É bem conhecido que muitos efeitos tóxicos do cádmio (Cd) resultem da ação da interação com metais essenciais, incluindo zinco (Zn). Sendo um poluente ambiental, a exposição à Cd conduz a distúrbios no conteúdo e atividade de Zn no organismo, representando importante via para o desenvolvimento de sua toxicidade. Evidências suportam que Zn pode reduzir os efeitos do Cd, prevendo ou reduzindo a ação tóxica deste metal, enquanto que a deficiência de Zn pode intensificar a toxicidade de Cd. Com base nisto, este trabalho buscou investigar (1) o efeito da interação Zn-Cd sobre o tecido hepático de ratos adultos, por representar um importante alvo biológico à ação dos metais e (2) se estes efeitos são estendidos ao SNC mesmo protegido pela barreira hemato-encefálica. Através da avaliação de parâmetros bioquímicos, como [delta]-aminolevulinato-desidratase e metalotioneína, os resultados encontrados suportam a sobreposição do efeito tóxico de Cd sobre as funções essenciais de Zn, entretanto existe diferença entre os tecidos quanto ao mecanismo protetivo exercido sobre a toxicidade de Cd. Além disso, obtemos dados sobre os níveis de MT que contrapõem suas funções benéficas previamente descritas. Em resumo, essa dissertação reforça a ação tóxica de Cd por vias biológicas comuns ao Zn e expõe diferenças entre o tecido hepático e o SNC quanto ao mecanismo interativo. / It is well known that many toxic effects of cadmium (Cd) results from the action of the interaction with essential metals, for example zinc (Zn). Cd is an environmental pollutant, which exposure leads to disturbance in the content and atividade of Zn in the body. Evidences indicate that Zn can reduce the effects of Cd for provide or reduce the toxic action of this metal, whereas Zn deficiency can intensify the toxicity of Cd. On account of this, our study aimed investigate (1) the effect of Zn-Cd interaction on the liver tissue of adult rats, which represents important biological target for action of the metals and (2) if these effects are extended to the CNS even protected by the blood-brain barrier. Through the evaluation of biochemical parameters, as [delta]-aminolevulinate-dehydratase ([delta]-ALA-D) and metallothionein (MT), the results support the overlap of the toxic effect of Cd on the essential functions of Zn; however there is difference between the tissues on the protective mechanism exerted on the toxicity of Cd. Furthermore, we obtain data on the levels of MT that contrast to their beneficial functions previously described. In summary, this work reinforces the toxic effect of Cd by biological pathways common to the Zn and explains differences between the liver tissue and CNS in relation to the interactive mechanism.

5-Aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS) catalyzes the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent condensation between glycine and succinyl-CoA to generate coenzyme A (CoA), CO2, and 5-aminolevulinate (ALA). The chemical mechanism of this reaction, which represents the first and regulated step of heme biosynthesis in mammals, involves the formation of a short-lived glycine quinonoid intermediate and an unstable 2-amino-3-ketoadipate intermediate. Using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to analyze the products from the reaction of murine erythroid ALAS (mALAS2) with O-methylglycine and succinyl-CoA, we directly identified the chemical nature of the inherently unstable 2-amino-3-ketoadipate intermediate, which predicates the glycine quinonoid species as its precursor. With stopped-flow absorption spectroscopy, we detected and confirmed the formation of the quinonoid intermediate upon reacting glycine with ALAS. Significantly, in the absence of the succinyl-CoA substrate, the external aldimine predominates over the glycine quinonoid intermediate. When instead of glycine, L-serine was reacted with ALAS, a lag phase was observed in the progress curve for the L-serine external aldimine formation, indicating a hysteretic behavior in ALAS. Hysteresis was not detected in the T148A-catalyzed L-serine external aldimine formation. These results with T148A, a mALAS2 variant, which, in contrast to the wild-type enzyme, is active with L-serine, suggest that the active site T148 modulates the strict amino acid substrate specificity of ALAS. The rate of ALA release is also controlled by a hysteretic kinetic mechanism (observed as a lag in the ALA external aldimine formation progress curve), consistent with conformational changes governing the dissociation