ABCA3, a 150 kDa protein belonging to the ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily, has been shown to play a role in surfactant production in humans. However, in bacteria, ABC transporters are known to mediate the flux of nitrite. Biotransformation of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), a drug used in the treatment of heart conditions such as angina pectoris and heart failure, yields the inorganic nitrite anion, and the intracellular oxidation of this ion may lead to the formation of tyrosine-nitrated proteins and cellular damage. Immunohistochemical studies indicate the presence of ABCA3 in rat aortic smooth muscle and endothelial cells. My objective was to assess whether changes in either ABCA3 mRNA expression or nitrite accumulation occur during chronic exposure to GTN. Accordingly, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0.4 mg/hr GTN for 48 hours to induce GTN tolerance, and the aortas removed. Nitrite and ABCA3 mRNA levels were assessed using the Greiss colorimetric assay, and real-time or semi-quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. In control aortas, endothelium removal resulted in an apparent 25-35% decrease in ABCA3 mRNA levels, indicating that the transporter is expressed in endothelial cells more abundantly than in smooth muscle cells since the ratio of endothelial cells to smooth muscle cells in the rat aorta is approximately 10:1. Furthermore, ABCA3 mRNA levels were decreased by 70% in aortas from GTN-tolerant animals, whereas the mRNA levels of a related transporter, ABCA1, remained at control levels. An inverse correlation between nitrite and ABCA3 mRNA levels occurred after the induction of GTN tolerance, with an apparent redistribution of nitrite to endothelial cells. These findings indicate that chronic GTN exposure results in altered expression of ABCA3, and that this is associated with altered nitrite distribution in blood vessels from GTN-tolerant animals. / Thesis (Master, Pharmacology & Toxicology) -- Queen's University, 2009-06-23 14:18:16.122

No description available.

Esta tese apresenta a primeira aplicação sintética da metodologia desenvolvida em nosso grupo de pesquisa, que se trata da contração de anel de 1,2-diidronaftalenos promovida por trinitrato de tálio (TTN) para fornecer derivados indânicos. A molécula-alvo da abordagem sintética é o Mutisiantol, um sesquiterpeno fenólico, que foi isolado da Mutisia homoeantha em 1979, e que possui substituintes nas posições 1 e 3 do anel ciclopentânico, com uma relação estereoquímica trans entre os mesmos. A rota proposta foi otimizada primeiramente na síntese de um composto modelo e depois aplicada na síntese total do Mutisiantol. O material de partida escolhido para a síntese do Mutisiantol foi o 2-metil-anisol, que é um composto comercial e bastante acessível economicamente. A etapa chave da seqüência envolveu a contração de anel do 1,6-dimetil-7-metóxi-1,2-diidronaftaleno promovida por TTN, que forneceu um derivado indânico com bom rendimento e elevada diastereosseletividade. Três etapas posteriores completaram a seqüência sintética, fornecendo o Mutisiantol em um total de 12 etapas. Descrevemos também o estudo de contração de anel de uma série de 1- tetralonas e 1,2-diidronaftalenos promovida por TTN, visando à obtenção de outros indanos e à complementação de estudos iniciados anteriormente. / This thesis presents the first synthetic application of the methodology developed in our research group, which involves the ring contraction of 1,2- dihydronaphthalenes promoted by thallium trinitrate (TTN) to afford indane derivatives. The target molecule of the synthetic approach is Mutisianthol, a phenolic sesquiterpene, isolated from Mutisia homoeantha in 1979, which embodies a trans-1,3-disubstituted cyclopentyl unit. The proposed route was first optimized in the synthesis of a model compound and then applied to the total synthesis of Mutisianthol. The starting material chosen for the Mutisianthol synthesis was the commercially available and cheap 2-methyl-anisol. The key step of the sequence involved the ring contraction of the 1,6-dimethyl-7-methoxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene promoted by TTN, which furnished a functionalized indan with good yield and with high diastereoselectivity. The indan derivative was transformed into the final product in 3 steps. Overall, the total synthesis of Mutisianthol was accomplished in 12 steps. The TTN- promoted ring contraction of a series of 1-tetralones and of 1,2- dihydronaphthalenes was also studied in this thesis, with the aim to prepare other indanes and to extend earlier studies.

Esta tese apresenta a primeira aplicação sintética da metodologia desenvolvida em nosso grupo de pesquisa, que se trata da contração de anel de 1,2-diidronaftalenos promovida por trinitrato de tálio (TTN) para fornecer derivados indânicos. A molécula-alvo da abordagem sintética é o Mutisiantol, um sesquiterpeno fenólico, que foi isolado da Mutisia homoeantha em 1979, e que possui substituintes nas posições 1 e 3 do anel ciclopentânico, com uma relação estereoquímica trans entre os mesmos. A rota proposta foi otimizada primeiramente na síntese de um composto modelo e depois aplicada na síntese total do Mutisiantol. O material de partida escolhido para a síntese do Mutisiantol foi o 2-metil-anisol, que é um composto comercial e bastante acessível economicamente. A etapa chave da seqüência envolveu a contração de anel do 1,6-dimetil-7-metóxi-1,2-diidronaftaleno promovida por TTN, que forneceu um derivado indânico com bom rendimento e elevada diastereosseletividade. Três etapas posteriores completaram a seqüência sintética, fornecendo o Mutisiantol em um total de 12 etapas. Descrevemos também o estudo de contração de anel de uma série de 1- tetralonas e 1,2-diidronaftalenos promovida por TTN, visando à obtenção de outros indanos e à complementação de estudos iniciados anteriormente. / This thesis presents the first synthetic application of the methodology developed in our research group, which involves the ring contraction of 1,2- dihydronaphthalenes promoted by thallium trinitrate (TTN) to afford indane derivatives. The target molecule of the synthetic approach is Mutisianthol, a phenolic sesquiterpene, isolated from Mutisia homoeantha in 1979, which embodies a trans-1,3-disubstituted cyclopentyl unit. The proposed route was first optimized in the synthesis of a model compound and then applied to the total synthesis of Mutisianthol. The starting material chosen for the Mutisianthol synthesis was the commercially available and cheap 2-methyl-anisol. The key step of the sequence involved the ring contraction of the 1,6-dimethyl-7-methoxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene promoted by TTN, which furnished a functionalized indan with good yield and with high diastereoselectivity. The indan derivative was transformed into the final product in 3 steps. Overall, the total synthesis of Mutisianthol was accomplished in 12 steps. The TTN- promoted ring contraction of a series of 1-tetralones and of 1,2- dihydronaphthalenes was also studied in this thesis, with the aim to prepare other indanes and to extend earlier studies.

Many complications associated with heart surgery are due to the negative effects of extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Some of these complications may be attributed to ECC-induced activation of inflammation and coagulation pathways. The inflammatory reaction may be caused by the interaction of blood components with air and the artificial surfaces of the ECC, from substances produced due to ischaemia-reperfusion injury of the heart and lungs, and from increased release of endotoxin from ischemic intestines. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections are the leading cause of respiratory, skin and soft tissue, and bloodstream infections. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous signaling molecule involved in many physiological and pathological processes. The role of NO in infection and inflammation is complex. NO may contribute to morbidity by acting as a vasodilator, myocardial depressant, and cytotoxic mediator. On the other hand, NO may have a salutary role through microvascular, cytoprotective, immunoregulatory, and antimicrobial properties. A simulated extracorporeal circulation (SECC) model is a closed circuit, including a roller pump, an oxygenator, a venous reservoir and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubing, where human blood is circulated. The SECC model allows studies of the blood and its components, without any influence from other organ systems. The aim of this work was to investigate NO effects during SECC and in S. aureus infection. Study I. Human blood was circulated through SECC during 3 hours, and leukocyte granule release was studied. Results indicated that NO addition during SECC is pro-inflammatory by stimulating leukocyte activation and granule release, and has no effect on oxygen free radical production and interleukin release. Study II. Investigating the effect of NO on S. aureus growth in whole blood during 180 min SECC, results showed a 6.2 fold growth in the presence of NO. Results indicated that by stimulating the expression of inducible lactate dehydrogenase, specific to S. aureus, NO may improve S. aureus resistance to oxidative stress, giving the pathogen a survival advantage. Study III. In an in vitro system of SECC, we measured glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) induced changes in leukocyte activation in whole blood caused by S. aureus infestation, as well as the effect of GTN on S. aureus growth. Results indicated that GTN does not affect S. aureus growth during SECC and has no effect on SECC-induced leukocyte activation. Study IV. Whole blood concentrations of selected leukocyte adhesion molecules, complement system components and myeloperoxidase  were measured in an in vitro system of SECC. Results indicated that SECC induces the increased expression of some leukocyte markers and that GTN addition significantly reduces the expression of some leukocyte activation markers.

No description available.

Abordaram-se diversos aspectos da reação de contração de álcoois homoalílicos promovida por trinitrato de tálio (TTN). A configuração relativa do indano obtido como produto foi estabelecida graças a uma difratometria de raio-x de seu derivado sólido, possibilitando a elaboração de um mecanismo detalhado desta transformação. As reações de contração de anel de alquenóis secundários e terciários com TTN produzem indanos em 33-65%. Por outro lado, os 3-alquenóis terciários que possuem uma metila a mais em posição alílica conduzem a produtos oriundos de uma reação de fragmentação em 51-69%, com a perda de uma molécula de acetona. Álcoois homoalílicos primários, ao reagirem com iodo ou iodo hipervalente, sofrem uma reação de fragmentação, formando formaldeído, que sofre uma ciclização de Prins com o substrato, produzindo hexahidro- benzo-isocromenos em 26-48%. No caso da reação com iodo, parte do substrato sofre também uma ciclização 5-endo-trig seguida de aromatização, levando a um di-hidro-naftofurano em até 30% de rendimento. A ciclização de Prins de 3-alquenóis primário, secundário ou terciário com quantidades equimolares de aldeídos - aromáticos ou alifáticos - ou cetonas alifáticas catalisada por 5 mol% de iodo pode ser alcançada em rendimentos de 54-82%. Estas reações foram efetuadas em condições brandas e não anidras. Esta metodologia foi expandida para a preparação de uma hexa-hidro-benzo-isoquinolina à partir de uma tosilamida homoalílica, em 60% de rendimento. Um método simples e eficiente para a 2,2-dicloração de 1-tetralonas, da indanona e da benzosuberona foi desenvolvido utilizando-se água de cloro e metanol (5:1), à temperatura ambiente, em 61-90% de rendimento. A caramboxina é uma neurotoxina extraída da carambola. Sua síntese seria desejável para a confirmar sua estrutura e realizar novos ensaios biológicos. A rota sintética estudada possui, como etapa-chave, uma reação de Diels-Alder seguida de uma retro-Diels-Alder entre um éster clorotetrólico e um ciclo-hexadieno derivado da dimedona. No entanto, a síntese não pode ser concluída e um análogo ciclizado da caramboxina, uma isoquinolona, foi obtido em um rendimento global de 7%, em 10 etapas, à partir da dimedona. / Several aspects concerning the reaction of homoallylic alcohols and thallium trinitrate were addressed. The relative configuration of the indan obtained as product was established based on an x-ray diffration analysis of its solid derivative. With this information a more detailed mechanism was proposed. The ring contraction reactions of secondary and tertiary alkenols with TTN produced indans in 33-65% yield. Nevertheless, 3-alkenols bearing a methyl group on the allylic position lead to fragmentation products in 51- 69% yield, with the loss of a molecule of acetone. Treatment of primary homoallylic alcohols with iodine or hypervalent iodine leads to hexahydrobenzoisochromenes in 26-48% yield via a fragmentation reaction where formaldehyde is produced and reacts with the substrate on a Prins cyclization reaction. When iodine is used, dihydronaphtofuranes are also produced in up to 30% yield through a 5-endo-trig cyclization followed by an aromatization reaction. The Prins cyclization of 3-alkenols primary, secondary or tertiary with equimolar amounts of aldehydes - aromatic or aliphatic or aliphatic ketones catalysed by 5 mol% of iodine was accomplished in 54- 82% yield. These reactions were performed in mild and non-anhydrous conditions.This methodology was also used for the preparation of a hexahydrobenzoisoquinoline from a homoallylic tosylamide, in 60% yield. An easy and efficient method to the 2,2-dichlorination of 1-tetralones, indanone and benzosuberone was developed using household bleach and methanol (5:1), at room temperature in 61-90% Caramboxin is a neurotoxin isolated from star fruit. Its synthesis was desired to confirm its structure and perform new biological tests. The key step of the synthetic path is a Diels Alder followed by a retro-Diels Alder between a chlorotetrolic ester and a cyclohexene derived from dimedone. Unfortunately the synthesis was not concluded and a cyclized analogous of caramboxin, an isoquinoline, was obtained in 7% global yield, in 10 steps, from dimedone.

Abordaram-se diversos aspectos da reação de contração de álcoois homoalílicos promovida por trinitrato de tálio (TTN). A configuração relativa do indano obtido como produto foi estabelecida graças a uma difratometria de raio-x de seu derivado sólido, possibilitando a elaboração de um mecanismo detalhado desta transformação. As reações de contração de anel de alquenóis secundários e terciários com TTN produzem indanos em 33-65%. Por outro lado, os 3-alquenóis terciários que possuem uma metila a mais em posição alílica conduzem a produtos oriundos de uma reação de fragmentação em 51-69%, com a perda de uma molécula de acetona. Álcoois homoalílicos primários, ao reagirem com iodo ou iodo hipervalente, sofrem uma reação de fragmentação, formando formaldeído, que sofre uma ciclização de Prins com o substrato, produzindo hexahidro- benzo-isocromenos em 26-48%. No caso da reação com iodo, parte do substrato sofre também uma ciclização 5-endo-trig seguida de aromatização, levando a um di-hidro-naftofurano em até 30% de rendimento. A ciclização de Prins de 3-alquenóis primário, secundário ou terciário com quantidades equimolares de aldeídos - aromáticos ou alifáticos - ou cetonas alifáticas catalisada por 5 mol% de iodo pode ser alcançada em rendimentos de 54-82%. Estas reações foram efetuadas em condições brandas e não anidras. Esta metodologia foi expandida para a preparação de uma hexa-hidro-benzo-isoquinolina à partir de uma tosilamida homoalílica, em 60% de rendimento. Um método simples e eficiente para a 2,2-dicloração de 1-tetralonas, da indanona e da benzosuberona foi desenvolvido utilizando-se água de cloro e metanol (5:1), à temperatura ambiente, em 61-90% de rendimento. A caramboxina é uma neurotoxina extraída da carambola. Sua síntese seria desejável para a confirmar sua estrutura e realizar novos ensaios biológicos. A rota sintética estudada possui, como etapa-chave, uma reação de Diels-Alder seguida de uma retro-Diels-Alder entre um éster clorotetrólico e um ciclo-hexadieno derivado da dimedona. No entanto, a síntese não pode ser concluída e um análogo ciclizado da caramboxina, uma isoquinolona, foi obtido em um rendimento global de 7%, em 10 etapas, à partir da dimedona. / Several aspects concerning the reaction of homoallylic alcohols and thallium trinitrate were addressed. The relative configuration of the indan obtained as product was established based on an x-ray diffration analysis of its solid derivative. With this information a more detailed mechanism was proposed. The ring contraction reactions of secondary and tertiary alkenols with TTN produced indans in 33-65% yield. Nevertheless, 3-alkenols bearing a methyl group on the allylic position lead to fragmentation products in 51- 69% yield, with the loss of a molecule of acetone. Treatment of primary homoallylic alcohols with iodine or hypervalent iodine leads to hexahydrobenzoisochromenes in 26-48% yield via a fragmentation reaction where formaldehyde is produced and reacts with the substrate on a Prins cyclization reaction. When iodine is used, dihydronaphtofuranes are also produced in up to 30% yield through a 5-endo-trig cyclization followed by an aromatization reaction. The Prins cyclization of 3-alkenols primary, secondary or tertiary with equimolar amounts of aldehydes - aromatic or aliphatic or aliphatic ketones catalysed by 5 mol% of iodine was accomplished in 54- 82% yield. These reactions were performed in mild and non-anhydrous conditions.This methodology was also used for the preparation of a hexahydrobenzoisoquinoline from a homoallylic tosylamide, in 60% yield. An easy and efficient method to the 2,2-dichlorination of 1-tetralones, indanone and benzosuberone was developed using household bleach and methanol (5:1), at room temperature in 61-90% Caramboxin is a neurotoxin isolated from star fruit. Its synthesis was desired to confirm its structure and perform new biological tests. The key step of the synthetic path is a Diels Alder followed by a retro-Diels Alder between a chlorotetrolic ester and a cyclohexene derived from dimedone. Unfortunately the synthesis was not concluded and a cyclized analogous of caramboxin, an isoquinoline, was obtained in 7% global yield, in 10 steps, from dimedone.