Abstract Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are the major metabolizers of xenobiotics, e.g. drugs, and environmental toxins. Thus, changes in CYP expression have an important impact on drug metabolism and susceptibility to chemical toxicity. In the present study, the transcriptional mechanisms of both constitutive and inducible regulation of the Cyp2a5 gene in mouse liver were investigated. Mouse primary hepatocyte cultures were used as the main model system together with cell and molecular biology methods. The key activation regions of the Cyp2a5 5' promoter were determined using reporter gene assays. Two major transcription activation sites of the Cyp2a5 5' promoter, called the proximal and the distal, were found. Transcription factors hepatocyte nuclear factor-4 (HNF-4) and nuclear factor I were shown to bind to the proximal promoter. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) and upstream stimulatory factor bound to a common palindromic E-box element in the distal promoter region. All three response elements were shown to be essential for constitutive expression of CYP2A5 in murine hepatocytes. ARNT appeared to control Cyp2a5 transcription without a heterodimerization partner suggesting active involvement of the ARNT homodimer in mammalian gene regulation. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) ligands were shown to induce Cyp2a5 transcriptionally by an AHR-dependent mechanism, and established Cyp2a5 as a novel AHR-regulated gene. The AHR response element and the E-box, identified in these studies, were located near to each other and close to a separately defined nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 binding site in the distal region of the Cyp2a5 promoter, suggesting cooperation between these elements. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α was shown to up-regulate Cyp2a5 transcription through coactivation of HNF-4α. This indicates that xenobiotic metabolism can be regulated by modification of co-activation. The present results show that CYP2A5 is regulated by several different cross-regulatory pathways. The regulatory mechanisms involved in the transcription of the Cyp2a5 gene may also control other CYP genes, especially the human ortholog CYP2A6, and may explain some of the individual variations in the metabolism of xenobiotics.

Objective: Despite the advanced therapy with statins, antithrombotics, and antihypertensive agents, the medical treatment of atherosclerotic disease is less than optimal. Therefore, additional therapeutic antiatherosclerotic options are desirable. This pilot study was performed to assess the potential antiatherogenic effect of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist pioglitazone in nondiabetic patients. Methods: A total of 54 nondiabetic patients were observed in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomized to pioglitazone or placebo. The following efficacy parameters were determined by serial analyses: artery pulse wave analysis and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), static and dynamic retinal vessel function, and the common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). The main secondary endpoint was the change in different biochemical markers. Results: After 9 months, no relevant differences could be determined in the two treatment groups in PWV (pioglitazone 14.3 ± 4.4 m/s vs. placebo 14.2 ± 4.2 m/s), retinal arterial diameter (pioglitazone 112.1 ± 23.3 μm vs. placebo 117.9 ± 21.5 μm) or IMT (pioglitazone 0.85 ± 0.30 mm vs. placebo 0.79 ± 0.15 mm). Additionally, there were no differences in the change in biochemical markers like cholesteryl ester transfer protein, lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or white blood cell count. Conclusions : Treatment with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist in nondiabetic patients did not improve the function of large and small peripheral vessels (PPP Trial, clinicaltrialsregister. eu: 2006-000186-11).

The thesis is aimed at understanding of molecular mechanisms of autophagic degradation of peroxisomes (pexophagy) in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. This microorganism has been extensively used to explore peroxisome biogenesis (Titorenko and Rachubinski, 2000). Gunkel et al. (1999) intoduced Y. lypolitica into pexophagy studies. However, the field of pexophagic research on this yeast remains quite unexplored. This work involved following tasks: (1) the development and optimization of Y. lipolytica as a model system to study peroxisome degradation; (2) Y. lipolytica genes and proteins implicated in pexophagy should be found and characterized; (3) a proper easy-to-handle selection procedure to isolate novel peroxisome degradation-deficient(pdd) mutants of Y. lipolytica should be devised.

No description available.

No description available.

