Browsing by Author "Lopes, C."
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- Computerized dietary interviews: defining guidelines for the contruction of food consumption assessment software for European populationsPublication . Cruz, C.; Rodrigues, T.; Vilela, S.; Guiomar, S.; Lopes, C.; Torres, D.
- Exposure assessment of Portuguese population to multiple mycotoxins: the human biomonitoring approachPublication . Martins, Carla; Vidal, A.; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, S.; Nunes, C.; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, C.; Assunção, R; Alvito, P.Mycotoxins constitute a relevant group of food contaminants with several associated health outcomes such as estrogenic, immunotoxic, nephrotoxic and teratogenic effects. Although scarce data are available in Portugal, human biomonitoring studies have been globally developed to assess the exposure to mycotoxins at individual level. In order to overcome this lack of data, the present study concerned the analysis of mycotoxins in 24h urine and first-morning urine paired samples from 94 participants enrolled within the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015–2016). Following a salt assisted matrix extraction, urine samples were analysed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of 37 urinary mycotoxins’ biomarkers and data obtained used to estimate the probable daily intake as well as the risk characterization applying the Hazard Quotient approach. Results revealed the exposure of Portuguese population to zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, alternariol, citrinin and fumonisin B1 through the quantification in 24h urine and first-morning urine paired samples. Risk characterization data revealed a potential concern to some reported mycotoxins since the reference intake values were exceeded by some of the considered participants. Alternariol was identified for the first time in urine samples from a European country; however, risk characterization was not performed due to lack of reference intake value. These results confirmed mycotoxins as part of the human exposome of the Portuguese population reinforcing the need for further studies regarding the determinants of exposure.
- Exposure of Portuguese population to aflatoxins: the contribution of human biomonitoring to estimation of burden of diseasePublication . Martins, Carla; Vidal, Arnau; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, S.; Nunes, Carla; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, C.; Alvito, Paula; Assunção, RicardoHuman biomonitoring (HBM) is recognized as an important tool to assess the Human exposure to chemicals, contributing to describe trends and patterns of exposure over time and to identify population groups that could be under risk. Natural chemicals as mycotoxins, fungi metabolites that produce toxic effects in humans, are important compounds that could be found in foods usually consumed worldwide in a daily basis. Mycotoxins as aflatoxins (AFTs) are genotoxic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive compounds. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of their main health toxic effects and is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In Portugal, scarce data are available regarding exposure to AFTs and none previous study used HBM data to characterize comprehensively the burden associated to this exposure. In the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015-2016), 24h-urine samples from 94 participants were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of AFTs (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1). A model was developed to estimate the health impact of the exposure of Portuguese population to aflatoxins, estimating the number of cases of HCC and DALYs attributed to AFTs exposure. AFTs were detected in 12.8% (AFB1), 16.0% (AFB2) and 19.1% (AFM1) of the 24h-urine samples. The estimated number of extra cases of HCC attributed to this exposure ranged from 17 to 65 cases/year; the associated DALYs for the Portuguese population ranged from 284 to 1802 years. The present study generated, for the first time and within a HBM study, reliable data on internal exposure to AFTs at individual level for the Portuguese population. These data were crucial to characterize the burden derived from this exposure and to support risk managers to establish preventive policy measures that contribute to ensure the public health protection.
- Exposure of Portuguese population to mycoestrogens: a public health concern?Publication . Martins, Carla; Vidal, Arnau; De Saeger, Sarah; Nunes, Carla; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, C.; Assunção, Ricardo; Alvito, Paula; De Boevre, M.Alternariol (AOH) and zearalenone (ZEN) are mycotoxins that occur widely in food commodities, with particular incidence in cereals [1,2]. Both mycotoxins present estrogenic effects, therefore, it is crucial to assess the human exposure and the associated risk [2,3]. To date, there is a lack of human studies to assess exposure to ZEN and AOH through biomarkers analysis in Portugal. In the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (IAN-AF, 2015-2016), 94 participants collected 24h-urine samples [4]. Following a salt-assisted matrix extraction, urine samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of ZEN, α-zearalenol (α-ZEL), β -zearalenol (β-ZEL), α-zearalanol (α-ZAL), β-zearalanol (β-ZAL), zearalanone (ZAN), zearalenone-14-glucoside (ZEN-14-GlcA), α-zearalenol-glucoside (α-ZEL-GlcA), β-zearalenolglucoside (β-ZEL-GlcA), zearalenone-14-sulfate (ZEN-14-Sulf), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and AOH. Risk characterization was performed using the Hazard Quotient (HQ) approach. ZEN, ZEN-14-GlcA and AOH were detected in 48%, 16% and 29% of analyzed samples, respectively, and median levels were 0.17 μg/L for ZEN and ZEN-14-GlcA and 0.28 μg/L for AOH. Participants were exposed to ZEN (n=35), AOH (n=15) and some volunteers showed co-exposure to both mycotoxins (n=12). Risk characterization of exposure to ZEN was performed and 24% of participants presented a HQ > 1, thus exceeding the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 0.250 μg/kg bw/day. There is no toxicological data available to support the establishment of a TDI for AOH, thus the risk associated with this toxin was not characterized [2,5]. The present study generated, for the first time and within a human biomonitoring study, reliable data regarding the exposure of the Portuguese population to ZEN and AOH. These data are crucial to perform a more realistic risk assessment, contributing to more effective preventive measures for health protection of the Portuguese population.
- Exposure of Portuguese population to mycotoxins: the contribution of human biomonitoring studiesPublication . Martins, C.; De Boevre, M.; De Saeger, S.; Assunção, R.; Nunes, Carla; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, C.; Alvito, P.; Vidal, A.Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi that occurs widely in food commodities, and are known to potentially cause toxicity and carcinogenic outcomes to humans. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the population exposure to mycotoxins. Biomarker-driven research appeared as a promising method to assess the mycotoxin exposure in humans. To date, in Portugal, there is a lack of human studies to assess biomarker of exposure to mycotoxins. In the Scope of National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015-2016), a cross-sectional study was developed based on a convenience sample of 94 participants. Participants were from both genders, aged 18-84 years, from north and center regions of Portugal, and collected 24h urine samples. Analytical determination of mycotoxins urinary biomarkers (n = 40) was performed by liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer detector. Preliminary results showed that exposure of Portuguese population to mycotoxins is a reality. Until now, results revealed the presence of seven mycotoxins and metabolites in 10% to 76% of analyzed samples. Considering the 24h-urinary volume, mean dietary excretion of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) was 35.8 and 1.9 mg/day, respectively. Regarding DON, results showed a good correlation between excreted biomarkers: DON-DON3GlcA (r = 0.7322) and DON-DON15GlcA (r = 0.7538), confirming the adequacy of these biomarkers. Further analysis regarding the excretion of other mycotoxins are still in course. This biomonitoring study generate, for the first time, reliable data regarding the exposure of Portuguese population to mycotoxins. These data are crucial to perform a more realistic risk assessment, contribute to the knowledge of determinants of this exposure and provides evidence-based data to support the revision of legislative limits concerning the occurrence of mycotoxins in food. Key messages: Portuguese population is exposed to mycotoxins, chemical food contaminants that may be harmful (carcinogenic, immunotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic, hepatotoxic) for human health; Human biomonitoring studies provide realistic data on internal exposure at individual level, allowing a more accurate knowledge of the determinants of exposure to these contaminants.
- First case of Autochthonous Tularaemia reported in PortugalPublication . Cunha, F.; Oliveira, D.; Lopes, C.; Lopes de Carvalho, I.; Núncio, M.S.; Serra, J. E.; Gonçalves, R.; Cunha, S.Tularaemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis, a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacterium. Transmission to humans occurs through contact with infected animals or contaminated environments, or through arthropod vectors. The disease has a broad geographical distribution; in Europe, recent outbreaks have been reported in Sweden, Hungary and Spain. In Portugal, F. tularensis subsp. holarctica was already detected in different tick species, lagomorphs and was also reported a ulceroglandular form of tularemia but with imported origin. Here we report the first notified case of autochthonous tularaemia in Portugal.
- Harmonization of dietary quantification methods: can quantification common based picture book cover specific needs of a country?Publication . Rodrigues, T.; Cruz, C.; Vilela, S.; Lopes, C.; Torres, D.; Guiomar, S.
- Human Papillomavirus Type Distribution in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 2/3 and Cervical Cancer in Portugal: a CLEOPATRE II StudyPublication . Pista, A.; Oliveira, C.F.; Lopes, C.; Cunha, M.J.; CLEOPATRE Portugal Study GroupaObjective: Cervical cancer is the third most frequent cancer in women, worldwide, and etiologically associated with infection by human papillomavirus (HPV). Following the results of the first epidemiologic population-based CLEOPATRE study in Portugal, it was important to understand the HPV type-specific distribution in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 and 3 and invasive cervical cancer (ICC). Methods/materials: Observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection. Between January 2008 and May 2009, paraffin-embedded samples of histologically confirmed cases of CIN2, CIN3 and ICC were collected from the 5 regional health administrations in mainland Portugal. Eligible samples were sent to two central laboratories for histological reassessment and HPV genotyping. Prevalence estimates were calculated together with 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 582 samples, 177 cases of CIN2, 341 of CIN3 and 64 of ICC, were included. The mean age of participants was 41.8 years (20-88 years). The overall HPV prevalence was 97.9% with a higher prevalence of high-risk genotypes, particularly HPV 16. Multiple infections were observed in 11.2% of the cases. HPV prevalence was 95.5% in CIN2, 99.4% in CIN3 and 96.9% in ICC. The eight more frequent genotypes in order of decreasing frequency were HPV 16, 31, 58, 33, 51, 52, 18, and 35 in CIN2 and HPV 16, 31, 33, 58, 52, 35, 18, and 51 in CIN3. In ICC cases, the detected HPV genotypes were HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59 and 73. However, HPV 53 and 73 were always associated to other high-risk genotypes. HPV 31, 51, 52, 56, and 59 were detected in one case each. Conclusions: HPV prevalence and patterns of type-specific HPV positivity were comparable with other studies. Current HPV vaccines should protect against HPV genotypes responsible for 77.4% of ICC in Portugal.
- Multiple genotoxic activities of ptaquiloside in human lymphocytes: aneugenesis, clastogenesis and induction of sister chromatid exchangePublication . Gil da Costa, R.M.; Coelho, P.; Sousa, R.; Bastos, M.M.S.M.; Porto, B.; Teixeira, João Paulo; Malheiro, I; Lopes, C.Ptaquiloside, a norsesquiterpene glycoside from bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), is a known carcinogen towards animals. Its genotoxicity is mainly attributed to its DNA-alkylating and clastogenic properties. This study analyses various modes of genotoxic action of ptaquiloside in human mononuclear blood cells. The alkaline comet assay was performed on cells exposed to 5μg/ml ptaquiloside for 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50min. Tail length was used as a DNA-damage parameter. Assays to determine structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchange were conducted on cells exposed to 5, 10 or 20μg/ml ptaquiloside for 48h. The tail length showed maximum DNA damage at 20-30min, diminishing onwards. Highly significant (p<0.001) dose-dependent increases in structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations and SCE were observed in response to ptaquiloside. These results indicate that ptaquiloside is not only a DNA-alkylating agent, but expresses its genotoxicity through multiple mechanisms including clastogenesis, aneugenesis and the mechanism underlying SCE induction, which is not entirely understood. Recent studies support the role played by aneuploidy in oncogenesis, highlighting the importance of this endpoint for mutagenicity screening. SCE are thought to represent the long-term effects of mutagens and are an important genotoxicity biomarker. The present results also agree with data from epidemiological studies and from animal in vivo studies, further supporting the hypothesis that ptaquiloside may represent a significant threat to human health.
- Nut consumption in Portugal: the balance between the risks and the benefits regarding liver cancer and cardiovascular diseasePublication . Assunção, Ricardo; Jakobsen, Lea; Alvito, Paula; Carmona, P.; Carvalho, C.; Lopes, C.; Martins, C.; Monteiro, Sarogini; Nabais, P.; Correia, D.; Torres, D.; Viegas, Carla; Viegas, S.; Nauta, Marten; Pires, SaraNuts are rich sources of cis-unsaturated fatty acids, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and a number of bioactive substances and the regular consumption of nuts are being associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD). At the same time, the occurrence of mycotoxins in nuts, including the most potent carcinogenic aflatoxins (AFTs), has been reported by several authors worldwide. According to the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015-16), the usual consumption of nuts by the Portuguese adults is 2.7 g/day. Some recent epidemiological studies (e.g. PREDIMED) suggested that a daily nuts consumption of 30 g could reduce the incidence of CVD. The present study aimed to quantify the health impact in terms of Disability-adjusted life years (DALY) of increasing nut consumption to 30 g/day by adult Portuguese population, when compared to the current intake. Regarding nut consumption, two scenarios were established: current consumption (CS) – 2.7 g/day; alternative scenario (AS) – 30 g/day. AFTs occurrence in nuts available in Portuguese market and nut consumption data were used to estimate AFTs intake. Epidemiological and National population data were used to estimate the DALYs, considering two different endpoints: the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma due to exposure to AFTs (IPSC/WHO) and the prevention of acute myocardial infarction due to nuts’ consumption (PREDIMED). A mean daily intake of AFTs of 0.013 (CS) and 0.142 (AS) ng/kg bw/day was predicted. This intake is estimated to cause 0.013 (CS) and 0.15 (AS) extra cases of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, corresponding to 0.2 (CS) and 2.7 (AS) annual DALYs. In contrast, the estimated number of preventable cases of myocardial infarction due to the increasing of nut consumption to 30 g/day was 1402 and the DALYs gained was 5658. Integrating risks and benefits, 5656 annual DALYs could be potentially saved. These results suggest an overall beneficial health effect of increased nut consumption in Portugal. Therefore, it seems not advisable to reduce exposure to AFTs by recommending a reduced intake of nuts.