The thesis is focused on a determination of heparin and chondroitin sulfate, using flow injection analysis with spectrofluorimetric detection. The determination is based on the interaction of negatively charged heparin, chondroitin sulfate resp., with a cationic dye (azure B or phenosafranine) which is manifested by the decrease in fluorescence intensity of the dye in its emission maximum. The optimal conditions for the determination in static mode were found, and calibration dependencies were measured. The conditions of FIA were optimized and following parameters were established: the volume of dispensed sample of 100 ml, the length of the reaction coil 60 cm, the flow rate 0.7 ml min-1 , the concentration of azure B 1.6×10-5 mol dm-3 , the concentration of phenosafranine 3.5×10-5 mol dm-3 . For the determination of heparin using azure B it was found: LOD = 0.023 IU ml-1 , LOQ = 0.186 IU ml-1 , and linear dynamic range 0.19-1.43 IU ml-1 . For the determination of heparin using phenosafranine it was found: LOD = 0.102 IU ml-1 , LOQ = 0.192 IU ml-1 , and linear dynamic range 0.19-1.79 IU ml-1 . For the determination of chondroitin sulfate using azure B it was found: LOD = 0.58 mg dm-3 , LOQ = 2.37 mg dm-3 , and linear dynamic range 2.37-8.32 mg dm-3 . The developed determination was applied to the...

Lam Shi Ying Joyce. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-114). / Abstract in English and Chinese. / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- GENERAL INTRODUCTION --- p.1-19 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- EXPRESSION OF PROTEIN KINASE C (PKC) ISOFORMS IN THE VENTRAL TEMPORAL (VT) AND DORSAL NASAL (DN) RETINAL GROWTH CONES OF MOUSE EMBRYOS / INTRODUCTION --- p.20-22 / MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.22-24 / RESULTS --- p.24-31 / DISCUSSION --- p.31-37 / FIGURES --- p.38-46 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- EFFECTS ON MOUSE NASAL AND TEMPORAL RETINAL NEURITES TO CHONDROITIN SULPHATES (CS) AFTER ALTERATION OF PKC ACTIVITY / INTRODUCTION --- p.47-48 / MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.49-51 / RESULTS --- p.51-59 / DISCUSSION --- p.60-67 / FIGURES --- p.68-74 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- EFFECTS ON AXON ROUTING AFTER ALTERATION OF PKC ACTIVITY ON GUIDANCE OF RETINAL GANGLION CELL AXONS AT THE OPTIC CHIASM OF MOUSE EMBRYOS / INTRODUCTION --- p.75-76 / MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.77-80 / RESULTS --- p.80-89 / DISCUSSION --- p.89-95 / FIGURES --- p.96-103 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- GENERAL CONCLUSION --- p.104-106 / REFERENCES --- p.107-114

Les carbohydrates font partie des trois grandes classes de biopolymères présents dans la nature. Ils représentent 75% de la biomasse. Les glycosaminoglycanes font partie des carbohydrates, ils sont présents à la surface des cellules et sont responsables de la signalisation cellulaire. Ils sont importants dans de nombreux processus biologiques. Vu leur importance en biologie et en santé, il est nécessaire de comprendre leur fonctionnement. Dans cette thèse nous avons étudié deux types de tétrasaccharides de glycosaminoglycanes (chondroïtine sulfate et dermatane sulfate) avec une nouvelle méthode qui couple la spectrométrie de masse à la spectroscopie vibrationnelle (MS/IR). Nous avons montré qu’avec cette méthode la signature de l’empreinte OH fonctionne pour les glycosaminoglycanes qui présentent des groupements Coo- et des groupements sulfate contrairement aux oses simples. Cette méthode a également validé la pertinence du séquençage pour l'élucidation de profils de sulfate et la nature de l’hexuronique dans les oligosaccharides de glycosaminoglycanes. L’approche du séquençage améliore considérablement la résolution structurelle par rapport à la simple analyse spectroscopique de l'ion précurseur. Elle permet d’avoir plus d’information sur les oligosaccharides. Et pour finir nous avons proposé un protocole pour l’analyse de mélanges afin de déterminer le ratio des différents éléments présents dans le mélange / Carbohydrates are among the three major classes of biopolymers found in nature. They represent 75% of the biomass. Glycosaminoglycans are carbohydrates, they are present on the surface of cells and are responsible for cell signaling. They are important in many biological processes. Given their importance in biology and health, it is necessary to understand their mechanism. In this thesis we studied two types of glycosaminoglycan tetrasaccharides (chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate) with