<p> The MT1 receptor is involved in the oncostatic action of melatonin and valproic acid (VPA) in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells and VPA can upregulate this receptor in C6 glioma cells. Therefore, the effect of VPA on the expression of the MT1 was examined in MCF-7 cells. Treatment of MCF-7 cells in low serum conditions with VPA (0.5 or 1mM) for 24 or 72 h caused a significant increase in MT1 receptor expression, as shown by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR). MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assays performed in high serum conditions revealed a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of MCF-7 cell proliferation by VPA (0.5 - 5 mM), whereas melatonin (1 or 10 nM) showed modest effects alone. However, a combination of VPA and melatonin produced a marked synergistic inhibition of cell proliferation. In subsequent experiments, under high serum conditions, VPA treatment for 24h on these cells resulted in a significant decline of MT1 mRNA while the protein levels were still increasing, as seen by RT-PCR and western blotting respectively. The involvement of multiple biochemical events, such as: induction of the p53 tumor suppressor gene and repression of the estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha might be responsible for the synergistic inhibition of these cells after the simultaneous exposure to VPA and melatonin. These results indicate that clinically relevant concentrations of VPA upregulate melatonin MT1 receptor expression in human breast cancer cells. Moreover, the enhanced antiproliferative effect observed with a combination of VPA and melatonin suggests that a similar therapeutic approach may be beneficial in human breast cancer.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

The teratogenic effects of valproic acid (VPA) are well known, though its teratogenic mechanism remains unknown. VPA induces oxidative stress, which may lead to double strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA. Though the cell may repair this damage via homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), repair is not always error-free; genomic instability may arise from gene deletions, amplifications, rearrangements, and loss of heterozygosity. Such alterations may underpin VPAʼs teratogenicity. The present study evaluated VPAʼs ability to induce NHEJ and HR and characterized the changes in expression of two proteins key to HR (RAD51) and NHEJ (XRCC4). Using pKZ1 transgenic mice (C57BL/6 genetic background), we sought to measure NHEJ events via X-gal staining. Although consistent staining was observed in adult male brain (positive control), no staining was observed in embryos 12 or 24 hours after in utero exposure to a teratogenic dose of VPA (500 mg/kg, maternal subcutaneous dose) on gestational day 9 (GD9). To determine whether the lack of staining observed in embryos was due to low/absent expression of key DSB-repair proteins, we measured mRNA/protein expression of RAD51 and XRCC4 in C57BL/6, GD9-exposed embryos and maternal brain. One hour after treatment, XRCC4 was increased at the protein level in brain and embryo. RAD51 was not increased in embryos and not detected in adult brain. These data suggest that embryos do possess the protein mediators of NHEJ and HR and that VPA-induced changes in expression of XRCC4 may influence the type of repair pursued, potentially affecting DSB repair fidelity (accuracy). Determination of fidelity of VPA-induced HR was attempted with the Chinese hamster ovary cell line (CHO33) using DNA sequencing; low template concentration and purity precluded successful sequencing of DNA from recombinant colonies and the assessment of fidelity. Overall, these data demonstrate that the lack of X-gal staining observed in pKZ1 embryos is not due to an underexpression of at least one key protein in the NHEJ pathway. Furthermore, a VPA-induced change in the the type of repair pathway pursued by the embryo may have teratological implications. / Thesis (Master, Pharmacology & Toxicology) -- Queen's University, 2012-10-15 11:06:30.613

