Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-22. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:26:02Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-12515.pdf: 978359 bytes, checksum: 3be0798a82267f20204fe25244cbed7d (MD5) / Objetivo: Avaliar a evidência de eficácia e segurança do deferasirox para o tratamento da sobrecarga de ferro relacionada à betatalassemia, doença falciforme e síndrome mielodisplásica, em comparação a outros quelantes de ferro disponíveis no Brasil (desferroxamina e deferiprona). Método: Para síntese da evidência foi realizada busca por relatórios de agências de avaliação de tecnologias em saúde e por revisões sistemáticas no Medline (março 2009). Adicionalmente, foi feita busca por ensaios clínicos para atualização da informação disponível. Das referências identificadas, foi selecionado o trabalho de McLeod (2009), por ser uma revisão sistemática e estudo de avaliação econômica elaborado por uma agência de avaliação de tecnologias em saúde de alta confiabilidade. Considerando o contexto econômico local e a disponibilidade dos medicamentos e insumos laboratoriais, a evidência foi adaptada e avaliada criticamente. Resultados: A evidência encontrada é baseada em três ensaios clínicos, de baixa qualidade metodológica, que avaliaram o uso do deferasirox em relação à desferroxamina. Não foram localizados estudos comparativos entre o deferasirox e a deferiprona. Nos ensaios clínicos identificados, a concentração hepática de ferro (exame não disponível no Brasil) foi considerada como desfecho primário, apesar de na prática clínica a quantidade de ferro ser monitorada pela concentração de ferritina sérica. As mudanças na ferritina sérica revelam-se mais favoráveis em pacientes com betatalassemia e doença falciforme (maior prevalência no Brasil) que receberam desferroxamina, do que aqueles que receberam deferasirox. As informações econômicas levantadas indicam que o deferasirox, em comparação a desferroxamina pode ser uma opção custo-efetiva. Conclusões: Como o deferasirox foi introduzido recentemente no mercado brasileiro e é considerado alternativa de tratamento no sistema público de saúde, informações de farmacovigilância precisam ser monitoradas, principalmente no que se refere ao risco de insuficiência renal, citopenias (agranulocitose e trombocitopenia), além de distúrbios gastrointestinais, hepáticos, renais e sanguíneos. / Objectives: to evaluate the evidence on efficacy and safety regarding deferasirox for treatment of iron overload relating to beta-thalassemia, sickle cell disease and myelodysplastic syndrome, in comparison with other iron chelators available in Brazil (deferoxamine and deferiprone). Methods: to produce a synthesis of the evidence, a search was conducted using reports from HTA agencies and systematic reviews in Medline (March 2009). Additionally, a search for clinical trials was conducted to update the information available. Among the references identified, the study by McLeod (2009) was selected because this was a systematic review and economic evaluation produced by a highly trustworthy HTA agency. Considering the local economic context and the availability of medications and laboratory supplies, the evidence was adapted and critically evaluated. Results: the evidence found was based on three clinical trials of low methodological quality that evaluated the use of deferasirox in relation to deferoxamine. No comparative studies between deferasirox and deferiprone were found. In the clinical trials identified, hepatic iron concentration (a test unavailable in Brazil) was taken to be the primary outcome, although in clinical practice, the iron levels were monitored by means of the serum ferritin concentration. The changes in serum ferritin concentration were more favorable among patients with beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease (highest prevalence in Brazil) who received deferoxamine than among those who received deferasirox. Previous economic evaluation suggests that deferasirox may be a cost-effective strategy. Conclusions: since deferasirox was only recently introduced onto the Brazilian market and is considered to be an alternative for treatment within the public healthcare system, drug surveillance information is required, particularly regarding the risks of kidney failure, cytopenia (agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia) and gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal and blood disorders. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:13:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CarlosANJ.pdf: 292862 bytes, checksum: 36f729a3d08d7c1e5c99393f43d9acef (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-10-19 / Tamoxifen (TX), a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, may cause hepatic changes in some patients. The consequences of its use on the liver tissues of rats with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) have not been fully explored. The purpose of this multidisciplinary study was to evaluate the correlation between plasma hepatic enzyme levels and the presence of iron overload in the hepatic tissue of female Wistar rats with or without streptozotocin-induced DM and using TX. Female rats were studied in control groups: C-0 (non-drug users), C-V (sorbitol vehicle only) and C-TX (using TX). DM (diabetic non-drug users) and DM-TX (diabetics using TX) were the test groups. Sixty days after induced DM, blood samples were collected for glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin measures. Hepatic fragments were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson s trichrome, Perls. The hepatic iron content was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry. AST, ALT and ALP levels were significantly elevated in the DM and DM-TX groups, with unchanged bilirubin levels. Liver iron overload using Perls stain and atomic absorption spectrometry were observed exclusively in groups C-TX and DM-TX. There was positive correlation between AST, ALT and ALP levels and microscopic hepatic siderosis intensity in group DM-TX. In conclusion, TX administration is associated with liver siderosis in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. In addition, TX induced liver iron overload with unaltered hepatic function in 2 non-diabetic rats and may be a useful tool for investigating the biological control of iron metabolism / O tamoxifeno? (TX), utilizado no tratamento do c?ncer de mama, pode causar altera??es hep?ticas. As conseq??ncias de seu uso em tecido hep?tico de ratos com ou sem diabetes mellitus (DM) n?o foram completamente investigadas. O estudo de car?ter multidisciplinar visou avaliar a correla??o entre n?veis de enzimas hep?ticas no plasma e a presen?a de sobrecarga de ferro em tecido hep?tico de ratas com ou sem DM induzido por estreptozotocina e em uso de TX. Ratas Wistar foram estudadas em grupos? controle: C-O (sem uso de droga), C-V (somente sorbitol) e C-TX (em uso de TX). DM (diab?ticos sem uso de droga) e DM-TX (diab?ticos em uso de TX) foram os grupos teste. Sessenta dias ap?s a indu??o do DM, amostras de sangue foram colhidas para a mensura??o de glicose, alanina aminotransferase (ALT), aspartato aminotransferase (AST) , fosfatase alcalina (ALP) e bilirrubina. Amostras hep?ticas foram coradas com hematoxilina e eosina, Tricr?mio de Masson e Perls. O conte?do hep?tico de ferro foi quantificado por espectrometria de absor??o at?mica. AST, ALT e ALP apresentaram-se significativamente elevados nos grupos DM e DM-TX, com bilirrubina n?o alterada. Siderose ? colora??o Perls e pela espectrometria de absor??o at?mica foram observados apenas nos grupos C-TX e DM-TX. Houve correla??o positiva entre os n?veis de AST, ALT e ALP e a intensidade da siderose hep?tica microsc?pica no grupo DM-TX. Em conclus?o, o uso de TX ? associada com siderose hep?tica em ratas diab?ticas ou n?o. O TX induziu sobrecarga hep?tica de ferro sem alterar a fun??o hep?tica em animais n?o diab?ticos e pode ser uma ferramenta ?til no estudo do metabolismo do ferro.A participa??o de pesquisadores em Patologia, Cirurgia Experimental, Farm?cia Cl?nica, Toxicologia, Nutri??o, Mastologia, Endocrinologia e Biologia Molecular do Centro de Ci?ncias da Sa?de (CCS) e o Departamento de Estat?stica do Centro de Ci?ncias Exatas e da Terra (CCET), de forma integrada e coordenada, foi fundamental para a execu??o do projeto proposto, de car?ter multidisciplinar

Introdução: A infecção pelo VHC é uma epidemia de proporções globais, que se torna crônica em cerca de 85% dos indivíduos. Sobrecarga de ferro secundária a mutações HFE vem sendo proposta como fator agravante na evolução da hepatite crônica C. Objetivos: Avaliar se sobrecarga de ferro, mutações no gene HFE estão associadas a progressão da fibrose hepática e a carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) em portadores crônicos VHC. Casuística e Métodos: De um banco de 2300 pacientes matriculados nos Ambulatórios de Hepatologia e de Transplante Hepático do HCFMUSP, selecionaram-se 320 portadores de hepatite crônica C. Os homens (55,6%) apresentaram 50,8 anos de idade em média e as mulheres 54,3. Obtiveram-se dados clínicos e laboratoriais da época da biópsia hepática, admissionais ou com pelo menos um ano de wash-out do tratamento antiviral. Considerou-se sobrecarga bioquímica níveis de ferro, saturação da transferrina e ferritina acima dos valores de referência. Sobrecarga de ferro tecidual foi identificada pela coloração de Perls graus 3-4. As mutações HFE C282Y e H63D foram pesquisadas pela técnica de PCR em tempo real, em DNA extraído de sangue total, após assinatura de TCLE aprovado pelo comitê de ética local. A fibrose hepática foi considerada avançada para graus 3-4 da classificação SBH/SBP e Metavir (n=167, 52,2%). CHC foi definido por biópsia ou por imagem típica por 2 métodos e AFP 400 mg/dL (n=45, 14,1%). Investigaram-se antecedentes de etilismo, diabetes mellitus, IMC e esteatose em biópsia hepática. A partir dos resultados de genotipagem HFE, constituiu-se um subgrupo caso-controle (n=182) com os portadores de mutações e pares de idade, sexo, etnia e IMC similares. Procederam-se análises de correlação bivariada e multivariada (IC=95%) nos grupos geral e caso-controle. Resultados: Quando se compararam casos com fibrose leve vs avançada, observaram-se níveis elevados de ferro em 17,7% vs 25,2% (p=0,019); saturação da transferrina em 24,3% vs 36,7% (p=0,001); ferritina em 25,8% vs 32,4% (p=0,040) e sobrecarga de ferro