Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-143).

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Iron metabolism disorders comprise the most common disorders in humans. Hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) is a common condition resulting from inappropriate iron absorption. The most common form of the disease (Type 1) is associated with mutations in the HFE gene. The C282Y homozygous genotype accounts for approximately 80% of all reported cases of HH within the Caucasian population. A second HFE mutation, H63D, is associated with less severe disease expression. The C282Y mutation is extremely rare in Asian and African populations. The H63D mutation is more prevalent and has been observed in almost all populations. Iron overload resulting from haemochromatosis is predicted to be rare in Asian Indian populations and is not associated with common HFE mutations that are responsible for HH in the Caucasian population. The aberrant genes associated with HH in India have not yet been identified. The present study attempted to identify variants in six iron regulatory genes that were resulting in the Type 1 HH phenotype observed in two Asian Indian probands from a highly consanguineous family. The promoter and coding regions of the HMOX1, HFE, HAMP, SLC40A1, CYBRD1 and HJV genes were subjected to mutation analysis. Gene fragments were amplified employing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequently subjected to heteroduplex single-strand conformational polymorphism (HEX-SSCP) analysis. Samples displaying aberrations were then analysed using bi-directional semi-automated DNA sequencing analysis to identify any known or novel variants within the six genes. Variants disrupting restriction enzyme recognition sites were genotyped employing restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Mutation analysis of the six genes revealed 24 previously identified variants, five novel variants (HFE: 5’UTR-840T→G, CYBRD1: 5’UTR-1813C→T, 5’UTR-1452T→C, 5’UTR- 1272T→C; HJV: 5’UTR-534G→T, 5’UTR-530G→T), one previously described microsatellite and two novel repeats. Variants identified within the SLC40A1, CYBRD1 and HJV genes do not seem to be associated with the iron overload phenotype. A previously described HAMP variant (5’UTR-335G→T) was observed in the homozygous state in both probands. This variant seems to be the genetic aberration responsible for iron overload in this Indian family. The severe juvenile haemochromatosis phenotype usually associated with HAMP mutations, was not exhibited by the two Indian probands. Their symptoms resembled those observed in classic Type 1 HH. It is suggested that variants identified in the HMOX1 and HFE genes are modifying the effect of the HAMP variant and resulting in the less severe disease phenotype. Although this variant has only been identified in one Indian family, it could shed some light in the hunt for the iron-loading gene in India. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oorerflike hemochromatose (OH) is ‘n algemene siektetoestand wat ontstaan as gevolg van oneffektiewe opname van yster in die liggaam. Die mees algemene vorm van die siekte (Tipe 1) word geassosieer met mutasies in die HFE-geen. Die C282Y homosigotiese genotipe is verantwoordelik vir ongeveer 80% van alle gerapporteerde gevalle van OH binne die Kaukasiese bevolking. ‘n Tweede HFE mutasie, H63D, word geassosieer met minder ernstige siekte simptome. Die C282Y mutasie is besonder skaars in Asiese en Afrika bevolkings. Daar word bespiegel dat oorerflike ysteroorlading as gevolg van hemochromatose skaars is in Asiese Indiër bevolkings en word nie geassosieer met algemene HFE mutasies wat verantwoordelik is vir OH in Kaukasiese bevolkings nie. Die abnormale gene wat wél geassosieer word met OH in Indië is tot dusver nog nie identifiseer nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die variante in ses yster-regulerende gene te identifiseer wat die Tipe 1 OH fenotipe in hierdie familie veroorsaak. Hierdie fenotipe is waargeneem in twee Asies Indiese familielede afkomstig van ‘n bloedverwante familie. Die promotor en koderingsareas van die HMOX1, HFE, HAMP, SLC40A1, CYBRD1 