Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Glutathione (γ-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine) is the major non-protein thiol body and is involved in cellular antioxidant defense. The free glutathione is present mainly in its reduced form (GSH) and can be converted to the oxidized form (GSSG) in the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The GSH/GSSG ratio high is very important for the cellular redox state and a reduction of this ratio is often used as an indicator of oxidative stress. The enzyme glutathione reductase (GR) catalyzes the reduction of GSSG to GSH using NADPH. Because of the great importance of the antioxidant glutathione and considering that it is present in almost all organisms, numerous studies involving several attempts to detect GSH, GSSG and GR in biological systems has been performed. The objective of this study was to validate an automated analytical method, based on a spectrophotometric method proposed by Mannervick and Carlberg in 1985 to measurement the GR activity which is the oxidation of NADPH, which is monitored spectrophotometrically at a wavelength of 340 nm using the automated analyzer Cobas Mira®, determine its limits of reference for a healthy population and further evaluate the pre-analytical interference that influence the analytical phase of hemoglobin, bilirubin and lipemia. The automated method for measuring of the GR activity was validated as recommended by the EMEA and ANVISA. Since it was linear (r2 = 0.990), precise, with a coefficient of variation (CV) in precision intraassay of 5.7% (50 U/L) and 3.4% (100 U/L) and precision interassay CV of 9.5% (50 U/L) and 9.9% (100 U/L). In addition, we observed a recovery of 114.1% with this method considered accurate. The reference limits were evaluated as recommended by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), and were 21.7 U / L to 60.3 U / L, for a healthy population. In the simulation of hemolysis, lipemia and jaundice in plasma samples, we evaluated the pre-analytical interference in the activity of the GR. All concentrations of Intralipid® (0.67, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg / dL), hemoglobin standard (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g / dL), and bilirubin (0.9, 1.9, 3.8, 7.5, 15 and 30 mg / dL) resulted in a difference from the original value of GR, and verified a percentage greater than 5%, and this percentage considered for enzymes, analytical interference. Thus, it was concluded that the automated method developed was linear, precise, accurate, simple and inexpensive, and can be adapted to the Cobas Mira® analyzer. The reference limits for a healthy population were established. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that hemoglobin, lipemia and bilirubin interfere in the measurement of the GR activity. / A glutationa (L-γ-glutamil-L-cysteinylglycine) é o principal tiol não proteico do organismo e está envolvida na defesa celular antioxidante. A glutationa livre está presente principalmente na sua forma reduzida (GSH) e pode ser convertida para a forma oxidada (GSSG) na presença de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs). A razão GSH/GSSG elevada é muito importante para o estado redox celular e uma redução desta razão é frequentemente utilizada como um indicador do estresse oxidativo. A enzima glutationa redutase (GR) catalisa a redução de GSSG a GSH utilizando NADPH. Devido a grande importância antioxidante da glutationa e considerando que a mesma está presente em quase todos os organismos, numerosas pesquisas envolvendo as mais diversas tentativas de detecção de GSH, GSSG e GR em sistemas biológicos tem sido realizadas. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi validar um método analítico automatizado, baseado em um método espectrofotométrico proposto por Mannervick e Carlberg em 1985 para a mensuração da atividade da GR que consiste na oxidação do NADPH, o qual é monitorado espectrofotometricamente no comprimento de onda de 340 nm utilizando o analisador automatizado Cobas Mira®, determinar seus limites de referência para uma população saudável e ainda avaliar a interferência pré-analítica que influenciam na fase analítica da hemoglobina, lipemia e bilirrubina. O método automatizado para a mensuração da atividade da enzima GR foi validado seguindo recomendações da ANVISA e EMEA. Sendo que o mesmo foi linear (r2=0,990), preciso, apresentando um coeficiente de variação (CV) na precisão intraensaio de 5,7% (50 U/L) e 3,4% (100 U/L) e na precisão interensaio um CV de 9,5% (50U/L) e 9,9% (100 U/L). Além disso, foi observada uma recuperação de 114,1%, sendo este método considerado exato. Os limites de referência foram avaliados seguindo recomendações da International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), sendo que foram de 21,7 U/L a 60,3 U/L, para uma população saudável. Na simulação da hemólise, lipemia e icterícia em amostras de plasma, avaliou-se a interferência pré-analítica na atividade da GR. Todas as concentrações utilizadas de Intralipid® (0,67; 1,25; 2,5; 5 e 10 mg/dL), de padrão de hemoglobina (0,0625; 0,125; 0,25; 0,5 e 1 g/dL) e de bilirrubina (0,9; 1,9; 3,8; 7,5; 15 e 30 mg/dL) resultaram em uma diferença do valor original de GR, sendo verificada uma porcentagem maior que 5%, sendo essa porcentagem considerada, para enzimas, interferência analítica. Dessa forma, foi possível concluir que o método automatizado desenvolvido foi linear, preciso, exato, simples e de baixo custo, podendo ser adaptado ao analisador Cobas Mira®. Os limites de referência para uma população saudável também foram estabelecidos. Além disso, foi demonstrado que a hemoglobina, a lipemia e a bilirrubina interferem na mensuração da atividade da GR.

The available antiretroviral compounds can effectively suppress the replication of HIV-1 and block the disease progression. However it is impossible to eradicate the virus from the organism as the HIV-1 integrated in the genome is not affected by the existing anti-HIV-1 drugs. Therefore, new latency reversing agents are being actively developed as part of "shock and kill" therapy to reactivate the provirus and clear the reservoir. Normosang (heme arginate; HA) is a human hemin- containing compound used to treat acute porphyria. Heme is physiologically catabolised by heme oxygenases to form iron (Fe2+ ), carbon monoxide (CO) and biliverdin that is further converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. In this study, we have demonstrated that HA inhibited HIV-1 replication during the acute infection, which was accompanied by the inhibition of reverse transcription. On the other hand, HA synergised with phorbol myristyl acetate (PMA) and reactivated the HIV-1 provirus in ACH-2 cells and the HIV-1 "mini-virus" in Jurkat cell clones A2 and H12. HIV-1 ''mini-virus'' was reactivated also by HA-alone. Further, we have studied the effects of heme degradation products on latent HIV-1 reactivation when added individually. We employed addition of ascorbate to generate Fe2+ , resulting in an increased...

INTRODUÇÃO. A definição de insuficiência hepática pós-operatória (IHP) não é ainda padronizada, dificultando a comparação de inovações em procedimentos hepáticos e tornando complexo o uso de possíveis intervenções terapêuticas pós- operatórias em um momento adequado. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS. Entre 1998 e 2002, 775 resecções hepáticas eletivas, dos quais 531 (69%) por doenças malignas e 464 (60%) consistindo em hepatectomias maiores, foram incluídas de maneira prospectiva em um banco de dados. O parênquima hepático não-tumoral foi anormal em 330 pacientes (43%) incluindo esteatose em mais que 30% dos hepatócitos em 107 (14%), fibrose sem cirrose em 237 (43%) e cirrose em 94 (12%). Foi analisado o impacto sobre a mortalidade da ocorrência de tempo de protrombina (TP) menor que 50% e bilirrubina total sérica (BT) maior que 50 µmol/L (3 mg/dl) (critério 50-50) nos dias pós-operatórios (PO) 1, 3, 5 e 7. RESULTADOS. A cinética pós-operatória do TP e da BT foram diferentes. O menor nível de TP foi no primeiro dia pós-operatório (PO) e o pico de BT foi no terceiro dia PO. A tendência ao retorno para valores pré-operatórios destes dois fatores bioquímicos se firmou claramente no quinto DPO. A mortalidade operatória global foi de 3.4% (26 pacientes), incluindo 21 (81%) casos com parênquima não-tumoral anormal e 20 (77%) após uma hepatectomia maior. O índice de mortalidade foi maior em pacientes com TP < 50% ou BT > 50 µmol/L (3 mg/dl) no pós-operatório. A conjunção de TP < 50% e BT > 50 µmol/L (3 mg/dl) no quinto DPO foi potente fator preditivo de mortalide, a qual atingiu 59% quando esta associação ocorreu. CONCLUSÕES. A partir do quinto dia PO, a associação de TP > 50% e BT > 50 µml/L (3 mg/dl) (critério 50-50) foi preditor prático e acurado de índice de mortalidade após hepatectomia. Propõe-se assim este critério como definição de insuficiência hepática pós-operatória. / INTRODUCTION. Definition of postoperative liver failure (PLF) is not standardized, rendering complex the comparison of novelties in liver procedures and also the use of possible postoperative therapeutic interventions in due time. METHODS. Between 1998 and 2002, 775 elective liver resections, whence 531 (69%) were for malignancies and 464 (60%) for major resections, were included in a prospective database. The non- tumorous hepatic parenchima was abnormal in 330 patients (43%) including steatosis > 30% in 107 (14%), non-cirrhotic fibrosis in 237 (43%) and cirrhosis in 94 (12%). The clinical impact of Prothrombin Time (PT) < 50% and Serum Bilirubin (SB) > 50µmol/L (3 mg/dl) (50-50 criteria) on postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, 5 and 7 was analyzed. RESULTS. Kinetic of postoperative PT and SB were different. Lowest PT levels were on POD1 and the peak of SB was on POD 3. The tendency to return to preoperative values of these two biochemical factors was clearly affirmed on POD 5. Operative mortality was 3.4% (26 patients), including 21 (81%) cases with abnormal liver parenchyma and 20 (77%) following major hepatectomies. Mortality rate was increased in patients with PT < 50% or SB > 50µmol/L (3mg/dl). The conjunction of PT < 50% and SB > 50µmol/L (3 mg/dl) on POD 5 was a strong predictive factor of increased mortality, which reached 59%. CONCLUSIONS We found that after postoperative day 5, the association of PT > 50% and SB > 50µml/L (3 mg/dl) (50-50 criteria) was a simple and accurate predictor of mortality after hepatectomy. These results allow us to propose this criteria as a definition of postoperative liver failure.

