Browsing by Author "Soares, Nelson C"

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Gut matters in microgravity: potential link of gut microbiota and its metabolites to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal well-being
(2024-08) Soares, Nelson C
Abstract The gut microbiota and its secreted metabolites play a significant role in cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health and diseases. The dysregulation of the intestinal microbiota poses a significant threat to cardiovascular and skeletal muscle well-being. Nonetheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these changes remain unclear. Furthermore, microgravity presents several challenges to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health compromising muscle strength, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic changes. The purpose of this review is to critically examine the role of gut microbiota metabolites on cardiovascular and skeletal muscle functions and dysfunctions. It also explores the molecular mechanisms that drive microgravity-induced deconditioning in both cardiovascular and skeletal muscle. Key findings in this review highlight that several alterations in gut microbiota and secreted metabolites in microgravity mirror characteristics seen in cardiovascular and skeletal muscle diseases. Those alterations include increased levels of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, elevated lipopolysaccharide levels (LPS), increased in para-cresol (p-cresol) and secondary metabolites, along with reduction in bile acids and Akkermansia muciniphila bacteria. Highlighting the potential, modulating gut microbiota in microgravity conditions could play a significant role in mitigating cardiovascular and skeletal muscle diseases not only during space flight but also in prolonged bed rest scenarios here on Earth.
Medwakh smoking induces alterations in salivary proteins and cytokine expression: a clinical exploratory proteomics investigation
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2025-01-17) Soares, Nelson C
Background: Medwakh smoking has radically expanded among youth in the Middle East and around the world. The rising popularity of medwakh/dokha usage is linked to the onset of several chronic illnesses including cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Medwakh smoking is reported to increase the risk of inflammation in the lower respiratory tract owing to oxidative burden. To date, there are no reported studies investigating the impact of medwakh smoking on salivary protein profile. The current study aims to elucidate alterations in the salivary proteome profile of medwakh smokers. Methods: Saliva samples collected from 33 medwakh smokers and 30 non-smokers were subjected to proteomic analysis using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. Saliva samples were further subjected to validatory experiments involving analysis of inflammatory cytokine profile using LEGENDplex™ Human Essential Immune Response Panel. Results: Statistical analysis revealed alterations in the abundance of 74 key proteins including immune mediators and inflammatory markers in medwakh smokers (Accession: PXD045901). Proteins involved in building oxidative stress, alterations in cell anchorage, and cell metabolic processes were enhanced in medwakh smokers. Salivary immune response evaluation further validated the proteome findings, revealing significantly higher levels of IL-1β, IL-12p70, IL-23, IFN-γ (Th1 cytokines), IL-6 (Th2 cytokine), and MCP-1 (chemokine) in medwakh smokers. In addition, a substantial increase in abundance of involucrin suggesting a plausible stratified squamous cell differentiation and increased cell lysis in the oral cavity of medwakh smokers akin to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). The protein–metabolite joint pathway analysis further showed significantly enriched differentially expressed proteins and metabolites of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate, fructose and mannose, nicotinate and nicotinamide, and glutathione metabolism pathways among medwakh smokers. Conclusions: The findings of the study provide valuable insights on potential perturbations in various key immune molecules, cytokines, and signaling pathways among medwakh smokers. Medwakh smokers displayed elevated inflammation, increased oxidative stress and defective antioxidant responses, dysregulated energy metabolism, and alterations in proteins related to cell adhesion, migration, differentiation, and proliferation. The findings of study underscore the urgent need for comprehensive public health interventions among youth by raising awareness, implementing effective smoking cessation programs, and promoting healthy lifestyle to safeguard the well-being of individuals and communities worldwide.
Medwakh smoking induces alterations in salivary proteins and cytokine expression: a clinical exploratory proteomics investigation.
(2025-01-17) Soares, Nelson C; Giddey, Alexander D
Background: Medwakh smoking has radically expanded among youth in the Middle East and around the world. The rising popularity of medwakh/dokha usage is linked to the onset of several chronic illnesses including cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Medwakh smoking is reported to increase the risk of inflammation in the lower respiratory tract owing to oxidative burden. To date, there are no reported studies investigating the impact of medwakh smoking on salivary protein profile. The current study aims to elucidate alterations in the salivary proteome profile of medwakh smokers.
Metabolomic Analysis, Antiproliferative, Anti-Migratory, and Anti-Invasive Potential of Amlodipine in Lung Cancer Cells.
