The synergistic effect of nitric oxide toward dephosphorylation reactions involving phosphate esters was the subject of investigation in this research. Sodium nitroprusside under UV irradiations at 254nm, 365nm and white light was utilized as nitric oxide donor in solutions. The effects of cobalt trimethylenediamine and nitroprusside towards dephosphorylation of nitrophenylphosphate and pyrophosphate which were modeled as organophosphate ester substrates were also investigated. The activated substrate models showed more rate enhancement than the unactivated models in all cases. The direct interaction of nitric oxide with the phosphorus centre is presumed to be the reason for enhanced hydrolysis. This study demonstrates the possible role of nitric oxide in decontamination reactions of poorly biodegradable phosphate esters in the biosphere. / Chemistry / M. Sc. (Chemistry)

Endothelial dysfunction is a pathologic state characterized by an altered equilibrium among vasodilatory and antithrombotic mediators and vasoconstrictive and prothrombotic mediators produced by the vascular endothelium. Multiple factors induce impaired production or increased consumption nitric oxide (NO), the key mediator of vascular homeostasis, produced by the nitric oxide synthase enzymes (NOS). Endothelial dysfunction represents one of the initial steps in the development of atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the vascular wall. The inducible enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) represents one of the main cellular defense mechanisms against increased oxidative stress and decreased NO bioavailability accompanying endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. We studied the genetic determinants of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis by evaluating the association of the G894T endothelial NOS (eNOS) polymorphism and the HO-1 (GT)n promoter polymorphism with coronary artery atherosclerosis severity and risk profile and their evolution during hypolipidaemic treatment. In addition, we searched for genetic variations in exons 25 and 26 of eNOS gene, encoding the C-terminal part of the protein, deemed crucial for proper enzyme function and the 3'- untranslated region crucial for eNOS...

Les staphylocoques à coagulase négative (SCN) sont des bactéries fréquemment isolées de viandes et de produits carnés. Parmi les SCN, seules les deux espèces S. xylosus et S. carnosus sont utilisées comme ferments dans les produits carnés. Dans ces produits, il est d’usage d’ajouter du nitrate/nitrite pour le développement de la couleur typique des salaisons. Les staphylocoques participent au développement et à la stabilité de la couleur en réduisant le nitrate en nitrite via leur activité nitrate réductase. Le nitrite est chimiquement réduit en monoxyde d’azote (NO), qui se lie au fer de l’hème de la myoglobine pour former la nitrosomyoglobine, un pigment rouge et stable. Le contexte actuel vise à réduire l’utilisation du nitrate/nitrite afin de limiter le risque de formation de composés N-nitrosés tels que les nitrosamines. Il a été montré que les bactéries pouvaient synthétiser du NO à partir d’une oxyde nitrique synthase (NOS). Le gène nos a été identifié dans une collection de souches de SCN isolées de viande. La séquence protéique de la NOS est fortement conservée entre les espèces. Pour mettre en évidence la production de NO, un test basé sur la conversion de metmyoglobine en pigments rouges, l’oxymyoglobine et la nitrosomyoglobine, a été utilisé. Le nitrosohème contenu dans la nitrosomyoglobine a été extrait. La formation du nitrosohème, chez un mutant de délétion du gène nos de la souche S. xylosus C2a, est fortement réduite en condition limitée en oxygène et abolie en condition aérobie. De plus, la NOS de S. xylosus C2a est impliquée dans la réponse à un stress oxydant. Afin de déterminer le potentiel de production de NO de souches de S. xylosus et d’autres espèces de SCN, leur capacité à former de la nitrosomyoglobine a été évaluée. Cette formation est espèce- et souche-dépendante. Les souches de S. xylosus ont un potentiel de production de NO plus élevé que les souches des autres espèces. Ce test a également révélé que certaines souches de SCN sont capables de former de l’oxymyoglobine à partir de la metmyoglobine.Cette étude a permis de mettre en évidence l’implication de la NOS dans la production de NO chez S. xylosus et la capacité de formation de nitrosomyoglobine chez d’autres souches de SCN isolées de viande. / Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS) are usually isolated from meat and meat products. In meat products, S. xylosus and S. carnosus are the only CNS species used as meat starter cultures. In these products, nitrate and nitrite are used as additives where they contribute to the development of the typical red coloration. Staphylococci contribute to the development and stability of colour through their nitrate reductase activity that reduces nitrate to nitrite. Nitrite is chemically reduced to nitric oxide (NO) which is able to bind the ferrous-heme iron to form the stable bright red nitrosomyoglobin pigment. However, the safety regarding the use of these additives on meat products has been questioned as nitrite is able to form N-nitroso compounds such as nitrosamines. Some bacteria are able to synthesize NO by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The nos gene was identified in a collection of CNS isolated from meat. The NOS sequence is well conserved between species. NO production has been investigated based on the formation of red myoglobin derivatives from metmyoglobin such as oxymyoglobin and nitrosomyoglobin. Subsequently, the nitrosoheme was extracted from nitrosomyoglobin. Nitrosoheme formation was reduced under limited oxygenated condition while it was abolished under aerobic condition in a S. xylosus C2a nos deleted mutant. Moreover, NOS is involved in oxidative stress resistance in S. xylosus C2a. In order to determine the potential of NO production among other strains of S. xylosus and other CNS species, their potential to form nitrosomyoglobin was evaluated. Nitrosomyoglobin formation is strain- and species-dependent. This assay has also revealed that several CNS strains are able to form oxymyoglobin from metmyoglobin.This study has demonstrated NOS-dependent NO production in S. xylosus and the ability of CNS isolated from meat to form nitrosomyoglobin.

