Despite the high success rates of hip replacements, implant-wear mediated periprosthetic osteolysis remains the most prominent cause of long-term implant failure. Other adverse tissue reactions including hypersensitivity reactions and pseudotumors have also recently been reported as a cause for short-term implant failures. The objectives of this thesis were: 1.) To analyze the effects of Co2+ and Cr3+ released from CoCrMo alloys used in hip implants on macrophage chemokine release; 2.) To determine if Co2+, Cr3+, and the chemokines in cultures of macrophages exposed to Co2+ and Cr3+ can induce migration of T and B lymphocytes; and 3) To analyze the potential modulation of macrophage response to Cr3+ using simvastatin as an anti-inflammatory agent. Results showed that the release of TNF–α and CC chemokines were ion-specific and dose-dependent. Results also suggested that Co2+ and Cr3+ may be capable of directly stimulating the migration of T cells, but not that of B cells, suggesting the potential of these ions to create a micro-environment that would favour a T cell-mediated response in vivo. Results also showed that simvastatin was capable of decreasing chemokine release in macrophages exposed to Cr3+, suggesting its potential to modulate the Cr3+-induced inflammatory response. Together, these studies improve the understanding of the role metal ions play in ion-mediated adverse tissue reactions and potential therapies that may modulate the immune response to metal ions.

Diversas alternativas terapêuticas têm sido propostas para a reparação de defeitos ósseos, associadas à cirurgia, como enxertos autógenos, alógenos e aloplásticos, plasma rico em plaquetas e alguns medicamentos. Recentemente foram publicados diversos trabalhos relatando correlação entre o uso de estatinas, medicamentos usados como redutores do nível de colesterol sangüíneo e neoformação óssea. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento local com sinvastatina na reparação de defeitos em calota craniana de ratos. Foram utilizados 48 ratos, nos quais foram confeccionados dois defeitos ósseos de 5mm de diâmetro, um em cada parietal. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com o material utilizado no defeito: controle, em que o defeito não foi tratado; sinvastatina, esponja de colágeno embebida com sinvastatina; e carreador, esponja de colágeno e água destilada. O sacrifício ocorreu após trinta ou sessenta dias; as calotas foram removidas, submetidas a exames radiográficos e à preparação histológica de rotina, sendo então realizada análise densitométrica da área do defeito ósseo e histométrica da área de neoformação óssea, com auxílio de um programa computacional para análise de imagens. Os dados foram submetidos à ANOVA e teste t de Student. Tanto na análise densitométrica, como na histométrica, verificouse ausência de diferença estatística entre os três grupos, em cada período experimental. Aos sessenta dias, os animais do grupo controle apresentaram formação óssea superior que aos trinta dias, o que não aconteceu com aqueles que receberam sinvastatina ou apenas o carreador. Clinicamente, verificou-se formação de crosta necrótica nos animais do grupo sinvastatina. Concluiu-se, de acordo com a metodologia utilizada, que a sinvastatina administrada localmente prejudicou a reparação de defeitos experimentais em calvária de ratos. / Several therapeutic alternatives have been proposed for the healing of bone defects, associated to the surgery, like autogenous, allogeneous and aloplastic grafts, plasma rich in plaques and some drugs. Recently several works were published reporting correlation between the use of statins, drugs used to reduce the level of blood cholesterol, and bone neoformation. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the treatment with simvastatin, locally administered, in the healing of rat calvarial bone defects. There were used 48 rats, in which there were made two bone defects of 5 mm of diameter, one in each parietal bone. The animals were divided in three groups according to the material used in the defect: control, in which the defect was not treated; simvastatin, sponge of collagen soaked with simvastatin; and carrier, sponge of collagen and distilled water. The sacrifice took place after thirty or sixty days; the skulls were removed, subjected to radiographic examinations and to the routine histological preparation, then histometric analysis of the area of the bone defect was carried out, with support of a software for analysis of images. The data were subjected to the ANOVA and test t of Student. Both in the densiometric and in histometric analysis, it was verified the absence of statistical difference between the three groups, in each experimental period. At sixty days, the control animals presented more bone formation than in thirty days, which did not happen with those who received simvastatin or just the carrier. Clinically, it was verified formation of necrotic crust in the animals of the simvastatin group. One concluded, according to the methodology used, that the simvastatin administered locally harmed the repair of experimental defects in calvaria of rats.

