The dissection of etiology of hypertension is a medical imperative. In the central nervous system, rostral ventral lateral medulla (RVLM) plays an essential role in the maintenance of arterial pressure and heart rate through tonic activation of the sympathetic vasomotor activity and regulation of baroreflex response. Oxidative stress of an enhanced cellular content of the reactive oxygen species, in particular the superoxide anion (O2-), has been implicated in hypertension. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the most important defense enzymes against the oxidative stress through catalysis of O2- into O2 and H2O2. SOD treatment has been demonstrated to decrease arterial pressure. Moreover, in addition to its peripheral vasodilatory effect, nitric oxide (NO) plays an active role in central regulation of arterial pressure and heart rate via modulation of the autonomic system. In the RVLM, both O2- and NO have been demonstrated to be involved in hypertension. Interactions between these two molecules, however, are not understood. The aims of this study are therefore to establish the significance of O2- and NO in the RVLM on blood pressure regulation in hypertension and to examine whether O2- interacts with NO to participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension. To examine their long term effects on mean systemic arterial pressure (MSAP) and heart rate (HR), SOD and/or NO was over-expressed by microinjection of the adenoviral vectors encoding the endothelial NO synthase (AdeNOS) and/or mitochondrial SOD (AdSOD2) into RVLM of the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats or the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). I found that microinjection of AdeNOS in the RVLM of SHR or WKY rats significantly decreased MSAP or HR that lasted for around 10 days postinjection. The hypotensive effect of AdeNOS was significantly greater in SHR than WKY rats. The AdeNOS-promoted hypotension in SHR, but not WKY rats, was followed by a rebound hypertension, detected in 28 days after the gene transfer. In the AdeSOD2-treated animals, I found a significant decrease in the MSAP in SHR, but not WKY rats, that lasted for about 7 days postinjection. On the other hand, no change in HR was detected in either SHR or WKY rats after the AdSOD2 gene transfer into the RVLM. In animals that received co-microinjection into the bilateral RVLM of AdeNOS and AdSOD2, there was a further prolonged decrease in MSAP or HR in SHR. The rebound hypertension observed in the AdeNOS-treated SHR was reversed to hypotension in the AdeNOS+AdSOD2-treated SHR. There was no difference in the hypotensive or bradycardiac effects in WKY rats that received the AdeNOS+AdSOD2 or AdeNOS gene transfer. Together these results suggest that (1) NO in RVLM plays an important role in central regulation of arterial pressure and heart rate under both normotensive and hypertensive conditions. A greater reduction in MSAP in the AdeNOS-treated SHR further indicates a reduced action of NO at the RVLM in the pathogenesis of hypertension. (2) An excessive oxidative stress of a reduced function of SOD2 in RVLM may be an important factor in neural mechanism of hypertension in SHR. The same mechanism, at the same time, may underlie the rebound hypertensive observed in the AdeNOS-treated SHR. (3) The excessive oxidative stress in the RVLM contributes to hypertension by at least two mechanisms. One is to cause oxidative injury in the RVLM and the other is to interact with NO to decrease already insufficient activity of NO in central cardiovascular regulation.

No description available.

No description available.

To investigate the in vitro antioxidant properties of the ovulation induction drug, Citrate clomiphene (CC), and to access whether its effects are influenced by the Ala16Val polymorphism in the SOD2 gene, which encodes mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD), an in vitro experimental study testing the effect of different concentrations of CC on antioxidant capacity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) culture viability was performed. A total of 58 healthy adult women were genotyped for the Ala16Val SOD2 polymorphism, and blood samples were collected to perform in vitro experiments analyzing the biological antioxidant effects of CC. Free radical production and cytotoxicity assays were performed on blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with different Ala16Val SOD2 genotypes. According to the observations described here, CC exhibited antioxidant effects. Additionally, the CC treatments led to a decrease in ROS production, with blood samples from the AA genotype displaying a more responsive antioxidant effect from CC than other genotypes. AA and AV PBMCs showed an increase in viability following treatment with 10 μM CC when compared with PMBCs from control groups. In the VV PBMC group, only the 5 μM and 10 μM CC treatments presented a significant positive viability effect. The CC exhibits antioxidant activity, similar to that observed with other Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs), in the presence of the Ala16Val-SOD2 polymorphism suggesting pharmacogenetic effect. / Para investigar in vitro as propriedades antioxidantes de drogas que induzem a ovulação, como citrato de clomifeno (CC) e verificar se os efeitos são influenciados pelo polimorfismo Ala16Val do gene da SOD2, o qual codifica a superóxido dismutase (SOD) mitocondrial dependente de manganês. Um estudo experimental in vitro foi conduzido testando o efeito de diferentes concentrações de CC sobre a capacidade antioxidante, produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) e na viabilidade de células mononucleadas de sangue periférico (CMSP) em cultura celular. Um total de 58 mulheres adultas saudáveis foram genotipadas para o polimorfismo Ala16Val do gene da SOD2, e sangue foi coletado para realizar os experimentos in vitro e analisar os efeitos antioxidantes biológicos do CC. A produção de radicais livres e análise de citotoxicidade foram conduzidas em sangue e CMSP com diferentes genótipos do Ala16Val SOD2. De acordo com as observações descritas aqui, o CC exibiu um efeito antioxidante. Adicionalmente, os tratamentos com CC levaram a um decréscimo na produção de EROs, com amostras de sangue o genótipo AA desenvolveu um efeito antioxidante mais responsivo para o CC do que os outros genótipos. A cultura de CMSP dos genótipos AA e AV mostraram um aumento na viabilidade seguida do tratamento com 10μM CC quando comparada com as culturas CMSP do grupo controle. No grupo de cultura CMSP do genótipo VV, somente os tratamentos com 5μM e 10μM de CC apresentaram efeito positivo na viabilidade. O CC apresentou uma atividade antioxidante similar à observada com outros moduladores seletivos dos receptores de estrogênio (SERMs). Entretanto, essa atividade foi influenciada pelos diferentes genótipos do polimorfismo Ala16Val SOD2 sugerindo efeito farmacogenético.