MAGALHÃES JÚNIOR, Guilherme Augusto. Esferas de goma do cajueiro e quitosana para liberação de fármacos. 2007. 98 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em química)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2007. / Submitted by Elineudson Ribeiro (elineudsonr@gmail.com) on 2016-06-07T17:48:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_dis_gamagalhaesjunior.pdf: 2806397 bytes, checksum: ecc1ce90d7203c38944d44888d276ba9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-06-21T17:27:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_dis_gamagalhaesjunior.pdf: 2806397 bytes, checksum: ecc1ce90d7203c38944d44888d276ba9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-21T17:27:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_dis_gamagalhaesjunior.pdf: 2806397 bytes, checksum: ecc1ce90d7203c38944d44888d276ba9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Cashew gum based beads were produced through interpenetrating polymer networks and polyelectrolyte complexation techniques. Beads of chitosan (CH) and cashew gum (CG)/CH were further crosslinked with genipin obtained from “genipapo” fruits. This crosslinking agent was characterized by proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. Beads of CH and CH/CG were doped with sodium diclofenac and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Electron Microscopy. Beads degree of swelling and the drug release kinetics were also determined. It was found that CH/CG beads contained up to 83 % CG and maximum swelling occurred at pH 1.2. The higher the crosslinking density, the lower were the swelling degree and the diffusion coefficient. Moreover, drug release was also found to decrease with increasing crosslinking density and no drug release occurred at pH 7.4 for CH/CG beads crosslinked with genipin, although non-crossliked bead did release the drug at that pH. CH/CG beads drug release was found to follow a non-Fickian mechanism. Polyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan and carboxymethylated cashew gum (CCM) in beads form were also investigated regarding the effects of molar mass and degree of substitution of CCM on the swelling degree and on bovine serum albumin (BSA) release. Data obtained revealed that both of molar mass and degree of substitution affect beads swelling degree and water diffusion coefficient. / Esferas à base de goma do cajueiro foram produzidas utilizando como técnicas a formação de redes interpenetradas e a complexação polieletrolítica. Esferas de quitosana (QT) e quitosana/goma do cajueiro (QT/GC) sintetizadas via formação de redes interpenetradas foram reticuladas com genipina. A genipina foi isolada a partir do fruto do jenipapo e caracterizada por espectroscopia de infravermelho e RMN de 1H e 13C. As esferas de quitosana (QT) e quitosana/goma do cajueiro (QT/GC) reticuladas com genipina foram caracterizadas por: ensaio de intumescimento, ensaio de liberação, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho. Pelo método do açúcar total verificou-se que 83% da goma foi incorporada às esferas. Os ensaios de intumescimento indicam que as esferas de QT/GC reticuladas têm intumescimento máximo em pH 1,2. O aumento da concentração da genipina na reticulação das esferas faz com que ocorra uma diminuição na taxa de intumescimento devido ao aumento do grau de reticulação. O coeficiente de difusão diminui com o aumento da densidade de reticulação para as esferas de QT e QT/GC. Nos ensaios de liberação constatou-se que em tampão pH 7,4 que as esferas sem reticulação são capazes de intumescer e liberar o fármaco (diclofenaco de sódio), porem não ocorreu liberação de fármaco em esferas de QT/GC reticuladas com genipina neste meio. As esferas de QT/GC reticuladas com genipina liberam diclofenaco de sódio em solução de pH 1,2 e a liberação do fármaco é inversamente proporcional à concentração de agente reticulante. A liberação de fármaco em esferas QT/GC ocorre por um mecanismo não Fickiano. Complexos polieletrolíticos de quitosana e goma do cajueiro carboximetilada (CCM) na forma de esferas também foram estudadas avaliando-se o efeito da massa molar da quitosana e do grau de substituição (GS) da goma do cajueiro carboximetilada no grau de intumescimento e liberação de albumina sérica bovina (BSA). A massa molar da quitosana e o GS da goma carboximetilada influenciam a cinética de intumescimento e o coeficiente de difusão de água nas esferas. Entretanto, na liberação do fármaco o fator mais importante na modulação da liberação é o grau de substituição da goma carboximetilada.

