Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:25:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Cristiane Effting - Ciencias Saude.pdf: 411669 bytes, checksum: 16d94233a45ca7b200c1360cdad9a9d4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-13 / Busulfan is an alkylating agent, used for conditioning patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It presents narrow therapeutic range and high variability in pharmacokinetics among patients and doses in the same patient. High plasma concentrations (> 1000 ng mL-1) have been related to toxicity, such as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, whereas low levels (< 600 ng mL-1) have been associated with primary disease relapse or graft rejection. To avoid problems related to this treatment, therapeutic drug monitoring with dose adjustment has been proposed. Among the methods described, highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is often used. This study aimed at optimizing and validating a technique to dose busulfan by HPLC coupled with photodiode array detector (PDA) and applying it to patientes undergoing HSCT in Goiás. We included eight patients in the group for therapeutic monitoring (MG) and eight in the control group (CG), i.e., with no intervention. Patients in the MG received the test dose (TD) 14 days before the treatment; after determining busulfan pharmacokinetic profile for each patient, the dose was adjusted to the therapeutic objective of 900 ng mL-1. The conditions for chromatography run were: HPLC/PDA, column ACE® C18 (150 mm x 4 mm); mobile phase methanol/water/acetonitrile (65:20:15, v/v/v); eluent flow rate of 1 mL min-1; internal standard 1,6-bis-(methanesulfonyloxy)hexane; UV detection &#955; = 276 nm; derivatization with sodium diethylcarbamate; liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate after precipitation with acetonitrile. We included eight patients in the group for therapeutic monitoring (MG) and eight in the control group (CG). Results obtained: linearity, analyzed through the calibration curve, of 200 5000 ng mL-1; precision, in terms of repeatability (intra-run), of 1.25%-11.25%, and intermediary (inter-run), of 2.17%-10.71%; accuracy of 89.61%-102.18%; recovery of 89%. Half of the patients required dose increase and the mean dose administered was 1.02±0.19 mg kg-1. High variability was observed in assessed pharmacokinetic parameters: 38% variation in Css ____ between TD and conditioning regimen; half-life increased by 11%; ClT/F decreased by 30%, suggesting accumulation of busulfan when the drug is administered in a multiple dose regimen. Although lower than reported in the literature, this variation may be associated with toxicity or failure in treatment, justifying patient monitoring and enhancing validity of previous pharmacokinetic evaluation using TD regimen. Compared to the CG, this variation did not present impact on toxicity, mortality, and survival rates. Other studies with intervention during monitoring and a higher number of patients may present positive impact on the results of HSCT. / O bussulfano é um agente alquilante utilizado em regimes de condicionamento para ablação medular em pacientes submetidos a transplante de células-tronco hematopoiéticas (TCTH). Apresenta estreita faixa terapêutica e grande variabilidade farmacocinética entre pacientes e entre doses no mesmo paciente. Em altas concentrações plasmáticas (> 1000 ng mL-1), associa-se a toxicidade, como síndrome de obstrução sinusoidal, e em baixas (< 600 ng mL-1), a recaída da doença de base ou rejeição do enxerto. Para evitar problemas relacionados ao tratamento, tem sido proposta sua monitoração terapêutica com ajuste da dose. Entre as metodologias descritas, a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) é frequentemente utilizada. Este estudo objetivou otimizar e validar técnica de dosagem de bussulfano em CLAE acoplada a detector de arranjo de diodos (DAD) e aplicá-la a pacientes submetidos a TCTH em Goiás. Foram incluídos oito pacientes no grupo para monitoração terapêutica (GM) e oito no grupo controle (GC), ou seja, sem intervenção. Os pacientes do GM receberam a dose teste (DT) 14 dias antes do tratamento; após determinação do perfil farmacocinético do fármaco para cada paciente, a dose foi ajustada para o objetivo terapêutico de 900 ng mL-1. As condições cromatográficas foram: CLAE/DAD, coluna ACE® C18 (150 mm x 4 mm); fase móvel metanol/água/acetonitrila (65:20:15, v/v/v); fluxo de 1 mL min-1; padrão interno 1,6-bis-(metanosulfoniloxi)hexano; detecção UV &#955; = 276 nm; derivatização com dietilditiocarbamato de sódio; extração líquida-líquida com acetato de etila após precipitação com acetonitrila. Os resultados incluíram: linearidade, analisada pela curva de calibração, de 200 5000 ng mL-1; precisão, em termos de repetibilidade (intracorrida), de 1,25%-11,25% e intermediária (intercorrida), de 2,17%-10,71%; exatidão de 89,61%-102,18%; recuperação de 89%. Metade dos pacientes necessitou de aumento da dose e a média da dose administrada foi de 1,02±0,19 mg kg-1. Observou-se alta variabilidade nos parâmetros farmacocinéticos avaliados: variação de 38% da Css ____ entre DT e condicionamento; meia-vida aumentada em 11%; ClT/F reduzido em 30%, sugerindo acúmulo do fármaco quando administrado em esquema de dose múltipla. Embora menor do que a relatada na literatura, essa variação pode estar associada a toxicidade ou falha do tratamento, justificando a monitoração e acentuando a validade da avaliação farmacocinética prévia usando o esquema de DT. Comparada com o GC, essa variação não apresentou impacto sobre toxicidade, mortalidade e sobrevida. Outros trabalhos com intervenções durante a monitoração e maior número de pacientes podem apresentar impacto positivo nos desfechos do TCTH.