Browsing by Author "Domingues, Pedro"
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- Bioactive lipids in : implications for functional foods and healthPublication . Pais, Rita; Conde, Tiago; Neves, Bruna B.; Pinho, Marisa; Coelho, Marta; Pereira, Hugo; Rodrigues, Alexandre M. C.; Domingues, Pedro; Gomes, Ana Maria; Urbatzka, Ralph; Domingues, Rosário; Melo, TâniaDunaliella salina is a green microalga extensively explored for β-carotene production, while knowledge of its lipid composition is still limited and poorly investigated. Among lipids, polar lipids have been highlighted as bioactive phytochemicals with health-promoting properties. This research aimed to provide an in-depth lipidome profiling of using liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The lipid content was 6.8%, including phospholipids, glycolipids, betaine lipids, sphingolipids, triglycerides, diglycerides, and pigments. Among the total esterified fatty acids, 13.6% were 18:3 omega-3 and 14.7% were 18:1 omega-9. The lipid extract of showed anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 activity at 100 µg/mL, dose-dependent antioxidant scavenging activity, and antidiabetic activity by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity at 25 and 125 µg/mL. In conclusion, the lipid extract of has the potential to be used as a functional food ingredient or in the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industries.
- Characterization of plasma SDS-protein aggregation profile of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fractionPublication . Gouveia, Marisol; Schmidt, Cristine; Teixeira, Manuel; Lopes, Mário; Aveiro, Susana; Domingues, Pedro; Xia, Ke; Colón, Wilfredo; Vitorino, Rui; Ferreira, Rita; Santos, Mário; Vieira, Sandra; Ribeiro, FernandoThis study characterizes the plasma levels and composition of SDS-resistant aggregates (SRAs) in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) to infer molecular pathways associated with disease and/or proteostasis disruption. Twenty adults (ten with HFpEF and ten age-matched individuals) were included. Circulating SRAs were resolved by diagonal two-dimensional SDS-PAGE, and their protein content was identified by mass spectrometry. Protein carbonylation, ubiquitination and ficolin-3 were evaluated. Patients with HFpEF showed higher SRA/total (36.6 +/- 4.9% vs 29.6 +/- 2.2%, p = 0.009) and SRA/soluble levels (58.6 +/- 12.7% vs 40.6 +/- 5.8%, p = 0.008). SRAs were carbonylated and ubiquitinated, suggesting they are composed of dysfunctional proteins resistant to degradation. SRAs were enriched in proteins associated with cardiovascular function/disease and with proteostasis machinery. Total ficolin-3 levels were decreased (0.77 +/- 0.22, p = 0.041) in HFpEF, suggesting a reduced proteostasis capacity to clear circulating SRA. Thus, the higher accumulation of SRA in HFpEF may result from a failure or overload of the protein clearance machinery.
- Effects of feeding with different live preys on the lipid composition, growth and survival ofOctopus vulgarisparalarvaePublication . Reis, Diana B.; Shcherbakova, Anastasia; Riera, Rodrigo; Martín, M. Virginia; Domingues, Pedro; Andrade, Jose; Jimenez-Prada, Pablo; Rodriguez, Covandonga; V. Sykes, Antonio; Almansa, EduardoTo move forward in the farming ofOctopus vulgarisparalarvae, it is necessary to search for a live prey easy to obtain and maintain in the laboratory that meets the nutritional requirements of the octopus paralarvae and adapts to its predatory behaviour.Grapsus adscensioniszoeae (Crustacea, Decapoda) seems to fulfil most of these targets, and it was herein used to deepen knowledge of paralarvae lipid requirements and composition, growth and survival. To this purpose, the effects of feeding withGrapsuszoeae as sole prey were compared withArtemiaat two different stages (nauplii and juveniles), which also differed in their lipid profiles. After 15 days of feeding, the best growth and survival of paralarvae was obtained in theGrapsusgroup, and no differences were observed between bothArtemiagroups. Triacylglycerides storage in paralarvae seemed to be co-related with a lower growth and survival, but not with its prey levels. Contrarily, sterol ester levels were higher in paralarvae fedGrapsus, reflecting its content in the prey. The best paralarval viability was related to higher levels of 22:6n-3 (DHA) and 20:4n-6 (ARA), also reflecting its higher content in the prey. On the other hand, neither the 20:5n-3 (EPA) levels in the prey nor in paralarvae were related to growth or survival. The implications of these results are discussed considering the lipid requirements ofO. vulgarisparalarvae.
- Effects of outdoor and indoor cultivation on the polar lipid composition and antioxidant activity of Nannochloropsis oceanica and Nannochloropsis limnetica: A lipidomics perspectivePublication . Couto, Daniela; Conde, Tiago A.; Melo, Tânia; Neves, Bruna; Costa, Margarida; Cunha, Pedro; Guerra, Inês; Correia, Nádia; Silva, Joana T.; Pereira, Hugo; Varela, João; Silva, Joana; Domingues, Rosário; Domingues, PedroNannochloropsis is a genus of eicosapentaenoic acid-rich microalgae with high levels of value-added polar lipids. However, the polar lipid composition of microalgal biomass is highly dependent on culture conditions (e.g., light or temperature), which are significantly different under indoor and outdoor culture conditions. In this study, we sought to investigate the plasticity of the polar lipid profile of a marine (N. oceanica) and a freshwater (N. limnetica) species of Nannochloropsis grown in indoor and outdoor photobioreactors. To this end, the polar lipidome and fatty acid profiles were characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. In addition, the antioxidant activity of their lipid extracts was assessed. The highest lipid contents were obtained for the two species grown indoors. LC-MS analysis identified 239 different polar lipid species, of which 220 were shared by all experimental groups. Candidate lipid biomarkers from both culture systems were proposed, including MGDG(34:2), MGDG(34:1) and PG(36:6). For both species, indoor conditions lead to lipid extracts rich in glycolipids and higher in oleic acid content. In contrast, outdoor conditions lead to higher proportions of phospholipids and betaine lipids and a higher relative content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The polar lipid profile of the two Nannochloropsis species differed primarily in the relative amounts of certain betaine lipids, mainly DGTS (which was increased in N. oceanica) and lysolipids (LPC, and LPE) (increased in N. limnetica), although the majority of lipids were observed in both species. The lipid extracts showed antioxidant activity (IC15) ranging from 30.4 +/- 1.8 to 45.7 +/- 1.6 mu mol Trolox g-1 of lipid extract. Overall, this study provides insight into the lipid metabolic adaptation of two Nannochloropsis species, providing the know-how to obtain a healthy polar lipid-rich biomass useful for novel applications in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or novel foods.
- Exercise training decreases the load and changes the content of circulating SDS-resistant protein aggregates in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fractionPublication . Gouveia, Marisol; Schmidt, Cristine; Basilio, Priscilla Gois; Aveiro, Susana; Domingues, Pedro; Xia, Ke; Colón, Wilfredo; Vitorino, Rui; Ferreira, Rita; Santos, Mário; Vieira, Sandra I.; Ribeiro, FernandoBackgroundHeart failure (HF) often disrupts the protein quality control (PQC) system leading to protein aggregate accumulation. Evidence from tissue biopsies showed that exercise restores PQC system in HF; however, little is known about its effects on plasma proteostasis.AimTo determine the effects of exercise training on the load and composition of plasma SDS-resistant protein aggregates (SRA) in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).MethodsEighteen patients with HFrEF (age: 63.4 +/- 6.5 years; LVEF: 33.4 +/- 11.6%) participated in a 12-week combined (aerobic plus resistance) exercise program (60 min/session, twice per week). The load and content of circulating SRA were assessed using D2D SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Cardiorespiratory fitness, quality of life, and circulating levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), haptoglobin and ficolin-3, were also evaluated at baseline and after the exercise program.ResultsThe exercise program decreased the plasma SRA load (% SRA/total protein: 38.0 +/- 8.9 to 36.1 +/- 9.7%, p = 0.018; % SRA/soluble fraction: 64.3 +/- 27.1 to 59.8 +/- 27.7%, p = 0.003). Plasma SRA of HFrEF patients comprised 31 proteins, with alpha-2-macroglobulin and haptoglobin as the most abundant ones. The exercise training significantly increased haptoglobin plasma levels (1.03 +/- 0.40 to 1.11 +/- 0.46, p = 0.031), while decreasing its abundance in SRA (1.83 +/- 0.54 x 1011 to 1.51 +/- 0.59 x 1011, p = 0.049). Cardiorespiratory fitness [16.4(5.9) to 19.0(5.2) ml/kg/min, p = 0.002], quality of life, and circulating NT-proBNP [720.0(850.0) to 587.0(847.3) pg/mL, p = 0.048] levels, also improved after the exercise program.ConclusionExercise training reduced the plasma SRA load and enhanced PQC, potentially via haptoglobin-mediated action, while improving cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life of patients with HFrEF.
- Light modulates the lipidome of the photosynthetic sea slug Elysia timidaPublication . Rey, Felisa; Cartaxana, Paulo; Aveiro, Susana; Greenacre, Michael; Melo, Tânia; Domingues, Pedro; Domingues, M. Rosário; Cruz, SóniaLong-term kleptoplasty, the capability to retain functional stolen chloroplasts (kleptoplasts) for several weeks to months, has been shown in a handful of Sacoglossa sea slugs. One of these sea slugs is Elysia timida, endemic to the Mediterranean, which retains functional chloroplasts of the macroalga Acetabularia acetabulum. To understand how light modulates the lipidome of E. timida, sea slug specimens were subjected to two different 4-week light treatments: regular light and quasi-dark conditions. Lipidomic analyses were performed by HILIC-HR-ESIMS and MS/MS. Quasi-dark conditions caused a reduction in the amount of essential lipids for photosynthetic membranes, such as glycolipids, indicating high level of kleptoplast degradation under sub-optimal light conditions. However, maximum photosynthetic capacities (Fv/Fm) were identical in both light treatments (≈0.75), showing similar kleptoplast functionality and suggesting that older kleptoplasts were targeted for degradation. Although more stable, the phospholipidome showed differences between light treatments: the amount of certain lipid species of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) decreased under quasi-dark conditions, while other lipid species of phosphatidylcholine (PC), PE and lyso-PE (LPE) increased. Quasi-dark conditions promoted a decrease in the relative abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These results suggest a light-driven remodelling of the lipidome according to the functions of the different lipids and highlight the plasticity of polar lipids in the photosynthetic sea slug E. timida.
- Multi-Omic profiling of macrophages treated with phospholipids containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids reveals complex immunomodulatory adaptations at protein, lipid and metabolic levelsPublication . Maurício, Tatiana; Aveiro, Susana; Guedes, Sofia; Lopes, Diana; Melo, Tânia; Neves, Bruno M.; Domingues, Rosário; Domingues, PedroIn recent years, several studies have demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids have strong immunomodulatory properties, altering several functions of macrophages. In the present work, we sought to provide a multi-omic approach combining the analysis of the lipidome, the proteome, and the metabolome of RAW 264.7 macrophages supplemented with phospholipids containing omega-3 (PC 18:0/22:6; omega 3-PC) or omega-6 (PC 18:0/20:4; omega 6-PC) fatty acids, alone and in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Supplementation of macrophages with omega 3 and omega 6 phospholipids plus LPS produced a significant reprogramming of the proteome of macrophages and amplified the immune response; it also promoted the expression of anti-inflammatory proteins (e.g., pleckstrin). Supplementation with the omega 3-PC and omega 6-PC induced significant changes in the lipidome, with a marked increase in lipid species linked to the inflammatory response, attributed to several pro-inflammatory signalling pathways (e.g., LPCs) but also to the pro-resolving effect of inflammation (e.g., PIs). Finally, the metabolomic analysis demonstrated that supplementation with omega 3-PC and omega 6-PC induced the expression of several metabolites with a pronounced inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effect (e.g., succinate). Overall, our data show that supplementation of macrophages with omega 3-PC and omega 6-PC effectively modulates the lipidome, proteome, and metabolome of these immune cells, affecting several metabolic pathways involved in the immune response that are triggered by inflammation.
- Polar lipids of commercial Ulva spp. of different origins: profiling and relevance for seaweed valorizationPublication . Moreira, Ana S. P.; da Costa, Elisabete; Melo, Tânia; Lopes, Diana; Pais, Adriana C. S.; Santos, Sónia A. O.; Pitarma, Bárbara; Mendes, Madalena; Abreu, Maria H.; Collén, Pi Nyvall; Domingues, Pedro; Domingues, M. RosárioMacroalgae of the genus Ulva have long been used as human food. Local environmental conditions, among other factors, can have an impact on their nutrient and phytochemical composition, as well as on the value of the seaweed for food and non-food applications. This study is the first to initiate a comparison between commercial Ulva spp. from different European origins, France (FR, wild-harvested Ulva spp.), and Portugal (PT, farm-raised Ulva rigida), in terms of proximate composition, esterified fatty acids (FA), and polar lipids. The ash content was higher in PT samples, while FR samples had higher levels of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates and other compounds. The profile of esterified FA, as well as FA-containing polar lipids at the class and species levels were also significantly different. The FR samples showed about three-fold higher amount of n-3 polyunsaturated FA, while PT samples showed two-fold higher content of monounsaturated FA. Quantification of glycolipids and phospholipids revealed, respectively, two-fold and three-fold higher levels in PT samples. Despite the differences found, the polar lipids identified in both batches included some lipid species with recognized bioactivity, valuing Ulva biomass with functional properties, increasing their added value, and promoting new applications, namely in nutraceutical and food markets.
- Projeto A Minha Praia: A Ciência Cidadã enquanto promotora do civismo ambiental e conservação da NaturezaPublication . Gouveia, Licínia; Lourenço, Carla; Afonso, João; Freitas, Ricardo; Cavaquinho, Vanessa; Fernandes, Aurélie; Domingues, Pedro; Veiga-Pires, C.; Reis, Emanuel; Rodrigues, Miguel; Gomes, Tiago; Rodrigues, Luís; Mira, Sara; Ferreira, Hélder; Pinto, Andreia; Vaz, Paula; Drago, Teresa; Soares, Isabel; Ramos, AnaÀ escala global, a conjugação das atividades humanas com o rápido incremento da população e os sucessivos avanços tecnológicos exercem uma crescente pressão sobre os ambientes marinhos. Atualmente, o lixo marinho é uma das maiores ameaças à vitalidade do Oceano Global: leva à destruição de habitats, à mortalidade de várias espécies, a efeitos adversos na nossa saúde e à quebra geral da produtividade económica providenciada pelo mar. Foi tendo em conta a magnitude e as consequências da disseminação do lixo marinho e a exposição que a região do Algarve tem ao problema, que o Centro Ciência Viva de Tavira assumiu a coordenação do Projeto A Minha Praia, entre Agosto de 2018 e Julho de 2019: um projeto de monitorização ambiental e de sensibilização para a conservação do meio marinho e promoção de hábitos de consumo sustentáveis, através de ações de civismo ambiental e de ciência cidadã. O Projeto A Minha Praia foi um dos vencedores da primeira edição do Orçamento Participativo Portugal (OPP) em 2017, e a sua execução foi garantida pela colaboração entre os três Centros Ciência Viva (CCVs) da região, com o envolvimento de várias entidades regionais e nacionais. Com este projeto, criou-se uma rede de monitorização do lixo marinho em seis praias do Algarve, na qual o público escolar e as camadas mais jovens da região realizaram ações periódicas de sensibilização para a problemática do lixo marinho, sua origem e alcance, bem como a sua catalogação e recolha. O lixo recolhido foi triado e classificado de acordo com a metodologia OSPAR, produzindo informação que foi entregue à Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, a entidade responsável pela monitorização do lixo marinho em Portugal. O Projeto A Minha Praia também apresenta uma vertente técnica, já que nos CCVs aproveitamos para demonstrar que o plástico, que é o maior componente do lixo encontrado no mar e zonas costeiras, deve ser encarado como um matéria-prima a ser aproveitada, reciclada e transformada em novos objetos de carácter prático ou artístico que prolongam a vida útil deste material.
- Projeto A Minha Praia: A Ciência Cidadã enquanto promotora do civismo ambiental e conservação da NaturezaPublication . Gouveia, Licínia; Lourenço, Carla; Afonso, João; Freitas, Ricardo; Cavaquinho, Vanessa; Fernandes, Aurélie; Domingues, Pedro; Veiga-Pires, C.; Reis, Emanuel; Rodrigues, Miguel; Gomes, Tiago; Rodrigues, Luís; Mira, Sara; Ferreira, Hélder; Pinto, Andreia; Vaz, Paula; Drago, Teresa; Soares, Isabel; Ramos, AnaÀ escala global, a conjugação das atividades humanas com o rápido incremento da população e os sucessivos avanços tecnológicos exercem uma crescente pressão sobre os ambientes marinhos. Atualmente, o lixo marinho é uma das maiores ameaças à vitalidade do Oceano Global: leva à destruição de habitats, à mortalidade de várias espécies, a efeitos adversos na nossa saúde e à quebra geral da produtividade económica providenciada pelo mar. Foi tendo em conta a magnitude e as consequências da disseminação do lixo marinho e a exposição que a região do Algarve tem ao problema, que o Centro Ciência Viva de Tavira assumiu a coordenação do Projeto A Minha Praia, entre Agosto de 2018 e Julho de 2019: um projeto de monitorização ambiental e de sensibilização para a conservação do meio marinho e promoção de hábitos de consumo sustentáveis, através de ações de civismo ambiental e de ciência cidadã. O Projeto A Minha Praia foi um dos vencedores da primeira edição do Orçamento Participativo Portugal (OPP) em 2017, e a sua execução foi garantida pela colaboração entre os três Centros Ciência Viva (CCVs) da região, com o envolvimento de várias entidades regionais e nacionais. Com este projeto, criou-se uma rede de monitorização do lixo marinho em seis praias do Algarve, na qual o público escolar e as camadas mais jovens da região realizaram ações periódicas de sensibilização para a problemática do lixo marinho, sua origem e alcance, bem como a sua catalogação e recolha. O lixo recolhido foi triado e classificado de acordo com a metodologia OSPAR, produzindo informação que foi entregue à Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, a entidade responsável pela monitorização do lixo marinho em Portugal. O Projeto A Minha Praia também apresenta uma vertente técnica, já que nos CCVs aproveitamos para demonstrar que o plástico, que é o maior componente do lixo encontrado no mar e zonas costeiras, deve ser encarado como um matéria-prima a ser aproveitada, reciclada e transformada em novos objetos de carácter prático ou artístico que prolongam a vida útil deste material.