O fígado desempenha um papel central na disposição metabólica de vários agentes químicos endógenos e exógenos, incluindo quase todos os fármacos. Neste processo de biotransformação pode ocorrer a formação de metabólitos intermediários altamente reativos que se não forem convenientemente eliminados podem interagir com macromoléculas celulares lesando o órgão. A hepatotoxicidade idiossincrática associada ao uso de antiepilépticos aromáticos (AEA) é bem conhecida e tem sido atribuída ao acúmulo de intermediários tóxicos (areno-óxidos) formados durante a bioativação hepática. Embora a participação de processos imunológicos no mecanismo de ação tóxica dos AEA tenha sido demonstrada, existe a possibilidade de mecanismos adjuvantes envolvendo a toxicidade mitocondrial, evento ainda não explorado na literatura científica. Neste estudo avaliou-se, in vitro, o efeito dos AEA: carbamazepina, fenitoína e fenobarbital, bem como dos seus respectivos metabólitos na função mitocondrial e na indução do estresse oxidativo em mitocôndrias de fígado de rato, como possível mecanismo de ação hepatotóxica desses fármacos. Sistema microssomal hepático de rato foi utilizado para bioativação dos fármacos e produção dos respectivos metabólitos in vitro. Sem a bioativação, somente o fenobarbital (em concentrações elevadas) apresentou efeitos inibidores sobre o estado 3 da respiração, síntese de ATP e potencial de membrana, sem, contudo induzir o estresse oxidativo. Quando bioativados, todos os fármacos apresentaram efeitos sobre a função mitocondrial através de processo mediado por estresse oxidativo. Todos os fármacos bioativados afetaram a respiração mitocondrial, causando diminuição do consumo de oxigênio no estado 3, diminuição do RCR e aumento do consumo de oxigênio no estado 4. Foram também evidenciadas alterações na captação/liberação de cálcio, inibição da síntese de ATP, diminuição do potencial de membrana e inibição do intumescimento mitocondrial induzido pelo cálcio. A oxidação de proteínas e lipídeos mitocondriais foi demonstrada pela formação de proteínas carboniladas, diminuição de proteínas com grupamentos sulfidrila, aumento de malondialdeído (MDA) e pela oxidação da cardiolipina. O sistema de defesa antioxidante mitocondrial também foi afetado, como evidenciado pela diminuição da relação GSH/GSSG (glutationa reduzida/glutationa oxidada). Os resultados sugerem fortemente a participação do dano mitocondrial, mediado pelo estresse oxidativo causado pelos metabólitos dos AEA, no desenvolvimento da hepatotoxicidade idiossincrática induzida por esses fármacos. / The liver plays a central role in the metabolic disposition of various endogenous and exogenous chemicals, including almost all drugs. During the biotransformation process, highly reactive metabolites can be produced, and if they are not detoxified, they can interact with cellular macromolecules and cause organ injury. Idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity is a well-known complication associated with aromatic antiepileptic drugs (AAED), and it has been suggested to occur due to the accumulation of toxic arene oxide metabolites. Although the participation of an immune process in the toxic action mechanism of AAED has been demonstrated, adjuvant mechanisms involving mitochondrial toxicity is also possible and such event has not been studied yet. Therefore, we investigated, in vitro, the effects of carbamazepine (CB), phenytoin (PT), phenobarbital (PB) and their respective metabolites on the hepatic mitochondrial function as well as their ability to induce oxidative stress in rat liver mitochondria, as a possible hepatotoxic action mechanism. The murine hepatic microsomal system was used to bioactivate the drugs and to produce the anticonvulsant metabolites in vitro. As an unaltered drug, only phenobarbital (in high concentrations) presented inhibitory effects on state 3 respiration, ATP synthesis, and membrane potential; however, it did not induce oxidative stress. All the bioactivated drugs affected mitochondrial function through an oxidative stress-mediated process. All the bioactivated drugs affected mitochondrial function causing decrease in state 3 respiration, decrease in RCR and increase in state 4 respiration. They also caused impairment of Ca+2 uptake /release, decrease in ATP synthesis, decrease in membrane potential and inhibition of calcium-induced swelling. Oxidation of proteins and lipids was evidenced by carbonil proteins formation, decrease in thiol proteins, increase in malonaldehyde (MDA) and cardiolipin oxidation. The mitochondrial antioxidant defense system was also affected, as evidenced by the decreased GSH/GSSG ratio (reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione). Results strongly suggest the involvement of mitochondrial damage, which is mediated by the oxidative stress caused by the AAED metabolites, in the development of AAED-induced idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity.

