Browsing by Author "Oliveira, M."
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- Biological effects and bioaccumulation of gold in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) – Nano versus ionic formPublication . Barreto, A.; Dias, A. A.; Duarte, B.; Pinto, Edgar; Almeida, A.; Trindade, T.; Soares, A. M. V. M.; Hylland, K.; Loureiro, S.; Oliveira, M.The question of whether gold (Au) is more toxic as nanoparticles or in its ionic form remains unclear and controversial. The present work aimed to clarify the effects of 96 h exposure to 4, 80 and 1600 μg·L−1 of 7 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) – (citrate coated (cAuNPs) or polyvinylpyrrolidone coated (PVP-AuNPs)) – and ionic Au (iAu) on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Effects at different levels of biological organization (behaviour, neurotransmission, biotransformation, oxidative stress/damage and genotoxicity) were assessed. cAuNPs induced oxidative stress and damage (lipid peroxidation increase), even at 4 μg·L−1, and reduced the ability of S. aurata to swim against a water flow at 1600 μg·L−1. Exposure to cAuNPs induced more adverse effects than exposure to PVP-AuNPs. All tested concentrations of Au (nano or ionic form) induced DNA breaks and cytogenetic damage in erythrocytes of S. aurata. Generally, iAu induced significantly more effects in fish than the nano form, probably associated with the significantly higher accumulation in the fish tissues. No fish mortality was observed following exposure to AuNPs, but mortality was observed in the group exposed to 1600 μg·L−1 of iAu.
- Commercial squids: Characterization, assessment of potential health benefits/risks and discrimination based on mineral, lipid and vitamin E concentrationsPublication . Torrinha, Álvaro; Gomes, F.; Oliveira, M.; Cruz, R.; Mendes, E.; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Casal, S.; Morais, S.The most consumed squid species worldwide were characterized regarding their concentrations of minerals, fatty acids, cholesterol and vitamin E. Interspecific comparisons were assessed among species and geographical origin. The health benefits derived from squid consumption were assessed based on daily minerals intake and on nutritional lipid quality indexes. Squids contribute significantly to daily intake of several macro (Na, K, Mg and P) and micronutrients (Cu, Zn and Ni). Despite their low fat concentration, they are rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentanoic (EPA) acids, with highly favorable ω-3/ω-6 ratios (from 5.7 to 17.7), reducing the significance of their high cholesterol concentration (140–549 mg/100 g ww). Assessment of potential health risks based on minerals intake, non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks indicated that Loligo gahi (from Atlantic Ocean), Loligo opalescens (from Pacific Ocean) and Loligo duvaucelii (from Indic Ocean) should be eaten with moderation due to the high concentrations of Cu and/or Cd. Canonical discriminant analysis identified the major fatty acids (C14:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:3ω-3, C20:4ω-6 and C22:5ω-6), P, K, Cu and vitamin E as chemical discriminators for the selected species. These elements and compounds exhibited the potential to prove authenticity of the commercially relevant squid species.
- Effects and bioaccumulation of gold nanoparticles in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) – Single and combined exposures with gemfibrozilPublication . Barreto, A.; Luis, L.G.; Pinto, E.; Almeida, A.; Paíga, Paula; Santos, Lúcia H.M.L.M.; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Trindade, T.; Soares, A.M.V.M.; Hylland, K.; Loureiro, S.; Oliveira, M.Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are found in a wide range of applications and therefore expected to present increasing levels in the environment. There is however limited knowledge concerning the potential toxicity of AuNPs as well as their combined effects with other pollutants. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of AuNPs alone and combined with the pharmaceutical gemfibrozil (GEM) on different biological responses (behaviour, neurotransmission, biotransformation and oxidative stress) in one of the most consumed fish in southern Europe, the seabream Sparus aurata. Fish were exposed for 96 h to waterborne 40 nm AuNPs with two coatings - citrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), alone or combined with GEM. Antioxidant defences were induced in liver and gills upon both AuNPs exposure. Decreased swimming performance (1600 μg.L-1) and oxidative damage in gills (4 and 80 μg.L-1) were observed following exposure to polyvinylpyrrolidone coated gold nanoparticles (PVP-AuNPs). Generally, accumulation of gold in fish tissues and deleterious effects in S. aurata were higher for PVP-AuNPs than for cAuNPs exposures. Although AuNPs and GEM combined effects in gills were generally low, in liver, they were higher than the predicted. The accumulation and effects of AuNPs showed to be dependent on the size, coating, surface charge and aggregation/agglomeration state of nanoparticles. Additionally, it was tissue' specific and dependent on the presence of other contaminants. Although, gold intake by humans is expected to not exceed the estimated tolerable daily intake, it is highly recommended to keep it on track due to the increasing use of AuNPs.
- Effects of gold nanoparticles in gilthead seabream—A proteomic approachPublication . Barreto, A.; Carvalho, A.; Campos, A.; Osório, H.; Pinto, Edgar; Almeida, A.; Trindade, T.; Soares, A. M. V. M.; Hylland, H.; Loureiro, S.; Oliveira, M.Despite the widespread use of nanoparticles (NPs), there are still major gaps of knowledge regarding the impact of nanomaterials in the environment and aquatic animals. The present work aimed to study the effects of 7 and 40 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) – citrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coated – on the liver proteome of the estuarine/marine fish gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). After 96 h, exposure to AuNP elicited alterations on the abundance of 26 proteins, when compared to the control group.
- Effects of single and combined exposures of gold (nano versus ionic form) and gemfibrozil in a liver organ culture of Sparus aurataPublication . Barreto, A.; Carvalho, A.; Silva, D.; Pinto, E.; Almeida, A.; Paíga, P.; Correia-Sá, L.; Delerue-Matos, C.; Trindade, T.; Soares, A.M.V.M.; Hylland, K.; Loureiro, S.; Oliveira, M.In vitro methods have gained rising importance in ecotoxicology due to ethical concerns. The aim of this study was to assess the single and combined in vitro effects of gold, as nanoparticle (AuNPs) and ionic (Au+) form, and the pharmaceutical gemfibrozil (GEM). Sparus aurata liver organ culture was exposed to gold (4 to 7200 μg·L−1), GEM (1.5 to 15,000 μg·L−1) and combination 80 μg·L−1 gold +150 μg·L−1 GEM for 24 h. Endpoints related with antioxidant status, peroxidative/genetic damage were assessed. AuNPs caused more effects than Au+, increasing catalase and glutathione reductase activities and damaging DNA and cellular membranes.
- Genotoxicity of gold nanoparticles in the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) after single exposure and combined with the pharmaceutical gemfibrozilPublication . Barreto, A.; Luis, L.G.; Pinto, E.; Almeida, A.; Paíga, Paula; H.M.L.M. Santos, Lúcia; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Trindade, T.; Soares, A.M.V.M.; Hylland, K.; Loureiro, S.; Oliveira, M.Due to their diverse applications, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are expected to increase of in the environment, although few studies are available on their mode of action in aquatic organisms. The genotoxicity of AuNPs, alone or combined with the human pharmaceutical gemfibrozil (GEM), an environmental contaminant frequently detected in aquatic systems, including in marine ecosystems, was examined using gilthead seabream erythrocytes as a model system. Fish were exposed for 96 h to 4, 80 and 1600 μg L-1 of 40 nm AuNPs with two coatings - citrate or polyvinylpyrrolidone; GEM (150 μg L-1); and a combination of AuNPs and GEM (80 μg L-1 AuNPs + 150 μg L-1 GEM). AuNPs induced DNA damage and increased nuclear abnormalities levels, with coating showing an important role in the toxicity of AuNPs to fish. The combined exposures of AuNPs and GEM produced an antagonistic response, with observed toxic effects in the mixtures being lower than the predicted. The results raise concern about the safety of AuNPs and demonstrate interactions between them and other contaminants.
- A multibiomarker approach highlights effects induced by the human pharmaceutical gemfibrozil to gilthead seabream Sparus aurataPublication . Barreto, A.; Luis, L.G.; Paíga, Paula; Santos, L.H.M.L.M.; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Soares, A.M.V.M.; Hylland, K.; Loureiro, S.; Oliveira, M.Lipid regulators are among the most prescribed human pharmaceuticals worldwide. Gemfibrozil, which belongs to this class of pharmaceuticals, is one of the most frequently encountered in the aquatic environment. However, there is limited information concerning the mechanisms involved in gemfibrozil effects to aquatic organisms, particularly to marine organisms. Based on this knowledge gap, the current study aimed to assess biochemical and behavioral effects following a sublethal exposure to gemfibrozil (1.5, 15, 150, 1500 and 15,000 μg L-1) in the estuarine/marine fish Sparus aurata. After the exposure to 1.5 μg L-1 of gemfibrozil, fish had reduced ability to swim against a water flow and increased lipid peroxidation in the liver. At concentrations between 15-15,000 μg L-1, the activities of some enzymes involved in antioxidant defense were induced, appearing to be sufficient to prevent oxidative damage. Depending on the organ, different responses to gemfibrozil were displayed, with enzymes like catalase being more stimulated in gills, whereas glutathione peroxidase was more activated in liver. Although there were no obvious concentration-response relationships, the integrated biomarker response version 2 (IBRv2) analysis revealed that the highest concentrations of gemfibrozil (between 150-15,000 μg L-1) caused more alterations. All the tested concentrations of gemfibrozil induced effects in S. aurata, in terms of behavior and/or oxidative stress responses. Oxidative damage was found at a concentration that is considered environmentally relevant, suggesting a potential of this pharmaceutical to impact fish populations.
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: levels and phase distributions in preschool microenvironmentPublication . Oliveira, M.; Slezakova, K.; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Pereira, M. C.; Morais, S.This work aims to characterize levels and phase distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor air of preschool environment and to assess the impact of outdoor PAH emissions to indoor environment. Gaseous and particulate (PM1 and PM2.5) PAHs (16 USEPA priority pollutants, plus dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, and benzo[j]fluoranthene) were concurrently sampled indoors and outdoors in one urban preschool located in north of Portugal for 35 days. The total concentration of 18 PAHs (ΣPAHs) in indoor air ranged from 19.5 to 82.0 ng/m3; gaseous compounds (range of 14.1–66.1 ng/m3) accounted for 85% ΣPAHs. Particulate PAHs (range 0.7–15.9 ng/m3) were predominantly associated with PM1 (76% particulate ΣPAHs) with 5-ring PAHs being the most abundant. Mean indoor/outdoor ratios (I/O) of individual PAHs indicated that outdoor emissions significantly contributed to PAH indoors; emissions from motor vehicles and fuel burning were the major sources.
- Practices in radiopharmacy: Is the use of a breathing needle a concern on the radiochemical purity of 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals?Publication . Oliveira, M.; Oliveira, T.; Rebelo, A.; Sousa, C.; Silva, A.; Nery, J.; Amorim, I.; Castro, R.The action of collecting the patient’s individual doses isn’t subjected to any followed protocol, unlike most practices in the Nuclear Medicine department. In certain departments, the individual doses are withdrawn by perforating the rubber septum at every dose while others choose to keep a needle in the kit to avoid multiple perforations. Radiochemical purity is typically the primary concern for 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals so the potential presence of impurities will affect the radiochemical stability of the radiopharmaceutical and, after being injected to a patient, result in an altered biodistribution and poor image quality. Therefore, it’s important to verify every practice used on the product, which results in a need to learn if the needle kept in the kit at some departments is affecting the radiopharmaceutical’s stability. It is aimed to disseminate the results obtained on a large study performed to evaluate whether there is any correlation between keeping the needle in the kit, during the clinical practice and during the stability period of two different radiopharmaceuticals.