Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-05-11T18:26:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 patriciadealmeidamachado.pdf: 4548121 bytes, checksum: f773fa1c31a3db1b43310dcfaf89e879 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-05-17T15:22:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 patriciadealmeidamachado.pdf: 4548121 bytes, checksum: f773fa1c31a3db1b43310dcfaf89e879 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-17T15:22:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 patriciadealmeidamachado.pdf: 4548121 bytes, checksum: f773fa1c31a3db1b43310dcfaf89e879 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-20 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As leishmanioses são doenças causadas por protozoários do gênero Leishmania, causando grande impacto na saúde pública mundial. O tratamento é limitado por uma série de fatores e a necessidade de alternativas para a quimioterapia é urgente. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a atividade leishmanicida de bioisósteros do resveratrol e seus complexos metálicos e estudar o mecanismo de morte do parasito associado ao tratamento. Foram testados doze biosósteros do resveratrol, sendo cinco não complexados a metais, quatro complexados a ouro e três complexados a vanádio, em formas promastigotas e amastigotas de L. amazonensis, L. braziliensis e L. major e em macrófagos peritoneais. Para o teste em promastigotas e em macrófagos peritoneais, a viabilidade celular foi avaliada pelo método colorimétrico do MTT, enquanto no teste em amastigotas, o efeito dos compostos foi avaliado pela contagem das formas intracelulares. Foi ainda avaliada a seletividade e a especificidade dos compostos, através do cálculo do índice de seletividade e do índice de especificidade de cada composto. Os compostos complexados a metais, comparados aos não complexados, apresentaram significante efeito em promastigotas e amastigotas de Leishmania sp., e ainda foram seletivos ao parasito, em comparação com a célula hospedeira. Posteriormente, baseado na síntese, efetividade e seletividade, o composto 11 (VOSalophen), um complexo de vanádio, foi selecionado para estudos sobre mecanismos de morte e atividade em modelo de leishmaniose cutânea murina. Promastigotas de L. amazonensis tratadas com VOSalophen apresentam alterações mitocondriais, observados por meio das marcações com JC-1, Mitotracker® Red CM-H2XROS e rodamina 123 e da microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET); aumentam a produção de EROs (utilizando H2DCFDA), acumulam corpos lipídicos (marcação com Nile Red), apresentam alterações morfológicas, mas não alteram a integridade da membrana plasmática, visto não haver marcação com iodeto de propídeo. Além disto, os parasitos apresentam redução no tamanho celular e volume celular; externalização de fosfatidilserina na face externa da membrana plasmática do parasito (usando marcação com anexina V-FITC) e utilizando a técnica do TUNEL foi observada a fragmentação do DNA. Em amastigotas intracelulares de L. amazonensis, também foi verificada fragmentação do DNA (técnica TUNEL). O conjunto destes resultados sugere morte por apoptose-like. Além disso, foi verificado um aumento de formação de vacúolos autofágicos em promastigotas de L. amazonensis tratados com o VOSalophen (marcação com MDC e MET), sugerindo a ocorrência de autofagia. Em macrófagos infectados com L. amazonensis, VOSalophen induz um aumento de produção de ON e EROs, indicando modulação celular do composto em células infectadas. Em modelo de leishmaniose cutânea murina, o tratamento com o VOSalophen causou significativa redução da carga parasitária nas patas de camundongos BALB/c infectados com L. amazonensis, quando comparado ao controle e além disso, não mostrou toxicidade renal e hepática aos animais tratados, o que foi avaliado através das dosagens de AST, ALT, GGT e creatinina. Esses resultados, em conjunto, mostram o significante efeito in vitro e in vivo de bioisósteros do resveratrol complexados a metais. / Leishmaniasis is diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, causing significant impact on global public health. The treatment is limited by a number of factors, and the need for alternatives to chemotherapy is urgent. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the leishmanicidal activity of bioisosters of resveratrol and its metal complexes and to study the mechanism of parasite death associated with the treatment. Twelve biosósteros of resveratrol were tested, five not complexed to metals, four complexed to gold and three complexed to vanadium, in promastigotes and amastigotes of L. amazonensis, L. braziliensis and L. major and in peritoneal macrophages. In promastigotes and peritoneal macrophages, the cell viability was assessed by the MTT colorimetric method, while in amastigotes, the effect of the compounds was evaluated by counting the intracellular forms. It was also assessed the selectivity and specificity of the compounds, by calculating the selectivity index and the specificity index of each compound. The compounds complexed to metals, compared to non-complexed, showed a significant effect on promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania sp., and were further selective to the parasite compared to the host cell. Subsequently, based on the synthesis, effectiveness and selectivity, the compound 11 (VOSalophen), a vanadium complex, was selected for studies on the mechanisms of death and activity in the murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis. L. amazonensis promastigotes treated with VOSalophen exhibit mitochondrial alterations, which was observed by JC-1, Mitotracker® Red CMH2XROS e rhodamina 123 staining and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM); increased ROS production (using H2DCFDA); accumulate lipid bodies (Nile Red staining), exhibit morphological changes, but did not alter the integrity of the plasma membrane since no staining with propidium iodide. In addition, the parasites had a reduction in cell volume and size; phosphatidylserine externalization on the outer face of parasite's plasma membrane (annexin V-FITC staining) and using the TUNEL technique, DNA fragmentation was observed. In L. amazonensis intracellular amastigotes, DNA fragmentation was also observed (TUNEL technique). This set of results suggests death by apoptosis-like. Furthermore, there was an increase of autophagic vacuole formation in L. amazonensis promastigotes treated with VOSalophen (MDC staining and TEM), suggesting the occurrence of autophagy. In macrophages infected with L. amazonensis, VOSalophen induces an increase of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production, indicating a modulatory effect in infected cells. In the murine model of cutaneous leishmaniasis, the treatment with VOSalophen caused a significant reduction in the parasite load in the paws of BALB/c mice infected with L. amazonensis, when compared to control and furthermore not showed renal and hepatic toxicity to the treated animals, which was evaluated by the AST, ALT, GGT and creatinine dosages. These results, taken together, show the significant effect of bioisosters of resveratrol complexed to metals.

The presence of the composition trans-resveratrol (4,3',5'-trihidroxiestilbeno) was determined in grape jellies, with and without sugar, industrially produced in Brazil. Beyond this composition, also it has ben determined total phenols, total anthocyanins, total acidity, reducing sugars, soluble solids and color. Although in small concentrations, the presence of trans-resveratrol was positive in all the analyzed commercial jellies. At as a moment, an experiment with the objective was conducted to verify the increase in the concentration of trans-resveratrol in grape jellies, through treatment after-harvest of the grapes of cv. Isabel through irradiation with UV-C ultraviolet light and cooled atmosphere 0,5°C and posterior storage 20oC. The treatment of the grapes in such a way has made possible a significant increase in the concentration of trans-resveratrol in the berries as well as in the radiated clusters. From these radiated grapes, laboratorial production of jellies of grapes with and without sugar was made and submitted to the same analyses of the commercial jellies. These jellies had presented a considerable increase in the levels of trans-resveratrol, when compared with the commercial jellies. The jellies without sugar, due to its process of manufacture, had presented significant higher of this composition. In the sensorial analyses, the consumers did not identify the jellies of radiated grapes, have shown good acceptability, giving preference for its color, aroma and consistency. The results found for sensorial analyses are confirmed by physical-chemical analyses. / A presença do composto trans-resveratrol (4,3 ,5 -trihidroxiestilbeno) foi determinada em geléias de uva com açúcar e sem açúcar produzidas industrialmente no país. Além deste composto, também se determinaram polifenóis totais, antocianinas totais, acidez total, açúcares redutores, sólidos solúveis e cor. Embora em pequenas concentrações, o trans-resveratrol estava presente em todas as geléias comerciais analisadas. Num segundo momento, conduziu-se um experimento com o objetivo de verificar o aumento na concentração de trans-resveratrol em geléias de uva, através de tratamento pós-colheita das uvas da cv. Isabel através de irradiação com luz ultravioleta do tipo UV-C e atmosfera refrigerada a 0,5°C e posterior armazenamento a 20oC. O tratamento das uvas possibilitou um aumento significativo na concentração de trans-resveratrol tanto nas bagas quanto nos cachos irradiados. A partir destas uvas irradiadas, procedeu-se a produção laboratorial de geléias de uvas com açúcar e sem açúcar, que foram submetidas às mesmas análises das geléias comerciais. Estas geléias apresentaram um aumento considerável nos níveis de trans-resveratrol, quando comparadas com as geléias comerciais, sendo que as geléias sem açúcar, devido ao seu processo de fabricação, apresentaram os valores mais expressivos deste composto. Nas análises sensoriais realizadas, os consumidores, mesmo não tendo identificado as geléias de uvas irradiadas, mostraram boa aceitabilidade, dando preferência por sua cor, aroma e consistência. Os resultados da Análise Sensorial são confirmados pelos resultados das análises físico-químicas.

