Our Research

Intake of bean sprouts influences melatonin and antioxidant capacity biomarker levels in rats

Kidney bean sprouts could be a good source of dietary melatonin and other bioactive compounds known to have health benefits.

Bioavailability of Melatonin from Lentil Sprouts and Its Role in the Plasmatic Antioxidant Status in Rats

We investigated the bioavailability of melatonin from lentil sprouts and its role in plasmatic antioxidant status. Their intake could increase melatonin plasmatic concentration and attenuate plasmatic oxidative stress.

Teas and herbal infusions as sources of melatonin and other bioactive non-nutrient components

The teas and herbal infusions could be consided as suitable drinks herein validated for their bioactive compounds that may act as antioxidants and non-protein inhibitors of digestive enzymes.

Phenolic compounds from coffee by-products modulate adipogenesis-related inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and insulin resistance in adipocytes, via insulin/PI3K/AKT signaling pathways

Coffee silverskin and husk are beneficial in reducing adipogenesis and inflammation-related disorders.

Extraction of phenolic compounds from cocoa shell: Modeling using response surface methodology and artificial neural networks

Green extraction of phenolic compounds from the cocoa shell was modeled and optimized.

Response surface methodology to optimise the heat-assisted aqueous extraction of phenolic compounds from coffee parchment and their comprehensive analysis

Potential application of a useful, clean, environmentally friendly and cost-effective method to recover phenolic compounds from coffee parchment and to revalorize the by-product by converting it into high-added value new products to be used in the food.

Black bean coats: New source of anthocyanins stabilized by β-cyclodextrin copigmentation in a sport beverage

These black bean coat aqueous extracts and powders might represent natural alternatives to synthetic colorants, ecologically extracted, and with a high antioxidant potential.

Coffee parchment as a new dietary fiber ingredient: Functional and physiological characterization

Milling is a strategy for developing fiber-rich coffee parchment-based ingredients. Coffee parchment shows promising hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic capacities.

Impact of Melatonin Enrichment during Germination of Legumes on Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity

The melatonin-enriched foods exhibited potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant functions that may be used as a nutritional strategy to alleviate chronic and age-related diseases.

Revalorization of Coffee Husk: Modeling and Optimizing the Green Sustainable Extraction of Phenolic Compounds

The phenolic aqueous extracts from the coffee husk could be used as sustainable food ingredients and nutraceutical products.

Relationship of the Phytochemicals from Coffee and Cocoa By-Products with their Potential to Modulate Biomarkers of Metabolic Syndrome In Vitro

We identified the phytochemicals from coffee and cocoa by-products and offered new insights into their associations with biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, adipogenesis, and insulin resistance in vitro.

Cocoa Shell Aqueous Phenolic Extract Preserves Mitochondrial Function and Insulin Sensitivity by Attenuating Inflammation between Macrophages and Adipocytes In Vitro

Cocoa shell phenolics promote a beige phenotype in adipocytes. Macrophages-adipocytes inflammatory interaction is reduced preventing mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance.

Inhibition of the Maillard Reaction by Phytochemicals Composing an Aqueous Coffee Silverskin Extract via a Mixed Mechanism of Action

Isoflavones and melatonin may contribute to the antiglycative/antiglycoxidative properties associated with coffee silverskin.

Phytochemicals from the Cocoa Shell Modulate Mitochondrial Function, Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Hepatocytes via Activation of FGF21/ERK, AKT, and mTOR Pathways

The cocoa shell phytochemicals are proved to modulate FGF21 signaling. Results demonstrate the in vitro preventive effect of the phytochemicals from the cocoa shell on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Maternal plasma antioxidant status in the first trimester of pregnancy and development of obstetric complications

In early gestation, low antioxidants were associated with development of complications.

First trimester elevations of hematocrit, lipid peroxidation and nitrates in women with twin pregnancies who develop preeclampsia

We showed an association between red blood cells, hematocrit, malondialdehyde, and nitrates with preeclampsia in twin pregnancies.

Maternal Resources, Pregnancy Concerns, and Biological Factors Associated to Birth Weight and Psychological Health

The relevance of psychological health during pregnancy for maternal and neonatal outcome, and to consider it in preventive policies in OBS/GYN.

Effects of Arachidonic and Docosohexahenoic Acid Supplementation during Gestation in Rats. Implication of Placental Oxidative Stress

High arachidonic acid during gestation associates with intrauterine growth restriction, through placental oxidative stress, with females being more susceptible.