Le monoxyde d’azote (NO), dont le rôle biologique a été découvert à la fin du 20ème siècle, est impliqué dans la régulation de nombreux processus à l’échelle de la cellule et de l’organisme. Sa biosynthèse est réalisée par les enzymes NO synthases (NOS), et met en jeu la liaison de NADPH à leur domaine réductase suivie d’une série de transfert d’électrons vers leur domaine oxygénase, où la formation de NO se produit par oxydation de la L-arginine. En s’inspirant de mimes photo-activables de NADPH précédemment décrits dans la littérature, appelés nano-déclencheurs (NT, de l’anglais nanotriggers), induisant la production de NO par illumination, nous avons conçu et synthétisé de nouvelles générations de composés potentiellement capables d’initier l’activité catalytique de NOS sous irradiation. Ils comportent une unité de reconnaissance de NOS dérivée de l’adénosine et une unité chromophorique de type diaminophényl butadiène, liées entre elles par un groupement triazole. Ces structures modulables, facilement assemblées par chimie « click » ont permis la préparation d’une librairie de nano-déclencheurs, dont les propriétés photophysiques et la stabilité dans des conditions physiologiques ont été évaluées. Ces nouvelles générations de composés offrent des perspectives intéressantes pour le contrôle de processus biologiques par la lumière. / Nitric oxide (NO), whose biological role has been discovered in the late 20th century, is involved in the regulation of many processes in cell and organism. Its biosynthesis is carried out by enzymes named nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and involves NADPH binding to their reductase domain followed by a series of electron transfers to their oxygenase domain, where the formation of NO takes place by oxidation of L-arginine. Inspired by photoactivatable NADPH mimics called nano-triggers (NT), previously described in the literature, able to produce NO upon illumination, we designed and synthesized new generations of compounds potentially capable of initiating the catalytic activity of NOS under irradiation. They contain a recognition unit for NOS derived from adenosine and a diaminophenyl butadiene chromophoric moiety, linked together by a triazole group. These modular structures, easily assembled by "click" chemistry allowed the preparation of a library of nano-triggers, whose photophysical properties and stability under physiological conditions were evaluated. These new generations of compounds offer interesting perspectives for the control of biological processes by light.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-11-28T11:56:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Lilian Maria da Solidade Ribeiro.pdf: 1291994 bytes, checksum: 217ae867676a57b323ee75ec19d87a49 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-28T11:56:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lilian Maria da Solidade Ribeiro.pdf: 1291994 bytes, checksum: 217ae867676a57b323ee75ec19d87a49 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-01 / The resistance of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) has been attributed to many mechanisms as alterations in cell membrane receptors on midgut and the immune response to Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner toxin. The research tested the possibility that after expositions to Bt formulations, insects from a susceptible population (SP) and a resistant population (RP) presented qualitative and quantitative differentiated alterations of hemocytes and nitric oxide levels in hemolymph, histopathological and histochemical differenced alterations in midgut and that RP presented capacity of recovery midgut. SP and RP were exposed to Dipel® 1,35 mg/L (SP), 64,93mg/L (RP); XenTari® 5,17 mg/L (SP), 236,24 mg/L (RP) plus witness had hemolymph collected in intervals of 1, 6 and 12 h for total and differential counting of hemocytes and quantification of nitric oxide. The midgut was collected in the intervals: 0, 1, 6, 12 h. The regenerative cells quantification was made through the ImageLab 2000 program. In spite of RP had showed less number of hemocytes, it exhibited greater quantity of plasmatocytes, prohemocytes and spherulocytes, this can be related to resistance. Dipel® was effective in reduction of total numbers of hemocytes of SP and RP, while XenTari® changed significantly the differential counting. The nitric oxide increased in both populations and it not differed between the insecticides, indicating the no participation of it in the resistance. The insecticides induced alterations in different intensities on midgut in SP and RP, Dipel® showed to be more aggressive independently of population, taking to degeneration of epithelium. The presence of spherites covering the epithelial lamina, the hypertrophy of columnar cells and mucus abundance can be involved in midgut preservation in larvae of resistant population, however these features were not sufficient to avoid the degeneration of epithelium or induce the