O câncer de próstata é a segunda causa de morte entre homens no Brasil. É tipo um câncer de crescimento lento, podendo levar anos para o tumor atingir 1 cm3, porém, em alguns casos ele pode se espalhar pelo corpo, sendo o osso o principal sítio de metástase. No estágio de desenvolvimento do câncer conhecido como metástase, o principal tratamento consiste em terapia de restrição andrógena, levando as células prostáticas a pararem de proliferar, uma vez que elas crescem em resposta a presença de hormônios andrógenos, como a diidrotestosterona e testosterona. Porém, em alguns casos, as células proliferam mesmo na ausência de andrógenos e isto se deve a diversos fatores que, em geral, estão associados a mutações no receptor andrógeno e/ou alterações no metabolismo andrógeno. Quando isto acontece, os tratamentos disponíveis são menos efetivos e costumam falhar. Porém, estudos sugerem que o γ-orizanol, um fitoesterol extraído do óleo do farelo do arroz; e extratos amplamente utilizados na medicina popular, como o extrato hidroalcólico de Thuya occidentalis, poderiam atuar inibindo o desenvolvimento e progressão do câncer de próstata. Neste estudo, com o uso de abordagens bioquímicas e de biologia molecular, foi demonstrado que o tratamento com γ-orizanol diminui a viabilidade e biomassa celular em cultura, associado ao aumento da morte celular por apoptose e/ou necrose, em linhagens celulares responsivas (LNCaP) e não-responsivas a andrógenos (PC3 e DU145), além de aumentar a pERK1/2 em células LNCaP e DU145. O γ-orizanol também foi capaz de bloquear o ciclo celular em G2/M nas células PC3 e LNCaP e em G0/G1 nas células DU145. Estes efeitos foram ainda acompanhados por uma redução da expressão do gene e proteína caveolina-1- uma importante molécula envolvida no aumento da agressividade do câncer de próstata, e também, na progressão da doença para o fenótipo andrógeno resistente - nas células não-responsivas a andrógenos, e do gene PCGEM1 - gene específico da próstata regulado por andrógeno - nas células LNCaP e DU145. Ainda, γ-orizanol também mostrou capacidade de regular vários miRNAs - pequenas moléculas de RNA não codificantes de proteínas - envolvidos no controle de funções associadas ao desenvolvimento, progressão e invasão no câncer de próstata, como o miR16-1, miR19b-2, miR24b-1, miR24b-2, miR99a, miR133a-5p, miR182-5p, miR198 e miR222. O extrato hidroalcólico de Thuya occidentalis reduziu a viabilidade e biomassa celular nas linhagens responsiva (LNCaP) e não-responsivas (DU145 e PC3) a andrógenos, além de induzir parada do ciclo celular na fase G0/G1 nas células DU145 e aumentar a morte celular por apoptose e/ou necrose em todas as linhagens. Da mesma forma que o γ-orizanol, este extrato reduziu a expressão da caveolina-1 nas linhagens não-responsivas a andrógenos. Trabalhos anteriores mostram que o monoterpeno α-tujona é o principal composto ativo do extrato de Thuya occidentalis. Por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a detector de massas foi mostrada a existência de 0,0016 μg de α-tujona na dose de extrato usada neste estudo. No entanto, o tratamento com 0,0016μg de α-tujona foi efetivo somente sobre linhagem LNCaP, não tendo efeito sobre as outras linhagens estudadas, reforçando a hipótese da diferença de sensibilidade entre as linhagens responsivas e não responsivas a andrógeno e mostrando a contribuição de outros componentes do extrato nos efeitos observados neste estudo. Concluindo, estes resultados demonstram que tanto γ-orizanol como o extrato de Thuya occidentalis podem vir a ser agentes terapêuticos promissores no tratamento de câncer de próstata, não só por inibirem o crescimento celular, mas também e principalmente pela possibilidade de induzirem a recuperação da sensibilidade a andrógenos, aumentando as possibilidades de tratamento da doença. / Prostate cancer is the second cause of death among men in Brazil. It is a slowgrowing cancer and it may take years for tumor to reach 1 cm3, but in some cases it can spread throughout the body and the bone is the main site of metastasis. At this cancer stage known as metastasis, the principal treatment involves antiandrogen therapy, leading to prostate cells stop proliferating, because they grow in response to presence of androgens such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. However, in some cases, the cells can proliferate even in the absence of androgens and this fact occurs due to many factors and they are generally associated with mutations in the androgen receptor and/or alterations in androgen metabolism. In this stage, the treatments available are less effective and usually fail. However, studies suggest that γ-oryzanol, a phytosterol extracted of rice bran oil; and extracts widely used in folk medicine, as Thuya occidentalis hidroalcolic extract, could act inhibiting the