Die gesundheitsfördernden Eigenschaften von grünem Tee sind weitgehend akzeptiert. Den Teecatechinen, insbesondere dem Epigallocatechin-3-gallat (EGCG), werden zahlreiche positive Effekte zugesprochen (z. B. antioxidativ, antikanzerogen, antiinflammatorisch, Blutdruck und Cholesterinspiegel senkend). Die Mechanismen, die zu einer Reduktion der in Tierversuchen beschriebenen Körper- und Fettmasse führen, sind nicht ausreichend geklärt. Ziel dieser Arbeit bestand darin, die kurz- und mittelfristigen Wirkungen einer TEAVIGO®-Applikation (mind. 94 % EGCG) am Mausmodell im Hinblick auf den Energie- und Fettstoffwechsel sowie die Expression daran beteiligter Gene in wichtigen Organen und Geweben zu untersuchen. In verschiedenen Tierversuchen wurde männlichen C57BL/6-Mäusen eine Hochfettdiät (HFD) mit und ohne Supplementation (oral, diätetisch) des entkoffeinierten Grüntee-Extraktes TEAVIGO® in unterschiedlichen Dosierungen gefüttert. Es wurden sowohl kurz- als auch mittelfristige Wirkungen des EGCG auf die Energiebilanz (u. a. indirekte Tierkalorimetrie) und Körperzusammensetzung (NMR) sowie die exogene Substratoxidation (Stabilisotopentechnik: Atemtests, Inkorporation natürlicher 13C-angereicherter Triglyceride aus Maiskeimöl in diverse Organe/Gewebe) und Gen-expression (quantitative real-time PCR) untersucht. Die Applikationsform und ihre Dauer riefen unterschiedliche Wirkungen hervor. Mäuse mit diätetischer Supplementation zeigten bereits nach kurzer Zeit eine verminderte Körperfettmasse, die bei weiterer Verabreichung auch zu einer Reduktion der Körpermasse führte. Beide Applikationsformen resultieren, unabhängig von der Dauer der Intervention, in einer erhöhten Energieausscheidung, während die Futter- und Energieaufnahme durch EGCG nicht beeinflusst wurden. Der Energieverlust war von einer erhöhten Fett- und Stickstoffausscheidung begleitet, deren Ursache die in der Literatur beschriebene Interaktion und Hemmung digestiver Enzyme sein könnte. Besonders unter postprandialen Bedingungen wiesen EGCG-Mäuse erniedrigte Triglycerid- und Glycogengehalte in der Leber auf, was auf eine eingeschränkte intestinale Absorption der Nährstoffe hindeutet. Transkriptanalysen ergaben im Darm eine verminderte Expression von Fettsäuretransportern, während die Expression von Glucosetransportern durch EGCG erhöht wurde. Weiterhin reduzierte EGCG, nach Umstellung von Standard- auf eine maiskeimölhaltige Hochfettdiät, die Inkorporation natürlicher 13C-angereicherter Triglyceride in diverse Organe und Gewebe – insbesondere Leber, viszerales und braunes Fettgewebe sowie Skelettmuskel. Die Analyse der 13C-Anreicherung im Atem der Mäuse und die Energieumsatzmessungen ergaben nach kurzer Applikation eine erhöhte Fettoxidation, die im weiteren Verlauf der Intervention auf eine erhöhte Kohlenhydratoxidation umgeschaltet wurde. Weiterhin war die orale Applikation von EGCG bei gleichzeitiger Fütterung einer Hochfettdiät von makroskopischen und mikroskopischen degenerativen Veränderungen der Leber begleitet. Diese Effekte wurden nach diätetischer Supplementation der Hochfettdiät mit EGCG nicht beobachtet. Zusammenfassend zeigen die Ergebnisse, dass die Körpergewichts- und Fettgewebs-abnahme durch diätetisches EGCG sich durch eine herabgesetzte Verdaulichkeit der Nahrung erklären lässt. Dies führte zu verschiedenen kurz- und mittelfristigen Veränderungen in der Fettverteilung und im Fettmetabolismus. / The health-promoting properties of green tea are widely accepted. Tea catechins, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), are attributed to many positive effects (anti-oxidative, anti-cancerogen, anti-inflammatory, blood pressure and cholesterol lowering). Mechanisms leading to a reduction of body mass and fat mass in animal experiments are not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine multiple effects of TEAVIGO® application (at least 94% EGCG) in a mouse model in terms of energy and fat metabolism. Expressions of genes involved in these processes were also determined in different organs and tissues. In several