Percorrer por autor "Faustino-Rocha, Ana"
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- Aloysia citrodora extract as a chemopreventive agent against HPV16-induced lesions: findings from K14-HPV16 micePublication . Medeiros-Fonseca, Beatriz; Faustino-Rocha, Ana; Silva, Jessica; Silva, Mónica; Pires, Maria João; Neuparth, Maria João; Vala, Helena; Vasconcelos-Nóbrega, Cármen; Dias, Maria Inês; Barros, Lillian; Gonçalves, Lio; Gaivão, Isabel; Bastos, Margarida M.S.M.; Félix, Luís; Venâncio, Carlos; Medeiros, Rui; Costa, Rui Miguel Gil; Oliveira, Paula A.Aloysia citrodora has a long history of traditional use in treating various ailments. This study evaluated the in vivo chemopreventive efficacy and systemic toxicity of an extract of A. citrodora in a transgenic mouse model of HPV16 (human papillomavirus type 16)-induced cancer. Methods: The experiment involved six groups (n = 5): group 1 (G1, wild-type (WT), water), group 2 (G2, HPV, water), group 3 (G3, WT, 0.013 g/mL), group 4 (G4, HPV, 0.006 g/mL), group 5 (G5, HPV, 0.008 g/mL), and group 6 (G6, HPV, 0.013 g/mL). Throughout the assay, humane endpoints, body weight, food, and water consumption were recorded weekly. The internal organs and skin of the mice were collected for analysis after they were sacrificed. Toxicological parameters that were studied included hematological and biochemical blood markers, splenic and hepatic histology, and hepatic oxidative stress. Results: A. citrodora extract seems to reduce the incidence of dysplastic and in situ carcinoma skin lesions induced by HPV16 in this model, suggesting that dietary supplementation with concentrations of 0.008 g/mL and 0.013 g/mL may have beneficial chemopreventive effects. Conclusions: The extract did not induce any concentration-dependent toxicological effects on any of the parameters included in the study, indicating a favorable toxicological profile under these experimental conditions.
- Cytinus hypocistis (L.) L. extract effects in an animal model of papillomavirus-induced neoplasiaPublication . Medeiros, Catarina; Silva, Ana Rita; Ferreira, Tiago; Barros, Lillian; Neuparth, Maria João; Peixoto, Francisco P.; Bastos, Margarida M.S.M.; Medeiros, Rui; Costa, Rui Miguel Gil; Pires, Maria João; Faustino-Rocha, Ana; Gama, Adelina; Oliveira, Paula A.Infections with certain types of papillomavirus, such as the human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16), are associated with the development of preneoplastic lesions and cancers of the anogenital, and head and neck regions. Cytinus hypocistis (L.) L. extracts are composed of substances presenting antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which might be promising as new therapeutic compounds. This study analysed the influence of topical application of an extract obtained from C. hypocistis (CH) on K14-HPV16 and FVB/n mice to evaluate its therapeutic and toxicological properties. To achieve the study goals, 30 female mice, 33–37 weeks old, were divided into six groups (n=5/group): I (HPV+CH3.1); II (HPV+CH6.2); III (HPV+CH12.4); IV (FVB/ n+CH12.4); V (HPV+control) and VI (FVB/n+control). CH was applied topically to both ears for 28 days. After this period, all animals were sacrificed for samples collection. Skin lesions were classified histologically. Toxicological parameters included haematological and biochemical blood markers, and hepatic oxidative stress analysis. Transgenic animals showed a decrease in mean body weight regardless of the concentration of extract applied. The extract had no influence on physiological parameters, organ weight, or biochemical and oxidative stress parameters. Histology demonstrated the presence of proliferative epithelial lesions in the skin and oral mucosa of K14-HPV16 mice, with no association with the application of this extract. Overall, the application of CH extract had no influence on the skin lesions and was well tolerated by the animals in these concentrations.
