Dynamic structural fluctuations occurring over a broad range of timescales are now known to facilitate the catalytic function of enzymes, but there is less comprehensive experimental evidence linking fast-timescale, high frequency motions to the reaction coordinate. Interest in the role of such motions has recently surged and been the subject of intensive experimental efforts, in part due to the identification of enzymatic hydride tunnelling reactions. This mechanism involves transiently degenerate product and reactant states, which enable H-transfer to occur instantaneously without the need to surmount the activation barrier associated with traditional transition-state based models of enzyme catalysis. The primary gauge of tunnelling in enzyme-catalysed reactions is the identification of temperature dependent kinetic isotope effects (KIEs), i.e. the relative rates of a reaction where the transferred atom is substituted for an alternate isotope. The identification of temperature-, and also pressure-, dependent KIEs has resulted in the emergence of new models of describing enzymatic H-transfer. These invoke a role for fast-timescale protein motions that 'promote' transfer via tunnelling. A popular model system for studying enzymatic H-tunnelling reactions is Pentaerythritol tetranitrate reductase, which belongs to the Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE) family of ene-reductases. These nicotinamide coenzyme dependent oxidoreductases catalyse the stereospecific reduction of alpha/β-unsaturated alkene containing substrates. Here, the importance of donor-acceptor distances in determining the observed rate of PETNR reduction with NAD(P)H is probed via a detailed structural and kinetic analysis of site-directed variants. In addition, an investigation of distance-dependent Nuclear Overhauser effects via Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is undertaken to assess active site organisation and measure donor-acceptor distances in PETNR-substrate complexes. A variable pressure NMR study reveals how NOE build- up is perturbed in high-energy conformers favoured as a result of the application of increased hydrostatic pressures. Recently there has been interest in exploiting the stereoselective properties of reactions catalysed by ene-reductase enzymes for use in biocatalytic reactions to produce industrially valuable compounds from renewable sources. The reactions of PETNR and additional OYE enzymes, Thermophilic old yellow enzyme and Xenobiotic reductase A, with both natural coenzymes and a set of synthetic Nicotinamide Coenzyme Biomimetics (NCBs) are also characterised. The NCBs represent affordable and fast-reacting alternatives to the physiological coenzymes. Reactions with NCBS are also shown to proceed via a tunnelling mechanism and furthermore, that enhanced donor-acceptor sampling correlates with the faster reactivity seen with these compounds.

In the development of noninvasive optical biopsy, normal tissues can be statistically differentiated from precancerous and cancerous tissues by analyzing their autofluorescence spectra. The observed cancer hallmarks in the spectra are manifestations of biochemical and morphological changes in tissue during cancerous transformation. For detection of colorectal cancers, it has been hypothesized that the major contributors to tissue fluorescence are three endogenous fluorophores – reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and collagen. Separating and identifying endogenous fluorophores in cells/tissues using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser–induced fluorescence (LIF) detection holds promise as a simple and fast method to analyze fluorophore compositions in tissues during the cancerous transformation. To this end, we have established the extraction and separation protocols for quantifying endogenous fluorophores in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT–29) and human normal colon cells (FHC). Flavin mononucleotide (FMN), FAD, NADH and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) have been identified in the cell extracts by spiking them with standards and quantified by standard addition methods. The influence of cell densities and cell growth stages on fluorophore composition has been closely examined. Two–dimensional (2D) correlation coefficient mapping of electropherograms of HT–29 and FHC cell extracts reveals that the HT–29 cell extracts with higher cell density can be differentiated from FHC and HT–29 cell extracts with lower cell density, which is also demonstrated by the comparison of peak area ratios of NADH and NADPH. The electropherograms for 2D correlation analysis are pretreated by aligning their prominent peaks to account for peak shifting. A challenge in biological spectroscopy of cells and tissue is the identification of endogenous components that contribute to the overall complex spectra and the diagnostic signature. We propose 2D generalized correlation of CE–LIF electropherograms and fluorescence spectra in order to resolve the overlapped fluorescence spectra into their individual components. Separation of the endogenous fluorophores in normal and cancer cells by CE–LIF has provided us insight into fluorophore compositions and tools for classifications of cells. It has also prepared us for extraction and separation of tissues under different physiological conditions to assist cancer diagnosis.