This thesis aims to investigate fluoxetine, a widely prescribed SSRI antidepressant, for its role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and uncover novel mechanisms by which it may contribute to drug-induced steatosis. We demonstrated that increased hepatic lipid accumulation was mediated, in part, via elevated serotonin production. The inhibition of hepatic serotonin synthesis prevented lipid accumulation in fluoxetine-treated hepatocytes demonstrating a causal role for serotonin in fluoxetine-induced hepatic steatosis. Interestingly, in several studies, serotonin signaling has been shown to impact prostaglandin biosynthesis. As prostaglandins have been implicated in the development of NAFLD, and fluoxetine has previously been shown to alter the production of prostaglandins I assessed the role of prostaglandins in fluoxetine-induced hepatic lipid accumulation. Fluoxetine treatment increased mRNA expression of prostaglandin biosynthetic enzymes, increased production of prostaglandin 15-deoxy-Δ12,14PGJ2 (PPARG agonist), and elevated PPARG targets involved in fatty acid uptake. Fluoxetine-induced lipid accumulation, 15-deoxy-Δ12,14PGJ2 production, and the expression of PPARG lipogenic genes were attenuated with a PTGS1 specific inhibitor. Taken together these findings suggested that fluoxetine-induced lipid accumulation was mediated via PTGS1 and its downstream product 15-deoxy-Δ12,14PGJ2. Given that Pparg was elevated following fluoxetine treatment, and PPARG regulates microRNA involved in hepatic lipid accumulation, my final project focused on PPARG’s role in altered miRNA expression. Indeed, fluoxetine treatment increased the miRNA expression of miR-122, an effect that was attenuated when fluoxetine treatment was combined with the PPARG antagonist GW9662, suggesting a fluoxetine-PPARG-miR122 axis contributing to hepatic steatosis. While these studies have only been performed in vitro, an understanding of the molecular changes associated with SSRI treatment may lead to the development of strategies to prevent the increased risk of adverse metabolic outcomes associated with the use of SSRI antidepressants. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science) / In adults, major depressive disorder (depression) is one of the most common psychiatric illnesses. Recent data suggests that there are more than 4.1 million Canadians who currently suffer from depression. Depression is commonly treated using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. While these antidepressants do help manage depressive symptoms, they can also cause unwanted side effects including a build-up of fat in the liver, leading to fatty liver disease. The goal of my research is to understand the link between SSRI use and the development of fatty liver disease. This thesis investigates the effects of fluoxetine (Prozac®), a commonly used SSRI antidepressant, on molecular pathways that can lead to the development of fatty liver disease. An understanding of the molecular changes with SSRI treatment may lead to the development of strategies to prevent the harmful effects of SSRI antidepressants on the liver.

Introdução: A nefrotoxicidade dos antiretrovirais constituem atualmente fator importante na morbidade e mortalidade de pacientes com HIV. O tenofovir DF (TDF) se enquadra em um dos antiretrovirais mais lesivos ao rim. Conhecer seu mecanismo de nefrotoxicidade e estudar medidas protetoras podem melhorar seu uso clínico. Material e Métodos: Ratos foram tratados durante 30 dias com uma de duas doses de TDF (50 ou 300mg/Kg de dieta), sendo que um grupo teve adicionado em sua dieta maleato de rosiglitazona (RSG) na dose de 92mg/Kg de dieta nos últimos 15 dias. Após esse período, os ratos foram colocados em gaiola metabólica e sacrificados. Foram estudados parâmetros bioquímicos, fluxo sanguíneo renal e os rins extraídos para expressão semiquantitativa dos transportadores epiteliais tubulares. Resultados: Os animais que receberam TDF em dose alta apresentaram insuficiência renal severa acompanhada de redução da expressão da oxido-nítrico sintase endotelial e vasoconstricção renal intensa. Todos esses parâmetros foram parcialmente revertidos pela administração de RSG. Baixas doses de TDF não causou alteração significativa do ritmo de filtração glomerular, porém induziu fosfatúria, acidose tubular proximal, poliúria e redução da capacidade de concentração urinária. Essas alterações foram associadas a redução da expressão de alguns transportadores epiteliais (cotransportador sódio-fosforo, contratransportador sódio-hidrogênio tipo 3 e aquaporina tipo 2). Não foi caracterizado síndrome de Fanconi, pois não houve proteinúria ou glicosúria. O tratamento com RSG reverteu todos os parâmetros de nefrotoxicidade estudados, normalizando