of ALA from ALAS. In Rhodobacter capsulatus ALAS, apart from coordinating the positioning of succinyl-CoA, N85 has an important role in regulating the opening of an active site channel. Here, we have mutated the analogous asparagine of murine erythroid ALAS to a histidine (N150H) and assessed its effects on catalysis through steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetic studies. Quinonoid intermediate formation occurred with a significantly reduced rate for the N150H-catalyzed condensation of glycine with succinyl-CoA during a single turnover. When the same forward reaction was examined under multiple turnovers, the progress curve of the N150H reaction displayed a prolonged decay of the quinonoid intermediate into the steady-state, distinct from the steep decay in the wild-type ALAS reaction. This prolonged decay results from an accelerated transformation of the product, ALA, into the quinonoid intermediate during the reverse N150H-catalyzed reaction. In fact, while wild-type ALAS catalyzes the conversion of ALA into the quinonoid intermediate at a rate 6.3-fold lower than the formation of the same quinonoid intermediate from glycine and succinyl-CoA, the rate for the N150H-catalyzed reverse reaction is 1.7-fold higher than that of the forward reaction. We conclude that N150 is important in establishing a catalytic balance between the forward and reverse reactions, by favoring ALA synthesis over its non-productive transformation into the quinonoid intermediate. Mutations at this position could perturb the delicate heme biosynthetic equilibrium. Circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopies were used to examine the effects of pH (1.0-3.0 and 7.5-10.5) and temperature (20 and 37 °C) on the structural integrity of ALAS. The secondary structure, as deduced from far-UV CD, is mostly resilient to pH and temperature changes. Partial unfolding was observed at pH 2.0, but further decreasing pH resulted in acid-induced refolding of the secondary structure to nearly native levels. The tertiary structure rigidity, monitored by near-UV CD, is lost under acidic and specific alkaline conditions (pH 10.5 and pH 9.5/37 °C), where ALAS populates a molten globule state. As the enzyme becomes less structured with increased alkalinity, the chiral environment of the internal aldimine is also modified, with a shift from a 420 nm to 330 nm dichroic band. Under acidic conditions, the PLP cofactor dissociates from ALAS. Reaction with 8-anilino-1-naphtalenesulfonic acid corroborates increased exposure of hydrophobic clusters in the alkaline and acidic molten globules, although the reaction is more pronounced with the latter. Furthermore, quenching the intrinsic fluorescence of ALAS with acrylamide at pH 1.0 and 9.5 yielded subtly different dynamic quenching constants. The alkaline molten globule state of ALAS is catalytically active (pH 9.5/37 °C), although the kcat value is significantly decreased. Finally, the binding of 5-aminolevulinate restricts conformational fluctuations in the alkaline molten globule. Overall, our findings prove how the structural plasticity of ALAS contributes to reaching a functional enzyme.

The peritoneal tumor is not named after the originating of cancer cells but instead contains all tumors appearing in the region of the peritoneal cavity. There are over 250,000 new cases of malignant diseases originating from organs in the peritoneal cavity annually in the USA, and most of these cases spread by intraperitoneal seeding. Cytoreductive surgery for removal and debulking of metastases in the peritoneal cavity is the primary treatment option. Complete surgical removal of the cancerous tissues, however, is difficult to achieve because positive margins are often left behind, and it is difficult to detect the small metastases in the peritoneal cavity. Methyl aminolevulinate (MAL), a protoporphyrin X (PplX) prodrug, has been clinically used for photodynamic therapy of local malignancies such as Basal Cell Carcinoma and Actinic Keratosis. Its application for cancers in the peritoneal cavity, however, has been limited by its non-specific biodistribution and adverse effects. Since nanoparticles can play an essential role as drug deliver platforms as a result of their loading capacity, sustained drug release profile, and potential targeting ability, I proposed a liposomal delivery system, Folic-modified liposome (FL). The goal of this study is to take advantage of this observation by developing a FL system of MAL for photodynamic diagnosis and therapy of cancers in the peritoneal cavity in a more specific and efficient manner. Based on the results presented, FL has the potential to improve cytoreductive surgery in the following manner: a) A hydrophilic core can encapsulate high amounts of MAL and protect it from metabolic degradation; b) FL systems loaded with MAL can enlarge the gap between PpIX accumulation in tumor cells and normal tissues. c) FL system loaded with MAL can provide photodynamic diagnosis and photodynamic therapy as complementary functions. / Pharmaceutical Sciences

5-Aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS; EC 2.3.1.37) is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the first committed step of heme biosynthesis in animals, the condensation of glycine and succinyl-CoA yielding 5-aminolevuliante (ALA), CoA, and CO2. Murine erythroid-specific ALAS (mALAS2) variants that cause high levels of PPIX accumulation provide a new means of targeted, and potentially enhanced, photosensitization. Transfection of HeLa cells with expression plasmids for mALAS2 variants, specifically for those with mutated mitochondrial presequences and a mutation in the active site loop, caused significant cellular accumulation of PPIX, particularly in the membrane. Light treatment of HeLa cells expressing mALAS2 variants revealed that mALAS2 expression results in an increase in cell death in comparison to aminolevulinic acid (ALA) treatment producing a similar amount of PPIX. Generation of PPIX is a crucial component in the widely used photodynamic therapies (PDT) of cancer and other dysplasias. The delivery of stable and highly active mALAS2 variants has the potential to expand and improve upon current PDT regimes. Mutations in the C-terminus of human ALAS2 (hALAS2) can increase hALAS2 activity and are associated with X-linked erythropoietic protoporphyria (XLEPP), a disease phenotypically characterized by elevated levels or PPIX and zinc protoporphyrin in erythroblasts. This is apparently due to enhanced cellular hALAS2 activity, but the biochemical relationship between these C-terminal mutations and increased hALAS2 activity is not well understood. HALAS2 and three XLEPP variants were studied both in vitro to compare kinetic and structural parameters and ex vivo in HeLa and K562 cells. Two XLEPP variants, delAGTG, and Q548X, exhibited higher catalytic rates and affinity for succinyl-CoA than wild-type hALAS2, had increased transition temperatures, and caused porphyrin accumulation in HeLa and K562 cells. Another XLEPP mutation, delAT, had an increased transition temperature and caused porphyrin accumulation in mammalian cells, but exhibited a reduced catalytic rate at 37[deg]C in comparison to wild-type hALAS2. The XLEPP variants, unlike wild-type hALAS2, were more structurally responsive upon binding of succinyl-CoA, and adopted distinct features in tertiary and PLP cofactor-binding site. These results imply that the C-terminus of hALAS2 is important for regulating its structural integrity, which affects kinetic activity and stability. XLEPP has only recently been identified as a blood disorder, and thus there are no specific treatments. One potential treatment involves the use of the antibiotic isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid, INH), commonly used to treat tuberculosis. INH can cause sideroblastic anemia as a side-effect and has traditionally been thought to do so by limiting PLP availability to hALAS2 via direct inhibition of pyridoxal kinase, and reacting with pyridoxal to form pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone. We postulated that in addition to PLP-dependent inhibition of hALAS2, INH directly acts on hALAS2. Using FACS and confocal microscopy, we show here that INH reduces protoporphyrin IX accumulation in HeLa cells expressing either wild-type human hALAS2 or XLEPP variants. In addition, PLP and pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate (PMP) restored cellular hALAS2 activity in the presence of INH. Kinetic analyses with purified hALAS2 demonstrated non-competitive or uncompetitive inhibition with an apparent Ki of 1.5 uM. Circular dichroism studies revealed that INH triggers structural changes in hALAS2 that interfere with the association of hALAS2 with its PLP cofactor. These studies demonstrate that hALAS2 can be directly inhibited by INH, provide insight into the mechanism of inhibition, and support the prospective use of INH in treating patients with XLEPP and potentially other cutaneous porphyrias.

Primary chick embryo liver cells were used to explore the regulation of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase and heme oxygenase, the enzymes that catalyze the rate-limiting reactions of heme anabolism and catabolism, respectively. The general focus of the work was the exploration of the novel observation in which glutethimide and iron synergistically induced both δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase and heme oxygenase, a phenomenon that would not be predicted a priori. The course of events appeared to be: first, that heme synthesis was increased after addition of the glutethimide and that iron potentiated heme synthesis; second, the heme induced heme oxygenase five to ten fold; and third, that heme oxygenase degraded the heme permitting an uncontrolled induction of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase. This induction of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase could be prevented by the addition of a metalloporphyrin inhibitor of heme oxygenase. Induced δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase activity could be dramatically reduced by the addition of nanomolar concentrations of a metalloporphyrin, inhibitory for heme oxygenase, and heme. Specific observations related to the synergistic induction of heme oxygenase by glutethimide and iron was that the induction of heme oxygenase activity by glutethimide and iron occurred rapidly, with maximal increases occurring four to six hours after original treatment. Induction of heme oxygenase by glutethimide and iron was shown to be dependent on de novoheme synthesis since 4,6-dioxoheptanoic acid, a potent and specific inhibitor of heme biosynthesis, prevented the activity of heme oxygenase from increasing in the presence of glutethimide and iron. Induction of activity was associated with increases in heme oxygenase mRNA and protein; and, when induction was prevented by 4,6-dioxoheptanoic acid, no increase in either mRNA or immunoreactive protein was observed. δ-Aminolevulinic acid synthase activity was also synergistically increased by glutethimide and iron; this increase occurred 4-6 hours after maximal heme oxygenase activity had been attained. The temporal relationship between the induction of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase and heme oxygenase suggested that the oxygenase depleted a regulatory heme pool that would normally prevent uncontrolled induction of the synthase. When cultures were exposed to tin-mesoporphyrin, a potent inhibitor of heme oxygenase, induction of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase, normally produced by glutethimide and iron, was prevented. Addition of tin-mesoporphyrin after δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase induction had already been established promptly halted any further induction. When heme or a combination of heme and tin-mesoporphyrin was added after induction of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase was established, activity of the synthase was rapidly reduced. Finally, experiments in primary chick embryo liver cells with tin-, zinc- and copper- chelated porphyrins were done to assess their effects on activities of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase, induced by prior treatment of cells with glutethimide and iron. Nanomolar concentrations of zinc- or tin porphyrins reduced δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase activities, while copper-chelated porphyrins did not. When nanomolar concentrations of heme were added with zinc- or tin-porphyrins, δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase activity was further reduced. Effects of the non-heme metalloporphyrins on δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase were closely correlated with their abilities to inhibit heme oxygenase (r=0.78). The largest decrease of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase (67%) was obtained with zinc-mesoporphyrin and heme. There was a rapid appearance of the cytosolic, precursor form of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase in the presence of both 10 μM heme or 50 nM zinc-mesoporphyrin and 200 nM heme. Reduction of the half-life of the mRNA from 5.2 hours to 2.2-2.5 hours was observed in the presence of both 10 μM heme or 50 nM zinc-mesoporphyrin and 200 nM heme. In summary, the chick embryo liver cell culture model treated with glutethimide and iron may serve as one experimental model for patients suffering from acute porphyrias, in whom uncontrolled induction of hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase plays a key role in pathogenesis of disease. The synergistic induction of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase in the presence of glutethimide and iron may serve as an experimental paradigm for this disease. The reduction of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase by low doses of zinc-mesoporphyrin and heme may help form the experimental foundation for eventual studies in patients suffering from acute porphyrias.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Mercury is a divalent metal found in the liquid state at room temperature without biological function. Occupational exposure to this metal occurs mainly in industrial activities and agriculture. Its toxicity seems to be due to affinity for sulfhydryl groups and oxidative stress induction. Studies show that mercury causes physiological and biochemical changes in animals and humans. Zinc also is a divalent metal, but in contrast, is an essential element for living beings with important metabolic functions. Studies have indicated beneficial effects of this metal against oxidative damage caused by many toxic substances, including mercury. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ZnCl2 and HgCl2 on effect markers and oxidative damage of lactating rats (LR) and non-lactating rats (NLR). Adults LR and NLR received one dose of 27 mg/kg of ZnCl2 (subcutaneously) and after 24 hours received one dose of 5 mg/kg HgCl2 (subcutaneously). The animals were killed 24 hours after the last administration. Kidneys, liver, brain and blood were collected to perform the biochemical test. δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) activity were analyzed in kidney, liver, brain, and blood; non-protein, total thiols ascorbic acid levels in kidney, liver and brain; catalase activity in kidney and liver; serum urea and creatinine levels; and alanine aminotranferase (ALT) activity in serum and liver. The weights of animals and organs were also analyzed. No alterations were observed in the brains of LR and NLR; ascorbic acid levels also was not changed in tissues analyze. LR and NLR exposed to mercury showed a decrease of kidney total SH levels and an increase of urea and creatinine levels. NLR exposed to mercury showed an inhibition of kidney, liver and blood δ-ALA-D activity, and liver catalase activity. LR exposed to mercury showed an inhibition of blood δ-ALA-D activity and serum ALT activity. LR showed a decrease of liver absolute weight and an increase of kidney relative weight. NLR showed no changes in body and organs weights. Zinc per se increased liver non-protein thiols levels in LR and NLR and decreased liver absolute weight in LR. The pre-treatment with zinc prevented the inhibition of kidney (partially), liver and blood δ-ALA-D and liver catalase activity in NLR. Zinc also prevented the inhibition of blood δ-ALA-D, serum ALT (partially), the decrease in non-protein SH levels (partially) and increase relative weight of kidneys in LR. Thus, we suggest that LR and NLR differ as the toxicity caused by mercury, and the NLR are more sensitive to these toxic effects than the LR. Zinc shows promising effects against the toxic effects on analyzed parameters. / O mercúrio é um metal divalente, encontrado no estado líquido à temperatura ambiente e sem funções biológicas. A exposição ocupacional a esse metal ocorre principalmente em atividades industriais e na agricultura. Sugere-se que sua toxicidade é devida, principalmente, à afinidade por grupamentos sulfidrílicos e indução de estresse oxidativo. Estudos demonstram que o mercúrio causa alterações fisiológicas e bioquímicas em animais e humanos. O zinco também é um metal divalente, mas, em contra partida, é um elemento essencial para os seres vivos com importantes funções metabólicas. Estudos tem apontado efeitos benéficos desse metal contra danos oxidativos causados por muitas substâncias tóxicas, inclusive o mercúrio. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar o efeito do ZnCl2 e do HgCl2 sobre marcadores de efeitos e de dano oxidativo em ratas lactantes (RL) e não lactantes (RNL). RL e RNL adultas receberam subcutaneamente uma dose de 27 mg/kg de ZnCl2 e após 24 horas receberam uma dose de 5 mg/kg de HgCl2. Os animais foram mortos 24 horas após a última administração. Rins, fígado, cérebro e sangue foram coletados para realização dos testes bioquímicos. Foram analisados: a atividade da δ-aminolevulinato desidratase (δ-ALA-D) renal, hepática, cerebral e sanguínea; os níveis de tióis totais e não protéicos e ácido ascórbico de rins, fígado e cérebro; atividade da catalase renal e hepática; os níveis séricos de ureia e creatinina; e a atividade da alanina aminotranferase (ALT) de soro e fígado. Os pesos dos animais e órgãos também foram analisados. Não se observou qualquer alteração nos parâmetros de cérebro das RL e RNL, e nos níveis de ácido ascórbico nos tecidos analisados. RL e RNL expostas ao mercúrio apresentaram uma diminuição nos níveis de SH total de rins e um aumento nos níveis de ureia e creatinina. RNL expostas ao mercúrio apresentaram uma inibição da atividade da δ-ALA-D de rins, fígado e sangue e da catalase hepática. RL expostas ao mercúrio tiveram uma inibição da atividade da δ-ALA-D sanguínea e da ALT sérica. Ainda, as RL apresentaram uma diminuição no peso absoluto de fígado e um aumento no peso relativo de rins. RNL não apresentaram alterações do peso corporal e dos órgãos. O zinco per se aumentou os níveis de tióis não protéicos de fígado nas RL e RNL e diminuiu o peso absoluto de fígado nas RL. O pré-tratamento com zinco preveniu a inibição da δ-ALA-D renal (parcialmente), hepática e sanguínea e da catalase hepática nas RNL. O zinco também preveniu a inibição da δ-ALA-D sanguínea, da ALT sérica (parcialmente), a diminuição nos níveis de SH não protéicos (parcialmente) e aumento do peso relativo de rins nas RL. Dessa forma, podemos sugerir que RL e RNL diferem quanto à toxicidade causada pelo mercúrio, visto que as RNL são mais sensíveis a esses efeitos tóxicos do que as RL, e que o zinco apresenta efeitos promissores contra essa ação tóxica na maioria dos parâmetros analisados.