en HJV gene is gesif vir mutasies. Geen fragmente is geamplifiseer met behulp van die polimerase kettingsreaksie (PKR) en daarna aan heterodupleks enkelstring konformasie polimorfisme (HEX-SSCP) analise blootgestel. PKR produkte wat variasies getoon het, is daarna geanaliseer deur tweerigting semi-geoutomatiseerde DNS volgorde-bepalingsanalise om enige bekende of nuwe variante binne die ses gene te identifiseer. Variante waar restriksie ensiem herkenningsetels teenwoordig is, is verder analiseer met behulp van die restriksie fragment lengte polimorfisme (RFLP) analise sisteem. Mutasie analise van die ses gene het 24 bekende variante, vyf nuwe variante (HFE: 5’UTR- 840T→G, CYBRD1: 5’UTR-1813C→T, 5’UTR-1452T→C, 5’UTR-1272T→C, HJV: 5’UTR-534G→T, 5’UTR-530G→T), een bekende herhaling en twee nuwe herhalings gewys. Variante wat binne die SLC4041, CYBRD1 en HJV gene geïdentifiseer is, blyk nie om by te dra tot die ysteroorladings-fenotipe nie. Die bekende HAMP variant (5’UTR-335G→T) is waargeneem in die homosigotiese toestand in beide van die aangetaste individue. Hierdie variant blyk om die genetiese fout te wees wat verantwoordelik is vir die ysteroorlading in die betrokke Indiese familie. Die erge juvenielehemochromatose fenotipe wat meestal geassosieer word met HAMP-mutasies, is nie waargeneem in hierdie familie nie. Hul simptome kom ooreen met die simptome van die klassieke Tipe 1 OH. Dit blyk moontlik te wees dat die variante identifiseer in die HMOX1 en HFE gene die impak van die HAMP variant modifiseer en die matiger siekte-fenotipe tot gevolg het. Alhoewel hierdie variant slegs in een Indiese familie geïdentifiseer is, kan dit lig werp op die soektog na die veroorsakende ysterladingsgeen in Indië.

Thesis (MSc (Genetics))—University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Hereditary haemochromatosis (HH), a common autosomal recessive disease, is characterized by increased iron absorption leading to progressive iron accumulation in organs such as the liver, heart and pancreas. In the South African population the disease is prevalent in individuals of Caucasian origin, with a carrier frequency of one in six for the C282Y mutation in the HFE gene. We investigated the role of genes implicated in iron metabolism, including the high-iron gene (HFE), haem oxgenase-1 gene (HMOX1), solute carrier family 40 (iron-regulated transporter) member 1 gene (SLC40A1), cytochrome b reductase gene (CYBRD1), hepcidin antimicrobial peptide gene (HAMP) and the hemojuvelin gene (HJV) in a patient cohort with non-HFE iron overload. DNA analysis was performed on samples from 36 unrelated South African Caucasian patients presenting with primary iron overload, who tested either negative or heterozygous for C282Y. In this study, mutation screening was performed by PCR amplification and HEX-SSCP analysis. Sixteen previously described and two novel variants were identified by semi-automated DNA sequencing. Common variants identified in the HFE gene included C282Y, H63D, IVS2+4T→C, IVS4-44T→C, IVS4+48G→A and IVS5-47G→A. The Q127H mutation in exon 3 of the HFE gene was identified in one patient, who tested negative for both C282Y and H63D. Mutation S65C was identified only in the population-matched controls and was absent in the patient group. Other previously described polymorphisms identified included the IVS5+51delTGGCTGTCTGACT deletion in HMOX1, I109 and V221 in SLC40A1, IVS1-4C→G, IVS2+8T→C and S266N, in the CYBRD1 gene and, S264 and A310G in the HJV gene. The novel variants, -89C→T, in the promoter region of the CYBRD1 gene, was detected in only one patient, while S333 in exon 4 of the HJV gene was present in three patients. These variants were not identified in any of the population-matched controls screened and could explain the non-HFE iron overload presented by these patients. This study clearly demonstrates the importance of modifier genes in patients with iron overload that cannot be explained by the common C282Y mutation. Studies on iron-related genes and the identification of mutations in these genes in non-HFE patients could lead to improved diagnosis and counselling of South African patients presenting with primary iron overload.

