Yes / Many in-vitro methods for prediction of skin permeability have been reported in literature. Cerasome electrokinetic chromatography is one of the most sophisticated approaches representing a maximum level of similarity to the lipid phase of the stratum corneum. One goal of this study was to investigate the affinity pattern of Cerasome and to compare it with the permeability profile of human skin. Another purpose was to study the applicability of Hansen solubility parameters for modelling skin permeation and to investigate the predictive and explanatory potential of this method. Visualisation in Hansen diagrams revealed very similar profiles of Cerasome electrokinetic chromatography retention factors and skin permeability coefficients. In both cases, the characteristic pattern with two clusters of highly retained or highly permeable substances could be shown to be mainly caused by two groups of compounds, one of them with high affinity to ceramides, fatty acids and lecithin and the other being more affine to cholesterol. If based on a sufficiently comprehensive experimental dataset, model-independent predictions of skin permeability data using three-component Hansen solubility parameters are able to achieve similar accuracy as calculations made with an Abraham linear free energy relationship model in which the compounds are characterized by seven physicochemical descriptors.

Ce travail de thèse a pour objectif de développer des voies d’administrations moins contraignantes pour le patient que la voie injectable traditionnellement utilisée pour la délivrance de peptides et de protéines thérapeutiques. Nous nous sommes donc intéressés dans ce travail à la formulation de ces peptides et protéines par la réalisation de systèmes colloïdaux formés de vecteurs amphiphiles, les lipoamino acides (LAAs). Ces systèmes colloïdaux protéines/LAAs sont destinés à l’administration de peptides et protéines par voie nasale et par voie cutanée. Ces travaux ont été réalisés en collaboration avec une industrie bordelaise spécialisée dans la formulation de principes actifs. La première partie de la thèse décrit la formation colloïdale de LAAs et de protéines thérapeutiques pour l’administration par voie nasale. Des études en dichroïsme circulaire nous ont donné des informations sur la structure secondaire des protéines dans le colloïde formé. L’analyse en diffusion dynamique de la lumière nous a apporté des informations sur la taille des complexes colloïdaux protéine-LAAs. La modélisation moléculaire nous a permis d’étudier la structure atomique de ces complexes colloïdaux. Enfin, pour évaluer la perméabilité membranaire de ces colloïdes, des études in vitro sur cellules nasales et des études précliniques ont été réalisées. Dans la deuxième partie, nous nous sommes intéressés au développement d’une formulation colloïdale à base de LAAs et de cyclosporine en vue du traitement par voie locale du psoriasis. L’efficacité de la formulation a été testée par RMN du deutérium grâce au développement et à la validation de modèles lipidiques de peau saine et psoriasique. / The aim of this thesis is to develop less constraining administration pathways than the injectable way traditionnaly used for the delivery of therapeutic peptides and proteins. In this work we focus in the formulation of these peptides and proteins by formation of colloidal system with amphiphilic vectors, the lipoamino acids (LAAs). These colloidal systems proteins/LAAs are intended for the administration of peptides and proteins by nasal and cutaneous pathways. This work was completed in collaboration with an industry located in Bordeaux and in the formulation of active ingredients. The first part of the thesis describes the colloidal formation of LAAs and therapeutic proteins for an administration by nasal route. Studies with circular dichroism gave information on the secondary structure of proteins in the colloid. Analysis using dynamic light scattering brought information on the size of the protein-LAAs colloidal complexes. Molecular modeling enabled us to study the atomic structure of these colloidal complexes. Finally, to evaluate the membrane permeability of these colloids, in vitro studies on nasal cells and preclinical studies were performed. In the second part, we developed a colloidal formulation containing LAAs and cyclosporine for treatment of psoriasis by local/topical administration. The effectiveness of the formulation was tested by solid state deuterium NMR on original lipidic models of healthy and psoriatic skin developed in the laboratory.