Este trabalho teve como principal objetivo produzir membranas porosas de carboximetilquitosana e hidrogéis de quitosana com propriedades físico-químicas e mecânicas adequadas para aplicações em Engenharia de Tecidos. Para isso, quitosanas com diferentes graus de acetilação (4,0%<GA<40%) e de elevada massa molar média viscosimétrica (Mv>750.000 g.mol-1) foram produzidas através da aplicação de processos consecutivos de desacetilação assistida por irradiação de ultrassom de alta intensidade (DAIUS) à beta-quitina extraída de gládios de lulas Doryteuthis spp. A carboximetilação de quitosana extensivamente desacetilada (Qs-3; GA=4%) foi realizada pela reação com ácido monocloroacético em meio isopropanol/solução aquosa de NaOH, gerando a amostra CMQs-0 (GS≈0,98; Mv≈190.000 g.mol-1). A irradiação de ultrassom de alta intensidade foi empregada para tratar solução aquosa de CMQs-0 durante 1 h e 3 h, resultando nas amostras CMQs-1 (Mv≈94.000 g.mol-1) e CMQs-3 (Mv≈43.000 g.mol-1), respectivamente. Para a produção de membranas reticuladas, genipina foi adicionada em diferentes concentrações (1,0x10-4 mol.L-1, 3,0x10-4 mol.L-1 ou 5,0x10-4 mol.L-1) às soluções aquosas das CMQs, que foram vertidas em placas de Petri e a reação de reticulação procedeu por 24 h. Em seguida, as membranas reticuladas (M-CMQs) foram liofilizadas, neutralizadas, lavadas e liofilizadas novamente, resultando em nove amostras, que foram caracterizadas quanto ao grau médio de reticulação (GR), grau médio de hidratação (GH), morfologia, propriedades mecânicas e quanto à susceptibilidade à degradação por lisozima. O grau médio de reticulação (GR) foi tanto maior quanto maior a concentração de genipina empregada na reação, variando de GR≈3,3% (M-CMQs-01) a GR≈17,8% (M-CMQs-35). As análises de MEV revelaram que as membranas reticuladas M-CMQs são estruturas porosas que apresentam maior densidade de poros aparentes quanto maiores os valores de Mve GR. Entretanto, as membranas preparadas a partir de CMQs de elevada massa molar (Mv>94.000 g.mol-1) e pouco reticuladas (GR<10%), apresentaram propriedades mecânicas superiores em termos de resistência máxima à tração (>170 kPa) e elongação máxima à ruptura (>40%). Por outro lado, as membranas mais susceptíveis à degradação enzimática foram aquelas preparadas a partir de CMQs de baixa massa molar (Mv≈43.000 g.mol-1) e que exibiram baixos graus de reticulação (GR<11%). Hidrogéis estáveis de quitosana sem o uso de qualquer agente de reticulação externo foram produzidos a partir da gelificação de soluções aquosas de quitosana com solução de NaOH ou vapor de NH3. Os hidrogéis produzidos a partir de soluções de quitosana de elevada massa molar média ponderal (Mw≈640.000 g.mol-1) e extensivamente desacetilada (DA≈2,8%) em concentrações poliméricas acima 2,0%, exibiram melhores propriedades mecânicas com o aumento da concentração polimérica, devido à formação de numerosos emaranhamentos físicos das cadeias poliméricas em solução. Os resultados mostram que as propriedades físico-químicas e mecânicas dos hidrogéis de quitosana podem ser controladas variando a concentração do polímero e o processo de gelificação. A avaliação biológica de tais hidrogéis para a regeneração de miocárdio infartado de ratos revelou que os hidrogéis de quitosana preparados a partir de soluções de polímero a 1,5% foram perfeitamente incorporados sobre a superfície do epicárdio do coração e apresentaram degradação parcial acompanhada por infiltração de células mononucleares. / The aim of this study was to produce and characterize porous membranes of carboxymethylchitosan and chitosan-based hydrogel with physicochemical and mechanical properties appropriate for applications in tissue engineering. For this, chitosans with different degrees of acetylation (4,0%<GA<40%) and high viscosity average molecular weight (Mv>750.000 g.mol-1) were produced by application of consecutive processes of ultrasound-assisted deacetylation (USAD) of the beta-chitin extracted from squid pens (Doryteuthis spp.). The carboxymethylation of extensively deacetylated chitosan (Qs-3; DA=4%) was carried out by reaction with monochloroacetic acid in isopropanol/aqueous NaOH, producing CMQs-0 sample (GS≈0,98; Mv≈190.000 g.mol-1). The ultrasonic irradiation was employed to depolymerize the CMQs-0 samples by irradiation for 1 h and 3 h, resulting in CMQs-1 samples (Mv≈94.000 g.mol-1) and CMQs-3 (Mv≈43.000 g.mol-1), respectively. For the production of crosslinked membranes, genipin was added at different concentrations (1,0x10-4 mol.L-1, 3,0x10-4 mol.L-1 ou 5,0x10-4 mol.L-1) in the aqueous solutions of CMQs, which were poured into Petri dishes and the crosslinking reaction proceeded for 24 h. Then, the crosslinked membranes (M-CMQs) were lyophilized, neutralized, washed, and lyophilized again resulting in nine samples which were characterized by crosslinking degree (CrD), swelling ration (SR), morphology, mechanical properties and the susceptibility to enzymatic degradation by lysozyme. The crosslinking degree (CrD) increased with increasing concentration of genipin used in the reaction, varying from CrD≈3.3% (M-CMQs-01) to CrD≈17.8% (M-CMQs-35). The SEM analysis showed that the crosslinked membranes M-CMQs are porous structures that have a higher apparent pores density with increasing values of Mv and CrD. However, the membranes prepared from high molecular weight CMQs (Mv>94.000 g.mol-1) and low crosslinked (GR<10%) showed superior mechanical properties in terms of ultimate tensile strength (>170 kPa) and maximum elongation at break (>40%). However, the more susceptible membrane to enzymatic degradation was prepared from low molecular weight CMQs (Mv≈43.000 g.mol-1) and low cross-linking degrees (GR<11%). Stable chitosan hydrogels without any external crosslinking agent was successfully achieved by inducing the gelation of a viscous chitosan solution with aqueous NaOH or gaseous NH3. The hydrogels produced from high molecular weight (Mw≈640.000 g.mol-1) and extensively deacetylated chitosan (DA≈2,8%) at polymer concentrations above ≈2.0% exhibited improved mechanical properties due to the increase of the chain entanglements and intermolecular junctions. The results also show that the physicochemical and mechanical properties of chitosan hydrogels can be controlled by varying their polymer concentration and by controlling the gelation kinetics, i.e. by using different gelation routes. The biological evaluation of such hydrogels for regeneration of infarcted myocardium revealed that chitosan hydrogels prepared from 1.5% polymer solutions was perfectly incorporated onto the epicardial surface of the heart and presented partial degradation accompanied by mononuclear cell infiltration.

A method was developed to produce and incorporate a network of discrete, genipin-crosslinked gelatin microfibers around a pancreatic islet within a barium alginate microcapsule. This technique allows for the encapsulation of a porous fibrous matrix without the geometrical restrictions required for cellular aggregate seeding. Microfibers were produced from a novel vortex-drawn extrusion system with an alginate support matrix. Optimization culminated in a hydrated fiber diameter of 22.3 ± 0.4 μm, a 98% reduction in cross sectional area, while making the process more reliable and less labour intensive. The optimized microfibers were encapsulated at 40 vol% within 294 ± 4 μm 1.6% barium alginate microparticles by an electrostatic-mediated dropwise extrusion system. Pancreatic islets extracted from Sprague Dawley rats were encapsulated within the microparticles, and analyzed over a 21-day preliminary in vitro study. Acridine orange and propidium iodide fluorescent viability staining and light microscopy indicated a significant increase in viability for the fiber-laden particles relative to fiber-free control particles at days 7, 14, and 21. The fiber-laden system also reduced the incidence of disrupted islet cohesion from 31% to 8% at day 21, and showed evidence of islet-fiber adhesion. Preliminary investigations into insulin secretion and metabolic activity showed no significant difference between test and control groups. Further investigation into benefits of islet encapsulation within an extracellular matrix fiber network will be the subject of future studies with this body of work serving as a foundation. The system developed in this investigation could be developed into a modular scaffold system for tissue engineering beyond the field of islet research. / Thesis (Master, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-08-18 15:05:50.917

