A síntese do análogo de prostaglandina, n-heptil-4-(3-hidroxi-trans-1-octenil)-1,3-tiazolidina-2-tiona, foi realizada através das seguintes etapas: obtenção do anel ciclopentânico, N-alquilação do 4-(R)-etoxicarbonil-1,3-tiazolidina-2-tiona, obtenção do álcool do composto derivado N-alquilado, oxidação do álcool ao aldeído correspondente, introdução da cadeia-ω no anel ciclopentânico do análogo da prostaglandina e finalmente, a redução da enona ao álcool alílico correspondente. O produto final foi obtido sob a forma de uma mistura diastereoisomérica. A cisteína, utilizada como reagente de partida, é responsável pela formação do anel ciclopentânico da prostaglandina (intermediário chave da reação). Na etapa de introdução da cadeia-α à prostaglandina, por meio de uma N-Alquilação, foi necessário introduzir uma reação de redução do éster a álcool e posteriormente uma proteção do álcool, evitando assim possíveis competições CxN e OxN- Alquilação respectivamente. Após remoção do grupo protetor do álcool, este foi oxidado ao aldeído correspondente, empregando diferentes agentes oxidantes. Entre estes, o reagente de Swern foi escolhido para o trabalho, por que apresentou maior seletividade. A introdução da cadeia-ω no anel de cinco membros do análogo da prostaglandina, foi realizada via uma reação de Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons, utilizando-se uma fosforana estabilizada, para garantir a configuração E na dubla ligação formada no C13 - C14, geralmente encontrada nas prostaglandinas naturais. A prostaglandina obtida por esta rota será testada como agente broncodilatador ou inibidor de agregação plaquetária, no Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBIO) / The synthesis of the prostaglandin analog, n-heptyl-4-(3-hydroxy-trans-1-octenyl)-1,3-thiazolidin-2-thione, was carried through the following steps: cyclopentane ring obtainment; N-alkylation of 4-(R)-ethoxycarbonyl-1,3-thiazolidin-2-tione; obtainment of the alcohol from the N-alkyl derivative compound; oxidation of the alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde; introduction of the ω-chain in the : cyclopentane ring of the prostaglandin analog; and finally, the reduction of the enone to the corresponding allyl alcohol. The final product was obtained as a distereomeric mixture. The cystein utilized as starting material; is responsible for the prostaglandin cyclopentane ring formation (the reaction key intermediate). The step of introduction the ω-chain in the cyclopentanone ring, by means of an N-alkylation, it was needed to reduce an intermediate esther, and the formed alcohol was further protected conveniently, thus avoiding possible CxN- and OxN-alkylation competition reactions, respectively. Afther removal of the protecting group from the alcohol, it was oxidized to the corresponding aldehyde employing different oxidizing agents. Among these, the Swern reagent was chosen for the work, because of its greater selectivity. The introduction of the ω-chain into the five membered ring of the prostaglandin analog was performed via a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reactions, using a stabilized phosphorane in order to guarantee the E configuration of the double bond formed on C13 - C14, commonly found in natural prostaglandins. The prostaglandins obtained in this way will have its possible biological activities assayed as bronchodilatory or platelet aggregations inhibition agent in the Laboratório de Avaliação e Síntese de Substâncias Bioativas (LASSBIO).

As respostas termorregulatórias ao lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) são influenciadas por moduladores que aumentam (febrigênicos) ou diminuem (criogênicos) a temperatura corporal (Tb). Entre eles, o neurotransmissor gasoso sulfeto de hidrogênio (H2S) modula a inflamação sistêmica induzida por endotoxina em ratos, agindo como uma molécula anti-inflamatória e criogênica, embora os mecanismos subjacentes ainda sejam pouco compreendidos. Considerando que a endotoxina é um ligando para o Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) e que evidências recentes revelam um cross-talk entre a via de sinalização TLR e fosfo-Akt (p-Akt), o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar se o H2S atua como um mediador antiinflamatório e antipirético durante as fases termorregulatórias que ocorrem no choque endotoxêmico (hipotermia e febre) induzido por lipopolissacarídeo bacteriano (LPS, 2,5 mg / kg intraperitoneal (ip)) através da modulação sobre a produção de prostaglandina D2 (PGD2) e a ativação de Akt na área pré-óptica ântero-ventral do hipotálamo (AVPO). A Tb profunda de ratos mantidos a uma temperatura ambiente de 25 °C foi registrada antes e depois da inibição farmacológica da enzima cistationina ?