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No / The human epidermis holds an autocrine acetylcholine production and degradation including functioning membrane integrated and cytosolic butyrylcholinesterase (BuchE). Here we show that BuchE activities increase 9-fold in the presence of calcium (0.5 × 10-3 M) via a specific EF-hand calcium binding site, whereas acetylcholinesterase (AchE) is not affected. 45Calcium labelling and computer simulation confirmed the presence of one EF-hand binding site per subunit which is disrupted by H2O2-mediated oxidation. Moreover, we confirmed the faster hydrolysis by calcium-activated BuchE using the neurotoxic organophosphate O-ethyl-O-(4-nitrophenyl)-phenylphosphonothioate (EPN). Considering the large size of the human skin with 1.8 m2 surface area with its calcium gradient in the 10¿3 M range, our results implicate calcium-activated BuchE as a major protective mechanism against suicide inhibition of AchE by organophosphates in this non-neuronal tissue

Cocaine abuse is a world-wide public health and social problem without a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication. An ideal anti-cocaine medication would accelerate cocaine metabolism producing biologically inactive metabolites by administration of an efficient cocaine-specific exogenous enzyme. Recent studies in our lab have led to discovery of the desirable, highly efficient human cocaine hydrolases (hCocHs) that can efficiently detoxify and inactivate cocaine without affecting normal functions of central nervous system (CNS). Preclinical and clinical data have demonstrated that these hCocHs are safe for use in humans and effective for accelerating cocaine metabolism. However, the actual therapeutic use of a hCocH in cocaine addiction treatment is limited by the short biological half-life (e.g. 8 hours or shorter in rats) of the hCocH. In the investigation described in this thesis, we have demonstrated that mCocH and hCocH have improved the catalytic efficiency of mBChE and hBChE against cocaine by ~8- and ~2000-fold, respectively, although the catalytic efficiencies of mCocH and hCocH against other substrates, including acetylcholine (ACh) and butyrylthiocholine (BTC), are close to those of the corresponding wild-type enzymes mBChE and hBChE. In addition, we have identified the first benzoylecgonine-metabolizing enzymes that can hydrolyze benzoylecgonine and accelerate its clearance in rats. The developed LC-MS/MS method has enabled us to simultaneously determine cocaine and nine cocaine-related metabolites in whole blood samples. In development of the long-acting hCocHs, we have designed and discovered a novel hCocH form, catalytic antibody analog, which is an Fc-fused hCocH dimer (hCocH-Fc). The hCocH-Fc has not only a high catalytic efficiency against cocaine, but also a considerably longer biological half-life. A single dose of hCocH-Fc was able to accelerate cocaine metabolism in rats even after 20 days and, thus, block cocaine-induced hyperactivity for a long period of time. In consideration of the general observation that the biological half-life of a protein drug in humans is significantly longer than that in rodents, the hCocH-Fc could allow dosing once every 2-4 weeks, or longer for cocaine addiction treatment in humans.

Author: Kateřina Breiterová Title: Neurotropic and antioxidative activity of some selected species of monocotyledonous alkaloidal plants in vitro. VIII. Diploma thesis Charles Univerzity in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Ecology 2015, 101 p. More than 50 % cases of dementia are nowadays caused byAlzheimer's disease (AD). AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and it causes gradual memory loss, disorientation and behavioral disorders which affect patient's social and occupational life. AD is characteristic by loss of neurons in some regions of brain - for example hippocampus and cortex. Ethiopathogenesis of this disease is not completely known - that is why the treatment is still just symptomatic. Formation of β-amyloid deposits in brain tissue plays an important role - it is a protein which creates extracellular plagues around neurites and causes their degeneration and death. Intracellular tangles are made up of the changed τ-protein. These tangles also cause death of the neuronal cell. The degeneration of neurons is supported by reactive oxygen radicals too. The another problem is a glutamatergic system disorder. This set of excitatory amino acids is important for correct long-term memory formation. Patients with AD suffer from...