Les cancers du foie et du pancréas sont classés parmi les cancers les plus fréquents et agressifs à travers le monde et présentent une résistance à la chimiothérapie. L'efficacité des médicaments anticancéreux est affectée par les activités des enzymes métaboliques, transporteurs membranaires et par l’environnement tumoral. Le but de notre thèse est 1) de développer un modèle cellulaire hépatique et caractériser les mécanismes sous-jacents de la modulation de l’expression et de la fonctionnalité des transporteurs membranaires et des enzymes clés qui régissent le métabolisme des médicaments et 2) d’évaluer in vitro, dans différents modèles cellulaires (hépatique et pancréatique) en 2D et 3D, l’effet apoptotique de médicaments anticancéreux associés à des polyphénols en vue d’optimiser leur activité. Dans une première partie, nous avons mis en place une nouvelle lignée cellulaire hépatique humaine dérivée des HepG2, stable, exprimant suffisamment et significativement les enzymes CYP450 et les transporteurs hépatiques (MRP2, MDR1 et OATP1B1). Ce modèle pourrait être un outil de choix pour des études précliniques de métabolisme et de prédiction d’hépatotoxicité. Dans une deuxième partie, nous avons pu voir que les cellules pancréatiques et hépatiques dans un environnement 3D sont plus prédictives d’une tumeur in vivo et peuvent être un modèle de choix pour des études pharmacologiques de criblage de nouveaux médicaments anticancéreux ou des stratégies de combinaisons de molécules (avec des PP). Ainsi, nous avons montré que la quercétine, dans les cellules 3D, était capable d’augmenter l’activité de la gemcitabine et de la doxorubicine, en augmentant le taux des cellules mortes jusqu’à 60 %, par modulation des protéines MDR1 et par diminution significative du facteur HIF-1 alpha dans les cellules cancéreuses. En conclusion, les polyphénols peuvent être des molécules d’intérêt en combinaison avec des médicaments anticancéreux pour diminuer la résistance à ces traitements et servir d’outil pharmacologique pour mieux comprendre les mécanismes de résistance des cellules tumorales. / Liver and pancreatic cancers are among the most common and aggressive cancers worldwide that are resistant to chemotherapy. The efficacy of anticancer drugs is affected by the activities of metabolic enzymes, transporters and the tumor environment. The aim of my thesis was based on to main objectives: 1) developement of a hepatic cellular model and characterize the underlying mechanisms of modulation of the expression and functionality of transporters and key enzymes involved in the regulation of drug metabolism 2) study the effect of new strategies in vitro by combining anti-cancer drugs with polyphenols in these processes in order to optimize their activities on different cellular models (hepatic and pancreatic) in 2D and 3D cultures. Our results showed that we have developed a new human hepatic cell line derived from HepG2 cells. The novel cell line is a good in vitro model with a capacity of predicting hepatotoxicity of novel drugs with significant differences for chromosomes 5, 17 and 20 and high expression level of CYP450 and transporters (MRP2, MDR1 and OATP1B1). Secondly, our results indicate that the combination of anticancer drugs and polyphenols increased the rate of apoptosis in cancer cells by up regulation of the expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and the regulator of apoptosis p53. Moreover, our results demonstrated that polyphenols inhibit the efflux activity of MDR1. In addition, our results indicate that the combination of anti-cancer drugs and quercetin down regulated the expression of HIF-1α and increased the expression levels of the cleaved caspase-3 and p53 on human pancreatic and liver cell line cultured in 3D culture. In conclusion, polyphenols may be promising agents for novel combination therapy since they potentialize the cytotoxic activity of anticancer drugs to eradicate cancer and therefore the cellular resistance.