hyperplasia of regenerative cells. / A resistência de Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) pode ser atribuída a vários mecanismos como alterações nos receptores de membrana celular no mesêntero e a resposta imune às toxinas do Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner. A pesquisa testou as hipóteses de que após exposição a formulações Bt: população suscetível (PS) e população resistente (PR) da traça apresentam alterações quantitativas e qualitativas diferenciadas dos hemócitos e dos níveis de óxido nítrico na hemolinfa, alterações histopatológicas e histoquímicas diferenciadas no mesêntero e de que PR apresenta capacidade de recuperação do mesêntero. PS e PR expostas ao Dipel® 1,35 mg/L (PS), 64,93mg/L (PR); XenTari® 5,17 mg/L (PS), 236,24 mg/L (PR), além da testemunha, tiveram hemolinfa coletada nos intervalos de 1, 6 e 12 h para contagem total e diferencial dos hemócitos e quantificação de óxido nítrico. O mesêntero foi coletado nosintervalos: 0, 1, 6 e 12 h. A quantificação das células regenerativas foi efetuada através do programa ImageLab 2000. Apesar de PR ter apresentado menor número de hemócitos, exibiu maior quantidade de plasmatócitos, prohemócitos e esferulócitos, podendo isto estar relacionado à resistência. Dipel® foi efetivo na redução do número total de hemócitos das PS e PR, enquanto que o XenTari® alterou significativamente a contagem diferencial. O óxido nítrico aumentou emambas as populações, não diferindo entre os inseticidas, indicando a não participação deste na resistência. Os inseticidas ocasionaram alterações, de intensidades diferentes, no mesêntero das PS e PR, Dipel® mostrou ser mais agressivo independente da população, levando a degeneração do epitélio. A presença de esferites revestindo a lâmina epitelial, a hipertrofia das células colunares e a riqueza de muco podem estar envolvidas na preservação do mesêntero em larvas da população resistente, porém essas características não foram suficientes para impedir a degeneração do epitélio ou induzir a hiperplasia das células regenerativas.

Orientador: Edson Antunes / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T13:42:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cardoso_MarciaHelenaMiranda_D.pdf: 20008968 bytes, checksum: 1a1bf9dc06053f021c3ee9e0591edd1e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: A inibição da adesão de plaquetas ao subendotélio é fundamental na prevenção de agregação excessiva e de formação de trombos, sendo o óxido nítrico (NO) o principal mediador envolvido neste fenômeno. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o mecanismo de ação do NO na inibição da adesão de plaquetas humanas, procurando identificar os mecanismos dependentes e independentes de GMP cíclico (GMPc). Os ensaios de adesão foram realizados em placas de 96 poços recobertos com fibrinogênio, usando-se plaquetas lavadas (1,2 x 108 plaquetas/mL) obtidas de indivíduos sadios. Dependendo do protocolo experimental, as plaquetas não ativadas e ativadas com trombina (50 mU/mL) foram incubadas com SNP (0,1-1,0 mM) ou SIN-1 (0,1-1,0 mM), na ausência ou na presença de ODQ (inibidor da guanilato ciclase solúvel), SOD (seqüestrador do ânion superóxido) ou gaiato (antioxidante seqüestrador de peroxinitrito). A adesão foi avaliada aos 15 e 60 min de incubação, medindo-se a atividade da fostase ácida. Nossos resultados mostraram que as plaquetas se aderem significativamente ao fibrinogênio in vitro, sendo a resposta em 60 min maior do que em 15 min. O tratamento das plaquetas com SNP (0,1 e 1,0 mM) elevou significativamente os níveis de GMPc e reduziu a adesão plaquetána aos 15 e 60 min. A pré-incubação das plaquetas com ODQ impediu a elevação dos níveis de GMPc induzida pelo SNP (ambas as concentrações e tempos), e reverteu a inibição da adesão plaquetária observada com 0,1 mM de SNP Entretanto, o ODQ não modificou a inibição da adesão quando se usou 1,0 mM de SNP. Por outro lado, a pré-incubação das plaquetas com SOD ou gaiato reverteu significamente o efeito inibitório de 1 mM de SNP. Resultados semelhantes foram obtidos com o SIN-1 em todas as condições experimentais. No sentido de descartar que a inibição da adesão plaquetária proporcionada pelos doadores de NO não é decorrente de efeito citotóxico, realizamos ensaios de citotoxicidade (MTT). Nossos dados revelaram que o SNP não é tóxico à plaqueta em nenhuma das concentrações e condições usadas. Por outro lado, o SIN-1 mostrou-se tóxico na concentração de 1 mM, sendo este efeito citotóxico revertido pela pré-incubação das palquetas com SOD. Numa segunda etapa deste trabalho, passamos à investigação do componente independente de GMPc responsável pela inibição da adesão plaquetária em resposta ao SNP e SIN-1, dando ênfase à nitrotirosina. A incubação de plaquetas com SNP (0,1 mM) por 15 min não revelou nenhuma proteína nitrada, mas quando as plaquetas foram tratadas com concentração maior de SNP (1 mM) ou SIN-1, houve o aparecimento de uma nitração de proteína nos resíduos