Orientadores: Sarah Monte Alegre, Elza Olga Ana Muscelli Berardi / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-11T19:48:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carvalho_CamilaPuzzide_M.pdf: 2368362 bytes, checksum: feeaaef28d0f62b028795119992d2b1c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: A obesidade é conceituada como um quadro crônico que se caracteriza pelo acúmulo excessivo de gordura de modo a comprometer a saúde. Atualmente o tecido adiposo além de sua função como depósito de gordura, passou a ser considerado um órgão endócrino (Trayhurn, 2001). Os adipócitos secretam uma série de substâncias, como leptina, adiponectina, citocinas inflamatórias (TNF-alfa, IL-6) e PCR, que estão envolvidas em várias funções, incluindo, homeostase da glicose, inflamação, balanço energético, metabolismo dos lipídios e sistema fibrinolítico/homeostase vascular (Arner, 2003). Além dos hormônios secretados pelo tecido adiposo, sabe-se que o sistema digestório também secreta hormônios como as incretinas, uma delas é o GLP-1, secretado pelas células-L intestinais e possui efeito anti-diabético. Há também a secreção de grelina, que é um hormônio produzida no fundo gástrico, relacionada ao controle da fome, e à regulação do balanço energético a longo prazo (Cummings DE., 2001). No presente estudo avaliou-se o efeito do emagrecimento por dieta e o induzido por cirurgia bariátrica sobre os níveis plasmáticos de: GLP-1, grelina, adiponectina, citocinas inflamatórias e PCR, além da análise da correlação entre estas variáveis, em indivíduos obesos e diabéticos obesos. Foram avaliados 11 pacientes portadores de obesidade mórbida com intolerância à glicose normal (grupo NGT) e 8 pacientes, que além da obesidade apresentam diagnóstico de diabetes ou intolerância à glicose (grupo AMG: com 4 pacientes com DM tipo 2 e 4 pacientes com intolerância à glicose), que foram submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica pela técnica de tipo Fobi- Capella (Fobi,2001). Os grupos NGT e AMG foram caracterizados antes da cirurgia por apresentarem IMC 46,1 ± 2,27 kg/m2 e 51,20 ± 4,6 kg/m2 respectivamente, bem como o alto porcentual de gordura e circunferência da cintura. Os indivíduos no início do estudo, apresentavam níveis elevados de insulina de jejum 21,85 ± 2,93 uU/ml e 32,95 ± 9,66 uU/ml para NGT e AMG respectivamente, houve uma redução, que foi mais acentuada após 9 meses da realização da cirurgia chegando a valores dentro da faixa de normalidade, T5 12,08 ± 0,91 uU/ml NGT e 10,2 ± 1,55 uU/ml AMG. Quanto à glicose plasmática houve redução dos valores principalmente no grupo AMG, que apresentou resultados semelhantes ao grupo NGT, os valores no período T5 foram 77,7 ± 1,88 mg/dl para NGT e 70,93 ± 6,01 mg/dl para AMG. Em relação ao HOMA-IR, houve redução dos valores no período pós-operatório, sendo a diferença mais acentuada no grupo AMG, T1: 9,85 ± 3,67; T2: 4,67 ± 1,34 e T5: 1,73±0,24. Demonstramos que o aumento nos níveis de GLP-1 foi significativo no período pós-operatório (9° mês) tanto para o grupo NGT como AMG, momento no qual observamos melhora na sensibilidade à insulina e o grupo AMG apresentou uma maior secreção de GLP-1 no período T5 aos 30 minutos 34,06 ± 6,18 pmol/l quando comparados aos NGT 22,69 ± 4,04 pmol/l. Os níveis de adiponectina aumentaram ao longo do emagrecimento, sendo o aumento mais pronunciado após a realização da cirurgia, T1 6,43 ± 1,23 ug/ml; T2 8,35 ± 1,48 ug/ml; T5 17,17 ± 4,89 ug/ml para grupo NGT e T1 5,04 ± 1,2 ug/ml; T2 7,12 ± 1,73 ug/ml; T5 15,43 ± 5,52 ug/ml para AMG. A partir destes resultados o presente estudo permitiu concluir que a perda de peso por dieta necessitaria ser mais expressiva para que ocorresse melhora metabolismo glicose como também na secreção de GLP-1 e adiponectina, como a que ocorreu no emagrecimento cirúrgico. Demonstramos que o emagrecimento, em especial, em indivíduos do grupo AMG apresentaram normalização da curva de glicose, insulina e peptídeo-C, diminuição da resistência à insulina, como também aumento expressivo de GLP-1, e adiponectina mesmo não tendo ocorrido à estabilização de peso, e esta perda, conduziu a melhora no metabolismo de carboidratos, em relação à sensibilidade à insulina, contribuindo para a diminuição do risco de desenvolver DM tipo 2. Esta melhora, também, se expressou na redução do quadro inflamatório, assim como no aumento nos níveis de adiponectina e GLP-1. / Abstract: Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by extreme accumulation of fat that compromise health. Currently adipose tissue is known as an endocrine organ (Trayhurn, 2001). Adipocyte cells secrets several adipokines like: leptin, adiponectin, inflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and PCR that can change: glucose homeostasis, energy homeostasis, lipid metabolism, vascular homeostasis and stimulate inflammatory