Die Azidose gehört zu den stärksten dilatatorischen Stimuli zerebraler Arterien. Obwohl schon 1890 von Roy und Sherrington beschrieben, sind die Faktoren, die die Vasodilatation zerebraler Arterien auf Azidose vermitteln, bis heute nicht bekannt. Untersuchungen über die Rolle des schnell flüchtigen Bioradikals Stickstoffmonoxid (NO) haben gezeigt, daß NO bei der azidotischen Vasodilatation zerebraler Arterien als Modulator agiert. Darüber hinaus nimmt NO in der neurovaskulären Kopplung, d.h. bei der Vermittlung der regionalen Blutflußantwort nach neuronaler Stimulation, eine permissive Funktion ein. Die Vasodilatation auf Azidose wurde in der vorliegenden Arbeit als Modellstimulus zur Untersuchung der NO-abhängigen Dilatation zerebraler Arterien verwendet. Dabei wurde die Rolle der Kaliumkanäle und die Funktion des cGMP an der Vasodilatation auf Azidose mittels spezifischer Inhibitoren untersucht. Die Experimente erfolgten an der isolierten und perfundierten A. cerebri media der Ratte. Bei der Untersuchung der Signaltransduktion von NO auf Ebene des cGMP wurde eine ausgeprägte Abhängigkeit der azidotischen Vasodilatation von cGMP beobachtet. Durch Restitution des basalen cGMP-Spiegels nach vorheriger Inhibition der löslichen Guanylatzyklase wurde gezeigt, daß NO über cGMP bei der Vermittlung dieser Reaktion als Modulator wirkt. Unter Blockade der einzelnen Kaliumkanalfamilien konnte eine Beteiligung der KCa an der Vasodilatation auf Azidose sowie am Gefäßtonus unter Ruhebedingungen beobachtet werden. Für eine Beteiligung der KATP, der KV und der Kir an diesen Reaktionen wurden dagegen keine Hinweise gefunden. Ebenso sprechen die Untersuchungen unter Blockade der Na+/K+-ATPase gegen eine Beteiligung dieses Enzyms an der Azidosereaktivität zerebraler Arterien. Um ein mögliches Zusammenwirken der Kaliumkanäle zu erfassen, wurde die Vasodilatation auf Azidose unter Blockade von jeweils zwei Kaliumkanaltypen untersucht. Unter Hemmung der KCa und der KATP, sowie unter Hemmung der BKCa und der KATP wurde keine Vasodilatation mehr auf Azidose beobachtet. Die Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, daß die Vasodilatation der A. cerebri media auf Azidose durch BKCa und KATP in redundanter Weise vermittelt wird. Dabei scheinen KCa die Funktion der KATP vollständig substituieren zu können. Die Resultate dieser Arbeit bilden den Ausgangspunkt für derzeit laufenden Untersuchungen über die funktionelle Modulation der KATP und der BKCa durch das NO/cGMP-System. Weiterhin bilden die vorliegenden Untersuchungen eine wichtige Grundlage zur Überprüfung der zentralen Rolle der KCa und der KATP auf weitere, durch das NO/cGMP-System modulierten Stimuli, wie z.B. der funktionellen Stimulation. Die in dieser Arbeit vorgestellten Experimente wurden mit Mitteln der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 507), der Hermann und Lilly Schilling Stiftung, sowie der Humboldt Universität zu Berlin gefördert. / Acidosis is one of the most potent vasodilators in the cerebral circulation. Although first described 1890 by Roy and Sherrington the mechanisms of vasodilation to acidosis are still unknown. Experimental data show, that nitric oxide (NO) is a modulator but not a mediator of cerebral arterial pH reactivity. NO also acts as a modulator of neurovascular coupling in the rat somatosensory cortex. We used the experimental in vitro model of the isolated and perfused middle cerebral artery (MCA) to elucidate the general mechanisms of NO-modulated dilations. The present study was performed to clarify the role of cGMP and potassium channels for mediation of acidosis-induced dilation of cerebral arteries. The results indicate, that vasodilation to acidosis is mediated by cGMP. Restoring the basal cGMP-level we could demonstrate a permissive role of cGMP in the vasodilation to acidosis. We could also show that KCa are active under resting conditions and are able to contribute to the relaxation of the MCA to acidosis. Other potassium channels like KATP, Kir, KV and the Na+/K+ATPase appeared not to be involved in the process of dilation to acidosis. After administration of a selective inhibitor of KATP in addition to an inhibitor of KCa the relaxation to acidosis was completely abolished. Simultaneous application of selective inhibitors of KATP and BKCa also prevented from vasodilation to acidosis. These results indicate, that relaxation to acidosis is mediated by activation of KATP and BKCa. This potassium channels seem to have a redundant activity, in such a way that KCa could substitute for KATP. The present findings are a starting point for further studies concerning the modulation of KATP and BKCa by the NO/cGMP-System. This studies are a basis for coming experiments to determine the role of KATP and BKCa in the neurovascular coupling.

