A Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica (ELA) é uma doença crônica, progressiva e neurodegenerativa causada pela morte dos neurônios motores. O diagnóstico destes pacientes pode levar até 12 meses para acontecer, sendo que estes vão à óbito entre 3-5 anos do início dos sintomas. Há, porém, grande variabilidade de quadro clínico, com alguns pacientes falecendo com menos de 1 ano do início dos primeiros sinais, e outros que sobrevivem por décadas. A identificação da ELA8, causada por uma mutação missense no gene VAPB (c.C166T, p.P56S), tem contribuído significativamente com o conhecimento dos mecanismos moleculares por trás da ELA. A literatura recente tem evidenciado que a diminuição dos níveis de VAPB está presente em modelos celulares e murinos da doença, e também em amostras de pacientes, sugerindo que esta proteína teria papel central na doença e uma contribuição significativa para a morte dos neurônios motores. O presente trabalho buscou três objetivos principais: (1) o diagnóstico molecular através de um painel de sequenciamento de nova geração que inclui os genes SOD1, FUS, TARDBP, SETX, SPG11, FIG4 e VAPB; (2) a avaliação dos níveis de RNAm de VAPA, VAPB e EPHA4 em pacientes de ELA8, controles familiares e outros pacientes de ELA, com o intuito de investigar possíveis papéis destes genes na doença; e por fim, (3) o desenvolvimento de um ensaio quantitativo para as proteínas VAPA, VAPB e VAPC baseado em cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massas em tandem (LC-MS/MS), para a posterior avaliação de VAPB como possível biomarcador em ELA, e de suas isoformas VAPA e VAPC como modificadores da doença. Para a análise genômica, foram avaliados 67 pacientes, sendo que 31 (ou 46%) apresentaram a mutação c.C166T em VAPB; 4 pacientes (6%) em SOD1, sendo que um destes apresentou uma mutação também em FIG4; 1 paciente (1.5%) foi identificado uma mutação patogênica em FUS; outro, duas mutações deletérias em trans em SPG11. Os níveis de RNAm de VAPB, VAPA e EPHA4 não são estatisticamente distintos entre pacientes e controles; porém, os níveis de EPHA4 estavam significativamente elevados em dois pacientes de início bulbar da doença. Para o desenvolvimento do método quantitativo por LC-MS/MS, foram escolhidos 8 peptídeos inequívocos para análise, estabelecidos dos parâmetros de corrida, e desenvolvidos dois padrões internos (linhagens SILAC e VAPB recombinante) para a quantificação. Esta ferramenta desenvolvida poderá auxiliar não apenas os estudos moleculares que envolvem os mecanismos por trás ELA8, responsável por uma elevada taxa dos casos familiais brasileiros, mas também poderá determinar o potencial de VAPB como biomarcador para Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica / Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by the death of motor neurons. Diagnosis can take up to 12 months, with no molecular marker to expedite this process. In this scenario, patients die within 3 to 5 years of symptom onset, although a large clinical variability is seen, with severe patients dying less than one year after onset, and others surviving for decades. The identification of ALS8, caused by a missense mutation in the VAPB gene (c.C166T; p.P56S), has contributed significantly to the knowledge of molecular mechanisms behind ALS. Recent literature has evidenced that the decrease of VAPB levels is present in cellular and murine models, and also in patient samples, suggesting a central role in motor neuron death in ALS. The present work sought three main objectives: (1) a molecular diagnosis through a NGS sequencing panel including the SOD1, FUS, TARDBP, SETX, SPG11, FIG4 and VAPB genes; (2) analyze the expression levels of VAPA, VAPB and EPHA4 in patients, family controls and other forms of ALS, in order to investigate their possible roles in ALS8; and (3) the development of a targeted quantitative mass spectrometry based assay, gold standard in protein quantification due to its precision and sensitivity, for the VAPA, VAPB and VAPC proteins, seeking the analysis of VAPB as a potential biomarker in ALS and of its isoform\'s potential roles as modifiers in the disease. The genomic analyses revealed that out of 67 patients, 31 presented the ALS8 mutation in VAPB, 4 patients (6%) presented a mutation in SOD1, with one patient carrying a second mutation in FIG4; 1 (1.5%) patient was identified with a pathogenic mutation in FUS; and another presented two pathogenic mutations in trans in the SPG11 gene. Thus, we were able to diagnose over half of the patients included in this study with a panel of only 7 genes. VAPB, VAPA and EPHA4 mRNA levels are not statistically different between patients and controls; however, EPHA4 was shown to be highly elevated in two bulbar-onset non-ALS8 patients. For the development of the LC-MS/MS targeted assay, 8 surrogate peptides were chosen for analysis, run parameters were established, and two internal standards for quantification were developed (SILAC cell lines and recombinant VAPB). This tool will prove to be useful not only towards elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind ALS8, one of the most prevalent forms of familial ALS in Brazil, but also to determine VAPB\'s potential as a biomarker for ALS

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a microbiota fúngica e a ocorrência de micotoxinas por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência acoplada à Espectrometria de Massas em amostras de grãos de trigo recém-colhidas e armazenadas. Os resultados revelaram a predominância do gênero Alternaria nas amostras de todas as coletas, seguido de Epicoccum (12,6%), Fusarium (8,3%) e mais 16 outros gêneros de fungos filamentosos. As espécies de Fusarium e Alternaria foram identificadas utilizando métodos moleculares, sendo F. graminearum e A. alternata as espécies mais frequentes. De 70 amostras, 69 (98,6%) estavam contaminadas com a toxina DON (210-2910 ppb) e 3 (4,3%) amostras contaminadas com a toxina ZEA (20-30,1 ppb). O nível de contaminação por DON é inferior aos limites estabelecidos recentemente pela legislação brasileira (3000 ppb), porém superam os limites da Comunidade Européia (1750 ppb). É prudente que se realize um monitoramento contínuo de grãos de trigo a fim de avaliar a exposição dos consumidores às contaminações e estabelecer diretrizes de segurança alimentar. / The present study aimed to evaluated the mycoflora and occurrence of mycotoxins by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass in freshly harvested and stored wheat samples. The results showed the predominance of genus Alternaria in all samples, followed by Epicoccum (12.6%), Fusarium (8.3%) and over 16 other genera of filamentous fungi. The species of Fusarium and Alternaria were identified using molecular methods, and F. graminearum and A. alternata were the most frequent species. Of 70 samples, 69 (98.6%) were contaminated with toxin DON (210-2910 ppb), and 3 (4.3%) samples contaminated with the toxin ZEA (20-30.1 ppb). The level of DON contamination is below of the limits recently established by Brazilian legislation (3000 ppb), but exceed the limits of the European Community (1750 ppb). It is prudent to perform a continuous monitoring of wheat to assess consumer exposure to contaminants and establish guidelines for food safety.

