<p>The superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is one of the largest protein families of mammalian genomes and can be divided into five main families; <i>Glutamate</i>, <i>Rhodopsin</i>, <i>Adhesion</i>, <i>Frizzled</i>, and <i>Secretin</i>. GPCRs participate in most major physiological functions, contributing to the fact that they are important targets in drug discovery. In paper I we mined the human and mouse genomes for new <i>Adhesion</i> GPCR genes. We found two new human genes (GPR133 and GPR144) and 17 mouse <i>Adhesion</i> genes, bringing the number up to 33 human and 31 mouse genes. In paper II we describe 53 new splice variants for human <i>Adhesion</i> receptors supported by expressed sequence tags (EST) data. 29 of these variants seem to code for functional proteins, several of which lack one or more functional domains in the N-termini. Lack of certain domains is likely to affect ligand binding or interaction with other proteins. Paper III describes the <i>Glutamate</i> GPCR in human, mouse, <i>Fugu</i>, and zebrafish. We gathered a total of 22 human, 79 mouse, 30 <i>Fugu</i>, and 32 zebrafish sequences and grouped these into eight clans using phylogenetic methods. The report provides an overview of the expansion or deletions among the different branches of the <i>Glutamate</i> receptor family. Paper IV focuses on the trace amine (TA) clan of <i>Rhodopsin</i> GPCRs. We identified 18 new rodent genes, 57 zebrafish genes, and eight <i>Fugu</i> genes belonging to the clan. Chromosomal mapping together with phylogenetic relationships suggests that the family arose through several mechanisms involving tetraploidisation, block duplications, and local duplication events. Paper V provides a comprehensive dataset of the GPCR superfamily of human and mouse containing 495 mouse and 400 human non-olfactory GPCRs. Phylogenetic analyses showed that 329 of the receptors are found in one-to-one orthologous pairs, whereas other receptors may have originated from species-specific expansions.</p>

The superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is one of the largest protein families of mammalian genomes and can be divided into five main families; Glutamate, Rhodopsin, Adhesion, Frizzled, and Secretin. GPCRs participate in most major physiological functions, contributing to the fact that they are important targets in drug discovery. In paper I we mined the human and mouse genomes for new Adhesion GPCR genes. We found two new human genes (GPR133 and GPR144) and 17 mouse Adhesion genes, bringing the number up to 33 human and 31 mouse genes. In paper II we describe 53 new splice variants for human Adhesion receptors supported by expressed sequence tags (EST) data. 29 of these variants seem to code for functional proteins, several of which lack one or more functional domains in the N-termini. Lack of certain domains is likely to affect ligand binding or interaction with other proteins. Paper III describes the Glutamate GPCR in human, mouse, Fugu, and zebrafish. We gathered a total of 22 human, 79 mouse, 30 Fugu, and 32 zebrafish sequences and grouped these into eight clans using phylogenetic methods. The report provides an overview of the expansion or deletions among the different branches of the Glutamate receptor family. Paper IV focuses on the trace amine (TA) clan of Rhodopsin GPCRs. We identified 18 new rodent genes, 57 zebrafish genes, and eight Fugu genes belonging to the clan. Chromosomal mapping together with phylogenetic relationships suggests that the family arose through several mechanisms involving tetraploidisation, block duplications, and local duplication events. Paper V provides a comprehensive dataset of the GPCR superfamily of human and mouse containing 495 mouse and 400 human non-olfactory GPCRs. Phylogenetic analyses showed that 329 of the receptors are found in one-to-one orthologous pairs, whereas other receptors may have originated from species-specific expansions.