development and progression of prostate cancer. In this study, using molecular biology and biochemical approaches we showed that γ- oryzanol treatment was able to decrease cell viability and biomass in culture, and this fact was linked to increased cell death by apoptosis and/or necrosis in androgen responsive (LNCaP) and unresponsive (DU145 and PC3) prostate cancer cell lines, besides increasing pERK1/2 in LNCaP and DU145 cells. γ- oryzanol was also able to cause cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in LNCaP and PC3 cells and at G0/G1 phase in DU145 cells. These effects were also accompanied by a reduction in caveolin-1 gene and protein expression - an important molecule related to high aggressiveness in prostate cancer and also in the progression of the disease to androgen resistant phenotype - in androgen unresponsive cells, and also PCGEM1 gene - a prostate specific gene regulated by androgens - in LNCaP and DU145 cells. γ-oryzanol also showed ability to regulate several miRNAs - small non-coding RNA molecules - involved in the control of many functions associated with the development, progression and invasion of prostate cancer, such as miR16-1, miR19b-2, miR24b-1, miR24b-2, miR99a, miR133a-5p, miR182-5p, miR198 and miR222. Thuya occidentalis hidroalcolic extract also reduce cell viability and biomass in androgen responsive (LNCaP) and unresponsive (DU145 and PC3) cells, in addition to inducing cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in DU145 cells and to increase apoptosis and/or necrosis cell death in all cell lines. The same way that γ-oryzanol, this extract reduced the caveolin-1 expression in androgen unresponsive prostate cancer cells. Prior studies showed that the monoterpene α-thujone is the main active compound in the T. occidentalis extract. By gas chromatography coupled to mass detector it was showed the existence of 0.0016 μg of α-thujone in extract dose used in this study. However, the treatment with 0.0016 μg of α-thujone was effective only on LNCaP cell line, having no effect on the other studied lines, supporting the hypothesis of difference in sensitivity between responsive and unresponsive cell lines and showing the contribution of other components in the effects caused by the extract, observed it this study. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that both γ-oryzanol as T. occidentalis extract may become promising therapeutic agents in treatment of prostate cancer, not only inhibit cell growth but also and manly by the possibility of inducing the recovery of androgen sensitivity, increasing the treatment chances of treatment this disease.

As células-tronco mesenquimais humanas derivadas de tecido adiposo, do inglês human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSC), são células progenitoras que residem entre adipócitos e armazenam lipídios neutros, principalmente triglicerídeos e ésteres de colesterol (TG e EC), em gotas lipídicas citoplasmáticas (GLC), contribuindo para o turnover do tecido adiposo. As GLC são organelas que desempenham um papel crucial na homeostasia energética e no metabolismo dessas células. Caveolas são invaginações de 50-100 nm que foram inicialmente caracterizadas por microscopia eletrônica. A forma e a organização estrutural das caveolas deve-se a proteínas especificas da família das caveolinas (caveolina-1, -2 e -3) que se associam em oligômeros para formar cavidades/invaginações na membrana plasmática. A função das caveolinas na formação das GLC está relacionada com a captação de ácidos graxos e seu metabolismo, e a relação existente entre estes dois componentes celulares parece ser crucial para manutenção da homeostasia celular. Muitas organelas que são funcionalmente conectadas ao metabolismo de lipídeos são encontradas justapostas as GLC. Distinções morfológicas observadas reforçam diferenças que podem existir na maneira pelas quais as GLC interagem com outras organelas em adipócitos. Sítios de contatos entre membranas, do inglês membrane contact sites (MCS), são descritos para muitas organelas e parecem funcionalmente importantes nos processos de interações entre as GLC e outras organelas celulares. O presente trabalho avaliou as diferenças ultraestruturais entre hADSC diferenciadas ou não para pré-adipócitos, comparando com células 3T3-L1. Também foram avaliadas, através de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, as interações das GLC com outras organelas celulares durante a diferenciação adipogênica, pois apesar de sua importância no metabolismo energético e em várias doenças, as GLC são pouco compreendidas como organelas celulares. De fato, o tamanho, a composição e a regulação das GLC variam consideravelmente entre organismos e tipos celulares. A complexidade das interações das GLC com outras organelas também varia consideravelmente em