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2014-09-25T17:34:38Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação_Lucianna G. N. Lemes.pdf: 2661301 bytes, checksum: c0238e41dfbe2adbd10e5ddcff7a139e (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2014-09-26T11:31:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação_Lucianna G. N. Lemes.pdf: 2661301 bytes, checksum: c0238e41dfbe2adbd10e5ddcff7a139e (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-09-26T11:31:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação_Lucianna G. N. Lemes.pdf: 2661301 bytes, checksum: c0238e41dfbe2adbd10e5ddcff7a139e (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-12-20 / The calicivirus (norovirus and sapovirus) are important etiologic agents of acute gastroenteritis. Recent studies show that in immunocompromised patients such as those undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), norovirus infection can lead to worsening of symptoms and be confused with clinical symptoms of graft versus host disease (GVHD). However, calicivirus screening is not performed, routinely, as part of the patients’ follow-up laboratory exams. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of norovirus (NoV) and sapovirus (SaV) in patients who underwent HSCT, and to conduct the molecular characterization of the samples positive for these viruses. Fecal samples were collected weekly, and serum samples were obtained every two weeks of ten patients who underwent HSCT, for a minimum period of five months and a maximum of one year. The secretor status was determined by an enzyme immunoassay and the detection of calicivirus was performed by RT-PCR using primers specific for a partial region of the gene encoding the NoV genogroup I and II (GI and GII) and SaV capsid protein. The genomic sequencing was performed for positive samples. The results showed that from ten patients participating in the study, eight had diarrhea. Among these, six (60%) had positive samples for NoV, and all of them had a secretor phenotype. The duration of NoV excretion in feces ranged from five to 143 days. Viral RNA was also detected in serum specimens, ranging from 29 to 36 days in the five patients infected with NoV. Three of the six patients had acute intestinal GVHD. Through genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis all NoV-positive samples were characterized as genotype GI.3, and because they had a high nucleotide identity, they were all characterized as a single haplotype. The data highlight the urgent need of the inclusion of calicivirus screening in the routine testing performed before transplantation and during follow-up of these patients. This is the first report of the occurrence of NoV in patients undergoing HSCT in Brazil. / Os calicivírus (norovírus e sapovírus) são importantes agentes etiológicos da gastroenterite aguda. Estudos recentes mostram que em pacientes imunocomprometidos, como os submetidos a transplante alogênico de células progenitoras hematopoiéticas (TACPH), a infecção por norovírus pode levar ao agravamento dos sintomas e ser confundida com quadro clínico da doença do enxerto contra o hospedeiro (DECH). Entretanto, a triagem para calicivírus não é realizada, rotineiramente, como parte dos exames laboratoriais de acompanhamento destes pacientes. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de norovírus (NoV) e sapovírus (SaV) em pacientes que foram submetidos ao TACPH e proceder à caracterização molecular das amostras positivas para estes vírus. Foram obtidas amostras de fezes, coletadas semanalmente, e de soro, a cada quinze dias, de dez pacientes que realizaram o TACPH, por um período mínimo de cinco meses e máximo de um ano. O fenótipo secretor dos pacientes foi determinado utilizando um teste imunoenzimático e a pesquisa de calicivírus foi realizada pela RT-PCR, utilizando-se iniciadores específicos para uma região parcial do gene codificante para a proteína dos capsídeos dos NoV do genogrupo I e II (GI e GII) e dos SaV. Os amplicons das amostras positivas foram submetidos ao sequenciamento genômico e análise filogenética. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que de dez pacientes participantes do estudo, oito apresentaram diarreia e vômito. Dentre esses, seis (60%) apresentaram amostras positivas para NoV, sendo que todos foram identificados como secretores. O período de excreção de NoV nas fezes variou de cinco a 143 dias. Foi também detectado RNA viral nas amostras de soro, variando de 29 a 36 dias, em cinco pacientes infectados por NoV. Três, dos seis pacientes, apresentaram DECH aguda intestinal. Através do sequenciamento genômico e análise filogenética, todas as amostras positivas para NoV, de todos os pacientes, foram caracterizadas como genótipo GI.3 dos NoV, e como foi comprovada elevada identidade nucleotídica entre elas, foram caracterizadas como um único haplótipo. Os dados obtidos ressaltam a urgente necessidade da inclusão da pesquisa de calicivírus na rotina de exames realizados antes do transplante, bem como durante o acompanhamento destes pacientes. Este é o primeiro relato da ocorrência de NoV em pacientes submetidos ao TACPH no Brasil.