as alterações bioquímicas urinárias e a expressão dos transportadores de membrana. Conclusões: Os achados desses experimentos tem potencial aplicação clínica em pacientes com nefrotoxicidade induzida pelo TDF, especialmente naqueles com hipofosfatemia e/ou redução do ritmo de filtração glomerular. / Objective: To characterize the mechanisms of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)- induced nephrotoxicity and the protective effects of rosiglitazone (RSG), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-y agonist. Methods: Rats were treated for 30 days with one of two TDF doses (50 or 300 mg/kg of food), to which RSG (92 mg/kg of food) was added for the last 15 days. Biochemical parameters were measured, and renal tissue was extracted for immunoblotting. Results: Mean daily ingestion was comparable among all the treated groups. Highdose TDF induced severe renal failure accompanied by reduced expression of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase and intense renal vasoconstriction. All of these features were ameliorated by RSG administration. Low-dose TDF did not alter the glomerular filtration rate but induced significant phosphaturia, proximal tubular acidosis and polyuria, as well as reducing urinary concentrating ability. These alterations were caused by specific downregulation of the sodium-phosphorus cotransporter, sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3 and aquaporin 2. No Fanconi\'s syndrome was identified (proteinuria was normal and there was no glycosuria). Treatment with RSG reversed TDF-induced tubular nephrotoxicity, normalizing urinary biochemical parameters and membrane transporter protein expression. Conclusion: These findings have potential clinical applications in patients presenting with TFV-induced nephrotoxicity, especially in those presenting with hypophosphatemia or a reduction in glomerular filtration rate.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O óleo de peixe é rico em ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGPI) n-3 e vem sendo apontado como anti-inflamatório associado à melhora de diversas doenças de natureza inflamatória. No presente estudo, objetivou-se avaliar a influência do óleo de peixe sobre a inflamação pulmonar e hiper-reatividade em camundongos ativamente sensibilizados desafiados com ovoalbumina (OVA). Camundongos A/J machos foram alimentados com dieta standard-chow (SC) ou dieta rica em óleo de peixe (Px) durante 8 semanas. Após 4 semanas do início da dieta, cada grupo foi subdividido aleatoriamente para ser desafiado com salina (SC-SAL e PX-SAL) ou ovoalbumina (SC-OVA e PX-OVA). A função pulmonar (resistência e elastância) foi avaliada através de pletismografia invasiva, na condição de aerolização ou não com metacolina 24 horas após o último desafio antigênico. Foi realizado lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) para contagem de leucócitos e quantificação de eotaxina-2. A deposição de muco e de matriz peribronquiolar e o infiltrado de eosinófilos foram quantificados no tecido pulmonar. Foram avaliados interleucina (IL)-13 através de imunohistoquímica e NFκB, GATA-3 e PPARγ, por western-blotting. O desafio com OVA resultou em aumento da infiltração de eosinófilos, elevada produção de citocinas inflamatórias, remodelamento pulmonar, produção de muco e hiper-reatividade das vias aéreas. Detectou-se aumento na expressão dos fatores de transcrição NFκB e GATA-3 nos camundongos do grupo sensibilizado e desafiado com OVA em comparação aos controles. Todas essas alterações foram atenuadas nos camundongos que receberam dieta com óleo de peixe. Expressão elevada de PPARγ foi detectada nos pulmões dos camundongos dos grupos alimentados com óleo de peixe. Em conclusão, nossos resultados mostram que a ingestão de óleo de peixe atenuou as características clássicas do quadro asmático através da modulação da síntese de mediadores inflamatórios, via regulação negativa de NFκB e GATA-3 e regulação positiva de PPARγ. O óleo de peixe parece ser uma terapia alternativa para o controle e tratamento da asma. / Fish oil (FO) is rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which have been suggested to be anti-inflammatory and are associated with improvement of several inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the influence of FO on allergen-induced lung inflammation and airway hyperreactivity in mice. Male A/J mice were fed either a standard-chow (SC) or a FO diet (FO) for 8 weeks. After 4 weeks, each group was further randomized for ovalbumin (SC-OVA and FO-OVA) or saline (SC-SAL and FO-SAL) challenge. Resistance and elastance were measured at baseline and after aerosolized methacholine, 24h after the last challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed for leukocyte counts