Polimorfismos nos genes da n-acetiltransferase 2 (NAT2), CYP2E1 e glutationa S-transferase (GST) têm sido associados a diferenças na resposta ao tratamento da tuberculose. O papel de variantes dos genes NAT2, CYP2E1 e GSTM1/GSTT1, no perfil de segurança do tratamento da tuberculose, foi avaliado em 99 pacientes com tuberculose, sem co-infecção por HIV ou vírus da hepatite, tratados por 6 meses. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas antes e durante o tratamento para avaliação de marcadores de lesão hepatocelular (ASLT e AST), colestase (ALP, GGT e bilirrubinas) e função renal (creatinina). O DNA genômico foi extraído de sangue colhido em EDTA pelo método precipitação salina. Os polimorfismos NAT2 foram analisados por PCR-RFLP e seqüenciamento de DNA. Os polimorfismos da região promotora do CYP2E1 foram detectados por PCR-RFLP e para a análise dos genótipos nulos de GSTM1 (GSTM1*0) e GSTT1 (GSTT1*0) foi utilizada a PCR multiplex. Durante o tratamento, 59,6% dos pacientes apresentaram reações adversas aos medicamentos (RAM) e alterações nos marcadores de lesão hepatocelular e colestase, com aumento de 1 a 4 vezes o limite superior de referência. Foi observada forte relação entre RAM e alterações nos marcadores séricos (p< 0,05) e também com o uso de medicação concomitante (p< 0,001). As freqüências dos alelos NAT2*4 e NAT2*6 foram maiores e menores, respectivamente, quando comparadas com outros estudos na população brasileira. O perfil de acetilador lento (alelos NAT2*5, NAT2*6 e NAT2*7) foi associado com manifestação de RAM e hepatotoxicidade. Os portadores dos genótipos NAT2*4/*5 e NAT2*5/*5 apresentaram, respectivamente, risco 2,4 e 5,0 vezes maior de RAM que os portadores dos demais genótipos NAT2 (p< 0,05). O genótipo funcional GSTM1*1/GSTT1*1 foi associado com alterações acentuadas de ALT, AST e ALP (p< 0,05). Enquanto que as variantes da CYP2E1 não foram associadas a alterações no perfil bioquímico ou com risco de RAM ou hepatotoxicidade. Em conclusão, o perfil de acetilação lenta de NAT2 e o genótipo funcional de GSTM1/GSTT1 aumentam a susceptibilidade de lesão hepatocelular e outras RAM induzidas pelos antimicobacterianos utilizados no tratamento da tuberculose. / Polymorphisms in N-acetiltransferase 2 (NAT2), CYP2E1 and glutatione S-transferase (GST) have been associated with differences in response to antituberculosis drugs. The role of the NAT2, CYP2E1 and GSTM1/GSTT1 variants on safety profile of the anti-tuberculosis therapy was evaluated in 99 tuberculosis patients, without co-infection by HIV or hepatitis virus, treated during 6 months. Blood samples were collected before and after the therapy to evaluate serum markers for hepatocelullar damage (ASLT and AST), cholestasis (ALP, GGT and bilirrubin) and kidney function (creatinine). Genomic DNA was extracted from EDTA-blood samples by salting-out method. NAT2 polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing. CYP2E1 promoter region polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP and for analysis of the null genotypes GSTM1 (GSTM1*0) e GSTT1 (GSTT1*0) PCR multiplex technique was used. During the therapy, 59.6% of the patients had adverse drug reactions (ADR) and alterations on hepatocellular damage and cholestasis serum markers, with increase of 1 to 4 times the upper limit reference level. There was a significant relationship between ADR and serum markers alterations (p< 0,05), as well as, the concomitant medicine (p< 0,001). The frequencies of the NAT2*4 and NAT2*6 alleles were higher and lower, respectively, when compared to other studies in the Brazilian population. The slow acetilator profile (NAT2*5, NAT2*6 and NAT2*7 alleles) was associated with ADR and hepatotoxicity manifestations. The NAT2*4/*5 and NAT2*5/*5 genotypes carriers had, respectively, 2.4 and 5.0 times higher risk for ADR than those carrying the other NAT2 genotypes (p< 0,05). The functional genotype GSTM1*1/GSTT1*1 was associated with enhanced variations on ALT, AST and ALP (p< 0.05). No relationship was found between CYP2E1 variants and variations on biochemical profile or risk for ADR or hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, the NAT2 slow acetilator profile and the GSTM1/GSTT1 functional genotype increase the susceptibility to hepatocellular damage and other ADR induced by antibiotics used in tuberculosis therapy.