tecidual em 3,6% vs 1,4% (p=0,126). Quanto à mutação C282Y, observaram-se frequências alélicas de 0,9% vs 2,0% (p=0,110) e à H63D 5,0% vs 8,0% (p=0,033). No subgrupo casocontrole, as associações de C282Y e H63D com fibrose avançada ocorreram com significâncias de p=0,072 e 0,008, respectivamente. A análise multivariada, tendo fibrose como variável dependente nesse mesmo subgrupo, confirmou as associações com C282Y (OR=31,45; p=0,006) e H63D (OR=33,70; p=0,001). Neste mesmo subgrupo, a presença de pelo menos um alelo mutante esteve associada à ocorrência de CHC (p=0,015). Não se identificaram outros parâmetros associados a transformação carcinomatosa. Na análise multivariada, foram variáveis associadas a evolução da fibrose idade avançada (OR=2,36; p=0,000), etilismo (OR=2,18; p=0,007), saturação da transferrina (OR=2,11; p=0,010) e mutação H63D (OR=1,97; p=0,03). Discussão e Conclusões: Houve correlação de graus mais avançados de fibrose com níveis elevados de ferro, saturação da transferrina e ferritina; contudo, esses marcadores também podem estar igualmente elevados nos indivíduos com pouca fibrose. Ao contrário, em muitos casos, a sobrecarga bioquímica de ferro pode ser conseqüência da progressão da doença hepática, e não sua causa. As mutações H63D e C282Y ocorreram em associação com maiores graus de alteração arquitetural; mas, como não houve associação entre siderose tecidual e fibrose, é possível que seu papel na agressão hepática não ocorra diretamente por meio da sobrecarga de ferro. Os portadores de mutações HFE apresentam CHC com maior frequência que seus casos-controle. / Introduction: HCV infection is an epidemic of global proportions, which becomes chronic in about 85% of individuals. Iron overload due to HFE mutations has been proposed as aggravating factor in the evolution of chronic hepatitis C. Objectives: To assess whether iron overload, mutations in the HFE gene are associated with progression of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic HCV. Patients and Methods: From a database of 2300 patients enrolled in the outpatient clinics of Hepatology and Liver Transplantation, HCFMUSP, 320 patients with chronic hepatitis C were selected. Men (55.6%) were 50.8 years old on average and women 54.3. Admissional clinical and laboratory data at the time of liver biopsy were obtained; when patient had been previously treated with antiviral drugs, the wash-out period required was of at least one year. Biochemical iron overload was defined as iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation above the reference values. Tissue iron overload was identified by Perls staining of grades 3-4. The HFE C282Y and H63D mutations were searched by real-time PCR technique in DNA extracted from whole blood, after signing of FICT approved by the local ethics committee. The liver fibrosis was considered advanced for grades 3-4 in the classification SBH/SBP and METAVIR(n = 167, 52.2%). HCC was defined by biopsy or by typical image by 2 methods and AFP 400 mg / dL (n = 45, 14.1%). Personal history of alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, BMI and steatosis in liver biopsy were obtained. A casecontrol group was constituted based on the results of HFE genotyping (n = 182), subjects were paired by age, gender, ethnicity and BMI. Bivariate correlation and multivariate analysis (CI = 95%) groups in general and case-control were carried-out. Results: When comparing patients with mild vs advanced fibrosis, biochemical high levels of iron were detected in 17.7% vs 25.2% (p = 0.019), transferrin saturation in 24.3% vs 36.7% (p = 0.001), ferritin in 25.8% vs 32.4% (p = 0.040) and tissue iron overload in 3.6% vs 1.4% (p = 0.126). Regarding to HFE mutations, the allelic frequencies of C282Y were 0.9% vs 2.0% (p = 0.110); and of H63D, 5.0% vs 8.0% (p = 0.033). In casecontrol group, associations of C282Y and H63D with advanced fibrosis occurred with significance of p=0.072 and 0.008, respectively. Multivariate analysis with fibrosis as the dependent variable in that group, confirmed the associations with C282Y (OR = 31.45, p = 0.006) and H63D (OR = 33.70, p = 0.001). In this same subgroup, the presence of at least one mutant allele was associated with occurrence of HCC (p = 0.015). There were not any other parameters found in association with carcinomatous transformation. The multivariate analysis using fibrosis as dependent variable showed association with age (OR = 2.36, p = 0.000), alcoholism (OR = 2.18, p = 0.007), transferrin saturation (OR = 2.11, p = 0.010) and H63D mutation (OR = 1.97, p = 0.03). Discussion and Conclusions: Advanced degrees of fibrosis were correlated with high levels of iron, transferrin saturation and ferritin; however, these markers can also be elevated in individuals with slight fibrosis. In contrary, in many cases, the biochemistry of iron overload may be a consequence of progression of liver disease. C282Y and H63D mutations occurred in association with more advanced fibrosis. However, as there was not any correlation between tissue siderosis and fibrosis, it might be possible that liver injury occurs not by the iron overload pathway. Finally, carriers of HFE mutations were found with HCC more frequently than their casecontrol.