a new method that combines mass spectrometry with vibrational spectroscopy (MS / IR). We have shown that with this method the signature of the OH-fingerprint works for glycosaminoglycans which have COO- groups and sulfate groups in contrast to simple carbohydrates. This method also validated the relevance of sequencing for the elucidation of sulfate profiles and the nature of hexuronic in oligosaccharides of glycosaminoglycans. The sequencing approach significantly improves the structural resolution compared to the simple spectroscopic analysis of the precursor ion. It provides more information on oligosaccharides. And finally we proposed a protocol for the analysis of mixtures to determine the ratio of the different elements present in the mixture

Several studies have shown that complement and thrombotic events co-exist. Platelets have been suspected to act as the bridge between the two cascade systems. To study the platelet-induced complement activation we developed a system in which platelets were activated by thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP) in platelet rich plasma (PRP) or whole blood anti-coagulated using the specific thrombin inhibitor, lepirudin. TRAP-activated platelets induced a fluid-phase complement activation measured as generation of C3a and sC5b-9, triggered by released chondroitin sulphate-A (CS-A) which interacted with C1q and activated the complement system through the classical pathway. Complement components C1q, C3, C4 and C9 were also shown to bind to TRAP-activated platelets but this binding did not seem to be due to a complement activation since blocking of complement activation at the C1q or C3 levels did not affect the binding of the complement proteins. The C3 which bound to activated platelets consisted of C3(H2O), indicating that bound C3 was not proteolytically activated. Binding of C1q was partially dependent on CS-A exposure on activated platelets. The abolished complement activation on the surface of activated platelets was suggested to be dependent on the involvement of several complement inhibitors. We confirmed the binding of C1INH and factor H to activated platelets. To this list we have added another potent complement inhibitor, C4BP. The binding of factor H and C4BP was shown to be dependent on exposure of CS-A on activated platelets. The physiological relevance of these reactions was reflected in an elevated expression of CD11b on leukocytes, and increased generation of platelet-leukocyte complexes. The platelets were involved in these events by at least two different mechanisms; generation of C5a which activated leukocytes and binding of C3(H2O)/iC3(H2O), a ligand to the intergrin CD11b/CD18 on their surface. These mechanisms add further to the understanding of how platelets interact with the complement system and will help us to understand the role of the complement system in cardiovascular disease and thrombotic conditions. / Platelet Mediated Complement Activation

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are one major class of axon growth inhibitors that are upregulated and accumulated around the lesion site after spinal cord injury (SCI), and result in regenerative failure. To overcome CSPG-mediated inhibition, digestion of CSPGs with chondroitinase ABC (chABC) has been explored and it has shown promising results. chABC digests glycosaminoglycan chains on CSPGs and can thereby enhance axonal regeneration and promote functional recovery when delivered at the site of injury. However, chABC has a crucial limitation; it is thermally unstable and loses its enzymatic activity rapidly at 37 ºC. Therefore, it necessitates the use of repeated injections or local infusions with a pump for days to weeks to provide fresh chABC to retain its enzymatic activity. Maintaining these infusion systems is invasive and clinically problematic. In this dissertation, three studies are reported that demonstrate our strategy to overcome current limitations of using chABC and develop a delivery system for facilitating chABC treatment after SCI: First, we enhanced the thermostability of chABC by adding trehalose, a protein stabilizer, and developed a system for its sustained local delivery in vivo. Enzymatic activity was assayed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB), and conformational change of the enzyme was measured via circular dichroism (CD) with and without trehalose. When stabilized with trehalose, chABC remained enzymatically active at 37 ºC for up to 4 weeks in vitro. We developed a lipid microtube-agarose hydrogel delivery system for a sustained release and showed that chABC released from the delivery system is still functionally active and slowly released over 2 weeks in vitro. Second, the hydrogel-microtube system was used to locally deliver chABC over two weeks at the lesion site following a dorsal over hemisection injury at T10. The scaffold consisting of hydrogel and chABC loaded lipid microtubes was implanted at the top of the lesion site immediately following injury. To determine effectiveness of topical delivery of thermostabilized chABC, animal groups treated with single injection or gel scaffold implantation of chABC and penicillinase (P'ase) were included as controls. Two weeks after surgery, the functionality of released chABC and the cellular responses were examined by immunohistological analysis with 3B3, CS-56, GFAP and Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA). The results demonstrated that thermostabilized chABC was successfully delivered slowly and locally without the need for an indwelling catheter by using the hydrogel-microtube delivery system in vivo. The results demonstrated that released chABC from the gel scaffold effectively digested CSPGs, and therefore, there were significant differences in CSPG digestion at the lesion site between groups treated with chABC loaded microtube-hydrogel scaffolds and controls. Third, a long term in vivo study (45 days) was conducted to examine axonal sprouting/regeneration and functional recovery with both a single treatment each of microtube loaded chABC or Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and a combination of them by using the hydrogel-microtube delivery system. Over the long term study period, the treated animals showed significant improvement in locomotor function and more sprouting of cholera toxin B subunit (CTB)-positive ascending dorsal column fibers and 5-HT serotonergic fibers around the lesion site. We demonstrated that this significant improvement of chABC thermostability facilitates the development of a minimally invasive method for sustained, local delivery of chABC that is potentially a useful and effective approach for treating SCI. In addition to that, we demonstrated that combinatorial therapy with chABC and neurotrophic factors could provide a synergistic effect on axonal regrowth and functional recovery after SCI.

Tissue engineering strategies represent exciting potential therapies to repair cartilage injuries; however, difficulty regenerating the complex extracellular matrix (ECM) organization of native cartilage remains a significant challenge. Cartilaginous ECM molecules, specifically chondroitin sulfate (CS) glycosaminoglycan, may possess the ability to promote and direct MSC differentiation down a chondrogenic lineage. CS may interact with the stem cell microenvironment through its highly negative charge, generation of osmotic pressure, and sequestration of growth factors; however, the role of CS in directing differentiation down a chondrogenic lineage remains unclear. The overall goal of this dissertation was to develop versatile biomaterial platforms to control CS presentation to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in order to improve understanding of the interactions with CS that promote chondrogenic differentiation. To investigate chondrogenic response to a diverse set of CS materials, progenitor cells were cultured in the presence of CS proteoglycans and CS chains in a variety of 2D and 3D material systems. Surfaces were coated with aggrecan proteoglycan to alter cell morphology, CS-based nano- and microspheres were developed as small particle carriers for growth factor delivery, and desulfated chondroitin hydrogels were synthesized to examine electrostatic interactions with growth factors and the role of sulfation in the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. Together these studies provided valuable insight into the unique ability of CS-based materials to control cellular microenvironments via morphological and material cues to promote chondrogenic differentiation in the development of tissue engineering strategies for cartilage regeneration and repair.