-sintase (CBS - responsável pela produção endógena de H2S no cérebro) usando aminooxiacetato (AOA, 100 pmol, intracerebroventricular (icv)), combinado ou não com administração de LPS. Para esclarecer os mecanismos responsáveis por esses ajustes da resposta imune, foram determinados na AVPO os níveis de H2S, a produção de PGD2 e o perfil de expressão das proteínas CBS, p-Akt e p-CREB. Além disso, foi analisada a concentração de citocinas plasmáticas (IL-1?, IL-6, IL-10, TNF?, IFN-? , E IL-4). A injeção ip de LPS causou hipotermia típica seguida de febre. Os níveis de AVPO H2S aumentaram significativamente durante a hipotermia quando comparado com ratos eutérmicos e febris. A microinjeção icv de AOA não causou nenhuma alteração na Tb nem na produção basal de PGD2 durante a eutermia. Em ratos tratados com LPS, o AOA causou uma atenuação na queda da Tb durante a fase de hipotermia e uma febre exacerbada, simultaneamente com o aumento na produção de PGD2 e abolição do aumento induzido pela endotoxina na atividade de Akt. Durante a fase de febre, a expressão relativa de CBS esteve significativamente diminuída enquanto a expressão relativa de p-Akt esteve aumentada, quando comparado com ratos eutérmicos e hipotérmicos. As citocinas plasmáticas aumentaram durante a inflamação sistêmica, mas apenas a IL-4 mostrou um padrão semelhante em relação à Akt. Estes dados são consistentes com a noção de que o neurotransmissor gasoso H2S modula as fases de hipotermia e febre durante o choque endotoxêmico, atuando como uma molécula criogênica. Este papel anti-inflamatório durante a inflamação sistémica envolve uma regulação positiva da PGD2, de Akt e da IL-4 plasmática. / Thermoregulatory responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are affected by modulators that increase (pro-pyretic) or decrease (cryogenic) body temperature (Tb). Among them, the gaseous messenger hydrogen sulfide (H2S) modulates endotoxin-induced systemic inflammation being an anti-inflammatory and cryogenic molecule, although the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. Since endotoxin is a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand and recent evidence indicates that there is a possible a cross-talk between the TLR and phospho-Akt (p-Akt) signaling pathway, the current study aimed to investigate whether H2S acts as an anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic mediator during thermoregulatory phases of endotoxic shock (hypothermia and fever) induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal (ip)) through the modulation of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) production and activation of Akt in the anteroventral preoptic region of the hypothalamus (AVPO). Deep Tb in rats kept at an ambient temperature of 25 °C, was recorded before and after pharmacological inhibition of the enzyme cystathionine ?-synthase (CBS - responsible for H 2S endogenous production in the brain) using aminooxyacetate (AOA; 100 pmol/1 ?l intracerebroventricular (icv)) combined or not with endotoxin administration. To clarify the mechanisms responsible for these adjustments on immune response were verified in the AVPO H 2S levels, PGD2 production and expression profiles of CBS, p-Akt and p-CREB. In addition, plasma cytokines concentration (IL-1?, IL-6, IL-10, TNF?, IFN-?, and IL-4) was analyzed. Intraperitoneal injection of LPS caused typical hypothermia followed by fever. Intracerebroventricular microinjection of AOA neither affected Tb nor basal PGD2 production during euthermia. Levels of AVPO H2S were significantly increased during hypothermia when compared to both euthermic and febrile rats. In LPS-treated rats, AOA increased Tb values during hypothermia and fever, along with enhanced PGD2 production and abolition of endotoxin-induced increase in Akt activity. During fever, CBS relative expression was significantly decreased whereas p-Akt was significantly increased when compared to both euthermic and hypothermic rats. Plasma cytokines were increased during systemic inflammation, but only IL-4 showed a similar pattern in relation to Akt. These data are consistent with the notion that the gaseous messenger H2S modulates hypothermia and fever during endotoxic shock, acting as a cryogenic molecule. This anti-inflammatory role during systemic inflammation involves a H2S-induced up-modulation of PGD2, Akt and plasma IL-4.

