The wide scale use of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in the world consumer market has resulted in likelihood of exposure to human beings. The present study was aimed to assess the in vitro and in vivo interactions of ZnO NPs in the mammalian system and to elucidate the possible mechanism of their toxicity. Our in vitro results using human epidermal cells (A431), primary human epidermal keratinocytes and human liver cells (HepG2) demonstrated that cells exposed to ZnO NPs exhibit a decrease in cell viability which was independent of NP dissolution. ZnO NPs also induced oxidative DNA damage as evidenced by an increase in the Fpg sensitive sites. The reactive oxygen species triggered a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in the ratio of Bax/Bcl2 leading to apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway. In addition, ZnO NPs induced phosphorylation of JNK, P38 and P53ser15. The results from our in vivo studies using a mouse model showed that ZnO NPs induce lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis in liver which further confirmed our in vitro findings. The data from the present study provide valuable insights into the cellular interactions of ZnO NPs and the underlying molecular mechanism of their toxicity. The results also stress the need for a comprehensive environmental health and safety assessment of engineered nanomaterials to ensure safer nanotechnology based products.

O miclobutanil é fungicida quiral da família dos triazóis, comercializado como mistura racêmica. Apesar dos enantiômeros apresentarem as mesmas propriedades físico-químicas, estes podem diferir em termos de atividade, metabolismo, excreção e toxicidade. No presente trabalho, foram realizados estudos in vitro enantiosseletivos de metabolismo empregando microssomas hepáticos de humanos cujos objetivos foram determinar os parâmetros cinéticos das enzimas do citocromo P450 (CYP450) após metabolismo do miclobutanil (na forma de racemato e enantiômeros isolados), determinar quais isoformas do CYP450 são responsáveis pelo metabolismo do praguicida e também a capacidade deste praguicida em inibir as principais enzimas do CYP450. Os estudos foram realizados empregando a mistura racêmica e também os enantiômeros isolados. Para tanto, foi desenvolvido e validado um método para análise enantiosseletiva do miclobutanil em meio microssomal empregando a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada a espectrometria de massas. A separação dos enantiômeros foi realizada na coluna Chiralpak AD® empregando metanol (100%) como fase móvel. Após a validação do método, os parâmetros cinéticos foram determinados, com valores de Vmáx, Km e CLint de 66,06 + 4,59 nmol min-1 mg-1, 3,61 + 0,88 ?mol L-1 e 18,30 mL min-1 mg-1 respectivamente, quando o substrato foi o racemato e de 305,50 + 18,39 nmol min-1 mg-1, 6,85 + 1,29 ?mol L-1 e 44,60 mL min-1 mg-1 respectivamente, quando o (+)-miclobutanil foi empregado como substrato. O (?)-miclobutanil não foi metabolizado pelas enzimas presentes nos microssomas hepáticos de humanos. As isoformas responsáveis pelo metabolismo do miclobutanil foram a CYP2C19 e a CYP3A4. Os estudos in vitro de inibição mostraram que o miclobutanil é um inibidor moderado das enzimas CYP2D6 e CYP2C9 um inibidor forte das enzimas CYP3A4/5 e CYP2C19. / Myclobutanil is a chiral triazole fungicide, sold as a racemic mixture. Although the enantiomers have the same physico-chemical properties, they may exhibit different bioactivity, metabolism, excretion and toxicity. In the present work, in vitro enantioselective metabolism studies were carried out by using human liver microsomes, aiming to determine the kinetic parameters of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes after myclobutanil metabolism and the main CYP450 isoforms involved in the metabolism. In addition, the myclobutanil inhibition capacity over the main CYP450 enzymes was evaluated. The studies were carried out with rac-myclobutanil as well as with the isolated enantiomers. To accomplish that, an enantioselective method for myclobutanil analysis was developed and validated by using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The separation of enantiomers was realized on a Chiralpak AD® column and methanol (100%) was used as mobile phase. The enzymatic kinetics, Vmáx, Km and CLint, were: 66.06 + 4.59 nmol min-1 mg-1, 3.61 + 0.88 ?mol L-1 and 18.30 mL min-1 mg-1, respectively, for rac-myclobutanil and 305.50 + 18.39 nmol min-1 mg-1, 6.85 + 1.29 ?mol L-1 and 44.60 mL min-1 mg-1, respectively, for the (+)-myclobutanil. The (?)-myclobutanil was not metabolized by CYP450 enzymes. The isoforms involved in myclobutanil metabolism were CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. In vitro inhibition studies showed that myclobutanil is a medium inhibitor of CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 enzymes and a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4/A5 and CYP2C19 enzymes.