(2025) Soares, Nelson C
Background and Objective: Lung cancer stands as the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities worldwide. While chemotherapy remains a crucial treatment option for managing lung cancer in both early-stage and advanced cases, it is accompanied by significant drawbacks, including severe side effects and the development of chemoresistance. Overcoming chemoresistance represents a considerable challenge in lung cancer treatment. Amlodipine cytotoxicity was previously demonstrated and could make lung cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapies. This research aims to examine the metabolomics changes that may occur due to amlodipine's anticancer effects on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.
Metabolomic Analysis, Antiproliferative, Anti-Migratory, and Anti-Invasive Potential of Amlodipine in Lung Cancer Cells.
(2025) Soares, Nelson C
Background and Objective: Lung cancer stands as the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities worldwide. While chemotherapy remains a crucial treatment option for managing lung cancer in both early-stage and advanced cases, it is accompanied by significant drawbacks, including severe side effects and the development of chemoresistance. Overcoming chemoresistance represents a considerable challenge in lung cancer treatment. Amlodipine cytotoxicity was previously demonstrated and could make lung cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapies. This research aims to examine the metabolomics changes that may occur due to amlodipine's anticancer effects on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.
Molecular signatures of xenograft colorectal cancer in mice treated with topotecan: A mass spectrometry-based study.
(2025-06) Soares, Nelson C
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, yet it continues to have a low survival rate, largely due to the lack of effective treatments. Metabolomics offers new insight into disease diagnosis and biomarkers discovery. The aim of the study is to identify serum biomarkers in a CRC xenograft mouse model treated with topotecan using advanced metabolomics techniques to enhance our understanding and management of the disease.
A non-targeted metabolomics comparative study on plasma of pfizer and sinopharm COVID-19 vaccinated individuals, assessed by (TIMS-QTOF) mass spectrometry
(2024-07) Soares, Nelson C
Abstract: COVID-19 is a highly contagious infectious disease that has posed a global threat, leading to a widespread pandemic characterized by multi-organ complications and failures. Aims: The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccines on metabolomic changes and their correlations with immune pathways. Main methods: The study used a cross-sectional design and implemented an untargeted metabolomics-based approach. Plasma samples were obtained from three groups: non-vaccinated participants, Sinopharm-vaccinated participants, and Pfizer-vaccinated participants. Comparative metabolomic analysis was conducted using TIMS-QTOF, and multiple t-tests with a 5 % false discovery rate (FDR) were performed using MetaboAnalyst software. Key findings: Out of the 105 metabolites detected, 72 showed statistically significant changes (p-value < 0.05) across the different groups. Notably, several metabolites such as neopterin, pyridoxal, and syringic acid were markedly altered in individuals vaccinated with Pfizer. Conversely, in the Sinopharm-vaccinated group, significant alterations were observed in sphinganine, neopterin, and sphingosine. These metabolites hold potential as biomarkers for evaluating vaccine efficacy. Additionally, both Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccinations were found to influence sphingolipid and histidine metabolisms compared to the control group. The Sinopharm group also displayed changes in lysine degradation relative to the control group. When comparing the enriched pathways between the Pfizer and Sinopharm-vaccinated groups, differences were observed in purine metabolism. Furthermore, alterations in tryptophan and vitamin B6 metabolism were noted when comparing the Pfizer-vaccinated group with both the control and Sinopharm-vaccinated groups. Significance: These findings highlight the importance of metabolomics in assessing vaccine effectiveness and identifying potential biomarkers for monitoring the efficacy of newly developed vaccines in a shorter timeframe.
Untargeted Multiomics of LNCaP Cell Line Treated with a Novel DNA Minor Groove Binder and/or Doxorubicin Using Mass Spectrometry.
(2025-10-03) Soares, Nelson C
Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a major global health concern, ranking among the most prevalent cancer in men worldwide. Despite the availability of various therapeutic options, the clinical efficacy of current anti-PCa agents is often compromised by drug resistance and adverse effects. DNA minor groove binders offer a potential therapeutic alternative, owing to their selective mechanism of action and favorable safety profiles. In the present study, we utilized a multiomics strategy to investigate the molecular impact of novel compound MGB4. LNCaP cells were treated with doxorubicin, MGB4, or a combination of both, followed by LC-MS/MS-based untargeted proteomics and metabolomics analyses. One-way ANOVA (-value <0.05) revealed 55 significantly dysregulated proteins and 57 altered metabolites across treatments. Our findings indicate that both MGB4 and doxorubicin impacted key cellular pathways, including inhibition of translation and alterations in sphingolipid and amino acid metabolism, while doxorubicin and the combination therapy also reduced spermine and spermidine metabolism. Notably, the combined treatment exhibited synergistic effects, significantly impacting purine metabolism and reducing metabolite levels more than individual therapies. This study provides key molecular insights into MGB4 and doxorubicin's mechanisms, supporting MGB4 as a potential prostate cancer drug candidate.