Wong Hei Lui. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-226). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Publications Based On The Work In This Thesis --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / Acknowledgements --- p.vii / Abbreviations --- p.viii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Normal joint --- p.1 / Chapter 1.11 --- Biology of joint --- p.1 / Chapter 1.12 --- Structure of synovial joint --- p.1 / Chapter 1.13 --- Components of the mature synovial joint --- p.3 / Chapter 1.131 --- Articular cartilage --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1311 --- Water --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1312 --- Cartilage matrix --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1313 --- Chondrocyte --- p.5 / Chapter 1.132 --- Synovium --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1321 --- Synovium vasculature --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1322 --- Synovial blood flow --- p.7 / Chapter 1.133 --- Synovial fluid --- p.8 / Chapter 1.134 --- Bone --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2 --- Pathological processes of arthritis --- p.11 / Chapter 1.21 --- Activation of immune cells in arthritis --- p.11 / Chapter 1.22 --- Synovial proliferation --- p.13 / Chapter 1.221 --- Synovial lining cell activation --- p.13 / Chapter 1.222 --- Pannus invasion --- p.14 / Chapter 1.23 --- Cartilage and bone degradation --- p.14 / Chapter 1.231 --- Depletion of proteoglycan (GAG) --- p.15 / Chapter 1.232 --- Collagen denature --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3 --- Tachykinins (TKs) --- p.17 / Chapter 1.31 --- History --- p.17 / Chapter 1.32 --- "Synthesis, storage and release of TKs" --- p.17 / Chapter 1.33 --- Tachykinin receptors --- p.18 / Chapter 1.331 --- Characterization of NK1 receptor --- p.19 / Chapter 1.332 --- Characterization of NK2 receptor --- p.19 / Chapter 1.333 --- Characterization of NK3 receptor --- p.20 / Chapter 1.34 --- Effector systems of TKs --- p.21 / Chapter 1.35 --- Termination of TK signals --- p.21 / Chapter 1.351 --- Enzymatic breakdown --- p.21 / Chapter 1.352 --- Receptor desensitization --- p.22 / Chapter 1.353 --- Receptor endocytosis --- p.22 / Chapter 1.36 --- TK receptor antagonists --- p.23 / Chapter 1.361 --- Selective NK1 receptor antagonists --- p.23 / Chapter 1.362 --- Selective NK2 receptor antagonists --- p.24 / Chapter 1.363 --- Selective NK3 receptor antagonists --- p.25 / Chapter 1.4 --- Roles of tachykinins in arthritis --- p.28 / Chapter 1.41 --- Correlation between tachykinins and joint inflammation --- p.28 / Chapter 1.42 --- Roles of tachykinins in immune cell activation --- p.30 / Chapter 1.43 --- Roles of tachykinins in synovial proliferation --- p.31 / Chapter 1.44 --- Roles of tachykinins in cartilage degradation --- p.32 / Chapter 1.5 --- Animal model of arthritis --- p.33 / Chapter 1.51 --- Instability model --- p.33 / Chapter 1.52 --- Immobilization model --- p.34 / Chapter 1.53 --- Noxious agent-induced model --- p.34 / Chapter 1.531 --- Collagen-induced erosive arthritis --- p.34 / Chapter 1.532 --- Cartilage oligometric matrix protein-induced arthritis --- p.35 / Chapter 1.533 --- Oil-induced arthritis --- p.35 / Chapter 1.534 --- Streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis --- p.35 / Chapter 1.535 --- Adjuvant-induced arthritis --- p.36 / Chapter 1.536 --- Pristane-induced arthritis --- p.36 / Chapter 1.6 --- Current anti-arthritic therapies --- p.39 / Chapter 1.61 --- Non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs --- p.39 / Chapter 1.62 --- Glucocorticoid --- p.44 / Chapter 1.63 --- Second-line treatment --- p.46 / Chapter 1.631 --- Sulfasalazine --- p.46 / Chapter 1.632 --- Gold salts --- p.47 / Chapter 1 633 --- D-penicillamine --- p.48 / Chapter 1.634 --- Antimalarial --- p.49 / Chapter 1 .635 --- Methotrexate --- p.51 / Chapter 1.64 --- New trends for treatment of arthritis --- p.53 / Chapter 1.641 --- Anti-cytokine therapy --- p.53 / Chapter 1.642 --- Anti-angiogenesis therapy --- p.54 / Chapter 1.7 --- Aims of study --- p.57 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Material and drugs --- p.62 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Methodology --- p.62 / Chapter 3.1 --- Animals used and anaesthetization --- p.62 / Chapter 3.2 --- Measurement of plasma protein extravasation --- p.63 / Chapter 3.3 --- Measurement of knee joint sizes --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4 --- Measurement of knee joint blood flow --- p.65 / Chapter 3.5 --- Measurement of histological changes --- p.65 / Chapter 3.51 --- Dissection and fixation --- p.65 / Chapter 3.52 --- Decalcification --- p.66 / Chapter 3.53 --- Processing --- p.66 / Chapter 3.54 --- Embedding --- p.67 / Chapter 3.55 --- Sectioning --- p.67 / Chapter 3.56 --- Staining --- p.69 / Chapter 3.6 --- Data analysis --- p.69 / Chapter 3.61 --- Scoring systems --- p.72 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- A model of monoarthritis in rats --- p.72 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2 --- Method --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.73 / Chapter 4.31 --- Lewis rats --- p.73 / Chapter 4.32 --- Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats --- p.74 / Chapter 4.33 --- Comparison of FCA-induced changes in Lewis and SD rats --- p.74 / Chapter 4.34 --- Histological studies on arthritic SD rats --- p.75 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.93 / Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusions --- p.95 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Effect of Substance P on adjuvant-induced arthritis --- p.96 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2 --- Method --- p.98 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.99 / Chapter 5.31 --- Evans blue extravasation --- p.99 / Chapter 5.32 --- Joint size --- p.100 / Chapter 5.33 --- Knee joint blood flow --- p.101 / Chapter 5.34 --- Histology results --- p.102 / Chapter 5.341 --- Infiltration of immune cells in synovial tissue --- p.102 / Chapter 5.342 --- Synovial tissue proliferation --- p.102 / Chapter 5.343 --- Cartilage degradation --- p.103 / Chapter 5.344 --- Bone degradation --- p.103 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.120 / Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusions --- p.125 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Effects of tachykinin receptor antagonists on FCA-induced arthritis / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.126 / Chapter 6.2 --- Method --- p.128 / Chapter 6. 21 --- Intravenous NK1 receptor antagonists on FCA-induced arthritis --- p.128 / Chapter 6. 22 --- Intraperitoneal TK receptor antagonists on FCA-induced arthritis --- p.128 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results --- p.129 / Chapter 6.31 --- Intravenous NK1 227}0اreceptor antagonists on FCA-induced arthritis Evans blue extravasation and joint swelling --- p.129 / Chapter 6.32 --- Intraperitoneal tachykinin receptor antagonists on FCA- induced arthritis Evans blue extravasation and joint swelling --- p.129 / Chapter 6.33 --- Intraperitoneal tachykinin receptor antagonists on FCA- induced immune cell accumulation --- p.130 / Chapter 6.34 --- Intraperitoneal tachykinin receptor antagonists on FCA- induced synovial tissue proliferation --- p.131 / Chapter 6.35 --- Intraperitoneal tachykinin receptor antagonists on FCA- induced cartilage degration and bone erosion --- p.131 / Chapter 6.4 --- Discussion --- p.159 / Chapter 6.5 --- Conclusions --- p.162 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Individual and combined effects of dexamethasone and TK receptor antagonists on FCA-induced arthritis --- p.163 / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.163 / Chapter 7.2 --- Method --- p.166 / Chapter 7.3 --- Results --- p.167 / Chapter 7.31 --- Evans blue extravasation --- p.167 / Chapter 7.32 --- Knee joint size --- p.167 / Chapter 7.33 --- Body weight --- p.168 / Chapter 7.34 --- Cellular infiltration --- p.168 / Chapter 7.35 --- Synovial tissue proliferation --- p.168 / Chapter 7.36 --- Cartilage degradation --- p.169 / Chapter 7.4 --- Discussion --- p.184 / Chapter 7.5 --- Conclusions --- p.187 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- General discussions and conclusions --- p.188 / References --- p.192