animal studies, male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high fat diet supplemented with decaffeinated TEAVIGO® (oral, dietetic) at different dosages. Short- and medium-term effects of EGCG were investigated on energy balance (indirect animal calorimetry), body composition (NMR), exogenous substrate oxidation (stable isotopes: breath tests, incorporation of naturally 13C-enriched triglycerides from corn oil into various organs/tissues), and gene expression (quantitative real-time PCR). Type of application and its duration elicited different effects. Supplemented mice already showed a reduced body fat mass after short- and medium-term treatment. Further administration lead to a reduction of body weight. Regardless of the duration of intervention, both types of application resulted in an increased energy excretion, while food and energy intake was not affected by EGCG. Fecal energy loss was accompanied by an increased fat and nitrogen excretion, which was probably due to an inhibition of digestive enzymes. Fed mice displayed a decreased triglyceride and glycogen content in liver suggesting a reduced absorption of nutrients in the intestine. This was supported by a decreased expression of intestinal fatty acid transporters. However, expression of glucose transporters was increased after short- and medium term application. Furthermore, EGCG attenuated incorporation of naturally 13C-enriched triglycerides into various organs and tissues – particularly liver, visceral and brown adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. Analysis of 13C-enrichment in breath and measurement of energy expenditure revealed an initial increased fat oxidation, which was switched to an increased carbohydrate oxidation over time. Besides, a combination of oral administration of EGCG and high fat feeding was accompanied by macroscopic and microscopic deleterious changes in liver. These effects were not observed after dietary supplementation of EGCG. Altogether, reduction in body mass and fat mass by EGCG can be explained by a decreased food digestibility leading to various short- and medium-term changes in fat distribution and lipid metabolism.

Thesis (MSc.(Anatomy)--Faculty of Health Sciences)-University of Pretoria, 2008.] / Includes bibliographical references.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2014-12-22T20:30:07Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Jordana Nunes de Sousa - 2014.pdf: 2730306 bytes, checksum: 3529cda6d9291d1b7887c15186b6b530 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-12-23T10:06:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Jordana Nunes de Sousa - 2014.pdf: 2730306 bytes, checksum: 3529cda6d9291d1b7887c15186b6b530 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-23T10:06:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Jordana Nunes de Sousa - 2014.pdf: 2730306 bytes, checksum: 3529cda6d9291d1b7887c15186b6b530 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-28 / The present work aimed to obtain extracts from the barks of Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart) Coville (Fabaceae) and evaluating of biological activities in vitro, from them. Chapter 1 using pharmacopoeial and not pharmacopoeial methods; barks, powder and liquid extract of S. adstringens were characterized and then a HPLC method was developed and validated to idenfication of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) at extracts. In Chapter 2, described the cytotoxic activity of the dry extract of S. adstringens, obtained by atomization, and the EGCG standard against L929 fibroblast cells by the method of neutral red. EGCG at 200 µg/mL reduced, p ≤ 0.05, the cell viability of L929 fibroblasts to 47.70%, such as the dried extract of S. adstringens at 225 mg/mL. Chapter 3 presented the obtainment of dry extracts of S. adstringens by atomization. The influence of the proportion of adjuvant drying, the drying air temperature and flow rate of the drying air on total phenols, EGCG, tannins, total antioxidant activity and efficiency of the