L’acide valproïque (VPA) est un inhibiteur des histones désacétylases (HDACi), qui présente des propriétés anti-tumorales nsur différents types de cancers. Son utilisation depuis plusieurs décennies comme médicament antiépileptique a révélé des effets secondaires, notamment sur le système hématopoïétique. Dans la présente étude, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’effet du VPA sur les réseaux microARN (miR)/Facteurs de transcription (FT) spécifiquement impliqués dans la régulation des voies de différenciation érythro-mégacaryocytaires. Nous montrons que le VPA est capable d’inhiber la différenciation érythroïde dans les cellules érythroleucémiques humaines TF1 et K562 et dans les cellules souches hématopoïétiques (CSH) CD34+, stimulées par l’érythropoïétine recombinante (Epo) ou par l’aclacinomycine A. Cette inhibition se traduit par une diminution de l’expression de la glycophorine A, de la γ-globine, des miR-144/451 et du FT GATA-1. L’inhibition du pré-miR-144 suggère que le VPA est capable de réguler l’expression du gène miR-144/451 au niveau transcriptionnel, via GATA-1. Dans les cellules Epo/CD34+, le VPA induit l’augmentation du FT PU.1 en accord avec l’inhibition du miR-155 et favorise son interaction avec GATA-1 pour inhiber son activité. L’utilisation d’un analogue du VPA, sans activité HDACi (Valpromide) et d’un inhibiteur d’HDAC de classe I, le MS-275, a montré que l’activité HDACi du VPA n’est pas requise pour l’inhibition de la différenciation érythroïde. Le VPA affecte également la voie mégacaryocytaire issue d’un progéniteur commun aux cellules érythroïdes. Dans la lignée mégacaryoblastique Meg-01, le VPA induit des modifications morphologiques du type mégacaryocytaire, une augmentation du marqueur CD61, du FT GATA-2 et du miR-27a. En revanche, l’expression du FT GATA-1 et des miR-144/451 diminuent. L’augmentation du miR-27a coïncide avec la diminution de l’expression de l’ARNm du FT RUNX1, en accord avec l’induction de la voie mégacaryocytaire. En conclusion, le VPA est capable de moduler le programme de différenciation érythro-mégacaryocytaire, à travers un micro réseau de régulation miR/FT / Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), exhibits anti-cancer properties against several tumor types. Its use as an anti-epileptic drug for several decades reveled side effects at the hematological level. In this study, we analyzed the effect of VPA on an erythro-megakaryocyte-specific miR/transcription factors network. VPA inhibited erythroid differentiation in the erythroleukemia cell lines TF1 and K562 as well as in CD34+/hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), induced by the recombinant erythropoietin (Epo) or aclacinomycin. This inhibition was characterized by glycophorin-A, γ-globin and GATA-1/miR-144/451 down-regulation. Inhibition of pre-miR-144 expression suggested that VPA regulates transcription of the miR-144/451 gene through GATA-1. In Epo-stimulated HSCs, VPA induced PU.1 expression in correlation with miR-155 inhibition and promoted GATA-1/PU.1 interaction. The use of valpromide, a VPA analogue without HDACi activity and the class-I HDACi MS-275, showed that HDAC inhibition by VPA was not required for its inhibitory activity on erythropoiesis. VPA also induced megakaryocyte features in Meg-01 cells, at both cellular and molecular levels. Notably, CD61, GATA-2 and miR-27a were over-expressed. RUNX1 mRNA expression and GATA-1/miR-144/451 axis decreased in accordance with megakaryocyte differentiation. In conclusion, VPA is able to modulate erythro-megakaryocytic differentiation program, through a regulatory micro-network involving miRs and TFs

A clonagem de mamíferos por transferência nuclear de células somáticas (TNCS) ainda é afetada pela baixa eficiência. As modificações epigenéticas estabelecidas durante o processo de diferenciação celular estão entre os principais fatores. Uma vez que estas modificações atuam como barreiras epigenéticas restringindo a reprogramação do núcleo somático. Considerando isso, a maioria dos fatores que promovem a descondensação da cromatina, incluindo os inibidores das Histonas Deacetilases (HDACis), tem sido demonstrado aumentarem a eficiência da reprogramação nuclear, tornando o seu uso comum para melhorar as taxas da TNCS. Neste trabalho, nós testamos dois inibidores das histonas deacetilases: o Ácido Valpróico (VPA) e o Ácido &#946;-Hidróxibutírico (BOHB), sendo um farmacológico e o outro um metabólito endógeno na TNCS. Nosso objetivo era testar se o tratamento de células doadoras de núcleo ou zigotos com estes HDACis melhoravam o desenvolvimento de embriões bovinos clonados. Em relação ao VPA, nós observamos que o tratamento de fibroblastos com o VPA aumentou a acetilação das histonas e a expressão de genes importantes para o desenvolvimento como IGF2R e PPARGC1A. Entretanto, quando as células tratadas foram usadas como doadoras de núcleo, não foi observado diferença nos níveis de acetilação das H3K9 entre os grupos. Além disso, as alterações foram rapidamente removidas após a transferência nuclear. Em relação as taxas de desenvolvimento, o uso de células tratadas como doadoras de núcleo não resultou em diferença durante o desenvolvimento pré- e pós-implantacional. Em relação ao BOHB, nós executamos um série de experimentos para testar se esta molécula age como um inibidor das HDACs em bovinos. Nós observamos que fibroblastos tratados com BOHB apresentam aumento nos níveis globais de H3K9ac. O tratamento altera a expressão de genes importantes como os transportadores de glicose e a enzima chave no metabolismo lipídico SCD. Também, nós demonstramos que este metabólito é capaz de alterar uma marca epigenética em zigotos clonados, que persiste até o estágio de blastocisto. Entretanto, o tratamento dos zigotos com este metabólito endógeno não aumentou a taxa de desenvolvimento pré-implantacional, embora tenha alterado a expressão de um fator de transcrição que protege embriões contra estresse oxidativo, o FOXO3a. O tratamento de zigotos partenogenéticos com BOHB não afetou o desenvolvimento embrionário, nem a produção de ATP, sugerindo que o BOHB não apresenta efeitos tóxicos como anteriormente pensado. Concluindo, os resultados deste trabalho mostram que a inibição das HDACs através de uma molécula farmacológica ou um metabólito endógeno, não aumenta a eficiência da TNCS em bovinos. Entretanto, aqui nós mostramos que o corpo cetônico BOHB pode ser um elo de ligação entre o ambiente extracelular e a regulação do metabolismo. E serve como um modelo in vitro para testar como distúrbios metabólicos como a cetose afeta o metabolismo e epigenoma celular e embrionário em bovinos / Cloning of mammals by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is still plagued by the low efficiency. The epigenetic marks established during the cell differentiation process are among the main cause. These modifications act as a barrier restricting the nuclear reprogramming process of somatic nuclei. Based on this, molecules that promotes chromatin decondensing, including Histone Deacetylases inhibitors (HDACis), has been demonstrated increase the efficiency of nuclear reprogramming, making their use common on SCNT procedure. Herein, we tested two histone deacetylase inhibitors: Valproic Acid and &#946;-hydroxybutyric Acid, the former a pharmacological drug and the latter, an endogenous metabolite on SCNT. Our objective was to test whether the donor cells treatment or zygotes with these HDACis improve the bovine cloned embryos development. Regarding the VPA, we observed that fibroblasts treatment with VPA increases the histone acetylation and expression of developmentally important genes such as IGF2R and PPARGC1A. However, when treated cells were used as nuclear donors, we did not observe difference on H3K9ac levels between the groups. Moreover, the alterations were quickly removed after SCNT. Regarding the developmental rates, the use of treated cells as nuclear donors did not affect the pre- and post-implantation development. In the second experiment, we used the BOHB in a series of experiments to test whether this molecule acts as a histone deacetylase inhibitor in bovines. We observed that treatment of fibroblasts with BOHB increased the global levels of H3K9ac. Also, treatment alters the expression of important genes such as glucose transporters and a key enzyme regulating lipid synthesis. Additionally, we demonstrated that this metabolite affect at least one epigenetic mark in cloned zygotes, that lasts until the blastocyst stage. However, zygote treatment with this endogenous metabolite did not increase the pre-implantation developmental rates, albeit increased the expression of a transcription factor that protects cells against oxidative stress, the FOXO3a. Treatment of parthenogenetic embryos with BOHB did not affect the embryo development, neither ATP production, suggesting that BOHB is not toxic as previously believed. Concluding, the results presented here shows that the HDAC inhibition through a pharmacological compound or an endogenous metabolite did not increase the efficiency of bovine SCNT. However, here we showed that the ketone body BOHB might be a nexus between the extracellular environment and the cellular metabolism. Also, it can used as a in vitro model to interrogate questions about does metabolic disturbances such as ketosis in cattle affects the epigenome and cellular metabolism in bovines

Das Prostatakarzinom (PCa) ist die am häufigsten diagnostizierte Krebsneuerkrankung bei Männern in Deutschland sowie die dritthäufigste Ursache krebsbedingter Sterbefälle. Die Therapiemöglichkeiten für das PCa sind sehr beschränkt und mit erheblichen Nebenwirkungen verbunden. Daher wurden in dieser Arbeit neue Therapieansätze verfolgt: zum einen wurde das Phytoöstrogen Tectorigenin (TG) und zum anderen der Histon-Deacetylase-Inhibitor (HDI) Valproinsäure (VPA) auf die jeweilige Wirksamkeit gegen das PCa untersucht. Das Phytoöstrogen Tectorigenin wird aus dem Gesamtextrakt von Belamcanda chinensis-Rhizomen isoliert. Dieser Gesamtextrakt wurde zunächst in PCa-Zellen in vitro getestet. Sowohl in den humanen PCa-Zellen LNCaP als auch in den murinen PCa-Zellen 2E, die aus dem Prostatatumor einer Maus des TRAMP-(transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate) Mausmodells neu etabliert wurden, konnte eine Inhibition der Zellproliferation sowie eine Veränderung der Expression ausgewählter PCa-relevanter Gene detektiert werden. Anschließend wurde eine Microarray-Analyse durchgeführt, bei der einige differentiell exprimierte Gene nach der Behandlung der humanen LNCaP-Zellen mit Tectorigenin identifiziert werden konnten. Neben einer Reihe von Androgen-induzierten Genen traten u.a. der IGF-IR (insulin-like growth factor I receptor) und PSA (prostate specific antigen) auf. In vivo-Studien in TRAMP-Mäusen konnten zudem eine langsamere Progression des PCa nach Behandlung mit Tectorigenin zeigen. In den in vivo-Studien an subkutanen LNCaP-Tumoren im Nacktmaus-Modell konnte sowohl ein vermindertes Tumorgewicht als auch eine verminderte Tumorgröße nach der Behandlung der Mäuse mit Tectorigenin beobachtet werden. Im zweiten Teil dieser Arbeit wurde die Wirkung des HDI VPA auf PCa-Zellen untersucht. Funktionell konnte eine erhöhte Acetylierung des Histons 3 an Lysin 9 sowie eine Verringerung der Zellproliferation, -migration und -invasion nach der Behandlung der primären PCa-Zellen 2E mit VPA gezeigt werden. Molekular konnten einige differentielle Genexpressionen nach der Behandlung der 2E-Zellen mit VPA detektiert werden. Es konnte z.B. eine Abnahme der Androgenrezeptor-Expression, eine Zunahme der Expression des proapoptotischen Proteins Bim sowie eine Verringerung der Expression von Foxo1 und Gsk3β gezeigt werden. Weiterhin wurde eine Deregulation von Zellzyklus- und Angiogenese-relevanten Genen wie z.B. Cdkn1a, Cdk4, Vegfa und Hif1α beobachtet. Des Weiteren wurden Kandidatengene aus einer früheren Microarray-Analyse untersucht. Für alle sieben untersuchten Kandidatengene wurde die differentielle Genexpression nach der Behandlung der 2E-Zellen mit VPA sowohl konzentrations- als auch zeitabhängig mittels quantitativer real time PCR bestätigt. Für die verstärkt exprimierten Gene konnte ein Zusammenhang mit einer erhöhten Acetylierung des Promotorbereichs der jeweiligen Gene nach VPA-Behandlung dargestellt werden. Das Kandidatengen Cyclin D2 wurde für weiterführende Untersuchungen ausgewählt. Als einziges Mitglied der D-Typ-Cycline lag Cyclin D2 nach VPA-Behandlung verstärkt exprimiert vor. Diese Re-Expression konnte auch durch die Behandlung mit HDIs verschiedener Wirkstoffklassen hervorgerufen werden. Die Untersuchung der PCa-Zelllinien PC-3, DU145 und LNCaP nach VPA-Behandlung zeigte ebenfalls, wie bei den primären PCa-Zellen 2E, eine Re-Expression von Cyclin D2 sowie eine Inhibition der Proliferation. Nicht-maligne Zelllinien, die bereits eine hohe Basalexpression von Cyclin D2 aufweisen, veränderten durch VPA die Cyclin D2-Expression nicht und auch der Effekt auf die Zellproliferation war nur moderat vorhanden. Die Verringerung der Cyclin D2-Expression mittels siRNA in den murinen Fibroblastenzellen NIH/3T3 führte zu einem Anstieg der Zellproliferation. Dass Cyclin D2 im PCa einen Tumorsuppresor darstellt, zeigt auch die immunhistochemische Analyse von humanen PCa-Gewebeschnitten, bei der keine Expression von Cyclin D2 im PCa-Gewebe nachgewiesen werden konnte. In gesundem Prostatagewebe hingegen wurde Cyclin D2 in den proliferierenden Zellen exprimiert. Im Gegensatz dazu wurde Cyclin D1 im PCa-Gewebe stärker exprimiert als im gesunden Prostatagewebe. Schließlich wurden in vivo-Studien an TRAMP-Mäusen mit VPA-Gabe über das Trinkwasser durchgeführt. Es wurden drei verschiedene Versuchsgruppen untersucht. In der Überlebensstudie, welche VPA präventiv ab einem Alter von sechs Wochen erhielt, konnte ein höheres Überlebensalter, ein geringerer Tumoranteil sowie ein geringeres Tumorgewicht verzeichnet werden. Nach präventiver Gabe von VPA ab einem Alter von sechs Wochen bis zu einem Alter von 30 Wochen konnte kein Unterschied zwischen der VPA- und der Kontrollgruppe detektiert werden. In der Überlebensstudie nach therapeutischer Gabe von VPA ab einem Alter von 16 Wochen konnte ein höheres Überlebensalter und ein geringerer Tumoranteil, jedoch kein Unterschied im Tumorgewicht gezeigt werden.

General toxicity evaluation and risk assessment for human exposure is essential when developing new pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Developmental toxicology is an important part of this risk assessment which consumes large resources and many laboratory animals. The prediction of developmental toxicity could potentially be assessed in vitro using embryo-derived pluripotent stem cells for lead characterization and optimization. This thesis explored the potential of short-time assays with pluripotent stem cells of embryonic origin using toxicogenomics. Three established pluripotent stem cell lines; P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, R1 mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells, and SA002 human embryonic stem (hES) cells were used in the studies. Valproic acid (VPA), an antiepileptic drug which can cause the neural tube defects spina bifida in human and exencephaly in mouse, was used together with microarrays to investigate the global transcriptional response in pluripotent stem cells using short-time exposures (1.5 - 24 h). In addition to VPA, three closely related VPA analogs were tested, one of which was not teratogenic in mice. These analogs also differed in their ability to inhibit histone deacetylase (HDAC) allowing this potential mechanism of VPA teratogenicity to be investigated. The results in EC cells indicated a large number of genes to be putative VPA targets, many of which are known to be involved in neural tube morphogenesis. When compared with data generated in mouse embryos, a number of genes emerged as candidate in vitro markers of VPA-induced teratogenicity. VPA and its teratogenic HDAC inhibiting analog induced major and often overlapping deregulation of genes in mES cells and hES cells. On the other hand, the two non-HDAC inhibiting analogs (one teratogenic and one not) had only minor effects on gene expression. This indicated that HDAC inhibition is likely to be the major mechanism of gene deregulation induced by VPA. In addition, a comparison between human and mouse ES cells revealed an overlap of deregulated genes as well as species specific deregulated genes.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Medical College of Ohio, 2004. / "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Sciences." Major advisor: Manohar Ratnam. Includes abstract. Document formatted into pages: iii, 293 p. Title from title page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 175-281).

Objetivos: Sistemas nanoparticulados são úteis para modular a farmacocinética de substâncias. Nesse contexto, os objetivos deste trabalho foram o desenvolvimento de um sistema nanovesicular (NV) inovador auto-organizado de quitosana e lecitina, contendo miristato de isopropila (IPM) como núcleo oleoso capaz de alterar a farmacocinética da clozapina (CZP) e do ácido valpróico (VPA). Métodos: NV foram preparadas através da mistura, utilizando Ultraturrax, de uma solução etanólica contendo Lipoid S45® e IPM em uma solução aquosa de quitosana. As concentrações de quitosana (4 ou 8 mg/ml), IPM (10 e 20 mg/mL), Lipoid S45® (4 e 8 mg/ml) foram otimizadas através de um fatorial 23 que avaliou o diâmetro, potencial zeta, pH, viscosidade e análises de retroespalhamento de luz (BS) como respostas. Às nanovesículas do sistema otimizado pela análise fatorial foi incluído a CZP. A caracterização físico-química dessa formulação (NV-CZP) foi conduzida avaliandose os mesmos parâmetros citados acima. A farmacocinética dessa formulação foi avaliada em ratos Wistar pela via i.v (5 mg/kg, CZP livre) e oral (10 mg/kg, CZP livre e NV-CZP). Para a quantificação da CZP nas amostras de plasma obtidas em tempos pré-determinados após adminsitração das formulações um método analítico por CL-EM/EM foi desenvolvido e validado. O VPA também foi encapsulado nessas nanovesículas, nesse caso em substituição ao IPM, formando NV-VPA que foram caracterizadas físico-quimicamente. Os perfis cinéticos dessa formulação foram avaliados para os seguintes grupos de animais: VPA, ratos anestesiados (G1, 4 mg/kg) e não-anestesiados (G2, 4 mg/kg), VPA-NV (G3, 2 mg/kg), oral 4 mg/kg VPA (G4) e VPA-NV (G5), além da administração intra-traqueal (i.t.) de 4 mg/kg (VPA, G6 e VPA-NV, G7). Avaliação não-compartimental e compartimental dos perfis individuais de concentração plasmática da CZP e VPA foi realizada utilizando Excel® 2003 e Scientist® 2.0, respectivamente. Resultados: Os diâmetros das partículas no planejamento fatorial variaram de 0.348 a 1.5 μm. O diâmetro foi dependente da proporção de quitosana, IPM e lecitina utilizados nas formulações O potencial zeta positivo (+41.3 a +50 mV) foi influenciado principalmente pela concentração de quitosana. O pH de todas as formulações foi ácido. Os valores de viscosidade sofreram influência das concentrações de quitosana e IPM. A formulação otimizada (quitosana 4 mg/mL; IPM 10 mg/mL e Lipoid S45® 8 mg/mL) foi escolhida para encapsular a CZP. As nanovesículas de CZP (CZP-NV 1 mg/mL) e NV brancas apresentaram, respectivamente, tamanhos médios de 181 ± 3 nm e 470 ± 2 nm, pH ácido, potencial zeta positivo, índice de polidispersão abaixo de 0.3 e doseamento da CZP próximo a 100%. Após a encapsulação da CZP em NV, a biodisponibilidade oral foi 24%, duas vezes superior a biodisponibilidade da CZP livre (9%). Aumento na meia-vida foi observado para a CZP-NV (4.32 ± 1.33 h) em relação à CZP livre (2.28 ± 0.69 h), devido a uma diminuição da depuração plasmática. No estudo com VPA, o tamanho médio, potencial zeta e pH para VPA-NV (5 mg/mL) e NV brancas foram 333 ± 1.5 nm e 131 ±1 nm; 25.6 ± 0.8 mV e +13.4 ± 1.7 mV; 2.69 ± 0.02 e 2.71 ± 0.08, respectivamente. Os perfis plasmáticos dos grupos G1, G2, G3 declinaram de forma bi-exponencial. A depuração plasmática e o volume de distribuição no steady-state do G5 diminuíram significativamente e na mesma proporção em relação ao G4. A meia-vida não se alterou para o G4 e G5. O pico de concentração plasmática (Cmax) foi significativamente maior para G7 do que para G6 e o tempo para alcançar o pico (tmax) foi menor para o G6. A depuração plasmática e o volume de distribuição no steady-state do G7 diminuíram significativamente e na mesma proporção em relação ao grupo G6, não implicando em alteração na meia-vida do fármaco. Conclusões: Neste trabalho, um novo nanossistema vesicular foi desenvolvido e biologicamente avaliado. As nanovesículas mostraram-se úteis para melhor os parâmetros farmacocinéticos do VPA e da CZP, principalmente a biodisponibilidade oral, sendo promissoras para diferentes aplicações biológicas e tecnológicas. / Objectives: Nanoparticles (NP) are useful to modulate the pharmacokinetics (PK) of drugs. The aim of this study was to develop innovative self-assembly nanovesicles (NV) constituted of chitosan and lecithin with isopropyl myristate (IPM) as oil core, able to modify the PK plasma profile of clozapine (CZP) and valproic acid (VPA). Methods: The NV were obtained by injecting 4 mL of an ethanolic phase containing Lipoid S45® and IPM into 46 ml of a chitosan aqueous solution followed by Ultraturrax homogenization. The concentrations of chitosan (4 and 8 mg/mL), IPM (10 e 20 mg/mL) and Lipoid S45® (4 and 8 mg/mL) were optimized using a 23 factorial design. The responses evaluated were particle size, zeta potential, pH, viscosity and backscattering (BS) analysis. The optimized formulation (F2) was choosed to encapsulate CZP. The PK in rats was evaluated after i.v. (5 mg/kg, free CZP) and oral (10 mg/kg, free and NV-CZP) administration. A LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for CZP quantification in rat plasma. VPA was also incorporate into the NV in this case replacing IPM by the drug. The NV-VPA physicochemical characterization and plasma PK was evaluated. The groups for PK investigation were: VPA unconscious rat (G1, 4 mg/kg) and conscious rat (G2, 4 mg/kg), VPA-NV (G3, 2 mg/kg), oral 4 mg/kg dosing of VPA (G4) and VPA-NV (G5) and intratracheal (i.t.) 4 mg/kg VPA (G6) and VPA-NV (G7) administration. Noncompartmental and compartmental analyses were performed using Excel® 2003 and Scientist® 2.0, respectively. Results: The particle size ranged 0.348 to 1.5 μm. This response was dependent on the proportion of chitosan, IPM, and Lipoid S45® used. The analysis of laser diffractometry showed only one particle size population for all formulations, mainly below 1 μm. The zeta potential was strongly positive (+41.3 to +50 mV) and it was influenced by chitosan, mainly. The formulations pH was acid. The viscosity was dependent on chitosan and IPM concentration. The F2 (chitosan 4 mg/mL; IPM 10 mg/mL and Lipoid S45® 8 mg/mL) was choosed to incorporate CZP. The CZP-NV (1 mg/mL) and blank-NV (unloaded) presented mean particle sizes of 181 ± 3 nm and 470 ± 2 nm, respectively, acid pH, positive zeta potentials, PDI below 0.3 and drug content close to 100%. CZP oral bioavailability after encapsulation into NV was 24%, twice the oral value observed for CZP in solution (9%). An increase in half-life was observed for CZP-NV (4.32 ± 1.33 h) in relation to free CZP (2.28 ± 0.68 h), due to the decrease in total clearance (a = 0.05). In the study with VPA, the mean diameter, zeta potential and pH of VPA-NV (5 mg/mL) and blank-NV were 333 ±1.5 nm and 131 ±1 nm; 25.6 ± 0.8 mV and +13.4 ± 1.7 mV; 2.69 ± 0.02 and 2.71 ± 0.08, respectively. The plasma profiles of G1, G2, and G3 declined in a bi-exponential fashion. G5 total clearance and volume of distribution at steady state were significantly decreased in relation to G4 (a = 0.05) and the half-life was not altered. The peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was significantly higher in the G7 group than G6, and the peak time (tmax) took place earlier after administration of G6. G7 clearance and volume of distribution at steady state were both significantly decreased in the same proportion in relation to G6 (a = 0.05), not altering the halflife. Conclusions: In this work a new nanovesicular system was developed and biologically evaluated. The system showed to be useful to improve VPA and CZP pharmacokinetics. The nanovesicles have potential for application for different biological and technological uses.

O ácido valproico (AVP) é um fármaco de primeira linha no tratamento de convulsões parciais e generalizadas, porém os efeitos colaterais decorrentes das altas doses administradas produzem danos hepáticos por metabolização. O AVP apresenta alta afinidade com metais de transição e produz compostos de coordenação quimicamente estáveis. O presente estudo teve como objetivos sintetizar quatro complexos de AVP com Cu+2 e Zn+2 ligados com diiminas aromáticas 1,10-fenantrolina (Phen) e 2,2’-bipiridina (Bipy), determinar as estruturas químicas por espectrofotometria de absorção atômica (FAAS), espectrofotometria de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), espectrometria de massas de alta resolução (ESI-TOF-MS), e espectrometria de ressonância magnética nuclear (1H RMN e 13C RMN), avaliar as atividades antioxidantes por ensaios de Sod-like e Cat-like e determinar a citotoxicidade aguda frente à Artemia salina e à cultura celular CHO. O processo de síntese iniciou-se com a preparação dos compostos precursores Cu2(Valp)4 (1) e Zn2(Valp)4 (2) pela reação do valproato de sódio com os sais CuCl2 e ZnCl2 em meio aquoso. As estruturas químicas foram confirmadas por Ponto de Fusão, FAAS, FTIR, 1H RMN e 13C RMN. Os compostos de coordenação Cu(Valp)2(1,10-Phen) (3), Cu(Valp)2(2,2-Bipy).H2O (4), Zn(Valp)2(1,10-Phen).H2O (5) e Zn(Valp)2(2,2-Bipy).H2O (6) (inédito) foram sintetizados pela reação equimolar dos compostos 1 e 2 com os respectivos ligantes neutros 1,10- fenantrolina e 2,2-bipiridina em solvente DMF. Os dados das estruturas químicas dos compostos 3 e 4 foram obtidos por PF, UV-Vis, FAAS, FTIR e ESI TOF-MS e confirmados por comparação com dados da literatura. Os compostos 5 e 6 (inédito) foram analisados por PF, UV-Vis, FAAS, FTIR, ESI TOF-MS, 1H RMN e 13C RMN, e suas estruturas químicas foram confirmadas por comparação com a literatura (5) e por interpretação de espectros (6). O experimento de Sod-like para os compostos 3, 4, 5 e 6 não expressou atividade aparente para a metodologia utilizada, porém todos expressaram atividade de Cat-like. O experimento de citotoxidade aguda frente à A. salina indicou haver correlação dose/resposta para as diferentes concentrações testadas dos compostos 3, 4, 5 e 6 e para os controles 1,10-Phen, 2,2-Bipy e K2Cr2O7. O composto 3 mostrou-se o mais tóxico (CL50: 2 μg mL-1), seguido do composto 5 (CL50: 78 μg mL-1), composto 4 (CL50: 386 μg mL-1) e o composto 6 menos tóxico (CL50: 409 μg mL-1). Os resultados indicam haver maior toxicidade dos compostos com cobre, caso similar observado para os compostos com 1,10-Phen. Os experimentos de citotoxicidade aguda dos compostos 5 e 6 frente à linhagem celular CHO com 24 horas de exposição nas concentrações de 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 e 2 μg mL-1 não expressaram toxicidade para a metodologia utilizada. Os resultados corroboram com aqueles obtidos no ensaio de A. salina. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2015-02-12T11:42:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Paulo Roberto dos Santos.pdf: 6045218 bytes, checksum: cb95cd32e24570a819eff2fc9c3efe01 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-12T11:42:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Paulo Roberto dos Santos.pdf: 6045218 bytes, checksum: cb95cd32e24570a819eff2fc9c3efe01 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior. / Valproic acid (VPA) is a first-line drug in the treatment of seizures in general, but the side effects from high doses produce liver damage by metabolism. VPA has high affinity for transition metals and produces chemically stable coordination compounds. The present study aimed to synthesize four complexes VPA with Cu+2 and Zn+2 with 1,10- phenanthroline and 2,2’-bipyridine linked aromatic diimines, determine the chemical structures by FAAS, FTIR, ESI-TOF MS , 1H NMR and 13C NMR, evaluate the antioxidant activities by Sod-like and Cat-like and determine acute cytotoxicity front of Artemia salina (brine shrimp) and CHO cell culture. The synthesis procedure began with the preparation of precursor compounds Cu2(Valp)4 (1) and Zn2(Valp)4 (2) by the reaction of Sodium Valproate with chlorides of metals in aqueous medium. The chemical structures were confirmed by MP, FAAS, FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Coordination compounds Cu(Valp)2(1,10-Phen) (3) Cu(Valp)2(2,2- Bipy).H2O (4), Zn(Valp)2(1,10-Phen).H2O (5) and Zn(Valp)2(2,2-Bipy).H2O (6) (unpublished) were synthesized by equimolar reaction of compounds 1 and 2 with the corresponding neutral ligands 1,10-phenanthroline and 2.2-bipyridine in DMF solvent. The data of chemical structures of compounds 3 and 4 were obtained by MP, UV-Vis, FAAS, FTIR and ESI-TOF MS and confirmed by comparison with the literature data. Compounds 5 and 6 (unpublished) were analyzed for MP, UV-Vis, FAAS, FTIR, ESI TOF-MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR, and their chemical structures were confirmed by comparison with the literature (5) and interpretation spectra (6). The Sod-like experiments for compounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 were not significant, but all showed activity of Cat-like. The experiment of acute cytotoxicity in A. saline showed significant for compounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 in 8 different concentrations tested results. Compound 3 was found to be the most toxic (LC50: 2 mg mL-1), followed by compound 5 (LC50: 78 mg mL-1), compound 4 (LC50: 386 mg mL-1) and less toxic compound 6 (LC50: 409 mg mL-1). It can be observed correlation affix the higher toxicity of the compounds with copper, the case that observed for similar compounds with 1,10-Phen. The experiments of acute cytotoxicity of compounds 5 and 6 against CHO cell lines after 24 hours of exposure at concentrations of 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 and 2 μg mL-1 showed no significant differences in toxicities to controls. The results corroborate the results obtained using the A. salina.

A epilepsia é uma patologia que afeta 50 milhões de pessoas, sendo que cerca de 30% dos pacientes apresentam epilepsia refratária, ou seja, não respondem a terapia medicamentosa disponível. Portanto, é necessária a busca contínua de novos fármacos. Os complexos organometálicos vêm ao encontro a esta necessidade conjugando moléculas já aplicadas na terapia (como o ácido valproico), a metais essenciais e outros ligantes a fim de aprimorar os efeitos farmacológicos. Neste trabalho foram testados quatro complexos derivados do ácido valproico: [Cu(Valp)2Fen] , [Cu(Valp)2Bipi], [Zn(Valp)2Fen] e [Zn(Valp)2Bipi], através do screening toxicológico embrionário e atividade anticonvulsivante em zebrafish induzidos por pentilenotetrazol (PTZ). O complexo [Cu(Valp)2Bipi] apresentou maior toxicidade embrionária (CL50=0.12 μM), seguido pelo [Zn(Valp)2Bipi] (CL50 = 10μM). Estes mesmo complexos nas doses de 10 mM/Kg, 30 mM/Kg e 100 mM/Kg para derivado contendo zinco a intensidade das convulsões em relação ao valproato de sódio (175 mM/Kg) em peixes adultos, demonstrando ação superior ao fármaco tradicional. Devido a baixa toxicidade aliada a ação anticonvulsivante evidente selecionamos o derivado [Zn(Valp)2Bipi] para estudos futuros em modelos complexos de epilepsia. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2016-04-29T13:43:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Lauren Dockhorn Grunspan.pdf: 2281256 bytes, checksum: 5ed8d708e6f55d2418086df48fc4f6ac (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-29T13:43:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Lauren Dockhorn Grunspan.pdf: 2281256 bytes, checksum: 5ed8d708e6f55d2418086df48fc4f6ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, CAPES / The most important determinant of quality of life in patients with epilepsy is complete seizure control, and therefore this should be the ultimate goal of pharmacological therapy. Unfortunately, around 30% of epileptic patients still suffer with refractory epilepsy. Metal ions have been frequently incorporated into pharmaceuticals for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes and the research. In this study, we access the embryo toxicity and anticonvulsant activity of 4 novel metallodrugs, with Zn+2 and Cu+2, derivative with valproic acid and the N-donor ligand in adult zebrafish pentylenetetrazole epileptic seizure model. [Cu(Valp)2Bipy] LC50 in 48 Hours Post Fertilization (hpf) was 0.22 μM and 0.12 μM in 96 hpf followed by [Zn(Valp)2Bipy] (LC50 = 10 μM). This same metallodrugs ([CuValp)2Bipi] 10 mM/Kg and [Zn(Valp)2Bipi] 30 mM and 100 mM/Kg) displayed a superior activity reducing the seizure intensity compared to Sodium Valproate (175 mM/Kg). As conclusion, among all, the [Cu(Valp)2Bipi] showed the best anticonvulsant effects, but due to its toxic effects on embryos and larvae, the [Zn(Valp)2Bipi] should be considered the most promising for future studies as anticonvulsant drug.