Browsing by Author "Gonzalez, Leticia"

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    Angiotensin-(1-9) reduces cardiovascular and renal inflammation in experimental renin-independent hypertension
    (2018) Gonzalez, Leticia; Novoa, Ulises; Moya, Jackeline; Gabrielli, Luigi; Jalil Milad, Jorge; Garcia, Lorena; Chiong, Mario; Lavandero, Sergio; Paz Ocaranza, Maria
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    Angiotensin-(1-9) regulates cardiac hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro
    (LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, 2010) Paz Ocaranza, Maria; Lavandero, Sergio; Jalil, Jorge E.; Moya, Jaqueline; Pinto, Melissa; Novoa, Ulises; Apablaza, Felipe; Gonzalez, Leticia; Hernandez, Carol; Varas, Manuel; Lopez, Rene; Godoy, Ivan; Verdejo, Hugo; Chiong, Mario
    Background Angiotensin-(1-9) is present in human and rat plasma and its circulating levels increased early after myocardial infarction or in animals treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. However, the cardiovascular effects of this peptide are unknown.
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    Cardiovascular events risk in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases: a prognostic systematic review and meta-analysis
    (2023) Asenjo-Lobos, Claudia; Gonzalez, Leticia; Bulnes, Juan Francisco; Roque, Marta; Venturelli, Paula Munoz; Rodriguez, Gonzalo Martinez
    BackgroundChronic inflammation is considered a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (CV) events. We seek to assess the risk of CV events in patients with Systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD), such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Psoriasis (Ps) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), compared with the general population.Methods and resultsA systematic search of MEDLINE from inception up to May 2021 was performed. Observational studies including individuals with and without autoimmune diseases (SLE, RA, Ps, AS), which reported a measure of association and variability for the effect of SAD on CV events, were included. The random effects meta-analysis was performed using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman approach to obtain the pooled estimates. Cardiovascular Events including CV mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke and coronary revascularization were the main outcomes evaluated.Fifty-four studies were selected, with a total of 24,107,072 participants. The presence of SAD was associated with an increased risk of CV mortality (HR 1.49 [95% CI 1.10-2.03]), non-fatal MI (HR 1.42 [95% CI 1.23-1.62]), and non-fatal stroke (HR 1.47 [95% CI 1.28-1.70]). RA, SLE, and Ps (particularly with arthritis) were significantly associated with a higher risk of MI and stroke. SAD was also associated with an increased risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) (HR 1.45 [95% CI 1.16-1.83]).Methods and resultsA systematic search of MEDLINE from inception up to May 2021 was performed. Observational studies including individuals with and without autoimmune diseases (SLE, RA, Ps, AS), which reported a measure of association and variability for the effect of SAD on CV events, were included. The random effects meta-analysis was performed using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman approach to obtain the pooled estimates. Cardiovascular Events including CV mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke and coronary revascularization were the main outcomes evaluated.Fifty-four studies were selected, with a total of 24,107,072 participants. The presence of SAD was associated with an increased risk of CV mortality (HR 1.49 [95% CI 1.10-2.03]), non-fatal MI (HR 1.42 [95% CI 1.23-1.62]), and non-fatal stroke (HR 1.47 [95% CI 1.28-1.70]). RA, SLE, and Ps (particularly with arthritis) were significantly associated with a higher risk of MI and stroke. SAD was also associated with an increased risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) (HR 1.45 [95% CI 1.16-1.83]).ConclusionPatients with SAD present an increased risk of CV morbidity and mortality, which should be considered when establishing therapeutic strategies. These findings support the role of systemic inflammation in the development of atherosclerosis-driven disease.
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    Azorella Cushion Plants and Aridity are Important Drivers of Soil Microbial Communities in Andean Ecosystems
    (2021) Rodriguez-Echeverria, Susana; Delgado-Baquerizo, Manuel; Morillo, Jose A.; Gaxiola, Aurora; Manzano, Marlene; Marquet, Pablo A.; Gonzalez, Leticia; Cavieres, Lohengrin A.; Pugnaire, Francisco I.; Armas, Cristina
    Cushion plants are specialized keystone species of alpine environments that can have a positive effect on ecosystem structure and function. However, we know relatively little about how cushion plants regulate the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities, major drivers of soil processes and ecosystem functioning. Identifying what factors drive the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities in high-elevation ecosystems is also fundamental to predict how global changes will affect their conservation and the services and functions they provide. Thus, we sampled four sites along the southern Andes following the vegetation belt of Azorella cushion species. The field sites spread along a latitudinal gradient and had contrasting levels of aridity, UV-B radiation, mean temperature and soil properties. Overall, Azorella, as well as aridity and UV-B radiation, were the major drivers of the distribution, composition and diversity of soil microbial communities in the studied ecosystems of the Chilean Andes. UV-B radiation affected particularly soil fungi, while soil properties such as pH, total C and N content, essential predictors of microbial diversity globally, had a much lower effect on the composition of soil microbial communities. Understanding the factors driving the structure and composition of microbial communities, particularly the role of cushion plants and the feedbacks between plant, climate and soil is of uttermost importance for the preservation of the functionality of high-elevation ecosystems threatened by climate change.
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    Non-invasive near-infrared spectroscopy assessment of the spinal neurovascular response in a patient with transverse myelitis: a case report
    (2022) Oyarzún Isamitt, Juan Esteban; Caulier Cisterna, Raúl; González Appelgren, Juan Pablo; Gonzalez, Leticia; Trujillo, Oscar; Eblen-Zajjur, Antonio; Uribe Arancibia, Sergio A.
    Background: Transverse myelitis (TM) is characterized by acute development of motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions due to horizontally diffused inflammation in one or more segments of the spinal cord in the absence of a compressive lesion. The not well-known inflammation process induces demyelination resulting in neurological dysfunction. Case presentation: In this case report we used a functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) technique to evaluate changes in the peri-spinal vascular response induced by a peripheral median nerve electrical stimulation in a patient with chronic transverse myelitis (TM). fNIRS showed drastically reduced signal amplitude in the peri-spinal vascular response, compared to that obtained from a healthy control group throughout most of the C7-T1 and T10-L2 spinal cord segments. Conclusion: The potential use of this relatively non-invasive fNIRS technology support the potential clinical application of this method for functional test of the spinal cord through the assessment of the spinal neurovascular response.
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    The Gut-Heart Axis: Molecular Perspectives and Implications for Myocardial Infarction
    (2024) Rivera Vega, Katherine Solange; Gonzalez, Leticia; Bravo Urquiza, Liena Martina; Manjarrés Madrid, Laura; Andía Kohnenkampf, Marcelo Edgardo
    Myocardial infarction (MI) remains the leading cause of death globally, imposing a significant burden on healthcare systems and patients. The gut-heart axis, a bidirectional network connecting gut health to cardiovascular outcomes, has recently emerged as a critical factor in MI pathophysiology. Disruptions in this axis, including gut dysbiosis and compromised intestinal barrier integrity, lead to systemic inflammation driven by gut-derived metabolites like lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), both of which exacerbate MI progression. In contrast, metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from a balanced microbiota exhibit protective effects against cardiac damage. This review examines the molecular mediators of the gut-heart axis, considering the role of factors like sex-specific hormones, aging, diet, physical activity, and alcohol consumption on gut health and MI outcomes. Additionally, we highlight therapeutic approaches, including dietary interventions, personalized probiotics, and exercise regimens. Addressing the gut-heart axis holds promise for reducing MI risk and improving recovery, positioning it as a novel target in cardiovascular therapy.