O efeito devastador da hipotensão na mortalidade relacionada ao trauma de crânio é bem estabelecido. Este estudo avalia a resposta hemodinâmica sistêmica e cerebral à reposição volêmica com Solução de Ringer Lactato (RL) ou Salina Hipertônica a 3% (SSH 3%), o comportamento da liberação de prostanóides encefálicos, aspectos anátomo-patológicos encefálicos e aspectos neurológicos, durante a fase aguda do choque hemorrágico (CH) associado ao traumatismo craniencefálico (TCE). MÉTODOS: Quinze cães foram distribuidos em três grupos (n=5, cada), após randomização, de acordo com o protocolo de reposição volêmica, realizada após TCE (fluido-percussão cerebral, 4 atm) e balão epidural para induzir hipertensão intracraniana (HIC) a 20-25 mmHg e CH, induzido por remoção sanguínea até pressão arterial média (PAM) de 40 mmHg em 5 minutos: grupo CH+TCE+HSS 3% (8ml/kg), CH+TCE+RL (16ml/kg) e grupo CH+TCE (controle, sem tratamento). Simulamos o tratamento durante a fase pré-hospitalar e hospitalar precoce. Os grupos tratados receberam infusão sanguínea para atingir hematócrito de 30%. As medidas incluiram volume sanguíneo removido, volume de cristalóide infundido para restabelecer PAM, PAM, índice cardíaco (IC), pressão intracraniana (PIC), pressão de perfusão cerebral (PPC), lactato sistêmico e cerebral, taxas de extração de oxigênio, concentração plasmática de tromboxane e prostaciclina. Avaliamos o padrão pupilar dos animais e realizamos análise anátomo-patológica dos encéfalos. RESULTADOS: A reposição volêmica com RL ou SSH 3% promoveu maior benefício hemodinâmico que o grupo controle sem tratamento. A pressão de perfusão cerebral foi maior que no grupo controle e similar entre os grupos tratados; entretanto, a infusão de SSH 3% foi associada com valores mais baixos de PIC durante a fase \"hospitalar precoce\" e com maior osmolaridade e concentração de sódio plasmático. Não houve diferença nos valores da concentração venosa cerebral de prostaciclina e tromboxane. Os encéfalos do grupo tratado com SSH 3% não demonstraram edema e os hipocampos dos cães do grupo controle se mostraram isquêmicos em relação ao grupo tratado com SSH 3%. A reversão pupilar após alteração pupilar estabelecida ocorreu mais precocemente no grupo tratado com SSH 3% que RL. CONCLUSÕES: No evento de um trauma de crânio grave e choque hemorrágico, o uso de SSH 3% ou o dobro do volume de RL promoveram benefícios hemodinâmicos sistêmicos e cerebrais. Entretanto, valores mais baixos de PIC foram observados após SSH 3%. / The devastating effects of hypotension on head-trauma-related mortality are well known. This study evaluates the systemic and cerebral hemodynamic responses to volume replacement with 3% hypertonic saline (HSS) or lactated Ringer\'s solution (LR), during the acute phase of hemorrhagic shock (HS) associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: Fifteen mongrel dogs were assigned to one of three groups (n=5, each) according to the volume replacement protocol, infused after TBI (brain fluid percussion, 4atm) and epidural balloon to an intracranial pressure (ICP) higher than 20 mm Hg and HS, induced by blood removal to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40 mm Hg in 5 minutes: Group HS+TBI+HSS (8 mL/kg of 3% HSS), HS+TBI+LR (16 mL/kg LR) and Group HS+TBI (controls, no fluids). We simulated treatment during prehospital and early hospital admission. Groups HS+TBI+HSS and HS+TBI+LR received shed blood infusion to a target hematocrit of 30%. Measurements included shed blood volume, fluid volume infused to restore MAP, MAP, cardiac output, cerebral perfusion pressure, cerebral and systemic lactate, and oxygen extraction ratios, tromboxane and prostaciclin. We evaluated the dog\'s pupil pattern and the anatomopathological study of the brain. RESULTS: Fluid replacement with HSS or LR promoted major hemodynamic benefits over control animals without fluids. Cerebral perfusion pressure was higher than controls and similar between treated groups; however, HSS infusion was associated with lower ICP during the \"early hospital phase\" and a higher serum sodium and osmolarity. There were no differences between groups in cerebral venous concentration of tromboxane and prostaciclin. There was no edema in brains of HSS group, the hypocampi of control\'s group showed ischemia comparing to HSS group. The pupils reverted early in HSS than LR group. CONCLUSION: In the event of severe head trauma and hemorrhagic shock, the use of HSS and larger volumes of LR promote similar systemic and cerebral hemodynamic benefits. However, a lower ICP was observed after HSS 3% than after LR.