Despite intensive research on the neurobiological mechanisms of chronic pain, this therapeutic area remains one of the least satisfactorily covered by current drugs. Glutamate activates two major classes of receptors: ionotropic and metabotropic. Ionotropic receptors are classified into three major subclasses:a-amino-3- hydroxy-5-methyl-4- isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). NMDA receptor activation, at the level of the spinal cord and peripheral tissue has been shown to play an important role in the facilitation of nociption in several animal models. Although the efficacy of NMDA receptor antagonists in various experimental and clinical pain situations has been well documented, their use as analgesics is limited by serious side effects such as memory impairment, psychotomimetic effects, ataxia and motor incoordination. Two promising current approaches to obtain effective analgesia devoid of side effects are by subtype-selective NMDA receptor antagonism in central nervous system (CNS) or peripheral use of NMDA receptor antagonist that do not interfere with central glutamate processing. NR2B subunit of NMDA receptor was predominantly found in the superficial dorsal horn of spinal cord. Recent discoveries have revealed that the transfection of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into animal cells results in the potent, long-lasting post-transcriptional silencing of specific genes. Thus, two approaches of antagonizing NMDA receptor in CNS and peripheral nervous system (PNS) for pain relief using siRNAs or pharmacological agents are investigated in this study. The first approach involves intrathecal administration of NR2B-siRNA into subarachnoid space and transfection of siRNA into cell of spinal cord by transfection agent of polyethylenimine (PEI). Formalin test was used to induce inflammatory pain in the hind paw of rats. Behavior response to formalin test was observed and recorded on 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21th day after injection of siRNA. The spinal cords were dissected immediately after formalin test and used for analysis of mRNA and protein. The results revealed that the use of siRNA targeting the NR2B subunit could abolish formalin induced pain behaviors and not impair motor coordination in rat model. The expression of NR2B mRNA and its associated protein as demonstrated by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were decreased. Significant reduction of NR2B immunoreactivity in dorsal horn of spinal cord were detected after 7 days treated by NR2B siRNA. The peak effect of gene knockdown occurred on day 3 for mRNA and day 7 for its protein, following intrathecal injection of 5 &#x00B5;g of siRNA targeting NR2B subunit. The inhibition of NR2B mRNA and protein lasted about 14 days and recovered on 21th days after injection of siRNA. The nociceptive response induced by formalin was decreased during the period of downregulation of NR2B protein. A novel intrathecal delivery of siRNA transfected with PEI into cell of dorsal horn reduced formalin-induced pain. The second approach involves subcutaneous injection of NMDA receptor antagonist and topical use of alpha2-adrenergic agonist for abolishing surgical pain. Additionally, we proved the upregulation of glutamate receptors in human inflamed skin. The study examined whether the peripheral ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) increased in inflamed human skin taken from patients having inflammatory pain over inflamed skin and surrounding area. Real time RT-PCR and western blot were used for quantitation of mRNA and protein of iGluR in normal and inflamed human skin. A significant increase in mRNA and protein for the subunits of NMDA, AMPA, and kainate receptor were detected in inflamed skin when compared to normal skin. The results demonstrate that mRNA and protein level of iGluRs are increasingly expressed during states of persistent inflammation, and that this increased activity may be involved in mediating clinical inflammatory pain in human skin. To examine the postoperative analgesic effect and adverse effect of local NMDA receptor antagonist (ketamine), ketamine (0.3%, 3 ml) or saline was subcutaneous infiltrated pre-incisionally in 26 patients equally assigned to two groups undergoing circumcision surgery. The saline-infiltrated subjects also received 9-mg intramuscular ketamine into the upper arm to control for any related systemic analgesic effects. The postoperative analgesic and adverse effects were followed for 24 hours. For ketamine infiltrated patients, the time interval until first analgesic demand was prolonged and the incidence of pain free (pain score = 0) during movement and erection was significant higher than saline infiltrated patients. No significant differences were noted in the incidence of adverse effects between the two groups. Pre-incisional subcutaneous infiltration of ketamine acting via a peripheral mechanism can suppression postoperative pain after circumcision surgery. Apraclonidine hydrochloride (AH) is a topical, relatively selective alpha2-adrenergic agonist that has limited access to the CNS and exhibits fewer systemic (adverse) effects such as dizziness and hypotension. Eighty patients scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery received either intraarticular (IA) normal saline, 50 ug IA AH, 150 ug IA AH, or 150 ug IA clonidine subsequent to surgery. The IA application of 150 ug apraclonidine and 150 ug clonidine provide similar degree of postoperative analgesia and similar incidence of adverse effect. The promise is that both approaches attenuating nociception state devoid of CNS adverse effects provide novel approach for the management of chronic pain.