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Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:55:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:05:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / A comparação dos resultados obtidos utilizando-se uma única sessão de terapia fotodinâmica (PDT) com diodos emissores de luz (LEDs) de 630 nm no tratamento de carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) de gatos foi o objetivo principal do presente estudo, onde duas diferentes composições de precursores da protoporfirina IX (PPIX), o metil aminolevulinato (MEALA) e o ácido aminolevulínico (ALA) foram testados. Dezenove animais com um total de 24 lesões de CEC cutâneo confirmadas pelo estudo histopatológico foram distribuídos em dois grupos; o primeiro foi tratado com MEALA e o segundo com ALA. Pelos resultados negativos em testes sorológicos para detecção dos vírus da imunodeficiência felina (FIV) e vírus da leucemia felina (FeLV), não foi possível correlacionar a ocorrência dessas doenças virais com a incidência de CEC cutâneo nos gatos estudados. A temperatura da superfície cutânea, monitorada durante a PDT não apresentou aumento significativo (t < 3oC) nos dois grupos. Todos os animais foram submetidos a exame clínico e sanguíneo (hemograma e função hepato-renal) antes e após o tratamento, não havendo nenhuma alteração que inviabilizasse a inclusão dos mesmos no protocolo experimental e nem alterações atribuídas ao tratamento. A quantificação imunoistoquímica para o antígeno nuclear de proliferação celular (PCNA) foi realizada como um fator prognóstico do tratamento, porém, os resultados obtidos foram inconclusivos para esse fim. No grupo MEALA, de 10 lesões tratadas, 30% apresentaram respostas completas, 30% apresentaram respostas parciais, 20% apresentaram resposta mínima e em 20% dos casos não houve resposta ao tratamento. Já no grupo ALA foram tratadas 14 lesões, com 28,6% de resposta parcial, 50% de resposta mínima e 21,4% sem resposta. A PDT mostrou-se promissora no tratamento de CEC cutâneo de gatos dentro das condições estudadas, com melhores resultados quando realizada com o MEALA. / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Aerobic exercise of sufficient intensity and duration can result in increased generation of reactive oxygen species and exercise of extreme endurance may cause oxidative stress with a concomitant decreased activity of antioxidant defense systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effect of a peak of oxidative stress exposition on the activity of blood d-ALA-D, an enzyme sensitive to pro-oxidant situations. The protocol of exercise (treadmill) was divided in rest, submaximal exercise, maximal exercise, and recovery. Oxidative stress biomarkers (TBARS production and δ-ALA-D activity), antioxidant defenses systems (catalase activity, -SH and ascorbic acid) were measured in human blood. The maximal exercise induced an increase in TBARS production and -SH levels during submaximal exercise, maximal exercise and recovery when compared with resting. δ-ALA-D activity increased at maximal exercise and recovery when compared with resting. Catalase activity increased during submaximal exercise and recovery when compared to the rest period. The results described here suggest that d-ALA-D was modulated in a way similar to that observed for other biomarkers of oxidative stress. Complementary investigations analyzing the functional role of d-ALA-D activity need to be performed. Additionally, the results suggest that during the test stages the stimulation of antioxidant defense systems (observed by the increase in thiol group levels) were not sufficient to prevent lipid peroxidation even in trained individuals. / O exercício aeróbico realizado em determinada intensidade e duração pode resultar no aumento da geração de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) sendo que o exercício de extrema resistência pode causar estresse oxidativo com a concomitante diminuição na atividade do sistema de defesa antioxidante. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito na atividade da enzima δ-ALA-D e de outros biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo e defesas antioxidantes em corredores de longa distância submetidos a exercício agudo de curta duração. O protocolo de exercício (realizado em uma esteira ergométrica) foi dividido em repouso, submáximo, máximo e recuperação. Foram avaliados, em sangue humano, os biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo (produção de TBARS e atividade da d-ALAD) sistema de defesa antioxidante (atividade da catalase, -SH e ácido ascórbico). Como resultados, o exercício máximo induziu o aumento na produção de TBARS e níveis de -SH durante o exercício submáximo, máximo e recuperação quando comparados ao repouso. A atividade da d-ALA-D aumentou no exercício máximo e recuperação quando comparada ao período de repouso. Quando comparado ao período de repouso a atividade da catalase aumentou no exercício submáximo e na recuperação. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que a enzima d-ALAD foi modulada em uma via similar as observadas para outros biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo. Investigações complementares analisando a papel funcional da atividade da d-ALAD necessitam ser realizadas. Ainda, os resultados deste estudo sugerem que durante o protocolo de exercício a estimulação do sistema de defesa antioxidante (observada pelo aumento nos níveis de grupos tióis) não foi suficiente para prevenir a peroxidação lipídica mesmo nos indivíduos treinados.

