Heme oxygenase (HMOX) catalyzes first and rate-limiting step in heme degradation. By its action, carbon monoxide (CO), ferrous iron and biliverdin which is subsequently reduced to bilirubin are produced. Before discovery of HMOX reaction mechanism, CO was considered only a toxic waste product without any significant importance for human organism. Bilirubin, marker of liver dysfunction, has been also exposed to similar perception. But results from past decades show that HMOX and its metabolic products play an important role in number of physiological as well as defense against pathophysiological processes. The aim of this thesis was to clarify the role of HMOX and its metabolic products, presumably CO and bilirubin, in vivo and in vitro. We focused on the role of CO in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide-induced cholestasis. We were first to describe tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics of inhaled CO in this animal model and found out that CO inhalation is associated with anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. In a rat model of ethinylestradiol-induced cholestasis, we demonstrated the anticholestatic effect of HMOX. The induction of HMOX by its substrate heme increased the expression of liver transporters thereby increasing bile flow and simultaneously facilitated effective clearance of...

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No / T-type Ca2+ channels regulate proliferation in a number of tissue types, including vascular smooth muscle and various cancers. In such tissues, up-regulation of the inducible enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is often observed, and hypoxia is a key factor in its induction. HO-1 degrades heme to generate carbon monoxide (CO) along with Fe2+ and biliverdin. Since CO is increasingly recognized as a regulator of ion channels (Peers et al. 2015), we have explored the possibility that it may regulate proliferation via modulation of T-type Ca2+ channels. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed that CO (applied as the dissolved gas or via CORM donors) inhibited all 3 isoforms of T-type Ca2+ channels (Cav3.1-3.3) when expressed in HEK293 cells with similar IC50 values, and induction of HO-1 expression also suppressed T-type currents (Boycott et al. 2013). CO/HO-1 induction also suppressed the elevated basal [Ca2+ ]i in cells expressing these channels and reduced their proliferative rate to levels seen in non-transfected control cells (Duckles et al. 2015). Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (both A7r5 and human saphenous vein cells) was also suppressed either by T-type Ca2+ channel inhibitors (mibefradil and NNC 55-0396), HO-1 induction or application of CO. Effects of these blockers and CO were non additive. Although L-type Ca2+ channels were also sensitive to CO (Scragg et al. 2008), they did not influence proliferation. Our data suggest that HO-1 acts to control proliferation via CO modulation of T-type Ca2+ channels.

The inner surface of the stomach is lined by a mucous membrane known as the gastric mucosa. The integrity of the gastric mucosa is critical for protecting the stomach from the low pH and proteolytic environment within the lumen. Both clinically and experimentally, exposure of gastric mucosal cells to bile salts is known to cause injury. Bile salts present in duodenogastric reflux are thought to play a significant role in gastric ulcer formation and alkaline gastritis. In vitro, studies using physiologic concentrations of the secondary bile salt, deoxycholic acid, indicate that bile salts can induce apoptosis in cultured human gastric epithelial cells in a caspase-dependent manner. Therefore, there is interest in developing approaches that can protect gastric cells from bile salt-induced damage. It has been shown that induction of the stress protein, heme oxygenase-1, can provide protection against apoptosis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test the hypotheses that heme oxygenase-1 expression could be induced in human gastric epithelial cells and that furthermore; this would provide protection from deoxycholic acid-induced apoptosis. Heme oxygenase-1 expression was induced pharmacologically or by introduction of a plasmid expressing heme oxygenase-1 into the gastric epithelial cell line, AGS. Induction of heme oxygenase-1 prior to challenge with deoxycholate reduced apoptotic-associated morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, the appearance of oligonucleosomes in the cytoplasm, and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Based on these results, it was concluded that expression of heme oxygenase-1, or the introduction of its products, can provide protection to human gastric epithelial cells against sodium deoxycholic acid induced-apoptosis.

