Markers of the prooxidant/antioxidant balance and characterization of the allelic profile of apo E in inhabitants of Lisbon and Ponta Delgada

Funder

Organizational Unit

Publications

Systemic markers of the redox balance and Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism in Atherosclerosis: the Relevance for an Integrated Study

Publication . Lopes, Paula Alexandra; Napoleão, Patrícia; Pinheiro, Teresa; Ceia, Fátima; Steghens, Jean-Paul; Pavão, Maria Leonor; Santos, Maria Cristina; Viegas-Crespo, Ana Maria

Prospective studies have demonstrated that an imbalance between oxidative damage and antioxidative protection can play a role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Also, genotypes with the apolipoprotein E ζ4 allele have been associated with an increase risk for this pathology. Based on this knowledge, the aim of this study was to evaluate indicators of the redox balance, trace elements, and apolipoprotein E allelic profile in subjects from the Lisbon population with clinically stable atherosclerosis, at risk for atherosclerotic events, and in healthy subjects for comparison. The activities of superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes and glutathione peroxidase in whole blood, plasma total thiols, and serum ceruloplasmin were kept unchanged among the three groups. Serum α-tocopherol was increased in atherosclerotic patients. Total malondialdehyde in serum and protein carbonyls in plasma, which are indicators of lipid and protein oxidative damage, respectively, reached their highest values in risk subjects. The concentrations of potassium and calcium, in plasma and in blood cells, were slightly elevated in patients and might reflect an electrolytic imbalance. Regarding the apolipoprotein E polymorphism, atherosclerotic patients had an increased incidence of the high-risk genotypes for atherogenesis (ζ3/ζ4 and ζ4/ζ4). A multivariate model applied to the general population using most of the parameters clearly separated the three groups at study (i.e., the healthy group from the steady-state group of risk disease and from the atherosclerotic one). As shown by us, the usefulness of biochemical and complementary genetic markers is warranted for a better knowledge on atherosclerosis molecular basis.

2006Journal article

Open access

Comparison of Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and other atherosclerotic risk factors in two Portuguese populations: the Influence of Insularity

Publication . Lopes, Paula Alexandra; Gaspar, Gisela; Napoleão, Patrícia; Santos, Maria Cristina; Pavão, Maria Leonor; Viegas-Crespo, Ana Maria

O principal objectivo deste estudo é o de pesquisar o efeito da insularidade nos polimorfismos da apolipoproteína (apo) E em indivíduos saudáveis do continente (Lisboa) e de Ponta Delgada (Ilha de S. Miguel, Arquipélago dos Açores). Adicionalmente, estudar a distribuição dos seus genótipos em doentes com aterosclerose da Ilha de S. Miguel. Em Lisboa, a distribuição dos genótipos da apo E foi a seguinte: e3/e3 > e3/e4 > e2/e3 > e4/e4, ao passo que em Ponta Delgada e independentemente da condição fisiológica foi: e3/e3 > e2/e3 > e3/e4. Distintas frequências genotípicas foram observadas entre homens e mulheres no grupo saudável de Ponta Delgada. O índice de massa corporal, hipertensão arterial e perfil lipídico, factores de risco associados ao processo aterosclerótico, revelaram algumas diferenças quando avaliados em função dos grupos alélicos. Neste estudo, os genótipos de risco da apo E, e2/e2 and e2/e4, não foram contabilizados. Curiosamente a proporção dos genótipos nas mulheres foi heterogénea nos 3 grupos estudados.

2007-09Journal article

Open access

Blood elemental levels and antioxidant markers in humans with atherosclerotic disease

Publication . Lopes, Paula Alexandra; Napoleão, Patrícia; Pinheiro, Teresa; Santos, Maria Cristina; Rodrigues, Maria Odete; Ceia, Fátima; Vicente, Luís; Mathias, Maria da Luz; Pavão, Maria Leonor; Nève, Jean; Viegas-Crespo, Ana Maria

Although mortality from coronary heart disease has declined recently, atherosclerosis and related vascular diseases are still the major cause of death in the western countries. Experimental studies have demosntrated that a disturbed balance between free radical formation and antioxidant defenses can play a role in the development and progression of various diseases, namely atherosclerosis. In this study trace element levels were measured in plasma and in blood cells of subjects suffering from atherosclerotic disease. Blood activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and plasma total thiols were also evaluated in these patients. Significantly decreased Se and Fe were found in the blood plasma of the atherosclerotic group. A tendency for disruption in antioxidant enzyme status was observed in these patients, but plasma total thiols were unchanged. These are preliminary results and a large atherosclerotic group is required in order to clarify the observations and to contribute for the knowledge on the molecular basis of atherosclerosis.

2003-10Conference object

Open access