Browsing by Author "Ferreira, Rita"
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- Administration of Castanea sativa flowers extract in Wistar ratsPublication . Nascimento-Gonçalves, Elisabete; Seixas, Fernanda; Fardilha, Margarida; Ferreira, Rita; Neuparth, Maria João; Rocha, Ana Isabel Faustino; Rosa, Eduardo; Bruno Jorge; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Oliveira, Paula A.Castanea sativa Mill. flowers (CF) are reported by ancestral claims as having health benefits like mucolytic, antispasmodic and anti-dysenteric properties and, in vitro studies showed anticancer properties against breast, colon, cervical and hepatocellular carcinomas [1]. The aim of this work was to study the effect of chestnut flowers (CF) extract on rat’s physiological parameters. Fifteen male Wistar Unilever rats were randomly divided into two groups: untreated control, n=10, and CF group, n=5. Animals from CF group were exposed to the chestnut flowers extract in drinking water (20 mg/animal/day) for 49 weeks. Body weight, food and drink consumption were measured weekly. At necropsy, all organs were collected, weighed and liver and kidney were processed for histological analysis. Animals from CF group showed a mean final body weight and a food consumption higher than untreated animals (p>0.05). Animals from CF group showed lower consumption of water (p=0.000). Relative mean liver weight from animals treated with CF was higher than untreated animals (p=0.026) and presented more liver degeneration. However, liver inflammatory infiltrate was reduced (p=0.026) in animals exposed to CF extract. There were no significant differences in relative mean kidney weight among groups. Untreated animals developed 50% of discrete proteinuria and CF treated animals developed 20%. Serum levels of albumin, total protein, glucose and alanine aminotransferase did not show significant differences between experimental groups. These results suggest that chestnut flowers extract was well tolerated by the animals, did not cause hepatic and kidney toxicity and had no effect on biochemical profile. Further studies are necessary to evaluate in vivo, the effect of different CF doses and evaluate the respective potential use.
- Effects of Ladder-Climbing Exercise on Mammary Cancer: Data from a Chemically Induced Rat ModelPublication . Silva, Jessica; Azevedo, Tiago; Aires, Inês; Medeiros, Catarina; Neuparth, Maria J.; Seixas, Fernanda; Ferreira, Rita; Faustino-Rocha, Ana I.; Oliveira, Paula A.; Duarte, José AlbertoBreast cancer remains a significant global health issue, affecting both humans and companion animals, particularly female dogs and cats, where mammary tumors are among the most common cancers. Strategies to minimize the impact of this disease on patients, pet owners, and veterinary medicine are essential. This study analyses the effects of resistance training on the development of chemically induced mammary cancer in female Wistar rats, divided into four groups: sedentary control (CTR), sedentary induced (CTR+N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)), exercised control (EX), and exercised induced (EX+MNU). The exercise protocol involved ladder climbing three times a week for 18 weeks with the load progressively increasing. At the study’s end, blood and histopathological samples were collected and analyzed. Although tumor onset occurred two weeks earlier and incidence was slightly higher in the exercised group (EX+MNU) compared to the control group (CTR+MNU), the mortality rate was lower, and the malignancy was not as aggressive. No systemic inflammation was observed, as the levels of albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the MNU groups remained similar to the controls. Exercise has been shown to promote overall health by increasing physical fitness, boosting immunological function, and improving metabolic health. These findings may offer valuable insights into the potential role of resistance training in managing mammary cancer in companion animals. However, further research is required to assess clinical applicability and to establish safe and effective exercise protocols for veterinary oncology.
- The Impact of a Western Diet and Resistance Training in a Rat Model of Mammary CancerPublication . Silva, Jessica; Ferreira, Rita; Neuparth, Maria J.; Seixas, Fernanda; Ginja, Mário; Pires, Maria J.; Faustino-Rocha, Ana I.; Duarte, José Alberto; Oliveira, Paula A.This study aimed to investigate the impact of a Western diet and resistance training on cardiac remodeling in a rat model of chemically induced mammary cancer. Fifty-six female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of eight experimental groups, evaluating the impact of Western and standard diets, exercise and sedentarism, and the induction of mammary cancer. Mammary cancer was induced via the intraperitoneal administration of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) (50 mg/kg) at seven weeks of age. The resistance training protocol consisted of ladder climbing three times per week for an 18-week period, with a gradual increase in load over time. At the end of the 20-week experimental period, the animals were anesthetized and underwent echocardiography. Subsequently, the animals were euthanized, and organs and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were collected and analyzed. A histopathological examination was performed on the mammary tumors. The Western diet increased relative VAT and contributed to cardiovascular and tumor-related changes, including an increase in interventricular septum thickness (IVS) and left ventricle posterior wall thickness (LVPW) at end-systole. Exercise reduced fat accumulation, improved cardiac performance, and helped regulate cardiovascular function, as indicated by a higher eccentricity index (EI) in the WD+EX group compared to the WD group. The WD was associated with increased VAT accumulation and initially delayed tumor initiation; however, over time, it contributed to bigger tumor aggressiveness. This diet also delayed tumor initiation but increased LVPW. Exercise, when combined with a WD, accelerated tumorigenesis, malignant transformation and invasiveness, resulted in the higher prevalence of invasive tumors. These findings underscore the complex and potentially compounding effects of diet and exercise on cancer progression.
- 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.