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The Pampa Biome has a great biodiversity of plants, among them the Family Malvaceae. Despite the medicinal use of many of these plants, studies on the biological activity of these are still very scarce. This is the case of the plant known as "erva de ovelha", which is traditionally used in therapy against prostate cancer, used as tea and prepared from two species of the genus Pavonia, highlighting the Pavonia xanthogloea. Therefore, this study aimed to identify bioactive compounds in the extract and five fractions of P. xanthogloea, evaluating their antioxidant and antitumor action in the lineage of prostate cancer DU145. Additionally, the potential cytotoxic effect via pharmacogenetic studies on human red blood cells (RBCs) bearers of different genotypes of the polymorphism found in the gene of the enzyme superoxide dismutase manganese dependent (Ala16Val-SOD2). These RBCs afterwards were exposed to extract and fractions of P. xanthogloea. The results were arranged and shown as three scientific papers. Manuscript 1: The chemical composition of the extract and fractions (ethyl acetate, hexane, n-butanol, aqueous and dichloromethane) was determined by liquid chromatography of high efficiency. The antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH assay. The antioxidant activity and the cytotoxicity evaluated by exposure of human lymphocytes exposed to different concentrations of extract/fractions with and without sodium nitroprusside and H2O2. Tiliroside was found in all extracts. The aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions showed high antioxidant capacity. The crude extract (ethanol) and hexane, n-butanol and aqueous fractions reverts the ROS levels generated by H2O2. The crude extract and hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions do not cause cytotoxicity. The aqueous fraction was cytotoxic at concentration of 300 μg/mL. The reversal of the cytotoxicity caused by SNP was dependent on the concentration and extract/fraction. The dichloromethane fraction was cytotoxic at all concentrations. The results suggest potential medicinal use of this species. Manuscript 2: The study evaluated in vitro the hemolytic effect of chelerythrine (CHE), alkaloid extracted from Zanthoxylum rhoifolium, and the possible pharmacogenetic influence of SOD2-Ala16Val in RBCs. The CHE inhibits protein kinase C activity decreasing the RBCs deformation and causing oxidative stress. Blood was collected from healthy subjects previously genotyped for the polymorphism Ala16Val-SOD2. The CHE was incubated with RBCs (1 × 109 cell/mL) at concentrations 0.1 μM, 2 μM and 8 μM. Pharmacogenetic effect was evaluated through spectrophotometric analysis of indicators of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, catalase, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and nitrate/nitrite (NOx), and hemolysis. The RBCs were maintained under controlled conditions. The response to treatment with CHE was genotype dependent and AA RBCs were more sensitive than VV. The SOD2 plays an important role in erythropoiesis and causes an impact on the quality of RBC. Therefore, the results presented here suggest toxicogenetic influence of SOD2 in hemolytic assay using human cells. Manuscript 3: To evaluate the antitumor effect viability assays of (24 hour exposure) and cell proliferation (72 hour exposure) were performed by MTT assay and spectrophotometric analisys. The pharmacogenetic effect through the hemolysis assay by spectrophotometry. Blood was collected from healthy subjects previously genotyped for the polymorphism Ala16Val-SOD2. Both erythrocytes and tumor cells were grown under controlled conditions. Study the pattern of hemolysis associated with different genotypes of the polymorphism Ala16Val-SOD2 suggests pharmacogenetic effect. When hemolysis assay was performed for different concentrations of extract and fractions of P. xanthogloea the anti-hemolytic protective effect observed was independent of the gene SOD2. Cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity was observed in the cell lineage of prostate cancer DU145 was dependent on the type of extract/fraction and concentration, highlighting n-butanol fraction that showed strong antiproliferative activity. These results showed great similarity to antitumor activity of doxorubicin chemotherapeutic and also seem to be associated with tiliroside isolated from P. xanthogloea. The overall results match with the popular use of P. xanthogloea regarding the prostate cancer therapy. However, further investigations should be performed to evaluate the antitumor action mechanisms of P. xanthogloea. / O Bioma Pampa possui uma grande biodiversidade de plantas, entre as quais as da Família Malvaceae. Apesar do uso medicinal de muitas destas plantas, estudos sobre a atividade biológica das mesmas ainda são muito escassos. Este é o caso da planta conhecida como erva de ovelha , que é tradicionalmente utilizada na terapia contra o câncer de próstata, na forma de chá e preparado a partir de duas espécies do gênero Pavonia, com destaque a Pavonia xanthogloea. Portanto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo principal identificar compostos bioativos do extrato e cinco frações de P. xanthogloea, avaliando a sua ação antioxidante e antitumoral na linhagem de câncer de próstata DU145. Adicionalmente, o potencial efeito citotóxico via estudos farmacogenéticos em células sanguíneas vermelhas (RBCs) humanas, portadoras de diferentes genótipos do polimorfismo encontrado no gene da enzima superóxido dismutase dependente de manganês (Ala16Val-SOD2). Estas RBCs posteriormente foram expostas ao extrato e frações da P. xanthogloea. Os resultados obtidos foram organizados e apresentados sob a forma de três artigos científicos. Manuscrito 1: A composição química do extrato e frações (acetato de etila, n-butanol, hexano, aquosa e diclorometano) foi determinada por cromatografia de líquida de alta eficiência. A capacidade antioxidante foi determinada pelo ensaio do DPPH. A atividade antioxidante e a citotoxicidade avaliada através da exposição de linfócitos humanos expostos a diferentes concentrações de extrato/frações com e sem nitroprussiato sódico e H2O2. O tilirosídeo foi encontrado em todos os extratos. As frações aquosa e acetato de etila mostraram alta capacidade antioxidaente. O extrato bruto (etanólico) e frações hexano, aquosa e n-butanol revertem os níveis de ROS gerados pelo H2O2. O extrato bruto e frações hexano, acetato de etila e n-butanol não causam citotoxidade. A fração aquosa foi citotóxica na concentração de 300 μg/mL. A reversão da citotoxicidade causada pelo SNP foi dependente do extrato/fração e da concentração. A fração diclorometano foi citotóxica em todas as concentrações. O resultado sugere potencial uso medicinal desta espécie. Manuscrito 2: O estudo avaliou in vitro o efeito hemolítico da Queleritrina (CHE), alcaloide extraído da Zanthoxylum rhoifolium, e da possível influência farmacogenética da SOD2-Ala16Val em RBCs. A CHE inibe a atividade da proteina quinase C diminuindo a deformação das RBCs e causando estresse oxidativo. O sangue foi coletado de sujeitos saudáveis, previamente genotipados para o polimorfismo Ala16Val-SOD2. A CHE foi incubada com RBCs (1 × 109 cell/mL) nas concentrações 0.1 μM, 2 μM and 8 μM. O efeito farmacogenético foi avaliado através de análises espectrofotométricas de indicadores do estresse oxidativo, lipoperoxidação, catalase, produtos avançados da oxidação de proteínas (AOPP) e nitrato/nitrito (NOx), e hemólise. As RBCs foram mantidas em condições controladas. A resposta ao tratamento com CHE foi genótipo dependente e, RBCs AA foram mais sensíveis que as VV. A SOD2 tem um importante papel na eritropoiese e causa impacto na qualidade das RBC. Portanto, os resultados aqui apresentados sugerem influência toxicogenética de SOD2 em ensaio hemolítico utilizando células humanas. Manuscrito 3: Para avaliar o efeito antitumoral foram feitos ensaios de viabilidade (24 horas de exposição) e proliferação celular (72 horas de exposição) e análise espectrofotométrica pelo ensaio MTT. O efeito farmacogenético através do ensaio de hemólise, por espectrofotometria. O sangue foi coletado de sujeitos saudáveis, previamente genotipados para o polimorfismo Ala16Val-SOD2. Tanto os eritrócitos quanto as células tumorais foram cultivadas em condições controladas. O estudo do padrão de hemólise associado aos diferentes genótipos do polimorfismo Ala16Val-SOD2 sugere efeito farmacogenético. Quando foi realizado ensaio de hemólise para diferentes concentrações do extrato e frações de P. xanthogloea o efeito anti-hemolítico protetor observado foi independente do gene da SOD2. Atividade citotóxica e antiproliferativa observada na linhagem celular de câncer de próstata DU145 foi dependente do tipo de extrato/fração e concentração, com destaque a fração butanol que apresentou intensa atividade antiproliferativa. Estes resultados apresentaram grande similaridade a atividade antitumoral do quimioterápico doxirrubicina e também parecem estar associados ao tilirosídeo, isolado da P. xanthogloea. O conjunto dos resultados condizem com o uso popular da P. xanthogloea em relação a terapia do câncer de próstata. Entretanto, investigações complementares devem ser feitas para avaliar os mecanismos de ação antitumorais da P. xanthogloea.

<p>Akrilamid&nbsp; je toksična hemijska supst anca koja je već dugi niz godina prisutna u životnoj sredini,&nbsp; jer se kao važan monomer koristi u različite industrijske i laboratorijske svrhe. U poslednjih petnaest godina, akrilamid je postao posebno zanimljiv za &scaron;ire naučne krugove jer&nbsp; se pokazalo da&nbsp; se&nbsp; nalazi&nbsp; i u&nbsp; hrani&nbsp; biljnog porekla, posebno hrani bogatoj skrobom, koja se priprema pečenjem ili prženjem na temperaturama vi&scaron;im od 120&deg;C.&nbsp; Do sada ustanovljeni negativni zdravstveni efekti akrilamida su veoma raznovrsni i mogu biti rezultat delovanja samog&nbsp; akrilamida ili delovanja njegovog metabolita glicidamida koji nastaje&nbsp; in vivo&nbsp; kada se jedan deo molekula akrilamida metaboli&scaron;e oksigenacijom dvostruke veze pomoću enzima citohrom P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Akrilamid je supstanca koja ima dokazan negativan efekat&nbsp; na organske sisteme kod ljudi i životinja, i koja je svrstana u moguće humane karcinogene. Negativan efekat akrilamida na egzokrini pankreas je poznat, ali o mogućim efektima akrilamida na endokrini pankreas se i dalje veoma malo zna. Ima puno dokaza koji&nbsp; ukazuju na to da akrilamid ima citotoksični efekat koji se&nbsp; manifestuje kroz uticaj na redoks-status ćelija i dovodi do promena u vrednostima biomarkera oksidativnog i nitrozativnog stresa, kao i u aktivnosti antioksidativnih enzima. Pankreas&nbsp; je&nbsp; jedan od ciljnih&nbsp; organa za delovanje akrilamida te je&nbsp; glavni predmet istraživanja&nbsp; doktorske teze&nbsp; bio proučavanje potencijalnog efekta akrilamida na endokrini pankreas pacova.&nbsp; Ispitivanje je vr&scaron;eno na 3&nbsp; eksperimentalne grupe&nbsp; juvenilnih&nbsp; mužjaka pacova soja Wistar,&nbsp; od kojih je&nbsp; jedna grupa bila kontrolna, dok su dve bile tretirane&nbsp; sa akrilamidom u dozama od 25 mg/kg tm i 50 mg/kg tm,&nbsp; 5 dana nedeljno,&nbsp; tokom 3 nedelje. Po isteku tretmana,&nbsp; nakon dekapitacije, kompletno tkivo pankreasa&nbsp; je&nbsp; fiksirano u 10% rastvoru formalina&nbsp; tokom&nbsp; 24&nbsp; h i obrađeno prema&nbsp; standardnoj proceduri za kalupljenje u parafinu.&nbsp; Parafinski kalupi su sečeni na serijske preseke debljine 5 &micro;m, nakon čega su bojeni&nbsp; histohemijskom i imunohistohemijskim metodama.&nbsp; Kod eksperimentalnih grupa posmatrane&nbsp; su&nbsp; histolo&scaron;ke promene na endokrinom pankreasu, sa akcentom na &alpha;-&nbsp; i &beta;-ćelije.&nbsp; Takođe, posmatrana je&nbsp; i&nbsp; ekspresija&nbsp; hormona insulina i glukagona, enzima inducibilne azot -oksi d&nbsp; sintetaze (iNOS) i&nbsp; CYP2E1,&nbsp; kao&nbsp; i ekspresija&nbsp;&nbsp; antioksidativnih enzima&nbsp; katalaza&nbsp; (CAT) i superoksid dismut aza 1 i 2&nbsp; (SOD1 i SOD2)&nbsp; u ćelijama Langerhansovih ostrvaca. Potencijalna promena u funkcionalnosti &beta;-ćelija je ispitana i kroz analizu nivoa glukoze u serumu pacova tretiranih sa akrilamidom.<br />Budući da &beta;-ćelije čine 80% ćelija koje grade Langerhansova ostrvca pankreasa,&nbsp; pored in vivo&nbsp; eksperimenata, ispitana&nbsp; je&nbsp; i toksičnost akrilamida na&nbsp; Rin-5F ćelijsku liniju insulinoma &beta;-ćelija pacova u in vitro uslovima. Glavni cilj in vitro&nbsp; istraživanja je bio&nbsp; da se&nbsp; ispita&nbsp; uticaj&nbsp; rastućih&nbsp; koncentracija akrilamida na preživljavanje tretiranih&nbsp; Rin-5F&nbsp; ćelija, ali i efekat IC₅₀&nbsp; koncentracije ove supstance primenjene&nbsp; tokom&nbsp; različitih vremenskih intervala&nbsp; (0,5, 1, 3, 6, 12 i 24 h)&nbsp; na pojavu oksidativnog i nitrozativnog stresa. Redoks-status Rin-5F ćelija tretiranih&nbsp; sa akrilamidom je ispitan preko analize prisustva biomarkera oksidativnog i nitrozativnog stresa, akrivnosti CAT i ukupne SOD, kao i promene u ekspresiji gena za CAT, SOD1, SOD2&nbsp;&nbsp; i iNOS.&nbsp; Pored toga, analiziran je i efekat istog tretmana na&nbsp; ekspresiju gena za insulin, CYP2E1, Bax i Bcl-2. U okviru teze je pokazano da akrilamid ne dovodi do&nbsp; značajnih promena u histolo&scaron;koj građi, dijametru i broju Langerhansovih ostrvaca&nbsp; kod&nbsp; tretiranih životinja.&nbsp; Primena stereolo&scaron;kih metoda&nbsp; je&nbsp; ukazala&nbsp; na mikrostrukturne promene na&nbsp; endokrinom pankreasu na nivou &alpha;-&nbsp; i &beta;-ćelija. U ovoj tezi je po prvi put pokazano da tretman akrilamidom negativno utiče na broj i povr&scaron;inu &beta;-ćelija pankreasa.&nbsp; U tezi je, takođe,&nbsp; pokazan&nbsp; značajan dozno-zavisni pad u prisustvu insulina u &beta;-ćelijama&nbsp;&nbsp; pankreasa. Uprkos&nbsp; tome, kod&nbsp; akrilamidom tretiranih&nbsp; životinja&nbsp; nije konstatovana&nbsp; promena&nbsp; u&nbsp; koncentraciji serumske glukoze.&nbsp; U&nbsp; ovoj tezi je pokazano da tretman akrilamidom dovodi do&nbsp;&nbsp; statistički značajnog porasta&nbsp; u broju &alpha;-ćelija&nbsp; kod životinja koje su primale nižu dozu tretmana, dok se&nbsp; broj &alpha;-ćelija&nbsp; kod životinja koje su primale vi&scaron;u dozu tretmana&nbsp; ne razlikuje značajno od kontrole.&nbsp; Tretman akrilamidom je doveo do značajnog&nbsp; porasta u količini&nbsp;&nbsp; prisutnog glukagona&nbsp; u &alpha;-ćelijama pankreasa.<br />Tretman akrilamidom nije doveo do značajne promene u ekspresiji CAT, SOD1 i SOD2 u ćelijama Langerhansovih ostrvaca.&nbsp; Kod&nbsp; tretiranih životinja&nbsp; do&scaron;lo do značajnog dozno-zavisnog porasta&nbsp; u ekspresiji&nbsp; enzima iNOS,&nbsp; dok je ekspresija&nbsp; CYP2E1 značajno dozno-zavisno opala&nbsp; nakon tretmana. U&nbsp; tezi je pokazano da tretman akrilamidom negativno utiče na vijabilnost Rin-5F ćelija, i utvrđeno je da IC50&nbsp; koncentracija akrilamida za Rin-5F ćelije iznosi 10 mM.&nbsp; Rezultati teze pokazuju da tretman akrilamidom u IC₅₀&nbsp; koncentraciji u Rin-5F ćelijskoj liniji značajno povećava nivo malondialdehida (MDA) nakon tretmana u trajanju od 1, 12 i 24 h.