CP47,497 and other synthetic cannabinoid compounds were incipiently synthesized as research tools to investigate the mechanisms by which marijuana affects the brain and to aid in the development of therapeutic agents. Recently, these cannabinoid compounds have resurfaced in the designer drug market, marketed as “herbal incense products” (HIPs). Their popular use has resulted in an alarming rate of reported adverse effects and toxicities. Current legislation classified CP47,497 and several other synthetic cannabinoids compounds as Schedule I agents, but abuse of these compounds persists with serious consequences to public health and safety. In vivo studies examining the behavioral consequences of abused synthetic cannabinoids are limited. As a result, the goals of this research were to elucidate the acute and chronic pharmacological effects of CP47,497 and to develop a bioanalytical method for CP47,497 drug detection in mice. Cannabimimetic effects were evaluated in well-established in vivo models, the tetrad paradigm and drug discrimination assay. The tetrad test is comprised of four outcome measures sensitive to the primary psychoactive cannabinoid present in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): catalepsy (bar test), antinociception (tail withdrawal latency), hypothermia, and decreases in spontaneous locomotor activity. While many pharmacological agents can produce one or a subset of these tetrad effects, drugs that activate CB1 receptors produce characteristic effects in all four parameters. An HPLC/MS/MS method was developed and confirmed the presence of CP47,497 in brain. We investigated whether CB1 receptors mediate the pharmacological effects of CP47,497. Cumulative dose-response experiments determined CP47,497 is more potent than THC in vivo in using multiple behavioral assays. Complementary pharmacological (CB1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant) and genetic (CB1 (-/-) mice) approaches were used to investigate whether CB1 receptors mediate the effects of CP47,497. Rimonabant (3 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, depending on independent measure) blocked all cannabinoid-like pharmacological effects of CP47,497. Supporting these findings, CB1(-/-) mice were resistant to cannabimimetic effects of CP47,497. CP47,497 fully substituted for THC in the drug discrimination assay, with a potency of more than 5 times that of THC. Collectively, these results indicate that CP47,497 is markedly more potent (i.e. 5-8 fold) than THC, and its repeated administration produces tolerance to the cataleptic, antinociceptive, hypothermic and hypolocomotor effects in mice, with significant presentation of somatic withdrawal signs (paw flutter and head shakes) upon drug cessation. These findings are consistent with the high incidence of adverse events in humans abusing synthetic cannabinoids.

O diabetes mellitus é considerado um dos problemas de saúde globalmente mais desafiadores do século 21. De acordo com as estimativas recentes do International Diabetes Federation - IDF, cerca de 382 milhões de pessoas são diabéticas e esse número tende a aumentar para além de 592 milhões em menos de 25 anos. Para melhor compreensão do Diabetes mellitus e suas complicações torna-se necessário buscar novos marcadores para a doença. O DM promove estresse oxidativo, inflamação e a formação de produtos avançados de glicação não enzimática (AGES), o que leva a dano tecidual no paciente diabético. Marcadores de dano oxidativo em proteínas e lipídeos na vigência do DM têm sido amplamente abordados na literatura, no entanto o estudo de lesões em DNA ainda requer mais atenção em modelos in vivo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o dano oxidativo e resultante de glicação avançada em rim, fígado, cerebelo, sangue e urina de animais diabéticos, assim como a modulação do dano por diferentes períodos de tratamento com insulina, a fim de verificar se o controle da glicemia nos animais diabéticos protege contra a indução dos danos em biomoléculas. Para a indução do DM nos ratos Sprague-Dawley foram administrados 40 mg de STZ por kg de peso corpóreo por via intravenosa. Os níveis de MDA e 5-metildC foram avaliados por HPLC-DAD. A quantificação de HbA1c e dos adutos 1,N2-εdGuo, 1,N6-εdAdo, 8-oxodG e CEdG foi realizada por sistema HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Os níveis de nitrito sérico foram determinados por leitura da absorbância em espectrofotômetro e a concentração de creatinina plasmática foi determinada por analisador bioquímico. Os resultados mostraram que as alterações metabólicas desencadeadas pela condição de hiperglicemia persistente não são prontamente revertidas após o controle da glicemia. Os níveis glicêmicos e de HbA1c apresentam diferença significativa entre os grupos de animais hiperglicêmicos e sadios, sendo observada uma queda dos valores de HbA1c somente a partir do tratamento com insulina por 6 semanas. Em plasma, rim e fígado as concentrações de MDA seguem o perfil de concentração de hemoglobina glicada (HbA1c), indicando que os eventos de glicação e estresse oxidativo podem estar relacionados. O controle glicêmico também apresentou efeito benéfico para a excreção de CEdG e 1,N6-εdAdo em urina, apesar de ser observado a partir dos níveis de 8- oxodG que a hiperinsulinemia leva a um quadro de estresse oxidativo. As três lesões são geradas por vias distintas: glicação avançada, peroxidação lipídica e ROS. Portanto, além do controle glicêmico, é importante que se desenvolvam estratégias de intervenção nas vias bioquímicas alteradas pela condição de hiperglicemia, a fim de reduzir os riscos das complicações decorrentes do diabetes mellitus. / Diabetes mellitus is generally considered one of the most challenging health problems of the 21st century. According to recent estimates from the International Diabetes Federation - IDF, about 382 million people have diabetes and this number is expected to increase beyond 592 million in less than 25 years. For a better understanding of diabetes mellitus and its complications becomes necessary to search for new biomarkers for the disease. The DM promotes oxidative stress, inflammation and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which leads to tissue damage in the diabetic patient. Markers of oxidative damage to proteins and lipids in the presence of DM have been widely discussed in literature, however the study of DNA lesions in vivo models still requires more attention. This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative damage and advanced glycation in the kidney, liver, cerebellum, blood and urine of diabetic animals, as well as damage modulation for different periods of insulin treatment in order to verify that the glycaemic control in diabetic animals protects against induction of biomolecules damage. For induction of diabetes in Sprague-Dawley rats were administered 40 mg STZ per kg body weight intravenously. MDA and 5-metildC were evaluated by HPLC-DAD. The quantification of HbA1c and adducts 1,N2-εdGuo, 1,N6-εdAdo, 8-oxodG and CEdG was performed by HPLC-ESI-MS / MS system. The serum nitrite was determined by reading the absorbance in a spectrophotometer and the plasma creatinine concentration was determined by biochemical analyzer. The results showed that metabolic changes triggered by the condition of persistent hyperglycemia are not readily reversed after glycemic control. Blood glucose and HbA1c levels are significantly different between the groups of hyperglycemic and healthy animals, and was observed a fall in HbA1c only from insulin treatment for 6 weeks. In plasma, kidney and liver concentrations follow the profile of MDA concentration of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), indicating that the events of glycation and oxidative stress may be related. Glycemic control also showed beneficial effect for urine excretion of CEdG and 1,N6-εdAdo despite could be seen from 8-oxodG levels that the hyperinsulinaemia leads to a frame of oxidative stress. The three lesions are generated by distinct pathways: advanced glycation, lipid peroxidation and ROS. Therefore, beyond glycaemic control, it is important to develop intervention strategies in biochemical pathways altered by the condition of hyperglycemia in order to reduce the complications risk of diabetes mellitus.

O diabetes mellitus é considerado um dos problemas de saúde globalmente mais desafiadores do século 21. De acordo com as estimativas recentes do International Diabetes Federation - IDF, cerca de 382 milhões de pessoas são diabéticas e esse número tende a aumentar para além de 592 milhões em menos de 25 anos. Para melhor compreensão do Diabetes mellitus e suas complicações torna-se necessário buscar novos marcadores para a doença. O DM promove estresse oxidativo, inflamação e a formação de produtos avançados de glicação não enzimática (AGES), o que leva a dano tecidual no paciente diabético. Marcadores de dano oxidativo em proteínas e lipídeos na vigência do DM têm sido amplamente abordados na literatura, no entanto o estudo de lesões em DNA ainda requer mais atenção em modelos in vivo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o dano oxidativo e resultante de glicação avançada em rim, fígado, cerebelo, sangue e urina de animais diabéticos, assim como a modulação do dano por diferentes períodos de tratamento com insulina, a fim de verificar se o controle da glicemia nos animais diabéticos protege contra a indução dos danos em biomoléculas. Para a indução do DM nos ratos Sprague-Dawley foram administrados 40 mg de STZ por kg de peso corpóreo por via intravenosa. Os níveis de MDA e 5-metildC foram avaliados por HPLC-DAD. A quantificação de HbA1c e dos adutos 1,N2-εdGuo, 1,N6-εdAdo, 8-oxodG e CEdG foi realizada por sistema HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Os níveis de nitrito sérico foram determinados por leitura da absorbância em espectrofotômetro e a concentração de creatinina plasmática foi determinada por analisador bioquímico. Os resultados mostraram que as alterações metabólicas desencadeadas pela condição de hiperglicemia persistente não são prontamente revertidas após o controle da glicemia. Os níveis glicêmicos e de HbA1c apresentam diferença significativa entre os grupos de animais hiperglicêmicos e sadios, sendo observada uma queda dos valores de HbA1c somente a partir do tratamento com insulina por 6 semanas. Em plasma, rim e fígado as concentrações de MDA seguem o perfil de concentração de hemoglobina glicada (HbA1c), indicando que os eventos de glicação e estresse oxidativo podem estar relacionados. O controle glicêmico também apresentou efeito benéfico para a excreção de CEdG e 1,N6-εdAdo em urina, apesar de ser observado a partir dos níveis de 8- oxodG que a hiperinsulinemia leva a um quadro de estresse oxidativo. As três lesões são geradas por vias distintas: glicação avançada, peroxidação lipídica e ROS. Portanto, além do controle glicêmico, é importante que se desenvolvam estratégias de intervenção nas vias bioquímicas alteradas pela condição de hiperglicemia, a fim de reduzir os riscos das complicações decorrentes do diabetes mellitus. / Diabetes mellitus is generally considered one of the most challenging health problems of the 21st century. According to recent estimates from the International Diabetes Federation - IDF, about 382 million people have diabetes and this number is expected to increase beyond 592 million in less than 25 years. For a better understanding of diabetes mellitus and its complications becomes necessary to search for new biomarkers for the disease. The DM promotes oxidative stress, inflammation and the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which leads to tissue damage in the diabetic patient. Markers of oxidative damage to proteins and lipids in the presence of DM have been widely discussed in literature, however the study of DNA lesions in vivo models still requires more attention. This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative damage and advanced glycation in the kidney, liver, cerebellum, blood and urine of diabetic animals, as well as damage modulation for different periods of insulin treatment in order to verify that the glycaemic control in diabetic animals protects against induction of biomolecules damage. For induction of diabetes in Sprague-Dawley rats were administered 40 mg STZ per kg body weight intravenously. MDA and 5-metildC were evaluated by HPLC-DAD. The quantification of HbA1c and adducts 1,N2-εdGuo, 1,N6-εdAdo, 8-oxodG and CEdG was performed by HPLC-ESI-MS / MS system. The serum nitrite was determined by reading the absorbance in a spectrophotometer and the plasma creatinine concentration was determined by biochemical analyzer. The results showed that metabolic changes triggered by the condition of persistent hyperglycemia are not readily reversed after glycemic control. Blood glucose and HbA1c levels are significantly different between the groups of hyperglycemic and healthy animals, and was observed a fall in HbA1c only from insulin treatment for 6 weeks. In plasma, kidney and liver concentrations follow the profile of MDA concentration of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), indicating that the events of glycation and oxidative stress may be related. Glycemic control also showed beneficial effect for urine excretion of CEdG and 1,N6-εdAdo despite could be seen from 8-oxodG levels that the hyperinsulinaemia leads to a frame of oxidative stress. The three lesions are generated by distinct pathways: advanced glycation, lipid peroxidation and ROS. Therefore, beyond glycaemic control, it is important to develop intervention strategies in biochemical pathways altered by the condition of hyperglycemia in order to reduce the complications risk of diabetes mellitus.