Maternal Psychological and Biological Factors Associated to Gestational Complications

High maternal melatonin and life satisfaction could be protective factors against the maternal complications during pregnancy. Low anxiety and cortisol and reduced work–life conflicts could prevent fetal complications.

Maternal Antioxidant Status in Early Pregnancy and Development of Fetal Complications in Twin Pregnancies: A Pilot Study

In twin gestations, maternal antioxidants and melatonin could be biomarkers to be included in algorithms to predict fetal growth restriction and preterm labor.

Role of fetal nutrient restriction and postnatal catch-up growth on structural and mechanical alterations of rat aorta

Fetal undernutrition induces similar aortic structural and mechanical alterations in young male and female rats. Our data argue against an early mechanical cause for the sex differences in hypertension development.

Male fetal sex is associated with low maternal plasma anti-inflammatory cytokine profile in the first trimester of healthy pregnancies

Women with a male fetus may have a worse capacity to counteract an inflammatory response. They may have better vasodilator capacity, but in the presence of an oxidative environment, a higher nitrosative damage may occur.

Slower Growth during Lactation Rescues Early Cardiovascular and Adipose Tissue Hypertrophy Induced by Fetal Undernutrition in Rats

Low birth weight (LBW) and accelerated growth during lactation are associated with cardiometabolic disease development. LBW offspring from rats exposed to undernutrition during gestation develops hypertension. We tested if slower postnatal growth improves early cardiometabolic alterations.

Fetal undernutrition is associated with perinatal sex-dependent alterations in oxidative status

Adult males with maternal undernutrition (MUN) during gestation were hypertensive and exhibited the higher carbonyl levels compared to Controls. Adult MUN females were normotensive and did not exhibit differences in any of the biomarkers.

Long term effects of fetal undernutrition on rat heart. Role of hypertension and oxidative stress

During perinatal life, females exposed to fetal undernutrition are protected from cardiac alterations, but in ageing they exhibit ventricular hypertrophy and functional loss. The severity of cardiac damage might be greater in males due to hypertension.

Influence of Neonatal Sex on Breast Milk Protein and Antioxidant Content in Spanish Women in the First Month of Lactation

This study was designed to evaluate the influence of sex on BM composition during the first month of lactation, focused on macronutrients and antioxidants.

Sex Differences in Placental Protein Expression and Efficiency in a Rat Model of Fetal Programming Induced by Maternal Undernutrition

Male placenta has worse adaptation to undernutrition with lower efficiency, associated with oxidative disbalance and reduced vascularization and glucocorticoid barrier.

Fetal Undernutrition Induces Resistance Artery Remodeling and Stiffness in Male and Female Rats Independent of Hypertension

Fetal undernutrition induces resistence artery inward eutrophic remodeling and stiffness in both sexes. Resistance artery structural and mechanical alterations can participate in the development of hypertension in aged females.

Development and Validation of a Questionnaire to Assess Adherence to the Healthy Food Pyramid in Spanish Adults

AP-Q is a questionnaire to assess healthy food pyramid adherence, easy to complete, cost-effective, timesaving and has the competency to assess, besides diet, several features affecting health status.

Assessment of Adherence to the Healthy Food Pyramid in Pregnant and Lactating Women

Breastfeeding mothers of young age and low socioeconomic/educational level would be the target population to carry out nutritional interventions that improve their adherence to the Healthy Foos Piramyd.

Influence of Maternal Age and Gestational Age on Breast Milk Antioxidants During the First Month of Lactation

Breast milk antioxidants are linked to gestational age providing higher levels to infants with lower maturation; maternal ageing has a negative influence on melatonin.

Multidimensional Approach to Assess Nutrition and Lifestyle in Breastfeeding Women during the First Month of Lactation

During the 1st month postpartum, breastfeeding women exhibited nutritional imbalances and poor physical activity negatively influencing anthropometric parameters.

Healthy Habits and Emotional Balance in Women during the Postpartum Period: Differences between Term and Preterm Delivery

Healthcare professional counseling is essential during the breastfeeding period, particularly in vulnerable mothers with preterm delivery.

Association between Maternal Postpartum Depression, Stress, Optimism, and Breastfeeding Pattern in the First Six Months

In the 3rd month of breastfeeding, women with mixed breastfeeding exhibited higher stress and depression compared to those with exclusively breastfeeding. Evaluation of maternal psychological concerns and providing support to lactating mothers may help improving breastfeeding adherence.