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de NÃvel Superior / Esferas à base de goma do cajueiro foram produzidas utilizando como tÃcnicas a formaÃÃo de redes interpenetradas e a complexaÃÃo polieletrolÃtica. Esferas de quitosana (QT) e quitosana/goma do cajueiro (QT/GC) sintetizadas via formaÃÃo de redes interpenetradas foram reticuladas com genipina. A genipina foi isolada a partir do fruto do jenipapo e caracterizada por espectroscopia de infravermelho e RMN de 1H e 13C. As esferas de quitosana (QT) e quitosana/goma do cajueiro (QT/GC) reticuladas com genipina foram caracterizadas por: ensaio de intumescimento, ensaio de liberaÃÃo, microscopia eletrÃnica de varredura e espectroscopia de absorÃÃo na regiÃo do infravermelho. Pelo mÃtodo do aÃÃcar total verificou-se que 83% da goma foi incorporada Ãs esferas. Os ensaios de intumescimento indicam que as esferas de QT/GC reticuladas tÃm intumescimento mÃximo em pH 1,2. O aumento da concentraÃÃo da genipina na reticulaÃÃo das esferas faz com que ocorra uma diminuiÃÃo na taxa de intumescimento devido ao aumento do grau de reticulaÃÃo. O coeficiente de difusÃo diminui com o aumento da densidade de reticulaÃÃo para as esferas de QT e QT/GC. Nos ensaios de liberaÃÃo constatou-se que em tampÃo pH 7,4 que as esferas sem reticulaÃÃo sÃo capazes de intumescer e liberar o fÃrmaco (diclofenaco de sÃdio), porem nÃo ocorreu liberaÃÃo de fÃrmaco em esferas de QT/GC reticuladas com genipina neste meio. As esferas de QT/GC reticuladas com genipina liberam diclofenaco de sÃdio em soluÃÃo de pH 1,2 e a liberaÃÃo do fÃrmaco à inversamente proporcional à concentraÃÃo de agente reticulante. A liberaÃÃo de fÃrmaco em esferas QT/GC ocorre por um mecanismo nÃo Fickiano. Complexos polieletrolÃticos de quitosana e goma do cajueiro carboximetilada (CCM) na forma de esferas tambÃm foram estudadas avaliando-se o efeito da massa molar da quitosana e do grau de substituiÃÃo (GS) da goma do cajueiro carboximetilada no grau de intumescimento e liberaÃÃo de albumina sÃrica bovina (BSA). A massa molar da quitosana e o GS da goma carboximetilada influenciam a cinÃtica de intumescimento e o coeficiente de difusÃo de Ãgua nas esferas. Entretanto, na liberaÃÃo do fÃrmaco o fator mais importante na modulaÃÃo da liberaÃÃo à o grau de substituiÃÃo da goma carboximetilada / Cashew gum based beads were produced through interpenetrating polymer networks and polyelectrolyte complexation techniques. Beads of chitosan (CH) and cashew gum (CG)/CH were further crosslinked with genipin obtained from âgenipapoâ fruits. This crosslinking agent was characterized by proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. Beads of CH and CH/CG were doped with sodium diclofenac and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Electron Microscopy. Beads degree of swelling and the drug release kinetics were also determined. It was found that CH/CG beads contained up to 83 % CG and maximum swelling occurred at pH 1.2. The higher the crosslinking density, the lower were the swelling degree and the diffusion coefficient. Moreover, drug release was also found to decrease with increasing crosslinking density and no drug release occurred at pH 7.4 for CH/CG beads crosslinked with genipin, although non-crossliked bead did release the drug at that pH. CH/CG beads drug release was found to follow a non-Fickian mechanism. Polyelectrolyte complexes of chitosan and carboxymethylated cashew gum (CCM) in beads form were also investigated regarding the effects of molar mass and degree of substitution of CCM on the swelling degree and on bovine serum albumin (BSA) release. Data obtained revealed that both of molar mass and degree of substitution affect beads swelling degree and water diffusion coefficient

Este trabalho teve como principal objetivo produzir membranas porosas de carboximetilquitosana e hidrogéis de quitosana com propriedades físico-químicas e mecânicas adequadas para aplicações em Engenharia de Tecidos. Para isso, quitosanas com diferentes graus de acetilação (4,0%<GA<40%) e de elevada massa molar média viscosimétrica (Mv>750.000 g.mol-1) foram produzidas através da aplicação de processos consecutivos de desacetilação assistida por irradiação de ultrassom de alta intensidade (DAIUS) à beta-quitina extraída de gládios de lulas Doryteuthis spp. A carboximetilação de quitosana extensivamente desacetilada (Qs-3; GA=4%) foi realizada pela reação com ácido monocloroacético em meio isopropanol/solução aquosa de NaOH, gerando a amostra CMQs-0 (GS≈0,98; Mv≈190.000 g.mol-1). A irradiação de