Ana T. Maduro

Ana T. Maduro

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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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8 September 2022 in Frontiers in Nutrition
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
CLCarla Luís
Carla Luís
AMAna T. Maduro
Ana T. Maduro
PPPaula Pereira
Paula Pereira
JMJosé João Mendes
José João Mendes
RSRaquel Soares
Raquel Soares
Renata RamalhoRenata Ramalho
Renata Ramalho
Aging is a natural physiological process, but one that poses major challenges in an increasingly aging society prone to greater health risks such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, frailty, increased susceptibility to infection, and reduced response to vaccine regimens. The loss of capacity for cell regeneration and the surrounding tissue microenvironment itself is conditioned by genetic, metabolic, and even environmental factors, such as nutrition. The senescence of the immune system (immunosenescence) represents a challenge, especially when associated with the presence of age-related chronic inflammation (inflammaging) and affecting the metabolic programming of immune cells (immunometabolism). These aspects are linked to poorer health outcomes and therefore present an opportunity for host-directed interventions aimed at both eliminating senescent cells and curbing the underlying inflammation. Senotherapeutics are a class of drugs and natural products that delay, prevent, or reverse the senescence process – senolytics; or inhibit senescence-associated secretory phenotype – senomorphics. Natural senotherapeutics from food sources – nutritional senotherapeutics – may constitute an interesting way to achieve better age-associated outcomes through personalized nutrition. In this sense, the authors present herein a framework of nutritional senotherapeutics as an intervention targeting immunosenescence and immunometabolism, identifying research gaps in this area, and gathering information on concluded and ongoing clinical trials on this subject. Also, we present future directions and ideation for future clinical possibilities in this field.

1 January 2021 in Porto Biomedical Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
AMAna T. Maduro
Ana T. Maduro
CLCarla Msc Luís
Carla Msc Luís
Raquel SoaresRaquel Soares
Raquel Soares
Ageing is a risk factor for chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic syndrome. Among others, senescence mechanisms have become a target of huge research on the topic of the ageing process. Cellular senescence is a state of an irreversible growth arrest that occurs in response to various forms of cellular stress and is characterized by a pro-inflammatory secretory phenotype. Multiple studies showed that cellular senescence occurs in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Senescent cells accumulate with ageing and can contribute to age-related decline in tissue function. Obesity is a metabolic condition that can accelerate the ageing process by promoting a premature induction of the senescent state of the cells. In contrast, caloric restriction without malnutrition is currently the most effective non-genetic intervention to delay ageing, and its potential in decreasing the cellular senescent burden is suggested. Here, it will be highlighted the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cellular senescence and discussed some of the research that is being done about how environmental conditions such as diet can affect the accumulation of senescent cells.

27 October 2023 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CLCarla Luís
Carla Luís
ASAndré Miguel Sousa
André Miguel Sousa
Raquel CostaRaquel Costa
Raquel Costa
AMAna T. Maduro
Ana T. Maduro
Patrick Joel PaisPatrick Joel Pais
Patrick Joel Pais
Maria F. DuarteMaria F. Duarte
Maria F. Duarte
The objective of this work is to evaluate the influence of pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in the behavior of breast cell lines (epithelial and tumor type) and related oxidative metabolism. Fruit-based functional foods have been the target of increasing scientific research for their physiological and pathophysiological properties. Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a suitable example with both prophylactic and medicinal effects. MCF-7 cell line from tumor breast carcinoma, and MCF-10A cell line from normal epithelial mammary gland were used and subjected to different concentrations of PPE, ranging from 1 to 5 mM of gallic acid equivalents (GAE). Viability, proliferation, mobility, and cytotoxicity assays were performed along with the quantification of antioxidant enzymes, namely, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione. We observed a decrease in viability and proliferation of MCF-7 cells, at higher concentrations of PPE, with no influence in epithelial cells. Interestingly, in a concentration-dependent manner, PPE triggered a significant decrease in migration on both cell lines, with a more pronounced effect in breast cancer cell line. Regarding antioxidant enzyme activity, on tumor cells higher concentrations of PPE decreased catalase activity and significantly increased SOD activity. Regarding GSH and GSSG, we observed different expression levels between MCF-7 and MCF-10A, with MCF-7 presenting lower levels compared to MCF-10A. GSH/GSSG ratio was notably higher in MCF-7 at 5 mM GAE. PPE exhibits anti-tumor effects without significantly affecting normal epithelial cells. Our work strengthens the potential antitumoral effect of PPE by reducing MCF-7 cell viability and proliferation through the imbalance of antioxidant enzymes.

18 April 2023 in Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
AMAna T. Maduro
Ana T. Maduro
APAnabela Pinto
Anabela Pinto
JFJoana Ferreira-Gomesb
Joana Ferreira-Gomesb
RCRaquel Costa
Raquel Costa
RSRaquel Soares
Raquel Soares
CLCarla Luís
Carla Luís
Background In type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance is observed, and β-cells are incapable of responding to glycemia demands, leading to hyperglycemia. Although the nature of β-cells dysfunction in this disease is not fully understood, a link between the induction of pancreatic β-cell premature senescence and its metabolic implications has been proposed. This study aimed to understand the relationship between diabetes and pancreatic senescence, particularly at the beginning of the disease. Methods C57Bl/6 J mice were fed two different diets, a normal diet and a high-fat diet, for 16 weeks. Pancreatic histomorphology analysis, insulin quantification, inflammation parameters, and senescence biomarkers for the experimental animals were assessed at weeks 12 and 16. Results The results proved that diabetes onset occurred at week 16 in the High Fat Diet group, supported by glycaemia, weight and blood lipid levels. Increased β-cells size and number accompanied by increased insulin expression were observed. Also, an inflammatory status of the diabetic group was noted by increased levels of systemic IL-1β and increased pancreatic fibrosis. Finally, the expression of galactosidase-beta 1 (GLB1) was significantly increased in pancreatic β-cells. Conclusion The study findings indicate that senescence, as revealed by an increase in GLB1 expression, is a key factor in the initial stage of diabetes.

16 April 2026 in bioRxiv
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
JCJuan Cunarro
Juan Cunarro
MMMarta V. Miguens
Marta V. Miguens
TTTadeu de Oliveira-Diz Tadeu
Tadeu de Oliveira-Diz Tadeu
XBXabier Buque
Xabier Buque
LOLucia Oro
Lucia Oro
STSulay Tovar
Sulay Tovar
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by excessive hepatic lipid accumulation driven by increased de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and impaired lipid oxidation. p107, a member of the retinoblastoma (Rb) family, extensively studied in the context of cell cycle regulation and adipocyte differentiation recently has been identified as a metabolic regulator controlling thermogenic activity. However, its role in hepatic lipid homeostasis remains poorly understood. Here, we identify the cell cycle regulator p107 as a key modulator of hepatic lipid metabolism. p107 expression is increased in patients with MASLD and correlates with disease severity. In mouse models, global and liver-specific p107 deficiency protect against high-fat diet-induced steatosis without affecting body weight. This is associated with reduced expression of lipogenic enzymes including fatty acid synthase (FASN), and enhanced mitochondrial oxidative pathways. Conversely, hepatic restoration of p107 reversed these effects and promoted lipid accumulation and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Consistent with this in human hepatocytes, p107 silencing reduces lipid accumulation, decreases DNL and enhances mitochondrial respiration, whereas p107 overexpression induces the opposite phenotype. Notably, FASN knockdown attenuates the pro-steatotic effects of p107, indicating that it is a critical downstream mediator of p107. Together, these findings establish p107 as a physiological regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism, with its dysregulation contributing to the development of MASLD.