Renal, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Pharmacology

Our group has mainly been dedicated to research cardiovascular effects associated with hypoxia and oxidative stress, particularly arterial hypertension.

We use phenotypic approaches from a drug- and precision medicine-centered perspective: new therapeutic targets, new drugs, variability in drug response (eg. gender differences) and adverse drug reactions.

Phenotypic approaches include cardiometabolic changes and cardiovascular risk parameters, indicators of renal tubular function, indicators of enzymatic activities and redox changes (eg. sulfotransferases, uNaC, thiolome, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) in in vivo animal models (eg. clinical studies (obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, HIV-infection).

More recently, the team has been particularly interested in the association between cardiovascular risk factors and environmental exposure through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor AhR receptor.

Graphical Abstract

Projects

Leader:

2021-2024 Muscle up with intermittent hypoxia: a matter of intensity, gender and metabolism. iNOVA4Health- IUDB/004462/2020/TL2/P2
2019 - 2020 (EudraCT 2019-002266-12 and CEIC 20191098): “Variability of 1A1 sulfotransferase activity in humans: an approach to predict drug response - 2nd part: Analysis of inter-individual variability in hypertensive patients.”, Hospital da Luz Lisboa, Portugal
2018 - 2021 (PTDC/MED-TOX/30418/2017): “AhR-CYP1A:1 linking environmental exposure and sleep apnea to improve arterial hypertension management.”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2017 - 2019 (iN4H_201707-05-30): “Efficacy of olive oil and phenolic compounds in reversing hypertension induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia.”, iNOVA4Health, Portugal
2016 - 2019 (UID/Multi/04462/2013 iN4H_201601-02-021): “(per)Sulfidomics: benchmarking mechanisms underlying drug toxicity and drug resistance in precision medicine.”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
2016 - 2019 (PAULIF): “AhR: a therapeutic target for co-morbidities associated with chronic intermittent hypoxia.”, Governo da República Portuguesa Ministério da Ciência Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Portugal and Gouvernement francais Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur de la Recherche et de l'Innovation, France
2016 - 2019 (Protocol nº HLUZ_001_2016; EudraCT nº: 2016-001395-29): “Variability of sulfotransferase 1A1 activity in humans: an approach to improve predictive drug response? Part I: Analysis of intraindividual variation in healthy adults.”, Hospital da Luz Lisboa, Portugal
2016 - 2017 (PGG/032/2015): “Kidney tubular lesion in HIV patients.”, Gilead Sciences Lda, Portugal
2014 - 2022 (2013/713/EU): “Portuguese Clinical Research Infrastructures network (PtCRIN).”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2014 - 2015 (EXPL/DTP-FTO/1792/2013): “HivKIomics - new insights on tubular injury and nephrotoxicity diagnosis and prediction in HIV-infected patients .”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2013 - 2015 (EXPL/DTP-PIC/1758/2013): “HIV nefromics: new markers of nephrotoxicity induced by antiretrovirals in hiv+ patients.” , Sociedade Portuguesa de Nefrologia, Portugal)
2013 - 2014 (EXPL/DTP-FTO/0204/2012): “TeachIng an olD drug nEw tricks: re-profiling An anti-HIV drug as an HDL modulator.”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2012 - 2015 (FCG121986): “Zebrafish as a biomedical tool to evaluate drug toxicity.”, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. Portugal
2011 - 2014 (PTDC/SAU-TOX/111663/2009): “Hepatic toxicity in HIV-infected individuals exposed to nevirapine.”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2011 - 2014 (PTDC/SAUTOX/112264/2009): “Chronic Intermitent Eucapnic Hypoxia: systemic effects and evaluation of antihypertensive drugs efficacy.”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal

Team Member:

2018 - 2021 (PTDC/NAN-OPT/31311/2017): “Photonic biosensor for point of care and early diagnostics of acute kidney injury.”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2013 - 2016 (RECI/QEQ-MED/0330/2012): “From small bioactive molecules to an integrated OMICS approach: Mass Spectrometry tools for mechanistic insights into drug-like and functional properties, toxicity, and stress responses.”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2014 - 2015 (EXPL/DTP-PIC/1758/2013): “Point of care testing of cardiovascular disease markers - detection of homocystein-thiolactone.”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal
2010 - 2013 (PTDC/QUI-QUI/113910/2009): “Bioactivation routes of the anti - HIV drug Nevirapine: identification of reactive metabolites and mutagenic potential.”, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal

Publications

Colaborations

International:

- Xavier Coumol & Robert Barouki INSERM UMR-S 1124, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation Cellulaire & France, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité
- Oleg A. Mayoboroda - Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Demotes, ECRIN

National:

- Alexandra Antunes & Matilde Marques - Instituto Superior Técnico
- Jacinta Serpa - IPO Lisboa
- Joana Miranda - FFUL
- Rosário Bronze - IBET
- Alessandro Fantoni - ISEL
- João Vicente - ITQB
- Gabriela Almeida - Egas Moniz
- Teresa Branco e Karina Soto Hospital Fernando da Fonseca, Amadora
- Anabela Raimundo, Hospital da LUZ
- Manuel Almeida e Patricia Branco, CHLO
-Margarida Aguiar, HBA
-Alexandra Mineiro, CHULC
- Inês Alves da ANDO/EUPATI