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Browsing by Author "Oliveira, Sofia"

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  • Eficácia e segurança do Dextrometorfano na tosse aguda e induzida: revisão sistemática da literatura
    Publication . Nogueira, Catarina; Oliveira, Sofia; Jesus, Ângelo
    A tosse é um dos vários sintomas que podem surgir no sistema respiratório, para a expulsão de corpos estranhos ou secreções acumuladas nas vias respiratórias, constituindo assim um forte mecanismo de defesa. O dextrometorfano é um análogo da morfina sem propriedades analgésicas e é utilizado nos casos de tosse seca, persistente e de grande incómodo para o doente. A evidência científica sobre a eficácia e segurança de antitússicos é escassa e não existem avanços recentes na terapia antitússica. O presente trabalho foi elaborado com o intuito de sistematizar a evidência científica da eficácia e da segurança do Dextrometorfano na tosse aguda e induzida.
    2022-02-25Conference object Open access Show more
  • GLP-1R and IL-6 expression in the gastrointestinal tract of a murine model of metabolic syndrome
    Publication . Costa, José; Oliveira, Sofia; Pereira, Ana Cláudia; Soares, Raquel; Baylina, Pilar; Guerreiro, Susana G.; Fernandes, Rúben; Luís, Carla
    Glucose homeostasis is a critical cornerstone in both health and disease. It is described to be regulated by the balance of insulin and glucagon secretion but, this bi-hormonal perspective is long overdue, since glucose homeostasis is now known to be a multi-hormonal process. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic features which includes impaired glucose metabolism and obesity. Obesity promotes a low chronic inflammation state due to release of bioactive molecules like cytokines, ultimately contributing to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT), namely stomach and intestine, has a vital role not only in the food uptake and absorption, but also in the production of incretin hormones, such as GLP-1. We aim to evaluate the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) in the GIT of a MetS animal model, and to assess whether it correlates with inflammatory levels. The expression of GLP-1R and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) was evaluated in the stomach and intestine of mice subjected to Normal Diet (ND) and High Fat Diet (HFD) by immunohistochemistry. We observed that HFD fed animals presented lower levels of GLP-1R in stomach and intestine when compared with animals fed with ND. Concomitantly, these mice expressed increased levels of IL-6. GLP-1R expression is inversely correlated with the expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6.
    2022-03-28Journal article Open access Show more
  • Melanoma and obesity: Should antioxidant vitamins be addressed?
    Publication . Oliveira, Sofia; Coelho, Pedro; Prudêncio, Cristina; Vieira, Mónica; Soares, Raquel; Guerreiro, Susana G.; Fernandes, Rúben
    Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer refractory to conventional therapies. Obesity has reached epidemic dimensions acting as a risk factor for several cancer types, such as melanoma. Several reactive species of oxygen are also involved in melanoma initiation and progression. Low levels of antioxidant content and/or activity in lightly pigmented cells could expose them to an extremely oxidative environment and rise the susceptibility to oxidative damage and consequently loss of cell homeostasis. Despite the knowledge about melanoma biology, pathogenesis and developed therapies, is extremely important to understand the antioxidant modulation of melanoma under an environment of obesity, especially the effect of some natural compounds of the diet, such as antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and selenium in order to establish alternatives to conventional therapies, which are known to be ineffective against melanoma.
    2016Journal article Restricted access Show more
  • Study the activity of cetylpyriridinium cmpicilin on resistant and sensitive Escherichia coli
    Publication . Oliveira, Sofia; Ferraz, Ricardo; Vieira, Mónica; Fernandes, Rúben; Branco, Luís C.; Noronha, João Paulo; Petrovski, eljko; Prudêncio, Cristina
    Ionic Liquids (ILs) are organic salts with melting point below 100 ºC. Their possible combinations anion/cation render them more suitable for several biological applications. Understand the activity of cetylpyriridinium ampicillin on sensitive and resistant Escherichia coli.
    2015-11Conference object Open access Show more
  • Vitamin A Enhances Macrophages Activity Against B16-F10 Malignant Melanocytes: A New Player for Cancer Immunotherapy?
    Publication . Oliveira, Sofia; Costa, José; Faria, Isabel; Guerreiro, Susana G; Fernandes, Rúben
    Background and objectives: The incidence of cutaneous melanoma has been increasing. Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer irresponsive to radiation and chemotherapy, rendering this cancer a disease with poor prognosis: In order to surpass some of the limitations addressed to melanoma treatment, alternatives like vitamins have been investigated. In the present study, we address this relationship and investigate the possible role of vitamin A. Materials and Methods: We perform a co-culture assay using a macrophage cell model and RAW 264.7 from mouse, and also a murine melanoma cell line B16-F10. Macrophages were stimulated with both Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as control, and also with LPS plus vitamin A. Results: Using B16-F10 and RAW 264.7 cell lines, we were able to demonstrate that low concentrations of vitamin A increase cytotoxic activity of macrophages, whereas higher concentrations have the opposite effect. Conclusion: These findings can constitute a new point of view related to immunostimulation by nutrients, which may be considered one major preventive strategy by enhancing the natural defense system of the body.
    2019-09-18Journal article Open access Show more