The rising use of natural products creates an imperative need for an enhanced awareness of the safety of current and new products making their way into the marketplace. An important example is natural products containing lignans as the principal active component. Despite their structural similarity the lignan of creosote bush can cause hepato- and renal toxicity while the lignans of flaxseed have no reported serious toxicity. This dissertation aimed to investigate the oxidative metabolism of such lignans to determine whether reversible, competitive interactions and/or bioactivation may explain the differences in their apparent toxicity.<p> The first objective was to study the metabolism and bioactivation of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (creosote bush) and secoisolariciresinol (flaxseed). Nordihydroguaiaretic acid metabolism in rat liver microsomes led to the production of three glutathione adducts formed via ortho¬-quinone reactive intermediates. This metabolism was independent of NADPH and thus attributed to autoxidation. Secoisolariciresinol metabolism yielded lariciresinol and no glutathione adducts suggesting an absence of bioactivation to reactive quinone intermediates.<p> The second objective was to study the autoxidation of nordihydroguaiaretic acid. The major autoxidation product was a unique, stable schisandrin-like cyclolignan which was the result of nordihydroguaiaretic acid cyclization. The half-life of nordihydroguaiaretic acid in aqueous solution, pH 7.4, 37ºC is 3.14 hours suggesting the cyclolignan may be responsible for some of the biological effects of nordihydroguaiaretic acid.<p> The third objective was to study the inhibition of cytochrome P450 isoforms 1A2, 2B, 2C11 and 3A by lignans derived from creosote bush and flaxseed. None of the lignans caused irreversible inhibition. Both creosote bush and flaxseed lignans caused reversible inhibition of P450 enzyme activity that involved competitive or mixed-type inhibition, however the inhibition was present at nonphysiologically relevant concentrations. Activation of cytochrome P450 isoforms was also observed at low lignan concentrations. The results suggest that P450-mediated bioactivation or reversible inhibition cannot explain the differences in toxicity noted between the lignans of creosote bush and flaxseed.<p> This work suggests a minimal risk for drug-lignan interactions at P450 enzymes. Further studies are warranted to determine the presence and biological and toxicological role of the nordihydroguaiaretic acid cyclolignan in herbal preparations.

The rising use of natural products creates an imperative need for an enhanced awareness of the safety of current and new products making their way into the marketplace. An important example is natural products containing lignans as the principal active component. Despite their structural similarity the lignan of creosote bush can cause hepato- and renal toxicity while the lignans of flaxseed have no reported serious toxicity. This dissertation aimed to investigate the oxidative metabolism of such lignans to determine whether reversible, competitive interactions and/or bioactivation may explain the differences in their apparent toxicity.<p> The first objective was to study the metabolism and bioactivation of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (creosote bush) and secoisolariciresinol (flaxseed). Nordihydroguaiaretic acid metabolism in rat liver microsomes led to the production of three glutathione adducts formed via ortho¬-quinone reactive intermediates. This metabolism was independent of NADPH and thus attributed to autoxidation. Secoisolariciresinol metabolism yielded lariciresinol and no glutathione adducts suggesting an absence of bioactivation to reactive quinone intermediates.<p> The second objective was to study the autoxidation of nordihydroguaiaretic acid. The major autoxidation product was a unique, stable schisandrin-like cyclolignan which was the result of nordihydroguaiaretic acid cyclization. The half-life of nordihydroguaiaretic acid in aqueous solution, pH 7.4, 37ºC is 3.14 hours suggesting the cyclolignan may be responsible for some of the biological effects of nordihydroguaiaretic acid.<p> The third objective was to study the inhibition of cytochrome P450 isoforms 1A2, 2B, 2C11 and 3A by lignans derived from creosote bush and flaxseed. None of the lignans caused irreversible inhibition. Both creosote bush and flaxseed lignans caused reversible inhibition of P450 enzyme activity that involved competitive or mixed-type inhibition, however the inhibition was present at nonphysiologically relevant concentrations. Activation of cytochrome P450 isoforms was also observed at low lignan concentrations. The results suggest that P450-mediated bioactivation or reversible inhibition cannot explain the differences in toxicity noted between the lignans of creosote bush and flaxseed.<p> This work suggests a minimal risk for drug-lignan interactions at P450 enzymes. Further studies are warranted to determine the presence and biological and toxicological role of the nordihydroguaiaretic acid cyclolignan in herbal preparations.

Recent studies from our laboratory on the aromatic amine carcinogen, 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP) have shown a significantly lower prevalence of ABP-induced liver tumors in male mice lacking the N-acetyltransferases, and a dramatically lower prevalence in females than in males, but no association of tumor prevalence with strain or sex differences in levels of acute ABP-induced DNA damage. This thesis aimed to investigate the possible involvement of acute cytotoxic effects of ABP in the development of a tumor-promoting inflammatory environment. We found that wild-type male mice showed higher acute hepatotoxicity to ABP, as well as, a possible trend towards higher serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6. This correspondence between acute ABP cytotoxicity and inflammatory response with ultimate tumor growth is consistent with a model whereby ABP not only initiates cells by damaging DNA but also promotes tumor growth in a gender-selective fashion that may be governed by gonadal hormone influences.