A fibrose hepática é uma patologia que acompanha outras doenças crônicas do fígado como a cirrose e o hepatocarcinoma. As células estreladas hepáticas (HSC, do inglês hepatic stellate cells) compõem uma população celular heterogênea que se caracteriza por transitar entre dois fenótipos. As células com fenótipo quiescente possuem a capacidade de armazenar vitamina A em gotas lipídicas. Os insultos ao fígado desencadeiam uma resposta inflamatória que gera estímulos parácrinos e autócrinos mediados por citocinas e espécies reativas. Neste contexto, as HSC assumem um fenótipo ativado fibrogênico e tornam-se responsáveis pela cicatrização hepática. Danos crônicos ao fígado levam a uma deposição de matriz extracelular exagerada que configura o estado patológico da fibrose. O resveratrol (RSV – 3,4’,5-tri-hidroxi-trans-estilbeno) é uma fitoalexina produzida por algumas espécies de plantas. Inúmeros efeitos benéficos à saúde são atribuídos ao RSV por causa do seu potencial antioxidante, antiinflamatório e pró-apoptótico. Estudos anteriores mostraram que tratamento da GRX, uma linhagem murina de HSC ativadas, com concentrações de RSV próximas as biodisponíveis (0,1 a 1 μM) resultou em parada do ciclo na fase S com consequente inibição de proliferação celular, um efeito associado à citotoxicidade e que pode favorecer a resolução da fibrose hepática. Neste estudo, por técnicas espectrofotométricas, foi demonstrado que tratamento da GRX por 24 horas com concentrações entre 0,1 a 50 μM de RSV promoveu um efeito pró-oxidante que causa uma citotoxicidade dependente da dose, bastante aumentada no grupo tratado com a concentração mais alta. Os efeitos citotóxicos atenuados encontrados nas células tratadas por 120 horas sugerem que a GRX pode se tornar resistente a estes efeitos. O potencial pró-oxidante do RSV foi o ponto de partida para investigar a possibilidade de que esta fitoalexina provocasse uma alteração no metabolismo mitocondrial da GRX. Para isso, os efeitos do RSV (1 a 50 μM) na função mitocondrial, na indução de morte mediada por estas organelas e na autofagia/mitofagia foram investigados por técnicas de espectrofotometria, de imunocitoquímica, de citometria de fluxo, de microscopia confocal e de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão em GRX tratadas por 24 e 120 horas. Foi demonstrado que todas as concentrações de RSV promovem apoptose por meio da ativação de caspases, alteram a dinâmica/função mitocondrial e induzem o aumento de autofagia/mitofagia na GRX. No entanto, o RSV provocou biogênese de mitocôndrias nos grupos tratados com 1 e 10 μM, enquanto que o tratamento com 50 μM causou dano celular evidente na GRX, sem induzir biogênese de mitocôndrias. Desta forma, é possível que a citotoxicidade “dose-dependente” do RSV, que causa a morte celular e dano oxidativo em 24 horas de tratamento, esteja relacionada com o desequilíbrio entre a indução concomitante de apoptose mediada por dano mitocondrial, autofagia/mitofagia e biogênese de mitocôndrias. Por fim, foi investigada a liberação de TNF-α, Interleucina-6 e Interleucina-10 pela GRX tratada por 24 e 120 horas com RSV (0,1 a 50 μM), considerando o papel antiinflamatório do RSV e o papel das HSC ativadas na sinalização autócrina que contribui para a modulação fenotípica destas células. Foi demonstrado que o tratamento da GRX com RSV por 24 e 120 horas induziu a redução da liberação de Interleucina-6; enquanto que a liberação de TNF-α e Interleucina-10 foi aumentada. Estes resultados confirmam um efeito antiinflamatório do RSV que deve contribuir na prevenção da ativação ou da perpetuação do estado ativado das HSC por meio de sinalização autócrina. Ainda que a concentração do RSV seja importante para efetivamente induzir a morte das HSC ativadas, o tratamento com esta fitoalexina pode ser promissor para a resolução da fibrose hepática por diminuir a população de células ativadas e, possivelmente, prevenir a perpetuação do estado fenotípico ativado. Estudos avaliando indicadores de quiescência em células tratadas são ainda necessários para desvendar completamente os efeitos do RSV quanto às possibilidades de inibição da perpetuação ou reversão fenotípica das HSC ativadas. / Liver fibrosis is a disease that accompanies other hepatic chronic diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are a heterogeneous cell population characterized by transiting between two phenotypes. Cells with a quiescent phenotype are able to store vitamin A into lipid droplets. Damage to the liver trigger an inflammatory response that generates paracrine and autocrine stimulation mediated by cytokines and reactive species. In this context, HSC assume an activated and fibrogenic phenotype responsive for hepatic wound-healing. Chronic insults to the liver lead to an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix that configures the pathological state of fibrosis. Resveratrol (RSV – 3,4’,5-tri-hidroxi-trans-stilbeno) is a phytoalexin produced by some species of plants. Several beneficial effects are attributed to this molecule due to its antioxidant, antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic potential. Previous studies showed that treatment with bioavailable concentrations of RSV (0.1 to 1 μM) promoted an arrest cycle at the S phase in GRX, a murine activated HSC model, leading to cell proliferation inhibition, a cytotoxic effect that contributes to the liver fibrosis resolution. In this study, it was shown by spectrophotometric techniques that GRX treatment for 24 hours at concentrations between 0.1 to 50 μM of RSV promoted a fairly clear pro-oxidant effect that causes a dose-dependent cytotoxicity that was higher in the group treated with 50 μM. The attenuated cytotoxicity found after 120 hours of GRX treatment suggest that these cells became resistant to this effect. The pro-oxidant potential of RSV was the starting point for investigating the possibility that this phytoalexin would cause a change in the GRX mitochondrial metabolism. Thus, the effects of RSV (1 to 50 μM) on altering the mitochondrial function, on inducing mitochondrial-mediated cell death, and autophagy/mitofagia were investigated in GRX treated for 24 and 120 hours by spectrophotometric techniques, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. All the RSV concentrations promote cell apoptosis through caspases activation, alter the mitochondrial dynamics and function, and induce an increase of autophagy/mitofagia. Curiously, only 1 and 10 μM of RSV induced mitochondrial biogenesis in GRX, while the highest concentration caused an evident cell damage without inducing mitochondrial biogenesis. Thus, it is possible that the "dose-dependent" cytotoxicity of RSV, which causes cell death and oxidative damage in 24 hours of treatment, is related to an imbalance between the concomitant induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, autophagy/mitofagia, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Finally, it was investigated the release of TNF-α, Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-10 by GRX treated for 24 and 120 hours with RSV (0.1 to 50 μM), considering the anti-inflammatory role of RSV and the autocrine signalling role of HSC that contributes to the perpetuation of its activated phenotype. It was demonstrated that GRX treatment with RSV for 24 and 120 hours reduced the release of Interleukin-6 in the culture medium; whereas the release of TNF-α and Interleukin-10 was increased. These results confirm the anti-inflammatory properties of RSV and may contribute to the prevention of HSC activation through autocrine signalling. Although RSV concentration is important to effectively induce activated HSC death, cells treatment with this phytoalexin may be promising for liver fibrosis resolution through decreasing the population of activated cells or through preventing the perpetuation of activated state of HSC. Future studies evaluating the quiescence indicators of GRX under RSV treatment are still needed to fully unravel the effects of this phytoalexin on inhibiting the perpetuation of activated HSC or reversing its activated phenotype.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:55:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nadia Miguel.pdf: 428136 bytes, checksum: 6e96e5c1b0031ce0daec07e160b7c0ec (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-27 / A obesidade vem se destacando como um dos mais importantes problemas de saúde pública e sua incidência aumentou muito nas duas últimas décadas. Como consequência traz uma série de prejuízos metabólicos e sobrecarga ao sistema cardiovascular e fígado. O resveratrol, presente em diversos frutos como as uvas, vem sendo investigado com ênfase na última década, devido a seus efeitos antioxidantes. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos da suplementação com o resveratrol sobre o perfil lipídico e hepático de ratas Wistar submetidas à dieta hiperlipídica para indução da obesidade. Sessenta e quatro ratas Wistar foram distribuídas em 4 grupos (n=16): Grupo Controle (C); Grupo Controle Obeso (CO); Grupo Resveratrol (R) e Grupo Resveratrol Obeso (RO). Os animais dos grupos C e R foram alimentados com ração comercial LABINA® e os animais dos Grupos CO e RO foram alimentados com dieta palatável hiperlipídica (DPH) durante 12 semanas. Após 6 semanas, os animais dos grupos C e CO receberam suplementação de placebo, via oral, por gavagem e os animais dos grupos R e RO receberam suplementação de 30mg de resveratrol/kg de peso/dia diluído, via oral, por gavagem, durante 6 semanas. Ao final das 12 semanas os animais foram submetidos à anestesia geral para coleta de sangue e posterior eutanásia. Foram avaliados os parâmetros peso corporal, do fígado e da gordura retroperitoneal e os perfis lipídico e hepático séricos e análise histopatológica do fígado. A administração de resveratrol durante 6 semanas não induziu perda de peso corporal e também não reduziu os parâmetros do perfil lipídico, porém diminuiu as enzimas hepáticas aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e fosfatase alcalina (FA) e produziu menor ocorrência de esteatose (75%) no grupo RO em comparação com o grupo CO (81,25%). Em conclusão, a suplementação do resveratrol pelo período curto de 6 semanas, promoveu um efeito benéfico sobre a função hepática por meio da redução da esteatose hepática e das enzimas hepáticas AST e FA em ratas obesas.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:53:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nadia Miguel.pdf: 428136 bytes, checksum: 6e96e5c1b0031ce0daec07e160b7c0ec (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-27 / A obesidade vem se destacando como um dos mais importantes problemas de saúde pública e sua incidência aumentou muito nas duas últimas décadas. Como consequência traz uma série de prejuízos metabólicos e sobrecarga ao sistema cardiovascular e fígado. O resveratrol, presente em diversos frutos como as uvas, vem sendo investigado com ênfase na última década, devido a seus efeitos antioxidantes. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos da suplementação com o resveratrol sobre o perfil lipídico e hepático de ratas Wistar submetidas à dieta hiperlipídica para indução da obesidade. Sessenta e quatro ratas Wistar foram distribuídas em 4 grupos (n=16): Grupo Controle (C); Grupo Controle Obeso (CO); Grupo Resveratrol (R) e Grupo Resveratrol Obeso (RO). Os animais dos grupos C e R foram alimentados com ração comercial LABINA® e os animais dos Grupos CO e RO foram alimentados com dieta palatável hiperlipídica (DPH) durante 12 semanas. Após 6 semanas, os animais dos grupos C e CO receberam suplementação de placebo, via oral, por gavagem e os animais dos grupos R e RO receberam suplementação de 30mg de resveratrol/kg de peso/dia diluído, via oral, por gavagem, durante 6 semanas. Ao final das 12 semanas os animais foram submetidos à anestesia geral para coleta de sangue e posterior eutanásia. Foram avaliados os parâmetros peso corporal, do fígado e da gordura retroperitoneal e os perfis lipídico e hepático séricos e análise histopatológica do fígado. A administração de resveratrol durante 6 semanas não induziu perda de peso corporal e também não reduziu os parâmetros do perfil lipídico, porém diminuiu as enzimas hepáticas aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e fosfatase alcalina (FA) e produziu menor ocorrência de esteatose (75%) no grupo RO em comparação com o grupo CO (81,25%). Em conclusão, a suplementação do resveratrol pelo período curto de 6 semanas, promoveu um efeito benéfico sobre a função hepática por meio da redução da esteatose hepática e das enzimas hepáticas AST e FA em ratas obesas.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a key regulator of several metabolic and signaling pathways that are relevant in cancer cell survival. Cancer cells have an increased energy demand associated with an increased NAD turnover. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), a key enzyme of the NAD salvage pathway, plays a crucial role in maintaining the intracellular NAD levels and in regulating the activity of NAD-dependent enzymes, such as sirtuins (SIRTs). The inhibition of NAMPT activity and the use of phytochemicals, such as resveratrol, represent novel therapeutic approaches in cancer therapy. Based on these facts, this thesis aimed to investigate (1) the chemotherapeutic potential and molecular mechanisms of FK866, a specific NAMPT inhibitor, and resveratrol on hepatocarcinoma cells and to find out whether there are differences compared to primary human hepatocytes; (2) to address the impact of NAMPT inhibition on the energy metabolism in cancer cells; and (3) to investigate the roles of NAMPT and SIRT1 in resveratrol´s mode of action and chemotherapeutic effects. This work demonstrates that FK866 and resveratrol possess potent chemotherapeutic effects in hepatocarcinoma cells which were absent in human hepatocytes. Hepatocarcinoma cells display a dysregulation in the AMP-activated kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling as well as in the NAMPT-mediated NAD salvage pathway compared to human hepatocytes. FK866-induced NAMPT inhibition induces ATP depletion associated with AMPK activation and mTOR inhibition whereas resveratrol induces caspase3-mediated apoptosis that is not dependent on NAMPT and SIRT1 function. NAMPT and SIRT1 are differentially regulated by resveratrol in hepatocarcinoma cells and human hepatocytes. This work also reveals that resveratrol activates p53-induced cell cycle arrest in hepatocarcinoma cells which is partly mediated by SIRT1 inhibition. In summary, this thesis provides new insight into the role of the NAMPT-mediated NAD salvage pathway in energy metabolism and characterized FK866 and resveratrol as promising potential chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Thesis (MSc (Physics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / An ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy experiment was developed in order to investigate the fast photoinduced isomerization reaction of the molecule resveratrol. Characteristics of the resveratrol molecule are discussed, including the photoisomerization reaction from trans- to cis-resveratrol. The experimental setup for the conventional spectroscopy measurement was developed and characterized in order to investigate and understand the conventional absorption and uorescence spectroscopy of resveratrol thoroughly. The absorption spectra for both trans- and cis-resveratrol, as well as the uorescence spectra were measured, discussed and explained. This therefore forms a foundation and serves as an initial step to develop a pump-probe spectroscopy experiment for resveratrol. A general overview of ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy is presented, as well as an explanation of the nal developed experimental setup. The principles and characteristics of the chirped pulse ampli cation (CPA) femtosecond laser source and the tunable noncollinear optical parametric ampli er (NOPA) employed as the pump pulse are discussed. The process of white light continuum (WLC) generation was investigated to utilize as the ultrashort probe pulse. Two white light continuum generation experimental setups were developed and characterized for WLC generation in a transparent medium with the fundamental CPA laser light at 775 nm (in sapphire) and with the second harmonic (SH) of the CPA light at 387 nm (in quartz). A spectrometer was designed, built and characterized in conjuction with a line focus, for simultaneous measurement of the absorption in the pumped, unpumped and reference regions in the sample. In this way the photoisomerization of resveratrol could be measured with temporal resolution as a transient absorption signal. A 420 μg/ml resveratrol solution in ethanol was investigated in this pump-probe spectroscopy experiment and the results obtained are discussed accordingly.

Numerous epidemiology studies suggest a correlation between exposures to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and the development and severity of type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, mechanisms remain largely unknown. Previous studies demonstrated that PCBs that are ligands of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) promote the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), that are linked to insulin resistance in adipocytes. To explore potential mechanisms linking PCB exposures to diabetes, we developed a mouse model of glucose and insulin intolerance induced by acute and chronic exposures to PCB-77. We hypothesized that PCB ligands of AhR result in adipocyte-specific elevations in TNF-α and dysregulated glucose homeostasis. Results demonstrated that PCB77 resulted in rapid and sustained glucose and insulin intolerance in low fat (LF)-fed mice, and that these effects were associated with adipose-specific elevations in TNF-α. When mice were made obese from consumption of a high fat (HF) diet, effects of PCB77 were lost presumably due to concentration of the toxin in adipose lipids. However, upon weight loss, mice exposed to PCB77 exhibit impaired glucose homeostasis. These results suggest that lipophilic PCBs redistribute from adipose lipids with weight loss and mitigate beneficial effects to improve glucose homeostasis. To define the role of adipocyte AhR in PCB-induced diabetes, we created a mouse 3 model of adipocyte AhR deficiency using the Cre/LoxP system. Adipocyte-AhR deficiency conferred protection from the development of PCB-77-induced impairments in glucose and insulin tolerance in obese mice undergoing weight loss. Unexpectedly, adipocyte-AhR deficient mice fed the HF diet exhibited adipocyte hypertrophy, increased adipose mass and elevated body weight. These results suggest that (1) adipocyte AhRs are responsible for effects of PCB77 to impair glucose homeostasis during weight loss and (2) adipocyte AhRs respond to the HF diet to regulate adipose mass and body weight. We used resveratrol as a putative AhR antagonist to determine if the polyphenol confers protection against PCB-77-induced diabetes. Resveratrol abolished acute effects of PCB77 to impair glucose and insulin tolerance in LF-fed mice. Notably, PCB77 administration abolished insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt in adipose tissue and these effects were abolished by resveratrol. Resveratrol also abolished marked suppressions in glucose uptake in adipocytes exposed to PCB77. These studies suggest the adipocyte AhR plays a potentially significant role in the development of diabetes and obesity, and that resveratrol may represent a novel therapeutic for PCB exposed populations.

The antineoplastic drug doxorubicin is widely used in the treatment of various types of cancers including breast, colon and lung cancer. However, doxorubicin has adverse effects on the heart and prolonged doxorubicin administration results in cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. In the present study we have established that treatment of rat cardiac myoblasts (H9c2 cells) for 24 hours with doxorubicin resulted in concentration and time dependent cell death as determined by proliferation assay. Almost 50-55% cell death was attained at 24 hours treatment of H9c2 cells with 5 μM doxorubicin. We have selected about 50% cell injury as an optimum doxorubicin-induced cell injury because once this threshold is reached, cells became irreversibly injured and are unable to respond to protective treatment. We have observed that another potent antineoplastic drug, cyclophosphamide, had no cardiotoxic effects even with exposure at 35 μM concentrations for a treatment time of up to 72 hours. Pretreatment of H9c2 cells for 24 hours with 100 nM 17β-estradiol protects about 30% cell death against subsequent treatment for 24 hours with 5 μM doxorubicin. Interestingly 500 nM quecertin and 20 μM resveratrol pretreatment provide about 30% and 40% protection, respectively, to the H9c2 cells against subsequent doxorubicin treatment. However, diethylstilbestrol (DES), bisphenol A, and estrone exhibit no protective effects. It is concluded that 17β-estradiol, resveratrol and quercetin considerably protect H9c2 cells against doxorubicin-induced cell death.

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of biophysics and physical chemistry Candidate: Zuzana Pokorná Supervisor: Doc. RNDr. Petr Klemera, CSc. Title of diploma thesis: Resveratrol - effect on the biological age Objective: Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol contained in number of plants. It is a potent antioxidant, which is known to have a number of beneficial health effects and be part of many biological processes. The compound is produced by plants to increase their survival and resistance to disease. We found the effect of Resveratrol on parameters of biological age-on the threshold of perception of the intensity of the volume (hearing) and reaction rate. Methods : A group of people used the resveratrol in a dose of 170 mg per day for 40 days. We measured by the PC program the selected parameter of hearing and reaction rate. Results : It has been shown that statistically significant improvement of hearing has occurred. The exact mechanism of the effect is not known. Probably operates through a group of enzymes, sirtuins. Reaction rate was not affected by substance. Conclusions : We have reviewed the potential effect of Resveratrol on human biological age. The improvement of hearing has been shown at the 0,01 significance level. The biggest improvement was...