Particles and macromolecular components, including biopolymers (protein and carbohydrate), are viewed as the main foulants in the complex feed submerged membrane filtration systems such as membrane bioreactor (MBR). This work focused on two aspects of fouling in complex fluids: 1- Assessing fouling propensity and mechanisms for various model solutions. 2- Using of two specific solutions modelling biomass found in MBR for a better understanding of the fouling mechanisms in submerged MBR processes. Filtrations were carried out with 0.22 ??m PVDF hollow fibre membrane. Alginate was used as a model for polysaccharide, bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model for protein, (un)washed yeast and bentonite were representing suspended solid contents. According to the data obtained during this study the fouling propensity of each model solution was classified as follow in a decreasing order: Alginate &gt unwashed yeast &gt washed yeast &gt BSA &gt bentonite for one-component solutions; and Alginate-washed yeast &gt Alginate-BSA &gt Alginate-bentonite &gt Alginate-unwashed yeast for two-component solutions. Introducing the alginate increased the reversible fouling (except BSA). Passive adsorption had a significant effect on fouling of alginate even before the beginning of the filtration. Washed yeast and a mixture of washed yeast + BSA were then used as model solutions to simulate the activated sludge found in MBR. The concentration of washed yeast and BSA used in this study were calculated in order for the characterisations of the two model solution to match (in terms of biopolymer contents) those of MBR biomasses reported in the literature. By rinsing, backwashing and chemical cleaning of the membrane, three fouling layers of upper, intermediate and lower were defined respectively. Results obtained from the analysis of the biopolymers found in the cleaning solutions allow a better understanding of the fouling mechanisms occurring for the two model solutions used in this study: for washed yeast, the lower layer and for washed yeast + BSA , the upper and intermediate layers were found to have relatively high biopolymeric composition. This was explained by higher concentration of solids on the membrane surface and by higher biopolymer interactions when washed yeast was mixed with BSA.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2008. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:25:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AbdoFN_TESE.pdf: 1739510 bytes, checksum: 7f520b9c4a32fd74e279d017c0bdd143 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-31 / Foam was developed as a novel vehicle for streptokinase with the purpose of increasing the contact time and area between the fibrinolytic and the target thrombus, which would lead to a greater therapeutic efficacy at lower doses, decreasing the drug s potential to cause bleeding. Fibrinolytic foams were prepared using CO2 and human albumin (at different v:v ratios), as the gas and liquid phases, respectively, and streptokinase at a low total dose (100,000 IU) was used as fibrinolytic agent conveyed in 1 mL of foam and in isotonic saline solution. The foams were characterized as foam stability and apparent viscosity. The thrombolytic effect of the streptokinase foam was determined in vitro as thrombus lysis and the results were compared to those of a fibrinolytic solution (prepared using the same dose of streptokinase) and foam without the fibrinolytic. In vitro tests were conducted using fresh clots were weighed and placed in test tubes kept at 37 ? C. All the samples were injected intrathrombus using a multiperforated catheter. The results showed that both foam stability and apparent viscosity increased with the increase in the CO2:albumin solution ratio and therefore, the ratio of 3:1 was used for the incorporation of streptokinase. The results of thrombus lysis showed that the streptokinase foam presented the highest thrombolytic activity (44.78 ? 9.97%) when compared to those of the streptokinase solution (32.07 ? 