Recent studies from our laboratory on the aromatic amine carcinogen, 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP) have shown a significantly lower prevalence of ABP-induced liver tumors in male mice lacking the N-acetyltransferases, and a dramatically lower prevalence in females than in males, but no association of tumor prevalence with strain or sex differences in levels of acute ABP-induced DNA damage. This thesis aimed to investigate the possible involvement of acute cytotoxic effects of ABP in the development of a tumor-promoting inflammatory environment. We found that wild-type male mice showed higher acute hepatotoxicity to ABP, as well as, a possible trend towards higher serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6. This correspondence between acute ABP cytotoxicity and inflammatory response with ultimate tumor growth is consistent with a model whereby ABP not only initiates cells by damaging DNA but also promotes tumor growth in a gender-selective fashion that may be governed by gonadal hormone influences.

A epilepsia é normalmente a associação de pré-disposição genética e doença ou uma lesão cerebral. Aproximadamente 1 entre 50 a 100 pessoas apresentam essa pré-disposição à convulsões. Um dos fármacos mais prescritos e utilizados para o tratamento de convulsões é o ácido valpróico (AV), tornando-se a medicação de primeira escolha no tratamento da epilepsia infantil por apresentar um amplo espectro de ação, embora apresente efeitos colaterais bastante conhecidos como pancreatite e a hepatotoxicidade, que pode ser fatal. Sistemas nanoparticulados como nanocápsulas, obtidas a partir da utilização de polímeros biodegradáveis como o polietilenoglicol (PEG) e macromoléculas naturais como a quitosana (QS), que proporcionam hidrofilia e bioadesividade, têm sido estudadas com o objetivo de aumentar a penetração cerebral e reduzir a dosagem do fármaco. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo desenvolver e caracterizar físico-quimicamente nanocápsulas de poli(ε-caprolactona) contendo AV e revestidas com QS (NCQ) e/ou com PEG 6000 (NCP e NCQP), investigar a farmacocinética plasmática, a penetração do AV através da barreira hematoencefálica (BHE) por microdiálise e a hepatotoxicidade em ratos Wistar. Nanocápsulas revestidas com QS (NCQ) foram obtidas pelo método de nanoprecipitação do polímero pré-formado seguido do revestimento com adição de 5 mL de solução de QS a 1%. Para a preparação de NCP, foi utilizada metodologia similar adicionando 0,7% de PEG 6000 na fase aquosa. Para a preparação de NCQP, as nanocápsulas preparadas com a adição de 0,35% de PEG 6000 e revestidas posteriormente com solução de QS a 1% (2,5 mL). As formulações foram caracterizadas físico-quimicamente avaliando-se o tamanho das partículas, potencial zeta, pH e taxa de incorporação. As nanocápsulas foram visualizadas por MET e a estabilidade foi investigada por retroespalhamento de luz (Turbiscan Lab®). As formulações (AV 5 mg/mL) apresentaram um pequeno tamanho de partícula (144,2 ± 2,0 nm, 153,2 ± 1,8 nm, e 231,3 ± 15,6 nm, para NCQ, NCP e NCQP, respectivamente), com baixo índice de polidispersão, alta taxa de incorporação (95 a 98 %), pH ácido, potencial zeta positivo para NCQ (+8,7 ± 0,4 mV) e negativo para NCP (- 6,6 ± 0,8 mV) e NCQP (- 2,8 ± 1,3 mV). As fotomicrografias mostraram partículas de forma esférica e as formulações demonstraram boa estabilidade durante 24h de análise a 40°C. As concentrações plasmáticas foram investigadas em ratos Wistar (15 mg/kg via i.v. de AV) para todas as formulações e valproato sódico (grupo controle). A análise farmacocinética compartimental apresentou uma distribuição muito rápida para o AV em NCQ e a ASC0-∞ aproximadamente duas vezes menor em comparação à NCP, NCQP e o fármaco livre (3874 ± 1775; 8280 ± 2136; 7849 ± 1021 e 7978 ± 3622 μg/mL/min, respectivamente). O clearance do AV aumentou significativamente para NCQ (0,284 ± 0,156 L/h/kg) (α = 0,05%). A penetração do AV através da BHE foi realizada em ratos Wistar acordados por microdiálise (MD) cerebral, no córtex frontal utilizando sondas CMA/12 (3 mm). Os experimentos de MD mostraram um aumento de 5 vezes no fator de penetração cerebral após a administração de NCQ em comparação com o fármaco em solução (0,110 and 0,021, respectivamente), demonstrando a viabilidade da utilização de QS como polímero de revestimento objetivando a BHE. A NCP demonstrou um aumento de 1,7 vezes no fator de penetração cerebral e NCQP não demonstrou qualquer diferença na penetração. A investigação da hepatotoxicidade do AV foi realizada após cinco dias de tratamento (dose de 30 mg/kg q12h de AV) em solução ou em nanocápsulas (NCQ ou NCP) com grupo controle de solução salina. Os níveis séricos de asparto aminotransferase (AST), alanina aminotransferase (ALT), gama-glutamiltransferase (GGT), fosfatase alcalina (FAL), creatinina (CRE) e uréia foram determinados. Os resultados mostram a manutenção dos níveis normais de enzimas hepáticas como a ALT e FAL para NCQ (54,2 ± 11,2 UI/mL and 149 ± 26 UI/mL) demonstrando um efeito hepatoprotetor não observado para os outros grupos. Análises histológicas do fígado dos animais não apresentaram a formação de esteatose microvesicular para NCQ em comparação com a formação de esteatoses em todos os outros grupos, incluindo o grupo controle. Ao final, os resultados indicaram que NCQ possa ser uma formulação em potencial, necessitando ser investigada pelo aumento da penetração cerebral de AV e efeito hepatoprotetor observados. / Epilepsy is usually a combination of genetic pre-disposition and a disease or a brain damage. About 1 in 50 to 100 people has this genetic predisposition to seizures. One of the world’s most prescribed drugs to treat epileptic seizures is valproic acid (VA), which is the first choice drug to treat epilepsy in childhood due to its broad spectrum of action, although its well known side effects such as pancreatitis, hepatotoxicity can be fatal. Nanoparticulated systems such as nanocapsules, obtained from biodegradable polymers like polyethylene glycol and natural macromolecules like chitosan, who gives the system hidrophilicity and bioadhesivity, have been used to increase brain penetration and reduce drug doses. In this context, the present work aimed to develop and physicochemically characterize poly(ε-caprolactone) nanocapsules loaded with VA and coated with chitosan (NCQ) and/or polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 (NCP and NCQP), and to investigate their plasma pharmacokinetics, VA blood-brain barrier penetration (BBB) by microdialysis and hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Nanocapsules coated with chitosan were obtained by nanoprecipitation of preformed polymer followed by coating with 1% chitosan solution added prior to final adjustments at a volume of 5 mL. For NCP preparation, similar methodology was used adding 0.7% PEG 6000 in the aqueous phase. For NCQP preparation, the nanocapsules prepared with PEG 6000 (0.35% w/v) was further coated with chitosan 1% in solution adding 2.5 mL prior to the final adjustments. The formulations were physicochemical characterized by particle size, zeta potential, pH, incorporation efficiency. The particles were visualized by MET and the stability investigated by backscattering (Turbiscan Lab®). The formulations (VA 5 mg/mL) presented small particle sizes (144.2 ± 2.0 nm, 153.2 ± 1.8 nm, and 231.3 ± 15.6 nm, for NCQ, NCP and NCQP, respectively), with low polidispersion index, high incorporation efficiency (95 to 98 %) and acid pH. The zeta potential was positive for NCQ (+8.7 ± 0.4 mV) and negative for NCP (- 6.6 ± 0.8 mV) and NCQP (- 2.8 ± 1.3 mV). The photomicrography of all formulations showed spherically shaped particles. The formulations showed good stability during 24 hours investigation at 40 ºC. Plasma concentrations were investigated in Wisar rats after 15 mg/kg i.v. dosing of all formulations and sodium valproate solution (control group). The pharmacokinetic compartmental analysis showed a very rapid distribution of VA when incorporated in NCQ in comparison to the other formulations and the AUC0-∞ about two times lower in comparison to NCP, NCQP and the drug alone (3874 ± 1775; 8280 ±2136; 7849 ± 1021 and 7978 ± 3622 μg/mL/min, respectively). VA clearance was significantly increased after NCQ dosing (0.284 ± 0.156 L/h/kg) (α = 0.05 %). Drug penetration through BBB was performed in awaken Wistar rats by brain microdialysis at the frontal cortex using CMA/12 probes (3 mm). The microdialysis experiments showed a five times increase in VA brain penetration factor after NCQ administration in comparison to drug alone (0.110 and 0.021, respectively), demonstrating the viability of chitosan as coating polymer to aim the BBB. NCP showed only a 1.7 times increase in brain penetration factor and NCQP did not showed any difference in comparison to drug alone. The investigation of drug hepatotoxicity was conducted after 5 days i.v. dosing of VA 30 mg/kg q12h as solution or nanocapsules (NCQ or NCP). A saline control group was also investigated. Serum levels of asparte aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosfatase, creatinin and urea were determined. The results showed the maintenance of normal levels of hepatic enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosfatase for NCQ (54.2 ± 11.2 IU/mL and 149 ± 26 IU/mL) showing a hepatoprotective effect not observed in the other groups investigated. Histological analysis of animals livers showed no microvesicular steatosis formation when NCQ was administered in comparison with the formation of steatosis in all other groups including control. Overall the results indicate that NCQ is a potential formulation to be investigated for the treatment of epilepsy due to its increase in VA brain penetration and hepatoprotective effect observed.

The liver diseases represent a relevant health problem, affecting once an organ of great importance in homeostasis maintaining. The search for herbal hepatoprotective capacity has been increasing, mainly because of the synthetic products used for this purpose may present adverse effects. Guaraná, obtained from the roasted seeds of the Amazonian plant Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Sapindaceae), is a product with a wide reputation as stimulant and a nutritional supplement in terms of physical and mental stress. It also presents several other biological properties, among them the antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-obesogenic. However, few studies focus on the potential hepatoprotective this plant. In this study, the protective effects of Paullinia cupana Mart. var. sorbilis (guaraná) on liver damage were evaluated in rats exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male Wistar rats were intra gastric pretreated with guaraná powder (100, 300 and 600 mg/Kg) or silymarin 100 mg/Kg daily for 14 days before treatment with a single dose of CCl4 (50% CCl4, 1 mL/Kg, intraperitoneally). Rats were sacrificed 24 h later, and blood samples were collected for assaying serum biochemical parameters. The hepatic tissue was removed to perform the comet assay. CCl4 induced liver damage and significantly increased the activities of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) in serum. In addition, CCl4 increased the DNA damage index in hepatocytes. Pretreatment with guaraná in all concentrations was significantly effective in decreasing the ALT and AST activities when compared with CCl4 treated group. Furthermore, the treatment with guaraná 300 mg/Kg decreased DNA damage index. In addition, the DNA damage index showed a significant positive correlation with AST and ALT. These results indicate that guaraná has hepatoprotective activity and prevents the DNA strand breakage in CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. / As doenças hepáticas representam um grave problema de saúde, uma vez que acometem um órgão de grande importância na manutenção da homeostase. A busca por fitoterápicos com capacidade hepatoprotetora vem aumentando, principalmente pelo fato dos produtos sintéticos utilizados para esse fim apresentarem efeitos adversos. O guaraná, obtido das sementes torradas da planta amazônica Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Sapindaceae), é um produto com ampla reputação como estimulante e como suplemento nutricional em condições de estresse físico e mental. Além disso, apresenta outras diversas propriedades biológicas, entre estas destacam-se os efeitos antioxidantes, antimicrobianos, anticancerígenos e anti-obesogênicos. Entretanto, poucos estudos enfocam o possível potencial hepatoprotetor desta planta. Neste trabalho, os efeitos protetivos do guaraná sobre o dano hepático foram avaliados em ratos expostos ao tetracloreto de carbono (CCl4). Ratos Wistar machos foram pré-tratados (gavagem) com pó de guaraná (100, 300 e 600 mg/Kg) ou com silimaria 100 mg/Kg durante o período de 14 dias. No 14a dia, para a indução de hepatotoxidade, os animais receberam dose única, via intraperitonial de CCl4 (1 mL/Kg; 50%, diluído em azeite de oliva). Após 24 h, amostras de sangue foram coletadas via retro-orbital para avaliação de parâmetros bioquímicos, os animais sacrificados e o tecido hepático removido para a realização do ensaio cometa. O tratamento com CCl4 provocou dano hepático, demonstrado pela elevação signifivativa da atividade das enzimas aspartato aminoranferase (AST) e da alanina aminotransferase (ALT) no soro. Além disso promoveu um aumento significativo no índice de dano ao DNA. O pré-tratamento com guaraná, em todas as concentrações, foi significativamente efetivo em evitar a elevação da atividade de AST e ALT quando comparados ao grupo controle CCl4. O pré-tratamento com guaraná 300 mg/Kg promoveu uma diminuição no índice de dano ao DNA. O índice de dano no DNA mostrou signifivativa correlação positiva com as atividades de AST e ALT. Estes resultados indicam que o guaraná tem atividade hepatoprotetora e previne a quebra da fita do DNA em dano induzido por CCl4 em ratos.