Submitted by Sandra Pereira (srpereira@ufrrj.br) on 2018-08-20T12:37:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2010 - Raquel Duarte da Costa Cunha Bandeira.pdf: 1478855 bytes, checksum: f7637b4df6dd802e4e0003f4fb48d8cd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T12:37:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2010 - Raquel Duarte da Costa Cunha Bandeira.pdf: 1478855 bytes, checksum: f7637b4df6dd802e4e0003f4fb48d8cd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-09-24 / Coffee is an extremely complex food matrix and has an important role in the world?s economy, especially in producing and exporting countries like Brazil. However this product may suffer from technical barriers imposed for exportation because of the possible presence of ochratoxin A, which is nefrotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin found in many foods including coffee. The aim of this study was to implement chemical metrology concepts in the development and validation of Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry in tandem (CLAE-EM/EM) method for identification and quantification of ochratoxin A in green and roasted coffee estimating uncertainty of measurement according to directive 2002/657/EC and Inmetro guidelines (DOC-CGCRE-2010). The extraction method was based on Pittet (1998) and chromatographic parameters were: flow rate of 0.3 mL/min, mobile phase 80:20 water trifluoracetic acid 0.05 %: methanol trifluoracetic acid 0.05 %, injection volume of 50 PL, injection mode Full loop, isocratic mode. The column was Synergi Hydro C18. The mass spectrometry parameters were optimized and transitions selected based on the colision energies monitored were m/z 404 >358 (-10.5 V) and m/z 404 >239 (-20.5 V). From the validation procedure, methods were considered seletive. The evaluation and verification of matrix effect was performed by comparing variances and averages using F and t test. Value of Fcalculated for green coffee (25.2152) and roasted coffee (104.0353), were higher than Ftable (4.0426). Value of t calculated for green (5.0214) and roasted coffee (10.1997) were higher than ttable (2.0106). Both methods were considered linear in the working range of calibration curve with linear correlation coefficients (r) of 0.98188 and 0.91754 for green and roasted coffee, respectively.The quantification and detection limits were 1.2 Pg/kg and 3.0 Pg/kg; 0.36 Pg/kg and 1.0 Pg/kg, for green and roasted coffee respectively. The average recoveries, RSDr and RSDR were in range of 90.45 ? 108.81 %, 5.39 ? 9.94 % and 2.20 ? 14.34 % for green coffee and 89.02 ? 108.85 %, 2.43 ? 13.73 % and 12.57 ? 17.84 % for roasted coffee. All results obtained were considered within acceptable levels according to literature. Measurement value and expanded uncertainties (U) for ochratoxin A were mass fraction w = (11.50 ? 1.11) and w = (4.63 ? 0.63) for green coffee and roasted coffee. Both methods developed and validated using a high sensitivity technique, that allowed detection, confirmation and quantification of ochratoxin A in green and roasted coffee with a estimated uncertainty of measurement, and in the future these methods can be used to help overcome possible technical barriers imposed for exportation of Brazilian coffee. / O caf? constitui uma matriz extremamente complexa e tem importante papel na economia mundial, especialmente nos pa?ses produtores e exportadores como o Brasil. No entanto tem sido alvo de barreiras t?cnicas devido a uma subst?ncia denominada ocratoxina A, micotoxina potencialmente nefrot?xica e nefrocarcinog?nica encontrada em muitos alimentos inclusive o caf?. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo implantar os conceitos da metrologia qu?mica no desenvolvimento, e valida??o do m?todo para identifica??o e quantifica??o de ocratoxina A no caf? verde e caf? torrado estimando a incerteza da medi??o e utilizando a t?cnica de Cromatografia L?quida acoplada a Espectrometria de Massas em s?rie (CLAE-EM/EM) seguindo os crit?rios da diretiva EC-657/2002 e o documento orientativo do Inmetro (DOCCGCRE- 2010). A metodologia de extra??o baseou-se em Pittet (1998) e os par?metros cromatogr?ficos foram: fluxo de 0,3 mL/min, fase m?vel 80:20 ?gua ?cido trifluoroac?tico 0,05%: metanol ?cido trifluoroac?tico 0,05 %, volume de inje??o de 50 PL, com o modo de inje??o Full loop e sistema de elui??o isocr?tico. A coluna utilizada foi Synergi Hydro C18. As condi??es do espectr?metro de massas foram otimizadas e a transi??o selecionada de acordo com suas energias de colis?o foram m/z 404 >358 (-10,5 V) e m/z 404 >239 (-20,5 V). A partir da valida??o os m?todos propostos foram considerados seletivos, a avalia??o e comprova??o do efeito matriz foi realizada atrav?s da compara??o das vari?ncias e das m?dias atrav?s do teste F e teste t. O Fcalculado para o m?todo caf? verde (25,2152) e caf? torrado (104,0353), apresentaram valores maiores que o Ftabelado (4,0426). O tcalculado para o caf? verde (5,0214) e torrado (10,1997) apresentaram valores superiores