Previous studies have shown extensive cellular damage can activate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and cause a rapid decrease in the levels of NAD+ and ATP, thereby preventing apoptosis and promoting necrosis and inflammation. The purpose of this study was to extend previous observations that inhibitors of PARP-1 could alter acetaminophen and carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity. Bromobenzene (BB) a glutathione dependent hepatotoxicant was tested. Groups of male mice were treated with a single dosage of 112mg/kg (0.075 ml/kg) BB by the intraperitoneal (ip) route. All animals were maintained in a controlled environment and provided food and water ad libitum. This dosage of BB resulted in hepatotoxicity as measured by an increase in serum alanine transferase (ALT). BB treatment resulted in a 5-fold increase in ALT. Moderate hepatotoxicity was detected with this treatment regime. Subsequently, another group of mice were treated with three treatments of nicotinamide at 0.5, 1 and 2 hours following BB treatment. Serum ALT elevations were reduced by 90% at 24 hours following BB and nicotinamide treatments. BB-induced liver pathology was also blocked by nicotinamide. Mortality among BB treated animals was also significantly reduced by nicotinamide treatment. Mortality among mice treated with BB and nicotinamide was near control. The model was verified with a more potent and specific inhibitor, Phen. BB treatment was keep at the same level as in the previous study, and Phen was administered concomitantly. Serum ALT elevations were reduced by 75%. Phen also blocked BB-induced liver pathology. Mortality among mice treated with BB and Phen was reduced 75%. PARP-1 inhibitors appear to alter chemical-induced hepatotoxicity that has either a glutathione dependent or independent mechanism.

Dispersing co-crystals in a polymeric carrier may improve their physicochemical properties such as dissolution rate and solubility. Additionally co-crystal stability may be enhanced. However, such dispersions have been little investigated to date. This study focuses on the feasibility of dispersing co-crystals in a polymeric carrier and theoretical calculations to predict their stability. Acetone/chloroform, ethanol/water, and acetonitrile were used to load and grow co-crystals in a HPMCAS film. Caffeine-malonic acid and ibuprofennicotinamide co-crystals were prepared using solvent evaporation method. The interactions between each of the co-crystals components and their mixtures with the polymer were studied. A solvent evaporation approach was used to incorporate each compound, a mixture, and co-crystals into HPMCAS films. Differential scanning calorimetry data revealed a higher affinity of the polymer to acidic compounds than their basic counterparts as noticed by the depression of the glass transition temperature (Tg). Moreover, the same drug loading produced films with different Tgs when different solvents were used. Solubility parameter values (SP) of the solvents were employed to predict that effect on the depression of polymer Tg with relative success. SP values were more successful in predicting the preferential affinity of two acidic compounds to interact with the polymer. This was confirmed using binary mixtures of naproxen, flurbiprofen, malonic acid, and ibuprofen. On the other hand, dispersing basic compounds such as caffeine or nicotinamide with malonic acid in HPMCAS film revealed the growth of co-crystals. A dissolution study showed that the average release of caffeine from films containing caffeine-malonic acid was not significantly different to that of films containing similar caffeine concentration. The stability of the caffeine-malonic acid co-crystals in HPMC-AS was prolonged to 8 weeks at 95% relative humidity and 45°C. The theory developed in this project, that an acidic drug with a SP value closer to the polymer will dominate the interaction process and prevent the majority of the other material from interacting with the polymer, may have utility in designing co-crystal systems in polymeric vehicles

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the Dept. of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2009/06/09). Includes bibliographical references.

This study examined the efficacy of continuous nicotinamide (NAM) administration on recovery of function in rats following traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI was induced via controlled cortical impact (CCI) bilaterally in the prefrontal cortex (+1.5, 0.0 relative to bregma) or sham surgeries were performed. Rats were then treated with either NAM (150 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (saline). Rats were tested behaviorally on the bilateral tactile adhesive removal task, locomotor placing task, novel exploratory behavior and the Morris water maze (MWM). Rats were also assessed histologically by looking at lesion size, GFAP expression (as a measure of active astroctyes) and MMP-9 expression (as a measure of inflammatory response) at time points of 24 and 48 hours and 30 days. The behavioral assessments showed significant improvements in the NAM-treated animals on the bilateral tactile adhesive removal, locomotor placing and MWM. The histological assessments showed significant lesion reduction at 30 days in the NAM-treated group. There were no differences between NAM-treated and vehicle groups on either GFAP or MMP-9 expression. These results indicate that NAM treatment after TBI can significantly improve recovery of function in rats.

Orientador: Helena Coutinho Franco de Oliveira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T17:01:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rovani_JulianaCristine_M.pdf: 3138644 bytes, checksum: 95185175ce4721f82feadc47122e6ed0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A transidrogenase de nucleotídeo de nicotinamida mitocondrial (NNT) é a principal fonte geradora de NADPH da organela, o qual é utilizado pelo sistema antioxidante das mitocôndrias. Estudos prévios mostraram que a mutação nessa enzima está associada a alterações do estado redox de mitocôndrias e alterações do metabolismo glicídico e lipídico em animais C57BL6/J provenientes do Jackson Laboratory (B6-J). A síndrome metabólica é caracterizada pela presença de no mínimo três distúrbios cardio-metabólicos associados dentre obesidade visceral, dislipidemia, intolerância à glicose e/ou resistência à insulina e hipertensão. A restrição calórica tem sido indicada para prevenir e tratar estes distúrbios metabólicos. Compostos sintéticos têm sido testados como potenciais miméticos da restrição calórica. O 2,4-dinitrofenol (DNP) é uma droga que aumenta o gasto energético por provocar redução da eficiência da fosforilação oxidativa e aumentar o metabolismo oxidativo. Neste trabalho, demonstramos que camundongos com mutação no gene da NNT (B6-J) apresentaram aumento de adiposidade visceral, aumento do teor de triglicérides hepático, intolerância à glicose, resistência à insulina e hipersecreção de insulina pelas ilhotas pancreáticas isoladas e in vivo, quando comparados aos camundongos que tem a NNT intacta (B6-UNI). Diante destes distúrbios metabólicos, submetemos os animais à restrição alimentar (RA) ou ao tratamento com DNP durante 3 meses. Observamos que os animais B6-J sob RA apresentaram redução da adiposidade, esteatose hepática corrigida, melhora da resistência à insulina e diminuição da secreção de insulina. Por outro lado, o tratamento com DNP nos animais B6-J não modificou o metabolismo lipídico, reduziu a insulinemia de jejum e a secreção de insulina e melhorou a sensibilidade periférica à insulina, mas não alterou a tolerância à glicose. Concluímos que a linhagem portadora da deleção do gene da NNT tem maior predisposição à síndrome metabólica, e que, ambos os tratamentos de RA e DNP corrigiram, pelo menos parcialmente, os distúrbios metabólicos dos animais B6-J, sendo que a RA foi mais efetiva que o DNP / Abstract: The nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) catalyses the production of NADPH, that is consumed by the mitochondrial antioxidant enzymatic system. Previous studies have shown that NNT mutation causes redox abnormalities in mitochondria and alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism in C57BL6/J mice from The Jackson Laboratory. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by an association of cardio-metabolic disturbances such as visceral obesity, dyslipidemias, glucose intolerance and/or insulin resistance and hypertension. Caloric restriction has been recommended to prevent or treat such metabolic disturbances. Synthetic compounds have been tested as putative mimetic for caloric restriction. The 2,4 dinitrophenol (DNP) is one of this drugs that increase the metabolic rates due to a reduction in the oxidative phosphorylation efficiency and elevation of oxidative metabolism. In this study we demonstrated that mice that carry a NNT gene mutation (B6-J) exhibit increased visceral adiposity, increased liver triglyceride content, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and insulin hypersecretion, when compared to control mice with functional NNT. In face of these disturbances, mutant B6-J mice were submitted to a food restriction (FR) or treatment with DNP during 3 months. We observed that B6-J mutant mice under FR present a reduction in adiposity and liver steatosis, improvement of glucose tolerance and insulin resistance and normalization of insulin secretion. After DNP treatment, B6-J mice showed no alterations in lipid disturbances but improved insulin resistance and insulin secretion. These findings suggest that 1- the mouse substrain that carries NNT mutation is predisposed to develop metabolic syndrome, 2- both treatments, FR and DNP, correct, at least partially, the metabolic disturbances of B6-J mutant mice, and 3- FR treatment was more effective than DNP / Mestrado / Fisiologia / Mestra em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

La cardiomyopathie dilatée (CMD) est caractérisée par une fraction d’éjection (FE) réduite, une fonction systolique altérée, une désorganisation de la matrice extracellulaire et des défauts métaboliques. Dans différents modèles de CMD, le niveau d’expression de la nicotinamide riboside kinase 2 (Nmrk2) impliquée dans la synthèse du NAD, un coenzyme majeur du métabolisme énergétique et une molécule de signalisation, est augmenté. NMRK2 est identique à « Muscle Integrin Binding Protein » se liant à l’hétérodimère intégrine β1/α7. Le rôle de Nmrk2 dans le cœur n’est pas connu. Les souris Nmrk2-KO jeunes développent une réponse hypertrophique concentrique normale en réponse à l’angiotensine II et à la constriction aortique. Les échocardiographies jusque 8 semaines post-TAC et au cours du vieillissement à l’état basal, montrent une diminution plus sévère de la FE et un développement de CMD. Les RT-QPCR montrent une augmentation du niveau d’expression de l’isoforme lente β de myosine. NMRK2 n’est pas requise pour maintenir le taux de NAD dans le cœur en réponse aux traitements pro-hypertrophiques et à un âge jeune. Par contre, au cours du vieillissement, les niveaux d’expression de Nmrk1 et Nampt sont diminués et à 24 mois, le NAD myocardique est réduit de 50% chez les souris Nmrk2-KO. A ce même âge, le complexe α7β1 est réduit. Les analyses histologiques montrent un défaut du dépôt de la laminine, la présence d’une fibrose et un élargissement de l’espace intercellulaire chez le mutant Nmrk2-KO. NMRK2 est requise pour préserver la fonction et la structure cardiaque et l’homéostasie du NAD à un âge avancé. Des composants moléculaires modulant sa voie pourraient être une option thérapeutique. / Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe heart disease characterized by reduced ejection fraction, altered systolic function, extracellular matrix disorganization and metabolic defects. In different mice models of DCM, the expression of the nicotinamide riboside kinase 2 (Nmrk2) implicated in the synthesis of NAD, a major coenzyme in energy metabolism and a signaling molecule, is increased. NMRK2 is similar to the muscle integrin binding protein (MIBP) that binds to the integrin α7β1 heterodimer. The role of Nmrk2 in the heart is unknown. Young Nmrk2-KO mice develop a normal cardiac hypertrophic response to angiotensin-II exposure and transverse aorta constriction (TAC) but follow-up echocardiography until 8 weeks post-TAC and during aging from 5 to 24 months revealed a more severe decrease in the EF and the development of a DCM phenotype. RT-qPCR analysis of cardiac mRNAs showed an increase in the slow, cardiac, β myosin heavy chain isoform starting at 12 months. NMRK2 was not essential to maintain myocardial NAD levels in response to pro-hypertrophic treatments and in young adults. However Nmrk1 and Nampt expression level declined strongly with aging and Nmrk2-KO mice displayed a 50% reduction in myocardial NAD levels at 24 months. The α7β1 integrin complex was repressed at this age. Immunofluorescent analyses and electron microscopy revealed a defect in laminin deposition and enlarged intercellular space in the Nmrk2-KO heart. The Nmrk2 gene is required to preserve cardiac function and structure during aging and becomes indispensable for maintaining NAD at late age. Molecular characterization of compounds modulating this pathway could give future therapeutic prospect.

In this study, the ability of pharmaceutical cocrystals on improving solubility and dissolution behaviour of poorly water soluble drug has been studied by a novel technique SDI300 UV imaging surface dissolution system. Pharmaceutical cocrystals of poorly water soluble drug carbamazepine (CBZ) were synthesized, which are 1: 1 carbamazepine - nicotinamide (CBZ-NIC) cocrystal, and 2:1 carbamazepine - succinic acid (CBZ-SUC) cocrystal. Firstly, dissolution and solution mediated phase transformation behaviour (SMPT) of CBZ-NIC cocrystal was studied by in situ techniques of UV imaging and Raman spectroscopy. This study has shown that in situ UV imaging and Raman spectroscopy with a complementary technique of SEM can provide an in depth understanding of cocrystal dissolution processes. It has been found that CBZ-NIC cocrystal including other polymorphs of CBZ III and I and mixture are converting to CBZ DH during dissolution. The influence of surfactants, SLS and Tween 80, on the solubility and dissolution behavior of the CBZ-NIC cocrystal has been studied. Results show that the SMPT of CBZ III and CBZ-NIC cocrystal can be altered by inclusion of a surfactant in dissolution medium. However, CBZ III and CBZ-NIC cocrystal have shown different transformation behavior with different surfactants. The solubility and dissolution behaviour of CBZ-NIC cocrystal, CBZ-SUC cocrystal in four biomedia (simulated gastric fluid, pH1.2 HCl buffer, simulated intestinal fluid, and pH 6.8 PBS buffer) were studied. Results have shown that equilibrium solubility of CBZ samples varied in different media. The two cocrystals dissolution rates show different trends as that of parent drug CBZ III. This can be explained by that the formation of cocrystal change the dissolution ability of CBZ III.