3.41%) and the foam without the drug (19.2 ? 7.19%). We conclude that fibrinolytic foam showed statistically significant results regarding the enhancement of the lytic activity of streptokinase compared to the effect of the prepared saline solution, thus it can be a promising alternative in the treatment of thrombosis. However, in vivo studies are needed in order to corroborate the results obtained in vitro / Uma espuma foi desenvolvida como novo ve?culo para a estreptoquinase com vistas a aumentar a ?rea de contato e o tempo de perman?ncia junto ao trombo, de modo a se obter maior efici?ncia terap?utica em doses menores, diminuindo suas potenciais complica??es hemorr?gicas. A espuma fibrinol?tica foi preparada com CO2, albumina humana e estreptoquinase, em dispositivo desenvolvido para tal fim, com diferentes raz?es de fases g?s/l?quido. Ensaios de estabilidade e viscosidade aparente foram realizados para caracteriza??o das espumas e a escolha da mais est?vel. A estreptoquinase em dose total reduzida (100.000 UI) foi utilizada como fibrinol?tico veiculado em 1 mL de espuma e em solu??o salina isot?nica (0,9%). A espuma sem fibrinol?tico tamb?m foi utilizada como comparativo. Testes in vitro foram realizados utilizando-se co?gulos frescos, que foram pesados e colocados em tubos de ensaio mantidos a 37?C. As espumas com e sem fibrinol?tico e a solu??o fibrinol?tica foram testadas por aplica??o intraco?gulo em doses id?nticas atrav?s de cateter multiperfurado e pistola de inje??o. Os resultados in vitro evidenciaram atrav?s da diminui??o dos pesos dos co?gulos, que a espuma trombol?tica apresentou atividade l?tica de 44,78 ? 9,97%, enquanto as mesmas doses da estreptoquinase em solu??o salina isot?nica promoveram 32,07 ?3,41% de lise dos co?gulos. Na espuma sem fibrinol?tico a redu??o do trombo foi de 19,2 ? 7,19%. Conclui-se que a espuma fibrinol?tica apresentou resultados estatisticamente significativos no tocante ? potencializa??o da atividade l?tica da estreptoquinase, quando comparado ao efeito da solu??o preparada com solu??o salina, podendo ser uma alternativa promissora nos tratamentos das tromboses. Os dados obtidos sinalizam para necessidade de estudos in vivo para comprova??o dos obtidos nos in vitro

INTRODUÇÃO: Produtos de glicação avançada (AGE) encontram-se aumentados no diabete melito e contribuem independentemente para o risco cardiovascular. O reconhecimento dos AGE pelo receptor para produtos de glicação avançada (RAGE) potencializa vias de sinalização pró-aterogênicas. Antagonistas do receptor de angiotensina II (ANGII) do tipo 1 (AT-1) diminuem a expressão de RAGE em área de lesão aterosclerótica. No presente projeto, avaliou-se, na aorta de camundongos dislipidêmicos (knockout para apoE) tratados ou não com inibidor do receptor AT-1 (losartana, LOS), o efeito do tratamento crônico com albumina-AGE sobre o infiltrado de lípides, a expressão de mRNA e proteínas envolvidas no eixo AGE/RAGE, ANGII/AT-1, modulação da resposta inflamatória e fluxo de lípides, além da secreção de citocinas inflamatórias por macrófagos tratados com albumina controle ou AGE, concomitantemente ou não a losartana, isolados da cavidade peritoneal de camundongos apoE knockout. MÉTODOS: Camundongos machos knockout para apoE de 12 semanas de idade foram mantidos em dieta padrão e divididos, aleatoriamente, em quatro grupos experimentais (n = 20/grupo): grupo Controle (C), C+LOS, albumina-AGE (AGE) e AGE+LOS. Os animais receberam injeção intraperitoneal diária, durante 30 dias, de 2 mg de albumina controle (grupos C e C+LOS) ou albumina AGE (AGE e AGE+LOS). Os animais C+LOS e AGE+LOS foram tratados durante todo o período experimental com losartana (100 mg/L água). Secções do arco aórtico foram utilizadas para imunofluorescência para RAGE, carboximetil-lisina (CML), AT-1 e 4-hidroxinonenal (4-HNE) e determinação infiltrado lipídico por coloração com Oil Red-O. Análise do mRNA de Ager (RAGE), Agtr1a (AT-1), Orl1 (LOX-1), Msr1 (MCP-1), Ccl2 (SR-A), Cybb (Nox2), Nfkb (NF-kB), Tnf (TNF-alfa), Abca1 (ABCA-1), Abcg1 (ABCG-1) e Agt (angiotensinogênio) foi