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- Effects of a personalized intervention program on the biochemical and hematological profile in community dwelling old adults-the AGA@4life intervention modelPublication . Caseiro, Armando; Rocha, Clara; Silva, Ana Margarida; Ferreira, Carla; Silva, Isabel; Clemente, Mariana; Cipriano, Inês; Saraiva, Marina; Barreira, Rogério; Azenha, Joana; Loureiro, Maria Helena; Martins, Anabela; Pereira, TelmoAging is a social and economic challenge of the highest importance and a multidisciplinary intervention seems to be a promising approach for improving the quality of life of elderly individuals. This project was designed aimed at promoting an active and healthy aging through the implementation of an intervention program based on the comprehensive geriatric assessment model (AGA@4life), focused on promoting health and wellbeing, independence and autonomy, mobility, and social inclusion. A non-randomized interventional study was designed to evaluate the effect of only a dietetic and nutritional approach (control group (CG)) and the combination of a tailored exercise program and a dietetic and nutritional approach (intervention group (IG)) in the biochemical and hematological profile of older adults in the framework of AGA@4life. The 34 participants enrolled, aged 65 years or over, were subject to a thorough baseline (T0) multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation, including the gathering of clinical information and a battery of biochemical and hematological determinations, and reevaluated after eight weeks of intervention (T1). Between T0 and T1, an increase in albumin and total proteins serum levels were observed in both groups (p < 0.01); the hematological profile in CG and IG showed an increase in red cell count and hemoglobin (p < 0.05). In IG, an increase of HDL cholesterol (p < 0.001) and a decrease of triglycerides (p = 0.001) were still observed. The AGA@4life multidisciplinary intervention improved the hematological and biochemical profile of old adults, potentially contributing to delay the development of several aging comorbidities and increase the quality of life of participants.
- Laboratory Assessment of the Effects of AGA@4life Multidisciplinary Intervention on the Inflammatory Profile, MMPs, and TIMPs in a Geriatric PopulationPublication . Lourenço, Ana Patrícia; Freitas, Catarina; Timóteo, Maria Helena; Soares, Maria; Figueiredo, João; Osório, Nádia; Valado, Ana; Trapali, Maria; Pereira, Telmo; Caseiro, ArmandoAbstract: In recent years, the world’s aging population has increased, contributing to the development of age-related pathologies, which have been aggravated by physical inactivity and excessive fat intake. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing a nutritional program (control group—CG) combined with exercise (intervention group—IG) on the inflammatory profile, MMPs, and TIMPs in a group of 34 elderly participants (IG, n = 18; CG, n = 16). Participants underwent a full multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation (T0), with the gathering of clinical information and biochemical and hematological determinations being re-evaluated eight weeks later (T1). A diet manual was made, which provided a selection of different types of diets resulting from the nutritional needs of the different users at the center. The aerobic exercise consisted of two sessions per week with a total duration of 1 h. The laboratory evaluation was performed by slot blot. Statistical analysis included a paired sample t-test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. We observed that in the IG, there was a significant increase at T1 of TNF-α (p < 0.05) and MMP-2 (p < 0.05), without changes in IL-6 and MMP-9, showing that the intervention did not cause an exacerbated inflammatory response in exercised elderly people. The intervention program implemented showed potential to contribute to better active aging strategies, taking advantage of the known benefits of exercise without inducing a harmful inflammatory response in elderly participants.
- Effect of carrageenans on vegetable jelly in humans with hypercholesterolemiaPublication . Valado, Ana; Pereira, Maria; Caseiro, Armando; Figueiredo, João; Loureiro, Helena; Almeida, Carla; Cotas, João; Pereira, LeonelChanges in lipid profile constitute the main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Algae extracted carrageenans are long-chain polysaccharides and their ability to form gels provides for the formation of vegetable jelly. The objective was to evaluate the bioactive potential of carrageenan (E407) in the lipid profile, after ingestion of jelly. A total of 30 volunteers of both sexes, aged 20-64 years and with total cholesterol (TC) values ≥200 mg/dL, who ingested 100 mL/day of jelly for 60 days, were studied. All had two venous blood collections: before starting the jelly intake and after 60 days. At both times, TC, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG), were evaluated using commercial kits and spectrophotometer. The statistics were performed using the SPSS 25.0 software and p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Serum values after 60 days of jelly intake revealed a statistically significant decrease in TC levels (5.3%; p = 0.001) and LDL-C concentration (5.4%; p = 0.048) in females. The daily intake of vegetable jelly for 60 days showed a reduction in serum TC and LDL-C levels in women, allowing us to conclude that carrageenan has bioactive potential in reducing TC concentration.
- Randomized pilot study on the effects of sarcocornia as a salt substitute in arterial blood pressure and vascular function in healthy young adultsPublication . Pereira, Telmo; Caldeira, Andreia Torres; Caseiro, Armando; Osório, Nádia; MOREIRA DA SILVA, AIDA; Barroca, MJPrevious studies have shown that excessive salt intake is strongly associated with high blood pressure (HT), vascular dysfunction, and the overall risk of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate Sarcocornia effectiveness as a salt substitute, addressing its effect on cardiovascular function in healthy young individuals. Thirty healthy participants, aged 18 to 26 years, were randomized into two groups: the control group (CG) and the intervention group (IG). The IG used Sarcocornia powder as a salt substitute for cooking, and the CG used regular salt, during a period of 1 month. A baseline evaluation was performed before the participants started the intervention phase, and was repeated after a 30-day intervention period. Each evaluation included blood pressure (BP) measurement, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), and carotid pulse wave analysis (PWA), and blood samples were also collected for analysis. Sodium excretion was measured at baseline and after intervention through spot urine collection and analysis, a method suitable for this population but with known limitations. Baseline parameters were similar between groups and were within the normal range. Sodium excretion remained unchanged in the two evaluations in the CG, but significantly decreased after intervention in the IG. The reduction in sodium excretion in the IG was followed by a significant reduction in brachial and aortic systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and also in PWV. No significant changes were observed in the CG in terms of cardiovascular parameters. This preliminary study conveys positive results in favor of Sarcocornia as a dietary substitute for regular salt, providing added evidence of the negative cardiovascular effects of high salt intake in young and healthy adults.
- Avaliação laboratorial do efeito antioxidante e anti-inflamatório do Resveratrol na função vascularPublication . Silva, Ana Margarida; Ferreira, Carla; Dias, Beatriz; Silva, Isabel; Clemente, Mariana; Figueiredo, João; Pereira, Telmo; Caseiro, ArmandoIntrodução: O resveratrol é uma fitoalexina natural cujos principais benefícios devem-se às suas propriedades anti-inflamatórias e antioxidantes. Os seus efeitos sugerem que este é um suplemento útil para a redução da inflamação, podendo desempenhar um papel fundamental na prevenção das doenças cardiovasculares. Este promove a vasodilatação pela indução da síntese de óxido nítrico (NO), possui atividade antitrombótica e evita a agregação plaquetária. O fator de crescimento endotelial vascular ( VEGF) é responsável pela angiogénese, sendo a sua expressão infuenciada pelo resveratrol. Objetivos: Avaliar o efeito do resveratrol no perfl vascular pela determinação da pressão arterial e dos biomarcadores interleucina-6 (IL-6), proteína C reativa (PCR), VEGF e NO. Material e Métodos: 27 alunos com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e os 22 anos foram divididos em grupo controlo (GC) e grupo de intervenção (GI), que consumiram placebo e 100 mg de resveratrol por dia, respetivamente, durante 1 mês. A pressão arterial foi medida com aparelho automático validado. Os níveis de PCR foram obtidos por imunoturbidimetria, os de IL-6 e VEGF por slot blot e a quantifcação de NO por espectrofotometria. Resultados: Entre os grupos observou-se uma diminuição da pressão arterial braquial e central (ρ˂0.05). A variação negativa no NO apresentou-se superior no GC apesar das diferenças não serem signifcativas (p>0,05). Nos restantes marcadores avaliados não se observaram diferenças signifcativas. Conclusões: A ingestão regular de resveratrol parece ser uma abordagem preventiva a nível vascular, dado que modula positivamente o perfl vascular, reduzindo a pressão arterial. A variação nos níveis de NO poderá ajudar a explicar os benefícios verifcados.
- Interleukin 6 and Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 in obesityPublication . Figueiredo, João; Santos, Rute; Loureiro, Helena; Castanheira, Joaquim; Osório, Nádia; Monteiro, Mário; Caseiro, Armando
- Editorial de Tecnologias de Diagnóstico e TerapêuticaPublication . Caseiro, Armando
- Role of body mass and physical activity in autonomic function modulation on Post-COVID-19 condition: an observational subanalysis of Fit-COVID studyPublication . Freire, Ana Paula Coelho Figueira; Lira, Fabio Santos; Morano, Ana Elisa von Ah; Pereira, Telmo; Coelho-E-Silva, Manuel-João; Caseiro, Armando; Christofaro, Diego Giulliano Destro; Marchioto Júnior, Osmar; Dorneles, Gilson Pires; Minuzzi, Luciele Guerra; Pinho, Ricardo Aurino; Silva, Bruna Spolador de AlencarThe harmful effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can reach the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and endothelial function. Therefore, the detrimental multiorgan effects of COVID-19 could be induced by deregulations in ANS that may persist after the acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, investigating the differences in ANS response in overweight/obese, and physically inactive participants who had COVID-19 compared to those who did not have the disease is necessary. The aim of the study was to analyze the autonomic function of young adults after mild-to-moderate infection with SARS-CoV-2 and to assess whether body mass index (BMI) and levels of physical activity modulates autonomic function in participants with and without COVID-19. Patients previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 and healthy controls were recruited for this cross-sectional observational study. A general anamnesis was taken, and BMI and physical activity levels were assessed. The ANS was evaluated through heart rate variability. A total of 57 subjects were evaluated. Sympathetic nervous system activity in the post-COVID-19 group was increased (stress index; p = 0.0273). They also presented lower values of parasympathetic activity (p < 0.05). Overweight/obese subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly lower parasympathetic activity and reduced global variability compared to non-obese in control group (p < 0.05). Physically inactive subjects in the post-COVID-19 group presented significantly higher sympathetic activity than active subjects in the control group. Parasympathetic activity was significantly increased in physically active subjects in the control group compared to the physically inactive post-COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). COVID-19 promotes changes in the ANS of young adults, and these changes are modulated by overweight/obesity and physical activity levels.
- Association between serum levels of C-reactive protein and lipid profilePublication . Lopes, Ana; Figueiredo, João; Santos, Rute; Loureiro, Helena; Castanheira, Joaquim; Osório, Nádia; Monteiro, Mário; Caseiro, Armando
- Bioanalytical approach-ageing, exercise and oxidative stressPublication . Valado, Ana; Lopes, Diana; Osório, Nádia; Caseiro, Armando; Figueiredo, João; Patrício, Cristina; Pacheco, Maria Paula; Oostingh, Gertie Janneke; Gabriel, António José dos SantosAbstract: Exercise interferes with the ageing, causing changes in markers of the antioxidant system, such as nitric oxide (NO) and uric acid. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate if regular exercise affects the ageing process by causing changes in the antioxidant markers, nitric oxide and uric acid, in individuals aged ≥ 65 years, subjected to an exercise plan. Methods: The study involved 12 participants distributed in an experimental and control group. The experimental group performed exercises guided by a physiotherapist during 12 weeks. Three blood samples were collected from participants: T0, at the start of the study; T1, after 12 weeks of exercise and T2, 12 weeks after finishing the exercise. NO and uric acid were quantified with commercial kits. The statistics were performed using SPSS and the ANOVA and Student t-tests were applied. Result: In the experimental group, the mean values of NO showed an increase between T0 and T1, with a slight decrease between T1 and T2. Similar effects were observed for the uric acid concentration in the experimental group, with statistical significance from T0 to T1. Conclusion: After exercise, there was an increase in blood uric acid and NO levels, highlighting the importance of moderate and controlled exercise practice. Therefore, exercise seems relevant and beneficial in activating antioxidant mechanisms.