The human skin is the largest and most complex body organ but accessible and attractive for biomarker sampling and transdermal drug delivery. The two procedures are significantly impacted by several biophysical properties of the skin, especially the pH and stratum corneum (SC)hydration. The varying levels of pH on the skin surface usually impact the permeability barrier function of the SC, contributing to the onset of dermatological disorders such as incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). Consequently, this scholarly work provides a comprehensive in vitro investigation of the effect of pH on the skin including the effect of artificial urine. The pig skin membranes were used to conduct electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)experiments using a four-electrode Franz cell set-up. Artificial urine and buffered solution with varying pH gradients were utilized to induce reversible changes in effective membrane capacitance (Ceff) and membrane resistance (Rmem). The in vitro investigation revealed that exposure to urine changed the electrical impedance properties of the skin. Specifically, we found that the application of artificial urine to the skin reduced skin resistance. At the same time, we also find systematic changes in skin capacitance. Skin capacitance increased with increased pH. Hence the two skin impedance parameters showed a clear effect of artificial urine on the skin. These changes, i.e., the decrease of Rmem and increase of Ceff of skin membranes when they are exposed to artificial urine, can be interpreted as skin barrier deterioration The information provided herein is relevant in describing the detrimental effect of urine on the skin, which probably makes skin barrier more permeable.

One of the most important aspects for all life on this planet is the act to keep their biological processes in a state where they do not reach equilibrium. One part in the upholding of this imbalanced state is the barrier between the cells and their surroundings, created by the cell membrane. Additionally, terrestrial animal life often requires a barrier that protects the organism's body from external hazards and water loss. As an alternative to experiments, the investigation of the processes occurring at these barriers can be performed by using molecular dynamics simulations. Through this method we can obtain an atomistic description of the dynamics associated with events that are not accessible to experimental setups.  In this thesis the first paper presents an improved particle-mesh Ewald method for the calculation of long-range Lennard-Jones interactions in molecular dynamics simulations, which solves the historical performance problem of the method. The second paper demonstrate an improved implementation, with a higher accuracy, that only incurs a performance loss of roughly 15% compared to conventional simulations using the Gromacs simulation package. Furthermore, the third paper presents a study of cholesterol's effect on the permeation of six different solutes across a variety of lipid bilayers. A laterally inhomogeneous permeability in cholesterol-containing membranes is proposed as an explanation for the large differences between experimental permeabilities and calculated partition coefficients in simulations. The fourth paper contains a coarse-grained simulation study of a proposed structural transformation in ceramide bilayer structures, during the formation of the stratum corneum. The simulations show that glycosylceramides are able to stabilize a three-dimensionally folded bilayer structure, while simulations with ceramides collapse into a lamellar bilayer structure. / <p>QC 20160308</p>

The rapid expansion of major cities in the west Europeancountries has accentuated the need to exploit every potentialsite for new establishments, e.g. areas over train tunnels andnear railway tracks in general. A significant impediment toexploit such areas is the structure-borne noise generated bythe train traffic, which is transmitted into buildings via theground. Reliable prediction methods and cost-effective noisecontrol measures are therefore needed and are also the objectof the present work. In this thesis, the studied buildings areconsidered as wave-guides for the sound transmitted from theground. The work is restricted to the case of hard ground suchas granite. The chosen technique permits comparison betweendifferent potential measures to reduce the transmission ofstructure-borne sound upward in buildings. It is shown that thedesign of the load-bearing structures is important in thiscontext, and a design with relocated columns has givenpromising results. It is also shown that the stiffness of theground plays an important role in the transmission process.This leads to the idea that a sand layer between the foundationof the building and the bedrock may reduce the transmission.New methods have thus been developed in the course of this workto evaluate the stiffness of the layer using approximate andexact techniques. Results are presented and a comparison ismade with previous results for a "normal" building and it isshown that the insertion of sand layer has a potential toconsiderably reduce the sound level in the building. <b>Keywords:</b>Ground-borne noise, railway noise, in-planewaves, wave-guides, scattering, propagation constant, inputmobility, elastic stratum, dual integral equations.