Bouz L.: Biological activity of secondary plants metabolites V. Alkaloids of Vinca minor L. Diploma thesis, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Ecology, Hradec Králové 2016. Summary extract obtained from dried aerial parts of Vinca minor L. was separated by column chromatography with petrol, chloroform and ethanol to 531 fractions. By further separation of fractions, following preparative thin layer chromatography and crystallization 2 alkaloidal compounds marked LB-2 and LB-3 were isolated. These compounds were identified by GC/MS, 1 H- and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy and by use of physical-chemical methods. The structure of compounds were elucidated as indole alkaloids (+)-vincaminoreine (LB-2) and (+)-vincamine (LB-3). Both substances were tested for their inhibition activity against human cholinesterases. (+)-Vincamine didn't exhibited in comparison with standard drugs (galanthamine IC50 AChE: 1,710 ± 0,065 µM, IC50 BChE: 42,30 ± 1,30 µM; huperzine A IC50 AChE: 0,033 ± 0,001 µM) any inhibition activity. On the other hand (+)-vincaminoreine exhibited fairly strong selective inhibition of BChE (IC50 = 8,71 ± 0,49 µM) with no inhibition of AChE. Key words: Vinca minor L., indole alkaloids, vincamine, vincaminoreine, Alzheimer disease,...

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmaceutical Botany and Ecology Candidate: Bc. Blanka Kaluzsná Supervisor: Prof. RNDr. Lubomír Opletal, CSc. Title of Diploma Thesis: Biological activity of plant metabolites XXIII. alkaloids of Corydalis cava (l.) Schweigg. & Körte and their effect on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase An ether extract which contained tertiary basic alkaloids was prepared from the dry bulb of Corydalis cava (L.) SCHWEIGG. & KÖRTE. A subfaction labeled 2/B was obtained by column chromatography and crystallization. Three alkaloids were isolated by preparative TLC and they were identified by GC/MS and 1 H a 13 C NMR analyzes as (+)-canadine, (+)-tetrahydropalmatine and domestine. Isolated alkaloids were tested by spectrophotometric Ellman method for inhibitory activity against human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (HuAChE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (HuBuChE). In comparison with the refernce substances, from these isolated alkaloids only (+)-canadine showed an relatively high inhibitory activity against HuAChE (12,4 µM). (+)-Tetrahydropalmatine and (+)-domestine had no significant inhibitory activity in this direction, against both HuAChE and HuBuChE. Key words: Corydalis cava, (+)-canadine, (+)-tetrahydropalmatine,...

A descoberta de inibidores seletivos é extremamente importante para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos que possam ser usados no tratamento de pacientes diagnosticados com a doença de Alzheimer (DA). Neste contexto, o desenvolvimento de métodos de triagem para a identificação de novos compostos biologicamente ativos se torna interessante. Butirilcolinesterase (BChE, EC 3.1.1.8) é uma serina hidroxilase que está classicamente associada à hidrólise do neurotransmissor acetilcolina (ACh) formando colina e ácido acético. Este trabalho descreve a imobilização covalente da BChE de soro humano nas paredes internas de capilares de sílica fundida utilizando o agente espaçador glutaraldeído, e sua aplicação na triagem de inibidores seletivos. O ICER-BChE resultante foi conectado a um sistema de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com monitoramento on line da atividade catalítica, envolvendo detecção UV. Após os estudos das melhores condições cromatográficas, variações de pH e vazão e a influência de solventes orgânicos na atividade enzimática o método foi validado com o uso de inibidores padrões. O maior valor obtido com o ICER-BChE no parâmetro cinético, constante de Michaelis KM = 33,6 ± 6,9 mM, comparado com a enzima em solução, KM = 0,12 ± 0,02 mM, evidencia o efeito da imobilização sobre a afinidade pelo substrato. No entanto, houve retenção da atividade catalítica e seletividade frente a inibidores padrão. O método foi aplicado na triagem de novos ligantes utilizando cinco coleções de diferentes classes de compostos, entre derivados cumarínicos, complexos metálicos com cobre (Cu), complexos metálicos com cobalto (Co) e zinco (Zn), glicosídeos, e derivados de fenilpropanóides e ácido barbitúrico. Desta triagem foram selecionados sete compostos promissores com os quais foram realizados os estudos sobre a potência mínima inibitória (IC50) e destes quatro foram escolhidos para estudos de mecanismos de ação utilizando o ICER-BChE. Dos complexos metálicos os melhores compostos foram o HPTBCu (IC50 = 8,74 ± 1,5 µM, Ki = 9,6 ± 0,5 M), o NarBCu (IC50 = 8,0 ± 1,4 µM, Ki = 2,0 ± 0,1 M) ambos com mecanismo competitivo o HesFCu (IC50 = 13,6 ± 2,9 µM), o NNINABCu (IC50 = 94,8 ± 16) e o NarFCu (IC50 = 81,7 ± 13). Dos derivados cumarínicos os compostos 17 (IC50 =109 ± 21 µM, Ki = 108 ± 10 M) e 19 (IC50 =128 ± 28 µM, Ki =36.0 ± 5.0 M) apresentaram mecanismo incompetitivo. Os resultados demonstraram que a abordagem proposta é útil na triagem on line de inibidores seletivos, pois fornece resultados rápidos, precisos e reprodutíveis. / The discovery of selective inhibitors is extremely important for the development of drugs that can be used in the treatment of patients diagnosed with the Alzheimer disease (AD). In this context, the development of screening methods for the identification of new, biologically active compounds is a challenging task. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, EC 3.1.1.8) is a serine hydroxylase that is classically associated with the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), which yields choline and acetic acid. This paper describes the development of capillary enzyme reactors (ICERs) containing BChE from the human serum, covalently immobilized onto silica fused capillaries, using glutaraldehyde as spacer, and its application in the screening of selective inhibitors. The resulting BChE-ICER was connected to a liquid chromatography system high efficiency where monitoring of activity was online involving UV detection. After studying the best chromatographic conditions, pH variations, flow-rate and the influence of organic solvents on enzyme activity method was validated using standard inhibitors. The higher value obtained with the BChE-ICER in kinetic parameter, constant Michaelis KM = 33.6 ± 6.9 mM, compared with the enzyme in solution, KM = 0.12 ± 0.02 mM, shows the effect of immobilized on the affinity substrate. However, there was retention of catalytic activity and selectivity towards standard inhibitors. The method was applied in the screening of new ligands using collections of five different compounds, among coumarin derivatives, metal complexes with copper (Cu) metal complexes with cobalt (Co) and zinc (Zn), glycosides, phenylpropanoids and derivatives, and barbituric acid. These screenings were selected seven promising compounds with which the studies were made on the minimum inhibitory potency (IC50) and these four were chosen for studies of mechanisms of action using the ICER-BChE. Of the compounds metal complexes best were HPTBCu (IC50 = 8,74 ± 1,5 µM, Ki = 9,6 ± 0,5 M), NarBCu (IC50 = 8,0 ± 1,4 µM, Ki = 2,0 ± 0,1 M) both competitive mechanism, the HesFCu (IC50 = 13.6 ± 2.9 µM), NNINABCu (IC50 = 94.8 ± 16 µM) and NarFCu (IC50 = 81.7 ± 13 µM). Of coumarin derivatives, 17 (IC50 =109 ± 21 µM, Ki = 108 ± 10 M) and 19 (IC50 =128 ± 28 µM, Ki =36.0 ± 5.0 M) showed mechanism uncompetitive. The results demonstrated that the proposed approach is useful in screening for selective inhibitors online because it provides quick results, accurate and reproducible.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:36:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EFEITO DA QUERCETINA OVARIECTOMIZADAS.pdf: 2103814 bytes, checksum: ae46af8ec18f6634ae18e23c19f6e393 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-07 / Tamoxifen was discovered in 1970 and classified as selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) being used as therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Although benefits has been proven, side effects are intense, and are related to different mechanisms of toxic action, such as oxidative stress and changes in the glycolytic pathway that induce a hyperglycemia and liver damage. The administration of quercetin, a flavonoid with antioxidant potential, that has inhibitory effect on enzyme butyrylcholinesterase, an enzyme possibly associated with hepatotoxicity and hyperglycemia, has benefits on the adverse effects caused by tamoxifen. Thus, first to determine the effect of quercetin on the hyperglycemia caused by tamoxifen, ovariectomized rats were treated orally, with tamoxifen and quercetin; concluding that effects of quercetin are dependent on ratio quercetin/tamoxifen coadministered and the 4.5 ratio is more effective. After, trying to elucidate the mechanisms involved in changes in the glycolytic pathway, oxidative stress and liver damage