Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in irreversible paralysis and widespread oligodendrocyte death and white matter damage. While the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood, previous studies from our laboratory indicate that inhibition of astroglial-NF-κB activation reduces white matter damage and improves functional recovery in a mouse model of SCI. Here we provide novel evidence demonstrating that astrocytes directly regulate oligodendrocyte fate after trauma by a glutamate-mediated AMPA receptor dependent mechanism. Following trauma, elevated expression of the SLC39a10 zinc transporter correlated with an increase in zinc uptake by astrocytes, thereby reducing extracellular zinc concentrations required for AMPA receptor inhibition. Stimulation of AMPA receptors on oligodendrocytes by glutamate induced oligodendrocyte toxicity through the activation of the NADPH oxidase enzyme within oligodendrocytes. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of active NADPH oxidase was sufficient to attenuate oligodendrocyte death in vitro. Following SCI, NADPH oxidase inhibition reduced oligodendrocyte death by ~75%, suggesting that glutamate-mediated oligodendrocyte death is dependent on the activation of the NADPH oxidase enzyme within oligodendrocytes. Combined treatment of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin and the AMPA receptor inhibitor NBQX significantly improved hind limb locomotor behavior, reduced white matter damage and lesion volume, and significantly spared descending serotonergic fibers. These studies provide a novel mechanism of oligodendrocyte death and may lead to clinically relevant therapeutics after SCI.

In 2015, American Heart Association (AHA) reported that 1 in 9 deaths are attributed to Heart failure (HF), the number one killer in the world. While advancements in interventional cardiology in conjunction with pharmacotherapies have significantly reduced the rate of mortality following MI, there has been a corresponding rise in chronic heart failure (CHF) in surviving patients, largely attributed to the limited regenerative capacity of the heart and the inadequate healing response. Myocardial ischemic injury triggers an exuberant local and systemic inflammation, and the extent and quality of the cardiac wound healing process is intricately tied to the delicate equilibrium of this inflammatory response. While cardiac regeneration is an important goal, it is imperative in the meantime to explore therapeutic strategies that target these inflammatory mediators of early cardiac repair. These interventions to influence and improve cardiac wound healing can represent a new therapeutic window to halt the progression of heart failure between the few hours that may be used to limit infarct size by reperfusion and an irreversible non-contractile cardiac scar. This dissertation examines three therapeutic delivery strategies aimed at modulating the immune response to enhance cardiac repair in rodent models MI: 1) Polyketal nanoparticles as siRNA delivery vehicles for antioxidant therapy; 2) Spherical nucleic acid particles for anti-inflammatory therapy and; 3) Bioactive PEG (polyethyleneglycol)-based hydrogel for immunomodulation. The work presented here applies novel nucleic acid delivery strategies for cardiac gene silencing and has contributed to new knowledge with regard to modulating the immune response following MI.

Atherosclerosis is a complex inflammation condition involving the accumulation of lipid-filled macrophages within the artery wall. Progression of the initial fatty streak to an advanced atherosclerotic plaque is characterized by the development of a necrotic core region containing cholesterol and dead cells. The oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and its subsequent uptake by macrophages to form foam cells are the key process in plaque formation. OxLDL is found within atherosclerotic plaque, and it is cytotoxic to a range of cells including macrophages through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induction of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxic effects of oxLDL to U937 human monocyte-like cells. OxLDL caused a rapid concentration-dependent cell viability loss in U937 cells within 6 hours. The progression of oxLDL-induced cell death was found to be strongly correlated with the intracellular ROS production and intracellular glutathione (GSH) loss. OxLDL also caused a rapid loss of intracellular aconitase activity, indicating the impairment of the cellular metabolic function. The cytosolic calcium ion (Ca²⁺) level was also elevated by oxLDL, which could be from both intra- and extra-cellular sources. OxLDL also activated plasma membrane superoxide generation complex NADPH oxidase (NOX), and the progression of oxLDL-induced NOX activation was correlated with oxLDL-mediated ROS production, suggesting NOX is the major source of ROS. Further investigations using NOX inhibitors apocynin or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) found that inhibition of NOX prevented oxLDL-induced cell viability loss, ROS production, GSH loss and aconitase activity decrease. The cytosolic Ca²⁺ elevation caused by oxLDL was also suppressed slightly by inhibiting NOX activity. These results clearly show that NOX is the major site of oxidative stress upon oxLDL activation, contributing to the oxLDL-induced cell death. This study also examined the protective effect of 7,8-dihydroneopterin (7,8-NP) on oxLDL-induced oxidative stress. 7,8-NP dramatically protected cells from oxLDL-induced cell viability loss, ROS generation and aconitase activity loss. 7,8-NP also inhibited oxLDL-induced cytosolic Ca²⁺ influx particularly after 3 hours. 7,8-NP did not inhibited mitochondrial aconitase activity decrease caused by oxLDL, nor inhibited mitochondrial ROS production. This indicates the protective effect of 7,8-NP against oxLDL damage could primarily in cytoplasm. The failure of 7,8-NP protection from oxLDL activating NOX suggests that the protection of 7,8-NP against oxLDL-induced oxidative stress was not due to the inhibition of NOX activation, but by radical scavenging activity of the NOX products.

Zugl.: Berlin, Freie University, Diss., 2009.

Orientador: Cristina Antoniali Silva / Coorientadora: Lusiane Maria Bendhack / Banca: Graziela Scalianti Ceravolo / Banca: Michele Mazzaron de Castro / Resumo: A enzima NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX) é a principal fonte de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO) no sistema cardiovascular e sua atividade e expressão podem ser regulada pela angiotensina (Ang) II. Demonstramos previamente que o tratamento crônico com apocinina, um inibidor de NOX, reduziu a pressão arterial e preveniu o desenvolvimento da disfunção endotelial em SHR. Estes efeitos da apocinina foram associados a redução de geração de ERO e ao aumento da biodisponibilidade de óxido nítrico em células endoteliais de SHR. Dados de nosso laboratório mostraram que o tratamento com apocinina, também reduziu o efeito pressor da Ang II em SHR. A associação entre Ang II, via receptores AT1, e o estresse oxidativo tem sido implicada na patogênese da hipertensão. Levantamos a hipótese que a apocinina, ao alterar a sinalização redox, reduz a expressão de receptores AT1 e a resposta vasoconstritora da Ang II em SHR. Neste estudo, avaliamos o efeito do tratamento crônico com apocinina sobre as respostas contráteis à Ang II em vasos sanguíneos de SHR e os mecanismos envolvidos nestes efeitos, utilizando ensaios bioquímicos, biomoleculares e funcionais. SHR foram tratados com apocinina (30 mg/Kg, v.o.) da 4ª a 10ª semana de vida e ratos Wistar foram utilizados como controle normotenso. Analisamos os efeitos da apocinina na capacidade antioxidante plasmática, expressão de NOX, geração de ERO, níveis de nitrato/ nitrito, expressão de receptores AT1 e AT2, e respostas vasoconstritor... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX) is the major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cardiovascular system and its activity and expression could be regulated by angiotensin (Ang) II. We previously demonstrated that chronic treatment with apocynin, a NOX inhibitor, reduced blood pressure and prevented the development of endothelial dysfunction in SHR. These effects of apocynin have been associated with reduced generation of ROS and increased bioavailability of nitric oxide in endothelial cells of SHR. Data from our laboratory showed that treatment with apocynin also reduced the pressor effect of Ang II on SHR. The association between Ang II, via AT1 receptors, and oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension. We hypothesized that apocynin, altering redox signaling, could reduce expression of AT1 receptors and Ang II vasoconstrictor response in SHR. In this study, we evaluated the effect of chronic treatment with apocynin on the contractile responses to Ang II in blood vessels of SHR and the mechanisms involved in the effects of these on biochemical, biomolecular and functional assays. SHR were treated with apocynin (30 mg/kg, p.o.) from the 4 th to the 10th week of life and Wistar rats were used as normotensive control. Analysis of the effects of apocynin on plasma antioxidant capacity, NOX expression, ROS generation, nitrate/ nitrite levels, expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors, and vasoconstrictor responses to Ang II on mesenteric and aortic arteries.... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-06T23:46:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013 / Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Psicofarmacologia (AFIP) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / A insufiCiência renal cronica (IRC) e uma doenca de elevada morbidade e mortalidade, que requer tratamento de alto custo e possui grande impacto na qualidade de vida. Ao longo de sua progressao, e frequente o aparecimento dos disturbios de sono, os quais tem sido associados a uma menor chance de sobrevida nessa populacao. Devido a exposicao a situacoes estressoras como a dialise, a permanencia constante em ambiente hospitalar e a alta prevalencia de disturbios de sono, a restricao de sono constitui outro fator inerente ao cotidiano do paciente com IRC. Sabe-se, porem, que o sono exerce funcoes essenciais na restauracao e manutencao da homeostasia corporal, sugerindo um possivel papel da falta de sono no avanco da IRC. Assim, um tratamento alternativo que pudesse prevenir ou tratar as possiveis complicacoes decorrentes da falta de sono, melhorando a evolucao da doenca seria um avanco de grande relevancia. Nesse sentido, ressalta-se o uso do sildenafil, o qual tem apresentado efeitos beneficos no sistema renal, cardiovascular e sexual. Portanto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar o papel do sono e do sildenafil na progressao da IRC por meio de duas investigacoes: 1) Estudo do padrao de sono na evolucao da IRC; 2) Avaliacao dos efeitos do sildenafil e da restricao de sono na progressao da IRC. Em relacao ao primeiro estudo, os resultados revelaram que animais com IRC apos oito semanas apresentaram um sono fragmentado e com inversao do ciclo vigilia-sono, que compensou sua necessidade homeostatica. No entanto, com 12 semanas de IRC, observou-se reducao do tempo total de sono e do sono paradoxal, alem do elevado numero de despertares. Em geral, a perda da funcao renal e o aumento da pressao arterial sistolica foram considerados fatores preditores independentes da piora na qualidade do sono. Em relacao ao segundo estudo, observou-se que o tratamento com sildenafil foi capaz de reduzir a proteinuria e as alteracoes da morfologia renal, aumentando o clearance de creatinina e evitando o desenvolvimento da hipertensao, a perda excessiva de peso, o hipogonadismo, a disfuncao eretil, a dislipidemia e o aumento de citocinas pro-inflamatorias. Entretanto, frente a restricao de sono esses efeitos beneficos foram atenuados, com excecao da melhora no desempenho sexual. Houve tambem um aumento da sobrevida induzido pelo tratamento com sildenafil, o qual em 75% o risco de mortalidade. No coracao, a expressao genica de eNOS e ECA2 aumentaram seletivamente nos animais IRC nao-restritos de sono, explicando em parte a reducao da hipertensao nesse grupo. Porem, um aumento da expressao cardiaca de NOX2 associado a elevados niveis de aldosterona foi encontrado no grupo IRC tratado com sildenafil e restrito de sono, o qual tambem apresentou aumento significativo da frequencia cardiaca. No rim, observou-se aumento na expressao de NOX2 e reducao de NOX4 e DDAH1 nos animais IRC comparados aos controles, independente do tratamento e da restricao de sono. A expressao de eNOS, no entanto, foi maior no grupo IRC tratado com sildenafil e naorestrito de sono. No testiculo, a restricao de sono elevou a expressao de eNOS, explicando em parte a melhora no comportamento sexual. Alem disso, uma reducao na expressao genica de DDAH1 e ECA2 foi identificada apenas no grupo IRC tratado com veiculo em comparacao aos demais grupos. No corpo cavernoso, a expressao de NOX2 foi reduzida pelo tratamento com sildenafil nos animais IRC, independente da restricao de sono, enquanto o aumento na expressao de eNOS e ECA2 foi observado apenas no grupo IRC tratado com sildenafil e nao-restrito de sono. Apos a restricao de sono, um aumento da expressao de iNOS foi observado apenas no grupo IRC tratado com veiculo. Em conclusao, o presente estudo mostrou que tanto as alteracoes na arquitetura do sono como a reducao no tempo de sono estao relacionadas a um maior avanco da IRC de maneira bidirecional. Alem disso, o tratamento com sildenafil apresentou beneficios na IRC, principalmente quando nao associado a restricao de sono, pois retarda o avanco da doenca e evita o desenvolvimento da hipertensao e da disfuncao eretil por meio de alteracoes mediadas em parte pela reducao da expressao de NOX2 e aumento de NOS, DDAH1 e ECA2 em multiplos orgaos. Apesar disso, um possivel efeito cardiotoxico deve ser mais bem investigado. Em suma, este trabalho sugere que para um melhor tratamento e evolucao da IRC se faz necessaria uma boa qualidade e quantidade adequada de sono / Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality, which requires costly treatment and has significant impact on quality of life. Along its progression, it is usual the development of sleep disorders, which have been recenlty linked to a lower chance of survival in this population. Due to the constant exposure to stressful situations such as dialysis, kidney transplantation and stay at hospital enviroment, sleep restriction is another factor inherent in the daily life of patients with CKD. It is known, however, that sleep is essential for the restoration and maintenance of body homeostasis, suggesting a possible role for lack of sleep to the aggravation of CKD. Accordingly, an alternative treatment that could prevent or treat possible complications arising from sleep debt and improve the disease outcomes would be a breakthrough of great importance. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of sleep and sildenafil in the progression of CKD by two investigations: 1) The study of sleep pattern in the evolution of CKD; 2) Effects of sildenafil and sleep restriction in the progression of CKD. Regarding the first study, the results revealed that after eight weeks, animals with CKD showed a fragmented sleep in addition to a reversal pattern of sleep-wake cycle, which offset the sleep homeostatic need. After 12 weeks of CKD, however, there was a reduction in the total sleep time, mainly due to decrease of the paradoxal sleep, and an increase in the number of awakenings. The loss of renal function and increase in systolic blood pressure were considered independent predictors of the poor quality of sleep. Regarding the second study, it was observed that the treatment with sildenafil was able to reduce proteinuria and changes in renal morphology, increasing creatinine clearance and preventing the development of hypertension, excessive weight loss, hypogonadism, erectile dysfunction, dyslipidemia and the increase of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1α, TNF α, and IL-17. However, given the sleep restriction these effects were attenuated, with exception of the improvement in the sexual behavior. There was also an increase in survival rate induced by treatment with sildenafil, which decreased by 75% the risk of mortality. In the heart, the gene expression of eNOS and ACE2 increased selectively in CKD non-restricted animals, explaining in part the reduction of hypertension in this group. However, increased cardiac expression of NOX2 associated with high aldosterone levels were found in the CKD group treated with sildenafil and sleep restricted, which also showed a significant increase in heart rate. In the kidney, we observed increased expression of NOX2 and reduced NOX4 and DDAH1 in the CKD animals compared to controls, regardless of treatment and sleep restriction. However, the expression of eNOS was higher in the CKD group treated with sildenafil but non-sleep restricted compared to CKD animals treated with vehicle and non-sleep restricted as well as with CKD animals treated with sildenafil and sleep restricted. In the testis, sleep restriction increased the expression of eNOS, explaining in part the improvement of sexual performance. Furthermore, a reduction in the gene expression of ACE2 and DDAH1 were found only in the CKD animals treated with vehicle in relation to the other groups. In the corpus cavernosum, the NOX2 expression was reduced by treatment with sildenafil in the CKD animals, regardless of the sleep restriction. Also, increased expression of eNOS and ACE2 were observed only in the CKD treated with sildenafil and non-sleep restricted. After the sleep restriction, an increase of iNOS expression was observed in the CKD group treated with vehicle. In conclusion, this study showed that both the changes in sleep architecture and the reduction in sleep time are related to further advancement of CKD in a bidirectional manner. In addition, sildenafil has benefits