Differentes études ont montré que la sensibilité au Ca2+ du canal KCa3.1, un canal potassique indépendant du voltage, était conférée par la protéine calmoduline (CaM) liée de façon constitutive au canal. Cette liaison impliquerait la région C-lobe de la CaM et un domaine de $\ikca$ directement relié au segment transmembranaire S6 du canal. La CaM pourrait égalment se lier au canal de façon Ca2+ dépendante via une interaction entre un domaine de KCa3.1 du C-terminal (CaMBD2) et la région N-lobe de la CaM. Une étude fut entreprise afin de déterminer la nature des résidus responsables de la liaison entre le domaine CaMBD2 de KCa3.1 et la région N-lobe de la CaM et leur rôle dans le processus d'ouverture du canal par le Ca2+. Une structure 3D du complexe KCa3.1/CaM a d'abord été générée par modélisation par homologie avec le logiciel MODELLER en utilisant comme référence la structure cristalline du complexe SK2.2/CaM (PDB: 1G4Y). Le modèle ainsi obtenu de KCa3.1 plus CaM prévoit que le segment L361-S372 dans KCa3.1 devrait être responsable de la liaison dépendante du Ca2+ du canal avec la région N-lobe de la CaM via les résidus L361 et Q364 de KCa3.1 et E45, E47 et D50 de la CaM. Pour tester ce modèle, les résidus dans le segment L361-S372 ont été mutés en Cys et l'action du MTSET+ (chargé positivement) et MTSACE (neutre) a été mesurée sur l'activité du canal. Des enregistrements en patch clamp en configuration ``inside-out`` ont montré que la liaison du réactif chargé MTSET+ au le mutant Q364C entraîne une forte augmentation du courant, un effet non observé avec le MTSACE. De plus les mutations E45A et E47A dans la CaM, ont empêché l'augmentation du courant initié par MTSET+ sur le mutant Q364C. Une analyse en canal unitaire a confirmé que la liaison MTSET+ à Q364C cause une augmentation de la probabilité d'ouverture de KCa3.1 par une déstabilisation de l'état fermé du canal. Nous concluons que nos résultats sont compatibles avec la formation de liaisons ioniques entre les complexes chargés positivement Cys-MTSET+ à la position 364 de KCa3.1 et les résidus chargés négativement E45 et E47 dans la CaM. Ces données confirment qu'une stabilisation électrostatique des interactions CaM/KCa3.1 peut conduire à une augmentation de la probabilité d'ouverture du canal en conditions de concentrations saturantes de Ca2+. / The Ca2+ sensitivity of the voltage-insensitive calcium activated potassium channel of intermediate conductance KCa3.1 is conferred by calmodulin (CaM) constitutively bound to the membrane-proximal region of the channel intracellular C-terminus. A study was performed to investigate the nature of the residues involved in the CaM/KCa3.1 interactions and determine how these interactions could modulate the channel gating properties. A 3D-structure of the KCa3.1/CaM complex was first generated by homology modeling with MODELLER using as template the crystal structure of SK2.2/CaM complex (PDB: 1G4Y). The resulting structural model of KCa3.1 plus CaM predicts that the segment L361-S372 in KCa3.1 should be responsible for the Ca2+-dependent binding of the channel to the CaM-N lobe, with residues L361 and Q364 facing residues E45, E47 and D50 of CaM. To test this model residues in L361-S372 segment were substituted by Cys and the action of MTSET+ (positive charged) and MTSACE (neutral charged) measured on channel activity. Inside-out patch clamp recordings showed that the binding of the charged MTSET+ reagent to the Q364C mutant resulted in a strong current increase, an effect not seen with the neutral MTSACE. The mutations E45A and E47A in CaM prevented the current increase initiated by MTSET+ on the Q364C mutant. A single channel analysis confirmed that the binding of MTSET+ to Q364C caused an increase in the channel open probability by a destabilization of the channel closed state. Altogether, our results are compatible with the formation of ionic bonds between the positively charged Cys-MTSET+ complex at position 364 in KCa3.1 and the negatively charged E45 and E47 residues in CaM, and confirm that an electrostatic stabilization of the CaM/KCa3.1 interactions can lead to an increase in the channel open probability at saturating Ca2+.

The rapid discovery of novel therapeutic agents, targeting the specific mechanism of cancer progression, invasion and angiogenesis, necessitates the development and validation of efficient techniques to assess the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs in vivo. Recently the development of dedicated PET scanners for the imaging of small animals, such as the microPET system (CTI Concorde R4), has allowed for the high-resolution functional and molecular imaging of murine and rodent models of disease. This study, investigates the ability of microPET imaging, using the 18F labelled 2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) PET tracer, to detect the therapeutic efficacy of novel targeted therapies in a rat model of glioma. This technique potentially allows for the rapid and high-throughput assessment of tumour response and evaluation of efficacy of such therapeutic agents in vivo at the pre-clinical stage and will, consequently, facilitate the translation of these novel drugs from the discovery to the clinical phases. / La découverte accélérée de nouvelles molécules thérapeutiques qui ciblent lesmécanismes de progression du cancer tels que l'invasion et l'angiogenèse, nécessite lamise au point et la validation de techniques efficaces qui permettent d'évaluer l'efficacitéthérapeutique de ces agents in vivo. Le développement récent des scanners detomographie à émission de positron (TEP) dédiés à l'imagerie de petits animaux(microPET, CT! Concorde R4), permet aujourd'hui d'obtenir une image fonctionnelle etmoléculaire de haute résolution des modèles rongeurs. Cette étude s'intéresse au potentieldu 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) en utilisant l'imagerie microPET dansl'évaluation de l'efficacité de nouveaux agents thérapeutiques dans un modèle de gliomechez le. rat. Cette technique pourrait éventuellement mener à une évaluation rapide et àgrande échelle de la réponse tumorale, ainsi que la mesure de l'efficacité d'agentsthérapeutiques in vivo au stade d'étude préclinique. Globalement, cette étude a pour butde faciliter la transition entre la découverte de nouvelles molécules thérapeutiques et leursapplications cliniques.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 137-167).

