This thesis is concerned with the synthesis and evaluation of regenerable chalcogen containing antioxidants. Variously substituted 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]selenophene-5-ol antioxidants were evaluated in order to gain information about structure/reactivity-relationships. Within the series explored, the most regenerable unsubstituted compound inhibited lipid peroxidation for more than 320 minutes when assayed in a two-phase lipid peroxidation model in the presence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). α-Tocopherol which could inhibit lipid peroxidation for 90 minutes under similar conditions was therefore easily outperformed. The antioxidant activity of the parent was also documented in an aqueous environment. The best catalyst quenched/inhibited ROS production by neutrophils and PMA-stimulated macrophages more efficiently than Trolox. In addition, over a period of seven days, no disruption in proliferation for the cell lines used was observed when exposed to our synthetic compound or Trolox at a concentration of 60 µM. 3-Pyridinols substituted with alkyltelluro groups in the ortho-position were more regenerable in the two-phase model than their corresponding para-substituted analogues in the presence of NAC and also inhibited autoxidation of styrene in a catalytic fashion in homogenous phase in the presence of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl cysteine methyl ester (LipCys), a lipid-soluble analogue of NAC. The best inhibitors quenched peroxyl radicals more efficiently than α-tocopherol. They could also catalyze reduction of organic hydroperoxides in the presence of thiols and therefore mimic the action of the glutathione peroxidase enzymes. Mechanisms for the catalysis are proposed. Octylthio, octylseleno and octyltelluro analogues of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) were synthesized and evaluated. Among these, the tellurium compound was superior to α-tocopherol in the presence of NAC both when it comes to quenching capacity and regenerability.  Organochalcogen substituent effects in phenolic compounds were studied by using EPR, IR and computational methods.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1998. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-152). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-168). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-168). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1998. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-152). Also available on the Internet.

Nustatyti vitamininių – mineralinių priedų – „Sel-PlexTM“, „Suplex E-50000/K/Selenium“, „Suplex E/Selenium“ (savo sudėtyje turinčių seleno) ir „Oxistop“ – pasižyminčių antioksidaciniu veikimu, įtaką, kiaulių hematologiniams, mėsos fiziniams ir cheminiams bei zootechniniams produktyvumo rodikliams. Remdamiesi atliktų bandymų duomenimis, paruoštos kiaulininkystės ūkiams ir ūkininkams rekomendacijos dėl vitamininių – mineralinių priedų, savo sudėtyje turinčių organinio ir neorganinio seleno formų ir pasižyminčių antioksidaciniu veikimu panaudojimo ir šėrimo efektyvumo penimoms kiaulėms. Pirmą kartą Lietuvos sąlygomis ištirtas kiaulių kraujyje fermento glutationo peroksidazės kiekis ir jo kitimas per visą bandymo laikotarpį, priklausomai nuo seleno koncentracijos ir formos racione. Ištirta vitamininių – mineralinių „Sel-PlexTM“, „Suplex E-50000/K/Selenium“, „Suplex E/Selenium“ ir „Oxistop“ priedų įtaka kiaulių augimui, kraujo biocheminiams ir morfologiniams rodikliams, mėsos fizinėms savybėms ir cheminei sudėčiai bei įvertintas seleno kiekis nustatant jį kraujyje ir dengiamuosiuose plaukuose (šeriuose). / To determine the influence of vitamin-mineral supplements -„Sel-PlexTM“, „Suplex E-50000/K/Selenium“, „Suplex E/Selenium“ (containing selenium) and „Oxistop“ (having antioxidational effect) on pig‘s haematological, meat‘s physical, chemical and zootechnical rates of productivity. First time in Lithuania the enzyme glutathione peroxidase in pig‘s blood and its change during the experimental period, depending on selenium concentration and form in ration was examined. The influence of vitamin-mineral supplements - „Sel-PlexTM“, „Suplex E-50000/K/ Selenium“, „Suplex E/Selenium“ and „Oxistop“ on pig‘s growing, blood biochemical and morphological rates, meat‘s physical and chemical composition was examined. Also the amount of selenium in blood and hair was evaluated. Appealing to the test data, recomendations about pig‘s feeding effectivity and using vitamin-mineral supplements containing organic and inorganic forms of selenium and having antioxidational effect were prepared for swine-breeding farms and farmers.

Das Selenoprotein Glutathionperoxidase 2 (GPx2) ist ein epithelzellspezifisches, Hydroperoxide-reduzierendes Enzym, welches im Darmepithel, vor allem in den proliferierenden Zellen des Kryptengrundes, exprimiert wird. Die Aufrechterhaltung der GPx2-Expression im Kryptengrund auch bei subadäquatem Selenstatus könnte darauf hinweisen, dass sie hier besonders wichtige Funktionen wahrnimmt. Tatsächlich weisen GPx2 knockout (KO)-Mäuse eine erhöhte Apoptoserate im Kryptengrund auf. Ein Ziel dieser Arbeit war es deshalb, die physiologische Funktion der GPx2 näher zu untersuchen. In Kryptengrundepithelzellen aus dem Colon selenarmer GPx2 KO-Mäuse wurde eine erhöhte Caspase 3/7-Aktivität im Vergleich zum Wildtyp (WT) festgestellt. Zudem wiesen diese Zellen eine erhöhte Suszeptibilität für oxidativen Stress auf. Die GPx2 gewährleistet also den Schutz der proliferierenden Zellen des Kryptengrundes auch bei subadäquater Selenversorgung. Des Weiteren wurde im Colon selenarmer (-Se) und -adäquater (+Se) GPx2 KO-Mäuse im Vergleich zum WT eine erhöhte Tumornekrosefaktor α-Expression und eine erhöhte Infiltration von Makrophagen festgestellt. Durch Fütterung einer selensupplementierten Diät (++Se) konnte dies verhindert werden. In GPx2 KO-Mäusen liegt demnach bereits basal eine niedriggradige Entzündung vor. Dies unterstreicht, dass GPx2 vor allem eine wichtige antiinflammatorische Funktion im Darmepithel besitzt. Dem Mikronährstoff Selen werden protektive Funktionen in der Colonkanzerogenese zugeschrieben. In einem Mausmodell der Colitis-assoziierten Colonkanzerogenese wirkte GPx2 antiinflammatorisch und hemmte so die Tumorentstehung. Auf der anderen Seite wurden jedoch auch prokanzerogene Eigenschaften der GPx2 aufgedeckt. Deshalb sollte in dieser Arbeit untersucht werden, welchen Effekt ein GPx2 knockout in einem Modell der sporadischen, durch Azoxymethan (AOM) induzierten, Colonkanzerogenese hat. Im WT kam es in präneoplastischen Läsionen häufig zu einer erhöhten GPx2-Expression im Vergleich zur normalen Darmmucosa. Eine derartige Steigerung der GPx2-Expression wurde auch in der humanen Colonkanzerogenese beschrieben. Das Fehlen der GPx2 resultierte in einer verminderten Entstehung von Tumoren (-Se und ++Se) und präneoplastischen Läsionen (-Se und +Se). Somit förderte GPx2 die Tumorentstehung im AOM-Modell. Acht Stunden nach AOM-Gabe war im GPx2 KO-Colon im Vergleich zum WT eine erhöhte Apoptoserate in der Kryptenmitte (-Se, +Se), nicht jedoch im Kryptengrund oder in der ++Se-Gruppe zu beobachten. Möglicherweise wirkte GPx2 prokanzerogen, indem sie die effiziente Elimination geschädigter Zellen in der Tumorinitiationsphase verhinderte. Eine ähnliche Wirkung wäre auch durch die erhöhte GPx2-Expression in der Promotionsphase denkbar. So könnte GPx2 proliferierende präneoplastische Zellen vor oxidativem Stress, Apoptosen, oder auch der Antitumorimmunität schützen. Dies könnte durch ein Zusammenwirken mit anderen Selenoproteinen wie GPx1 und Thioredoxinreduktasen, für die ebenfalls auch prokanzerogene Funktionen beschrieben wurden, verstärkt werden. Eine wichtige Rolle könnte hier die Modulation des Redoxstatus in Tumorzellen spielen. Die Variation des Selengehalts der Diät hatte im WT einen eher U-förmigen Effekt. So traten in der –Se und ++Se-Gruppe tendenziell mehr und größere Tumore auf, als in der +Se Gruppe. Zusammenfassend schützt GPx2 also die proliferierenden Zellen des Kryptengrundes. Sie könnte jedoch auch proliferierende transformierte Zellen schützen und so die sporadische, AOM-induzierte Colonkanzerogenese fördern. In einem Modell der Colitis-assoziierten Colonkanzerogenese hatte GPx2 auf Grund ihrer antiinflammatorischen Wirkung einen gegenteiligen Effekt und hemmte die Tumorentstehung. Die Rolle der GPx2 in der Colonkanzerogenese ist also abhängig vom zugrunde liegenden Mechanismus und wird maßgeblich von der Beteiligung einer Entzündung bestimmt. / The selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPx2) is a hydroperoxide-reducing enzyme that is mainly expressed in the gastrointestinal epithelium, especially in the crypt base were the proliferating cells reside. GPx2 expression is maintained even when the selenium supply is limited, which indicates that GPx2 might have an important function in these cells. Indeed, GPx2 knockout (KO)-mice have an enhanced rate of apoptosis in the crypt base. Therefore one aim of this study was to further elucidate the physiological function of the GPx2. Isolated colonic crypt base epithelial cells