adipócitos e não adipócitos. Este trabalho mostrou a importância de estudos que visam esclarecer como as GLC são formadas, modificadas e reguladas. Através destes estudos poderemos ter uma melhor compreensão acerca da relação existente entre o acúmulo excessivo de lipídios no organismo e a chamada síndrome metabólica (obesidade, diabetes e aterosclerose). / Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSC) are progenitor cells that reside between adipocytes, store neutral lipids, especially triglycerides and cholesterol esters (TG and CE) into cytoplasmic lipid droplets (CLD), contributing to the turnover of the adipose tissue. The CLD are organelles that play a crucial role in energy homeostasis and cell metabolism. Caveolae are invaginations of 50-100 nm that were initially characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The shape and structural organization of caveolae are held by specific proteins of the family of caveolinas (caveolin-1, -2 and -3) that associate to form oligomers in cavities/invaginations on the plasma membrane. The caveolin functions on the CLD development are related to the fatty acid uptake and its metabolism. The relationship between these cell components seems to be pivotal for the cellular homeostasis maintenance. Many organelles that are functionally connected to lipid metabolism are found juxtaposed to the CLD. Morphologic distinctions reveal the differences that may exist in the way through which the CLD interact with other organelles within adipocytes. The membrane contact sites (MCS) have been described for many organelles and seems to be functionally important in the interaction processes with CLD. This work evaluated the ultrastructural differences between hASDC differentiated or not to pre-adipocyte compared to the 3T3-L1 cells. It was also evaluated through transmission electron microscopy, the CLD interactions to the others cellular organelles in hASDC during adipogenesis induction because, despite its importance in energy metabolism and in various diseases, the CLD are poorly understood as cell organelles. Indeed, the size, composition and regulation of GLC vary considerably between organisms and cell types. The complexity of CLD interactions with other organelles also ranged considerably between adipocytes and undifferentiated. This work showed the importance of studies that aim the clarify how the CLD are formed, modified and regulated. Through these studies it is possible to get a better understanding of the relationship between the excessive accumulation of body lipids and the metabolic syndrome (obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis).

No description available.

The citrulline-nitric oxide (NO) cycle, comprised of the enzymes argininosuccinate synthase (AS), argininosuccinate lyase (AL) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), is responsible for the regulated production of endothelial NO. Although most studies have focused on eNOS to uncover important regulatory mechanisms, we and others have determined that AS is an essential and regulated step in endothelial NO production. AS is rate limiting for endothelial NO production and is the primary source of arginine, the substrate for eNOS-mediated NO production, despite saturating intracellular levels of arginine and available arginine transport systems. AS is essential for endothelial cell viability and its expression is regulated coordinately with eNOS by TNF and thiazolidenediones with concomitant effects on NO production. Given the importance of AS for endothelial health, we explored three independent regulatory mechanisms. In Chapter One, the functional consequences of altered AS expression due to overexpression, insulin, VEGF and ceramide were studied. We demonstrated that overexpression of AS leads to enhanced NO production and that insulin, VEGF and ceramide coordinately regulate the expression of AS and eNOS. In Chapter Two, the first post-translational modifications of AS in the endothelium were characterized. We determined that AS is an endogenous phosphoprotein in the endothelium, described several levels of biological significance of AS phosphorylation, identified 7 sites of AS phosphorylation and began to uncover the direct impact of phosphorylation on AS function. Finally, in Chapter Three, endothelial AS subcellular localization was defined and important protein interactions were identified including caveolin-1 and HSP90. The work presented in this dissertation demonstrates that multiple mechanisms regulate the function of AS, often coordinately with eNOS, and have a direct impact on nitric oxide production. Our findings suggest that the global understanding of the citrulline-NO cycle as a metabolic unit will unravel new paradigms that will re-define our understanding of the regulation of vascular function by NO.

Le syndrome de Wernicke-Korsakoff (SWK) est un désordre neuropsychiatrique causé par la déficience en thiamine (DT). Dans la DT expérimentale comme dans le SWK, on observe une mort neuronale et des hémorragies dans certaines régions précises du diencéphale et du tronc cérébral. Les lésions diencéphaliques du SWK sont particulièrement sévères et entraînent souvent des séquelles amnésiques permanentes. Le lien entre la dysfonction métabolique induite par la DT et la mort neuronale n’est pas connu. Des rapports précédents ont démontré que la perméabilité de la barrière hémato-encéphalique (BHE) était altérée et ce, précédant l’apparition du dommage neuronal, suggérant un rôle critique de la dysfonction vasculaire. Les jonctions serrées (JS) interendothéliales, la base anatomique de la BHE, constituent un réseau moléculaire incluant l’occludin et les zonula occludens (ZOs). Cette thèse démontre une perte d’expression et une altération de la morphologie de ces protéines en relation avec la dysfonction de la BHE dans le thalamus de souris déficientes en thiamine, fournissant une explication pour la présence d’hémorragies. Le stress oxydatif peut entraîner des dommages directs aux protéines des JS et interférer avec leurs mécanismes de régulation. De plus, l’oxyde nitrique (NO) peut induire la métalloprotéinase matricielle-9 (MMP-9) impliquée dans la dégradation de ces protéines. L’endothélium vasculaire cérébral (EVC) semble être une source importante de NO dans la DT, l’expression de l’oxyde nitrique synthase endothéliale (eNOS) étant sélectivement induite dans les régions vulnérables. Le NO peut réagir avec les espèces réactives oxygénées et former du peroxynitrite, entraînant un stress oxydatif/nitrosatif endothélial. Les résultats présentés démontrent que la délétion du gène de eNOS prévient le stress oxydatif/nitrosatif cérébrovasculaire, l’extravasation des immunoglobulins G (IgGs) et l’altération de l’occludin et des ZOs dans le thalamus de souris déficientes en thiamine. De plus, cette délétion prévient l’induction de l’expression de MMP-9 dans l’EVC. Des résultats similaires ont été obtenus avec l’antioxydant N-acétylcystéine (NAC). Les mécanismes précis par lesquels les espèces réactives altèrent les protéines des JS sont inconnus. Caveolin-1, une composante majeure du caveolæ de l’EVC, est impliquée dans la régulation de l’expression des protéines des JS, et celle-ci est modulée par le stress oxydatif/nitrosatif; l’altération de l’expression de caveolin-1 a été récemment associée à la rupture de la BHE. Les résultats présentés démontrent que l’expression de caveolin-1 est sélectivement altérée dans l’EVC du thalamus de souris déficientes en thiamine, coïcidant avec la rupture de la BHE, et démontrent que la normalisation de l’expression de caveolin-1 par le NAC est associée avec l’atténuation du dommage à la BHE. Pris ensemble, ces résultats démontrent un rôle central du stress oxydatif/nitrosatif cérébrovasculaire, particulièrement celui provenant de eNOS, dans l’altération des JS de la BHE via des dommages directs et via l’induction de MMP-9 et de caveolin-1. Cette rupture de la BHE contribue par conséquent à la mort neuronale dans le thalamus, puisque la prévention des altérations cérébrovasculaires par la délétion du gène de eNOS et le NAC atténue significativement la mort neuronale. L’administration précoce d’antioxydants en combinaison avec la thiamine devrait donc être une considération importante pour le traitement du SWK. / Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder caused by thiamine deficiency (TD). In experimental TD as in WKS, neuronal cell death and hemorrhages are observed in specific diencephalic and brainstem areas. Diencephalic lesions in WKS are especially severe and often lead to permanent amnesic symptoms. The link between TD-induced metabolic dysfunction and neuronal cell death is unknown. Previous reports have shown that blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was impaired and that this occurred prior to the onset of neuronal damage, suggesting a critical role for vascular dysfunction. Interendothelial tight junctions (TJs), the anatomical basis of the BBB, constitute a molecular network comprising occludin and zonula occludens (ZOs). This thesis shows a loss of expression and alterations in the morphology of these proteins in relation to BBB dysfunction in the thalamus of thiamine-deficient mice, providing an explanation for the presence of hemorrhages. Oxidative stress can lead to direct oxidative damage to TJ proteins and interfere with their regulation mechanisms. Also, nitric oxide (NO) can induce matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) involved in the degradation of these proteins. Cerebral vascular endothelium (CVE) seems to be an important source of NO in TD, since endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression is selectively induced in vulnerable areas. NO can react with reactive oxygen species and form peroxynitrite, leading to endothelial oxidative/nitrosative stress. Results have show that eNOS gene deletion prevents cerebrovascular oxidative/nitrosative stress, immunoglobulins G (IgGs) extravasation and occludin and ZOs alterations in the thalamus of thiamine-deficient mice. Also, eNOS gene deletion prevents the induction of MMP-9 in CVE. Similar results have been obtained with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Precise mechanisms by which reactive species alter TJ proteins are unknown. Caveolin-1, a major component of CVE caveolæ, is involved in the regulation of TJ protein expression, and is modulated by oxidative/nitrosative stress; alteration in caveolin-1 expression has been recently associated with BBB breakdown. The present results show that caveolin-1 expression is selectively altered in CVE of the thalamus of thiamine-deficient mice, and show that normalization of caveolin-1 expression by NAC is associated with the attenuation of BBB damage. Taken together, these results demonstrate a central role for cerebrovascular oxidative/nitrosative stress, especially coming from eNOS, in BBB TJ protein alterations via direct damage and via induction of MMP-9 and caveolin-1. As a result, BBB breakdown contributes to neuronal cell death in the thalamus, since prevention of cerebrovascular alterations by eNOS gene deletion and NAC significantly attenuates neuronal cell death. Early administration of antioxidants combined with thiamine should therefore be an important consideration for the treatment of WKS.

Le syndrome de Wernicke-Korsakoff (SWK) est un désordre neuropsychiatrique causé par la déficience en thiamine (DT). Dans la DT expérimentale comme dans le SWK, on observe une mort neuronale et des hémorragies dans certaines régions précises du diencéphale et du tronc cérébral. Les lésions diencéphaliques du SWK sont particulièrement sévères et entraînent souvent des séquelles amnésiques permanentes. Le lien entre la dysfonction métabolique induite par la DT et la mort neuronale n’est pas connu. Des rapports précédents ont démontré que la perméabilité de la barrière hémato-encéphalique (BHE) était altérée et ce, précédant l’apparition du dommage neuronal, suggérant un rôle critique de la dysfonction vasculaire. Les jonctions serrées (JS) interendothéliales, la base anatomique de la BHE, constituent un réseau moléculaire incluant l’occludin et les zonula occludens (ZOs). Cette thèse démontre une perte d’expression et une altération de la morphologie de ces protéines en relation avec la dysfonction de la BHE dans le thalamus de souris déficientes en thiamine, fournissant une explication pour la présence d’hémorragies. Le stress oxydatif peut entraîner des dommages directs aux protéines des JS et interférer avec leurs mécanismes de régulation. De plus, l’oxyde nitrique (NO) peut induire la métalloprotéinase matricielle-9 (MMP-9) impliquée dans la dégradation de ces protéines. L’endothélium vasculaire cérébral (EVC) semble être une source importante de NO dans la DT, l’expression de l’oxyde nitrique synthase endothéliale (eNOS) étant sélectivement induite dans les régions vulnérables. Le NO peut réagir avec les espèces réactives oxygénées et former du peroxynitrite, entraînant un stress oxydatif/nitrosatif endothélial. Les résultats présentés démontrent que la délétion du gène de eNOS prévient le stress oxydatif/nitrosatif cérébrovasculaire, l’extravasation des immunoglobulins G (IgGs) et l’altération de l’occludin et des ZOs dans le thalamus de souris déficientes en thiamine. De plus, cette délétion prévient l’induction de l’expression de MMP-9 dans l’EVC. Des résultats similaires ont été obtenus avec l’antioxydant N-acétylcystéine (NAC). Les mécanismes précis par lesquels les espèces réactives altèrent les protéines des JS sont inconnus. Caveolin-1, une composante majeure du caveolæ de l’EVC, est impliquée dans la régulation de l’expression des protéines des JS, et celle-ci est modulée par le stress oxydatif/nitrosatif; l’altération de l’expression de caveolin-1 a été récemment associée à la rupture de la BHE. Les résultats présentés démontrent que l’expression de caveolin-1 est sélectivement altérée dans l’EVC du thalamus de souris déficientes en thiamine, coïcidant avec la rupture de la BHE, et démontrent que la normalisation de l’expression de caveolin-1 par le NAC est associée avec l’atténuation du dommage à la BHE. Pris ensemble, ces résultats démontrent un rôle central du stress oxydatif/nitrosatif cérébrovasculaire, particulièrement celui provenant de eNOS, dans l’altération des JS de la BHE via des dommages directs et via l’induction de MMP-9 et de caveolin-1. Cette rupture de la BHE contribue par conséquent à la mort neuronale dans le thalamus, puisque la prévention des altérations cérébrovasculaires par la délétion du gène de eNOS et le NAC atténue significativement la mort neuronale. L’administration précoce d’antioxydants en combinaison avec la thiamine devrait donc être une considération importante pour le traitement du SWK. / Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder caused by thiamine deficiency (TD). In experimental TD as in WKS, neuronal cell death and hemorrhages are observed in specific diencephalic and brainstem areas. Diencephalic lesions in WKS are especially severe and often lead to permanent amnesic symptoms. The link between TD-induced metabolic dysfunction and neuronal cell death is unknown. Previous reports have shown that blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was impaired and that this occurred prior to the onset of neuronal damage, suggesting a critical role for vascular dysfunction. Interendothelial tight junctions (TJs), the anatomical basis of the BBB, constitute a molecular network comprising occludin and zonula occludens (ZOs). This thesis shows a loss of expression and alterations in the morphology of these proteins in relation to BBB dysfunction in the thalamus of thiamine-deficient mice, providing an explanation for the presence of hemorrhages. Oxidative stress can lead to direct oxidative damage to TJ proteins and interfere with their regulation mechanisms. Also, nitric oxide (NO) can induce matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) involved in the degradation of these proteins. Cerebral vascular endothelium (CVE) seems to be an important source of NO in TD, since endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression is selectively induced in vulnerable areas. NO can react with reactive oxygen species and form peroxynitrite, leading to endothelial oxidative/nitrosative stress. Results have show that eNOS gene deletion prevents cerebrovascular oxidative/nitrosative stress, immunoglobulins G (IgGs) extravasation and occludin and ZOs alterations in the thalamus of thiamine-deficient mice. Also, eNOS gene deletion prevents the induction of MMP-9 in CVE. Similar results have been obtained with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Precise mechanisms by which reactive species alter TJ proteins are unknown. Caveolin-1, a major component of CVE caveolæ, is involved in the regulation of TJ protein expression, and is modulated by oxidative/nitrosative stress; alteration in caveolin-1 expression has been recently associated with BBB breakdown. The present results show that caveolin-1 expression is selectively altered in CVE of the thalamus of thiamine-deficient mice, and show that normalization of caveolin-1 expression by NAC is associated with the attenuation of BBB damage. Taken together, these results demonstrate a central role for cerebrovascular oxidative/nitrosative stress, especially coming from eNOS, in BBB TJ protein alterations via direct damage and via induction of MMP-9 and caveolin-1. As a result, BBB breakdown contributes to neuronal cell death in the thalamus, since prevention of cerebrovascular alterations by eNOS gene deletion and NAC significantly attenuates neuronal cell death. Early administration of antioxidants combined with thiamine should therefore be an important consideration for the treatment of WKS.