Anthropogenically-derived substances, including pharmaceuticals and personal care products, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and pesticides, are increasingly being detected in drinking water supplies and wastewater effluents. Concerns over the presence of these compounds in water supplies include their ability to impart toxicological activity, their capacity to spread antibiotic resistance, and their potential to affect cell-signaling processes. For these reasons, water treatment processes geared towards removal of these trace organic contaminants are vital. In this work, ozone was used to treat four pharmaceutical contaminants: ciprofloxacin, cyclophosphamide, erythromycin, and ifosfamide. Ciprofloxacin and erythromycin are antibiotic/antimicrobial compounds, and cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide are chemotherapy agents. Ozone effectively transformed all four pharmaceuticals, even in the presence of background natural organic matter, which exerts a considerable ozone demand. The apparent rate constants for the reaction of the pharmaceuticals with ozone at pH 7 were determined: 3.03 M-1s-1 for cyclophosphamide; 7.38 M-1s-1 for ifosfamide; 1.57×104 M-1s-1 for ciprofloxacin; and 7.18×104 M-1s-1 for erythromycin. Cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide, which do not react quickly with ozone, exhibited high rate constants (2.7×109 M-1s-1) for transformation by hydroxyl radicals, which are formed through ozone decomposition. Nevertheless, complete removal of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide was achievable using a novel continuous aqueous ozone addition reactor and an ozone-based advanced oxidation process (peroxone). In ozone-based processes, pharmaceuticals are systematically transformed via complex oxidative pathways towards CO2, H2O, and the oxidized forms of other elements. Intermediate oxidation products containing oxygen atoms or hydroxyl groups substituted into the chemical structure of the parent pharmaceutical were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Given the structural similarity of intermediate oxidation products to the parent pharmaceuticals, an antimicrobial activity assay was employed to monitor the removal of pharmacological activity associated with ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and their respective intermediate oxidation products throughout treatment. For solutions containing ciprofloxacin or erythromycin, ozone was able to completely eliminate the corresponding antimicrobial activity. Ciprofloxacin intermediate oxidation products were pharmacologically active; however, erythromycin’s intermediate products did not contribute to the residual antimicrobial activity. These results suggest that the design of conventional and advanced ozone-based processes must incorporate ozone demand from background organic matter and account for destruction of pharmacologically active intermediates. / text

Syfte: Syftet var att beskriva vilka icke-farmakologiska behandlingar som kan användas vid oro hos personer med demens samt att beskriva vilken inverkan studerade icke-farmakologiska behandlingar hade på oro hos personer med demens. Vidare var syftet att kontrollera vilka datainsamlingsinstrument som användes vid mätning av oro i inkluderade studier samt om dessa testades i respektive studie gällande reliabilitet och validitet. Metod: Detta var en beskrivande litteraturstudie, litteratur eftersöktes i de vetenskapliga databaserna PubMed och Cinahl. 13 studier inkluderades, dessa omfattade fem olika icke-farmakologiska behandlingsmetoder. Författarna läste, översatte och sammanställde först enskilt de valda studierna för att främja ett objektivt förhållningssätt. Den metodologiska aspekten datainsamling kontrollerades i inkluderade vetenskapliga studier. Resultat: Det fanns varierande inverkan på orosnivån hos personer med demens av de icke-farmakologiska behandlingsmetoderna, musik-, arom-massage-, djurassisterad-, ljusterapi och Peacefull mind. Slutsats: Majoriteten av inkluderade icke-farmakologiska behandlingsmetoder minskade orosnivån hos personer med demens. Lugnandeläkemedel har biverkningar, därför var icke-farmakologiska behandlingsmetoder ett allternativ till läkemedelsbehandling vid oro hos personer med demens. Detta examensarbete har inte tagit ställning till den långsiktiga effekten av icke-farmakologiska behandlingsmetoder för att minska oro hos personer med demens vilket innebär att författarna inte har kunskap om eventuella biverkningar. / Purpose: The purpose was to describe which non-pharmacological treatments that can be used for anxiety in people with dementia and to describe the impact of studied non-pharmacological methods of treatment on anxiety in people with dementia. Furthermore the purpose was to check which data collection instrument that was used to measure anxiety in included studies and if these was tested in each study regarding reliability and validity. Method: This was a descriptive literature review, literature were searched in the scientific databases PubMed and Cinahl. 13 studies were included, these obtained five different non-pharmacological methods of treatment. The authors read, translated and complied first individually the chosen studies to promote an objective approach. The methodological aspect of data collection was controlled in included scientific studies. Results: There were various impacts on the level of anxiety in people with dementia from the non-pharmacological methods of treatment, music-, aroma-massage-, animal-assisted-, bright light therapy and Peacefull mind. Conclusion: The majority of included non-pharmacological methods of treatment decreased the level of anxiety in people with dementia. Sedative medications have side effects, therefore were non-pharmacological methods of treatment an alternative to pharmacological methods of treatment at anxiety in people with dementia. This essay has not taken a stand to the long-term impact of non-pharmacological methods of treatment to reduce anxiety in people with dementia which means that the authors have no knowledge of possible side effects.

