Browsing by Author "Pinto, Rui"
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- Dinâmica fisiológica da variabilidade cardíaca: uma abordagem estatística na síncope vasovagalPublication . Seco, Maria Alexandra; Pinto, RuiIntrodução: A perda transitória da consciência e tónus postural seguido de rápida recuperação é definida como síncope. Tem sido dada atenção a uma síncope de origem central com descida da pressão sistémica conhecida por síncope vasovagal (SVV). Objetivos: A análise da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (HRV) é uma das principais estratégias para estudar a SVV através de protocolos padrão (por exemplo tilt test). O principal objetivo deste trabalho é compreender a importância relativa de diversas variáveis, tais como pressão arterial diastólica e sistólica, (dBP) e (sBP), volume sistólico (SV) e resistência periférica total (TPR) na HRV. Métodos: Foram usados modelos estatísticos mistos para modelar o comportamento das variáveis acima descritas na HRV. Analisaram-se mais de mil e quinhentas observações de quatro pacientes com SVV, previamente testados com análise espectral clássica para a fase basal (LF/HF=3.01) e fases de tilt (LF/HF=0.64), indicando uma predominância vagal no período tilt. Resultados: O modelo 1 revelou o papel importante da dBP e uma baixa influência de SV, na fase de tilt, relativos à HRV. No modelo 2 a TPR revelou uma baixa influência na HRV na fase de tilt entre os pacientes. Conclusões: Verificou-se que a HRV é influenciada por um conjunto de variáveis fisiológicas, cuja contribuição individual pode ser usada para compreender as flutuações cardíacas. O uso de modelos estatísticos salientou a importância de estudar o papel da dBP e SV na SVV.
- Do soil management practices affect the activity density, diversity, and stability of soil arthropods in vineyards?Publication . Gonçalves, Fátima; Nunes, Cátia; Carlos, Cristina; López, Álvaro; Oliveira, Irene; Crespí, António; Teixeira, Branca; Pinto, Rui; Costa, Cristina Amaro Da; Torres, LauraArthropods are important components of the soil fauna in improving soil quality and its structural properties. Arthropods are also very sensitive to soil management practices. Thus, a study was carried out in a vineyard in the Douro Demarcated Region (Northeast Portugal), to investigate the effect of three soil management practices (tillage, ground cover with spontaneous vegetation, and ground cover with sown vegetation) on the activity density, richness and diversity of soil arthropods, as well as on the stability of their communities. Soil-surface arthropods were assessed in 2014 and 2015 using pitfall traps, while soil-living arthropods were assessed in 2016 by collecting soil samples and extracting them through a Berlese-Tullgren funnel. The possibility of using the Soil Biological Quality index (QBS-ar index) as a tool to discriminate soils of vines subject to those management practices was also investigated. Results show that ground cover treatments significantly enhanced the activity density of soil-surface herbivores and of their potential natural enemies in both years and the activity density of detritivores in 2014. The richness of total soil-surface arthropods and potential predators was also increased by ground cover treatments in 2015. In both years, Simpson’s diversity index of herbivores was enhanced by ground cover treatments, and in 2015, Simpson’s diversity index of the total soil-surface arthropods, potential predators, and omnivores was significantly higher in spontaneous vegetation than in tillage or sown vegetation treatments. The soil-surface arthropods community stability was positively affected by both their activity density and richness in 2015, with that stability being better achieved in the sown vegetation treatment. In soil-living arthropods, activity density, richness and Simpson’s diversity index were significantly higher in ground cover treatments than in the tillage treatment. The QBS-ar index was significantly higher in ground cover treatments than in the tillage, suggesting that this index can be a useful tool to discriminate soil management practices in vineyards. In conclusion, our results indicate that the ground cover with vegetation improves the activity density and diversity of soil arthropods in vineyards.
- Effect of Aqueous Extract of Phenolic Compounds Obtained from Red Wine in Experimental Model of Colitis in MicePublication . Mateus, Vanessa; Estarreja, João; Silva, Inês; Gonçalves, Fernando Jorge; Teixeira-Lemos, Edite; Pinto, RuiBackground: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder represented by Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Currently, there is no cure and pharmacological treatment aims to induce and maintain remission on patients. Because the therapy reveals a relatively high toxicity, during a long-term utilization, it is essential to investigate new pharmacological approaches. Polyphenols, commonly present on red wine, have shown health-beneficial effects related to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of NF-kB activation, COX-2 and iNOS induction. In this sense, it would be interesting to study their effects in an IBD context. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of an aqueous extract of phenolic compounds in a 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced model of colitis. Method: Experimental colitis was induced in mice through an intrarectal administration of TNBS and then the mice were treated with an aqueous extract of phenolic compounds intraperitoneally for four days. Results and Discussion: The extract demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing TNF-α levels in the colon, and had a beneficial effect on the extraintestinal manifestations related to IBD, without any significant side effects. The extract of phenolic compounds demonstrated to be a valuable object of study for the management of IBD in the future.
- Effect of Cynara cardunculus L. var. altilis (DC) in inflammatory bowel diseasePublication . Mateus, Vanessa; Estarreja, João; Silva, Inês Filipa Janeiro; Barracosa, Paulo; Teixeira de Lemos, Edite; Pinto, RuiCynara cardunculus L. var. altilis (DC) is a plant generally associated as an ingredient in the Mediterranean diet. The polyphenols present in this plant provide pharmacological and nutritional properties. C. cardunculus L. has been used throughout animal studies, which demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Since there is not a known cure, the research of new possible pharmacological approaches is essential. This study aims to evaluate the effect of an aqueous extract of C. cardunculus L. dry leaves in a 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model. Methods: CD-1 mice with TNBS-induced colitis received an intraperitoneal (IP) administration of C. cardunculus L. once per day for 4 days. Results: The C. cardunculus L. demonstrated a beneficial effect in this experimental model of IBD with anti-inflammatory action through the reduction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels. It also demonstrated a beneficial influence on the extra-intestinal manifestations related to IBD, with the absence of significant side effects of its use. Conclusions: The extract of C. cardunculus L. dry leaves can become an interesting tool for new possible pharmacological approaches in the management of IBD.
- Effects of Sitagliptin Treatment on Dysmetabolism, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in an Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes (ZDF Rat)Publication . Ferreira, Liliana; Teixeira-de-Lemos, Edite; Pinto, Filipa; Parada, Belmiro; Mega, Cristina; Vala, Helena; Pinto, Rui; Garrido, Patrícia; Sereno, José; Fernandes, Rosa; Santos, Paulo; Velada, Isabel; Melo, Andreia; Nunes, Sara; Teixeira, Frederico; Reis, FlávioThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the chronic effect of sitagliptin on metabolic profile, inflammation, and redox status in the Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat, an animal model of obese type 2 diabetes. Diabetic and obese ZDF (fa/fa) rats and their controls (ZDF +/+) were treated during 6 weeks with vehicle (control) and sitagliptin (10 mg/kg/bw). Glucose, HbA1c, insulin, Total-c, TGs, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, CRPhs, and adiponectin were assessed in serum and MDA and TAS in serum, pancreas, and heart. Pancreatic histology was also evaluated. Sitagliptin in diabetic rats promoted a decrease in glucose, HbA1c, Total-c, and TGs accompanied by a partial prevention of insulinopenia, together, with a decrease in CRPhs and IL-1beta. Sitagliptin also showed a positive impact on lipid peroxidation and hypertension prevention. In conclusion, chronic sitagliptin treatment corrected the glycaemic dysmetabolism, hypertriglyceridaemia, inflammation, and hypertension, reduced the severity of the histopathological lesions of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine tissues, together with a favourable redox status, which might be a further advantage in the management of diabetes and its proatherogenic comorbidities.
- Exercise training is associated with improved levels of C-reactive protein and adiponectin in ZDF (type 2) diabetic rats.Publication . Teixeira de Lemos, Edite; Reis, Flávio; Baptista, Sofi a; Pinto, Rui; Sepodes, Bruno; Vala, Helena; Rocha-Pereira, P.; Silva, Alice Santos; Teixeira, FredericoChronic low-grade systemic infl ammation is a feature of such chronic diseases as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D). There is evidence that regular exercise is effective as a treatment in these situations. This study intended to assess the levels of two infl ammatory mediators, C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin, in Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF, fa/fa) rats, an experimental model of T2D, and to determine whether exercise-induced changes in insulin resistance could be explained by modifi cations in these infl ammation markers. Material/Methods: Male ZDF (Gmi fa/fa) rats and their littermates (Gmi +/+), aged 8 weeks, were randomly assigned in two groups: an exercise trained and a sedentary one. Swimming was conducted 1 h/day 3 days/week for 12 weeks. The rats were sacrifi ced 48 h after the last round of exercise. Rats had their body weight, insulin, adiponectin, CRP, as well as glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, MDA, and SOD measured and HOMA-IR calculated before and after the 12-week swimming training. Results: In the ZDF (fa/fa) rats underwent swimming exercise, all the metabolic abnormalities were totally or partially prevented ( p<0.001), namely the hyperglycemic, hyperinsulinemic, and dyslipidemic pattern observed in their sedentary counterparts. Furthermore, even without body weight change, a plasma adiponectin increase (28.0%) and a CRP decrease (12.7%) were also observed. Conclusions: A 12-week thrice-weekly swimming training was associated with improved measures of chronic in- fl ammation markers as measured by adiponectin and CRP. Moreover, improvements in insulin sensitivity resulting from swimming exercise appeared to be related to changes in these infl ammatory mediators.