<p>The rapid expansion of major cities in the west Europeancountries has accentuated the need to exploit every potentialsite for new establishments, e.g. areas over train tunnels andnear railway tracks in general. A significant impediment toexploit such areas is the structure-borne noise generated bythe train traffic, which is transmitted into buildings via theground. Reliable prediction methods and cost-effective noisecontrol measures are therefore needed and are also the objectof the present work. In this thesis, the studied buildings areconsidered as wave-guides for the sound transmitted from theground. The work is restricted to the case of hard ground suchas granite. The chosen technique permits comparison betweendifferent potential measures to reduce the transmission ofstructure-borne sound upward in buildings. It is shown that thedesign of the load-bearing structures is important in thiscontext, and a design with relocated columns has givenpromising results. It is also shown that the stiffness of theground plays an important role in the transmission process.This leads to the idea that a sand layer between the foundationof the building and the bedrock may reduce the transmission.New methods have thus been developed in the course of this workto evaluate the stiffness of the layer using approximate andexact techniques. Results are presented and a comparison ismade with previous results for a "normal" building and it isshown that the insertion of sand layer has a potential toconsiderably reduce the sound level in the building.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Ground-borne noise, railway noise, in-planewaves, wave-guides, scattering, propagation constant, inputmobility, elastic stratum, dual integral equations.</p>

La peau est l'organe le plus grand du corps humain et représente ~10% de la masse corporelle. La bonne qualité de son état et de ses fonctionnalités est primordiale pour la santé d'un individu. La sécheresse cutanée constitue un phénomène commun dans différents dysfonctionnements physiopathologiques. Grâce à ses propriétés de protection de l'organisme vis-à-vis de son environnement, le stratum corneum (SC) est considéré comme le principal élément contrôlant l'hydratation. Ce travail de thèse, associant des développements techniques et méthodologiques, a conduit à la mise en évidence par microspectroscopie Raman confocale, des mécanismes moléculaires impliqués dans les phénomènes de sécheresse cutanée. Le lien moléculaire entre hydratation et stress mécanique du SC ex vivo est décrit de manière approfondie impliquant lipides et protéines tissulaires. Ces travaux ont également porté sur la caractérisation des modifications supramoléculaires responsables des déformations du SC sous stress mécanique. En parallèle, ce travail illustre l'intérêt des spectroscopies vibrationnelles comme outil d'évaluation des mécanismes d'action des produits hydratants.Le caractère non-invasif de la spectroscopie Raman a permis d'exploiter les fortes potentialités de cette technique en transposant in vivo l'utilisation des descripteurs spectraux obtenus ex vivo. Ainsi, nous avons développé une approche in vivo couplant la spectroscopie Raman et la méthode des moindres carrés partiels (PLS) pour la quantification indirecte de différents paramètres physico-chimiques et fonctionnels du SC y compris les lipides et l'eau conduisant à une caractérisation globale du statut physiopathologique du SC.

Esta dissertação teve como objetivo geral ampliar o conhecimento sobre a ecologia vegetal das matas de Restinga arenosa em substratos bem drenados no Rio Grande do Sul. Para tanto, foram realizados o estudo florístico e fitossociológico do componente arbóreo de cinco capões de Restinga e a verificação de padrões de interações mutualísticas entre aves frugívoras e as árvores, além do estudo do componente de regeneração e suas relações com o estrato arbóreo adulto. Para a amostragem da vegetação, foi usado o método de parcelas, incluindo-se todas as árvores com DAP ≥ 5cm, totalizando uma área de 1,02ha. Com estes dados, foram estimados os parâmetros usuais em fitossociologia. Em um dos capões, foi realizado também o levantamento florístico e fitossociológico das plântulas (0,05 ≤ altura < 1m) e juvenis (altura ≥ 1m, DAP < 5cm), avaliando-se as relações com o estrato arbóreo adulto, o potencial e a taxa de regeneração natural para cada espécie. Para o estudo dos mutualismos, foram feitas observações visuais e capturas de aves durante um ano. Foram estimadas a conectância do sistema mutualístico e o índice de importância das espécies. Também foi feita a rede de interações do sistema e feita a análise da variação destas interações ao longo das estações do ano. A composição florística resultou em uma riqueza total de 20 famílias e 29 espécies para os cinco capões. A densidade total arbórea teve uma média máxima de 1207 ind/ha e mínima de 747 ind/ha. Sebastiania serrata apresentou o maior valor de importância e Myrtaceae