ultrassom de alta intensidade foi empregada para tratar solução aquosa de CMQs-0 durante 1 h e 3 h, resultando nas amostras CMQs-1 (Mv≈94.000 g.mol-1) e CMQs-3 (Mv≈43.000 g.mol-1), respectivamente. Para a produção de membranas reticuladas, genipina foi adicionada em diferentes concentrações (1,0x10-4 mol.L-1, 3,0x10-4 mol.L-1 ou 5,0x10-4 mol.L-1) às soluções aquosas das CMQs, que foram vertidas em placas de Petri e a reação de reticulação procedeu por 24 h. Em seguida, as membranas reticuladas (M-CMQs) foram liofilizadas, neutralizadas, lavadas e liofilizadas novamente, resultando em nove amostras, que foram caracterizadas quanto ao grau médio de reticulação (GR), grau médio de hidratação (GH), morfologia, propriedades mecânicas e quanto à susceptibilidade à degradação por lisozima. O grau médio de reticulação (GR) foi tanto maior quanto maior a concentração de genipina empregada na reação, variando de GR≈3,3% (M-CMQs-01) a GR≈17,8% (M-CMQs-35). As análises de MEV revelaram que as membranas reticuladas M-CMQs são estruturas porosas que apresentam maior densidade de poros aparentes quanto maiores os valores de Mve GR. Entretanto, as membranas preparadas a partir de CMQs de elevada massa molar (Mv>94.000 g.mol-1) e pouco reticuladas (GR<10%), apresentaram propriedades mecânicas superiores em termos de resistência máxima à tração (>170 kPa) e elongação máxima à ruptura (>40%). Por outro lado, as membranas mais susceptíveis à degradação enzimática foram aquelas preparadas a partir de CMQs de baixa massa molar (Mv≈43.000 g.mol-1) e que exibiram baixos graus de reticulação (GR<11%). Hidrogéis estáveis de quitosana sem o uso de qualquer agente de reticulação externo foram produzidos a partir da gelificação de soluções aquosas de quitosana com solução de NaOH ou vapor de NH3. Os hidrogéis produzidos a partir de soluções de quitosana de elevada massa molar média ponderal (Mw≈640.000 g.mol-1) e extensivamente desacetilada (DA≈2,8%) em concentrações poliméricas acima 2,0%, exibiram melhores propriedades mecânicas com o aumento da concentração polimérica, devido à formação de numerosos emaranhamentos físicos das cadeias poliméricas em solução. Os resultados mostram que as propriedades físico-químicas e mecânicas dos hidrogéis de quitosana podem ser controladas variando a concentração do polímero e o processo de gelificação. A avaliação biológica de tais hidrogéis para a regeneração de miocárdio infartado de ratos revelou que os hidrogéis de quitosana preparados a partir de soluções de polímero a 1,5% foram perfeitamente incorporados sobre a superfície do epicárdio do coração e apresentaram degradação parcial acompanhada por infiltração de células mononucleares. / The aim of this study was to produce and characterize porous membranes of carboxymethylchitosan and chitosan-based hydrogel with physicochemical and mechanical properties appropriate for applications in tissue engineering. For this, chitosans with different degrees of acetylation (4,0%<GA<40%) and high viscosity average molecular weight (Mv>750.000 g.mol-1) were produced by application of consecutive processes of ultrasound-assisted deacetylation (USAD) of the beta-chitin extracted from squid pens (Doryteuthis spp.). The carboxymethylation of extensively deacetylated chitosan (Qs-3; DA=4%) was carried out by reaction with monochloroacetic acid in isopropanol/aqueous NaOH, producing CMQs-0 sample (GS≈0,98; Mv≈190.000 g.mol-1). The ultrasonic irradiation was employed to depolymerize the CMQs-0 samples by irradiation for 1 h and 3 h, resulting in CMQs-1 samples (Mv≈94.000 g.mol-1) and CMQs-3 (Mv≈43.000 g.mol-1), respectively. For the production of crosslinked membranes, genipin was added at different concentrations (1,0x10-4 mol.L-1, 3,0x10-4 mol.L-1 ou 5,0x10-4 mol.L-1) in the aqueous solutions of CMQs, which were poured into Petri dishes and the crosslinking reaction proceeded for 24 h. Then, the crosslinked membranes (M-CMQs) were lyophilized, neutralized, washed, and lyophilized again resulting in nine samples which were characterized by crosslinking degree (CrD), swelling ration (SR), morphology, mechanical properties and the susceptibility to enzymatic degradation by lysozyme. The crosslinking degree (CrD) increased with increasing concentration of genipin used in the reaction, varying from CrD≈3.3% (M-CMQs-01) to CrD≈17.8% (M-CMQs-35). The SEM analysis showed that the