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- Blueberry consumption challenges hepatic mitochondrial bioenergetics and elicits transcriptomics reprogramming in healthy wistar ratsPublication . Nunes, Sara; Viana, Sofia D.; Preguiça, Inês; Alves, André; Fernandes, Rosa; Teodoro, João S.; Figueirinha, Artur; Salgueiro, Lígia; Silva, Sara; Jarak, Ivana; Carvalho, Rui A.; Cavadas, Cláudia; Rolo, Anabela P.; Palmeira, Carlos M.; Pintado, Maria M.; Reis, FlávioAn emergent trend of blueberries’ (BB) “prophylactic” consumption, due to their phytochemicals’ richness and well-known health-promoting claims, is widely scaled-up. However, the benefits arising from BB indiscriminate intake remains puzzling based on incongruent preclinical and human data. To provide a more in-depth elucidation and support towards a healthier and safer consumption, we conducted a translation-minded experimental study in healthy Wistar rats that consumed BB in a juice form (25 g/kg body weight (BW)/day; 14 weeks’ protocol). Particular attention was paid to the physiological adaptations succeeding in the gut and liver tissues regarding the acknowledged BB-induced metabolic benefits. Systemically, BB boosted serum antioxidant activity and repressed the circulating levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB) ketone bodies and 3-HB/acetoacetate ratio. Moreover, BB elicited increased fecal succinic acid levels without major changes on gut microbiota (GM) composition and gut ultra-structural organization. Remarkably, an accentuated hepatic mitochondrial bioenergetic challenge, ensuing metabolic transcriptomic reprogramming along with a concerted anti-inflammatory pre-conditioning, was clearly detected upon long-term consumption of BB phytochemicals. Altogether, the results disclosed herein portray a quiescent mitochondrial-related metabolomics and hint for a unified adaptive response to this nutritional challenge. The beneficial or noxious consequences arising from this dietary trend should be carefully interpreted and necessarily claims future research.
- Unraveling the photodynamic activity of cationic benzoporphyrin-based photosensitizers against bladder cancer cellsPublication . Gomes, Ana T. P. C.; Neves, M. Graça P. M. S.; Fernandes, Rosa; Ribeiro, Carlos F.; Cavaleiro, José A. S.; Moura, Nuno M. M.In this study, we report the preparation of new mono-charged benzoporphyrin complexes by reaction of the appropriate neutral benzoporphyrin with (2,2′-bipyridine)dichloroplatinum(II) and of the analogs’ derivatives synthesized through alkylation of the neutral scaffold with iodomethane. All derivatives were incorporated into polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) micelles. The ability of the resultant formulations to generate reactive oxygen species was evaluated, mainly the singlet oxygen formation. Then, the capability of the PVP formulations to act as photosensitizers against bladder cancer cells was assessed. Some of the studied formulations were the most active photosensitizers causing a decrease in HT-1376 cells’ viability. This creates an avenue to further studies related to bladder cancer cells.