realizada por de qRT-PCR. Ensaio in vitro para secreção de IL-6 por ELISA e expressão de Il1b (IL-1beta) e Il18 (IL-18) por alfaRT-PCR, foi realizado com macrófagos peritoneais isolados camundongos apoE knockout incubados com albumina C ou AGE (2 mg/mL), concomitante ou não ao tratamento com losartana (1 uM). RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação ao peso corporal, colesterol total, triglicérides e glicose plasmáticos, no período basal e final. A pressão arterial sistólica foi reduzida nos animais tratados com losartana quando comparados aos não tratados (p < 0,05). Não foi detectada a presença de infiltrado macrofágico na aorta por meio de ensaios de imunofluorescência para CD-68 e pela análise de coloração com hematoxilina-eosina. Todavia, o infiltrado de lípides foi 5,3 e 2 vezes maior no grupo AGE quando comparado, respectivamente, ao grupo C e AGE+LOS (p < 0,05). O conteúdo proteico de RAGE e CML, assim como do marcador de peroxidação lipídica (4-HNE) foi maior no grupo AGE em comparação aos demais grupos, o que não prevenido no grupo AGE+LOS (p < 0,05). A expressão do mRNA de Ager, Orl1 e Tnf foi maior no grupo AGE em comparação ao C, ao passo que o tratamento com losartana impediu o aumento da expressão destes genes (p < 0,05). Isto não foi observado para aumento de Cybb estimulado por albumina-AGE. A losartana diminuiu o mRNA de Agtr1a (AT-1) em ambos os grupos tratados. Não foram observadas diferenças na expressão do mRNA de Msr1, Ccl2, Abca1, Abcg1, Agt e Nfkb. Macrófagos tratados com albumina-AGE apresentaram secreção de IL-6 aumentada em 1,4 vezes em comparação ao grupo C, o que foi prevenido pela losartana (p < 0,05). Nestas mesmas células, a albumina-AGE aumentou a expressão de Il1b e Il18, em comparação à albumina-C, o que não foi prevenido pela losartana. CONCLUSÃO: A administração crônica de albumina-AGE em modelo animal de dislipidemia isento de DM, aumentou o infiltrado de lípides no aorco aórtico, independentemente de variação na pressão arterial, lípides plasmáticos e da modulação local de componentes do sistema renina-angiotensina. A ação da albumina-AGE foi consequente ao maior insulto oxidativo e inflamatório associado ao maior conteúdo de RAGE e CML. A losartana, por reduzir o insulto oxidativo e inflamatório contrapõe-se à albumina-AGE, contribuindo para prevenção da aterogênese / INTRODUCTION: Advanced glycated end-products (AGE) elevated in diabetes mellitus and independently contribute to cardiovascular risk. The AGE binding to the receptor for AGE (RAGE) potentializes pro-atherogenic signaling pathways. Antagonists of angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT-1) diminish RAGE expression in atherosclerotic plaques. In this study, we evaluated in the aortic arch of dyslipidemic mice (apoE knockout), treated or not with AT-1 blocker losartan (LOS), the effect of chronic treatment with AGE-albumin in aortic root lipid infiltration, mRNA expression and protein content of components of AGE/RAGE, ANGII/AT-1 axes and modulators of lipid flux and inflammation, and also the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by peritoneal macrophages treated either with control (C) or AGE-albumin, together with or not by losartan treatment,. METHODS: 12-week old male apoE knockout mice were fed chow diet and ramdomly assigned into four groups (n = 20/group): Control (C), C+LOS, AGE-albumin (AGE) and AGE+LOS. Animals received daily intraperitoneal injection of 2 mg of C- albumin (C and C+LOS) or AGE-albumin (AGE and AGE+LOS) during 30 days. LOS groups were treated with losartan (100 mg/L water). Immufluorescence for RAGE, AT-1, carboxymethyllysine (CML) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), and Oil red-O staining for lipid infiltration was performed in sections from the aortic arch. mRNA expression of Ager (RAGE), Agtr1a (AT-1), Orl1 (LOX-1), Msr1 (MCP-1), Ccl2 (SR-A), Cybb (Nox2), Nfkb (NF-kB), Tnf (TNF-alfa), Abca1 (ABCA-1), Abcg1 (ABCG-1) e Agt (angiotensinogen) was evaluated by qRT-PCR. In vitro assay for IL-6 secretion was performed by ELISA and