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We have demonstrated that simvastatin and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) both attenuate increased vascular permeability in preclinical models of acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. As Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) serves as a critical regulator for cellular stress response in endothelial cells (EC), we hypothesized that simvastatin enhances endothelial barrier function via increasing expression of the barrier-promoting S1P receptor, S1PR1, via a KLF2-dependent mechanism. S1PR1 luciferase reporter promoter activity in human lung artery EC (HPAEC) was tested after simvastatin (5 mu M), and S1PR1 and KLF2 protein expression detected by immunoblotting. In vivo, transcription and expression of S1PR1 and KLF2 in mice lungs were detected by microarray profiling and immunoblotting after exposure to simvastatin (10 mg/kg). Endothelial barrier function was measured by trans-endothelial electrical resistance with the S1PR1 agonist FTY720-(S)-phosphonate. Both S1PR1 and KLF2 gene expression (mRNA, protein) were significantly increased by simvastatin in vitro and in vivo. S1PR1 promoter activity was significantly increased by simvastatin (P < 0.05), which was significantly attenuated by KLF2 silencing (siRNA). Simvastatin induced KLF2 recruitment to the S1PR1 promoter, and consequently, significantly augmented the effects of the S1PR1 agonist on EC barrier enhancement (P < 0.05), which was significantly attenuated by KLF2 silencing (P < 0.05). These results suggest that simvastatin upregulates S1PR1 transcription and expression via the transcription factor KLF2, and consequently augments the effects of S1PR1 agonists on preserving vascular barrier integrity. These results may lead to novel combinatorial therapeutic strategies for lung inflammatory syndromes.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi obter complexos binários e ternários de sinvastatina (SNV) e ciclodextrinas (CDs) utilizando diferentes tipos de CDs, métodos de secagem e polímeros para selecionar aquele que proporcionam um maior aumento da solubilidade aquosa do fármaco. Inicialmente complexos com diferentes CDs, a &#945;, &#946;, &#947;, e hidroxi-propil-&#946; (HP&#946;CD) foram obtidos através da secagem em estufa. Foram empregados os seguintes ensaios para sua caracterização: solubilidade, DSC, TG e difração de raios X. Adicionalmente, foi realizada a modelagem molecular com simulações de dinâmica molecular. O complexo com &#947;CD parece ser o mais adequado para a complexação com a SNV, pois, foi o mais estável (menor energia) na modelagem molecular, além de ter apresentado uma nova fase sólida na difração de raios X. Complexos de SNV, &#947;CD ou HP&#946;CD foram obtidos por diferentes métodos de secagem (estufa com circulação forçada de ar, coevaporação, liofilização e estufa a vácuo) e a caracterização foi realizada através da solubilidade, DSC, TG e difração de raios X. Todos os complexos melhoraram a solubilidade da SNV, mas quando comparados às respectivas misturas físicas, o ganho foi baixo. As curvas DSC e a difração de raios X indicam que, no máximo, pode ter ocorrido uma complexação parcial em alguns casos. O que se verifica é que mesmo o complexo que apresentou maior ganho de solubilidade (HP&#946;CD obtido pela coevaporação), a complexação do não foi total. Complexos ternários de SNV, &#946;CD e diferentes polímeros (polietilenoglicol 1500, polietilenoglicol 4000, povidona, copovidona, crospovidona, maltodextrina e hidroxipropil-metilcelulose) foram preparados utilizando-se a coevaporação. A caracterização dos complexos foi realizada através da solubilidade, DSC e TG. Para todos os complexos houve ganho de solubilidade, mas apenas quando foi utilizado a crospovidona e a maltodextrina, existe diferença significativa entre a solubilidade observada para a mistura física e aquela registrada para o complexo. As curvas DSC indicam que ainda existe fármaco na forma livre até mesmo nos complexos que apresentaram maior solubilidade, dessa forma, nenhum dos polímeros utilizados foi capaz de promover um complexação total da SNV. / The purpose of this study was to obtain