La première partie du travail présenté ici se concentre sur l’optimisation d’une cathode à oxygène. Tout d’abord, l’utilisation d’une nouvelle enzyme (la BOD de Magnaporthe oryzae) permet de multiplier le courant de réduction de l’oxygène en eau jusqu’à neuf fois. Ensuite la synthèse d’un polymère rédox adapté a permis d’améliorer le coefficient de diffusion des électrons dans l’hydrogel résultant en l’augmentation de la densité de courant générée. Enfin nous sommes passés d’uneélectrode de carbone en 2 dimensions à une fibre d’or poreuse tridimensionnelle. Après modification de cette fibre avec l’hydrogel rédox à base de BOD de M. oryzaenous avons évalué sa biocompatibilité : in vitro les tests ont montré l’absence totale de cytotoxicité et seule une très faible réponse inflammatoire ; in vivo aucune infection ne s’est déclarée pendant les 8 semaines d’implantation dans les souris etla formation d’une capsule fibrotique autour de l’électrode traduit sa bonne intégration dans les tissus de l’animal. La seconde partie concerne la biopile dans son intégralité, construite à partir de la cathode optimisée et d’une anode adaptée à base de GDH. Elle permet de générer jusqu’à 240 μW.cm-2 dans du tampon Pipes/CaCl2 à 5mM de glucose. La biopile a ensuite été testée dans du sang humain total. Un maximum de 129 μW.cm-2 a été obtenu dans un échantillon avec une glycémie de 8,2 mM sous air. De plus nous avons constaté que la densité de puissance délivrée augmente proportionnellement avec la glycémie des différents échantillons de sang testés, faisant de la biopile à la fois une source d’électricité et un biocapteur à glucose ce qui n’avait jamais été démontré auparavant. / The first part of the work presented here focuses on the optimization of an oxygen cathode. First, the use of a new enzyme (BOD from Magnaporthe oryzae) permit to increase the current of reduction of oxygen into water by a factor nine. Then the synthesis of a suitable redox polymer greatly improved the diffusion coefficient of electrons in the hydrogel, resulting in an increase of the current density. Finally we switched from a two-dimensional carbon electrode to a three-dimensional porous gold fiber. After modification of the fiber with the redox hydrogel based on BOD from M. oryzae, we assessed its biocompatibility: in vitro the tests showed the total absence of cytotoxicity and only a very low inflammatory response; in vivo noinfection appeared during the 8 weeks of implantation in mice and the formation of afibrotic capsule around the device reflects its successful integration into the animal tissues.The second part concerns the full biofuel cell, elaborated from the optimized cathode and an adapted GDH-based anode. It could generate up to 240 μW.cm-2 at 5mMglucose in Pipes/CaCl2 buffer. The biofuel cell was then tested in whole human blood. A maximum of 129 μW.cm-2 was obtained in a sample with 8,2 mM glycaemiaunder air. In addition we observed that the delivered power density increased proportionally with the glycaemia of the different blood samples tested, making the biofuel cell both a power source and a glucose biosensor at the same time which had never been shown before.

No description available.