Il1b (IL-1beta) and Il18 (IL-18) mRNA expression was performed by qRT-PCR in peritoneal macrophages from of apoE knockout mice after treatment with C or AGE-albumin (2 mg/mL), with or without losartan (1 ?M). RESULTS: No differences among groups were observed in body weight, plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose in basal and final periods. Sistolic blood pressure was reduced in both LOS groups when compared to non-treated groups (p < 0.05). It was not observed CD-68 infiltration in the arterial wall. However, lipid infiltration was, respectively, 5.3 and 2 times greater in AGE group in comparison to C and AGE+LOS groups (p < 0.05). RAGE and CML protein and the lipid peroxidation marker (4-HNE) were greater in AGE group when compared to other groups, which was prevented in AGE+LOS (p < 0.05). Ager, Orl1 and Tnf mRNA expression was increased in AGE group when compared to C, and losartan was able to prevent this event (p < 0.05), except for Cybb. Losartan decreased Agtr1a mRNA expression in both groups (p < 0.05). No differences were observed among groups for Msr1, Ccl2, Abca1, Abcg1, Agt and Nfkb mRNA expression. Macrophages treated with AGE-albumin presented 1.4 times great IL-6 secretion, which was prevented by losartan (p < 0.05). In these cells, AGE-albumin increased Il1b and Il18 mRNA expression in AGE group, but this was not prevent by losartan. CONCLUSION: Chronic administration of AGE-albumin in non diabetic dyslipidemic mice increased aortic lipid infiltration, independently of changes in blood pressutre, plasma lipids and local modulation of renin angiotensin system components. The role of AGE-albumin was consequent to the enhanced inflammatory and oxidative insult associated to the higher content of CML and RAGE. Losartan by reducing oxidation and inflammation counteracts the effects of AGE-albumin contributing to prevent atherogenesis

INTRODUÇÃO: a albumina sérica reduzida em pacientes em diálise peritoneal (DP) é associada à aterosclerose, causa de morte mais comum entre esses pacientes. Semelhantemente à síndrome nefrótica, supõe-se que a perda de proteínas conjuntamente a de fatores de regulação da hemostasia leva ao estímulo da síntese hepática de fatores pró-coagulantes, como o fibrinogênio, deslocando o equilíbrio hemostático em direção ao estado pró-trombótico. Pacientes em DP apresentam valores séricos elevados de marcadores da ativação endotelial e fatores pró-coagulantes, quando comparados a pacientes em hemodiálise (HD). A tromboelastografia (TEG) é um método que avalia propriedades do sangue global e dinâmica da coagulação, fornecendo, por meio de um traçado, valores absolutos do tempo de formação de fibrina (K), a agregação plaquetária (amplitude máxima - AM), a firmeza do coágulo (G), entre outros dados. Por final, classifica a coagulação em normal, hipocoagulante ou hipercoagulante segundo o índice de coagulação (IC) apresentado, sendo assim útil no diagnóstico precoce de coagulopatias. Por ser pouco utilizado em pacientes com DRC, utilizou-se o TEG na avaliação da hemostasia dos pacientes em diálise peritoneal automatizada (DPA) e investigou-se a relação com a perda de proteínas, bem como outras condições clínicas inerentes ao tratamento dialítico. MÉTODOS: este estudo foi do tipo transversal que incluiu pacientes estáveis em DPA. Foram obtidos dados demográficos, clínicos e bioquímicos de rotina do prontuário médico eletrônico. Adicionalmente, foram avaliados a coagulometria, a hemostasia primária [antitrombina (AT), proteína S, fator VIII (FVIII), fator IX (FIX), fator V (FV), fibrinogênio e dímero-D] e o TEG. Os pacientes foram submetidos ao teste de equilíbrio peritoneal (PET), a avaliação da perda de proteínas para a solução de diálise (PSD) e a absorção de glicose. O estado nutricional dos pacientes foi avaliado por meio de métodos objetivos e subjetivos. RESULTADOS: vinte pacientes (38±16 anos de idade, 55% mulheres, 22,4±14,8 meses em DPA, 40% de glomerulopatia, 70% transportadores médio lento/lento e em bom estado nutricional) foram incluídos no estudo. O FVIII e FIX