 1g/d) or Gln (20g/d) diets, in a 7-day diet crossover design, separated by a 7-day washout (with HD) period. Blood samples were drawn after overnight fast before (MO) and after each dietary treatments (M1) for the resting measurements. Immediately after blood sampling ali subjects started the Met-DL by ingesting at once 100 mg Met/kg BW and having the blood draw after 2 and 4 hours for the area under the curve (AUC) determination. At MO both groups were assessed for anthropometry (BMI, kg/m2), glomerular (plasma urea and creatinina) and hepatocellular (plasma &#947;GT activity) funetions, nutritional (albumin, calcium, folic acid and vitamin B12) and antioxidant (uric acid, GSH, GSSG, Hey) states, glucose, lipids (triglycerides and cholesterol fractions) and SAA, serine (Ser), glyeine (Gly), glutamate (Glu) and Gln. The HIV+ group was characterized also by viral load, CD4+ and CD8+ counts. The statistical comparisons between groups and among diets showed group homogeneity for 8MI, albumin, calcium, vitamin B12, Hey, HDL-cholesterol, urea and creatinine. The patients presented higher values of glucose, triglycerides, &#947;-GT, LDL-cholesterol, and GSSG along with lower concentrations of uric acid, GSH and all but Hcy amino acids. The Met-OL equalized (&#916; values) the groups for Met, Hcy, Tau and Gln. NAC and Gln diets led the HIV+ group to a higher concentrations of GSH (NAC > Gln) by acting differently on its precursors: Gly (Gln > NAC) and Cys (NAC > Gln), resulting similar consumption of Ser and production of Tau. Both diets reduced GSSG/GSH (NAC > Gln) and only NAC increased (6 x) Hey. The later was worsened by Met-OL. Thus HIV+ results in multiple deficiencies of vitamins and amino acids leading to lower levels of GSH and higher GSSG/GSH ration. The main problems of lower formation of Cys and low ineorporation of Cys and Gly into GSH were greatly solved by giving Met, NAC and Gln to the patients, hence remaining the drawback of increasing Hcy with Met or NAC supplements.

Uncontrolled spreading of genetically modified (GM) plants is one of the main concerns about their cultivation. Inducible RNA interference against an essential gene could be a tool for control of GM plants. After spraying with a chemical inducer, the essential gene will be silenced so the treated GM plant will die. For testing this strategy we chose two key enzymes of nitrogen metabolism, glutamate synthase (GOGAT) and glutamine synthetase (GS). GS processes ammonium ions into glutamine, then GOGAT transfers the amide group from glutamine to 2-oxoglutarate to form two glutamates. GS/GOGAT cycle is the main pathway for assimilation of ammonium ions, which could be toxic to plants in a higher concentration. Disruption of ammonium assimilation during photorespiration causes a strong inhibition of photosynthesis. The aim of this work was to describe the effects of silencing GOGAT and GS genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. To induce silencing, RNAi hairpin constructs under a control of constitutive or estradiol-inducible promoter were prepared. In selected independent transformants with the inducible hairpin against GOGAT, chlorosis and reduced growth were observed after the estradiol treatment in in vitro conditions. However, the spraying with estradiol was tricky, at the whole plant level, the induction of...