A síndrome de emagrecimento progressivo (SEP) é responsável por elevada morbidade e mortalidade de calitriquídeos mantidos em cativeiro em diferentes instituições. Essa síndrome representa um desafio aos médicos veterinários por suas características ainda pouco esclarecidas e são poucos os estudos multidisciplinares que visam à avaliação dos diferentes sistemas, como os órgãos linfo-hematopoiéticos. O objetivo foi caracterizar a evolução e duração da SEP, associando os dados clínicos, laboratoriais e anatomopatológicos dos órgãos linfo-hematopoiéticos de saguis naturalmente acometidos por SEP no cativeiro. Foram analisadas as fichas clínicas, necroscópicas e os resultados das amostras de sangue e urina de 47 saguis doentes, Callithrix spp., machos e fêmeas, que foram a óbito devido a SEP e eram provenientes de dois criadouros diferentes do estado de São Paulo. Os fragmentos dos órgãos linfo-hematopoiéticos, intestino delgado e do fígado foram processados e avaliados. Os resultados caracterizaram que a SEP acomete calitriquídeos de espécies diferentes, adultos, sem predisposição sexual, mantidos sob condições estáveis de manejo por em média 42 meses e a duração clínica varia de 41 dias a 1 ano e 7 meses. As características clínicas na fase inicial foram predominantemente sinais gastrintestinais e na fase terminal, sinais gastrintestinais e extra-intestinais. A anemia macrocítica normo ou hipocrômica com policromasia, esferocitose, presença de corpúsculos de Heinz e hemoglobinúria foi a alteração hematológica mais frequente. As lesões dos órgãos linfo-hematopoiéticos foram características de anemia hemolítica ou foram inespecíficas e reacionais caracterizadas por hiperplasia ou depleção das células da medula óssea, baço e linfonodo e lesões degenerativas no fígado. Na SEP, a associação clínica, laboratorial e anatomopatológica possibilitou a caracterização da evolução e duração clínica, da anemia e das alterações dos órgãos linfo-hematopoiéticos, cujas lesões foram consideradas secundárias à desnutrição crônica e progressiva decorrente da severa enterite atrófica. / Wasting marmoset syndrome (WMS) causes high morbidity and mortality of marmosets and tamarins kept in captivity in different colonies. WMS challenges the veterinarian due to its unclear and not established features and there are few multidisciplinary studies that carried out an evaluation of different systems, such the lymphohematopoietic system. The aim was described the duration and evolution of illness based on an association of clinical, laboratory and pathological aspects of WMS. Medical record, laboratory data and pathological findings were analyzed of 47 Callithrix spp., males and females, sick marmosets that died due to WMS in two different colonies in São Paulo state. Tissue samples of small intestine, lymphohematopoietc system and liver were histological processed and evaluated. The results showed that WMS affects adult marmosets of different species; there are no sex-related differences, and the marmosets are at least 42 months under similar general management at colony. The clinical duration of WMS is from 41 days to 1 year and 7 months. The clinical features were gastrointestinal symptoms in the beginning and extra-gastrointestinal and gastrointestinal signs in the end. Normochromic or hypochromic macrocytic anemia with polychromasia, spherocytes, Heinz bodies, and hemoglobinuria is the common hematological result. The lymphohematopoietic system lesions were the common findings of hemolytic anemia or unspecific and reacting features such as hyperplasia or depletion of cell numbers of bone marrow, spleen and lymph node, and degenerative lesions of liver. The clinical, laboratory and pathological association allowed the characterization of evolution and duration of the WMS, the anemia and the lesions of lymphohematopoietic organs which lesions were considered secondary to chronic and progressive malnutrition as a result of severe atrophic.