Evidências clínicas e experimentais mostram que a isquemia e reperfusão intestinal (I/R-intestinal) induz lesão pulmonar aguda (LPA) que, em casos mais graves, pode evoluir para a síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA). A LPA se caracteriza pela liberação de amplo espectro de mediadores inflamatórios, infiltração de neutrófilos e aumento de permeabilidade vascular. Sabe-se que mediadores inflamatórios gerados no local da I/R-intestinal são transportados pelo sistema linfático mesentérico e, ao atingirem o pulmão, contribuem para a LPA. A enzima heme oxigenase 1 (HO-1), exerce importante função na homeostasia celular, devido à sua ação catabólica sobre o grupo heme das hemoproteínas, gerando como subprodutos ferro, biliverdina e monóxido de carbono. Esses subprodutos possuem ação antiinflamatória, antioxidante e antiapoptótica. Todavia, o papel da HO-1 no controle da LPA causada pela I/R-intestinal ainda não está totalmente esclarecido. No presente estudo investigamos a expressão da HO-1 e o efeito de sua indução sobre as repercussões pulmonares decorrentes da I/R-intestinal. Para tanto, ratos machos Wistar (220-250 g) foram submetidos a 45 min de isquemia intestinal pela obstrução da artéria mesentérica superior e a 2 h de reperfusão. O grupo controle consistiu de animais falsamente operados (Sham). Ainda, a indução da HO-1 foi realizada pelo tratamento dos animais com o composto Hemin (10 mg/kg) 48 e 24 h antes da indução da I/R-intestinal. A I/R-intestinal aumentou a atividade pulmonar da mieloperoxidase (MPO) e o extravasamento do corante azul de Evans (AE) no pulmão. Os níveis de IL-1<font face=\"Symbol\">b elevaram no explante pulmonar (24 h) enquanto os de IL-10 foram reduzidos após a I/R-intestinal. Ainda, a I/R-intestinal diminui a expressão pulmonar da SOD-1 e promoveu aumento da expressão da iNOS. Os resultados obtidos revelam que a I/R-intestinal por si só não induziu a expressão gênica da enzima HO-1, porém o tratamento dos animais com Hemin elevou a sua expressão, a qual foi acompanhada pela redução da atividade pulmonar de MPO e do extravasamento do corante AE. Os elevados níveis pulmonares de IL-1<font face=\"Symbol\">b foram reduzidos pelo tratamento dos animais com o Hemin e houve elevação da IL-10 e VEGF no mesmo tecidos. A indução da HO-1 preveniu o aumento dos níveis de IL-1<font face=\"Symbol\">b e IL-10 e promoveu aumento dos níveis de VEGF na linfa dos animais. Com respeito ao sistema antioxidante, nossos dados indicaram que a indução da HO-1, parece estar relacionada com a elevação da expressão de SOD-1, SOD-2 e redução da expressão de iNOS. Concluindo, os dados obtidos permitem sugerir que a indução prévia da expressão de HO-1 controla a magnitude da lesão pulmonar causada pela I/R-intestinal por mecanismos envolvendo o aumento da atividade de parcela do sistema antioxidante e regulação do balanço entre a geração de citocinas antiinflamatórias e pró-inflamatórias no pulmão. / Clinical and experimental evidences have reported that intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R-intestinal) induces acute lung injury (ALI), which in severe cases can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The ALI is characterized by the release of a broad spectrum of inflammatory mediators, neutrophil infiltration and increased vascular permeability. It is known that inflammatory mediators generated at the site of I/R-intestinal are transported by the mesenteric lymphatic system and, on reaching the lung, contribute to the ALI. The enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) plays an important role in cellular homeostasis, due to its catabolic action on heme group of hemoproteins, forming as by-products such as iron, biliverdin and carbon monoxide. It is known that these by-products have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptotic actions. However, the role of HO-1 in the control of ALI caused by I/R-intestinal is not yet fully understood. In the present study we investigated the expression of HO-1 and the effects of its induction on pulmonary complications resulting from I/R-intestinal. So, male Wistar rats (220-250 g) were subjected to 45 min of intestinal ischemia by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery and 2 h of reperfusion. The control group consisted of animals falsely operated (Sham). Still, the induction of HO-1 was performed by treating animals with the compound Hemin (10 mg/kg) 48 and 24 h before the induction of I/R-intestinal. The I/R-intestinal increased the pulmonary activity of the myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the extravasation of Evans blue dye (EB) in the lung. Levels of IL-1<font face=\"Symbol\">b increased in lung explant (24 h) while the IL-10 were reduced after I/R-intestinal. Further, the I/R-intestinal reduces pulmonary expression of SOD-1 and promoted the increase of iNOS expression. The results indicate that the I/R-intestinal alone did not induce gene expression of HO-1 enzyme, but the treatment of animals with Hemin increased its expression which was accompanied by reduction of pulmonary activity of MPO and extravasation of the dye EB. The high pulmonary levels of IL-1 were reduced by treatment of animals with Hemin and there was an increase of IL-10 and VEGF in the same tissue. The Induction of HO-1 prevented the increased levels of IL-<font face=\"Symbol\">b 1 and IL-10 and promoted increasing of the VEGF levels in the animals lymph. With respect to the antioxidant system, our data indicate that induction of HO-1, seems to be related to the elevation of expression of SOD-1, SOD-2 and reduction of iNOS expression. In conclusion, our data may suggest that prior induction of HO-1 expression controls the magnitude of lung injury caused by I/R-intestinal by mechanisms involving increased activity of a portion of the antioxidant system and regulation of the balance between generation anti-inflammatory cytokines and pro-inflammatory in the lung.