drying process were evaluated, the significant results (p≤0.05) were obtained by ANOVA and represented by response surface methodology. The increase in the adjuvant drying was not significantly favorable to efficiency of the drying process. Increasing the temperature of the drying air had a quadratic behavior negative to total phenols and positive to total tannins. The increasing of flow air drying showed linear and quadratic behavior. negative to total antioxidant activity. The efficiency of the drying process was not influenced by any variable. The dried extracts were analyzed for their content of volatile, water activity and the morphologies of the particles were observed by scanning electron microscopy. In Chapter 4 we describe the optimization of extraction of total phenols, tannins and epigallocatechin gallate powders of barks of S. adstringens ultrasonic using Box- planning Benhken 33. The use and validation of the desirability global statistical showed that the proportion of ratio drug solvent 4mg/mL, time extraction 30 min and the 65 % (v/v) hydroalcoholic solution are ideal to simultaneous extraction of these metabolites. The results indicate that the extracts were obtained and standardized quality, and have potential to be investigated their biological and/or insertion activities in herbal formulations / O presente trabalho teve como objetivos obter extratos a partir das cascas de Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart) Coville (Fabaceae) e a avaliar as atividades biológicas, in vitro dos mesmos. No capítulo 1, por meio de metodologias farmacopéicas e não farmacopéicas, as cascas, o pó e o extrato líquido de S. adstringens foram caracterizados, em seguida, um método foi desenvolvido e validado por CLAE, para idenficar o galato de epigalocatequina (GEGC) nos extratos. No capítulo 2 está descrito a atividade citotóxica do extrato seco de S. adstringens, obtido por spray dryer, e do padrão de GEGC ante células de fibroblasto L929, pelo método de vermelho neutro. Na concentração de 200 μg/mL o GEGC reduziu significativamente, p≤0,05, a viabilidade celular dos fibroblastos L929 à 47,70%, assim como o extrato seco de S. adstringens nas concentrações de 225 μg/mL. No capítulo 3 está apresentada a obtenção de extratos secos de S. adstringens por atomização. Foram avaliadas a influência da proporção do adjuvante de secagem, da temperatura do ar de secagem e da vazão do ar de secagem sobre os fenóis totais, GEGC, taninos totais, atividade antioxidante total e rendimento do processo de secagem sobre os extratos secos obtidos, os resultados significativos (p≤0,05) foram obtidos por ANOVA e representados pela metodologia de superfície de resposta. O aumento do adjuvante de secagem não foi significativamente favorável apenas para o rendimento do processo de secagem. O aumento da temperatura do ar de secagem apresentou um comportamento quadrático negativo para fenóis e positivo para os taninos totais. O aumento da vazão do ar de secagem apresentou comportamento linear e quadrático negativo para a atividade antioxidante total e o rendimento do processo de secagem não sofreu influência de nenhuma variável. Os extratos secos foram caracterizados quanto aos seus teores de voláteis, atividade de água e as morfologias das partículas foram observadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. No capítulo 4, está descrita a otimização de extração de fenóis totais, taninos totais e galato de epigalocatequina dos pós das cascas de S. adstringens em banho ultrassônico, utilizando um planejamento BoxBenhken 33. A aplicação e validação da função estatística desejabilidade global demonstrou que a proporção de droga/solvente de 4mg/mL, o tempo de 30 min e a solução hidroalcoólica de 65% (v/v) são ideais para a extração simultânea destes metabólitos. Os resultados permitem concluir que os extratos foram obtidos e padronizados com qualidade, e que os mesmo apresentam potencial para investigação de suas atividades biológicas e/ou posterior inserção em formulações fitoterápicas.

No description available.