Plasma Oxidative Status in Preterm Infants Receiving LCPUFA Supplementation: A Pilot Study

ARA:DHA supplementation in preterm neonates resulted in an improvement in antioxidant to oxidant balance and a decrease in early fatty acid precursors of the n-6 relative to the n-3 pathway. These effects may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.

Association between Adherence to the Healthy Food Pyramid and Breast Milk Fatty Acids in the First Month of Lactation

Diet had a larger influence than the maternal body’s composition on BM fatty acids during the first month of lactation, demonstrating a better adherence to the HFP and positively impacting on the omega-3 content in BM, a fact that is modulated by one’s maternal age.

Women during Lactation Reduce Their Physical Activity and Sleep Duration Compared to Pregnancy

During lactation, the poorer sleep and physical activity, together with a lower social support of the woman, may lead to deficient mental health adjustment.

Association of maternal body composition and diet on breast milk hormones and neonatal growth during the first month of lactation

Preterm labor is a factor influencing the levels of BM hormones. Ghrelin is lower in BM from women with preterm labor and is associated with maternal fat and diet, our data support the monitoring of women diet and body composition.

Vasoactive Properties of a Cocoa Shell Extract: Mechanism of Action and Effect on Endothelial Dysfunction in Aged Rats

Cocoa Shell Extract has vasodilatory properties associated with increased nitric oxide bioavailability, related to its antioxidant phytochemicals. Cocoa Shell Extract is a potential food ingredient for diseases related to endothelial dysfunction.

Implication of Oxidative Stress in Fetal Programming of Cardiovascular Disease

This review summarize the alterations in oxidative balance in fetal stress factors covering: the evidence from human studies of low birth weight, and the specific redox alterations in cardiovascular control organs induced by exposure to stress factors.

A Review of Bioactive Factors in Human Breastmilk: A Focus on Prematurity

The aim of the review is to summarize the knowledge regarding bioactive factors present in breastmilk, namely antioxidants, growth factors, adipokines, and cytokines, paying attention to prematurity.

Specialized Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators in Neonatal Cardiovascular Physiology and Diseases

In this review, we discuss LCPUFAs metabolism, SPMs, and their effect on cardiovascular health and diseases primarily focusing in neonates.

Early Association Factors for Depression Symptoms in Pregnancy: A Comparison between Spanish Women Spontaneously Gestation and with Assisted Reproduction Techniques

J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(23), 5672

Obstetric Outcomes in the Surviving Fetus after Intrauterine Fetal Death in Bichorionic Twin Gestations

Children 2021, 8(10), 927

Women Aged over 40 with Twin Pregnancies Have a Higher Risk of Adverse Obstetrical Outcomes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(24), 13117

Younger Age in Adolescent Pregnancies Is Associated with Higher Risk of Adverse Outcomes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8514

Maltodextrin-induced intestinal injury in a neonatal mouse model

Dis Model Mech. 2020, 13(8), dmm044776

Acetaminophen and Xenobiotic Metabolites in Human Milk and the Development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Retinopathy of Prematurity in a Cohort of Extremely Preterm Infants

J Pediatr. 2022, 244, 224-229.e3

Parenteral Fish-Oil Containing Lipid Emulsions Limit Initial Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Host Immune Responses in Preterm Pigs

Nutrients 2021, 13(1), 205

Beneficial Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Abnormal MMP-9 and AMPK Activities: Potential Markers of Obesity-Related CV Risk

Front. Physiol. 2019, 10:553

Finerenone Attenuates Endothelial Dysfunction and Albuminuria in a Chronic Kidney Disease Model by a Reduction in Oxidative Stress

Front. Pharmacol. 2018, 9:1131

Breast Milk Lipids and Fatty Acids in Regulating Neonatal Intestinal Development and Protecting against Intestinal Injury

Nutrients 2020, 12(2), 534

Quality of Life in Women after Deep Endometriosis Surgery: Comparison with Spanish Standardized Values

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(20), 6192

Deep Learning to Measure the Intensity of Indocyanine Green in Endometriosis Surgeries with Intestinal Resection

J. Pers. Med. 2022, 12(6), 982

Maternal Obesity in Twin Pregnancy: The Role of Nutrition to Reduce Maternal and Fetal Complications

Nutrients 2022, 14(7), 1326

Evaluation of Women’s Age and Ultrasonographic Features to Choose Surgical Treatment for Endometriosis Associated with Ovarian Cancer

J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(9), 2414

Randomized controlled trial of early arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid enteral supplementation in very preterm infants

Front. Pediatr. 2022, 10:947221