Die Schwangerschaft ist ein komplexes Phänomen, bei dem es zu einer Interaktion zwischen dem mütterlichen Immunsystem und dem Fetus kommt. An der feto-maternalen Grenze kommt es zur Auslösung einer inflammatorischen Reaktion, die für eine normale Implantation und Schwangerschaft notwendig ist. Allerdings kann eine exzessive Entzündungsreaktion zu Schwangerschaftskomplikationen wie dem immunologisch vermittelten Sponatanabort füh-ren. Das zytoprotektive Enzym Hämoxygenase-1 (HO-1) spielt eine sehr wichtige Rolle bei der Kontrolle inflammatorischer Reaktionen. Inwiefern HO-1 für das Gelingen und Bestehen einer Schwangerschaft unabdingbar ist, wurde bisher nicht untersucht. Unsere Hypothese ist, dass HO-1 eine bedeutsame Rolle während der Schwangerschaft spielt. Die Beantwortung dieser wichtigen Frage ist deshalb Hauptziel dieser Dissertation. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass eine spezifische Hochregulation des HO-1 Moleküls mittels Gentherapie in einem Mausmodell für Spontanabort zur signifikanten Reduktion der Abortra-te führte. Dieser protektive Effekt war mit einer erhöhten Th2/Th1 Zytokinen-Ratio und mit verminderter Apoptose assoziiert. Ein weiteres Teilziel dieser Arbeit bestand darin, die Rolle des HO-1 Moleküls während der Plazentation zu untersuchen. Dafür wurde eine Trophoblastenstammzelllinie benutzt, die in der Lage ist, zu Riesenzellen zu differenzieren. Die mittels Zinkprotoporphyrin (ZnPPIX) induzierte Expressionssuppression von HO-1 führte zur Verminderung der Überlebensrate von Trophoblastenstammzellen und zur Hemmung von deren Ausdifferenzierung in Trophoblastenriesenzellen. Um die Rolle des HO-1 Moleküls in anderen Schwangerschaftsprozessen zu untersuchen, wurden Hämoxygenase-1 defiziente (Hmox1-/-) Mäuse benutzt. Da die Verpaarung von Hmox1-/- Mäuse zu keinem erfolgreichen Abkömmling führt, war ein weiteres Teilziel dieser Arbeit gewesen, den zu Grunde liegenden Mechanismus aufzuklären. Es zeigte sich, dass Hmox1-/- Weibchen im Vergleich zu den Hmox1+/+ Weibchen weniger Oozyten produzieren. Auch konnten die Hmox1-/- Oozyten weniger erfolgreich als die Hmox1+/+ Oozyten fertili-ziert werden. Verschiedene Verpaarungsexperimente mit Hmox1+/+, Hmox1+/- und Hmox1-/- Mäusen ergaben einen indirekt proportionalen Zusammenhang zwischen HO-1 Expression und Aborthäufigkeit. Die hier gewonnenen Daten deuten daraufhin, dass HO-1 eine entscheidene Rolle in der Schwangerschaft spielt. Die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse tragen zum Verständnis der Pathologie des immunologisch vermittelten Spontaborts bei und können darüber hinaus helfen neue Be-handlungsstrategien gegen diese gefürchtete Schwangerschaftskomplikation zu entwickeln. / Mammalian pregnancy is a parabiotic union of two genetically different individuals, the fetus and the mother. At the feto-maternal interface, inflammatory processes can occur due to an immune reaction against alloantigens. It is known that some degree of systemic or uterine inflammation is necessary for both normal implantation and pregnancy. However, if this in-flammation becomes too excessive it can cause pregnancy complications such as abortion. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the enzyme responsible for the degradation of free heme, plays a key role in inflammatory processes. Viewing pregnancy mainly as an inflammatory process had led us to the idea that HO-1 may play an important role in pregnancy. Therefore, the main aim of this work was to analyze the role of HO-1 in the different processes related to preg-nancy by means of functional studies employing in vivo as well as in vitro models. First, we could show that a specific up-regulation of HO-1 in abortion-prone animals by means of an adenoviral vector is able to reduce the abortion rate. This HO-1 up-regulation improved pregnancy outcome by