O chá-verde apresenta efeitos terapêuticos na saúde geral, principalmente em função da epigalocatequina-3-galato (EGCG), componente com comprovada ação antioxidante, antiinflamatória, antimicrobiana, inativadora de endotoxina bacteriana e mineralizadora. Nesse sentido, a EGCG poderia apresentar papel promissor como medicação intracanal, durante o tratamento endodôntico de dentes portadores de necrose pulpar e lesão periapical. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um sistema de liberação tópica de EGCG, para uso no interior do sistema de canais radiculares, caracterizar suas propriedades físico-químicas bem como avaliar a possível alteração de cor dental após sua aplicação no interior dos canais radiculares de dentes decíduos e permanentes. Inicialmente, foi realizada a caracterização físico-química da EGCG por meio de espectrofotometria em Ultravioleta/Visível (UV/Vis), fluorescência e titulação potenciométrica. A seguir, foi desenvolvida uma formulação para liberação tópica prolongada de EGCG, utilizando um veículo viscoso (PEG 400). O comportamento espectral desse novo sistema de liberação de EGCG foi avaliado em função do tempo (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24 e 27 horas) e na presença de dentes (decíduos e permanentes). Para a análise da possível alteração de cor dental, foram utilizados 20 dentes decíduos e 20 dentes permanentes, uniradiculares, recém-extraídos, provenientes do Banco de Dentes da FORP-USP. A cor da coroa dos dentes foi determinada antes (dia 0) e 21, 42 e 56 dias após a aplicação intracanal de EGCG, veiculada em água ou PEG 400, com auxílio do espectrofotômetro digital VITA Easyshade. De acordo com os resultados físico-químicos, o espectro de absorção da EGCG na região do UV/Vis apresentou um pico máximo em 274 nm e na fluorescência um pico máximo de absorção em 393 nm. A EGCG apresentou estabilidade em função do tempo e em meio ácido, tendo comportamento espectral alterado em contato com dentes decíduos e permanentes. Em meio básico o espectro de absorção da EGCG em luz UV/Vis foi alterado para 323 nm. O sistema de liberação tópica intracanal de EGCG não alterou suas propriedades físico-químicas, mantendo os valores de absorção em UV/Vis (278 nm) e fluorescência (377 nm), sua estabilidade em função do tempo e não alterou seu comportamento espectral em contato com dentes decíduos e permanentes. A aplicação do sistema proposto de liberação tópica da EGCG, no interior dos canais radiculares de dentes decíduos e permanentes, não causou alteração de cor dental significativa, após o período de 21, 42 e 56 dias. Com base nas metodologias e nos resultados obtidos no presente estudo pode-se concluir que a EGCG apresenta fluorescência e estabilidade em função do tempo e em meio ácido, enquanto em meio básico e na presença de elementos dentais seu comportamento espectral sofre alteração. O sistema desenvolvido para liberação controlada da EGCG manteve suas propriedades físico-químicas, apresentou estabilidade em função do tempo e não foi alterou seu comportamento espectral na presença dos elementos dentais. Ainda, a aplicação intracanal deste sistema não causou alteração de cor da coroa dental. / Green tea has therapeutic effects on general health, mainly due to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a component with proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, inactivating bacterial endotoxin and mineralization action. In this sense, EGCG could present promising role as an intracanal medication during endodontic treatment of teeth presenting pulp necrosis and periapical lesion. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop a system for topical delivery of EGCG, for use inside the root canal system, characterize their physical and chemical properties as well as to evaluate the possible color change after its application in root canals of deciduous and permanent teeth. Initially, was performed physicochemical characterization of EGCG by spectrophotometry Ultraviolet/Visible (UV/Vis), fluorescence, and potentiometric titulation. Next, a formulation for topical extended release of EGCG using a viscous vehicle (PEG 400) was developed. The spectral characteristic of this new delivery system of EGCG was assessed in function of the medium (acidic, basic or neutral), the time (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24 and 27 hours) and in the presence of teeth (deciduous and permanent). To the analysis of possible tooth color changes, 20 primary teeth and 20 permanent teeth, single-rooted, freshly extracted, from the Bank of Teeth FORP-USP, were used. The color of the tooth crown was determined before (day 0) and 21, 42 and 56 days after intracanal application of EGCG diluted in water or PEG 400, using a digital VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer. According to results the physicochemical spectrum of absorption of the EGCG showed maximum absorption peak at 274 nm in the UV/Vis and at 393 nm in the fluorescence. The EGCG presented stability as a function of time and in acid medium, and its spectral behavior was changed in contact with deciduous and permanent teeth. In basic medium the EGCG absorption spectrum in UV/Vis was changed to 323 nm. The topical delivery system of EGCG intracanal did not change its physicochemical properties, maintaining the values of absorption in UV/Vis (278 nm) and fluorescence (377 nm), its stability as a function of time, and does not change its spectral contact with deciduous and permanent teeth. The application of the proposed system for topical delivery of EGCG in the root canals of deciduous and permanent teeth, did not cause significant tooth color change after the period of 21, 42 and 56 days. Based on the methodologies and the results obtained in this study it can be concluded that EGCG presents fluorescence and stability as a function of time and in an acidic medium, whereas in basic medium and in the presence of dental elements its spectral behavior is changed. The system developed for EGCG controlled release maintains its physicochemical properties, presents stability with time and does not change its spectral behavior in the presence of dental elements. Yet, the intracanal application of this system did not change the color of the teeth\'s crown.