Orientador: Carlos Amilcar Parada / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T20:52:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Araldi_Dioneia_D.pdf: 2812057 bytes, checksum: ba0136e00ebc1ab271d4e1ed908bcd8c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: A liberação de Interleucina-1? (IL-1?) no tecido periférico estimula a síntese de Prostaglandinas (PGs), especialmente, da Prostaglandina-E2 (PGE2), que leva a sensibilização dos nociceptores aferentes primários induzindo a hiperalgesia inflamatória. Recentemente demonstramos que a IL-1? pode ativar diretamente o receptor de Interleucina-1 (IL-1R) do nociceptor aferente periférico e levar a liberação de PGE2 associada ao desenvolvimento da hiperalgesia. A IL-1? também é liberada no Gânglio da Raiz Dorsal (GRD), entretanto a função que a IL-1? desempenha no GRD para o desenvolvimento da hiperalgesia inflamatória ainda não está clara. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se a liberação de IL-1? e a ativação do Receptor de Interleucina-1 Tipo I (IL-1RI) no GRD estão envolvidos no desenvolvimento da hiperalgesia inflamatória. A administração de IL-1Ra (antagonista natural de receptor IL- 1, 6 ?g) no GRD de ratos preveniu a hiperalgesia mecânica (avaliada por meio do von Frey Eletrônico) induzida pela administração intraplantar (i.pl) de Adjuvante Completo de Freund (CFA, 100 ?L), Carragenina (Cg, 100 ?g) ou IL-1? (0,5 pg), mas não pela administração i.pl de PGE2 (100 ng), avaliadas 3 horas após suas administrações. Além disso, a administração i.pl periférica de CFA ou Cg aumentaram as concentrações de IL-1? (avaliadas por ELISA) no GRD. O tratamento ganglionar (GRD-L5) com oligonucleotídeo (ODN) antisense contra IL-1RI (30 ?g/dia durante 4 dias) reduziu de maneira significativa a expressão de IL-1RI no GRD-L5 e a hiperalgesia mecânica induzida por CFA, Cg e IL-1?, mas não pela PGE2, administradas no tecido periférico da pata. Também verificamos a hipótese de que a prévia ativação do receptor neuronal, IL-1RI, no tecido periférico é importante para a liberação de IL-1? no GRD e para a subsequente hiperalgesia induzida por PGE2. A IL-1? (0,5 pg/pata) co-administrada com a dose sub-limiar de PGE2 (10 ng/pata) em patas traseiras tratadas com indometacina induziu uma proeminente hiperalgesia, que foi prevenida pelo prétratamento com ODN antisense contra IL-1RI ou IL-1Ra (6 ?g) administrados no GRD. Além disso, o IL-1Ra reduziu a expressão de COX-2 em células do GRD. Para confirmar a ativação do IL-1RI em células do GRD, administramos Cg ou CFA no tecido periférico o que levou ao aumentou da expressão de IRAK-1 e IRAK-4 em células do GRD. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que o desenvolvimento da hiperalgesia inflamatória depende da ativação do receptor IL-1RI neuronal no tecido periférico que, em partes, induz a liberação de IL-1? no GRD e subsequente ativação da COX-2. Os dados aqui apresentados oferecem novas perpectivas sobre a participação das células do GRD nos mecanismos envolvidos na hiperalgesia inflamatória e revelam novos e interessantes alvos para o controle das hiperalgesias inflamatórias / Abstract: The release of Interleukin-1? (IL-1?) in the peripheral tissue stimulates the synthesis of Prostaglandins, specially, Prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) that ultimately sensitize the peripheral afferent nociceptor inducing inflammatory hyperalgesia. We have recently demonstrated that IL-1? can directly activate IL-1R receptor of peripheral afferent nociceptor to induce release of PGE2 associated to development of hyperalgesia. IL-1? is also released in Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG), however the role that IL-1? in DRG plays to development of inflammatory hyperalgesia is not yet elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether IL-1? released in the DRG and the activation of Interleukin-1 Receptor Type I (IL-1RI) is involved in the development of the inflammatory hyperalgesia. Administration of IL-1Ra (IL-1 receptor antagonist, 6 ?g) in the DRG of rats prevented the mechanical hyperalgesia (measured with Electronic von Frey) induced by intraplantar (i.pl) administration of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA, 100 ?L), Carrageenan (Cg, 100 ?g) or IL- 1? (0.5 pg), but not by PGE2 (100 ng), measured 3 hours after their administrations. Also, peripheral i.pl administration of CFA or Cg induced an increase in IL-1? concentrations (measured by ELISA) in the DRG. Ganglionar (DRG-L5) treatment with oligonucleotides (ODN) antisense against IL-1RI (30 ?g/day for four days) reduced the expression of IL-1RI in the DRG-L5 and the mechanical hyperalgesia induced by CFA, Cg, and IL-1?, but not by PGE2 administered in peripheral tissue. We also verified the hypothesis that previous activation of neuronal IL-1RI in the peripheral tissue is important to the release of IL-1? in the DRG and to the subsequent PGE2-induced hyperalgesia. IL-1? (0.5 pg/paw) co-administrated with a sub-threshold dose of PGE2 (10 ng/paw), in hind paws treated with indomethacin, greatly induces hyperalgesia, which was prevented by pre-treatment with ODN antisense against IL-1RI or IL-1Ra (6 ?g) administrated in DRG. Also, IL-1Ra administrations reduced the COX-2 expression in DRG cells. To confirm IL-1RI activation in DRG cells, it was observed that IRAK-1 and IRAK-4 expression was increased in DRG neurons after administration of Cg or CFA in the peripheral tissue. These findings suggest that the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia depends on neuronal IL-RI activation in the peripheral tissue that, in turn, induces the release of IL- 1? in the DRG and subsequent COX-2 activation. These data provide new insights about the participation of DRG cells in the mechanisms underlying inflammatory hyperalgesia and reveal new interesting targets to control inflammatory hyperalgesia / Doutorado / Fisiologia / Doutor em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

