While the catalytically powerful [Cu,Zn] superoxide dismutase (SOD1) possesses great potential as a therapeutic, unfavorable properties in circulation limit its use in clinical medicine. The small, water soluble dimer is rapidly excreted by the kidney. Previous initiatives have been used to increase the mass of the enzyme (PEGylation, liposome encapsulation). This has resulted in highly heterogeneous mixtures of modified SOD1, which are difficult to characterize. Furthermore, these modified proteins have utilized foreign material that has shown to elicit an inflammatory response. We developed an improved strategy that creates a homogenous high molecular weight SOD1 based on combinations of the protein itself. This was accomplished through the addition of a site-specific, azide functionalized cross-linker to unmodified SOD1, followed by the conjugation of SOD dimers using CuAAC and a bis-alkyne linker to form a 64 kDa SOD tetramer. The final product, bis-SOD, presents the fully catalytic activity of the combined proteins.

While the catalytically powerful [Cu,Zn] superoxide dismutase (SOD1) possesses great potential as a therapeutic, unfavorable properties in circulation limit its use in clinical medicine. The small, water soluble dimer is rapidly excreted by the kidney. Previous initiatives have been used to increase the mass of the enzyme (PEGylation, liposome encapsulation). This has resulted in highly heterogeneous mixtures of modified SOD1, which are difficult to characterize. Furthermore, these modified proteins have utilized foreign material that has shown to elicit an inflammatory response. We developed an improved strategy that creates a homogenous high molecular weight SOD1 based on combinations of the protein itself. This was accomplished through the addition of a site-specific, azide functionalized cross-linker to unmodified SOD1, followed by the conjugation of SOD dimers using CuAAC and a bis-alkyne linker to form a 64 kDa SOD tetramer. The final product, bis-SOD, presents the fully catalytic activity of the combined proteins.

The following thesis examines the effects of ionic strength and solution composition on the thermal stability and. activity of bovine erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (BESOD). An indirect assay procedure was employed. The oxidation of xanthine, catalyzed by xanthine oxidase, served as a generator of superoxide radicals (02) and ferricytochrome c functioned as a scavenger of these radicals. The assays were monitored and recorded spectrophotometrically. Percent superoxide dismutase activity remaining after a 30 minute heat treatment and 241 hours after the heat treatment were determined. As the concentration and computed ionic strength values of the ionic solutions increased, the percent BESOD activity remaining after 30 minutes at 80 C decreased. Recovery of BESOD activity after 24 hours was minimal in all ionic solutions. BESOD denaturation was apparently similar in the chloride and sulfate solutions, but much greater in the phosphate solutions. Mathematical interpretation confirmed the similar relationships between chloride and sulfate solutions, and the much greater effects of phosphate solutions on thermal denaturation of SOD. At concentrations of 10-1 M or less, thermal denaturation of SOD was greatest, implying the appearance of a denaturation threshold. A specific phosphate effect may be apparent and was described by two models: 1- complexation of Cut + ions with phosphate anions, and 2- conformational alteration due to charge repulsion between molecular strands of the SOD molecule. Both of these models could be possible explanations as to the much greater thermal denaturation observed in the phosphate solutions.