de tirosina com uma massa molecular aparente de 110 kDa, identificada como alfa-actinina-1. A nitração foi aumentada em plaquetas ativadas com trombina. Por outro lado, amostras de plaquetas tratadas com SNP ou SIN-1 (0,1 e 1 mM) por 60 min não mostraram nitração de proteína nos resíduos de tirosina. No conjunto, estes dados sugerem que o NO inibe a adesão de plaquetas não ativadas e ativadas, por mecanismos dependentes e independentes de GMPc sendo que a nitração da a-actinina 1 plaquetária, parece ser o principal mecanismo responsável pelo componente independente de GMPc. Paralelamente, observamos que em concentrações elevadas, o SIN-1 diminui a viabilidade e a atividade da fosfatase ácida das plaquetas devido à formação de ânion superóxido. / Abstract: The inhibition of platelet adhesion to the subendothelium by nitric oxide (NO) is essential in preventing excessive aggregation and thrombus formation The objective of this work was to investigate the mechanisms of the NO on inhibition of human platelet adhesion looking for identify of the cGMP-dependent and independent mechanisms Adhesion assay was carried out in the 96-well microtiter plates coated by fibrinogen, using washed platelet (1,2 x 108 plaquetas/mL) from healthy volunteers. Depending on the experimental protocols, non activated or thrombin (50 mU7ml_)-activated platelets were incubated with NO donors (SNP or SIN-1), guanylyl cyclase inhibitor (ODQ), O2" scavenger (SOD) and -(-) epigallocatechin gallate, and allowed to adhere to the wells for either 15 or 60 min at 37°C. Cell toxicity was estimated using the MTT assay by platelets after exposure to NO donors. Nitrated proteins were detected by immunobloting. Purification and identification of them were done by Western blotting analysis and mass spectrometry respectively. Significant platelet adhesion was achieved when non-activated and activated platelets were kept on plates for 15 min or 60. The adhesion was significantly increased when platelets were activated with of thrombin. SNP (0,001 - 1000 nM) inhibited significantly both non-activated and thrombm-stimulated platelet adhesion. The MTT reduction assay showed that the exposure of platelets to SNP (0 1 and 1 mM) caused any toxic effect. Pretreatment of platelets with ODQ nearly abolished SNP (0.1 mM)-mediated cGMP elevation and the inhibition of platelet adhesion, but failed to affect the inhibitory effect of SNP (1 mM) on cell adhesion. Pre-incubation of platelets with SOD, reversed the effect of SNP 1mM. Epigalocatechin gallate did not affect the effect of SNP at 0.1 mM: on the other hand, reduced this effect at 1mM SNP. SIN-1 (0,001 - 100 jiM) concentration-dependently inhibited both non-activated and thrombin-stimulated platelet adhesion. In the higher concentration (1 mM), the SIN-1 inhibited almost all platelet adhesion. Pretreatment of platelets with ODQ markedly reverted the increased the levels of cGMP as well as decreased the inhibition of platelet adhesion by SIN-1 at 0,1 mM. SOD did not change the SIN-1 (0,1 mM)- mediated platelet inhibition, but reverted the platelet inhibition in all another conditions. MTT assay showed that the SIN-1 at 1 mM caused toxic effect in the platelets, and this effect was restored by SOD ECG did not affect the effect of SIN-1, excepted in the small concentration, when the inhibitory effect of thrombin-activated platelets was decreased. Immunobloting indicated the presence of nitrated protein that was recognized as alpha-actinin 1. In conclusion, cGMP-dependent and -independent mechanisms contribute to inhibition of platelet adhesion by NO, and that the a-actinic nitration can be the most important c GMP-independent mechanism. Parallel of this, we observed that the high concentration of SIN-1 decreased the viability and acid phosphatase activity by formation of superoxide anion. / Doutorado / Doutor em Farmacologia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / A mucosite induzida por quimioterÃpicos à um efeito colateral importante e limitante da terapia do cÃncer, cuja fisiopatologia nÃo à completamente compreendida. O presente estudo visa investigar o papel do Ãxido nÃtrico (NO) na patogÃnese das mucosites oral e intestinal induzidas por 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) e metotrexato (MTX) e os efeitos da glutamina (GLU) e alanil-glutamina (AL-GLU) na mucosite oral induzida por 5-FU. A mucosite oral foi induzida por duas administraÃÃes intraperitoneais (i.p.) de 5-FU nos 1 e 2 dias (60 e 40 mg/kg respectivamente), em hamsters. Os animais foram tratados subcutaneamente (s.c.) com os inibidores da Ãxido nÃtrico sintase (NOS), N-(3-(Aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidina (1400W; 1 mg/kg), aminoguanidina (AG; 5 or 10 mg/kg), Nφ-Nitro-L-Arginina Methyl Ester (L-NAME; 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) ou salina (0,4 ml), uma hora antes do 5-FU e, diariamente, atà o sacrifÃcio, no 10 dia. Em outro ciclo de experimentos, os animais receberam salina, suspensÃo de GLU ou de AL-GLU (100 mM) uma hora antes do 5-FU e, diariamente, atà o sacrifÃcio, nos 10 e 14 dias. A mucosite intestinal foi induzida pela administraÃÃo de MTX (2,5 mg/kg; s.c.) nos primeiros trÃs dias de experimentos, em ratos Wistar. Os animais foram tratados com AG (10 mg/Kg; i.p.), ou L-NAME (20 mg/Kg; i.p.), uma hora antes do MTX e, diariamente, atà o sacrifÃcio, no 5 dia. Na investigaÃÃo do papel do NO na mucosite oral induzida por 5-FU, os seguintes parÃmetros foram avaliados: anÃlises micro e macroscÃpica, atividade de mieloperoxidade (MPO) e da NOS, nÃveis teciduais de nitrito, imunohistoquÃmica para NOSi e detecÃÃo de morte celular. O efeito do 5-FU na produÃÃo salivar tambÃm foi avaliado. No estudo dos efeitos da GLU e AL-GLU, anÃlises micro e macroscÃpicas, atividade de MPO, detecÃÃo de morte celular, estoques teciduais de glutationa e concentraÃÃo sÃrica de glutamina foram os parÃmetros avaliados. No estudo do papel do NO na mucosite intestinal, foram realizados anÃlise histopatolÃgica, medida da altura de vilos nos trÃs segmentos do intestino delgado, atividade de MPO, detecÃÃo de apoptose, assim como, western blot e imunohistoquÃmica para NOSi. 1400W e AG, contrariamente ao L-NAME, reduziram os parÃmetros macro e microscÃpicos da mucosite oral e a infiltraÃÃo de cÃlulas inflamatÃrias, detectada na histopatologia e na atividade de MPO. Foram observados ainda, no 10 dia, maior atividade da NOS e marcaÃÃo imunohistoquÃmica para NOSi. 1400W reverteu a diminuiÃÃo da secreÃÃo salivar induzida por 5-FU. A mucosite oral induzida por 5-FU resultou na diminuiÃÃo dos nÃveis sÃricos de glutamina, bem como dos estoques teciduais de glutationa, no 10 dia, efeitos que foram revertidos pela administraÃÃo de GLU e AL-GLU. Apesar de nÃo ter prevenido a mucosite oral no 10 dia, o tratamento com GLU ou AL-GLU reduziu os parÃmetros macro e microscÃpicos da mucosite oral, e a atividade de MPO, no 14 dia. Na mucosite intestinal, AG e L-NAME preveniram o encurtamento de vilos e reduziram a necrose de criptas, assim como o infiltrado inflamatÃrio, efeitos induzidos pelo MTX, sendo esse Ãltimo constatado pela anÃlise histopatolÃgica e atividade de MPO. Foi detectado maior marcaÃÃo imunohistoquÃmica para NOSi no jejuno de ratos submetidos à mucosite intestinal. Esses resultados sugerem o papel relevante do NO na fisiopatologia das mucosites oral e intestinal. O presente estudo demonstrou ainda que a GLU e AL-GLU aceleraram a recuperaÃÃo da mucosa dos animais submetidos a mucosite oral por 5-FU, aumentando os nÃveis teciduais de glutationa, reduzindo a inflamaÃÃo e promovendo reepitelizaÃÃo / Mucositis induced by antineoplastic drugs is an important, dose-limiting and costly side effect of cancer therapy, which pathophysiology is not completely understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) on the pathogenesis of oral and intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and methotrexate (MTX) and the effect of glutamine (GLU) and alanyl-glutamine (AL-GLU) on 5-FU-induced experimental mucositis. Oral mucosistis was induced by two intraperitoneal (i.p) administrations of 5-FU on the 1st and 2nd days (60 and 40 mg/kg, respectively) in hamsters. Animals were treated subcutaneously (s.c.) with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors N-(3-(Aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine (1400W; 1 mg/kg), aminoguanidine (AG; 5 or 10 mg/kg), Nφ-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME; 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg) or saline (0.4 ml), one hour before the injections of 5-FU and daily until sacrifice, on the 10th day. In another set of experiments, animals received saline, GLU or AL-GLU suspension (100 mM) one hour before the injections of 5-FU and daily until sacrifice, on the 10th or 14th day. Intestinal mucositis was induced by three administrations of MTX (2.5 mg/kg; s.c.) on the first three days of the experiment, in Wistar rats. Animals were treated i.p. with AG (10 mg/Kg), or L-NAME (20 mg/Kg), one hour before the injections of MTX and daily until sacrifice, on the 5th day. In the investigation of the role of NO on 5-FU induced oral mucositis, the following parameters were evaluated: microscopic and macroscopic analysis, myeloperoxidade (MPO) and NOS activities, nitrite level, immunohistochemistry for NOSi, salivary secretion, and cell death. In order to study the effect of GLU and AL-GLU, microscopic and macroscopic analysis, MPO activity, cell death, glutathione stores and the serum concentration of glutamine, were evaluated. In the MTX-induced intestinal mucositis, histopathological analysis was evaluated and the villus height in all three small intestine segments was measured. MPO activity, cell death, as well as, western blot and immunohistochemistry to evaluated the expression of the NOSi, were also conducted. 1400W or AG, but not L-NAME, reduced macroscopic and histological parameters of oral mucositis, and reduced the inflammatory cell infiltration as detected on histopathology and by MPO activity. Increased NOS activity and immunostaining for NOSi were detected. 