A oxidação do DNA por espécies reativas de oxigênio, como o oxigênio molecular singlete [O2 (1Δg)] , pode estar relacionada ao aparecimento de mutações e ao desenvolvimento de doenças. O O2 (1Δg) pode ser gerado biologicamente por reação de fotossensibilização, pela reação de H2O2 e HOCl e pela decomposição de peróxidos orgânicos contendo hidrogênio alfa (α-ROOH), na presença de metais de transição (Fe2+, Cu2+) ou HOCl. A decomposição de α-ROOH, como hidroperóxidos de lipídeos ou proteínas na presença de metais de transição, pode gerar O2 (1Δg) via mecanismo de Russell. Neste mecanismo, a oxidação de α -ROOH gera radicais peroxila, que podem reagir entre si, formando um intermediário tetraóxido linear. Este intermediário tetraóxido linear pode decompor através de um mecanismo cíclico e produzir O2 (1Δg), um álcool e um composto carbonílico. Como a decomposição de α-ROOH pelo mecanismo de Russell pode ser uma importante fonte biológica de O2 (1Δg) decidimos investigar se o α-hidroperóxido de timina, 5-(hidroperoximetil)uracil (5-HMPU), poderia gerar esta espécie reativa na presença de metais (Ce4+, Fe2+, Cu2+) e HOCl. Outro objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos oxidativos, em DNA plasmidial (pBR322), da decomposição de 5-HPMU na presença de Cu2+. A geração de O2 (1Δg) na reação de 5-HPMU e Ce4+ ou HOCl foi demonstrada por meio do monitoramento da emissão de luz monomolecular de O2 (1Δg) na região do infravermelho próximo (IR-próximo, λ = 1270 nm) e bimolecular na região do visível (λ = 634 e 703 nm). A aquisição do espectro de emissão de O2 (1Δg) forneceu evidências inequívocas da geração desta espécie reativa na reação de 5-HPMU e Ce4+ ou HOCl. Além disto, a formação de O2 (1Δg) na reação de 5-HPMU e Fe2+, Cu2+ ou HOCl foi demonstrada através da captação química de O2 (1Δg) utilizando 9,10- divinilsulfonatoantraceno (AVS) e detecção por HPLC/MS/MS do endoperóxido (AVSO2) formado. A detecção por HPLC/MS/MS dos produtos de decomposição de 5-HPMU, 5- (hidroximetil)uracila (5-HMU) e 5-formiluracila (5-FoU), reforçaram a hipótese de geração de O2 (1Δg) pelo mecanismo de Russell. A análise dos resultados da incubação de pBR322, 5-HPMU e crescente concentração de Cu2+ mostraram o aumento da forma circular aberta (OC), indicando a formação de quebra de fita simples do DNA, provavelmente proveniente da presença dos radicais peroxila e alcoxila de 5-HPMU. Já a utilização das enzimas de reparo FPG e NTH na incubação de pBR322, 5-HPMU e Cu2+ forneceu evidências da formação preferencial de purinas oxidadas, especialmente de 2’-desoxiguanosina (dGuo). O aumento significativo da forma OC na presença de FPG indicou a formação de 8-oxo-2’-desoxiguanosina, resultante da oxidação da dGuo por O2 (1Δg) e/ou pelos radicais derivados de 5-HPMU. Podemos concluir que 5-HPMU pode ser uma importante fonte biológica de O2 (1Δg) . Além disto, a presença de 5-HPMU pode levar a propagação dos danos oxidativos no DNA, pois sua decomposição pode gerar radicais peroxila e alcoxila / Oxidation of DNA by singlet molecular oxygen O2 (1Δg) can be involved in the development of mutations and diseases. In vivo, O2 (1Δg) can be generated by photosensitization reaction, H2O2 and HOCl reaction and decomposition of organic hydroperoxides with α-hydrogen (α-ROOH) in the presence of metal ions (Fe2+, Cu2+) or HOCl. The α-ROOH decomposition, such as lipid or protein hydroperoxides in the presence of metal ions or HOCl can generate O2 (1Δg) by Russell mechanism. In this mechanism, the self-reaction of peroxyl radicals generates a linear tetraoxide intermediate that decomposes to O2 (1Δg) , an alcohol and an aldehyde. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to investigate if O2 (1Δg) can be generated by α-thymine hydroperoxide, 5- (hydroperoxymethyl)uracil (5-HPMU) in the presence of Ce4+, Fe2+, Cu2+ or HOCl. Another purpose is to study base modification and strand breaks formation in plasmid DNA (pBR322) by 5-HPMU decomposition in the presence of Cu2+. The generation of O2 (1Δg) in the reaction of 5- HPMU and Ce4+ or HOCl was monitored by monomol light emission in the near-infrared region (NIR, λ = 1270 nm) and dimol light emission in the visible region (λ = 634 e 703 nm). The generation of O2 (1Δg) during the reaction of 5-HPMU and Ce4+ or HOCl was confirmed by acquisition of the light emission spectrum in the NIR. Furthermore, the generation of O2 (1Δg) produced by 5-HPMU and Fe2+, Cu2+ or HOCl was also confirmed by chemical trapping using anthracene-9,10-divinylsulfonate (AVS) and HPLC/MS/MS detection of the corresponding endoperoxide (AVSO2). The detection by HPLC/MS/MS of 5-(hydroxymethyl)uracil (5-HMU) and 5-formyluracil (5-FoU), two 5-HPMU decomposition products, support the Russell mechanism. Plasmid results from pBR322, 5-HPMU and Cu2+ reaction showed formation of DNA open circular form (OC), probably produced by 5-HPMU peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals. Additionally, the reaction of pBR322, 5-HPMU and Cu2+ following by Fpg and NTH enzyme treatment demonstrated evidences of purine modification, especially 2’-deoxyguanosine (dGuo). The use of FPG enzyme indicated the formation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine, a dGuo oxidation product formed by O2 (1Δg) and/or 5-HPMU peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals. We can conclude that 5-HPMU can be a biological source of O2 (1Δg)] and 5-HPMU decomposition can lead to an enhancing of DNA oxidative damage by 5-HPMU peroxyl and alkoxyl radicals formation

