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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

Clonagem e análise da expressão de genes de proteínas de mamão papaia com atividade inibitória sobre poligalacturonases fúngicas / Cloning and expression analysis of papaya genes encoding proteins with inhibitory activity against fungal polygalacturonases

Broetto, Sabrina Garcia 10 July 2013 (has links)
As proteínas inibidoras de poligalacturonases (PGIPs) presentes na parede celular são capazes de limitar o potencial destrutivo da poligalacturonase (PG) fúngica e, assim, constituem um tipo importante dentre os diversos sistemas de defesa do tecido vegetal frente à infecção fúngica. No mamão, o ataque fitopatogênico é o principal causador de danos pós-colheita, e sua alta susceptibilidade pode estar relacionada com a baixa eficácia ou pouca abundância dos meios de defesa anti-fitopatogênica. Uma vez que isso pode estar relacionado com as PGIPs e nada se conhece sobre o papel dessas proteínas nesse fruto, o objetivo do trabalho foi clonar os genes das PGIPs de mamoeiro e definir seu padrão de expressão em diferentes órgãos e tecidos e ao longo do amadurecimento. Para tanto, foram identificadas no genoma do mamoeiro, a partir de critérios que definem a identidade de uma PGIP, duas prováveis sequências dentre 13 candidatas iniciais. Ambas foram clonadas a partir das sequências genômicas e de cDNA, sequenciadas e sua identidade confirmada, sendo denominadas Cppgip4 e Cppgip6. As análises de expressão relativa em diversos tecidos e idades fisiológicas do mamoeiro demonstraram que os dois genes apresentaram diminuição da expressão com o desenvolvimento dos frutos, sendo que com a polpa apresentou redução dos níveis de expressão relativa de Cppgip4 em até 18 vezes dos 30 dias pós-antese (DPA) ao 9 dias pós-colheita (DPC). Na casca também houve redução significativa da expressão com o desenvolvimento. Para a expressão absoluta, nos frutos, sementes, caules, raízes e folhas, o número de cópias de ambos os transcritos decresceu com o desenvolvimento, sendo cerca de cem mil vezes mais abundante para Cppgip6 que para Cppgip4. As tentativas de expressão de proteínas recombinantes em Pichia pastoris não geraram resultado positivo, provavelmente em virtude das condições ideais de indução ainda não terem sido estabelecidas corretamente para o ensaio. A atividade de PGIPs extraídas diretamente do tecido foi medida por análise de difusão em ágar empregando pectinase de Aspergillus niger e revelou uma tendência à diminuição da porcentagem de inibição à medida que os frutos se desenvolveram, em concordância com os resultados da análise por qPCR. O conjunto de resultados sugere que a expressão varia com o estádio de desenvolvimento do fruto e é tecido-específica, possivelmente em resposta à diferente susceptibilidade dos tecidos ao ataque fitopatogênico, indicando que menores níveis de transcritos e atividade no amadurecimento, período de maior susceptibilidade, poderiam sinalizar para a regulação do processo degradativo marcando o início da senescência. / Polygalacturonase inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) present in plant cell walls are able to inhibit the destructive action of fungal polygalacturonase (PG). In this way, they constitute an important type of plant defense system against fungal infections. In papaya fruit, the pathogenic attack is the main cause of post harvesting loss, and its high susceptibility may be related to the low efficiency or low abundance of anti-phytopathogenic defense. Since this fact could be related to PGIPs expression and little is known about the response of these proteins in the fruit, the aim of the present work was to clone the genes of PGIPs papaya fruit and set their expression pattern in different organs and tissues throughout fruit ripening. Thus, two probable PGIP sequences among 13 initial candidates were identified in the papaya genome by using specific criteria. Both sequences were cloned from cDNA and genomic samples, sequenced and confirmed its identity, and then being named Cppgip4 and Cppgip6. Analysis of relative expression in various tissues at different physiological stages demonstrated that both genes were down regulated during fruit development. The relative expression levels of Cppgip4 in papaya pulp was reduced by 18 times from the 30 days post-anthesis (DPA) to the 9 days post-harvest (DPH). Similarly, gene expression in papaya peel was significant down regulated during fruit development. Absolute expression analysis revealed gene expressions in the fruit pulp, seed, stem, root and leaf were also down regulated within development. Moreover, Cppgip6 gene expression was a hundred thousand times more abundant than Cppgip4. The recombinant protein expression in Pichia pastoris did not result positive, probably because of the ideal conditions of induction have not been properly established the yet. The activity of PGIPs extracted directly from the tissue was measured by the agar diffusion assay using pectinase from Aspergillus niger and showed decrease of inhibition during fruit developed in accordance with the results of the qPCR analysis. Based on the results it is possible to suggest the expression of these genes varies temporally with the developmental stage of the fruit and is tissue-specific, possibly in response to the different susceptibility of tissues to pathogenic attack. In addition, the lowest levels of PGIP expression were achieved at the fruit ripening, when the susceptibility to fungal infection is high and could signal for regulating the degradation process characterized by the onset of senescence.
2

