Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 2008. / Title from title page screen (viewed on January 7, 2009). Research advisor: John D. Schuetz, Ph.D. Document formatted into pages (xi, 113 p. : ill.). Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 92-113).

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2005. / Embargoed. Vita. Bibliography: 29-34.

It had long been known that individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), have locally reduced vitamin C levels in the intestinal mucosa, which equates to an overall loss of the antioxidant capacity and increase risk of oxidative tissue damage. The aim of the present work was to expand on this concept, through investigating the role of genetic variations in intestinal vitamin C transporters in vulnerability to IBD and further characterizing their functions. The studies focused on a known intestinal transporter for ascorbic acid, SLC23A1, and a novel intestinal transporter of dehydroascorbic acid, SLC2A14 (GLUT14). To investigate any association between the SLC23A1 and SLC2A14 with IBD, genomic DNA of 311 Caucasian individuals with IBD, participated in the Manitoba IBD Cohort Study, and 142 healthy controls were genotyped for tagging single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of each gene, using TaqMan Assays. New splice variants of SLC23A1 and SLC2A14 were determined by In silico analyses, followed by sub-cloning of the splice variants to verify their subcellular locations. Substrates and functions were determined, using the Xenopus laevis oocyte system for each transporter. The presence of the SLC23A1 variant rs10063949 G allele elevated the risk for CD by 150% (Odds ratios (OR) = 2.54, 95% CI 1.83-3.53). An allele dosage effect was confirmed; compared to rs10063949-AA homozygotes the 10063949-AG heterozygotes have a 150% elevated risk and the 10063949-GG homozygotes have a 370% elevated CD risk (OR=2.54, 95% CI 1.38-4.66; OR=4.72, 95% CI 2.53-8.81, p<0.001; respectively). No relation was observed between genetic variants in SLC23A1 and UC. Through database search, a novel 5’exon was discovered for SLC23A1 locus which is located 1078 nucleotides upstream of the canonical first exon. The two first exons are not mutually exclusive since they splice together to create a novel SLC23A1 protein isoform, we named it isoform 1A, with a N-terminus that is elongated by 36 amino acid. The novel SLC23A1 isoform located at the plasma membrane, but mediates only 7% of the ascorbic acid transport exhibited by the shorter isoform. The presence of the SLC2A14 SNP rs2889504 A allele elevated the risk for UC by 260% and CD by 468% (OR: 3.60, 95% CI: 1.95-6.64; OR: 4.68, 95% CI: 2.78-8.50, respectively). The rs10846086-G allele elevated the risk of UC and CD approximately 3-fold (OR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.49-5.68; OR: 3.00, 95% CI: 1.55-5.78, respectively). The variant rs12815313-T increased the risk for CD by 112% (OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.33-3.36). All the genetic variations in SLC2A14 gene, associated with IBD, were independent from each other, strengthening the evidence that functional SNPs in the SLC2A14 locus contribute to IBD. It was identified that the two major GLUT14 isoforms locate to the plasmalemma membrane and mediate cellular uptake of dehydroascorbic acid. Significant expression in extra-testicular tissues was confirmed for SLC2A14, notably in intestinal segments, explaining the association with IBD. Re-analysis of genomic showed a dramatically expanded locus of SLC2A14, containing twenty exons which covered 103,477 nucleotides from the first Transcriptional Start Site (TSS) to the termination of the longest transcript. All together, the presented evidence indicate that functional SNPs in the SLC2A14 gene and SLC23A1 could contribute to vitamin C imbalance in mucosal cells which contributes to an elevated risks of IBD. Furthermore, novel information about genetic and functional characteristics of SLC23A1 and GLUT14 transporters was identified. / February 2016

La modélisation spatialisée de la demande de transport de fret est classiquement fondée sur une représentation `a quatre étapes des décisions que prennent les chargeurs et les transporteurs; cette représentation distingue les décisions de volume émis et reçus, de choix de fournisseur ou destinataire, de mode de transport et enfin d’itinéraire. Mais le transport de marchandise est une opération de nature discrète : les marchandises sont transportées par blocs, ou envois. Ces envois sont absents de la représentation à quatre étapes. Ce travail a pour but d’étudier le rôle du choix de la taille d’envois dans le fonctionnement du transport de fret. Après une revue de la modélisation du transport de fret et de certains problèmes logistiques, le transport de fret est analysé et décrit de fa¸con systémique. Les agents en jeu et leurs comportements sont identifiés. La distinction entre consommation et production du transport de fret est établie, ce qui permet de clarifier le lien entre logistique et transport de fret. Ensuite, l’attention est portée sur l’observation empirique du système de transport de fret. Des propositions sont faites pour améliorer les enquêtes en bord de route menées en France auprès des poids lourds. Elles concernent principalement la productivité et les options techniques des transporteurs routiers. Une validation économétrique du modèle micro économique de taille