The activity of Delta-Aminolevulinate Dehydratase (d-ALA-D) was analyzed in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus and primary hypothyroidism. Five groups of patients were studied: compensated diabetes mellitus, non-compensated diabetes mellitus, compensated hypothyroidism, non-compensated hypothyroidism and control group. The analysis of d-ALA-D in these groups showed the following results: the activity of d-ALA-D on non-compensated diabetes mellitus decreased comparing to the control group, to the compensated diabetes mellitus group. The activity of d-ALA-D on non-compensated hypothyroidism increased compared to the control group and also to non-compensated hypothyroidism. In vitro analyses of the drugs used by the patients suffering diabetes mellitus (metformin, chlorpropamide, glibenclamide, glimepiride) and the drug used by the patients suffering primary hypothyroidism (thyroxine) were fulfilled to verify some change in the activity of d-ALA-D, and the findings showed that there was not any changes on d-ALA-D activity. Metals may interfere in the action of d-ALA-D. Consequently,the quantity of metals (lead, zinc, copper) present in the patients blood was measured. One observed that the amount of those metals was not different, from a statistical, among the groups. Therefore, we can conclude that the activity of d-ALA-D increased in the group of non-compensated hipothyroidism and decreased in the non-compensated diabetes, and may be it could be related to the complications observed in such pathologies / A atividade da delta-aminolevulinato desidratase (d-ALA-D) foi analisada em pacientes com diabetes mellitus e pacientes com hipotireoidismo primário. Foram estudados cinco grupos de pacientes: diabetes mellitus compensado, diabetes mellitus descompensado, hipotireoidismo compensado, hipotireoidismo descompensado e grupo controle. A análise da d-ALA-D nesses grupos mostrou os seguintes resultados: a atividade da d-ALA-D nos pacientes com diabetes mellitus descompensados encontrava-se diminuída em relação ao grupo controle, ao grupo dos diabéticos compensados. Observamos que nos pacientes com hipotireoidismo descompensado, a atividade da d-ALA-D encontrava-se aumentada em relação ao controle e também em relação ao grupo dos hipotireoideos compensados. Foram realizadas análises in vitro das medicações utilizadas pelos pacientes diabéticos (metformina, glibenclamida, clorpropamida, glimepirida) e hipotireoideos (tiroxina), com o objetivo de verificar se havia alteração na atividade da d-ALA-D e como resultados obtivemos que as medicações não alteraram a atividade da referida enzima. Os metais podem interferir na atividade da d-ALA-D. Por isso foi medida a quantidade de metais (chumbo, zinco, cobre) presentes no sangue destes pacientes. Observamos que a quantidade dos referidos metais não foi diferente, do ponto de vista estatístico, entre os grupos. Desta forma, concluímos que a atividade da d-ALA-D estava aumentada no grupo de pacientes hipotireoideos descompensados e diminuída no dos diabéticos descompensados, podendo este fato ter relação com o desenvolvimento das complicações nestas doenças