A piplartina (PPT) ou piperlongumine é um produto natural da classe dos alcaloides encontrada em espécies da família Pipereaceae. Devido a sua alta potência e seletividade na inibição de diversas linhagens de células tumorais, a PPT têm sido investigada como um potencial candidato à fármaco. Neste contexto, estudos relacionados à sua toxicidade e segurança devem ser realizados, incluindo a determinação do papel das enzimas do Citocromo P450 (CYP450) sobre o metabolismo da PPT. Esta família de enzimas é responsável pela biotransformação de cerca de 75% dos fármacos presentes no mercado. Os estudos pré-clínicos que visam avaliar o metabolismo podem ser realizados empregando modelos in vitro como uma ferramenta para predição de características farmacocinéticas in vivo. Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivo a avaliação do perfil metabólico da PPT frente as enzimas do CYP450 empregando-se estudos in vitro com microssomas hepáticos humanos (HLM) e a posterior predição de parâmetros farmacocinéticos. Estes estudos incluíram a determinação de parâmetros enzimáticos, estudos de inibição da PPT sobre as principais isoformas do CYP450, elucidação estrutural de metabólitos gerados com a reação de metabolismo e, finalmente, estudos de fenotipagem enzimática. A metodologia geral de estudo de metabolismo in vitro envolveu o uso de técnicas cromatográficas acopladas a diversos detectores/analisadores, tais como arranjo de diodos, espectrometria de massa e ressonância magnética nuclear. O metabolismo foi avaliado pela medida da taxa de desaparecimento da PPT do meio microssomal. Após validação da metodologia para quantificação da PPT e determinação das condições de velocidade inicial de reação, um perfil sigmoidal foi obtido, indicando o metabolismo da PPT por enzimas contendo múltiplos sítios ativos e/ou catálise por diversas enzimas concomitantemente. Os parâmetros cinéticos calculados foram Vmax = 5,5 ± 0,5 nmol mg proteína-1 min-1, S50 = 127,70 ?mol L-1 e Coeficiente de Hill (h) = 3. O clearance intrínseco obtido foi de 22,68 ?L min -1 mg -1. A fração não ligada às proteínas plasmáticas e microssomais foi de 0,07 e 0,76, respectivamente. O clearance in vivo predito foi de 19,79 mL min -1 kg -1, o clearance hepático de 1,89 mL min -1 kg -1 e extração hepática de 0,09. Dentre quatro isoformas avaliadas, CYP3A, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 e CYP1A2, a PPT demonstrou um potencial em causar interação produto natural-medicamento apenas sobre a CYP1A2. A PPT é um inibidor competitivo dose-dependente da CYP1A2, apresentando um valor de Ki de 1,5 ?mol L-1. A razão [I]/Ki obtida de 9,1 prediz uma interação relevante in vivo. Além disso, a PPT apresentou uma inibição tempo-dependente sobre a CYP1A2 com valores de KI de 8 ?mol L-1 e kinact de 0,014 min-1. A inibição dose-, ii NADPH- e tempo-dependente confirmam uma inibição baseada no mecanismo em que o modo pelo qual a PPT liga-se à enzima é irreversível. Baseado nos dados obtidos pelas análises por espectrometria de massa e ressonância magnética nuclear, quatro metabólitos gerados após metabolismo da PPT com HLM tiveram suas estruturas propostas. Assim, foram caracterizados os metabólitos M1 (produto de uma desmetilação na posição meta do anel 3,4,5-trimetoxicinâmico), M2 (produzido por uma epoxidação entre o C3 e C4 do anel lactâmico), M3 (gerado através de uma oxidação no C5 do anel lactâmico) e, finalmente, M4 (produto de uma reação transdiidrodiol entre C3 e C4). O metabólito M4 é formado tardiamente (após 40 min de reação) e provavelmente é um metabólito secundário produzido a partir de M2 através de uma reação trans-diidrodiol. O estudo de fenotipagem demonstrou que as principais isoformas que contribuem para o metabolismo da PPT são a CYP1A2 (formação de M1) e a CYP3A4 (formação de M2 e M3). O emprego das isoformas recombinantes demonstrou a formação de M4 a partir da catálise por diversas isoformas, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2D6, CYP2B6 e CYP2E1. Portanto, o perfil metabólico do candidato a agente antitumoral PPT frente às enzimas do CYP450 foi demonstrado neste trabalho, proporcionando aspectos relacionados à segurança e eficácia desta substância. Os dados apresentados certamente servirão como guia em estudos clínicos futuros / Piplartine (PPT) or Piperlongumine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in species of Pipereaceae family. Due its high potency and selectivity of inhibition of several cancer cell lines, PPT has been investigated as a potential drug candidate. In this context, studies related with toxicity and safety should be performed, including the role of the Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes in PPT metabolism. This family of enzymes is responsible for the biotransformation of 75% of the drugs in the market. The preclinical studies that aim to evaluate the drug metabolism can be performed by employing in vitro models as a tool for prediction of in vivo pharmacokinetic characteristics. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the metabolic profile of PPT after metabolism by CYP450 enzymes employing in vitro studies with human liver microsomes (HLM) and the ensuing prediction of pharmacokinetic parameters. These studies embraced the kinetic parameters determination, inhibition ability of PPT over the most important CYP450 isoforms, structural elucidation of the produced metabolites after metabolism reaction and, finally, the enzymatic phenotyping study. The general procedure for in vitro metabolism studies consisted of the use of chromatographic techniques coupled to different detectors/analyzers, such as diode array, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. The metabolism was evaluated measuring the rate of disappearance of the PPT from de microsomal medium. After method validation for PPT quantification and determination of initial velocity conditions, the enzymatic kinetics with a sigmoidal profile indicating a metabolism of PPT by enzymes with multiple active sites and/or metabolism by multiple CYP450 enzymes was observed. The following parameters were calculated: Vmax = 5.5 ± 0.5 nmol/mg protein/min, S50 = 127.7 ?mol/L, and Hill coefficient of 3.0. The intrinsic clearance was 22.68 ?L min -1 mg -1. The unbound fraction of PPT on plasmatic and microsomal proteins was 0.07 and 0.76, respectively. The predicted in vivo clearance was 19.79 mL min -1 kg -1, the hepatic clearance was 1.89 mL min -1 kg -1 and the hepatic extraction was 0.09. Among 4 isoforms evaluated, CYP3A, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP1A2, a potential natural product-drug interaction for only CYP1A2 isoenzyme by PPT was observed. PPT showed to be a competitive and dosedependent inhibitor of CYP1A2, showing a Ki value of 1.5 ?mol L-1. The ratio [I]/Ki of 9.1 predicts an important in vivo interaction. Furthermore, a time-dependent inhibition of CYP1A2 with a KI of 8 ?mol L-1 and a kinact of 0.014 min-1 by PPT was demonstrated. The dose-, time- and NADPH-dependent inhibition confirms an inhibition based on mechanism through an irreversible bond. Based on results obtained from the mass spectrometry analysis and from the nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, four metabolites were identified and characterized. The metabolites characterized were: M1 (product of a demethylation in the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl portion, M2 (derived from an epoxidation between C3 and C4 on the lactone ring), M3 (product of a simple oxidation on C5 of lactone ring), and finally M4 (derived from a dihydrodiol reaction between C3 and C4). The metabolite M4 is produced later (after 40 min of reaction) and probably is a secondary metabolite produced from M2 through a dihydrodiol reaction. The phenotyping study demonstrated that the main isoforms involved in PPT metabolism are CYP1A2 (production of M1) and CYP3A4 (production of M2 and M3). The recombinant isoforms study demonstrated that several isoforms (CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2D6, CYP2B6 and CYP2E1) catalyze the production of M4. In summary, a wide view about the metabolism of the promising drug candidate PPT by CYP450 enzymes was accomplished. These results, certainly, will be a useful guide for further clinical studies of PPT

A (-)- grandisina (GRA) é um produto natural da classe das lignanas e é encontrada em muitas espécies de plantas das regiões Norte e Nordeste do Brasil. Por apresentar diversas propriedades biológicas, como atividade tripanocida, anti-inflamatória, antinociceptiva, e principalmente atividade antileucêmica e antitumoral contra tumores de Ehrlich, a GRA pode ser considerada um potencial candidato a fármaco. Porém, para que a GRA se torne um fármaco são necessárias diversas etapas de estudos, incluindo estudos pré-clínicos de interações medicamentosas (DDI). As DDI ocorrem principalmente devido a inibições diretas e tempo-dependentes das enzimas do citocromo P450 (CYP450), uma superfamília de enzimas responsável por metabolizar cerca de 75% dos fármacos em uso. Os estudos pré-clínicos de DDI envolvem o conhecimento do potencial inibitório do candidato a fármaco sobre essas enzimas e esses estudos podem ser realizados empregando diversos modelos in vitro, como, por exemplo, microssomas hepáticos de humanos (HLM). Assim, nesse estudo foi avaliado o efeito inibitório da GRA sobre a atividade das principais isoformas do CYP450 e também foram determinadas as isoformas que contribuem para a formação dos metabólitos da GRA. Os resultados demonstraram que múltiplas isoformas participam da formação dos metabólitos