perfusion was performed in rat liver, studying especially glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, using as an indicator of liver damage of butyrylcholinesterase activity and monitoring the oxidative stress. The results showed that quercetin has inhibitory effect on glucose production and enhances the effects generated by tamoxifen in gluconeogenesis, concluding that although quercetin is known for antioxidant activity, in certain concentrations (400 μM) intensifies the damage initially caused by tamoxifen, this effect doesn't occur with lower concentrations of quercetin (200 μM). Therefore, although quercetin has shown to be effective in reducing hyperglycemia caused by tamoxifen, the interaction of quercetin with tamoxifen should be viewed with caution since the effect of this interaction in carbohydrate metabolism is intense, can alter the intracellular redox environment, compromising its integrity and causing serious damage to liver tissue. / O tamoxifeno, descoberto em 1970 foi classificado como modulador seletivo de receptor de estrógeno (SERM) sendo utilizado no tramento e prevenção do câncer de mama e embora seja terapia de escolha no período pós-menopausa seus efeitos colaterais são intensos, e estão relacionados a diferentes mecanismos de ação tóxica, como o estresse oxidativo e alterações na via glicolítica que induzem a hiperglicemia e causam danos hepáticos. A coadministração de quercetina, um flavonoide com potencial antioxidante e que possui efeito inibitório na enzima butirilcolinesterase, enzima essa possivelmente associada a hepatotoxicidade e a hiperglicemia, traria benefícios diante dos efeitos adversos gerados pelo tamoxifeno. Sendo assim, primeiramente, para determinar o efeito da quercetina diante da hiperglicemia causada pelo tamoxifeno, ratas ovariectomizadas foram tratadas via oral com quercetina e tamoxifeno; concluindo que os efeitos da quercetina são dependentes da razão Quercetina/Tamoxifeno coadministrado, e na razão 4,5 a quercetina mostra-se altamentente eficaz. Após, buscando elucidar os mecanismos envolvidos nas alterações na via glicolítica, os danos hepáticos e o estresse oxidativo, foram realizados perfusão em fígado isolado de ratas, estudando em especial a glicogenólise e a gliconeogênese, utilizando como indicador dos danos hepáticos a atividade da butirilcolinesterase e monitorando o estresse oxidativo. Os resultados mostraram que a quercetina possui efeito inibitório (200 μM) sobre a produção de glicose e intensifica os efeitos gerados pelo tamoxifeno na gliconeogênese, concluindo que embora a quercetina seja reconhecida pela sua atividade antioxidante, em determinadas concentrações (400 μM) ela acentua os danos inicialmente causados pelo tamoxifeno, não ocorrendo esse efeito com concentrações mais baixas de quercetina (200 μM). Sendo assim, embora a quercetina tenha se mostrado eficaz, reduzindo a hiperglicemia causada pelo tamoxifeno via oral, a interação da quercetina com tamoxifeno deve ser vista com cautela, pois os resultados mostram que o efeito dessa interação no metabolismo de carboidratos é intenso, podendo alterar o ambiente redox intracelular, comprometer a integridade celular e causar danos graves no tecido hepático.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T13:59:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EFEITO DA QUERCETINA OVARIECTOMIZADAS.pdf: 2103814 bytes, checksum: ae46af8ec18f6634ae18e23c19f6e393 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-07 / Tamoxifen was discovered in 1970 and classified as selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) being used as therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. Although benefits has been proven, side effects are intense, and are related to different mechanisms of toxic action, such as oxidative stress and changes in the glycolytic pathway that induce a hyperglycemia and liver damage. The administration of quercetin, a flavonoid with antioxidant potential, that has inhibitory effect on enzyme butyrylcholinesterase, an enzyme possibly associated with hepatotoxicity and hyperglycemia, has benefits on the adverse effects caused by tamoxifen. Thus, first to determine the effect of quercetin on the hyperglycemia caused by tamoxifen, ovariectomized rats were treated orally, with tamoxifen and quercetin; concluding that effects of quercetin are dependent on ratio quercetin/tamoxifen coadministered and the 4.5 ratio is more effective. After, trying to elucidate the mechanisms involved in changes in the glycolytic