Helena Ferreira

Ms. Helena Ferreira

University of Aveiro
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

8Years (2019-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Inês Maria dos Santos GuerraInês Maria dos Santos Guerra
Inês Maria dos Santos Guerra
Helena FerreiraHelena Ferreira
Helena Ferreira
TMTânia Melo
Tânia Melo
HRHugo Rocha
Hugo Rocha
SMSónia Moreira
Sónia Moreira
Ana Sofia Pereira MoreiraAna Sofia Pereira Moreira
Ana Sofia Pereira Moreira
Fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAODs) are inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) caused by defects in the fatty acid (FA) mitochondrial β-oxidation. The most common FAODs are characterized by the accumulation of medium-chain FAs and long-chain (3-hydroxy) FAs (and their carnitine derivatives), respectively. These deregulations are associated with lipotoxicity which affects several organs and potentially leads to life-threatening complications and comorbidities. Changes in the lipidome have been associated with several diseases, including some IEMs. In FAODs, the alteration of acylcarnitines (CARs) and FA profiles have been reported in patients and animal models, but changes in polar and neutral lipid profile are still scarcely studied. In this review, we present the main findings on FA and CAR profile changes associated with FAOD pathogenesis, their correlation with oxidative damage, and the consequent disturbance of mitochondrial homeostasis. Moreover, alterations in polar and neutral lipid classes and lipid species identified so far and their possible role in FAODs are discussed. We highlight the need of mass-spectrometry-based lipidomic studies to understand (epi)lipidome remodelling in FAODs, thus allowing to elucidate the pathophysiology and the identification of possible biomarkers for disease prognosis and an evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.

2 January 2021 in Antioxidants
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Journal Article
Open access
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Helena FerreiraHelena Ferreira
Helena Ferreira
TMTânia Melo
Tânia Melo
APArtur Paiva
Artur Paiva
MDM Rosario Domingues
M Rosario Domingues
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly debilitating chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease most prevalent in women. The true etiology of this disease is complex, multifactorial, and is yet to be completely elucidated. However, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation are associated with the development and pathogenesis of RA. In this case, oxidative damage biomarkers have been found to be significantly higher in RA patients, associated with the oxidation of biomolecules and the stimulation of inflammatory responses. Lipid peroxidation is one of the major consequences of oxidative stress, with the formation of deleterious lipid hydroperoxides and electrophilic reactive lipid species. Additionally, changes in the lipoprotein profile seem to be common in RA, contributing to cardiovascular diseases and a chronic inflammatory environment. Nevertheless, changes in the lipid profile at a molecular level in RA are still poorly understood. Therefore, the goal of this review was to gather all the information regarding lipid alterations in RA analyzed by mass spectrometry. Studies on the variation of lipid profile in RA using lipidomics showed that fatty acid and phospholipid metabolisms, especially in phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, are affected in this disease. These promising results could lead to the discovery of new diagnostic lipid biomarkers for early diagnosis of RA and targets for personalized medicine.

1 January 2021 in Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Helena FerreiraHelena Ferreira
Helena Ferreira
TMTânia Melo
Tânia Melo
AMAndreia Monteiro
Andreia Monteiro
APArtur Paiva
Artur Paiva
PDPedro Domingues
Pedro Domingues
MDM Rosario Domingues
M Rosario Domingues

1 September 2019 in Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis
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Journal Article
Closed access
Helena FerreiraHelena Ferreira
Helena Ferreira
APAna Margarida Pereira
Ana Margarida Pereira
TMTânia Melo
Tânia Melo
APArtur Paiva
Artur Paiva
MDM Rosario Domingues
M Rosario Domingues

1 September 2020 in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Helena FerreiraHelena Ferreira
Helena Ferreira
BNBruna Neves
Bruna Neves
IGInês M. Guerra
Inês M. Guerra
AMAna Moreira
Ana Moreira
TMTânia Melo
Tânia Melo
MDM Rosario Domingues
M Rosario Domingues

15 July 2022 in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
Helena FerreiraHelena Ferreira
Helena Ferreira
IGInês M. S. Guerra
Inês M. S. Guerra
TMTânia Melo
Tânia Melo
HRHugo Rocha
Hugo Rocha
AMAna S. P. Moreira
Ana S. P. Moreira
MDM Rosario Domingues
M Rosario Domingues