Vinícius Augusto Simão
@usp.br
University of Sao Paulo
Scopus Publications
- Melatonin promotes cytotoxicity while reducing cell motility and antioxidant defenses in ovarian cancer cell lines
Henrique Spaulonci Silveira, Roberta Carvalho Cesário, Vinicius Augusto Simão, Fernando Guimarães, Fábio Rodrigues Ferreira Seiva, et al.
Toxicology Reports, 2025 - Effects of statins on male reproductive health: a systematic review of rodent studies and their potential implications to human male reproduction
Gabriel Adan Araújo Leite, Virgínia Meneghini Lazzari, Vinícius Augusto Simão, Marciana Sanabria
Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 2025
Statins are the drugs recommended for the treatment of dyslipidemia and for preventing cardiovascular risks in humans. However, it is reported that statins may impair reproductive parameters in males at different periods of exposure in pre-clinical studies. This work carried out a systematic review of the literature concerning the primary studies that evaluated the reproductive outcomes in male rats and mice exposed to several statins available on the market. The literature search was performed employing several databases, including Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, LILACS, Scopus, and SciELO, by using different combinations of the search terms "statins," "mice," "rats," "male reproduction," "fertility" and "sperm," followed by the Boolean operators AND or OR. Then, duplicated articles or studies that did not meet the eligibility criteria were excluded. Posteriorly, the risk of bias was assessed following the essential ten points of the ARRIVE guidelines. Afterward, the extraction and qualitative analysis of the data were performed, and when possible, a meta-analysis was carried out. The results indicated that normolipidemic healthy rodents exposed to statins showed reproductive impairment, such as reduced sperm quality, diminished testosterone production, and delayed puberty onset. Additionally, in vitro and ex vivo studies demonstrated a decrease in testosterone synthesis after statin exposure. However, when rodents were induced to diabetes and erectile dysfunction or were fed a high-fat diet, these diseased animals exposed to statins exhibited improved erectile function, increased sperm quality, and no changes or augmented testosterone levels. Given the reproductive toxicity generated by statin exposure in healthy male rodents without any previous dysfunction, these drugs should be reserved for treating dyslipidemia or, when appropriate, as an adjunct therapy for erectile dysfunction. - Microbiota, mitochondria, and epigenetics in health and disease: converging pathways to solve the puzzle
Natalia Lucia Rukavina Mikusic, Paula Denise Prince, Marcelo Roberto Choi, Luiz Gustavo A. Chuffa, Vinícius Augusto Simão, et al.
Pflugers Archiv European Journal of Physiology, 2025 - Extracellular Signaling Molecules from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Ovarian Cancer Cells Induce a Hybrid Epithelial-Mesenchymal Phenotype in a Bidirectional Interaction
Vinícius Augusto Simão, Juliana Ferreira Floriano, Roberta Carvalho Cesário, Karolina da Silva Tonon, Larissa Ragozo Cardoso de Oliveira, et al.
Cells, 2025
Ovarian cancer (OC) is characterized by high mortality rates due to late diagnosis, recurrence, and metastasis. Here, we show that extracellular signaling molecules secreted by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and OC cells—either in the conditioned medium (CM) or within small extracellular vesicles (sEVs)—modulate cellular responses and drive OC progression. ASC-derived sEVs and CM secretome promoted OC cell colony formation, invasion, and migration while upregulating tumor-associated signaling pathways, including TGFβ/Smad, p38MAPK/ERK1/2, Wnt/β-catenin, and MMP-9. Additionally, OC-derived sEVs and CM induced a pro-tumorigenic phenotype in ASCs, enhancing their invasiveness and expression of tumor-associated factors. Notably, both ASCs and OC cells exhibited increased expression of E-cadherin and Snail/Slug proteins, key markers of epithelial/mesenchymal hybrid phenotype, enhancing cellular plasticity and metastatic potential. We also demonstrated that these cellular features are, at least in part, due to the presence of tumor-supportive molecules such as TNF-α, Tenascin-C, MMP-2, and SDF-1α in the CM secretome of ASCs and OC cells. In silico analyses linked these molecular changes to poor prognostic outcomes in OC patients. These findings highlight the critical role of sEVs and tumor/stem cell-derived secretome in OC progression through bidirectional interactions that impact cellular behavior and phenotypic transitions. We suggest that targeting EV-mediated communication could improve therapeutic strategies and patient outcomes. - Mitochondrial Stress, Melatonin, and Neurodegenerative Diseases: New Nanopharmacological Approaches
Virna Margarita Martín Giménez, SebastiáN GarcíA MenéNdez, Luiz Gustavo A. Chuffa, Vinicius Augusto SimãO, Russel J. Reiter, et al.