The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was determined in three kiwifruit (Actinidia) species including A. deliciosa, A. chinensis, and A. arguta. Among the species tested, the highest SOD activity was found in crude extracts prepared from fruit tissues of A. deliciosa. The highest enzyme activity was localized in seed, followed by locules, core and outer pericarp (OP). SOD activity in crude extract of whole fruit remained stable for at least one month when stored at -20℃. The effect of synthetic protease inhibitors (PI) on SOD activity was investigated. Supplementing crude kiwifruit extracts with PI improved SOD activity in freshly prepared extracts, and in extracts stored at 4℃, but had no effect on those stored at -20℃. Among the PI used, iodoacetamide (an inhibitor of cysteine proteases, for example, actinidin which is a principal protease found in kiwifruit) and PMSF (an inhibitor of serine proteases), had the most and least influence on SOD activity in crude kiwifruit extracts, respectively. There was a significant increase in SOD activity in kiwifruit (that were relatively firm) when the fruits were stored at low temperature (4℃). An increase in SOD activity was also correlated with a decrease in fruit firmness. Staining fruit tissues with nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) provided evidence for stress-induced superoxide generation in kiwifruit tissues. Taken together, the changes in SOD activity and the capacity for stress-inducible superoxide production in post-harvest kiwifruit suggest that SOD might play a fundamental role in the storage life/ripening of kiwifruit.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 193). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Canterbury, 2006. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-97). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas. Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós Graduação, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. / Submitted by Oliveira Flávia (flavia@sisbin.ufop.br) on 2014-08-20T18:45:42Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22190 bytes, checksum: 19e8a2b57ef43c09f4d7071d2153c97d (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO_AvaliaçãoMarcadoresEstresse.pdf: 2490341 bytes, checksum: f36be88a6e75778aefed2902bdd89d55 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Gracilene Carvalho (gracilene@sisbin.ufop.br) on 2014-08-25T13:26:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22190 bytes, checksum: 19e8a2b57ef43c09f4d7071d2153c97d (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO_AvaliaçãoMarcadoresEstresse.pdf: 2490341 bytes, checksum: f36be88a6e75778aefed2902bdd89d55 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-25T13:26:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22190 bytes, checksum: 19e8a2b57ef43c09f4d7071d2153c97d (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO_AvaliaçãoMarcadoresEstresse.pdf: 2490341 bytes, checksum: f36be88a6e75778aefed2902bdd89d55 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / O vírus Caraparu (CARV) é membro do grupo C do gênero Orthobunyavirus (família Bunyaviridae). Os vírus do grupo C foram primeiramente descritos na região da Amazônia Brasileira na década de 1950. O CARV foi isolado em 1956 de um macaco sentinela no estado do Pará. Nos países da América do Sul, os bunyavírus do grupo C estão entre os agentes mais comuns de doença febril em humanos e têm causado notáveis surtos nas últimas décadas. Dentre os sintomas da infecção pelo CARV no homem, destacam-se febre, cefaléia, mialgia, náuseas e fraqueza. Já em camundongos, o CARV causa hepatite, o que leva a acreditar que, algum grau de lesão hepática possa também ocorrer nas infecções humanas. Apesar da doença em humanos ser há tanto conhecida, foram poucos os estudos subsequentes pautando esse vírus no que diz respeito a sua patogenia. Estudos têm demonstrado que na patogênese de algumas doenças virais ocorre um aumento no estresse oxidativo, que resumidamente, é um distúrbio no balanço oxidante-antioxidante que pode levar a um potencial dano celular. Muitas células podem tolerar um grau de estresse oxidativo, pois elas possuem antioxidantes tais como a Glutationa, Superóxido Dismutase (SOD) e Catalase (CAT). Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a patogênese hepática do CARV em camundongos e o possível envolvimento do estresse oxidativo e defesas antioxidantes nessa patologia. Após a infecção subcutânea de camundongos BALB/c, o CARV foi detectado no fígado e a histopatologia revelou hepatite aguda. Elevados níveis séricos de aspartato e alanina aminotransferases (AST/ALT) e alta expressão hepática da citocina pró-inflamatória Fator de Necrose Tumoral Alpha (TNF-α) foram encontrados nos animais infectados. A infecção pelo CARV não alterou os biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo, mas aumentou o conteúdo de Glutationa e alterou a expressão e atividade das enzimas SOD e CAT. Este trabalho é o primeiro que mostra alterações na homeostase oxidativa após infecção pelo CARV e, pode, em parte, ajudar a explicar melhor a patogênese hepática deste vírus, assim como a patogênese de outros membros da família Bunyaviridae. ____________________________________________________________________________ / ABSTRACT: Caraparu virus (CARV) is a member of Group C of the Orthobunyavirus genus (Bunyaviridae family). Group C viruses were firstly described in the brazilian Amazon region during the 1950s. The CARV was first isolated in 1956 from a sentinel monkey in state of Pará. In the countries of South America, bunyavirus Group C are among the common agents of human febrile illness and have caused notable outbreaks in recent decades. Among the symptoms of CARV infection in human stand out fever, headache, myalgia, vomiting and weakness. Already in mice CARV causes hepatitis, which leads to believe that some degree of liver injury may also occur in human infections. Although the disease in humans is already known to a time, few subsequent studies basing this virus regarding its pathogenesis. Studies have shown that in the pathogenesis of some viral diseases there is an increase in oxidative stress that, briefly, is a disturbance in the oxidant-antioxidant balance leading to potential cellular damage. Most cells can tolerate a mild degree of oxidative stress because they have antioxidant molecules such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the hepatic pathogenesis of CARV in mice and the possible involvement of oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses on this pathology. Following subcutaneous infection of BALB/c mice, CARV was detected in the liver and histopathology revealed acute hepatitis. Increased serum levels of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST/ALT) and greater hepatic expression of the proinflammatory cytokine Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) were found in infected animals. The CARV-infection did not alter the biomarkers of oxidative stress but caused increased GSH content and altered expression and activity of SOD and CAT. This is the first report of an alteration of oxidative homeostasis upon CARV infection, which may, in part, explain the hepatic pathogenesis of this virus, as well as the pathogenesis of other Bunyaviridae members.

Orientador: Ricardo Antunes de Azevedo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-03T21:30:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Pereira_GuilhermeJoseGoncalves_D.pdf: 1076114 bytes, checksum: a6b5c1c85b9d597d9f61d04b0e962d8c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / Doutorado

O objetivo do estudo foi estimar a biodisponibilidade de duas fontes de cobre: orgânica (cobre metionina) e inorgânica (sulfato de cobre) na dieta de cordeiros. O experimento foi conduzindo na FZEA USP de Pirassununga utilizando 40 cordeiros da raça Merino X Texel, que foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em cinco grupos, e submetidos a cinco tratamentos, totalizando oito animais por tratamento: Tratamento 0: Dieta controle sem adição de Cu; Tratamento 1: 10 mg de Cu/Kg de MS na forma de sulfato de Cu; Tratamento 2: 30g de Cu/Kg de MS na forma de sulfato de Cu; Tratamento 3: 10 mg de cu/kg de MS na forma de cobre metionina; Tratamento 4: 30 mg de cu/kg de MS na forma de cobre metionina. Foram feitas biópsias do fígado dos animais no tempo zero para análise de cobre e colhidas amostras de sangue nos dias 0, 28, 56 e 84 dias para determinação de Cu sérico, atividade de ceruloplasmina e enzimas de função hepática. Ao final do experimento, os animais foram abatidos para colheita de amostras de fígado, músculo e rim, para determinação dos teores de Cu e da enzima superóxido dismutase (SOD). Nos últimos dez dias do experimento foi realizado um balanço metabólico de cobre. A biodisponibilidade foi calculada pela técnica \"slope ratio\", utilizando como parâmetros a concentração de cobre no fígado. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) no desempenho dos animais (peso vivo e ganho de peso) entre os tratamentos. A concentração sérica de AST e ALT permaneceu abaixo dos níveis de intoxicação em todos os tratamentos, durante todo o período. A atividade da ceruloplasmina não diferiu entre os tratamentos (P>0,05). O teor de cobre no soro, na biópsia do fígado e no músculo não foi diferente (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. Entretanto, a concentração do mineral no fígado dos animais suplementados (284,28 mg/kg) foi maior (P<0,05), quando comparados ao grupo controle (168,01 mg/kg), assim como o Cu-met 30 mg/kg (341,29 mg/kg) foi superior (P<0,05) ao de 10mg/kg MS (263,02 mg/kg). A atividade da SOD nos animais suplementados (µmol/mg prot foi superior à do grupo controle. Nos rins o teor de cobre foi superior nos animais que receberam 30mg/kg de MS de Cu-met (6,65 mg/kg) em relação aos que receberam 10 mg/kg de MS da mesma fonte (3,86 mg/kg). A absorção e a retenção aparentes do cobre foram maiores para a fonte inorgânica, comparada com a orgânica. A biodisponibilidade do cobre determinada pela concentração de cobre no fígado, utilizando a técnica do \"slope ratio\", considerando o CuSO4 como padrão (100%), apresentou disponibilidade de 150,64% para o Cu-met. / The study was conducted to estimate the relative bioavailability of two sources of supplemental copper: organic (copper methionine) and inorganic (copper sulfate) in the diet of lambs, by analyzing the concentration of copper and enzymes in the liver and metabolic balance calculation, using 40 lambs breed Merino X Texel, which was fed three concentrations of copper (basal + two additions) in two sources, which were randomly allotted to five groups, and subjected to five treatments: treatment 0: control (diet without addition of Cu); treatment 1: (diet with 10 mg Cu/Kg DM of CuSO4); Treatment 2: (diet with 30 g Cu/Kg DM of CuSO4); Treatment 3: (diet with 10 mg Cu/kg DM of copper methionine; Treatment 4: (diet with 30 mg cu/kg DM of copper methionine). Liver biopsies were made on 0 d. Blood samples were taken via the jugular vein on 0, 28, 56 and 84 d to determine serum Cu and serum ceruloplasmin and liver transaminases (AST, ALT) concentrations. The animals were slaughtered and samples of liver, kidney and muscle were taken for the determination of the levels of Cu and superoxide dismutase activity. In the last ten days of the experiment a metabolic balance of copper was conducted. The bioavailability was calculated by the \"slope ratio\" technique, using the concentration of copper in the liver as parameter. There was no difference (P >0.05) on animal performance (live weight and weight gain) among treatments. The serum AST and ALT levels remained below poisoning in all treatments during the period. The ceruloplasmin activity did not differ between treatments (P>0.05). The copper content in biopsy, serum and muscle was not different (P>0.05) between treatments. However, the mineral concentration in the liver of animals fed (284.28 mg/kg) was higher (P <0.05) when compared to the control group (168.01 mg/kg ) and 30 Cu -met mg/kg (341.29 mg/kg) was higher (P <0.05) at 10mg/kg MS (263.02 mg/kg). The SOD activity in the supplemented animals (mmol/mg prot) was superior to the control group. Copper in Kidneys was higher in animals that received 30mg/kg MS meth-Cu (6.65mg/kg) compared those receiving 10 mg/kg DM from the same source (3.86 mg/kg). Apparent absorption and retention of copper were higher for inorganic source, compared with the organic. The bioavailability determined by the concentration of copper in the copper liver, using the technique of \"slope ratio\", considering CuSO4 as standard ( 100% ) presented availability of 150.64 % for Cu-met.

O objetivo do estudo foi estimar a biodisponibilidade de duas fontes de cobre: orgânica (cobre metionina) e inorgânica (sulfato de cobre) na dieta de cordeiros. O experimento foi conduzindo na FZEA USP de Pirassununga utilizando 40 cordeiros da raça Merino X Texel, que foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em cinco grupos, e submetidos a cinco tratamentos, totalizando oito animais por tratamento: Tratamento 0: Dieta controle sem adição de Cu; Tratamento 1: 10 mg de Cu/Kg de MS na forma de sulfato de Cu; Tratamento 2: 30g de Cu/Kg de MS na forma de sulfato de Cu; Tratamento 3: 10 mg de cu/kg de MS na forma de cobre metionina; Tratamento 4: 30 mg de cu/kg de MS na forma de cobre metionina. Foram feitas biópsias do fígado dos animais no tempo zero para análise de cobre e colhidas amostras de sangue nos dias 0, 28, 56 e 84 dias para determinação de Cu sérico, atividade de ceruloplasmina e enzimas de função hepática. Ao final do experimento, os animais foram abatidos para colheita de amostras de fígado, músculo e rim, para determinação dos teores de Cu e da enzima superóxido dismutase (SOD). Nos últimos dez dias do experimento foi realizado um balanço metabólico de cobre. A biodisponibilidade foi calculada pela técnica \"slope ratio\", utilizando como parâmetros a concentração de cobre no fígado. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) no desempenho dos animais (peso vivo e ganho de peso) entre os tratamentos. A concentração sérica de AST e ALT permaneceu abaixo dos níveis de intoxicação em todos os tratamentos, durante todo o período. A atividade da ceruloplasmina não diferiu entre os tratamentos (P>0,05). O teor de cobre no soro, na biópsia do fígado e no músculo não foi diferente (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos. Entretanto, a concentração do mineral no fígado dos animais suplementados (284,28 mg/kg) foi maior (P<0,05), quando comparados ao grupo controle (168,01 mg/kg), assim como o Cu-met 30 mg/kg (341,29 mg/kg) foi superior (P<0,05) ao de 10mg/kg MS (263,02 mg/kg). A atividade da SOD nos animais suplementados (µmol/mg prot foi superior à do grupo controle. Nos rins o teor de cobre foi superior nos animais que receberam 30mg/kg de MS de Cu-met (6,65 mg/kg) em relação aos que receberam 10 mg/kg de MS da mesma fonte (3,86 mg/kg). A absorção e a retenção aparentes do cobre foram maiores para a fonte inorgânica, comparada com a orgânica. A biodisponibilidade do cobre determinada pela concentração de cobre no fígado, utilizando a técnica do \"slope ratio\", considerando o CuSO4 como padrão (100%), apresentou disponibilidade de 150,64% para o Cu-met. / The study was conducted to estimate the relative bioavailability of two sources of supplemental copper: organic (copper methionine) and inorganic (copper sulfate) in the diet of lambs, by analyzing the concentration of copper and enzymes in the liver and metabolic balance calculation, using 40 lambs breed Merino X Texel, which was fed three concentrations of copper (basal + two additions) in two sources, which were randomly allotted to five groups, and subjected to five treatments: treatment 0: control (diet without addition of Cu); treatment 1: (diet with 10 mg Cu/Kg DM of CuSO4); Treatment 2: (diet with 30 g Cu/Kg DM of CuSO4); Treatment 3: (diet with 10 mg Cu/kg DM of copper methionine; Treatment 4: (diet with 30 mg cu/kg DM of copper methionine). Liver biopsies were made on 0 d. Blood samples were taken via the jugular vein on 0, 28, 56 and 84 d to determine serum Cu and serum ceruloplasmin and liver transaminases (AST, ALT) concentrations. The animals were slaughtered and samples of liver, kidney and muscle were taken for the determination of the levels of Cu and superoxide dismutase activity. In the last ten days of the experiment a metabolic balance of copper was conducted. The bioavailability was calculated by the \"slope ratio\" technique, using the concentration of copper in the liver as parameter. There was no difference (P >0.05) on animal performance (live weight and weight gain) among treatments. The serum AST and ALT levels remained below poisoning in all treatments during the period. The ceruloplasmin activity did not differ between treatments (P>0.05). The copper content in biopsy, serum and muscle was not different (P>0.05) between treatments. However, the mineral concentration in the liver of animals fed (284.28 mg/kg) was higher (P <0.05) when compared to the control group (168.01 mg/kg ) and 30 Cu -met mg/kg (341.29 mg/kg) was higher (P <0.05) at 10mg/kg MS (263.02 mg/kg). The SOD activity in the supplemented animals (mmol/mg prot) was superior to the control group. Copper in Kidneys was higher in animals that received 30mg/kg MS meth-Cu (6.65mg/kg) compared those receiving 10 mg/kg DM from the same source (3.86 mg/kg). Apparent absorption and retention of copper were higher for inorganic source, compared with the organic. The bioavailability determined by the concentration of copper in the copper liver, using the technique of \"slope ratio\", considering CuSO4 as standard ( 100% ) presented availability of 150.64 % for Cu-met.