O estudo do processo da peroxidação de lipídios tem aumentado nos últimos anos, principalmente devido à implicação dos hidroperóxidos de lipídios (LOOH) em diversos processos patológicos. A decomposição destes LOOH é capaz de gerar subprodutos capazes de promover danos em biomoléculas, incluindo proteínas e DNA. No presente trabalho, utilizando hidroperóxidos de ácido linoléico isotopicamente marcado com átomo de oxigênio-18 (LA18O18OH), fomos capazes de demonstrar que estas moléculas gerararam oxigênio singlete marcado [18(1O2)] em células em cultura. A detecção de tal espécie foi possível através da utilização de uma nova metodologia utilizando um derivado antracenico. Para este propósito foi utilizado o derivado de antraceno 3,3\'-(9,10-antracenodiil) bisacrilato (DADB), cujo produto especifico da reação com o 1O2 (o endoperóxido do DADB DADBO2) do pode ser facilmente detectado por HPLC-MS/MS. De forma a expandir a compreensão dos efeitos tóxicos desses LOOH, investigamos o efeito destes compostos gerados intracelularmente. Para tal, foi utilizado o Rosa bengala (RB), um fotosensibilizador que tem afinidade por espaços apolares como membranas e lisossomos. A fotosenssibilização deste composto foi capaz de induzir a morte celular, e esta morte estaria relacionada a uma maior formação de 1O2 e a um maior acumulo de peróxidos. Nestes estudos foi possível demonstrar que carotenóides e sistemas antioxidantes dependentes de glutationa foram capazes de proteger contra os efeitos tóxicos da fotosensibilização na presença de RB. Adicionalmente foram avaliados os efeitos da hemoglobina (Hb) e do hidroperóxido do ácido linoléico (LAOOH) em uma série de parâmetros toxicológicos, como citotoxicidade, estado redox, a peroxidação lipídica e dano ao DNA. Nós demonstramos que a pré-incubação das células com Hb e sua posterior exposição à LAOOH (Hb + LAOOH) levou a um aumento na morte celular, a oxidação do DCFH, formação de malonaldeído e fragmentação do DNA e que esses efeitos estavam relacionados com o grupo peróxido e ao heme presentes na Hb. Foi demonstrado que as células incubadas com LAOOH e Hb apresentaram um nível maior das lesões de DNA; 8-oxo-7,8-diidro-2 \'desoxiguanosina e 1,N2-etheno-2\'-desoxiguanosina. Além disso, as incubações com Hb levaram a um aumento nos níveis de ferro intracelular, e este alto nível de ferro correlacionada com a oxidação do DNA, avaliadas através da medida de sitios EndoIII e Fpg sensíveis. Nossos resultados comprovam que os LAOOHs apresentaram efeito citotóxico e genotóxico, mesmo em concentrações muito baixas, podendo contribuir para o desencadeamento de processos patologicos como o câncer e doenças cardiovasculares e neurodegenerativas. / The study of the process of lipid peroxidation has increased in recent years, mainly due to the involvement of lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) in a series of pathological processes. The decomposition of LOOH is able to generate products that can promote damage to biomolecules, including proteins and DNA. In the present work, using linoleic acid hydroperoxide isotopically labeled with 18O2 (LA18O18OH), we demonstrate that these molecules were able to generate labeled singlet oxygen [18(1O2)] in cultured cells. The detection of such species was possible using a new methodology using an anthracene derivative .For this purpose we used the anthracene derivative of 3,3\'-(9,10-antracendiil) bisacrilate (DADB), whose specific reaction product with 1O2 (DADB endoperoxide DADBO2) can be easily detected by HPLC-MS/MS. In order to expand the understanding of the toxic effects of LOOH, we investigated the effect of these compounds generated intracellularly. For this porpoise, we used Rose Bengal (RB), a photosensitizer that has affinity for apolar spaces such as membranes and lysosomes. The photosensitization of this compound was able to induce cell death, and this death was related to increased formation of 1O2 and a higher accumulation of peroxides. In these studies we have shown that carotenoids and glutathione-dependent antioxidant systems were capable of protecting against the toxic effects of photosensitization in the presence of RB. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of hemoglobin (Hb) and linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LAOOH) in a series of toxicological endpoints such as cytotoxicity, redox status, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. We demonstrated that preincubation of cells with Hb and its subsequent exposure to LAOOH (Hb + LAOOH) led to an increase in cell death, DCFH oxidation, formation of malonaldehyde and DNA fragmentation, and that these effects were related to the peroxide and the heme group. It was demonstrated that cells incubated with LAOOH and Hb showed a higher level of the DNA lesions, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2\'deoxyguanosine and 1,N2-etheno-2\'-deoxyguanosine. Furthermore, incubations with Hb led to an increase in intracellular iron levels, and this high level of iron correlates with the oxidation of DNA, measured as EndoIII and Fpg-sensitive sites. Our results show that the LOOHs showed cytotoxic and genotoxic, even at very low concentrations and may contribute to the onset of chronic malignancies like cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.

O EPP-AF® é um extrato padronizado de própolis quimicamente caracterizado e com eficácia e segurança pré-clínica estabelecidas. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi realizar um ensaio clínico de segurança para avaliar a influência do EPP-AF® na atividade da P-gp e das principais isoformas CYP, através de um teste in vivo tipo coquetel de fármacos marcadores administrados em doses subterapêuticas. Foram investigados 16 voluntários adultos sadios antes e após a exposição a 375 mg de EPP-AF® por via oral durante 15 dias. As amostras seriadas de sangue foram colhidas até 12 h após a administração do coquetel contendo midazolam (0,2 mg), cafeína (10 mg), omeprazol (2 mg), metoprolol (10 mg), losartana (2 mg) e fexofenadina (10 mg). Foram desenvolvidos e validados três métodos analíticos empregando LC-MS/MS para quantificar as concentrações plasmáticas de fexofenadina, losartana, E-3174 (método 1), omeprazol, 5-OH-omeprazol, midazolam, metoprolol, ?-OHmetoprolol (método 2) e cafeína (método 3). Os métodos não apresentaram efeito matriz ou efeito residual e mostraram-se lineares para os analitos nos intervalos de 0,05-20 ng/mL (fexofenadina); 0,03 - 5 ng/mL (losartana e E31-74); 0,1 - 50 ng/mL (omeprazol), 0,3 - 50 ng/mL (5-OH-omeprazol), 0,01 - 10 ng/mL (midazolam), 0,05 - 50 ng/mL (metoprolol e ?- OH-metoprolol) e 5 - 1000 ng/mL (cafeína). Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos dos compostos foram calculados com base nas curvas de concentração plasmática versus tempo (AUC) empregando o programa Phoenix® WinNonlin®. Os valores das razões das AUC0-t e Cmax após e antes da exposição ao EPP-AF®, apresentados como média geométrica (IC90%) foram de 0,74 (0,62 - 0,89) e 0,90 (0,76 - 1,07) para fexofenadina; 0,88 (0,80 - 0,97) e 0,86 (0,76 - 0,98) para losartana; 0,96 (0,83 - 1,11) e 0,91 (0,79 - 1,04) para E-3174; 1,18 (0,91 - 1,54) e 1,21 (0,87- 1,70) para omeprazol; 1,12 (0,95 - 1,31) e 1,22 (0,95 - 1,67) para 5-OHomeprazol; 1,14 (1,03 - 1,28) e 1,21 (1,00 - 1,46) para o midazolam; 1,04 (0,92 - 1,18) e 0,94 (0,80 - 1,12) para o metoprolol; 1,05 (0,99 - 1,12) e 0,99 (0,88 - 1,12) para ?-OH-metoprolol; 0,97 (0,77 - 1,21) e 0,87 (0,69 - 1,11) para a cafeína. Quando observadas as razões metabólicas das AUC0-t E3174/losartana, 5-OH-omeprazol/omeprazol e ?-OHmetoprolol/ metoprolol encontramos, respectivamente, 1,11 (0,98 - 1,25); 0,94 (0,81 - 1,10) e 1,01 (0,88 - 1,16), indicando que, com exceção do CYP2D6, a administração de EPP-AF® nas condições estudadas apresenta potencial para inibição das isoformas CYP2C19 e CYP3A4 e indução das enzimas CYP1A2, CYP2C9 e do transportador de efluxo P-gp, embora as suas magnitudes encontram-se abaixo dos limites definidos pelos órgãos reguladores e portanto não apresentam relevância clínica / EPP-AF® is a standardized extract of propolis chemically characterized and with established pre-clinical efficacy and safety. The main objective of this work was to perform a clinical trial to evaluate the effect of EPP-AF® on P-gp and the major CYP isoforms activity, through an in vivo assay using the cocktail approach with sub-therapeutic doses. Sixteen healthy adult volunteers were investigated before and after exposure to orally administered 375 mg/day of EPP-AF® for 15 days. Serum blood samples were collected up to 12 h after the administration of midazolam (0.2 mg), caffeine (10 mg), omeprazole (2 mg), metoprolol (10 mg), losartan (2 mg) and fexofenadine (10 mg). Three analytical methods were developed and validated applying LC-MS/MS to quantify plasma concentrations of fexofenadine, losartan, E-3174 (method 1), omeprazole, 5-OH-omeprazole, midazolam, metoprolol, ?-OH-metoprolol (method 2), and caffeine (Method 3). Neither matrix effect nor carryover effect were observed. The methods were linear for the analytes in the ranges of 0.05 - 20 ng/mL (fexofenadine); 0.03 - 5 ng/ml (losartan and E-3174); 0.1 - 50 ng/mL (omeprazole), 0.3 - 50 ng/mL (5-OH-omeprazole), 0.01 - 10 ng/mL (midazolam), 0.05 - 50 ng/mL (metoprolol and ?-OH-metoprolol) and 5 - 1000 ng/mL (caffeine). The pharmacokinetic parameters of the compounds were calculated based on plasma concentration versus time (AUC) curves applying Phoenix® WinNonlin® software. AUC0-t and Cmax ratios after and before the EPPAF ® exposure, presented as geometric mean (CI 90%) were 0.74 (0.62 - 0.89) and 0.90 (0.76 - 1.07) for fexofenadine, 0.88 (0.80 - 0.97) and 0.86 (0.76 - 0.98) for losartan, 0.96 (0.83 - 1.11) and 0.91 (0.79 - 1.04) for E-3174, 1.18 (0.91 - 1.54) and 1.21 (0.87 - 1.70) for omeprazole; 1.12 (0.95 - 1.31) and 1.22 (0.95 - 1.67) for 5-OH-omeprazole, 1.14 (1.03 - 1.28) and 1.21 (1.00 - 1.46) for midazolam, 1.04 (0.92 - 1.18) and 0.94 (0.80 - 1.12) for metoprolol, 1.05 (0.99 - 1.12) and 0.99 (0.88 - 1.12) for ?-OH-metoprolol, 0.97 (0.77 - 1.21) and 0.87 (0.69 - 1.11) for caffeine. AUC0-t metabolic ratios of E3174/losartan, 5-OH-omeprazole/omeprazole and ?-OH-metoprolol/metoprolol we found to be, respectively, 1.11 (0.98 - 1.25), 0.94 (0.81 - 1.10 ) and 1.01 (0.88 - 1.16), indicating that, with the exception of CYP2D6, the administration of EPP-AF® under the conditions studied shows potential for CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 inhibition and CYP1A2, CYP2C9 and P-gp induction, although their magnitudes are below the limits defined by the regulatory agencies and therefore exhibit no clinical relevance

Desenvolveu-se método de alta sensibilidade e especificidade por cromatografia liquida de alta eficiência acoplada a detecção por espectrometria de massas (LC-MS/MS) para quantificação do lorazepam em plasma humano visando aplicação em estudo de bioequivalência entre duas formulações de comprimidos contendo esse fármaco. A preparação das amostras de plasma foi feita por extração líquido-líquido usando hexano:diclorometano (60:40 v/v) como solvente de extração. O padrão interno usado foi o bromazepam. A separação cromatográfica ocorreu utilizando-se coluna analítica modelo Gemini® C18 110 A (150 mm x 4,6 mm; partículas de 5µm). Mistura de metanol e tampão acetato de amônio 10 mM (80:20, v/v), acrescida de 0,1% de ácido fórmico ao final da preparação, foi usada como fase móvel. A interface entre HPLC e MS/MS foi a fonte de ionização por eletrospray (ESI) operando em modo positivo (ES+). O analito e o PI foram monitorados e quantificados através de multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). As transições monitoradas foram m/z 320,69 > 274,96 para o lorazepam e m/z 318,00 > 182,20 para o padrão interno. O método foi validado na faixa de concentração de 0,50 a 80,0 ng/ml em plasma humano. A bioequivalência entre as formulações foi determinada através dos intervalos de confiança 90 % obtidos para as razões dos parâmetros farmacocinéticos Cmax (99% - 114%), AUC0-t (93% - 105%) e AUC0-inf (96% - 107%). Concluiu-se que as duas formulações podem ser administradas de maneira intercambiável sem prejuízo da eficácia terapêutica. / A method of liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS/MS) with high sensitivity and specificity was developed to quantify Lorazepam in human plasma. This method was applied in a bioequivalence study between two tablet formulations. The preparation of plasma samples were performed by liquid-liquid extraction using hexanedichloromethane (60:40 v/v) as extraction solvent. The internal standard was bromoazepam. The chromatographic separation was achieved using the Gemini® C18 110A (150 mm x 4.6mm; 5µm particles) analytical column. The mobile phase was prepared from a mixture of methanol and 10mM of ammonium acetate (80:20, v/v), and finally adding 0.1% of formic acid. The HPLC and MS/MS interface was the electrospray ionization source (ESI), operating in positive mode (ESI+). The analyte and internal standard were monitored and quantified through multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The monitored transitions were m/z 320.69 > 274.96 for lorazepam and m/z 318.00 > 182.20 for the internal standard. The method was validated over the range 0.50 to 80.0 ng/mL in human plasma. The bioequivalence between the two formulations was determined inside the 90% confidence interval for the pharmacokinetic parameters, Cmax (99% - 114%), AUC0-t (93% - 105%) and AUC0-inf (96% - 107%). It was concluded that the two formulations can be administered in an interchangeable manner without losing the therapeutic efficiency.

Ergotalkaloide sind sekundäre Stoffwechselprodukte des parasitären Schlauchpilzes Claviceps purpurea der auf Getreide Mutterkörner (Sklerotien) bildet. In Sklerotien sind toxische Ergotalkaloide enthalten. Durch C. purpurea werden vorrangig sechs verschiedene Ergotalkaloid-Epimerenpaare gebildet, die toxischen C8-(R)-Epimere und die biologisch nicht relevanten C8-(S)-Epimere, die ineinander umgewandelt werden können. Das Ziel der Arbeit war es, die Epimerisierung der Ergotalkaloide während der Probenvorbereitung im Vergleich zu bisher bekannten Probenaufarbeitungsverfahren zu minimieren. Dieses gelang durch den Verzicht des Zusatzes starker Säuren oder Basen. Die aufgereinigten Extrakte können bei Raumtemperatur über 96 Stunden epimerisierungsfrei in einer tensidischen Acetonitril-Wasser-Lösung gelagert werden. Die Probenaufarbeitung mit anschließender Auftrennung über die Hochleistungsflüssigchromatographie und fluorimetrischer Detektion (HPLC-FLD) wurde für Roggenmehl und Speiseöl validiert und auf diese Martices angewendet. So konnten erstmals die Ergotalkaloidgehalte auch in Weizenkeimöl quantifiziert werden. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wurde das Epimerisierungsverhalten von Ergotalkaloiden bei Backversuchen und in vitro Verdauexperimenten untersucht. Das Backen resultierte in eine Verschiebung des Epimerengleichgewichtes auf die Seite der (S)-Epimere. Das angewendete in vitro Verdaumodell führte für die Ergotalkaloidepimerenpaare Ergotamin und Ergosin zu einer Verschiebung des Epimerengleichgewichtes auf die Seite der toxischen (R)-Epimere. Dagegen zeigten die Ergotalkaloide der Ergotoxingruppe eine Verschiebung des Epimerengleichgewichtes auf die Seite der (S)-Epimere. Der dritte Teil der Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit Ergotalkaloid-Konjugaten, die unter dem Einfluss von UV-Licht entstehen. Es wurden sechs Ergotalkaloid-Fettsäure-Konjugate synthetisiert und in Sklerotien über die HPLC in Verbindung mit massenspektrometrischer Detektion nachgewiesen. / Ergot alkaloids are secondary metabolites of the parasitic fungus Claviceps purpurea that forms sclerotia on cereals. These sclerotia contain toxic ergot alkaloids. C. purpurea forms six epimeric pairs of ergot alkaloids predominantly the toxic C8-(R)-epimers and the biologically inactive C8-(S)-epimers. In view of the fact that both epimeric forms can be transformed into one another, the objective of this work was to develop a novel sample preparation method that minimizes the epimerization rate compared to previously published methods. The presented sample preparation procedure minimizes epimerization of ergot alkaloids, as it operates without the addition of strong acidic or alkaline modifiers for matrix removal. After sample preparation, an ergot alkaloid containing extract in a sodium hexanesulfonate solution is obtained in which no epimerization after 96 hours was observed. Thus, the sample preparation allows extract storage at ambient temperature for prolonged HPLC analysis. This novel sample preparation followed by HPLC-flourescence analysis was validated for the matrices rye flour and wheat germ oil and was applied for food samples. This is the first time that the ergot alkaloid content in wheat germ oil was quantified. The second part of this work was the study of the epimerization behaviour of ergot alkaloids during baking and in vitro digestion. Baking of cookies resulted in a shift of the epimeric ratio towards the (S)-epimers. The in vitro digestion showed an ergot alkaloid specific shift of the epimeric ratio. The initial percentage of the (R)-epimer increased for ergotamine und ergosine. In contrast, ergot alkaloids of the ergotoxine type showed an epimeric shift towards their (S)-epimers. The third part of this work was the study of ergot alkaloid derivatives that are formed in combination with UV-light. Six different ergot alkaloid fatty acid derivates were synthesized and detected in sclerotia using a HPLC-MS/MS method.

Mykotoxine sind giftige Naturstoffe, die im Rahmen des Sekundärstoffwechsels von Schimmelpilzen beim Wachstum auf pflanzlichen Substraten gebildet werden. Zu den bekanntesten Mykotoxinen zählt das Ochratoxin A (OTA), welches überwiegend in Getreide und davon abgeleiteten Erzeugnissen, aber auch in Wein und Kaffee sowie Gewürzen und Bier nachgewiesen wurde. OTA ist unter anderem immunotoxisch, nephrotoxisch und besitzt teratogene sowie kanzerogene Eigenschaften. Darüber hinaus wird OTA eine hormonelle Wirkung zugesprochen. Aufgrund der Toxizität und des relativ häufigen Vorkommens in Lebensmitteln wurden für OTA Grenzwerte festgelegt. Diese liegen für Wein, Röstkaffee und diätetische Produkte zwischen 0,5 mikrogramm /kg und 10 mikrogramm /kg. Grenzwerte für Gewürze und Bier sind geplant. Im Rahmen der Methodenentwicklung zur Bestimmung von OTA in Lebensmitteln wurden verschiedene clean-up-Techniken miteinander verglichen. Dabei wurde vor allem den kombinierten Ionentauscher/reversed phase-Säulen und der LC-MS/MS wesentliche Bedeutung beigemessen. Innerhalb der Methodenvalidierung wurden die Ergebnisse mit dem entsprechenden Standardverfahren verglichen. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass mit oben genanntem Material in Kombination mit der LC-MS/MS sehr gute Ergebnisse erzielt werden können. Diese wurden im Rahmen der Validierung durch statistische Auswertung bestätigt. Ferner wurden im Rahmen der Methodenentwicklung, speziell bei der Bestimmung von OTA in Kaffee, Extraktionstechniken miteinander verglichen. Dabei wurde die bislang kaum beachtete ASE (Accelerated Solvent Extraction, Dionex) sowie Ultraschallextraktion mit der Schüttelextraktion aus der gültigen Norm verglichen und ihre Anwendbarkeit auf weitere Lebensmittel geprüft. In diesem Zusammenhang waren die ASE und Ultraschallextraktion der konventionellen Schüttelextraktion überlegen. Darüber hinaus wurde die Ultraschallextraktion in Kombination mit dem Ionentauscher/reversed phase clean-up erfolgreich auf Weizen und Chili angewandt. Parallel zur Methodenentwicklung wurde die Stabilität und Homogenität von OTA in Wein und Röstkaffee untersucht. Sowohl die Homogenität als auch die Stabilität des Analyten sind wichtige Faktoren bei der Entwicklung neuer Verfahren, da zusammen mit Ergebnissen der Validierung, die Messunsicherheit innerhalb neuer Verfahren eingegrenzt werden. / Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxic substances and produced as secondary metabolites by fungi which are growing on plants predominantly. One of the most interesting mycotoxins is ochratoxin A (OTA), which was found in several foods and feed stuff like wheat and its related products, wine, coffee, spices and beer. Among other things OTA is immunotoxic, nephrotoxic and has teratogenic and cancerogenic properties. Further more OTA shows hormonal effects. Because of its toxicity and common appearance in food and feed the OTA content had to be regulated in European and or national directives. The maximum values are determined between 0.5 micrograms/kg and 10 micrograms/kg for wine, roasted coffee and dietetic products. Other maximum levels for beer and spices are intended. During the investigation of analytical methods for the determination of OTA in food stuff different clean-up techniques were compared. Thereby the mixed anion exchange/reversed phase clean-up in combination with LC-MS/MS was researched intensively. Within method validation the results were compared with the corresponding standard methods. This work shows that the mixed mode clean-up in combination with LC-MS/MS gives excellent results. These results were statistically confirmed during method validation. Further more different extraction techniques were compared during the development of analytical methods, especially for the determination of OTA in coffee. Thereby the ASE (accelerated solvent extraction, Dionex) and the ultrasonic extraction were compared with the shaking technique from current standard methods. The adaptability for other food and feed products was researched as well. In this context the new extraction techniques were superior to conventional shaking techniques. In addition the ultrasonic extraction with mixed mode clean-up and LC-MS/MS detection was applied to chilli and wheat effectively. Besides the investigation of analytical methods the stability and homogeneity of OTA in wine and roasted coffee was researched. The homogeneity and stability of OTA in matrix are very important factors during the investigation of analytical methods. In combination with the relevant results of the method validation these results can be used to determine the uncertainty of the new analytical methods.

Die schmerzstillende Wirkung von Opiaten wird über Opioidrezeptoren im zentralen und peripheren Nervensystem vermittelt. Die Schmerzlinderung kann jedoch mit sehr starken Nebenwirkungen einhergehen, die das Patientenwohlbefinden beeinträchtigen. Dies legt die Bedeutung von neuen Opioidanalgetika nahe, die ihre schmerzstillende Wirkung ausschließlich über Opioidrezeptoren im PNS entfalten, ohne unerwünschte zentrale Nebenwirkungen zu induzieren. Die orale Gabe von Medikamenten minimiert Unannehmlichkeiten für den Patienten, jedoch müssen die Substanzen die intestinale Barriere passieren können, um in die Blutzirkulation eintreten zu können. Die intestinale Permeabilität von zwei peripher wirksamen Opiaten (AS006 und Loperamid) wurde in Ussing-Kammer Experimenten untersucht. Um die Darmepithelpermeabilität für beide Opiate zu erhöhen, wurde der Absorptionsverstärker Chitosan verwendet. Chitosan bewirkte nach 30 Minuten bei HT29/B6 und Caco-2 Zelllinien eine Abnahme des epithelialen Widerstands in vitro. Die Permeabilität für AS006 war bei beiden Zelllinien erhöht, für Loperamid nur bei HT29/B6, jedoch nicht bei Caco-2 Zellmonolayern. Verhaltensexperimente zur Messung des antinozizeptiven Effektes von oral appliziertem Loperamid auf Entzündungsschmerz wurden an Ratten durchgeführt. Die orale Gabe von Loperamid induzierte eine Dosis-abhängige antinozizeptive Wirkung in der entzündeten Hinterpfote. Bei oraler Gabe von Loperamid in Kombination mit Chitosan wurde keine signifikante Verstärkung des maximalen antinozizeptiven Effekts von Loperamid beobachtet. Zusammenfassend ist Chitosan ein geeigneter Absorptionsverstärker für intestinale Permeabilitätsstudien von peripher wirksamen Opioidanalgetika in vitro. Die in vitro Ergebnisse haben gezeigt, dass der Effekt von Chitosan auf Loperamid möglicherweise schwächer ist als auf AS006. Dementsprechend fiel die Wirkung des Absorptionsverstärkers auf Loperamid-induzierte Analgesie im Verhaltensversuch eher gering aus. / Analgesic effects of opioids are mediated by opioid receptors that are widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS, respectively). Although opioids are the most powerful analgesics, severe side effects restrict their use and affect patient convalescence. This suggests an advantage of new analgesic opioids which selectively bind to opioid receptors in the PNS. After oral administration however, peripherally restricted opioids first have to cross the intestinal epithelial barrier before absorption into the circulation and distribution to opioid receptors in peripheral tissues. Here, the transport across intestinal epithelia of two opioid ligands (AS006 and loperamide) that selectively activate peripheral opioid receptors without entering the CNS were investigated. To increase the intestinal passage of these drugs, the absorption enhancer chitosan was used. Chitosan significantly decreased the transepithelial resistance of HT29/B6 and Caco-2 cell monolayers after 30 min in vitro. The permeability values for AS006 increased from < 0.3 × 10-6 cm/s up to 10 × 10-6 cm/s in the presence of chitosan. In contrast, HT29/B6 monolayers showed moderate loperamide permeability in the presence of chitosan, and chitosan had no effect on the permeability of loperamide using Caco-2 monolayers. Oral administration of loperamide induced a dose-depended elevation of paw pressure thresholds in inflamed paws that lasted for 60 min. Oral administration of loperamide combined with chitosan slightly but nonsignificantly enhanced the antinociceptive effect of loperamide. In conclusion, chitosan is a suitable absorption enhancer for in vitro intestinal permeability studies. Future in vivo experiments might investigate different formulations and application schedules, and further address the effects of chitosan on the antinociceptive efficacy of hydrophilic opioids.

Hepcidin-25, ein 2000 entdecktes Peptidhormon, das eine Schlüsselrolle im Eisenstoffwechsel spielt, hat das Verständnis von Eisenerkrankungen revolutioniert. In dieser Studie wurde LC gekoppelt mit einem Triple-Quadrupol MS in einer schnellen und robusten Methode zur Quantifizierung von Hepcidin-25 in menschlichem Serum verwendet, welche letztlich in Routine-Laboratorien genutzt werden soll. Zu diesem Zweck wurden zwei Probenvorbereitungsstrategien und zwei komplementäre LC Bedingungen untersucht, wobei eine saure mobile Phase (0,1% TFA) mit einem neuartigen Ansatz unter der Verwendung einer basischen mobilen Phase (0,1% NH3) verglichen wurde. In einem laborinternen Vergleich beider LC-MS/MS Methoden wurde Hepcidin-25 in humanen Proben unter Verwendung der gleichen Kalibrierstandards quantifiziert und eine sehr gute Korrelation der Ergebnisse ermittelt. Hierbei wurde die Analysestrategie mit saurer mobiler Phase als hochsensitiv (LOQ von 0,5 μg/L) und präzise (CV <15%) befunden und als Kandidat einer Referenzmethoden für die Hepcidin-25 Quantifizierung in realen Proben empfohlen. Einer der neuartigen Aspekte der Methodik war die Verwendung von Amino- und Fluor-silanisierten Autosampler-Fläschchen, um die Adsorption des 25 Reste umfassenden Peptids anOberflächen zu reduzieren. Darüber hinaus wurde diese LC-MS/MS-Methode in einer internationalen Ringversuchsstudie eingesetzt, bei der ein sekundäres Referenzmaterial als Kalibrierstandard verwendet wurde, und gemäß des International Consortium for Harmonization of Clinical Laboratory Results (ICHCLR) als optimal bewertet. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Bildung von Hepcidin-Komplexen mit Kupfer(II) untersucht. Die erste Umkehrphasen-chromatographische Trennung von Hepcidin-25/Cu(II) und Hepcidin-25 (Kupfer "frei") wurde unter Verwendung von mobilen Phasen mit 0,1% NH3 erreicht. LC-MS/MS und FTICR-MS wurden für die Charakterisierung der gebildeten Hepcidin-25-Cu(II)-Spezies bei pH-Werten von 11 bzw. 7,4 verwendet. / Hepcidin-25, a key iron-regulatory peptide hormone discovered in 2000, has revolutionized the understanding of iron-related pathology. This study applied LC-MS/MS, using the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, in a rapid and robust analytical strategy for the quantification of hepcidin-25 in human serum, to be implemented in routine laboratories. For this purpose, two sample preparation strategies and two complementary LC conditions were investigated, where the use of acidic mobile phases (0.1% TFA) was compared with a novel approach involving solvents at high pH (0.1% NH3). The application of these LC-MS/MS methods to human samples in an intra-laboratory comparison, using the same hepcidin-25 calibrators, yielded a very good correlation of the results. The LC-MS/MS employing trifluoroacetic acid-based mobile phases was selected as a highly sensitive (LOQ of 0.5 µg/L) and precise (CV<15%) method and was recommended as a reference method candidate for hepcidin-25 quantification in real samples. One of the novel aspects of the methodology was the use of amino- and fluoro-silanized autosampler vials to reduce the interaction of the 25-residue peptide to laboratory glassware surfaces. Moreover, this LC-MS/MS method was used for an international round robin study, applying a secondary reference material as a calibrator and its performance was found to be in the optimal range as defined by the International Consortium for Harmonization of Clinical Laboratory Results (ICHCLR). In this work, the formation of hepcidin-25 complexes with copper(II) was investigated. The first reversed-phase chromatographic separation of hepcidin-25/Cu2+ and hepcidin-25 (copper “free”) was achieved by applying mobile phases containing 0.1% NH3. LC-MS/MS and FTICR-MS were applied for the characterization of the formed hepcidin-25-Cu(II) species at pH values of 11 and 7.4 respectively. A new species corresponding to hepcidin-25 complexed with two copper ions was identified at high pH.