crosslinked membranes M-CMQs are porous structures that have a higher apparent pores density with increasing values of Mv and CrD. However, the membranes prepared from high molecular weight CMQs (Mv>94.000 g.mol-1) and low crosslinked (GR<10%) showed superior mechanical properties in terms of ultimate tensile strength (>170 kPa) and maximum elongation at break (>40%). However, the more susceptible membrane to enzymatic degradation was prepared from low molecular weight CMQs (Mv≈43.000 g.mol-1) and low cross-linking degrees (GR<11%). Stable chitosan hydrogels without any external crosslinking agent was successfully achieved by inducing the gelation of a viscous chitosan solution with aqueous NaOH or gaseous NH3. The hydrogels produced from high molecular weight (Mw≈640.000 g.mol-1) and extensively deacetylated chitosan (DA≈2,8%) at polymer concentrations above ≈2.0% exhibited improved mechanical properties due to the increase of the chain entanglements and intermolecular junctions. The results also show that the physicochemical and mechanical properties of chitosan hydrogels can be controlled by varying their polymer concentration and by controlling the gelation kinetics, i.e. by using different gelation routes. The biological evaluation of such hydrogels for regeneration of infarcted myocardium revealed that chitosan hydrogels prepared from 1.5% polymer solutions was perfectly incorporated onto the epicardial surface of the heart and presented partial degradation accompanied by mononuclear cell infiltration.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and the dysfunction of β-cells. While there are several therapies for T2D, there is no effective treatment that can reverse the functional decline of pancreatic β cells in T2D patients. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a peptide hormone secreted by human intestinal L cells, which can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of β cells and promote glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), thereby playing a critical role in maintaining glycemic homeostasis. Recently, GLP-1-based medications have been developed for treating T2D. However, most of the GLP-1-based drugs are expensive and have significant adverse effects. Therefore, development of safer and more convenient agents that can mimic the physiologically fed state to promote endogenous GLP-1 secretory function of intestinal L-cells to improve glucose homeostasis holds great potential for the prevention and treatment of T2D. This project aimed to examine whether natural compound genipin promotes intestinal GLP-1 secretion and exerts anti-diabetic effects. I found that genipin rapidly increased GLP-1 secretion from intestinal L-cells, with 10 and 100 μM concentration inducing significant incretin hormone release. L-cells exposed to genipin displayed a rapid increase in intracellular [Ca²⁺]i and the activity of phospholipase C (PLC). Inhibition of PLC ablated genipin-stimulated Ca²⁺] increase and GLP-1 secretion, suggesting that genipin-induced GLP-1 release from the cells depends on the PLC/Ca²⁺ pathway. In vivo, genipin reduced the non-fasting and fasting blood glucose levels, improved insulin resistance, and protected again high fat diet-induced liver damage. All together, these data indicate that genipin is a naturally occurring anti-diabetic agent, which could be a pharmaceutical lead for developing anti-diabetic drugs. / M.S. / More than 34 million Americans are suffering from diabetes, with over 90% of these cases being type 2 diabetes (T2D). Loss of β-cell mass and function is central to the deterioration of glycemic control over time in T2D. Therefore, preservation or improvement of β-cell mass and its insulin secretory function could prevent and treat T2D. While there are several pharmaceutical therapies for T2D, no effective treatment is available for reversing functional decline of pancreatic β-cells in T2D patients. It has been well recognized that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is an incretin hormone secreted from intestinal L-cells, plays a critical role in maintaining glycemic homeostasis via potentiating glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and promoting β-cell proliferation. This present work is to determine whether natural compound genipin promotes intestinal GLP-1 secretion and thus exerts anti-diabetic effect.

O consumo e a utilização de produtos naturais, tanto para a alimentação quanto para utilização industrial é cada vez mais frequente. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo principal extrair um iridoide natural a partir do jenipapo, a genipina, a fim de empregá-la como agente de ativação em suportes de quitosana para imobilização de enzimas. Já que, dentre os agentes conhecidos este é o menos tóxico para este tipo de aplicação. Adicionalmente, foi iniciado um estudo para a construção de uma lactase recombinante visando a sua imobilização e síntese de prebióticos. Inicialmente, o jenipapo (Genipa americana L.), que pode possuir até 3 % de genipina disponível em seu fruto, foi submetido a diferentes condições de extração enzimática em um sistema aquoso bifásico (SAB). Com o intuito de compará-la com seu possível substituinte, o glutaraldeído, géis de quitosana foram produzidos e reticulados tanto com genipina quanto com glutaraldeído para avaliação das suas propriedades texturais e reológicas. Após, duas β-galactosidases modelos, de Kluyveromyces lactis e de Aspergillus oryzae, foram imobilizadas nos suportes de quitosana preparados a fim de avaliar a capacidade catalítica das enzimas imobilizadas O tratamento com a enzima comercial Celluclast à 10 % (v/v), a 36 °C e pH 3,7, promoveu a obtenção de 196 mg de genipina por grama de jenipapo – a maior concentração descrita na literatura. Quanto aos géis de quitosana reticulados, a utilização de 0,5 % de genipina (m/v) resultou em géis com propriedades texturais superiores e propriedades reológicas similares aos géis reticulados com 3 % de glutaraldeído (v/v). No geral, a hidrólise da lactose com a β-galactosidase de K. lactis imobilizada em quitosana ativada com 0,5 % de genipina (m/v) foi superior ao grau de hidrólise alcançada com as β-galactosidases imobilizadas em quitosana ativada com 3 % de glutaraldeído (v/v) (87 % e 9 %, respectivamente). Assim, a genipina extraída mostrou ser uma excelente substituta do glutaraldeído na ativação da quitosana e para utilização na imobilização de enzimas. Por fim, foi realizado o estudo para obtenção de uma β-galactosidase recombinante visando a síntese de galacto-oligossacarídeos (GOS). / The consumption and use of natural products, both for food or for industrial use is increasingly common. Thus, the main objective of this work was to extract a natural iridoid from genipap, genipin, in order to use it as an crosslinking agent in chitosan supports for immobilization of enzymes. Since, among the known agents, it is the least toxic for this type of application. In addition, a study was started for a construction of a recombinant lactase aiming at its immobilization and synthesis of prebiotics. Initially, which may have up to 3% genipin available in its fruit, was submitted to different enzyme-assisted extractions in an aqueous biphasic system (ABS). Moreover, in order to compare it with its possible substituent, glutaraldehyde, chitosan gels were prepared and crosslinked with genipin and glutaraldehyde for evaluation of their textural and rheological properties. Lastly, the crosslinked chitosan was used as support for the immobilization of two model β-galactosidases from Kluyveromyces lactis and Aspergillus oryzae, in order to evaluate their catalytic capacities. The treatment carried out with Celluclast 10 % (v/v), at 36 °C and pH 3.7, provided an extraction of 196 mg of genipin per gram of genipap - the highest genipin concentration found in literature until now Chitosan gels crosslinked with genipin 0.5 % (w/v) showed better textural and similar rheological properties when compared to the chitosan crosslinked with glutaraldehyde 3 % (v/v). In general, the percentage of lactose hydrolysis by the β-galactosidases from K. lactis immobilized using genipin as a crosslinker was higher than when glutaraldehyde was used (87 % and 9 %, respectively). Therefore, genipin proves to be an excellent alternative for the use of glutaraldehyde in chitosan crosslinking studies. Finally, a study was carried out to obtain a recombinant β-galactosidase for the synthesis of galactooligosaccharides (GOS).