Mobilização inadequada de células progenitoras hematopoéticas (CPH) tem sido observada em 10 - 30% dos pacientes submetidos a transplante de medula óssea (TMO) autogênico para tratamento de doenças onco-hematológicas. Os fatores relacionados com má resposta à mobilização ainda não estão totalmente estabelecidos. Apresentamos uma análise retrospectiva de pacientes submetidos à TMO autogênico com o objetivo de identificar variáveis associadas com resposta ruim ao regime de mobilização utilizado. Casuística e Métodos: Fizeram parte desta análise 307 pacientes com diferentes diagnósticos, tratados com TMO autogênico em uma única Instituição, no período de Abril de 2001 a Abril de 2007. Todos os pacientes incluídos no estudo foram submetidos a um único regime de mobilização baseado na administração de ciclofosfamida (dose total de 60-120 mg/kg de peso IV) e fator estimulador de colônias de granulócitos (G-CSF) (dose diária de 6 - 17 ug/(kg de peso)/dia SC). O sucesso na resposta ao regime de mobilização foi definido quando um número maior ou igual a 2,0x10 (6) células CD34 + /(kg de peso) foi coletado do sangue periférico com até três procedimentos de leucaférese. Resultados: Dos pacientes analisados, 260 apresentaram sucesso na mobilização (84,7%). Nestes pacientes, um número mediano de 3,67 (2,0 - 46,0) células CD34+ /(kg de peso) foi coletado por paciente com um número mediano de 1 (1-3) procedimento de leucaférese. O insucesso na mobilização foi observado em 47 pacientes (15,3%): 24 (7,8%) que foram submetidos à coleta de CPH de sangue periférico, porém não coletaram número maior ou igual 2,0x10 (6) células CD34+/(kg de peso) com pelo menos três procedimentos de leucaférese; e, 23 (7,5%) foram submetidos à coleta de CPH por punção da medula óssea, por não terem atingido número mínimo de 10 células CD34+/mm3 no sangue periférico para realização de leucaférese. De acordo com análise univariada, os fatores associados com o insucesso foram: diagnóstico (P < 0,0001), tempo de doença (P < 0,0001), número prévio de ciclos de quimioterapia (P = 0,0001), exposição prévia a agentes alquilantes (P = 0.0003) e a mitoxantrone (P = 0,0006), contagem de plaquetas pré-mobilização <150.000/mm3 (P = 0,0006) e intervalo entre o início da mobilização e o pico de células CD 34+ no sangue periférico (P < 0,0001). Idade, sexo, atividade da doença e envolvimento medular ao início da mobilização, tratamento prévio com radioterapia e exposição a análogos da platina não mostraram correlação significativa na resposta à mobilização. Após análise multivariada, as variáveis que permaneceram associadas com insucesso na mobilização foram: diagnóstico (P = 0,0232), número prévio de ciclos da quimioterapia (P = 0,0167), tratamento prévio com mitoxantrone (P = 0,0285) e contagem de plaquetas pré-mobilização < 150.000/mm3 (P = 0,0423). Conclusão: A carga cumulativa de quimioterapia administrada, exposição prévia à mitoxantrone, contagem de plaquetas pré-mobilização e diagnóstico foram os fatores independentes relacionados com a falha na resposta à mobilização. Os achados obtidos podem auxiliar no reconhecimento de pacientes de risco para resposta ruim à mobilização e permitir um planejamento alternativo ou mais agressivo no regime de mobilização para este grupo de pacientes. / Inadequate stem cells mobilization is seen in 10-30% of patients undergoing autotransplantation for hematologic malignancies. Factors affecting peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBSC) mobilization have not been clearly established. We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients treated by autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with the aim to identify factors associated with poor PBSC mobilization. Design and Methods: We evaluated 307 patients with different diagnoses, submitted to autologous BMT between April 2001 and April 2007. PBSC were collected following mobilization with cyclophosphamide (60-120 mg/kg of weight IV) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) (dose of 6-17 ug/kg of weight/day SC). Success in mobilization was defined when > ou = a 2,0x10(6) CD34+ cells/(kg weight) could be collected from the peripheral blood with a maximum of three leukapheresis procedures. Clinical and laboratory parameters at the time of mobilization were analyzed for correlations with the number of CD34+ cells collected. Results: Two hundred and sixty patients (84.7%) presented success in mobilization. In this group, a median of 3.67 (2.0-46.0) CD34+ cells/(kg weight) was collected per patient in a median of 1(1-3) leukapheresis procedure. Poor response to mobilization was observed in 47 patients (15.3%): 24 (7.8%) were submitted to PBSC collection but didn\'t collected at least 2.0 x 106 CD34+ cells/(kg weight) with three leukapheresis procedures and 23 (7.5%) didn\'t reach an absolute number count of 10 CD34+ cells/mm3 in the peripheral blood to start collection by leukapheresis. In univariate analysis poorer PBSC mobilization was associated with diagnosis (Pp < 0.0001), time interval from the diagnosis to mobilization (P < 0.0001), number of cycles of previous chemotherapy (P = 0.0001), previous treatment with alkylating agents (P = 0.0003) and mitoxantrone (P = 0.0006), platelet count <150.000/mm3 before mobilization (P = 0.0006) and interval between mobilization and peak of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood (P < 0.0001). No significant correlation was found with age, gender, disease status, marrow involvement at mobilization, prior radiation therapy and exposition to platin analogues. In the stepwise regression model, diagnosis (P = 0.0232), number of cycles of previous chemotherapy (P = 0.0167), previous treatment with mitoxantrone (P = 0.0285) and platelet count <150.000/mm3 before mobilization (P = 0.0423) were found to be independent negative predictive factors for CD34+ cells mobilization. Conclusion: Cumulative load of chemotherapy, exposition to Mitoxantrone, platelet count just prior to mobilization and diagnosis were independent factors related to poor progenitor cells mobilization. These results could help in the previously recognition of patients at risk for poor or no response to mobilization and allow to plan an alternative or more aggressive regimen for this group of patients.