in CKD, because it slows disease progression and prevents the development of hypertension and erectile dysfunction through changes mediated by the reduction of NOX2 and increase of NOS, ACE2 and DDAH1 gene expression in multiple organs. Nevertheless, a possible cardiotoxic effect must be further investigated. In general, this work suggests that for a better evolution of CKD it is important an adequate quality and quantity of sleep. / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Made available in DSpace on 2015-01-26T13:21:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-08-07Bitstream added on 2015-01-26T13:30:22Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000797249_20150903.pdf: 551884 bytes, checksum: 6f249a087df5eb16de47f2472dd301e1 (MD5) Bitstreams deleted on 2015-09-03T13:12:49Z: 000797249_20150903.pdf,. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-09-03T13:13:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000797249.pdf: 3130829 bytes, checksum: b6ad1f9fa1251f1ff059a82f758f9992 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Nicotinamida adenina dinucleotídeo fosfato (NADPH) oxidases são complexos multienzimáticos associados à membrana celular cuja principal função é catalisar a redução de oxigênio molecular a ânion superóxido (O2 •-). Em leucócitos, este é o mecanismo primário pelo qual estas células produzem espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs), as quais estão envolvidas tanto nos mecanismos de defesa imune inato, quanto em processos oxidativos deletérios característicos de muitas patologias de cunho crônico inflamatório. Neste trabalho apresentamos os resultados obtidos e proposta de mecanismo de inibição do complexo NADPH oxidase por um conjunto de ésteres alquílicos sintéticos derivados do ácido protocatecúico, sendo este último um ácido fenólico presente em diversas plantas e com destacada capacidade antiradicalar. Nossa hipótese foi de que o aumento da hidrofobicidade provocado pela esterificação do ácido protocatecúico poderia facilitar o seu acesso à membrana celular e assim alterar seus efeitos biológicos. Esta hipótese se confirmou, pois muito mais do que melhorar a sua capacidade anti-radicalar (modelos in vitro), a esterificação provocou uma melhora significativa na capacidade de inibição do complexo NADPH oxidase em leucócitos (modelos ex vivo). Este efeito se propagou às EROs decorrentes de ânion superóxido e produzidas por leucócitos como peróxido de hidrogênio e ácido hipocloroso, sem entretanto alterar a sua capacidade fagocítica. Cabe frisar que não se trata de ação supressora sobre estas EROs, mas sim efetiva inibição de sua formação, o que foi demonstrado pelos diversos controles empregados. A esterificação do ácido protocatecúico também causou efetiva melhora na capacidade deste como inibidor das citocinas TNF-a e IL-10 produzidas por leucócitos mononucleares de sangue periférico. Considerando a baixa toxicidade e baixo custo de síntese desses ésteres, propomos que os mesmos ... / Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases are multienzymatic complexes associated to the cell membranes whose main function is to catalyze the reduction of molecular oxygen to superoxide (O2 •-). In leukocytes, this is the primary mechanism through which these cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are involved in both the innate immune defense mechanisms and deleterious oxidative processes, which characterizes many chronic inflammatory diseases. In this thesis we present the results and proposed mechanism of inhibition of the NADPH oxidase complex by a group of synthetic alkyl esters derived from protocatechuic acid, a phenolic acid present in many plants with detached antiradical capacity. Our hypothesis was that the increase in hydrophobicity caused by esterification of protocatechuic acid could facilitate their access to the cell membrane and thereby alter their biological effects. This hypothesis was confirmed, since not only its anti-radical activity was increased (in vitro models), but also caused a significant improvement in their ability to inhibit NADPH oxidase complex in leukocytes (ex vivo models). This effect has spread to ROS derived from superoxide anion and produced by leukocytes such as hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid, without altering their phagocytic capacity. It must be emphasize that the observed cellular effects were not due to simple suppressive action on ROS, but effective inhibition of its formation, which was demonstrated by the various control experiments. The esterification of protocatechuic acid also caused improvement in their capacity as inhibitor of TNF-a and IL-10 production by peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes. Considering the low toxicity and low cost of synthesis of these esters, we suggest that they could be used in in vivo models as promising anti-inflammatory ...

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-07T17:12:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-02-26. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-06-07T17:16:41Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000865881.pdf: 980130 bytes, checksum: 18fb986e61f4ae49274bf00edf7afc5d (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) são a maior causa de invalidez e mortalidade em todo o mundo. Entre os principais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento das DCV estão o diabetes mellitus (DM) e a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS). Frequentemente, há co-existência de DM e HAS e isso ocasiona aumento do risco de eventos cardiovasculares. Os danos causados tanto pela HAS como pelo DM têm sido associados com o aumento do estresse oxidativo. A família de enzimas nicotinamida adenina dinucleotídeo fosfato (NADPH) oxidase constitui uma das principais fontes de produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio no sistema cardiovascular. A apocinina (APO) tem sido caracterizada como um inibidor da NADPH oxidase desde a década de 1980. Apesar de evidências promissoras do uso da APO no tratamento de inúmeras doenças, há estudos questionando seu poder inibidor da NADPH oxidase. Além de controvérsias do uso da APO no bloqueio da NADPH oxidase em células não fagocíticas, poucos estudos avaliaram os efeitos desse bloqueio sobre o remodelamento cardíaco. Além disso, a escassez de informações é maior quando se associa HAS e DM. Portanto, o objetivo foi analisar a influência da inibição da NADPH oxidase por apocinina sobre o remodelamento cardíaco em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) com diabetes mellitus. Métodos: SHR, machos, com 7 meses de idade, foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle (CTL, n=18), controle+apocinina (CTL+APO, n=18); diabético (DM, n=20) e diabético+apocinina (DM+APO, n=20). DM foi induzido por estreptozotocina (40 mg/kg, ip, dose única). Os grupos CTL+APO e DM+APO receberam APO (16 mg/kg/dia, diluída na água dos animais) durante 8 semanas. A avaliação estrutural e funcional in vivo do coração foi realizada por meio do ecocardiograma. O estudo funcional in vitro foi realizado pela técnica do músculo papilar do ventrículo esquerdo (VE). Para análise estrutural in vitro, foram medidos os... / Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and arterial hypertension (AH) are the main risk factors for the development of CVD. The coexistence of diabetes and hypertension is common and leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Organs damage caused by hypertension and DM have been associated with increased oxidative stress. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase enzymes family is a major source of reactive oxygen species in the cardiovascular system. Apocynin (APO) has been characterized as an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase since the 1980's decade. Despite promising evidence of APO in the treatment of many diseases, there are studies questioning its power as an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. Besides controversies on the use of apocynin in blocking NADPH oxidase in non-phagocytic cells, few studies have evaluated the effects of its blockade on cardiac remodeling. In addition, there is a lack of information when AH and DM are associated. Therefore, the aim was to analyze the influence of NADPH oxidase inhibition by apocynin on cardiac remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with diabetes mellitus. Methods: Seven-month-old male SHR were divided into four groups: control (CTL, n=18); CTL+APO (n=18); DM (n=20); DM+APO (n=20). DM was induced by streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, i.p., single dose). CTL+APO and DM+APO groups received APO (16 mg/kg/day, diluted in the water) for 8 weeks. In vivo cardiac structures and functions were assessed by echocardiogram. In vitro functional study was performed by left ventricular papillary muscle study. In vitro left ventricle (LV), right ventricle and atria weights were measured. Samples of these structures, liver and lung were used to calculate the wet/dry weight ratio. LV tissue samples were obtained to measure myocyte diameters, interstitial collagen fraction, and hydroxyproline concentration. Left ...

Orientador : Valdecir Farias Ximenes / Coorientador: Luiz Marcos da Fonseca / Banca: Patricia Palmeira Daenekas Jorge / Banca: Alexander Batista Duharte / Banca: Maria Luiza Zeraik / Banca: Alexandra Ivo de Medeiros / Resumo: Nicotinamida adenina dinucleotídeo fosfato (NADPH) oxidases são complexos multienzimáticos associados à membrana celular cuja principal função é catalisar a redução de oxigênio molecular a ânion superóxido (O2 •-). Em leucócitos, este é o mecanismo primário pelo qual estas células produzem espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs), as quais estão envolvidas tanto nos mecanismos de defesa imune inato, quanto em processos oxidativos deletérios característicos de muitas patologias de cunho crônico inflamatório. Neste trabalho apresentamos os resultados obtidos e proposta de mecanismo de inibição do complexo NADPH oxidase por um conjunto de ésteres alquílicos sintéticos derivados do ácido protocatecúico, sendo este último um ácido fenólico presente em diversas plantas e com destacada capacidade antiradicalar. Nossa hipótese foi de que o aumento da hidrofobicidade provocado pela esterificação do ácido protocatecúico poderia facilitar o seu acesso à membrana celular e assim alterar seus efeitos biológicos. Esta hipótese se confirmou, pois muito mais do que melhorar a sua capacidade anti-radicalar (modelos in vitro), a esterificação provocou uma melhora significativa na capacidade de inibição do complexo NADPH oxidase em leucócitos (modelos ex vivo). Este efeito se propagou às EROs decorrentes de ânion superóxido e produzidas por leucócitos como peróxido de hidrogênio e ácido hipocloroso, sem entretanto alterar a sua capacidade fagocítica. Cabe frisar que não se trata de ação supressora sobre estas EROs, mas sim efetiva inibição de sua formação, o que foi demonstrado pelos diversos controles empregados. A esterificação do ácido protocatecúico também causou efetiva melhora na capacidade deste como inibidor das citocinas TNF-a e IL-10 produzidas por leucócitos mononucleares de sangue periférico. Considerando a baixa toxicidade e baixo custo de síntese desses ésteres, propomos que os mesmos ... / Abstract: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases are multienzymatic complexes associated to the cell membranes whose main function is to catalyze the reduction of molecular oxygen to superoxide (O2 •-). In leukocytes, this is the primary mechanism through which these cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are involved in both the innate immune defense mechanisms and deleterious oxidative processes, which characterizes many chronic inflammatory diseases. In this thesis we present the results and proposed mechanism of inhibition of the NADPH oxidase complex by a group of synthetic alkyl esters derived from protocatechuic acid, a phenolic acid present in many plants with detached antiradical capacity. Our hypothesis was that the increase in hydrophobicity caused by esterification of protocatechuic acid could facilitate their access to the cell membrane and thereby alter their biological effects. This hypothesis was confirmed, since not only its anti-radical activity was increased (in vitro models), but also caused a significant improvement in their ability to inhibit NADPH oxidase complex in leukocytes (ex vivo models). This effect has spread to ROS derived from superoxide anion and produced by leukocytes such as hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid, without altering their phagocytic capacity. It must be emphasize that the observed cellular effects were not due to simple suppressive action on ROS, but effective inhibition of its formation, which was demonstrated by the various control experiments. The esterification of protocatechuic acid also caused improvement in their capacity as inhibitor of TNF-a and IL-10 production by peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes. Considering the low toxicity and low cost of synthesis of these esters, we suggest that they could be used in in vivo models as promising anti-inflammatory ... / Doutor

Orientador: Katashi Okoshi / Banca: Silméia Garcia Zanati Bazan / Banca: Marcos Ferreira Minicuci / Banca: Fábio Fernandes / Banca: Francis Lopes Pacagnelli / Resumo: As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) são a maior causa de invalidez e mortalidade em todo o mundo. Entre os principais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento das DCV estão o diabetes mellitus (DM) e a hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS). Frequentemente, há co-existência de DM e HAS e isso ocasiona aumento do risco de eventos cardiovasculares. Os danos causados tanto pela HAS como pelo DM têm sido associados com o aumento do estresse oxidativo. A família de enzimas nicotinamida adenina dinucleotídeo fosfato (NADPH) oxidase constitui uma das principais fontes de produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio no sistema cardiovascular. A apocinina (APO) tem sido caracterizada como um inibidor da NADPH oxidase desde a década de 1980. Apesar de evidências promissoras do uso da APO no tratamento de inúmeras doenças, há estudos questionando seu poder inibidor da NADPH oxidase. Além de controvérsias do uso da APO no bloqueio da NADPH oxidase em células não fagocíticas, poucos estudos avaliaram os efeitos desse bloqueio sobre o remodelamento cardíaco. Além disso, a escassez de informações é maior quando se associa HAS e DM. Portanto, o objetivo foi analisar a influência da inibição da NADPH oxidase por apocinina sobre o remodelamento cardíaco em ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) com diabetes mellitus. Métodos: SHR, machos, com 7 meses de idade, foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle (CTL, n=18), controle+apocinina (CTL+APO, n=18); diabético (DM, n=20) e diabético+apocinina (DM+APO, n=20). DM foi induzido por estreptozotocina (40 mg/kg, ip, dose única). Os grupos CTL+APO e DM+APO receberam APO (16 mg/kg/dia, diluída na água dos animais) durante 8 semanas. A avaliação estrutural e funcional in vivo do coração foi realizada por meio do ecocardiograma. O estudo funcional in vitro foi realizado pela técnica do músculo papilar do ventrículo esquerdo (VE). Para análise estrutural in vitro, foram medidos os... / Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and arterial hypertension (AH) are the main risk factors for the development of CVD. The coexistence of diabetes and hypertension is common and leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Organs damage caused by hypertension and DM have been associated with increased oxidative stress. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase enzymes family is a major source of reactive oxygen species in the cardiovascular system. Apocynin (APO) has been characterized as an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase since the 1980's decade. Despite promising evidence of APO in the treatment of many diseases, there are studies questioning its power as an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. Besides controversies on the use of apocynin in blocking NADPH oxidase in non-phagocytic cells, few studies have evaluated the effects of its blockade on cardiac remodeling. In addition, there is a lack of information when AH and DM are associated. Therefore, the aim was to analyze the influence of NADPH oxidase inhibition by apocynin on cardiac remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with diabetes mellitus. Methods: Seven-month-old male SHR were divided into four groups: control (CTL, n=18); CTL+APO (n=18); DM (n=20); DM+APO (n=20). DM was induced by streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, i.p., single dose). CTL+APO and DM+APO groups received APO (16 mg/kg/day, diluted in the water) for 8 weeks. In vivo cardiac structures and functions were assessed by echocardiogram. In vitro functional study was performed by left ventricular papillary muscle study. In vitro left ventricle (LV), right ventricle and atria weights were measured. Samples of these structures, liver and lung were used to calculate the wet/dry weight ratio. LV tissue samples were obtained to measure myocyte diameters, interstitial collagen fraction, and hydroxyproline concentration. Left ... / Doutor