5-FU induced a decrease in salivary secrection, observed on 4th day, and this effect was prevented by 1400W. The 5-FU-induced oral mucositis significantly decreased the serum GLU level as well as the cheek pouch glutathione stores, observed on day 10. GLU or AL-GLU reversed the 5-FU effects, restoring serum GLU levels and cheek pouch glutathione stores, observed on day 10, but did not prevent oral mucositis at this time. However, GLU and AL-GLU reduced macroscopic and histological parameters of oral mucositis, and reduced the MPO activity on day 14. In the MTX-induced mucositis, AG and L-NAME significantly prevented villous blunting, lamina propria cell death, and reduced crypt necrosis induced by MTX, decreasing neutrophil infiltration as detected by histopathology and by MPO activity. These data were associated with the detection of iNOS expression by Western blot and by immunohistochemistry in the jejunum tissue. These results suggest an important role of NO in the pathogenesis of oral and intestinal mucositis induced by 5-FU and MTX. The present study also demonstrated that GLU or AL-GLU hastens mucosal recovery increasing mucosal tissue glutathione stores, reducing inflammatory parameters and speeding reepithelization

Há décadas a exposição ao mercúrio é alvo de estudos toxicológicos devido ao alto potencial de danos a saúde humana. Na região amazônica os primeiros estudos reportavam a exposição ocupacional pelo uso nos garimpos de ouro, entretanto recentemente destacam-se os estudos relacionados a exposição ambiental que ocorre na região decorrente do consumo de peixes contaminados com mercúrio. Muitos estudos se concentram em populações ribeirinhas residentes na região do rio Tapajós, onde o consumo de peixes é frequente e o metil-mercúrio (MeHg) contido nos peixes é o responsável pela exposição dessas pessoas ao metal. O MeHg apresenta efeitos tóxicos relevantes sobre o sistema cardiovascular, e muitos grupos de pesquisa buscam elucidar os mecanismos que expliquem tais efeitos. Alguns estudos apontam uma diminuição significativa na disponibilidade do óxido nítrico (NO) após exposição ao organometal, o que poderia contribuir para uma alteração da fisiologia cardiovascular uma vez que o NO é um modulados desse sistema. O NO é sintetizado pela óxido nítrico sintase endotelial (eNOS) e sua atividade pode ser alterada por vários fatores, dentre eles, os polimorfismos nos genes que codificam essa proteína, são eles: T-786C na região promotora, 27-pb VNTR no intron 4 e Glu298Asp no exon 7. Neste sentido, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos dos polimorfismos da eNOS sobre a síntese de NO entre os indivíduos expostos a metilmercúrio. Foram analisadas amostras de sangue de 214 voluntários com idade entre 15 e 84 anos, dos quais 103 homens e 111 mulheres. A concentração de mercúrio no sangue (Hg sangue) total variou de 1,7 a 179,3 µg/L e a concentração plasmática de nitrito variou entre 85,7 e 695,8 M. Foram determinados os valores de pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), pressão arterial diastólica (PAD), índice de massa corporal (IMC) e freqüência cardíaca (FC) de todos os voluntários. A PAS média foi de 119,8 mmHg e a média da PAD foi 71,8 mmHg. O IMC médio foi de 24,5 Kg/m2 e a FC média foi 70,4 batimentos por minuto (bpm). Não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos, segundo genótipos dos três polimorfismos, quanto às características dos voluntários: idade, PAS, PAD, IMC, FC, Hg sangue e as concentrações plasmáticas de nitrito. Quando os polimorfismos foram estudados isoladamente foi observado que o alelo C na região promotora, o alelo 4b no intron 4 e o alelo Glu no exon 7 apresentaram-se associados a concentrações reduzidas e nitrito plasmático. Quando a população foi estratificada com base na concentração de Hg essa associação desapareceu, provavelmente mascarada pelas altas concentrações do metal. Entretanto quando foram estudados os haplótipos pode ser observada novamente a associação desses mesmos alelos com a diminuição da concentração do nitrito, confirmando os achados iniciais. O haplótipo mais frequente na população combina os alelos selvagens para todos os polimorfismos (T, 4b e G) e o haplótipo menos freqüente combina os alelos variantes. O haplótipo associado à menor concentração plasmática de nitrito combina os alelos selvagens (C, 4b e G), confirmando os primeiros resultados. Essa abordagem haplotípica é muito útil na observação de efeitos mais discretos uma vez que é possível observar os efeitos dos três polimorfismos agindo simultaneamente sobre uma variável, nesse caso o óxido nítrico. O presente estudo sugere que os fatores genéticos exercem grande influência sobre a produção e biodisponibilidade de NO e que esses fatores combinados com a exposição ambiental ao Hg podem agir de maneira sinérgica, aumentando a suscetibilidade aos efeitos cardiotóxicos do metal através da modulação da atividade da eNOS. / The mercury (Hg) exposure has been target of toxicological studies due the high potential of damage to human health. In the Amazon region the first studies reported the occupational exposure due the use in gold mining, however, recently become relevant the studies about the environment exposure due the fish intake in the riparian population. Several studies have been concentrated in the riparian community in the Tapajós river region, where the fish consumption is frequent and the methylmercury content in fish is responsible to exposure of this people. The MeHg presents toxic effects in the cardiovascular system and many researches groups try to elucidate the mechanisms that explain this effects. Some studies report a significant reducing in nitric oxide (NO) production after the Hg exposure, which could contribute to an altered physiology of the cardiovascular system, once the NO is a modulating factor of this system. The NO is produced by the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and its activity can be altered by many factors like polymorphisms in gene that codify this protein, among this: : T-786C in the promoter region, 27-pb VNTR in intron 4 and Glu298Asp in exon 7. In this regard, the present study mean to evaluate the effects of the eNOS polymorphisms over the NO synthesis among the Hg exposed subjects. In this work, the whole blood samples of 214 volunteers were analyzed for determination of Hg concentration, nitrite plasma concentration and genotyping. The age of the volunteers varied between 15 and 84 years old, including 103 men and 111 women. The blood mercury concentration varied between 1.7 and 179.3 µg/L and the nitrite plasma concentration varied between 85.7 and 695.8 M. Was determinate the systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), body mass index (BMI) and heart rate (HR). The SAP mean was 119.8 mmHg and the DAP mean was 71.8 mmHg. The BMI mean was 24.5 Kg/m2 and the HR mean was 70.4 beats per minute. There was no difference among the groups of the three polymorphisms according the volunteers characteristics: age, DAP, SAP, BMI, HR, blood Hg concentration and nitrite plasma concentration. When the polymorphisms were observed separately the reduced nitrite plasma concentration was associated with the presence of the alleles: C in promoter region, 4b in intron 4 and G in exon 7, however there is lack of association when the volunteers were grouped according the blood Hg concentration, probably due a mask effect of the high Hg concentration. When these three polymorphisms were observed simultaneously, in analysis of the haplotypes, the association between the same alleles and the nitrite plasma concentration was observed again, confirming the initial findings. The commonest haplotype in the volunteers combine the alleles of the three polymorphisms (T, 4b and G) and the less frequent haplotype combine the three variants alleles. There was an association between the haplotype C, 4b and G and reduced nitrite plasma concentration, according the result of the polymorphisms separately. The haplotype analysis is too interesting to observe discrete effects, once is possible to analyze the effects of the three polymorphisms acting simultaneously above one variable, in this case, nitric oxide production. The present study suggest that genetic factors could exert a relevant influence above the NO production and bioavailability and that this factors combined with environmental Hg exposure can acting synergic, increasing the susceptibility to Hg cardiovascular effects, through the modulation of the eNOS activity.

Endothelial dysfunction is a pathologic state characterized by an altered equilibrium among vasodilatory and antithrombotic mediators and vasoconstrictive and prothrombotic mediators produced by the vascular endothelium. Multiple factors induce impaired production or increased consumption nitric oxide (NO), the key mediator of vascular homeostasis, produced by the nitric oxide synthase enzymes (NOS). Endothelial dysfunction represents one of the initial steps in the development of atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the vascular wall. The inducible enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) represents one of the main cellular defense mechanisms against increased oxidative stress and decreased NO bioavailability accompanying endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. We studied the genetic determinants of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis by evaluating the association of the G894T endothelial NOS (eNOS) polymorphism and the HO-1 (GT)n promoter polymorphism with coronary artery atherosclerosis severity and risk profile and their evolution during hypolipidaemic treatment. In addition, we searched for genetic variations in exons 25 and 26 of eNOS gene, encoding the C-terminal part of the protein, deemed crucial for proper enzyme function and the 3'- untranslated region crucial for eNOS...

