Thèse (Ph. D.) -- Université Laval, 1997. / Bibliogr.: f. 300-391. Publié aussi en version électronique.

Bile acid metabolism is integrally involved in cholesterol homeostasis in mammals because it is the major means by which cholesterol is eliminated from the body. We have undertaken an effort to study the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of bile acid metabolism by isolating and characterizing the cDNA and gene for an enzyme that hydroxylates lithocholic acid (LCA) at position 6β, lithocholic acid 6β-hydroxylase; the first bile acid-induced gene reported. LCA is a very hydrophobic, toxic bile acid formed from chenodeoxycholic acid in the gut lumen upon reduction of the 7α-hydroxy group by microbial enzymes. The proper elimination of LCA is essential for maintenance of the bile acid pool and for prevention of cholestasis which results from LCA precipitating in the cannaculi of the liver when its concentration is high. The LCA 6β-hydroxylase cDNA was isolated by differential hybridization of hamster liver libraries prepared from animals fed either a cholic acid enriched diet or a cholestipol-rich chow and was named CYP3A10 based on its homology with other cytochrome P450s (P450) in family 3A. We found that CYP3A10 was essentially expressed only in males. A statistical analysis of RNA from young males fed with cholic acid and normal chow showed that the cholic acid induction was about 50% at the RNA level. We determined the biological nature of the protein encoded by CYP3A10 by expression of the cDNA in COS cells. Microsomes prepared from transfected cells were assayed with LCA as a substrate and found to hydroxylate LCA predominantly at position 6β. We examined whether CYP3A10 could hydroxylate other steroid compounds by assays with testosterone, progesterone and androstenedione and found that, although 6β-hydroxylase (as well as others) activity was observed with all three, LCA was the preferred substrate based on kinetic analysis. A developmental time course of CYP3A10 expression in males showed little expression before puberty, a striking induction of expression at puberty and a fourfold induction thereafter through adulthood. We then examined the male-specific expression of CYP3A10 in hamster liver. We disrupted the pattern of GH secretion in male hamsters by hypophysectomy, neonatal glutamate treatment and by continuous infusion of GH via osmotic minipumps (to mimic the female pattern of GH secretion) and found no significant effect on CYP3A10 expression. Conversely, in females, hypophysectomy and neonatal glutamate treatment significantly induced CYP3A10 expression 5- to 10-fold. Additionally, when females treated neonatally with glutamate were injected twice daily with GH as adults (to mimic the male pattern of GH secretion), the levels of CYP3A10 expression were not significantly different from those of normal males. These results led us to conclude that the pattern of GH secretion in males does not control the male-specific expression of CYP3A10 but that in females expression can be induced by altering the tonic secretion of GH. No significant effect on CYP3A10 expression was observed by castration of adult males, indicating that circulating androgens were not required for expression. We found that gonadal hormones (e.g. estrogen and progesterone) do not have a suppressive effect on CYP3A10 expression in females since ovariectomy did not induce expression. Many genes are "imprinted" neonatally by exposure to a given effector for developmental-, tissue- or sexually regulated expression. We investigated whether neonatal androgen exposure was required for male-specific expression of CYP3A10 by castrating hamsters neonatally and determining the level of CYP3A10 expression in adulthood. Our results indicate that androgens are required neonatally for CYP3A10 expression since no expression was observed in neonatally castrated hamsters. We were unable to induce expression in neonatally castrated hamsters by either GH or testosterone injections. These results suggest several notable points 1) that CYP3A10 expression is programmed neonatally by androgen exposure; 2) that androgens exert their effect directly on the liver and not via the hypothalamus; 3) that neither testosterone nor GH can restore CYP3A10 expression when males have not been exposed to androgens neonatally; and 4) that in experimental conditions, females can be induced to express CYP3A10, which indicates that there are two modes for regulating expression: by "imprinting" in males and by GH and testosterone in females. We are now studying the molecular mechanisms involved in the bile acid-mediated induction and the male-specific expression of CYP3A10. We have cloned approximately 8 kb of 5' flanking DNA from a hamster genomic library and sequenced about 1 kb of proximal DNA. Primer extension and S1 digestion analyses indicate that the mRNA for CYP3A10 has multiple transcription initiation sites clustered about 90 bp from the initiator methionine codon. We have also prepared CYP3A10 promoter/lacZ chimeric constructs to begin delineating the cis-acting elements controlling CYP3A10 expression and regulation. We used H2.35 cells as recipients because they are a mouse hepatocyte cell line that has been transformed with a temperature sensitive SV40. These cells can be grown at the permissive temperature and can be induced to behave like liver cells, the differentiated condition, by switching to a nonpermissive temperature. We have found that the construct with 1 kb of proximal CYP3A10 5' flanking DNA was able to express the reporter gene at higher levels under differentiated conditions, which were consistent with higher expression of an albumin promoter/lacZconstruct, upon switching the cells to the more liver phenotype. The system characterized and described here is ideally suited for dissecting the molecular details governing bile acid-mediated regulation and sexually dimorphic expression of liver genes. Very little is known about both these very important biological phenomena. Much could be learned about transcriptional regulation of liver genes by investigating the cis-elements and trans-acting factors mediating regulation of CYP3A10 expression.