O chá-verde apresenta efeitos terapêuticos na saúde geral, principalmente em função da epigalocatequina-3-galato (EGCG), componente com comprovada ação antioxidante, antiinflamatória, antimicrobiana, inativadora de endotoxina bacteriana e mineralizadora. Nesse sentido, a EGCG poderia apresentar papel promissor como medicação intracanal, durante o tratamento endodôntico de dentes portadores de necrose pulpar e lesão periapical. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um sistema de liberação tópica de EGCG, para uso no interior do sistema de canais radiculares, caracterizar suas propriedades físico-químicas bem como avaliar a possível alteração de cor dental após sua aplicação no interior dos canais radiculares de dentes decíduos e permanentes. Inicialmente, foi realizada a caracterização físico-química da EGCG por meio de espectrofotometria em Ultravioleta/Visível (UV/Vis), fluorescência e titulação potenciométrica. A seguir, foi desenvolvida uma formulação para liberação tópica prolongada de EGCG, utilizando um veículo viscoso (PEG 400). O comportamento espectral desse novo sistema de liberação de EGCG foi avaliado em função do tempo (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24 e 27 horas) e na presença de dentes (decíduos e permanentes). Para a análise da possível alteração de cor dental, foram utilizados 20 dentes decíduos e 20 dentes permanentes, uniradiculares, recém-extraídos, provenientes do Banco de Dentes da FORP-USP. A cor da coroa dos dentes foi determinada antes (dia 0) e 21, 42 e 56 dias após a aplicação intracanal de EGCG, veiculada em água ou PEG 400, com auxílio do espectrofotômetro digital VITA Easyshade. De acordo com os resultados físico-químicos, o espectro de absorção da EGCG na região do UV/Vis apresentou um pico máximo em 274 nm e na fluorescência um pico máximo de absorção em 393 nm. A EGCG apresentou estabilidade em função do tempo e em meio ácido, tendo comportamento espectral alterado em contato com dentes decíduos e permanentes. Em meio básico o espectro de absorção da EGCG em luz UV/Vis foi alterado para 323 nm. O sistema de liberação tópica intracanal de EGCG não alterou suas propriedades físico-químicas, mantendo os valores de absorção em UV/Vis (278 nm) e fluorescência (377 nm), sua estabilidade em função do tempo e não alterou seu comportamento espectral em contato com dentes decíduos e permanentes. A aplicação do sistema proposto de liberação tópica da EGCG, no interior dos canais radiculares de dentes decíduos e permanentes, não causou alteração de cor dental significativa, após o período de 21, 42 e 56 dias. Com base nas metodologias e nos resultados obtidos no presente estudo pode-se concluir que a EGCG apresenta fluorescência e estabilidade em função do tempo e em meio ácido, enquanto em meio básico e na presença de elementos dentais seu comportamento espectral sofre alteração. O sistema desenvolvido para liberação controlada da EGCG manteve suas propriedades físico-químicas, apresentou estabilidade em função do tempo e não foi alterou seu comportamento espectral na presença dos elementos dentais. Ainda, a aplicação intracanal deste sistema não causou alteração de cor da coroa dental. / Green tea has therapeutic effects on general health, mainly due to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a component with proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, inactivating bacterial endotoxin and mineralization action. In this sense, EGCG could present promising role as an intracanal medication during endodontic treatment of teeth presenting pulp necrosis and periapical lesion. Thus, the objective of this study was to develop a system for topical delivery of EGCG, for use inside the root canal system, characterize their physical and chemical properties as well as to evaluate the possible color change after its application in root canals of deciduous and permanent teeth. Initially, was performed physicochemical characterization of EGCG by spectrophotometry Ultraviolet/Visible (UV/Vis), fluorescence, and potentiometric titulation. Next, a formulation for topical extended release of EGCG using a viscous vehicle (PEG 400) was developed. The spectral characteristic of this new delivery system of EGCG was assessed in function of the medium (acidic, basic or neutral), the time (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24 and 27 hours) and in the presence of teeth (deciduous and permanent). To the analysis of possible tooth color changes, 20 primary teeth and 20 permanent teeth, single-rooted, freshly extracted, from the Bank of Teeth FORP-USP, were used. The color of the tooth crown was determined before (day 0) and 21, 42 and 56 days