Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: It is well documented that insulin offers cardioprotection under ischaemic stress. In the past it was believed that the protective effects of insulin, such as the (a) recruitment of glucose transporters to enhance glucose entry into the cell, (b) stimulation of glycolysis, (c) enhancement of glycogen synthesis, (d) improved protein synthesis, and (e) positive inotropic and chronotropic properties, were metabolic of origin, but lately the emphasis has shifted towards the diverse signal transduction pathways elicited by insulin. Although these beneficial effects of insulin on ischaemia/reperfusion induced injury have been studied for many years, the exact protective mechanism is still not resolved. Aim: To investigate the influence of insulin on the signaling pathways as a possible protective mechanism against ischaemia/reperfusion and therefore to investigate the possible roles and cross signaling of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase B (PKB) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) in the cardioprotection offered by insulin to the reperfused, ischaemic myocardium. Materials and methods: Isolated rat hearts were perfused retrogradely in accordance with the Langendorff technique (95%02, 5% C02). After 30 min of stabilization, hearts were subjected to 30 min global low flow ischaemia (0,2 ml/min), followed by 30 min of reperfusion. Hearts perfused with standard Krebs Henseleit solution containing 5 mM glucose were compared to hearts perfused with a perfusion solution containing 5 mM glucose and 0,3 IlIU/ml insulin. Wortmannin was added during either ischaemia or reperfusion. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), rate pressure product (RPP), tissue cAMP and PKB and p38 MAPK activation were measured. Results: Insulin treated hearts showed improved functional recovery (P<0.05) during reperfusion after ischaemia vs. non-insulin treated hearts (85.5±4.6% vs. 44.8±4.9%). However, the addition of wortmannin (a Pl3-kinase inhibitor) to the perfusion solution during either ischaemia or reperfusion abolished the improved recovery. At the end of ischaemia, cAMP levels of the insulin treated hearts were elevated significantly, while the cAMP content in the non-insulin treated hearts returned to control levels. Addition of wortmannin during ischaemia abolished this rise in cAMP. Wortmannin added during reperfusion only did not alter the levels of cAMP at the end of reperfusion. Activation of p38 MAPK was transient during ischaemia for both insulin and non-insulin treated hearts. Addition of wortmannin during ischaemia did not alter p38 MAPK levels at the end of ischaemia. P38 MAPK was activated significantly (P<0.001) in the non-insulin treated hearts vs. insulin treated hearts during reperfusion. Wortmannin, added at the onset of reperfusion, could partially abolish the effects of insulin to suppress p38 MAPK activation after 30 min of reperfusion. Activation of PKB in insulin treated hearts was significantly higher than non-insulin treated hearts during stabilization and early ischaemia. This activity was depressed by 30 min of ischaemia in both presence and absence of insulin. Wortmannin, when added before induction of ischaemia did not further lower this. The presence of insulin resulted in occurrence of strong PKB activation during reperfusion, peaking at 15 minutes and diminishing at 30 minutes. Wortmannin, added at the onset of reperfusion, abolished PKB activity measured at the end of reperfusion. Conclusion: Insulin exerted a positive inotropic effect and delayed the onset to ischaemic contracture. Inhibition of Pl3-kinase by wortmannin abolished the protective effects of insulin, arguing for an insulin stimulated PKB involvement in cardiac protection. Insulin also increased cAMP production and attenuated activation of p38 MAPK, both associated with improved recovery. This evidence suggested possible cross signaling between different signaling pathways. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Insulin beskerm harte wat aan isgemiese stres blootgestel word. Alhoewel hierdie voordelige effekte van insulien reeds vir verskeie jare bestudeer is, is die presiese meganisme waarmee insulien die hart beskerm steeds nie duidelik nie. Navorsers het die beskermende effekte van insulien aan metaboliese gevolge soos: (a) verhoogde glukose transport d.m.v. inspanning van meer glukose transporters (b), stimulering van glikolise, (c) vebeterde glikogeensintese, (d) verhoogde proteiensintese, en (e) die positiewe inotropiese en chronotropiese eienskappe van insulien toegeskryf. Onlangs het die fokus verskuif na ander diverse seintransduksiepaaie. Doel: Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om die moontlike betrokkenheid van hierdie sientransduksiepaaie asook die interaksie tussen sikliese adenomonofosfaat (cAMP), proteïn kinase B (PKB) en p38 MAPK in die beskerming wat insulien aan die isgemiese, gereperfuseerde miokardium bied, te bestudeer. Materiale en Metodes: Geïsoleerde rotharte is geperfuseer in ooreenstemming met die Langendorff metode. Na 30 min van stabilisasie is harte blootgestel aan 30 min. globale lae vloei isgemie (0,2 ml/min), en daarna is harte vir 30 min. geherperfuseer. Harte wat geperfuseer is met 'n perfusaat wat 5mM glukose bevat is vergelyk met harte wat geperfuseer is met 'n perfusaat wat 5mM glukose en 0,3 ~IU/ml insulien bevat. Sommige harte is geperfuseer met 'n perfusie oplossing waar wortmannin bygevoeg is tydens óf isgemie óf tydens herperfusie. Linker ventrikulêre ontwikkelde druk (LVDP), tempo-druk produk (RPP), weefsel cAMP-vlakke asook PKB en p38 MAPK aktiwiteit is gemeet. Resultate: Insulien-behandelde harte het funksioneel beduidend beter herstel tydens herperfusie na isgemie as harte wat nie met insulien behandel is nie (85.5±4.6% vs. 44.8±4.9%). Byvoeging van wortmannin by die perfusie oplossing tydens óf isgemie óf reperfusie, het die toename in herstel wat gesien is in die insulien-behandelde harte, opgehef. Die cAMP vlakke in die insulienbehandelde harte het aan die einde van isgemie beduidend gestyg (P<0.001), terwyl vlakke in harte wat nie met insulien behandel is nie, na kontrole vlakke teruggekeer het. Die teenwoordigheid van wortmannin in die perfusie oplossing tydens isgemie, het die styging in cAMP voorkom , terwyl die byvoeging van wortmannin tydens herperfusie. nie die cAMP vlakke beïnvloed het nie. Die aktivering van p38 MAPK tydens isgemie was van verbygaande aard in beide die insulien-behandelde harte en harte wat nie met insulien behandel is nie. Die byvoeging van wortmannin tydens isgemie het nie die p38 MAPK aktivering beïnvloed nie. P38 MAPK is beduidend geaktiveer tydens herperfusie in harte wat nie met insulien behandel is nie vergeleke met die insulien-behandelde harte. Die byvoeging van wortmannin tydens reperfusie kon die effek van insulien om p38 MAPK aktivering te onderdruk, gedeeltelik ophef. PKB aktivering tydens die stabilisasie fase en vroeë isgemie was beduidend hoër in die insulien-behandelde harte vs. die harte wat nie met isulien behandel is nie. Die aktiwiteit is onderdruk deur 30 min isgemie ongeag die teenwoordigheid van insulien. Die byvoeging van wortmannin tydens isgemie het PKB aktivering nie verder verlaag nie. Die teenwoordigheid van insulien het 'n sterk aktivering van PKB tydens herperfusie veroorsaak met 'n piek na 15 min en 'n verlaging na 30 min. Wortmannin bygevoeg aan die begin van herperfusie, het PKB aktiwiteit opgehef aan die einde van reperfusie. Opsomming: Insulien het 'n positiewe inotropiese invloed gehad, en het die begin van isgemiese kontraksie vertraag. Die inhibisie van Pl3-kinase deur wortmannin het die beskermende effekte van insulin opgehef, wat 'n insulin gestimuleerde PKB betrokkenheid aandui. Insulien het ook verhoogte cAMP produksie en verlaagde p38 MAPK aktivering tot gevolg gehad, en beide is geassosieer met verbeterde herstel. Hierdie resultate dui dus op moontlike interaksie tussen die verskillende seintransduksiepaaie.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study describes: 1. Substrate binding assays investigating the effects of methanolic extracts of unfermented and fermented Rooibos on the binding of natural substrates to ovine adrenal microsomal and mitochondrial P450 enzymes, demonstrating the interference of substrate binding in the presence of the Rooibos extracts. 2. The effects of selected flavonoids (quercetin, rutin and aspalathin) on the binding of natural substrates to ovine adrenal microsomal and mitochondrial P450 enzymes, demonstrating interference of substrate binding in the presence of the flavonoid compounds. 