Browsing by Author "Ferin, Rita"
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- Antioxidant markers and cardiovascular risk factors in Azorean subjects with coronary artery diseasePublication . Ferin, Rita; Gomes, Carla; Castro, Ana Rita; Martins, Dinis; Santos, Víctor; Santos, Maria Cristina; Lopes, Paula Alexandra; Baptista, José; Viegas-Crespo, Ana Maria; Pavão, Maria LeonorTo evaluate some blood antioxidant parameters in azorean subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD) previously submitted to percutaneous revascularization (PCI), by considering some cardiovascular risk factors.
- Assessment of some atherosclerosis risk factors in apparently healthy subjects from two Azorean populationsPublication . Ferin, Rita; Lima, Manuela; Pavão, Maria LeonorOBJECTIVES: In Azores, the death rate from coronary artery disease (CAD) is about twice than in mainland Portugal. The aim of this study was to assess some major risk factors of atherosclerosis-AT (serum lipid profile and apoB and apoA-1 levels) in subjects from two populations in S. Miguel Island. Hypertension and obesity were also considered. METHODS: The study group was formed by 147 apparently healthy subjects with no chronic diseases, aged 20 to 60 years, born living, respectively, in the villages of Nordeste –ND (53 men and 39 women) and Povoação-PV (22 men and 51 women). Clinical information and life habits were also registered. RESULTS: In both groups about 62% of subjects were hyperlipidemic and 30% obese. Hypertension was observed in about 36% in PV and 43% in the ND group. Both apoB levels and apoB/apoA-1 ratio were significantly higher in ND than in the PV subjects, namely in men (31% and 19%, respectively). Also apoA-1 levels in men were 9% higher in ND than in PV. In the ND group, sex-related differences were found in apoB levels and apoB/apoA-1 ratio, being higher in men. In the PV group, apoA-1 levels were significantly lower (15%) in men than in women. CONCLUSION: Although apparently healthy, most subjects from the two studied populations were hyperlipidemic, mainly due to hypercholesterolemia (TC and LDL-C). However, HDL-C was at high levels (60 mg/dL) in both groups. The coexistence of dyslipidemia, hypertension and obesity (26% of cases in ND and 17% in PV group) can aggravate the risk of developing AT (and CAD), which is higher in ND than in PV, mainly in men. ApoB/apoA-1 ratio revealed to be a simpler index of atherogenic risk than the classic serum lipid profile.
- Blood antioxidant markers and elemental levels in Azorean patients with coronary artery disease: a preliminary studyPublication . Ferin, Rita; Napoleão, Patrícia; Gomes, Carla; Castro, Ana Rita; Lopes, Paula Alexandra; Martins, Dinis; Santos, Maria Cristina; Viegas-Crespo, Ana Maria; Pinheiro, Teresa; Pavão, Maria LeonorAtherosclerosis (ATH) and related vascular diseases are the first cause of morbidity and mortality in Portugal, including the Azores’ Archipelago. The oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) is considered to be an important event in the development of the disease. Accordingly, by preventing LDL oxidation, antioxidants can possibly reduce the risk or the progression of ATH. Essential trace elements as Cu, Se, Zn, and Fe are involved in endogenous antioxidant systems, mainly as cofactors of antioxidant enzymes. Other elements, like K and Ca, might play a role in atherogenesis while implicated in physiological and metabolic processes which are known to be disturbed in ATH. The aimof the present study was to evaluate some blood antioxidant markers and blood elemental levels in 20 Azorean subjects (ten men and ten women, aged 40 to 65 years) with coronary artery disease previously submitted to percutaneous revascularization (PCI). The whole blood gluthatione peroxidase (Se-GPx) and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activities were measured, as well as serum vitamin E levels (by HPLC). The concentrations of K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Se in plasma and blood cells were determined by PIXE. Results were analyzed by taking into account several cardiovascular risk factors, namely, gender, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentration. Se-GPx activity and vitamin E levels were significantly lower (24 and 15%, respectively) in the PCI group than in controls. In blood cells, significantly differences in Ca (19±5 vs 24±6 μg/mL) and Zn (14±1 vs 12±2 μg/mL) levels were observed in PCI women (but not in men) compared to the respective counterparts. Also in PCI women, both serum triglyceride and plasma tHcy concentrations were above reference values and higher than in men. Results suggest a decreased antioxidant status in PCI patients. In particular, women appear to be less protected than men, as reflected in some cardiovascular risk factors.
- Blood antioxidant parameters and cardiovascular risk factors in subjects from the city of Ponta Delgada (Azores' Archipelago, Portugal)Publication . Pavão, Maria Leonor; Figueiredo, Teresa; Santos, Víctor; Lopes, Paula Alexandra; Ferin, Rita; Santos, Maria Cristina; Vicente, Luís; Viegas-Crespo, Ana Maria; Nève, JeanThe purpose of this work was to evaluate serum selenium, copper and zinc concentrations, as well as the whole blood glutathione peroxidase and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activities in subjects from the city of Ponta Delgada (S. Miguel Island, Azores’ Archipelago). The study of their relationship with generally accepted cardiovascular risk factors was also an objective. […].
- Cross-sectional study of risk factors for atherosclerosis in the Azorean populationPublication . Cymbron, Teresa; Raposo, Mafalda; Kazachkova, Nadia; Bettencourt, Conceição; Silva, Francisca; Santos, Cristina; Dahmani, Yahya; Lourenço, Paula C.; Ferin, Rita; Pavão, Maria Leonor; Lima, ManuelaBackground: Atherosclerosis -a major cause of vascular disease, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), is a pathology that has a two-fold higher mortality rate in the Azorean Islands compared to mainland Portugal. Aim: This cross-sectional study investigated the role of genetic variation in the prevalence of atherosclerosis in this population. Subjects and methods: A total of 305 individuals were characterized for polymorphisms in eight susceptibility genes for atherosclerosis: ACE, PAI1, NOS3, LTA, FGB, ITGB3, PON1 and APOE. Data were analysed with respect to phenotypic characteristics such as blood pressure, lipid profile, life-style risk factors and familial history of myocardial infarction. Results: In the total sample, frequencies for hypercholestrolemic, hypertensive and obese individuals were 63.6%, 39.3% and 23.3%, respectively. The genetic profile was similar to that observed in other European populations, namely in mainland Portugal. No over-representation of risk alleles was evidenced in this sample. Conclusions: One has to consider the possibility of an important non-genetic influence on the high cholesterolemia present in the Azorean population. Since diet is the most important life-style risk factor for dyslipidemia, studies aiming to evaluate the dietary characteristics of this population and its impact on serum lipid levels will be of major importance.
- Methodology for a rapid and simultaneous determination of total cysteine, homocysteine, cysteinylglycine and glutathione in plasma by isocratic RP-HPLCPublication . Ferin, Rita; Pavão, Maria Leonor; Baptista, JoséAlterations in the plasma aminothiols levels can be considered as important biomarkers for the diagnosis and screening of several human disorders, namely cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to optimize a rapid, sensitive and accurate RP-HPLC methodology with fluorescence detection, for the simultaneous determination of the total concentrations of cysteine, homocysteine, cysteinylglycine and glutathione in blood plasma, as well as its application to the evaluation of those thiols levels in plasma of a group of Azorean subjects. Aminothiols were reduced with tri-n-butylphosphine and derivatized with a thiol-specific fluorogenic reagent ammonium 7-fluorobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-4-sulphonate. The thiols adducts were separated by an isocratic elution on a Platinum EPS C18 analytical column (53 mm × 7 mm I.D., 3 m) using a phosphate buffer containing 4% of acetonitrile as a mobile phase. Results indicated an excellent linearity for all the analytes over their respective concentration ranges with correlation coefficients (r2) ≥0.99. The LOD for the four plasma thiols was lower than 0.10 mol/L, while LOQ varied from 0.5 to 15 mol/L. For both intra- and inter-day precision, the RSD (%) values were lower than 1.9%, and the CV (%) values were found under 0.5%. The recovery ranged from 92% to 100% indicating a high degree of the method’s accuracy. This method allows a simultaneous, complete analysis of the four plasma aminothiols and the internal standard in 6 min. By reducing the total run time, a larger number of analysis can be performed daily.
- Plasma aminothiol profile and some of its determinants in apparently Azorean subjectsPublication . Lima, Ana; Ferin, Rita; Baptista, José; Pavão, Maria LeonorOBJECTIVES. To evaluate the plasma aminothiol profile (PAP) and serumgamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity, aswell as plasma folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 concentrations, in 326 apparently healthy subjects from the Azores archipelago (Portugal). Also eventual relationships of PAP with conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis were investigated, aiming at the finding of early blood markers of the disease. DESIGN AND METHODS.This was an observational cross-sectional study, where participants were split into two groups: one with a normal and another with an altered PAP (at least one aminothiol out of its reference concentration range). RESULTS. About 76% of subjects had an altered PAP, mainly due to low glutathione levels (<1.5 μmol/L), mostly associated with normal GGT activity. Prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 10%, where only 33% had some B-vitamin deficiency. The risk for atherosclerosis wasmore evidenced in subjects exhibiting both deficient GSH concentration and increased serum GGT activity. CONCLUSIONS. An altered PAP, namely, when caused by low GSH levels in the absence of alterations in the Hcy, or Cys, or Cys-Gly concentrations and in serum GGT activity, might reveal a subclinical stage of atherogenesis and should be explored as a potential early marker of atherosclerosis.
- Plasma aminothiol profile in apparently healthy subjects from the Azores Archipelago, PortugalPublication . Pavão, Maria Leonor; Lima, Ana; Ferin, Rita; Baptista, José
- Plasma aminothiol status in the population of the Island of São Jorge (The Azores Archipelago, Portugal)Publication . Ferin, Rita; Correia, Cristina; Raposo, Mafalda; Gonçalves, Bruno; Gonçalves, C.; Baptista, José; Pavão, Maria LeonorHcy, Cys, Cys-Gly and GSH are low molecular weight thiols that play important roles in the metabolism and homeostasis of the organism. An altered plasma aminothiols status can cause oxidative stress, thus contributing to atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of total Hcy, Cys, Cys-Gly and GSH, as well as GGT activity in apparently healthy subjects from the Island of S˜ao Jorge, taking into consideration gender and lipid profile. The study group was formed by 73 subjects with no chronic diseases, aged 20 to 60 years, born living in the island of S˜ao Jorge. The evaluation of the four aminothiols was carried out by HPLC with an isocratic reversephase column using a fluorescence detector. Mean values of GSH (1.8±0.6mM) and Cys (240±35mM) content were under reference values, but Cys-Gly was above. Plasma total Hcy, Cys and Cys-Gly levels, as well as GGT activity were significantly higher in men than in women (respectively, 30%, 7%, 17% and 65%). About 63% of subjects were hyperlipidemic, mainly hypercholesterolemic. Cys concentration was increased by 9% in hyperlipidemics vs. normolipidemics. In subjects with altered thiol status men, but not women, revealed a moderate hyperhomocysteinemia. Also Cys-Gly concentrations were significantly higher in men than in women. In spite of being apparently healthy, all subjects (namely men) have depleted antioxidant defenses, indicating high oxidative stress. Alterations in plasma GSH, Cys-Gly and Cys concentrations, taken together, and independently of dyslipidemia, could be considered as early markers of atherosclerosis.
- Prevalence of Heart Disease Risk Factors in the AzoresPublication . Ferin, Rita; Schaefer, Ernst J.; Horvath, Katalin; Baptista, José; Pavão, Maria LeonorBACKGROUND and AIMS: In the Azores age adjusted death rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) are two-fold higher than in mainland Portugal. We determined the prevalence of standard and emerging CHD risk factors in 206 female and 146 male Azorean subjects (mean age 41 years).