elevados em 85% e 50% da amostra, respectivamente. O fibrinogênio (553,8±100,5 mg/dL) e o dímero-D (720 (520-1940) ug/L) foram elevados em mais da metade dos pacientes. O TEG revelou 55% dos pacientes hipercoagulantes, 45%, normais, e nenhum era hipocoagulante. Os pacientes hipercoagulantes foram caracterizados por um tempo K menor (1,3±0,4 vs. 1,8±0,3 minutos, p=0,007); AM (72,1±2,4 vs. 64,7±3,6 mm, p=0,000) e G (13,1±1,6 vs. 9,3±1,5 K, p= p=0,000) elevados, também alterados em 78% e 33%, respectivamente, nos pacientes com coagulação normal. Pacientes hipercoagulantes também apresentaram maiores valores de plaquetas (251±28 vs. 214±51 mil/mm³, p=0,038), que se correlacionou positivamente com AM/G (r=0,594, p=0,006), enquanto a proteína C foi menor (108±12 vs. 117±20 %, p=0,034) e a AT se correlacionou positivamente com o tempo K (r=0,635, p=0,011). Não houve diferença de albumina sérica, PSD, cinética de creatinina e estado nutricional entre os grupos normal e hipercoagulante. Os pacientes hipercoagulantes, entretanto, apresentaram menores valores de hemoglobina (10,3±1,4 g/dL vs. 12,0±1,1 g/dL; p=0,007), que se correlacionou negativamente com AM/G (r=-0,673, p=0,001), bem como o hematócrito (31±4 % vs. 36±3 %; p=0,010), que também se correlacionou negativamente com AM/G (r=-0,640; p=0,002). CONCLUSÃO: demonstramos que pacientes em DPA estáveis apresentaram uma tendência pró-trombótica caracterizada pela hiperfunção plaquetária e maior força de coágulo. Mesmo não havendo linearidade na relação com a hemostasia a perda de proteínas pode ter contribuído para a hipercoagulabilidade nesses pacientes. Entretanto, os eritrócitos reduzidos representaram um fator de confusão para o resultado do / INTRODUCTION: reduced serum albumin in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is associated to atherosclerosis that is the leading cause of death. Similarly to nephrotic syndrome they lose protein; it is assumed that together with regulating factors of haemostasis this loss leads to liver synthesizes of procoagulants factors, such as fibrinogen, shifting the hemostatic equilibrium to a prothrombotic state. Patients on PD present elevated serum markers of endothelial activation and coagulant factors when compared with hemodialysis (HD) patients. Thromboelastography (TEG) is a method that evaluate blood properties through coagulation\'s global and dynamic perspectives, providing through a trace absolute values of fibrin\'s time formation (K), platelet aggregation (maximum amplitude - MA), clot strength (G), among other data. Finally it classifies the coagulation in normal, hypocoagulant or hypercoagulant according to the coagulation index (CI), so that it is useful in the early diagnosis of coagulopathies. TEG is not often used in patients with CKD, because of this we chose to use TEG for hemostatic evaluation in patients on APD and investigated its relation with protein loss as well as other clinical conditions intrinsic to the dialytic therapy. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study that included stable patients on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). Demographic, clinical and routine biochemical data were obtained from electronic medical chart. Additionally the coagulometry, primary hemostasis [antithrombin (AT), protein S, factor VIII (FVIII), factor IX (FIX), factor V (FV), fibrinogen and D-dimer] and TEG were evaluated. Patients were submitted to peritoneal equilibrium test (PET), protein loss to dialysis solution (PDS) and glucose absorption evaluations. Patients nutritional status was evaluated by objective and subjective methods. RESULTS: twenty patients (38±16 years old, 55% women, 22.4±14.8 months on APD, 40% of glomerulopathy, 70% slow average/slow transporters and well nourished) were included in this study. FVIII and FIX were elevated in 85% and 50% of the sample, respectively. Fibrinogen (553.8±100.5 mg/dL) and D-dimer (720 (520-1940) ug/L) were elevated in over half of the patients. TEG showed 55% of the patients hypercoagulant, 45% were normal and nobody was