3. Substrate conversion assays in non-steroidogenic COS-1 cells to investigate the effects of methanolic extracts of unfermented and fermented Rooibos on the activity of key steroidogenic P450 enzymes (CYP17A1, CYP21A2, CYP11B1, and CYP11B2), demonstrating inhibition of the catalytic activity in the presence of Rooibos extracts. 4. The effects of selected flavonoids on the substrate conversion of the aforementioned key steroidogenic enzymes expressed in COS-1 cells. 5. An investigation of the effect of methanolic extracts of unfermented and fermented Rooibos on steroid hormone production in human adrenal H295R cells under basal and stimulated conditions, demonstrating the modulating effects of unfermented and fermented Rooibos extracts. Basal and stimulated steroid hormone production was decreased in the presence of unfermented and fermented Rooibos. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie beskryf: 1. Die gebruik van substraatbindings-essais om die effek van metanoliese ekstrakte, van gefermenteerde- en ongefermenteerde Rooibos, op die binding van die natuurlike substrate aan skaap adrenale mikrosomale en -mitochondriale P450 ensieme te bepaal. Daar is getoon dat die ekstrakte 'n beduidende inhiberende effek op ensiemsubstraatinteraksie gehad het. 2. Die die inhiberende effek van geselekteerde flavonoïede (kwersetien, rutien and aspalatien) op die binding van die natuurlike substrate aan skaap adrenale mikrosomale en -mitochondriale P450 ensieme. 3. Die gebruik van substraatomsettings-essais in nie-steroïedogeniese COS-1 selle, om die effek van gefermenteerde- en ongefermenteerde Rooibos ekstrakte op die aktiwiteit van die steroïedogeniese P450 ensieme (CYP17A1, CYP21A2, CYP11B1, and CYP11B2) se katalitiese aktiwiteit te bepaal. Daar kon aangetoon word dat die katalitise aktiwiteite van bg. ensieme beduidend beïnvloed word deur die Rooibos ekstrakte. 4. Die gebruik van substraatomsettings-essais in nie-steroïedogeniese COS-1 selle, om die effek van geselekteerde flavonoïede op die aktiwiteit van bogenoemde steroïedogeniese P450 ensieme te bepaal. 5. 'n Ondersoek na die invloed van metanoliese ekstrakte van gefermenteerde- en ongefermenteerde Rooibos op steroïedhormoon biosintese in die menslike adrenale H295R-selmodel. Die ondersoek, onder basale en gestimuleerde toestande, het getoon dat beide Rooibosekstrakte in bogenoemde toestande steroïedhormoon produksie geinhibeer het.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, the influence of rooibos on the catalytic activity of enzymes 17β -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17βHSD3), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5 (AKR1C3), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (17βHSD2), 5α-reductase type 1 (SRD5A1) and 5α-reductase type 2 (SRD5A2), which catalyse prostate androgen metabolism, was investigated. The activities of both 17βHSD3 and AKR1C3 heterologously expressed in CHO-K1 and HEK293 cells were inhibited significantly by rooibos, with rooibos reducing the conversion of androstenedione (A4) and 11keto-androstenedione (11KA4) to testosterone (T) and 11ketotestosterone (11KT), respectively. The catalytic activity of 17βHSD2 towards T, 11hydroxytestosterone (11OHT) and 11KT was also significantly inhibited by rooibos in transiently transfected HEK293 cells. In transiently transfected HEK293 cells rooibos did not inhibit SRD5A1 while the rate of T conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by SRD5A2 was decreased. Analysis of steroid metabolism in PNT2 cells also suggests that rooibos does not modulate the catalytic activity of endogenously expressed SRD5A towards A4, however, the conversion of T to DHT was reduced. In addition, reductive 17βHSD activity towards A4 was inhibited in the presence of rooibos in both PNT2 and BPH-1 cells. In contrast, the conversion of 11KA4 to 11KT was inhibited in BPH-1, PC-3 and LNCaP cells, with negligible conversion of 11KA4 in PNT2 cells. Interestingly, data suggests inhibition of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (AKR1C2) activity in the production of androsterone (AST) from 5α–androstenedione (5α-dione), as well as the dehydrogenase reaction of T to A4 in PNT2 cells by rooibos. Androgen metabolism pathways were subsequently investigated