pathway, oxidative stress and liver damage perfusion was performed in rat liver, studying especially glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, using as an indicator of liver damage of butyrylcholinesterase activity and monitoring the oxidative stress. The results showed that quercetin has inhibitory effect on glucose production and enhances the effects generated by tamoxifen in gluconeogenesis, concluding that although quercetin is known for antioxidant activity, in certain concentrations (400 μM) intensifies the damage initially caused by tamoxifen, this effect doesn't occur with lower concentrations of quercetin (200 μM). Therefore, although quercetin has shown to be effective in reducing hyperglycemia caused by tamoxifen, the interaction of quercetin with tamoxifen should be viewed with caution since the effect of this interaction in carbohydrate metabolism is intense, can alter the intracellular redox environment, compromising its integrity and causing serious damage to liver tissue. / O tamoxifeno, descoberto em 1970 foi classificado como modulador seletivo de receptor de estrógeno (SERM) sendo utilizado no tramento e prevenção do câncer de mama e embora seja terapia de escolha no período pós-menopausa seus efeitos colaterais são intensos, e estão relacionados a diferentes mecanismos de ação tóxica, como o estresse oxidativo e alterações na via glicolítica que induzem a hiperglicemia e causam danos hepáticos. A coadministração de quercetina, um flavonoide com potencial antioxidante e que possui efeito inibitório na enzima butirilcolinesterase, enzima essa possivelmente associada a hepatotoxicidade e a hiperglicemia, traria benefícios diante dos efeitos adversos gerados pelo tamoxifeno. Sendo assim, primeiramente, para determinar o efeito da quercetina diante da hiperglicemia causada pelo tamoxifeno, ratas ovariectomizadas foram tratadas via oral com quercetina e tamoxifeno; concluindo que os efeitos da quercetina são dependentes da razão Quercetina/Tamoxifeno coadministrado, e na razão 4,5 a quercetina mostra-se altamentente eficaz. Após, buscando elucidar os mecanismos envolvidos nas alterações na via glicolítica, os danos hepáticos e o estresse oxidativo, foram realizados perfusão em fígado isolado de ratas, estudando em especial a glicogenólise e a gliconeogênese, utilizando como indicador dos danos hepáticos a atividade da butirilcolinesterase e monitorando o estresse oxidativo. Os resultados mostraram que a quercetina possui efeito inibitório (200 μM) sobre a produção de glicose e intensifica os efeitos gerados pelo tamoxifeno na gliconeogênese, concluindo que embora a quercetina seja reconhecida pela sua atividade antioxidante, em determinadas concentrações (400 μM) ela acentua os danos inicialmente causados pelo tamoxifeno, não ocorrendo esse efeito com concentrações mais baixas de quercetina (200 μM). Sendo assim, embora a quercetina tenha se mostrado eficaz, reduzindo a hiperglicemia causada pelo tamoxifeno via oral, a interação da quercetina com tamoxifeno deve ser vista com cautela, pois os resultados mostram que o efeito dessa interação no metabolismo de carboidratos é intenso, podendo alterar o ambiente redox intracelular, comprometer a integridade celular e causar danos graves no tecido hepático.

Faschingbauer J.: Cytotoxic and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of extracts from selected species of the Centaurea L. genus. Diploma thesis, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Hradec Králové, 2019. During the screening of biologically active secondary metabolites of plants carried out at the Department of Pharmaceutical Botany FAF UK, selected taxa of the genus Centaurea (Asteraceae) were investigated. This study is focused on a basic phytohemical research of extracts prepared from Centaurea cyanus, Centaurea jacea, Centaurea scabiosa, Centaurea pseudophrygia, Centuarea stoebe, Centaurea solstitialis a Centaurea benedicta. Extracts were prepared for evidence of the proof reactions of TLC and MS analysis (EI, ESI) to clarify a potential presence of alkaloids. EtOAc and ethanol extracts were evaluated for potential inhibitory activity against human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and cytotoxicity against selected 9 tumor lines. C. cyanus alkaloid extract had interesting cholinesterase activity which selectively inhibited BChE (IC50 BChE = 22.62 ± 3.62 μg / ml, IC50 AChE = 221.50 ± 44.56 g / ml). Other EtOAc extracts of selected Centaurea species were considered inactive (IC50 > 100 μg/ml)....