and eotaxin-2 quantification. Lung tissue mucus deposition, peribronchiolar matrix deposition and eosinophil infiltration were quantified. Interleukin-13 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), GATA-3 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression was measured by Western blot. OVA challenge resulted in increased eosinophil infiltration, increased inflammatory cytokine production, peribronchiolar matrix and mucus deposition and airway hyperreactivity to aerosolized methacholine. Elevated lung NFκB and GATA-3 expression was noted in OVA-challenged mice, which was attenuated in FO diet-fed mice. Higher PPARγ expression was also detected in the lungs from the FO-fed groups. In conclusion, FO intake attenuated classical asthma features by reducing inflammatory mediator production via GATA-3 and NFκB down-regulation and PPARγ up-regulation. Thus, FO might be an alternative therapy for asthma prevention and control.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O óleo de peixe é rico em ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGPI) n-3 e vem sendo apontado como anti-inflamatório associado à melhora de diversas doenças de natureza inflamatória. No presente estudo, objetivou-se avaliar a influência do óleo de peixe sobre a inflamação pulmonar e hiper-reatividade em camundongos ativamente sensibilizados desafiados com ovoalbumina (OVA). Camundongos A/J machos foram alimentados com dieta standard-chow (SC) ou dieta rica em óleo de peixe (Px) durante 8 semanas. Após 4 semanas do início da dieta, cada grupo foi subdividido aleatoriamente para ser desafiado com salina (SC-SAL e PX-SAL) ou ovoalbumina (SC-OVA e PX-OVA). A função pulmonar (resistência e elastância) foi avaliada através de pletismografia invasiva, na condição de aerolização ou não com metacolina 24 horas após o último desafio antigênico. Foi realizado lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) para contagem de leucócitos e quantificação de eotaxina-2. A deposição de muco e de matriz peribronquiolar e o infiltrado de eosinófilos foram quantificados no tecido pulmonar. Foram avaliados interleucina (IL)-13 através de imunohistoquímica e NFκB, GATA-3 e PPARγ, por western-blotting. O desafio com OVA resultou em aumento da infiltração de eosinófilos, elevada produção de citocinas inflamatórias, remodelamento pulmonar, produção de muco e hiper-reatividade das vias aéreas. Detectou-se aumento na expressão dos fatores de transcrição NFκB e GATA-3 nos camundongos do grupo sensibilizado e desafiado com OVA em comparação aos controles. Todas essas alterações foram atenuadas nos camundongos que receberam dieta com óleo de peixe. Expressão elevada de PPARγ foi detectada nos pulmões dos camundongos dos grupos alimentados com óleo de peixe. Em conclusão, nossos resultados mostram que a ingestão de óleo de peixe atenuou as características clássicas do quadro asmático através da modulação da síntese de mediadores inflamatórios, via regulação negativa de NFκB e GATA-3 e regulação positiva de PPARγ. O óleo de peixe parece ser uma terapia alternativa para o controle e tratamento da asma. / Fish oil (FO) is rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), which have been suggested to be anti-inflammatory and are associated with improvement of several inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the influence of FO on allergen-induced lung inflammation and airway hyperreactivity in mice. Male A/J mice were fed either a standard-chow (SC) or a FO diet (FO) for 8 weeks. After 4 weeks, each group was further randomized for ovalbumin (SC-OVA and FO-OVA) or saline (SC-SAL and FO-SAL) challenge. Resistance and elastance were measured at baseline and after aerosolized methacholine, 24h after the last challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed for leukocyte counts and eotaxin-2 quantification. Lung tissue mucus deposition, peribronchiolar matrix deposition and eosinophil infiltration were quantified. Interleukin-13 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), GATA-3 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression was measured by Western blot. OVA challenge resulted in increased eosinophil infiltration, increased inflammatory cytokine production, peribronchiolar matrix and mucus deposition and airway hyperreactivity to aerosolized methacholine. Elevated lung NFκB and GATA-3 expression was noted in OVA-challenged mice, which was attenuated in FO diet-fed mice. Higher PPARγ expression was also detected in the lungs from the FO-fed groups. In conclusion, FO intake attenuated classical asthma features by reducing inflammatory mediator production via GATA-3 and NFκB down-regulation and PPARγ up-regulation. Thus, FO might be an alternative therapy for asthma prevention and control.

Introdução: A nefrotoxicidade dos antiretrovirais constituem atualmente fator importante na morbidade e mortalidade de pacientes com HIV. O tenofovir DF (TDF) se enquadra em um dos antiretrovirais mais lesivos ao rim. Conhecer seu mecanismo de nefrotoxicidade e estudar medidas protetoras podem melhorar seu uso clínico. Material e Métodos: Ratos foram tratados durante 30 dias com uma de duas doses de TDF (50 ou 300mg/Kg de dieta), sendo que um grupo teve adicionado em sua dieta maleato de rosiglitazona (RSG) na dose de 92mg/Kg de dieta nos últimos 15 dias. Após esse período, os ratos foram colocados em gaiola metabólica e sacrificados. Foram estudados parâmetros bioquímicos, fluxo sanguíneo renal e os rins extraídos para expressão semiquantitativa dos transportadores epiteliais tubulares. Resultados: Os animais que receberam TDF em dose alta apresentaram insuficiência renal severa acompanhada de redução da expressão da oxido-nítrico sintase endotelial e vasoconstricção renal intensa. Todos esses parâmetros foram parcialmente revertidos pela administração de RSG. Baixas doses de TDF não causou alteração significativa do ritmo de filtração glomerular, porém induziu fosfatúria, acidose tubular proximal, poliúria e redução da capacidade de concentração urinária. Essas alterações foram associadas a redução da expressão de alguns transportadores epiteliais (cotransportador sódio-fosforo, contratransportador sódio-hidrogênio tipo 3 e aquaporina tipo 2). Não foi caracterizado síndrome de Fanconi, pois não houve proteinúria ou glicosúria. O tratamento com RSG reverteu todos os parâmetros de nefrotoxicidade estudados, normalizando as alterações bioquímicas urinárias e a expressão dos transportadores de membrana. Conclusões: Os achados desses experimentos tem potencial aplicação clínica em pacientes com nefrotoxicidade induzida pelo TDF, especialmente naqueles com hipofosfatemia e/ou redução do ritmo de filtração glomerular. / Objective: To characterize the mechanisms of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)- induced nephrotoxicity and the protective effects of rosiglitazone (RSG), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-y agonist. Methods: Rats were treated for 30 days with one of two TDF doses (50 or 300 mg/kg of food), to which RSG (92 mg/kg of food) was added for the last 15 days. Biochemical parameters were measured, and renal tissue was extracted for immunoblotting. Results: Mean daily ingestion was comparable among all the treated groups. Highdose TDF induced severe renal failure accompanied by reduced expression of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase and intense renal vasoconstriction. All of these features were ameliorated by RSG administration. Low-dose TDF did not alter the glomerular filtration rate but induced significant phosphaturia, proximal tubular acidosis and polyuria, as well as reducing urinary concentrating ability. These alterations were caused by specific downregulation of the sodium-phosphorus cotransporter, sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3 and aquaporin 2. No Fanconi\'s syndrome was identified (proteinuria was normal and there was no glycosuria). Treatment with RSG reversed TDF-induced tubular nephrotoxicity, normalizing urinary biochemical parameters and membrane transporter protein expression. Conclusion: These findings have potential clinical applications in patients presenting with TFV-induced nephrotoxicity, especially in those presenting with hypophosphatemia or a reduction in glomerular filtration rate.