Browsing by Author "Cortez, Alice"
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- Anti-Angiogenic Properties of Cafestol and Kahweol Palmitate Diterpene EstersPublication . Moeenfard, Marzieh; Cortez, Alice; Machado, Vera; Costa, Raquel; Luís, Carla; Coelho, Pedro; Soares, Raquel; Alves, Arminda; Borges, Nuno; Santos, AlejandroEpidemiological studies support the association of coffee-specific diterpenes, with various beneficial health effects. Although anti-antiangiogenic properties of free cafestol and kahweol have been recently described, available data regarding their esterified form, in particular palmitate esters as the main diterpene esters present in coffee, are still rare. Given that angiogenesis plays an important role in many pathological conditions, including cancer growth and metastasis, this study aimed to assess and compare the potential anti-angiogenic effects of cafestol palmitate (CP) and kahweol palmitate (KP) in an in vitro angiogenesis model. According to our findings, both compounds inhibited angiogenesis steps on human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs), although a more significant effect was observed for KP. Compared to control, HMVECs viability decreased in a dose-dependent manner upon incubation either with CP or KP. Concentrations of 75 and 100 μM of each compound were cytotoxic. Cell proliferation was also dramatically reduced by both diterpene esters at 50 μM, although KP had a stronger inhibitory effect. However, CP and KP did not induce apoptosis on HMVECs. Both compounds reduced cell migration, but this effect was only statistically significant after KP incubation. Inhibition of VEGFR2 expression and its downstream effector Akt, but not Erk, was also observed in CP- and KP-treated HMVECs. These findings were confirmed using ELISA assay for phosphorylated (active) VEGFR-2. Taken together, these data indicate that both CP and KP can be considered potent compounds against angiogenesis-dependent disorders. Our findings further indicate that KP exerts more potent anti-angiogenic effects than CP, in most of assays.
- Iodine knowledge is associated with iodine status in Portuguese pregnant women: results from the IoMum cohort studyPublication . Pinheiro, Cátia; Moreira, Nara Xavier; Ferreira, Pedro; Coelho, Cláudia Matta; Guimarães, Juliana; Pereira, Gonçalo; Cortez, Alice; Bracchi, Isabella; Pestana, Diogo; Mota, Inês Barreiros; Prucha, Carmo; Martins, Cristina; Ribeiro, Célia Alves; Pinto, Edgar; Almeida, Agostinho; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Montenegro, Nuno; Dias, Cláudia Camila; Moreira-Rosário, André; Azevedo, Luís Filipe; Brantsæter, Anne-Lise; Ramalho, Carla; Fernandes, Virgínia Cruz; Leite, João Costa; Calhau, Conceição; Keating, ElisaLack of knowledge about iodine has been suggested as a risk factor for iodine deficiency in pregnant women, but no studies have addressed this issue in Portugal. So, the aim of this study was to investigate iodine knowledge among Portuguese pregnant women and its association with iodine status. IoMum, a prospective observational study, included 485 pregnant women recruited at Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de S. João, Porto, between the 10th and 13th gestational weeks. Partial scores for knowledge on iodine importance, on iodine food sources or on iodised salt were obtained through the application of a structured questionnaire. Then, a total iodine knowledge score was calculated and grouped into low, medium and high knowledge categories. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured in spot urine samples by inductively coupled plasma MS. Of the pregnant women, 54 % correctly recognised iodine as important to neurocognitive development, 32 % were unable to identify any iodine-rich food and 71 % presented lack of knowledge regarding iodised salt. Of the women, 61 % had a medium total score of iodine knowledge. Knowledge on iodine importance during pregnancy was positively associated with iodine supplementation and also with UIC. Nevertheless, median UIC in women who correctly recognised the importance of iodine was below the cut-off for adequacy in pregnancy (150 µg/l). In conclusion, knowledge on iodine importance is positively associated with iodine status. Despite this, recognising iodine importance during pregnancy may not be sufficient to ensure iodine adequacy. Literacy-promoting actions are urgently needed to improve iodine status in pregnancy.
- The association of milk and dairy consumption with iodine status in pregnant women in Oporto regionPublication . Ferreira, Pedro; Pinheiro, Cátia; Coelho, Cláudia Matta; Guimarães, Juliana; Pereira, Gonçalo; Moreira, Nara Xavier; Cortez, Alice; Bracchi, Isabella; Pestana, Diogo; Mota, Inês Barreiros; Prucha, Carmo; Martins, Cristina; Ribeiro, Célia Alves; Pinto, Edgar; Almeida, Agostinho; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Montenegro, Nuno; Dias, Cláudia Camila; Moreira-Rosário, André; Azevedo, Luís Filipe; Brantsæter, Anne-Lise; Ramalho, Carla; Fernandes, Virgínia Cruz; Calhau, Conceição; Leite, João Costa; Keating, ElisaThe role of milk and dairy products in supplying iodine to pregnant women is unknown in Portugal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between milk and dairy product consumption and the iodine status of pregnant women in the IoMum cohort of the Oporto region. Pregnant women were recruited between 10 and 13 weeks of gestation, when they provided a spot urine sample and information on lifestyle and intake of iodine-rich foods. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was determined by inductively coupled plasma MS. A total of 468 pregnant women (269 iodine supplement users and 199 non-supplement users) were considered eligible for analysis. Milk (but not yogurt or cheese) intake was positively associated with UIC, in the whole population (P = 0·02) and in the non-supplement users (P = 0·002), but not in the supplement users (P = 0·29). In non-supplement users, adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that milk consumption <3 times/month was associated with a five times increased risk of having UIC < 50 µg/l when compared with milk consumption ≥2 times/d (OR 5·4; 95 % CI 1·55, 18·78; P = 0·008). The highest UIC was observed in supplement users who reported consuming milk once per d (160 µg/l). Milk, but not yogurt or cheese, was positively associated with iodine status of pregnant women. Despite the observed positive association, daily milk consumption may not be sufficient to ensure adequate iodine intake in this population.