The cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenase system plays a key role in the bioactivation and detoxication of xenobiotics. Isozyme-specific inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 may be useful in elucidating the role of particular isozymes in xenobiotic metabolism or in suppressing the bioactivation of xenobiotics and enhancing detoxication. The antibiotic chloramphenicol is a selective mechanism-based inactivator of rat liver cytochromes P-450, inactivating 6 of the 12 isozymes monitored, including the major phenobarbital-inducible isozyme PB-B. Analogs of chloramphenicol have been tested to determine the importance of various functional groups in regulating the effectiveness and isozyme selectivity of chloramphenicol as a mechanism-based inactivator of cytochromes P-450. This information will aid in the design of more effective and isozyme specific mechanism-based inactivators. The dihalomethyl group and the propanediol moiety were found to be important in determining the efficacy of inactivation and the ability to inactivate the enzyme by virtue of the modification of the protein as opposed to the modification of the heme moiety. The propanediol side chain also plays a role in the isozyme selectivity. Unlike chloramphenicol, N (2-p-nitrophenethyl)dichloroacetamide (pNO₂DCA), which contains an ethyl group in place of the propanediol side chain of chloramphenicol, is an effective inactivator of BNF-B, the major beta-naphthoflavone-inducible isozyme, as well as PB-B, in vitro and in vivo. Alkaline hydrolysis and enzymatic digestion of the covalently modified isozymes has shown that chloramphenicol and pNO₂DCA are both metabolized by cytochromes P-450 to oxamyl chlorides which bind to lysine and other amino acid residues of the enzyme. However, the mechanism by which pNO₂DCA inactivates BNF-B differs significantly from that by which chloramphenicol inactivates PB-B, although both involve an impairment of the transfer of electrons from NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, suggesting that there are differences in the active sites of these two isozymes.

Experiments were conducted to examine the cause of lag-phase growth during phenol degradation by mixed microbial cultures that had been acclimated to one of four substrates. Four aerated Imhoff cones were inoculated with wastewater sludge and fed one of four substrates: acetate, egg albumin, vegetable oil, or phenol. Inocula from these cones were injected into batch reactors containing phenol. Time-dependent growth was measured by two methods: most probable number (MPN) and epifluorescence microscopy (EM). The MPN technique was used to distinguish two cell concentrations: total cells and a phenol-degrading community within the total; EM was also used to count total cells. The results indicated that a lag in phenol utilization for all cultures, except the phenol-acclimated cultures, was a result of growth of a phenol-degrading subpopulation, and not due to enzyme induction of the existing population. Similar experiments were conducted using 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), which resulted in no growth and no degradation of 2,4-DCP.

This research evaluated the potential of activation and attachment, as sequential companion biomarkers of phagocytosis by earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, immunoactive coelomocytes for use in immunotoxicology. The potential was assessed by exposing earthworms to sublethal concentrations of CuSO4 and Arochlor 1254®, chemicals used as reference or standard immunotoxicants.

Submitted by Natalia Vieira (natalia.vieira@famerp.br) on 2016-05-20T18:11:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 aneliserusso_tese.pdf: 3261901 bytes, checksum: 7194c2477e2a3932223f1bf8aaa91f60 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-20T18:11:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 aneliserusso_tese.pdf: 3261901 bytes, checksum: 7194c2477e2a3932223f1bf8aaa91f60 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Introduction: Susceptibility to enviromental agents as well as its adverse effects health depend on the personal genetic profile. Some individuals can present increased risk to develop cancer due to differences in biometabolism. Changes in the biotransformation mechanism of endogenous and exogenous compounds by oxidation reactions may be related to the tumorigenesis process. Differential expression of the genes involved in this xenobiotic metabolizing, such as cytochrome P450 (CYP) family members and others oxygenases, can change the activation process of toxic agents and lead to the oral cavity tumor development. Therefore, the individual differences of gene expression of this pathway associated to smoking and drinking can present significant risk factor for neoplasia. Objective: To identify the pattern of the gene expression involved in the biotransformation mechanism of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds in oral cavity tumors, aiming at identifing susceptibility biomarkers to this cancer type. Methods: Eight tissue samples of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma and eight adjacent non-tumor tissue samples were used. Expression of 92 genes CYP450 family and other oxygenases was quantifited by duplicate reactions of real time qPCR using “TaqMan® Array Human CYP450 and other Oxygenases 96-well fast plate” (Applied Biosystems). For statistical analysis was performed D'Agostino & Pearson omnibus normality test, followed by One-sample T test (data that showed normal distribution), and Wilcoxon signed rank test (data that did not present normal distribution) using GraphPad Prism v.5 program. Correction for multiple testing of Benjamini-Hochberg False Discovery Rate was applied to correct false positives. Bioinformatics tool was used to understand the biological system functions and to associate the differential expressed genes with specific metabolic pathways. Results: Of the 96 investigated genes involved in biotransformation mechanism (excepting the four reference genes), 12 genes showed differential expression in carcinoma tissue of oral cavity squamous cell type compared to non-tumor tissue (p<0.05). Only CYP27B1 gene presented increased expression in the oral cavity tumors, whereas CYP27A1, CYP2E1, CYP2R1, CYP2J2, CYP2U1, CYP4F12, CYP4X1, PTGIS, ALOX12, CYP4B1 and MAOB genes showed reduced expression. After correction by multiple tests, only PTGIS gene presented differential expression, with reduced expression. After data survey bioinformatics, five proteins were observed involved in the metabolism of arachidonic acid associated with important inflammatory processes in carcinogenesis (CYP2E1, CYP2J2, CYP2U1, ALOX12 and PTGIS). Conclusion: Genes involved in the carcinogens oxidation reactions showed differential expression in tumors of oral cavity. The enzymes encoded by these genes play an important role in the arachidonic acid metabolism, only pathway related to PTGIS enzyme, significant after analysis of statistical correction. The arachidonic acid and/or metabolites derived this pathway may modulate others metabolisms in which these enzymes are involved and can influence the regulation of important physiological mechanisms in tumorigenesis process. / Introdução: A suscetibilidade aos agentes ambientais e seus efeitos adversos à saúde dependem do perfil genético individual. Alguns indivíduos podem apresentar risco aumentado de desenvolver o câncer devido às diferenças no biometabolismo. Alterações no mecanismo de biotransformação de compostos endógenos e exógenos por reações de oxidação podem estar relacionadas com o processo de tumorigênese. Expressão diferencial de genes envolvidos nesse metabolismo de xenobióticos, tais como, os membros da família do citocromo P450 (CYP) e outras oxigenases, podem alterar o processo de ativação de agentes tóxicos e levar ao desenvolvimento do tumor de cavidade oral. Desse modo, as diferenças individuais de expressão gênica desta via associadas ao tabagismo e etilismo podem apresentar-se como significante fator de risco para neoplasias. Objetivo: Identificar o padrão de expressão de genes envolvidos no mecanismo de biotransformação de compostos endógenos e xenobióticos em tumores de cavidade oral, visando identificar biomarcadores de suscetibilidade para este tipo de câncer. Casuística e Métodos: Foram analisadas oito amostras de tecido de pacientes com diagnóstico patológico de carcinoma espinocelular de cavidade oral e oito amostras de tecidos não-tumorais adjacentes. A expressão de 92 genes da família CYP450 e outras oxigenases foi quantificada por reações em duplicata de PCRq em tempo real por meio do ensaio TaqMan® Array Human CYP450 and other Oxygenases 96-well fast plate (Applied Biosystems). Para análise estatística, foi realizado teste de normalidade de D'Agostino & Pearson omnibus normality test, seguido dos testes One-sample T test (dados com distribuição normal) e Wilcoxon signed rank test (dados que não apresentaram distribuição normal) no programa GraphPad Prism v.5. A correção para múltiplos testes de Benjamini-Hochberg False Discovery Rate foi aplicada para corrigir falsos positivos. Foram utilizadas ferramentas de bioinformática para compreender as funções do sistema biológico e associar os genes diferencialmente expressos com vias metabólicas específicas. Resultados: Dentre os 96 genes investigados envolvidos no mecanismo de biotransformação (excetuando-se os quatro genes de referência), 12 genes apresentaram expressão diferencial em tecido de carcinoma do tipo escamoso de cavidade oral, comparado ao tecido não-tumoral (P<0,05). Somente o gene CYP27B1 apresentou expressão aumentada nos tumores, enquanto os genes CYP27A1, CYP2E1, CYP2R1, CYP2J2, CYP2U1, CYP4F12, CYP4X1, PTGIS, ALOX12, CYP4B1 e MAOB apresentaram expressão reduzida. Após a correção para múltiplos testes, apenas o gene PTGIS apresentou expressão diferencial nos tumores. Após o levantamento de bioinformática, foram observadas cinco proteínas envolvidas no metabolismo do ácido araquidônico, associado com processos inflamatórios importantes na carcinogênese (CYP2E1, CYP2J2, CYP2U1, ALOX12 e PTGIS). Conclusão: Genes que participam de reações de oxidação de carcinógenos apresentam expressão diferencial em tumores de cavidade oral. Enzimas codificadas por esses genes possuem papel importante no metabolismo do ácido araquidônico, única via relacionada à enzima PTGIS, significante após análise de correção estatística. O ácido araquidônico e/ou os metabólitos provenientes desta via podem modular outros metabolismos, nos quais essas enzimas atuam e podem influenciar a regulação de mecanismos fisiológicos importantes no processo de tumorigênese.

The atypical antipsychotic risperidone is associated with weight gain and cardio-metabolic side effects. In light of growing evidence implicating the gut microbiome in the host’s energy regulation and in xenobiotic metabolism, it is hypothesized that risperidone-induced weight gain is mediated through alterations in the gut microbiome. The impact of chronic and short-term risperidone treatment on the gut microbiome of pediatric, psychiatric patients was examined in a cross-sectional and prospective design. Chronic treatment with risperidone was associated with a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) and a significant reduction in the ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes, as compared to naïve psychiatric controls. Predictive metagenomic analyses, indicate that gut microbiota dominating the risperidone-treated patients are enriched for pathways, such as short-chain fatty acid production, which have been implicated in weight gain. Alterations in the microbiome due to risperidone treatment were further demonstrated in wild-type female mice and shown to be a result of a reduction in host energy expenditure. Risperidone-treated mice exhibit significant weight gain and an altered gut microbiome relative to controls while maintaining normal food intake behavior and digestive efficiency, indicating that increased weight gain is due to reduced energy expenditure. Moreover, fecal transfer from risperidone-treated mice to a second cohort of naïve mice was performed via daily gastric gavage and aerobic and non-aerobic resting metabolic rates (RMR) were monitored using combined calorimetry. This transfer has no effect on aerobic RMR in recipients, but induces a significant suppression of non-aerobic RMR in mice receiving stool from risperidone-treated donors establishing a causal effect of the altered gut microbiome upon energy expenditure. Finally, daily transfer of phage, a subset of the gut microbiome, isolated from the gut of risperidone treated donors was also sufficient to cause excess weight gain in naïve recipients animals through suppression of energy expenditure. Together, these data highlight a major role for the gut microbiome for weight gain following chronic use of risperidone, and demonstrate that the mechanism depends upon suppression of energy expenditure.

Els xenobiòtics són compostos exògens als éssers vius, i encara que no formen part de la seva bioquímica normal, s´incorporen a les seves vies metabòliques. Els xenobiòtics entren a l´organisme per diferents vies: oral (p.o.), intravenosa (i.v.) subcutània (s.c.), intramuscular (i.m.), respiratòria, etc. Els xenobiòtics es poden classificar segons el seu origen i segons els seus efectes. Els organismes, per la seva part, han desenvolupat sistemes de detoxificaxió per eliminar-los. En aquest treball, s´estudien xenobiòtics que tenen o estan desenvolupats per tenir una activitat terapèutica (fàrmacs). Aquests compostos són normalment de naturalesa lipofílica, de forma majoritària amb capacitat de difondre per les membranes cel.lulars, encara que alguns interaccionen amb transportadors específics. Un cop dins de la cèl.lula són normalment difícils d´eliminar. Per aquest motiu, els organismes transformen els xenobiòtics mitjançant processos metabòlics, i així faciliten la seva eliminació. En aquest procés de detoxificació intervenen un conjunt d´enzims poc específics que reconeixen una àmplia gamma de compostos. Les reaccions de metabolisme d´aquests enzims s´anomenen reaccions de biotransformació de fase I, i reaccions de conjugació o de fase II. En el present treball s´estudien les reaccions de fase I, que són processos d´oxidació, reducció i hidròlisi que es donen a temperatura fisiològica. El Citocrom P450, CYP450, és el principal complexe enzimàtic encarregat de les reaccions de fase I, i es caracteritza per la gran varietat de processos que poden catalitzar així com la quantitat de substractes diferents que poden metabolitzar. L´estudi es porta a terme mitjançant experiments in vitro en un sistema d´incubacions en microsomes de fetge de rata. Les isoformes on s´estudien les possibles interaccions en la seva activitat són: CYP1A1/2, CYP2A1/2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C, CYP2C11, CYP2D1, CYP2E1 i CYP3A1/2. Per assolir aquest objectiu global, es va obtenir i caracteritzar el sistema experimental (microsomes de fetge de rata), es van posar a punt sistemes analítics per avaluar les cinètiques enzimàtiques, i es van desenvolupar models cinètics pel tractament de les dades experimentals.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 3 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.