β-thalassemia is an autosomal recessive blood disease caused by mutations in β-globin genes that either reduce or altogether abolish β-globin chain synthesis. Normally, two β-globin chains would combine with two α-globin chains and a heme group to form hemoglobin. Because α-globin chain synthesis is unaffected in β-thalassemia patients, the unpaired α-globin chains accumulate and precipitate. The reduced formation of hemoglobin and accumulation of unpaired α-globin chains are the two fundamental molecular pathologies. In the most serious cases of the disease, the resulting complications develop before two years of age. Most often, these include severe anemia, pallor, jaundice, abdominal enlargement, and distinct craniofacial features. If left untreated, the disease is fatal before the age of three in the most serious cases. Each year, more than 40,000 births, mostly in Southeast Asia, Middle East, or Africa, are affected with β-thalassemia. With increased migration, however, β-thalassemia is becoming more common in Europe and North America. Currently, the most widespread treatment for the disease is transfusions and iron chelation therapy, and the only cure is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In recent years, however, multiple treatments and potential cures such as fetal hemoglobin inducers and gene therapy have shown promise. By analyzing the cost-efficiency, viability, and therapeutic benefits of current and future treatments, it can be seen that a combination of fetal hemoglobin inducers, transfusions, and iron chelation therapy will have the greatest impact for the vast majority of β-thalassemia patients.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is characterized by valve dysfunction and venous hypertension, leading to erythrocytes’ extravasation into the tissue over time. CVI patients present dermal manifestations as; hyperpigmentation of the leg due to iron accumulation, histological changes regarding the dermal layer and fat (lipodermatosclerosis), and a high risk of developing a leg ulcer. For decades, researchers have studied CVI, and chronic venous ulcer (CVU) and iron have been considered critical pathological factors in this context, especially concerning oxidative stress and ROS formation. However, a clear understanding of the pathogenic effects of iron on the tissue network and the cross-talk of resident immune and skin tissue cells in the course of CVI is still missing. Therefore, in this project, we aim to investigate the pathological effect of iron overload on the cross-talk of resident immune and tissue cells in the skin. In the current thesis work, biopsies from CVI patients were analysed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and spectrometric assay confirmed a massive iron accumulation in their dermis and hypodermis. To dissect the different skin cells’ responses to iron overload, in vitro techniques were exploited. Mimic the erythrocyte overload in a macrophage (M2-like) culture revealed a shift in the gene signature towards inflammatory activation states of these cells. Hence, cytokine analysis confirmed an evident pro-inflammatory activation of macrophages (Ma). A mouse model with skin iron overload was generated to investigate the effect of iron overload in a more complex picture. Here, it was confirmed that iron induces an expansion of immune cells and a pro-inflammatory activation in the skin with a shift in resident macrophage subtypes, which was coupled to the adipose layer. Indeed, the dWAT of these mice shirked and showed clear signs of lipolysis. Moreover, IHC and IF staining of iron-mice skin showed increased cellularity of the lower dermis, which was linked to an expansion of the fibroblast population (dermis and stromal vascular fraction of the dWAT). Consistent with in vitro data, ECM genes were downregulated in the dermis, which may explain changes in the skin architecture of these mice. In this thesis, the newly established mouse model made it possible to understand how iron may affect skin cells in CVI patients and can be extremely useful for future research to develop a new therapeutic approach. This work wants to highlight the significance of iron overload in the skin, which affects cellular cross-talk, altering skin homeostasis and possibly leading to an ulcer.

A doença hepática associada a sobrecarga de ferro pode ocorrer devido a causas genéticas ou secundárias. Esse estudo avaliou pacientes com hepatopatia crônica com sobrecarga de ferro submetidos à pesquisa das mutações HFE no período de 2007-2009 e classificou como portadores de hemocromatose hereditária HFE (HH-HFE) aqueles que apresentavam as mutações C282Y/C282Y ou C282Y/H63D e como sobrecarga de ferro não HFE aqueles que apresentavam outras mutações no gene HFE como C282Y/-, H63D/- e H63D/H63D ou pacientes sem qualquer uma dessas mutações mencionadas. Os objetivos do estudo foram 1) analisar e correlacionar os aspectos fenotípicos e genotípicos de grupo de indivíduos com doença hepática crônica e sobrecarga de ferro; 2) caracterizar o quadro clínico, laboratorial e anatomopatológico, em busca de achados compatíveis com o fenótipo de hemocromatose; 3) Correlacionar o quadro clínico com as mutações no gene HFE. Foram analisados 108 indivíduos portadores de hepatopatia crônica selecionados a partir de saturação de transferrina (ST) > 45% e ferritina sérica > 350 ng/mL. Foram estudados e comparados 16 pacientes no grupo HH-HFE com 92 no grupo sobrecarga de ferro não HFE. Da casuística geral, a idade média ao diagnóstico da doença foi de 46,69 anos (16-77), com 70,73% constituída por indivíduos de cor branca, 77,57% do sexo masculino e 64,8% tinham cirrose hepática. A frequência de cirrose hepática não diferiu entre os grupos, entretanto, artropatia, carcinoma hepatocelular, diabetes e osteoporose foram mais frequentes no grupo HH- HFE (53,8% x 15,9%, 31,2% x 7,06%, 56,2% x 30%, 72,7% x 32,1%, respectivamente, p < 0,05). Os pacientes com mutações HFE diagnósticas de HH apresentaram maior chance de ter carcinoma hepatocelular (OR= 5,0, p= 0,032) quando comparados com os portadores de outros genótipos HFE e aqueles sem mutação. Os níveis de ST, ferro e ferritina também foram maiores naquele grupo, bem como os graus de siderose 3 e 4 (p= 0,026). A ST foi a variável