state (Arner, 2003). Besides adipose tissue secretion it is proposed that gut tract secret incretins. One of them is GLP-1, which is secreted by hindgut and has anti-diabetic effect. There is also ghrelin secretion that is a hormone produced by the stomach, and it is related to hunger control and regulation of energy homeostasis (Cummings, 2001). In the present study we evaluated the effect of weight loss by diet restriction and induced by bariatric surgery analyzing levels of: insulin, glucose, C-peptide GLP-1, inflammatory cytokines, ghrelin, adiponectin, PCR besides analysis of correlation between these variables, in obese and diabetic obese. We studied 11 morbidly obese patients with normal glucose tolerance (group NGT) and 8 patients who besides obesity had type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or were glucose intolerant (group AMG: with 4 patients with type 2 DM and 4 intolerant patients). Both groups were submitted to bariatric surgery Fobi-Capella technique and OGTT at 3 periods: first period, pre-operative, and 9° post-operative. At 3° and 6° months of post-operative period had only fasting levels. Before surgery the patients were characterized by having a BMI 46.1 ± 2.27 kg/m2 for NGT group and 51.20 ± 4.6 kg/m2 for AMG, as well as the high percentage of fat mass and waist circumference. The individuals at the beginning of the study, presented high insulin levels 21.85 ± 2.93 uU/ml and 32.95 ± 9.66 uU/ml for NGT and AMG respectively, and both had a major reduction 9 months after of surgery. Glucose levels reduced mainly in AMG group and presented resulted similar to group NGT at T5: 77,7 ± 1,88 mg/dl for NGT and 70,93 ± 6,01 mg/dl for AMG. HOMA-IR reduced at post-operative period, and the major reduction was in AMG group, T1: 9,85 ± 3,67; T2: 4,67 ± 1,34 and T5: 1,73±0,24 . GLP-1 levels had a significant increased at post-operative period (9° month) for NGT and AMG groups, and it was at the same moment we observe the improvement on insulin sensitivity, AMG group had major secretion of GLP-1 at period T5 at 30 minutes 34,06 ± 6,18 pmol/l when compared to 22,69 ± 4,04 pmol/l for NGT. Adiponectin levels increased after weight loss by surgery, T1 6,43 ± 1,23 ug/ml; T2 8,35 ± 1,48 ug/ml; T5 17,17 ± 4,89 ug/ml for NGT and T1 5,04 ± 1,2 ug/ml; T2 7,12 ± 1,73 ug/ml; T5 15,43 ± 5,52 ug/ml for AMG . From these results the present study concluded that weight loss by diet restriction need to be more expressive to notice some metabolic improvement as it was observed by surgical weight loss. We demonstrate that surgical weight loss, especially in AMG group,lead a normalization of glucose curve, insulin and C-peptide, and also a reduction of the insulin resistance, as well as GLP-1 and adiponectin improvement even though they hadn't weight stabilization. This also leads to the improvement of the carbohydrates metabolism, insulin sensitivity, contributing for the reduction type 2 DM risk. This improvement, also, was expressed by the reduction on inflammatory state, as well as in the improvement of adiponectin and GLP-1 levels. / Mestrado / Ciencias Basicas / Mestre em Clinica Medica

A Doença de Alzheimer (DA) é a causa mais comum de demência e é caracterizada clinicamente por comprometimentos cognitivos. Histologicamente é caracterizada pela formação de placas senis e de emaranhados neurofibrilares intracelulares resultantes de alterações do metabolismo do peptídeo A e da hiperfosforilação da proteína tau, respectivamente. Essas alterações parecem, em parte, ser uma decorrência de uma deficiência na sinalização da insulina e conseqüente resistência do encéfalo a esse hormônio, sugerindo que a DA esporádica tenha uma relação com o Diabetes mellitus. A estreptozotocina tem sido utilizada como modelo de indução do Diabetes, e mais recentemente como modelo experimental da DA quando administrado intracerebroventricular. Nosso objetivo nesse estudo foi o de caracterizar o esse modelo experimental da DA induzido pela estreptozotocina, avaliando as conseqüências agudas e a longo prazo. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar machos de quatro meses de idade que receberam injeções intracerebroventriculares bilaterais de estreptozotocina ou de veículo. Os animais foram avaliados aguda e cronicamente por testes comportamentais de memória de referência e operacional utilizando o modelo do labirinto aquático de Morris que visavam avaliar o curso temporal dos prejuízos cognitivos após a injeção da droga. Em diferentes tempos após as injeções, os ratos foram sacrificados e regiões do encéfalo submetidas à técnica de immunoblotting para avaliação de proteínas indicadoras de neurodegeneração ou à técnica histoquimica pelo método de Fluoro-Jade C. A avaliação da memória operacional em períodos agudos mostrou que os prejuízos cognitivos parecem se instalar a partir de 3 horas da injeção de estreptozotocina. A avaliação crônica das memórias operacional e de referência mostrou que os ratos exibiram um prejuízo marcante no desempenho dessas tarefas ao longo dos testes, embora seja correto afirmar que esses animais ainda são capazes de adquirir informação relevante com relação à execução da tarefa, particularmente na versão de memória de referência. A análise de immunoblotting mostrou haver aumento da expressão do peptídeo beta amilóide significante em regiões como amigdala, córtex entorrinal, núcleos da base e do hipotálamo. Também foi observado um aumento significativo da fosforilação da proteína tau na amigdala, cerebelo, córtex, prosencéfalo basal e núcleos da base. Foi observada uma diminuição da enzima de síntese de acetilcolina, a colina acetil-transferase apenas na amigdala. Fibras em degeneração foram observadas no hipotálamo, na área septal e em neurônios piramidais na região CA1 após 1 dia da injeção de estreptozotocina. Já após 15 dias da injeção podemos observar marcação em neurônios do estriado e da região CA1 do hipocampo e em fibras próximas ao giro denteado. Em resumo a injeção intracerebroventricular de estreptozotocina parece produzir um bom modelo experimental da DA, pois reproduz as características cognitivas e histológicas encontradas nos pacientes com a doença / Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in aged humans. Recent reports have suggested a relationship between the onset of AD and an insulin-resistant brain condition. In this context, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in rats on behavior and neurodegeneration. Four month-old adult male Wistar rats were subjected to bilateral ICV injections of either STZ or vehicle and were tested for both reference and working memories in Morris water maze. After different survival times, rats were subjected to immunoblotting (to evaluate neurodegeneration markers) or to Fluoro-Jade C histochemistry. A marked disruption of performance in working memory was already observed after 3 hours of STZ injections. Immunoblotting analysis showed a significant increase of beta amyloid peptide expression in the amygdala, entorrinal cortex, basal ganglia, and hypothalamus. A significant increase of tau phosphorylation was also observed in the amygdala, cerebellum, cortex, basal forebrain and basal ganglia. Degenerating fibers were seen in the hypothalamus and septal area 1 day postinjection and in CA1 pyramidal neurons and close to the hippocampal dentate gyrus after 15 days. ICV injection of STZ seems therefore to produce an animal model of AD, as it reproduces the characteristic cognitive and histological changes of the disease

M. Tech (Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences) Vaal University of Technology. / Background: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death worldwide. This is not only a problem in developed countries, it is of major concern for public health in developing countries as well. Increased homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Nutritional deficiencies of folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. MTHFR A1298C, a single nucleotide polymorphism, is similarly linked with higher concentrations of homocysteine. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MTHFR A1298C in a black elderly population, along with folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 and to evaluate the effect on homocysteine levels. Methodology: The research design was an observational cross-sectional study and was ethically approved. A total of 84 elderly who attend a day-care centre (also met inclusion criteria) were purposively selected. DNA was extracted and frozen on the day of blood collection. The MTHFR A1298C genotype was determined with real time PCR. Homocysteine, folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 serum levels were detected with commercial assay kits. Results: Homocysteine was found to be elevated with a median of 17.78 µmol/L (interquartile range 13.98-21.03 µmol/L). Serum folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 medians were in the normal range. Although, 5.95% and 22.62% of the population were deficient and possibly deficient for vitamin B12, respectively. MTHFR A1298C frequency was as follow: 89.29% (AA), 9.52% (AC) and 1.19% (CC), with no significant correlation (p>0.05) with homocysteine. Vitamin B12 correlated significantly with homocysteine levels. Conclusion: Vitamin B12 deficiency had an effect on homocysteine levels. Overall, nutritional deficiencies are not responsible for the hyperhomocysteinemia in this population. In conclusion from this study showed MTHFR A1298C frequency in black South Africans does not contribute to homocysteine as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, elderly, folate, homocysteine, MTHFR A1298C, vitamin B6, vitamin B12.

No description available.

O receptor sensor do cálcio (CASR) desempenha um importante papel na manutenção da concentração plasmática do cálcio. Desde a sua descrição, mais de 200 mutações foram descritas podendo levar à perda ou ao ganho de função, resultando em situações de hiper ou hipocalcemia, respectivamente. Mutações inativadoras estão associadas à hipercalcemia hipocalciúrica familiar (HHF) e ao hiperparatireoidismo neonatal grave (HPTNG), enquanto que mutações ativadoras estão associadas à hipocalcemia autossômica dominante (HAD) e à Síndrome de Bartter tipo V. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar o diagnóstico molecular, por meio da análise do gene CASR, em pacientes com HPTNG, HHF, hipocalcemia com PTH inapropriadamente normal ou baixo e hipoparatireoidismo idiopático com hipercalciúria na vigência de tratamento. Para cada criança (n = 2) com diagnóstico clínico e laboratorial de HPTNG, uma mutação \"nonsense\" em homozigose foi identificada na região codificadora do CASR (p.E519X e p.R544X). O estudo molecular dos pais das crianças mostrou tratar-se de casos herdados caracterizando-os como indivíduos com HHF e possibilitou o aconselhamento genético para estas famílias. Mutações pontuais em heterozigose na região codificadora do CASR (p.R25X, p.R69H, p.T627I) foram detectadas em três dos quatro pacientes selecionados com diagnóstico inicial de hiperparatireoidismo primário e bioquímica compatível com hipercalcemia hipocalciúrica. Estes achados constituem a base molecular da HHF e permitiram o rastreamento de outros casos de HHF nas respectivas famílias com impacto na abordagem terapêutica dos mesmos. Na paciente em que não foi detectada nenhuma mutação na região codificadora do CASR, o estudo prosseguiu com a pesquisa de alterações no número de cópias gênicas e de mutações nas regiões promotoras P1 e P2 como possíveis causas do fenótipo em questão. O resultado destas abordagens foi normal. Dos quatro pacientes selecionados com quadro de hipoparatireoidismo idiopático e hipercalciúria na vigência de tratamento, em apenas uma, a causa molecular foi definida por mutação \"missense\" em heterozigose na região codificadora do CASR (p.E767K) repercutindo positivamente no seu tratamento. Nos demais casos (n = 3), a pesquisa de alterações no número de cópias gênicas e de mutações nas regiões promotoras P1 e P2 também resultou normal. / The calcium sensing receptor (CASR) plays an important role in maintaining the plasma concentration of calcium. From its first description, more than 200 mutations have been described leading to loss or gain of function, resulting in conditions of either hyper or hypocalcemia, respectively. Inactivating mutations are associated with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) and neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT), whereas activating mutations are associated with autosomal dominant hypocalcemia (ADH) and type V Bartter\'s syndrome. The aim of this study was to perform the molecular diagnosis, by analyzing the CASR gene, in patients with NSHPT, FHH, hypocalcemia with inappropriately normal or low PTH and idiopathic hypoparathyroidism with hypercalciuria during treatment. In every child (n = 2) with clinical and laboratory diagnosis of NSHPT, a nonsense mutation in homozygosity was identified in the coding region of the CASR (p.E519X and p.R544X). The molecular analysis of the child\'s parents showed that they were inherited cases qualifying them as individuals with FHH and it enabled a genetic counseling for these families. Point mutations in heterozygosity in the coding region of the CASR (p.R25X, p.R69H, p.T627I) have been detected in three out of the four selected patients with an initial diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism and biochemistry compatible with hypocalciuric hipercalcemia. These findings are the molecular basis of FHH and allowed the screening of other FHH cases in these families impacting on their therapeutic approach. In patients where no mutation in the coding region of the CASR was detected, the study went on researching for changes in the number of gene copies and mutations in P1 and P2 promoter regions as possible causes to the phenotype in question. The result of these approaches has been normal. The molecular cause has been defined as missense mutation in heterozygosis in the coding region of the CASR (p.E767K) in only one out of the four selected patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and hypercalciuria during treatment, with a positive impact on her treatment. In the other cases (n = 3), the search for changes in the number of gene copies and mutations in the P1 and P2 promoter regions was normal.

Abstract not available

[Formulae and special characters can only be approximated here. Please see the pdf version of the abstract for an accurate reproduction.] Atherosclerosis is a common degenerative disease in which the clinical manifestations are often through stroke or myocardial infarction. Some of the established risk factors for atherosclerosis include elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels, obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM) and cigarette smoking. Of the risk factors, an elevation in plasma LDL is one of the most established and the most researched. This is partly a consequence of the deposition of cholesterol within arterial intima being a crucial step in the progression of atherosclerosis, combined with the finding that LDL particles are a major transporter of cholesterol in circulation. Recently there is increasing evidence showing a role of the other major transporter of cholesterol in circulation, chylomicron remnants, in the progression of atherosclerosis. The notion of atherosclerosis as a postprandial phenomenon has been further substantiated by the emergence of evidence showing a direct role of chylomicron remnants in arterial cholesterol deposition. Based on evidence that chylomicron remnants are proatherogenic, the suggestion arises that accumulation of postprandial lipoproteins in plasma may add another dimension of risk to the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). This thesis tests the general hypothesis that individuals with or at high risk of CAD have postprandial dyslipidaemia and that this metabolic abnormality is correctable with a class of lipid-lowering drugs called statins. To test the hypothesis, clinical studies were conducted in normolipidaemic CAD patients, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and postmenopausal women with type 2 DM. Determination of postprandial dyslipidaemia by comparison with control populations were conducted initially in each patient group (Studies 1, 3 and 5), followed by intervention studies investigating possible modulation of the dyslipidaemia with a statin (Studies 2, 4 and 6). Six observation statements based on case-control comparisons of postprandial lipaemia in patients with or at risk of CAD and the effects of statins on postprandial dyslipidaemia in the patient groups were derived from the general hypothesis. The observation statements were examined in the individual studies described below. Postprandial lipoprotein metabolism was assessed using a number of methods. For comparison of postprandial lipaemia in Studies 1 and 2, a classic oral fat challenge was utilised. As markers of chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants, retinyl palmitate and triglyceride were measured postprandially as well as apolipoprotein (apo) B48 concentrations, a specific marker of intestinal lipoproteins. ApoB48 was also measured in the fasting state and found to predict the postprandial responses of retinyl palmitate, triglyceride and apoB48. This suggested that fasting measurement of apoB48 could be used as a simple indicator of postprandial dyslipidaemia. Consequently for Studies 3 - 6, fasting apoB48 measurements were used as primary markers of postprandial dyslipidaemia. Other markers for chylomicrons and their remnants utilised were fasting plasma concentrations of remnant-like particle-cholesterol (RLP-C) and apoC-III. As well as these static markers, chylomicron remnant catabolism was measured using a stable isotope breath test. The breath test involves the intravenous injection of a chylomicron remnant-like emulsion labelled with ¹³C-oleate and measurement of enriched ¹³CO2 in expired breath by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of the injected emulsion was subsequently calculated using multi-compartmental modeling (SAAM II). The studies are presented in this thesis as published and unpublished works. In Study 1, postprandial lipoprotein metabolism was compared between 18 normolipidaemic CAD patients (cholesterol 4.54 ± 0.12 mmol/L, triglyceride 1.09 ± 0.16) with 13 asymptomatic healthy controls using an oral fat challenge. Normolipidaemic CAD patients had higher postprandial area-under-curve (AUC) for triglyceride (+34%, p=0.019), retinyl palmitate (+74%, p=0.032) and apoB48 (+36%, p<0.001). Fasting apoB48 was also higher (+41%, p=0.001) and found to correlate significantly with AUC of triglyceride (p=0.017), retinyl palmitate (p=0.001) and apoB48 (p<0.001). The data suggest that normolipidaemic CAD patients have increased concentrations of intestinal lipoproteins in the fasting and postprandial state. In addition to these findings, significant correlations of fasting apoB48 with postprandial markers (p<0.02) suggests the fasting marker to be a simpler surrogate marker for the degree of total postprandial lipaemia. Study 2 investigated the effect of atorvastatin treatment on postprandial dyslipidaemia found in the 18 near-normolipidaemic CAD patients from