of selenium deficient GPx2 KO-mice were found to have a higher caspase 3/7 activity than wild type (wt) cells. Moreover they exhibited an enhanced susceptibility for oxidative stress. Thus GPx2 protects the proliferative crypt base cells of the intestine, especially when the selenium supply is limited. Additionally an enhanced expression of tumor necrosis factor α and an enhanced infiltration of macrophages were detected in the colon of GPx2 KO-mice in comparison to the wt. These effects were observed on a selenium deficient (-Se) and -adequate (+Se) diet, but could be prevented by feeding a selenium supplemented (++Se) diet. Accordingly, GPx2 KO-mice have a basal low grade inflammation. This underlines, that GPx2 has an important anti-inflammatory function in the intestinal epithelium. Selenium deficiency is linked to an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. In a mouse model of colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis, GPx2 had anti-inflammatory and thus anticarcinogenic effects. However, also procarcinogenic functions of the GPx2 have been observed. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the role of GPx2 in a model of non-inflammation triggered, sporadic colon carcinogenesis induced by azoxymethane (AOM). In preneoplastic lesions of wt mice, an enhanced expression of GPx2 in comparison to the normal mucosa was frequently observed. An upregulation of GPx2 expression has also been described in human colon carcinogenesis. GPx2 KO mice had less tumors (-Se and ++Se) and less preneoplastic lesions (-Se, +Se) than wt mice. Accordingly GPx2 promotes colon carcinogenesis in the AOM-model. Eight hours after AOM-application, a higher rate of apoptosis was observed in the mid-crypt region of the colon of GPx2 ko mice in comparison to wt mice in the –Se and +Se groups, but not in the ++Se group or in the crypt base. Thus GPx2 might act procarcinogenic by preventing the elimination of cells with DNA-damage in the tumor initiation stage. Similarly, the enhanced GPx2-expression in preneoplastic cells could promote tumorigenesis by protecting these cells from oxidative stress, apoptosis or antitumor immunity. This effect might be enhanced by other selenoproteins like GPx1 or thioredoxin reductases that have also been reported to possess procarcinogenic properties and it might be closely related to the regulation of the redox state of tumor cells. In wt mice, the selenium content of the diet turned out to have a rather U-shaped effect on colon carcinogenesis. In the –Se and ++Se groups, wt mice tended to have more and larger tumors than in the ++Se group. In conclusion, GPx2 protects the proliferating cells of the intestinal crypt base, but it could also protect proliferating transformed cells and thus promote sporadic, AOM-induced colon carcinogenesis. In contrast, GPx2 acted anticarcinogenic in a model of colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis due to its antiinflammatory properties. Thus, the role of GPx2 in colon carcinogenesis depends on the underlying mechanisms, especially on the involvement of an inflammation.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Glutathione peroxidase (GPx; EC 1.11.1.9) is a well-known selenoenzyme that catalyzes the reduction of hydrogen peroxide and some organic hydroperoxides by glutathione (GSH) and protects lipid membranes and other cellular components against oxidative stress, which is related to many diseases and this enzyme is regarded as one of the most important antioxidant enzymes in living organisms. Because the natural GPx has some shortcomings (e.g. instability and poor availability), scientists have paid more attention to its artificial imitation. Synthetic organoselenium and organotellurium compounds have emerged as excellent candidates to act as GPx mimics. Thus, in this study, several aminoacids derivatives containing selenium or tellurium were tested in order to evaluate their in vitro (i) GPx mimic properties (or GPx like activity) according to the model reaction (H202 + 2PhSH → PhSSPh + 2H20); (ii) catalytic properties, (iii) reactivity with low molecular weight thiols (reduced glutathione, captopril and dithiothreitol) and (iv) their effect against lipid peroxidation have been performed. All compounds tested in this study showed ability to imitate de antioxidant enzyme GPx, but this property showed a dependence on the aminoacid residue and steric effect. Compounds C, D and 7g derivatives were found as the best catalysts in