que se correlacionou independentemente com o diagnóstico das mutações C282Y/C282Y e C282Y/H63D. A frequência de fatores de risco para sobrecarga de ferro não diferiu entre os grupos. Observou-se, entretanto, que no grupo HH-HFE havia maior número de pacientes sem qualquer fator de risco detectado (p= 0,019). Níveis de ST > 82% apresentaram maior valor preditivo negativo para o diagnóstico de HH-HFE do que os de ferritina, ferro, capacidade total de ligação de ferro e de transferrina. Concluímos que os portadores de HH-HFE têm maiores graus de sobrecarga de ferro quando comparados ao grupo de sobrecarga de ferro não-HFE; em indivíduos com doença hepática crônica. ST > 82% tem maior acurácia para diagnóstico de HH-HFE; portadores de mutações C282Y em homozigose ou em heterozigose composta com H63D têm maior chance de apresentar carcinoma hepatocelular do que os portadores de outras mutações no gene HFE e pacientes sem mutação / Chronic liver disease related to iron overload may occur due to genetic or secondary causes. This study analyzed patients with chronic liver diseases and iron overload who were tested for HFE mutations from 2007 to 2009. Patients with C282Y/C282Y or C282Y/H63D mutations were diagnosed with HFE hereditary hemochromatosis (HFE-HH) and those with other HFE genotypes (C282Y/-, H63D/- or H63D/H63D) or individuals without HFE mutations (wild type) were designed as non-HFE iron overload. The aims of this study were: 1) to analyze and to establish correlations between phenotypic and genotypic aspects of individuals with chronic liver disease and with iron overload; 2) to charachterize the clinical manifestations, laboratory and histological findings consistent with the phenotype of hemochromatosis; 3) to verify associations between clinical manifestations and HFE mutations. One hundred and eight patients with chronic liver diseases and with iron overload, defined as transferrin saturation (TS) > 45% and serum ferritin levels > 350 ng/mL were included. Sixteen patients had HH-HFE and were compared with 92 patients with non-HFE iron overload group. The average of age at diagnosis was 46.69 years (16-77), 70.73% were Caucasians, 77.57% were male and 64.8% had hepatic cirrhosis. The proportion of hepatic cirrhosis was similar in both groups, nevertheless arthropathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes and osteoporosis were more frequent in the HFE-HH group (53,8% x 15,9%, 31,2% x 7,06%, 56,2% x 30%, 72,7% x 32,1%, respectively, p < 0,05). The HFE C282Y/C282Y or C282Y/ H63D genotypes had a higher chance to develop hepatocellular carcinoma (OR= 5.0, p= 0.032) when compared with the other HFE genotypes and with those wild type. The levels of TS, serum iron and ferritin were greater in HFE-HH group, as well as hepatic siderosis grade 3 and 4 (p= 0.026). TS was the biochemical marker of iron overload with the higher independent correlation with the presence of C282Y/C282Y and C282Y/H63D mutations. The frequency of risk factors for iron overload was not different between the groups, however, in HFE-HH group a greater number of patients without any risk factor was detected (p= 0.019). TS > 82% had a higher predictive negative value for diagnosing HFE-HH when compared to the levels of ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin. We concluded that the HFE-HH patients had a greater iron overload than patients with chronic liver diseases with non-HFE iron overload. TS > 82% had more accuracy to diagnose HFE-HH. The carriers of C282Y/C282Y or C282Y/H63D mutations had a higher probability to develop hepatocellular carcinoma, when compared to the patients with HFE genotypes and patients wild type

A doença hepática associada a sobrecarga de ferro pode ocorrer devido a causas genéticas ou secundárias. Esse estudo avaliou pacientes com hepatopatia crônica com sobrecarga de ferro submetidos à pesquisa das mutações HFE no período de 2007-2009 e classificou como portadores de hemocromatose hereditária HFE (HH-HFE) aqueles que apresentavam as mutações C282Y/C282Y ou C282Y/H63D e como sobrecarga de ferro não HFE aqueles que apresentavam outras mutações no gene HFE como C282Y/-, H63D/- e H63D/H63D ou pacientes sem qualquer uma dessas mutações mencionadas. Os objetivos do estudo foram 1) analisar e correlacionar os aspectos fenotípicos e genotípicos de grupo de indivíduos com doença hepática crônica e sobrecarga de ferro; 2) caracterizar o quadro clínico, laboratorial e anatomopatológico, em busca de achados compatíveis com o fenótipo de hemocromatose; 3) Correlacionar o quadro clínico com as mutações no gene HFE. Foram analisados 108 indivíduos portadores de hepatopatia crônica selecionados a partir de saturação de transferrina (ST) > 45% e ferritina sérica > 350 ng/mL. Foram estudados e comparados 16 pacientes no grupo HH-HFE com 92 no grupo sobrecarga de ferro não HFE. Da casuística geral, a idade média ao diagnóstico da doença foi de 46,69 anos (16-77), com 70,73% constituída por indivíduos de cor branca, 77,57% do sexo masculino e 64,8% tinham cirrose hepática. A frequência de cirrose hepática não diferiu entre os grupos, entretanto, artropatia, carcinoma hepatocelular, diabetes e osteoporose foram mais frequentes no grupo HH- HFE (53,8% x 15,9%, 31,2% x 7,06%, 56,2% x 30%, 72,7% x 32,1%, respectivamente, p < 0,05). Os pacientes com mutações HFE diagnósticas de HH apresentaram maior chance de ter carcinoma hepatocelular (OR= 5,0, p= 0,032) quando comparados com os portadores de outros genótipos HFE e aqueles sem mutação. Os níveis de ST, ferro e ferritina também foram maiores naquele grupo, bem como os graus de siderose 3 e 4 (p= 0,026). A ST foi a variável que se correlacionou independentemente com o diagnóstico das mutações C282Y/C282Y e C282Y/H63D. A frequência de fatores de risco para sobrecarga de ferro não diferiu entre os grupos. Observou-se, entretanto, que no grupo HH-HFE havia maior número de pacientes sem qualquer fator de risco detectado (p= 0,019). Níveis de ST > 82% apresentaram maior valor preditivo negativo para o diagnóstico de HH-HFE do que os de ferritina, ferro, capacidade total de ligação de ferro e de transferrina. Concluímos que os portadores de HH-HFE têm maiores graus de sobrecarga de ferro quando comparados ao grupo de sobrecarga de ferro não-HFE; em