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No / L-type voltage gated calcium channels play essential role in contraction of various skeletal and vascular smooth muscles, thereby plays important role in regulating blood pressure. Dihydropyridine receptors have been targeted for development of newer antihypertensive agents, one of the structurally analogs nucleus dihydropyrimidines have been reported earlier by us as a potential agent toward development of calcium channel modulator. A pre-synthetic QSAR was run and on the basis of structure activity relationship a series of twenty three molecules was synthesized and studied by myosin light chain kinase assay (MLCK), Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) colorimetric assay, non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) and invasive blood pressure (IBP) methods. Molecules with significant efficacy were studied for their single crystal X-ray diffraction, molecular docking, molecular dynamics and post-synthetic QSAR. The NIBP and IBP methods screened molecules with better percentage inhibition versus time compared to standard drug Nifedipine. The lead compound ethyl 2-methyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-4H-pyrimido [2,1-b] [1,3] benzothiazole-3-carboxylate (26) presented a triclinic structure with polymeric chain packing in lattice. 26 exhibited IC50 on MLCK assay of 2.1+/-1.7 muM with selectivity of L-type calcium channels and comparative to Nifedipine. It offered satisfactory physicochemical properties with partition coefficient of (ClogP) 4.64. Its pharmacokinetic profile is also good with Cmax at 0.40 mug/ml by oral route with Tmax reaching in 0.5 h which means in 30 min. 26 also exhibits superior t1/2 of 5.4 h and oral bioavailability of (F) 56.75% with an AUC0-infinity of 0.84 mug h/ml. Molecular docking studies indicates toward the interaction of lead compound via hydrogen bonds with Lys144, Glu181 and Asp183, it forms the Van der Walls interactions with Ser18, Asp20, Asn187, Pro185, Glu180, Glu181 and Arg10 with Glide score and Glide energy to be -3.602 and -47.098, respectively. Post-synthetic QSAR of newly synthesized molecules indicates toward improvement with respect to steric descriptor which contributed negatively in former series.

In dieser Arbeit wurden drei verschiedene Gruppen von humanen Myokardproben aus dem interventrikulären Septum mittels elektrophoretischer Verfahren auf Veränderungen in der Zusammensetzung der kontraktilen Proteine untersucht. 6 der insgesamt 38 Proben stammten von gesunden Herzen, die aus technischen Gründen nicht transplantiert werden konnten. 19 der Proben stammten von Patienten, die an einer hypertrophischen-obstruktiven Kardiomyopathie (HOCM) litten und die restlichen 13 Proben von Patienten mit einer valvulären Aortenstenose (AS). Die 32 kranken Herzen befanden sich allesamt im Stadium der kompensierten Hypertrophie, an klinischen Daten waren von diesen Patienten die Ejektionsfraktion (EF), der Durchmesser des interventrikulären Septums (IVS) sowie die linksventrikuläre enddiastolische Füllungsdruck (LVEDP). Die Ejektionsfraktion lag bei allen diesen Patienten mit Werten zwischen 62% und 88% (Mittelwert 73 ± 7%) im Normbereich, zwischen der HOCM- und der Aortenstenosegruppe bestand kein signifikanter Unterschied. Die insgesamt 38 Gewebeproben wurden mittels 3 verschiedener elektrophoretischer Verfahren auf das Vorliegen von 3 verschiedener Veränderungen in der Proteinzusammensetzung untersucht: 1. Mittels 2-dimensionaler Polyacrylamidgel-Elektrophorese (2D-PAGE) wurde der Phosphorylierungsgrad des kardialen Troponin I (cTnI) bestimmt. 2. Mittels 2-dimensionaler Polyacrylamidgel-Elektrophorese (2D-PAGE) wurde eine Analyse der leichten Myosinketten (MLC) durchgeführt, vor allem im Hinblick auf die Frage, ob und inwieweit es zu einer Expression der atrialen leichten Kette vom Typ I (ALC-1) kommt . 3. Mittels Natriumdodecylsulfat-Polyacrylamidgel-Elektrophorese (SDS-PAGE) wurde eine Bestimmung der schweren Myosinketten (MHC) vorgenommen, vor allem im Hinblick auf die Frage, ob es im hypertrophierten Myokard zu einer Expression der α-Isoform der schweren Myosinkette (α-MHC) kommt. Für alle dieser drei oben genannten Veränderungen finden sich Hinweise in der Literatur, dass sie möglicherweise eine Rolle bei der Myokardhypertrophie spielen könnten ohne dass bislang eine abschließende Klärung möglich war. In dieser Arbeit wurde zum ersten Mal ein derartig großes, klinisch gut evaluiertes Probenkollektiv von menschlichen Herzen im Stadium der kompensierten Hypertrophie auf das Vorliegen der o.g. Veränderungen untersucht. Ein weiterer wichtiger Aspekt ist das Vorliegen von zwei verschiedenen Ursachen (Aortenstenose und hypertrophisch-obstruktive Kardiomyopathie) für die Herzhypertrophie im Probenkollektiv dieser Arbeit. In der Zusammensetzung der schweren Myosinketten (MHC) sowie im Phosphorylierungsgrad des kardialen Troponin I (cTnI) konnten in dieser Arbeit keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen dem hypertrophiertem und dem gesunden Myokard gefunden werden. Im Bereich der leichten Myosinketten (MLC) konnte jedoch nachgewiesen werden, dass es in den hypertrophierten Herzen zu einer deutlichen, signifikanten Expression der atrialen leichten Myosinkette (ALC-1) in der Größenordnung von 10,8 ± 1,5 % an der Gesamtmenge der leichten Myosinketten vom Typ 1 (MLC-1) gekommen war. Im Gegensatz hierzu konnte die atriale leichte Kette vom Typ 1 (ALC-1) in keinem der gesunden Herzen nachgewiesen werden. Zudem konnte eine statistische hochsignifikante positive Korrelation (Koeffizient 0,56 nach Pearson) zwischen der Höhe der Ejektionsfraktion und dem Anteil der ALC-1 an der Gesamtmenge der leichten Myosinketten ermittelt werden. Diese Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass der Expression der ALC-1 ein hoher Stellenwert bei der Anpassung an erhöhte hämodynamische Anforderungen zukommt. Die positive Korrelation zwischen der Höhe der ALC-1-Expression und der Ejektionsfraktion weisen daraufhin, dass der ALC-1-Expression zumindest im Rahmen der kompensierten Hypertrophie ein positiver Effekt auf das Myokard zukommt. Dieser Effekt lässt sich anhand von früheren Veröffentlichungen erklären, die z.B. zeigten, dass die ALC-1 über eine Erhöhung der Ablösungsgeschwindigkeit zu einer Beschleunigung des Querbrückenzyklus und zu einer Erhöhung der Verkürzungsgeschwindigkeit und der isometrischen Kraftentwicklung führt. / To assess changes in the composition of contractile proteins we examined human myocardial samples from three different groups by means of electrophoretic analysis. 6 of 38 samples in total have been taken from healthy hearts which could not be transplanted due to technical reasons. 19 of the samples are from patients suffering from hypertophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and the remaining 13 samples from patients with a valvular aortic stenosis. The 32 impaired hearts have all been in the stadium of compensated hypertrophy, the ejection fraction, the diameter of the interventricular septum and the leftventricular enddiastolic pressure were kown. In all patients the ejection fraction was between 62% and 88% (73 ± 7% in the mean), thus in the normal range, there was no significant difference between the hypertrophic obstructive group and the valvular aortic stenosis group. All of the 38 samples have been examined by means of 3 different electrophoretical procedures. 1. 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis (2D-PAGE) for assessing the level of phosphorylation of the cardial troponin I(cTnI) 2. 2-dimensional polyacrylamidegelelectrophoresis (2D-PAGE) for analysing the composition of the myosin light chains (MLC)to answer the question whether there is an reexpression of the atrial light chain 1 (ALC-1) and if, to which extent. 3. Sodiumdodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to assess the composition of the myosin heavy chains to answer the question whether there is an expression of the α-Isoform of the myosin heavy chain (α-MHC)in the hypertrophic myocardium. There are hints in literature that all 3 changes mentioned above could play a role in myocardial hypertrophy but it has not been possible to definitely clarify the role. We have analysed for the first time a great number of clinically well evaluated samples from hypertrophic human hearts in the stadium of compensated hypertrophy regarding those changes. Another important aspect of our work is that in our samples the cause of the hypertrophy have been two pathogenetically different diseases (valvular aortic stenosis and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy). We could not find any significant differences between the hypertrophic and the nonhypertrophic hearts regarding the level of phosphorylation of the cardial troponin I (cTnI). We proved that in the hypertrophic heart there is a significant expression of the atrial light chain 1 (ALC-1) of about 10,8 ± 1,5 % of the total amount of myosin light chain 1 (MLC-1). In contrast to that there was no atrial light chain 1 (ALC-1) found in the nonhypertrophic hearts. Statistically there is a highly significant correlation (coefficient 0,56 after Pearson) between the level of the ejection fraction and the amount of the atrial light chain 1 (ALC-1) compared to the myosin light chain 1 (MLC-1) in total. These results suggest a highly important role of the ALC-1 expression in the adjustment of the heart to increased hemodynamic demands. The positive correlation between the level of the ALC-1 expression and the level of the ejection fraction suggests a positive effect of the ALC-1 expression on the myocardium during compensated hypertrophy. This effect can be explained by former publications which have shown that the expression of the ALC-1 can lead to an increased speed of displacement hence to an increased shortening velocity and an increased isometric force generation.

Environmental factors such as diet contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Epidemiological evidence suggests a robust linkage between IBD and the Western diet, which is often characterized by a high intake of food additives. These additives, including synthetic colourants, are widely used, leading to significant human exposure. Allura Red AC (AR) is one of the most popular synthetic colourants, yet little is known about its impact on human health and the role of AR in the pathogenesis of colitis remains elusive. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), which regulates various gut physiological processes, has been shown to modulate the gut microbiota and enhance susceptibility to colitis. In this thesis, it was discovered that chronic exposure to AR, at a dose found in commonly consumed dietary products, exacerbated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and triggered early onset of disease in the CD4+CD45RBhigh T cell-induced colitis model. AR also induced low grade colonic inflammation in naïve C57BL/6 mice. Exposure to AR was associated with increased colonic 5-HT levels and impaired intestinal barrier function via activation of the myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) pathway. However, AR did not promote colitis in mice lacking tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1), the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for colonic 5-HT synthesis. Further, AR increased colonic 5-HT levels in germ-free (GF) mice and perturbed the gut microbiota composition in specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice. Transfer of this altered microbiota from the dye-exposed SPF mice to GF mice conferred enhanced susceptibility to DSS-induced colitis. Mechanistically, AR induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and promoted 5-HT secretion via the NF-κB pathway in BON cells. Data in this thesis indicate that the widely used synthetic colourant, AR, promotes colitis via colonic 5-HT in microbiota-dependent and -independent pathways. Collectively, these findings provide important information on enhancing public awareness of its detrimental effects on human health. / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy / Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest a potential link between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and diet. The Western diet, often characterized by a high intake of processed foods, is associated with the growing incidence of IBD. Allura Red AC (AR) is a popular artificial food dye found in highly common processed foods, yet little is known about its impact on human health and disease. Serotonin, a key molecule in the gut, has been implicated in large bowel inflammation. Herein, the potential role of AR in the development of colitis was examined. Across multiple models, AR exposure heightened vulnerability to colitis in mice, an effect attenuated by reduced serotonin production in the gut. The effect of AR in enhancing colitis vulnerability occurred via gut microbiota-dependent and -independent pathways. These studies have identified how AR promotes colitis, findings that may advance public health awareness and impact the health of patients with IBD.

No description available.

<p>The crossing of host barriers (intestinal, blood-brain, and placental) is a critical step for systemic infections caused by entero-invasive pathogens. In the intestine, the epithelial cells are the first line of defense against enteric pathogens. <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> is a facultative-intracellular foodborne pathogen that first crosses the intestinal barrier to cause a systemic infection. However, the underlying mechanism is not well understood.</p><p><br></p> <p>We demonstrate that <i>Listeria</i> adhesion protein (LAP) promotes the translocation of <i>L. monocytogenes </i>across the intestinal barrier in mouse models (A/J and C57BL/6). Relative to the wild-type (WT; serotype 4b) or the isogenic bacterial invasion protein Internalin A mutant (Δ<i>inlA</i>) strain, the <i>lap^─</i> strain showed significant defect in translocation across the intestinal barrier and colonization of the mesenteric-lymph nodes, liver and spleen in the early phase of infection (24 h and 48 h). LAP induces intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction for increased translocation as evidenced by increased permeability to 4-kDa FITC-dextran (FD4), a marker of paracellular permeability, in the serum and urine of WT and Δ<i>inlA</i>- infected mice and across Caco-2 cell barrier, but not the <i>lap^─</i> mutant strain. Microscopic examination confirmed localization of the WT and Δ<i>inlA</i> strains in the tight junction, a crucial barrier of intestinal paracellular permeability, in the mouse ileal tissue but the <i>lap^─</i> strain remained confined in the lumen. LAP also upregulates TNF-α and IL-6 in intestinal epithelia of mice and in Caco-2 cells for increased permeability. </p><p><br></p> <p>Investigation of the underlying molecular mechanisms of LAP-mediated increase in intestinal permeability by using <i>lap^─</i> mutant strain, purified LAP and shRNA-mediated Hsp60 suppression, we demonstrate that LAP interacts with its host receptor, Hsp60, and activates the canonical NF-κB signaling, which in turn facilitates myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK)-mediated opening of the epithelial barrier via the cellular redistribution of major epithelial junctional proteins claudin-1, occludin, and E-cadherin. Pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB or MLCK in cells or genetic ablation of MLCK in mice (C57BL/6) prevents mislocalization of epithelial junctional proteins, intestinal permeability and <i>L. monocytogenes</i> translocation across the intestinal barrier.</p> <p><br></p><p>Furthermore, LAP also promotes <i>L. monocytogenes </i>translocation across the intestinal barrier and systemic dissemination in a Mongolian gerbil that are permissive to the bacterial invasion proteins; InlA-and InlB-mediated pathways; similar to that in humans. We show a direct LAP-dependent and InlA-independent pathway<i> </i>for <i>L. monocytogenes</i> paracellular translocation across the intestinal epithelial cells that do not express luminally accessible E-cadherin. Additionally, we show a functional InlA/E-cadherin interaction pathway that aids <i>L. monocytogenes</i> translocation by targeting cells with luminally accessible E-cadherin such as cells at the site of epithelial cell extrusion, epithelial folds and mucus-expelling goblet cells. Thus, <i>L. monocytogenes</i> uses LAP to exploit epithelial innate defense in the early phase of infection to cross the intestinal epithelial barrier, independent of other invasion proteins.</p><p><br></p> <p>This work fills a critical gap in our understanding of <i>L. monocytogenes </i>pathogenesis and sheds light to the complex interplay between host-pathogen interactions for bacterial crossing of the crucial intestinal barrier.</p> <br>