da GRA, com destaque para a CYP2C9, que participa da formação de todos os metabólitos. Em relação aos estudos de inibição, foi possível concluir que a GRA é um inibidor fraco da CYP1A2 e CYP2D6, com valores de IC50 maiores do que 200 µM e 100 µM, respectivamente, e um inibidor moderado e competitivo da CYP2C9, com IC50 igual a 40,85 µM e Ki igual a 50,60 µM. Para a CYP3A4 o potencial inibitório da GRA foi avaliado utilizando dois substratos distintos. A GRA demonstrou ser tanto um inibidor dose-dependente moderado e competitivo dessa isoforma, quanto um inibidor tempo-dependente baseado em mecanismo com potencial de inativação equiparável ao do irinotecano, inibidor baseado em mecanismo clinicamente significativo. Utilizando a nifedipina como substrato os valores de IC50 e Ki foram 78,09 µM e 48,71 µM, respectivamente. Já os valores dos parâmetros cinéticos de inativação foram KI= 6,40 µM, kinact= 0,037 min-1 e Clinact= 5,78 mL min-1 µmol-1. Para os ensaios empregando o midazolam os valores de IC50 e Ki foram 48,87 µM e 31,25 µM, respectivamente, e os valores dos parâmetros cinéticos de inativação foram KI= 31,53 µM, kinact= 0,049 min-1 e Clinact= 1,55 mL min-1 µmol-1. Com relação a CYP2E1, por sua vez, foi possível observar que a GRA tem capacidade de aumentar a atividade dessa isoforma significativamente a partir da concentração de 4 µM. Portanto, conclui-se que não há risco da GRA apresentar interações medicamentosas com fármacos metabolizados pela CYP1A2 e CYP2D6, enquanto que para a CYP2C9, apesar da GRA ser um inibidor moderado dessa isoforma, o risco é baixo. Já para medicamentos metabolizados pela CYP2E1 e CYP3A4 o risco de DDI existe e isso deve ser cuidadosamente monitorado in vivo, principalmente porque a CYP3A4 é a isoforma responsável por catalisar o metabolismo da maioria dos fármacos. / (-)-grandisin (GRA) is a lignanic natural product found in many species of plants from North and Northeast of Brazil. This compound has several biological properties, such as trypanocide, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antileukemia activity and antitumor activity against Ehrlich tumor. Because of these biological properties, GRA is considered a potential drug candidate, however, before becoming a new drug, GRA has to undergo various tests, including preclinical drug-drug interactions (DDI) studies. Most of the times, DDI occur because of direct and time-dependent inhibitions of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, an enzyme superfamily responsible for metabolizing the vast majority of drugs administered. Preclinical drug-drug interactions studies involve the evaluation of the potential of a drug candidate to inhibit this superfamily of enzymes and these studies can be conducted using in vitro models, such as human liver microsomes (HLM). Therefore, in this project, the inhibitory effect of GRA on the activity of some CYP450 isoforms was evaluated and the isoforms that catalyze the formation of GRA\'s metabolites were also determined. Results showed that multiple CYP450 isoforms participate in the GRA\'s metabolites formation, highlighting CYP2C9, which catalyzes the formation of all metabolites. The inhibition studies showed that GRA is a weak inhibitor of CYP1A2 and CYP2D6, with IC50 values greater than 200 µM and 100 µM, respectively, and a moderate and competitive inhibitor of CYP2C9, with IC50 value equal to 40.85 µM and Ki value equal to 50.60 µM. The capability of GRA to inhibit CYP3A4 was evaluated using two different substrates. GRA showed to be a moderate and competitive dose- dependent inhibitor of this isoform and also a mechanism-based time-dependent inhibitor with potential of inactivation comparable to irinotecan, a clinically significant mechanism-based inhibitor. IC50 and Ki values obtained using nifedipine as substrate were 78.09 µM and 48.71 µM, respectively, and inactivation kinetics parameters were KI= 6.40 µM, kinact= 0,037 min-1 e Clinact= 5.78 mL min-1 µmol-1. On the other hand, IC50 and Ki values using midazolam as substrate were 48.87 µM and 31.25 µM, respectively, and the values of inactivation kinetics parameters were KI= 31.53 µM, kinact= 0,049 min-1 and Clinact= 1.55 mL min-1 µmol-1. With respect to CYP2E1, it was observed that GRA increases its activity significantly from a concentration of 4 µM. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that there is no risk of DDI between GRA and drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 and CYP2D6, while for CYP2C9, although GRA is a moderate inhibitor of this isoform, the risk is low. Finally, for drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 there is risk of DDI and this should be carefully monitored in humans, mainly because CYP3A4 is an isoform responsible for catalyzing the metabolism of most drugs in use.

La fièvre jaune est une pathologie virale humaine causée par un flavivirus, le virus de la fièvre jaune et transmise par des vecteurs arthropodes. Les formes sévères, parfois mortelles, sont caractérisées par une atteinte systémique aigüe qui affecte le foie. Bien que la vaccination existe depuis près de 80 ans, des recensements réguliers d'épidémies sont encore faits. Les vaccins à base d'une souche vivante atténuée YF 17D présentent d'excellents taux de séroconversion et sont notamment caractérisés par une forte diminution de l'hépatotropisme. Néanmoins les mécanismes associés à la pathogénèse hépatique sont encore mal compris et pourraient être une aide aux développements vaccinaux contre d'autres flavivirus ou virus hépatiques. L'étude développée ici s'est inscrite dans la problématique de la représentativité des modèles cellulaires hépatiques utilisés. Afin de répondre aux pertes métaboliques et immunitaires reportées dans plusieurs modèles, nous nous sommes orientés vers des modèles organotypiques associant plusieurs populations cellulaires hépatiques et un microenvironnement caractéristique. Les modulations induites par les souches vaccinales ou sauvages du virus de la fièvre jaune ont été évaluées par une approche transcriptomique globale utilisant la technologie RNASeq et des méthodes d'analyse définies. Nos résultats montrent une plus forte permissivité des modèles cellulaires à la souche atténuée YF 17D par rapport à la souche sauvage YF Asibi. Cette observation est associée pour la souche atténuée à l'établissement précoce d'une réponse antivirale complète impliquant une détection rapide des formes réplicatives du virus, la mise en place des réponses aux IFNs de type I et de type III, la clairance virale et un contrôle des métabolismes cellulaires et hépatiques. De son côté la souche sauvage présente un délai important dans l'établissement de ces réponses amenant à de potentiels mécanismes alternatifs de la clairance virale et de dérégulations métaboliques. Ces données mettent en exergue les interactions étroites qui existent entre les systèmes immunitaires et métaboliques au niveau du foie. Nous suggérons que la forte réponse antivirale induite par la souche atténuée pourrait contribuer à la rupture de la tolérance hépatique et à l'efficacité in vivo de la souche vaccinale. En outre, la cinétique des réponses immunitaires, en combinaison avec la charge virale, peuvent déterminer l'équilibre entre la récupération et l'immunopathologie après l'infection par le virus sauvage / Yellow fever is a human disease caused by a flavivirus, the yellow fever virus, transmitted by arthropod vectors. Severe forms, sometimes fatal, are characterized by acute systemic disease that affects the liver. Despite an effective vaccine being available for nearly 80 years, epizootic circulation occurs and results in periodic outbreaks in endemic regions and among travelers. Vaccines based on a live attenuated strain YF 17D exhibit excellent seroconversion rate and are characterized by a strong decrease in hepatotropism. However the mechanisms involved in liver pathogenesis are poorly understood and could be helpful for future vaccine development against other flaviviruses or hepatitis viruses.There is a need to develop liver cellular model better reflecting the in vivo liver microenvironment. In this work, we used new 3D models combining several liver cell populations to evaluate immune and metabolic responses induced by yellow fever viruses. Modulations induced by both vaccine and wild-type strains were evaluated by a global transcriptomic approach using RNA-Seq technology and well-defined analysis methods. Our results show a greater permissivity of cellular models to YF 17D strain compared to the wild type YF Asibi. In addition, YF 17D infection leads to an early establishment of a complete antiviral response involving rapid detection of replicating forms of the virus, development of a strong type I and type III IFN responses, initiation of viral clearance and modulation of cellular and liver metabolism. Wild-type strain presents a significant delay in the establishment of these responses leading to potential alternative mechanisms for viral clearance and metabolic dysregulation. These data highlight the close interactions between the immune and metabolic systems in the liver.We suggest that the strong antiviral response induced by attenuated strain could contribute to the breakdown of liver tolerance and in vivo efficacy of the vaccine strain. In addition, the kinetics of immune responses, in combination with viral load, can determine the balance between the recovery and immunopathology after infection with wild type virus

A (-)- grandisina (GRA) é um produto natural da classe das lignanas e é encontrada em muitas espécies de plantas das regiões Norte e Nordeste do Brasil. Por apresentar diversas propriedades biológicas, como atividade tripanocida, anti-inflamatória, antinociceptiva, e principalmente atividade antileucêmica e antitumoral contra tumores de Ehrlich, a GRA pode ser considerada um potencial candidato a fármaco. Porém, para que a GRA se torne um fármaco são necessárias diversas etapas de estudos, incluindo estudos pré-clínicos de interações medicamentosas (DDI). As DDI ocorrem principalmente devido a inibições diretas e tempo-dependentes das enzimas do citocromo P450 (CYP450), uma superfamília de enzimas responsável por metabolizar cerca de 75% dos fármacos em uso. Os estudos pré-clínicos de DDI envolvem o conhecimento do potencial inibitório do candidato a fármaco sobre essas enzimas e esses estudos podem ser realizados empregando diversos modelos in vitro, como, por exemplo, microssomas hepáticos de humanos (HLM). Assim, nesse estudo foi avaliado o efeito inibitório da GRA sobre a atividade das principais isoformas do CYP450 e também foram determinadas as isoformas que contribuem para a formação dos metabólitos da GRA. Os resultados demonstraram que múltiplas isoformas participam da formação dos metabólitos da GRA, com destaque para a CYP2C9, que participa da formação de todos os metabólitos. Em relação aos estudos de inibição, foi possível concluir que a GRA é um inibidor fraco da CYP1A2 e CYP2D6, com valores de IC50 maiores do que 200 µM e 100 µM, respectivamente, e um inibidor moderado e competitivo da CYP2C9, com IC50 igual a 40,85 µM e Ki igual a 50,60 µM. Para a CYP3A4 o potencial inibitório da GRA foi avaliado utilizando dois substratos distintos. A GRA demonstrou ser tanto um inibidor dose-dependente moderado e competitivo dessa isoforma, quanto um inibidor tempo-dependente baseado em mecanismo com potencial de inativação equiparável ao do irinotecano, inibidor baseado em mecanismo clinicamente significativo. Utilizando a nifedipina como substrato os valores de IC50 e Ki foram 78,09 µM e 48,71 µM, respectivamente. Já os valores dos parâmetros cinéticos de inativação foram KI= 6,40 µM, kinact= 0,037 min-1 e Clinact= 5,78 mL min-1 µmol-1. Para os ensaios empregando o midazolam os valores de IC50 e Ki foram 48,87 µM e 31,25 µM, respectivamente, e os valores dos parâmetros cinéticos de inativação foram KI= 31,53 µM, kinact= 0,049 min-1 e Clinact= 1,55 mL min-1 µmol-1. Com relação a CYP2E1, por sua vez, foi possível observar que a GRA tem capacidade de aumentar a atividade dessa isoforma significativamente a partir da concentração de 4 µM. Portanto, conclui-se que não há risco da GRA apresentar interações medicamentosas com fármacos metabolizados pela CYP1A2 e CYP2D6, enquanto que para a CYP2C9, apesar da GRA ser um inibidor moderado dessa isoforma, o risco é baixo. Já para medicamentos metabolizados pela CYP2E1 e CYP3A4 o risco de DDI existe e isso deve ser cuidadosamente monitorado in vivo, principalmente porque a CYP3A4 é a isoforma responsável por catalisar o metabolismo da maioria dos fármacos. / (-)-grandisin (GRA) is a lignanic natural product found in many species of plants from North and Northeast of Brazil. This compound has several biological properties, such as trypanocide, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antileukemia activity and antitumor activity against Ehrlich tumor. Because of these biological properties, GRA is considered a potential drug candidate, however, before becoming a new drug, GRA has to undergo various tests, including preclinical drug-drug interactions (DDI) studies. Most of the times, DDI occur because of direct and time-dependent inhibitions of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, an enzyme superfamily responsible for metabolizing the vast majority of drugs administered. Preclinical drug-drug interactions studies involve the evaluation of the potential of a drug candidate to inhibit this superfamily of enzymes and these studies can be conducted using in vitro models, such as human liver microsomes (HLM). Therefore, in this project, the inhibitory effect of GRA on the activity of some CYP450 isoforms was evaluated and the isoforms that catalyze the formation of GRA\'s metabolites were also determined. Results showed that multiple CYP450 isoforms participate in the GRA\'s metabolites formation, highlighting CYP2C9, which catalyzes the formation of all metabolites. The inhibition studies showed that GRA is a weak inhibitor of CYP1A2 and CYP2D6, with IC50 values greater than 200 µM and 100 µM, respectively, and a moderate and competitive inhibitor of CYP2C9, with IC50 value equal to 40.85 µM and Ki value equal to 50.60 µM. The capability of GRA to inhibit CYP3A4 was evaluated using two different substrates. GRA showed to be a moderate and competitive dose- dependent inhibitor of this isoform and also a mechanism-based time-dependent inhibitor with potential of inactivation comparable to irinotecan, a clinically significant mechanism-based inhibitor. IC50 and Ki values obtained using nifedipine as substrate were 78.09 µM and 48.71 µM, respectively, and inactivation kinetics parameters were KI= 6.40 µM, kinact= 0,037 min-1 e Clinact= 5.78 mL min-1 µmol-1. On the other hand, IC50 and Ki values using midazolam as substrate were 48.87 µM and 31.25 µM, respectively, and the values of inactivation kinetics parameters were KI= 31.53 µM, kinact= 0,049 min-1 and Clinact= 1.55 mL min-1 µmol-1. With respect to CYP2E1, it was observed that GRA increases its activity significantly from a concentration of 4 µM. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that there is no risk of DDI between GRA and drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 and CYP2D6, while for CYP2C9, although GRA is a moderate inhibitor of this isoform, the risk is low. Finally, for drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 there is risk of DDI and this should be carefully monitored in humans, mainly because CYP3A4 is an isoform responsible for catalyzing the metabolism of most drugs in use.

The wide scale use of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in the world consumer market has resulted in likelihood of exposure to human beings. The present study was aimed to assess the in vitro and in vivo interactions of ZnO NPs in the mammalian system and to elucidate the possible mechanism of their toxicity. Our in vitro results using human epidermal cells (A431), primary human epidermal keratinocytes and human liver cells (HepG2) demonstrated that cells exposed to ZnO NPs exhibit a decrease in cell viability which was independent of NP dissolution. ZnO NPs also induced oxidative DNA damage as evidenced by an increase in the Fpg sensitive sites. The reactive oxygen species triggered a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in the ratio of Bax/Bcl2 leading to apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway. In addition, ZnO NPs induced phosphorylation of JNK, P38 and P53ser15. The results from our in vivo studies using a mouse model showed that ZnO NPs induce lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis in liver which further confirmed our in vitro findings. The data from the present study provide valuable insights into the cellular interactions of ZnO NPs and the underlying molecular mechanism of their toxicity. The results also stress the need for a comprehensive environmental health and safety assessment of engineered nanomaterials to ensure safer nanotechnology based products.

Les modèles numériques personnalisables d'organes du corps humain offrent un formidable potentiel pour évaluer le risque lésionnel dans les domaines de la sécurité des transports, du médical ou du sport. Suivant les applications, différents niveaux de détails peuvent être nécessaires. En particulier, lorsque le comportement mécanique des tissus biologiques doit être finement reproduit, les modèles de comportement doivent intégrer des considérations sur la structure du tissu, et simuler les mécanismes suivant lesquels il réagit à un chargement mécanique. Le travail de thèse présenté ici s'est focalisé sur la capsule de foie, notamment sur ses propriétés microstructurales et mécaniques, afin d'identifier les hypothèses importantes à intégrer dans la construction d'un modèle constitutif de tissu fibreux basé sur la microstructure. La méthodologie expérimentale a été mise en place afin de caractériser le comportement mécanique de ce tissu, en lien avec l'organisation de sa microstructure. Des essais de traction uniaxiale et de gonflement sous microscope confocal biphotonique ont été développés, pour observer l'évolution de la microstructure sous chargement. Des déformations macroscopiques ont été mesurées, et une méthode de mesure de champs de déformations locaux a été développée pour quantifier l'état de déformation du réseau de fibres. La réorganisation du réseau de fibre de collagène a également été quantifiée. L'analyse des liens existant entre les grandeurs mesurées à l'échelle macroscopique et ces phénomènes microscopiques est proposée, pour préciser les hypothèses à adopter dans les modèles permettant de passer de l'échelle des fibres au comportement global du tissu / Customized human body models offer a great potential to assess the injury risks in the fields of transport safety, surgery or sport. Various detail levels can then be needed, according to the targeted application. In particular, when the mechanical behavior of biological tissues needs to be accurately reproduced, numerical models have to include information about the structure of the tissue, and model the mechanisms of the response to mechanical loading. The work presented here focuses on the microstructural and mechanical characterization of the human liver capsule, in order to identify the important hypotheses that need to be included in a fibrous tissue constitutive model, based on microstructure. Thus, an experimental methodology has been developed to identify the mechanical behavior of this particular tissue, related with its microstructural organization. Uniaxial tensile tests, as well as bulge tests under a multiphoton confocal microscope have been performed, to observe the microstructure evolution during loading. Macroscopic strain has been assessed, and a method to measure local strain fields has been developed, to quantify the strain state of the fibrous network. The reorganization of the collagen fibers network has also been quantified. An analysis of the links between the measured macroscopic parameters and the microscopic phenomena is given. Therefore, the hypotheses that need to be included in constitutive models are highlighted, with particular consideration given to the affine transformation hypothesis which allows to link the fibers behavior to the global response of the tissue

En raison de la diffusion incontrôlée sur le e-commerce, la sécurité et l’alternative légale aux stupéfiants habituels, les nouvelles substances psychoactives (NPS), d’apparition récente (2008), sont au cœur des phénomènes récents d’addiction et de décès mal expliqués. Au-delà des différents défis dans nos sociétés (prévention, législation), la capacité d’identifier les NPS dans des échantillons biologiques pour caractériser leur utilisation, présente de nombreux challenges analytiques. L’objectif principal de cette thèse a été de collecter des échantillons biologiques (sang, urine, cheveux) provenant de cas d’exposition à des NPS et d’y caractériser les substances présentes à l’aide de méthodes analytiques originales, dans le but d’enrichir les librairies de spectres de masse et d’améliorer, en conséquence, la détection de la consommation de NPS. En particulier, il s’agissait d’augmenter la fenêtre de détection de la prise de NPS en se focalisant sur les métabolites qui sont, le plus souvent, les produits majeurs d’élimination. Le développement analytique, par chromatographie liquide ultra haute performance couplée à la spectrométrie de masse en tandem (UHPLC-MS/MS), a demandé plusieurs mois d’optimisation afin d’obtenir une méthode robuste, exhaustive et sensible. Actuellement, la librairie de spectres MS comporte 114 NPS et est mise à jour régulièrement. A la suite de ce développement, ma thèse a porté sur l’étude de cas d’intoxication vus au service des urgences du CHU de Strasbourg, mais aussi en médecine légale, avec des situations de décès et d’identification de produits inconnus provenant de saisies (poudres et cristaux). Il a également été nécessaire de développer des outils analytiques complémentaires, tels que la caractérisation de métabolite(s) par étude sur microsomes hépatiques humains (HLMs), et l’utilisation de la spectroscopie par résonance magnétique nucléaire (RMN) afin d’identifier avec certitude certains composés et de déterminer leur degré de pureté. Les outils analytiques développés et la stratégie mise en place ont permis la rédaction de 18 publications, ainsi que l’agencement de nombreuses collaborations. / Due to the uncontrolled spread on the Internet and their legal alternative to usual drugs, the new psychoactive substances (NPS), recently appeared (2008), are at the center of recent phenomena of addiction and badly explained deaths. Beyond different challenges in our societies (prevention, legislation), the ability to identify NPS in biological samples, in order to characterize their use, presents many analytical challenges. The main objective of this thesis was to collect biological samples (blood, urine, hair) from cases of exposure to NPS and to characterize the substances present using original analytical methods, in order to enlarge the libraries of mass spectra and improve, as a result, the detection of NPS consumption. In particular, it was intended to increase the detection sensitivity of NPS intake by focusing on the metabolites that are often the major products of elimination. This analytical development, by ultra-high liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), required several months of optimization in order to obtain a robust, exhaustive and sensitive method. At present, the mass spectra database has 114 NPS and is regularly updated. Thereafter, ma thesis focused on the study of cases of intoxication observed in the emergency department of Strasbourg, but also in legal medicine with situations of deaths and identification of unknown products collected from seizures (powders and crystals). It has also been necessary to implement complementary analytical tools, such as the characterization of metabolites by human liver microsomes (HLMs), and the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to accurately identify the compounds and establish their purity degrees. The analytical tools developed, and the strategy adopted, allowed the writing of 18 publications, as well as the setting up of numerous collaborations.