&nbsp; Isti tretman&nbsp; značajno smanjuje nivo redukovanog GSH nakon tretmana od 1, 3, 6, 12 i<br />24 h, kao i nivo slobodnih&nbsp; &ndash;SH grupa nakon tretmana od 3 i 6 h. Tretman akrilamidom u IC_50&nbsp; koncentraciji signifikantno pojačava aktivnost CAT nakon tretmana od 1 h, dok tretman u trajanju od 12 h značajno smanjuje aktivnost ovog enzima. Ovaj tretman smanjuje aktivnost SOD nakon 1, 12 i 24 h, dok&nbsp; tretman u trajanju od 6 h značajno pojačava aktivnost enzima SOD.&nbsp; U tezi je, takođe, pokazan i veoma značajan porast&nbsp; u nivou prisutnih nitrita,&nbsp; koji&nbsp; je direktno proporcionalan&nbsp; sa nivoom azot-oksida i nivoom akivnosti enzima iNOS.&nbsp; Ovaj&nbsp; nalaz ukazuje na potencijalnu pojavu nitrozati vnog stresa u akrilamidom-tretiranim Rin-5F ćelijama.&nbsp; U&nbsp; tezi je po prvi put pokazano da tretman&nbsp; akrilamidom dovodi do&nbsp; značajnih&nbsp; varijacija&nbsp; u transkripciji gena za iNOS, SOD1, SOD2,&nbsp; CAT,&nbsp; CYP2E1,&nbsp; Bax i Bcl-2 u tretiranim Rin-5F ćelijama, dok isti tretman ne dovodi do&nbsp; promene nivoa&nbsp; transkripcije gena za insulin.&nbsp; Tretman akrilamidom u koncentraciji od 10<br />mM tokom rastućih vremenskih perioda dovodi do porasta u relativnoj količini iRNK<br />gena za iNOS u svim tačkama tretmana, do porasta&nbsp; nivoa&nbsp; iRNK za SOD1 i SOD2 nakon tretmana od 12 i 24 h, kao i do porasta&nbsp; količine&nbsp; iRNK za CAT nakon tretmana od 3 h.&nbsp; U&nbsp; tezi je pokazano&nbsp; i&nbsp; da akrilamid&nbsp; izaziva&nbsp; promene&nbsp; u sintezi&nbsp; iRNK&nbsp; za enzim&nbsp; CYP2E1&nbsp; koji je&nbsp; posebno značajan u kontekstu detoksikacije ove toksične supstance.&nbsp; Porast u transkripciji gena za&nbsp; CYP2E1&nbsp; je uočen&nbsp; nakon tretmana u trajanju od 0,5 i 1 h, dok je&nbsp; do smanjenja transkripcije&nbsp; do&scaron;lo&nbsp; nakon tretmana od 12&nbsp; i 24&nbsp; h.&nbsp; Tretman akrilamidom u koncentraciji od&nbsp; 10 mM tokom rastućih vremenskih perioda dovodi do porasta u relativnoj količini iRNK&nbsp; gena za Bax u svim tačkama tretmana, i do porasta u transkripciji gena za Bcl-2 nakon tretmana od 0,5, 1 i 3 h.<br />Sumirajući&nbsp; sve&nbsp; rezultate&nbsp; ove teze,&nbsp; moze se zaključiti&nbsp; da je endokrini pankreas&nbsp; jedno od&nbsp; ciljnih tkiva, na koje akrilamid ostvaruje vi&scaron;estruki negativni uticaj.</p> / <p>Acrylamide is a toxic chemical used as an important monomer for various industrial and laboratory purposes, which makes it highly present in the environment. In the last fifteen years, acrylamide has become especially interesting for wider scientific circles when it was found in staple foodstuff rich in starch, prepared at temperatures higher than 120&deg;C. The established negative health effects of acrylamide are very diverse and can be the result of the acrylamide action itself or the action of its metabolite glycidamide that occurs in vivo, when acrylamide molecule is metabolized via oxygenation of the double bond by the cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Acrylamide is a substance with a proven adverse effect on humans and animals, and it is classified as a possible human carcinogen. The negative effect of acrylamide on the exocrine pancreas has already been recognized, but the possible effects of acrylamide&nbsp; on endocrine pancreas are still mostly undetermined. There is a significant amount of evidence to suggest that acrylamide exerts a cytotoxic effect which manifests through the changes in level of oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers, as well as in the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Since, pancreas is one of the target organs for acrylamide, the main subject of doctoral thesis was to investigate the potential effect of acrylamide on the rat endocrine pancreas. The investigation was conducted on 3 experimental groups of juvenile male Wistar rats, of which one group was the control group, while two groups were treated with acrylamide at doses of 25 mg/kg bw and 50 mg/kg bw, 5 days a week, during 3 weeks. After termination of the treatment, decapitation was performed, and the complete pancreatic tissue was fixed in a 10% formalin solution for 24 h and treated according to the standard paraffin embedding procedure. Paraffin molds were cut into 5 &mu;m thick serial sections, after which they were stained with histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Histological changes ofthe endocrine pancreas, with the emphasis on &alpha;- and &beta;-cells, were examined in three experimental groups of rats. In addition, the expression of insulin and glucagon hormone, the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and CYP2E1 enzymes, and the expression of antioxidative enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutases 1 and 2&nbsp; (SOD1 and SOD2) in the islets of Langerhans were also investigated. A potential change in the functionality of &beta;-cells was also examined by analyzing glucose level in the serum of rats treated with acrylamide. In pancreatic islets of Langerhans the majority of cells (&gt;80%) are &beta;-cells. Therefore, in addition to in vivo experiments, the toxicity of acrylamide was examined in vitro on rat insulinoma Rin-5F cell line.The main goal of in vitro research was to investigate the impact of increasing acrylamide concentrations on the viability of treated Rin-5F cells, and also to examine whether IC50 concentration of this substance, applied at different intervals of time (0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h), induce oxidative and nitrosative stress. Redox-status of Rin-5F cells treated with acrylamide was examined by analyzing oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers, CAT and total SOD activity, as well as changes in the expression of the CAT, SOD1, SOD2 and iNOS. In addition, the effect of the same treatment on the transcription of the insulin, CYP2E1, Bax and Bcl-2 gene was analyzed.The results of the thesis showed that acrylamide treatment does not lead to significant changes in the histological structure, diameter and number of islets of Langerhans of treated animals. Application of stereological methods indicated microstructural changes of &alpha;- and &beta;-cells ofendocrine pancreas. It has been shown for the first time that treatment with acrylamide negatively affects the number