As metaloporfirinas (MeP) cloreto de 5,10,15,20-tetra(pentafluorofenill)porfirina de manganês (III) e ferro (III) (MnIIIP e FeIIIP) foram imobilizadas em matriz de sílica híbrida mesoporosa do tipo SBA-15. Os grupos silanóis da SBA-15 foram modificados com (3-aminopropil)trietoxissilano (APTES) e (3-aminopropil)dietoximetilsilano (APDES), que após a imobilização das metaloporfirinas geraram os catalisadores FeP-APSBA, FeP-APMSBA, MnP-APSBA e MnP-APMSBA. Um terceiro tipo de material foi preparado a partir da ligação de grupos trimetilsilil (TMS) nos catalisadores FeP-APSBA e MnP-APSBA, gerando outros dois catalisadores que foram denominados FeP-APSBA-TMS e MnP-APSBA-TMS. Os materiais foram caracterizados por FTIR, RD UV-Vis, TG/TGA MEV, MET e isotermas de adsorção e dessorção de N2 (BET/BJH). Para analisar a natureza da interação solvente-superfície nos materiais, foram determinadas medidas goniométricas de energia livre de superfície. Os catalisadores foram estudados na oxidação dos substratos (Z)-ciclo-octeno e ciclo-hexano, utilizando iodosilbenzeno (PhIO) como espécie doadora de oxigênio a fim de avalia-los como biomiméticos do citocromo P450. Os parâmetros estruturais foram comparados aos resultados catalíticos frente à formação da gaiola de solvente e das espécies intermediárias de alta valência, FeIV(O)P+. e MnV(O)P e estudar como esses fatores afetam o rendimento e a seletividade das reações catalisadas. As MeP-SBAs apresentaram uma faixa de rendimento de 88 a 47 % para epoxidação de (Z)-ciclo-octeno. Já na oxidação de ciclo-hexano houve formação de 2 a 8 % de ciclo-hexanol e 2 % de ciclo-hexanona. Observou-se maior seletividade para o álcool com as FeP-SBAs. / Manganese (III) and iron (III) 5,10,15,20- tetra(pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin (MnIIIP and FeIIIP ) chloride were immobilized in mesoporous silica hybrid matrix SBA-15. Silanol groups were modified with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and (3-aminopropyl)diethoxymethylsilane (APDES), generating catalysts called FeP-APSBA, FeP-APMSBA, MnP-APSBA and MnP-APMSBA. A third type of material was prepared from the binding trimethylsilyl groups (TMS) in FeP-APSBA and MnP- APSBA catalysts generating the other two catalysts named FeP-APSBA-TMS and MnP-APSBA-TMS. The materials were characterized by FTIR , DR UV-Vis , TG/TGA SEM , TEM and adsorption and desorption isotherms of N2 (BET/BJH) and to analyze the materials solvent - surface interaction nature the were determined goniometric measurements of surface free energy. Catalysts were evaluated for (Z)- cyclooctene and cyclohexane oxidation mediated by iodosylbenzene (PhIO) as the oxygen donor species to evaluate their catalytic activity as cytochrome P450 biomimetics. Structural parameters were compared to catalytic results related to cage solvent formation and the intermediate species high valence FeIV(O)P+. and MnV(O) P and how these factors affect the yield and selectivity of catalysts. MeP-SBA\'s reactions showed a range of 88-47 % for epoxidation (Z)-cyclooctene and cyclohexane oxidation yielding 2 to 8 % of cyclohexanol and 2 % of cyclohexanone. In the latter case was observed a higher selectivity for alcohol with FeP-SBA\'s.