ao ttabelado (2,0106). Os m?todos foram considerados lineares em toda a faixa de trabalho da curva de calibra??o com os coeficientes de determina??o linear (r) de 0,98188 e 0,91754 para matriz caf? verde e caf? torrado, respectivamente. O limite de quantifica??o e detec??o para os m?todos propostos foram de 1,2 Pg/kg e 3,0 Pg/kg para caf? verde e 0,36 Pg/kg e 1,0 Pg/kg para caf? torrado. Os valores das recupera??es m?dias, DPRr e DPRR variaram na faixa de 90,45 - 108,81 %, 5,39 - 9,94 % e 2,20 - 14,34 % para caf? verde; e de 89,02 - 108,85 %, de 2,43 - 13,73 % e 12,57 - 17,84 %, para caf? torrado. Todos os resultados obtidos encontram-se dentro dos limites comumente aceit?veis na literatura. Todos os resultados de medi??o e as incertezas expandidas (U) para ocratoxina A foram as fra??es m?ssicas W = (11,50 ? 1,11) Pg/kg e W = (4,63 ? 0,63) Pg/kg para caf? verde e caf? torrado, respectivamente. Os m?todos desenvolvidos e validados utilizaram t?cnica de elevada sensibilidade, permitindo a detec??o, confirma??o e a quantifica??o de ocratoxina A no caf? verde e caf? torrado com c?lculo da incerteza, podendo auxiliar futuramente na supera??o das barreiras t?cnicas para exporta??o do caf? brasileiro.

No description available.

L’utilisation intensive de certains pesticides et leur relative persistance vont de pair avec la présence de résidus dans l’eau de surface et l’eau potable mais aussi dans les produits agricoles disponibles pour les consommateurs, y compris les denrées alimentaires. À l’heure actuelle, les effets des pesticides sur la vie aquatique et d’autres organismes non ciblés sont relativement bien connus, et la possibilité des effets sur l’être humain fait débat. Des normes de qualité ont été proposées pour l’eau, que ce soit des critères pour l’eau potable ou des critères de protection de la vie aquatique pour l’eau de surface. Des limites maximales de résidus (MRL) de pesticides ont également été établies pour certains produits, notamment les fruits et légumes. Un des défis pour les chercheurs est la mise en œuvre de nouvelles méthodes analytiques sensibles et robustes pour la quantification ultra-trace de ces composés, afin de déterminer si les différents échantillons sont conformes aux directives ou aux MRL. L’analyse des pesticides modérément polaires dans des matrices complexes repose tout d’abord sur la méthode d’extraction. Plusieurs options sont disponibles, telles que l’extraction liquide-liquide ou en phase solide (SPE, Solid Phase Extraction) pour les matrices aqueuses, ou encore dSPE de type QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) pour les matrices solides. Actuellement, la chromatographie en phase liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse en tandem représente un choix pertinent pour les analyses ultra-traces, mais sa mise en œuvre peut présenter certains défis. Dans ce contexte, les principaux objectifs de ce travail de recherche sont les suivants : i) proposer des méthodes analytiques rapides, sensibles et robustes pour déterminer des pesticides multi-classes aux niveaux d’exposition que l’on retrouve dans différentes matrices comme l’eau potable, les denrées alimentaires et l’urine comme matrice biologique, et ii) évaluer le lien entre les sources de contamination des divers pesticides et leur mobilité afin de documenter la distribution spatiale et temporelle dans l’eau de surface et l’eau potable au Québec. Pour les échantillons aqueux, une méthode SPE en ligne entièrement automatisée couplée à la chromatographie liquide haute performance et spectrométrie de masse en tandem a été développée. La méthode proposée est rapide (8 min par échantillon) avec des limites de détection comprises entre 0.1 et 5 ng L-1 pour les pesticides de la famille des néonicotinoïdes et l’atrazine. Pour les produits alimentaires tels que les fruits et légumes, l’optimisation d’une méthode de type QuEChERS a été réalisée. La méthode permet d’atteindre des niveaux de détection entre 0.05 ng g-1 et 2 ng g-1 pour une gamme de 22 pesticides couvrant 7 classes différentes, incluant les organophosphorés, les carbamates, les néonicotinoïdes et les triazines, entre autres. La robustesse des diverses méthodes a été démontrée par des expériences de contrôle qualité inter- et intra-journaliers afin de garantir l’exactitude, la précision et l’absence d'effets matriciels pour de longues séquences d’analyse. Les méthodes validées ont été appliquées à des échantillons réels, y compris des échantillons d’eau du robinet couvrant 52 villes de la province du Québec (Canada), 68 échantillons d’eau de surface (fleuve Saint-Laurent et tributaires), et 133 échantillons de laitue, pomme, raisin et tomates achetés sur les marchés locaux. Les résultats indiquent une forte occurrence de l’atrazine, la thiaméthoxame, la clothianidine et l’imidaclopride dans les échantillons d’eau et les quatre produits alimentaires. / The extensive use of certain pesticides and their relative persistence go on par with the presence of residue levels in surface water and drinking water, but