foi a família mais representada. A diversidade específica foi baixa, variando de 1,08 a 2,38 (nats). No sistema mutualístico, registraram-se 29 espécies interagindo (aves e plantas), com uma conectância de 23,9%. Turdus amaurochalinus e T. rufiventris interagiram com a maioria das espécies arbóreas e tiveram o maior índice de importância, sendo caracterizadas como as principais dispersoras em potencial. Ocotea pulchella e Myrsine spp. foram registradas com maior número de eventos de consumo de frutos, no entanto, Ficus organesis interagiu com mais espécies frugívoras, além de ter a maior importância na dieta das aves. Houve variações no número eventos de frugivoria ao longo das estações, bem como no número de espécies frugívoras e de espécies arbóreas consumidas. O componente de regeneração apresentou riqueza específica e diversidade semelhantes às do estrato arbóreo adulto, refletindo uma similaridade florística maior que 70%. A maioria das espécies (73,7%) apresentou taxa de regeneração negativa, revelando o padrão de 'J' invertido. Os resultados indicam a existência de diferenças na composição e estrutura arbórea entre os capões de Restinga, além de uma boa capacidade de regeneração para a maioria das espécies vegetais estudadas. Os dados revelam também um sistema dispersão generalista, no qual poucas espécies de aves interagem com muitas espécies arbóreas e vice-versa. / This dissertation had as broad objective the knowledge amplification about the plant ecology of sandy Restinga forests in well drained soils in Rio Grande do Sul. For that, the floristic and phytosociological study of the tree component of five Restinga woods and the verification of mutualistic interactions patterns between frugivorous birds and trees were accomplished, besides the study of the regeneration component and its relations with the adult tree stratum. For vegetation sampling, the plot method was used, including all trees with DBH ≥ 5cm, totaling an area of 1,02ha. With these data, the usual parameters in phytosociology were estimated. In one of the woods, the floristic and phytosociological survey of the seedlings (0,05 ≤ height < 1m) and juveniles (height ≥ 1m, DBH < 5cm) was also performed, evaluating the relations with the adult tree stratum, the potential and the rate of natural regeneration for each species. For the mutualisms study, visual observations and bird captures were done throughout one year. The connectance of the mutualistic system and the species importance index were estimated. The interactions system network and the variation analysis of these interactions throughout the seasons were also done. The floristic composition resulted in a total richness of 20 families and 29 species for the five woods. The total tree density had a maximum media of 1207 ind/ha and a minimum of 747 ind/ha. Sebastiania serrata presented the highest importance value and Myrtaceae was the most represented family. The specific diversity was low, varying from 1,08 to 2,38 (nats). In the mutualistic system, 29 species interacting (birds and plants) were registered, with a connectance of 23,9%. Turdus amaurochalinus and T. rufiventris interacted with most tree species and had the highest importance index, being characterized as the main potential dispersers. Ocotea pulchella and Myrsine spp. were registered with the higher number of consumption events, although, Ficus organesis interacted with more frugivorous species, besides having the higher importance in the birds diet. There were variations in the frugivory events number throughout the seasons, as well as in the number of frugivorous species and consumed tree species. The regenerating component presented specific richness and diversity similar with the adult tree stratum, reflecting a floristic similarity higher than 70%. Most species (73,7%) presented negative regeneration rates, revealing the inverted 'J' pattern. The results point to the existence of differences in the forests tree composition and structure among the Restinga woods, besides a good regeneration capacity for most plant species studied. The data also reveal a generalist dispersal system, in which few bird species interact with many tree species and vice-versa.

Esta dissertação teve como objetivo geral ampliar o conhecimento sobre a ecologia vegetal das matas de Restinga arenosa em substratos bem drenados no Rio Grande do Sul. Para tanto, foram realizados o estudo florístico e fitossociológico do componente arbóreo de cinco capões de Restinga e a verificação de padrões de interações mutualísticas entre aves frugívoras e as árvores, além do estudo do componente de regeneração e suas relações com o estrato arbóreo adulto. Para a amostragem da vegetação, foi usado o método de parcelas, incluindo-se todas as árvores com DAP ≥ 5cm, totalizando uma área de 1,02ha. Com estes dados, foram estimados os parâmetros usuais em fitossociologia. Em um dos capões, foi realizado também o levantamento florístico e fitossociológico