A mucosite é um efeito grave e dose-limitante do tratamento antineoplásico, cujas lesões ulceradas apresentam grande impacto na morbidade e mortalidade dos pacientes, por apresentar dor, restrição alimentar e servindo como porta de entrada para infecções originadas da mucosa bucal, com incidência variável de acordo com a doença de base, idade, condição de saúde bucal, dose e frequência da quimioterapia. A ocorrência de mucosite oral é frequente nos pacientes que receberam altas doses de quimioterapia seguidas de transplante autólogo de células tronco hematopoiéticas. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os fatores que influenciam o desenvolvimento da mucosite oral. Foi realizada uma análise retrospectiva em 413 prontuários de pacientes consecutivos submetidos ao transplante autólogo de células tronco hematopoiéticas e os dados coletados incluíram dados demográficos (sexo, idade, doença de base), dados do TCTH (tipo de transplante, regime de condicionamento) e incidência de mucosite oral. Os resultados deste estudo mostraram que a incidência de mucosite foi maior em pacientes do sexo masculino e nos pacientes do sexo feminino com idade média de 29 anos, nos pacientes submetidos ao regime de condicionamento BU/MEL e naqueles pacientes portadores de LMA. Os resultados deste estudo permitiram concluir que a incidência de mucosite oral na casuística analisada foi maior nos pacientes do sexo masculino; nas mulheres jovens quando analisados sexo e idade separadamente, nos pacientes portadores de LMA e naqueles submetidos ao regime de condicionamento BU/MEL / Oral mucositis remains as a serious and dose-limiting side-effect of antineoplastic treatment and ulcerated lesions lead to a great impact on morbidity and mortality of patients due to pain, food restriction and serving as a gateway to originate infections of the oral mucosa patients. The incidence of oral mucositis remains uncertain and it is variable according to the underlying disease, age, oral health condition, dose and frequency of chemotherapy. The incidence of oral mucositis is high in patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells. The aim of this study was to analyze the factors that influence the development of oral mucositis. a retrospective analysis of 413 medical records of consecutive patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Data collected included demographic data was performed (sex, age, underlying disease), HSCT data (type of transplant conditioning regimen) and incidence oral mucositis. The results of this study showed that the incidence of mucositis was higher in male patients and female patients with a mean age of 29 years, in patients undergoing conditioning regimen comprises BU / MEL and in those patients with AML. The results of this study showed that the incidence of oral mucositis in the analyzed sample was higher in males; in young women when analyzed separately sex and age, in patients with AML and those submitted to the BU / MEL conditioning regimen

Objetivos. Avaliar o papel do transplante de células hematopoiéticas (TCH) e da interleucina 6 (IL – 6) sobre vários parâmetros de estresse oxidativo em pacientes com Adrenoleucodistrofia ligada ao cromossomo X (X-ALD). Métodos. A concentração de malondialdeído (MDA), o conteúdo de carbolinas e sulfidrilas e a concentração de ácido hexacosanóico (C26:0) foram quantificados no plasma de pacientes X-ALD antes e após serem submetidos ao TCH. E, a concentração de MDA, a formação de carbonilas e a concentração de IL-6 foram quantificados em plasma e o conteúdo de glutationa reduzida (GSH) foi quantificado em eritrócitos de pacientes X-ALD com fenótipos cerebral infantil (cALD) ou assintomáticos no momento diagnóstico. Resultados. Observamos um aumento significativo na concentração de MDA em plasma de pacientes X-ALD antes e após o TCH em comparação ao grupo controle e uma redução significativa nesses valores após o transplante em comparação aos anteriores ao procedimento. Verificamos uma redução significativa no conteúdo de sulfidrilas no plasma de pacientes X-ALD antes do TCH em comparação ao grupo controle e um aumento significativo desses níveis após o TCH. Não observamos diferenças significativas no conteúdo de carbonilas no plasma de X-ALD antes e após o TCH, em comparação aos controles, apesar de observarmos uma redução significativa nesta determinação nos pacientes após o transplante em relação a antes do TCH. Os pacientes X-ALD apresentam níveis plasmáticos de C26:0 significativamente aumentados antes do TCH em comparação aos controles e, após o TCH, as concentrações de C26:0 foram reduzidas. Observamos uma correlação negativa significativa entre a medida do conteúdo de sulfidrilas e os níveis plasmáticos de C26:0 de indivíduos X-ALD antes do TCH. Também evidenciamos elevados níveis de MDA e da formação de carbonilas no plasma de pacientes cALD e assintomáticos em comparação ao grupo controle. Ainda, observamos redução significativa do conteúdo de GSH nos dois grupos testados comparados aos controles. A quantificação de IL-6 foi significativamente maior nos pacientes cALD, o que não foi observado nos pacientes assintomáticos, apesar destes mostrarem uma tendência de aumento da concentração de IL-6. Conclusões. Os resultados obtidos a partir do plasma de pacientes X-ALD antes e após o TCH demonstram que esta terapia, quando bem