also in agricultural products available to consumers (including foodstuffs). There are potential effects on aquatic life and non-target organisms, and the possibility of effects in humans remains a topical issue. Quality standards have been proposed for water, including criteria for drinking water and criteria for the protection of aquatic life (surface water). Maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides have also been established for foodstuff, including fruits and vegetables. One of the challenges for researchers is the implementation of sensitive and robust analytical methods for the ultra-trace quantification of these compounds, with a view to determining whether the samples are compliant with guidelines or MRLs. The analysis of moderately polar pesticides in complex matrices relies notably on the extraction method. Diverse options are available, including liquid-liquid or solid phase extraction (SPE) for aqueous samples, and dSPE approaches such as QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) for solid samples. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry is usually selected for separation and detection at the ultra-trace level, but there are some pitfalls. In this context, the main objectives of the present research were as follows: i) to propose fast and robust analytical methods to determine multi-class pesticides at different exposure routes including drinking water and food, and ii) to evaluate the link between the contamination sources of various pesticides and their mobility to document their distribution in surface water and tap water in Quebec. For water samples, a fully automated on-line SPE method coupled to ultra-highperformance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was developed. The proposed method is rapid (8 min per sample) with detection limits between 0.1 and 5 ng L- 1 for neonicotinoids and atrazine. For food products (fruits and vegetables), a QuEChERS method was investigated. The optimized procedure shows limits of detection between 0.05 ng g-1 and 2 ng g-1 for a total of 22 pesticides encompassing 7 different classes, including organophosphorus compounds, carbamates, neonicotinoids and triazines, among others. The robustness of the various methods has been demonstrated by inter-day and intra-day iv quality control experiments to ensure suitable accuracy, precision, and the absence of matrix effects in long LC-MS batch sequences. The validated methods were applied to real samples, including tap water samples from 52 municipalities in the province of Quebec (Canada), 68 surface water samples from the St. Lawrence River and its main tributaries, and 133 fruits and vegetables samples (lettuce samples, apples, grapes and tomatoes) purchased from local markets. The results indicate a high occurrence of atrazine, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, and imidacloprid in the water samples and the four food products.

No description available.

L’utilisation de lentilles cornéennes peut servir à améliorer le profil d’administration d’un principe actif dans les yeux. Avec une efficacité d’administration de 5% par l’utilisation de gouttes, on comprend rapidement que l’administration oculaire doit être améliorée. Cette faible administration a donné naissance à plusieurs tentatives visant à fabriquer des lentilles cornéennes médicamentées. Cependant, à cause de multiples raisons, aucune de ces tentatives n’a actuellement été mise sur le marché. Nous proposons dans cette étude, une possible amélioration des systèmes établis par le développement d’une lentille cornéenne à base de 2-(hydroxyéthyle)méthacrylate (HEMA), dans laquelle des microgels, à base de poly N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAM) thermosensible encapsulant un principe actif, seront incorporé. Nous avons donc débuté par développer une méthode analytique sensible par HPCL-MS/MS capable de quantifier plusieurs molécules à la fois. La méthode résultante a été validée selon les différents critères de la FDA et l’ICH en démontrant des limites de quantifications et de détections suffisamment basses, autant dans des fluides simulés que dans les tissus d’yeux de lapins. La méthode a été validée pour sept médicaments ophtalmiques : Pilocarpine, lidocaïne, proparacaïne, atropine, acétonide de triamcinolone, timolol et prednisolone. Nous avons ensuite fait la synthèse des microgels chargés négativement à base de NIPAM et d’acide méthacrylique (MAA). Nous avons encapsulé une molécule modèle dans des particules ayant une taille entre 200 et 600 nm dépendant de la composition ainsi qu’un potentiel zêta variant en fonction de la température. L’encapsulation de la rhodamine 6G (R6G) dans les microgels a été possible jusqu’à un chargement (DL%) de 38%. L’utilisation des isothermes de Langmuir a permis de montrer que l’encapsulation était principalement le résultat d’interactions électrostatiques entre les MAA et la R6G. Des cinétiques de libérations ont été effectuées à partir d’hydrogels d’acrylamide chargés en microgels encapsulant la R6G. Il a été trouvé que la libération des hydrogels chargés en microgels s’effectuait majoritairement selon l’affinité au microgel et sur une période d’environ 4-24 heures. La libération à partir de ces systèmes a été comparée à des formules d’hydrogels contenant des liposomes ou des nanogels de chitosan. Ces trois derniers (liposomes, microgels et nanogels) ont présenté des résultats prometteurs pour différentes applications avec différents profils de libérations. Enfin, nous avons transposé le modèle développé avec les gels d’acrylamide pour fabriquer des lentilles de contact de 260 à 340 µm d’épaisseur à base de pHEMA contenant les microgels avec une molécule encapsulée devant être administrée dans les yeux. Nous avons modifié la composition de l’hydrogel en incorporant un polymère linéaire, la polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). L’obtention d’hydrogels partiellement interpénétrés améliore la rétention d’eau dans les lentilles cornéennes. L’encapsulation dans les microgels chargés négativement a donné de meilleurs rendements avec la lidocaïne et cette dernière a été libérée de la lentille de pHEMA en totalité en approximativement 2 heures qu’elle soit ou non encapsulée dans des microgels. Ainsi dans cette étude pilote, l’impact des microgels n’a pas pu être déterminé et, de ce fait, nécessitera des études approfondies sur la structure et les propriétés de la lentille qui a été développée. En utilisant des modèles de libération plus représentatifs de la physiologie de l’œil, nous pourrions conclure avec plus de certitude concernant l’efficacité d’un tel système d’administration et s’il est possible de l’optimiser. / The development of corneal contact lenses initially aimed to correct vision troubles but more recently targets to improve administration of ophthalmic drugs. Eye drops from ophthalmic solutions has a poor administration efficiency of 5% or less and is currently the most used method to deliver drugs to the eye. Such administration technique needs to be improved and contact lenses could be the solution according to many opticians. However, no marketed therapeutic contact lenses has been marketed up to date. In this project we have developed a model of a contact lens made of 2-(hydroxyethyl)methacrylate embedding microgels of poly N-isopropylacrylamide (pNIPAM), encapsulating a model drug. We first developed an analytical method capable to quantify simultaneously seven ophthalmic drugs: Pilocarpine, lidocaine, proparacaine, atropine, triamcinolone acetonide, timolol and prednisolone. This method was developed on a HPLC-MS/MS device and was validated according to FDA and ICH criteria. Using this method, we achieved very low detection and quantitation limits with high precision and accuracy in both simulated lachrymal fluids and in rabbit ocular tissues. Each seven drugs was validated using this method. We proceeded with the synthesis of negatively charged microgels of NIPAM using methacrylic acid (MAA) as comonomer. Resulting size were ranging between 200-600 nm and zeta potential was found to increase (absolute value) with temperature. The microgels were used to encapsulate a model molecule, rhodamine 6G (R6G), in different medium and were loaded in the microgel up to 38% (drug loading, DL%). Using Langmuir isotherms to measure affinity and adsorption of R6G, it was found well correlated to MAA content in microgels, suggesting electrostatic interaction was the main parameter for drug loading. Release kinetics was performed using a model hydrogel of acrylamide embedding the R6G-loaded microgels. The measured release was found to follow an affinity-based mechanism for over 4-24 hours. The release kinetics were then compared to a formulation of liposomes and nanogels of chitosan embedded in hydrogel. All formulations exhibited interesting release profiles making them promising systems for different therapeutic applications. Finally, we changed the acrylamide gels for pHEMA designed to reproduce contact lenses containing drug-loaded microgels. The hydrogel composition, in terms of monomer / cross-linker ratio, was first optimized to fit contact lenses properties of 260-340 µm thick contact lenses. We also made use of semi-interpenetrated polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP) in the pHEMA hydrogel matrix to increase its water content. The highest DL% of negatively charged microgels were obtained using lidocaine and were used for release studies, where the total content of lidocaine was released in approximately 2 hours with and without microgels. In the end, this was a pilot study aiming to evaluate the potential of microgel usability in contact lenses. However, the impact of microgels on release was not fully conclusive. Additional studies should be undertaken to achieve a better comprehension and characterization of the release mechanism such as using more eye relevant physiological models. Such studies would provide further insights on the use of such materials for eye drug delivery and its applicability.