d’envoi optimale Economic Order Quantity est effectuée au moyen de la base de données ECHO. Enfin, la modélisation microéconomique est employée pour traiter deux sujets en particulier. Premièrement, pour analyser en détail la formation des prix d’équilibre de transport de fret, en représentant les impératifs logistiques des chargeurs et la technologie des transporteurs (notamment la consolidation d’envois). Deuxièmement pour représenter en détail le lien entre la logistique des chargeurs et leur demande de transport de fret, afin, entre autre, de pouvoir modéliser l’usage simultané de deux modes de transport par un unique transporteur pour un unique flux de marchandises / Classic spatialised freight transport models are based on a four stage representation of the decisions shippers and carriers take. The decisions this representation distinguishes are: emitted and received flow rates, supplier or receiver choice, transport mode, itinerary. However, freight transport is discrete by nature: commodities are moved by bundles called shipments. Shipments are absent from the four stage representation. This study is aimed at investigating the role of the choice of shipment size in the freight transport system. After a review of recent freight transport modelling advances and of some logistic models, we proceed to a systems analysis of freight transport. Agents are identified, their behaviours and relationships are described. This allows for a clarification of the linkage between logistics and freight transport. Then, attentions is paid to the empirical observation of the freight transport system. Propositions are made to improve French roadside surveys, so as to better observe the productivity and technical choices of motor carriers. The seminal microeconomic model of optimal shipment size called Economic Order Quantity is assessed econometrically using the ECHO database. Lastly, two particular issues are addressed using microeconomic models. First, the equilibrium freight rates of a schematic road freight transport market are modelled, on the basis of an explicit representation of the logistic imperatives of shippers and of the technology of carriers (the consolidation of shipments in vehicles is accounted for). Second, the logistic imperatives of shippers are analysed in detail to explain why a shipper would use two transport modes simultaneously for a unique commodity flow

Obesity and Diabetes, the major cause for morbidity and mortality in United States raises a general curiosity regarding health care expenses when talked about treating them. Every year approximately 300,000 US adults die of reasons associated to obesity and diabetes, becoming the sixth leading cause of death. The prevalence of those diagnosed with diabetes witnessed an exponential curve in the last decade and for the year 2011 about 8.3% of the population in the US has been diagnosed with diabetes and it is predicted that in the year 2030 the prevalence of diabetes is to reach 4.4% globally. Type 2 diabetes is a condition, which develops when the body no longer makes enough insulin or when the insulin so produced does not work effectively. In reaction to the increase in obesity, treatments for obesity became more common especially the pharmacological treatments. Since this treatment also required one to change their lifestyle and food habits, bariatric surgeries were considered as an option to treat obesity and diabetes. A range of surgical procedures have been used to stimulate weight loss for obese patients. These procedures resulted in weight loss by restricting the size of the stomach (Gastric Banding) or bypassing a portion of the intestine (Gastric Bypass). Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) accomplishes weight loss during a combination of gastric restriction and malabsorption. Reduction of the stomach to a small gastric pouch results in feelings of satiety. The RYGB procedure has been performed regularly since the early 1980s; it was first performed laparoscopically in the early 1990s. Ileal interposition (IT) is a surgical procedure where a section of ileum is snipped and moved closer to the jejunum. It is said that the food takes just ten minutes to reach the ileum instead of an hour after this procedure. The ileum produces Glucagon like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) which helps in insulin secretion. Glucose is a key stimulator for mammals and is derived from the diet consumed, transferred from the circulation into the target cells. Glucose penetrates the eukaryotic cells through membrane associated carrier proteins, the Na+ coupled glucose transporter (SGLT-1) and the glucose transporter (GLUT). These transporters are structurally and functionally distinct. The main research question was "are the receptors involved in glucose transport across the membrane (GLUT2 and SGLT1) important for Ileal Interposition"? With experiments like real time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), we have observed the differences in the expression of these receptors with respect to the location and organ. Ileal interposition showed a significant difference (p<0.01) compared to sham-operated rats in the expression of GLUT2 in the gluconeogenic organs. The increased GLUT2 levels in ileal interposition may explain glucose sensitivity and these data emphasize the need for GLUT2 to maintain a positive glucose homeostasis and further study on SGLT1/GLUT2 influence on gluconeogenesis.