Biocell, 2025 - Melatonin and vitamin D as potential synergistic adjuvants for cancer therapy (Review)
Russel Reiter, Luiz De Almeida Chuffa, Vinícius Simão, Virna Martín Giménez, Natalia De Las Heras, et al.
International Journal of Oncology, 2024
Significant advancements have been made in cancer therapy; however, limitations remain with some conventional approaches. Adjuvants are agents used alongside primary treatments to enhance their efficacy and the treatment outcomes of patients. Modern lifestyles contribute to deficiencies in melatonin and vitamin D. Limited sun exposure affects vitamin D synthesis, and artificial light at night suppresses melatonin production. Both melatonin and vitamin D possess anti‑inflammatory, immune‑boosting and anticancer properties, rendering them potential adjuvants of interest. Studies suggest melatonin and vitamin D supplementation may address antioxidant imbalances in lip, oral and pharyngeal cancers. Moreover, promising results from breast, head and neck, brain, and osteosarcoma research indicate potential for tumor growth inhibition, improved survival, and a better quality of life of patients with cancer. The radioprotective properties of melatonin and vitamin D are another exciting area of exploration, potentially enhancing radiotherapy effectiveness while reducing side effects. For its part, the sleep‑promoting effects of melatonin may indirectly benefit patients with cancer by influencing the immune system. Thus, the prevalence of vitamin D and melatonin deficiencies highlights the importance of supplementation, as lower levels can worsen side‑effects from cancer treatments. The present review explores the potential of combining melatonin and vitamin D as synergistic adjuvants for cancer therapy. These agents have shown promise individually in cancer prevention and treatment, and their combined effects warrant investigation. Therefore, large‑scale controlled trials are crucial to definitively determine the optimal dosage, safety and efficacy of this combination in improving the lives of patients with cancer. - Melatonin regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress in diverse pathophysiological contexts: A comprehensive mechanistic review
Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa, Fábio Rodrigues Ferreira Seiva, Henrique S. Silveira, Roberta Carvalho Cesário, Karolina da Silva Tonon, et al.
Journal of Cellular Physiology, 2024
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is crucial for protein quality control, and disruptions in its function can lead to various diseases. ER stress triggers an adaptive response called the unfolded protein response (UPR), which can either restore cellular homeostasis or induce cell death. Melatonin, a safe and multifunctional compound, shows promise in controlling ER stress and could be a valuable therapeutic agent for managing the UPR. By regulating ER and mitochondrial functions, melatonin helps maintain cellular homeostasis via reduction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Melatonin can directly or indirectly interfere with ER‐associated sensors and downstream targets of the UPR, impacting cell death, autophagy, inflammation, molecular repair, among others. Crucially, this review explores the mechanistic role of melatonin on ER stress in various diseases including liver damage, neurodegeneration, reproductive disorders, pulmonary disease, cardiomyopathy, insulin resistance, renal dysfunction, and cancer. Interestingly, while it alleviates the burden of ER stress in most pathological contexts, it can paradoxically stimulate ER stress in cancer cells, highlighting its intricate involvement in cellular homeostasis. With numerous successful studies using in vivo and in vitro models, the continuation of clinical trials is imperative to fully explore melatonin's therapeutic potential in these conditions. - Mitochondrial-epigenetic crosstalk as an integrative standpoint into gut microbiome dysbiosis and related diseases
VINíCIUS AUGUSTO SIMãO, LUIZ GUSTAVO DE ALMEIDA CHUFFA, LEóN FERDER, FELIPE INSERRA, WALTER MANUCHA
Biocell, 2024 - Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) culture in spinner flask: improving the parameters of culture in a microcarrier-based system
Vinícius Augusto Simão, Heloisa Brand, Roseli Nunes da Silveira-Antunes, Josianne Thomazini Fukasawa, Jaci Leme, et al.
Biotechnology Letters, 2023 - Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in Inflammaging-Associated Hypertension
Vinícius Augusto Simão, León Ferder, Walter Manucha, Luiz Gustavo A. Chuffa
Current Hypertension Reports, 2022 - Melatonin Regulates the Daily Levels of Plasma Amino Acids, Acylcarnitines, Biogenic Amines, Sphingomyelins, and Hexoses in a Xenograft Model of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Rubens Paula Junior, Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa, Vinicius Augusto Simão, Nathália Martins Sonehara, Roger Chammas, et al.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022 - Protective actions of vitamin D, anandamide and melatonin during vascular inflammation: Epigenetic mechanisms involved
Virna Margarita Martín Giménez, Luiz Gustavo A. Chuffa, Vinícius Augusto Simão, Russel J. Reiter, Walter Manucha
Life Sciences, 2022 - Nandrolone decanoate causes uterine injury by changing hormone levels and sex steroid receptors in a dose- and time-dependent manner
Vinícius Augusto Simão, Luiz Antonio Lupi Júnior, Gabriel Adan Araujo Leite, Isabel Cristina Cherici Camargo, Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa
Reproductive Toxicology, 2021 - Melatonin-loaded nanocarriers: New horizons for therapeutic applications
Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa, Fábio Rodrigues Ferreira Seiva, Adriana Alonso Novais, Vinícius Augusto Simão, Virna Margarita Martín Giménez, et al.
Molecules, 2021 - Metabolic and proliferation evaluation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASC) in different culture medium volumes: standardization of static culture
Vinícius Augusto Simão, Caetano Pedro Evangelista-Ribeiro, Heloisa Brand, Lougan Lagass-Pereira, Laís Fernanda Marques, et al.
Biologicals, 2019 - Histopathological changes in androgenized ovaries are recovered by melatonin treatment
Bianca R. de Souza, Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa, Vinícius Augusto Simão, Isabel C. C. Camargo
International Journal of Experimental Pathology, 2018 - Sex steroid receptors profiling is influenced by nandrolone decanoate in the ampulla of the fallopian tube: Post-treatment and post-recovery analyses
G.H.B. Andrade, V.A. Simão, B.R. Souza, L.G.A. Chuffa, I.C.C. Camargo
Tissue and Cell, 2018 - Ovarian sex steroid receptors and sex hormones in androgenized rats
Vinícius Augusto Simão, Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa, Isabel Cristina Cherici Camargo
Reproduction, 2016 - Effects of different doses of nandrolone decanoate on estrous cycle and ovarian tissue of rats after treatment and recovery periods
Vinícius Augusto Simão, Larissa Berloffa Belardin, Gabriel Adan Araújo Leite, Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa, Isabel Cristina Cherici Camargo
International Journal of Experimental Pathology, 2015 - Dose-dependent effects and reversibility of the injuries caused by nandrolone decanoate in uterine tissue and fertility of rats
Larissa Berloffa Belardin, Vinícius Augusto Simão, Gabriel Adan Araújo Leite, Luiz Gustavo de Almeida Chuffa, Isabel Cristina Cherici Camargo
Birth Defects Research Part B Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology, 2014
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
- Genotoxicity Integration into Bioprocess Optimization Reveals Progressive DNA Damage During Bioreactor Expansion of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
VA Simão, RCP So, J Leme, RG Oliveira, GAA Leite, LGA Chuffa, A Tonso, ...
International Journal of Molecular Sciences , 2026
2026 - Mitochondrial Stress, Melatonin, and Neurodegenerative Diseases: New Nanopharmacological Approaches
VMM Giménez, SG Menéndez, LGA Chuffa, VA Simão, RJ Reiter, ...
Biocell 49 (12) , 2025
2025
Citations: 1 - Melatonin promotes cytotoxicity while reducing cell motility and antioxidant defenses in ovarian cancer cell lines
HS Silveira, RC Cesário, VA Simão, F Guimarães, FRF Seiva, ...
Toxicology Reports, 102149 , 2025
2025
Citations: 2 - Effects of statins on male reproductive health: A systematic review of rodent studies and their potential implications to human male reproduction
GA Araújo Leite, VM Lazzari, VA Simão, M Sanabria
Critical Reviews in Toxicology 55 (5), 507-525 , 2025
2025
Citations: 5 - Microbiota, mitochondria, and epigenetics in health and disease: converging pathways to solve the puzzle
NL Rukavina Mikusic, PD Prince, MR Choi, LGA Chuffa, VA Simão, ...
Pflügers Archiv-European Journal of Physiology 477 (5), 635-655 , 2025
2025
Citations: 2 - Extracellular signaling molecules from adipose-derived stem cells and ovarian cancer cells induce a hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype in a bidirectional interaction
VA Simão, JF Floriano, RC Cesário, KS Tonon, LRC de Oliveira, ...
Cells 14 (5), 374 , 2025
2025
Citations: 7 - Melatonin and vitamin D as potential synergistic adjuvants for cancer therapy
RJ Reiter, LG De Almeida Chuffa, VA Simão, VM Martín Giménez, ...
International journal of oncology 65 (6), 1-22 , 2024
2024
Citations: 18 - Melatonin regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress in diverse pathophysiological contexts: A comprehensive mechanistic review
LG de Almeida Chuffa, FRF Seiva, HS Silveira, RC Cesário, ...
Journal of Cellular Physiology 239 (11), e31383 , 2024
2024
Citations: 22 - Mitochondrial-epigenetic crosstalk as an integrative standpoint into gut microbiome dysbiosis and related diseases
VA Simão, LG de Almeida Chuffa, LF Ferder, PIF Inserra, WAF Manucha
Tech Science Press , 2024
2024
Citations: 6 - Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) culture in spinner flask: improving the parameters of culture in a microcarrier-based system
VA Simão, H Brand, RN da Silveira-Antunes, JT Fukasawa, J Leme, ...
Biotechnology Letters 45 (7), 823-846 , 2023
2023
Citations: 13 - Epigenetic mechanisms involved in inflammaging-associated hypertension
VA Simão, L Ferder, W Manucha, LGA Chuffa
Current Hypertension Reports 24 (11), 547-562 , 2022
2022
Citations: 11 - Melatonin regulates the daily levels of plasma amino acids, acylcarnitines, biogenic amines, sphingomyelins, and hexoses in a xenograft model of triple negative breast cancer
RP Junior, LGA Chuffa, VA Simão, NM Sonehara, R Chammas, RJ Reiter, ...
International journal of molecular sciences 23 (16), 9105 , 2022
2022
Citations: 13 - Zuccari, DAPDC Melatonin Regulates the Daily Levels of Plasma Amino Acids, Acylcarnitines
RP Junior, L Chuffa, VA Simão, NM Sonehara, R Chammas, RJ Reiter
Biogenic Amines, Sphingomyelins, and Hexoses in a Xenograft Model of Triple … , 2022
2022
Citations: 1 - Protective actions of vitamin D, anandamide and melatonin during vascular inflammation: Epigenetic mechanisms involved
VMM Giménez, LGA Chuffa, VA Simão, RJ Reiter, W Manucha
Life sciences 288, 120191 , 2022
2022
Citations: 18 - Melatonin-loaded nanocarriers: New horizons for therapeutic applications
LGA Chuffa, FRF Seiva, AA Novais, VA Simão, VM Martin Gimenez, ...
Molecules 26 (12), 3562 , 2021
2021
Citations: 65 - Nandrolone decanoate causes uterine injury by changing hormone levels and sex steroid receptors in a dose-and time-dependent manner
VA Simao, LAL Júnior, GAA Leite, ICC Camargo, LG de Almeida Chuffa
Reproductive Toxicology 102, 98-108 , 2021
2021
Citations: 6 - Estabelecimento de um bioprocesso para proliferação de células estromais mesenquimais derivadas de tecido adiposo humano em biorreator
VA Simão
Universidade de São Paulo , 2020
2020
Citations: 1 - Metabolic and proliferation evaluation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASC) in different culture medium volumes: standardization of static culture
VA Simão, CP Evangelista-Ribeiro, H Brand, L Lagass-Pereira, ...
Biologicals 62, 93-101 , 2019
2019
Citations: 11 - Histopathological changes in androgenized ovaries are recovered by melatonin treatment
BR de Souza, LG de Almeida Chuffa, VA Simão, ICC Camargo
International journal of experimental pathology 99 (4), 158-171 , 2018
2018
Citations: 9 - Sex steroid receptors profiling is influenced by nandrolone decanoate in the ampulla of the fallopian tube: Post-treatment and post-recovery analyses
GHB Andrade, VA Simão, BR Souza, LGA Chuffa, ICC Camargo
Tissue and Cell 50, 79-88 , 2018
2018
Citations: 13
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
- Melatonin-loaded nanocarriers: New horizons for therapeutic applications
LGA Chuffa, FRF Seiva, AA Novais, VA Simão, VM Martin Gimenez, ...
Molecules 26 (12), 3562 , 2021
2021
Citations: 65 - Dose‐dependent effects and reversibility of the injuries caused by nandrolone decanoate in uterine tissue and fertility of rats
LB Belardin, VA Simao, GAA Leite, LGA Chuffa, ICC Camargo
Birth Defects Research Part B: Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology 101 … , 2014
2014
Citations: 32 - Effects of different doses of nandrolone decanoate on estrous cycle and ovarian tissue of rats after treatment and recovery periods
VA Simão, L Berloffa Belardin, GA Araujo Leite, LG de Almeida Chuffa, ...
International Journal of Experimental Pathology 96 (5), 338-349 , 2015
2015
Citations: 29 - Melatonin regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress in diverse pathophysiological contexts: A comprehensive mechanistic review
LG de Almeida Chuffa, FRF Seiva, HS Silveira, RC Cesário, ...
Journal of Cellular Physiology 239 (11), e31383 , 2024
2024
Citations: 22 - Melatonin and vitamin D as potential synergistic adjuvants for cancer therapy
RJ Reiter, LG De Almeida Chuffa, VA Simão, VM Martín Giménez, ...
International journal of oncology 65 (6), 1-22 , 2024
2024
Citations: 18 - Protective actions of vitamin D, anandamide and melatonin during vascular inflammation: Epigenetic mechanisms involved
VMM Giménez, LGA Chuffa, VA Simão, RJ Reiter, W Manucha
Life sciences 288, 120191 , 2022
2022
Citations: 18 - Ovarian sex steroid receptors and sex hormones in androgenized rats
VA Simão, LG de Almeida Chuffa, IC Cherici Camargo
Reproduction 152 (5), 545-559 , 2016
2016
Citations: 18 - Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) culture in spinner flask: improving the parameters of culture in a microcarrier-based system
VA Simão, H Brand, RN da Silveira-Antunes, JT Fukasawa, J Leme, ...
Biotechnology Letters 45 (7), 823-846 , 2023
2023
Citations: 13 - Melatonin regulates the daily levels of plasma amino acids, acylcarnitines, biogenic amines, sphingomyelins, and hexoses in a xenograft model of triple negative breast cancer
RP Junior, LGA Chuffa, VA Simão, NM Sonehara, R Chammas, RJ Reiter, ...
International journal of molecular sciences 23 (16), 9105 , 2022
2022
Citations: 13 - Sex steroid receptors profiling is influenced by nandrolone decanoate in the ampulla of the fallopian tube: Post-treatment and post-recovery analyses
GHB Andrade, VA Simão, BR Souza, LGA Chuffa, ICC Camargo
Tissue and Cell 50, 79-88 , 2018
2018
Citations: 13 - Epigenetic mechanisms involved in inflammaging-associated hypertension
VA Simão, L Ferder, W Manucha, LGA Chuffa
Current Hypertension Reports 24 (11), 547-562 , 2022
2022
Citations: 11 - Metabolic and proliferation evaluation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASC) in different culture medium volumes: standardization of static culture
VA Simão, CP Evangelista-Ribeiro, H Brand, L Lagass-Pereira, ...
Biologicals 62, 93-101 , 2019
2019
Citations: 11 - Histopathological changes in androgenized ovaries are recovered by melatonin treatment
BR de Souza, LG de Almeida Chuffa, VA Simão, ICC Camargo
International journal of experimental pathology 99 (4), 158-171 , 2018
2018
Citations: 9 - Extracellular signaling molecules from adipose-derived stem cells and ovarian cancer cells induce a hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype in a bidirectional interaction
VA Simão, JF Floriano, RC Cesário, KS Tonon, LRC de Oliveira, ...
Cells 14 (5), 374 , 2025
2025
Citations: 7 - Mitochondrial-epigenetic crosstalk as an integrative standpoint into gut microbiome dysbiosis and related diseases
VA Simão, LG de Almeida Chuffa, LF Ferder, PIF Inserra, WAF Manucha
Tech Science Press , 2024
2024
Citations: 6 - Nandrolone decanoate causes uterine injury by changing hormone levels and sex steroid receptors in a dose-and time-dependent manner
VA Simao, LAL Júnior, GAA Leite, ICC Camargo, LG de Almeida Chuffa
Reproductive Toxicology 102, 98-108 , 2021
2021
Citations: 6 - Effects of statins on male reproductive health: A systematic review of rodent studies and their potential implications to human male reproduction
GA Araújo Leite, VM Lazzari, VA Simão, M Sanabria
Critical Reviews in Toxicology 55 (5), 507-525 , 2025
2025
Citations: 5 - A busca pelo corpo perfeito vale a pena?: uma abordagem geral
AEMC Silva, BR Souza, VA Simão, ICC Camargo
Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) , 2015
2015
Citations: 3 - Melatonin promotes cytotoxicity while reducing cell motility and antioxidant defenses in ovarian cancer cell lines
HS Silveira, RC Cesário, VA Simão, F Guimarães, FRF Seiva, ...
Toxicology Reports, 102149 , 2025
2025
Citations: 2 - Microbiota, mitochondria, and epigenetics in health and disease: converging pathways to solve the puzzle
NL Rukavina Mikusic, PD Prince, MR Choi, LGA Chuffa, VA Simão, ...
Pflügers Archiv-European Journal of Physiology 477 (5), 635-655 , 2025
2025
Citations: 2
