Browsing by Author "Sobrevia, Luis"
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- ItemConsequences of the exposome to gestational diabetes mellitus(2023) Rudge, Marilza V. C.; Alves, Fernanda C. B.; Hallur, Raghavendra L. S.; Oliveira, Rafael G.; Vega, Sofia; Reyes, David R. A.; Floriano, Juliana F.; Prudencio, Caroline B.; Garcia, Gabriela A.; Reis, Fabiana V. D. S.; Emanueli, Costanza; Fuentes, Gonzalo; Cornejo, Marcelo; Toledo, Fernando; Valenzuela-Hinrichsen, Andres; Guerra, Catalina; Grismaldo, Adriana; Valero, Paola; Barbosa, Angelica M. P.; Sobrevia, LuisThe exposome is the cumulative measure of environmental influences and associated biological responses throughout the lifespan, including those from the environment, diet, behaviour, and endogenous processes. The exposome concept and the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the United Nations are the basis for understanding the aetiology and consequences of non-communicable diseases, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Pregnancy may be developed in an environment with adverse factors part of the immediate internal medium for fetus development and the external medium to which the pregnant woman is exposed. The placenta is the interface between maternal and fetal compartments and acts as a protective barrier or easing agent to transfer exposome from mother to fetus. Under and over-nutrition in utero, exposure to adverse environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pesticides, drugs, pharmaceuticals, lifestyle, air pollutants, and tobacco smoke plays a determinant role in the development of GDM. This phenomenon is worsened by metabolic stress postnatally, such as obesity which increases the risk of GDM and other diseases. Clinical risk factors for GDM development include its aetiology. It is proposed that knowledge-based interventions to change the potential interdependent ecto-exposome and endo-exposome could avoid the occurrence and consequences of GDM.
- ItemFetoplacental endothelial dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus and maternal obesity: A potential threat for programming cardiovascular disease(2023) Diniz, Mariana S.; Hiden, Ursula; Falcao-Pires, Ines; Oliveira, Paulo J.; Sobrevia, Luis; Pereira, Susana P.Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and maternal obesity (MO) increase the risk of adverse fetal outcomes, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease later in life. Extensive research has been conducted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which GDM and MO program the offspring to disease. This review focuses on the role of fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction in programming the offspring for cardiovascular disease in GDM and MO pregnancies. We discuss how pre-existing maternal health conditions can lead to vascular dysfunction in the fetoplacental unit and the fetus. We also examine the role of fetoplacental endothelial dysfunction in impairing fetal cardiovascular system development and the involvement of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide in mediating fetoplacental vascular dysfunction. Furthermore, we suggest that the L-Arginine-Nitric Oxide and the AdenosineL-Arginine-Nitric Oxide (ALANO) signaling pathways are pertinent targets for research. Despite significant progress in this area, there are still knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in future research.
- ItemFunctional consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women, fetoplacental unit, and neonate(ELSEVIER, 2023) Carvajal, Jorge; Casanello, Paola; Toso, Alberto; Farias, Marcelo; Carrasco-Negue, Karina; Araujo, Kenny; Valero, Paola; Fuenzalida, Javiera; Solari, Caterina; Sobrevia, LuisThe SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19 disease, characterized by acute respiratory distress syndrome, bilateral pneumonia, and organ failure. The consequences of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection for the pregnant woman, fetus, and neonate are controversial. Thus, it is required to determine whether there is viral and non -viral vertical transmission in COVID-19. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 leads to functional alterations in asymptomatic and symptomatic pregnant women, the fetoplacental unit and the neonate. Several diseases of pregnancy, including COVID-19, affect the fetoplacental function, which causes in utero programming for young and adult diseases. A generalized inflammatory state and a higher risk of infection are seen in pregnant women with COVID-19. Obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension may increase the vulnerability of pregnant women to infection by SARS-CoV-2. Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 show specific mutations that seem to increase the capacity of the virus to infect the pregnant woman, likely due to increasing its interaction via the virus S protein and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors. This review shows the literature addressing to what extent COVID-19 in pregnancy affects the pregnant woman, fetoplacental unit, and neonate. Prospective studies that are key in managing SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy are discussed.
- ItemGestational Diabetes Reduces Adenosine Transport in Human Placental Microvascular Endothelium, an Effect Reversed by Insulin(PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE, 2012) Salomon, Carlos; Westermeier, Francisco; Puebla, Carlos; Arroyo, Pablo; Guzman Gutierrez, Enrique; Pardo, Fabian; Leiva, Andrea; Casanello, Paola; Sobrevia, LuisGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) courses with increased fetal plasma adenosine concentration and reduced adenosine transport in placental macrovascular endothelium. Since insulin modulates human equilibrative nucleoside transporters (hENTs) expression/activity, we hypothesize that GDM will alter hENT2-mediated transport in human placental microvascular endothelium (hPMEC), and that insulin will restore GDM to a normal phenotype involving insulin receptors A (IR-A) and B (IR-B). GDM effect on hENTs expression and transport activity, and IR-A/IR-B expression and associated cell signalling cascades (p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p42/44(mapk)) and Akt) role in hPMEC primary cultures was assayed. GDM associates with elevated umbilical whole and vein, but not arteries blood adenosine, and reduced hENTs adenosine transport and expression. IR-A/IR-B mRNA expression and p42/44(mapk)/Akt ratios ('metabolic phenotype') were lower in GDM. Insulin reversed GDM-reduced hENT2 expression/activity, IR-A/IR-B mRNA expression and p42/44(mapk)/Akt ratios to normal pregnancies ('mitogenic phenotype'). It is suggested that insulin effects required IR-A and IR-B expression leading to differential modulation of signalling pathways restoring GDM-metabolic to a normal-mitogenic like phenotype. Insulin could be acting as protecting factor for placental microvascular endothelial dysfunction in GDM.
- ItemInsulin-Increased L-Arginine Transport Requires A(2A) Adenosine Receptors Activation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelium(PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE, 2012) Guzman Gutierrez, Enrique; Westermeier, Francisco; Salomon, Carlos; Gonzalez, Marcelo; Pardo, Fabian; Leiva, Andrea; Sobrevia, LuisAdenosine causes vasodilation of human placenta vasculature by increasing the transport of arginine via cationic amino acid transporters 1 (hCAT-1). This process involves the activation of A(2A) adenosine receptors (A(2A)AR) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Insulin increases hCAT-1 activity and expression in HUVECs, and A(2A)AR stimulation increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with insulin resistance. However, whether A(2A)AR plays a role in insulin-mediated increase in L-arginine transport in HUVECs is unknown. To determine this, we first assayed the kinetics of saturable L-arginine transport (1 minute, 37 degrees C) in the absence or presence of nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI, 10 mu mol/L, adenosine transport inhibitor) and/or adenosine receptors agonist/antagonists. We also determined hCAT-1 protein and mRNA expression levels (Western blots and quantitative PCR), and SLC7A1 (for hCAT-1) reporter promoter activity. Insulin and NBTI increased the extracellular adenosine concentration, the maximal velocity for L-arginine transport without altering the apparent K-m for L-arginine transport, hCAT-1 protein and mRNA expression levels, and SLC7A1 transcriptional activity. An A2AAR antagonist ZM-241385 blocked these effects. ZM241385 inhibited SLC7A1 reporter transcriptional activity to the same extent in cells transfected with pGL3-hCAT-1(-1606) or pGL3-hCAT-1(-650) constructs in the presence of NBTI + insulin. However, SLC7A1 reporter activity was increased by NBTI only in cells transfected with pGL3-hCAT-1(-1606), and the ZM-241385 sensitive fraction of the NBTI response was similar in the absence or in the presence of insulin. Thus, insulin modulation of hCAT-1 expression and activity requires functional A(2A)AR in HUVECs, a mechanism that may be applicable to diseases associated with fetal insulin resistance, such as gestational diabetes.
- ItemNutrigenomics of inward rectifier potassium channels(2023) Ferreira, Gonzalo; Santander, Axel; Cardozo, Romina; Chavarria, Luisina; Dominguez, Lucia; Mujica, Nicolas; Benitez, Milagros; Sastre, Santiago; Sobrevia, Luis; Nicolson, Garth L.Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels play a key role in maintaining the resting membrane potential and supporting potassium homeostasis. There are many variants of Kir channels, which are usually tetramers in which the main subunit has two trans-membrane helices attached to two N- and C-terminal cytoplasmic tails with a pore-forming loop in between that contains the selectivity filter. These channels have domains that are strongly modulated by molecules present in nutrients found in different diets, such as phosphoinositols, polyamines and Mg2+. These molecules can impact these channels directly or indirectly, either allosterically by modulation of enzymes or via the regulation of channel expression. A particular type of these channels is coupled to cell metabolism and inhibited by ATP (KATP channels, essential for insulin release and for the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases like diabetes mellitus). Genomic changes in Kir channels have a significant impact on metabolism, such as conditioning the nutrients and electrolytes that an individual can take. Thus, the nutrigenomics of ion channels is an important emerging field in which we are attempting to understand how nutrients and diets can affect the activity and expression of ion channels and how genomic changes in such channels may be the basis for pathological conditions that limit nutrition and electrolyte intake. In this contribution we briefly review Kir channels, discuss their nutrigenomics, characterize how different components in the diet affect their function , expression , suggest how their genomic changes lead to pathological phenotypes that affect diet and electrolyte intake.
- ItemOxidative and Inflammatory Imbalance in Placenta and Kidney of sFlt1-Induced Early-Onset Preeclampsia Rat Model(2022) Santana-Garrido, Alvaro; Reyes-Goya, Claudia; Espinosa-Martin, Pablo; Sobrevia, Luis; Beltran, Luis M.; Vazquez, Carmen M.; Mate, AlfonsoPreeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific disorder characterized by the new onset of hypertension plus proteinuria and/or end-organ dysfunction. Here, we investigate the role of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase system as a major component of reactive oxygen species generation, in a rodent model of early-onset preeclampsia induced by excess sFlt1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1). Placenta and kidney samples were obtained from normal pregnant and PE rats to measure the sFlt1/PlGF (placental growth factor) ratio in addition to oxidative stress-related parameters, including the activities and expressions of NADPH oxidase isoforms (NOX1, NOX2, and NOX4), components of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism, and antioxidant enzymes. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR alpha, PPAR gamma) and cytokines IL1 beta, IL3, IL6, IL10, and IL18 were also measured to evaluate the inflammation status in our experimental setting. Excessive O-2(?-) production was found in rats that were treated with sFlt1; interestingly, this alteration appears to be mediated mainly by NOX2 in the placenta and by NOX4 in the kidney. Altered NO metabolism and antioxidant defense systems, together with mitochondrial dysfunction, were observed in this model of PE. Preeclamptic animals also exhibited overexpression of proinflammatory biomarkers as well as increased collagen deposition. Our results highlight the role of NADPH oxidase in mediating oxidative stress and possibly inflammatory processes in the placenta and kidney of an sFlt1-based model of early-onset preeclampsia.
- ItemPotential Role of Sodium-Proton Exchangers in the Low Concentration Arsenic Trioxide-Increased Intracellular pH and Cell Proliferation(PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE, 2012) Aravena, Carmen; Beltran, Ana R.; Cornejo, Marcelo; Torres, Viviana; Diaz, Emilce S.; Guzman Gutierrez, Enrique; Pardo, Fabian; Leiva, Andrea; Sobrevia, Luis; Ramirez, Marco A.Arsenic main inorganic compound is arsenic trioxide (ATO) presented in solution mainly as arsenite. ATO increases intracellular pH (pHi), cell proliferation and tumor growth. Sodium-proton exchangers (NHEs) modulate the pHi, with NHE1 playing significant roles. Whether ATO-increased cell proliferation results from altered NHEs expression and activity is unknown. We hypothesize that ATO increases cell proliferation by altering pHi due to increased NHEs-like transport activity. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells grown in 5 mmol/L D-glucose-containing DMEM were exposed to ATO (0.05, 0.5 or 5 mu mol/L, 0-48 hours) in the absence or presence of 5-N, N-hexamethylene amiloride (HMA, 5-100 mu mol/L, NHEs inhibitor), PD-98059 (30 mu mol/L, MAPK1/2 inhibitor), Go6976 (10 mu mol/L, PKC alpha, beta I and mu inhibitor), or Schering 28080 (10 mu mol/L, H+/K(+)ATPase inhibitor) plus concanamycin (0.1 mu mol/L, V type ATPases inhibitor). Incorporation of [H-3]thymidine was used to estimate cell proliferation, and counting cells with a hemocytometer to determine the cell number. The pHi was measured by fluorometry in 2,7-bicarboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein loaded cells. The Na+-dependent HMA-sensitive NHEs-like mediated proton transport kinetics, NHE1 protein abundance in the total, cytoplasm and plasma membrane protein fractions, and phosphorylated and total p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p42/44(mapk)) were also determined. Lowest ATO (0.05 mu mol/L, similar to 0.01 ppm) used in this study increased cell proliferation, pHi, NHEs-like transport and plasma membrane NHE1 protein abundance, effects blocked by HMA, PD-98059 or Go6976. Cell-buffering capacity did not change by ATO. The results show that a low ATO concentration increases MDCK cells proliferation by NHEs (probably NHE1)-like transport dependent-increased pHi requiring p42/44(mapk) and PKC alpha, beta I and/or mu activity. This finding could be crucial in diseases where uncontrolled cell growth occurs, such as tumor growth, and in circumstances where ATO, likely arsenite, is available at the drinking-water at these levels. Citation: Aravena C, Beltran AR, Cornejo M, Torres V, Diaz ES, et al. (2012) Potential Role of Sodium-Proton Exchangers in the Low Concentration Arsenic Trioxide-Increased Intracellular pH and Cell Proliferation. PLoS ONE 7(12): e51451. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051451
- ItemPro-angiogenic approach for skeletal muscle regeneration(2022) Floriano, Juliana Ferreira; Emanueli, Costanza; Vega, Sofia; Pascon Barbosa, Angelica Mercia; de Oliveira, Rafael Guilen; Ferreira Floriano, Emerson Aparecido; de Oliveira Graeff, Carlos Frederico; Abbade, Joelcio Francisco; Herculano, Rondinelli Donizete; Sobrevia, Luis; Cunha Rudge, Marilza VieiraThe angiogenesis process is a phenomenon in which numerous molecules participate in the stimulation of the new vessels' formation from pre-existing vessels. Angiogenesis is a crucial step in tissue regeneration and recovery of organ and tissue function. Muscle diseases affect millions of people worldwide overcome the ability of skeletal muscle to self-repair. Pro-angiogenic therapies are key in skeletal muscle regeneration where both myogenesis and angiogenesis occur. These therapies have been based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), exo-somes, microRNAs (miRs) and delivery of biological factors. The use of different calls of biomaterials is another approach, including ceramics, composites, and polymers. Natural polymers are use due its bioactivity and biocompatibility in addition to its use as scaffolds and in drug delivery systems. One of these polymers is the natural rubber latex (NRL) which is biocompatible, bioactive, versatile, low-costing, and capable of promoting tissue regeneration and angiogenesis. In this review, the advances in the field of pro-angiogenic therapies are discussed.
- ItemReversal of diabetic-induced myopathy by swimming exercise in pregnant rats: a translational intervention study(2022) Catinelli, Bruna B.; Rossignoli, Patricia S.; Floriano, Juliana F.; Carr, Aline M.; de Oliveira, Rafael G.; dos Santos, Nilton J.; Ubeda, Lara C. C.; Spadella, Maria Angelica; Hallur, Raghavendra L. S.; Sobrevia, Luis; Felisbino, Sergio L.; Calderon, Iracema M. P.; Barbosa, Angelica M. P.; Rudge, Marilza V. C.Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) plus rectus abdominis muscle (RAM) myopathy predicts long-term urinary incontinence (UI). Atrophic and stiff RAM are characteristics of diabetes-induced myopathy (DiM) in pregnant rats. This study aimed to determine whether swimming exercise (SE) has a therapeutic effect in mild hyperglycemic pregnant rats model. We hypothesized that SE training might help to reverse RAM DiM. Mild hyperglycemic pregnant rats model was obtained by a unique subcutaneous injection of 100 mg/kg streptozotocin (diabetic group) or citrate buffer (non-diabetic group) on the first day of life in Wistar female newborns. At 90 days of life, the rats are mated and randomly allocated to remain sedentary or subjected to a SE protocol. The SE protocol started at gestational day 0 and consisted of 60 min/day for 6 days/week in a period of 20 days in a swim tunnel. On day 21, rats were sacrificed, and RAM was collected and studied by picrosirius red, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. The SE protocol increased the fiber area and diameter, and the slow-twitch and fast-twitch fiber area and diameter in the diabetic exercised group, a finding was also seen in control sedentary animals. There was a decreased type I collagen but not type III collagen area and showed a similar type I/type III ratio compared with the control sedentary group. In conclusion, SE during pregnancy reversed the RAM DiM in pregnant rats. These findings may be a potential protocol to consider in patients with RAM damage caused by GDM.
- ItemRole of dietary food intake patterns, anthropometric measures, and multiple biochemical markers in the development of pregnancy- specific urinary incontinence in gestational diabetes mellitus(2024) Costa, Sarah Maria Barneze; Hallur, Raghavendra Lakshmana Shetty; Postdoc, David Rafael Abreu Reyes; Postdoc, Juliana Ferreira Floriano; Carvalhaes, Maria Antonieta de Barros Leite; Nunes, Helio Rubens de Carvalho; Sobrevia, Luis; Valero, Paola; Barbosa, Angelica Mercia Pascon; Rudge, Marilza Cunha VieiraObjectives: The aim of this study was to assess maternal dietary food intake patterns, anthropometric measures, and multiple biochemical markers in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence and to explore whether antedating gestational diabetes mellitus environment affects the pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence development in a cohort of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence. Methods: Maternal dietary information and anthropometric measurements were collected. At 24 wk of gestation, with a fasting venipuncture sample, current blood samples for biochemical markers of hormones, vita -mins, and minerals were analyzed. The groups were compared in terms of numerical variables using analysis of variance for independent samples followed by multiple comparisons. Results: Of the 900 pregnant women with complete data, pregnant women in the gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence group had higher body mass index during pregnancy, arm circumference, and triceps skinfold than the non-gestational diabetes mellitus continent and non-gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence groups, characterizing an obesogenic maternal environment. Regarding dietary food intake, significant increases in aromatic amino acids, branched-chain amino acids, dietary fiber, magnesium, zinc, and water were observed in pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence group compared with the non-gestational diabetes mellitus continent group. Serum vitamin C was reduced in the gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence group compared with the non-gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence group. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive strategy for gestational diabetes melli-tus women with pregnancy-specific urinary incontinence in terms of deviation in maternal adaptation trend-ing toward obesity and maternal micronutrients deficiencies. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
- ItemSARS- CoV-2 infection and oxidative stress in early-onset preeclampsia(2022) Marin, Reinaldo; Pujol, Flor H.; Rojas, Deliana; Sobrevia, LuisSARS-CoV-2 causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) also in pregnant women. Infection in pregnancy leads to maternal and placental functional alterations. Pregnant women with vascular defects such as preeclampsia show high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection by undefined mechanisms. Pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 show higher rates of preterm birth and caesarean delivery, and their placentas show signs of vasculopathy and inflammation. It is still unclear whether the foetus is affected by the maternal infection with this virus and whether maternal infection associates with postnatal affections. The SARS-CoV-2 infection causes oxidative stress and activation of the immune system leading to cytokine storm and next tissue damage as seen in the lung. The angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2 expression is determinant for these alterations in the lung. Since this enzyme is expressed in the human placenta, SARS-CoV-2 could infect the placenta tissue, although reported to be of low frequency compared with maternal lung tissue. Early-onset preeclampsia (eoPE) shows higher expression of ADAM17 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17) causing an imbalanced renin-angiotensin system and endothelial dysfunction. A similar mechanism seems to potentially account for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review highlights the potentially common characteristics of pregnant women with eoPE with those with COVID19. A better understanding of the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its impact on the placenta function is determinant since eoPE/COVID-19 association may result in maternal metabolic alterations that might lead to a potential worsening of the foetal programming of diseases in the neonate, young, and adult.
- ItemSARS-CoV-2, Zika viruses and mycoplasma: Structure, pathogenesis and some treatment options in these emerging viral and bacterial infectious diseases(2021) Ferreira, Gonzalo; Santander, Axel; Savio, Florencia; Guirado, Mariana; Sobrevia, Luis; Nicolson, Garth L.The molecular evolution of life on earth along with changing environmental, conditions has rendered mankind susceptible to endemic and pandemic emerging infectious diseases. The effects of certain systemic viral and bacterial infections on morbidity and mortality are considered as examples of recent emerging infections. Here we will focus on three examples of infections that are important in pregnancy and early childhood: SARS-CoV-2 virus, Zika virus, and Mycoplasma species. The basic structural characteristics of these infectious agents will be examined, along with their general pathogenic mechanisms. Coronavirus infections, such as caused by the SARSCoV-2 virus, likely evolved from zoonotic bat viruses to infect humans and cause a pandemic that has been the biggest challenge for humanity since the Spanish Flu pandemic of the early 20th century. In contrast, Zika Virus infections represent an expanding infectious threat in the context of global climate change. The relationship of these infections to pregnancy, the vertical transmission and neurological sequels make these viruses highly relevant to the topics of this special issue. Finally, mycoplasmal infections have been present before mankind evolved, but they were rarely identified as human pathogens until recently, and they are now recognized as important coinfections that are able to modify the course and prognosis of various infectious diseases and other chronic illnesses. The infectious processes caused by these intracellular microorganisms are examined as well as some general aspects of their pathogeneses, clinical presentations, and diagnoses. We will finally consider examples of treatments that have been used to reduce morbidity and mortality of these infections and discuss briefly the current status of vaccines, in particular, against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is important to understand some of the basic features of these emerging infectious diseases and the pathogens involved in order to better appreciate the contributions of this special issue on how infectious diseases can affect human pregnancy, fetuses and neonates.