The mechanisms involved in human parturition, and the molecular changes that occur during the transition from pregnancy and birth are not completely elucidated. Endogenous or administered prostaglandins, including the PGE1 and PGE2, are related to contractile activity and cervical ripening, playing an important role on labor. Due to maternal or fetal causes, some pregnancies require labor induction. In many cases, prostaglandins, including Dinoprostone (PGE2) and Misoprostol (PGE1 analog), are used for labor induction. However, the response to labor induction is variable, and the reasons why this occurs are unknown. Once delivery also involves modulation of oxidative metabolism, that can be potentially affected by administered drugs, in the present study, we analyzed prostaglandin E2 receptor (EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4) gene expression of myometrial and cervical cells, in vivo and in vitro, as well as oxidative markers in myometrial cells exposed in vitro to different concentrations of Misoprostol. In both studies, tissue biopsies were obtained from pregnant women at term. In the in vivo study, from women with spontaneous deliveries or Dinoprostone induced labors, responsive or non-responsive to labor induction, and in the in vitro study, from women with spontaneous and non-spontaneous labors, these induced with misoprostol. Gene expression was analyzed by qtRT-PCR and oxidative biomarkers by spectrophotometric and fluorimetric analysis. The results obtained from the in vivo study showed a concurrent and antagonic regulation of EP1 and EP3 mRNA expression in cervical and myometrial tissues in pregnant women at term in Dinoprostone induced labors. EP1 mRNA was upregulated in the cervical tissue of women who did not respond to Dinoprostone induction. In addition, in the myometrium, significantly higher levels of EP3 mRNA were observed in women treated with Dinoprostone, independent of their responsiveness, indicating a possible regulation of the EP3 gene at a transcriptional level. In vitro analysis revealed that myometrial cells derived from women with spontaneous labors showed greater capacity for misoprostol genomic response, since an overexpression of genes associated with muscle contraction (EP1 and EP3) was observed. In addition, Misoprostol was able to differentially modulate two important oxidative metabolism markers (protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation). However, this effect was dependent on cells source (whether obtained from spontaneous or non-spontaneous labors) and drug concentration. The results suggest that, in term pregnant women, there is modulation of the PGE2 receptors genes in myometrial and cervical tissues in Dinoprostone or Misoprostol-induced labors, and that the EPs have an important role in the success of spontaneous delivery and in the pharmacological response to PGE1 analog administration. Addicionally, oxidative metabolism also seems to play an important role in the parturition process, requiring further studies to define its real function in this process. / Os mecanismos pelo qual a parturição humana é iniciada espontaneamente e as mudanças moleculares que ocorrem durante a transição entre a gestação e o parto não são completamente elucidados. Um dos principais fatores envolvidos são as prostaglandinas, endógenas ou administradas, entre elas a PGE1 e PGE2, que estão relacionadas à atividade contrátil e ao amadurecimento cervical. Em casos de necessidade de antecipação do nascimento, as prostaglandinas, entre elas a Dinoprostona (PGE2) e o Misoprostol (análogo da PGE1), são utilizadas para indução do parto. Entretanto, a resposta à indução do parto é variável e os motivos pelos quais isto ocorre é desconhecido. Uma vez que o parto também envolve modulação do metabolismo oxidativo, que pode ser potencialmente afetado por ação de fármacos, no presente estudo analisamos a expressão dos genes dos receptores de prostaglandina E2 (EP1, EP2, EP3 e EP4) em células miometriais e cervicais, in vivo e in vitro, bem como marcadores oxidativos em células miometriais expostas in vitro a diferentes concentrações de Misoprostol. Para a realização dos dois estudos, foram obtidas biópsias teciduais em parturientes a termo; no estudo in vivo, em mulheres com parto espontâneo, responsivas e não responsivas à indução do parto com Dinoprostona e no estudo in vitro, em mulheres com partos espontâneos e não espontâneos, estes induzidos com Misoprostol. A expressão gênica foi analisada através de qtRT-PCR e no estudo in vitro, além das análises da modulação gênica, foram conduzidas análises complementares de biomarcadores oxidativos, através de ensaios espectrofotométricos e fluorimétricos. Nos resultados obtidos a partir do estudo in vivo, observou-se regulação concomitante e antagônica da expressão do mRNA de EP1 e EP3 nos tecidos cervical e miometrial em gestantes a termo com partos induzidos com Dinoprostona. O mRNA do EP1 foi superexpresso no tecido cervical de mulheres que não responderam à indução com Dinoprostona. Além disso, no miométrio, níveis significativamente mais elevados de mRNA do EP3 foram observados em mulheres tratadas com Dinoprostona, independente da sua capacidade de resposta, indicando uma possível regulação da expressão do gene EP3 a nível transcricional. A análise in vitro evidenciou que as células miometriais oriundas de mulheres com parto espontâneo apresentaram maior capacidade de resposta genômica ao Misoprostol, uma vez que uma superexpressão dos genes relacionados com a contração muscular (EP1 e EP3) foi observada. Adicionalmente, o Misoprostol foi capaz de modular diferencialmente dois importantes marcadores do metabolismo oxidativo (lipoperoxidação e carbonilação de proteínas). Porém, este efeito foi dependente da origem das células (se obtida de partos espontâneos ou não espontâneos) e da concentração do fármaco. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que, em gestantes a termo, existe modulação dos genes dos receptores de PGE2 no miométrio e colo em partos induzidos com Dinopostona ou Misoprostrol, e que os EPs possuem um papel relevante no sucesso do parto espontâneo e na resposta farmacológica aos análogos a prostaglandina E1. Adicionalmente, o metabolismo oxidativo também parece desempenhar um papel importante no processo da parturição, necessitando de estudos complementares para esclarecimento da sua real função neste processo.

The main aim of this thesis was to prove the hypothesis that the intake of blood with specific antibodies against sand fly saliva affects sand fly fecundity and mortality. Phlebotomus argentipes and Mesocricetus auratus were used for most experiments. ELISA revealed high levels of specific antibodies in repeatedly exposed hosts. However, a five-day study of mortality and fecundity of bloodfed females demonstrated that feeding on repeatedly bitten hamsters has no effect on number of eggs or survival of females. Salivary antigens of P. argentipes recognized by sera of repeatedly bitten hamsters were characterized by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry. Immunoblotting showed that antibodies in the hamster sera recognize salivary proteins with molecular weight from 25 to 60 kDa. Mass spectrometry revealed that the antigens correspond to D7, apyrases, antigen 5-related proteins and yellow-related proteins. In addition, Phlebotomus females were fed through a chicken membrane on rabbit blood with high concentrations of histamine, serotonin or prostaglandin E2 to find out if they influence fecundity or mortality of sandfly females. While the approximate number of eggs layed by one female did not significantly differ from controls in any experimental group studied, the total mortality of females was lower...

This thesis is engaged in the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrimidines with anti- inflammatory properties. Such molecules can inhibit production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The aim of this study was to enhance water-solubility and anti-inflammatory efficacy of such derivatives via structural modifications of the lead scaffold. Among applied synthetic tools, the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling was the prevalent reaction, however, many other synthetic procedures (Heck reaction, condensation, borylation, ozonolysis, nucleophilic substitution, etc.) were utilized as well. Overall, 43 final products were prepared. The anti-inflammatory efficacy (inhibition of PGE2 production) was successfully increased as the most potent compound achieved three orders of magnitude higher activity compared to the current lead structure WQE-134. Furthermore, no general influence of the length of the substituent in the C5 position of pyrimidine (C5pyr) on the anti-inflammatory efficacy of synthesized compounds was observed. Significant bioavailability obstacle in future development of the current lead WQE-134 is its poor solubility which was successfully enhanced by introduction of heteroatom bearing moieties to C5pyr. The most water-soluble compound achieved two orders of magnitude higher solubility than WQE-134 while...