The available antiretroviral compounds can effectively suppress the replication of HIV-1 and block the disease progression. However it is impossible to eradicate the virus from the organism as the HIV-1 integrated in the genome is not affected by the existing anti-HIV-1 drugs. Therefore, new latency reversing agents are being actively developed as part of "shock and kill" therapy to reactivate the provirus and clear the reservoir. Normosang (heme arginate; HA) is a human hemin- containing compound used to treat acute porphyria. Heme is physiologically catabolised by heme oxygenases to form iron (Fe2+ ), carbon monoxide (CO) and biliverdin that is further converted to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase. In this study, we have demonstrated that HA inhibited HIV-1 replication during the acute infection, which was accompanied by the inhibition of reverse transcription. On the other hand, HA synergised with phorbol myristyl acetate (PMA) and reactivated the HIV-1 provirus in ACH-2 cells and the HIV-1 "mini-virus" in Jurkat cell clones A2 and H12. HIV-1 ''mini-virus'' was reactivated also by HA-alone. Further, we have studied the effects of heme degradation products on latent HIV-1 reactivation when added individually. We employed addition of ascorbate to generate Fe2+ , resulting in an increased...

Für die Untersuchung standen 20 tragende Booroola*Merinofleischschaf Kreuzungsgenotypen, meist pluripar, zwischen 2 und 6 Jahren zur Verfügung. Während der Trächtigkeit wurden in wöchentlichem Abstand die Größenveränderungen der Plazentomdurchmesser mittels transkutaner und transrektaler Ultrasonographie erfasst und Blutproben genommen. Post partum erfolgte die detaillierte Auswertung der Plazenta nach Anzahl und Durchmesser der Kotyledonen und des Kotyledonen- und Sekundinengewichts. Aus den gewonnenen Daten wurden Plazentomwachstumskurven im Verlauf der Trächtigkeit erstellt. Die Blutproben wurden hormonanalytisch auf Progesteron, 17ß-Östradiol, und IGF-1, sowie stoffwechselphysiologisch auf die, den Eiweiß- und Energiehaushalt charakterisierenden Substanzen Albumin, Gesamteiweiß, Harnstoff, BHB, Bilirubin und Glukose untersucht. Zudem erfolgte die Bestimmung von Substanzen, die in der Trächtigkeit stark beansprucht werden, wie ASAT, Calcium, Eisen und Cholesterol. Die Auswertung sämtlicher Daten erfolgte in Abhängigkeit von Wurfgröße (WG) und Wurfgewichtsklassen (WGK). Der größte Einfluss von WG und WGK auf die Plazenta zeigt sich bei der Auswertung der morphologischen Aspekte. Dabei sind in erster Linie eine Vergrößerung der Plazentomdurchmesser von uni- zu triparen Tieren sowie von WGK 1 zur WGK 3 festzustellen. In den jeweils höchsten Klassen fällt der Durchmesser wieder. Zudem nimmt in der Regel mit steigender WG und WGK die Anzahl der Plazentome mit kleinen Durchmessern (1-20 mm)ab, die Anzahl der Plazentome mit großen Durchmessern (20-50 mm) dagegen zu. Tripare Tiere und WGK 3 weisen die meisten Plazentome mit den größten Durchmessern (40-50 mm) auf. Bei der Gesamtkontaktfläche zeigt sich ein Anstieg der Fläche von uni- bis zu quadriparen Tieren und der WGK 1 bis WGK 4. Nur WGK 5 weist eine gegenüber WGK 4 verminderte Gesamtkontaktfläche auf. Unabhängig von WG und WGK verkleinern sich die Plazentomdurchmesser und die Gesamtkontaktflächen p.p. gegenüber den Plazentomdurchmessern und Gesamtkontaktflächen a.p. WG und WGK beeinflussen den Hormonhaushalt mäßig. Dabei zeigt sich der größte Einfluss beim Progesteron. Die kleinste WG bzw. WGK präsentiert die niedrigsten Progesteronkonzentrationen. Beim 17ß-Östradiol ist der Verlauf aller Konzentrationskurven im gesamten Trächtigkeitsverlauf und beim IGF-1 ab dem 100. Tag p.c. einheitlich. Durch WG oder WGK werden bei den Booroola*MF Kreuzungsgenotypen keine den Stoffwechsel charakterisierenden Substanzen in einer auffallenden oder für die Tierart untypischen Weise verändert. Die Anzahl Feten bzw. die WGK zeigen im vorliegenden Datenmaterial keinen gravierenden Einfluss auf den maternalen Stoffwechsel während der Gravidität. / The analysis was founded on 20 pregnant Booroola* Merino Mutton crossbreed sheep between 2 and 6 years, most of them pluriparous. During pregnancy the variations of size of the placentomdiameters were drawn up on a weekly basis using transcutaneous and transrectal ultrasonography. Samples of blood were taken likewise in a weekly rhythm. After birth a detailed examination of the placentae followed, considering especially their number and diameter as well as the weight of the cotyledons and the secundinae. The gained data were used to create placentom-growth-diagrams during pregnancy. The samples of blood were hormonally analysed with regard to progesterone, estradiol and IGF-1 as well as to the substances that characterize the protein- and energy metabolism as there are: albumin, protein, urea, BHB, bilirubin, glucose. Moreover substances which are highly required during pregnancy were determined as e.g. ASAT, calcium, iron, cholesterol. The evaluation of all the gained data was made in dependence on the littersize (LS) and total litterweight (TLW). The major influence of the LS and TLW on the placenta is noticed at the morphological aspects. The placentomdiameter increase from uni- to triparous ewes and from TLW 1 to TLW 3. On the other hand the placentomdiameters decrease in the highest groups. With an increase of LS and TLW the amound of placentoms with small diameters (1-20 mm) generally decreased in favour of the placentoms with big diameters (20-50 mm). Triparous ewes and TLW 3 show most of the placentoms with the largest diameters (40-50 mm). The "total contact area" demonstrates an increase from uni-to quadriparous ewes and TLW 1 to TLW 4. Only TLW 5 has a smaller "total contact area" as TLW 4. Independent of LS and TLW of the Booroola* Merino Mutton crossbreed sheep the placentomdiameter and the "total contact area" decrease p.p. in comparison to the placentomdiameter and "total contact area" a.p. The influence of LS and TLW on the endocrinological system is moderate. The highest influence is proved concerning progesterone, the smallest LS and TLW show the lowest blood-progesterone concentration. In contrast to this, the estradiol concentration of both groups seems to be uniform during the whole pregnancy and equally the IGF-1 concentration from the 100 day p.c. None of the metabolism characterising substances seems to be affected by the LS or TLW. The littersize as well as the litterweight do not influence in the gained data the maternal metabolism during pregnancy.

- 8 - ABSTRACT (EN) The thesis is submitted as a commented set of reviewed publications documenting and depicting the possibilities of mass spectrometry in the field of chemical, biological and pharmaceutical research; namely for the purposes of structure elucidation of selected organometallic complexes, analyses of drugs and their metabolites, monitoring of important biological markers. In course of experimental work, the following objectives were studied and solved:  Proposal and realization of micro-scale preparation of selected rhenium complexes with aromatic ligands, utilizing tetrabutyammonium tetrachlorooxorhenate as a starting material; preparation and structure characterization of oxorhenium(V) complexes with 1,2-dihydroxybenzene, 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene, and 2,3- dihydroxynaphtalene as ligands by means of ESI/MS, APPI/MS and LDI-MS; ESI/MS and UV/Vis study of kinetic behavior of complexes arising from the reaction of tetrabutylamonnium tetrachlooxorhenate with pyrogallol and catechol as ligands. Special aim was devoted to the study of subsequent chemical transformation of primarily formed Re(V) complexes; structure characterization of selected ferrocene complexes with copper, gold and silver by means of ESI/MS.  Proposal of methodology of structure characterization and quantification of the...

This thesis presents the development and redesign of a commercial electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (E–QCM–D). This was used to study factors affecting the efficiency of the four electron reduction catalysed by the fuel cell enzyme bilirubin oxidase from Myrothecium verrucaria immobilised on thiol modified gold surfaces. Within this thesis, the E–QCM–D was used to show that application of a constant potential to bilirubin oxidase adsorbed to thiol-modified gold surfaces causes activity loss that can be attributed to a change in structural arrangement. Varying the load by potential cycling distorts the enzyme by inducing rapid mass loss and denaturation. Attaching the enzyme covalently reduces the mass loss caused by potential cycling but does not mitigate activity loss. Covalent attachment also changes the orientation of the surface bound enzyme as verified by the position of the catalytic wave (related to the overpotential for catalysis) and reactive labelling followed by mass spectrometry analysis. The E–QCM–D was used to show how electrostatic interactions affect enzyme conformation where high pH causes a reduction in both mass loading at the electrode and a reduction in activity. At pH lower than the enzyme isoelectric point, there is a build up of multilayers in a clustered adsorption. When enzyme adsorbs to hydrophobic surfaces there is a rapid denaturation which completely inactivates the enzyme. Changing the surface chemistry from carboxyl groups to hydroxyl and acetamido groups shows that catalysis is shifted to more negative potentials as a result of an enzyme misorientation. Further to this, increasing the chain length of the thiol modifier indicates that an increased distance between surface and enzyme reduces activity, enzyme loading and results in a conformational rearrangement that permits electron transfer over longer distances.