In the future the demand for ethanol is expected to increase greatly due to the rising energy requirements in the world. Lignocellulosic materials are a suitable and potentially cheap feedstock for sustainable production of fuel ethanol, since vast quantities of agricultural and forest residues are available in many countries. However, there are several problems involved in the utilization of lignocellulosic raw materials as sugar source. The most common way of releasing the simple sugars in the material is by dilute acid hydrolysis. This procedure is relatively simple and cheap, but in addition to the sugars it creates inhibitory compounds. These inhibitors make it very hard for the yeast to ferment the hydrolyzate and detoxification is often necessary. One way to overcome this problem is to encapsulate the yeast. Encapsulation is an attractive method since it improves the cells stability and inhibitor tolerance, increases the biomass amount inside the reactor, and decreases the cost of cell recovery, recycling and downstream processing. However, the method does not yet permit long-term cultivation since the capsules used so far are not robust enough. Therefore more studies have to be conducted in order to find methods which produce mechanically robust capsules. The main goal of this paper is to find a suitable method to produce robust capsules using different concentration of the chemicals at different pH and also implementing some modifications such as addition of cross-linkers in preparation procedure. In this paper comparison of three different encapsulation techniques were studied based on the mechanical robustness of the capsules. The three different techniques were calcium mineralized alginate-chitosan capsules, alginate capsules coated with 2% chitosan (2% AC) and genipin crosslinked alginate-chitosan (GCAC) capsules. The results indicate that GCAC capsules are most robust and were good enough for prolonged use since most of the capsules were not deformed in mechanical strength test. There were slight differences in the diameter and membrane thickness before and after swelling. No negative influence was observed on the yeast growth when applying the cross-linker. The results of this study will hopefully add valuable information and helps in further studies using other cross-linkers to prepare robust capsules. / Program: Industrial Biotechnology

<p>Validerat; 20130918 (global_studentproject_submitter)</p>

Crosslinking soft tissue has become more common in tissue engineering applications, and recent studies have demonstrated that soft tissue mechanical behavior can be directly altered through crosslinking, but increased understanding of how crosslinking affects intervertebral disc mechanical behavior is needed. In vitro testing of bovine disc and motion segments was used to characterize several important aspects of disc behavior in response to crosslinking after both soaking and injection treatment. The first study was a comparison of different crosslinkers to determine the effect on tensile properties of disc tissue. Circumferential specimens were taken from bovine annulus and then soak treated with an optimized crosslinking formulation or sham solution. A non-contacting laser micrometer was used to measure cross sectional area, after which tension testing until failure was performed to determine yield strain, yield stress, ultimate stress, peak modulus, and resilience. The crosslinkers were observed to produce different changes in the properties, with the measured properties generally increasing. The second study used bilateral annular injections to simulate a clinically relevant delivery method. The dose response of the motion segment’s neutral zone stability metrics against injection concentration was mapped. Concentrations of 20 mM and less had no significant effects on the stability metrics. 40mM demonstrated a change in neutral zone stiffness, while at least 80mM was required to significantly affect neutral zone length. Thus, meaningful changes in joint neutral zone stability were demonstrated using clinically relevant injection and chemical formulations. The third study used combinations of biochemical and accelerated mechanical cyclic loading to degrade gelatin and annulus fibrosus specimens with and without genipin treatment. Genipin crosslinking attenuated changes during cyclic loading to specimen geometry and compliance relative to control samples. Full recovery of genipin treated samples appeared to be hampered, at least partially from continued crosslinking during the accelerated testing. The fourth study tested the effect of genipin crosslinking to resist interlamellar shearing of the annulus lamella. Using a recently reported test method that shears adjacent lamella, crosslinked specimens were noted to have significantly higher yield force, peak force, and resilience compared to sham treated controls, supporting the hypothesis that crosslinking would increase the load bearing ability of the interface.