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:59:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1945153 bytes, checksum: 2c1abc7e6111c3fc75af32ff4400e496 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-17 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / From Xylopia langsdorfiana A. St-Hil. & Tul. stem bark was isolated the diterpene of trachylobane class, ent-7α-hydroxytrachyloban-18-oic acid (trachylobane-318) that in previous studies showed to be able to relax guinea-pig trachea pre-contracted by carbachol (CCh). Thus, we aimed to investigate the action mechanism underlying in this trachylobane-318 relaxant activity. Trachea rings were suspended in organ baths, containing Kreb s solution, at 37 ºC and aired with carbogenic mixture. Isometric contractions were registered using a digital acquisition system. In order to evaluate a direct effect of the diterpene in Ca2+-calmodulin complex was used chlorpromazine (CPZ) (10-6 M), a calmodulin inhibitor, and we observed that trachylobane-318 relaxation effect (pD2 = 4.38 ± 0.07, n = 5) was not significantly altered in presence of this inhibitor (pD2 = 4.25 ± 0.07, n = 5). Then, was performed a protocol using different potassium (K+) extracellular concentrations which indicated that trachylobane-318 would be acting as a possible potassium channels activator since its relaxation was more potent when guinea-pig trachea was pre-contracted by KCl 18 mM (pD2 = 4.90 ± 0.25, n = 5) than by KCl 60 mM (pD2 = 3.88 ± 0.01, n = 5). To confirm the potassium channels participation was used a non-selective potassium channels blocker, tetraethylammonium (TEA+) 10 mM, that was pre-incubated before CCh addition, that resulted in an attenuation of diterpene relaxation (pD2 = 4.01 ± 0.06, n = 5). To determinate which potassium channels subtypes would be involved in the trachylobane-318 action, the diterpene relaxation curve was assessed in the presence of several potassium channels selective blockers. The fact of the trachylobane-318 relaxation curve was shifted to the right in a significant manner in the presence of 4-AP, a selective blocker of voltage activated K+ channels (Kv) (pD2 = 4.00 ± 0.06, n = 5); glibenclamide, a selective blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) (pD2 = 3.91 ± 0.003, n = 5); apamin, a selective blocker of small conductance calcium-activated K+ channels (SKCa) (3.45 ± 0.14, n = 5) and big conductance calcium-activated K+ channels (BKCa) (3,80 ± 0,05, n = 5) is suggestive that the diterpene is modulating positively these channels to exert its relaxant effect. On the other hand, the inwardly rectifying K+ channels (Kir) was discarded since the relaxation curve was not altered (pD2 = 4.15 ± 0.10, n = 5) in the presence of BaCl2, selective blocker of these channels. Cyclic nucleotides participation was discarded since the relaxation curve obtained with aminophylline on guinea-pig contracted by CCh (pD2 = 4.27 ± 0.09, n = 5), a phosphodiesterases (PDEs) non-selective inhibitor, was not altered in trachylobane-318 presence (pD2 = 4.46 ± 0.08, n = 5). Thus, trachylobane-318 relaxant effect seems to involve the positive modulation of potassium channels subtypes Kv, KATP, SKCa and BKCa on guinea pig trachea. / A partir das cascas do caule de Xylopia langsdorfiana A. St-Hil. & Tul. foi isolado o diterpeno da classe dos traquilobanos, ent-7α-hidroxitraquiloban-18-oico (traquilobano-318) que em estudos anteriores mostrou-se capaz de relaxar a traqueia de cobaia pré-contraída com carbacol (CCh). Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o mecanismo de ação envolvido nesta atividade relaxante do traquilobano-318. Os anéis de traqueia foram suspensos em cubas para órgão isolado, contendo solução de Krebs, a 37º C e aerados com carbogênio. As contrações isométricas foram registradas com o auxílio de um sistema de aquisição digital. Para avaliar uma possível ação direta do diterpeno sobre o complexo Ca2+-calmodulina foi utilizado a clorpromazina (CPZ) (10-6 M), um inibidor da calmodulina, e observou-se que o efeito relaxante do traquilobano-318 (pD2 = 4,38 ± 0,07, n = 5) não foi significantemente alterado na presença deste inibidor (pD2 = 4,25 ± 0,07, n = 5). Em seguida foi realizado um protocolo usando diferentes concentrações extracelulares de potássio (K+) que indicaram que o traquilobano-318 estaria agindo como um possível ativador dos canais de K+, uma vez que seu efeito relaxante mostrou-se mais potente quando a traqueia era pré-contraída por 18 mM de KCl (pD2 = 4,90 ± 0,25, n = 5) do que quando pré-contraída por 60 mM de KCl (pD2 = 3,88 ± 0,01, n = 5). Para confirmar a participação dos canais de K+ utilizou-se um bloqueador não seletivo destes canais, tetraetilamônio (TEA+) (10 mM) que foi pré-incubado antes da adição de CCh, o que resultou na atenuação do relaxamento promovido pelo diterpeno (pD2 = 4,01 ± 0,06, n = 5). Com o objetivo de se determinar quais subtipos de canais de potássio estariam envolvidos na ação relaxante do traquilobano-318, a curva de relaxamento do diterpeno foi avaliada na presença de vários bloqueadores seletivos destes canais. O fato da curva de relaxamento do traquilobano-318 (pD2 = 4,38 ± 0,07) ter sido desviada para direita, de maneira significante, na presença de 4-AP, bloqueador dos canais de K+ sensíveis a voltagem (Kv) (pD2 = 3,91 ± 0,003); glibenclamida, bloqueador dos canais de K+ sensíveis ao ATP (KATP) (pD2 = 4,00 ± 0,06); apamina, bloqueador dos canais de K+ ativados pelo cálcio de pequena condutância (SKCa) (pD2 = 3,45 ± 0,14) e na presença de iberiotoxina, bloqueador dos canais de K+ ativados pelo cálcio de grande condutância (BKCa) (pD2 = 3,80 ± 0,05) sugere que o diterpeno está modulando positivamente estes canais para exercer seu efeito relaxante. Por outro lado a participação dos canais de potássio retificadores de entrada (Kir) foi descartada pois a curva de relaxamento do traquilobano-318 não foi alterada (pD2 = 4,15 ± 0,10, n = 5) na presença do BaCl2, bloqueador seletivos destes canais. A participação dos nucleotídios cíclicos foi descartada, uma vez que a curva de relaxamento em traqueia pré-contraída por CCh obtida com aminofilina (pD2 = 4,27 ± 0,09, n = 5), um inibidor não seletivo das fosfodiesterases (PDEs), não foi alterada na presença do traquilobano-318 (pD2 = 4,46 ± 0,08, n = 5). Assim, o efeito relaxante do traquilobano-318 parece envolver a modulação positiva dos subtipos de canais de potássio KATP, Kv, SKCa e BKCa em traqueia isolada de cobaia.

The KCNE1 and KCNE3 type I transmembrane-spanning β-subunits assemble with the KCNQ1 voltage-gated K+ channel to afford membrane-embedded complexes with dramatically different properties. Assembly with KCNE1 produces the very slowly activating and deactivating IKs current that shapes the repolarization phase of cardiac action potentials. Genetic mutations in KCNQ1 or KCNE1 that reduce IKs current cause long QT syndrome and predispose affected individuals to potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. In contrast, complexes formed between KCNQ1 and KCNE3 produce rapidly activating and mostly voltage-independent currents, properties that are essential for function in K+ recycling and Cl−secretion in gastrointestinal epithelia. This thesis addresses how these two homologous accessory peptides impart their distinctive effects on KCNQ1 channel gating by examining two important protein regions: 1) a conserved C-terminal motif in the β-subunits themselves, and 2) the voltage sensing domain of KCNQ1 channels. Sequences in both the transmembrane domain and C-terminus of KCNE1 and KCNE3 have been identified as contributing to the divergent modulatory effects that these β-subunits exert. The homology of transmembrane-abutting C-terminal residues within the KCNE family and the presence of long QT-causing mutations in this region highlight its importance. A bipartite model of modulation was proposed that suggests the transmembrane domain of KCNE1 is passive, allowing the C-terminal domain to control modulation. Chapter II builds on this model by investigating the effect of mutating specific amino acids in the KCNE1 C-terminal domain. Point mutants that produce ‘high impact’ perturbations in gating were shown to cluster in a periodic fashion, suggesting an alpha-helical secondary structure that is kinked by a conserved proline residue and interacts with the Q1 channel complex. In Chapter III, the voltage sensing domain of Q1 channels is examined in the presence of either KCNE1 or KCNE3. To determine the influence of these two peptides on voltage sensing, the position of the S4 voltage sensor was monitored using cysteine accessibility experiments. In the slowly opening KCNQ1/KCNE1 complexes, voltage sensor activation appears to occur much faster than the onset of current, suggesting that slow channel activation is not due to slowly moving voltage sensors. KCNE3, on the other hand, shifts the voltage sensor equilibrium to favor the active state, producing open channels even at negative voltages. Taken together, these findings provide mechanistic detail to illustrate how two homologous peptides radically alter the gating properties of the same K+ channel and present a structural scaffold to map protein-protein interactions.

BK channels are well studied targets of acute ethanol action. They play a prominent role in neuronal excitability and have been shown to play a significant role in behavioral ethanol tolerance in invertebrates. The focus of my work centers on the effects of alcohol on the BK channel and comprises studies that examine how subcellular location affects acute ethanol sensitivity and how duration of acute alcohol exposure impacts the development of rapid tolerance. My results also provide potential mechanisms which underlie acute sensitivity and rapid tolerance. I first explore BK channel sensitivity to ethanol in the three compartments (dendrite, cell body, and nerve terminal) of magnocellular neurons in the rat hypothalamic-neurohypophysial (HNS) system. The HNS system provides a particularly powerful preparation in which to study the distribution and regional properties of ion channel proteins because the cell bodies are physically separated from the nerve terminals. Using electrophysiological and immunohistochemical techniques I characterize the BK channel in each of the three primary compartments and find that dendritic BK channels, similar to somatic channels, but in contrast to nerve terminal channels, are insensitive to alcohol. Furthermore, the gating kinetics, calcium sensitivity, and iberiotoxin sensitivity of channels in the dendrite are similar to somatic channels but sharply contrast terminal channels. The biophysical and pharmacological properties of somatodendritic vs. nerve terminal channels are consistent with the characteristics of exogenously expressed αβ1 vs. αβ4 channels, respectively. Therefore, one possible explanation for my findings is a selective distribution of β1 subunits to the somatodendritic compartment and β4 subunits to the terminal compartment. This hypothesis is supported immunohistochemically by the appearance of distinct punctate β1 or β4 channel clusters in the membrane of somatodendritic or nerve terminal compartments, respectively. In conclusion, I found that alcohol sensitivity of BK channels within the HNS system is dependent on subcellular location and postulate that β-subunits modulate ethanol sensitivity of HNS BK channels. In the second and primary focus of my thesis I explore tolerance development in the striatum, a brain region heavily implicated in addiction. Numerous studies have demonstrated that duration of drug exposure influences tolerance development and drug dependence. To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying behavioral tolerance I examined if BK channel tolerance was dependent on duration of alcohol exposure using patch clamp techniques in cultured striatal neurons from P8 rats. I found that persistence of rapid tolerance is indeed a function of exposure time and find it lasts surprisingly long. For example, after a 6 hr exposure to 20 mM ethanol, acute sensitivity was still suppressed at 24 hrs withdrawal. However, after a 1 or 3 hr exposure period, sensitivity had returned after only 4 hrs. I also found that during withdrawal from a 6 hr but not a 3 hr exposure the biophysical properties of BK channels change and that this change is correlated with an increase in mRNA levels of the alcohol insensitive STREX splice variant. Furthermore, BK channel properties during withdrawal from a 6 hr exposure to alcohol closely parallel the properties of STREX channels exogenously expressed in HEK293 cells. In conclusion I have established that BK channels develop rapid tolerance in striatal neurons, that rapid tolerance is dependent upon exposure protocol, and is surprisingly persistent. These findings present another mechanism underlying BK channel tolerance and possibly behavioral tolerance. Since these phenomena are dependent on duration of drug exposure my results may find relevance in explaining how drinking patterns impact the development of alcohol dependence in humans.

Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2017-09-11T13:17:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2915806 bytes, checksum: 8e05efc416b7ae0bf16dc64a785206e4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-11T13:17:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2915806 bytes, checksum: 8e05efc416b7ae0bf16dc64a785206e4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-01 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Rollinia leptopetala R. E. Fries species, popularly known as “pinha-brava”, “bananinha” and “pereiro”, and traditionally cited as digestive. From R. leptopetala leaves was extracted an essential oil (RL-OE) that showed tocolytic effect in carbachol- (CCh) and oxytocin-induced phasic contractions on rat uterus. Thus, we aimed characterize the mechanism of tocolytic action of RL-OE using by functional techniques. Since the mechanisms to induce the phasic contractions are distinct from the tonic ones, we decided to evaluate whether RL-OE would relax rat uterus pre-contracted with KCl or oxytocin. The essential oil relaxed pre-contracted with 60 mM KCl (EC50 = 22.4 ± 2.4 μg/mL) or 10-2 UI/mL oxytocin (EC50 = 4.1 ± 0.4 μg/mL). After, it was hypothesized that RL-OE would antagonize oxytocin receptors, and this hypothesis was confirmed since cumulative concentration-response curves to oxytocin were inhibited, shifted to the right, in a non-parallel manner and with Emax reduction, discarding a competitive antagonism. The participation of adrenergic receptors was also evaluated. For this, phentolamine (an antagonist of α-receptors) was used, but none change in RL-OE tocolytic potency was observed, being discarded the involvement of this receptor. Additionally, propranolol (an antagonist of β-receptors) was used and the relaxation curve induced by RL-OE, in the blocker presence, was shifted to the left, with potentiation of oil effect and rejecting the hypothesis of β-receptors activation. Other pathways that modulate the myometrium contractility are nitric oxide (NO) and Cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways. The involvement of them in tocolytic mechanism of RL-OE was investigated using L-NAME and indomethacin, inhibitors of NO and COX pathways, respectively. However, RL-OE effect was not altered in the presence of inhibitors, discarding their contribution. The participation of K+ channels was developed using non-selective and selective blockers of them. The tocolytic potency of RL-OE (EC50 = 4.1 ± 0.4 μg/mL) was reduced 2.2 fold in the presence of 5 mM CsCl (EC50 = 8.9 ± 1.1 μg/mL), a non-specific blocker K+ channels, indicating participation of these channels. To investigate which subtypes of K+ channels would be involved selective K+ channels blockers were used. In the presence of 1 mM TEA+, blocker of large conductance calcium-activated K+ channels (BKCa), apamin, blocker of small conductance calcium-activated K+ channels (SKCa) and glibenclamide, blocker of ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) did not changed the tocolytic action of RL-OE, showing that BKCa, SKCa and KATP are not involved. Interestingly, the relaxation curve induced by RL-OE was shifted to the right in the presence of 4- aminopyridine, blocker of voltage-gated K+ channels (KV), with reduction of RL-OE potency (EC50 = 10 ± 0.6 μg/mL), indicating KV participation in the mechanism of tocolytic action of RL-OE on rat uterus. Therefore, the tocolytic mechanism of RL-OE involves the positive modulation the K+ channels, in special KV subtypes, that indirectly blockade of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (CaV) leading to uterine smooth muscle relaxation. / A espécie Rollinia leptopetala R. E. Fries, conhecida popularmente como “pinha-brava”, “bananinha” e “pereiro”, é utilizada tradicionalmente como digestiva. Das folhas dessa espécie foi extraído o óleo essencial (RL-OE), que, em estudos anteriores, apresentou atividade tocolítica frente às contrações fásicas induzidas por carbacol (CCh) ou ocitocina em útero isolado de rata. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi caracterizar o mecanismo de ação tocolítica do RL-OE, por meio de metodologias funcionais. Como os mecanismos para indução da contração fásica são diferentes dos que mantém a tônica, decidiu-se verificar se o RL-OE relaxaria o útero pré-contraído com KCl ou ocitocina. O óleo relaxou o útero pré-contraído com 60 mM de KCl (CE50 = 22,4 ± 2,4 μg/mL) ou com 10-2 UI/mL de ocitocina (CE50 = 4,1 ± 0,4 μg/mL), sendo mais potente para ocitocina. Em seguida, hipotetizou-se que o RL-OE estaria antagonizando os receptores de ocitocina, sendo essa hipótese confirmada, uma vez que, observou-se a inibição das curvas concentrações-resposta cumulativas à ocitocina, desviando-as para a direita, de maneira não paralela e com redução do seu Emax, descartando-se um antagonismo do tipo competitivo. A participação dos receptores adrenérgicos foi avaliada. Para isso, utilizou-se a fentolamina, um antagonista dos receptores α, entretanto não houve alteração da potência tocolítica do RL-OE, sendo descartado o antagonismo desse receptor. Também utilizou-se o propranolol, um antagonista dos receptores adrenérgicos β, constatando-se que a curva de relaxamento, na presença do bloqueador, foi desviada para a esquerda, com potencialização do RL-OE, descartando a ativação desses receptores. Outras vias que modulam a função contrátil do miométrio uterino são as vias do óxido nítrico (NO) e da ciclo-oxigenase (COX). Investigou-se a participação dessas vias no mecanismo de ação do óleo essencial utilizando L-NAME e indometacina, inibidores das vias do NO e da COX, respectivamente. Entretanto, o efeito do RL-OE não foi alterado na presença dos inibidores, descartando a participação dessas vias no seu mecanismo de ação tocolítica. Outra via investigada foi o modulação dos canais de K+. Para isso, utilizou-se bloqueadores não-seletivo e seletivos desses canais. A potência tocolítica do RL-OE (CE50 = 4,1 ± 0,4 μg/mL) foi reduzida 2,2 vezes na presença de 5 mM de CsCl (CE50 = 8,9 ± 1,1 μg/mL), bloqueador não seletivo desses canais, confirmando a participação dos canais de K+ no efeito tocolítico do RL-OE. Para verificar qual(is) canal(is) de K+ estariam envolvidos usou-se bloqueadores seletivos desses canais. O fato do TEA+ 1 mM, bloqueador dos canais de K+ de grande condutância ativados por cálcio (BKCa); da apamina, um bloqueador dos canais de K+ ativados por Ca2+ de pequena condutância (SKCa) e da glibenclamida, bloqueador dos canais de K+ sensíveis ao ATP (KATP) não alterarem o efeito tocolítico do RL-OE indica que os BKCa, SKCa e os KATP não estariam envolvidos em seu mecanismo de ação. Entretanto, a curva concentrações-resposta de relaxamento induzida pelo RL-OE foi desviada para direita na presença de 4-aminopiridina, bloqueador dos canais de K+ dependentes de voltagem (Kv), com redução da potência tocolítica do RL-OE (CE50 = 10 ± 0,6 μg/mL), sugerindo o envolvimento dos Kv no mecanismo de ação tocolítica do RL-OE em útero de rata. Conclui-se que o RL-OE exerce efeito tocolítico modulando positivamente os canais de K+, especificamente os Kv, que bloqueariam de modo indireto os canais de cálcio dependentes de voltagem (CaV), resultando no relaxamento da musculatura lisa uterina

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:59:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1843957 bytes, checksum: 23eff6067396c6f267138994bec5be02 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The studed Herbal Product is indicated for treatment of intestinal colic and constipation, though there are no scientific data, that prove its efficacy. Thus, this study aimed in preclinical pharmacologic trials to evaluate its laxative and spasmolytic action and elucidate its possible pathway. For this, pharmacological tests were carried out in vivo to evaluate its stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract and in vitro assays in order to evaluate its spasmodic activity. The Herbal Product increased small intestinal motility in male mice at doses of 100mg/kg (161.66 ± 14.86%, n=6) and 200mg/kg (151.04 ± 17.17%, n=6) compared to control (100.00 ± 10.49%, n=6). The intestinal transit of animals constipated by loperamide (3mg/kg/day, three days) was reduced to 66.25 ± 7.49% (n=8) compared to the control group (100 ± 5.16%, n=8). In the constipated animals treated with doses of 100 and 200mg/kg (98.42 ± 6.33%, n=7) (99.32 ± 8.47%, n=7) was observed the normalization of the traffic bowel. Similar results were observed for 24 hours in the quantification of rat feces constipated by loperamide (3mg/kg/day, three days). The herbal medicine induced return of quantity of feces normal levels (7.92 ± 1.01g, n=6) in constipated animals (4.01 ± 1.43g, n=6), at dose of 100mg/kg (11.24 ± 2.90g, n=6) and 200mg/kg (8.70 ± 2.01g, n=6). These results demonstrate the stimulating action of this preparation in the intestine of the animals with potential laxative effect. Adding increasing and cumulative (0.01-1000μg/mL) of this product did not significantly alter spontaneous contractions in guinea pig ileum. However, its addition (1-1000μg/mL) caused a relaxation in this organ pre-contracted with 1μM carbachol, Emax= 67.61 ± 6.25%; EC50 269.77μg/mL (215.8 to 337.1), n=6; histamine 1μM (Emax= 58.68 ± 7.17%, EC50= 144.10μg/mL (86.65 to 239.70), n=6, and 40mM KCl (Emax= 50.76 ± 3.79%; EC50= 91.94μg/mL (57.97 to 145.80), n=7, no significant difference in the powers, suggesting an action of this product on a step common to these three agents. The relaxing action of this preparation was attenuated in ileum pre-contracted with 60mM KCl (Emax= 39.28 ± 1.95%, n=7) and the efficacy and potency were also significantly attenuated in the presence of potassium channel blockers, 5mM TEA, Emax= 22.79  2.99%; EC50 93.41μg/mL (54.89 to 159.00), n=5; and 5mM CsCl; Emax= 29.44  6.24%, EC50= 112,60μg/mL (44.09 to 287.80), n=5, suggesting the participation of these channels in relaxation. In contractions induced by 300nM S(-)BayK-8644, Cav channel agonist, the effect induced by phytomedicine, Emax= 39.28 ± 1.95%, EC50= 199.70μg/mL (120.50 to 239.00), n=8, was significantly lower when compared to carbachol, indicating the involvement of Cav in its effect. In preparations pre-incubated with 1μM propranolol (Emax= 34.45 ± 4.97%, n=6), the Emax was attenuated, suggesting also the involvement of β-adrenergic receptors in the effect induced by preparation. Thus, we conclude that the Herbal Product acts stimulating the intestine of rats and mice, especially in constipated animals and has spasmolytic activity in guinea pig ileum probably due to opening of K+ channels, inhibition of Ca2+ channels and activation of β-adrenoceptor. / O Produto Fitoterápico estudado é indicado no tratamento de cólicas intestinais e constipação, entretanto não apresenta dados científicos que comprovem sua eficácia. Assim, este estudo objetivou realizar ensaios farmacológicos pré-clínicos para avaliar sua ação laxante e sua ação espasmolítica, bem como elucidar seu provável mecanismo de ação. Para tal, realizaram-se ensaios farmacológicos in vivo para avaliar seu efeito estimulante sobre o trato gastrointestinal e ensaios in vitro com o intuito de avaliar sua atividade espasmolítica. O Produto Fitoterápico aumentou a motilidade do intestino delgado em camundongos machos, nas doses de 100mg/kg (161,66 ± 14,86%; n=6) e 200mg/kg (151,04 ± 17,17%, n=6) quando comparados ao controle (100,00 ± 10,49%; n=6). O trânsito intestinal de animais constipados por loperamida (3mg/kg/dia, três dias) foi reduzido a 66,25 ± 7,49% (n=8) em comparação ao grupo controle (100 ± 5,16%; n=8). Nos animais constipados e tratados com doses de 100 e 200mg/kg (98,42 ± 6,33%, n=7); (99,32 ± 8,47%; n=7), observou-se a normalização do trânsito intestinal. Resultados semelhantes foram encontrados na quantificação por 24 horas de fezes de ratos constipados por loperamida (3mg/kg/dia, três dias), em que o Produto Fitoterápico induziu o retorno da quantidade de fezes a níveis normais (7,92 ± 1,01g; n=6) de animais constipados (4,01 ± 1,43g; n=6), tanto na dose de 100mg/kg (11,24 ± 2,90g; n=6) como na dose de 200mg/kg (8,70 ± 2,01g; n=6). Estes resultados demonstram a ação estimulante da preparação estudada no intestino destes animais com potencial efeito laxante. A adição crescente e cumulativa (0,01-1000μg/mL) deste produto não alterou significativamente as contrações espontâneas em íleo de cobaia. Entretanto, sua adição (1-1000μg/mL) promoveu relaxamento neste órgão pré-contraído com carbacol 1μM, Emax= 67,61 ± 6,25%; CE50 269,77μg/mL (215,8 337,1); n=6, com histamina 1μM, Emax= 58,68 ± 7,17%; CE50= 144,10 μg/mL (86,65 239,70); n=6, ou com KCl 40mM, Emax= 50,76 ± 3,79%; CE50= 91,94μg/mL (57,97 145,80); n=7, não apresentando diferença estatística nas potências, o que sugere uma ação sobre uma etapa comum a estes três agentes. A ação relaxante desta preparação foi atenuada em íleo pré-contraído com KCl 60mM (Emax= 39,28 ± 1,95%; n=7) e sua eficácia e potência também foram significantemente atenuados na presença de bloqueadores de canais para K+, 5mM TEA, Emax= 22,79  2,99%; CE50 93,41μg/mL (54,89 159,00); n=5, e 5mM CsCl, Emax= 29,44  6,24%; CE50= 112,60μg/mL (44,09 287,80); n=5, sugerindo participação destes canais em seu relaxamento. Em contrações induzidas por 300nM S(-)-BayK 8644, agonista de canais Cav, o efeito induzido pelo Produto Fitoterápico Emax= 39,28 ± 1,95%; CE50= 199,70μg/mL (120,50 239,00); n=8, foi significativamente menor, quando comparado ao carbacol, indicando a participação dos Cav em seu efeito. Em preparações pré-incubadas com 1μM propranolol (Emax= 34,45 ± 4,97%; n=6), o Emax foi atenuado, sugerindo também a participação de receptores β-adrenérgicos no efeito induzido pela preparação. Assim, concluimos que o Produto Fitoterápico age estimulando o intestino de ratos e camundongos, principalmente em animais constipados e apresenta atividade espasmolítica em íleo de cobaia provavelmente pela abertura de canais para K+, inibição de canais para Ca2+ e ativação de β-adrenoceptores.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:00:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1650279 bytes, checksum: 848f51aee13c80e0d670d1542b962211 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / 8(17),12E,14-labdatrien-18 oic acid (labdane-302), is a diterpene isolated from the stem bark of Xylopia langsdorfiana A. St.-Hil. & Tul. In a preliminary study, Ribeiro (2003) demonstrated that labdane-302 inhibited in an equipotent manner the phasic contractions induced by carbachol or oxytocin in rat uterus. The aim of the present study was to investigate the spasmolytic action mechanism of labdane-302 in that organ. Isometric and isotonic contractions were monitored and the parameters of relative potency and efficacy were determined from cumulative concentration-response curves. Labdane-302 inhibited the cumulative concentration-response curves to carbachol (pD´2 = 3.4 ± 0.1; r2 = 0.9 ± 0.05) and oxytocin (pD´2 = 3.8 ± 0.2; r2 = 0.9 ± 0.04) these were shifted to the right, in a non-parallel manner (Schild plot slope = 0.15 ± 0.04 and 1.13 ± 0.1 respectively), with reduction of the maximal effect (Emax), suggesting a noncompetitive antagonism. Labdane-302 was not effective in relaxing the uterus pre-contracted by 60 mM KCl (Emax = 9.75 ± 0.07%),on the other hand, relaxed in a significant and concentration dependent manner the rat uterus pre-contracted by oxytocin (pD2 = 4,3 ± 0,06), suggesting a possible involvement of the K+ channels in the spasmolytic effect caused by labdane-302. Because K+ channels play a major role in the regulation of membrane potential and modulation of CaV, we decided to investigate the participation of K+ channels in the spasmolytic action of labdane-302. The relaxant potency of labdane-302 (pD2 = 4.3 ± 0.06) was decreased about 16 times in the presence of CsCl (pD2 = 3.1 ± 0.06), a non-selective K+channels blocker, suggesting a possible involvement of the K+ channels in the tocolytic effect of the labdane-302. In order to verify which subtypes of K+ channels could be involved we used selectives blockers of these channels. The observation that 4-aminopyridine, a selective blocker of voltage-gated K+ channels (Kv), and that glibenclamide, a selective blocker of the ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP) did not change the relaxant effect of labdane-302 suggests that KV and KATP are not involved in its action mechanism. However, the log concentration-response curve induced by labdane-302 was shifted to the right in the presence of apamine (pD2 = 3.8 ± 0.03), a selective blocker of the small-conductance calcium-activated K+ channels (SKCa) and TEA+ 1 mM (pD2 = 3.6 ± 0.04), a selective blocker of the large conductance clacium-activated K+ channels (BKca). The involvement of BKCa was confirmed using a specific blocker of that channels iberiotoxin (IbTx) (pD2 = 3.8 ± 0.06) , suggesting the involvement of SKCa and BKCa in the tocolytic action mechanism induced by labdane-302 on uterus rat. The aminophylline a nonselective inhibitor of phosphodiesterases (PDE) potentiated (pD2 = 7.8 ± 0.1) in about 320 times the relaxation produced by labdane-302 in rat uterus. The results suggest that effect of labdane-302 on uterus rat, involves the activation of the SKCa e BKCa, which modulate indirectly the CaV, leading to a decrease the [Ca2+]c , and cyclic nucleotides like cAMP and cGMP may be involved in this tocolytic action / O ácido 8(17),12E,14-labdatrieno-18-óico (labdano-302) é um diterpeno isolado das cascas do caule de Xylopia langsdorfiana A. St.-Hil. & Tul. Em estudos anteriores Ribeiro (2003) demonstrou que o labdano-302 inibiu de maneira eqüipotente as contrações fásicas induzidas por carbacol e ocitocina em útero de rata. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo foi investigar o mecanismo de ação tocolítico do labdano-302. As contrações isométricas e isotônicas foram monitoradas e os parâmetros de potência e eficácia relativas foram determinados a partir de curvas de concentrações-resposta cumulativas. O labdano-302 inibiu as curvas cumulativas ao carbacol (pD´2 = 3,4 ± 0,1; r2 = 0,9 ± 0,05) e ocitocina (pD´2 = 3,8 ± 0,2; r2 = 0,9 ± 0,04) e estas foram desviadas para direita, de forma não paralela ( slope de Schild = 0,15 ± 0,04 e 1,13 ± 0,1 respectivamente), com redução do Emax, sugerindo um antagonismo não competitivo. O labdano-302 não foi eficaz em antagonizar as contrações induzidas por 60 mM de KCl apresentando um Emax = 9,75 ± 0,07%, por outro lado, labdano-302 relaxou de maneira significante e dependente de concentração quando o útero era pré-contraído por ocitocina (pD2 = 4,3 ± 0,06), sugerindo que este diterpeno deve estar agindo por uma modulação positiva de canais para potássio. Os canais para K+ desempenham um papel chave na regulação do potencial de membrana e modulação dos CaV, então decidiu-se investigar a participação desses canais na ação tocolítica do labdano-302. A potência relaxante de labdano-302 (pD2 = 4,3 ± 0,06) foi reduzida em aproximadamente 16 vezes na presença de CsCl (pD2 = 3,1 ± 0,06), bloqueador não seletivo dos canais para K+, confirmando a participação de canais para K+ no efeito relaxante do labdano-302. Para verificar qual(is) canal(is) para K+ estariam envolvidos usou-se bloqueadores seletivos desses canais. O fato da 4-aminopiridina, bloqueador seletivo dos canais para K+ abertos por voltagem (Kv), e da glibenclamida, bloqueador seletivo dos canais para K+ sensíveis ao ATP (KATP) não alterar o efeito relaxante do labdano-302 indica que os KV e os KATP não estariam envolvidos em seu mecanismo de ação tocolítico. Entretanto, a curva concentração-resposta de relaxamento induzida pelo labdano-302 foi desviada para direita na presença de apamina (pD2 = 3,8 ± 0,03), um bloqueador seletivo dos canais para K+ ativados por Ca2+ de pequena condutância (SKCa), ou de tetraetilamônio 1 mM (pD2 = 3,6 ± 0,04), que nesta concentração é um bloqueador seletivo dos canais para K+ de grande condutância ativados por cálcio (BKCa). A participação dos BKCa foi confirmada utilizando um bloqueador específico para esses canais a iberiotoxina (IbTx) (pD2 = 3,8 ± 0,06), sugerindo o envolvimento dos SKCa e dos BKCa no mecanismo de ação tocolítico do labdano-302 em útero isolado de rata. A aminofilina um inibidor não seletivo de fosfodiesterases (PDE) potencializou (pD2 = 7,8 ± 0,1) em cerca de 320 vezes o relaxamento produzido por labdano-302 em útero de rata. Conclui-se que o mecanismo de ação relaxante do labdano-302 em útero isolado de rata envolve a modulação positiva de canais para K+, mais especificamente os SKCa e BKCa, que modulam indiretamente os CaV, levando a uma conseqüente redução da [Ca2+]c , e que nucleotídios cíclicos como o AMPc e GMPc podem estar envolvidos nesta ação.