after intracanal application of EGCG diluted in water or PEG 400, using a digital VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer. According to results the physicochemical spectrum of absorption of the EGCG showed maximum absorption peak at 274 nm in the UV/Vis and at 393 nm in the fluorescence. The EGCG presented stability as a function of time and in acid medium, and its spectral behavior was changed in contact with deciduous and permanent teeth. In basic medium the EGCG absorption spectrum in UV/Vis was changed to 323 nm. The topical delivery system of EGCG intracanal did not change its physicochemical properties, maintaining the values of absorption in UV/Vis (278 nm) and fluorescence (377 nm), its stability as a function of time, and does not change its spectral contact with deciduous and permanent teeth. The application of the proposed system for topical delivery of EGCG in the root canals of deciduous and permanent teeth, did not cause significant tooth color change after the period of 21, 42 and 56 days. Based on the methodologies and the results obtained in this study it can be concluded that EGCG presents fluorescence and stability as a function of time and in an acidic medium, whereas in basic medium and in the presence of dental elements its spectral behavior is changed. The system developed for EGCG controlled release maintains its physicochemical properties, presents stability with time and does not change its spectral behavior in the presence of dental elements. Yet, the intracanal application of this system did not change the color of the teeth\'s crown.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2007. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-84). Also available online.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Down syndrome (DS) is caused by trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) and occurs in ~1 of every 700 live births. Individuals with DS present craniofacial abnormalities, specifically an undersized, dysmorphic mandible which may lead to difficulty with eating, breathing, and speech. Using the Ts65Dn DS mouse model, which mirrors these phenotypes and contains three copies of ~50% Hsa21 homologues, our lab has traced the mandibular deficit to a neural crest cell (NCC) deficiency in the first pharyngeal arch (PA1 or mandibular precursor) at embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5). At E9.5, the PA1 is reduced in size and contains fewer cells due to fewer NCC populating the PA1 from the neural tube (NT) as well as reduced cellular proliferation in the PA1. We hypothesize that both the deficits in NCC migration and proliferation may cause the reduction in size of the PA1. To identify potential genetic mechanisms responsible for trisomic PA1 deficits, we generated RNA-sequence (RNA-seq) data from euploid and trisomic E9.25 NT and E9.5 PA1 (time points occurring before and after observed deficits) using a next-generation sequencing platform. Analysis of RNA-seq data revealed differential trisomic expression of 53 genes from E9.25 NT and 364 genes from E9.5 PA1, five of which are present in three copies in Ts65Dn. We also further analyzed the data to find that fewer alternative splicing events occur in trisomic tissues compared to euploid tissues and in PA1 tissue compared to NT tissue. In a subsequent study, to test gene-specific treatments to rescue PA1 deficits, we targeted Dyrk1A, an overexpressed DS candidate gene implicated in many DS phenotypes and predicted to cause the NCC and PA1 deficiencies. We hypothesize that treatment of pregnant Ts65Dn mothers with Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a known Dyrk1A inhibitor, will correct NCC deficits and rescue the undersized PA1 in trisomic E9.5 embryos. To test our hypothesis, we treated pregnant Ts65Dn mothers with EGCG from either gestational day 7 (G7) to G8 or G0 to G9.5. Our study found an increase in PA1 volume and NCC number in trisomic E9.5 embryos after treatment on G7 and G8, but observed no significant improvements in NCC deficits following G0-G9.5 treatment. We also observed a developmental delay of embryos from trisomic mothers treated with EGCG from G0-G9.5. Together, these data show that timing and sufficient dosage of EGCG treatment is most effective during the developmental window the few days before NCC deficits arise, during G7 and G8, and may be ineffective or harmful when administered at earlier developmental time points. Together, the findings of both studies offer a better understanding of potential mechanisms altered by trisomy as well as preclinical evidence for EGCG as a potential prenatal therapy for craniofacial disorders linked to DS.