indicada e bem sucedida, tem alta efetividade em reduzir a concentração plasmática de C26:0 e é eficaz em reduzir a peroxidação lipídica e o dano oxidativo às proteínas nos pacientes X-ALD. Ainda, é possível relacionar o acúmulo de C26:0 e o dano oxidativo na patogênese da X-ALD. Nossos dados permitem sugerir que a lipoperoxidação e o dano oxidativo às proteínas possam de alguma forma estar envolvidos na fisiopatologia da X-ALD. Além disso, podemos presumir que, nos pacientes X-ALD assintomáticos estudados, o dano oxidativo e os aspectos inflamatórios desempenham papéis importantes na evolução e nas futuras manifestações do fenótipo neuronal. Também podemos supor que a administração de antioxidantes deve ser considerada como uma terapia adjuvante potencial para os pacientes assintomáticos e sintomáticos afetados pela X-ALD, inclusive para aqueles submetidos ao TCH. / Objective. We aimed to evaluate the role of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and interleukin 6 (IL – 6) on various parameters of oxidative stress in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) patients. Methods. Malondialdehyde (MDA), sulfhydryl, carbonyl and hexacosanoic acid (C26:0) levels were measured in plasma from X-ALD patients before and after HSCT. And, MDA, carbonyl and IL-6 levels were measured in plasma and reduced glutathione (GSH) content was measured in erythrocytes from X-ALD patients with different phenotype (asymptomatic and childhood cerebral (CCER patients) at diagnosis moment. Results. We observed increased levels of MDA in plasma from X-ALD before and after HSCT compared to control group, but there was a significant reduction in MDA values after transplantation compared to levels found before the procedure. We verified a significant decrease in sulfhydryl content in plasma of X-ALD patients before HSCT compared with the control group and we also verified a significant increase in the levels of sulfhydryl content after HSCT. No significant differences were observed in carbonyl content in plasma of X-ALD before and after HSCT, compared to controls. However, we observed a significant reduction of plasma carbonyl content from X-ALD patients after HSCT compared to before HSCT. X-ALD patients presented a significant increase of C26:0 plasma level before HSCT when compared to controls and an important reduction of C26:0 plasma concentration in X-ALD patients after HSCT when compared to before HSCT C26:0 levels. We observed an inverse significant correlation between sulfhydryl content and plasma C26:0 levels of X-ALD individuals before HSCT. We also evidenced high levels of MDA and carbonyl formation in plasma from CCER and asymptomatic patients compared to controls. Still, we observed a significant decrease of GSH content in both groups tested compared to controls. The quantification of IL-6 is significantly higher in CCER patients, which is not observed in asymptomatic patients, despite these patients show a tendency of increased concentration of IL-6. Conclusions. The results obtained from plasma of X-ALD patients before and after HSCT demonstrate that this therapy, when well indicated and successful, has high effectiveness in reducing C26:0 plasma and is effective in reducing lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage to proteins in X-ALD patients. Still, it is possible to relate the accumulation of C26:0 and oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of X-ALD. Our data also suggest that lipid peroxidation and protein damage may somehow be involved in the pathophysiology of X-ALD. Moreover, we can assume that in our asymptomatic X-ALD patients, oxidative damage and inflammatory issues seem to play an important role in the evolution and future manifestations of neuronal phenotype. We can also assume that the administration of antioxidants should be considered as a potential adjuvant therapy for asymptomatic and symptomatic patients affected by X-ALD, including those that are submitted to HSCT.

Purpose: This study seeks to determine the incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection in high-risk neutropenic fever patients colonized with VRE and to determine patient characteristics associated with VRE infection. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center, unmatched case-control study. Fifty-three VRE-colonized, high-risk patients with neutropenic fever were identified between January 2006 and February 2009. The two most common diagnoses/conditions included acute myeloid leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Data collected included days of neutropenia, days of fever, demographic data, culture results, and antimicrobial therapy. Results: Twenty of the 53 patients (38%) with VRE colonization developed a VRE infection. The most common VRE infections were bacteremias (26%). The presence of neutropenia lasting longer than 7 days was associated with the development of VRE infection in this high-risk population colonized with VRE. The timeframe to develop VRE infection varied from 1 day to 2 weeks. Conclusion: For patients colonized with VRE, approximately 38% of high-risk neutropenic patients developed a VRE infection. This is the first study to specifically evaluate the incidence of VRE infections in febrile neutropenic patients colonized with VRE. Future research into the use and efficacy of empiric VRE coverage is needed.