The purpose of the study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) prevent bone loss. MG-63 human osteoblasts and MC3T3-E1 murine osteoblasts were exposed to the n-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (AA) and the n-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as well as oestrogen (E2) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the effects thereof tested on a variety of biological parameters characteristic of osteoblasts. These parameters included prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis, proliferation, differentiation to mature mineralising osteoblasts as well as osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor êB ligand (RANKL) secretion. Results showed that AA stimulates PGE2 production significantly in both cell lines. Stimulated PGE2 production by MC3T3-E1 cells however, was significantly higher, which might be attributed to auto-amplification by PGE2 itself in this cell line. Pre-incubation of the MG-63 cells with cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-blockers inhibited PGE2 production significantly, suggesting that both COX enzymes were involved in PGE2 synthesis. The number of functional osteoblasts is important for bone formation therefore in vitro osteoblastic cell proliferation was investigated. In contrast to the hormones E2 and PTH, both AA and DHA inhibited proliferation significantly. The AA-mediated anti-proliferative effect is possibly independent of PGE2 production, as PGE2 per se had little effect on proliferation. DHA inhibited proliferation of MG-63 cells more severely, which might be attributed to the osteosarcoma nature of the MG-63 cells. The anti-proliferative effect of these PUFAs might be attributed to modulation of cell cycle progression or anti-mitotic effects of PUFA peroxidation products. Morphological studies showed apoptotic cells after DHA exposure in MG-63 cells. There is a reciprocal relationship between reduced proliferation and the subsequent induction of cell differentiation in vitro. High basal levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, a marker of the mature mineralising osteoblastic phenotype, were detected in MC3T3-E1 cells. Long-term exposure to AA inhibited ALP activity in these cells. This process might be PGE2-mediated. Exposure to PUFAs, however, did not compromise the ability of the MC3T3-E1 cells to differentiate to mature mineralising osteoblasts. In contrast with MC3T3-E1 cells, MG-63 cells demonstrated low basal ALP activity and were unable to differentiate to mature mineralising osteoblasts. In the absence of osteogenic-inducing supplements, PUFAs induced adipocyte-like features that might be due to the expression of high levels of PPARã in this cell line. Lipid-filled vacuoles were absent in the MC3T3-E1 cells suggesting that the MC3T3-E1 cell line may not express PPARã mRNA. The study furthermore demonstrated that PUFAs are able to modulate OPG and RANKL secretion in osteoblasts. AA inhibited OPG secretion dose-dependently in both cell lines, this could be PGE2-mediated. AA dose-dependently stimulated soluble RANKL (sRANKL) secretion in MC3T3-E1 cells thereby affecting the OPG/RANKL ratio in a negative way, supporting various reports that AA and PGE2 do cause bone resorption. No sRANKL could be detected after exposing the MC3T3-E1 cells to DHA suggesting that DHA could be protective to bone. In conclusion, contrary to in vivo evidence, this in vitro study could not indisputably demonstrate protective effects of PUFAs on the osteoblastic cell lines tested. / Thesis (PhD (Physiology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Physiology / unrestricted

Introduction: Cough is the commonest reason for which medical advice is sought. In assessment of chronic cough and in developing anti-tussive medications, inhalational cough challenges with capsaicin and citric acid are commonly employed. However the ability of these inhalational cough challenges to distinguish health and disease is not clear and it is not known which end point is best in making such assessments. Methods: Subjects belonging to five different categories (healthy volunteers, subjects with COPD, asthma, healthy current smokers and chronic cough) were compared with each another by using the standard cough challenges employing Capsaicin and Citric acid and also by using newer inhalational cough challenge agents such as prostaglandin E2 and bradykinin. In addition adaptation to repeated inhalations of tussive agents was also assessed. The relationship between the cough reflex sensitivity as gauged by using inhalational cough challenge tests and objective cough recording was explored in all five groups. Finally the change in C5 in Capsaicin evoked cough by using a substance to block TRPV1 channel and its effect on objective cough recording was assessed in subjects with chronic cough. Results: Different tussive agents have different abilities to distinguish between different diagnostic categories and a combination of inhalational cough challenge tests have a better accuracy of predicting diagnostic groups as compared to one on its own. There are significant differences in the rates of adaptation to repeated inhalations of PGE2 and there is a significant reduction in cough response over period of time in all disease groups. Using the TRPV1 antagonist resulted in a modest increase in the Log C5 concentration of capsaicin but this was not matched by a change in objective cough recording or CQLQ scores. Conclusions: The different abilities of tussive agents to distinguish between different diagnostic categories suggest that the information conveyed by the one inhalational cough challenge test is different from that by another test. The choice of the inhalational cough challenge test should therefore depend on which groups are included in the study. There was no significant difference in the rate of adaptation to prolonged challenge with citric acid or capsaicin and no significant correlation of the magnitude of adaptation with objective cough recording suggesting that this is unlikely to be responsible for the increased cough rates seen in diseases such as chronic cough, COPD or asthma. The TRPV1 antagonist did not result in a significant change in objective cough recording or CQLQ scores. The change in C5 with the TRPV1 antagonist was however modest and this may be reason for this study failing to show a relationship between these different measures.

