Browsing by Author "Penque, D."
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- Ceruloplasmin expression by human peripheral blood lymphocytes: a new link between immunity and iron metabolismPublication . Banha, J.; Marques, L.; Oliveira, R.; Martins, M. de F.; Paixão, E.; Pereira, D.; Malhó, R.; Penque, D.; Costa, L.Ceruloplasmin (CP) is a multicopper oxidase involved in the acute phase reaction to stress. Although the physiological role of CP is uncertain, its role in iron (Fe) homeostasis and protection against free radical-initiated cell injury has been widely documented. Previous studies showed the existence of two molecular isoforms of CP: secreted CP (sCP) and a membrane glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored form of CP (GPI-CP). sCP is produced mainly by the liver and is abundant in human serum whereas GPI-CP is expressed in mammalian astrocytes, rat leptomeningeal cells, and Sertolli cells. Herein, we show using RT-PCR that human peripheral blood lymphocytes (huPBL) constitutively express the transcripts for both CP molecular isoforms previously reported. Also, expression of CP in huPBL is demonstrated by immunofluorescence with confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis using cells isolated from healthy blood donors with normal Fe status. Importantly, the results obtained show that natural killer cells have a significantly higher CP expression compared to all other major lymphocyte subsets. In this context, the involvement of lymphocyte-derived CP on host defense processes via its anti/prooxidant properties is proposed, giving further support for a close functional interaction between the immune system and the Fe metabolism.
- Effects of positive airway pressure therapy on cardiovascular and metabolic markers in males with obstructive sleep apneaPublication . Feliciano, A.; Oliveira, M.J.; Cysneiros, A.; Martinho, C.; Reis, R.P.; Penque, D.; Pinto, P.; Bárbara, C.Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with cardiovascular/ metabolic complications. Some analytical parameters (homocysteine, glycemic and lipidic profiles) are recognized markers of these consequences. Limited data is available on the association of these markers and OSAS’s severity/response to positive airway pressure therapy (PAP). Material and methods: In this prospective study we analyzed polysomnographic and analytical data of male patients admitted to sleep laboratory. The aim was to evaluate metabolic/cardiovascular markers in snorers and OSAS patients, to relate with sleep parameters and PAP response. One-hundred and three patients were included, and 73 (71%) were OSAS patients. OSAS patients were similar to snorers except for higher body mass index (BMI) and dyslipidemia. Severe OSAS patients showed higher glycemia, HbA1c, insulin, and insulin resistance, and lower HDL cholesterol in comparison to mild---moderate (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). Glycemic profile and triglycerides were slightly correlated with OSAS severity. 46 OSAS patients were submitted to 6 months of PAP, with a statistical decrease in mean values of homocysteine, glycemia, total and LDL cholesterol(p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively), and in glycemia and LDL cholesterol in severe grouponly (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively).Results: This study demonstrated an association between glucose metabolism parameters andtriglycerides with OSAS severity underlying the complexity of the process leading to cardiovas-cular/metabolic complications in this disorder. Moreover, homocysteine, glycemic and lipidicprofiles changed significantly after 6 months of PAP therapy in OSAS, supporting its cardiovas-cular and metabolic protective effect.Conclusion: Our study has reinforced the importance of analytical cardiovascular/metabolicevaluation as complementary tool of diagnosis/treatment response in OSAS.