Exploring theoretical origins of the toxicity of organic quaternary ammonium salts towards Escherichia coli using machine learning approaches

Naden, Alexandria Olessia January 2014 (has links)
Quaternary ammonium salts are surface active bactericides. A mechanism of their biological activity has been well studied experimentally, and it encompasses two stages. The first stage involves electrostatic interactions of polar functional groups of the salts with oppositely charged functional groups on a bacterial cell surface, and the second stage includes incorporation of their lipophilic groups into a bacterial cell membrane. However, despite numerous experimental studies, computational modelling of this mechanism with the aim to support experimental observations with theoretical conclusions, to the author's knowledge, has not yet been reported. In the current study, linear regression models correlating theoretical descriptors of lipophilicity and electronic properties of mono- and disubstituted imidazolium carboxylates with their biological activity towards Escherichia coli have been developed. These models established that biological activity of these salts is governed by the chemical structures of imidazolium cations, and that the centre of this biological activity is located in the long alkyl side chains of the cations. It was also found that these side chains have an intrinsic electronic potential to form internal C-H- -H-C electrostatic interactions when their lengths reach seven carbon atoms. Additionally, the nature of the C-H- -O-C inter-ionic electrostatic interactions in imidazolium carboxylates has been explored via a topological analysis of these interactions in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate. Thus, it was established that these electrostatic interactions are hydrogen bonds.
3

Clonagem e análise da expressão de genes de proteínas de mamão papaia com atividade inibitória sobre poligalacturonases fúngicas / Cloning and expression analysis of papaya genes encoding proteins with inhibitory activity against fungal polygalacturonases