- Exploring the therapeutic potential of Quercus ilex acorn extract in papillomavirus-induced lesionsPublication . Medeiros-Fonseca, Beatriz; Faustino-Rocha, Ana; Pires, Maria João; Neuparth, Maria João; Vala, Helena; Vasconcelos-Nóbrega, Cármen; Gouvinhas, Irene; Barros, Ana Novo; Dias, Maria Inês; Barros, Lillian; Bastos, Margarida M.S.M.; Gonçalves, Lio; Félix, Luís; Venâncio, Carlos; Medeiros, Rui; Costa, Rui Miguel Gil; Oliveira, Paula A.Papillomaviruses (PVs) infections have been documented in numerous animal species across different regions worldwide. They often exert significant impacts on animal health and livestock production. Scientists have studied natural products for over half a century due to their diverse chemical composition, acknowledging their value in fighting cancer. Acorns (Quercus ilex) are believed to have several unexplored pharmacological properties. This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo safety and cancer chemopreventive activity of an infusion extract of Q. ilex in a transgenic mouse model of human PV (HPV)-16, which developed squamous cell carcinomas through a multistep process driven by HPV16 oncogenes. Q. ilex extract was prepared by heating in water at 90°C and then characterized by mass spectrometry. Phenolic compounds from this extract were administered in drinking water to female mice in three different concentrations (0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 g/mL) over a period of 28 consecutive days. Six groups (n = 6) were formed for this study: group 1 (G1, wildtype [WT], water), group 2 (G2, HPV, water), group 3 (G3, WT, 0.09 g/mL), group 4 (G4, HPV, 0.03 g/mL), group 5 (G5, HPV, 0.06 g/ mL), and group 6 (G6, HPV, 0.09 g/mL). Throughout the experiment, humane endpoints, body weight, food intake, and water consumption were recorded weekly. Following the experimental period, all mice were sacrificed, and blood, internal organs, and skin samples were collected. Blood was used to measure glucose and microhematocrit and later biochemical parameters, such as creatinine, urea, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, and total proteins. Histological analysis was performed on skin and organ samples. The administration of Q. ilex extract resulted in a statistically significant increase in relative organ weight among HPV transgenic animals, indicating adaptive biological response to the tested concentrations. Moreover, a reduction in characteristic skin lesions was observed in animals treated with the 0.06 and 0.09 g/mL extract. These results provide a favorable chemopreventive profile for Q. ilex extract at concentrations of 0.06 and 0.09 g/mL. This study highlights the potential of Q. ilex extract as a safe and effective therapeutic strategy against HPV16- associated lesions in transgenic mouse models. The limitation of our study was the durability of transgenic animals. As a more sensitive species, we must always be careful with the durability of the test. We intend to study concentrations of 0.06 and 0.09 g/mL for longer to further investigate their possible effects.
- Ganoderma Lucidum effects in an animal model of obesityPublication . Castro-Ribeiro, Catarina; Silva-Reis, Rita; Mendes-Gonçalves, Mariana; Ferreira, Tiago; Taofiq, Oludemi; Barros, Lillian; Martins, Tânia; Faustino-Rocha, Ana; Pires, Maria João; Pinto, M.L.; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Venâncio, Carlos; Rosa, Eduardo; Oliveira, Paula A.Obesity is a pandemic disease, and its evolution can be influenced by regular consumption of natural bioactive compounds. Mushrooms, such as Ganoderma lucidum (GL), include a wide variety of biomolecules with potential anti-obesity effects. This work aimed to study the influence of GL in an animal model of obesity. Forty-eight male mice (C57BL/6J) were divided into 5 groups: Group (G)-1-Western Control Diet; G-2-Western Diet 0.2% Cholesterol (WDC); G-3-WDC+0.7g/kg of GL; G-4-WDC+1.4g/ kg of GL; G-5 WDC+2.8g/kg of GL. Water and food consumption were recorded weekly. Animals were weighed individually, and their temperature was measured on the back and abdomen (thermographic camera FLIRE6390). Thirteen weeks later, animals were sacrificed, and organs collected. A liver portion was used for histopathology analysis (ethical approval nº 8776). Chemical characterization of the GL extract was profiled by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. Ganoderic acid H and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were the main triterpenic and phenolic acids in the extract, respectively. Food and water consumption were no different among groups. All animals showed weight gain (11-16%): animals without GL supplementation showed the highest weight gain (G2 and G1, respectively); the groups with GL showed the lowest weight gain, which decreased as the mushroom concentration increased. Basal and final body temperatures remained constant. Liver weight was different among groups (p<0.05). Microvesicular (39/47; 83%) and macrovesicular fatty changes (steatosis) were the most frequent morphological changes in the liver. Hyperlipidemic diets consumption promoted weight gain and obesity. The higher weight gain in the groups not supplemented with GL suggested its anti-obesity properties. In this study, animals developed steatosis, which was not modified by GL supplementation. However, it should be noticed that the changes in lipid metabolism are reversible, and the differences observed in the liver relative weights, lower in the groups supplemented with GL, suggested an ongoing process of restoring to normal hepatocyte’s phenotype.
- The influence of Castanea sativa Mill. flower extract on hormonally and chemically induced prostate cancer in a rat modelPublication . Nascimento-Gonçalves, Elisabete; Seixas, Fernanda; Silva, Marcelo Aparecido de Souza; Fardilha, Margarida; Ferreira, Rita; Neuparth, Maria João; Faustino-Rocha, Ana; Colaço, B.; Venâncio, Carlos; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Oliveira, Mónica M.F.; Peixoto, Francisco P.; Rosa, Eduardo; Oliveira, Paula A.Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men, with a huge impact on their health. The use of Castanea sativa Mill. flowers (CFs) in beverages has been reported, through ancestral claims, as having health benefits. In vitro research has evidenced the properties of CFs, such as antitumor and antioxidant activities. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of CF extract in an animal model of PCa. Forty male Wistar Unilever rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, induced, control + CF, and induced + CF groups. Animals from the induced groups were exposed to a multistep protocol for PCa induction. The CF extract, rich in trigalloyl-HHDP-glucoside and obtained via decoction, was administered to the CF groups in drinking water (3 mg per animal per day) for 49 weeks. Animals were sacrificed at 61 weeks of age. Regarding the effects of CFs on dorsolateral prostate tumorigenesis, no significant differences were observed between the induced and induced + CF groups. However, animals exposed to the CF extract showed fewer inflammation areas on the dorsolateral prostate lobe than those not exposed to CF. Moreover, the CF extract alleviated the hepatic oxidative stress associated with the multistep protocol, resulting in lower levels of lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that CF extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This journal is.
- Interplay Between Western Diet and Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically-induced Model in Wistar RatsPublication . Silva, Jessica; Aires, Inês; Peixoto, Francisco P.; Neuparth, Maria João; Queiroga, Felisbina; Seixas, Fernanda; Ferreira, Rita; Faustino-Rocha, Ana; Duarte, José Alberto; Oliveira, Paula A.This study aimed to investigate the influence of Western diet on mammary cancer in Wistar female rats, focusing on systemic responses and tumor development. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight Wistar female rats were acclimatized and divided into four experimental groups (n=7 each): Western diet (WD), Western diet with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) administration (WD+MNU), standard diet (CTR), and standard diet with MNU administration (CTR+MNU). MNU was administered intraperitoneally at 50 mg/kg at seven weeks of age to induce mammary cancer. The 20-week experiment involved monitoring animal weight, food and water intake. At the end of the study, rats were euthanized, and blood samples and organs were collected for hematological and plasma biochemical analysis, oxidative stress, and histo-pathological and immunobiological evaluations of the tumors. Results: No significant differences were found in body weight, composition, or organ weights, but the WD group showed reduced food and water intake and lower cholesterol levels. Leptin and adiponectin levels were higher in the WD+MNU group, suggestive of changes in appetite regulation. Histopathological analysis showed malignant tumors in both MNU-induced groups. However, WD groups had fewer tumors compared to the CTR+MNU group. Conclusion: WD led to higher feed efficiency and increased visceral adipose tissue but decreased systemic cholesterol and triglyceride levels. While this diet resulted in lower tumor incidence, the volume and weight of the tumors were higher. Additionally, the WD decreased ERα and progesterone receptor immunoexpression, while Ki-67 immunoexpression was elevated.
- Realistic Aspects of Cardiac Ultrasound in Rats: Practical Tips for Improved ExaminationPublication . Silva, Jessica; Ginja, Mário; Oliveira, Paula A.; Duarte, José Alberto; Faustino-Rocha, AnaEchocardiography is a reliable and non-invasive method for assessing cardiac structure and function in both clinical and experimental settings, offering valuable insights into disease progression and treatment efficacy. The successful application of echocardiography in murine models of disease has enabled the evaluation of disease severity, drug testing, and continuous monitoring of cardiac function in these animals. However, there is insufficient standardization of echocardiographic measurements for smaller animals. This article aims to address this gap by providing a guide and practical tips for the appropriate acquisition and analysis of echocardiographic parameters in adult rats, which may also be applicable in other small rodents used for scientific purposes, like mice. With advancements in technology, such as ultrahigh-frequency ultrasonic transducers, echocardiography has become a highly sophisticated imaging modality, offering high temporal and spatial resolution imaging, thereby allowing for real-time monitoring of cardiac function throughout the lifespan of small animals. Moreover, it allows the assessment of cardiac complications associated with aging, cancer, diabetes, and obesity, as well as the monitoring of cardiotoxicity induced by therapeutic interventions in preclinical models, providing important information for translational research. Finally, this paper discusses the future directions of cardiac preclinical ultrasound, highlighting the need for continued standardization to advance research and improve clinical outcomes to facilitate early disease detection and the translation of findings into clinical practice.
- The role of natural compounds in rat mammary cancer: the beneficial effects of Santolina chamaecyparissus L. aqueous extractPublication . Azevedo, Tiago; Silva, Jessica; Peixoto, Francisco P.; Silvestre-Ferreira, Ana C.; Gama, Adelina; Seixas, Fernanda; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Barros, Lillian; Matos, Manuela; Oliveira, Paula A.; Faustino-Rocha, Ana; Valada, Abigaël; Anjos, Lara; Moura, Tânia; Ferreira, Rafaela; Santos, Marlene; Pires, Maria João; Neuparth, Maria JoãoBreast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women, and a leading cause of death worldwide. Santolina chamaecyparissus L. is a plant with multiple health benefits, including anticancer and anti-diabetic properties. This study aimed to assess the chemopreventive effects of S. chamaecyparissus aqueous extract (SCE) in an animal model of mammary cancer. A total of 28 four-week-old female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, MNU-induced (IND), SCE-supplemented (SCE), and SCE+IND. SCE was added to drinking water (12.72 mg/kg body weight) ad libitum. MNU was administered via the intraperitoneal route at 50 days of age. Weekly monitoring of body weight, food/drink intake, humane endpoints, and number of mammary tumours were recorded. Twenty weeks after MNU administration, animals were sacrificed by anaesthetic overdose and a necropsy was performed. Blood samples were used to determine blood count and serum biochemistry analysis, while kidney and liver samples were analysed for oxidative stress. Tumour samples were collected for gene expression and histology studies. SCE chemical composition was analysed by LC-MS and contained 19 phenolic compounds, with the most abundant being myricetin-O-glucuronide and 1,3-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid. Two animals in the IND group were sacrificed due to exceeding the humane endpoint limits. SCE supplementation delayed mammary tumour development, reducing its volume and weight. SCE had a positive impact on haematological parameters, particularly the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.026). No significant differences were observed in serum biochemistry, except for creatinine kinase MB, or in oxidative stress markers. Gene expression analysis showed significantly reduced VEGF expression levels (P=0.0158) in tumours from SCE+IND. These findings suggest that SCE is deserving of further study to identify the individual compounds and to understand its influence on animal models during cancer development.