Strontium 90 (90Sr) is a radionuclide of anthropogenic origin released in large quantities in the environment as a result of nuclear atmospheric tests or accidents at nuclear facilities. 90Sr persists on a long-term basis in the environment, leading to chronic contamination by ingestion of populations living on contaminated territories. The induction of bone tumours associated with the fixation of 90Sr has been widely described. However, the occurrence of non-cancer effects is much less known. We used a mouse model with chronic contamination by ingestion of water containing 20 kBq/l of 90Sr. A biokinetic study confirmed the accumulation of 90Sr in the bones, with an increased rate of accumulation during bone growth. This accumulation was higher in the bones of females than in males. The whole-body absorbed doses ranged from 0.33 ± 0.06 mGy (birth) to 10.6 ± 0.1 mGy (20 weeks). The absorbed dose for the skeleton was up to 55 mGy. Ingestion of 90Sr induced a change in the expression of genes inducing an imbalance in favour of bone resorption, but without effect on bone morphology. No significant effect was observed for the hematopoietic system. On the other hand, minor modifications were observed for the immune system. To evaluate the functionality of the immune system, a vaccination test with TT and KLH antigens was used. Results showed in contaminated animals a significant decrease in the production of specific immunoglobulins, changes in the Th1/Th2 balance in the spleen and a disrupted B lymphocyte differentiation. These results improve the understanding of some of the non-cancerous consequences of chronic exposure at low dose of radionuclides with a long half-life, which can be accidentally released.

This dissertation describes two different projects. The first is the development of an oral DNA vaccine delivery system for fish. A novel oral DNA vaccine delivery system was developed for Rainbow Trout by combining non-viral vectors (polycationic liposomes or polycationic polymer) to facilitate the DNA vaccine's uptake by cell membranes along with enteric-coated protection of the DNA embedded in microparticles to prevent DNA degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. Spray drying and spray coating bead techniques were employed in the preparation of the DNA vaccine microparticles. The spray drying technique allowed production of spherical shape enteric-coated microparticles with a particle size range of 0.18 to 20 ��m. Larger particle sizes of 40-50 mesh were obtained from the spray-coated bead technique. The resultant DNA vaccine microparticles were granulated with regular fish feed and given to fish to investigate the efficacy of the delivery system in providing protection against IHNV, and to demonstrate the ease of administration in fish. An in vivo fish trial experiment showed improvement in fish survival rate when fish were immunized with larger particle size DNA vaccine microparticles. Further research to find effective vector carriers for the DNA vaccine delivery system and to seek modifications of the delivery system that will still prevent the denaturation of plasmid DNA that will also facilitate membrane uptake of the DNA vaccine is needed in order to develop a safe, effective, and commercially viable vaccine to control the outbreak of IHNV. The second project of the dissertation is prediction of in vitro drug release profiles from a novel matrix tablet spray-coated with a barrier membrane using mathematical and statistical models. Tablets were prepared by direct compression followed by spray coating. The relationship of the amount of hydrophilic materials in the core tablets and barrier thickness on drug release mechanism was investigated using factorial design and regression analysis. Drug release characteristics were influenced and can be controlled by modifying the amount of hydrophilic materials in the core tablet and the barrier thickness. Mathematical equation generated from regression analysis of n-value, lag time, and percent drug release as a function of the amount of hydrophilic material and the amount of coating material applied can now be used as a tool for predicting and optimizing in vitro drug release from matrix tablets spray-coated with a barrier membrane. / Graduation date: 2003

Proteins with selective toxicity have been investigated for use in many ways. One class of proteins, ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), is found throughout the plant kingdom as well as in lower organisms like certain fungi and bacteria. These are a group of proteins that has the property of damaging the ribosomes in an irreversible manner. They are N-glycosidases that modify the 28S rRNAs to render them incapable of sustaining further translation. RIPs have been divided into two groups, i.e. type I RIPs, which are single polypeptide chains and type II RIPs, which are heterodimeric. Abrin is a type II RIP, isolated from the seeds of Abrus precatorius plant commonly known as jequirity plant. It is a heterodimeric glycoprotein consisting of an A and a B subunit linked together by a single disulfide bond. The toxicity of the protein comes from the A subunit harboring the RNA-N- glycosidase activity which catalyses the depurination of a specific adenine residue at position 4324 on the 28S rRNA. The depurination of the adenine prevents the formation of a critical stem loop structure to which the elongation factor -2 (EF-2) binds during the translocation step of the translation, thus stalling the translation machinery of the cells. The B subunit of abrin is a galactose specific lectin. The lectin activity enables the protein toxin to bind to the cell surface glycoproteins and/or glycolipids. Binding