Orientadores: Luis Otavio Zanatta Sarian, Maria Salete Costa Gurgel, Carmem Silvia Passos Lima / Tese (Doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T11:21:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CardosoFilho_Cassio_D.pdf: 1685855 bytes, checksum: 341644d7cc011e51bf31d1f4881e8878 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Introdução: A terapêutica sistêmica para o câncer de mama envolve o uso do agente antiestrogênico tamoxifeno, fármaco metabolizado pelo fígado no sistema do citocromo P-450 (CYP). Este, por sua vez, é parcialmente codificado pelo gene CYP1A1, e alguns polimorfismos deste gene têm sido associados com interferências na sua eficácia metabólica. Além disso, diferenças interindividuais no CYP explicam parte das variações na resistência ao tamoxifeno e metabolismo dos estrogênios. Dentre esses polimorfismos, o A4889G (M2) e o T6235C (M1) são conhecidos por afetar a ativação da estrona e do estradiol, e por provocar a redução da concentração de metabólitos altamente ativos do tamoxifeno, reduzindo teoricamente o efeito antiestrogênico desta modalidade de hormonioterapia no tecido mamário. Embora plausíveis do ponto de vista biológico, as implicações clínicas dos polimorfismos do CYP1A1, ou seja, as características patológicas dos tumores e um pior prognóstico decorrente do aumento dos estrógenos circulantes e redução dos metabólitos ativos do tamoxifeno, não foram ainda avaliadas. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre os polimorfismos M1 e M2 do gene CYP1A1 e as características patológicas e clínicas de mulheres com câncer de mama esporádico, em duas abordagens: 1) determinar as associações entre estes polimorfismos e as características patológicas, clínicas e o padrão de sobrevida global em mulheres com câncer de mama esporádico e 2) determinar as associações entre estespolimorfismos e as caracteríasticas patológicas e o comportamento clínico de tumores de mama com receptores hormonais positivos na vigência do uso de tamoxifeno. Métodos: foram incluídas 741 mulheres com câncer de mama esporádico, 405 das quais com tumores positivos para receptores esteroides e que usaram tamoxifeno como terapia antiestrogênica primária, para as quais os dados referentes a cinco anos de seguimento estavam disponíveis. Foram avaliadas as associações de informações-chave patológicas e clínicas, incluindo a sobrevida geral em cinco anos, com as diferentes combinações de polimorfismos do gene CYP1A1. Resultados: Em mulheres portadoras de ambos os polimorfismos M1 e M2 do CYP1A1, a proporção de tumores grau histológico III (80,3%) foi significativamente menor que nas não-portadoras (89,6%); p ajustado <0,01. O mesmo ocorreu na análise restrita às mulheres com tumores RE+ usando tamoxifeno (76,1% vs. 85,9%; p ajustado= 0,02). Após 60 meses de seguimento, cerca de 75% das mulheres estavam vivas. Não houve diferença significativa na sobrevivência relacionada com o estado do gene CYP1A1. Conclusões: embora associados a tumores de menor grau histológico, não há nenhuma evidência da associação dos polimorfismos do CYP1A1 com prognóstico do câncer da mama / Abstract: Introduction: systemic therapy for breast cancer involves the use of the anti-estrogen agent tamoxifen, which is metabolized by the liver cytochrome P-450 (CYP). This, in turn, is partially encoded by CYP1A1, and some polymorphisms of this gene have been associated with metabolic disturbance at their effectiveness. Moreover, interindividual differences in efficiency of CYP explain part of the variations in resistance to tamoxifen and estrogen metabolism. Among these polymorphisms, the A4889G (M2) and T6235C (M1) are known to affect the activation of estrone and estradiol, and cause the reduction of the concentration of highly active metabolites of tamoxifen, theoretically reducing the anti-estrogenic effect of this form of endocrine therapy in breast tissue. Although plausible from the biological point of view, the clinical implications of polymorphisms of CYP1A1, ie, the pathologic features of tumors and a worse prognosis due to increased circulating estrogens and reduction of active metabolites of tamoxifen have not yet been evaluated. Objectives: To evaluate the association between CYP1A1 A4889G and T6235C gene polymorphisms and clinical and pathological characteristics of women with sporadic breast cancer in two approaches: 1) determine the associations between CYP1A1 A4889G and T6235C gene polymorphisms and the pathological characteristics of the tumors, and the clinical features, including overall survival, of women with sporadic breast cancer and 2) determine the associations between CYP1A1 A4889G and T6235C gene polymorphisms and the pathological characteristics and clinical behavior of estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors in patients using tamoxifen. Methods: We included 741 women with sporadic breast cancer, 405 of whom had tumors positive for steroid receptors and using tamoxifen as primary antiestrogen therapy, for which data on five years of follow-up were available. We evaluated the associations of key pathological and clinical features, including overall survival at five years, with different combinations of the CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms. Results: In women with both polymorphisms of the CYP1A1 gene, the proportion of grade III tumors (80.3%) was significantly lower than in non-carriers (89.6%), adjusted p <0.01. The same was true for women with ER + tumors using tamoxifen (76.1% vs. 85.9%; adjusted p = 0.02). After 60 months of follow up, 75% of the women were alive. There was no significant difference in survival related to the state of the CYP1A1 gene. Conclusions: Although associated with tumors of lower grade, there is no evidence of an association of CYP1A1 polymorphisms with breast cancer prognosis / Doutorado / Oncologia Ginecológica e Mamária / Doutor em Ciências Médicas

La susceptibilité génétique modulerait le risque de retard de croissance intra-utérin (RCIU) associé à l’exposition prénatale aux sous-produits de chloration de l’eau (SPCs). Sur un échantillon de 1432 paires mère-enfant provenant d’une étude cas-témoins populationnelle menée dans la région métropolitaine de Québec (Canada), nous avons étudié l’association entre certains polymorphismes nucléotidiques (SNPs : single nucleotide polymorphisms) des gènes du cytochrome P450, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2D6 et CYP17A1 chez les paires mère-enfant et le RCIU défini comme le petit poids de naissance pour l’âge gestationnel (PPAG 10e percentile). Nous avons ensuite évalué l’effet modifiant des SNPs de ces gènes sur l’association entre l’exposition maternelle aux SPCs, trihalométhanes (THMs) et acides haloacétiques (AHAs), durant le troisième trimestre de grossesse et le PPAG. L’ADN fut extrait des cellules sanguines ou salivaires. Les SNPs furent sélectionnés par l’outil Tagger et furent génotypés par le système Sequenom MassARRAY. Les analyses furent effectuées à l’aide de modèles de régression logistique multiple ajustés pour les facteurs de risque du RCIU. Des interactions positives ont été rapportées entre l’exposition aux trihalométhanes totaux (TTHMs), aux cinq espèces des AHAs règlementées et les allèles rs4919687 A et rs743572 G du gène CYP17A1 chez l’enfant sur le PPAG, tandis que chez la mère, des interactions négatives ont été observées entre l’exposition aux TTHMs et les allèles rs4919687 A et rs743572 G du gène CYP17A1. Cependant, ces interactions perdaient leur significativité statistique après correction pour l’utilisation de tests multiples. Il y a certaines évidences, bien que faibles, de l’existence d’un potentiel effet modifiant des allèles du gène CYP17A1 sur l'association entre l’exposition aux SPCs et le PPAG. De prochaines études ayant une plus grande taille d’échantillon permettront de valider ou non ces résultats. / Some epidemiological studies suggest that genetic susceptibility modulates chlorination by-products (CBPs) effects on fetal growth. In a sample of 1432 mother-child pairs came from a population-based case-control study conducted in Quebec City area (Canada), we assessed the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2D6 and CYP17A1 mother or foetus genes on intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) defined as small for gestational age (SGA 10th percentile). Further, we evaluated the interaction between maternal exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) or haloacetic acids (HAAs) during the third trimester and SNPs in CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2D6 and CYP17A1 mother or foetus genes. DNA was extracted from blood or saliva cells. Tag SNPs were selected by Tagger tool and the Sequenom’s MassARRAY system was used for SNPs genotyping. Analysis were performed by unconditional logistic regression with control of known risk factors of IUGR. Positive interactions were found between exposure to total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and five regulated HAAs species and neonate carrying CYP17A1 rs4919687 A or rs743572 G alleles on SGA, whereas negative interactions were found between TTHMs exposure and mother carrying CYP17A1 rs4919687 A or rs743572 G alleles. However, after correction for multiple testing, reported interactions became non statistically significant. There is some evidence, albeit weak, of a potential modification of effect of the association between CBPs exposure and SGA by SNPs in CYP17A1 gene. Further larger-scale studies are needed to validate these observations.

Gender differences in the efficiency of (3-blockers has been observed in the past whereby men but not women with cardiovascular disorders have improved survival outcome on treatment with P-blockers. Hence, the objectives of this project are to 1.) study the gender differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a model cardiovascular drug, i.e., metoprolol in 36 healthy young men and women with genetically determined high or low CYP2D6 activities. 2.) study the gender differences in the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic interaction between metoprolol and diphenhydramine in the same subjects as in 1.). 3.) establish a cocktail of 5 drugs that can be used for simultaneously phenotyping the activity of major drug metabolizing enzymes. Methods: For objectives 1 and 2: Thirty-six healthy young men [10 extensive (EMs) and 6 CYP2D6 poor metabolizers (PMs)] and women (16 EMs and 4 PMs) were recruited. A single oral dose of 100 mg metoprolol was administered to the subjects in the presence or absence of steady-state diphenhydramine. Serial plasma samples, complete urine collection was done for 48 hours as well as exercise heart rate and blood pressure were measured up to 12 hours post-metoprolol. The study was carried out in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled fashion. Women participated in the study after menstruation and before ovulation. For objective 3_: Ten healthy young men (9 Caucasians and 1 East-Indian) were recruited. Various combinations of sub-therapeutic doses of dapsone (CYP3A4), metoprolol (CYP2D6), tolbutamide (CYP2C9), chlorzoxazone (CYP2E1) and caffeine (CYP1A2, N-acetyltransferase and xanthine oxidase) were administered to these subjects with a 1 week wash-out period between each administration. Results: For objectives 1 and 2: Gender specific differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of metoprolol were seen whereby women had a higher AUC corresponding to lower clearances of the drug compared to men. Metoprolol administration modulated the hemodynamics of women (especially PM women) more than that of men. Further, women were shown to be more sensitive to the coadministration of diphenhydramine on metoprolol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. For objective 3: The 5 drug cocktail was a.) well tolerated by the subjects; b.) no significant interaction between coadministered drugs; c.) cocktail can be used for large-scale phenotyping. / Des différences sexuelles dans l'efficacité des bloqueurs p ont été observées dans le passé, les hommes profitant davantage des effets cardiovasculaires bénéfiques des bloqueurs P que les femmes. Les objectifs de cette étude consistent à 1) étudier la modulation de la relation pharmacinétique/pharmacodynamie du metoprolol selon le sexe. 2) évaluer la modulation de l'interaction entre le metoprolol (substrat du CYP2D6) et la diphénhydramine (DPH) selon le sexe. 3) vérifier la possibilité d'une administration concomitante de 5 médicaments afin de phénotyper des enzymes importantes impliquées dans le métabolisme de nombreux médicaments. Méthodes: Pour les objectifs 1 et 2: Lors d'une étude en chassé croisée, à double insu, réalisée au hasard, vingt femmes (16 métabolisatrices rapides (MRs) et 4 métabolisatrices lentes (MLs); 27 ± 7.8 ans) et 16 hommes (10 MRs et 6 MLs; 26 ± 5 ans) ont reçu une dose orale de metoprolol (100 mg) combinée avec de la DPH ou un placebo. Chez les femmes, l'étude a été effectuée dans la période entre les menstruations et l'ovulation. La collecte urinaire complète ainsi que le prélèvement d'échantillons plasmatiques ont été effectués pendant 48 h après l'administration du metoprolol. La fréquence cardiaque et la tension artérielle ont été déterminées, au repos et à l'effort, avant et pendant les 12 h qui suivaient la prise du metoprolol. Pour l'objectif 3: Dix jeunes hommes (9 Caucasiens et 1 Indien en bonne santé) ont participé à cette étude. Chaque sujet a reçu 5 différentes combinaisons des médicaments suivants: dapsone (substrat du CYP3A4), metoprolol (substrat du CYP2D6), tolbutamide (substrat du CYP2C9), chlorzoxazone (substrat du CYP2E1) et caféine (substrat du CYP1A2, N-acetyltransferase et xanthine oxidase). Résultats: Pour les objectifs 1 et 2 : II existe des différences dans la pharmacocinétique/pharmacodynamie du metoprolol entres les hommes et les femmes. La coadministration de diphénhydramine a influencé la pharmacocinétique/pharmacodynamie du metoprolol de façon plus marquée chez les femmes que chez les hommes, particulièrement chez les femmes MLs. Pour l'objectif 3: II n'y a eu aucune interaction significative après l'administration des différentes combinaisons de médicaments. Les médicaments ont été bien tolérés par les sujets. Ce cocktail pourrait être utilisé pour d'évaluer le phénotype de la population et d'évaluer l'activité des enzymes majeures impliquées dans le métabolisme de la plupart des médicaments disponibles sur le marché.

Chez l'humain, les cytochromes P450 possèdent un rôle d'importance dans l'élimination des médicaments. Il existe plusieurs facteurs physiopathologiques qui sont en mesure d'affecter leur expression et leur activité. La présente étude a pour but de mieux comprendre le rôle de l'obésité à risque et du diabète de type II sur l'activité et l'expression des enzymes de biotransformation de la sous-famille CYP3A chez notre modèle, le cobaye. Les résultats de la présente étude suggèrent que l'activité enzymatique des CYP3A hépatiques et intestinaux serait diminuée en présence de l'état physiopathologique du diabète du type II et en présence d'une obésité à risque. Par conséquent, une biotransformation des substrats de la sous-famille CYP3A abaissée pounait par ailleurs entraîner au niveau clinique une augmentation des effets pharmacologiques, l'apparition d'effets indésirables, voire de la toxicité.

Thesis (MSc (Biochemistry))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Sutherlandia frutescens (S. frutescens), sub-species microphylla, is a member of the Fabacea family and is used as a herbal remedy for the treatment of several ailments which include influenza, diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, anxiety, clinical depression, and more recently, those living with human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (1-4). Many of the symptoms of these ailments are associated with a perturbation of the stress response which may be associated with disorders of the endocrine system. Of all the traditional plants in South Africa, S. frutescens is regarded the most profound in that it is a multipurpose traditional remedy. The plant has enjoyed a long history of use and reports indicating its efficacy as a safe treatment for various health conditions have added to the popularity of this medicinal plant. The extracts of S. frutescens have been shown to exhibit anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells, antioxidant activity, and to possess anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory potential (5, 6), providing scientific evidence for its therapeutic use in the treatment of cancer and diabetes. However, this study focuses on the potential use of this medicinal plant in the treatment of stress and stress related diseases. Chronic stress is characterized by elevated plasma levels of glucocorticoids. These steroid hormones are synthesized in the adrenal cortex in a series of reactions involving the steroidogenic enzymes. The major aim of this thesis was the determination of the influence of S. frutescens extracts on the adrenal cytochrome P450 enzymes. Aqueous, methanol and chloroform S. frutescens extracts were prepared and the interaction with the cytochrome P450 enzymes was investigated. The effect of these extracts towards progesterone (PROG), deoxycortisol and deoxycorticosterone (DOC) binding to the cytochrome P450 enzymes as well as their influence on the metabolism of these steroid substrates was investigated. A similar study (7) showed that compounds from the S. frutescens extracts could interact with these enzymes and possibly affect adrenal steroidogenesis. This study further investigates the bioactive properties of the plant material in terms of the influence of S. frutescens on the cytochrome P450 enzymes and the effect of the manufacturing process on the bioactivity of the plant.

The synthesis of pure tris(6-hydroxymethyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine (H₃L₁₁) is reported for the first time. New complexes of H₃L₁₁ with copper(II), manganese(II) and iron(III) have been characterised by X-ray crystallography. Linear [Fe₃(L₁₁)₂](ClO₄)₃ reveals the tightest Fe-O-Fe angle (87.6°) and shortest Fe...Fe distance (2.834 Å) presently found for a weakly antiferromagnetically-coupled high spin alkoxide-bridged polyiron(III) system. H₃L₁₁ provides a route to various hydrophobic peralkylated TPA ligand derivatives for creating a hydrophobic pocket for the assembly of iron catalysts for the novel 1-hydroxylation of n-alkanes. New 6-py substituted TPA ligands containing methyl (L₁₅) and n-octyl (L₁₆) ether linkages were synthesised via alkylation. Two further novel 6-py substituted ligands were synthesized incorporating n-hexyl substituents on one (L₂₁) and two (L₂₂) of the py moieties. Here a urea spacer group was used to promote hydrogen–bond assisted heterolytic O-O cleavage (generation of the potent FeV=O oxidant) within the hydroxoperoxoiron(III) precursor. High spin [FeII(L)(CH₃CN)[subscript(x)]](CF₃SO₃)₂ complexes (x = 0–2, L = L₁₅,₁₆,₂₁,₂₂) were characterised in solution by ¹H NMR. The structure of [Fe(L₂₂)](CF₃SO₃)₂ reveals a distorted iron(II) centre bound to four N atoms and two urea carbonyls. Iron(II) complexes of H₃L₁₁, L₁₅,₁₆,₂₁,₂₂ and tris(6-Br)-TPA (L₂₄), were investigated for catalysis of the oxygenation of cyclohexane by H₂O₂. Reaction of the iron(II) complexes with H₂O₂ and [superscript(t)]BuOOH was followed by time-resolved EPR and UV-VIS spectrophotometry. A correlation between the observed catalytic activity and the nature of the FeIII(L)-OOR intermediates generated is apparent. A convenient ‘one-pot’ synthesis of benzene-1,3,5-triamido-tris(l-histidine methyl ester) is reported along with attempts at preparing N,N’-bis(pyridylmethyl)-1,3- diaminopropane-2-carboxylic acid (L₂₅), a new water soluble pyridine-amine ligand. The final demetallation step resulted in ligand hydrolysis to the novel amino acid; 1,3-diaminopropane- 2-carboxylic acid which was characterised as its HCl salt by X-ray crystallography.

Verificou-se que microssomos de fígado apresentam uma atividade azo-redutásica completamente dependente de NADPH, usando DAB como substrato. Ao contrário de outros sistemas já descritos, a atividade azo-redutásica não pode ser identificada com a NADPH-citocromo c redutase, embora nossos resultados indiquem que esta enzima participa da reação. Não se pode excluir definitivamente a participação do citocromo b5 apesar de uma série de observações afastando essa possibilidade. Verificou-se que a atividade azo-redutásica pode ser induzida por tratamento com 3-MC, paralelamente à indução do citocromo P-450 tipo II. Isto sugere fortemente a participação desse citocromo na reação apesar desta não ser inibida por CO. O citocromo P-450 induzido por tratamento com 3-MC era funcionalmente ativo. A atividade azo-redutásica foi inibida especificamente pelo tratamento oral comoDAB, possibilitando a formulação de uma hipótese sobre a ação carcinogênica deste composto. Uma série de resultados mostra que a azo-redutase estudada é altamente específica podendo ser inibida por KCN e por mersalil. Face aos fatos expostos acima, as perspectivas do sistema parecem muito interessantes. A possibilidade do uso de novos métodos de fracionamento dos microssomos pode levar à resolução do sistema da azo-redutase. As semelhanças com a dessaturação de ácidos graxos, aliadas às indicações da existência de um novo tipo de citocromo P-450 que se combina com KCN, permitem descortinar maior amplitude para os limites do sistema da azo-redutase. Enfim, trata-se de uma reação de redução de um composto exógeno, com características até agora não relatadas, envolvendo processos biológicos de importância e cujo estudo terá prosseguimento. / Not available