Heliana Parra Pelosi

Dr. Heliana Parra Pelosi

Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Research Center. School of Medicine. University of Zulia, Maracaibo
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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Verified
Journal Article
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RCRaquel Cano
Raquel Cano
JPJose Perez
Jose Perez
LALissé Angarita
Lissé Angarita
AOAngel Ortega
Angel Ortega
YGYosselin Gómez
Yosselin Gómez
VBValmore Bermudez
Valmore Bermudez
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common liver disorder, affecting around 25% of the population worldwide. It is a complex disease spectrum, closely linked with other conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome, which may increase liver-related mortality. In light of this, numerous efforts have been carried out in recent years in order to clarify its pathogenesis and create new prevention strategies. Currently, the essential role of environmental pollutants in NAFLD development is recognized. Particularly, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have a notable influence. EDCs can be classified as natural (phytoestrogens, genistein, and coumestrol) or synthetic, and the latter ones can be further subdivided into industrial (dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, and alkylphenols), agricultural (pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides), residential (phthalates, polybrominated biphenyls, and bisphenol A), and pharmaceutical (parabens). Several experimental models have proposed a mechanism involving this group of substances with the disruption of hepatic metabolism, which promotes NAFLD. These include an imbalance between lipid influx/efflux in the liver, mitochondrial dysfunction, liver inflammation, and epigenetic reprogramming. It can be concluded that exposure to EDCs might play a crucial role in NAFLD initiation and evolution. However, further investigations supporting these effects in humans are required.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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AOAngel Ortega
Angel Ortega
IVIvana Paola Vera
Ivana Paola Vera
MDMaria Paula Diaz
Maria Paula Diaz
Carla NavarroCarla Navarro
Carla Navarro
MRMilagros Rojas
Milagros Rojas
VBValmore Bermudez
Valmore Bermudez
The yes-associated protein (YAP) and the transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are transcriptional coactivators, members of the Hippo signaling pathway, which play a critical role in cell growth regulation, embryonic development, regeneration, proliferation, and cancer origin and progression. The mechanism involves the nuclear binding of the un-phosphorylated YAP/TAZ complex to release the transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) from its repressors. The active ternary complex is responsible for the aforementioned biological effects. Overexpression of YAP/TAZ has been reported in cancer stem cells and tumor resistance. The resistance involves chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. This review provides an overview of YAP/TAZ pathways’ role in carcinogenesis and tumor microenvironment. Potential therapeutic alternatives are also discussed.

1 January 2024 in touchREVIEWS in Endocrinology
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Journal Article
Open access
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MCMaría José Calvo
María José Calvo
HPHeliana Parra Pelosi
Heliana Parra Pelosi
Raquel Gabriela SantelizRaquel Gabriela Santeliz
Raquel Gabriela Santeliz
JBJordan Bautista
Jordan Bautista
ELEliana Luzardo
Eliana Luzardo
Juan Bautista De SanctisJuan Bautista De Sanctis
Juan Bautista De Sanctis
GDM is a multifactorial disease in which both genetic and environmental components play a crucial role in its aetiopathogenesis.5 It is characterized by the

30 June 2021 in Nutrients
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MRMilagros Rojas
Milagros Rojas
MCMervin Chávez-Castillo
Mervin Chávez-Castillo
DPDaniela Pirela
Daniela Pirela
HPHeliana Parra Pelosi
Heliana Parra Pelosi
MNManuel Nava
Manuel Nava
EDEdgar Díaz-Camargo
Edgar Díaz-Camargo
Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a set of cardio-metabolic risk factors that includes central obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemias. The syndrome affects 25% of adults worldwide. The definition of MS has evolved over the last 80 years, with various classification systems and criteria, whose limitations and benefits are currently the subject of some controversy. Likewise, hypotheses regarding the etiology of MS add more confusion from clinical and epidemiological points of view. The leading suggestion for the pathophysiology of MS is insulin resistance (IR). IR can affect multiple tissues and organs, from the classic “triumvirate” (myocyte, adipocyte, and hepatocyte) to possible effects on organs considered more recently, such as the central nervous system (CNS). Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may be clinical expressions of CNS involvement. However, the association between MCI and MS is not understood. The bidirectional relationship that seems to exist between these factors raises the questions of which phenomenon occurs first and whether MCI can be a precursor of MS. This review explores shared pathophysiological mechanisms between MCI and MS and establishes a hypothesis of a possible MCI role in the development of IR and the appearance of MS.

18 July 2023 in Heliyon
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Journal Article
Open access
Carla NavarroCarla Navarro
Carla Navarro
JSJuan Salazar
Juan Salazar
MDMaría P. Díaz
María P. Díaz
MCMaricarmen Chacin
Maricarmen Chacin
Raquel Gabriela SantelizRaquel Gabriela Santeliz
Raquel Gabriela Santeliz
VBValmore Bermudez
Valmore Bermudez
Longevity has been a topic of interest since the beginnings of humanity, yet its aetiology and precise mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Aging is currently viewed as a physiological phenomenon characterized by the gradual degeneration of organic physiology and morphology due to the passage of time where both external and internal stimuli intervene. The influence of intrinsic factors, such as progressive telomere shortening, genome instability due to mutation buildup, the direct or indirect actions of age-related genes, and marked changes in epigenetic, metabolic, and mitochondrial patterns constitute a big part of its underlying endogenous mechanisms. On the other hand, several psychosocial and demographic factors, such as diet, physical activity, smoking, and drinking habits, may have an even more significant impact on shaping the aging process. Consequentially, implementing dietary and exercise patterns has been proposed as the most viable alternative strategy for attenuating the most typical degenerative aging changes, thus increasing the likelihood of prolonging lifespan and achieving successful aging.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JSJuan Salazar
Juan Salazar
DPDaniela Pirela
Daniela Pirela
MNManuel Nava
Manuel Nava
Ana Valeria Castro RomeroAna Valeria Castro Romero
Ana Valeria Castro Romero
LALissé Angarita
Lissé Angarita
VBValmore Bermudez
Valmore Bermudez
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global public health issue due to its high morbidity, mortality, and economic impact. The implementation of innovative therapeutic alternatives for CVD is urgently required. Specialized proresolving lipid mediators (SPMs) are bioactive compounds derived from ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acids, integrated into four families: Lipoxins, Resolvins, Protectins, and Maresins. SPMs have generated interest in recent years due to their ability to promote the resolution of inflammation associated with the pathogeneses of numerous illnesses, particularly CVD. Several preclinical studies in animal models have evidenced their ability to decrease the progression of atherosclerosis, intimal hyperplasia, and reperfusion injury via diverse mechanisms. Large-scale clinical trials are required to determine the effects of SPMs in humans. This review integrates the currently available knowledge of the therapeutic impact of SPMs in CVD from preclinical and clinical studies, along with the implicated molecular pathways. In vitro results have been promising, and as such, SPMs could soon represent a new therapeutic alternative for CVD.