hypocoagulant. Hypercoagulant patients were characterized by a lower K-time (1.3±0.4 vs. 1.8±0.3 minutes; p=0.007); elevated MA (72.1±2.4 vs. 64.7±3.6 mm; p=0.000) and G (13.1±1.6 vs. 9.3±1.5 K; p= p=0.000); altered too in 78% and 33%, respectively, in normal coagulation patients. Hypercoagulant patients presented too higher values of platelet count (251±28 vs. 214±51 mil/mm³, p=0,038), but within the normal range, that correlated positively with MA/G (r=0.594; p=0.006) while protein C was lower (108±12 vs. 117±20 %; p=0,034) and AT correlated positively with K-time (r=0.635; p=0.011). There was no difference to serum albumin, PDS, creatinin kinetic and nutritional status between hypercoagulant and normal groups. However hypercoagulant patients presented lower values of hemoglobin (10.3±1.4 g/dL vs. 12.0±1.1 g/dL; p=0.007); that correlated negatively with MA/G (r=-0.673; p=0.001), as well as hematocrit (31±4 % vs. 36±3 %; p=0,010), which also correlated negatively with MA/G (r=-0.640; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: we demonstrated that stable patients on APD presented a prothrombotic tendency characterized by platelet hyperfuntion and clot strength. Even though there was no linearity in relation to hemostasis; protein loss may have contributed to the hypercoagulability in these patients. However reduced erythrocytes were a confounding factor in the TEG analysis

Orientadores: Carlos Francisco Sampaio Bonafé, Claudio Chrysostomo Werneck / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T01:47:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Norberto_DouglasRicardo_D.pdf: 1634322 bytes, checksum: 288f08df151602db46da98bf9d58476f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Ureia desnatura proteínas em diferentes concentrações, dependendo das condições experimentais e da proteína. A proteína monomérica soro albumina bovina (BSA) foi o principal modelo de investigação na presença de concentrações subdesnaturantes de ureia com base no modelo de equilíbrio de dois estados. A desnaturação induzida por alta pressão foi intensificada em concentrações de ureia ( [U] ) entre 3,5 M e 8,0 M, com variação de energia livre à pressão atmosférica (?Gº[U]) de +5,0 a -2,5 kJ/mol de BSA, e variação do volume de desnaturação (?V) de -30 a -36 mL/mol de BSA. Os parâmetros m apresentaram caráter bifásico, com valores de m1 e m2 de 0,92 e 2,35 kJ.mol-1.M-1, respectivamente. A partir de gráficos da variação de com relação à foram obtidos valores de , o coeficiente estequiométrico aparente do agente desnaturante, de 1,68 e 6,67 mol de ureia/mol de BSA, respectivamente v1 e v2, correspondentes à m1 e m2. Estes resultados foram comparados com os de outras proteínas monoméricas da literatura e com um conjunto de dados da SNase ?+PHS I92A e estequiometrias sistematicamente baixas foram observadas. No entanto, um valor de 140 mols de ureia/mol de BSA pode ser alcançado a partir de abordagem que considera a existência de uma população heterogênea com respeito a energia livre de desnaturação e aspectos moleculares da interação proteína-solvente puderam ser melhor interpretados / Abstract: Urea denatures proteins at different concentrations, depending on the experimental conditions and the protein. We investigated the pressure-induced denaturation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model in the presence of subdenaturing concentrations of urea based on a two-state equilibrium model. Pressure-induced denaturation was enhanced at urea concentrations ([U]) of 3.5 M to 8.0 M, with the free energy of denaturation at atmospheric pressure (?Gº[U]) ranging from +5.0 to -2.5 kJ/mol of BSA while the volume change ranged from -30 to -36 mL/mol of BSA. The m values appeared to be biphasic, with m1 and m2 of 0.92 and 2.35 kJ.mol-1.M-1, respectively. Plots of ?Gº[U] versu ln[U] yielded values of v , the apparent stoichiometric coefficient, of 1.68 and 6.67 mol of urea/mol of BSA respectively for m1 and m2. These results were compared with the m and values of other monomeric proteins reported from the literature and of SNase ?+PHS I92A and the very low values of were systematically observed. However, a value of 140 moles of urea/mole of BSA could be reached by considering the existence of a heterogeneous molecular population with respect to the free energy of denaturation and the molecular binding aspects could be better interpreted / Doutorado / Bioquimica / Doutor em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