binary and ternary complexes of simvastatin (SV) and cyclodextrins (CDs) using different types of CDs, drying methods and polymers, to select those that offer greater increase in aqueous solubility of the drug. Initially, different complexes with CDs, &#945;, &#946;, &#947;, and hydroxy-propyl-&#946; (HP&#946;CD), were obtained using oven drying. The following tests were performed for complexes´s characterization: solubility, DSC, TG and X-ray diffraction. Additionally, molecular modeling was performed with molecular dynamics simulations. The complex with &#947;CD seems to be the most suitable for complexation with the SV, since it has been the most stable (lowest energy) in molecular modeling, and has presented a new solid phase in X-ray diffraction. Complex of SV, &#947;CD or HP&#946;CD were obtained by different drying methods (forced air circulation oven, co-evaporation, freeze drying and vacuum oven) and the characterization was performed by solubility, DSC, TG and X-ray diffraction. All the complexes improved the solubility of SV, but when compared to their physical mixtures, the gain is low. The DSC curves and X-ray diffraction indicates that, at most, a partial complexation may have happened in some cases. It was verified that even the complex that had greater increase in solubility (HP&#946;CD obtained by co-evaporation), the complexation was not total. Ternary complexes of SV, &#946;CD and different polymers (polyethyleneglycol 1500, polyethyleneglycol 4000, povidone, copovidone, crospovidone, maltodextrin and hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose) were prepared using the co-evaporation. The characterization of the complexes was performed by solubility, DSC and TG. For all complexes there was a gain of solubility, but only when crospovidone and maltodextrin were used, there was a significant difference between the solubility observed for the physical mixture and the complex. The DSC curves indicate that non comlexed drug is still present, even in the complexes that had higher solubility. Thus, none of the polymers was able to promote a total complexation of SV.

Avaliamos o efeito da administração de sinvastatina no processo inflamatório induzido através de lesão muscular esquelética. Ratos Wistar machos foram divididos em quatro grupos, sendo que um grupo não recebeu nenhuma intervenção, um segundo grupo recebeu tratamento com sinvastatina durante 15 dias consecutivos, um terceiro grupo recebeu o mesmo tratamento com sinvastatina e foi submetido a um protocolo de lesão do músculo tibial anterior, enquanto o último grupo apenas foi submetido ao protocolo de lesão muscular. Realizamos análise histológica, atividade de CK, extravasamento protéico, níveis de proteína c-reativa, expressão gênica de COX-1, COX-2 e TNF-a, níveis de citocinas inflamatórias (TNF-a, IL-1b e IL-6) e níveis de PGE2. O tratamento com sinvastatina provocou danos morfológicos e estruturais no músculo esquelético, confimados pela análise histólogica e atividade elevada de CK. Porém não observamos alteração nos níveis de citocinas inflamatórias e outros marcadores do processo inflamatório, sugerindo possível efeito-antiinflamatório do fármaco. / We evaluated the effect of simvastatin administration in inflammatory process induced by skeletal muscle injury. Male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups, the first group does not received any intervention, the second group was treated with simvastatin for 15 consecutive days, the third group was also treated at same way with simvastatin and animals were submitted to muscle injury of anterior tibialis, and the fourth group was just submitted to skeletal muscle injury protocol. We performed histological analysis, CK, protein extravasation, CRP levels, gene expression of COX-1, COX-2 and TNF-a, inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-a, IL-1b and IL-6) and PGE2 levels. Treatment with simvastatin was able to promote morphological and structural damages in skeletal muscle, which was confirmed by histological analysis and enhanced CK activity. However this does not changed inflammatory cytokine levels and other inflammatory markers, which suggests a possible anti-inflammatory effect of this drug.

Um dos principais fatores de risco de doenças cardiovasculares, a hipercolesterolemia afeta um quinto da população brasileira, e é atualmente a principal causa de morte no Brasil e segunda maior de internações hospitalares, segundo a Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia. São utilizados agentes hipolipemiantes nos pacientes com propensão a doenças cardiovasculares associadas. A sinvastatina pertencente a classe dos inibidores da HMG-CoA redutase (3-hidroxi-3-metilglutaril-coenzima A) e o ezetimiba pertencente a classe dos inibidores da absorção do colesterol são fármacos hipolipemiantes. Este trabalho possui como objetivo o desenvolvimento e a validação de métodos bioanalíticos através da cromatografia liquida de alta eficiência acoplada ao detector de espectrometria de massas para a determinação simultânea quantitativa de ezetimiba e sinvastatina e seus metabólitos em plasma humano. O presente trabalho foi dividido nas seguintes etapas: (i) obtenção das amostras de pacientes provenientes do HU onde foi administrado a associação ezetimiba+sinvastatina, (ii) obtenção dos padrões de ezetimiba, sinvastatina e padrão interno, (iii) caracterização dos fármacos utilizando técnicas de análises térmicas, ressonância magnética nuclear e espectrometria de infra-vermelho, (iv) obtenção dos padrões dos metabólitos de ezetimiba (ezetimiba glucoronideo) e sinvastatina (sinvastatina hydroxy acid ammonium salt), (v) seleção do método analítico, fase móvel e tipo de extração nas amostras de plasma compatível com o detector de espectrometria de massas e (vi) teste no cromatógrafo líquido de alta eficiência acoplado ao detector de espectrômetro de massas. A separação cromatográfica foi realizada utilizando coluna Poroshell 50mm x 2,1mm, com partícula de 1,8 &#181;m, eluição isocrática usando ácido fórmico 0,1%: acetonitrila (50:50, v/v), vazão 0,7 mL/min e volume de injeção de 10 &#181;L. A temperatura da coluna foi de 30ºC e a detecção foi realizada em equipamento do tipo QTOF, usando fonte ESI no modo positivo para o ezetimiba e sinvastatina e modo negativo para o ezetimiba glucoronideo e sinvastatttina hidroxi-ácida. A monitoração dos íons produto foram: ezetimiba (m/z 409,1489>392,3123), sinvastatina (m/z 418,2719>419,2892), ezetimiba glucoronídeo (m/z 585,1810>521,0673) e sinvastatina hidroxi-ácida (m/z 453,3090>239,0501). Os métodos analíticos foram validados de acordo com os requerimentos vigentes da ANVISA e Farmacopéia Americana. Portanto, os métodos propostos demonstraram ser lineares, precisos, exatos e adequados para a quantificação simultânea de ezetimbe e sinvastatina e seus metabólitos (ezetimiba glucoronídeo e sinvastatina hidroxi-ácida) em plasma humano / One of the main risk factor, hypercholesterolemia which affects a fifth of the Brazilian people, particularly in people with more than 45 years old and currently is the main cause of death in Brazil and the second one of hospital admissions, according to the Brazilian Cardiology Society. It must be used lipid-lowering agents in patients with trend to cardiovascular disease associated. Simvastatin belongs to the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors class ((3-hydroxy-3-metilglutaril-coenzyme A) and ezetimiba belongs to cholesterol absorption inhibitors and they are hypolipidemic. The aim of this work is to develop and validate Bioanalytical methodology using high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (QTOF) to determinate simultaneously quantity of ezetimiba and simvastatin and their metabolites in human plasma. This study was divided into the following steps: (i) obtaining samples of patients from HU where ezetimibe+sinvastatina were administered, (ii) obtaining of ezetimibe, simvastatin and 4-methoxycoumarin (used as internal standard) standards, (iii) charactherization of drugs using techniques of termal analysis, nuclear magnetic ressonance and infra-red spectroscopy, (iv) obtaining of ezetimibe metabolite standard (glucuronide ezetimibe) and simvastatin metabolite standard (simvastatin hydroxy acid ammonium salt), (v) selection of analytical method, mobile phase and type of drugs extraction in human plasma samples to be used mass spectrometry, (vi) tests in the high efficiency liquid chromatography coupled to charged aerosol detector and mass spectrometry detector. Chromatographic separation was carried out using a Poroshell C18 column 50 mm x 2,1 mm with particle size of 1,8 &#181;m, isocratic elution using 0,1% formic acid: acetonitrile (50:50, v/v), flow rate 0,7 mL/ min and injection volume of 10 &#181;L. The column temperature was set at 30ºC and detection was performed in one equipament like QTOF, using ESI source, positive mode. Monitoring of the product ions were: ezetimibe (m/z 410,1557), simvastatina (m/z 419,2784), ezetimibe glucoronídeo (m/z 611,5756) and simvastatina hidroxi-ácida (m/z 552,2250). Analytical methods were validated according to the current ANVISA and United States Pharmacopoeia guidelines. Therefore, the proposed methods showed evidence to be linear, accurate and precision, suitable to the simultaneous quantitation of ezetimibe and simvastatin and their metabolites (ezetimibe glucoronídeo e sinvastatina hidroxi-ácida) in human plasma

在2型糖尿病病人身上，常常併發高膽固醇血症，HMG CoA 還原酶的抑制劑常常用作治療這類病症。由於高膽固醇血症與胰島素抵抗和2型糖尿病有著密切關係，我們推測辛伐他汀對於2型糖尿病的發展有著保護和有利的作用。在這項研究中，我們主要測試了辛伐他汀 （10 nM； 24 hr）對於胰島β細胞主要功能的影響，包括其對於葡萄糖的胰島素分泌功能影響。我們假設，在肥胖/糖尿病（db⁺/ db⁺）小鼠分離的胰島，辛伐他汀可以恢復葡萄糖 （5 mM和15 mM）引起的胰島素分泌（加上降低的胰島素含量）。 / 在這個項目中，我們運用24周大的基因糖尿糖C57BL/KSJ +db/+db (db⁺/db⁺)肥鼠和相同年齡的無糖尿病C57BL/KSJ +m/+m (db⁺/m⁺)小鼠作為動物模型。通過應用obese/diabetic (db+/db+)和lean/non-diabetic (db+/m+)中分離的胰腺胰島和胰島β細胞，我們研究了胰腺胰島功能性障礙的潛在機理以及辛伐他汀對於恢復葡萄糖 （5 mM和15 mM）引起的胰島素分泌（加上降低的胰島素含量）的有利作用。資料清晰的顯示，葡萄糖引起的胰島素分泌和胰島素含量在obese/diabetic (db+/db+)的胰腺胰島中明顯低於在lean/non-diabetic (db⁺/m⁺)的胰腺胰島中。在24hr的辛伐他汀處理後，辛伐他汀恢復了葡萄糖 （5 mM和15 mM）引起的胰島素分泌（加上降低的胰島素含量）及葡萄糖 （15 mM）引起的胞內鈣離子變化。 / 在這個項目中，我們證明鈣敏感受體 （CaSR）在obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)中的表達量明顯較低，而辛伐他汀的處理可以顯著性增加鈣敏感受體在obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)胰島中的表達。有人建議說，obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)的胰島中被抑制的鈣敏感受體表達與胰島β細胞的胰島分泌功能障礙有關。這暗示了辛伐他汀可能通過變構啟動鈣敏感受體來恢復obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)胰島中葡萄糖引起的胰島素分泌和胰島含量。實驗也同樣証明辛伐他汀調節的PLA₂信號通路對於辛伐他汀改善obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)胰島β細胞的胰島素分泌功能起著至關重要的作用。除此之外，我們的實驗結果證明高濃度的葡萄糖處理顯著的增加了obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)細胞膜肌動蛋白骨架的密度，而辛伐他汀顯著的減少了這一變化。因此，obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)胰島β細胞的胰島素分泌障礙是由肌動蛋白細胞骨架聚集阻礙胰島素顆粒胞吐引起的。而辛伐他汀通過解聚和重組肌動蛋白細胞骨架來改善obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)胰島β細胞的胰島素分泌功能。 / 在這項研究中，我們的實驗結果證明葡萄糖可以顯著提高obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)胰島β細胞內ROS的含量。而辛伐他汀處理部分降低了胰島β細胞內ROS的含量。除此之外，我們還研究了5 mM和15 mM葡萄糖對於內質網應力（ER-stress）相關的蛋白比如PERK, eIF2α 和IRE1表達的影響。這些內質網跨膜蛋白可以感應ER-stress從而啟動應力感測器來開啟複雜的信號通路。與lean/non-diabetic (db⁺/m⁺)相比，PERK and eIF2α在obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)的胰島中表達量更低，這表明obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)胰島β細胞的功能性障礙可能與ER-stress有關。而辛伐他汀的處理明顯的增加了這些蛋白的表達量，由此證明辛伐他汀還通過對抗ER-stress來保護obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)胰島β細胞。 / 總而言之，我們的資料第一次證明了辛伐他汀通過PLA₂信號通路變構啟動鈣敏感受體來保護obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)胰島β細胞（比如：恢復葡萄糖引發的胰島素分泌和提高減少的胰島素含量），還通過提高obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺)胰島β細胞中被抑制的ER-stress相關蛋白的表達量來抵抗ER-stress帶來的損傷。 / Diabetics often have hyperlipidemia as a co-morbidity. Despite the well-documented cholesterol-lowering properties of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) in treating hypercholesterolemia, the beneficial effects of statins consumption in T2DM treatment are confusing. In the current study, we examined the effects of the simvastatin (10 nM; 24 hr) on β-cell function leading to insulin secretory response to glucose. We hypothesized that statins restore the blunted glucose (5 mM and 15 mM)-induced insulin secretion (plus the reduced insulin content) of isolated pancreatic islets of obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice. / In the present study, genetically diabetic C57BL/KSJ +db/+db (db⁺/db⁺) mice at 24 week of age and their age-matched non-diabetic littermates C57BL/KSJ +m/+m (db⁺/m⁺) were used. Our results clearly showed that the suppressed glucose (5 mM and 15 mM)-induced insulin release (plus insulin content) and glucose (15 mM)-induced [Ca²⁺]i changes of isolated pancreatic islets of obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) was restored after simvastatin (10 nM; 24 hr) treatment. / The biochemical existence of CaR in pancreatic islets of lean/non-diabetic (db⁺/m⁺) and obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice was confirmed. The suppressed/down-regulated expression of CaR was associated to the blunted insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells of obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice, and it was markedly up-regulated by simvastatin (10 nM; 24 hr). The involvement of CaR-mediated PLA₂ signaling in simvastatin (10 nM; 24 hr)-induced restoration of glucose (15 mM)-induced insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells of obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice was investigated. Our results also showed that the increased density of plasma membrane actin cytoskeleton of obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice was significantly decreased by simvastatin (10 nM; 24 hr) treatment. The simvastatin-induced depolymerization and remodeling of actin cytoskeleton may improve insulin secretion capability in pancreatic β-cells of obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice. / The glucose (15 mM)-induced intracellular ROS level was significantly higher in pancreatic β-cells of obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice. The elevated ROS level was partially diminished by simvastatin (10 nM; 24 hr) treatment. The protein expressions of PERK and eIF2α (ER stress proteins) were lower in pancreatic islet cells isolated from obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice, suggesting that abnormal expresstion/activity of PERK and eIF2α would be coupled to the ER-stress mediated failure of pancreatic β-cells of obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice. As simvastatin (10 nM; 24 hr) up-regulated the protein expression of these proteins, this drug exerted protective effect on pancreatic β-cells against ER stress and restored the blunted glucose (15 mM)-induced insulin secretion (plus the reduced insulin content) in obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice. / In conclusion, our results demonstrate, for the first time, that simvasatatin (a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) (10 nM; 24 hr) provides beneficial effects (i.e. restoration of the blunted glucose-induced insulin release plus the reduced insulin content) in pancreatic β-cells of obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice via the allosteric modification/up-regulation of extracellular calcium-sensing receptor through the PLA₂ signaling pathway, and provides protective/antioxidant effects against oxidative stress caused by chronic hyperglycemia in pancreatic β-cells of obese/diabetic (db⁺/db⁺) mice by up-regulating protein expression of the suppressed ER stress sensors and antioxidant enzyme. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Au, Lai Shan. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 458-532). / Abstracts also in Chinese.