up-regulating the Th2/Th1 cytokines ratio and protecting tissues from apoptosis, suggesting an important role of HO-1 in pregnancy. In a second part of the work, we aimed to analyze the role of HO-1 in placentation. For that, a trophoblast stem cell line capable of differentiate into trophoblast giant cells was used. Inter-estingly, a down-regulation of HO-1 by means of ZnPPIX led to diminished survival of the trophoblast stem cells. Furthermore, these cells were unable to differentiate into trophoblast giant cells in the absence of HO-1, strongly suggesting a crucial role of HO-1 in placentation. Finally, a closer look into the role of HO-1 in pregnancy was performed by using heme oxy-genase-1 deficient mice (Hmox1-/- mice). Interestingly, Hmox1-/- females produce much less oocytes than wild type females. Analyses of the ovaries of both types of females showed dif-ferences in follicle development. Furthermore, when fertilized in vitro, a significant diminu-tion in the fertilization rate of Hmox1-/- oocytes when compared to Hmox1+/+ oocytes was found. Since the mating of Hmox1-/- mice does not yield progeny, we also aimed to clarify whether this is due to problems in the female, in the male or in both. For this, different mating combinations of mice partially or totally deficient in Hmox1 were performed. The analysis of the pregnancy outcome showed that, the less HO-1 in the combination, the higher the fetal rejection. In summary, a central role of HO-1 in different processes of reproduction could be demon-strated in this work which helps understanding the mechanisms behind pregnancy success.

A malária é uma doença causada pelo parasita do gênero Plasmodium e que foi responsável por cerca de 440.000 mortes em 2015. A síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA) é uma das principais complicações clínicas da malária. O modelo murino DBA/2 reproduz os sinais clínicos da SDRA observados em humanos, quando infectado com o Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Além disso, altos níveis da enzima heme oxigenase 1 (HO-1) foram observados em casos de malária cerebral e em SDRA em humanos. Os nossos dados indicam que os níveis da HO-1 estão aumentados em camundongos que desenvolvem SDRA associada à malária (SDRA-AM). Adicionalmente, a droga indutora de HO-1 (hemina) aumentou a sobrevivência e preveniu a SDRA-AM. Verificou-se também uma redução na permeabilidade pulmonar e nos níveis de VEGF, além de uma melhoria nos parâmetros respiratórios em animais tratados com hemina. Assim sendo, a indução da HO-1 antes do desenvolvimento da SDRA-AM é protetora e assim, a HO-1 pode ser um alvo de novos fármacos, como forma de prevenir o desenvolvimento da SDRA-AM em humanos. / Malaria is a serious disease, caused by the parasite of the genus Plasmodium, which was responsible to 440,000 deaths in 2015. Acute lung injury/ acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) is one of the main clinical complications in severe malaria. The murine model DBA/2 reproduces the clinical signs of ALI/ARDS observed in humans, when infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. Additionally, high levels heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were reported in cases of cerebral malaria and in ALI/ARDS in humans. Our data have indicated that the HO-1 levels are increased in mice that develop malaria associated ALI/ARDS (MA-ALI/ARDS). Additionally, a HO-1 inducing drug (hemin) increased the survival rate and prevented mice from developing MA-ALI/ARDS in treated mice. Also, there was a decrease in the lung permeability and in lung VEGF levels, and an amelioration of respiratory parameters. Therefore, the induction of HO-1 before the development of MA-ALI/ARDS is protective, making this enzyme a possible target of new drugs to prevent the development of MA-ALI/ARDS in humans.

O gás composto monóxido de carbono (CO), está envolvido na modulação de diferentes funções orgânicas, tais como a regulação cardiovascular, a temperatura corporal e a nocicepção. A participação do CO nos processos fisiológicos ocorre por meio da atividade da enzima heme-oxigenase (HO), e seu produto CO, o qual por sua vez aumenta a produção de guanosina monofosfato ciclíco intracelular (GMPc). De particular interesse, o locus coeruleus possui elevada expressão da enzima HO-2 sugerindo o envolvimento do gasotransmissor CO na modulação das funções executadas por esta estrutura encefálica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o envolvimento da via HO-CO do LC na modulação da ansiedade, avaliada pelo teste de labirinto em cruz elevado e teste claro-escuro; nocicepção aguda, avaliada pelo teste de retirada de cauda e a nocicepção inflamatória, avaliada pelo teste de formalina em ratos. Para atingir estes objetivos, ratos (± 250grs; Wistar) foram anestesiados (ketamina 75 mg/kg e xilasina 10 mg/kg i.m.) e submetidos à cirurgia estereotáxica para implante unilateral de cânulas-guias direcionadas para o LC, e para o ventrículo lateral. Após o período de recuperação, os ratos foram divididos em distintos grupos experimentais para administração intra-LC do ZnDPBG (inibidor inespecífico da enzima HO, nas doses 5,50 ou 200 nmol/0,1 µl) ou seu veículo, Na2CO3 (50 mmol/0,1 µl); do Heme-lisinato (150, 300 ou 600 nmol/0,1 µl) ou seu veículo, L-lisina (14,2 µmol/0,1 µl); do ODQ i.c.v. (inibidor específico da enzima guanilase ciclase solúvel, 1,3 nmol/1,0 µl) ou seu veículo (DMSO 1%, 1,0 µl) e após 15 min o Heme-lisinato (600 nmol/0,1 µl) ou seu veículo (L-lisina, 14,2 µmol/0,1 µl), intra-LC. Após o tempo de 15 min, os ratos foram avaliados no teste de LCE ou no TCE por 5 minutos, no teste de retirada de cauda por 120 minutos e no teste de formalina intra-podal por 45 minutos. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o aumento da produção do neuromodulador gasoso CO no LC, pela ativação da via HO-CO-GMPc com Heme-lisinato, promove efeito ansiolítico avaliado no teste do LCE e no TCE, evidenciado pelo aumento do tempo de permanência e pelo aumento do número de entradas nos braços abertos do LCE, e pelo aumento tempo de permanência no compartimento claro do TCE. Este efeito ansiolítico é dependente da atividade de GMPc intracelular, desde que o tratamento i.c.v. com inibidor específico da enzima GCs bloqueou os efeitos do Heme-lisinato no LCE e no TCE. Ainda, a ativação da via HO-CO-GMPc por meio da administração intra-LC do Heme-lisinato promoveu efeito antinociceptivo frente estímulo térmico agudo (teste de retirada de cauda em ratos), sendo este efeito dependente da atividade do GMPc, desde que o pré-tratamento com o inibidor da enzima guanilase ciclase solúvel, ODQ, bloqueou o aumento do IARC. O bloqueio da via HO-CO promove efeito hipernociceptivo em modelo de dor inflamatória, desde que o tratamento intra-LC com inibidor inespecífico da HO, ZnDPBG aumenta o número de sacudidas no teste de formalina intra-podal. Assim, este estudo é pioneiro em demonstrar que o neuromodulador CO do LC modula a ansiedade e a nocicepção aguda térmica e inflamatória. / The gas composed carbon monoxide (CO) is involved in the modulation of various physiological functions such as cardiovascular regulation, nociception and body temperature. CO participation in physiological processes occurs through the activity of the enzyme heme oxygenase (HO), and its product CO, which in turn increases the production of intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). In particular interest, the locus coeruleus (LC) has a high HO-2 enzyme expression suggesting the involvement of CO in the modulation of the functions performed by this brain structure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of HO-CO pathway of LC in modulating anxiety, assessed by elevated plus maze test and light-dark box test. Additionally, acute nociception, as assessed by the tail flick test and inflammatory nociception, as assessed by formalin test in rats were analyzed after HO-CO pathway activation. Rats (±250 grs; Wistar) were anesthetized (ketamine 75 mg/kg and xylazine 10 mg/kg im) and underwent stereotactic surgery for cannulas guides unilateral implantation directed to the LC, and to the lateral ventricle. After the recovery period, rats were divided into distinct experimental groups for intra-LC ZnDPBG (nonspecific enzyme inhibitor HO doses 5, 50 or 200 nmol/0.l µl) or its vehicle, Na2CO3 (50 mmol/0.l µl); Heme-lysinate (150, 300 or 600 nmol/0.l µl) or its vehicle, L-lysine (14.2 nmol/0.1 µl), the ODQ i.c.v. (specific inhibitor of the enzyme guanilase soluble cyclase, 1.3 nmol/1.0 µl) or its vehicle (1% DMSO, 1.0 µl) and after 15 min the Heme-lysinate (600 nmol/0.1 µl), or its vehicle (L-lysine, 14.2 mmol/0.1 µl), intra-LC. After time 15 min, rats were evaluated in the EPM test or LDB for 5 minutes and in the tail flick test for 120 minutes and in the formalin test for 45 minutes. The results show that CO increased production in LC, by HO-CO-cGMP pathway activation, promotes anxiolytic effect evaluated in the EPM test and LDB. The anxiolytic effect is dependent on the activity of intracellular cGMP, since treatment i.c.v. with enzyme sGC inhibitor blocked the effects of Heme-lysinate. Moreover, the activation of the HO-CO-cGMP pathway into the LC promoted antinociceptive effect in the tail flick test, this effect being dependent on the activity of cGMP, since pre-treatment with the guanilase cyclase soluble inhibitor, ODQ, blocked the increase in analgesic index. Furthermore, the block of the HO-CO pathway intra-LC promoted hypernociception in a model of inflammatory pain, since treatment with nonspecific inhibitor HO, ZnDPBG, increases the nociceptive behavior in the formalin test. Thus, this study is the first to demonstrate that the CO neuromodulator into LC modulates anxiety and acute thermal and inflammatory nociception.

O inibidor de HMG redutase (estatina) pode ter papel protetor na função renal por estimulação da atividade de HO-1. Este estudo foi desenvolvido para avaliar se a associação desses dois agentes poderia induzir um efeito mais pronunciado sobre a função renal (FR) após insuficiência renal aguda isquêmica. A isquemia foi obtida por meio do clampeamento dos pedículos renais bilaterais por 30 minutos, seguida de reperfusão. Foram utilizados ratos wistar, machos, pesando entre 250-300g, distribuídos nos grupos: SHAM (controle, sem clampeamento renal); Isquemia; Estatina (animais que receberam 0,5 mg/kg, via oral, v.o., por 3 dias); Iquemia+Estatina; Hemin (indutor de HO-1, 1 mg/100g, i.p., 24h antes da cirurgia); Isquemia+Hemin; SnPP (inibidor de HO-1, 2µmol/kg i.p. 24h antes da cirurgia); Isquemia+SnPP; Estatina+Hemin; Isquemia+Estatina+Hemin; Estatina+SnPP; Isquemia+Estatina+SnPP. Foram avaliados a função renal (FR) (clearance de creatinina, método Jaffé), a excreção de peróxidos urinário (FOX-2), a osmolalidade urinária (osmômetro) e a imunohistoquímica para ED-1. Os resultados mostraram que a estatina otimizou a FR e reduziu a excreção de peróxidos urinários. A indução da HO-1 apresentou padrão similar ao descrito para estatina. A associação de estatina+Hemin induziu melhora de FR, com melhora de função tubular e redução de peróxidos discretamente superior àquela demonstrada pelos tratamentos isolados. A substituição do Hemin pelo SnPP no modelo de associação não pareceu ter inibido o efeito da estatina. Em síntese, o estudo confirmou o efeito antioxidante da estatina e do Hemin com proteção da FR pelos métodos utilizados. Os resultados da imunohistoquímica ED-1 para macrófagos/monócitos não foram conclusivos. / HMG-CoA inhibition reductase (statins) can have a protector role on renal function by sitmulating HO-1 activity. This study was performed in order to evaluate if the association of these two agents could induce a more pronounced effect on RF after ischemic acute renal failure. The ischemia was obtained through clamping of bilateral renal pedicles for 30 minutes following by reperfusion. Adult Wistar rats, weighting from 250-300g, were divided into twelve groups: SHAM (control); Isch (30´renal ischemia); Stat (statin 0,5mg/kg, p.o.); Isch+Stat (statin 0.5mg/kg, p.o., once a day, 3 days and the Isch); Hemin (HO-1 inducer, hemin, 1.0mg/100g, i.p.); Isch+Hemin (HO-1 inducer, hemin, 1.0mg/100g, i.p., once, 24hours before Isch); SnPP (2µmol/kg, i.p.); Isch+SnPP (HO-1 inhibitor, 2?mol/kg, i.p., as hemin); Stat+Hemin; Isch+Stat+Hemin (all treatments as described); Stat+SnPP; Isch+Stat+SnPP (all treatments as described). Creatinin clearance (crCl), urinary peroxides (UP), osmolality (Osm) and immunohistochemical for ED-1 analyses were performed in order to evaluate oxidant and inflammatory responses.Results have shown that Stat could protect RF and peroxide excrection probably attenuating tubular damage. HO-1 presented a similar pattern to that described for statin. Instead, when Hemin or SnPP was associated to Statin, no benefit was observed neither to RF nor to UP. Imunohistochemical ED-1 for macrophages/monocytes analysis were inconclusive.

A Lesão Renal Aguda (LRA) tóxica se caracteriza por insulto tubular direto liberando espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) e estimulando processos pró-inflamatórios. Neste estudo foram investigadas a toxicidade do Sulfato de Polimixina B (PmxB), antibiótico catiônico usado para o tratamento de infecções por germes gram-negativos e a participação da enzima Heme Oxigenase-1 (HO-1), que tem efeito anti-apoptótico, antiinflamatório e outros. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar, adultos, machos, pesando entre 250-300g. Os animais foram distribuídos nos grupos: Salina (controle, animais que receberam 3ml/Kg de NaCl 0,9% intraperitoneal (i.p.), uma vez ao dia, 5 dias); PmxB (animais que receberam PmxB 40.000U/kg/dia, i.p., uma vez ao dia, 5 dias); Hemin (indutor da HO-1, 1mg/100g, i.p., uma vez ao dia, 5 dias); Protoporfirina de Zinco (ZnPP) (inibidor da HO-1, 50 umol/Kg, i.p., uma vez ao dia, 5ºdia); PmxB+Hemin; PmxB+ZnPP; PmxB+Hemin+ZnPP. Foram avaliados a função renal (FR) (clearance de creatinina, método de Jaffé), a excreção de peróxidos urinários (PU, FOX-2); TBARS urinários; tióis no tecido renal, atividade da catalase (AC) e foi realizada análise histológica no tecido renal. Os resultados mostraram que a PmxB induziu redução da FR com elevação de PU e TBARS, acompanhados por redução de AC e tióis: O tratamento com indutor da HO-1 reverteu a lesão pela PmxB, com melhora da FR e dos parâmetros de peroxidação. A associação do PmxB com o inibidor ZnPP demonstrou aumento da área intersticial relativa (AIR) no tecido renal com achatamento das células tubulares e pontos de necrose no córtex renal. Os resultados diferenciados de FR e peroxidação lipídica, nas técnicas de mensuração utilizadas, confirmaram a participação da heme oxigenase como antioxidante desse modelo de toxicidade renal / Toxic Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) consists on direct injury in the renal tubules liberating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and estimulating inflamatory processes. In this experimental study it was investigated the toxicity of Polymyxin B Sulfate (PmxB), which is a cationic antibiotic used to treat gram-negative infections and the role of the heme oxygenase enzyme (HO-1), with anti-apoptotic and anti-inflamatory effects, in this injury. Adult male Wistar rats, weighing 250-300g were used. The animals were divided into the following groups: Saline (control, animals that received 3ml/Kg of NaCl 0,9% intraperitoneal (i.p.), once a day, 5 days); PmxB (animals that received PmxB 40.000U/kg/dia , i.p., once a day, 5 days); Hemin (HO-1 inducer , 1mg/100g, i.p., once a day, 5 days); Zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) (HO-1 inhibitor, 50 umol/Kg, i.p., once a day, 5ºday); PmxB+Hemin; PmxB+ZnPP; PmxB+Hemin+ZnPP. Renal Function (RF) (creatinine clearance, Jaffé method), urinary peroxides (UP, FOX-2), urinary TBARS, thiols in the renal tissue, activity of catalase enzyme (CA) and histology of renal tissue were performed. The results showed that PmxB reduced RF with increment in the UP and TBARS associated to the reduction in the CA and thiols. The HO-1 ameliorated these paramethers. The association PmxB with ZnPP increased relative intersticial area (RIA) of renal tissue with acute tubule necrosis in the renal cortex. The obtained data on RF and lipid peroxidation, with the methods used in the study, confirmed the antioxidant role of the heme oxygenase in this model of renal injury