reducing peroxides, in comparison with other compounds tested. These results suggest that aminoacids derivatives compounds containing selenium or tellurium used in this work can be considered promising GPx mimetics. / A Glutationa Peroxidase (GPx; EC 1.11.1.9) é uma selenoenzima que catalisa a redução do peróxido de hidrogênio e hidroperóxidos orgânicos na presença de glutationa (GSH). Sua ação catalítica evita, desta forma, a oxidação dos lipídios constituintes da membrana, bem como de outros componentes celulares. Sabe-se que a produção excessiva de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) está relacionada ao surgimento de muitas doenças, e a enzima GPx é considerada uma das mais importantes enzimas antioxidantes presentes nos organismos vivos, sendo necessária para auxiliar na proteção contra estas patologias. No entanto, a enzima GPx possui algumas desvantagens tais como, instabilidade e pouca viabilidade no que diz respeito a uma possível administração oral ou endovenosa, por isso, surgiu o interesse na síntese de compostos que possam mimetizar o mecanismo de ação dessa enzima. Dados da literatura têm demonstrado que os compostos orgânicos sintéticos de selênio (Se) e telúrio (Te) são excelentes miméticos da enzima GPx. Assim, neste estudo, uma série de compostos orgânicos derivados de aminoácidos contendo Se e Te na estrutura foram testados com a finalidade de avaliação in vitro da (i) atividade mimética da GPx (ou tipo GPx, isto é, GPx like activity ) de acordo com a reação H2O2 + 2PhSH PhSSPh + 2H2O; (ii) propriedades catalíticas destes compostos, (iii) reatividade e possível oxidação dos compostos tiólicos de baixo peso molecular (glutationa reduzida, captopril e ditiotreitol) e o (iv) efeito contra a peroxidação lipídica. Todos os compostos utilizados neste trabalho demonstraram atividade mimética à GPx; porém, essa propriedade apresentou uma dependência em relação ao resíduo de aminoácido presente na estrutura do composto, bem como influência estérica. Os disselenetos C, D e os derivados do telureto 7g foram os mais eficazes na redução de peróxidos quando comparados aos demais compostos utilizados neste estudo. Portanto, estes resultados sugerem que os compostos orgânicos derivados de aminoácidos contendo Se ou Te podem ser considerados miméticos importantes da GPx.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Biomedical Technology In the Faculty of Health and Wellness sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Oxidative stress (OS) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of different conditions including male infertility. OS is caused by high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that exceed the antioxidant ability of a system. The sperm membrane is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and is prone to damage by ROS. Sperm damage decreases motility, concentration and viability. Testicular oxidative stress impairs Leydig cell function and leads to decreased hormonal control as the cells secrete testosterone. Studies have shown the role of antioxidants in the fight against OS. Recently more studies have been focused on the use of natural antioxidants derived from fruits, vegetables, nuts and oils for this purpose. The effects of Buriti oil supplementation have been investigated in the diet and it had been shown that it is rich in carotenoids and vitamin E. This study explored the antioxidant effects of Buriti oil on testicular tissue, epidymal tissue and hormonal function in male Wistar rats. Experiments were conducted for 6 weeks and male adult Wistar rats (10 weeks) were divided into two groups (n=30) for each group. The control group received standard rat chow and water while the experimental group received Buriti oil, rat chow and water daily. Both groups were exposed to natural physiological OS. The plasma, testicular and epididymal tissue samples of both groups were analysed for various parameters. Testicular weight and epididymal weight of rats fed with Buriti oil were significantly increased compared to the control group. Testicular and epididymal MDA levels were decreased in rats fed with Buriti oil compared to the control group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) activities were increased in both epididymal and testicular tissue of the Buriti oil fed group than the control group. Data were expressed in mean ± SEM. In conclusion, our findings suggest that Buriti oil supplementation could prevent OS damage in the male reproductive system.