It has been shown that tumour cells are capable of switching to glycolytic metabolism for the production of ATP even in the presence of oxygen, this is known as aerobic glycolysis or the 'Warburg effect'. The glycolytic phenotype has been associated with tumour aggressiveness and poor outcome in several cancer types. This makes the area of cancer metabolism an attractive area for the potential identification of new therapeutic targets. One key component, required for cells to maintain the glycolytic phenotype, is the presence of monocarboxylate transporters that are capable of exporting lactate. These transporters are vital for the maintenance of the intracellular pH of cells under these conditions. This study was centred around the hypothesis that altering expression of MCTs would impact on the metabolism of tumour cells and, therefore, other key characteristics of cells relating to metastatic capabilities and survival following treatment. For the purpose of this work, prostate cancer cell lines were transfected with lentiviral particles targeting overexpression of MCT1 or MCT4, or knockdown of MCT4. Following transfection, cellular metabolic profiles were assessed under normoxic and hypoxic conditions and the metastatic phenotype of each cell line was investigated. Additionally, the effect of MCT expression on response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy was explored, and a siRNA metabolome screen was performed to identify combinations of targets that may produce synthetic lethality in prostate cancer cell lines. It was shown that changes in the expression of MCT1 or MCT4 did not cause significant changes in the metastatic phenotypes of the prostate cancer cell lines investigated. Some differences were observed in the metabolic pathways used by these prostate cancer cells following alterations in MCT expression. For example, overexpression of MCT1 in DU145 cells resulted in an increase in intracellular lactate. Additionally, MCT4 knockdown in PC3 cells was able to reduce OXPHOS under reduced oxygen. MCT1 overexpression was able to sensitise androgen-independent prostate cancer cells to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Furthermore, combinations of siRNA treatments were identified that may be capable of producing synthetic lethality. In summary, findings in this study indicated that targeting MCT1 and MCT4 expression could offer therapeutic benefit in prostate cancer. However, it was also highlighted that the roles of these transporters are specific to cancer type, and even cell line.

Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Student: Veronika Řepová Supervisor: Prof. PharmDr. Petr Pávek, Ph.D., Prof. Ramiro Jover Atienza, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Alterations in gene expression of hepatobiliary transporters as potential mechanisms for drug-induced cholestasis by amoxicillin and clavulanic acid The combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (AMO/CLA) represents one of the most frequent causes of the idiosyncratic type of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) nowadays. Despite difficulties in diagnosis and causality assessment, the clinical features have already been reported and in most of the cases categorized as cholestatic damages. Number of descriptions of the molecular mechanisms of drug-induced cholestasis has been rising recently and the role of hepatobiliary transporters has turned out to be crucial in the pathogenesis. However, the mechanisms of AMO/CLA-induced DILI at the molecular level still remain indistinct. In order to investigate the hepatotoxic effects of AMO/CLA and AMO alone in vitro, HepG2 and human Upcyte hepatocytes were used as hepatocellular models. The mRNA levels of key bile acid (BA) transporters, enzymes and nuclear receptors (NRs) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain...

