Phytosterols have been shown to be effective in reducing serum cholesterol levels in numerous human clinical studies and regular consumption is recommended as part of therapeutic lifestyle changes aimed at reducing low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fat based spreads have been shown to be a very successful vehicle for delivery of plant sterols, readily accepted by consumers and efficacious in reducing cholesterol levels. Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread is a new product entering into the market place. It is derived from rice bran oil and contains high levels of unsaponifiable material rich in phytosterols, triterpene alcohols, ferulic acid esters ([gamma]-oryzanol) and vitamin E isomers. As such it may have the potential to lower serum cholesterol levels when consumed on a daily basis. In order to establish the effectiveness of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread compared with Flora pro-activ® margarine, a well established brand of plant sterol margarine already proven to lower cholesterol, a randomised double blind cross-over human clinical trial over 12 weeks was conducted. The study was divided into two treatment arms. The first arm of the study was to determine whether Alfa One™ RBO spread (containing 1.5% plant sterols) could lower total and LDL cholesterol levels to a greater extent than standard Flora margarine (containing no plant sterols) or Flora Pro-activ® margarine (containing 8% plant sterols). The second study arm tested the proposition that daily consumption of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread in conjunction with rice bran oil (containing 0.5% plant sterols) would lower total and LDL cholesterol to a greater extent than Alfa One™ RBO spread in isolation and more than Flora margarine in conjunction with sunflower oil. Eighty mildly hypercholesterolaemic individuals (total cholesterol [greater than or equal to] 5 mmol/L and [less than or equal to] 7.5 mmol/L) were recruited and randomised into two groups of forty. Participants were asked to continue with their normal dietary pattern but to replace any margarine/butter/fat consumption with the trial products. One group of 40 were then assigned to the first treatment arm of the study (margarine-only group) and were randomised to consume 20 g (4 teaspoons) Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine daily for 4 weeks, or 20 Flora pro-activ® daily for 4 weeks. Phytosterol levels delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma]-oryzanol; Flora proactiv® 1600 mg phytosterol; Flora margarine 0mg phytosterol. The second group of 40 were allocated to the second arm of the trial (margarine and oil group) and consumed 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread and 30 ml rice bran oil (RBO) daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine and 30 ml sunflower oil daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, changing treatment at the end of each 4-week period. Phytosterol amounts delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118 mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma] oryzanol; RBO 222mg mg phytosterol, 150 mg [gamma] oryzanol. Each participant consumed all three treatments in a random order over a 12 week period. At baseline and following each 4 week intervention period, measurements were made of weight and blood pressure. Venous blood samples were collected for analysis of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol: HDL-C, triglycerides and plasma phytosterols. Three-day diet records from each individual were also collected for analysis of normal dietary intake. Results showed that compared to a standard Flora margarine, Alfa One™ RBO spread significantly reduced total cholesterol by 2.2% (P=0.045), total cholesterol:HDL by 4.1% (P=0.005) and LDL-C by 3.5% (P=0.016), but was not as effective overall as Flora Pro-activ® which reduced total cholesterol by 4.4% (P=0.001), total cholesterol:HDL by 3.4% (P=0.014) and LDL-C by 5.6% (P=0.001). Consumption of Flora margarine alone produced no significant decrease from baseline figures in any of the cholesterol parameters measured. Surprisingly, in group two, the addition of rice bran oil to the Alfa One™ RBO spread produced no differences in cholesterol levels. The reason for this unexpected result is being explored further. These results confirm that Alfa One™ RBO spread is effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a normal diet. Studies have shown that a 1% reduction in LDL-C can equate to a 2% decrease in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk thus suggesting that the 3.5% reduction demonstrated by Alfa One™ RBO spread in this study could be effective in reducing CHD risk as much as 6% in a mildly hypercholesterolaemic population.