Δύο από τα σημαντικότερα δομικά και λειτουργικά βιομόρια του εξωκυττάριου χώρου είναι το κολλαγόνο και οι γλυκοζαμινογλυκάνες (GAGs), ανιοντικοί πολυσακχαρίτες που αποτελούν το βασικό δομικό συστατικό των πρωτεογλυκανών. Οι κύριοι τύποι γλυκοζαμινογλυκανών είναι η θειική χονδροϊτίνη, η θειική δερματάνη, η ηπαρίνη, η θειική ηπαράνη, η θειική κερατάνη και το υαλουρονικό οξύ. Το κολλαγόνο τύπου Ι είναι η πιο άφθονη πρωτεΐνη στους ιστούς των θηλαστικών. Το κολλαγόνο τύπου ΙΙ αποτελεί το κύριο συστατικό του εξωκυττάριου χώρου του αρθρικού χόνδρου και άλλων ιστών. Τα παραπάνω μακρομόρια είναι υπεύθυνα για τη ρύθμιση διαφόρων διεργασιών των κυττάρων τόσο σε φυσιολογικές όσο και σε παθολογικές καταστάσεις, όπως παθήσεις των αρθρώσεων και νεοπλασματικές ασθένειες. Αντικείμενο της παρούσας εργασίας αποτέλεσε η ανάπτυξη μιας μεθοδολογίας για τον προσδιορισμό των αλληλεπιδράσεων μεταξύ γλυκοζαμινογλυκανών και των δύο τύπων κολλαγόνου, η οποία θα συνεισφέρει στη βαθύτερη κατανόηση της βιολογικής τους λειτουργίας. Μερικές από τις τεχνικές που έχουν χρησιμοποιηθεί για το συγκεκριμένο σκοπό είναι η χρωματογραφία συγγένειας, η ηλεκτροφόρηση και η φασματοσκοπία φθορισμού. Η φασματοσκοπία πυρηνικού μαγνητικού συντονισμού (NMR), η περίθλαση ακτίνων-Χ και ο κυκλικός διχρωισμός (Circular Dichroism, CD) προσφέρουν δομικές πληροφορίες για τις αλλαγές στη διαμόρφωση και τα σημεία πρόσδεσης μεταξύ γλυκοζαμινογλυκανών και πρωτεϊνών. Θερμοδυναμικές πληροφορίες για τις αλληλεπιδράσεις πρωτεϊνών-γλυκοζαμινογλυκανών αντλούνται από τη θερμιδομετρία ισόθερμης τιτλοδότησης (Isothermal Titration Calorimetry, ITC), ενώ με την τεχνική της διέγερσης επιφανειακών πλασμονίων (Surface Plasmon Resonance, SPR) μελετώνται η σταθερά σύνδεσης και η σταθερά διάστασης της αλληλεπίδρασης σε πραγματικό χρόνο. Το κυριότερο μειονέκτημα των παραπάνω τεχνικών είναι το ότι δεν προσφέρουν πληροφορίες για χημικούς δεσμούς, ενώ ο χρόνος ανάλυσης είναι μεγάλος και απαιτούνται μεγάλες ποσότητες δειγμάτων. Η τεχνική που χρησιμοποιήθηκε ήταν εκείνη της φασματοσκοπίας micro-Raman, μια μη καταστρεπτική τεχνική, η οποία προσφέρει πληροφορίες για τη χημική δομή του εξεταζόμενου δείγματος, ενώ παράλληλα είναι γρήγορη και ακριβής. Παρασκευάστηκαν δύο είδη μιγμάτων γλυκοζαμινογλυκανών με κολλαγόνο. Στην πρώτη περίπτωση, κολλαγόνο τύπου Ι ή τύπου ΙΙ εμβαπτίστηκε σε διάλυμα θειικής χονδροϊτίνης, ηπαρίνης ή μίγμα τους που παρασκευάστηκε με αναλογία όγκων 1:1. Στη δεύτερη περίπτωση, μίγματα των δύο ουσιών προέκυψαν με ανάμιξη ίσων ποσοτήτων των δύο ουσιών. Τα παραπάνω μίγματα μελετήθηκαν με φασματοσκοπία Raman και με την τεχνική της Διαφορικής Θερμιδομετρίας Σάρωσης (Differential Scanning Calorimetry, DSC) και συγκρίθηκαν με τα φάσματα των προτύπων ουσιών. Κάθε ουσία έχει ένα χαρακτηριστικό φάσμα Raman, η ερμηνεία του οποίου οδήγησε στην ταυτοποίηση χαρακτηριστικών ομάδων των μορίων, όπως οι δεσμοί C-OH, οι θειικές ομάδες (O-SO3-, N-SO3-), η Ν-ακετυλομάδα, οι δεσμοί C=O και οι δεσμοί C-Ν. Οι φασματικές περιοχές που παρουσιάζουν τα πιο έντονα χαρακτηριστικά στα φάσματα Raman των μιγμάτων GAG-κολλαγόνου είναι οι εξής: 800-920 cm-1, 900-1000 cm-1 και 980-1170 cm-1. Όσον αφορά στην τελευταία φασματική περιοχή, παρατηρήθηκε σημαντική μετατόπιση της χαρακτηριστικής κορυφής της δόνησης έκτασης των θειομάδων προς χαμηλότερους κυματάριθμους (από τους 1070 cm-1 περίπου στους 1062-1064 cm-1) και η εμφάνιση μιας κορυφής στους 1072 cm-1, σε σχέση με τα αντίστοιχα φάσματα των προτύπων ουσιών, στα φάσματα όλων των μιγμάτων που μελετήθηκαν. Η μετατόπιση της συγκεκριμένης κορυφής αποτελεί ένδειξη αλληλεπίδρασης μεταξύ των δύο ουσιών και καταδεικνύει το σημαντικό ρόλο των θειομάδων των γλυκοζαμινογλυκανών στις αλληλεπιδράσεις τους με τη συγκεκριμένη πρωτεΐνη. Τα αποτελέσματα της φασματοσκοπίας Raman βρίσκονται σε συμφωνία με εκείνα που προκύπτουν από την τεχνική της Διαφορικής Θερμιδομετρίας Σάρωσης (DSC), καθώς τα θερμογραφήματα DSC των μιγμάτων θειικής χονδροϊτίνης-κολλαγόνου τύπου Ι είναι διαφορετικά από εκείνο του μίγματος που προέκυψε από την ανάμιξη των δύο συστατικών, υποδεικνύοντας την ύπαρξη αλληλεπίδρασης μεταξύ των δύο ουσιών. Με την τεχνική της φασματοσκοπίας Raman διαπιστώθηκε ότι το κολλαγόνο τύπου Ι έδειξε μεγαλύτερη «χημική προτίμηση» προς την ηπαρίνη σε σχέση με τη θειική χονδροϊτίνη, ενώ το κολλαγόνο τύπου ΙΙ προτίμησε να αλληλεπιδράσει με τη θειική χονδροϊτίνη. / Collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) co-exist as major constituents of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in a variety of tissues. Collagen type I is the most abundant protein in the human body, whereas another important type of collagen is type II, which forms the extracellular matrix of cartilage and other tissues. Glycosaminoglycans are negatively charged polysaccharides that occur as a structural component of proteoglycans and can be divided in four major groups: i) chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate, ii) heparin and heparin sulfate, iii) keratan sulfate, and iv) hyaluronic acid. Both GAGs and collagen not only regulate a variety of cellular functions but they also seem to be involved in many pathological conditions, including cancer and joint diseases. Therefore, a more detailed investigation of the interactions between them will result in a deeper understanding of their biological function. Most common methods for identifying GAG-collagen interactions include affinity chromatography, affinity electrophoresis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray diffraction and Circular Dichroism (CD) provide structural data characterizing conformational changes and contact points between the interacting species. Using Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), information on the thermodynamics of glycosaminoglycan-protein interactions can be obtained. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) allows the measurement of association and dissociation constants of glycosaminoglycan-protein interactions in real time. The major disadvantage of the techniques described above is the inability to identify specific chemical bonds. Other disadvantages are the long analysis time and that large amounts of the interacting substances are required. In the present work, Raman spectroscopy, a non-destructive, vibrational technique which yields information on the chemical composition of the specimen, was employed for the exploration of the interactions between collagen type I and type II and two glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin sulfate and heparin. Two sets of mixtures composed of glycosaminoglycans and each type of collagen were prepared: i) collagen type I or type II was immersed in aqueous solutions of chondroitin sulfate, heparin and a 1:1 mixture of both GAGs, and ii) GAG-collagen mixtures were obtained by blending suitable amounts of the two substances. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was also applied on the latter mixtures. From the Raman spectra identification of vibrational frequencies of the functional groups of the above molecules, such as C-OH linkages, sulfate groups (O-SO3-, N-SO3-), N-acetyl group, carboxyl group and C-Ν linkages is possible. The prominent features arising from the Raman spectra of GAG-collagen interactions are found in the regions 800-920 cm-1, 900-1000 cm-1 and 980-1170 cm-1. Processing of the spectra of all GAG-collagen mixtures has revealed that a shift of the most characteristic vibration of chondroitin sulfate’s and heparin’s spectrum from 1070 cm-1 to 1062-1064 cm-1, while a vibration at approximately 1072 cm-1 emerges. The sulfate band shift is indicative of an interaction between collagen and glycosaminoglycans and depicts the important role of the sulfate group of glycosaminoglycans in the interactions with the protein. This observation was in accordance with the results from Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), which demonstrated an interaction between collagen and chondroitin sulfate. A stronger preference of collagen type I to interact with heparin rather than chondroitin sulfate and of collagen type II to interact with chondroitin sulfate was also observed.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-05-12T13:37:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 pedroluizrodriguesguedes.pdf: 3448334 bytes, checksum: 3bac263ee478fd60c02c5d6036a0e81e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-05-12T15:44:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 pedroluizrodriguesguedes.pdf: 3448334 bytes, checksum: 3bac263ee478fd60c02c5d6036a0e81e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T15:44:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pedroluizrodriguesguedes.pdf: 3448334 bytes, checksum: 3bac263ee478fd60c02c5d6036a0e81e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-30 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Condroitim sulfato (CS) é um glicosaminoglicano (GAG), presente na matriz extracelular (MEC) de vários tecidos de mamíferos, utilizado para o tratamento da osteoartrite e, recentemente, tem despertado grande interesse devido ao seu potencial anti-inflamatório. Vários modelos experimentais in vivo de inflamação são empregados para o estudo da atividade anti-inflamatória, entre eles o modelo de fibrose induzida por colestase extra-hepática. A colestase produz lesão hepatocelular com edema do trato portal, infiltrado leucocitário, proliferação de células epiteliais biliares e fibrose do trato portal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os efeitos do CS no modelo de colestase extra-hepática emperimental induzido por laqueadura do ducto biliar (BDL) em ratos Wistar. Para isso foram utilizados animais (n = 82) de 6 a 8 semanas de idade eutanasiados 2, 7 ou 14 dias após o procedimento cirúrgico divididos nos grupos: BDL, BDL tratado com CS, Sham e Sham tratado com CS. Foram avaliados peso corporal e do fígado dos animais, concentrações séricas de bilirrubina direta (BD), globulinas, atividades de gama glutamil transpeptidase (Gama GT), fosfatase alcalina (FA), alanina transaminase (ALT) e aspartato transaminase (AST), alterações morfológicas no tecido, atividade de mieloperoxidase (MPO), atividade de metaloproteases (MMP-9, MMP-2 e pró MMP-2) e conteúdo de GAGs no fígado dos animais, além da análise histopatológica do tecido hepático. O CS obtido para a realização do trabalho apresentou teores superiores a 92%, com peso molecular de aproximadamente 40 kDa e um conteúdo dissacarídico com predominância de Δdi4S (65%). BDL gerou vários sintomas relacionados à lesão celular e ao processo inflamatório como aumento dos níveis séricos de BD e globulinas, aumento das atividades de Gama GT, FA, ALT e AST, infiltrado inflamatório e modificação morfométrica, com proliferação ductular, e na MEC do fígado dos animais induzidos. CS levou a redução do aumento inicial das transaminases indicando proteção dos tecidos lesados no procedimento cirúrgico. O tratamento levou à redução do infiltrado inflamatório no tecido, expresso pela diminuição significativa da atividade de MPO no homogenato. A remodelação tecidual também foi reduzida, havendo diminuição da atividade de MMP-9, pró MMP-2 e MMP-2 e ainda dos níveis dos GAGs dermatam sulfato e heparam sulfato presentes, produzidos por células estreladas em resposta ao dano no tecido. Estes resultados mostram que o CS reduziu os efeitos da lesão hepática do modelo e foi capaz de retardar a fibrogênese hepática. / Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) present in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of many mammalian tissue, used for osteoarthritis treatment and, recently, has aroused great interest due to its anti-inflammatory potential. Several in vivo inflammation experimental models are employed to study anti-inflammatory activity, including extra-hepatic cholestasis induced fibrosis. Cholestasis produces hepatocellular injury with portal tract edema, leukocyte infiltration, biliary epithelial cells proliferation and portal tract fibrosis. The aim of this work was to analyze CS effects on an extra-hepatic cholestasis experimental model induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) on Wistar rats. For this purpose 6 to 8 weeks old animals (n = 82) were euthanized 2, 7 or 14 days after surgical procedure, previously divided into groups: BDL, CS treated BDL, Sham, CS treated Sham. To analyze disease evolution body and liver weight, serum concentrations of direct bilirubin (BD), globulins, activities of gamma glutamyl transferase (Gama GT), alkaline phosphatase (FA), alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (ALT and AST), morphological changes on tissue, mieloperoxidase (MPO) activity, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9, pró MMP-2 and MMP-2) activities and liver GAGs content, besides histopathological analysis of the tissue. CS acquired presented over 92% tenor, molecular weight of approximately 40 kDa and disaccharide content of Δdi4S predominantly (65%).BDL caused many symptoms related to cellular damage and inflammatory process such as increasing BD and globulins, elevation of Gama GT, FA, ALT and AST activities, inflammatory infiltrate and changes on liver morphometry, with ductular proliferation, and on the ECM. CS reduced initial burst on aminotransferases, indicating protection of tissues injured on surgery procedure. Treatment led to reduction of inflammatory infiltrate, showed by significant decreasing on MPO activity. Tissue remodeling was also reduced, with decrease of MMP-9, pro MMP-2 and MMP-2 activities and also of GAGs dermatam sulfate and heparam sulfate levels, produced by hepatic stellate cells in response of tissue damage. These results show that CS reduced cholestasis hepatic injury effects, being capable to slow down liver fibrogenesis.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-05-19T13:37:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 luizgustavodeoliveira.pdf: 3109049 bytes, checksum: 4df3b04529f2b0980313cfda47b84ab7 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-05-19T14:46:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 luizgustavodeoliveira.pdf: 3109049 bytes, checksum: 4df3b04529f2b0980313cfda47b84ab7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-19T14:46:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 luizgustavodeoliveira.pdf: 3109049 bytes, checksum: 4df3b04529f2b0980313cfda47b84ab7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-22 / Doenças inflamatórias intestinais, entre elas colite ulcerativa e doença de Crohn, compreendem um amplo espectro de afecções que apresentam em comum inflamação crônica do trato gastrointestinal. Colite ulcerativa afeta exclusivamente o cólon e o reto, possui etiologia ainda pouco conhecida podendo estar relacionada com fatores ambientais, genéticos e de resposta imune. O tratamento se baseia em medicamentos como aminossalicilatos, glicocorticóides e imunossupressores, porém seus efeitos colaterais atrapalham a adesão do paciente ao tratamento por longos períodos. Condroitim sulfato (CS) e glucosamina (GlcN) são atualmente indicados para o tratamento de doenças inflamatórias, como a osteoartrite, principalmente por apresentarem efeito anti-inflamatório ao diminuírem a ação do fator de transcrição NF-kB diminuindo a expressão de metaloproteases (MMP), TNF-α, iNOS entre outros mediadores inflamatórios. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os efeitos da associação de CS e GlcN na colite ulcerativa experimental induzida por dextran sulfato de sódio (DSS) em ratos Wistar. Para isso foram avaliados o índice de atividade da doença (IAD), parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos, morfológicos e a atividade de MMP-2 e -9 da matriz extracelular no intestino grosso, concentração de NO tecidual e concentração de glicosaminoglicanos. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos: (1) controle, (2) controle + CS/GlcN, (3) DSS , (4) DSS + CS/GlcN. Observamos que o tratamento com CS/GlcN melhorou a severidade da colite aguda em ratos, verificado pela redução do score histológico e melhora de parâmetros hematológicos. CS/GlcN também reduziu a destruição de células caliciformes observados pelo azul de alcian, bem como a produção de óxido nítrico, a atividade de mieloperoxidase e metaloproteases, principalmente de MMP-9. Além disso, foi observado uma redução na concentração de GAGs total no grupo DSS + CS/GlcN quando comparado ao grupo DSS. Portanto, a administração de CS/GlcN apresentou melhoras em alguns dos parâmetros avaliados principalmente na atividade de MMP-9, mostrando um potencial destes compostos para futura utilização no tratamento dessa patologia. / Inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease comprising a broad spectrum of diseases those have in common chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis affects only the colon and rectum, has still poorly understood etiology and this could may be related to environmental factors, genetic and immune response. Treatment is based on drugs as aminosalicylates, immunosuppressants and glucocorticoids, but its side effects hinder patient compliance with treatment for long periods. Chondroitin sulphate (CS) and glucosamine (GlcN) are currently indicated for treatment of inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis, mainly because of the anti-inflammatory effect by decreasing the activity of transcription factor NF-kB and decreasing the expression of metalloproteases (MMP), TNF-α, iNOS and other inflammatory mediators. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of the combination of CS and GlcN in experimental ulcerative colitis model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in rats. To do so we evaluated the disease activity index (DAI), haematological and biochemical parameters, morphological changes and activity of MMP-2 and -9, NO and glycosaminoglycans concentration in the large intestine. Animals were divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) control + CS / GlcN, (3) DSS-induced colitis, (4) DSS + CS / GlcN. We observed that treatment with CS/GlcN improved the severity of acute colitis in rats verified by histological score reduction and improvement in hematological parameters. CS/GlcN also reduced goblet cells destruction observed by alcian blue, as well as nitric oxide production, the activity of myeloperoxidase and metalloproteases, especially MMP-9. Moreover, we observed a reduction in the concentration of total GAG + DSS group CS / GlcN when compared to DSS. Therefore, administration of CS/GlcN showed improvements in some of the parameters evaluated mainly on the activity of MMP-9, showing a potential future use of these compounds for the treatment of this pathology.

Ce travail est consacré à l'élaboration de nano-complexes polyélectrolytes (CPEs) ayant une stabilité améliorée en milieux physiologiques et à l'exemplification de leur fort potentiel d'application comme système de délivrance de (macro) molécules bioactives. Le chitosane comme polycation a été compléxé avec quatre polyanions naturels ayant différents densités de charges et groupements fonctionnels(-COO- et SO3-) à savoir l'acide hyaluronique (HYA), le chondroïtine sulfate (ChonS), le sulfate de dextrane (DS) et l'héparine (HEP). Les facteurs qui influent sur la formation et les propriétés physico-chimiques des nano-complexes chitosane-HYA ont été étudiés. Ces nanovecteurs perdent leur caractère colloïdal en milieux physiologiques. Pour améliorer leur stabilité dans ces conditions, une stratégie innovante qui implique l'ajout de zinc a été conçue. Cette stratégie de stabilisation a été démontrée comme étant polyvalente et a été étendue aux complexes polyélectrolytes (CPEs) chitosane-ChonS. Même si de cette manière une stabilité à long terme a été observée, cette stratégie reste uniquement applicable aux CPEs cationiques. Pour cette raison, une approche alternative permettant l'amélioration de la stabilité des colloïdes à charges positives ou négatives a été mise en oeuvre en concevant des nano-complexes de type coeur-couronne ternaires composés de polyacides forts c'est-à-dire de DS ou d'HEP associés au chitosane en coeur et un complexe chitosane-HYA en couronne. Tous les nano-complexes stables obtenus peuvent encapsuler le ténofovir, une molécule antirétrovirale et être fonctionnalisés par des IgAs de ciblage. En in vitro, ces nanovecteurs montrent une inhibition de l'infection des PBMC par le virus VIH-1 supérieure à l'antirétrovirale seule / This work is devoted to the elaboration of nano-polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) systems with improved stability in physiological media and to the establishment of their high potential of applications as bioactive (macro) molecule delivery systems. Chitosan as polycation were complexed with four natural polyanions of different charged groups and densities (-COO- and SO3 - as negative charges), namely hyaluronan (HYA), chondroitin sulfate (ChonS), dextran sulfate (DS) and heparin (HEP). The factors impacting the formation and physical-chemical properties of chitosan-HYA nanocomplexes were investigated. However, these nanovectors lost their colloidal character in physiological media. To improve their colloidal stability in physiological conditions, an innovative stabilization strategy was designed, involving zinc ion. This stabilization strategy proved versatile and was extended to chitosan-ChonS PECs. Though a long-term stability was achieved, this strategy was only applicable to cationic PECs. Therefore, an alternate approach enabled the improvement of the colloidal stability in physiological media of both positive and negative colloids by designing core-shell ternary polyelectrolyte nanocomplexes composed of strong polyacid (DS or HEP)-chitosan PECs as core and a chitosan-HYA complex as shell. Furthermore, all of the stabilized nanocomplexes allowed the encapsulation of active molecules anti-retroviral drug tenofovir and surface functionalization with targeting IgAs. In vitro, these nanovectors exhibited an inhibition of infection of PBMCs by HIV-1 virus which could be superior to the free drug