Honey has been used to heal wounds since ancient times. There are many references in ancient literature that cite honey for its medicinal uses. It is used as an alternative agent to cure infections of wounds, burns, ulcers etc. Researchers have shown some of the antimicrobial properties of honey when used as an ointment. When applied to an affected area, it helps to promote the growth of healthy tissue. One of the factors on which the quality of the honey depends, is its geographical origin. Based on the location, honey types can vary as much as 100-fold from each other in color, aroma, viscosity, and antimicrobial properties. The important components in honey that play an essential part in healing wounds and contributing to the antimicrobial properties are enzymes. Their presence allows honey to kill various types of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi etc. A higher antimicrobial effect is seen in monofloral honey (when a single plant species is the source of nectar), which is often more potent than other types of honey in terms of antibacterial activity. Resistance of pathogens to these antimicrobial actions has never been shown, which makes honey a more promising source of antimicrobial research. Presently, infections of burns and wounds are very challenging to treat, especially when they are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The purpose of this study was to examine the antimicrobial properties of honey from Utah and other locales, and to identify promising antimicrobial activities that could be useful in treating infections caused by resistant bacteria.

One of the greatest threats to human health is increasing antimicrobial resistance among pathogens, and finding alternatives for treatment of bacterial infections is of highest importance together with a more controlled use of antibiotics. Porphyrins and heme have both been shown to be a promising class of compounds for inactivation of bacteria; porphyrins by their excellent properties to act as a photosensitizer, and heme by its importance as an iron source during a bacterial infection in vertebrates. This thesis describes the development of analytical methods for the identification and determination of porphyrins and heme using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Subsequently, these developed methods were applied to bacterial samples to investigate different culture conditions and additives effect to the intracellular porphyrin and heme composition. Singlet oxygen production of three naturally occurring porphyrins have been determined together with the photosensitivity for blue light and the porphyrin content in E. coli. Toothbrushes equipped with a LED, emitting light with a wavelength of 450 nm, were used in an eight week randomized clinical trial to investigate any positive periodontal effect of blue light. Porphyrin and heme content in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis were highly affected by the different cultivation conditions. The culture age of A. actinomycetemcomitans affected the porphyrin profile, while only small changes were observed for P. gingivalis during growth. A large change of the porphyrin profile could be observed when the bacteria were passaged onto a new growth medium. Additional porphyrins were detected and the total porphyrin content increased up to 28 times. These findings highlight the need for more standardized cultivation procedures when performing in vitro experiments. Heme content in Escherichia coli was affected when different additives related to biosynthesis of heme were added to the growth medium. The uptake of heme could be reduced with 52% when a compound that chemically looks similar to heme was added to the growth medium. Since heme acquisition is important for many pathogens, this could be a promising target for antimicrobial drugs. E. coli showed no sensitivity for 405 nm light using light doses up to 172.8 J/cm2 and only low concentrations of porphyrins could be quantified. By adding a porphyrin precursor to E. coli the intracellular concentration of porphyrins increased remarkably and a light dose of 57.6 J/cm2 reduced the bacterial number with &gt; 5 log10 steps. This shows that E. coli can be killed due to their endogenous porphyrins. In the clinical study we could see a weak trend that the 450 nm LED toothbrush possessed a phototherapeutic effect for three clinical indices. All indices were decreased in the intervention group, but there were no statistically significant difference compared to the control group. However, four inflammation markers were significantly decreased in the intervention group while only one decreased significantly in the control group. In conclusion, this thesis has shown that porphyrins and heme are produced endogenously in microorganisms and that the porphyrin profiles vary depending on culture conditions and different additives. Furthermore, porphyrins may be used as endogenous photosensitizers to inactivate bacteria, but more research is necessary to determine if there is a specific porphyrin that contributes more to the photosensitivity. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript. Paper 5: Manuscript.</p>