and surface area of pancreatic &beta;-cells. In addition, a significant dose-dependent decline in the amount of insulin in pancreatic &beta;-cells was also demonstrated. However, no change in serum glucose level was observed in treated animals. Acrylamide treatment led to a statistically significant increase in the number of &alpha;-cells in animals receiving a lower dose of treatment, while the number of &alpha;-cells in animals receiving a higher dose of treatment did not differ significantly from the control. Treatment with acrylamide led to a significant increase in the amount of the glucagon in &alpha;-cells. Treatment with acrylamide did not cause a significant change in the expression of CAT, SOD1 and SOD2 in islets of Langerhans. However, there was a significant dosedependent increase in the&nbsp; expression of iNOS enzyme, whereas expression of CYP2E1 significantly decreased in dose-dependent manner in treated animals. Results of the thesis showed that acrylamide exerts a negative effect on the viability of Rin-5F cell line. It has been established that the IC50 concentration of acrylamide for the Rin-5F cell line is 10 mM. The results of the thesis indicate that treatment of Rin-5F cell line with IC50 concentration of acrylamide for 1, 12, and 24 h significantly increased the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). Exposure to acrylamide for 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h significantly decreased the level of reduced GSH, while the level of free -SH groups was reduced after 3 and 6 h of acrylamide treatments. Treatment with IC50 concentration of acrylamide significantly enhanced CAT activity after 1 h of acrylamide exposure, while 12 h exposure significantly reduced the activity of this enzyme. Application of acrylamide reduced SOD activity after 1, 12, and 24 h exposure, while 6 h exposure significantly increased the activity of SOD enzymes. Results of the thesis also showed a very significant increase of the nitrite level, which is directly proportional to the level of nitrogen oxide (NO) and the level of the iNOS activity. This finding points to the potential occurrence of nitrosative stress in acrylamide-treated Rin-5F cells. It has been shown for the first time that acrylamide treatment leads to significant variations in transcription of iNOS, SOD1, SOD2, CAT, CYP2E1, Bax and Bcl-2 genes in treated Rin-5F cells, while the same treatment does not affect transcription of the insulin gene. Treatment with acrylamide at a concentration of 10 mM for increasing periods of time leads to an increase in the relative amount of the iNOS gene iRNA at all treatment points. Twelve and and 24 h of acrylamide exposure increased the transcription of the SOD1 and SOD2 genes. Transcription of CAT gene was increased after 3 h&nbsp; ofacrylamide exposure. Furthermore, it has been shown that acrylamide treatment leads to variations in the mRNA synthesis of CYP2E1 gene, which is particularly significant in the context of detoxification of this toxic substance. An increase in the transcription ofthe CYP2E1&nbsp; gene was observed after 0.5 and 1 h of acrylamide exposure, while the reduction of&nbsp; transcription occurred after 12 and 24 h of acrylamide exposure. The treatment with 10 mM acrylamide has led to an increase of the transcription of the Bax gene at all treatment points, and also to an increase of transcription of the Bcl-2 gene after of 0.5, 1, and 3 h of acrylamide exposure. Summarizing all the results of this thesis, it can be concluded that the endocrine pancreas&nbsp; is one of the target tissues of acrylamide, to which this substance exerts a multiple adverse effects.</p>

Wnt proteins are crucial for development/homeostasis by controlling cell fate including apoptosis (Moon RT et al. 1997). Three humanWnt13 isoforms were identified: the secreted Wnt13A, mitochondrial Wnt13B, and nuclear Wnt13C forms; and nuclear Wnt13 had an increased sensitivity to LPS/TNF-induced apoptosis in primary endothelial cells (EC); both Wnt13B and C mRNA contain two start codons (AUG+1 and +74), but the same protein encoded from AUG+74 by Wnt13C was expressed lower than Wnt13B (Struewing IT et al.2006). We hypothesize that during EC apoptosis, the nuclear Wnt13C expression is regulated translationally; nuclear Wnt13 favors apoptosis through regulating the activity/expression of apoptosis-related factors; Wnt13 isoforms may have differential effects on EC apoptosis and apoptosis-related factors. 1. The protein levels, but not the mRNA levels of Wnt13C were induced by apoptosis-inducers. And the Myc-tag insertion at the AUG+1 in Wnt13C mRNA inhibited its expression, indicating the RNA sequences/structures are critical. Therefore, nuclear Wnt13C is regulated during apoptosis at translational levels. 2. Nuclear Wnt13 increased caspase-3/7 expression with/without LPS, followed by an increase in LPS-induced caspase-3/7 cleavage; and nuclear Wnt13 upregulated the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Bim expression, suggesting that nuclear Wnt13 increased caspase activation through upregulating caspase and Bim expression. Wnt13 isoforms increased EC apoptosis with different strengths: nuclear > mitochondrial > secreted forms. 3. Both caspase-3 and Bim are FOXO target genes; and nuclear Wnt13 increased the nuclear localization of FOXOs, suggesting increased FOXO activity. Nuclear Wnt13 also upregulated SOD2, another FOXO target gene related to oxidative stress-resistance. Nuclear Wnt13 did not increase FOXO activity at the SOD2 promoter, but increased the SOD2-intron 2 element luciferase activity upon LPS, where a novel putative FOXO site was found, implying intron 2 may be responsible for enhanced SOD2 transcription by nuclear Wnt13. Altogether, our results pinpoint the interplay between the expression and functions of Wnt13 forms during EC apoptosis, forming a positive cycle further facilitating the apoptotic program completion, which is important for EC homeostasis.

A compreensão da fisiologia e dos mecanismos moleculares da sepse tem sido foco de muitos estudos. As infecções severas, como a sepse, são responsáveis por 10% do total de mortes registradas em Unidades de Tratamento Intensivo em todo o mundo. O desfecho da sepse ocorre devido a influência de fatores ambientais e genéticos, cuja expressão de variantes genéticas suportam ou não este desfecho. Muitos mecanismos estão envolvidos na sepse, incluindo a liberação de citocinas e a ativação de neutrófilos, de monócitos e de células endoteliais. Há associação entre superprodução de óxido nítrico, produção excessiva de radicais livres, depleção de antioxidantes, e déficit energético celular. Enzimas antioxidantes endógenas como a Superóxido Dismutase, a Glutationa Peroxidase e a Catalase protegem a célula do dano oxidativo. A enzima superóxido dismutase dependente de manganês é um potente antioxidante intracelular codificada por um gene (SOD2; 6q25-2) que tem sua expressão induzida por mediadores inflamatórios tais como interleucina 1, interleucina 4, interleucina 6, Fator de Necrose Tumoral – α, lipopolisacarídeos. O gene SOD2 apresenta um polimorfismo de mutação de base C47T no exon 2, o qual resulta na substituição do resíduo 16 (Ala16Val) pertencente ao peptídeo sinal da proteína. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito diferencial das variantes - 9Ala e -9Val da superóxido dismutase dependente de manganês sobre as células mononucleares de sangue periférico humano (in vitro) durante um processo infeccioso (induzido por lipopolisacarídeos), investigando sua implicação: (I) na produção de Espécies Reativas; (II) na atividade e imuno-conteúdo da Superóxido Dismutase dependente de Manganês; (III) na atividade e imuno- conteúdo da Catalase; (IV) na atividade e imunoconteúdo da Glutationa Peroxidase; (V) na produção de nitrotirosina; (VI) na produção de nitrito/nitrato; (VII) na liberação de Fator de Necrose Tumoral - α; (VIII) na produção de Carboximetil-lisina; (IX) dienos conjugados; (X) no imuno-conteúdo da Poli (ADP ribose) Polimerase; (XI) no imuno-conteúdo do Receptor de Produtos Avançados de Glicação; (XII) no imuno-conteúdo da Proteína de Choque Térmico; (XIII) no imuno-conteúdo do Fator Nuclear κB; (XIV) no dano ao DNA celular; (XV) na determinação das defesas antioxidantes totais não enzimáticas. Os resultados demonstraram que o polimorfismo Ala-9Val participa na regulação do ambiente redox celular, e que o alelo 47C permite que as células no estado basal (sem lipopolisacarídeos) respondam com mais eficiência ao estresse oxidativo celular. Este alelo apesar de produzir mais espécies reativas também aumenta o mecanismo de defesa antioxidante. Porém, quando em uma doença que produza estresse oxidativo, no caso a sepse, o alelo 47C torna o ambiente intracelular pró-oxidativo podendo agravar a condição celular. Em suma, os dados aqui apresentados sugerem que o polimorfismo Ala-9Val é um alvo promissor para novos estudos com o objetivo de usar marcadores genéticos para direcionar a terapia necessária para cada paciente. / The understanding of the physiology and of molecular mechanisms of sepsis has been focus of many studies. The severe infections, as the sepsis, are responsible for 10% of total of deaths registered in Intensive Care Units all over the world. The outcome of sepsis happens due to influence of environmental and genetic factors, whose the expression of genetic variants supports or not this outcome. Many mechanisms are involved in sepsis, including the cytokines liberation and the neutrophils activation, of monocytes and of endothelial cells. There is association among overproduction of nitric oxide, excessive production of free radicals, depletion of antioxidants, and cellular energy deficit. Endogenous antioxidant enzymes as Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase and Catalase protect the cell of oxidative damage. The manganese superoxide dismutase enzyme it is a potent antioxidant intracellular codified by a gene (SOD2; 6q25-2) that has her expression induced by the inflammatory mediators such as interleukin 1, interleukin 4, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor – α, lipopolysaccharide. The SOD2 gene presents a single-nucleotide polymorphism C47T in the exon 2, which results in the substitution of the residue 16 (Ala16 Val) belonging to the signal peptide of the protein. The aim of this work was to study the differential effect of the variants -9Ala and -9Val of manganese superoxide dismutase on the Peripheral Blood Mononuclears Cells human (in vitro) during an infectious process (induced by lipopolysaccharide), investigating her implication: (I) in the production of Reactive Species; (II) in the activity and immunocontent of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase; (III) in the activity and immunocontent of Catalase; (IV) in the activity and immunocontent of Glutathione Peroxidase; (V) in the nitrotyrosine production; (VI) in the nitrite/nitrate production; (VII) in the production of tumor necrosis factor - α; (VIII) in the production of carboxymethyl lysine; (IX) conjugated dienos; (X) in the immunocontent of the Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase; (XI) in the immunocontent of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts; (XII) in the immunocontent of Heat Shock Protein; (XIII) in the immunocontent of the Nuclear Factor kappa B; (XIV) in the damage to cellular DNA; (XV) in the determination of the non-enzymatic antioxidant cellular defenses. The results demonstrated that the polymorphism Ala-9Val it participates in the regulation of the cellular redox environment, and that the 47C allele allows that the cells in the basal state (without lipopolysaccharide) they answer with more efficiency to the stress oxidative cellular. This allele in spite of producing more RS also increases the mechanism of antioxidant defense. However when in a disease that produces oxidative stress, in the case the sepsis, the 47C allele turns intracellular environmental pro-oxidative could worsen the cellular condition. In summary, the data presented here suggest that the polymorphism Ala- 9Val is a promising target for new studies with the goal of using genetic markers to guide therapy required for each patient.

A compreensão da fisiologia e dos mecanismos moleculares da sepse tem sido foco de muitos estudos. As infecções severas, como a sepse, são responsáveis por 10% do total de mortes registradas em Unidades de Tratamento Intensivo em todo o mundo. O desfecho da sepse ocorre devido a influência de fatores ambientais e genéticos, cuja expressão de variantes genéticas suportam ou não este desfecho. Muitos mecanismos estão envolvidos na sepse, incluindo a liberação de citocinas e a ativação de neutrófilos, de monócitos e de células endoteliais. Há associação entre superprodução de óxido nítrico, produção excessiva de radicais livres, depleção de antioxidantes, e déficit energético celular. Enzimas antioxidantes endógenas como a Superóxido Dismutase, a Glutationa Peroxidase e a Catalase protegem a célula do dano oxidativo. A enzima superóxido dismutase dependente de manganês é um potente antioxidante intracelular codificada por um gene (SOD2; 6q25-2) que tem sua expressão induzida por mediadores inflamatórios tais como interleucina 1, interleucina 4, interleucina 6, Fator de Necrose Tumoral – α, lipopolisacarídeos. O gene SOD2 apresenta um polimorfismo de mutação de base C47T no exon 2, o qual resulta na substituição do resíduo 16 (Ala16Val) pertencente ao peptídeo sinal da proteína. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito diferencial das variantes - 9Ala e -9Val da superóxido dismutase dependente de manganês sobre as células mononucleares de sangue periférico humano (in vitro) durante um processo infeccioso (induzido por lipopolisacarídeos), investigando sua implicação: (I) na produção de Espécies Reativas; (II) na atividade e imuno-conteúdo da Superóxido Dismutase dependente de Manganês; (III) na atividade e imuno- conteúdo da Catalase; (IV) na atividade e imunoconteúdo da Glutationa Peroxidase; (V) na produção de nitrotirosina; (VI) na produção de nitrito/nitrato; (VII) na liberação de Fator de Necrose Tumoral - α; (VIII) na produção de Carboximetil-lisina; (IX) dienos conjugados; (X) no imuno-conteúdo da Poli (ADP ribose) Polimerase; (XI) no imuno-conteúdo do Receptor de Produtos Avançados de Glicação; (XII) no imuno-conteúdo da Proteína de Choque Térmico; (XIII) no imuno-conteúdo do Fator Nuclear κB; (XIV) no dano ao DNA celular; (XV) na determinação das defesas antioxidantes totais não enzimáticas. Os resultados demonstraram que o polimorfismo Ala-9Val participa na regulação do ambiente redox celular, e que o alelo 47C permite que as células no estado basal (sem lipopolisacarídeos) respondam com mais eficiência ao estresse oxidativo celular. Este alelo apesar de produzir mais espécies reativas também aumenta o mecanismo de defesa antioxidante. Porém, quando em uma doença que produza estresse oxidativo, no caso a sepse, o alelo 47C torna o ambiente intracelular pró-oxidativo podendo agravar a condição celular. Em suma, os dados aqui apresentados sugerem que o polimorfismo Ala-9Val é um alvo promissor para novos estudos com o objetivo de usar marcadores genéticos para direcionar a terapia necessária para cada paciente. / The understanding of the physiology and of molecular mechanisms of sepsis has been focus of many studies. The severe infections, as the sepsis, are responsible for 10% of total of deaths registered in Intensive Care Units all over the world. The outcome of sepsis happens due to influence of environmental and genetic factors, whose the expression of genetic variants supports or not this outcome. Many mechanisms are involved in sepsis, including the cytokines liberation and the neutrophils activation, of monocytes and of endothelial cells. There is association among overproduction of nitric oxide, excessive production of free radicals, depletion of antioxidants, and cellular energy deficit. Endogenous antioxidant enzymes as Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase and Catalase protect the cell of oxidative damage. The manganese superoxide dismutase enzyme it is a potent antioxidant intracellular codified by a gene (SOD2; 6q25-2) that has her expression induced by the inflammatory mediators such as interleukin 1, interleukin 4, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor – α, lipopolysaccharide. The SOD2 gene presents a single-nucleotide polymorphism C47T in the exon 2, which results in the substitution of the residue 16 (Ala16 Val) belonging to the signal peptide of the protein. The aim of this work was to study the differential effect of the variants -9Ala and -9Val of manganese superoxide dismutase on the Peripheral Blood Mononuclears Cells human (in vitro) during an infectious process (induced by lipopolysaccharide), investigating her implication: (I) in the production of Reactive Species; (II) in the activity and immunocontent of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase; (III) in the activity and immunocontent of Catalase; (IV) in the activity and immunocontent of Glutathione Peroxidase; (V) in the nitrotyrosine production; (VI) in the nitrite/nitrate production; (VII) in the production of tumor necrosis factor - α; (VIII) in the production of carboxymethyl lysine; (IX) conjugated dienos; (X) in the immunocontent of the Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase; (XI) in the immunocontent of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts; (XII) in the immunocontent of Heat Shock Protein; (XIII) in the immunocontent of the Nuclear Factor kappa B; (XIV) in the damage to cellular DNA; (XV) in the determination of the non-enzymatic antioxidant cellular defenses. The results demonstrated that the polymorphism Ala-9Val it participates in the regulation of the cellular redox environment, and that the 47C allele allows that the cells in the basal state (without lipopolysaccharide) they answer with more efficiency to the stress oxidative cellular. This allele in spite of producing more RS also increases the mechanism of antioxidant defense. However when in a disease that produces oxidative stress, in the case the sepsis, the 47C allele turns intracellular environmental pro-oxidative could worsen the cellular condition. In summary, the data presented here suggest that the polymorphism Ala- 9Val is a promising target for new studies with the goal of using genetic markers to guide therapy required for each patient.

A compreensão da fisiologia e dos mecanismos moleculares da sepse tem sido foco de muitos estudos. As infecções severas, como a sepse, são responsáveis por 10% do total de mortes registradas em Unidades de Tratamento Intensivo em todo o mundo. O desfecho da sepse ocorre devido a influência de fatores ambientais e genéticos, cuja expressão de variantes genéticas suportam ou não este desfecho. Muitos mecanismos estão envolvidos na sepse, incluindo a liberação de citocinas e a ativação de neutrófilos, de monócitos e de células endoteliais. Há associação entre superprodução de óxido nítrico, produção excessiva de radicais livres, depleção de antioxidantes, e déficit energético celular. Enzimas antioxidantes endógenas como a Superóxido Dismutase, a Glutationa Peroxidase e a Catalase protegem a célula do dano oxidativo. A enzima superóxido dismutase dependente de manganês é um potente antioxidante intracelular codificada por um gene (SOD2; 6q25-2) que tem sua expressão induzida por mediadores inflamatórios tais como interleucina 1, interleucina 4, interleucina 6, Fator de Necrose Tumoral – α, lipopolisacarídeos. O gene SOD2 apresenta um polimorfismo de mutação de base C47T no exon 2, o qual resulta na substituição do resíduo 16 (Ala16Val) pertencente ao peptídeo sinal da proteína. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito diferencial das variantes - 9Ala e -9Val da superóxido dismutase dependente de manganês sobre as células mononucleares de sangue periférico humano (in vitro) durante um processo infeccioso (induzido por lipopolisacarídeos), investigando sua implicação: (I) na produção de Espécies Reativas; (II) na atividade e imuno-conteúdo da Superóxido Dismutase dependente de Manganês; (III) na atividade e imuno- conteúdo da Catalase; (IV) na atividade e imunoconteúdo da Glutationa Peroxidase; (V) na produção de nitrotirosina; (VI) na produção de nitrito/nitrato; (VII) na liberação de Fator de Necrose Tumoral - α; (VIII) na produção de Carboximetil-lisina; (IX) dienos conjugados; (X) no imuno-conteúdo da Poli (ADP ribose) Polimerase; (XI) no imuno-conteúdo do Receptor de Produtos Avançados de Glicação; (XII) no imuno-conteúdo da Proteína de Choque Térmico; (XIII) no imuno-conteúdo do Fator Nuclear κB; (XIV) no dano ao DNA celular; (XV) na determinação das defesas antioxidantes totais não enzimáticas. Os resultados demonstraram que o polimorfismo Ala-9Val participa na regulação do ambiente redox celular, e que o alelo 47C permite que as células no estado basal (sem lipopolisacarídeos) respondam com mais eficiência ao estresse oxidativo celular. Este alelo apesar de produzir mais espécies reativas também aumenta o mecanismo de defesa antioxidante. Porém, quando em uma doença que produza estresse oxidativo, no caso a sepse, o alelo 47C torna o ambiente intracelular pró-oxidativo podendo agravar a condição celular. Em suma, os dados aqui apresentados sugerem que o polimorfismo Ala-9Val é um alvo promissor para novos estudos com o objetivo de usar marcadores genéticos para direcionar a terapia necessária para cada paciente. / The understanding of the physiology and of molecular mechanisms of sepsis has been focus of many studies. The severe infections, as the sepsis, are responsible for 10% of total of deaths registered in Intensive Care Units all over the world. The outcome of sepsis happens due to influence of environmental and genetic factors, whose the expression of genetic variants supports or not this outcome. Many mechanisms are involved in sepsis, including the cytokines liberation and the neutrophils activation, of monocytes and of endothelial cells. There is association among overproduction of nitric oxide, excessive production of free radicals, depletion of antioxidants, and cellular energy deficit. Endogenous antioxidant enzymes as Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase and Catalase protect the cell of oxidative damage. The manganese superoxide dismutase enzyme it is a potent antioxidant intracellular codified by a gene (SOD2; 6q25-2) that has her expression induced by the inflammatory mediators such as interleukin 1, interleukin 4, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor – α, lipopolysaccharide. The SOD2 gene presents a single-nucleotide polymorphism C47T in the exon 2, which results in the substitution of the residue 16 (Ala16 Val) belonging to the signal peptide of the protein. The aim of this work was to study the differential effect of the variants -9Ala and -9Val of manganese superoxide dismutase on the Peripheral Blood Mononuclears Cells human (in vitro) during an infectious process (induced by lipopolysaccharide), investigating her implication: (I) in the production of Reactive Species; (II) in the activity and immunocontent of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase; (III) in the activity and immunocontent of Catalase; (IV) in the activity and immunocontent of Glutathione Peroxidase; (V) in the nitrotyrosine production; (VI) in the nitrite/nitrate production; (VII) in the production of tumor necrosis factor - α; (VIII) in the production of carboxymethyl lysine; (IX) conjugated dienos; (X) in the immunocontent of the Poly (ADP-ribose) Polymerase; (XI) in the immunocontent of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts; (XII) in the immunocontent of Heat Shock Protein; (XIII) in the immunocontent of the Nuclear Factor kappa B; (XIV) in the damage to cellular DNA; (XV) in the determination of the non-enzymatic antioxidant cellular defenses. The results demonstrated that the polymorphism Ala-9Val it participates in the regulation of the cellular redox environment, and that the 47C allele allows that the cells in the basal state (without lipopolysaccharide) they answer with more efficiency to the stress oxidative cellular. This allele in spite of producing more RS also increases the mechanism of antioxidant defense. However when in a disease that produces oxidative stress, in the case the sepsis, the 47C allele turns intracellular environmental pro-oxidative could worsen the cellular condition. In summary, the data presented here suggest that the polymorphism Ala- 9Val is a promising target for new studies with the goal of using genetic markers to guide therapy required for each patient.