indivíduos com doença hepática crônica. ST > 82% tem maior acurácia para diagnóstico de HH-HFE; portadores de mutações C282Y em homozigose ou em heterozigose composta com H63D têm maior chance de apresentar carcinoma hepatocelular do que os portadores de outras mutações no gene HFE e pacientes sem mutação / Chronic liver disease related to iron overload may occur due to genetic or secondary causes. This study analyzed patients with chronic liver diseases and iron overload who were tested for HFE mutations from 2007 to 2009. Patients with C282Y/C282Y or C282Y/H63D mutations were diagnosed with HFE hereditary hemochromatosis (HFE-HH) and those with other HFE genotypes (C282Y/-, H63D/- or H63D/H63D) or individuals without HFE mutations (wild type) were designed as non-HFE iron overload. The aims of this study were: 1) to analyze and to establish correlations between phenotypic and genotypic aspects of individuals with chronic liver disease and with iron overload; 2) to charachterize the clinical manifestations, laboratory and histological findings consistent with the phenotype of hemochromatosis; 3) to verify associations between clinical manifestations and HFE mutations. One hundred and eight patients with chronic liver diseases and with iron overload, defined as transferrin saturation (TS) > 45% and serum ferritin levels > 350 ng/mL were included. Sixteen patients had HH-HFE and were compared with 92 patients with non-HFE iron overload group. The average of age at diagnosis was 46.69 years (16-77), 70.73% were Caucasians, 77.57% were male and 64.8% had hepatic cirrhosis. The proportion of hepatic cirrhosis was similar in both groups, nevertheless arthropathy, hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes and osteoporosis were more frequent in the HFE-HH group (53,8% x 15,9%, 31,2% x 7,06%, 56,2% x 30%, 72,7% x 32,1%, respectively, p < 0,05). The HFE C282Y/C282Y or C282Y/ H63D genotypes had a higher chance to develop hepatocellular carcinoma (OR= 5.0, p= 0.032) when compared with the other HFE genotypes and with those wild type. The levels of TS, serum iron and ferritin were greater in HFE-HH group, as well as hepatic siderosis grade 3 and 4 (p= 0.026). TS was the biochemical marker of iron overload with the higher independent correlation with the presence of C282Y/C282Y and C282Y/H63D mutations. The frequency of risk factors for iron overload was not different between the groups, however, in HFE-HH group a greater number of patients without any risk factor was detected (p= 0.019). TS > 82% had a higher predictive negative value for diagnosing HFE-HH when compared to the levels of ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin. We concluded that the HFE-HH patients had a greater iron overload than patients with chronic liver diseases with non-HFE iron overload. TS > 82% had more accuracy to diagnose HFE-HH. The carriers of C282Y/C282Y or C282Y/H63D mutations had a higher probability to develop hepatocellular carcinoma, when compared to the patients with HFE genotypes and patients wild type

Student Number : 9902006N - MSc(Med) Dissertation - School of Medicine - Faculty of Health Sciences / Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignant tumour of the liver. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent hepatocarcinogen, and dietary iron overload has been shown to contribute to HCC development in black africans. Both are well studied hepatotoxins. The aim of this study was to use a Wistar rat model over a 12 month period to investigate synergy and the extent thereof between AFB1 ingestion and dietary iron overload. 25ug/day of AFB1, reconstituted in DMSO, was administered by gavaging the animals, over a period of 10 days with a 2 day interval in between. The chow diet was supplemented with 0.75% (w/w) ferrocene iron. Experimental subjects were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was fed the normal chow diet. Group 2 was fed 0.75% (w/w) ferrocene iron alone. Group 3 was gavaged 250μg AFB1 alone. Group 4 was fed the 0.75% (w/w) ferrocene iron and gavaged 250μg AFB1. A number of assays were conducted to investigate synergy. Colorimetric assays were used to measure serum iron, total-iron binding capacity, ALT, AST, GGT, nitrite production, lipid peroxidation and hydroxyproline concentrations. ELISA’s were used to determine ferritin, 8-isoprostane and 8-hydroxyguanosine concentrations. Nontransferrin bound iron was measured using an HPLC method. A chemiluminescent assay was used to measure superoxide anion production. Cytokines were measured using a suspension array system. Mutagenicity was assessed using the Ames mutagenicity assay using salmonella typhimirium strains TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA102. Iron profiling indicated that iron overloading occurred with the ingestion of the ferrocene diet. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, as illustrated by the measurement of 8-hydroxyguanosine and lipid peroxidation, showed additive synergistic effects between the two carcinogens. The anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 was shown to be markedly elevated with the co-administration of the two carcinogens, indicating the elevated inflammatory processes. Additive synergistic effects were noted in terms of the liver disease marker ALT. The salmonella typhimirium strain TA102 used in the Ames mutagenicity test showed increased colony counts with respect to the coadministration of carcinogens (P<0.05), although no synergistic effect was noted. In a few of the presented parameters, the AFB1 group was not significantly different to the control group, although significant differences between the Fe group and the Fe + AFB1 groups were noted. The implication of which is that the presence of AFB1 is increasing the activity of Fe as a carcinogen, thereby acting as a co-carcinogen. Examples of such parameters illustrating this are presented in the results section including serum ALT, serum nitrite, liver and serum lipid peroxidation, liver and serum 8-hydroxyguanosine, some of the mutagenicity assays, and interleukin-10. The conclusion of this study suggests that AFB1 acts as a co-carcinogen in the presence of iron overloading, implying that a synergistic relationship between these two toxins exists.