das plântulas (0,05 ≤ altura < 1m) e juvenis (altura ≥ 1m, DAP < 5cm), avaliando-se as relações com o estrato arbóreo adulto, o potencial e a taxa de regeneração natural para cada espécie. Para o estudo dos mutualismos, foram feitas observações visuais e capturas de aves durante um ano. Foram estimadas a conectância do sistema mutualístico e o índice de importância das espécies. Também foi feita a rede de interações do sistema e feita a análise da variação destas interações ao longo das estações do ano. A composição florística resultou em uma riqueza total de 20 famílias e 29 espécies para os cinco capões. A densidade total arbórea teve uma média máxima de 1207 ind/ha e mínima de 747 ind/ha. Sebastiania serrata apresentou o maior valor de importância e Myrtaceae foi a família mais representada. A diversidade específica foi baixa, variando de 1,08 a 2,38 (nats). No sistema mutualístico, registraram-se 29 espécies interagindo (aves e plantas), com uma conectância de 23,9%. Turdus amaurochalinus e T. rufiventris interagiram com a maioria das espécies arbóreas e tiveram o maior índice de importância, sendo caracterizadas como as principais dispersoras em potencial. Ocotea pulchella e Myrsine spp. foram registradas com maior número de eventos de consumo de frutos, no entanto, Ficus organesis interagiu com mais espécies frugívoras, além de ter a maior importância na dieta das aves. Houve variações no número eventos de frugivoria ao longo das estações, bem como no número de espécies frugívoras e de espécies arbóreas consumidas. O componente de regeneração apresentou riqueza específica e diversidade semelhantes às do estrato arbóreo adulto, refletindo uma similaridade florística maior que 70%. A maioria das espécies (73,7%) apresentou taxa de regeneração negativa, revelando o padrão de 'J' invertido. Os resultados indicam a existência de diferenças na composição e estrutura arbórea entre os capões de Restinga, além de uma boa capacidade de regeneração para a maioria das espécies vegetais estudadas. Os dados revelam também um sistema dispersão generalista, no qual poucas espécies de aves interagem com muitas espécies arbóreas e vice-versa. / This dissertation had as broad objective the knowledge amplification about the plant ecology of sandy Restinga forests in well drained soils in Rio Grande do Sul. For that, the floristic and phytosociological study of the tree component of five Restinga woods and the verification of mutualistic interactions patterns between frugivorous birds and trees were accomplished, besides the study of the regeneration component and its relations with the adult tree stratum. For vegetation sampling, the plot method was used, including all trees with DBH ≥ 5cm, totaling an area of 1,02ha. With these data, the usual parameters in phytosociology were estimated. In one of the woods, the floristic and phytosociological survey of the seedlings (0,05 ≤ height < 1m) and juveniles (height ≥ 1m, DBH < 5cm) was also performed, evaluating the relations with the adult tree stratum, the potential and the rate of natural regeneration for each species. For the mutualisms study, visual observations and bird captures were done throughout one year. The connectance of the mutualistic system and the species importance index were estimated. The interactions system network and the variation analysis of these interactions throughout the seasons were also done. The floristic composition resulted in a total richness of 20 families and 29 species for the five woods. The total tree density had a maximum media of 1207 ind/ha and a minimum of 747 ind/ha. Sebastiania serrata presented the highest importance value and Myrtaceae was the most represented family. The specific diversity was low, varying from 1,08 to 2,38 (nats). In the mutualistic system, 29 species interacting (birds and plants) were registered, with a connectance of 23,9%. Turdus amaurochalinus and T. rufiventris interacted with most tree species and had the highest importance index, being characterized as the main potential dispersers. Ocotea pulchella and Myrsine spp. were registered with the higher number of consumption events, although, Ficus organesis interacted with more frugivorous species, besides having the higher importance in the birds diet. There were variations in the frugivory events number throughout the seasons, as well as in the number of frugivorous species and consumed tree species. The regenerating component presented specific richness and diversity similar with the adult tree stratum, reflecting a floristic similarity higher than 70%. Most species (73,7%) presented negative regeneration rates, revealing the inverted 'J' pattern. The results point to the existence of differences in the forests tree composition and structure among the Restinga woods, besides a good regeneration capacity for most plant species studied. The data also reveal a generalist dispersal system, in which few bird species interact with many tree species and vice-versa.

Esta dissertação teve como objetivo geral ampliar o conhecimento sobre a ecologia vegetal das matas de Restinga arenosa em substratos bem drenados no Rio Grande do Sul. Para tanto, foram realizados o estudo florístico e fitossociológico do componente arbóreo de cinco capões de Restinga e a verificação de padrões de interações mutualísticas entre aves frugívoras e as árvores, além do estudo do componente de regeneração e suas relações com o estrato arbóreo adulto. Para a amostragem da vegetação, foi usado o método de parcelas, incluindo-se todas as árvores com DAP ≥ 5cm, totalizando uma área de 1,02ha. Com estes dados, foram estimados os parâmetros usuais em fitossociologia. Em um dos capões, foi realizado também o levantamento florístico e fitossociológico das plântulas (0,05 ≤ altura < 1m) e juvenis (altura ≥ 1m, DAP < 5cm), avaliando-se as relações com o estrato arbóreo adulto, o potencial e a taxa de regeneração natural para cada espécie. Para o estudo dos mutualismos, foram feitas observações visuais e capturas de aves durante um ano. Foram estimadas a conectância do sistema mutualístico e o índice de importância das espécies. Também foi feita a rede de interações do sistema e feita a análise da variação destas interações ao longo das estações do ano. A composição florística resultou em uma riqueza total de 20 famílias e 29 espécies para os cinco capões. A densidade total arbórea teve uma média máxima de 1207 ind/ha e mínima de 747 ind/ha. Sebastiania serrata apresentou o maior valor de importância e Myrtaceae foi a família mais representada. A diversidade específica foi baixa, variando de 1,08 a 2,38 (nats). No sistema mutualístico, registraram-se 29 espécies interagindo (aves e plantas), com uma conectância de 23,9%. Turdus amaurochalinus e T. rufiventris interagiram com a maioria das espécies arbóreas e tiveram o maior índice de importância, sendo caracterizadas como as principais dispersoras em potencial. Ocotea pulchella e Myrsine spp. foram registradas com maior número de eventos de consumo de frutos, no entanto, Ficus organesis interagiu com mais espécies frugívoras, além de ter a maior importância na dieta das aves. Houve variações no número eventos de frugivoria ao longo das estações, bem como no número de espécies frugívoras e de espécies arbóreas consumidas. O componente de regeneração apresentou riqueza específica e diversidade semelhantes às do estrato arbóreo adulto, refletindo uma similaridade florística maior que 70%. A maioria das espécies (73,7%) apresentou taxa de regeneração negativa, revelando o padrão de 'J' invertido. Os resultados indicam a existência de diferenças na composição e estrutura arbórea entre os capões de Restinga, além de uma boa capacidade de regeneração para a maioria das espécies vegetais estudadas. Os dados revelam também um sistema dispersão generalista, no qual poucas espécies de aves interagem com muitas espécies arbóreas e vice-versa. / This dissertation had as broad objective the knowledge amplification about the plant ecology of sandy Restinga forests in well drained soils in Rio Grande do Sul. For that, the floristic and phytosociological study of the tree component of five Restinga woods and the verification of mutualistic interactions patterns between frugivorous birds and trees were accomplished, besides the study of the regeneration component and its relations with the adult tree stratum. For vegetation sampling, the plot method was used, including all trees with DBH ≥ 5cm, totaling an area of 1,02ha. With these data, the usual parameters in phytosociology were estimated. In one of the woods, the floristic and phytosociological survey of the seedlings (0,05 ≤ height < 1m) and juveniles (height ≥ 1m, DBH < 5cm) was also performed, evaluating the relations with the adult tree stratum, the potential and the rate of natural regeneration for each species. For the mutualisms study, visual observations and bird captures were done throughout one year. The connectance of the mutualistic system and the species importance index were estimated. The interactions system network and the variation analysis of these interactions throughout the seasons were also done. The floristic composition resulted in a total richness of 20 families and 29 species for the five woods. The total tree density had a maximum media of 1207 ind/ha and a minimum of 747 ind/ha. Sebastiania serrata presented the highest importance value and Myrtaceae was the most represented family. The specific diversity was low, varying from 1,08 to 2,38 (nats). In the mutualistic system, 29 species interacting (birds and plants) were registered, with a connectance of 23,9%. Turdus amaurochalinus and T. rufiventris interacted with most tree species and had the highest importance index, being characterized as the main potential dispersers. Ocotea pulchella and Myrsine spp. were registered with the higher number of consumption events, although, Ficus organesis interacted with more frugivorous species, besides having the higher importance in the birds diet. There were variations in the frugivory events number throughout the seasons, as well as in the number of frugivorous species and consumed tree species. The regenerating component presented specific richness and diversity similar with the adult tree stratum, reflecting a floristic similarity higher than 70%. Most species (73,7%) presented negative regeneration rates, revealing the inverted 'J' pattern. The results point to the existence of differences in the forests tree composition and structure among the Restinga woods, besides a good regeneration capacity for most plant species studied. The data also reveal a generalist dispersal system, in which few bird species interact with many tree species and vice-versa.