of abrin is followed by internalization of the protein by receptor mediated endocytosis and transport to the Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by the retrograde transport pathway. Inside the ER, the single disulfide bond linking the two subunits, is reduced which is important for the A subunit toxicity. The A subunit then translocates into the cytosol using the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway and cleaves the specific adenine residue on the 28S rRNA of the 60 S ribosome involved in active translation and thereby inhibiting the protein synthesis. In addition to its ability to inhibit translation, abrin induces apoptosis in cells. Earlier work from our laboratory has shown that abrin-induced apoptosis follows the intrinsic pathway of apoptotic cell death. The treated cells show mitochondrial membrane potential loss followed by caspases -9 and -3 activation and DNA fragmentation. RIPs have been used primarily in immunotherapy because of their toxicity at very low concentrations (picomolar). With the development of monoclonal antibodies as tool for targeting cell surface markers, the possibility to couple antibodies to RIPs and thus deliver the toxic protein directly to specific cells becomes feasible. Abrin, as one such potent RIP, has gained interest in the field of medicine and immunotherapeutics. Abrin can also be a candidate for use in bioterrorism and warfare. Therefore, it is very important to first understand the inhibitory effect of abrin and the extent of its toxicity on cells. Earlier studies from our laboratory have focused on the sensitivity and mechanism of cell death induced by abrin in Jurkat cells, a T –cell line. In the present study, we attempted to investigate the overall toxicity of the molecule with respect to both properties, inhibition of protein translation and induction of apoptosis, in different lineages of cells. We have carried out a comparative study on abrin toxicity on human cell lines from two different cell lineages namely hematopoietic and epithelial. The thesis is divided into introduction and two chapters. In the introduction, we have presented the general properties of this family of proteins, with a brief history; classification and distribution of plant RIPs and their enzymatic properties. The chapter also deals with possible usage of these proteins, mainly in the field of immunotherapy. We have introduced, abrin, the protein of our interest in this chapter. The structure of abrin is described and also the biological effects of the toxin are discussed in brief. The chapter one deals with the translation inhibitory property of the protein, abrin. As mentioned earlier, abrin inhibits protein synthesis via the RNA-N-glycosidase activity residing in its A-chain. We have presented the general cytotoxic pathway of type II RIPs in this chapter. It deals with the internalization and transport of the toxin to their site of action, the cytosol. As reported earlier, our results confirmed that abrin inhibited protein synthesis in all cells. Abrin mediated inhibition of translation was dose dependent. Though the inhibition was common to all the cells from both the lineages, the sensitivity of the cells towards the toxin and kinetics of this inhibition event differed significantly. The kinetics of inhibition of protein synthesis is faster in case of hematopoietic cells as compared to the epithelial cells even at lower doses of the toxin. These differences were not due to variations in the ability of protein synthesis of cells. The chapter also discusses binding of the protein to cells. Our data suggest that binding of abrin to the cells is not responsible for the variations observed in the translation inhibitory property of the protein except in Raji cells. The B-cell line Raji was found to be least sensitive towards the toxin. Our studies show that due to presence of high sialic acid residues on the surface of these cells, Raji cells are refractory to abrin mediated inhibition of protein synthesis. The second chapter presents our data on cell death upon abrin treatment. This part is divided into an introduction and two sections, A and B. In the introduction, different cell death modalities are discussed along with recent findings in the field of programmed cell death. Section A deals with abrin induced apoptosis in epithelial cells. We have compared the extent of abrin-triggered apoptosis in these cells. Some of the early events known in the apoptotic cascade of abrin are compared. Though apoptosis is observed in these cells, our data suggest a delay in the apoptotic trigger in the epithelial cells showing that epithelial cells can survive the stress induced by abrin for a longer time. When treated with other apoptotic agents, like etoposide, these cells are found to be resistant. Therefore, though there is a delay in the trigger of apoptosis, we have shown that the cells tested from the epithelial lineage undergo apoptosis on abrin treatment. Section B, discusses the ability of the protein to induce cell death in hematopoietic cells. We have presented studies on cell death other than apoptosis, detected in these cells upon abrin treatment. We found that some of the cell lines tested undergoes more necrosis than apoptosis with abrin treatment. When the status of the mitochondria was checked, we found that in U266B1 cells, a B-cell line, there was mitochondrial stress as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. But these cells died by necrosis. The data obtained from this study show the involvement of lysosomes and cathepsins in abrin induced cell death in U266B1 cells. Though other cells also undergo necrosis, these events were unique to U266B1 cells.