Loading...
10 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
- 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.
- Matrix metalloproteinase 9 and its tissue inhibitor 1 in obesityPublication . Lopes, Ana; Figueiredo, João; Santos, Rute; Loureiro, Helena; Castanheira, Joaquim; Osório, Nádia; Monteiro, Mário
- Short peripheral venous catheters contamination and the dangers of bloodstream infection in Portugal: an analytic studyPublication . Osório, Nádia; Oliveira, Vânia; Costa, Maria Inês; Santos-Costa, Paulo; Serambeque, Beatriz; Gama, Fernando; Adriano, David; Graveto, João; Parreira, Pedro; Salgueiro-Oliveira, AnabelaPeripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are the most used vascular access devices in the world. However, failure rates remain considerably high, with complications such as PVC-related infections posing significant threats to patients’ well-being. In Portugal, studies evaluating the contamination of these vascular medical devices and characterizing the associated microorganisms are scarce and lack insight into potential virulence factors. To address this gap, we analyzed 110 PVC tips collected in a large tertiary hospital in Portugal. Experiments followed Maki et al.’s semi-quantitative method for microbiological diagnosis. Staphylococcus spp. were subsequently studied for the antimicrobial susceptibility profile by disc diffusion method and based on the cefoxitin phenotype, were further classified into strains resistant to methicillin. Screening for the mecA gene was also done by a polymerase chain reaction and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)-vancomycin as determined by E-test, proteolytic and hemolytic activity on skimmed milk 1% plate and blood agar, respectively. The biofilm formation was evaluated on microplate reading through iodonitrotetrazolium chloride 95% (INT). Overall, 30% of PVCs were contaminated, and the most prevalent genus was Staphylococcus spp., 48.8%. This genus presented resistance to penicillin (91%), erythromycin (82%), ciprofloxacin (64%), and cefoxitin (59%). Thus, 59% of strains were considered resistant to methicillin; however, we detected the mecA gene in 82% of the isolates tested. Regarding the virulence factors, 36.4% presented α-hemolysis and 22.7% β-hemolysis, 63.6% presented a positive result for the production of proteases, and 63.6% presented a biofilm formation capacity. Nearly 36.4% were simultaneously resistant to methicillin and showed expression of proteases and/or hemolysins, biofilm formation, and the MIC to vancomycin were greater than 2 µg/mL. Conclusion: PVCs were mainly contaminated with Staphylococcus spp., with high pathogenicity and resistance to antibiotics. The production of virulence factors strengthens the attachment and the permanence to the catheter’s lumen. Quality improvement initiatives are needed to mitigate such results and enhance the quality and safety of the care provided in this field.
- 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.
- Interleukin 6 and Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 in obesityPublication . Figueiredo, João; Santos, Rute; Loureiro, Helena; Castanheira, Joaquim; Osório, Nádia; Monteiro, Mário; Caseiro, Armando
- 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.
- Re-thinking table salt reduction in bread with halophyte plant solutionsPublication . Barroca, MJ; Flores, Catarina; Ressurreição, Sandrine; Guiné, Raquel P. F.; Osório, Nádia; MOREIRA DA SILVA, AIDASodium intake higher than it is physiologically necessary has been associated with some non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. Bread is commonly consumed and is a major source of sodium in the human diet. Among the interventions to reduce the salt content in bread, the incorporation of salty taste halophyte powder could be a promising strategy. In the present work, Sarcocornia perennis was incorporated as a food ingredient to substitute the salt (sodium) of white wheat bread (1.2% NaCl/0.47% sodium, flour basis). Powdered dried S. perennis was incorporated into bread by replacing the same amount of sodium (0.47%, flour basis) and half of the sodium concentration (0.235%, flour basis), respectively, B100 and B50 bread samples. The bread samples were analyzed to evaluate the impact of the sodium chloride replacement by S. perennis powder on total baking loss, specific volume, crumb color, textural properties, microbial activity, nutritional and mineral composition and sensory evaluation. The incorporation of S. perennis increased the specific volume but had no relevant impact on the textural properties of bread. Furthermore, the substitution of sodium chloride by S. perennis powder allowed a more colored (greenish and yellowish) and dark crumb leading to a lower whiteness index. Compared with control bread, the addition of S. perennis powder promoted a significant increase of all bread’s nutrients and minerals, namely calcium, phosphor, iron, and manganese. Besides the improvement of bread quality, B100, and B50 bread samples were both sensorily well accepted and with similar scores to all the evaluated sensorial attributes. Moreover, the reduction of sodium to half (0.235% sodium (flour basis) in bread (B50) did not affect the acceptability of tasters, as compared with B100 (0.47% sodium (flour basis)). Both new bread formulation has microbiological quality as ready-to-eat product. However, taking into account greater stability over time for microbial spoilage, mainly caused by fungi and yeasts, B50 bread is more promising. The B50 bread sample is also a potential strategy to obtain a sodium reduction of 50% in bread, which could be essential to reduce the overall sodium daily intake and bring important economic and public health benefits.
- Assessing sarcocornia as a salt substitute: effects on lipid profile and gelatinase activityPublication . Louçano, Beatriz; Maletti, Sara; Timóteo, Maria Helena; Figueiredo, João; Osório, Nádia; Barroca, Maria João; Silva, Aida Moreira; Pereira, Telmo; Caseiro, ArmandoSodium, although essential for life, is a key factor in changes in vascular function and cardiovascular disease when consumed in excess. Sarcocornia spp., a halophyte plant with many nutritional benefits, presents itself as a promising substitute for the consumption of purified salt. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 are widely studied due to their action in physiological processes and as biomarkers at the diagnostic level due to their increased expression in inflammatory processes. This study aimed to evaluate whether replacing salt with Sarcocornia perennis (S. perennis) powder in healthy young people leads to an improvement in biochemical profiles and the attenuation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. In the present study, 30 participants were randomized into a control group that consumed salt and an intervention group that replaced salt with powdered S. perennis. The evaluation of the biochemical parameters was carried out by the spectrophotometry method, and the evaluation of MMP activity was carried out by zymography. A significant decrease was observed in the intervention group in total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and creatinine (p-value ≤ 0.05), along with lower but not significantly different mean values of triglycerides. Regarding MMP activity after the intervention, a lower mean value was observed for MMP-9 activity, with there being higher mean values for MMP-2 activity, both with p-values ≥ 0.05.The results confirmed that the consumption of S. perennis is a beneficial choice for health regarding the lipid profile. The evaluation of MMP activity indicated the potential of S. perennis in the regulation of MMP-9 activity in healthy individuals, along with the need for the further study of these proteases in individuals with pathologies.
- Oxidative stress in relation to aging and exercisePublication . Verhaegen, Dimphna; Smits, Kelly; Osório, Nádia; Caseiro, ArmandoDefinition: Oxidative stress is an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in favor of the oxidants, resulting in disruption of redox signaling and control and causing molecular damage. Oxidative stress is related to a variety of diseases, for example, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, infections, and cancer. It might be that oxidative stress, and, more specifically, reactive oxygen species (ROS), affects longevity in a subtle way through signaling. Possible therapies to reduce oxidative stress in the elderly are nutritional intervention (for example, caloric restriction (CR)) and exercise. Exercise is associated with favorable changes in the expression of antioxidant enzymes and the oxidative stress status in general. A diet with CR also seems to be a promising way to reduce oxidative stress by decreasing oxidant emission and improving antioxidant mechanisms. A better understanding of where the antioxidant mechanisms in the elderly fail could be a big step forward in developing new therapies (such as exercise or diet) that prevent oxidative damage and cellular dysfunction with age.