A hemocromatose hereditária é caracterizada pelo aumento da absorção intestinal de ferro, acarretando progressivo acúmulo no organismo. Os objetivos foram: 1- determinar as frequências das mutações p.C282Y, p.H63D e p.S65C no gene HFE e avaliar os efeitos nas concentrações dos parâmetros do ferro em doadores de sangue; 2- pesquisar mutações nos genes: 2.1- HFE, 2.2- HJV e HAMP, 2.3- TFR2 e SLC40A1, em pacientes portadores de sobrecarga de ferro primária. Participaram 542 doadores de sangue provenientes do Hemocentro da Santa Casa de São Paulo. Foram incluídos 51 pacientes que apresentavam saturação de transferrina &#8805; 50% (para mulheres) e &#8805; 60% (para homens) e ausência de causas secundárias. Os genótipos para as mutações nos genes HFE foram avaliados pela PCR-RFLP. Foi realizado sequenciamento direto bidirecional para cada éxon dos genes, utilizando o sequenciador Genetic Analizer 3500XL®. Nos doadores de sangue, as frequências dos alelos HFE 282Y, HFE 63D e HFE 65C foram 2,1, 13,6 e 0,6%, respectivamente. Os homens que doaram pela primeira vez, portadores do genótipo HFE 282CY, apresentaram maiores valores de saturação de transferrina; e também os portadores dos genótipos HFE 63DD e 63HD apresentaram maiores concentrações de ferritina sérica, em relação aos de genótipo selvagem. Para os pacientes, 72,5% (37/51) apresentaram ao menos 1 alteração no gene HFE e 11 foram identificados como homozigotos para a mutação p.C282Y. Uma mutação não descrita na literatura (p.V256I) foi identificada no gene HFE e a modelagem molecular (análises de ligação e estrutural) detectou que a mutação não reduziu a afinidade entre as proteínas HFE e &#946;2-microglobulina. No sequenciamento dos éxons dos genes HJV e HAMP foram identificadas as alterações já descritas: HJV p.E302K, HJV p.A310G, HJV p.G320V e HAMP p.R59G. Para o gene TFR2, foram identificados 3 polimorfismos já descritos (p.A75V, p.A617A e p.R752H). No gene SLC40A1 foram observados 6 polimorfismos (rs13008848, rs11568351, rs11568345, rs11568344, rs2304704 e rs11568346) e 1 alteração não descrita previamente na literatura (p.G204S). As conclusões foram: 1- em relação aos doadores de sangue, a presença dos alelos HFE 282Y e HFE 63D foi associada ao maior aporte de ferro nos homens que não doaram sangue anteriormente. 2.1- Para os pacientes com sobrecarga de ferro, a mutação p.C282Y em homozigose, ou em heterozigose composta com a p.H63D, foi a mais frequente alteração encontrada (33,3%). 2.2- O diagnóstico molecular de hemocromatose juvenil (HJ) no Brasil (HJV p.G320V em homozigose) foi relatado. As mutações funcionais HJV p.E302K e HAMP p.R59G foram identificadas, sendo possível que estas alterações possam estar contribuindo para consequências fenotípicas juntas as outras mutações em regiões intrônicas ou regulatórias dos genes. 2.3- Mutações funcionais nos genes TFR2 e SLC40A1 não foram identificadas. / Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is characterized by increased intestinal iron absorption, which leads to a progressive accumulation of iron in the body. The aims were: 1- to assess the frequency of HFE gene mutations (p.C282Y, p.H63D and p.S65C) and to identify their relationship to iron status in blood donors; 2- to search in primary iron overload patients: 2.1- HFE, 2.2- HJV and HAMP, 2.3- TFR2 and SLC40A1 gene mutations. Blood donors (n=542) were recruited from Hemocentro of Santa Casa Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The study included 51 patients with transferrin saturation &#8805; 50% (women) and &#8805; 60% (men) and absence of secondary causes. The genotypes for HFE mutations were evaluated by PCR-RFLP. Subsequent bidirectional sequencing for each gene was performed using the Genetic Analizer sequencer 3500XL®. The frequencies of HFE 282Y, HFE 63D and HFE 65C alleles were 2.1, 13.6 and 0.6% in blood donors, respectively. The first time male donors carrying heterozygous genotype for the p.C282Y mutation had higher transferrin saturation values; and men carrying HFE 63DD and 63HD genotypes had higher serum ferritin concentrations when compared to the wild genotype. Thirtyseven (72.5%) out of the 51 patients presented at least one HFE mutation and 11 were identified as homozygous for the mutation p.C282Y. One novel mutation (p.V256I) in the HFE gene was indentified and molecular modeling (free energy and structural analysis in silico) showed that p.V256I mutation did not reduce the affinity binding between HFE and &#946;2-microglobulin. Sequencing in the HJV and HAMP genes revealed HJV p.E302K, HJV p.A310G, HJV p.G320V and HAMP p.R59G alterations. Sequencing in the TFR2 gene observed 3 polymorphisms (p.A75V, p.A617A e p.R752H); and sequencing in the SLC40A1 gene identified 6 polymorphisms (rs13008848, rs11568351, rs11568345, rs11568344, rs2304704 e rs11568346) and 1 p.G204S non-described mutation. The conclusions were: 1- for blood donors, the presence of HFE 282Y and HFE 63D alleles were associated with alterations on iron status only in first time male blood donors. 2.1- For patients with iron overload, the p.C282Y mutation in homozygous or in compound heterozygous with p.H63D, was the most frequent molecular change found (33.3%). 2.2- The molecular diagnosis of Juvenil Hemochromatosis (JH) in Brazil (homozygous genotype for the HJV p.G320V) was reported. The HJV p.E302K and HAMP p.R59G functional mutations were found and, it is conceivable that they may be contributing to phenotypic consequences together to other mutations in intronic or regulatory regions. 2.3- Functional mutation in the TFR2 and SLC40A1 genes were not identified.