in LNCaP cells to determine androgen metabolism by endogenous enzymes. Rooibos resulted in the reduced conversion of A4 in LNCaP cells to the same extent as indomethacin, a known AKR1C3 inhibitor. Rooibos also modulated T, DHT and AST metabolism in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity in LNCaP cells was inhibited by rooibos, decreasing T-, DHT– and AST-glucuronide formation. These data prompted subsequent investigations into the influence of rooibos at cellular level, and prostatespecific antigen (PSA) levels were assayed in the presence of rooibos. PSA was significantly inhibited by rooibos in the absence and presence of DHT, suggesting possible interaction of rooibos with the mutated androgen receptor (AR) or estrogen receptor-β (ERβ) expressed in LNCaP cells. Taken together, rooibos inhibited the catalytic activity of key enzymes that catalyse the activation of androgens in the prostate, as well as inhibiting enzymes involved in the conjugation of androgens. At cellular level, PSA levels were also decreased by rooibos, possibly through AR or ERβ interactions – clearly indicating a modulatory role for rooibos in active androgen production. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie was die invloed van rooibos ten opsigte van die katalitiese aktiwiteite van die ensieme 17β-hidroksi-steroïed-dehidrogenase tipe 2, tipe 3 en tipe 5 (17βHSD2, 17βHSD3, AKR1C3), asook 5α-reduktase tipe 1 en tipe 2 (SRD5A1, SRD5A2) ondersoek. Hierdie ensieme is betrokke in die produksie van androgene in die prostaat. Rooibos het die katalitiese aktiwiteit van 17βHSD3 en AKR1C3 in CHO-K1 en HEK293 selle beïnvloed en het vermindere omskakeling van androstenedioon (A4) en 11keto-androstenedioon (11KA4) na testosteroon (T) en 11-ketotestosteroon (11KT), afsonderlik, veroorsaak. Die katalitiese aktiwiteit van 17βHSD2 teenoor T, 11-hidroksie-testosteroon (11OHT) en 11KT was ook beïnvloed in die teenwoordigheid van rooibos in HEK293 selle. Die katalitiese aktiwiteit van SRD5A1 teenoor A4 en T is nie beïnvloed deur rooibos nie, alhoewel dit voorkom asof rooibos die omsettingstempo van T na dihidrotestosteroon (DHT) deur SRD5A2, getransfekteer in HEK293 selle, verminder het. Verdere ondersoeke is in normale prostaat epiteel selle, in die teenwoordigheid van rooibos uitgevoer. Rooibos het geen invloed op die katalitiese aktiwiteit van SRD5A teenoor A4 gehad nie, alhoewel vermindere omskakeling van T na DHT aangetoon kon word. Rooibos het ook die omskakeling van A4 na T in beide PNT2 en BPH-1 selle tot „n mate geïnhibeer. Die omskakeling van 11KA4 na 11KT was ook verminder in BPH-1, PC-3 en LNCaP selle. Die omskakeling van 11KA4 na 11KT was beduidend laer in PNT2 selle en kon die invloed van rooibos nie aangetoon word nie. Bykomende data toon dat rooibos ook die omskakeling van 5α-androstenedioon (5α-dione) na androsteroon (AST), gekataliseer deur 3α-hidroksi-dehidrogenase tipe 3 (AKR1C2), verminder, gesamentlik met die vermindere omskakeling van T na A4, deur 17βHSD2, in PNT2 selle. Hierdie studie het ook ondersoek ingestel, na die metabolisme van androgene in LNCaP selle. Vermindere A4 metabolisme is in die teenwoordigheid van rooibos asook in die teenwoordigheid van indometasien, „n bekende AKR1C3 inhibitor, gevind. Rooibos verminder dus die aktiwiteit van reduktiewe 17βHSD in LNCaP selle. Verandering in die metabolisme van T, DHT en AST in LNCaP selle, in die teenwoordigheid van rooibos, is ook gevind. Verdere ondersoek in LNCaP selle het gewys dat rooibos „n vermindering in die produksie van gekonjugeerde T, DHT en AST veroorsaak. Die studie het die invloed van rooibos op prostaat-spesifieke antigeen (PSA) ook ondersoek. Daar is vasgestel dat rooibos die vlakke van PSA verminder in die afwesigheid en teenwoordigheid van DHT in LNCaP selle. Hierdie resultaat dui op moontlike interaksie van rooibos met die androgeen (AR) of estrogeen-reseptor-β (ERβ), teenwoordig in LNCaP selle. Rooibos het die katalitiese aktiwiteit van ensieme, wat bydra tot androgeen produksie, geïnhibeer, asook die konjugasie van androgene. Op „n sellulêre vlak, het rooibos die vlakke van PSA-sekresie verminder, wat moontlike interaksie met die AR en ERβ aandui. Hierdie bevindings dui daarop dat rooibos wel n rol het om te speel in die modulasie van aktiewe androgene in die prostaat.

Thesis (M.A.)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, a Multiple Baseline across People design was used with a sample of 6 Fibromyalgia (FS) sufferers in order to evaluate the efficacy of a multidimensional treatment programme on: pain intensity, duration of pain experiences and intake of medication. The programme which consisted of weekly 2 hourly sessions over a period of 6 weeks, combined hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis with cognitive-behavioural techniques. Attempts were made to customise interventions to the specific needs of the individual. The following three hypotheses were postulated: That introduction of the treatment programme would: 1) reduce pain intensity levels; 2) reduce the duration of pain experiences (average daily pain hours) thus minimising the interference of pain into the lives of the patients; 3) reduce the intake of medication. All three of the hypotheses are supported by the results. Graphs show that pain intensity levels, average daily pain hours (duration) and intake of medication clearly decreased over the treatment process from baseline to follow up. For hypotheses 1 and 2, the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was applied which showed that the results were also statistically significant. The study yielded qualitative information regarding two areas of FS: 1) possible etiological factors contributing towards the syndrome; 2) the elucidation of various therapeutic components responsible for alleviating specific FS symptoms. In particular, the study highlights the importance of targeting maladaptive cognitions linked to pain experiences as well as of taking account of individual interpersonal issues in the management of FS sufferers. An etiological model is presented by the author which views FS within a systemic framework III which vanous variables (psychological and physiological) operating at the individual, environmental and socio-cultural levels, interact to produce the syndrome. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie is van 'n Meervoudige Basislynontwerp met Mense (''Multiple Baseline across People") gebruik gemaak om 'n steekproef van 6 Fibromialgie (FS) pasiente te evalueer ten opsigte van pynintensiteit, tydsduur van pynervarings en die inneem van medikasie. Die program, 'n kombinasie van hipnose met kognitiewe gedragstegnieke, het bestaan uit weeklikse sessies van 2 ure elk oor 'n tydperk van 6 weke. Die intervensies wat plaasgevind het, was ook gerig op die spesifieke behoeftes van die individu. Die volgende drie hipoteses IS gestel, naamlik dat die toepassing van die behandelingsprogram sou: 1) die pyn-intensiteitsvlakke verminder; 2) die tydsduur van die pyn-ervarings verminder en die voorkoms van pyn in die pasient se lewe minimaliseer; 3) die inname van medikasie verminder. Al drie hipoteses is betekenisvolondersteun deur die resultate. Die statistiese grafieke het getoon dat die pyn-intensiteitsvlakke, die gemiddelde daaglikse pyn-ervaringsure en die inname van medikasie, betekenisvol verminder het oor die behandelingsperiode vanaf basislyn tot opvolgperiode. Die ''Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test" het ten opsigte van hipoteses 1 en 2 ook statisties betekenisvolle resultate aangetoon. Die kwalitatiewe inligting vanuit die ondersoek bekom, het twee aspekte rakende FS navore gebring, naamlik: 1) die moontlike etiologiese faktore wat bedra tot die sindroom en 2) 'n duideliker omlyning van die terapeutiese komponente verantwoordelik vir die versagting van spesifieke FS simptome. In besonder is die wanaangepaste kognisies geassosieer met pynervanrings uitgelig, asook die interpersoonlike probleme wat FS pasiente ervaar in die behandelingsprogram. 'n Etiologiese model, wat FS binne 'n sisterniese raamwerk plaas, IS deur die navorser voorgestel. Laasgenoemde model spreek die verskeidenheid van sielkundige en fisiologiese veranderlikes, wat op die individu, omgewing en sosiokulturele vlakke inwerk, op so 'n wyse aan dat dit die sindroom meer verklaarbaar maak.

published_or_final_version / Pharmacology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Anatomy / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery