A indústria de alimentos está constantemente desenvolvendo produtos que fornecem, além de nutrientes, benefícios adicionais à saúde, tais como os enriquecidos com vitaminas. A vitamina D3 (colecalciferol) é sintetizada na pele durante a exposição da luz solar, controla a homeostase de cálcio e fósforo, metabolismo ósseo, pressão arterial e reabsorção renal de cálcio. O processo de microencapsulação vem sendo bastante aplicado em alimentos e um dos objetivos principais é o controle da liberação do agente ativo no momento e local desejado. A tecnologia de spray chilling é interessante para a microencapsulação de vitaminas lipossolúveis. O objetivo deste trabalho foi microencapsular vitamina D3, utilizando o método de spray chilling para a produção das micropartículas lipídicas sólidas (MLS). Para produção das MLS utilizou-se gordura vegetal com ponto de fusão em torno de 48 °C como carreador. Três tratamentos foram estabelecidos: sem aditivos (T1), com adição de 1% de cera de abelha (T2) e com 1% de lecitina de soja (T3). As micropartículas foram caracterizadas quanto à morfologia por microscopia eletrônica de varredura, tamanho médio por difração a laser, espectroscopia no infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR) e foi analisada a estabilidade da vitamina D3 durante o armazenamento a 10 e 25 °C, por meio de quantificações periódicas em cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE). As micropartículas obtidas foram esféricas, semelhantes morfologicamente e com distribuição monocaudal de partículas. O tamanho médio das partículas variou em função dos seus ingredientes, sendo que as micropartículas produzidas apenas com vitamina e gordura foram menores em relação às demais (83,0% < 100 &micro;m). A espectroscopia na região do infravermelho (FTIR) demonstrou que não ocorreu interação entre os ingredientes. A estabilidade da vitamina D3 encapsulada foi satisfatória ao longo de 65 dias com valores superiores a 87% para os três tratamentos e a temperatura apresentou influência na estabilidade. As MLS produzidas com cera apresentaram melhores resultados de estabilidade de vitamina D3 com valores de 90,18 ± 2,23 % após 65 dias de estocagem. Esses resultados são promissores e demostram a viabilidade da técnica de spray chilling na produção de MLS carregadas de vitamina D3, possibilitando uma futura aplicação em alimentos. / The food industry is constantly developing products that provide, in addition to nutrients, additional health benefits such as enriched food with vitamins. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is synthesized in the skin during exposure of sunlight, controls the homeostasis of calcium and phosphorus, bone metabolism, blood pressure and renal reabsorption of calcium. The microencapsulation process has been widely applied in food and is a key objective to control the release of active agents at specific time and desired location. The spray chilling technology is interesting for microencapsulation of fat-soluble vitamins. The objective of this work was microencapsulating vitamin D3 using the spray chilling method for the production of solid lipid microparticles (SLM). For the production of the SLM it was used vegetable fat with melting point around at 48 °C as a carrier. Three treatments were established: no additives (T1), 1% of beeswax (T2), and 1% soybean lecithin (T3). The morphology of microparticles was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, laser diffraction (average size) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, vitamin D3 stability was examined during storage at 10 and 25 °C, through periodic measurements by High-performance liquid chromatography (HLPC). The microparticles obtained were spherical with similar morphology and unimodal size distribution. The average particle size varied according to composition wherein microparticles produced with vitamin and fat were lower than other (83.0% of particles smaller than 100 &micro;m). Spectroscopy in the infrared (FTIR) showed that there was no interaction between the components. The stability of vitamin D3 encapsulated was satisfactory over 65 days with values greater than 87% for the three treatments and temperature have any influence on the stability. The SLM produced with wax showed better stability for vitamin D3 with values of 90.18 ± 2.23% after 65 days of storage. These results are promising and demonstrate the feasibility of spray chilling technique in the production of SLM loaded with vitamin D3, allowing future application in foods.

Prostate cancer is the leading male cancer form i Sweden and maybe worldwide as well. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin following the exposure to sunlight. Researcers have long been aware of the positive effect that vitamin D3 has on prostate tumour growth. 1,25(OH)2D3 have for a long time been the target of these studies and have shown good results. The steroid hormone induces cAMP accumulation and activiates the cAMP dependent protein kinaseA (PKA). PKA is then able to activate a transcription regulating protein. 1,25(OH)2D3 is known to cause LNCaP cells to accumulate in the G1 phase ofthe cell cycle. It has also been shown that 1,25(OH)2D3 is under negativefeedback control via 24-hydroxylase. In this study, PKA activity was observed by transfecting LNCaP cells with a viral vector carrying firefly and Renillaluciferase genes. The successfully transfected LNCaP cells would then express luciferase as a response to PKA gene expression. The LNCaP cells were then treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 and GDP-β-S (100μM), a G-protein coupled receptorinhibitor, in order to examine if 1,25(OH)2D3 regulate PKA dependent gene expression through a G-protein coupled receptor. The study could show that 1,25(OH)2D3 regulate gene expression in LNCaP cells through a PKAdependent pathway. Furthermore, the PKA dependent gene expression was demonstrated to be independent of G-protein coupled recpetor activation.

La 1α,25(OH)2 vitamine D3 (1,25-D3) est synthétisée à partir du cholestérol par l'exposition solaire de la peau. Les effets de cette hormone sont médiées par le récepteur de la vitamine D (VDR) dans le noyau et à la membrane plasmique, et avec le récepteur PDIA3 ils médient des effets génomiques et non-génomique. La vitamine D joue un rôle important dans la reproduction, puisque la réduction de la fertilité a été observée chez les rats déficients en vitamine D. L'estradiol (E2) est synthétisé à partir de la testostérone par l'enzyme aromatase (CYP19). L’E2 a des effets génomiques et non génomiques médiée par les récepteurs ESR1, ESR2 et GPER. L’objectif de ce travail a été d’étudier l’effet de l’E2 sur le métabolisme et les voies de signalisation de la vitamine D dans des testicules des rats à différents âges ainsi qu’une perturbation éventuelle initiée par un perturbateur endocrinien à activité estrogénique, le Bisphénol A (BPA). Dans le première axe de travail, trois protocoles expérimental (PE) ont été réalisés, où l’E2 et le BPA ont été administrés: traitement de J15pp à J30pp et euthanasie immédiate à J30 (PE1), traitement de J15 à J30 et euthanasie différée à J75 (PE2) et traitement à l’âge adulte de J60 à J75 et euthanasie immédiate à J75 (PE3). Dans le PE1, le traitement avec l’E2 a diminué l'expression du CYP27A1. L’E2 et le BPA ont diminué l'expression du VDR. Cet effet n'a pas été vérifié dans l'expression de la protéine VDR. Dans le PE2, l’E2 a augmenté l'expression des gènes VDR, PDIA3 et CYP27A1, et l'expression de la protéine VDR et CYP27A1. Les traitements n’ont eu aucun effet dans le PE3, ce qui indique qu’un traitement en période prépubère entraîne à la fois un effet immédiat et différé alors que le traitement à l’âge adulte semble sans effet. Dans le deuxième axe de travail, des effets non-génomiques du BPA ont été étudiés par la technique d’afflux de 45Ca2+ dans les testicules de rat prépubères. Le BPA a stimulé l’afflux de 45Ca2+ de manière un peu pareille avec les effets de l’E2. Cet effet semble ne pas impliquer les récepteurs classiques des estrogènes, mais semble se produire de manière compatible avec l'activation d'un récepteur couplé à la protéine G, comme le GPER. Cet effet se produit par la modulation de la fonction des canaux ioniques, comme des canaux potassiques, TRPV1 et des canaux chlorés. Aussi le BPA module le calcium du stock intracellulaire par l’inhibition de la SERCA et l’activation du récepteur IP3. Également des protéines kinases PKA, PKC, MEK et p38MAPK participent de l’effet du BPA, qui pourrait déclencher un cross talk avec les voies de signalisation nucléaires résultant la médiation des réponses génomiques. Dans le troisième axe de travail, l'expression de certains gènes impliqués dans le métabolisme et la signalisation de 1,25-D3 et E2 a été analysée dans des cellules de Leydig. La 1,25-D3 a diminué l'expression du CYP27A1, un effet qui a également été observé lorsque les cellules étaient co-incubées avec l'E2. L’E2 a diminué l'expression des gènes ESR1 et CYP19. Les deux hormones ont démontré un mécanisme de retours négatifs sur leur métabolisme dans ces cellules. Des effets non génomiques ont été étudiés dans ces cellules, où l’E2 semble avoir un effet inhibiteur tandis que la 1,25-D3 a stimulé l'afflux de 45CA2+. A partir de ces résultats, nous pouvons affirmer que la 1,25-D3, l’E2 et le BPA ont des effets moléculaires importants dans le système reproducteur masculin, par l'expression génique des récepteurs et des enzymes impliqués dans le métabolisme des hormones 1,25-D3 et E2. De plus, les résultats obtenus renforcent la théorie selon laquelle il existe une relation entre les voies de signalisation de la 1,25-D3 et l’E2. Comme la 1,25-D3 et l'E2, le BPA stimule également les effets non-génomiques impliqués dans la signalisation du calcium. / 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-D3), the active form of vitamin D, is synthetized from cholesterol by skin exposure to the sun. This hormone’s actions are mediated by vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the nucleus and in the plasma membrane, resulting in genome actions like gene expression regulation. VDR can also be found in the plasmatic membrane, and together with PDIA3 receptor they mediate 1,25-D3 non-genomic actions. Vitamin D has an important role in reproductive function, since fertility reduction was observed in vitamin D deficient rats, as well as VDR and 1α-hydroxylase deficiency. In these animals, calcium and estrogen supplementation was able to reverse the deleterious effects in reproductive function, indicating that there is a relation between 1,25-D3 and estrogens signalling pathways. Estradiol (E2) is synthetized from testosterone by aromatase enzyme (CYP19). E2 is found in high levels in the male reproductive function, and like 1,25-D3 can induce genomic and non- genomic actions, mediated by ESR1, ESR2 and GPER receptors. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenoestrogen utilized in plastic industry, capable of modulating the endocrine system through E2 receptors. The aim of this work was to study metabolism and signaling pathways interactions between 1,25-D3 and E2, as well as BPA influence in testicular cells. In the first line of work, three treatment protocols (TP) were realized, where E2 and BPA were administrated in rats between 15th and 30th days, were a portion of the animals were euthanized at the last day of treatment (TP1) and another portion was kept alive after the treatment until euthanized at adult age with 75 days (TP2). A third animal group also received the same treatments when adults (TP3). In TP1, E2 treatment decreased CYP27A1 gene expression. E2 and BPA decreased VDR gene expression. This effect was not verified in VDR protein expression. In TP2, E2 increased VDR, PDIA3 and CYP27A1 gene expression, and VDR and CYP27A1 protein expression, indicating a compensatory effect over gene expression inhibition in prepubertal age. In TP3, treatments did not change gene expression, indicating that prepubertal age is more susceptible to estrogen exposure. In the second line of work, non-genomic effects of BPA were studied through 45Ca2+ influx in prepubertal rat testis. BPA stimulated 45Ca2+ influx in a similar manner to E2. This effect was independent of classical ERs, consistent with a G protein-coupled receptor mechanism, probably GPER. This effect involves the modulation of ionic channels, such as K+, TRPV1 and Cl- channels. Furthermore, BPA is able to modulate calcium from intracellular storages by inhibiting SERCA and activating IP3 receptor/Ca2+ channels at the endoplasmic reticulum and activate kinase proteins, such as PKA and PKC. The rapid responses of BPA on calcium influx could, in turn, trigger a cross talk by MEK and p38MAPK activation and also mediate genomic responses. In the third line of work, the expression of some genes involved in 1,25-D3 and E2 metabolism and signalling were analysed in Leydig cells. 1,25-D3 decreased CYP27A1 gene expression, an effect that was also observed when cells were coincubated with 1,25-D3 and E2. E2 decreased ESR1 and CYP19 gene expression. Both hormones demonstrated an negative feedback mechanism over their on metabolism in these cells. Non-genomic effects were also studied in these cells, where E2 seems to have an inhibitory effect while 1,25-D3 was able to stimulate calcium influx. From these results we can conclude that 1,25-D3, E2 and BPA have important molecular effects in the male reproductive system, through gene expression control over receptors and enzymes involved in the metabolism of the steroid hormones studied. These results also reinforce the theory that there is a relationship between 1,25-D3 and E2 signalling pathways, as well as 1,25-D3, E2 and BPA also have non-genomic actions in calcium signalling.

Past literature has supported the supplementation of 25-OHD3 into poultry diets to reduce leg issues and improve muscle accretion. In addition, exogenous feed enzymes are included into poultry diets to increase nutrient utilization. The first objective of this thesis was to determine the effects of different sources and levels 25-OHD3 supplementation on D0-53 Ross x Ross 708 male broiler performance, processing yield, tibia ash, serum Ca and 25-OHD3 status. Data demonstrated that 25-OHD3 supplementation into diets with Low VitD3 (165 IU/kg) can improve broiler performance compared to High VitD3 (2756 IU/kg). The second objective was to investigate the effects of varying phytase inclusion with different xylanase levels on D0-56 Ross x Ross 708 male broiler performance, processing yield and tibia ash. Data exhibited some performance benefit (D46 and D56) when utilizing phytase (1000 and 1500 FTU/kg) with 1500 EPU/kg xylanase and phytase (250 and 1500 FTU/kg) with 3000 EPU/kg xylanase.

A novel bacterial expression system that is capable of producing high levels of soluble, stable, biologically active human vitamin D3 and estrogen receptors has been developed. The method utilizes ubiquitin fusion technology and a low temperature nalidixic acid induction of the lambda PL promoter. This system can produce large quantities of receptor antigen, but only a small fraction displays wild-type DNA and hormone binding properties. Therefore, the use of this system to overproduce receptors for crystallization studies is not practical. To overcome these problems, a 2 um based ubiquitin fusion system which allows regulated expression of the estrogen receptor in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was developed. This system produces the estrogen receptor to a level of 0.2% of the total soluble protein. Moreover, this protein is undegradable, soluble, and biologically active. To test the transcriptional activity of the estrogen receptor produced in yeast, a cis-trans transcription assay was developed. This assay revealed that the transcriptional activity of the human estrogen receptor expressed in yeast was similar to that observed in transfected mammalian cells. This reconstituted estrogen transcription unit in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was utilized to examine the regulation of estrogen receptor functions by antiestrogens, to develop a random and rapid approach for identifying novel estrogen response elements, to characterize estrogen receptor variants cloned from human breast tumors, and to examine the effect of estrogen receptor on the regulation of osteocalcin gene.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第24287号 / 医博第4903号 / 新制||医||1061(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 寺田 智祐, 教授 松田 道行, 教授 YOUSSEFIAN Shohab / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

Die Fähigkeit dendritischer Zellen (DC) Immunität zu erzeugen und Antigen-spezifische Toleranz zu induzieren macht DC zu idealen Zielen pharmakologischer Interventionen zur Beeinflussung von Immunreaktionen. NF-kappaB Faktoren sind eine Gruppe von Transkriptionsregulatoren, die für die Entwicklung und Funktion von DC bedeutend sind. Trotz ihrer zentralen Bedeutung für die DC Biologie ist die Identität von NF-kappaB regulierten Genen in DC weitestgehend unbekannt. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die Hemmung der NF-kappaB Aktivierung durch den IkappaBalpha Super Repressor (IkappaBalpha-SR) und die Analyse der Genexpression durch DNA Microarrays genutzt, um das Repertoire an NF-kappaB regulierten Genen in DC zu ermitteln. Mit diesem Ansatz wurden unter anderem Connexin-43 und Fascin als direkte NF-kappaB regulierte Gene identifiziert. Die Beeinflussung des NF-kappaB Signalwegs wurde als möglicher Weg zur Modifizierung von Immunantworten vorgeschlagen. Es wird vermutet, dass verschiedene immunmoduloratorische Verbindungen wie z.B. Vitamin D3 (VD3) in NF-kappaB vermittelte Immunmechanismen eingreifen. Um die Effekte von VD3 in der Aktivierung von DC zu untersuchen, wurden DNA Microarray Analysen an DC von Mäusen mit mutiertem und wildtyp Vitamin D3 Rezeptor (VDR) durchgeführt und die Beteiligung der VDR vermittelten Repression von NF-kappaB regulierten Genen wie z.B. Connexin-43 untersucht. Die so identifizierten Gene stellen potentielle Ansatzpunkte für die Entwicklung von spezifischeren entzündungshemmenden Medikamenten für die klinische Anwendung dar. / The ability of dendritic cells (DC) to initiate immunity and induce antigen-specific tolerance makes DC ideal targets for pharmacological intervention into immune responses. NF-kappaB factors are a family of transcriptional regulators important for DC development and function. However, the identity of NF-kappaB target genes that are central to DC biology is largely unknown. In the present study, inhibition of the NF-kappaB activation by the IkappaBalpha super repressor (IkappaBalpha-SR) and DNA microarray analysis were used to determine the repertoire of NF-kappaB responsive genes in DC. This approach identified, among others, connexin-43 and fascin as direct NF-kappaB regulated genes. The targeting of the NF-kappaB signalling pathway has been suggested as a useful means to modify immune responses. A number of immunomodulatory compounds, such as vitamin D3 (VD3), are believed to affect NF-kappaB mediated immune mechanisms. Microarray analysis employing vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) mutant and wild-type mice was used to survey the effects of VD3 in DC. In this study, effects of VD3 on the activation of DC are evaluated, and involvement of VDR mediated repression of NF-?B regulated genes, such as connexin-43, is surveyed. Identified genes can be potentially useful targets for the development of more specific anti-inflammatory agents for clinical applications.

Epilobium hirsutum L. (Onagraceae) is a flowering, tall and perennial plant and native to Eurasia. It shows analgesic, anti-microbial and anti-proliferative activity, and it is used in our country as an alternative medicine. The pharmacological effect of Epilobium hirsutum L. could be explained by the presence of polyphenolics including steroids, tannins and flavonoids in the aerial parts. Viscum album L. (Loranthaceae) is a shrub that grows as an epiphyte on the branches of deciduous trees. It involves in the enhancement of macrophage phagocytic and cytotoxic mediated abilities as well as the strengthening the immune system. CYP24A1 and CYP27B1 are members of cytochrome P450 superfamily and the most important enzymes involved in the metabolism of vitamin D3. CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 are mitochondrial enzymes and also known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1alpha-hydroxylase and 24-hydroxylase, respectively. CYP24A1 involves in 24-hydroxylation of 25-OH-D3 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 which is required for the catabolism of vitamin D3 compounds while CYP27B1 involves in 1&alpha / -hydroxylation of 25-OH-D3 into 1,25-(OH)2D3. In this study, in vivo effects of Epilobium hirsutum and Viscum album (subspecies growing on pine-trees-subsp. austriacum (Wiesb.) Vollmann) on rat liver CYP24A1 and CYP27B1 mRNA and protein expressions were investigated. To achieve this goal, 37.5 mg water extract of Epilobium hirsutum L./kg body weight/day was intraperitoneally injected to male rats for 9 days. To study the effect of Viscum album L., 10 mg water extract of Viscum album L./kg body weight/day was injected with the same conditions. After decapitation, livers were removed and S1.5 fractions were prepared. Effects of Epilobium hirsutum L. and Viscum album L. on rat liver mRNA and protein expressions were analyzed by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. Epilobium hirsutum L. extract caused 31% and 18% decrease in rat liver CYP24A1 (p&lt / 0.0001) and CYP27B1 (p&lt / 0.05) protein expressions, respectively. The effect of Epilobium hirsutum L. on mRNA expression of CYP24A1 could not be observed, because CYP24A1 mRNA was almost undetectable in liver. Injection of Epilobium hirsutum L. to rats caused 2.7 fold increase in mRNA expression of CYP27B1 with respect to controls and normalized with GAPDH (Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) expression as an internal reference (p&lt / 0.005). Viscum album L. caused 17% decrease in CYP24A1 protein expression (p&lt / 0.05). When rats injected with plant extract of Viscum album L., 18% decrease in CYP27B1 protein expression was observed (p&lt / 0.05). The effect of Viscum album L. on mRNA expression of CYP24A1 could not be observed since CYP24A1 mRNA was almost undetectable in liver. Injection of Viscum album L. to rats caused 3.8 fold increase in mRNA expression of CYP27B1 with respect to controls and normalized with GAPDH (Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) expression as an internal reference (p&lt / 0.005). In conclusion, vitamin D3 metabolism may be affected by medicinal plants Epilobium hirsutum L. and Viscum album L. due to the changes in mRNA and protein expressions of CYP24A1 and CYP27B1 enzymes.

Tissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that initiates the blood coagulation cascade and is also involved in cell migration, tumour metastasis and angiogenesis. Pathologic expression of tissue factor by monocytes contributes to several thrombotic complications like acute coronary artery disease and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the clinically important pathologic expression of TF in myelo-monocytic leukaemia cells and reveal the cellular signals leading to the suppression of TF expression. The studies in this thesis indicate that TF is a marker of immature myelo-monocytic cells. Markedly higher levels of TF were expressed in immature myelo-monocytic cell lines compared to mature monocyte-like cells. Induction of terminal differentiation in immature cells resulted in down-regulation of TF expression, irrespective of the specific phenotypes induced by retinoic acid (RA) or vitamin D3 in monoblastic U-937 cells. TF suppression was also found independent of differentiation pathways, i.e. monocytic or granulocytic. The nuclear receptor activation requirements for transcriptional suppression of TF by retinoic acid (RA) were shown to differ between acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) NB4 and U-937 cells. In NB4 cells the binding of the agonist to the RA receptor (RAR)α alone is needed for down-regulation of TF, whereas ligand binding to both RARαand retinoic X receptor was necessary for efficient suppression of TF expression in U-937 cells. To analyse the transcriptional regulation of TF, stable NB4 and U-937 clones expressing the luciferase gene under the control of various 5' flanking regions of the TF gene were selected. Different promoter regions were found to control the basal TF transcriptional activity. Analysis of protein binding to the 140 bp promoter region, responsible for basal TF activity in NB4 cells, revealed binding of RFX-1. RA suppressed the promoter activity in NB4, but not in U-937 cells. The ectopic expression of the APL fusion proteins PML/RARα or PLZF/RARα in U-937 reporter clones were shown to confer sensitivity to RA-induced suppression of TF promoter activity. These results provide a more detailed picture of TF regulation in leukaemic and haematopoietic cells and may have a bearing on new clinical treatment strategies in APL and other leukaemias.