Sabrina Garcia Broetto 10 July 2013 (has links)
As proteínas inibidoras de poligalacturonases (PGIPs) presentes na parede celular são capazes de limitar o potencial destrutivo da poligalacturonase (PG) fúngica e, assim, constituem um tipo importante dentre os diversos sistemas de defesa do tecido vegetal frente à infecção fúngica. No mamão, o ataque fitopatogênico é o principal causador de danos pós-colheita, e sua alta susceptibilidade pode estar relacionada com a baixa eficácia ou pouca abundância dos meios de defesa anti-fitopatogênica. Uma vez que isso pode estar relacionado com as PGIPs e nada se conhece sobre o papel dessas proteínas nesse fruto, o objetivo do trabalho foi clonar os genes das PGIPs de mamoeiro e definir seu padrão de expressão em diferentes órgãos e tecidos e ao longo do amadurecimento. Para tanto, foram identificadas no genoma do mamoeiro, a partir de critérios que definem a identidade de uma PGIP, duas prováveis sequências dentre 13 candidatas iniciais. Ambas foram clonadas a partir das sequências genômicas e de cDNA, sequenciadas e sua identidade confirmada, sendo denominadas Cppgip4 e Cppgip6. As análises de expressão relativa em diversos tecidos e idades fisiológicas do mamoeiro demonstraram que os dois genes apresentaram diminuição da expressão com o desenvolvimento dos frutos, sendo que com a polpa apresentou redução dos níveis de expressão relativa de Cppgip4 em até 18 vezes dos 30 dias pós-antese (DPA) ao 9 dias pós-colheita (DPC). Na casca também houve redução significativa da expressão com o desenvolvimento. Para a expressão absoluta, nos frutos, sementes, caules, raízes e folhas, o número de cópias de ambos os transcritos decresceu com o desenvolvimento, sendo cerca de cem mil vezes mais abundante para Cppgip6 que para Cppgip4. As tentativas de expressão de proteínas recombinantes em Pichia pastoris não geraram resultado positivo, provavelmente em virtude das condições ideais de indução ainda não terem sido estabelecidas corretamente para o ensaio. A atividade de PGIPs extraídas diretamente do tecido foi medida por análise de difusão em ágar empregando pectinase de Aspergillus niger e revelou uma tendência à diminuição da porcentagem de inibição à medida que os frutos se desenvolveram, em concordância com os resultados da análise por qPCR. O conjunto de resultados sugere que a expressão varia com o estádio de desenvolvimento do fruto e é tecido-específica, possivelmente em resposta à diferente susceptibilidade dos tecidos ao ataque fitopatogênico, indicando que menores níveis de transcritos e atividade no amadurecimento, período de maior susceptibilidade, poderiam sinalizar para a regulação do processo degradativo marcando o início da senescência. / Polygalacturonase inhibiting proteins (PGIPs) present in plant cell walls are able to inhibit the destructive action of fungal polygalacturonase (PG). In this way, they constitute an important type of plant defense system against fungal infections. In papaya fruit, the pathogenic attack is the main cause of post harvesting loss, and its high susceptibility may be related to the low efficiency or low abundance of anti-phytopathogenic defense. Since this fact could be related to PGIPs expression and little is known about the response of these proteins in the fruit, the aim of the present work was to clone the genes of PGIPs papaya fruit and set their expression pattern in different organs and tissues throughout fruit ripening. Thus, two probable PGIP sequences among 13 initial candidates were identified in the papaya genome by using specific criteria. Both sequences were cloned from cDNA and genomic samples, sequenced and confirmed its identity, and then being named Cppgip4 and Cppgip6. Analysis of relative expression in various tissues at different physiological stages demonstrated that both genes were down regulated during fruit development. The relative expression levels of Cppgip4 in papaya pulp was reduced by 18 times from the 30 days post-anthesis (DPA) to the 9 days post-harvest (DPH). Similarly, gene expression in papaya peel was significant down regulated during fruit development. Absolute expression analysis revealed gene expressions in the fruit pulp, seed, stem, root and leaf were also down regulated within development. Moreover, Cppgip6 gene expression was a hundred thousand times more abundant than Cppgip4. The recombinant protein expression in Pichia pastoris did not result positive, probably because of the ideal conditions of induction have not been properly established the yet. The activity of PGIPs extracted directly from the tissue was measured by the agar diffusion assay using pectinase from Aspergillus niger and showed decrease of inhibition during fruit developed in accordance with the results of the qPCR analysis. Based on the results it is possible to suggest the expression of these genes varies temporally with the developmental stage of the fruit and is tissue-specific, possibly in response to the different susceptibility of tissues to pathogenic attack. In addition, the lowest levels of PGIP expression were achieved at the fruit ripening, when the susceptibility to fungal infection is high and could signal for regulating the degradation process characterized by the onset of senescence.
4

Teplotně závislá antimikrobiální aktivita bílkových proteinů u prekociálních a altriciálních druhů ptáků / Temperature-dependent activity of egg-white antimicrobial proteins in precocial and altricial birds

Novotná, Lucie January 2015 (has links)
Microorganisms are considered to be crucial selective factor affecting reproductive success of birds. It is hypothesized that egg-white antimicrobial proteins and incubation behavior are the most important defense mechanisms that eliminates the risk of microbial trans-shell infection. The latest studies supposed that incubation temperatures may significantly affect the antimicrobial activity of egg white proteins. The concentration of egg white antimicrobial proteins as well as incubation patterns differ among altricial and precocial species of birds. However, experimental study testing the effect of incubation temperature on the antimicrobial potential of antimicrobial egg white proteins in altricial and precocial birds is missing. In this study we tested in manipulative experiment the effect of partial and full incubation, the concentration of lysozyme and ovotransferrin and their interactions on the antimicrobial activity of egg whites of two model species - Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and home pigeon (Columba livia). Antimicrobial protein activity was determined by the agar well diffusion method against two Gram-positive bacteria - Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus that have been documented as pathogenic egg-white invaders of several birds. Moreover, we analyzed the effect of...
5

Koncentrisk hämning och stimulans av bakterietillväxt i agarkulturer

Larsson, Kristoffer January 2005 (has links)
The aim of this study is to elucidate factors that effect growth of Sarcina lutea and Bacillus subtilis, exposed to the growth inhibitor SDS (Sodiumdodecylsulfat). Agar diffusion experiments revealed repeated, concentric zones of inhibition and stimulation upon exposure to Sodiumdodecylsulphate or to Amoxicillin. Temperature, nutrient concentration and inhibitor concentration were controlled. Formation of successively repeated zones of inhibition, stimulation, inhibition and stimulation is discussed: •The extension of the primary inhibition zone is due to the concentration of applied Sodium dodecyl sulphate.•Immediately outside the primary inhibition zone the bacteria have access to diffusing nutrients that have not been consumed in the primary inhabitation zone.•In zones of dense bacterial growth the bacteria may produce inhibiting substances, affecting growth of bacteria in adjacent zones.•In zones of dense bacterial growth the nutrients will soon become depleted, thus affecting bacteria in adjacent zones.
6

Análise da atividade antimicrobiana de extratos e frações purificadas da planta arrabidaea chica verl

Mota, Milena Rodrigues Soares 25 March 2011 (has links)
Submitted by Alisson Mota (alisson.davidbeckam@gmail.com) on 2015-07-13T19:08:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese - Milena Rodrigues Soares Mota.pdf: 10830184 bytes, checksum: b6f2977c2b749cd675523693c33de0ff (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-15T17:58:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese - Milena Rodrigues Soares Mota.pdf: 10830184 bytes, checksum: b6f2977c2b749cd675523693c33de0ff (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-07-15T18:07:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese - Milena Rodrigues Soares Mota.pdf: 10830184 bytes, checksum: b6f2977c2b749cd675523693c33de0ff (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-15T18:07:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese - Milena Rodrigues Soares Mota.pdf: 10830184 bytes, checksum: b6f2977c2b749cd675523693c33de0ff (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-25 / Não Informada / This study describes the therapeutic potential of extracts and standardized fractions of Arrabidaea chica leaves. A. chica is a Bignoniaceae popularly known as “crajiru”. The genus Arrabidaea occurs in Tropical America, from the Southern Mexico to the Southern Brazil. The red color of its dried leaves is attributed to two flavonoidal pigments: carajurina (main pigment) and carajurona. Chemical studies described the isolation of saponins and flavonoids from the plant leaves; purified 3- desoxyanthocyanidins were reported as anti-inflammatory. The infusion or decoction of the plant leaves is used in the folk medicine to treat anemia, inflammation and in skin wound-healing. In this work, the antimicrobial activity of the standardized extracts and fractions of A. chica cultivated at Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental, Manaus, were evaluated against fungal and bacterial microorganisms grown either from local domestic dogs and cats, or from human samples supplied by the Microorganism Collection of FIOCRUZ, in Manaus, Brazil. The plant dried leaves were extracted with increasing polarity solvents and progressively purified in preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC) and silica-gel column; the semi-purified extracts were standardized in TLC. The agar diffusion method; bioautography; minimum inhibitory concentrations tested against Staphylococcus epidermidis (CBAM 293), Staphylococcus aureus (CBAM 324), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CBAM 232), Escherichia coli (CBAM 002), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (CFAM 1288), Microsporum canis (CFAM 1289), Malassezia pachydermatis (CFAM 1290) e Candida albicans (CFAM 1285). The standardized fractions were effective against all these microorganisms, but more intensively against Microsporum canis and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The results might favour the use of the standardized sub-fractions of A. chica as topic phytotherapic agent to treat canine external otitis. So far oleanolic and ursolic acids were identified as the main compounds in the active semi-purified fraction but other compounds of the leaves extract were not discarded. Later studies will consider the veterinarian use of the standardized extract, of the active pure entities and the convenience of the natural active antibiotic mix. / Este estudo analisou o potencial terapêutico de extratos e frações purificadas da planta amazônica Arrabidaea chica visando seu uso tópico como medicamento e eficácia comprovada em doenças cutâneas. A. chica Verl., é uma Bignoniaceae conhecida popularmente como crajiru. O gênero Arrabidaea ocorre na América tropical, do sul do México ao sul do Brasil. A cor avermelhada da folha seca e sua propriedade tintorial são devidas a dois pigmentos flavonoídicos: a carajurina, que é o pigmento principal e a carajurona. Dela foram isolados saponinas e flavonóides; As 3-desoxiantocianidinas, descritas na planta parecem possuir atividade antiinflamatória. A medicina popular utiliza o decocto ou a infusão das folhas para tratar anemia, inflamações e na cicatrização da pele. Neste trabalho, a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos e frações padronizadas da A. chica cultivada na Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental, em Manaus/AM, foi avaliada contra fungos e bactérias de amostras clínicas coletadas de animais domésticos e contra amostras humanas depositadas na coleção de Microrganimos da FIOCRUZ, Manaus/AM. Para isso, as folhas secas da planta foram extraídas com solventes de polaridade crescente, as frações foram progressivamente purificadas em cromatografia de placa ou coluna de sílica-gel, os extratos semi-purificados foram padronizados em cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada à espectrometria de massas. Os testes de difusão em ágar, bioautografia e concentração inibitória mínima foram usados para avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana das subfrações padronizadas frente aos microrganismos Staphylococcus epidermidis (CBAM 293), Staphylococcus aureus (CBAM 324), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CBAM 232), Escherichia coli (CBAM 002), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (CFAM 1288), Microsporum canis (CFAM 1289), Malassezia pachydermatis (CFAM 1290) e Candida albicans (CFAM 1285). As frações padronizadas foram ativas contra todos esses microrganismos, com melhores resultados contra M. pachydermatis e S. epidermidis. Os resultados foram favoráveis à utilização das subfrações padronizadas na formulação de um produto fitoterápico para uso tópico em otite canina. Nas frações ativas foram identificados os ácidos oleanólico e ursólico. Estudos posteriores deverão avaliar a possibilidade de uso humano das frações purificadas ou dos compostos identificados.
7

DESENVOLVIMENTO E VALIDAÇÃO DE METODOLOGIAS ANALÍTICAS PARA DETERMINAÇÃO DO ITRACONAZOL MATÉRIA-PRIMA E CÁPSULAS / DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF ANALITICAL METHODS FOR DETERMINING ITRACONAZOLE RAW MATERIALS AND CAPSULES

Santos, Marcos Roberto dos 13 May 2008 (has links)
Itraconazole is a triazole antifungical agent with a broad spectrum of activity belonging to the class of azole, indicated in the treatment of different types of mycotic infections systemic and local. Its mechanism of action is based on the ability to inhibition of synthesis of ergosterol which is a component of vital importance to the cell membrane of the fungi. This drug has only official methodology for raw material, described in British and European Pharmacopeia. In this paper, following the main guidelines for validation, were developed and validated quantitative analytical methods that can be applied both for the raw materials as the finished product containing itraconazole capsules through a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with detection in the ultraviolet (254 nm, C8 reversed-phase column, mobile phase acetonitrile : water (65:35), the temperature of 25 °C) and microbiological assay by agar diffusion, with planning 3x3, employing Candida Albicans ATCC 10231 as microorganism testing in the culture medium antibiotic N° 19 in the region of the ultraviolet spectrophotometry (256 nm, with final solutions in 0.1 mol l-1 hydrochloric acid). All methods showed appropriate linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness and specificity. / O itraconazol é um antifúngico triazólico de amplo espectro de ação pertencente à classe dos azóis, indicado no tratamento de diferentes tipos de infecções micóticas sistêmicas e superficiais. Seu mecanismo de ação baseia-se na capacidade de inibição da síntese do ergosterol que é um componente de vital importância para a membrana das células dos fungos. Este fármaco possui metodologia descrita, somente, para matéria-prima, que se encontram oficializadas nas Farmacopéias Britânica e Européia. Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidos e validados, em conformidade com guias nacionais e internacionais, métodos analíticos quantitativos que podem ser empregados tanto para matéria-prima quanto para forma farmacêutica de cápsulas contendo itraconazol. Utilizaram-se as metodologias: cromatografia a líquido de alta eficiência (CLAE) com detecção na região do ultravioleta (UV) em 254 nm, coluna de fase reversa C8, fase móvel acetonitrila : água (65:35), na temperatura de 25 °C; Ensaio microbiológico por difusão em ágar com planejamento 3x3, empregando Cândida Albicans ATCC 10231 como microrganismo teste em meio de cultura antibiótico n°19 e Espectrofotometria na região do ultravioleta, no comprimento de onda de 256 nm , com soluções finais em ácido clorídrico 0,1 mol.l-1 . Todos os métodos apresentaram linearidade, precisão, exatidão, robustez e especificidade adequados.
8

Development of Sensitive In Vitro Assays to Assess the Ocular Toxicity Potential of Chemicals and Ophthalmic Products

McCanna, David January 2009 (has links)
The utilization of in vitro tests with a tiered testing strategy for detection of mild ocular irritants can reduce the use of animals for testing, provide mechanistic data on toxic effects, and reduce the uncertainty associated with dose selection for clinical trials. The first section of this thesis describes how in vitro methods can be used to improve the prediction of the toxicity of chemicals and ophthalmic products. The proper utilization of in vitro methods can accurately predict toxic threshold levels and reduce animal use in product development. Sections two, three and four describe the development of new sensitive in vitro methods for predicting ocular toxicity. Maintaining the barrier function of the cornea is critical for the prevention of the penetration of infections microorganisms and irritating chemicals into the eye. Chapter 2 describes the development of a method for assessing the effects of chemicals on tight junctions using a human corneal epithelial and canine kidney epithelial cell line. In Chapter 3 a method that uses a primary organ culture for assessing single instillation and multiple instillation toxic effects is described. The ScanTox system was shown to be an ideal system to monitor the toxic effects over time as multiple readings can be taken of treated bovine lenses using the nondestructive method of assessing for the lens optical quality. Confirmations of toxic effects were made with the utilization of the viability dye alamarBlue. Chapter 4 describes the development of sensitive in vitro assays for detecting ocular toxicity by measuring the effects of chemicals on the mitochondrial integrity of bovine cornea, bovine lens epithelium and corneal epithelial cells, using fluorescent dyes. The goal of this research was to develop an in vitro test battery that can be used to accurately predict the ocular toxicity of new chemicals and ophthalmic formulations. By comparing the toxicity seen in vivo animals and humans with the toxicity response in these new in vitro methods, it was demonstrated that these in vitro methods can be utilized in a tiered testing strategy in the development of new chemicals and ophthalmic formulations.
9

Development of Sensitive In Vitro Assays to Assess the Ocular Toxicity Potential of Chemicals and Ophthalmic Products

McCanna, David January 2009 (has links)
The utilization of in vitro tests with a tiered testing strategy for detection of mild ocular irritants can reduce the use of animals for testing, provide mechanistic data on toxic effects, and reduce the uncertainty associated with dose selection for clinical trials. The first section of this thesis describes how in vitro methods can be used to improve the prediction of the toxicity of chemicals and ophthalmic products. The proper utilization of in vitro methods can accurately predict toxic threshold levels and reduce animal use in product development. Sections two, three and four describe the development of new sensitive in vitro methods for predicting ocular toxicity. Maintaining the barrier function of the cornea is critical for the prevention of the penetration of infections microorganisms and irritating chemicals into the eye. Chapter 2 describes the development of a method for assessing the effects of chemicals on tight junctions using a human corneal epithelial and canine kidney epithelial cell line. In Chapter 3 a method that uses a primary organ culture for assessing single instillation and multiple instillation toxic effects is described. The ScanTox system was shown to be an ideal system to monitor the toxic effects over time as multiple readings can be taken of treated bovine lenses using the nondestructive method of assessing for the lens optical quality. Confirmations of toxic effects were made with the utilization of the viability dye alamarBlue. Chapter 4 describes the development of sensitive in vitro assays for detecting ocular toxicity by measuring the effects of chemicals on the mitochondrial integrity of bovine cornea, bovine lens epithelium and corneal epithelial cells, using fluorescent dyes. The goal of this research was to develop an in vitro test battery that can be used to accurately predict the ocular toxicity of new chemicals and ophthalmic formulations. By comparing the toxicity seen in vivo animals and humans with the toxicity response in these new in vitro methods, it was demonstrated that these in vitro methods can be utilized in a tiered testing strategy in the development of new chemicals and ophthalmic formulations.

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