Objetivos: O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver modelo farmacocinético (popPK) populacional para descrever simultaneamente as concentrações das fluoroquinolonas (levofloxacino – LEV e ciprofloxacino – CIP) no plasma, pulmão e próstata na presença e ausência do inibidor da P-gp tariquidar (TAR) visando determinar a contribuição desse transportador de efluxo na distribuição tecidual desses antimicrobianos. Método: Para alcançar este objetivo as seguintes etapas foram realizadas: i) foi validado o método analítico de HPLC-fluorescência para quantificação de CIP em amostras de plasma e microdialisado; ii) foram estabelecidas as condições para microdiálise para o CIP e as taxas de recuperação in vitro, por diálise e retrodiálise, e em tecido pulmonar e prostático in vivo por retrodiálise; iii) foi avaliada a farmacocinética do LEV após administração a ratos Wistar via i.v. bolus e por nebulização intratraqueal na dose de 7mg/kg na ausência e após administração prévia de TAR (15 mg/Kg i.v.); iv) foi desenvolvido um modelo popPK para prever as concentrações do LEV simultaneamente no plasma, pulmão e próstata após administração intravenosa e intratraqueal na presença e ausência do TAR; v) foi desenvolvido o modelo popPK para descrever as concentrações de CIP simultaneamente no plasma, pulmão e próstata após administração a ratos Wistar da dose de 7 mg/kg i.v. bolus na presença e ausência de TAR (15 mg/kg i.v.); vi) Para ambos os fármacos os dados foram avaliados por análise não-compartimental e modelados por modelo de quatro compartimentos modificado, com ajuda do software NONMEN®. Resultados e Conclusões. i) Método analítico foi desenvolvido e validado com sucesso para quantificação de CIP em HPLC/fluorescência mostrando-se linear na faixa de 10–2000 ng/mL em plasma e 5–1000 ng/mL em microdialisado com coeficientes de determinação (r2) superiores a 0,99. Os valores obtidos de erro padrão relativo para ensaios de precisão intra e inter-dia foram entre 8,8 e 6,0 %, para microdialisado entre 11,1 e 7,4 % para plasma, respectivamente. Os valores de exatidão foram 86,1% entre 114.3% para microdialisado e 85,6% entre 108,2% para plasma; ii) A avaliação do CIP por microdiálise mostrou recuperação concentração independente (0,25 - 1,5 μg/mL). Além disso, não houve diferença entre as recuperações obtidas por diálise e retrodiálise para o mesmo fluxo. No fluxo selecionado para os experimentos (1,5 μL/min) as recuperações médias por diálise e retrodiálise foram 23,0 ± 2,8% e 22,8 ± 1,6 %, respectivamente. A recuperação relativa das sondas in vivo foi de 11,3 ± 1,9 e 13,1 ± 2,7 % para pulmão e próstata, respectivamente; iii) A análise dos perfis plasmáticos e teciduais LEV após dose intravenosa do grupo controle (sem TAR) mostrou boa penetração tecidual na próstata (ƒT = 0,68) e no pulmão (ƒT = 0,69). Para a mesma via de administração, o grupo TAR mostrou uma penetração praticamente inalterada para o pulmão (ƒT = 0,81) e um aumento de mais de 2 vezes na penetração prostática (ƒT= 1,64). Na dose intratraqueal houve um aumento significativo na biodisponibilidade para o grupo TAR (F = 0,86) em relação ao controle (F = 0,4). Nessa via de administração foi detectado um aumento significativo na exposição (ASC) do pulmão ao LEV no grupo TAR demonstrando que o transporte por efluxo no pulmão é mais relevante quando o fármaco é administrado pela via intratraqueal; iv) Para o LEV, o modelo popPK de quatro compartimentos foi capaz de descrever simultaneamente os dados no plasma, pulmão e próstata na presença e ausência do TAR. Além disso, o modelo para administração intravenosa foi estendido e adaptado para administração intratraqueal. Foi possível analisar o impacto do transporte por efluxo sobre a penetração tecidual do LEV por diferentes vias de administração utilizando o modelo popPK; v) A avaliação do perfil farmacocinético plasmático do CIP após administração intravenosa, na presença e ausência de TAR, demonstrou diferença significativa entre todos os parâmetros calculados por análise não-compartimental, exceto para a constante de velocidade de eliminação (= 0,05). Em relação à penetração tecidual do CIP na próstata e pulmão, não houve alteração significativa nos parâmetros de eliminação e exposição tecidual do fármaco na presença do inibidor de efluxo TAR ( = 0,05), demonstrando que o transporte por efluxo possui papel minoritário no processo de distribuição do fármaco para os tecidos estudados. O modelo popPK de quatro compartimentos foi capaz de descrever as concentrações plasmáticas totais, livres no pulmão e próstata em presença e ausência de TAR, simultaneamente; vi) O modelo popPK desenvolvido permitiu o estudo mais profundo do processo de distribuição do LEV e do CIP no pulmão e próstata. / Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model (popPK) able to simultaneously describe fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin – LEV and ciprofloxacin – CIP) concentrations in plasma, lung and prostate in the presence and absence of the inhibitor of P-gp tariquidar (TAR) to determine the contribution of this efflux transporter on the tissue distribution of these antimicrobials. Methods: To achieve this goal the following steps were taken: i) An analytical method by HPLC-fluorescence was developed and validated for CIP analysis in plasma and microdialysate samples; ii) microdialysis conditions were established for CIP including determination of in vitro relative recovery by dialysis and retrodialysis. The relative recovery was also determined in vivo, in lung and prostate, by retrodialysis; iii) LEV pharmacokinetics was evaluated after intravenous (i.v.) bolus and intratracheal (i.t.) administration of 7 mg/kg dose alone and following TAR administration (15 mg/kg i.v.) to Wistar rats; iv) a popPK model was developed to describe and predict LEV concentrations in plasma, lung and prostate following i.v. and i.t. dosing with and without TAR co-administration; v) the popPK model developed was used to describe CIP concentrations in plasma, lung and prostate after i.v. bolus administration of 7 mg/kg in presence and absence of TAR; vi) For both drugs non-compartmental analysis was performed besides data modeling by four compartment model using NONMEN®. Results and Conclusions i) The analytical method was developed and successfully validated for quantification of CIP by HPLC/fluorescence. The method was linear in the range of 10-2000 ng/mL in plasma and 5-1000 ng/mL in tissues microdialysate samples with coefficients of determination (r2) higher than 0.99. The relative standard error (RSD) obtained for intra and inter-day precision were lower than 8.8% and 6.0% for microdialysate and lower than 11.1 and 7.4% for plasma, respectively. The accuracy was 86.1% to 114.3% for microdialysate and 85.6 to 108.2 % for plasma samples; ii) the evaluation of CIP microdialysis probes relative recovery in vitro showed that the recovery was concentration independent (0.25 to 1.5 μg/mL). In addition, there was no statistical difference between the recoveries determined by dialysis and retrodialysis at the same flow rate. Using the selected flow rate (1.5 μL/min) the recoveries by dialysis and retrodialysis were 23.0 ± 2.8% and 22.8 ± 1.6%, respectively. CIP relative recoveries in vivo by retrodialysis were 11.3 ± 1.9 and 13.1 ± 2.7% for lung and prostate, respectively; iii) the analysis of LEV plasma and tissues concentration-time profiles after i.v. dosing showed a good tissue penetration of LEV in the prostate (ƒT = 0.68) and lung (ƒT = 0.69). For the same route of administration, TAR group showed virtually the same penetration into lung (ƒT = 0.81) and an increase of over 2 fold in drug levels in prostate (ƒT = 1.64). For the i.t. dose, there was a significant increase on LEV bioavailability for TAR group (F = 0.86) compared to control (F = 0.4). Furthermore, a significant increase was detected on lung exposure to LEV for TAR group indicating that efflux transport in the lung is more relevant when the drug is administered by the i.t. route; iv) For LEV, a four compartment model was able to describe the data simultaneously in plasma, lung and prostate in the presence and absence of TAR. Moreover, the intravenous model was extended to adapt the intratracheal dosing route. The popPK model allowed to analyze the impact of efflux transport on tissue LEV penetration of different routes of administration; v) the evaluation of plasma CIP profiles after i.v. dosing with and without TAR showed a significant difference in all parameters determined by non-compartmental analysis in the TAR group, except the elimination rate constant (α = 0.05). The CIP tissue penetration in prostate and lung, no significant difference was observed in tissues exposure and elimination rate when TAR was present demonstrating that efflux transporter play a minor role on CIP distribution to tissues investigated (α = 0.05). The popPK model with four compartments was able to describe CIP concentrations in plasma, lung and prostate in the presence and absence of TAR, simultaneously; vi) the popPK model developed allowed a more detailed investigation of LEV and CIP distribution process in lung and prostate.

Fungos patogênicos, como Cryptococcus neoformans e Candida albicans, são uma das mais frequentes causas de infecções oportunistas em todo o mundo, sendo capazes de sobreviver, proliferar e escapar de macrófagos, células de primeira linha da resposta imune de hospedeiros mamíferos. Macrófagos geralmente expõem o patógeno intracelular a um ambiente tóxico, caracterizado por pH ácido, presença de espécies reativas, como também de peptídeos antimicrobianos. Neste contexto, há uma competição entre o patógeno intracelular e o hospedeiro mamífero por nutrientes essenciais, como por exemplo, metais de transição. Cobre é um metal de transição essencial para a vida aeróbica, porém pode ser tóxico em altas concentrações e, devido a isto, diversos organismos desenvolveram mecanismos regulatórios para controlar suas concentrações. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a modulação da homeostase de cobre durante a interação entre macrófagos e células de C. neoformans ou C. albicans. Neste trabalho, foi possível demonstrar que a presença de cobre contribui para uma menor atividade fungicida de macrófagos infectados. Também, o pré-carregamento das células fúngicas com cobre alterou a sensibilidade de ambas leveduras patogênicas à atividade anti-fúngica. Além disso, foi demonstrado que a expressão de transportadores de cobre (CTR1 e ATP7A) e proteínas ligadoras de cobre (ceruloplasmina e metalotioneína 1) de macrófagos foram moduladas em resposta à infecção por estes fungos patogênicos. Entretanto, essa regulação pode envolver mecanismos mais complexos, como estratégias do patógeno para subverter a ação antimicrobiana de macrófagos. / Pathogenic yeasts, such as Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans, are one of the most frequent causes of the opportunistic infections worldwide, being able to survive, proliferate and escape from macrophages, the first line cells engaged in the immune defense of the mammalian host. Macrophages generally expose the intracellular pathogen to a toxic environment, which is characterized by acid pH, presence of reactive species, as well the presence of antimicrobial peptides. In this context, there is a competition between intracellular pathogen and mammalian host for essential nutrients, such as transition metals. Copper is an essential transition metal for aerobic life, but can be toxic at high concentrations and, therefore, many organisms have evolved highly regulated mechanisms for controlling its concentration. In this work, we aim is evaluate a modulation of copper homeostasis during interaction between macrophages and C. neoformans or C. albicans cells. This work demonstrated that the presence of copper resulted in a lower fungicidal activity of infected macrophages. Also, the pre-loading of fungal cells with copper can alter the sensitivity of both pathogenic yeasts to an antifungal activity. In addition, we showed that the expression of macrophage copper transporters (CTR1 and ATP7A) and copper-binding proteins (ceruloplasmin and metallothionein 1) are modulated in response infection by pathogenic fungi. However, this regulation may involve more complex mechanisms, such as strategies of pathogen to subvert the antimicrobial action of macrophages.

Objetivos: O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver modelo farmacocinético (popPK) populacional para descrever simultaneamente as concentrações das fluoroquinolonas (levofloxacino – LEV e ciprofloxacino – CIP) no plasma, pulmão e próstata na presença e ausência do inibidor da P-gp tariquidar (TAR) visando determinar a contribuição desse transportador de efluxo na distribuição tecidual desses antimicrobianos. Método: Para alcançar este objetivo as seguintes etapas foram realizadas: i) foi validado o método analítico de HPLC-fluorescência para quantificação de CIP em amostras de plasma e microdialisado; ii) foram estabelecidas as condições para microdiálise para o CIP e as taxas de recuperação in vitro, por diálise e retrodiálise, e em tecido pulmonar e prostático in vivo por retrodiálise; iii) foi avaliada a farmacocinética do LEV após administração a ratos Wistar via i.v. bolus e por nebulização intratraqueal na dose de 7mg/kg na ausência e após administração prévia de TAR (15 mg/Kg i.v.); iv) foi desenvolvido um modelo popPK para prever as concentrações do LEV simultaneamente no plasma, pulmão e próstata após administração intravenosa e intratraqueal na presença e ausência do TAR; v) foi desenvolvido o modelo popPK para descrever as concentrações de CIP simultaneamente no plasma, pulmão e próstata após administração a ratos Wistar da dose de 7 mg/kg i.v. bolus na presença e ausência de TAR (15 mg/kg i.v.); vi) Para ambos os fármacos os dados foram avaliados por análise não-compartimental e modelados por modelo de quatro compartimentos modificado, com ajuda do software NONMEN®. Resultados e Conclusões. i) Método analítico foi desenvolvido e validado com sucesso para quantificação de CIP em HPLC/fluorescência mostrando-se linear na faixa de 10–2000 ng/mL em plasma e 5–1000 ng/mL em microdialisado com coeficientes de determinação (r2) superiores a 0,99. Os valores obtidos de erro padrão relativo para ensaios de precisão intra e inter-dia foram entre 8,8 e 6,0 %, para microdialisado entre 11,1 e 7,4 % para plasma, respectivamente. Os valores de exatidão foram 86,1% entre 114.3% para microdialisado e 85,6% entre 108,2% para plasma; ii) A avaliação do CIP por microdiálise mostrou recuperação concentração independente (0,25 - 1,5 μg/mL). Além disso, não houve diferença entre as recuperações obtidas por diálise e retrodiálise para o mesmo fluxo. No fluxo selecionado para os experimentos (1,5 μL/min) as recuperações médias por diálise e retrodiálise foram 23,0 ± 2,8% e 22,8 ± 1,6 %, respectivamente. A recuperação relativa das sondas in vivo foi de 11,3 ± 1,9 e 13,1 ± 2,7 % para pulmão e próstata, respectivamente; iii) A análise dos perfis plasmáticos e teciduais LEV após dose intravenosa do grupo controle (sem TAR) mostrou boa penetração tecidual na próstata (ƒT = 0,68) e no pulmão (ƒT = 0,69). Para a mesma via de administração, o grupo TAR mostrou uma penetração praticamente inalterada para o pulmão (ƒT = 0,81) e um aumento de mais de 2 vezes na penetração prostática (ƒT= 1,64). Na dose intratraqueal houve um aumento significativo na biodisponibilidade para o grupo TAR (F = 0,86) em relação ao controle (F = 0,4). Nessa via de administração foi detectado um aumento significativo na exposição (ASC) do pulmão ao LEV no grupo TAR demonstrando que o transporte por efluxo no pulmão é mais relevante quando o fármaco é administrado pela via intratraqueal; iv) Para o LEV, o modelo popPK de quatro compartimentos foi capaz de descrever simultaneamente os dados no plasma, pulmão e próstata na presença e ausência do TAR. Além disso, o modelo para administração intravenosa foi estendido e adaptado para administração intratraqueal. Foi possível analisar o impacto do transporte por efluxo sobre a penetração tecidual do LEV por diferentes vias de administração utilizando o modelo popPK; v) A avaliação do perfil farmacocinético plasmático do CIP após administração intravenosa, na presença e ausência de TAR, demonstrou diferença significativa entre todos os parâmetros calculados por análise não-compartimental, exceto para a constante de velocidade de eliminação (= 0,05). Em relação à penetração tecidual do CIP na próstata e pulmão, não houve alteração significativa nos parâmetros de eliminação e exposição tecidual do fármaco na presença do inibidor de efluxo TAR ( = 0,05), demonstrando que o transporte por efluxo possui papel minoritário no processo de distribuição do fármaco para os tecidos estudados. O modelo popPK de quatro compartimentos foi capaz de descrever as concentrações plasmáticas totais, livres no pulmão e próstata em presença e ausência de TAR, simultaneamente; vi) O modelo popPK desenvolvido permitiu o estudo mais profundo do processo de distribuição do LEV e do CIP no pulmão e próstata. / Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model (popPK) able to simultaneously describe fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin – LEV and ciprofloxacin – CIP) concentrations in plasma, lung and prostate in the presence and absence of the inhibitor of P-gp tariquidar (TAR) to determine the contribution of this efflux transporter on the tissue distribution of these antimicrobials. Methods: To achieve this goal the following steps were taken: i) An analytical method by HPLC-fluorescence was developed and validated for CIP analysis in plasma and microdialysate samples; ii) microdialysis conditions were established for CIP including determination of in vitro relative recovery by dialysis and retrodialysis. The relative recovery was also determined in vivo, in lung and prostate, by retrodialysis; iii) LEV pharmacokinetics was evaluated after intravenous (i.v.) bolus and intratracheal (i.t.) administration of 7 mg/kg dose alone and following TAR administration (15 mg/kg i.v.) to Wistar rats; iv) a popPK model was developed to describe and predict LEV concentrations in plasma, lung and prostate following i.v. and i.t. dosing with and without TAR co-administration; v) the popPK model developed was used to describe CIP concentrations in plasma, lung and prostate after i.v. bolus administration of 7 mg/kg in presence and absence of TAR; vi) For both drugs non-compartmental analysis was performed besides data modeling by four compartment model using NONMEN®. Results and Conclusions i) The analytical method was developed and successfully validated for quantification of CIP by HPLC/fluorescence. The method was linear in the range of 10-2000 ng/mL in plasma and 5-1000 ng/mL in tissues microdialysate samples with coefficients of determination (r2) higher than 0.99. The relative standard error (RSD) obtained for intra and inter-day precision were lower than 8.8% and 6.0% for microdialysate and lower than 11.1 and 7.4% for plasma, respectively. The accuracy was 86.1% to 114.3% for microdialysate and 85.6 to 108.2 % for plasma samples; ii) the evaluation of CIP microdialysis probes relative recovery in vitro showed that the recovery was concentration independent (0.25 to 1.5 μg/mL). In addition, there was no statistical difference between the recoveries determined by dialysis and retrodialysis at the same flow rate. Using the selected flow rate (1.5 μL/min) the recoveries by dialysis and retrodialysis were 23.0 ± 2.8% and 22.8 ± 1.6%, respectively. CIP relative recoveries in vivo by retrodialysis were 11.3 ± 1.9 and 13.1 ± 2.7% for lung and prostate, respectively; iii) the analysis of LEV plasma and tissues concentration-time profiles after i.v. dosing showed a good tissue penetration of LEV in the prostate (ƒT = 0.68) and lung (ƒT = 0.69). For the same route of administration, TAR group showed virtually the same penetration into lung (ƒT = 0.81) and an increase of over 2 fold in drug levels in prostate (ƒT = 1.64). For the i.t. dose, there was a significant increase on LEV bioavailability for TAR group (F = 0.86) compared to control (F = 0.4). Furthermore, a significant increase was detected on lung exposure to LEV for TAR group indicating that efflux transport in the lung is more relevant when the drug is administered by the i.t. route; iv) For LEV, a four compartment model was able to describe the data simultaneously in plasma, lung and prostate in the presence and absence of TAR. Moreover, the intravenous model was extended to adapt the intratracheal dosing route. The popPK model allowed to analyze the impact of efflux transport on tissue LEV penetration of different routes of administration; v) the evaluation of plasma CIP profiles after i.v. dosing with and without TAR showed a significant difference in all parameters determined by non-compartmental analysis in the TAR group, except the elimination rate constant (α = 0.05). The CIP tissue penetration in prostate and lung, no significant difference was observed in tissues exposure and elimination rate when TAR was present demonstrating that efflux transporter play a minor role on CIP distribution to tissues investigated (α = 0.05). The popPK model with four compartments was able to describe CIP concentrations in plasma, lung and prostate in the presence and absence of TAR, simultaneously; vi) the popPK model developed allowed a more detailed investigation of LEV and CIP distribution process in lung and prostate.