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of disability in adults in America. It is a progressive and degenerative disease where the articular cartilage is broken down and lost from the surfaces of bones causing chronic pain and swelling in the joints, and currently has no cure. The most commonly osteoarthritis starts from a focal lesion on the cartilage surface, which will expand on the surface and downwards through the thickness of the tissue. The current gold standard for correcting cartilage focal lesions is the osteochondral autograft/allograft transplantation (OAT), which replaces the defect with a fresh osteochondral graft. The main limiting factor for using the OAT comes from the limited number of autograft and allografts that are available for implantation. To address the concern of graft availability, this study will look at the development of a porcine osteochondral xenograft (OCXG). The first aim of this research is to establish a decellularization protocol that will remove the antigens and cellular debris, which are the leading causes of graft rejection when implanting animal tissue in humans. The second aim of this study is restoring the mechanical strength of the OCXG that was lost during the decellularization process through crosslinking the tissue using genipin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The third aim is comparing the performance of the complete crosslinked OCXG at different degrees of crosslinking in a long-term goat animal model. The final aim is an alternative way to correct focal lesions through the development of an injectable collagen stabilizing treatment with genipin and punicalagin that will slow or stop the growth of a lesion and prevent osteoarthritis.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Down syndrome (DS) is the result of trisomy of human chromosome 21 (Hsa 21) and occurs in approximately 1/700 live births. Mouse models of DS have been crucial in understanding the gene-phenotype relationships that underlie many DS anomalies. The Ts65Dn mouse model, trisomic for half of the Hsa 21 orthologs replicates many DS phenotypes including craniofacial alterations such as a small, dysmorphic mandible, midface, and maxilla. Other mouse models, such as the Ts1Rhr which contains a triplication of 33 Hsa 21 orthologs, have been used to better understand the genes responsible for craniofacial alterations. Our laboratory has demonstrated that the postnatal mandibular phenotype found in Ts65Dn mice can be traced back to an original neural crest cell (NCc) deficit in the developing first pharyngeal arch (PA1) at embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5). Furthermore, evidence suggested that both a proliferation deficit in the PA1 and a migration deficit in the NCC from the neural tube (NT) could be the mechanism behind this deficit. However, the molecular mechanisms behind these deficits remain to be elucidated. Due to the involvement of the Hsa 21 genes DYRK1A and RCAN1 in regulation of signaling pathways including NFATc (NFAT2), a transcription factor known to influence cellular proliferation and, later, bone development, we hypothesized that dysregulation of these genes could underlie the cellular deficit in the PA1. Furthermore, we hypothesized that targeting Dyrk1a by decreasing activity or available protein could ameliorate the established deficits. Through the use of RNA isolation techniques and cell culture systems of cell from the PA1 and NT of E9.5 Ts65Dn, Ts1Rhr, and control embryos, we established that trisomic genes Dyrk1a and Rcan1 ara dysregulated in both structures and that these two genes may interact. Furthermore, we established that a proliferation deficit in the Ts65Dn PA1 and a migration deficit in the Ts65Dn PA1 and NT exists at E9.5 and can be rescued to euploid levels in vitro with the addition of the Dyrk1a inhibitor, EGCG, a green tea polyphenol. We also confirmed that harmine, a more highly studied and specific Dyrk1a inhibitor, is capable of similar effects on proliferation of PA1 cell from E9.5 Ts65Dn embryos. Furthermore, when Ts65Dn pregnant mothers were treated with EGCG in vivo, the cellular deficit found in the developing E9.5 embryonic PA1 was rescued to near euploid volume and NCC number. Treatment with EGCG did not adversely impact litter size or embryonic development. Interestingly, euploid embryonic volume increased with EGCG treatment. Expression analysis of the E9.5 PA1 of EGCG treated Ts65Dn and control embryos revealed dysregulation of several genes involved in craniofacial and developmental pathways including Dyrk1a, Rcan1, Ets2 and members of the sonic hedgehog pathways. Our novel results provide a foundation for better understanding the molecular mechanisms of craniofacial development and may provide evidence-based therapeutic options to improve the quality of life for individuals with DS.