Cette thèse est consacrée à la régulation de la guanylate cyclase soluble (sGC), le récepteur endogène du monoxyde d'azote (NO) chez les mammifères qui est impliqué dans la transduction du signal. L'enzyme sGC est activée par la fixation du NO sur son hème et catalyse alors la formation du cGMP à partir du GTP. Alors que la sGC est présente dans de nombreuses cellules de mammifères, le domaine hémique bactérien homologue (H-NOX) est impliqué dans la détection du NO et la régulation du métabolisme. Un objectif important est la découverte d'inhibiteurs de la sGC pour ralentir la progression tumorale.Le criblage de composés naturels d'une chimiothèque mesurant l'activité de la sGC purifiée a révélé six inhibiteurs actifs (Ki = 0.2 – 1 µM). Avec deux autres composés actifs en photothérapie (hypericin et hypocrellin) nous avons démontré que ces inhibiteurs sont des effecteurs allostériques qui ne se fixent ni sur l'hème, ni sur le site catalytique ou de fixation des activateurs, découvrant une nouvelle classe de composés pharmacologiques ciblant la voie de signalisation NO/cGMP.La transition structurale induite par l'activateur riociguat en synergie avec le CO a été étudiée par spectroscopie d'absorption résolue en temps pour démontrer des changements de coordination de l'hème. Deux états d'activation distincts de la sGC par le CO existent simultanément avec les coordiantions 6c-hème et 5c-hème en présence de l'activateur qui induit la rupture de la liaison Fe-His de l'hème, à l'instar de l'activateur naturel NO. De plus, nous montrons que l'isoliquiritigénine, commercialisée comme activateur de la sGC, et en réalité un inhibiteur de la sGC.La dynamique ds ligands CO, NO, and O2 a été mesurée sur 12 ordres de grandeur temporelle pour le type sauvage et un mutant du transporteur bactérien du NO (AXCP). La simple mutation Leu16Ala augmente l'afinité pour le CO 108 fois, celle du NO 106 fois et rend cette protéine réactive à O2. Dans le cas de CO et NO dont les affinités pour L16A-AXCP sont les plus grandes jamais mesurées, la recombinaison bimoléculaire n'est pas détectable. Des simulations de dynamique moléculaire ont démontré que le CO dissocié est contraint de rester à 4 Å du Fe2+ par Ala16, contrairement au type sauvage Leu16.La dynamique de O2 a été mesurée dans la protéine senseur Tt H-NOX par spectroscopie d'absorption transitoire et confirme l'hypothèse que Tt H-NOX n'est sans doute pas un senseur de NO stricto sensu mais un senseur redox. Les propriétés de Tt-H-NOX ne sont pas compatibles avec le rôle d'un simple transporteur de NO. / This thesis is devoted to the regulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), the endogenous nitric oxide (NO) receptor in mammals involved in signal transduction. The enzyme is activated by the binding of NO to its heme and catalyzes the formation of cGMP from GTP. While sGC is present in many mammalian cells, the homologous bacterial domain (H-NOX) is involved in NO detection and metabolism regulation. An important objective was to find sGC inhibitors to slow down tumor progression.The screening of natural compounds from a chemical library, tested on purified sGC activity, revealed six active inhibitors (Ki = 0.2 – 1 µM). Together with two agents for photodynamic therapy (hypericin and hypocrellin) we demonstrated that these inhibitors are allosteric modulators which bind neither to the heme nor to the catalytic and activator sites, revealing a new class of pharmacological compounds targetting the NO/cGMP signaling pathway.The structural transition induced in sGC by stimulator riociguat in synergy with CO was studied by transient absorption spectroscopy to demonstrate coordination changes of the heme. Two different activation states of sGC with CO 6c-heme and 5c-heme exist simultaneously in the presence of the stimulator which induces the breaking of the heme Fe-His bond, as does the sGC natural effector NO. In addition, the effect of isoliquiritigenin, which is sold as a sGC activator, was shown to be actually an inhibitor of sGC.The dynamics of the ligands CO, NO and O2 were measured over 12 orders of magnitude in time in wild type and mutant of a bacterial NO transporter (AXCP). The single mutation Leu16Ala increased 108-fold the CO affinity, ~106-fold the NO affinity and makes this protein reactive to O2. In the case of CO and NO, whose affinities for L16A-AXCP are the largest ever measured, the bimolecular rebinding was absolutely not detectable. Molecular dynamic simulations demonstrated that dissociated CO is constrained to stay within 4 Å from Fe2+ by Ala16, contrarily to wild-type Leu16.The dynamics of O2 in Tt-H-NOX proteins measured by transient absorption spectroscopy confirmed the hypothesis that Tt-H-NOX may not be a NO-sensor stricto sensu but a redox sensor. The properties of the Tt-H-NOX protein are not compatible with the role a mere NO-carrier.