Valeriana glechomifolia é uma espécie vegetal endêmica da região sul do Brasil. Ela acumula valepotriatos em todos os seus órgãos, que são os possíveis componentes sedativos das espécies de Valeriana utilizadas farmaceuticamente. Foi comparado o crescimento in vitro de V. glechomifolia em meios de cultura sólidos Murashige e Skoog completo (MS), com 75% dos nutrientes inorgânicos (MS 75) ou em uma formulação modificada (M ) em culturas mantidas a longo prazo, por até 9 meses sem subcultura. Alterações da biomassa, do desenvolvimento de raízes e partes aéreas, bem como a produção dos valepotriatos acevaltrato, valtrato e diidrovaltrato foram avaliadas mensalmente. O maior aumento de biomassa e desenvolvimento foliar foi detectado em plantas cultivadas em meio MS, e o melhor desenvolvimento radicular foi observado em plantas cultivadas em meio MS modificado (M ) durante o cultivo. A análise por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência mostrou que o máximo de rendimento de valtrato e diidrovaltrato foi após os seis meses de cultivo em plantas em meio M , enquanto a maior concentração de acevaltrato foi encontrada em plântulas cultivadas em meio MS 75, após sete meses de cultivo. Os resultados sugerem uma relação direta entre crescimento e acúmulo de valepotriatos, e um efeito positivo do aumento da quantidade de micronutrientes e de mesoinositol nos rendimentos valepotriatos em plantas mantidas em longo período de cultivo. Também foi analisado o efeito neurocomportamental de um extrato contendo uma mistura de valepotriatos (EV) de V. glechomifolia. Camundongos adultos foram tratados com doses de 1, 3 e 10 mg/kg de EV ou veículo, 30 minutos antes dos testes. Durante a exploração no campo aberto, os camundongos tratados com 10 mg/kg mostraram redução na locomoção e no comportamento exploratório (número de rearings) em comparação aos animais controle, e o EV não induziu alteração na ansiedade. Todos os grupos realizaram normalmente a tarefa de memória de reconhecimento de novo objeto, exceto o grupo que recebeu 3 mg/kg, que apresentou piora na memória de reconhecimento do novo objeto. Os resultados indicaram que os camundongos tratados com valepotriatos não apresentaram déficits de memória aversiva de longa duração, e apenas a dose de 3 mg/kg apresentou um prejuízo na tarefa de memória de reconhecimento de novo objeto, além de uma possível propriedade sedativa na dose de 10 mg/kg. / Valeriana glechomifolia is a plant species endemic to southern Brazil. It accumulates the terpene derivatives valepotriates, the presumed sedative components of the pharmaceutically used species of Valeriana, in all of its organs. In vitro growth of V. glechomifolia on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) without phytohormones at full, 75% (MS 75) or on a modified formulation (M ) was compared in long term stock cultures kept for up to 9 months without subculture. Changes in biomass accumulation, development of roots and shoots, as well as the production of valepotriates acevaltrate, valtrate and didrovaltrate were monthly evaluated. The best root development was observed in plants grown on modified MS medium (M ∆ ), whereas highest biomass accumulation and leaf development were detected in MS medium grown plants throughout the period. High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis showed maximal valtrate and didrovaltrate yields on M ∆ grown plants harvested after six months of culture, whereas acevaltrate concentration was highest on MS 75 grown plants after seven months of culture. The overall results suggest a direct relationship between growth and valepotriate accumulation, and a positive effect of increases in micronutrient and myo-inositol amounts on valepotriate yields of long-term stock-cultures. An extract containing a mixture of valepotriates (EV) of V. glechomifolia was evaluated in relation to neurobehavioral parameters. Adult mice were treated with doses of 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg of EV or vehicle, 30 minutes before tests. During exploration of an open field, mice treated with 10 mg/kg showed reduced locomotion and reduced exploratory behavior (number of rearings) compared to control animals, and the EV did not induce alterations in anxiety. All groups performed normally the task of novel object recognition memory, except the group receiving 3 mg/kg dose, which showed decrease in novel object recognition memory. The results indicated that mice treated with valepotriates presented no deficits in long-term memory for aversive training and presented an impairment in novel object recognition memory task only at 3 mg/kg, as well as a possible sedative proprieties at 10 mg/kg.

Valeriana glechomifolia é uma espécie vegetal endêmica da região sul do Brasil. Ela acumula valepotriatos em todos os seus órgãos, que são os possíveis componentes sedativos das espécies de Valeriana utilizadas farmaceuticamente. Foi comparado o crescimento in vitro de V. glechomifolia em meios de cultura sólidos Murashige e Skoog completo (MS), com 75% dos nutrientes inorgânicos (MS 75) ou em uma formulação modificada (M ) em culturas mantidas a longo prazo, por até 9 meses sem subcultura. Alterações da biomassa, do desenvolvimento de raízes e partes aéreas, bem como a produção dos valepotriatos acevaltrato, valtrato e diidrovaltrato foram avaliadas mensalmente. O maior aumento de biomassa e desenvolvimento foliar foi detectado em plantas cultivadas em meio MS, e o melhor desenvolvimento radicular foi observado em plantas cultivadas em meio MS modificado (M ) durante o cultivo. A análise por Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência mostrou que o máximo de rendimento de valtrato e diidrovaltrato foi após os seis meses de cultivo em plantas em meio M , enquanto a maior concentração de acevaltrato foi encontrada em plântulas cultivadas em meio MS 75, após sete meses de cultivo. Os resultados sugerem uma relação direta entre crescimento e acúmulo de valepotriatos, e um efeito positivo do aumento da quantidade de micronutrientes e de mesoinositol nos rendimentos valepotriatos em plantas mantidas em longo período de cultivo. Também foi analisado o efeito neurocomportamental de um extrato contendo uma mistura de valepotriatos (EV) de V. glechomifolia. Camundongos adultos foram tratados com doses de 1, 3 e 10 mg/kg de EV ou veículo, 30 minutos antes dos testes. Durante a exploração no campo aberto, os camundongos tratados com 10 mg/kg mostraram redução na locomoção e no comportamento exploratório (número de rearings) em comparação aos animais controle, e o EV não induziu alteração na ansiedade. Todos os grupos realizaram normalmente a tarefa de memória de reconhecimento de novo objeto, exceto o grupo que recebeu 3 mg/kg, que apresentou piora na memória de reconhecimento do novo objeto. Os resultados indicaram que os camundongos tratados com valepotriatos não apresentaram déficits de memória aversiva de longa duração, e apenas a dose de 3 mg/kg apresentou um prejuízo na tarefa de memória de reconhecimento de novo objeto, além de uma possível propriedade sedativa na dose de 10 mg/kg. / Valeriana glechomifolia is a plant species endemic to southern Brazil. It accumulates the terpene derivatives valepotriates, the presumed sedative components of the pharmaceutically used species of Valeriana, in all of its organs. In vitro growth of V. glechomifolia on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) without phytohormones at full, 75% (MS 75) or on a modified formulation (M ) was compared in long term stock cultures kept for up to 9 months without subculture. Changes in biomass accumulation, development of roots and shoots, as well as the production of valepotriates acevaltrate, valtrate and didrovaltrate were monthly evaluated. The best root development was observed in plants grown on modified MS medium (M ∆ ), whereas highest biomass accumulation and leaf development were detected in MS medium grown plants throughout the period. High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis showed maximal valtrate and didrovaltrate yields on M ∆ grown plants harvested after six months of culture, whereas acevaltrate concentration was highest on MS 75 grown plants after seven months of culture. The overall results suggest a direct relationship between growth and valepotriate accumulation, and a positive effect of increases in micronutrient and myo-inositol amounts on valepotriate yields of long-term stock-cultures. An extract containing a mixture of valepotriates (EV) of V. glechomifolia was evaluated in relation to neurobehavioral parameters. Adult mice were treated with doses of 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg of EV or vehicle, 30 minutes before tests. During exploration of an open field, mice treated with 10 mg/kg showed reduced locomotion and reduced exploratory behavior (number of rearings) compared to control animals, and the EV did not induce alterations in anxiety. All groups performed normally the task of novel object recognition memory, except the group receiving 3 mg/kg dose, which showed decrease in novel object recognition memory. The results indicated that mice treated with valepotriates presented no deficits in long-term memory for aversive training and presented an impairment in novel object recognition memory task only at 3 mg/kg, as well as a possible sedative proprieties at 10 mg/kg.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-06-23Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:11:25Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 orlato_d_me_jabo.pdf: 171867 bytes, checksum: f4dc5796be7b5c3305f843d8b670e3da (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O DMSO tem sido amplamente utilizado para estudos farmacológicos em modelos experimentais e testes clínicos. Um amplo espectro de propriedades farmacológicas do DMSO tem sido relatado. Há poucos estudos avaliando os efeitos do DMSO sobre a função renal. Com o propósito de testar a hipótese de que este medicamento pode modular a taxa de filtração glomerular e a função renal tubular, este estudo foi conduzido. O DMSO a 10% foi administrado IV, a cada 12 horas, na dose de 1,Og/kg, durante três dias consecutivos, em cinco cães sadios, que foram mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas. Avaliações clínicas e laboratoriais foram realizadas antes do início do tratamento, a cada 12 horas durante os três dias de administração de DMSO, 24, 48 e 120 horas e 30 dias após a última dose do fármaco. Houve aumento significativo no clearance de creatinina, na excreção urinária de proteína e na excreção fracionada de sódio, durante o período de tratamento. Outras alterações foram observadas na maioria dos parâmetros estudados relacionados à homeostase de água e sódio, como por exemplo, aumentos na concentração sérica de sódio e nas osmolalidades. O DMSO determinou aumentos na TFG, no volume de urina e na tonicidade sérica, sem sinais de lesões renais e de toxicidade. / DMSO have been extensively used for pharmacologic studies in laboratory experimental models and for clinical testing. A large spectrum of pharmacological properties of DMSO have been reported. There are a few studies focusing the DMSO effects on renal function. In order to test the hypothesis that this drug carl modulate glomerular filtration rate and renal tubule-interstitial function this study was conducted. DMSO 10% was administered IV, bid, in a dosage of 1.0glkg, during three consecutive days, to five healthy dogs maintained in metabolic cages. Clínical and laboratory evaluations were done once before the treatment, each 12 hours during the three days of DMSO administration, 24, 48 and 120 hours and 30 days after the last dosage. It was found significant increase of creatinine clearance, urinary protein excretion and sodium fractional excretion during the treatment. Minor changes were observed in many of the studied parameters related to the sodium and water homeostasis, like increases in serum sodium and osmolalities. DMSO promoted increases in the GFR, volume urine, and serum tonicity, however was not observed signs of renal injuries, neither toxicity.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Candida tropicalis à uma levedura diplÃide causadora de infecÃÃes superficiais e/ou sistÃmicas, as quais podem ser adquiridas de maneira endÃgena ou exÃgena e podem acometer diversos ÃrgÃos. No Brasil, dentre as espÃcies de Candida spp., a C.tropicalis à a segunda espÃcie mais comumente isolada e no Cearà à pouco estudada. Nos dias atuais, temos vivenciado um aumento significativo das infecÃÃes fÃngicas invasivas. PorÃm as drogas antifÃngicas disponÃveis no mercado sÃo restritas a um pequeno nÃmero quando comparadas as antibacterianas. Logo, este fato unido ao aumento da frequÃncia de resistÃncia cruzada faz necessÃria a busca por novas estratÃgias terapÃuticas. A amiodarona (AMD) à usada classicamente para tratar pacientes com arritmia. Trabalhos recentes tÃm demonstrado uma ampla atividade antifÃngica desta droga quando associado ao fluconazol (FLC). No presente estudo induzimos resistÃncia em sete cepas de Candida tropicalis e avaliamos um eventual sinergismo entre FLC e AMD. A avaliaÃÃo da interaÃÃo das drogas foi determinada atravÃs do cÃlculo da Fractionary Inhibitory Concentration (FICI) e por meio da tÃcnica de citometria de fluxo, onde tambÃm avaliamos o provÃvel mecanismo de aÃÃo desse sinergismo. Os isolados utilizados no estudo pertencem ao LaboratÃrio de BioprospecÃÃo Experimental em Leveduras (LABEL) da UFC. Para o cumprimento da metodologia, as cepas foram recuperadas do estoque e identificadas por biologia molecular. A induÃÃo foi realizada adaptando-se o protocolo de Pinto e Silva (2009). Os testes de sensibilidade foram realizados utilizando-se o teste de microdiluiÃÃo em caldo padronizado pelo CLSI, segundo o documento M27-A3. Para avaliar o sinergismo utilizou-se a tÃcnica do checkboard. Por fim, para verificar o possÃvel mecanismo de aÃÃo do sinergismo, determinamos a integridade de membrana, potencial transmembrana mitocondrial, formaÃÃo de espÃcies reativas de oxigÃnio (ROS), teste do cometa, anÃlise da oxidaÃÃo de bases purinas e caspases. As cepas de C.tropicalis apÃs ~100 dias atingiram um CIM > 64Âg/mL. Os testes de sensibilidade apresentaram CIM > 64Âg/mL tanto para o FLC como para AMD. Das cepas testadas, seis apresentaram sinergismo. O tratamento FLC+AMD alterou a integridade da membrana plasmÃtica e mitocondrial, aumentou os nÃveis de ROS intracelularmente, causou danos ao DNA e, consequentemente, conduziu morte celular por apoptose. / Candida tropicalis is a diploid yeast causing superficial infections and / or systemic, which can be acquired endogenously or exogenously and can affect several organs. In Brazil, among the species of Candida spp. The C.tropicalis is the second most common species isolated in Cearà and is rarely studied. Nowadays, we have experienced a significant increase in invasive fungal infections. But antifungal drugs on the market are restricted to a small number when compared to the antibacterial. Therefore, this fact coupled with the increased frequency of cross-resistance is necessary to search for new therapeutic strategies. Amiodarone (AMD) is traditionally used to treat patients with arrhythmia. Recent studies have shown a broad antifungal activity of this drug when combined with fluconazole (FLC). In the present study we induced resistance in seven strains of Candida tropicalis and evaluate a possible synergism between FLC and AMD. The evaluation of the interaction of the drugs was determined by calculating the Fractionary Inhibitory Concentration (FICI) and by flow cytometry, where we also evaluated the likely mechanism of action of this synergism. The isolates used in this study belong to the Laboratory of Experimental Bioprospecting in yeast (LABEL) the UFC. For the fulfillment of the methodology, the strains were recovered from stock and identified by molecular biology. The induction was carried out adapting the protocol of Pinto and Silva (2009). Sensitivity tests were performed using the broth microdilution test standardized by the CLSI, the document M27-A3. To evaluate the synergism used the technique of checkboard. Finally, to determine the possible mechanism of action of synergism, we determine the membrane integrity, mitochondrial transmembrane potential, formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), comet assay, analysis of the oxidation of purine bases and caspases. Strains C.tropicalis after ~ 100 days reached an MIC> 64&#956;g/mL. The sensitivity tests were MIC> 64&#956;g/mL both the FLC as AMD. Of the strains tested, six showed synergism. The treatment changed the FLC + AMD plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial increased levels of intracellular ROS, cause DNA damage and therefore led cell death by apoptosis.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / IntroduÃÃo: As lesÃes renais na hansenÃase tem grande importÃncia, pois podem evoluir para uma doenÃa renal de etiologia glomerular (glomerulonefrites, amiloidose) ou tubulointersticial. Objetivo: Investigar disfunÃÃes renais em pacientes com hansenÃase utilizando marcadores tradicionais de funÃÃo renal e a ProteÃna QuimiotÃtica de MonÃcitos-1 (MCP-1) urinÃria. PopulaÃÃo e Metodologia: Foi realizado estudo transversal e prospectivo de 44 pacientes com hansenÃase em todas as formas clÃnicas, antes do inÃcio do tratamento, sem estado reacional e sem outras nefropatias. Os pacientes foram acompanhados em centros pÃblicos de saÃde em Fortaleza, CearÃ, Brasil entre agosto de 2012 e agosto de 2013. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comità de Ãtica em Pesquisa do Hospital UniversitÃrio Walter CantÃdio da Universidade Federal do Cearà (No: 267.426). Os pacientes foram comparados com um grupo controle composto por 15 indivÃduos sadios. Foi calculada a fraÃÃo de excreÃÃo de eletrÃlitos, estimada a taxa de filtraÃÃo glomerular (TFG), proteinÃria e microalbuminÃria. O estresse oxidativo urinÃrio foi quantificado pelo MalonaldeÃdo (MDA) urinÃrio e o MCP-1 urinÃrio foi quantificado atravÃs da tÃcnica do ELISA sanduÃche. Os valores foram normalizados pela creatinina urinÃria. Resultados: NÃo houve diferenÃa significativa entre a idade, sexo, peso corporal e pressÃo arterial entre os grupos. A idade mÃdia dos pacientes foi de 36Â10 anos, sendo 61 % do gÃnero masculino. O tempo de doenÃa variou de um mÃs a 8 anos, com mÃdia de 17 meses. A baciloscopia foi positiva em 26 pacientes (59,1%) e negativa em 18 (40,9%). Quanto à classificaÃÃo: 14 pacientes (31,8%) eram do pÃlo tuberculÃide (TT/DT), 19 (43,2%) eram dimorfos (DD) e 11 (25%) eram do pÃlo virchowiano (DV/VV). As provas de funÃÃo renal nÃo diferiram (p>0,05), com exceÃÃo da proteinÃria. Os pacientes com hansenÃase tiveram nÃveis elevados de proteinÃria (97,6Â69,2 vs 6,5Â4,3 mg/g-Cr, p<0,001) do MDA urinÃrio (1,77Â1,31 vs 1,27Â0,66 mmol/g-Cr, p=0,0372) e do MCP-1 urinÃrio (101Â79,8 vs 34,5Â14,9 mg/g-Cr, p=0,006) em relaÃÃo ao grupo controle respectivamente. O MCP-1 urinÃrio esteve maior nos pacientes multibacilares em relaÃÃo aos paucibacilares (122,1Â91,9 vs 72Â46,1 mg/g-Cr, p=0,023), respectivamente e se correlacionou positivamente com a baciloscopia (r=0,104; p=0,035), com a albuminÃria (r=0,171; p=0,006) e com o MDA urinÃrio (r=0,205; p=0,002). ConclusÃo: Em pacientes com hansenÃase sem doenÃa renal clÃnica, o MCP-1 urinÃrio esteve aumentado sobretudo no pÃlo virchowiano, e se associou com marcadores de progressÃo de lesÃo renal, apresentando grande utilidade como preditor de disfunÃÃo renal. / Introduction: Leprosy patients can present with kidney disease from glomerular (glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis) or tubule-intertitial etiology. Aims: To evaluate renal abnormalities in leprosy patients through traditional markers of renal disease and Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 44 patients with clinical and laboratory diagnosis of leprosy and with no previous anti-mycobacterium treatment and reaction episode. Patients were recruited in public health centres in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil between August 2012 and August 2013. The protocol of this study was approved by the Ethical Comitee of the Walter Cantidio University Hospital, Federal University of Ceara, Brazil (N 267.426). Also, a group of 15 healthy subjects were included as a control group. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), protein excretion, microalbuminuria and Urinary oxidative stress (malondialdehyde-MDA) were estimated. Urinary MCP-1 was determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All urine measurements were normalized by urinary creatinine concentration. Results: Age and gender were similar between leprosy patients and control groups. Patientsâ average age was 36Â10 years, and 61% were male. Time from symptoms to leprosy diagnosis varied from one month to 8 years, with a median time of 17 months. Twenty-six patients had skin smear-positive test (59,1%) and 18 were negative (40,1%). Clinically, there were 14 (31,8%) tuberculoid polar form (TT/BT), 19 (43,2%) boderline (BB) and 11 (25%) lepromatous polar form (LL/BL). Regarding renal function, no patient had chronic kidney disease. Leprosy patients had a higher urine protein excretion (97,6Â69,2 vs 6,5Â4,3 mg/g-Cr, p<0,001), urinary MDA (1,77Â1,31 vs 1,27Â0,66 mmol/g-Cr, p=0,0372) and urinary MCP-1 (101Â79,8 vs 34,5Â14,9 mg/g-Cr, p=0,006) than healthy controls. Urinary MCP-1 was higher in multibacillary than in paucibacillary patients (122,1Â91,9 vs 72Â46,1 mg/g-Cr, p=0,023). There was a positive correlation between urinary MCP-1 and bacteriological index in skin smear (r=0,104; p=0,035), urinary MCP-1 and albumin excretion rate (r=0,171; p=0,006) and urinary MCP1 and urinary MDA (r=0,205; p=0,002). Conclusion: Leprosy patients with no clinical kidney disease have increased urinary MCP-1 and its levels are even higher according patients approximates to lepromatous polar form. Moreover, urinary MCP-1 was associated with urinary oxidative stress and urine albumin excretion, suggesting these patients are at increased risk of developing clinical kidney disease in the future.