Au laboratoire, une méthode originale d'encapsulation par transacylation entre l'alginate de propylène-glycol (PGA) et une protéine a été mise au point. Cette méthode est basée sur la création de liaisons amides entre les fonctions amines libres de la protéine et les groupes esters du PGA dans une phase aqueuse émulsionnée (E/H) après alcalinisation. Les microparticules obtenues, stables, biocompatibles et biodégradables, sont potentiellement intéressantes pour la délivrance de substances actives en thérapeutique ou en cosmétique.Le premier objectif de ce travail est d'étudier l'influence des propriétés physicochimiques des deux biopolymères (protéine et PGA) et de leurs solutions, ainsi que l'effet des paramètres de préparation sur la réaction de transacylation et sur les propriétés des microparticules obtenues. Pour cela, la sérumalbumine humaine (HSA) a servi de protéine modèle et les microparticules ont été préparées dans différentes conditions physicochimiques puis caractérisées. Différents liens ont été établis entre les propriétés physicochimiques des solutions initiales des deux polymères et les propriétés fonctionnelles des microparticules obtenues.Le deuxième objectif est de remplacer le PGA, seul polysaccharide utilisable jusqu'à présent pour la microencapsulation par transacylation, par d'autres polysaccharides naturels, dans la préparation de microparticules. Etant donné ses propriétés intrinsèques limitantes, le remplacement du PGA par d'autres esters polysaccharidiques parait avantageux dans le domaine d'application des microparticules.Dans ce travail, le PGA a été remplacé par une série d'esters semi-synthétiques d'alginate puis par d'autres polysaccharides estérifiés naturels (pectines) ou semi-synthétiques (esters polypectiques et esters de l'acide hyaluronique). Les conditions optimales pour l'utilisation de chaque ester ont été alors déterminées. / In our laboratory, an original method of microencapsulation was developed, based on the use of a transacylation reaction, creating covalent bonds between proteins and propylene glycol alginate (PGA). The covalent bonds are created after alkalization of the aqueous phase of a W/O emulsion, without using bifunctional crosslinking reagent.The resulting microparticles, which are stable, biocompatible and biodegradable, have potential applications for the delivery of active compounds for therapeutics or cosmetics.The first aim of this work is to study the influence of the physicochemical properties of the two polymers (protein and PGA) and of their solutions, as well as the effect of the preparation parameters on the transacylation reaction and on microparticle characteristics. For this purpose, human serum albumin (HSA) was picked as a model protein and microparticles were prepared using several physicochemical conditions then characterized. Several relationships were established between the physicochemical properties of the initial solutions of the two polymers and the functional properties of the resulting microparticles.The second purpose is to replace the PGA, only polysaccharide used for microencapsulation by transacylation so far, by other natural polysaccharides in the preparation of microparticles. Given its limiting intrinsic properties, the replacement of PGA by other polysaccharidic esters seems advantageous in the field of microparticle applications.In this work, the PGA was successfully replaced by a series of semisynthetic alginate esters, and then by other polysaccharidic esters, either natural esters (pectin) or semisynthetic esters (polypectate esters and hyaluronate esters). The optimal conditions for the use of each ester were then determined.

Interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and thimerosal (TM), organic mercury compound, was investigated by spectroscopic methods. The results, by molecular fluorescence, show that the interaction takes place by static quenching with electrostatic forces spontaneously (ΔG = - 4.40 kJ mol-1 at 30°C). The binding constant (Kb) was 3.24 ± 0.01x103 L mol-1 (30°C) is considered a moderate interaction. Fluorescence in three dimensions revealed that TM causes structural involving the the polypeptide chain BSA changes in the polarity of the tryptophan and tyrosine residues confirmed by circular dichroism (CD) showed an increase in α-helix content after interaction with TM. In addition, the TM decreases the surface hydrophobicity of the protein. Bilirubin was used as a marker for the subdomain IB, confirming that TM interacts in this region of the protein. The study of the interaction mechanism proposed that TM is reacted with BSA through the free cysteine residue, forming the adduct BSA-HgEt release of thiosalicylic acid (ATS), which interacts with amino acids with side chain positive. Besides, it was seen that TM accelerates the protein fibrillation kinetics by 42%, with a possible indication of the toxicity of this compound in biological systems. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A interação entre albumina do soro bovino (BSA) e timerosal (TM), composto orgânico de mercúrio, foi investigada utilizando métodos espectroscópicos. Os resultados, por fluorescência molecular, evidenciam que a interação acontece por quenching estático através de forças eletrostáticas de forma espontânea (ΔG = - 4,40 kJ mol-1 a 30ºC). A constante de ligação (Kb) foi de 3,24 ± 0,01x103 L mol-1 (30ºC) sendo considerada uma interação moderada. A fluorescência em três dimensões revelou que TM causa mudanças estruturais envolvendo a cadeia polipeptídica da BSA assim como altera a polaridade dos resíduos de triptofano e tirosina, confirmada por dicroísmo circular (DC) que evidenciou aumento no conteúdo de α-hélice após interação com TM. Além disto, TM diminui a hidrofobicidade superficial da proteína. Bilirrubina foi utilizada como marcador para o subdomínio IB, confirmando que TM interage nesta região da proteína. O estudo do mecanismo de interação propôs que TM reage com BSA através do resíduo de cisteína livre, formando o aduto BSA-HgEt com liberação de ácido tiosalicílico (ATS), que interage com os aminoácidos com cadeia lateral positiva. Por fim, foi visto que TM acelera a cinética de fibrilação proteica em 42%, sendo um possível indício da toxicidade deste composto em sistemas biológicos.

This thesis is focused on synthesis of quantum dots (QDs) for protein detection. It comprises three parts. The first part summaries the theory of QDs, their synthesis, functionalization, interactions and applications in medicine. In the second part synthesis of CdTe/ZnS core/shell QDs modified by glutathione (GSH) is described, followed by the conjugation with biomolecules BSA and IgG. Several coupling agents such as EDC with NHS and CDI were used. In the last part, the final products were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy and capillary electrophoresis. The results show the dependence of the fluorescence intensity of the QDs on pH range, concentration of BSA and IgG concentrations using different crosslinkers.

Development of methods for studying drug delivery systems is of great significance for the improvement of topical formulations. Active compounds for topical drug delivery are often formulated into gels and creams, that can be applied onto skin surfaces. It is important to know the extent of the permeability of the active compounds, in order to determine the medical effect. This study examines the possibilities of using an animal-free skin equivalent for penetration and permeation experiments, i.e. a silk scaffold integrated with viable human dermaland epidermal cells. Mammalian cell culturing together with silkconstruct formation, constituted the upstream bioprocess and acquisition of the skin equivalents. Permeability of fluorescently labelled Bovine Serum Albumin and Sodium Fluorescein salt was assessed, using a Franz- cell setup incorporated with the skin equivalents. Furthermore, fluorescence analysis and SDS-PAGE was performed on the collected samples, along with cryosectioning and image analysis of the skin equivalents. The results indicate variations in tissue integrity, leading to both high and low permeability. Fluorescence intensity can be correlated with the amount of sample liquid passing through. The model is still under development, hence more research is needed to draw a conclusion regarding the cellular composition of the skin equivalents, and how it influences permeability. / NextBioForm