Cerebral ischemia is the principal cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition to neuronal loss associated with hypoxic-ischemic damage, cerebral ischemia is characterized by a neuromicrovascular injury. Nitrative stress and lipid peroxidation increase in hypoxic-ischemic damages and play an essential role in neuromicrovascular injury leading to cerebral ischemia. We hypothesized that newly described lipid peroxidation products, termed trans-arachidonic acids (TAA), could be implicated in the pathogenesis of hypoxia-ischemia by affecting the cerebral vasomotricity and microvascular integrity. / The effects of TAA on neuromicrovascular tone were tested ex vivo by monitoring the changes in vascular diameter of rat cerebral pial microvessels. Four isomers of TAA, namely 5 E-AA, 8E-AA, IIE-AA and 14 E-AA induced an endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. Possible mechanisms involved in TAA-induced vasorelaxation were thoroughly investigated. Collectively, data enclosed revealed that TAA induce cerebral vasorelaxation through the interactive activation of BKCa channels with heme oxygenase-2. This interaction leads to generation of carbon monoxide which in turn activates soluble guanylate cyclase and triggers vasorelaxation. / Chronic effects of TAA on microvascular integrity were examined by generating a unilateral hypoxic-ischemic (HI) model of cerebral ischemia on newborn rat pups. Our HI model showed microvascular degeneration as early as 24h post-HI, preceded by an increase in cerebral TAA levels. HI-induced microvascular lesions were dependent on nitric oxide synthase activation and ensued TAA formation. Although the molecular mechanisms leading to TAA-induced microvascular degeneration were, in part uncovered for the retina, the primary site of action of TAA remains unknown. We demonstrated that TAA binds and activates GPR40 receptor, a newly described free fatty acid receptor. Importantly, GPR40 receptor knock-out prevents TAA-induced reduction in cerebral microvascular density and limits HI-induced brain infarct.

Hypertension is the number one cause of death worldwide. Low-grade inflammation has been identified as one of the mechanisms contributing to blood pressure elevation and remodeling of the vasculature in hypertension. Mechanisms involved in vascular inflammation and hypertension remain elusive. Vasoactive peptides such as endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin II (Ang II), oxidative stress and infiltration of immune cells are increased in cardiovascular tissues of hypertensive individuals. Since the vasculature is a major regulator of blood pressure levels, the hypothesis has been proposed that vascular inflammatory responses contribute to development of hypertension. / Objectives of this thesis were 1) to investigate the role of T cells in development of vascular inflammation observed in genetically hypertensive rats, 2) to identify vascular sources of reactive oxygen species production in mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension and 3) to study the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma activators on vascular pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in Ang II-induced hypertension. / The first study that is part of this thesis shows that the transfer of chromosome 2 from normotensive to hypertensive rats reduces plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, expression of adhesion molecules and infiltration of T cells in aorta as well as resulting in lower blood pressure levels. These effects are accompanied by increased regulatory T cell mediators. We discovered that regulatory T cells are regulated by chromosome 2 and may be responsible for reducing inflammatory responses in hypertensive rats. / The second study of this thesis demonstrates in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats that superoxide (·O2-) production originates in part from xanthine oxidase activity induced by the ET-1 system and from mitochondrial sources, particularly complex II of the respiratory chain. We thus have uncovered two sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can stimulate inflammatory responses in hypertension, since vascular ·O 2- production in this model was shown to induce vascular inflammation. / The third study of the thesis shows that activators of PPAR-gamma reduce blood pressure levels and signaling pathways including Akt/PKB, SHIP2, ERK1/2, 4E-BP1 in aorta and resistance arteries in Ang II-induced hypertension. PPARy acts as an anti-inflammatory transcription factor, and the present study suggests that Ang II down-regulates PPAR-gamma activity to exert its pro-inflammatory effects. / In conclusion, by targeting inflammatory mediators, it may be possible to reduce blood pressure levels in hypertensive animals. This suggests that inflammatory responses may play a crucial role in development of high blood pressure.

Le projet porte sur l’étude de l’effet de l’eugénol, composant principal du clou de girofle, sur la douleur neuropathique. L’objectif principal du projet était de déterminer la contribution du système nerveux central dans l’effet analgésique de l’eugénol. Lors d’une étude préliminaire, la pénétrabilité de l’eugénol a été évaluée dans le système nerveux central du rat. Des échantillons de sang, de cerveau et de moelle épinière ont été prélevés et les concentrations d’eugénol dans ces différents tissus ont été analysées à l’aide d’un spectromètre de masse. Les résultats ont montré que l’eugénol pénètre bien le système nerveux central avec une distribution plus importante dans la moelle épinière. Après l’induction de la douleur neuropathique à des rats Sprague-Dawley par le modèle de ligatures du nerf sciatique, des injections intrathécales d’eugénol furent réalisées afin d’évaluer l’effet central de l’eugénol. La plus forte dose d’eugénol a atténué l’allodynie secondaire après 15min, 2h et 4h et a aussi amélioré l’hyperalgésie thermique après 2h et 4h. Ces résultats confirment l’hypothèse que l’eugénol atténue les deux aspects de la douleur neuropathique que sont l’allodynie et l’hyperalgésie. Les injections au niveau lombaire permettent de penser que l’eugénol, un agoniste/antagoniste des récepteurs vanilloïdes pourrait diminuer la douleur neuropathique en agissant notamment au niveau des récepteurs vanilloïdes situés dans la corne dorsale de la moelle épinière. / The project is based on the study of the effects of eugenol, the main component of clove oil, on neuropathic pain. The main objective was to determine the central effect of eugenol. In a preliminary study we evaluated the penetrability of eugenol in the central nervous system of rats. Blood, brain and spinal cord samples were collected and concentrations were determined by mass spectrometry. Brain-toplasma and spinal cord-to-plasma ratios suggest that eugenol penetrates the central nervous system of rats relatively well, with a preferential distribution in the spinal cord. Following the induction of neuropathic pain in male Sprague-Dawley rats using the sciatic nerve ligation model, intrathecal injections of eugenol were done to evaluate the central effect of eugenol. Treatment with the high dose of eugenol significantly decreased secondary mechanical allodynia measured by the Von Frey test after 15min, 2h and 4h and improved thermal hyperalgesia measured by the Hargreaves device after 2h and 4h. Results support the hypothesis that eugenol may alleviate neuropathic pain, both allodynia and hyperalgesia. Eugenol, a vanilloid agonist/antagonist may therefore reduce neuropathic pain by acting on vanilloid receptors at the level of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2007. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 214 pages. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

INTRODUÇÃO: A insuficiência cardíaca (IC) é uma síndrome sistêmica, cuja uma das possíveis evoluções se caracteriza pela perda de massa magra e intolerância aos esforços, quadro conhecido como caquexia cardíaca (CC). Estudos realizados usando homens e ratos demonstram que na associação da IC com hipogonadismo há um pior quadro clínico e desenvolvimento de CC, levando a um mal prognóstico e aumento da mortalidade. Para o sexo feminino, tanto no período pré ou pós-menopausa, não é conhecida a associação de possível deficiência de hormônios sexuais, tampouco seu impacto no prognóstico, mortalidade e desenvolvimento de CC em pacientes com IC. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: 1) Avaliar o efeito da IC sobre o possível desenvolvimento de CC em ratas. 2) Avaliar o efeito da IC sobre a produção de hormônios sexuais: Testosterona total, estradiol, FSH. MÉTODOS: Ratas da linhagem Sprague Dawley, com 60 dias de vida, foram divididas de acordo com os procedimentos cirúrgicos: Ratas intactas (INT) ou com ooforectomia (OVX), ratas com cirurgia fictícia (SHAM) do infarto do miocárdio (IM) ou cirurgia IM. A combinação destes procedimentos originou quatro grupos experimentais: INT+SHAM, INT+IM, OVX+SHAM e OVX+IM. Trinta dias após a OVX, amostras de sangue foram coletadas, para a dosagem hormonal e os animais foram submetidos à cirurgia de indução ao IM ou SHAM. Após oitos semanas, as ratas passaram pela avaliação ecocardiográfica. A partir desta, estabeleceu-se um corte de Fração de Ejeção (FE) <= 50% para definir o desenvolvimento de disfunção cardíaca a partir da realização do IM, constituindo dessa forma, os grupos INT+IM e OVX+IM. Com quatro semanas adicionais (totalizando 12 semanas após a indução do IM), houve a consolidação do quadro crônico de IC; então as ratas foram submetidas à avaliação hemodinâmica, da capacidade funcional e a nova coleta de sangue para dosagem hormonal. Após a eutanásia, os tecidos foram coletados para as análises morfológicas e histológicas. RESULTADOS: As ratas dos grupos OVX (OVX+SHAM e OVX+IM) não apresentaram ciclos ovarianos, demonstraram hipertrofia dos úteros e aumento do peso corporal final quando comparadas aos grupos INT (INT+SHAM e INT+IM), além de alterações na morfologia das glândulas adrenais - caracterizando o quadro de privação de hormônios ovarianos. As ratas dos grupos IM (INT+IM e OVX+IM) não tiveram alterações hemodinâmicas, contudo demonstraram reduzida capacidade funcional e piora nas variáveis ecocardiográficas (FE, FS, DSVE, TCIV) quando comparadas aos grupos SHAM (INT+SHAM e OVX+SHAM); as avaliações histológicas apontam valores de área infartada entorno de 40% e hipertrofia de septo nos grupos IM. Os animais não caracterizaram quadro de CC - caracterizada por diminuição do peso corporal, diminuição da densidade capilar na musculatura e atrofia das fibras musculares (m. sóleo) - após12 semanas de disfunção cardíaca / Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a systemic disease, which one of the possible progress is characterized by lean mass loss and intolerance to efforts, this framework is known as cardiac cachexia (CC). Studies in men and rats have shown that when HF is associated with hypogonadism it has a worse clinical condition and CC evolution, leading to a poor prognosis and increased mortality. For females, both in the pre menopause period than in the post menopause it is not known how the association of sex hormones deficiency with HF can impact the prognosis and mortality of female patients, as well as the development of CC. The objectives of this study were: 1) Evaluate the effect of HF on the possible CC development in female rats. 2) Evaluate the effect of HF on the production of sex hormones: Total testosterone, estradiol, FSH. METHODS: Female rats (Sprague Dawley strain, 60 days old) were divided according to the surgical procedures: intact rats (INT) or ovariectomy (OVX) rats with sham surgery (SHAM) of myocardial infarction (MI) or MI surgery. The combination of these procedures led to four groups: INT + SHAM, INT + MI, OVX + SHAM and OVX + MI. 30 days after OVX, blood samples were collected for hormone dosage and the animals have been underwent to surgery to the MI induction or SHAM. After eight weeks, the rats have gone through echocardiographic evaluation. From this procedure, it was established a cutting Ejection Fraction (EF) <= 50% to define the development of cardiac dysfunction from the realization of MI, constituting INT + IM and IM + OVX groups. With four additional weeks (totaling 12 weeks after MI induction), there was the consolidation of HF\'s chronic condition; female rats were subjected to evaluation of functional and hemodynamic capacity and a new blood collection for hormonal dosage. After euthanasia, tissues were collected for morphological and histological analyzes. RESULTS: The rats of the OVX groups (OVX + SHAM and OVX + MI) showed no ovarian cycles, demonstrated uterus\' hypertrophy and an increase in final body weight when compared to INT groups (INT + SHAM and INT + MI), changes in morphology of the adrenal glands - evidencing the situation of ovarian hormones deprivation. The rats of the MI group (INT + MI and OVX + MI) had no hemodynamic changes, but showed reduced functional capacity and deterioration of echocardiographic variables (EF, FS, LVSD, IVCT) when compared to SHAM groups (INT + SHAM and OVX + SHAM ); the histological evaluations indicate infarcted area values around 40% and septal hypertrophy at MI groups. The animals did not characterize CC - characterized by decreased body weight, decreased capillary density in the muscle and muscle fiber atrophy (m. soleus) - even after 12 weeks of cardiac dysfunction

A lesão de isquemia e reperfusão (IR) é um evento que pode elevar o risco de morte após o transplante pulmonar, por ativar o sistema imune inato a induzir a inflamação. Em situação de isquemia, a oferta de oxigênio se encontra abaixo das necessidades metabólicas, resultando na depleção das reservas celulares de ATP e no aumento da produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) e nitrogênio (ERNs). Adicionalmente, a IR desencadeia um processo inflamatório intenso, caracterizado principalmente pela presença de neutrófilos e macrófagos ativados, os quais liberam inúmeros mediadores inflamatórios, perpetuando a inflamação. Nossa hipótese inicial era que a suplementação com creatina (Cr) poderia atenuar a lesão de IR pelo aumento dos níveis de fosfocreatina (PCr) nas células, o que facilitaria a formação de adenosina trifosfato (ATP), promovendo a manutenção dos níveis de Ca2+ intracelular, desestimulando assim a formação de EROs e, consequentemente, diminuindo o processo inflamatório. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o papel da suplementação com creatina na atenuação da lesão de IR em ratos submetidos ao transplante pulmonar, segundo aspectos inflamatórios, estruturais e funcionais do tecido pulmonar. Foram utilizados 64 ratos machos da raça Sprague Dawley distribuídos em quatro grupos: A90, controle/água + 90 minutos de isquemia; Cr90, creatina + 90 minutos de isquemia; A180, controle/água + 180 minutos de isquemia; Cr180, creatina + 180 minutos de isquemia. Os animais doadores receberam creatina (0,5g/kg/dia) diariamente durante cinco dias antes do transplante pulmonar. Os animais do grupo controle receberam apenas o veículo. Após a extração, os pulmões permaneceram em isquemia fria por 90 ou 180 minutos sendo, a seguir, implantados e reperfundidos por 120 minutos. Ao final da reperfusão, foram coletados os dados de mecânica respiratória, além de amostras de ar exalado, sangue arterial e periférico, lavado broncoalveolar e tecido pulmonar. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: resistência das vias aéreas, resistência e elastância do tecido pulmonar, óxido nítrico exalado, pressão parcial de oxigênio e de dióxido de carbono, creatinina sérica, células inflamatórias, índice de edema, PCNA, Caspase-3, TLR 4 e 7, IL1-beta, IL6, TNF-alfa, IL10 e CINC1. Os animais tratados com creatina apresentaram melhora da mecânica pulmonar, dos níveis de creatinina sérica, da gasometria arterial, além da diminuição da fração exalada de óxido nítrico e da inflamação verificada no sangue periférico, no lavado broncoalveolar e no parênquima pulmonar. Estes animais também apresentaram diminuição da proliferação e da apoptose de células inflamatórias, de TLR4, dos níveis de IL6 e CINC1, além de aumento de IL10. Concluímos que o prétratamento com creatina tem efeito protetor na lesão de IR após transplante pulmonar unilateral em ratos / Ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI) is an event that can increase the risk of death after lung transplantation (LTx) by activating the innate immune system to induce inflammation. In ischemia events, oxygen supply is below metabolic requirements, resulting in depletion of ATP cellular reserves and increased production of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS). In addition, IRI triggers an intense inflammatory process characterized mainly by the presence of activated neutrophils and macrophages, which release innumerable inflammatory mediators, perpetuating the inflammation. Our initial hypothesis was that creatine supplementation (Cr) could attenuate IRI by increasing phosphocreatine (PCr) levels in cells, which would facilitate the formation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), promoting the maintenance of intracellular Ca2+ levels, thus discouraging the formation of ROS and, consequently, decreasing the inflammatory process. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the role of Cr supplementation in the attenuation of IRI in rats underwent to LTx in according to inflammatory, structural and functional aspects of the lung tissue. Sixty Sprague Dawley male rats were distributed into four groups: A90, control / water + 90 minutes of ischemia; Cr90, creatine + 90 minutes of ischemia; A180, control / water + 180 minutes of ischemia; Cr180, creatine + 180 minutes of ischemia. Donor animals received creatine (0.5g/kg/day) daily for five days prior to LTx. Animals in the control group received only the vehicle. The donor`s lung remained in cold ischemia for 90 or 180 minutes and then, were implanted and reperfused during 120 minutes. After reperfusion, respiratory mechanics data were performed and collected samples of exhaled air, arterial and peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and pulmonary tissue. The parameters evaluated were: airway resistance, resistance and elastance of the pulmonary tissue, exhaled nitric oxide, partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide, serum creatinine, inflammatory cells, edema index, PCNA, Caspase-3, TLR 4 and 7, IL1-beta, IL6, TNF-alpha, IL10, and CINC1. The animals treated with Cr showed an improvement in pulmonary mechanics, serum creatinine levels, and arterial blood gases. In addition, there was a decrease in the exhaled fraction of nitric oxide and in the inflammation in the peripheral blood, BALF, and pulmonary parenchyma in creatine-treated animals. These rats also had a decrease in the proliferation and apoptosis of inflammatory cells, TLR4, IL6, and CINC1. Moreover, there was an increase in the IL10 levels after Cr treatment. We conclude that pre-treatment with Cr has a protective effect on IRI after LTx in rats

No description available.

No description available.

Le p-tert-octylphénol est un produit présent dans l’environnement et issu de la dégradation des alkylphénols éthoxylés. Ce composé a la capacité de se lier au récepteur œstrogénique et d’exercer ainsi un léger effet œstrogénique. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de 1) développer une méthode d'identification de l'octylphénol dans le sang et les tissus à l'aide de la chromatographie en phase gazeuse jumelée à la spectrométrie de masse, 2) caractériser la toxicocinétique sanguine et tissulaire de l’octylphénol chez le rat Sprague-Dawley mâle et femelle et 3) développer un modèle toxicocinétique à base physiologique permettant de décrire la cinétique sanguine et tissulaire de l’octylphénol inchangé. Pour ce faire, des rats mâle et femelle Sprague-Dawley ont reçu des doses uniques d’octylphénol par les voies intraveineuse, orale et sous-cutanée. Deux autres groupes ont reçu des doses répétées d'octylphénol par voie orale pour une durée de 35 jours consécutifs pour les femelles ou 60 jours pour les mâles. Les concentrations sanguines et tissulaires d’octylphénol ont été mesurées à différents moments après administration à partir d’une méthode d’analyse développée dans nos laboratoires dans le cadre de ce projet. Les expériences impliquant des administrations uniques ont montré que les concentrations sanguines et tissulaires d'octylphénol étaient en général plus élevées chez les femelles que chez les mâles. Des expériences réalisées avec des microsomes hépatiques ont confirmé que ces différences étaient vraisemblablement reliées au métabolisme de l'octylphénol. Les expériences impliquant des administrations répétées ont montré qu'il n'y avait pas d'accumulation d'octylphénol dans l'organisme aux doses étudiées. Les résultats obtenus expérimentalement ont servi à développer et valider un modèle toxicocinétique à base physiologique. Ce modèle a permis de simuler adéquatement les concentrations sanguines et tissulaires d'octylphénol suite à des expositions intraveineuses, orales et sous-cutanées. En conclusion, cette étude a fourni des données essentielles sur la toxicocinétique de l'octylphénol. Ces données sont nécessaires pour établir la relation entre la dose externe et la dose interne et vont contribuer à une meilleure évaluation des risques liés à l'octylphénol. / p-tert-Octylphenol is a degradation product of alkylphenol ethoxylates that can be found in the environment. It has been reported to act as a weak estrogenic compound by binding to the estrogen receptor. This study was undertaken to 1) develop a sensitive method for the determination of octylphenol in blood and various tissues using gas chromatography coupled with detection by mass spectrometry, 2) characterize the blood and tissues toxicokinetics of octylphenol in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats and 3) develop a physiologically-based toxicokinetic model for octylphenol that can describe/predict unchanged blood and tissues octylphenol concentrations in rats. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were given a single dose of octylphenol either by oral gavage, intravenous injection or subcutaneous injection. In a repeated dosing experiment, rats were given octylphenol (oral) daily for 35 days (female) or 60 days (male). Blood and tissue samples were collected at various time following the onset of exposure and analyzed for octylphenol content using a method developed in our laboratory. These results showed that blood and tissues octylphenol concentrations were generally higher in female than male rats. Experiments done with rat liver microsomes confirmed that these differences were related to octylphenol metabolism. The results of the repeated exposure study indicate that there is no bioaccumulation of octylphenol at these exposure levels. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model for octylphenol was developed and validated using the data obtained in female and male rats. The model simulates adequately blood and tissues octylphenol concentrations following oral, intravenous or subcutaneous exposure. In conclusion, this study provided essential data on the toxicokinetics of octylphenol. These data are essential to predict the relationship between the internal and the external dose of octylphenol and will facilitate the risk assessment of octylphenol in humans.