[Truncated abstract. Please see the pdf format for the complete text.] The discovery of the C282Y mutation and its role in the development of hereditary haemochromatosis has allowed a greater understanding into the effects of iron overload and its involvement in other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. It has also allowed the better classification of heterozygotes, who were previously only diagnosed through the use of family studies. There are however, areas of conflict between phenotyping and genotyping methods. My research involved examining the relationship between Haemochromatosis and certain diseases such as diabetes and heart disease; genotyping versus phenotyping discrepancies and the possible interaction of secondary mutations. In Chapter 3 a population study was undertaken with the aim of comparing genotyping versus phenotyping methods as well as increasing general practitioner awareness regarding hereditary haemochromatosis and its diagnosis. It was determined that a minimum of 5000 subjects would be required to give the study sufficient power. Individuals were to be between the ages of 20—40 years, and thus presumably presymptomatic. Participation was entirely voluntary and a consent form was to be signed. Recruitment of subjects proved to be difficult and there was a selective bias towards individuals already displaying symptoms of haemochromatosis. In total less than a 100 subjects were recruited for the study. There were several issues encountered in the implementation of this study. Firstly the number of GPs participating was probably insufficient to recruit the subjects required. A more extensive campaign was probably required to enroll more GPs. Secondly it is very difficult for a busy GP to find the time necessary to explain the study to each of his patients and to get them to sign the consent form. Finally a bias developed in some of the requests. The subjects participating in this study were supposed to be random but in many cases the GPs had enrolled them in the study because they had symptoms of iron overload. In effect the biggest obstacle this study faced was the recruitment of subjects. Due to the small number of subjects little statistical data could be obtained from this study. It was noted, however, that genotyping methods detected two individuals who were homozygous for the C282Y mutation. Both also had increased transferrin saturation levels. Phenotyping detected 5 individuals with increased transferrin saturation. The three others detected via phenotyping were C282Y heterozygotes. Haemochromatosis has long been though to be related to the development of diabetes due to the effect of iron overload on the pancreas. If this is so it would be logical to assume that the prevalence of haemochromatosis would be higher in a diabetic population. Chapter 4 examined the possibility that diabetics have a higher frequency of the C282Y mutation. A population group consisting of 1355 diabetics was genotyped for the C282Y mutation and iron studies were performed on all heterozygotes and C282Y homozygotes. Initial findings indicated that there was a significant difference between the diabetic and control population. However, this finding was the opposite of what was expected, there seemed to be a decreased frequency of the Y allele in the diabetic population rather than an increased one. The control and diabetic populations were not matched in terms of ethnicity. The removal of the ethnic bias in the diabetic population altered the statistics so there was no longer a significant difference between the two groups. This study highlighted the importance of using appropriate control populations as comparison groups. The final results of the study indicated that there was no significant difference between the diabetic population and the control population. This would seem to indicate that there is not an increased occurrence of the C282Y mutation in the diabetic population when compared to the control group. Chapter 5 considered the possible association between C282Y heterozygosity and cardiovascular disease as well as the potential for early mortality. Several recent studies have indicated that C282Y heterozygosity may be a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, possibly on the basis of increased iron loading. Using a control population and a population of individuals with known coronary events the incidence of the C282Y mutation was compared against other risk factors. C282Y heterozygosity did not appear to be a risk factor for atherosclerosis. There was however, a statistically significant link between increased ferritin in women and carotid plaques. A population of elderly women was genotyped in order to examine the effects of C282Y heterozygosity on longevity. The first hypothesis addressed in chapter 5 was that C282Y heterozygosity was a risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease.