by Lo Hoi Ka Elka. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 172-181). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iv / LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES --- p.viii / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xiv / Chapter CHAPTER 1 : --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1. --- DIFFERENT TREATMENTS OF THE CANCER THERAPY --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CANCER TREATMENT / Chapter 1.2.1. --- Surgery --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2.2. --- Radiotherapy --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2.3. --- Chemotherapy --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3. --- THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DOXORUBICIN (DOX) / Chapter 1.3.1. --- The structure of Dox --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.2. --- The actions of Dox --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3.3. --- The adverse side effect of Dox --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4. --- THE RATIONALE OF USING LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (LDL) AS A TARGET CARRIER IN CANCER THERAPY / Chapter 1.4.1. --- The correlation between cholesterol and cancer --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4.2. --- Low density lipoprotein (LDL) as a target carrier --- p.11 / Chapter 1.4.3. --- The down and up regulation of LDL receptors --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4.4. --- The characteristics of Fuctus Craegus (FC) --- p.15 / Chapter 1.5. --- DIFFERENT METHODS OF THE PREPARATION OF THE LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN-DRUG (LDL- DRUG) --- p.18 / Chapter 1.6. --- THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (LDL) / Chapter 1.6.1. --- The structure of LDL --- p.20 / Chapter 1.6.2. --- The metabolic pathway of LDL in human bodies --- p.23 / Chapter 1.7. --- THE MULTIDRUGS RESISTANCE IN TUMOR CELLS --- p.25 / Chapter 1.7.1. --- The mechanism of multidrug resistance --- p.27 / Chapter 1.7.2. --- The structure of P-glycoprotein --- p.27 / Chapter 1.7.3. --- The mechanism of P-glycoprotein --- p.30 / Chapter 1.8. --- COMBINED TREATMENT WITH HYPERTHERMIA --- p.31 / Chapter 1.9. --- AIM OF THE STUDY --- p.33 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 : --- MATERIALS AND METHODS / Chapter 2.1. --- MATERIALS / Chapter 2.1.1. --- Animals --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.2. --- Buffers --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.3. --- Cell culture reagents --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.4. --- Chemicals --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.5. --- Culture of cells --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2. --- METHODS / Chapter 2.2.1. --- In vitro studies / Chapter 2.2.1.1. --- "LDL, doxorubicin complex formation" --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.1.2. --- Determination of the concentration of LDL-Dox --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.1.3. --- In vitro cytotoxicity --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.1.4. --- The cytotoxicity of the combined treatment with anticancer drugs --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.1.5. --- The preparation of Fructus Crataegus (FC) --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.1.6. --- Western blot --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.1.7. --- Flow cytometry --- p.49 / Chapter 2.2.1.8. --- Confocal laser scanning microscopy --- p.52 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- In vivo studies / Chapter 2.2.2.1. --- Subcutaneous injection of R-HepG2 cells in nude mouse --- p.55 / Chapter 2.2.2.2. --- Treatment schedules --- p.55 / Chapter 2.2.2.3. --- Assay of investigating of the myocardial injury --- p.56 / Chapter 2.2.2.4. --- Tissue preparation procedure for light microscope (LM) --- p.57 / Chapter 2.2.3. --- Statistical analysis in our research --- p.59 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 : --- RESULTS / Chapter 3.1. --- in vitro STUDIES / Chapter 3.1.1. --- The preparation of low density lipoprotein-doxorubicin (LDL-Dox) --- p.60 / Chapter 3.1.2. --- Studies on human hepatoma cells line (HepG2 cells) / Chapter 3.1.2.1. --- The comparison of Dox and LDL-Dox accumulated in HepG2 cells --- p.63 / Chapter 3.1.2.2. --- Confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) studies on the accumulation of Dox and LDL-Dox in HepG2 cells --- p.65 / Chapter 3.1.2.3. --- The comparsion of the cytotoxicity of Dox and LDL-Dox on HepG2 cells --- p.67 / Chapter 3.1.2.4. --- The comparison of the cytotoxicty of Dox and LDL-Dox with and without hyperthermia on HepG2 cells --- p.73 / Chapter 3.1.2.5. --- The comparison of accumulation of Dox and LDL-Dox in HepG2 cells treated with and without combination of with hyperthermia --- p.77 / Chapter 3.1.2.6. --- Confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) studies on the accumulation of Dox and LDL-Dox in HepG2 treated cells with and without hyperthermia --- p.80 / Chapter 3.1.2.7. --- Modulation of LDL receptors on HepG2 cells------Up- regulation of LDL receptors by Fructus Craegtus (FC) / Chapter 3.1.2.7.1. --- The comparsion of LDL receptor expression on HepG2 cells after Fructus Craegtus (FC) pre-treatment --- p.83 / Chapter 3.1.2.7.2. --- The comparison of accumulation of LDL-Dox accumulated in HepG2 cells pre-treated with and without Fructus Craegtus (FC) --- p.85 / Chapter 3.1.2.7.3. --- Confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) studies on the accumulation of LDL-Doxin HepG2 cells after Fructus Craegtus (FC) pre- treatment --- p.88 / Chapter 3.1.2.7.4. --- Cytotoxicity of combined treatment with LDL-Dox and Fructus Craegtus (FC) --- p.91 / Chapter 3.1.3. --- Studies on multidrug human resistant hepatoma cell line (R-HepG2 cells) / Chapter 3.1.3.1. --- The overexpression level of P-glycoprotein in resistant cell line R-HepG2 --- p.93 / Chapter 3.1.3.2. --- The comparison of Dox and LDL-Dox accumulated in R- HepG2 cells --- p.95 / Chapter 3.1.3.3. --- Confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) studies on the accumulation of Dox and LDL-Dox in R-HepG2 cells --- p.97 / Chapter 3.1.3.4. --- The comparsion of the cytotoxicity of Dox and LDL-Dox on R-HepG2 cells --- p.99 / Chapter 3.1.3.5. --- The comparison of the cytotoxicty of Dox and LDL-Dox with and without hyperthermia on R-HepG2 cells --- p.109 / Chapter 3.1.3.6. --- The comparison of the accumulation of Dox and LDL- Dox in R-HepG2 cells treated in combination with hyperthermia --- p.113 / Chapter 3.1.3.7. --- Confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) studies on the accumulation of Dox and LDL-Dox in R-HepG2 cells with and without hyperthermia --- p.117 / Chapter 3.1.3.8. --- Modulation of LDL receptors on R-HepG2 cells ------ Up-regulation of LDL receptors by Fructus Craegtus (FC) / Chapter 3.1.3.8.1. --- The comparsion of LDL receptor expression on R-HepG2 cells after Fructus Craegtus (FC) pre-treatment --- p.120 / Chapter 3.1.3.8.2. --- The comparsion of the accumulation of LDL- Dox in R-HepG2 cells after Fructus Craegtus (FC) pre-treatment --- p.122 / Chapter 3.1.3.8.3. --- Confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) studies in the accumulation of LDL-Dox by Fructus Craegtus pre-treatment in R-HepG2 cells --- p.125 / Chapter 3.1.3.8.4. --- The comparison of cytotoxicity of combined treatment with LDL-Dox and Fructus Craegtus (FC) in R-HepG2 cells --- p.128 / Chapter 3.2. --- in vivo STUDIES / Chapter 3.2.1. --- The comparison of Dox and LDL-Dox on reducing the tumor sizes and weight in nude mice bearing R-HepG2 cells / Chapter 3.2.1.1. --- The comparison of Dox and LDL-Dox on reducing the tumor size in nude mice bearing R-HepG2 cells --- p.130 / Chapter 3.2.1.2. --- The comparison of Dox and LDL-Dox on reducing the tumor weight in nude mice bearing R-HepG2 cells --- p.138 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Myocardial injury measured by Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in nude mice bearing R-HepG2 cells treated with Dox and LDL-Dox --- p.140 / Chapter 3.2.3. --- Myocardial injury measured by Creatine kinase (CK) activity in nude mice bearing R-HepG2 cells treated with Dox and LDL-Dox --- p.143 / Chapter 3.2.4. --- Histological studies of heart of nude mice bearing R-HepG2 cells treated with Dox and LDL-Dox / Chapter 3.2.4.1. --- Heart section of nude mice --- p.146 / Chapter 3.2.4.2. --- Heart section of nude mice bearing R-HepG2 cells --- p.148 / Chapter 3.2.4.3. --- Heart section of lmg/kg Dox treated nude mice bearing R- HepG2 cells --- p.150 / Chapter 3.2.4.4. --- Heart section of 2mg/kg Dox treated nude mice bearing R- HepG2 cells --- p.152 / Chapter 3.2.4.5. --- Heart section of lmg/kg LDL-Dox treated nude mice bearing R-HepG2 cells --- p.154 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- : DISCUSSION / Chapter 4.1. --- in vitro STUDIES / Chapter 4.1.1. --- The cytotoxicity of Dox and LDL-Dox on HepG2 cells and R- HepG2 cells --- p.156 / Chapter 4.1.2. --- The combined treatment on HepG2 cells and R-HepG2 cells --- p.157 / Chapter 4.1.3. --- The modulation of LDL-R expression --- p.159 / Chapter 4.2. --- in vivo STUDIES --- p.162 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- : CONCLUSION / Chapter 5.1. --- CONCLUSION / Chapter 5.1.1. --- In vitro studies --- p.167 / Chapter 5.1.2. --- In vivo studies --- p.169 / Chapter 5.2. --- FUTURE PROSPECTIVE --- p.170 / REFERENCES --- p.172

The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, PCSK9, belongs to the proprotein convertase (PC) family. Human mutations in the gene encoding PCSK9 lead to either familial hyper- or hypocholesterolemia, resulting from a gain or loss of function, respectively. Mice lacking PCSK9 are viable and show a 42% decrease in plasma cholesterol levels. The enzyme triggers the degradation of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) through a partially unknown mechanism. / PCSK9 is very abundant in the liver and intestine during development and adulthood. Hepatocytes have a capacity to reproduce themselves and, upon injury, can repopulate the liver. For a better understanding of the role of PCSK9 in the liver, partial hepatectomy was performed on Pcsk9 +/+, Pcsk9+/- and Pcsk9-/- mice. The absence of PCSK9 resulted in defective liver regeneration, while wild type (WT) and heterozygous mice had no phenotype. Regeneration defects could be prevented by a high cholesterol diet. PCSK9 deficiency, by contributing to maintaining low circulating cholesterol levels may thus hamper liver regeneration. This knowledge is critical for the analysis of future PCSK9 inhibitors expected to be developed in the near future. / Key words. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9), a familial hyper- or hypocholesterolemia, low density lipoprotein receptor, knockout mouse model, partial hepatectomy.

No description available.

Treinamento físico é considerado um dos principais instrumentos para promover um estilo de vida saudável. No entanto, os efeitos do treinamento resistido sobre as vias metabólicas, especialmente o metabolismo lipídico intravascular é em grande parte inexplorada e merece uma investigação mais aprofundada. No presente estudo nós avaliamos os efeitos do treinamento resistido sobre o metabolismo de uma nanoemulsão artificial lipídica e na transferência de lípides para HDL, uma importante etapa do metabolismo da HDL. A cinética plasmática da nanoemulsão artificial lipídica foi estudada em 15 homens saudáveis com treinamento resistido regular de 1-4 anos (idade = 25 ± 5 anos, VO2máx = 50 ± 6 mL/kg/min) e em 15 homens saudáveis sedentários (28 ± 7 anos, VO2máx = 35 ± 9 mL/kg/min). A nanoemulsão artificial lipídica marcada com éster de colesterol-14C e colesterol livre-3H foi injetada por via intravenosa, as amostras de plasma foram coletadas por 24 h para determinar curvas de cinéticas e a taxa fracional de remoção (TFR). Transferência de lípides para HDL foi determinada in vitro pela incubação de amostras de plasma com nanoemulsões (doadores de lípides) marcada com o isótopo radioativo colesterol livre, éster de colesterol, triglicérides e fosfolípides. Tamanho da HDL, atividade da paraoxonase 1 e os níveis de LDL oxidada também foram determinadas. Os dois grupos apresentaram LDL-colesterol, HDL-colesterol e triglicérides semelhantes, mas a LDL oxidada foi menor no grupo treinamento resistido (30 ± 9 vs 61 ± 19 U/L, p = 0,0005). No treinamento resistido, a nanoemulsão éster de colesterol-14C foi removida duas vezes mais rápido do que em indivíduos sedentários (TFR: 0,068 ± 0,023 vs 0,037 ± 0,028, p = 0,002), bem como o colesterol livre-3H (0,041 ± 0,025 vs 0,022 ± 0,023, p = 0,04). Embora ambos os componentes da nanoemulsão tenham sido removidos na mesma proporção em indivíduos sedentários, no grupo treinamento resistido o colesterol livre-3H foi removido mais lento do que o éster de colesterol-14C (p = 0,005). Tamanho da HDL, paraoxonase 1 e as taxas de transferência de HDL dos quatro lipídios foram as mesmas em ambos os grupos. Portanto, concluímos que o treinamento resistido acelera a remoção da nanoemulsão artificial lipídica, o que provavelmente explica a redução dos níveis de LDL oxidada no grupo treinamento resistido. O treinamento resistido também alterou o equilíbrio da TFR do colesterol livre e esterificado. No entanto, o treinamento resistido não teve efeito nos parâmetros relacionados ao metabolismo da HDL / Exercise training is considered one of the main instruments to promote a healthy lifestyle. However, effects resistance training on the metabolic pathways, specially the intravascular lipid metabolism is largely unexplored and deserves further investigation. In this study we evaluated the effects of resistance training on the metabolism of an LDL-like nanoemulsion and on lipid transfer to HDL, an important step of HDL metabolism. LDL-like nanoemulsion plasma kinetics was studied in 15 healthy men under regular resistance training for 1-4 years (age = 25 ± 5 years, VO2peak = 50 ± 6 mL/kg/min) and in 15 healthy sedentary men (28 ± 7 years, VO2peak = 35 ± 9 mL/kg/min). LDL-like nanoemulsion labeled with 14C-cholesteryl ester and 3H-free cholesterol was injected intravenously, plasma samples were collected over 24 h to determine kinetics curves and fractional clearance rates (FCR). Lipid transfer to HDL was determined in vitro by incubating of plasma samples with nanoemulsions (lipid donors) labeled with radioactive free cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, triglycerides and phospholipids. HDL size, paraoxonase 1 activity and oxidized LDL levels were also determined. The two groups showed similar LDL and HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, but oxidized LDL was lower in resistance training group (30 ± 9 vs 61 ± 19 U/L, p = 0.0005). In resistance training, the nanoemulsion 14Ccholesteryl ester was removed twice as fast than in sedentary individuals (FCR: 0.068 ± 0.023 vs 0.037 ± 0.028, p = 0.002), as well as 3H-free cholesterol (0.041 ± 0.025 vs 0.022 ± 0.023, p = 0.04). While both nanoemulsion labels were removed at the same rate in sedentary individuals, in resistance training group 3H-free cholesterol was removed slower than 14C-cholesteryl ester (p = 0.005). HDL size, paraoxonase 1 and the transfer rates to HDL of the four lipids were the same in both groups. Therefore, we conclude that the resistance training accelerated the clearance of LDL-like nanoemulsion, which probably accounts for the oxidized LDL levels reduction in resistance training group. Resistance training also changed the balance of free and esterified cholesterol FCRs. However, RT had no effect on HDL metabolism related parameters

Treinamento físico é considerado um dos principais instrumentos para promover um estilo de vida saudável. No entanto, os efeitos do treinamento resistido sobre as vias metabólicas, especialmente o metabolismo lipídico intravascular é em grande parte inexplorada e merece uma investigação mais aprofundada. No presente estudo nós avaliamos os efeitos do treinamento resistido sobre o metabolismo de uma nanoemulsão artificial lipídica e na transferência de lípides para HDL, uma importante etapa do metabolismo da HDL. A cinética plasmática da nanoemulsão artificial lipídica foi estudada em 15 homens saudáveis com treinamento resistido regular de 1-4 anos (idade = 25 ± 5 anos, VO2máx = 50 ± 6 mL/kg/min) e em 15 homens saudáveis sedentários (28 ± 7 anos, VO2máx = 35 ± 9 mL/kg/min). A nanoemulsão artificial lipídica marcada com éster de colesterol-14C e colesterol livre-3H foi injetada por via intravenosa, as amostras de plasma foram coletadas por 24 h para determinar curvas de cinéticas e a taxa fracional de remoção (TFR). Transferência de lípides para HDL foi determinada in vitro pela incubação de amostras de plasma com nanoemulsões (doadores de lípides) marcada com o isótopo radioativo colesterol livre, éster de colesterol, triglicérides e fosfolípides. Tamanho da HDL, atividade da paraoxonase 1 e os níveis de LDL oxidada também foram determinadas. Os dois grupos apresentaram LDL-colesterol, HDL-colesterol e triglicérides semelhantes, mas a LDL oxidada foi menor no grupo treinamento resistido (30 ± 9 vs 61 ± 19 U/L, p = 0,0005). No treinamento resistido, a nanoemulsão éster de colesterol-14C foi removida duas vezes mais rápido do que em indivíduos sedentários (TFR: 0,068 ± 0,023 vs 0,037 ± 0,028, p = 0,002), bem como o colesterol livre-3H (0,041 ± 0,025 vs 0,022 ± 0,023, p = 0,04). Embora ambos os componentes da nanoemulsão tenham sido removidos na mesma proporção em indivíduos sedentários, no grupo treinamento resistido o colesterol livre-3H foi removido mais lento do que o éster de colesterol-14C (p = 0,005). Tamanho da HDL, paraoxonase 1 e as taxas de transferência de HDL dos quatro lipídios foram as mesmas em ambos os grupos. Portanto, concluímos que o treinamento resistido acelera a remoção da nanoemulsão artificial lipídica, o que provavelmente explica a redução dos níveis de LDL oxidada no grupo treinamento resistido. O treinamento resistido também alterou o equilíbrio da TFR do colesterol livre e esterificado. No entanto, o treinamento resistido não teve efeito nos parâmetros relacionados ao metabolismo da HDL / Exercise training is considered one of the main instruments to promote a healthy lifestyle. However, effects resistance training on the metabolic pathways, specially the intravascular lipid metabolism is largely unexplored and deserves further investigation. In this study we evaluated the effects of resistance training on the metabolism of an LDL-like nanoemulsion and on lipid transfer to HDL, an important step of HDL metabolism. LDL-like nanoemulsion plasma kinetics was studied in 15 healthy men under regular resistance training for 1-4 years (age = 25 ± 5 years, VO2peak = 50 ± 6 mL/kg/min) and in 15 healthy sedentary men (28 ± 7 years, VO2peak = 35 ± 9 mL/kg/min). LDL-like nanoemulsion labeled with 14C-cholesteryl ester and 3H-free cholesterol was injected intravenously, plasma samples were collected over 24 h to determine kinetics curves and fractional clearance rates (FCR). Lipid transfer to HDL was determined in vitro by incubating of plasma samples with nanoemulsions (lipid donors) labeled with radioactive free cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, triglycerides and phospholipids. HDL size, paraoxonase 1 activity and oxidized LDL levels were also determined. The two groups showed similar LDL and HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, but oxidized LDL was lower in resistance training group (30 ± 9 vs 61 ± 19 U/L, p = 0.0005). In resistance training, the nanoemulsion 14Ccholesteryl ester was removed twice as fast than in sedentary individuals (FCR: 0.068 ± 0.023 vs 0.037 ± 0.028, p = 0.002), as well as 3H-free cholesterol (0.041 ± 0.025 vs 0.022 ± 0.023, p = 0.04). While both nanoemulsion labels were removed at the same rate in sedentary individuals, in resistance training group 3H-free cholesterol was removed slower than 14C-cholesteryl ester (p = 0.005). HDL size, paraoxonase 1 and the transfer rates to HDL of the four lipids were the same in both groups. Therefore, we conclude that the resistance training accelerated the clearance of LDL-like nanoemulsion, which probably accounts for the oxidized LDL levels reduction in resistance training group. Resistance training also changed the balance of free and esterified cholesterol FCRs. However, RT had no effect on HDL metabolism related parameters

Recent evidence suggests that oxidatively modified forms of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may be particularly atherogenic. In this investigation, the catabolism of human LDL modified by lipid peroxidation in vitro was studied with a recirculating rat liver perfusion system. A dual-labelling technique was used that permitted native LDL and modified LDL to be studied simultaneously in the liver perfusion system. Native human LDL was found to have a fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of 1.00 +/- 0.21%/h, in agreement with other investigators. Subjecting LDL to oxidation for 12 h in the presence of 30 microM FeEDTA did not significantly affect its FCR. LDL treated with a superoxide-generating system (xanthine oxidase, hypoxanthine, O2) in the presence of 30 microM FeEDTA did, however, show a significant increase in FCR (3.23 +/- 0.19%/h). The hepatic uptakes of native LDL and LDL oxidized with FeEDTA+O2 were similar, but both were significantly lower than the hepatic uptake of LDL treated with the superoxide-radical-generating system. The proteolysis of LDL with pancreatin did not influence either its susceptibility to oxidation or its FCR. LDL oxidation resulted in the preferential loss of alpha-tocopherol rather than gamma-tocopherol. These data indicate that the rat liver effectively catabolizes LDL oxidatively modified by treatment with the superoxide-generating system. Furthermore, our results suggest that only very low plasma levels of highly oxidized LDL could be found under conditions in vivo. The liver may therefore play a major role in protecting the arterial vasculature from highly atherogenic forms of LDL.