Further in vivo functional studies were also performed. The SLC26A3 antibody was injected into the BALB/C mice seminiferous tubules using micropipette. The animals were sacrificed after three days, and CASA, daily sperm production (DSP) were used to evaluate sperm motility and spermatogenesis. The results showed that sperm motility was increased while there was no significant difference between DSP. Our results indicate that SLC26A3 on sperm does not play a dominant role in spermatogenesis, epididymal maturation and sperm motility. / In the first part of study, guinea pig sperm which were incubated in medium with various concentrations of Cl- resulted in varied percentages of capacitated sperm, in a concentration dependent manner. Depleting Cl-, even in the presence of HCO3 -, abolished sperm capacitation and vice versa, indicating the involvement of both anions in the process. Capacitation-associated HCO 3- dependent events, including cAMP production, protein tyrosine phosphorylation and pHi increase also depend on Cl - concentrations. Similar Cl- dependence was observed for sperm hyperactivated motility and sperm-egg fusion. The capacitation-associated events could also be significantly reduced by inhibitors or antibodies of CFTR and SLC26A3, with a more potent effect observed for niflumate, an inhibitor more selective for SLC26A3, over that of DIDS, an inhibitor more selective for SLC4 exchangers. The expression and localization of CFTR and SLC26A3 in guinea pig sperm were also demonstrated using immunostaining and Western blot analysis. Our results indicate that Cl- is required for the entry of HCO3- necessary for sperm capacitation, implicating the involvement of SLC26A3 in transporting HCO3 - with CFTR providing the recycling pathway for Cl- . / In the second part of study, GC-1 spg cell line that expresses SLC26A6 but not SLC26A3 was used as a negative control. The cells and sperm were pretreated with anion exchanger inhibitors and SLC26A3 antibody, and then membrane potential and intracellular calcium were measured. Our results showed that DIDS could inhibit the HCO3- deficiency induced depolarization of GC-1 spg cells as well as the depolarization induced by Cl- or HCO3- deficiency in sperm. Niflumate could inhibit the HCO3- induced [Ca 2+] i increase of the sperm but not GC-1 spg cells. SLC26A3 antibody had no effect on the GC-1 spg cells but it could block the depolarization caused by C--deficiency in sperm. / Our previous study has demonstrated the involvement of Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in transporting bicarbonate necessary for sperm capacitation. However, whether its involvement is direct or indirect remains unclear. The present study is design to investigate: (1) the possibility of a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, solute carrier family 26, number 3 (SLC26A3), operating with CFTR during sperm capacitation, (2) the role and the underlying mechanisms of SLC26A3 in other sperm post-testicular processes and spermatogenesis. / Taken together, our results demonstrate the involvement of SLC26A3 in sperm function, particularly in transporting HCO3- necessary for sperm capacitation, which appears to be working with CFTR providing the recycling pathway for Cl- in parallel. The present results also provide an explanation to the observed subfertility in patients with SLC26A3 mutations. Further in vitro and in vivo studies also have shown that SLC26A3 does not play a predominant role in spermatogenesis but may affect other post-testicular maturation processes. / Chen, Wenying. / "November 2009." / Adviser: H.C. Chan. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-01, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-109). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Kung, Wing Yee. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 92-115). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.ii / Acknowledgements --- p.vii / Table of contents --- p.ix / List of Tables --- p.xii / List of Figures --- p.xiii / List of Abbreviations --- p.xv / Chapter Chapter 1. --- General introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Literature review --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- Food allergy and its prevalence --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- Mechanism and clinical symptoms of food allergy --- p.6 / Chapter 2.3 --- Tropomyosin as the major allergen in shellfish --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4 --- Cross reactivity and epitope mapping of tropomyosin --- p.21 / Chapter 2.5 --- Novel approaches for the treatment of food allergy --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Expression of shrimp recombinant tropomyosin and sensitization of mice --- p.36 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.36 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- "Recovery of E, coli with tropomyosin-carrying plasmid" --- p.40 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Preparation of tropomyosin-carrying plasmid --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Confirmation of DNA sequence of the tropomyosin --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Identification of the recombinant protein --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Purification of the recombinant protein --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Sodium dedecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Concentration measurement of the recombinant tropomyosin --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.8 --- Mice --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.9 --- Mice sensitization and challenging --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.10 --- Tropomyosin-specific IgE level in blood --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2.11 --- Statistical analysis --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- DNA sequence of the cloned tropomyosin --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Expression and purification of tropomyosin --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Hypersensitivity symptoms after challenge --- p.53 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Blood tropomyosin-specific IgE level --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.62 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Identification of T cell epitopes --- p.67 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Soluble epitope peptide synthesis --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Isolation of spleen cells from mice --- p.69 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- T cell proliferation assay --- p.70 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.71 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Splenocyte proliferation to synthetic peptide --- p.72 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Splenocyte proliferation to synthetic peptides pool --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.77 / Chapter Chapter5 --- General conclusion --- p.89 / References --- p.92

Lam Tsz Yan. / Thesis submitted in: October 2007. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (English) --- p.i / 論文摘要 --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / Publications --- p.vii / Abbreviations --- p.ix / Contents --- p.x / Chapter 1. --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- Obesity --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1. --- Overview --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2. --- Pathophysiology --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.3. --- Central obesity --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2. --- Diabetes --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.1. --- Overview --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.2. --- Pathophysiology --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3. --- Lipolysis --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.1. --- Proteins participating in triglyceride lipolysis --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.1.1. --- Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.1.2. --- Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.1.3. --- Perilipins --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.2. --- Abnormal regulation of lipolysis in obesity --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3.3. --- Disturbed lipolysis in insulin resistance --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4. --- Pharmacotherapy --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.1. --- Obesity --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.1.1. --- Orlistat --- p.13 / Chapter 1.4.1.2. --- Sibutramine --- p.14 / Chapter 1.4.1.3. --- Others --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.2. --- Diabetes --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.2.1. --- Modulation of the β-cells functions --- p.15 / Chapter 1.4.2.2. --- Control of glucose output --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.2.3. --- Modulation of carbohydrate absorption --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.2.4. --- Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) --- p.16 / Chapter 1.5. --- Animal models used in type 2 diabetes and obesity research --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6. --- Aim of study --- p.18 / Chapter 2. --- β-Adrenoceptors (β-ARs) --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1. --- Introduction --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.1. --- Hormonal control of lipolysis --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.1.1. --- Catecholamines --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1.1.2. --- Insulin --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.2. --- Folic acid (folate) --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.2.1. --- Physiological roles of folate --- p.23 / Chapter 2.1.2.2. --- Folate deficiency and its consequences --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.2.3. --- Hyperhomocysteinemia --- p.24 / Chapter 2.1.2.4. --- Pleiotropic effects of folate --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.2.5. --- Role of folate in type 2 diabetes and obesity --- p.26 / Chapter 2.1.3. --- Lingzhi --- p.28 / Chapter 2.1.3.1. --- Triterpenoids --- p.29 / Chapter 2.1.3.2. --- Polysaccharides --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2. --- Materials and methods --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Materials --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.1.1. --- Composition of physiological salt solution --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.1.2. --- Materials used in lipolysis experiment --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.1.3. --- Materials used in reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.1.4. --- Materials used in Western blotting --- p.34 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Methods --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2.1. --- Lipolysis experiment --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2.1.1. --- Animals --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2.1.2. --- Drug administration --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2.1.3. --- Isolation of adipocytes --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.2.1.4. --- Lipolysis measurement --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.2.1.5. --- Data analysis --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.2.2. --- RT-PCR --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2.2.2.1. --- Tissue preparation --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2.2.2. --- RNA extraction --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2.2.3. --- Reverse transcription (RT) --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.2.2.4. --- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.2.2.5. --- Agarose gel electrophoresis --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.2.2.6. --- Data representation and analysis --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.2.3. --- Western blotting --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.2.3.1. --- Tissue preparation --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.2.3.2. --- Protein extraction --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.2.3.3. --- Western blotting --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.2.3.4. --- Data representation and analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3. --- Results --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.1. --- Studies on the β-adrenoceptor-mediated lipolytic response in +m/+db and +db/+db mice --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.1.1. --- Effect of β2-adrenoceptor agonist on lipolysis --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3.1.2. --- Effect of β3-adrenoceptor agonists and their antagonists on lipolysis --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.1.3. --- Effect of non-selective β-adrenoceptor agonists and their antagonists on lipolysis --- p.45 / Chapter 2.3.1.4. --- Effect of modulators of intracellular cyclic nucleotide monophosphate on lipolysis --- p.46 / Chapter 2.3.1.5. --- Effect of exogenously delivered nitric oxide on lipolysis --- p.47 / Chapter 2.3.1.6. --- Gene expression of β-adrenoceptors in white adipose tissue --- p.47 / Chapter 2.3.1.7. --- Protein expression of β-adrenoceptors in white adipose tissue --- p.47 / Chapter 2.3.2. --- Effect of folic acid treatment on lipolysis --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.2.1. --- Determination of body weight --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.2.2. --- Effect of β2-adrenoceptor agonist on lipolysis --- p.48 / Chapter 2.3.2.3. --- Effect of β-adrenoceptor agonists on lipolysis --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.2.4. --- Effect of non-selective β-adrenoceptor agonist on lipolysis --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.2.5. --- Effect of modulators of intracellular cyclic nucleotide monophosphate on lipolysis --- p.51 / Chapter 2.3.2.6. --- Effect of exogenously delivered nitric oxide on lipolysis --- p.52 / Chapter 2.3.2.7. --- Gene expression of β-adrenoceptors in white adipose tissue --- p.52 / Chapter 2.3.2.8. --- Protein expression of β-adrenoceptors in white adipose tissue --- p.53 / Chapter 2.3.3. --- Effect of Lingzhi (water-extract) treatment on lipolysis --- p.54 / Chapter 2.3.3.1. --- Determination of body weight --- p.54 / Chapter 2.3.3.2. --- Lipolytic effect of forskolin --- p.54 / Chapter 3. --- Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-y (PPAR-γ) --- p.91 / Chapter 3.1. --- Introduction --- p.91 / Chapter 3.1.1. --- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors --- p.91 / Chapter 3.1.1.1. --- Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ --- p.91 / Chapter 3.1.1.1.1. --- "PPAR-γ in obesity, lipid metabolism and type 2 diabetes" --- p.91 / Chapter 3.1.1.1.2. --- PPAR-γ in inflammation and atherosclerosis --- p.92 / Chapter 3.1.1.2. --- PPAR-γ and thiazolidinediones --- p.93 / Chapter 3.2. --- Materials and method --- p.95 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Materials --- p.95 / Chapter 3.2.1.1. --- Composition of physiological salt solution --- p.95 / Chapter 3.2.1.2. --- Materials used in lipolysis experiment --- p.95 / Chapter 3.2.1.3. --- Materials used in RT-PCR --- p.95 / Chapter 3.2.1.4. --- Materials used in Western blotting --- p.95 / Chapter 3.2.2. --- Methods --- p.96 / Chapter 3.2.2.1. --- Lipolysis experiment --- p.96 / Chapter 3.2.2.2. --- RT-PCR --- p.96 / Chapter 3.2.2.3. --- Western blotting --- p.97 / Chapter 3.3. --- Results --- p.97 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Effect of PPAR-γ agonists on lipolysis --- p.97 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Gene expression of PPAR-γ in white adipose tissue --- p.97 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Protein expression of PPAR-γ in white adipose tissue --- p.97 / Chapter 4. --- 3-Hydoxy-3-MethylgIutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) Reductase --- p.106 / Chapter 4.1. --- Introduction --- p.106 / Chapter 4.1.1. --- Cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular diseases --- p.106 / Chapter 4.1.2. --- Statins --- p.106 / Chapter 4.1.2.1. --- Modes of action --- p.107 / Chapter 4.1.2.2. --- Therapeutic efficacy of statins --- p.108 / Chapter 4.1.2.2.1. --- Diabetes --- p.108 / Chapter 4.1.2.2.2. --- Coronary artery disease --- p.109 / Chapter 4.1.3. --- Distribution and expression of HMG-CoA reductase --- p.109 / Chapter 4.2. --- Materials and method --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Materials --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.1.1. --- Composition of physiological salt solution --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.1.2. --- Materials used in lipolysis experiment --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.1.3. --- Materials used in RT-PCR --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.1.4. --- Materials used in Western blotting --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- Methods --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.2.1. --- Lipolysis experiment --- p.110 / Chapter 4.2.2.2. --- RT-PCR --- p.111 / Chapter 4.2.2.3. --- Western blotting --- p.111 / Chapter 4.3. --- Results --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.1. --- Effect of statins on lipolysis --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.2. --- Gene expression of HMG-CoA reductase in various internal organs --- p.112 / Chapter 4.3.3. --- Protein expression of HMG-CoA reductase in various internal organs --- p.113 / Chapter 5. --- Discussion --- p.122 / Chapter 5.1. --- β-adrenoceptor-mediated lipolysis --- p.122 / Chapter 5.2. --- Studies on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ --- p.140 / Chapter 5.3. --- Studies on HMG-CoA reductase --- p.142 / Chapter 5.4. --- Further studies --- p.147 / Chapter 5.5. --- Conclusions --- p.148 / Chapter 6. --- References --- p.152

INTRODUÇÃO: Apesar de todos os esforços, as taxas de mortalidade no choque séptico ainda são altas, e entre as diversas complicações deste quadro, a hipertensão pulmonar é considerada um fator agravante. O sildenafil é um fármaco com efeito vasodilatador arterial pulmonar que atua através da inibição da fosfodiesterase 5, aumentando o GMPcíclico e promovendo relaxamento da musculatura lisa. OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a administração de sildenafil atenua as alterações hemodinâmicas ocasionadas pelo choque endotoxêmico, bem como os parâmetros de ventilação e oxigenação em modelo experimental de endotoxemia em suínos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 20 suínos nos quais o choque endotoxêmico foi induzido através da infusão intravenosa de LPS (4ug/kg/h). Os animais foram randomizados e alocados da seguinte maneira: Controle (CTL, n=10) - submetidos apenas ao choque endotoxêmico; Sildenafil (SIL, n=10) - tratados com sildenafil na dose de 100 mg por via oral antes de serem submetidos ao choque endotoxêmico. Foram avaliados os parâmetros hemodinâmicos, ventilatórios, e de oxigenação, a partir do momento Basal até 180 minutos da infusão de LPS. Os efeitos inflamatórios e de lesão miocárdica também foram avaliados, bem como a análise histopatológica do tecido pulmonar. Os dados paramétricos foram analisados utilizando ANOVA de duas vias para medidas repetidas, seguidas por Tukey quando necessário, enquanto para os dados não paramétricos utilizou-se o teste de Mann-Whitney. RESULTADOS: A endotoxemia induziu hipertensão pulmonar com aumento significativo na pressão arterial pulmonar e no índice de resistência vascular pulmonar, e também diminuição na PaO2 / FiO2. A pressão arterial pulmonar e sistêmica foram significativamente menores no grupo Sildenafil, sendo que o os valores máximos de PAPM observados aos 30 minutos de infusão de LPS foram 35 e 52 mmHg, nos grupos Sildenafil e Controle, respectivamente. O Sildenafil manteve a oxigenação, através de maior relação PaO2/FiO2 e maior SvO2, porém não apresentou efeito sobre a fração de shunt intrapulmonar. Todas as citocinas e a troponina aumentaram após a infusão de LPS e não foi observada diferença significativa entre os grupos. O sildenafil não atenuou as lesões histopatológicas decorrente do choque endotoxêmico. CONCLUSÃO: O sildenafil atenuou a hipertensão pulmonar induzida pela endotoxemia, porém acarretou diminuição da pressão arterial sistêmica. O sildenafil manteve a oxigenação sem alterar a fração de shunt intrapulmonar. Não houve efeitos sobre as lesões pulmonares, nas citocinas inflamatórias e na troponina I cardíaca / INTRODUCTION: Despite all efforts, mortality rates in septic shock are still high, and among the various complications pulmonary hypertension is considered a poor prognostic factor. Sildenafil is a drug with pulmonary arterial vasodilator effect, acts through inhibition of phosphodiesterase V that increases GMPc promoting the vasodilator effect. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate if sildenafil attenuates hemodynamic changes caused by septic shock, as well as ventilation and oxygenation parameters in an experimental model of endotoxemia in pigs. METHODS: Twenty pigs in which endotoxemia was induced through intravenous LPS infusion (4ug/kg/h) were randomly assigned to Control group (CTL, n = 10) - which received saline solution previous the endotoxemia; or to Sildenafil group (SIL, n = 10) - which received sildenafil orally (100 mg) previous the endotoxemia. Hemodynamic, ventilation and oxygenation were evaluated from at baseline up to 180 minutes of LPS infusion. The inflammatory and myocardial damage effects were also evaluated. Lung tissue was collected for histological analysis. Parametric data were compared using two-way repeated measures ANOVA, followed by Tukey test when necessary, while for non-parametric data the Mann-Whitney test was used. RESULTS: Endotoxemia induced pulmonary hypertension with an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance index and also a decrease in PaO2/FiO2. Pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures were significantly lower in the Sildenafil group, wherein the PAPM maximum values observed at 30 minutes of LPS infusion were 35 and 52 mmHg in the sildenafil and control groups, respectively. Sildenafil maintained oxygenation with superior PaO2/FiO2 and higher SvO2, but had no effect on intrapulmonary shunt. All cytokines and troponin increased after LPS infusion and there was no significant intergroup difference. Sildenafil did not attenuate the histologic alterations from endotoxemic shock. CONCLUSION: Sildenafil attenuated pulmonary hypertension induced by endotoxemia, but decreased systemic blood pressure. Sildenafil maintained oxygenation without effecting shunt fractioning. There was no effect in lung injuries, cytokines and troponin

A epilepsia é uma das afecções neurológica mais comum na população mundial. Trata-se de uma condição crônica altamente incapacitante que acomete indivíduos de ambos os sexos e de todas as faixas etárias, com um discreto predomínio em homens e, maior freqüência em crianças abaixo de dois anos e idosos acima de 65 anos. As conseqüências de morbidade e mortalidade desta patologia repercutem negativamente na sociedade e, conseqüentemente na economia global. Estima-se que de 60 a 100 milhões de pessoas ao redor do mundo apresentaram alguma condição epiléptica durante suas vidas. Segundo alguns autores a incidência da epilepsia varia de 11 a 131/100 mil habitantes por ano e a prevalência de 1,5 a 30/1000 habitantes por ano, sendo que os maiores valores encontram-se nos países em desenvolvimento, particularmente na America Latina e na África. As epilepsias generalizadas idiopáticas (EGI) constituem-se cerca de um terço de todas as formas de epilepsias e são 15 a 20% mais freqüentes em relação aos demais tipos de epilepsia. As EGI do tipo ausência, as quais são estritamente relacionadas à faixa etária infantil e adolescente podem muitas vezes (2,8 5,7% dos casos) afetar pacientes com idade superior a 15 anos. A fisiopatologia, assim como, as causas reais da ocorrência e/ou recorrência das crises de ausência na idade adulta não estão completamente esclarecidos e se representam um importante