Phytosterols have been shown to be effective in reducing serum cholesterol levels in numerous human clinical studies and regular consumption is recommended as part of therapeutic lifestyle changes aimed at reducing low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fat based spreads have been shown to be a very successful vehicle for delivery of plant sterols, readily accepted by consumers and efficacious in reducing cholesterol levels. Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread is a new product entering into the market place. It is derived from rice bran oil and contains high levels of unsaponifiable material rich in phytosterols, triterpene alcohols, ferulic acid esters ([gamma]-oryzanol) and vitamin E isomers. As such it may have the potential to lower serum cholesterol levels when consumed on a daily basis. In order to establish the effectiveness of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread compared with Flora pro-activ® margarine, a well established brand of plant sterol margarine already proven to lower cholesterol, a randomised double blind cross-over human clinical trial over 12 weeks was conducted. The study was divided into two treatment arms. The first arm of the study was to determine whether Alfa One™ RBO spread (containing 1.5% plant sterols) could lower total and LDL cholesterol levels to a greater extent than standard Flora margarine (containing no plant sterols) or Flora Pro-activ® margarine (containing 8% plant sterols). The second study arm tested the proposition that daily consumption of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread in conjunction with rice bran oil (containing 0.5% plant sterols) would lower total and LDL cholesterol to a greater extent than Alfa One™ RBO spread in isolation and more than Flora margarine in conjunction with sunflower oil. Eighty mildly hypercholesterolaemic individuals (total cholesterol [greater than or equal to] 5 mmol/L and [less than or equal to] 7.5 mmol/L) were recruited and randomised into two groups of forty. Participants were asked to continue with their normal dietary pattern but to replace any margarine/butter/fat consumption with the trial products. One group of 40 were then assigned to the first treatment arm of the study (margarine-only group) and were randomised to consume 20 g (4 teaspoons) Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine daily for 4 weeks, or 20 Flora pro-activ® daily for 4 weeks. Phytosterol levels delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma]-oryzanol; Flora proactiv® 1600 mg phytosterol; Flora margarine 0mg phytosterol. The second group of 40 were allocated to the second arm of the trial (margarine and oil group) and consumed 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread and 30 ml rice bran oil (RBO) daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine and 30 ml sunflower oil daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, changing treatment at the end of each 4-week period. Phytosterol amounts delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118 mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma] oryzanol; RBO 222mg mg phytosterol, 150 mg [gamma] oryzanol. Each participant consumed all three treatments in a random order over a 12 week period. At baseline and following each 4 week intervention period, measurements were made of weight and blood pressure. Venous blood samples were collected for analysis of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol: HDL-C, triglycerides and plasma phytosterols. Three-day diet records from each individual were also collected for analysis of normal dietary intake. Results showed that compared to a standard Flora margarine, Alfa One™ RBO spread significantly reduced total cholesterol by 2.2% (P=0.045), total cholesterol:HDL by 4.1% (P=0.005) and LDL-C by 3.5% (P=0.016), but was not as effective overall as Flora Pro-activ® which reduced total cholesterol by 4.4% (P=0.001), total cholesterol:HDL by 3.4% (P=0.014) and LDL-C by 5.6% (P=0.001). Consumption of Flora margarine alone produced no significant decrease from baseline figures in any of the cholesterol parameters measured. Surprisingly, in group two, the addition of rice bran oil to the Alfa One™ RBO spread produced no differences in cholesterol levels. The reason for this unexpected result is being explored further. These results confirm that Alfa One™ RBO spread is effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a normal diet. Studies have shown that a 1% reduction in LDL-C can equate to a 2% decrease in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk thus suggesting that the 3.5% reduction demonstrated by Alfa One™ RBO spread in this study could be effective in reducing CHD risk as much as 6% in a mildly hypercholesterolaemic population.

Phytosterols have been shown to be effective in reducing serum cholesterol levels in numerous human clinical studies and regular consumption is recommended as part of therapeutic lifestyle changes aimed at reducing low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Fat based spreads have been shown to be a very successful vehicle for delivery of plant sterols, readily accepted by consumers and efficacious in reducing cholesterol levels. Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread is a new product entering into the market place. It is derived from rice bran oil and contains high levels of unsaponifiable material rich in phytosterols, triterpene alcohols, ferulic acid esters ([gamma]-oryzanol) and vitamin E isomers. As such it may have the potential to lower serum cholesterol levels when consumed on a daily basis. In order to establish the effectiveness of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread compared with Flora pro-activ® margarine, a well established brand of plant sterol margarine already proven to lower cholesterol, a randomised double blind cross-over human clinical trial over 12 weeks was conducted. The study was divided into two treatment arms. The first arm of the study was to determine whether Alfa One™ RBO spread (containing 1.5% plant sterols) could lower total and LDL cholesterol levels to a greater extent than standard Flora margarine (containing no plant sterols) or Flora Pro-activ® margarine (containing 8% plant sterols). The second study arm tested the proposition that daily consumption of Alfa One™ Rice Bran Oil (RBO) spread in conjunction with rice bran oil (containing 0.5% plant sterols) would lower total and LDL cholesterol to a greater extent than Alfa One™ RBO spread in isolation and more than Flora margarine in conjunction with sunflower oil. Eighty mildly hypercholesterolaemic individuals (total cholesterol [greater than or equal to] 5 mmol/L and [less than or equal to] 7.5 mmol/L) were recruited and randomised into two groups of forty. Participants were asked to continue with their normal dietary pattern but to replace any margarine/butter/fat consumption with the trial products. One group of 40 were then assigned to the first treatment arm of the study (margarine-only group) and were randomised to consume 20 g (4 teaspoons) Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine daily for 4 weeks, or 20 Flora pro-activ® daily for 4 weeks. Phytosterol levels delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma]-oryzanol; Flora proactiv® 1600 mg phytosterol; Flora margarine 0mg phytosterol. The second group of 40 were allocated to the second arm of the trial (margarine and oil group) and consumed 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread and 30 ml rice bran oil (RBO) daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Flora margarine and 30 ml sunflower oil daily for 4 weeks, or 20 g Alfa One™ RBO spread daily for 4 weeks, changing treatment at the end of each 4-week period. Phytosterol amounts delivered in these amounts were: RBO margarine: 118 mg phytosterol and 14 mg [gamma] oryzanol; RBO 222mg mg phytosterol, 150 mg [gamma] oryzanol. Each participant consumed all three treatments in a random order over a 12 week period. At baseline and following each 4 week intervention period, measurements were made of weight and blood pressure. Venous blood samples were collected for analysis of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol: HDL-C, triglycerides and plasma phytosterols. Three-day diet records from each individual were also collected for analysis of normal dietary intake. Results showed that compared to a standard Flora margarine, Alfa One™ RBO spread significantly reduced total cholesterol by 2.2% (P=0.045), total cholesterol:HDL by 4.1% (P=0.005) and LDL-C by 3.5% (P=0.016), but was not as effective overall as Flora Pro-activ® which reduced total cholesterol by 4.4% (P=0.001), total cholesterol:HDL by 3.4% (P=0.014) and LDL-C by 5.6% (P=0.001). Consumption of Flora margarine alone produced no significant decrease from baseline figures in any of the cholesterol parameters measured. Surprisingly, in group two, the addition of rice bran oil to the Alfa One™ RBO spread produced no differences in cholesterol levels. The reason for this unexpected result is being explored further. These results confirm that Alfa One™ RBO spread is effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a normal diet. Studies have shown that a 1% reduction in LDL-C can equate to a 2% decrease in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk thus suggesting that the 3.5% reduction demonstrated by Alfa One™ RBO spread in this study could be effective in reducing CHD risk as much as 6% in a mildly hypercholesterolaemic population.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:31:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-05-16Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:22:04Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 zuanaze_rcc_dr_botfmvz.pdf: 2365698 bytes, checksum: 5ed70ccdd25955ad8f5b2e015a21dec7 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP (FUNDUNESP) / O monofluoroacetato de sodio (MFAS) ou composto 1080 e um rodenticida que foi amplamente utilizado para o controle de roedores e predadores domesticos, apos sua descoberta em 1945. Este potente rodenticida age bloqueando o ciclo de Krebs por acao do seu metabolito toxico, o fluorocitrato, e como consequencia, inibe a resposta celular e a producao de ATP. O MFAS foi proibido por lei no Brasil e em diversos paises, mas seu uso indiscriminado continua causando diversos casos de intoxicacoes potencialmente fatais no homem e animais domesticos, principalmente em caes e gatos, representadas por alteracoes neurologicas e cardiacas. Pretendeu-se com este estudo caracterizar o perfil hematologico e bioquimico, as alteracoes histopatologicas e toxicologicas de gatos intoxicados experimentalmente com MFAS, com o objetivo de determinar metodos diagnosticos eficazes. Para tanto, foram utilizadas amostras de sangue de 16 gatos intoxicados experimentalmente com 0,45mg/kg de MFAS, por via oral. Estas amostras foram colhidas por puncao jugular e analisadas quanto ao perfil hematologico, bioquimica serica e analises toxicologicas em cromatografia liquida de alta eficiencia (CLAE), para deteccao e quantificacao do MFAS no soro dos animais. Avaliaram-se tambem as lesoes macro e microscopicas dos animais intoxicados que vieram a obito. Observaram-se leucopenia e trombocitopenia transitorias; hiperglicemia, aumento das enzimas musculares creatinoquinase (CK) e creatinoquinase fracao cardiaca (CK-MB); observaram-se tambem hipocalemia, hipofosfatemia e hipomagnesemia. Os achados macroscopicos e histopatologicos demonstraram lesoes caracteristicas de processos isquemicos e as analises toxicologicas demonstraram um metodo diagnostico simples e eficiente... / Sodium monofluoroacetate (SMFAC) or 1080 compound is a potent rodenticide, largely used since 1945 for rodent and domestic pest control. The toxic effects of SMFAC are caused by fluorocitrato, a toxic metabolite, which has a competitive action with aconitase enzyme, leading to citrate accumulation and interferes in energy production by Krebs cycle blockade. In Brazil, although prohibited by law, there is illegal use, keep causing intoxication in children and domestic animals, specially dogs and cats. The most common intoxication clinical signs are from the cardiac and neurological alterations. In the present study, 16 domestic cats were intoxicated with oral doses of monofluoroacetate (0.45mg/kg). The hematologic and biochemical profiles, and histophatological and blood serum toxicological analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were made to looking for a efficient diagnosis methods. The hematologic profile showed transitory leucopenia and trombocitopenia; the biochemical profile presented hiperglycemia, increase of creatinoquinase enzyme (CK) and creatinoquinase cardiac fraction (CK-MB), hypokalemia and hypophosfatemia were observed. The macrocospic and histopathological findings showed lesions characteristic of degenerative and ischemic processes. The toxicological analysis was shown to be a simple and efficient diagnostic method. SMFAC was detected in 75% of the serum samples analysed, and it was verified an average concentration of 0.32 ìg/mL in them; 4.81% of the serum samples did not show metabolized SMFAC six hours after the induced intoxication of the animals used in this study.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:19:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5772.pdf: 2838907 bytes, checksum: dd99c753250191bec4e2415172771de9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-24 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Background: Muscle changes of paretic limb resulting from stroke lead to changes in the mechanical properties of muscles, such as muscle weakness and increased resistance to stretching. Studies that characterize the components of the muscle tissue, as the noncontractile, and biomarkers related to proliferation of connective tissue (such as TGF-&#946;1 and myostatin) are clinically relevant and necessary for understanding of the resistance to stretching of paretic muscles. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the serum concentration of TGF-&#946;1 and myostatin, the percentage volume of non-contractile tissue and passive peak torque and resistance to stretching (stiffness) of the extensor and flexor muscles of the knee in chronic hemiparesis. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Fourteen subjects with chronic hemiparesis post stroke and fourteen healthy paired-subjects participated in this study. Paretic, non-paretic and control limbs were evaluated. MRI images were obtained in all subjects and the percentage volume of non-contractile tissue of the quadriceps and hamstrings was measured. Serum TGF-&#946;1 and myostatin concentrations were quantified by ELISA method. Passive torque peak and resistance during stretching (stiffness) of extensors and flexors muscles of knee were assessed at 60°/s using isokinetic dynamometer. Results: An increase in the percentage volume of non-contractile tissue in VM and VL of paretic limb compared to non-paretic limb was observed (p<0,05). Also, an increase was observed in the percentage volume of non-contractile tissue in SS in paretic limb compared to control limb (p<0,05). No differences were observed in serum TGF-&#946;1 and myostatin concentrations in hemiparetic group compared to the control group (p> 0.05). Regarding passive torque, there was an increase in peak torque and resistance during passive stretching of extensor muscles with increasing ROM of paretic, non-paretic and control limbs (p<0,05), but no differences were found among limbs (p>0,05). In relation to flexor muscles, there was also an increase in peak torque along the ROM of the three limbs (p<0,05). However, non-paretic limb has lower values of peak torque than control and paretic limbs in lower ROM (p<0,05). Paretic limb increases resistance in a more accentuated pattern at intermediate ROM (50-40º) compared to control (p=0,02). A moderate correlation was observed between TGF-&#946;1 serum concentration and flexor peak torque of paretic limb, considering complete ROM (p=0,01; r=0,736). Conclusion: Paretic muscles, extensors and knee flexors, although they have increased noncontractile tissue, exhibit similar resistance to stretching the muscles of healthy subjects. Knee flexor muscles of the non-paretic limbs have less passive stretch resistance compared to healthy subjects without changes in non-contractile content. Furthermore, no changes in serum concentrations of TGF-&#946;1 and myostatin in chronic hemiparetic compared to healthy subjects were observed. / Contextualização: Alterações na musculatura do membro parético em decorrência do Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC) podem resultar em mudanças nas propriedades mecânicas da musculatura, como fraqueza muscular e aumento da resistência ao alongamento. Estudos que caracterizem os componentes do músculo, como o tecido não contrátil, e biomarcadores relacionados à proliferação de tecido conjuntivo (como TGF-&#946;1 e miostatina) são necessários e clinicamente relevantes para o entendimento da resistência ao alongamento de músculos paréticos. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a concentração sérica de TGF-&#946;1 e miostatina, o volume percentual de tecido não contrátil e o pico de torque passivo e resistência ao alongamento ( stiffness ) dos músculos extensores e flexores do joelho de hemiparéticos crônicos. Materiais e Métodos: Estudo transversal. Quatorze sujeitos com hemiparesia crônica pós-AVC e quatorze sujeitos saudáveis pareados participaram deste estudo. Os membros parético, não parético e controle, foram avaliados. Imagens por ressonância magnética foram obtidas em todos os sujeitos e o volume percentual de tecido não contrátil dos músculos do quadríceps e dos isquiotibiais foi mensurado. As concentrações séricas de TGF-&#946;1 e miostatina foram quantificadas pelo método ELISA. O pico de torque passivo e a resistência ao alongamento passivo ( stiffness ) dos músculos extensores e flexores do joelho foram obtidos a 60°/s em dinamômetro isocinético e avaliados ao longo de intervalos de ADM. Resultados: Foi observado um aumento no volume percentual de tecido não contrátil nos músculos vasto medial (VM) e vasto lateral (VL) do membro parético comparado ao não parético (p<0,05). Ainda, houve um aumento no volume percentual de tecido não contrátil nos músculos semitendinoso e semimembranoso (SS) do membro parético comparado ao membro controle (p<0,05). Não foram observadas diferenças nas concentrações séricas de TGF-&#946;1 e miostatina entre os grupos (p>0,05). Houve um aumento no pico de torque e na resistência ao alongamento passivo extensor com o aumento da amplitude de movimento (ADM) nos membros parético, não parético e controle, sem diferenças entre os membros (p>0,05). Em relação aos flexores, também houve um aumento no pico de torque ao longo da ADM nos membros parético, não parético e controle. No entanto, o membro não parético apresenta valores de pico de torque menores que o parético e controle em amplitudes menores (p<0,05). O membro parético aumenta a resistência de forma mais acentuada em ADM intermediária (50-40º) comparado ao controle (p=0,02). Houve correlação moderada entre a concentração sérica de TGF-&#946;1 e o pico de torque flexor do membro parético, considerando-se a ADM completa (p=0,01; r=0,736). Conclusão: Músculos paréticos, extensores e flexores do joelho, apesar de possuírem aumento de tecido não contrátil, apresentam resistência ao alongamento semelhante a músculos de indivíduos saudáveis. Músculos flexores do joelho dos membros não parético apresentam menor resistência passiva ao alongamento comparado a indivíduos saudáveis, sem alterações no conteúdo não contrátil. Além disso, indivíduos hemiparéticos crônicos não apresentam alterações nas concentrações séricas de TGF-&#946;1 e miostatina comparados a indivíduos saudáveis.

Orientador: Michiko Sakate / Banca: Noeme Sousa Rocha / Banca: Manoel Lima de Menezes / Banca: Mara Regina Stipp Balarin / Banca: Silvana Lima Gorniak / Resumo: O monofluoroacetato de sodio (MFAS) ou composto 1080 e um rodenticida que foi amplamente utilizado para o controle de roedores e predadores domesticos, apos sua descoberta em 1945. Este potente rodenticida age bloqueando o ciclo de Krebs por acao do seu metabolito toxico, o fluorocitrato, e como consequencia, inibe a resposta celular e a producao de ATP. O MFAS foi proibido por lei no Brasil e em diversos paises, mas seu uso indiscriminado continua causando diversos casos de intoxicacoes potencialmente fatais no homem e animais domesticos, principalmente em caes e gatos, representadas por alteracoes neurologicas e cardiacas. Pretendeu-se com este estudo caracterizar o perfil hematologico e bioquimico, as alteracoes histopatologicas e toxicologicas de gatos intoxicados experimentalmente com MFAS, com o objetivo de determinar metodos diagnosticos eficazes. Para tanto, foram utilizadas amostras de sangue de 16 gatos intoxicados experimentalmente com 0,45mg/kg de MFAS, por via oral. Estas amostras foram colhidas por puncao jugular e analisadas quanto ao perfil hematologico, bioquimica serica e analises toxicologicas em cromatografia liquida de alta eficiencia (CLAE), para deteccao e quantificacao do MFAS no soro dos animais. Avaliaram-se tambem as lesoes macro e microscopicas dos animais intoxicados que vieram a obito. Observaram-se leucopenia e trombocitopenia transitorias; hiperglicemia, aumento das enzimas musculares creatinoquinase (CK) e creatinoquinase fracao cardiaca (CK-MB); observaram-se tambem hipocalemia, hipofosfatemia e hipomagnesemia. Os achados macroscopicos e histopatologicos demonstraram lesoes caracteristicas de processos isquemicos e as analises toxicologicas demonstraram um metodo diagnostico simples e eficiente...(Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrõnico abaixo) / Abstract: Sodium monofluoroacetate (SMFAC) or 1080 compound is a potent rodenticide, largely used since 1945 for rodent and domestic pest control. The toxic effects of SMFAC are caused by fluorocitrato, a toxic metabolite, which has a competitive action with aconitase enzyme, leading to citrate accumulation and interferes in energy production by Krebs cycle blockade. In Brazil, although prohibited by law, there is illegal use, keep causing intoxication in children and domestic animals, specially dogs and cats. The most common intoxication clinical signs are from the cardiac and neurological alterations. In the present study, 16 domestic cats were intoxicated with oral doses of monofluoroacetate (0.45mg/kg). The hematologic and biochemical profiles, and histophatological and blood serum toxicological analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were made to looking for a efficient diagnosis methods. The hematologic profile showed transitory leucopenia and trombocitopenia; the biochemical profile presented hiperglycemia, increase of creatinoquinase enzyme (CK) and creatinoquinase cardiac fraction (CK-MB), hypokalemia and hypophosfatemia were observed. The macrocospic and histopathological findings showed lesions characteristic of degenerative and ischemic processes. The toxicological analysis was shown to be a simple and efficient diagnostic method. SMFAC was detected in 75% of the serum samples analysed, and it was verified an average concentration of 0.32 ìg/mL in them; 4.81% of the serum samples did not show metabolized SMFAC six hours after the induced intoxication of the animals used in this study. / Doutor

Submitted by ÍCARO PUTINHON CARUSO null (ykrocaruso@hotmail.com) on 2016-09-19T16:20:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_doutorado_icaro_vf.pdf: 17027642 bytes, checksum: 71d2f869670d044aace5f2ab6326b657 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-09-22T14:26:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 caruso_ip_dr_sjrp.pdf: 17027642 bytes, checksum: 71d2f869670d044aace5f2ab6326b657 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-22T14:26:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 caruso_ip_dr_sjrp.pdf: 17027642 bytes, checksum: 71d2f869670d044aace5f2ab6326b657 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-26 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Os flavonóides fazem parte de uma ampla classe de compostos polifenólicos os quais ocorrem naturalmente nas plantas e podem ser encontrados nas sementes, caules, folhas, flores e/ou frutos. Estudos recentes indicam que esses compostos polifenólicos podem apresentar uma variedade significativa de atividades biológicas benéficas para a saúde humana, como por exemplo: antioxidante, anti-inflamatória, antibacteriana, antiviral e anticancerígena. A Albumina do Soro Humano (HSA) é a principal proteína extracelular presente no plasma sanguíneo. A função central dessa proteína é transportar e distribuir ligantes endógenos e exógenos para diferentes alvos moleculares no corpo humano. Por tais aspectos, torna-se importante o desenvolvimento de estudos que caracterizam a interação dos flavonóides com a proteína transportadora HSA. Este trabalho investiga a interação dos flavonóides Isovitexina (ISO) e 2-Fenilcromona (2PHE) com a HSA, utilizando técnicas experimentais de espectroscopia de fluorescência, absorbância UV-Vis, dicroísmo circular (CD) e infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FT-IR); juntamente com ferramentas computacionais de cálculo {\it{ab initio}}, dinâmica molecular e modelagem molecular. A integração dessas abordagens experimentais e computacionais possibilita caracterizar a formação dos complexos HSA-flavonóides, determinando aspectos físico-químicos como: constantes de afinidade, parâmetros termodinâmicos, número de sítios de ligação, perfil de cooperatividade e resíduos de aminoácidos responsáveis pelas interações proteína-flavonóides (hidrofóbicas e eletrostáticas). / Flavonoids belong to a large class of polyphenolic compounds which occur naturally in plants and can be found seeds, stems, leaves, flowers and/or fruits. Recent studies indicate that these polyphenolic compounds can present a significant variety of beneficial biological activities on human health, such as: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer. Human Serum Ambumin (HSA) is the main extracellular protein presents in blood plasma. The core function of this protein is to carry and distribute endogenous and exogenous ligands to different molecular targets in the human body. For these aspects, it is important to develop studies that characterize the interaction of the flavonoids with the carrier protein HSA. This work investigates the interaction of the flavonoids Isovitexin (ISO) and 2-Phenylchromone (2PHE) with the HSA, using experimental techniques of fluorescence, UV-Vis absorbance, circular dichroism (CD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy; along with computational tools of ab initio calculation, molecular dynamics, and molecular modeling. The integration of these experimental and computational approaches allows to characterize the formation of the HSA-flavonoids complexes, determining physicochemical aspects, sucha as: affinity constants, thermodynamic parameters, number of binding sites, cooperativity profile and aminoacid residues responsable for the protein-flavonoids interactions (hydrophobic and electrostatic).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:10:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DiegoSD_DISSERT.pdf: 4467915 bytes, checksum: 1bb0defec90e5ed329ebefbf24ac108a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-28 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Currently, computational methods have been increasingly used to aid in the characterization of molecular biological systems, especially when they relevant to human health. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory or broadband use in the clinic. Once in the bloodstream, most of ibuprofen is linked to human serum albumin, the major protein of blood plasma, decreasing its bioavailability and requiring larger doses to produce its antiinflamatory action. This study aimes to characterize, through the interaction energy, how is the binding of ibuprofen to albumin and to establish what are the main amino acids and molecular interactions involved in the process. For this purpouse, it was conducted an in silico study, by using quantum mechanical calculations based on Density Functional Theory (DFT), with Generalized Gradient approximation (GGA) to describe the effects of exchange and correlation. The interaction energy of each amino acid belonging to the binding site to the ligand was calculated the using the method of molecular fragmentation with conjugated caps (MFCC). Besides energy, we calculated the distances, types of molecular interactions and atomic groups involved. The theoretical models used were satisfactory and show a more accurate description when the dielectric constant &#949; = 40 was used. The findings corroborate the literature in which the Sudlow site I (I-FA3) is the primary binding site and the site I-FA6 as secondary site. However, it differs in identifying the most important amino acids, which by interaction energy, in order of decreasing energy, are: Arg410, Lys414, Ser 489, Leu453 and Tyr411 to the I-Site FA3 and Leu481, Ser480, Lys351, Val482 and Arg209 to the site I-FA6. The quantification of interaction energy and description of the most important amino acids opens new avenues for studies aiming at manipulating the structure of ibuprofen, in order to decrease its interaction with albumin, and consequently increase its distribution / Na atualidade, os m?todos computacionais v?m sendo cada vez mais utilizados para auxiliar a biologia molecular na caracteriza??o de sistemas biol?gicos, principalmente quando esses possuem relev?ncia para a sa?de humana. O ibuprofeno ? um antiinflamat?rio n?o-esteroidal de larga utiliza??o na cl?nica. Uma vez na corrente sangu?nea, boa parte do ibuprofeno fica ligada a albumina de soro humano, a principal prote?na do plasma sangu?neo, diminuindo a sua biodisponibilidade e necessitando de maiores doses para a produ??o de seu efeito antiinflamat?rio. Este estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar, atrav?s da energia de intera??o, como ocorre a liga??o do ibuprofeno ? albumina e estabelecer quais os principais amino?cidos e intera??es moleculares envolvidas no processo. Para tal desenvolveu-se um estudo in silico, com utiliza??o de c?lculos de mec?nica qu?ntica, baseada na Teoria do Funcional da Densidade (DFT), com aproxima??es do Gradiente Generalizado (GGA) para descri??o dos efeitos de correla??o e troca. A energia de intera??o de cada amino?cido do s?tio de liga??o, com o ligante foi calculada com base no m?todo de fragmenta??o molecular com capas conjugadas (MFCC). Al?m da energia, foram calculadas as dist?ncias, tipos de intera??es moleculares e grupos at?micos envolvidos. Os modelos te?ricos utilizados foram satisfat?rios e demonstraram uma descri??o mais precisa com a utiliza??o da constante diel?trica &#949;=40. Os achados corroboram com a literatura colocando o s?tio Sudlow I (I-FA3) como o principal s?tio de liga??o e o s?tio I-FA6 como s?tio secund?rio. Contudo, difere quanto ? identifica??o dos amino?cidos mais importantes, que por meio da energia de intera??o, em ordem decrescente de energia, s?o: Arg410, Lys414, Ser 489, Leu453 e Tyr411 para o S?tio I-FA3 e Leu481, Ser480, Lys351, Val482 e Arg209 para o s?tio I-FA6. A quantifica??o da energia de intera??o e a descri??o dos amino?cidos mais importantes abre caminhos para novos estudos que visem a manipula??o da estrutura do ibuprofeno, no sentido de diminuir a intera??o desse com a albumina, e consequentemente aumentar a sua distribui??o

Application of Taenia saginata metacestodes as alternative antigen is an important alternative for neurocysticercosis (NC) serodiagnosis. The cross reaction with Echinococcus granulosus infection occurred in homologous and heterologous antigens, and could be avoid with different purified methods. This study analyzed antigen fractions obtained from crude saline extract of T. saginata metacestodes purified by affinity chromatography with the lectin jacalin (unbound and bound fraction), concanavalin A (unbound and bound fraction), concanavalin A using jacalina unbound fraction (unbound and bound fraction) and N-acetil (unbound and bound fraction). The fraction were tested for the detection of IgG antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot for the laboratory diagnosis of human NC. The application of T. saginata metacestodes as an alternative antigen for use in ELISA and WB tests compared with the metacestodes antigen of Taenia solium in CFS samples was also analyzed. Serum samples were obtained from 142 individuals: 40 were diagnosed with NC, 62 presented Taenia sp. and other parasitic diseases and 40 were apparently healthy individuals. The CSF samples were obtained from 35 patients with definitive neurocysticercosis; and 35 patients with other neurological disorder. Among the fractions, unbound concanavalin A demonstrated statically higher sensitivity and specificity by ELISA (90% and 93.1 %, respectively). By Immunoblot, the concanavalin unbound showed 100% of sensitivity and specificity, where only serum samples from patients with NC recognized the protein of 64-68 kDa, so this antigen fraction may be used as specific antigen for diagnosis of NC. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA using antigen obtained from T. solium applied to CSF samples results of 100%. When the tests were conducted using T. saginata metacestodes, results were 100% and 94.3%, respectively. The 47-52, 64-68 and 70 kDa antigens were recognized by only CSF samples from patients with NC. The results indicated that T. saginata metacestodes can be used as alternative antigen for NC diagnosis using LCR samples. / A utilização de metacestódeos de Taenia saginata como antígeno alternativo constitui uma importante ferramenta no sorodiagnóstico da neurocisticercose humana (NC). A reatividade cruzada com indivíduos infectados por Echinococcus granulosus é comum em antígenos homólogos e heterólogos, podendo ser evitada com diferentes métodos de purificação. O presente estudo analisou as diferentes frações antigênicas obtidas, a partir do extrato salino total de metacestódeos de T. saginata, por cromatografia de afinidade em coluna de Jacalina (fração ligante e não ligante), de Concanavalina A (fração ligante e não ligante), de Concanavalina A utilizando a fração não ligante de Jacalina (fração ligante e não ligante) e Coluna de N-acetil (fração ligante e não ligante). As frações foram avaliadas quanto a detecção de anticorpos IgG anti-metacestódeos de Taenia solium nos testes ELISA e Immunoblotting. Foi avaliada a utilização do extrato salino total de metacestódeos de T. saginata como antígeno alternativo nos testes ELISA e Immunoblotting para detecção de anticorpos IgG no LCR. Foram obtidas 142 amostras de soro, sendo 40 de pacientes com diagnóstico definitivo de NC, 62 de indivíduos infectados por Taenia sp e por outros parasitos e 40 de indivíduos saudáveis. Foram coletadas 70 amostras de LCR, sendo 35 de pacientes com diagnóstico definitivo de NC e 35 de indivíduos com outras manifestações neurológicas. Entre todas as frações analisadas, a fração não ligante de Concanavalina A demonstrou maior sensibilidade e especificidade pelo teste ELISA em amostras de soro (90% e 93,1%, respectivamente). Pelo Immunoblotting esta mesma fração demonstrou 100% de sensibilidade e especificidade, sendo que apenas pacientes com NC reconheceram a banda especifica de 64-68 kDa, indicando que esta fração antigênica pode se usada como antígeno especifico no sorodiagnóstico da NC humana. A sensibilidade e especificidade do teste ELISA utilizando o antígeno homólogo no LCR humano foi de 100%. Quando este teste foi conduzido com o antígeno heterólogo obteve-se 100% de sensibilidade e 94,3% de especificidade. Na reação de Immunoblotting as bandas antigênicas de 47-52, 64-68 e 70 kDa foram reconhecidas exclusivamente no LCR de pacientes com NC. Os resultados conferem ao extrato salino de T. saginata sensibilidade e especificidade para ser utilizado como antígeno alternativo para o diagnostico da NC no LCR. / Doutor em Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas

Produtos de glicação avançada (AGE) prejudicam o metabolismo de lipoproteínas e o transporte reverso de colesterol, o que contribui para a aterosclerose no diabete melito (DM). Em particular, a albumina modificada por AGE (albumina-AGE) reduz a remoção de colesterol por diminuir o conteúdo do receptor ABCA-1 em macrófagos. Isto se vincula ao insulto oxidativo e inflamatório, os quais são indutores do estresse do retículo endoplasmático (RE). O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar, em macrófagos, os efeitos do tratamento com albumina-AGE sobre o estresse do RE e suas vias adaptativas (UPR), relacionando-os com o prejuízo na expressão do ABCA-1 e efluxo de colesterol celular. Albumina-AGE foi produzida pela incubação de albumina isenta em ácidos graxos com glicolaldeído 10 mM e, albumina controle (albumina-C) com PBS apenas. Albumina foi isolada do soro de pacientes portadores de DM com controle glicêmico inadequado (albumina-DM) ou indivíduos controles (albumina não- DM) por cromatografia para separação rápida de proteínas seguida por purificação alcoólica. Macrófagos de peritônio de camundongos ou macrófagos da linhagem J774 foram tratados com os diferentes tipos de albumina na presença ou ausência de ácido fenil butírico (PBA; chaperona química que alivia o estresse do RE) ou MG-132 (inibidor do sistema proteasomal) por diferentes intervalos de tempo. A expressão de marcadores do estresse do RE, UPR, proteína dissulfeto isomerase (PDI), calreticulina e ubiquitina foi determinada por imunoblot e o conteúdo de ABCA-1, por citometria de fluxo e imunocitoquímica. O efluxo de 14Ccolesterol foi avaliado, utilizando-se apoA-I como aceptora de colesterol. A albumina-AGE induziu aumento tempo-dependente na expressão das chaperonas marcadoras do estresse do RE - Gr78 e Grp94 - e de proteínas da UPR (ATF6 e eIF2-P) em comparação à albumina-C. O conteúdo de ABCA-1 e o efluxo de colesterol foram reduzidos em, respectivamente, 33% e 47% e ambos foram restaurados pelo tratamento com PBA, o qual também reduziu o estresse do RE. A associação entre estresse de RE e redução de ABCA-1 foi confirmada pelo uso da tunicamicina (indutor clássico de estresse do RE), que diminuiu em 61% o conteúdo de ABCA-1, prejudicando em 82% o efluxo de colesterol. A albumina-AGE aumentou o conteúdo total de ubiquitina. A inibição do sistema proteasomal não foi capaz de restaurar o conteúdo de ABCA-1 em células tratadas com albumina-AGE. Em macrófagos expostos à albumina-DM evidenciou-se maior expressão da PDI e calreticulina, com tendência à maior expressão da Grp94. A albumina-AGE (produzida in vitro ou isolada de portadores de DM) induz estresse de RE, o qual se vincula à redução no conteúdo de ABCA-1 e efluxo de colesterol. Estes eventos podem contribuir para a aterosclerose no DM. Chaperonas químicas, que aliviam o estresse do RE, podem ser ferramentas úteis na prevenção e tratamento da aterosclerose / Advanced glycation end products (AGE) disturb lipoprotein metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport, contributing to atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus (DM). Particularly, advanced glycated albumin (AGE-albumin) reduces cell cholesterol removal by impairing the expression of ABCA-1 in macrophages. This is ascribed to the oxidative and inflammatory stress, conditions that elicit endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In this study it was investigated the effect of AGE-albumin on ER stress and adaptative pathways (UPR) development in macrophages, and its relationship to the reduction in ABCA-1 expression and cholesterol efflux. AGE-albumin was prepared by incubating fatty acid free albumin with 10 mM glycolaldehyde and control albumin (C-albumin) with PBS only. Albumin was isolated from poorly controlled DM patients (DM-albumin) and control individuals (nonDMalbumin) by fast liquid chromatography and purified by alchoolic extraction. Mouse peritoneal macrophages or J774 cells were treated along time with the different types of albumin in the absence or presence of phenyl butiric acic (PBA; a chaperone that aleviates ER stress) or MG132 (a proteasomal inhibitor). The expression of ER stress and UPR markers, protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), calreticulin and ubiquitin was determined by immunoblot and ABCA-1 protein level, by flow cytometry and imunocytochemistry. 14Ccholesterol efflux was evaluated utilizing apo A-I as cholesterol acceptor. AGE-albumin induced a time-dependent increase in the expression of ER stress chaperone markers - Gr78 and Grp94 - and UPR proteins (ATF6 and eIF2-P) in comparison to C-albumin. ABCA-1 content and cholesterol efflux were diminished by, respectively, 33% and 47% and both were recovered by the treatment with PBA. The association between ER stress and ABCA-1 reduction was confirmed by the reduction, induced by tunicanycin (a classical ER stress inductior) in ABCA-1 protein level (61%) and cholesterol efflux (82%). AGE-albumin increased the amount of cellular total ubiquitin. The inhibiton of proteasomal system was unable to restore ABCA-1 protein level in cells treated with AGE-albumin. In macrophages exposed to DM-albumin a higher expression of PDI and calreticulin was observed together with a trend of enhanced Grp94 expression. In conclusion, AGE-albumin (produced in vitro or isolated from DM patients) induces ER stress which is related to the reduction in ABCA-1 level and cholesterol efflux in macrophages. These events can contribute to atherosclerosis in DM. Chemical chaperones that alleviate ER stress may be useful in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis