Health Professions, Physiology (medical), Immunology and Allergy, Epidemiology
26
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
The metabolic-immune interface of obesity in Covid-19: a role for angiotensin ii and inflammatory cytokines Cíntia Maria Rodrigues, Juliane Duarte Santos, Bruna Carolina Chaves Garcia, Marcelo Henrique Fernandes Ottoni, Karine Beatriz Costa, Marina Luiza Baêta Costa, Vívian Gonzalez Figueiredo, Daniel Macedo, Danilo Bretas de Oliveira, Etel Rocha Vieira, Evelin Capellari Cárnio Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 Background Obesity is a major risk factor for severe COVID-19, partly explained by chronic systemic low-grade inflammation and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) dysregulation. Objectives To investigate the relationship between obesity and COVID-19 severity by measuring plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) and pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines across BMI categories. Methods In a cross-sectional cohort of 142 adults (Lean and Obese), including mild and severe COVID-19 cases and matched uninfected controls. Plasma Ang II, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF were quantified by ELISA. Associations with BMI and clinical severity were assessed using ANOVA and correlation analyses. Results Obese patients showed elevated Ang II, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF, alongside reduced IL-10, compared to lean individuals and controls. Ang II positively correlated with BMI. Severe cases showed elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and greater need for ventilatory support requirements. Notably, mortality occurred exclusively among obese patients. Conclusion Obesity exacerbates COVID-19 severity through RAAS imbalance and, amplified inflammatory responses. Ang II and pro-inflammatory cytokines may serve as early predictive biomarkers of disease progression in obese individuals, highlighting the metabolic-immune interface as a critical determinant of COVID-19 outcomes.
The effects of acute and chronic exercise on immune markers of TH1/TH2 cells in older adults: a systematic review Thiago Henrique Teodoro, Katerine Palharini Manfrin Costa, Jonato Prestes, José Campanholi, James Navalta, Guilherme Borges Pereira Frontiers in Physiology, 2025 PurposeImbalance between Th1 and Th2 cells correlated with increased disease incidence, is well-documented in the older adult. Both acute and chronic exercise induce a transient shift in organic homeostasis, modulating the immune system and impacting the balance between Th1 and Th2 cells. This review investigates the impact of acute and chronic exercise on immune markers of Th1 and Th2 cells in the older adults.MethodsThis study was conducted as a systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Science Direct, and Scopus were searched until March 2024, identifying randomized controlled trials and prospective observational studies that examined the effects of acute and chronic exercise on intracellular and surface markers, cytokines, and immunoglobulins in older adults. Studies involving animal subjects, isolated cells, diseased patients, or exposure to medications and drugs were excluded. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool (ROB2), with data organized and presented in tables and figures.ResultsFourteen studies with 525 participants were included in the analysis. An acute session significantly increased serum IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 levels immediately afterward, returning to baseline within 1 hour at moderate to high intensities. Chronic exercise at moderate to high intensities reduced serum TNF-α, IL-6, and the CD4/CD8 ratio, while increasing IL-10 levels after 24 weeks. Intracellular, other surface markers and cytokines, and immunoglobulins were not analyzed.ConclusionChronic exercise decreases serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels, lowers the CD4/CD8 ratio, and increases IL-10 after 24 weeks, aiding Th1 and Th2 balance. Acute exercise temporarily increases serum IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 levels, returning to baseline within an hour, indicating short-term immune modulation of Th1/Th2 balance.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021244426, Identifier CRD42021244426.
Experimental Periodontitis Increases Anxious Behavior and Worsens Cognitive Aspects and Systemic Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats Giselle B. de Castro, Ramona R. S. Pereira, Caíque O. Diniz e Magalhães, Karine B. Costa, Etel R. Vieira, Ricardo C. Cassilhas, Kinulpe H. Sampaio, Alan R. T. Machado, Jaqueline do Carmo L. Carvalho, Ramiro M. Murata, Luciano J. Pereira, Marco F. Dias‐Peixoto, Eric F. Andrade, Vanessa Pardi Clinical and Experimental Dental Research, 2024 ObjectivesPeriodontitis (PD) has the potential to induce systemic changes that affect both physical and behavioral aspects. These alterations may be associated with changes in both the inflammatory profile and the oxidative stress status of individuals with PD. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of PD on oxidative stress, as well as on behavioral parameters and cognitive impairment, in a preclinical model.Material and MethodsTwenty‐four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to PD and sham groups. PD was induced by the ligature protocol for 14 days. Behavioral tests were initiated on the 9th day of the experiment to evaluate anxious behavior and cognition (learning and memory). After euthanasia, oxidative stress was evaluated in the gums, blood, hippocampus, and amygdala. Alveolar bone loss, bone microstructure, and elemental compositions of the mandibular bone were also assessed.ResultsPD increased alveolar bone loss, reduced the calcium and phosphorus content in the mandibular bone, and increased anxiety‐like behavior and cognitive decline (p < 0.05). Furthermore, PD significantly affected the redox balance, as evidenced by increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the gingiva and hippocampus (p < 0.05). It also led to increased lipid peroxidation in the gingiva and erythrocytes (p < 0.05), decreased antioxidant defenses in erythrocytes (superoxide dismutase) and the hippocampus (catalase), and increased antioxidant activity (catalase) in the amygdala (p < 0.05).ConclusionPD resulted in cognitive alterations, including impairments in spatial learning and memory, as well as increased anxious behavior, likely due to redox imbalance in rats.
High-intensity interval training mitigates the progression of periodontitis and improves behavioural aspects in rats Ramona Ramalho de Souza Pereira, Giselle Bicalho de Castro, Caíque Olegário Diniz e Magalhães, Karine Beatriz Costa, Bruna Caroline Chaves Garcia, Gabriela Silva, Jaqueline do Carmo Lima Carvalho, Alan Rodrigues Teixeira Machado, Etel Rocha Vieira, Ricardo Cardoso Cassilhas, Luciano José Pereira, Marco Fabrício Dias‐Peixoto, Eric Francelino Andrade Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 2024 AimTo investigate the effects of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on periodontitis (PD) progression and behavioural outcomes.Materials and MethodsForty‐eight Wistar rats were divided into four groups: non‐trained (NT); non‐trained with PD; HIIT with PD; and HIIT. The HIIT protocol, involving daily treadmill sessions, spanned 8 weeks, with PD induced by ligature after the 6th week. Behavioural tests were conducted to assess anxiety and memory. Post euthanasia, we evaluated the systemic inflammatory profile and oxidative stress markers in the hippocampus and amygdala. A morphological evaluation and elemental composition analysis of the mandibular alveolar bone were performed.ResultsPD exacerbated alveolar bone level, bone surface damage and alterations in calcium and phosphorus percentages on the bone surface (p < .05), while HIIT attenuated these changes (p < .05). HIIT improved systemic inflammatory markers altered by PD (tumour necrosis factor [TNF]‐α, interleukin [IL]‐10, TNF‐α/IL‐10 and IL‐1β/IL‐10 ratios, p < .05). PD animals exhibited lower total antioxidant capacity and levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the amygdala and hippocampus, respectively (p < .05). HIIT maintained these parameters at levels similar to those in NT animals. HIIT improved anxiety and memory outcomes altered by PD (p < .05).ConclusionsHIIT attenuates systemic inflammation, anxiety and memory outcomes promoted by PD.
A MUFA/carotenoid-rich oil ameliorated insulin resistance by improving inflammation and oxidative stress in obese rats Lauane Gomes Moreno, Nayara Rayane César, Dirceu Sousa Melo, Maria Thereza Otoni Figueiró, Edivânia Cordeiro dos Santos, Paulo Henrique Evangelista-Silva, Carina de Sousa Santos, Karine Beatriz Costa, Etel Rocha-Vieira, Marco Fabrício Dias-Peixoto, Flávio de Castro Magalhães, Elizabethe Adriana Esteves Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 2024 Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to insulin resistance and type II diabetes. Caryocar brasiliense pulp oil (pequi oil - PO) is rich in oleic acid and carotenoids and positively implicated in regulating inflammation and oxidative stress. This study investigated PO's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in a diet-induced obesity model. Male Wistar rats were allocated into three experimental groups: Control (CD), Western Diet (WD), and Western Diet, with 27% of lard switched by PO (WDP). Metabolic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated after 12 weeks of diet protocols in liver and adipose tissue. WDP rats gained less body mass and epididymal fat, had less hepatic fat infiltration, and were more glucose-tolerant and insulin-sensitive than WD (p < 0.05). In the liver, the WDP group had the highest non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity, SOD and GPx activities, CAT, SOD II, and HSP72 expression compared to WD (p < 0.05). Adipose tissue IL-6 and TNF were reduced, and IL-10 was increased in WDP compared to WD (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that the partial replacement of lard by PO in a Western diet prevented visceral fat accumulation and contributed to reducing inflammation in adipose tissue and liver oxidative stress, improving obesity-related insulin resistance.
Association between Anti-DENV IgM Serum Prevalence and CD11b Expression by Classical Monocytes in Obesity Karine Beatriz Costa, Bruna Caroline Chaves Garcia, Marina Luiza Baêta Costa, Yara Gomes Pena, Eduardo Augusto Barbosa Figueiredo, Marcelo Henrique Fernandes Ottoni, Juliane Duarte Santos, Vinícius de Oliveira Ottone, Danilo Bretas de Oliveira, Etel Rocha-Vieira Viruses, 2023 Dengue and obesity are currently highly prevalent conditions worldwide and the association between these two conditions may result in greater risk for DENV infection and disease severity. In this study the association between obesity and recent, inapparent dengue was investigated. Serum DENV IgM and NS1 were evaluated in 49 adult volunteers (15 lean and 34 individuals with obesity, according to body mass index), between September 2017 and June 2018. Adiposity, endocrine, metabolic, and immune data of the participants were also obtained. None of the study participants tested positive for the DENV NS1 antigen. DENV IgM was detected in 33.3% of the lean individuals, and in 44.1% of those with obesity; the presence of DENV IgM was not associated with body mass index (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 0.59–2.98, p = 0.48). However, body fat index was higher in obese individuals who had recent inapparent dengue (14.7 ± 3.1 versus 12.7 ± 2.1 kg/m2, p = 0.04), as was the expression of CD11b by classical (CD14++CD16−) monocytes (1103.0 ± 311.3 versus 720.3 ± 281.1 mean fluoresce intensity). Our findings suggest an association between adiposity and recent inapparent dengue and the involvement of classical monocytes in this association.
The superior beneficial effects of exercise training versus hormone replacement therapy on skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats Sara Barros Silva, Kinulpe Honorato-Sampaio, Sabrina Paula Costa, Talita Emanuela Domingues, Timilly Mayra Martins da Cruz, Cíntia Maria Rodrigues, Karine Beatriz Costa, Jousielle Márcia dos Santos, Vanessa Kelly da Silva Lage, Thais Peixoto Gaiad, Ana Paula Santos, Marco Fabrício Dias-Peixoto, Cândido Celso Coimbra, Adelina Martha dos Reis, Raphael Escorsim Szawka, Pedro Henrique Scheidt Figueiredo, Henrique Silveira Costa, Murilo Xavier Oliveira, Vanessa Amaral Mendonça, Ana Cristina Rodrigues Lacerda Scientific Reports, 2022 Previous studies have highlighted the positive effects of Estradiol (E2) replacement therapy and physical exercise on skeletal muscle during menopause. However, the comparison effects of exercise training (ET) and estradiol replacement therapy during menopause on skeletal muscle have not been investigated to date. This study aimed to compare the effects of endurance exercise training versus E2 replacement therapy on mitochondrial density, redox status, and inflammatory biomarkers in the skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats. Thirty female Wistar rats (12-week-old) were randomly assigned into three groups: Untrained ovariectomized rats (UN-OVX, n = 10); untrained ovariectomized rats treated with estradiol replacement therapy (E2-OVX); and, trained ovariectomized rats (TR-OVX). After ovariectomy, the E2-OVX rats were treated subcutaneously with E2 (implanted Silastic® capsule containing 360 μg of 17β-estradiol/mL) while the TR-OVX group performed an exercise training protocol (50–70% of maximal running speed on a treadmill, 60 min/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks). After euthanasia, the soleus muscle was processed for histological and biochemical evaluations. Only exercise prevented the reduction of maximal oxygen consumption and increased mechanical efficiency (ME). While mitochondrial muscle density, total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), catalase (CAT) activity, and interleukin 10 levels were higher in TR-OVX, only OVX-E2 presented higher CAT activity and lower interleukin 6 levels. Endurance exercise training compared with E2 replacement therapy maintains the aerobic capacity improving the ME of OVX rats. In addition, only endurance exercise training raises the skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and tends to balance the redox and inflammatory status in the skeletal muscle of OVX rats.
Modulation of Leukocyte Subsets Mobilization in Response to Exercise by Water Immersion Recovery Vinícius de Oliveira Ottone, Fabrício De Paula, Paula Fernandes Aguiar Brozinga, Mariana Aguiar de Matos, Tamiris Campos Duarte, Karine Beatriz Costa, Bruna Caroline Chaves Garcia, Thyago José Silva, Flavio De Castro Magalhães, Cândido Celso Coimbra, Elizabethe Adriana Esteves, Kelerson Mauro de Castro Pinto, Fabiano Trigueiro Amorim, Etel Rocha-Vieira Frontiers in Physiology, 2022 Purpose:To investigate the effect of different water immersion temperatures on the kinetics of blood markers of skeletal muscle damage and the main leukocyte subpopulations.Methods:Eleven recreationally trained young men participated in four experimental sessions consisting of unilateral eccentric knee flexion and 90 min of treadmill running at 70% of peak oxygen uptake, followed by 15 min of water immersion recovery at 15, 28 or 38°C. In the control condition participants remained seated at room temperature. Four hours after exercise recovery, participants completed a performance test. Blood samples were obtained before and immediately after exercise, after immersion, immediately before and after the performance test and 24 h after exercise. The number of leukocyte populations and the percentage of lymphocyte and monocytes subsets, as well as the serum activity of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase were determined.Results:Leukocytosis and increase in blood markers of skeletal muscle damage were observed after the exercise. Magnitude effect analysis indicated that post-exercise hot-water immersion likely reduced the exercise-induced lymphocytosis and monocytosis. Despite reduced monocyte count, recovery by 38°C immersion, as well as 28°C, likely increased the percentage of non-classical monocytes in the blood. The percentage of CD25+cells in the CD4 T cell subpopulation was possibly lower after immersion in water at 28 and 15°C. No effect of recovery by water immersion was observed for serum levels of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase.Conclusions:Recovery by hot-water immersion likely attenuated the leukocytosis and increased the mobilization of non-classical monocytes induced by a single session of exercise combining resistance and endurance exercises, despite no effect of water immersion on markers of skeletal muscle damage. The monocyte response mediated by hot water immersion may lead to the improvement of the inflammatory response evoked by exercise in the skeletal muscle.
Storage Duration Affects the Quantification of Oxidative Stress Markers in the Gastrocnemius, Heart, and Brain of Mice Submitted to a Maximum Exercise Karine B. Costa, Hercules R. Leite, Bruna C.C. Garcia, Vinicius O. Ottone, Gabriela D.R. Mendonça, Patrício J. Cordeiro, Patrícia R. Chaves, Franciele A. Deus, Rosalina Tossige-Gomes, Candido C. Coimbra, Etel Rocha-Vieira Biopreservation and Biobanking, 2022 This study investigated the effect of sample storage duration on the quantification of oxidative stress markers in the gastrocnemius, heart, and brain of mice submitted to a maximum swimming exercise. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs), protein carbonyl derivatives, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were quantified in fresh tissues and in samples stored at −80°C for 1, 3, or 6 months, from exercised ( n = 13) and nonexercised mice ( n = 13). Except for protein carbonyl derivatives in the heart, the exercise resulted in the modification of all markers in all fresh-evaluated samples ( p < 0.001). The storage duration did not modify the effect of exercise on protein carbonyl derivatives and TAC. TBARS was stable for 3 months in the gastrocnemius and for 1 month in frozen heart and brain. Accordingly, the exercise effect on TBARS levels observed in fresh samples was absent in the gastrocnemius frozen for 6 months ( p = 0.98) and in the heart and brain frozen for 3 months ( p = 0.07 and 0.28, respectively ) or more ( p = 0.21 for heart and p > 0.99 for brain). In addition, CAT and SOD activities were reduced by storage duration in all tissues evaluated ( p < 0.05). Our findings show that sample storage duration alters the quantification of oxidative stress markers in mice submitted to maximum exercise, and its effect is tissue and marker dependent. Some recommendations to achieve more accurate and reproducible data in the exercise physiology and oxidative stress markers field are presented.
Cardioprotective effects of severe calorie restriction from birth in adult ovariectomized rats Cíntia Maria Rodrigues, Talita Emanuela Domingues, Carina de Sousa Santos, Liliane Vanessa Costa-Pereira, Bruno Ferreira Mendes, Jousielle Márcia dos Santos, Karine Beatriz Costa, Gabriela Silva, Vinícius Lopes Cantuária, Etel Rocha-Vieira, Marco Fabrício Dias-Peixoto, Kinulpe Honorato-Sampaio Life Sciences, 2021
