Percorrer por autor "Pirraco, A."
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- Substance P antagonist improves both obesity and asthma in a mouse modelPublication . Ramalho, R.; Almeida, Joana; Beltrão, M.; Pirraco, A.; Costa, R.; Sokhatska, O.; Guardão, L.; Palmares, C.; Guimarães, J. T.; Delgado, L.; Moreira, A.; Soares, R.Evidence suggests a causal relationship between obesity and asthma; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Substance P (SP), involved in neurogenic inflammation by acting through its receptor NK1-R, seems to participate in obese–asthma phenotype in mice. To evaluate the effect of a selective substance P receptor antagonist on a mouse model of diet-induced obesity and asthma. Diet-induced obese Balb/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) and treated with a selective NK1-R antagonist or placebo. Serum glucose, insulin, IL-6, resistin, and OVA-specific IgE levels were quantified. A score for peribronchial inflammation in lung histology was used. Cells were counted in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Adipocyte sizes were measured. Ovalbumin-obese mice treated with NK1-R antagonist had lower weight (P = 0.0002), reduced daily food intake (P = 0.0021), reduced daily energy intake (P = 0.0021), reduced surface adipocyte areas (P < 0.0001), lower serum glucose (P = 0.04), lower serum insulin (P = 0.03), lower serum IL-(P = 0.0022), lower serum resistin (P = 0.0043), lower serum OVA-specific IgE (P = 0.035), and lower peribronchial inflammation score (P < 0.0001) than nontreated OVA-obese mice. We observed an interaction between obesity, allergen sensitization, and treatment with NK1-R antagonist for metabolic and systemic biomarkers, and for allergen sensitization and bronchial inflammation, showing a synergy between these variables. In an experimental model of obesity and asthma in mice, NK1-R blockade improved metabolic and systemic biomarkers, as well as allergen sensitization and bronchial inflammation. These positive effects support a common pathway in the obese–asthma phenotype and highlight SP as a target with potential clinical interest in the obese–asthma epidemics.
- The effect of xanthohumol-supplemented beer on angiogenic and inflammatory in vivo assaysPublication . Costa, R.; Duarte, D.; Taveira, T.; Pirraco, A.; Coelho, Pedro; Guardão, L.; Soares, R.; Negrão, R.Angiogenesis is a process by which new blood vessels are formed from pre-existing ones and can occur in adulthood during tissue regeneration. This process is closely related with inflammatory conditions. Due to their notable biological activities, phenolic compounds have an important role in nutrition and human health. Special attention has been given to xanthohumol (XN), a compound present in hops and beer [3]. Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of a XN-supplemented beer on angiogenesis and inflammation, in a rat skin-wound healing process. Six week old Wistar male rats drank water, 5% solution ethanol, stout beer or stout beer supplemented with 10 mg XN/L, during 4 weeks. Then, two incisions were created on the dorsal skin. Animals continued beverages consumption for 7 days. The number of vessels in the incision area (vWF staining), NO release, NAG activity and IL-1β content in serum were measured. Analyses of serum biochemical markers of hepatic function (AST, ALT and ALP activities) and of metabolic status (glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, VLDL, LDL and HDL) were evaluated. GSH/GSSG plasma levels were measured in plasma by HPLC. Statistical differences were evaluated by ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni test. Differences were considered significant whenever p< 0.05. The consumption of XN-supplemented beer led to decreased number of vessels in the wound area, and decreased NAG activity, NO and IL-1β content in the serum when compared to stout beer. Plasma biochemical markers of hepatic function and metabolic status did not change with the distinct beverages consumption. GSH/GSSG ratio increased with ethanol and beer consumption. Altogether, these findings suggest that gastrointestinal administration of XN-supplemented beer may affect the wound healing process, in what concerns inflammation and angiogenesis, without hepatotoxic effects. Ethanol consumption seems to improve plasma anti-oxidant protection. These health-promoting properties of XN can be interesting to the brewing community.