Study 1. The trial was conducted in a randomised, placebo-controlled design, using oral fat challenges before and after 12-weeks atorvastatin/placebo treatment. Compared with the placebo group, atorvastatin decreased the total postprandial AUC for iii triglyceride (-22%, p=0.05) and apoB48 (-34%, p=0.013). Fasting markers of apoB48 (-35%, p=0.019) and RLP-C (-36%, p=0.032) also decreased significantly. Atorvastatin was also found to increase LDL-receptor activity by +218% (p<0.001) as reflected in binding studies. The data suggest atorvastatin reduces the fasting levels of intestinal lipoproteins as well as total postprandial lipaemia, but without acute dynamic changes in postprandial lipaemia. The reduction in fasting and total postprandial lipoprotein levels could be partly attributed to an increase in LDL-receptor mediated removal from circulation. In Study 3, postprandial lipaemia was compared in 15 heterozygous FH patients with 15 healthy controls. FH patients had higher fasting concentrations of apoB48 (+56%, p<0.001) and RLP-C (+48%, p=0.003). The elevation in these fasting markers of chylomicrons and their remnants suggests FH patients have postprandial dyslipidaemia due to an accumulation of these particles in plasma. Study 4 examined the effects of long- (> 6 months) and short-term (4 weeks) simvastatin treatment on modulating postprandial dyslipidaemia found in the 15 FH patients from Study 3. Short- and long-term simvastatin treatment decreased the fasting concentrations of apoB48 (-29% and 15% respectively, p<0.05) and RLP-C (both -38%, p<0.001), but did not significantly alter the FCR of the injected chylomicron remnant-like emulsion. The data suggest that in heterozygous FH both long- and short-term simvastatin treatments decrease the fasting markers of postprandial lipoproteins by mechanisms that may not be mediated via processes differentiated by the 13CO2 breath test. This implies that the effect on postprandial lipaemia may be from a decrease in production and/or a possible increase in catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs). In Study 5, postprandial lipaemia was compared in 24 postmenopausal women age and body mass index matched with 14 postmenopausal women with type 2 DM. Postmenopausal diabetic women were found to have higher fasting concentrations of apoB48 (+21%, p=0.021) and apoC-III (+16%, p=0.042) as well as lower FCR of the chylomicron remnant-like emulsion (-50%, p<0.001). The data suggest that postmenopausal diabetic women have postprandial dyslipidaemia, and that this is due to delayed catabolism of chylomicron remnants. Study 6 was an hypothesis-generating exercise examining the effects of 4-weeks pravastatin treatment on postprandial dyslipidaemia found in 7 postmenopausal women with type 2 DM from Study 5. Although plasma LDL-cholesterol was reduced (-19%, p=0.028), there were no significant effects found on fasting apoB48 concentrations (-12%, p=0.116) or the FCR of the chylomicron remnant-like emulsion (+38%, p=0.345). A larger sample size of patients and/or treatment with a more potent statin at a dosage known to affect chylomicron remnant metabolism would be required to demonstrate a significant reduction in postprandial dyslipidaemia in postmenopausal women with type 2 DM. The results of the above mentioned studies combined support the general hypothesis that postprandial dyslipidaemia is a feature of patients with or at risk of CAD. This defect may be demonstrated using fasting apoB48 as an indicator of the degree of postprandial lipaemia. Postprandial dyslipidaemia may reflect a reduction in catabolism, as suggested with the breath test in type 2 DM, and/or an over overproduction of chylomicrons. Both these mechanisms would also increase competition for lipolysis and clearance pathways between hepatically and intestinally-derived lipoproteins. The exact mechanisms by which postprandial dyslipidaemia occurs are yet to be determined. Statins appear to improve defective postprandial lipaemia in patients with or at risk of CAD, which is in agreement with the general hypothesis. The effectiveness of a statin is dependant on their potency in inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis and increasing receptor mediated clearance of LDL and chylomicron remnants. The studies conducted in this thesis show that postprandial dyslipidaemia can be reduced by statins but not to the extent demonstrated in controls. However, the demonstrated reduction in fasting and total postprandial lipaemia translates to a lowering in overall arterial exposure to circulating proatherogenic particles. The elevation in fasting and postprandial levels of proatherogenic chylomicron remnants found in the patient groups described in this thesis indicates another dimension to their risk of coronary disease. The reductions in the overall levels of proatherogenic particles in patients with or at high CAD risk, infers a possible reduction in the risk of coronary disease in these patients.