Les prostaglandines modulent d’importants rôles physiologiques. Elles sont aussi impliquées dans le développement d’une variété de conditions pathologiques telles l’inflammation, la douleur et le cancer. La prostaglandine PGF2α et son récepteur (récepteur FP) se trouvent impliqué dans la modulation de nombreuses pathologies tels lors de l’accouchement préterme et le cancer colorectal. Récemment, nous avons fait partie d’un groupe de recherche ayant développé des modulateurs allostériques du récepteur FP. Dans une première étude, l’action du PGF2α sur le déclenchement des contractions myométriales a été évaluée, car peu d’information est connue sur la signalisation de cette prostaglandine lors de l’accouchement. Ainsi, nous avons utilisé un peptidomimétique de la deuxième boucle extracellulaire, dénommée PDC113.824. Nos résultats ont démontré que le PDC113.824 permettait de retarder la mise bas chez des souris gestantes, mais agissait de manière différente sur les multiples voies de signalisation de la PGF2α. Ainsi, le PDC113.824 inhibait la voie RhoA-ROCK, dépendante de l’activation de la protéine Gα12 par le. Les protéines RhoA-ROCK sont des acteurs clés dans le remodelage du cytosquelette d’actine et des contractions myométriales lors de l’accouchement. De plus, le PDC113.824 en présence de PGF2α agit comme un modulateur positif sur la voie dépendante de l’activation de la protéine Gαq. Le PDC113.824 serait donc un modulateur allostérique non compétitif possédant des actions à la fois de modulateurs positifs et négatifs sur la signalisation du récepteur FP Dans une seconde étude, des analogues du PDC113.824 ont été conçus et analysés dans un second modèle pathologique, le cancer colorectal. Ce cancer possède de hauts niveaux de récepteur FP. Nous avons donc étudié le rôle du récepteur FP dans le développement et la progression du cancer colorectal et l’effet de modulateurs allostériques. Il est généralement accepté que dans le cancer colorectal, la prostaglandine PGE2 permet la croissance et l’invasion tumorale, ainsi que l’angiogenèse. Toutefois, peu d’informations sont connues sur le rôle du PGF2α dans le cancer colorectal. C’est dans ce contexte que nous avons décidé d’examiner la contribution de ce récepteur dans la progression du cancer colorectal et cherché à déterminer si la modulation des fonctions du récepteur FP a un impact sur la croissance de tumeurs colorectales. Nos recherches ont révélé que l’activation du récepteur FP permet la migration et la prolifération de plusieurs lignées cellulaires humaines et murines d’adénocarcinomes colorectaux. Dans ce contexte, nos expériences ont démontré que la migration des cellules cancéreuses était dépendante de l’activation de la voie Rho. Nos résultats démontrent qu’en effet, l’activation de RhoA, une petite GTPase clé de la voie Gα12, est inhibée de façon sélective par nos composés. De plus, nos molécules allostériques sont également efficaces pour inhiber la voie de signalisation de la ß-caténine, une protéine impliquée dans la genèse du cancer colorectal. In vivo, le traitement de souris avec un des ces modulateurs a permis une inhibition effective de la croissance tumorale. Dans l’ensemble, nos résultats suggèrent donc que les modulateurs allostériques des récepteurs FP pourraient constituer une nouvelle classe de médicaments utilisés pour le traitement du cancer colorectal. / Prostaglandins play many important physiological roles. They are also involved in the development of a variety of pathological conditions such as inflammation, pain and preterm labor. The prostaglandin PGF2α and the FP receptor are implicated in the modulation of many pathological diseases, for example in preterm labor and in colorectal cancer. Our group has recently developed FP receptor allosteric modulators and focused on the role of this receptor and its ligand PGF2α in different models. In a first study, the action of PGF2α on myometrial contraction was evaluated because there is little information about the pathway signalling regulating these contractions. We used a peptidomimectic whose structure is based on the second extracellular loop of the FP receptor and who is an inhibitor of parturition in mice, the PDC113.824. Our results have demonstrated that PDC113.824 is able to delay parturition in mice, affecting multiple pathways activated by the FP receptor and PGF2α. PDC113.824 inhibited the PGF2α mediated activation of the Gα12 dependent activation of the RhoA-ROCK signalling pathway. RhoA and ROCK proteins are keys actors in the remodelling of actin cytosqueleton and in myometrial contractions. Furthermore, PDC113.824 with the presence of PGF2α acted positively by increasing the activation of the Gαq pathway. Our finding suggests that PDC113.824 is an allosteric modulator with dual actions, acting in a positive and negative way on the FP receptor signalling. In a second study, analogues of PDC113.824 were made and analysed in a second pathological model, colorectal cancer development and progression. Colorectal cancer seems to posses high levels of FP receptor but it is generally accepted that PGE2 promotes tumor growth, invasion and angiogenesis. However, little is known about the effect of PGF2α in colorectal cancer and only one report has suggested that this prostaglandin can stimulate motility and invasion. Its in this context, whether modulation of FP receptor function can impact colorectal tumors growth remains to be defined. Using our allosteric modulator, we investigated the contribution of FP receptor in the malignant progression of colorectal cancer. Our findings indicate that activation of FP receptors promote migration and proliferation of different human and murine colorectal cell lines. In this context, we demonstrated that this migration was dependent upon the activation of the Rho signalling pathway. Our results indicate that the activation of RhoA, a key small GTPase of the Gα12/13 pathway, is selectively inhibited by our compounds. We also showed that our allosteric modulator could act negatively on the β-catenin pathway, which is a protein with multiple effects on the progression of colorectal cancer. In vivo, treatment of mice with one this allosteric modulator is effective in inhibiting colorectal tumor growth in a xenograph mouse model. Together these findings suggest that PGF2α and the receptor FP, may play a considerable role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer.