http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/6 2013-05-23T06:07:14Z 2013-05-23T06:07:14Z Churro, Catarina Dias, Elsa Paulino, Sérgio Alverca, Elsa Pereira, Paulo http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/1541 2013-04-10T15:49:55Z 2013-04-08T00:00:00Z

Title: Importância da monitorização de cianobactérias em albufeiras portuguesas Authors: Churro, Catarina; Dias, Elsa; Paulino, Sérgio; Alverca, Elsa; Pereira, Paulo

2013-04-08T00:00:00Z Rodrigues, Raquel Coelho, Carla Ferreira, Filipa Pizarro, Cristina http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/1488 2013-02-26T16:08:05Z 2013-02-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Prevalência de Legionella nos sistemas de água Authors: Rodrigues, Raquel; Coelho, Carla; Ferreira, Filipa; Pizarro, Cristina

2013-02-01T00:00:00Z Pinto, Edgar Melo, Armindo Mansilha, Catarina Ferreira, Isabel http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/1456 2013-02-20T16:25:44Z 2012-05-29T00:00:00Z

Title: Environmental impact of intensive horticulture practices on groundwater content of nitrates, sodium, potassium and pesticides Authors: Pinto, Edgar; Melo, Armindo; Mansilha, Catarina; Ferreira, Isabel

2012-05-29T00:00:00Z García-Lestón, Julia Roma-Torres, Joana Mayan, Olga Schroecksnadel, Sebastian Fuchs, Dietmar Moreira, Ana Pásaro, Eduardo Méndez, Josefina Teixeira, João Paulo Laffon, Blanca http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/1407 2013-02-15T16:08:56Z 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessment of immunotoxicity parameters in individuals occupationally exposed to lead Authors: García-Lestón, Julia; Roma-Torres, Joana; Mayan, Olga; Schroecksnadel, Sebastian; Fuchs, Dietmar; Moreira, Ana; Pásaro, Eduardo; Méndez, Josefina; Teixeira, João Paulo; Laffon, Blanca Abstract: Although adverse health effects produced by lead (Pb) have long been recognized, studies regarding the immunotoxic effects of occupational exposure report conflicting results. In a previous study, alterations in some immunological parameters were noted in 70 Pb-exposed workers. In view of these results, it was of interest to extend this study comprising a larger population and increasing the number of immunological endpoints assessed. Accordingly, in this study the immunotoxic effects of occupational exposure to Pb were assessed by analyzing (1) percentages of lymphocyte subsets (CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD19⁺, and CD56⁺/16⁺); (2) concentration of plasma cytokines, namely, interleukin (IL) 2, IL4, IL6, IL10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, and interferon (IFN) γ; and (3) plasma concentrations of neopterin, tryptophan (Trp), and kynurenine (Kyn). In addition, the possible influence of genetic polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) genes on immunotoxicity parameters was studied. Exposed workers showed significant decreases in %CD3⁺, %CD4⁺/%CD8⁺ ratio, IL4, TNFα, IFNγ, and Kyn to Trp ratio (Kyn/Trp), and significant increases in %CD8⁺, IL10, and Trp levels. All these parameters, except Trp, were significantly correlated with exposure biomarkers. No significant influence of genetic polymorphisms was observed. Significant correlation between Kyn/Trp and neopterin concentrations suggests an involvement of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in the Trp metabolic alterations, which may contribute to some of the immune alterations observed. Results obtained suggest that occupational exposure to PB may influence the immune system by impairing several mechanisms, which might ultimately produce deregulation of the immune response and diminish immunosurveillance in exposed individuals.

2012-01-01T00:00:00Z