Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) contributes significantly to the high death rate from cardiovascular disease worldwide. FH is a common autosomal co-dominant disease characterised by raised cholesterol levels and premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Whilst these features usually are very prominent in homozygotes the clinical diagnosis of heterozygotes is complicated by variable phenotypic expression. Specific founder genes in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene have increased the prevalence of FH in South African Afrikaners, Indians, Jews and Coloureds, and screening for these known mutations allows unequivocal diagnosis of FH-affected individuals. The systematic molecular analysis of FH resulted in the identification of at least ten founder-type LDLR gene mutations among the 56 different gene defects described to date in the diverse South African population. DNA screening of 792 at-risk family members for the FH-related mutations identified in 379 index cases, allowed accurate disease diagnosis in an additional 340 relatives and exclusion of the relevant mutation in 452 individuals. This effort forms part of the MED PED FH initiative, a collaborative project to "Make Early Diagnosis and Prevent Early Deaths in MEDical PEDigrees with FH". Evaluation of clinical criteria versus DNA diagnosis of three founder-related mutations (D154N, D206E and V408M) in the South African population demonstrated that the sensitivity and specificity of diagnoses, based on total cholesterol values measured in family members of index cases recruited for this study, were 88% and 77%, respectively. A population-directed DNA diagnosis of FH is therefore justified in South Africa on a routine basis, since expression of the defective gene measured in biochemical tests does not allow accurate diagnosis of FH in all cases. The application of mutation detection was illustrated by prenatal diagnosis of FH performed for a couple who are both heterozygous for the most common Afrikaner mutation, D206E. The mutation was absent in the foetus and a normocholesterolaemic infant was born. Prenatal diagnosis of FH, aimed at the detection of homozygous cases, is particularly applicable in populations and families with molecularly defined LDLR gene mutations. The MED-PED approach resulted in accurate diagnosis and subsequent treatment of FH in more patients, and referral to lipid clinics where they could receive the intensive care their condition justifies. Molecularly diagnosed FH patients will be the first to benefit from future treatment approaches based on mutation type. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Familiële hiprcholesterolemie dra grootliks by tot die wêreldwye hoë sterftesyfer van kardiovaskulêre siekte. FH is 'n algemene outosomale ko-dominante siekte wat gekenmerk word deur verhoogde cholesterolvlakke en vroeë koronêre hartsiekte. Terwyl hierdie kenmerke prominent is in homosigote, word die kliniese diagnose van heterosigote bemoeilik deur variasie in fenotipiese uitdrukking. Spesifieke stigtergene in die lae-digtheids lipoproteien reseptor (LDLR) geen het die voorkomssyfer van FH verhoog in Suid Afrikaanse Afrikaners, Indiërs, Jode en Kleurlinge. Sifting vir hierdie bekende mutasies maak akkurate diagnose van FH geaffekteerde individue moontlik. Die sistematiese molekulêre analise van FH het aangetoon dat ten minste tien van die 56 verskillende geen defekte wat tot dusver beskryf is in die Suid-Afrikaanse populasie stigtertipe LDLR geen mutasies is. DNA sifting van 792 familielede vir die FH-verwante mutasie in 379 indeksgevalle geïdentifiseer is, het akkurate diagnose moontlik gemaak in 340 addisionele familielede, en uitsluiting daarvan in 452 individue. Hierdie poging vorm deel van die MED-PED FH ("Make Early Diagnosis and Prevent Early Deaths in MEDical PEDigrees with FH) inisiatief. Evaluering van kliniese kriteria teenoor DNA diagnose van drie stigter verwante mutasies (D154N, D206E en V408M) in die Suid Afrikaanse populasie het getoon dat die sensitiwiteit en spesifisiteit van die diagnose, wat gebasseer is op totale cholesterol waardes in familielede van indeksgevalle, onderskeidelik 88% en 77% was. 'n Populasie gerigte DNA diagnose van FH is dus geregverdig in Suid-Afrika op "n roetine basis, omdat die defektiewe geen nie altyd in biochemiese toetse uitgedruk word nie. Die waarde van mutasie opsporing is geillustreer deur 'n voorgeboortelike diagnose van FH wat aangevra is vir ouers wat beide heterosigoties is vir die mees algemene Afrikaner mutasie, D206E. Die mutasie was afwesig in die fetus en 'n normocholesterolemiese baba is gebore. Voorgeboortelike diagnose van FH, wat gemik is op die opsporing van homosigotiese gevalle, is veral van toepassing in populasies en families met bekende LDLR geen mutasies. Die MED-PED benadering het gelei tot akkurate diagnose en daaropvolgende behandeling van FH in meer pasiënte, en verwysings na lipiedklinieke waar hulle intensiewe aandag kan geniet. Molekulêre gediagnoseerde FH pasiënte sal die eerste wees om baat te vind by toekomstige behandeling wat moontlik gebasseer sal word op mutasie status.

published_or_final_version / Pharmacology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Iron, an essential nutrient for most microorganisms, is sequestered in the host by iron-binding proteins, such as lactoferrin and transferrin. Neisseria gonorrhoeae utilizes transferrin as an iron source and its iron acquisition system is composed of two transferrin binding proteins: TbpA and TbpB. TbpA is a TonB-dependent, outer membrane transporter and TbpB is a bilobed, surface exposed lipoprotein. TbpB can distinguish between apo- and holo-transferrin which is involved in increasing the efficiency of iron uptake through the Tbps. It is anchored in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane by its lipid moiety. We aimed to identify the mechanism of TbpB export to the cell surface. No conclusions could be made from our results but we identified a protein that could potentially be involved in lipoprotein transport. TbpB is a bilobed protein with controversy over which lobe is involved in transferrin binding. In this study, we constructed a C-lobe deletion of TbpB to determine the role of the C-lobe in TbpB function. Results presented here showed deletion of the C-lobe caused degradation of TbpB and the minimal protein expressed was unable to bind transferrin both in vitro and in vivo. We were also able to demonstrate the TbpB C-lobe deletion is able to support limited transferrin-mediated growth, indicating some function of TbpB is retained. These results confirmed that both lobes are necessary for wild-type function of TbpB.

Em um delineamento em Quadrado Latino 4X4 balanceado, foram utilizados quatro potros, filhos do mesmo garanhão, com idade entre 10 e 12 meses e peso médio de 270 kg (dp ± 9,80 Kg). Foram analisados os efeitos, por regressão simples polinomial, da inclusão dos níveis de 5, 10, 15 e 20 % de óleo de soja, no concentrado, sobre aceitabilidade, coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca (CDAMS), matéria orgânica (CDAMO), proteína bruta (CDAPB), extrato etéreo (CDAEE), fibra insolúvel em detergente neutro (CDAFDN), em detergente ácido (CDAFDA) e sobre a concentração plasmática de colesterol total (COL) e suas frações nas lipoproteína de densidade muito baixa (VLDL-C), lipoproteína de densidade baixa (LDL-C), lipoproteína de densidade alta (HDL-C) e triglicérides totais (TRG). O aumento do nível de inclusão de óleo afetou (p<0,05) o CDAMO, CDAFDN e CDAFDA, apresentando uma resposta quadrática, com diminuição da digestibilidade após o valor esperado de 10,7%, 9,5% e 10,5% EE na dieta, respectivamente. Observou-se resposta linear (p<0,05) dos tratamentos sobre a concentração plasmática de colesterol e LDL-C, apresentando diminuição 0,65 mg/dL de colesterol e 0,58 mg/dL de LDL-C para cada 1% de aumento no EE no concentrado. A inclusão de óleo de soja afetou a digestibilidade da dieta, principalmente na fração parede celular e diminuiu a concentração plasmática de colesterol e HDL-C. / In a balanced 4x4 Latin Square design, 04 foals from the same stallion were used. They aged between 10 and 12 months and their average weight was 270±9.80 kg. The effects of soybean oil inclusion at the concentrated on acceptability, coefficient of apparent digestibility to dry matter (CADAMS), organic matter (CADOM), crude protein (CADCP), ethereal extract (CADEE), neutral detergent fiber (CADNDF), acid detergent (CADADF) and the plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (COL) and the fractions in Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL - C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and total triglycerides (TRG), at the following levels of 5, 10, 15 and 20%, were analyzed by simple polynomial regression. Increase in the level of oil inclusion affected (P<0.05) CADOM, CADNDF and CADADF, showing a quadratic response. For those parameters, digestibility was decreased after inclusion of 10.7%, 9.5% and 10.5 of EE% in the diet, respectively. There was a linear response (P<0.05) to the treatments on the cholesterol plasma concentration and LDL-C; each 1% of increase in EE on the diet caused a decreased of 0.65 mg/dL on cholesterol and 0.58 mg / dL on LDL-C. The inclusion of soybean oil affected the digestibility of the diet, mainly on cell wall fraction, and decreased the concentration of plasma cholesterol and HDL-C.

O exercício físico regular contribui para prevenção e redução da aterosclerose, em grande parte, por melhorar o perfil lipídico e o transporte reverso de colesterol (TRC). O TRC é um sistema antiaterogênico que promove a remoção do excesso de colesterol de macrófagos pelas apo A-I e HDL e seu transporte ao fígado, com eliminação de colesterol na bile e fezes. Em camundongos selvagens e transgênicos para proteína de transferência de colesterol esterificado (CETP-tg), o treinamento físico aumentou a transferência de colesterol radioativo de macrófagos para o plasma, fígado e fezes e o conteúdo dos receptores B-E e SR-BI no fígado. Em leucócitos, hepatócitos e enterócitos, o exercício físico aumentou a expressão do receptor de HDL, ABCA-1. Entretanto, não é claro se o exercício físico modula o fluxo de lípides em macrófagos, o que seria determinante para a primeira etapa do TRC. Assim sendo, avaliou-se, em camundongos selvagens e CETP-tg, o efeito do treinamento físico aeróbio sobre: 1) a expressão de genes envolvidos no fluxo de lípides, modulação da resposta inflamatória, vasodilatadora e antioxidante: Pparg (PPAR?), Nr1h3 (LXRalfa), Nr1h2 (LXRbeta), Abca1 (ABCA-1), Abcg1 (ABCG-1), Scarb1 (SR-BI), Cd36 (CD-36), Olr1 (LOX-1), Ccl2 (MCP-1), Tnf (TNFalfa), Il6 (IL-6), Il10 (IL10), Nos3 (eNOS) e Cat (Catalase) na parede arterial e em macrófagos peritoneais; 2) o efluxo de 14C-colesterol de macrófagos peritoneais para HDL2 e apo A-I e 3) a captação de 3H-colesteril oleoil éter-LDL (3H-COE-LDL) acetilada por macrófagos peritoneais. Camundongos machos com 12 semanas de idade, recebendo dieta padrão e água ad libitum, foram aleatoriamente divididos em grupo sedentário e treinado. O treinamento físico foi realizado em esteira, 15m/min, 30 min/dia, 5 vezes/semana, durante 6 semanas. Arco aórtico e macrófagos da cavidade peritoneal foram isolados dos animais sedentários e treinados, imediatamente (0 h) e após 48 h da última sessão de exercício. A expressão de genes foi avaliada por RT-PCR e o efluxo de colesterol, por meio da sobrecarga de macrófagos peritoneais com LDL acetilada e 14C-colesterol, seguindo-se incubação com apo A-I ou HDL2. A captação de LDL foi determinada pela incubação de macrófagos com 3H-COE-LDL acetilada. Não foram observadas alterações sistemáticas na expressão de genes envolvidos no fluxo de lípides em macrófagos e na aorta comparando-se animais sedentários e treinados, selvagens ou CETP-tg. De modo semelhante, não houve diferença no efluxo de colesterol celular e na captação de LDL. Em conclusão, não foram evidenciadas alterações em macrófagos peritoneais e na parede arterial frente ao treinamento físico aeróbio que possam contribuir para o TRC em modelo experimental de camundongos não dislipidêmicos, sem intervenção farmacológica ou alimentar. Sendo assim, o efeito do treinamento físico na melhora do transporte reverso de colesterol, observado em estudos anteriores, deve ser consequente à sua ação sistêmica sobre mediadores deste transporte e expressão de receptores no fígado e intestino / Regular physical exercise prevents and reduces atherosclerosis mainly by improving lipid profile and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). RCT is an antiatherogenic system that promotes excess cholesterol removal from macrophages by apo A-I and HDL and its transport to the liver. Then, cholesterol can be secreted into bile and excreted in feces. In wild type and cholesteryl ester transfer protein transgenic (CETP-tg) mice exercise training increased the transfer of 14C-cholesterol from macrophages to plasma, liver and feces and elevated SR-BI and B-E receptor content in the liver. In leucocytes, hepatocytes and enterocytes, physical exercise increased mRNA of HDL receptor, ABCA-1. Nonetheless, it is not clear if exercise can modulate lipid flux in macrophages that can be important for the first phase of the RCT. It was analyzed in wild type and CETP-tg mice the effect of aerobic exercise training in: 1) the expression of genes involved in lipid flux, inflammation, oxidation and vasodilation: Pparg (PPAR?), Nr1h3 (LXRalfa), Nr1h2 (LXRbeta), Abca1 (ABCA-1), Abcg1 (ABCG-1), Scarb1 (SR-BI), Cd36 (CD-36), Olr1 (LOX-1), Ccl2 (MCP-1), Tnf (TNFalfa), Il6 (IL-6), Il10 (IL10), Nos3 (eNOS) and Cat (Catalase) in arterial wall and peritoneal macrophages; 2) the apo A-I and HDL2-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages and 3) the uptake of 3H-cholesteryl oleoyl ether- acetylated LDL (3H-COE-LDL) by macrophages. Twelve week old male mice fed a chow diet and water ad libitum were randomly assigned to sedentary and trained groups. Exercise training was performed in a treadmill (15m/min, 30 min/day, 5 times/week, during 6 weeks). Aortic arch and peritoneal macrophages were isolated from sedentary and trained animals immediately (time 0) and 48 h after the last exercise session. Gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR and cholesterol efflux mediated by apo A-I or HDL2 after macrophage overloading with acetylated LDL and 14C-cholesterol. LDL uptake by macrophages was determined by incubation with 3H-COE-acetylated LDL. There were no systematic changes in the expression of macrophages and aortic genes comparing sedentary and trained wild type or CETP-tg mice. Similarly, there were no changes in cholesterol efflux and LDL uptake by macrophages. In conclusion, it was not found alteration in gene expression and cholesterol flux in macrophages and arterial wall that can contribute to the RCT in experimental model of non-dyslipidemic mice without pharmacological or dietary interventions. Therefore, the benefits of aerobic training in improving RCT, observed in previews studies, should be consequent to its systemic action on mediators of this transport and on the expression of hepatic and intestinal receptors

Durante 60 dias foram utilizados seis garanhões de raças variadas, com peso médio inicial de 472,67±90,48 kg, alimentados duas vezes ao dia com dietas compostas por feno de Tifton (Cynodon dactylon) e concentrado comercial, suplementadas com 300 mL de óleo vegetal (óleo de arroz ou óleo de soja), além de sal mineralizado e água ad libitum. Foi avaliado o efeito da suplementação com óleo de arroz semi-refinado com alto teor de gama-orizanol sobre a aceitabilidade da dieta, ganho de peso, escore corporal, lipídeos plasmáticos, digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da dieta (Matéria Seca MS, Matéria Orgânica MO, Proteína Bruta PB, Fibra em Detergente Neutro FDN e Fibra em Detergente Ácido FDA), além da qualidade espermática e testosterona plasmática. Para tal observação, foram colhidas amostras sangüíneas com 0, 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias após o início do tratamento para mensuração das concentrações plasmáticas de testosterona, triglicérides, colesterol total e suas frações, tais como lipoproteína de densidade muito baixa (VLDL-C), lipoproteína de densidade baixa (LDL-C) e lipoproteína de densidade alta (HDL-C). Para avaliação da digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da dieta, os animais passaram por três dias de colheita total de fezes. Para avaliação da qualidade espermática, os garanhões passaram por colheita seminal com 0, 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias do tratamento. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualisado com medidas repetidas no tempo e as médias foram comparadas considerando-se o nível de 5% de significância. Os valores médios obtidos para a digestibilidade aparente da MS, MO, EE, FDN e FDA foram respectivamente 64,34; 68,03; 71,95; 83,37; 62,15 e 55,05% para o tratamento com óleo de soja, e 58,97; 62,61; 66,96; 81,94; 54,85 e 45,87% para o tratamento com óleo de arroz. Não houve diferença (p < 0,05) em relação à digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes da dieta para os tratamentos propostos. Os valores médios para testosterona, colesterol total, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C e triglicérides foram respectivamente 75,93 ng/dL; 92,73; 61,47; 26,99 e 4,28 mg/dL para o tratamento com óleo de soja; e de 62,13 ng/dL; 110,20; 66,73; 38,44 e 5,02 mg/dL para o tratamento com óleo de arroz. Em relação à qualidade espermática, também não se observou (p < 0,05), e os valores médios para volume, motilidade, vigor, concentração, defeitos maiores, defeitos menores e defeitos totais, foram respectivamente, de 71,87 mL; 69 %; 2,63; 123 x 106 espermatozóides/mL; 17,73%; 4,60% e 22,33 % para o tratamento com óleo de soja, e de 78,67 mL; 70,67%; 2,93; 115,67 x 106 espermatozóides/mL; 17,96%; 6,03% e 22,63% para o tratamento com óleo de arroz. Podemos concluir que a suplementação da dieta com óleo de arroz semi-refinado, com alto teor de gama-orizanol, proporciona melhora do ganho de peso e do escore corporal, não afeta a qualidade espermática ou a concentração plasmática de testosterona, VLDL-C, HDL-C e triglicérides, porém, eleva as concentrações plasmáticas de colesterol total e de LDL-C. / Using up six stallions of various breeds during 60 days, with initial average weight of 472,67 ¬± 90,48 kg, fed twice a day with a diet consisting of Tifton hay (Cynodon dactylon) and commercial concentrate, supplemented with 300 mL. of a vegetable oil (rice bran or soybean), moreover mineralized salt and ad libitum water. The experiment evaluated the effect of the supplementation of diet with rice bran oil, with high level of gamma-oryzanol, about acceptability of the diets, weight gain, body score, levels of plasmatic lipids, apparent digestibility of nutrients of the diets (dry matter - DM, organic matter - OM, crude protein - CP, ether extract - EE, neutral detergent fiber - NDF and acid detergent fiber ADF), and spermatic quality and plasmatic testosterone. Blood samples were also held with 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after starting treatment, for analysis of the values of testosterone, triglycerides, total cholesterol and its fractions (HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C). To evaluation of the apparent digestibility of the nutrients of the diet, the animals had passed for three days of total fecal collection. To evaluation of the sperm quality, the sires had passed for seminal collection with 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of the treatment. It was used completely randomized design for repeated measures design with repeated measures over time and the means were compared under 5 % significance level. The gotten average values for the apparent digestibility of the DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF were respectively 64,34; 68,03; 71,95; 83,37; 62,15 and 55.05 % for the treatment with soybean oil, and 58,97; 62,61; 66,96; 81,94; 54,85 and 45.87 % for the treatment with rice bran oil. There was no statistical difference (p < 0,05) from the apparent digestibility of nutrients of the diet. The average values for testosterone, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C and triglycerides had been respectively 75,93 ng/dL; 92,73; 61,47; 26,99 and 4,28 mg/dL for the treatment with soy oil; and of 62,13 ng/dL; 110,20; 66,73; 38,44 and 5,02 mg/dL for the treatment with rice bran oil. In relation to the spermatic quality, also did not have difference (p < 0,05), and the average values for volume, motility, vigor, concentration, defects, lesser defects and total defects, had been respectively, of 71,87 mL; 69%; 2,63; 123 x 106 sptz/mL; 17.73%; 4.60% and 22.33% for the treatment with soybean oil, and 78,67 mL; 70.67%; 2,93; 115,67 x 106sptz/mL; 17.96%; 6.03% and 22,63% for the treatment with rice bran oil. The supplementation of diet with semi-refined rice bran oil, with high level of gamma-oryzanol, provided better weight gain and improves the body score, do not affect the sperm quality or plasmatic levels of testosterone, VLDL-C, HDL-C and triglycerides, however, it increase plasmatic levels of total cholesterol and LDL-C.

Thesis. 1975. Ph.D.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemical Engineering. / Vita. / Includes bibliographical references. / Ph.D.

A leptospirose é uma zoonose mundial causada por espiroquetas patogênicas do gênero Leptospira, que colonizam os túbulos renais de animais domésticos e silvestres e são liberadas ao ambiente externo pela urina. Neste estudo avaliou-se a interação de seis prováveis lipoproteínas de membrana externa de leptospira com as proteínas do hospedeiro: colágeno I, colágeno IV, elastina, fibrinogênio, fibronectina celular e plasmática, laminina e plasminogênio. Os experimentos de adesão demonstraram que as proteínas recombinantes Lp21, Lp22 e Lsa30 apresentaram interação com os componentes do hospedeiro de maneira dose-dependente. Estas aderiram à fibronectina plasmática e laminina, além destes, a Lp21 e a Lp22 interagiram com plasminogênio, a Lp22 e a Lsa30 interagiram com colágeno IV. A Lp22 aderiu à elastina e ao fibrinogênio. No estudo de conservação gênica, os genes que codificam estas proteínas foram observados somente nas Leptospiras patogênicas. Portanto estas proteínas devem contribuir na adesão aos tecidos do hospedeiro na patogênese da Leptospira. / Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira that colonize the renal tubules of wild and domestic animals and are excreted in the environment by their urine. The aim of this work was to study the interaction of six leptospiral probable outer-membrane lipoproteins with host proteins: collagen I, collagen IV, elastin, fibrinogen, cellular fibronectin, plasma fibronectin, laminin, and plasminogen. The binding experiments demonstrated that the recombinant proteins showed interaction with host components in a dose-dependent manner were Lp21, Lsa30 and Lp22. These proteins adhered to plasma fibronectin and laminin, in addition to these components, Lp21 and Lp22 interacted with plasminogen, Lp22 and Lsa30 interacted with collagen IV. The Lp22 adhered to elastin and fibrinogen. The genes encoding the probable lipoproteins were found only in pathogenic Leptospira. These results demonstrated that these proteins may contribute in the adhesion to host tissues, in the pathogenesis of Leptospira.

by Linda Shiou-mei Ooi. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-109). / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / List of Figures --- p.viii / Chapter Chapter I. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Objectives --- p.4 / Chapter Chapter II. --- Literature Review --- p.5 / Chapter II. 1. --- Lipoprotein-Lipids --- p.5 / Chapter II.1.1. --- General Concept and Metabolism of Lipoprotein-lipids --- p.5 / Chapter II. 1.2. --- Factors affecting plasma lipoprotein-lipids --- p.11 / Chapter II. 1.2.1. --- Ageing --- p.11 / Chapter II. 1.2.2. --- Obesity --- p.12 / Chapter II. 1.2.3. --- Diet --- p.13 / Chapter II. 1.2.4. --- Alcohol --- p.13 / Chapter II. 1.2.5. --- Cigarette smoking --- p.14 / Chapter II. 1.2.6. --- Exercise --- p.14 / Chapter II. 1.2.7. --- Gender differences --- p.14 / Chapter II.2. --- Sex Hormones --- p.14 / Chapter II.2.1. --- General concepts of sex hormone-production and the metabolism of sex hormones --- p.15 / Chapter II.2.1.1. --- Biosynthesis of testosterone --- p.16 / Chapter II.2.1.2. --- Metabolism of testosterone --- p.17 / Chapter II.2.1.3. --- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) --- p.18 / Chapter II.2.1.4. --- Androstenedione --- p.18 / Chapter II.2.1.5. --- Biosynthesis of estrogen in men --- p.18 / Chapter II.2.1.6. --- Metabolism of estrogen --- p.19 / Chapter II.2.2. --- Factors affecting sex hormone levels in plasma --- p.19 / Chapter II.2.2.1. --- Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) --- p.19 / Chapter II.2.2.2. --- Sampling time --- p.19 / Chapter II.2.2.3. --- Stress and acute or chronic non-endocrine illnesses --- p.20 / Chapter II.2.2.4. --- Ageing --- p.21 / Chapter II.2.2.5. --- Diet and nutrition --- p.21 / Chapter II.2.2.6. --- "Medication, drugs and alcohol" --- p.22 / Chapter II.2.2.7. --- Body composition and obesity --- p.22 / Chapter II.2.2.8. --- Variations in states of sleep-wake cycle --- p.23 / Chapter II.2.2.9. --- Levels of physical and sympathetic nervous system activity --- p.23 / Chapter II. 3. --- The relationship between sex hormones and lipoproteins --- p.24 / Chapter II.3.1. --- "Gender difference in sex hormones, menopause and lipoprotein-lipids" --- p.24 / Chapter II.3.2. --- "Interventional study, exogenous sex hormone and lipoprotein-lipidsin men" --- p.25 / Chapter II.3.3. --- The relationships of endogenous sex hormones and lipoprotein-lipids --- p.26 / Chapter Chapter III. --- Materials and Methods --- p.28 / Chapter III.l. --- Subjects and Sampling Methods --- p.28 / Chapter III.2. --- Quantitation of serum lipoprotein-lipids --- p.29 / Chapter III.2.1 --- Determination of cholesterol and triglyceride --- p.29 / Chapter Table III.2.1.A. --- Intra-assay variations for cholesterol and triglyceride --- p.30 / Chapter Table III.2.1.B. --- Inter -assay variations for Cholesterol and Triglyceride --- p.30 / Chapter III.2.2. --- Determination of HDL-Cholesterol and its subfractions --- p.31 / Chapter Table III.2.2. --- Intra- and inter-assay variation for HDL-cholesterol --- p.31 / Chapter III.2.3. --- Determination of VLDL-C and LDL-C --- p.32 / Chapter III.2.4. --- Quantitative determination of serum apolipoproteins and Lp(a) --- p.32 / Chapter III.2.4.1. --- Determination of Apolipoproteins A-I and B --- p.33 / Chapter III.2.4.2. --- Determination of Lipoprotein (a) --- p.33 / Chapter III. 3. --- Quantitative determination of sex hormones --- p.33 / Chapter III.3.1. --- For urinary unconjugated and serum total testosterone --- p.34 / Chapter III.3.1.1 --- Experimental Procedures --- p.35 / Determination of the optimal antibody titre --- p.35 / Establishment of a standard curve and quality controls --- p.35 / Preparation of standards --- p.35 / Purification of radioactively-labelled 3H-testosterone --- p.37 / Preparation of charcoal- stripped urine as zero calibrator (blank) --- p.37 / Preparation of spiked urine or plasma --- p.38 / Preparation of samples for RIA --- p.38 / RIA --- p.39 / Calculation --- p.40 / Chapter III.3.1.2. --- Characteristics of the radioimmunoassay for testosterone --- p.40 / Sensitivity --- p.40 / Precision studies --- p.42 / Within- and between- batch imprecisions --- p.42 / Chapter Table III.3.1.2.A. --- Within-run variation --- p.42 / Chapter Table III.3.1.2.B. --- Between-run variation --- p.42 / Recoveries --- p.43 / Chapter Table III.3.1.2.C. --- "The recoveries of known amounts of testosterone added to charcoal-stripped urine, between immunoassays" --- p.43 / Test of linearity --- p.43 / Comparison with another procedure --- p.43 / Cross reactivity of the antiserum --- p.44 / Procedure --- p.46 / Chapter Table III.3.1.2.D. --- Cross reactivity of some naturally occurring steroids with testosterone antiserum --- p.47 / Chapter III.3.2 --- For urinary total testosterone --- p.47 / Test of linearity and recovery --- p.48 / Chapter III.3.3. --- For urinary unconjugated and serum total 17β-Estradiol --- p.50 / Chapter III.3.3.1 --- Experimental procedure --- p.50 / Determination of the optimal antibody titre --- p.50 / Establishment of a standard curve and quality controls --- p.52 / Preparation of standards --- p.52 / Preparation of tracer 3H-estradiol and construction of a standard curve --- p.52 / Preparation of spiked control urine or plasma --- p.52 / Preparation of samples for RIA --- p.53 / Chapter III.3.3.2. --- Characteristics of the radioimmunoassay for E2 --- p.53 / Sensitivity --- p.54 / Precision studies --- p.54 / Within- and between- batch imprecisions --- p.54 / Chapter Table III.3.3.2.A. --- Within-run variation of known amount of E2 added to charcoal- stripped urine --- p.54 / Chapter Table III.3.3.2.B. --- Between-run variation of known amount of e2 added to charcoal- stripped urine --- p.54 / Recoveries --- p.56 / Chapter Table III.3.3.2.C. --- "The recoveries of known amount of e2 added to charcoal- stripped urine, between immunoassays" --- p.56 / Test of linearity --- p.56 / Comparison with another procedure --- p.56 / Chapter III.3.4. --- For urinary total estradiol --- p.58 / Test of linearity and recovery --- p.58 / Chapter III.4. --- Determination of serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) --- p.60 / Chapter III.5. --- Determination of urinary unconjugated Cortisol --- p.60 / Chapter III.6. --- Statistical methods --- p.62 / Chapter III.6.1. --- Biological Variations --- p.62 / Chapter III.6.2. --- Univariate and multivariate correlations --- p.62 / Chapter Chapter IV. --- Results --- p.64 / Chapter IV. 1. --- The characteristics of the experimental subjects and their lipoprotein-lipids profiles --- p.64 / Chapter Table IV. 1. A. --- The anthropometric and biochemical characteristics of the experimental male subjects --- p.64 / Chapter Table IV.1.B. --- The lipoprotein-lipids profiles in 46 healthy Hong Kong Chinese men --- p.65 / Chapter IV. 2. --- "Levels of sex hormones in serum and urine, and urinary free Cortisol" --- p.65 / Chapter Table IV.2. --- The sex hormones at serum and urinary levels and urinary free Cortisol in 46 healthy Hong Kong Chinese men --- p.66 / Chapter Table IV.2.A. --- Formula for the indirect calculation of unbound (free) testosterone levels in plasma --- p.67 / Chapter Table IV.2.B. --- Formula for the indirect calculation of unbound (free) 17β-estradiol levels in plasma --- p.68 / Chapter IV. 3. --- Biological variations --- p.69 / Chapter Table IV. 3. --- "The biological variations of serum lipoprotein-lipids, serum sex hormones and urinary sex hormones and Cortisol in 46 healthy Hong Kong Chinese men" --- p.69 / Chapter Table IV.3.A. --- Correlations of serum lipoprotein-lipids between short-term (3- week) variations --- p.70 / Chapter Table IV.3.B. --- Correlations of serum and urinary sex hormones and urinary unconjugated Cortisol between short-term (3-week) variations --- p.70 / Chapter IV. 4. --- Univariate correlation --- p.71 / Chapter Table IV.4. --- The univariate correlation table --- p.72 / Chapter IV.4.1. --- Inter-relationship among serum and urinary sex hormones --- p.73 / Chapter IV.4.2. --- Urinary free Cortisol and sex hormones and serum lipoprotein-lipids --- p.73 / Chapter IV.4.3. --- Correlation between urinary sex hormones and serum lipoprotein- lipids --- p.73 / Chapter IV.4.4. --- Correlations among serum lipoprotein-lipids --- p.74 / Chapter IV.4.5. --- Correlations between serum lipoprotein-lipids and sex hormones --- p.74 / Chapter IV.4.6. --- "Correlations between anthropometric variables, sex hormones and lipoprotein-lipids" --- p.75 / Chapter IV.4.7. --- Correlation of the ratio of HDL2 and HDL3 and other variables --- p.76 / Chapter IV. 5. --- Multiple linear stepwise regression --- p.77 / Chapter Table IV.5. --- "Stepwise multiple linear regression of lipoprotein-lipids on BMI, W/H Ratio, and Age" --- p.77 / Chapter Table IV.5. A. --- "Stepwise multiple linear regression of lipoprotein-lipids on BMI, W/H Ratio, Age, SHBG, and serum and urinary Sex Hormones" --- p.80 / Chapter Table IV.5.B. --- "Stepwise multiple linear regression of lipoprotein-lipids on BMI, W/H Ratio, Age, SHBG, Triglyceride and serum and urinary Sex Hormones" --- p.81 / Chapter Chapter V. --- Discussion --- p.82 / Chapter V. l. --- Experimental subjects and their lipoprotein-lipids profiles --- p.82 / Chapter V. 2. --- Levels of sex hormones in serum and urine --- p.84 / Chapter Table V.2. --- Values of sex steroids in 46 healthy Hong Kong Chinese men compared to others cited in literature --- p.85 / Chapter V. 3. --- "17β-Estradiol,atherogenic lipoprotein-lpids and HDL3" --- p.88 / Chapter V. 4. --- "Testosterone, and HDL-C and its subfractions" --- p.90 / Chapter Chapter VI. --- Conclusions --- p.92 / References --- p.95 / Appendices --- p.110

by Chu Chi Yuen, Andrew. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-153). / Abstract also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1 --- Using Low density lipoprotein (LDL) as a drug carrier --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- The structure of Low density lipoprotein (LDL) --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- The metabolic pathway of LDL in human bodies --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- The rationale for using LDL as a drug carrier --- p.7 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Reconstitution of LDL with cytotoxic drugs --- p.9 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Up and down regulation of LDL receptors --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2 --- Doxorubicin (DOX) --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Characteristics of DOX --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Drug actions of DOX --- p.14 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- The adverse side effects of DOX --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3 --- Multidrug resistance phenomenon in tumor cells --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- The possible mechanisms of multidrug resistance --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- The structure of P-glycoprotein --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- The mechanisms of the P-glycoprotein --- p.22 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Our aim in dealing with multidrug resistance --- p.22 / Chapter 2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Animals --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Buffers --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Culture media --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Chemicals --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Culture of cells --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- In vitro studies --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- In vivo studies --- p.44 / Chapter 3 --- RESULTS --- p.51 / Chapter 3.1 --- In vitro studies --- p.51 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Preparation of LDL-DOX --- p.51 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Comparison of the cytotoxicity of DOX and LDL-DOX on HepG2 cells --- p.59 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Modulation of LDL receptors on HepG2 cells and ECV304 cells… --- p.63 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- The effect of combined treatment of LDL-DOX and hyperthermia on HepG2 cells --- p.84 / Chapter 3.1.5 --- The effect of LDL-DOX on resistant cell line R-HepG2 cells --- p.90 / Chapter 3.2 --- In vivo studies --- p.105 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- The comparison of organ distribution of LDL-DOX and DOXin BALB-c mice after administration --- p.105 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- The comparison of organ distribution of LDL-DOX and DOX in nude mice bearing HepG2 cells after adminstration --- p.108 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Histological studies of heart of nude mice bearing HepG2 cells treated with DOX and LDL-DOX --- p.111 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Myocardial injury measured by Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in nude mice bearing HepG2 treated with DOX and LDL- DOX --- p.117 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- The comparison of DOX and LDL-DOX on reducing the tumor sizes and weight in nude mice bearing HepG2 cells --- p.119 / Chapter 4 --- DISCUSSION --- p.122 / Chapter 4.1 --- In vitro studies --- p.122 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Preparation of LDL-DOX complex --- p.122 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- The cytotoxicity ofLDL-DOX --- p.125 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- The combined treatment of hyperthermia and LDL-DOX --- p.129 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- The ability of LDL-DOX to circumvent muiltidrug resistance --- p.131 / Chapter 4.2 --- In vivo studies --- p.134 / Chapter 5 --- CONCLUSION --- p.136 / Chapter 5.1 --- Conclusion --- p.136 / Chapter 5.2 --- Future pospective --- p.139 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.140