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The aim of this study was to evaluate acute and subacute renal and hepatic toxicity of the oral administration of tepoxalin in cats submitted to hypotension with isoflurane. Eighteen adult male mongrel cats were used in this study, weighing between 3 and 5 kg and clinically healthy. The animals were divided into three groups, which were anesthetized and submitted to hypotension with isoflurane (CON), or which, in addition, tepoxalin was administered two hours prior to the hypotension procedure (PRE) or after the hypotension procedure (POS). The animals from groups PRE and POS also received the same doses of tepoxalin every 24 hours, during the five days following the procedure. In order to achieve a condition of moderate hypotension, animals were induced and maintained with isoflurane in variable concentration, for maintenance of mean arterial pressure (MAP) between 45 and 60 mmHg, during 60 minutes. Complete blood count and serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (FA) and urea (U) were evaluated at baseline and 24 hours, 48 hours and 7 days after hypotension. Serum concentration of creatinine (Cr), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and urinary concentrations of Cr, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), proteinuria and albuminuria were evaluated at baseline and 24 hours, 48 hours and 7 days after hypotension. The model chosen was efficient in maintaining the proposed condition of hypotension. No physiological changes were observed in complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile (ALT, FA, U and Cr), FENa and urinary GGT. An increase in urine protein-creatinine ratio was observed in CON and PRE at 24 and 48 hours after hypotension. Urine albumin-creatinine ratio showed increase in CON at 24 hours and maintained elevated values with regard to the other groups until 7 days after hypotension. The authors conclude that administration of tepoxalin does not cause changes in hepatic parameters, urea, creatinine, fractional excretion of sodium and urinary GGT in cats submitted to anesthetic hypotension. However, there is a risk of mild renal injury by administering the drug prior to the hypotensive procedure. / Este estudo objetivou avaliar a toxicidade renal e hepática, aguda e subaguda, da administração oral da tepoxalina em gatos submetidos à hipotensão com isofluorano. Foram utilizados 18 gatos, machos, adultos, sem raça definida, com peso entre 3 e 5 kg e comprovadamente hígidos. Os animais foram alocados em três grupos, os quais foram anestesiados e submetidos à hipotensão com isofluorano (CON), ou que ainda receberam tepoxalina duas horas antes do procedimento de hipotensão (PRÉ) ou após a recuperação anestésica do procedimento de hipotensão (PÓS). Os animais dos grupos PRÉ e PÓS também receberam as mesmas doses de tepoxalina a cada 24 horas, durante cinco dias pós procedimento. Para a caracterização de um quadro de hipotensão moderada, os animais foram induzidos e mantidos anestesiados com isofluorano em vaporização variável, para a manutenção da pressão arterial média (PAM) entre 45 e 60 mmHg durante 60 minutos. Foram avaliados hemograma e concentrações séricas de alanina amino-transferase (ALT), fosfatase alcalina (FA) e ureia (U) no período basal e 24 horas, 48 horas e 7 dias após a hipotensão. A concentração sérica de creatinina (Cr), a fração de excreção de sódio (FENa) e as concentrações urinárias de Cr, gama-glutamiltransferase (GGT), proteínas totais e albumina foram avaliadas no momento basal e 24 horas, 48 horas e 7 dias após a hipotensão. O modelo escolhido foi eficiente na manutenção do quadro de hipotensão proposto. Não foram observadas alterações fisiológicas no hemograma, bioquímica sérica (ALT, FA, U e Cr), FENa e na GGT urinária. Observou-se elevação estatística na razão proteína-creatinina na urina no CON e no PRÉ em relação ao PÓS às 24 e às 48 horas de avaliação. A razão albumina-creatinina na urina apresentou elevação estatística no CON em relação aos demais à partir das 24 horas de avaliação, mantendo essa elevação até os 7 dias de avaliação. Concluiuse que a administração de tepoxalina não causou alterações de parâmetros hepáticos, ureia, creatinina, FENa e GGT urinária em gatos submetidos à hipotensão anestésica, entretanto há o risco de ocorrência de injúria renal discreta devido à proteinúria observada no grupo em que a tepoxalina foi administrada antes do procedimento hipotensor.