desafio para os epileptologistas. As epilepsias generalizadas idiopáticas (EGIs), (etiologia genética) são classificadas em: a) crises de ausência típicas, b) crises de ausência atípicas, c) crises de ausência com fatores especiais, d) crises mioclônicas, e) crises mioclônicas atônicas, f) crises mioclônicas tônicas, g) crises clônicas, h) crises tônicas e, i) crises atônicas. O tratamento e comumente farmacológico e as crises são controladas na maioria dos casos, no entanto, cerca de um terço dos pacientes são refratários às drogas anticonvulsivantes. Tendo como principal finalidade a elucidação de mecanismos básicos e, auxílio no desenvolvimento de abordagens terapêuticas eficazes para esses pacientes, pesquisadores do mundo inteiro dedicam muitos esforços para o desenvolvimento de modelos experimentais capazes de mimetizar o fenômeno que se pretende reproduzir. Dentre os principais modelos experimentais em EGIs, pode-se citar: (1) o modelo de epilepsia generalizada induzida por penicilina em gatos; (2) modelos de investigação da bicuculina; (3) indução por estimulação elétrica; (4) ratos geneticamente epilépticos de Strasbourg (GAERS); (5) cepa WAG/Rij; (6) modelo do gama-hidroxibutirato (GHB) e (7) os camundongos mutantes. Tais modelos experimentais têm provido meios para que os pesquisadores possam avaliar e quantificar adequadamente as alterações neuronais que ocorrem durante os processos epileptógenos tanto in vitro ou in vivo, possibilitando importantes avanços no desenvolvimento de novas abordagens terapêuticas e, melhora na qualidade de vida de portadores de epilepsia / Epilepsy is a very commom neurological disorders in world population. It is a chronicle condition highly disabling that affects both genera male and female independent of your age with a soft predominance in men and is more frequent in child under 2 years old and adult above 65 years old. The morbidity and mortality consequences of this disorder have many negative repercussions at society and global economy consequently. It is estimated about 60 to 100 millions of people around the world present any epileptic condition during their lives. According some researchers the epilepsy incidence varies about 11 to 131/100 thousand habitants for year and the prevalence between 1.5 to 30/1000 habitants for year, about this statics the higher values are found in developing countries, Latin America and Africa particularly. The Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE) are about a third of all others kinds of epilepsies and are 15 to 20% more frequent tha n others types of epilepsies. The absences IGEs are strictly related with childhood and adolescence age group and sometimes can affect patients (2.8 5.7 of cases) with age higher than 15 years old. The physiopathology as the real causes of to occur and to reoccur of absences crises in adult age are not completely enlightened and represent a important challenge to epileptlogists. The IGEs (genetic etiology) are classified in: a) typical absence seizures, b) atypical absence seizures, c) absence seizures with special factors, d) mioclonics seizures, f) tonic mioclonic seizures, g) clone seizures, h) tonic seizures and i) atonic seizures. The treatment commonly is pharmacologic and seizures are controlled in major parts of cases although about a third of patients are refratory to anticonvulsants drugs. Having as principal finality the elucidation of basic mechanisms and help of development of effectiv e therapeutical approaches to these patients, researchers around the world spend many efforts to develop experimental models able to reproduce the phenomena that want to reproduce. Among the principal experimental models of IGEs, it is possible to cite: (1) the general epilepsy model induced by penicillin in cats; (2) the models of investigation of bicuculin; (3) induction by electrical stimulation; (4) Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats of Strasbourg (GAERS); (5) cepa WAG/Rij; (6) the model of gamma-hydroxybutyric (GHB) and (7) mutant rats. These experimental models have promoted ways to researchers can to evaluate and quantify adequately the neuronal alterations that occur during epileptigenes process both in vitro or in vivo, making possible important advances in development of new therapeutical approaches and improvement in quality of life of epilepsy carriers

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri--Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 141-160). Also issued on the Internet.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2002. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-167).

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Toxicology) -- University of Colorado Denver, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 224-253). Free to UCD Anschutz Medical Campus. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;