INTRODUÇÃO: portadores de diabetes mellitus tipo 1 (DM1) apresentam, progressivamente, complicações vásculo-neurais. Os fatores que aumentam o risco de coronariopatia - hipertensão, dislipidemia e idade avançada - explicam, em parte, a alta mortalidade cardiovascular, entretanto diabéticos tipo 1 podem morrer de coronariopatia precoce e não apresentar os fatores de risco clássicos para aterosclerose. Modificações estruturais e funcionais nas lipoproteínas, alterando a sua composição e trocas lipídicas poderiam justificar o aumento de eventos vasculares, entretanto estas alterações podem não ser detectadas através das dosagens rotineiras de lípides plasmáticos. OBJETIVOS: através de nanoemulsão lipídica artificial (LDE) que simula a estrutura lipídica da LDL avaliamos, em portadores de DM1, normolipidêmicos, intensivamente tratados e sem complicações significativas da doença, a taxa de esterificação do colesterol, a remoção da nanoemulsão da circulação, o tamanho da partícula HDL e as transferências de lípides entre a nanoemulsão e as partículas HDL. Secundariamente, determinamos a influência do controle glicêmico, resistência à insulina (RI) e insulinização no metabolismo lipídico. MÉTODOS: estudamos 36 indivíduos diabéticos e 37 controles não-diabéticos pareados para idade, sexo e índice de massa corpórea. Nanoemulsão lipídica artificial com marcação radioativa nos lípides éster de colesterol (CE), colesterol livre (CL), triglicérides (TG) e fosfolípides (PL) foi utilizada para os estudos. Nanoemulsão com marcação 14C-CE e 3H-CL foi injetada nos participantes e amostras de sangue foram coletadas durante 24 horas para mensuração da radioatividade. Remoção dos lípides da circulação foi calculada por análise compartimental. A taxa da esterificação do colesterol livre foi calculada após extração e separação de lípides do plasma por cromatografia em camada delgada. Para estudo da transferência de lípides, nanoemulsões com marcação 14C-CE e 3H-CL ou 14C-PL e 3H-TG foram incubadas com plasma e a radioatividade dos lípides transferidos para as HDL foi contada após a precipitação de lipoproteínas contendo apoB. O diâmetro da HDL foi mensurado por método de dispersão da luz. A RI nos diabéticos foi mensurada por fórmula que estima a taxa de captação da glicose. RESULTADOS: hemoglobina glicada foi de 8,8±1,3 mg/dl e concentrações de LDLc foram menores nos diabéticos (85±22 vs. 98±26 mg/dl), p=0, 035. Não houve diferenças em relação às taxas de esterificação, transferências de lípides da nanoemulsão para as HDL e tamanho da partícula HDL entre os grupos. Não encontramos relação entre as análises cinéticas e HbA1c, glicemia, índices de RI e dose de insulina. A taxa de remoção do 14C-CE foi mais rápida em diabéticos tipo 1 que nos controles (0, 059±0, 022 vs.0, 039±0, 022 h-1), p=0, 019. 16 CONCLUSÕES: apesar de controle glicêmico ruim nos DM1, as transferências de lípides da nanoemulsão para as HDL, a taxa de esterificação e a remoção da 3H-CL são semelhantes às dos controles. O controle glicêmico, perfil lipídico, índices de RI e dose de insulina não influenciaram nas transferências de lípides e na taxa de esterificação. A remoção do 14C-CE é mais rápida em indivíduos diabéticos, o que poderia justificar as concentrações de LDLc mais baixas encontradas nesta população. Acreditamos que a terapia insulínica intensiva pode justificar estes achados / INTRODUTION: people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) have progressively neuro-vascular complications. Factors that increase the risk of coronary artery disease hypertension, dislipidemia and advanced age explains part of increased cardiovascular mortality, however some DM1 died of early coronary artery disease and often do not have atherosclerosis classical risk factors. Structural and functional changes in lipoproteins, altering their composition and activities of lipid exchange could justify the increase in vascular events but these changes are generally not detected by routine clinical laboratory plasma lipid exams. OBJETIVES: in normolipidemic DM1, intensively treated and without significant complications of disease we evaluated, by an artificial lipid nanoemulsion that resembles the lipid structure of LDL, rates of cholesterol esterification, nanoemulsion removal of the circulation, HDL particle size and lipid transfer from nanoemulsion to HDL. Secondarily, we determine the influence of glycemic control, insulin resistance (IR) and insulinization on lipid metabolism. METHODS: we studied 36 diabetics and 37 non-diabetic controls paired by age, sex and body mass index. Artificial lipid nanoemulsion labeled with radioactive lipids cholesterol ester (CE), cholesterol (CL), phospholipids (PL) and triglycerides (TG) was used for studies. Intravenous infusion of nanoemulsion 14C-CE e 3H-CL was injected in participants and blood was sampled over 24 hours for radioactivity measurement. Circulation lipid removal was calculated through compartmental analysis. Rate of cholesterol esterification was calculated after lipid extraction and separation by thin-layer chromatography. Nanoemulsion was incubated with plasma and radioactivity of lipids 14C-EC, 3H-CL, 14C-PL and 3H-TG transferred to the HDL was quantified after the precipitation of other apoB lipoproteins. The HDL diameter was measured by laser light scattering. The insulin resistance in diabetic patients was measured by formula that estimates the rate of uptake of glucose. RESULTS: glycated hemoglobin was 8,8±1,3 mg/dl and LDL concentrations were lower in diabetic patients (85 ± 22 vs. 98 ± 26 mg / dl), p = 0035. There were no differences between groups regarding rates of cholesterol esterification, lipids transfer from nanoemulsion to HDL and HDL particle size. We found no relationship between the kinetic analyses and HbA1c, blood glucose, measures of IR and dose of insulin. The rate of removal of 14C-EC was faster in diabetics type 1 than controls (0.059 ± 0.022 vs.0.039 ± 0.022 h- 1), p = 0.019. CONCLUSIONS: despite suboptimal glycemic control in diabetics, lipids transfer from nanoemulsion to HDL, rate of cholesterol esterification and removal of 3H-CL are similar to those of non-diabetic individuals. Glycemic control, lipid profile, measures of IR and dose of insulin did not influence lipids transfer and rate of cholesterol esterification. Removal of 14C-EC from diabetic circulation is faster than controls which could justify the 18 lower LDL concentration found in this population. We believe that intensive insulin therapy could explain these findings

As doenças cardiovasculares são a principal causa de mortalidade no mundo. A aterosclerose é a base fisiopatológica dessas doenças, sendo definida como um processo crônico-inflamatório multifatorial, resultando da interação de diferentes células como linfócitos, macrófagos, células endoteliais e células musculares lisas na parede arterial. A lipoproteína de baixa densidade eletronegativa [LDL(-)], uma subfração modificada da LDL nativa, desempenha um papel-chave na aterosclerose, uma vez que as modificações sofridas por esta partícula são capazes de induzir o acúmulo de ésteres de colesterol em macrófagos e a subsequente formação de células espumosas. O sistema imunológico é crucial no processo aterogênico e estratégias terapêuticas direcionadas à imunoregulação deste processo têm sido utilizadas como novas alternativas tanto na prevenção do desenvolvimento quanto da progressão desta doença. Dentre essas estratégias, destaca-se o uso de fragmentos de anticorpos como o scFv (do inglês, single chain fragment variable), que podem ainda estar conjugados a nanopartículas com o intuito de aumentar sua eficiência de ação no organismo. Diante do papel da LDL(-) na aterosclerose, este projeto objetivou avaliar os efeitos in vitro e in vivo de um sistema nanoestruturado contendo fragmentos scFv anti-LDL(-) derivatizados na superfície de nanocápsulas sobre macrófagos murinos e humanos primários e em camundongos knockout para o gene do receptor da LDL (Ldlr-/-) no desenvolvimento e na progressão dessa doença. Demonstrou-se que o tratamento de macrófagos com a formulação scFv anti-LDL(-)-MCMN-Zn diminuiu de forma significativa a captação de LDL(-), assim como a expressão de IL-1β (mRNA e proteína) e MCP-1 (mRNA). Foi demonstrada a internalização da nanoformulação pelos macrófagos via diferentes mecanismos de endocitose, demonstrando seu potencial uso como carreador de fármacos. In vivo, a nanoformulação diminuiu de forma significativa a área da lesão aterosclerótica em camundongos Ldlr-/- submetidos à avaliação pela técnica de tomografia por emissão de pósitrons (do inglês, PET), utilizando o radiotraçador 18F-FDG (18F-desoxiglicose), associada à tomografia computadorizada (CT) com agente de contraste iodado, além da análise morfométrica das lesões no arco aórtico. O conjunto dos resultados obtidos evidenciou a ação ateroprotetora da formulação scFv anti-LDL(-)-MCMN-Zn, reforçando seu potencial como estratégia terapêutica na aterosclerose. / Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Atherosclerosis is the pathophysiological basis of these diseases, defined as a chronic inflammatory multifactorial process, resulting from the interaction of several cells such as lymphocytes macrophages, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells within the arterial wall. The electronegative low-density lipoprotein [LDL(-)], a modified subfraction of native LDL, plays a key role in atherosclerosis, since its modifications are capable of inducing the accumulation of cholesteryl esters in macrophages and the subsequent foam cells formation. The immune system is crucial in atherogenic process and therapeutic strategies directed to the immunoregulation of this process have been used as a new alternative in the prevention of the development as well as the progression of this disease. Among these strategies, it is the use of antibody fragments such as scFv (single chain fragment variable), which may be also conjugated to nanoparticles in order to increase their efficiency in the body. Given the role of LDL(-) in atherosclerosis, the aim of this project was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of a nanostructured system containing scFv anti-LDL(-) fragments derivatized on the surface of nanocapsules on murine and human primary macrophages and in the development and progression of the disease in LDL receptor knockout mice (Ldlr-/-). It was demonstrated that the treatment of macrophages with scFv anti-LDL(-)-MCMN-Zn formulation significantly decreases the uptake of LDL(-) and the expression IL-1β (mRNA and protein) and MCP-1 (mRNA). Moreover, the internalization of the nanoformulation by macrophages through different endocytosis mechanisms was shown, demonstrating its potential use as a nanocarrier. In vivo, the nanoformulation decreased the area of atherosclerotic lesions in Ldlr-/- mice evaluated by positron emission tomography with 18F-FDG associated with computed tomography with iodinated contrast agent (PET/CT), besides the lesion morphometric analysis at the aortic arch Thus, these data provide evidence of the atheroprotection action of the ateroprotection action of the scFv anti-LDL(-)-MCMN-Zn formulation, suggesting its promising use as a therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.

Abstract The principal aim of this study was to explore associations between systemic inflammatory status and periodontal inflammation and tissue destruction. The study population consisted of 61 patients with chronic periodontitis, 30 periodontally healthy control subjects, and 80 subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The T1DM subjects were periodontally treated and re-examined eight weeks after completion of the treatment. The periodontal measures included plaque, probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and attachment level (AL). The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-10, as well as the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) level of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 were analyzed using commercially available ELISA assays, and serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) level using direct enzymatic methods. Serum IL-6 level associated significantly with the extent of inflamed periodontal pockets in T1DM subjects. Moreover, serum IL-6 modulated local periodontal inflammation in T1DM patients; periodontal healing turned out to be poorer in subjects with a high level of serum IL-6 than in those with a low level. Serum TNF-α/IL-10 ratio was three times higher in chronic periodontitis patients than in periodontally healthy control subjects. In T1DM subjects a significant inverse association between serum HDL level and the extent of inflamed periodontal pockets was found; subjects with a low serum HDL level presented 50% more inflamed periodontal sites than subjects with a high serum HDL level. A significant association between GCF MMP-8 level in shallow crevices and the extent of periodontal attachment loss in chronic periodontitis patients was observed. In conclusion, we focused on analyzing associations between systemic inflammatory status and periodontal conditions. According to our results, periodontal inflammation/infection is associated with systemic inflammatory status using serum IL-6, TNF-α/IL-10 ratio and HDL as indicators. Also, a high level of MMP-8 in GCF in shallow crevices could be indicative of higher susceptibility to periodontal infection and tissue destruction. / Tiivistelmä Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli tarkastella hampaiden kiinnityskudosten tulehduksen (pardodontiitti) ja siihen liittyvän inflammaation yhteyttä systeemiseen tulehdustilaan. Tutkimusaineistoon kuului 61 yleistervettä potilasta, joilla oli kohtalaisesti tai pitkälle edennyt parodontiitti, 30 yleistervettä yksilöä, joiden hampaiden kiinnityskudokset olivat terveet/lähes terveet (kontrolliryhmä), sekä 80 tyypin 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) potilasta, joilla esiintyi vaihtelevasti parodontiittia. T1DM potilaiden parodontiitti hoidettiin, ja heidät tutkittiin uudelleen kahdeksan viikon kuluttua hoidon päättymisestä. Tutkittavilta tarkastettiin plakin määrä, ientaskujen syvyys, ienverenvuoto ja hampaiden kiinnityskudoksen menetys. Systeemistä tulehdustilaa mitattiin käyttäen seerumin interleukiini (IL)-6, tuumorinekroosifaktori (TNF)-α ja interleukiini (IL)-10 tasoja. Lisäksi määritettiin ientaskunesteen matriksimetalloproteinaasi (MMP)-8 taso. Kaikki edellä mainitut tulehduksen välittäjäainetasot määritettiin käyttäen ELISA-menetelmää. T1DM potilaiden seerumin IL-6 pitoisuuden ja tulehtuneiden ientaskujen määrän välillä vallitsi positiivinen yhteys. Lisäksi havaittiin, että seerumin korkea IL-6 taso heikensi parodontiitin paranemista. T1DM potilailla havaittiin käänteinen yhteys seerumin HDL-pitoisuuden ja tulehtuneiden ientaskujen määrän välillä. Tutkittavilla, joilla seerumin HDL-taso oli matala (<1.35 mmol/l), oli 50 % enemmän tulehtuneita ientaskuja kuin niillä, joilla HDL-taso oli korkea (≥1.35). Parodontiitti-ryhmässä seerumin TNF-α/IL-10 suhde oli kolminkertainen verrattuna kontrolliryhmän vastaavaan ilmentäen voimakkaampaa matala-asteista tulehdusta parodontiitti-potilailla. Matalista (<4 mm) ientaskuista kerätyn ientasunesteen MMP-8 pitoisuuden ja parodontiitin vaikeusasteen välillä vallitsi merkittävä postiivinen yhteys parodontiitti-potilailla. Yhteenvetona, systeemisen tulehdustilan ja hampaiden kiinnityskudosten välillä vallitsee kaksisuuntainen yhteys; toisaalta parodontiitti lisää matala-asteista systeemistä tulehdustilaa ja toisaalta kohonnut systeeminen tulehdustila lisää alttiutta parodontiittiin ja siihen liittyvään inflammaatioon. Lisäksi ientaskunesteen korkea MMP-8 pitoisuus matalissa ientaskuissa voi merkitä lisääntynyttä alttiutta parodontiumin alueen tulehdukselle ja kudostuholle.

En biologie clinique, disposer de mesures fiables et comparables, indépendamment du temps et du laboratoire, est primordial afin de permettre une prise en charge et un suivi adaptés des patients. Le moyen privilégié est d’établir la traçabilité métrologique des résultats de mesure aux unités du système international (SI), notamment par le biais de méthodes de référence et de matériaux de référence certifiés d’ordre supérieur. Ces travaux de thèse se sont attachés à caractériser deux méthodes de référence primaires candidates. Une méthode d’énumération absolue des lipoprotéines par ES-DMA pour l’évaluation du risque cardiovasculaire a été développée et caractérisée. Les résultats obtenus ont mis en évidence certaines limitations instrumentales rendant l’établissement de la traçabilité au SI difficile. Malgré les avantages certains de cette méthode pour l’analyse avancée de lipoprotéines, la fidélité et la robustesse des mesures ne sont pas suffisantes pour la considérer comme méthode de référence primaire. Une méthode de quantification de l’hémoglobine glyquée HbA1c, un biomarqueur du diabète sucré, par LC-MS/MS associée à la dilution isotopique a été mise en place et validée. La traçabilité au SI des résultats de dosage a été établie, toutefois, les incertitudes de mesures demeurent élevées et la comparabilité avec la méthode de référence IFCC reste à évaluer sur un nombre plus significatif d’échantillons et de laboratoires. Pour conclure, ces travaux ont mis en évidence les défis associés à la mise en place de nouvelles chaînes de traçabilité ainsi que les problématiques liées au développement de méthodes de référence primaires pour le dosage de biomarqueurs complexes. / Ensuring reliability and between-laboratory comparability of in-vitro diagnostic test results is essential for appropriate and internationally harmonized decision making and patient follow-up. To this end, a privileged way is to establish results metrological traceability to the international system of units (SI) through the development of primary reference methods and higher order reference materials. This thesis aimed at characterizing two candidate primary reference procedures.A method for lipoprotein absolute quantification by ES-DMA for cardiovascular diseases risk assessment was developed and characterized. Results evidenced some advantages of this method compared to other advanced lipoprotein testing assays, but some instrumental weaknesses make the establishment of results traceability to the SI difficult in the current state-of-the-art. Precision and robustness are additionally not sufficient for this method to be considered as a primary reference method.A method for the quantification of glycated hemoglobin HbA1c, a biomarker of diabetes mellitus, by LC/MS/MS associated to isotopic dilution was implemented and validated. Results traceability to the SI units could successfully be established. However, measurement uncertainties remain large and comparability with the IFCC reference method is still to be further assessed on a significant number of samples and laboratories.To conclude, this study highlighted the challenges associated with the implementation of new traceability chains and the difficulties related to the development and characterization of primary reference procedures for the quantification of complex biological markers.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Abnormalities of lipid metabolism often lead to pathologic lipid accumulation in the vessel wall, oxidative and chronic inflammatory sequelae and the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, ultimately leading to clinical events. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidative modification in the vascular wall seems to be a key factor in atherosclerosis development. Following the oxidation hypothesis of atherosclerosis the role of antioxidants has been investigated in a large number of epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies. Therefore, we investigated the antioxidant activity of three compounds of different classes in preventing the low density lipoprotein oxidation. In the guaraná study, we showed that subjects who habitually ingested guaraná (GI) demonstrated lower conjugated dienes production than did subjects who never ingested guaraná (NG; reduction of 27%, p < 0,0014), independent of other variables. However, in the GI group the conjugated dienes production was positively associated with glucose levels. The GI group also showed a total cholesterol level significantly lower than NG group. Also, guaraná demonstrated a high antioxidant activity in vitro, mainly at concentrations of 1 and 5 μg/mL, demonstrated by suppression of CDs and TBARS productions, tryptophan destruction and high TRAP activity. Guaraná, similar to other foods rich in caffeine and catechins such as green tea, has some effect on LDL oxidation that could partially explain the protective effects of this food in cardiometabolic diseases. In the thiosemicarbazone study, salicylaldehyde-4- phenylthiosemicarbazone (SPTS) may have antioxidant activity against Cu2+- and 2,2′- Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced LDL and serum oxidation. Additionally, SPTS was effective at preventing tryptophan destruction. SPTS also showed significant total radical-trapping antioxidant activity and could prevent thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation induced by sodium nitroprusside in different rat tissues and by Cu2+ in human LDL and serum. These results indicate that the antioxidant effect of SPTS is caused by a combination of transition metal chelation and free-radicalscavenging activity. In the organotellurium study, the 2-phenyl-2-tellurophenyl vinylphosphonate (DPTVP) may have antioxidant activity against Cu2+- and 2,2′-azobis(2- methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced LDL and serum oxidation. Additionally, DPTVP was effective at preventing tryptophan oxidation. DPTVP also showed significant total radical-trapping antioxidant activity and could prevent thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation induced by Cu2+ in human LDL and serum. Additionally, DPTVP exhibited no toxicity in rat aorta slices. The results presented here indicate that the antioxidant effect of DPTVP is caused by a combination of free-radicalscavenging activity and possible blockade of the copper binding sites of LDL. Considering these preliminary results, we can conclude that the three compounds presented a potential antioxidant activity and could prevent the oxidative modifications of LDL. These data encourage us to evaluate these compounds in in vivo studies and investigate additional properties in preventing the atherogenic process. / Anormalidades do metabolismo lipídico muitas vezes levam ao acúmulo patológico de lipídios na parede arterial, sequelas oxidativas e inflamatórias crônicas e à formação de lesões ateroscleróticas, levando a eventos clínicos. A modificação oxidativa de lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL) na parede arterial parece ser um fator importante no desenvolvimento da aterosclerose. Seguindo a hipótese oxidativa da aterosclerose, o papel dos antioxidantes tem sido investigado em grande número de estudos epidemiológicos, clínicos e experimentais. Sendo assim, neste estudo nós investigamos a atividade antioxidante de três compostos de diferentes classes na prevenção da oxidação da LDL. No estudo com guaraná, nós mostramos que indivíduos que consumiam guaraná habitualmente (GI) apresentaram menor produção de dienos conjugados que os indivíduos que nunca consumiam guaraná (NG; redução de 27%, p < 0,0014), independentemente de outras variáveis. No entanto, no grupo GI a produção de dienos conjugados foi positivamente associada com os níveis de glicose. O grupo GI também apresentou nível de colesterol total significativamente menor comparado ao grupo NG. Além disso, o guaraná apresentou uma grande atividade antioxidante in vitro, principalmente nas concentrações de 1 e 5 μg/mL, demonstrado pela supressão da produção de dienos conjugados e substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico, prevenção da destruição do triptofano e alta atividade scavenger de radicais (TRAP). O guaraná, similar a outros alimentos ricos em cafeína e catequinas como o chá verde, tem alguns efeitos na oxidação da LDL que podem explicar parcialmente os efeitos protetores deste alimento nas doenças cardiometabólicas. No estudo com a tiosemicarbazona, a salicilaldeído-4-feniltiosemicarbazona (SPTS) apresentou atividade antioxidante contra a oxidação de LDL e soro induzidas por Cu2+ e 2,2 -azobis(2- metilpropionamidina) dihidrocloreto (AAPH). Além disso, a SPTS foi efetiva em prevenir a destruição do triptofano. O composto também apresentou significativa atividade scavenger de radicais e pode prevenir a formação de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico induzidas por nitroprussiato de sódio em diferentes tecidos de ratos e por Cu2+ em LDL e soro humano. Estes resultados indicam que o efeito antioxidante da SPTS é causado pela combinação da atividade quelante do composto e a atividade scavenger de radicais livres. No estudo com o composto orgânico de telúrio, o 2-fenil-2-telurofenil vinilfosfonato (DPTVP) apresentou atividade antioxidante contra a oxidação de LDL e soro humano induzida por AAPH e Cu2+. Além disso, o composto preveniu a oxidação do triptofano e a formação de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico e mostrou um significativo efeito scavenger de radicais. O DPTVP (20 μM) não apresentou toxicidade quando exposto à fatias de aorta de ratos. Estes resultados indicam que o efeito do DPTVP é resultado de uma combinação da atividade scavenger de radicais do composto e da possibilidade dele bloquear os sítios de ligação de cobre da LDL. Considerando todos os resultados apresentados aqui, podemos concluir que os três compostos apresentam um grande potencial antioxidante e podem prevenir as modificações oxidativas da LDL. Esses dados nos encorajam para avaliar esses compostos em estudos in vivo e investigar novas propriedades que possam prevenir o processo aterogênico.

Abstract The effect of alcohol intake on the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is controversial, especially with respect to heavy alcohol intake. The pathobiology behind atherosclerosis is a complex and multiparametric phenomenon, therefore a self-organizing map (SOM), an unsupervised learning based artificial neural network technique, was applied in the present work. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of heavy alcohol intake on the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, including several lipoproteins and adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived cytokine that may ameliorate atherosclerosis. Firstly, the effect of heavy alcohol intake on the capacity of HDL and its subclasses (HDL2 and HDL3) to mediate cholesterol efflux from macrophages was studied. Secondly, data of ultracentrifugally isolated lipoproteins were fed into SOM analysis to investigate whether this method can find diverse lipoprotein phenotypes from the heterogeneous lipoprotein data. Thirdly, the aforementioned method was applied to multivariate data of alcohol drinkers to study whether distinct metabolic profiles are associated to heavy alcohol consumption. The results revealed that HDL2, not HDL3, of heavy alcohol drinkers had an enhanced capacity to remove cholesterol from macrophages when compared with control persons. SOM analysis enhanced the ultracentrifugally based lipoprotein data and depicted several novel lipoprotein phenotypes. In addition, lipoprotein-based SOM analysis found two distinct metabolic profiles in heavy alcohol drinkers: an anti-atherogenic and a metabolic syndrome-like profile with opposite metabolic features, such as characteristics of lipoproteins, plasma concentration of adiponectin and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. These profiles also tended to differ in their CV risk. In conclusion, the enhanced cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL2 in heavy drinkers is an anti-atherogenic change linked to alcohol drinking. However, clinically it may be important to be aware that although heavy alcohol drinkers have a low LDL-C level, they differ in their other lipoprotein measures, forming distinct phenotypes with potentially different CV risks. Finally, SOM analysis of ultracentrifugally based lipoprotein data generates in silico classification of lipoprotein particles and thereby offers a new tool for lipoprotein research. / Tiivistelmä Alkoholinkäytön vaikutus ateroskleroottisen sydän- ja verisuonitaudin patofysiologiaan on kiistanalainen, etenkin runsaan alkoholinkäytön kohdalla. Koska patobiologia ateroskleroosin taustalla on monimutkainen ilmiö, tässä työssä sovellettiin menetelmänä itseorganisoituvaa karttaa, joka on ohjaamattomaan oppimiseen perustuva neuroverkkomalli. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää runsaan alkoholinkäytön vaikutusta ateroskleroosin patofysiologisiin merkkiaineisiin, mukaan lukien useita lipoproteiineja sekä adiponektiini, rasvasoluperäinen sytokiini, joka voi lievittää ateroskleroosia. Ensimmäisessä osatyössä tutkittiin runsaan alkoholinkäytön vaikutusta HDL:n ja sen alafraktioiden (HDL2 ja HDL3) kykyyn poistaa kolesterolia makrofageista. Toisessa osatyössä ultrasentrifuugaukseen perustuva lipoproteiiniaineisto syötettiin itseorganisoituvaan karttaan. Työssä selvitettiin löytäisikö menetelmä erilaisia lipoproteiinifenotyyppejä heterogeenisestä aineistosta. Kolmannessa osatyössä em. menetelmää sovellettiin monimuuttuja-aineistoon, joka koostui runsaasti alkoholia käyttävistä ja verrokeista. Tutkittiin, liittyykö runsaaseen alkoholinkäyttöön erilaisia metabolisia profiileja. Tulokset osoittivat, että suurkuluttajien HDL2-hiukkasen kolesterolinpoistokyky makrofageista oli suurempi kuin verrokeilla. Itseorganisoituvaan karttaan perustuva lipoproteiinien luokittelumenetelmä löysi useita uusia lipoproteiinifenotyyppejä. Lisäksi, em. menetelmä löysi suurkuluttajilta kaksi erilaista metabolista profiilia: anti-aterogeeninen ja metabolisen syndrooman kaltainen. Näillä oli vastakkaiset metaboliset piirteet, kuten lipoproteiinien ominaisuudet, adiponektiinin pitoisuus plasmassa ja metabolisen syndrooman esiintyvyys. Profiileihin liittyi mahdollisesti myös erilainen sydän- ja verisuonitautiriski. Tutkimus osoittaa, että alkoholin suurkuluttajilla havaittu parempi HDL2:n kyky poistaa kolesterolia soluista on anti-aterogeeninen muutos, joka liittyy alkoholin käyttöön. Kliinisesti voi olla merkittävää, että vaikka alkoholin suurkuluttajilla oli pieni LDL-C pitoisuus, he jakaantuivat muiden lipoproteiiniperäisten muuttujien perusteella kahteen eri fenotyyppiryhmään, joihin liittyi erilainen sydäntautiriski. Lisäksi itseorganisoituva kartta loi ultrasentrifugoinnilla eristetyille lipoproteiineille in silico -luokittelun, joten se tarjoaa uuden työkalun lipoproteiinitutkimukseen.

La capacité des particules HDL à exercer des effets anti-athérogènes passe notamment par leur capacité à assurer le transport inverse du cholestérol (RCT). L'objectif principal de mon programme de recherche est l'étude de l'étape initiale du transport inverse du cholestérol que représente l'efflux de cholestérol du macrophage, dans le contexte des maladies métaboliques et du risque cardiovasculaire et de mortalité. J'ai étudié la relation entre l'efflux, et les conséquences sur le développement de l'athérosclérose dans un contexte métabolique particulier ; le syndrome métabolique (SM). J'ai démontré que les critères individuels du SM sont intimement liés à l'efflux et que ces deux notions sont associées de façon indépendante aux paramètres cliniques de l'athérosclérose. J'ai aussi évalué la pertinence de l'efflux de cholestérol comme biomarqueur de la mortalité. Cette étude identifie l'efflux comme prédicteur de la mortalité toutes causes confondues, indépendamment des taux de HDL-cholestérol et des facteurs de risques cardiovasculaires traditionnels, dans une population de patients traités par angioplastie coronaire primaire, suite à un infarctus du myocarde avec élévation du segment ST. Enfin, je me suis intéressée à à une situation métabolique particulière ; l'état postprandial. Mes travaux montrent que la réponse postprandiale hypertriglycéridémique physiologique observée chez des individus sans désordre métabolique ne s'accompagne pas d'altération majeure de l'efficacité du RCT ou de l'inflammation systémique. Mes travaux confirment le rôle déterminant de l'efflux dans la prévention du développement de l'athérosclérose et de la mortalité cardiovasculaire. / The contribution of high-density lipoprotein to cardiovascular benefit is closely linked to its anti-atherogenic role in the cellular cholesterol efflux. The main purpose of my project was to evaluate the efficiency of the first step of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), which is the efflux capacity, on metabolic disorder context, on cardiovascular risk and on mortality. My research has focused on three independent and complementary parts. I have first evaluated the relationship between efflux and its consequences on atherosclerosis development in a metabolic syndrome (MetS) population. I have shown that individual criteria of MetS are closely related synergistically to cholesterol efflux capacity. In addition, established metabolic syndrome and cholesterol efflux capacity were independently associated with clinical features of atherosclerosis. In a second study I identified cholesterol efflux capacity as a predictor of all-cause mortality in consecutive ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated by primary angioplasty, independent of HDL-C, traditional cardiovascular risks or cardiac risk factors. Finally I have evaluated the consequences of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia on the functionality of key steps of RCT and associated anti-inflammatory components. My work has shown that the physiological postprandial hypertriglyceridemia response is not accompanied by a major alteration in the efficiency of RCT or systemic inflammation, on individual without metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, I have confirmed the crucial role of the first step of reverse cholesterol transport in preventing the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality.

Atherosclerosis is an arterial disease that occurs due to the build-up of lipids, cholesterol and other substances in the arterial wall, collectively called plaque, leading to narrowing of the vessel lumen and, in time, disruption to the blood supply. The study of flow through atherosclerotic vessels is especially important since plaques not only cause a reduction in the vessel lumen but can rupture from the arterial wall, causing a blood clot in the vessel that may ultimately lead to heart attack or a stroke. Elevated level of oxidated low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a known risk factor associated with the genesis of atherosclerosis in arterial walls. Previous studies reported in literature have explored the transport of LDL through the arterial wall using analytical and mathematical models. In this work, we have presented a computational framework for the study of LDL transport in the lumen and the porous arterial wall. We have employed a four-layer arterial wall model and used governing equations to model the transport of LDL. We have used physiological parameters for the wall layers from literature and have validated the model based on the calculated filtration velocities and LDL concentration profiles in the arterial wall. We have further used this established model to study the effect of change in permeability and pressure on the LDL concentration. We have also studied the effect of pulsatile flow on the transport of LDL through the porous walls to examine the validity of the initial assumption of steady state and have seen that pulsation increases the time averaged net flux of LDL species by about 20%. We have next modeled a drug-eluting stent (DES), which is one of the popular remedies to cure atherosclerosis. The validation of DES model is followed by a combined study to analyze the effect of stent placement on LDL transport. Although there is no chemical reaction between the drug and LDL, we have noticed recirculation zones near the stent strut which result in accumulation of LDL molecules in the arterial wall. Future studies are aimed at incorporating variable porosity and permeability and a stenosed region in the geometry. The deformation of arterial wall due to pulsatile blood flow may lead to alteration of wall properties, which can give a realistic view of macromolecular transport.

Introdução: A Hipercolesterolemia Familiar (HF) é uma doença genética caracterizada clinicamente por elevados níveis de lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-C) na corrente sanguínea desde a infância. Indivíduos que apresentam HF podem desenvolver doença aterosclerótica ainda em idade jovem. Os principais preditores de risco no desenvolvimento da doença cardiovascular (DCV) nesses indivíduos após entrarem em um programa de rastreamento genético não são conhecidos na nossa população. Além disso, a HF é subdiagnosticada e subtratada mundialmente e o rastreamento genético em cascata dos familiares tem sido mundialmente avaliado como o método diagnóstico mais custo. Contudo, a efetividade do rastreamento genético em cascata é dependente dos critérios clínicos de entrada do primeiro indivíduo da família e não há um consenso de qual critério apresenta a melhor acurácia para detecção de uma mutação. Objetivos: Identificar os fatores determinantes para ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares (CV) em todos os indivíduos da coorte e avaliar o critério clínico para detecção de uma variante genética patogênica para HF, no primeiro indivíduo da família, após serem inseridos em um programa de rastreamento genético em cascata.Métodos: Estudo de coorte prospectiva aberta dos pacientes que foram inseridos no programa de rastreamento genético em cascata para HF. A população do estudo é definida como caso índice (CI), o primeiro da família a ser identificado clinicamente e encaminhado para o teste genético, e os familiares, que são os parentes de 1º grau do CI em que foi encontrada uma alteração genética. Todos os indivíduos são inseridos na coorte no momento em que recebem o laudo genético (tempo zero, T0). Um ano depois do T0 é realizado o primeiro contato telefônico, ou seja, primeiro ano de seguimento (T1) Resultados: No T1, o total de 818 indivíduos foi incluído, sendo verificados 47 eventos CV, sendo 14 (29,7%) fatais. Para o CI, o único fator independente associado ao aumento do risco de eventos CV no T1 foi a presença de arco corneano (OR: 9,39; IC 95%: 2,46-35,82). Para os familiares com uma mutação positiva os fatores associados ao aumento do risco de eventos CV foram diabetes mellitus (OR: 7,97; IC 95%: 2,07-30,66) e consumo de tabaco (OR: 3,70; IC 95%: 1,09-12,50). Na análise do melhor critério clínico para detecção de uma mutação patogênica no CI os valores de LDL-C >= 230 mg/dL tiveram a melhor relação entre sensibilidade e especificidade. Na análise da curva ROC o escore Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) apresentou melhor desempenho do que o LDL-C para identificar uma mutação, a área sob a curva ROC foi 0,744 (IC 95%: 0,704-0,784) e 0,730 (IC 95%: 0,687-0,774), respectivamente, p = 0, 014. Conclusão: Em um ano de seguimento essa coorte identificou uma alta incidência de eventos CV após a entrada em um programa de rastreamento genético em cascata e os preditores dos eventos CV diferem entre CI e familiares. Esses resultados podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento de ações preventivas nesse grupo altamente susceptível de indivíduos. Além disso, devido a importância da detecção da mutação para um diagnóstico definitivo de HF e a importância da cascata ser custo efetiva o estudo identificou que o critério único do LDL-C >= 230 mg/dl é viável para indicar o CI para o teste genético / Introduction: Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease characterized clinically by high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in the bloodstream since childhood. Individuals with FH can develop atherosclerotic disease at a young age. The main predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in these individuals after entering a genetic screening program are not known in our population. In addition, FH is underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide and cascaded genetic screening of family members has been evaluated globally as the most cost effective for the diagnosis of FH. However, the effectiveness of cascading genetic screening is dependent on the clinical entry criteria of the first individual in the family and there is no consensus as to which criterion shows the best accuracy for detecting a mutation. Objectives: To identify the determinant factors for cardiovascular (CV) events in all individuals in the cohort and to evaluate the clinical criteria for detecting a genetic variant pathogenic to FH in the first individual of the family after being inserted into a genetic screening program in cascade. Methods: Open prospective cohort study of patients who were enrolled in the cascade genetic screening program for FH. The study population is defined as index case (IC), the first of the family to be clinically identified and referred to the genetic test, and relatives, who are the first-degree relatives of the IC in which a genetic alteration was found. All individuals are inserted into the cohort at the moment they receive the genetic report (time zero, T0). The first follow-up telephone contact is made one year after T0 (first year of follow-up, T1). Results: In T1, a total of 818 subjects were included, and 47 CV events were verified, of which 14 (29.7%) were fatal. For IC, the only factor independently associated with the increased risk of CV events in T1 was the presence of a corneal arch (OR: 9.39; 95% CI: 2.46-35.82). For relatives with positive mutation, factors associated with increased risk of CV events were diabetes mellitus (OR: 7.97; 95% CI: 2.07-30.66) and tobacco consumption (OR: 3.70; 95% CI: 1.09-12.50). In the analysis of the best clinical criteria for the detection of a pathogenic mutation in the IC, the LDL-C values >= 230 mg/dL had the best relationship between sensitivity and specificity. In the ROC curve analysis, the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) score performed better than LDL-C to identify a mutation, the area under the ROC curve was 0.744 (95% CI: 0.704-0.784) and 0.730 (CI 95 %: 0.687-0.774), respectively, p = 0.014. Conclusion: At one year follow-up this cohort identified a high incidence of CV events following entry into a cascade genetic screening program and the predictors of CV events differ between IC and family members. These results may contribute to the development of preventive actions in this group highly susceptible to individuals. In addition, because of the importance of detecting the mutation for a definitive diagnosis of HF and the importance of the cascade being cost effective, the study identified that the single LDL-C criterion >= 230 mg / dl is feasible to indicate IC for the genetic test

Hedgehog (Hh) proteins control animal development and tissue homeostasis. They activate gene expression by regulating processing, stability, and activation of Gli/Cubitus interruptus (Ci) transcription factors. Hh proteins are secreted and spread through tissue, despite becoming covalently linked to sterol during processing. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed to release Hh proteins in distinct forms; in Drosophila, lipoproteins facilitate long-range Hh mobilization but also contain lipids that repress the pathway. Here, we show that mammalian lipoproteins have conserved roles in Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) release and pathway repression. We demonstrate that lipoprotein-associated forms of Hh and Shh specifically block lipoprotein-mediated pathway inhibition. We also identify a second conserved release form that is not sterol-modified and can be released independently of lipoproteins (Hh-N*/Shh-N*). Lipoprotein-associated Hh/Shh and Hh-N*/Shh-N* have complementary and synergistic functions. In Drosophila wing imaginal discs, lipoprotein-associated Hh increases the amount of full-length Ci, but is insufficient for target gene activation. However, small amounts of non-sterol-modified Hh synergize with lipoprotein-associated Hh to fully activate the pathway and allow target gene expression. The existence of Hh secretion forms with distinct signaling activities suggests a novel mechanism for generating a diversity of Hh responses.