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Papers by Laura Velazquez

Oncology Letters, 2015

Uterine cervical cancer (UCC) is one of the main causes of cancer-associated mortality in women. ... more Uterine cervical cancer (UCC) is one of the main causes of cancer-associated mortality in women. Inflammation has been identified as an important component of this neoplasia; in this context, anti-inflammatory drugs represent possible prophylactic and/or therapeutic alternatives that require further investigation. Anti-inflammatory drugs are common and each one may exhibit a different antineoplastic effect. As a result, the present study investigated different anti-inflammatory models of UCC in vitro and in vivo. Celecoxib, sulindac, nimesulide, dexamethasone, meclofenamic acid, flufenamic acid and mefenamic acid were tested in UCC HeLa, VIPA, INBL and SiHa cell lines. The cytotoxicity of the drugs was evaluated in vitro. Celecoxib, sulindac, nimesulide, mefenamic acid and flufenamic acid presented with slight to moderate toxicity (10-40% of cell death corresponding to 100 µM) in certain cell lines, while meclofenamic acid exhibited significant cytotoxicity in all essayed cell lines (50-90% of cell death corresponding to 100 µM). The meclofenamic acid was tested in murine models (immunodeficient and immunocompetent) of UCC, which manifested a significant reduction in tumor growth and increased mouse survival. It was demonstrated that of the evaluated anti-inflammatory drugs, meclofenamic acid was the most cytotoxic, with a significant antitumor effect in murine models. Subsequent studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical utility of this drug.

PLOS ONE, 2015

Scorpions belonging to the Buthidae family have traditionally drawn much of the biochemist's atte... more Scorpions belonging to the Buthidae family have traditionally drawn much of the biochemist's attention due to the strong toxicity of their venoms. Scorpions not toxic to mammals, however, also have complex venoms. They have been shown to be an important source of bioactive peptides, some of them identified as potential drug candidates for the treatment of several emerging diseases and conditions. It is therefore important to characterize the large diversity of components found in the non-Buthidae venoms. As a contribution to this goal, this manuscript reports the construction and characterization of cDNA libraries from four scorpion species belonging to the Vaejovis genus of the Vaejovidae family: Vaejovis mexicanus, V. intrepidus, V. subcristatus and V. punctatus. Some sequences coding for channelacting toxins were found, as expected, but the main transcribed genes in the glands actively producing venom were those coding for non disulfide-bridged peptides. The ESTs coding for putative channel-acting toxins, corresponded to sodium channel β toxins, to members of the potassium channel-acting α or κ families, and to calcium channel-acting toxins of the calcin family. Transcripts for scorpine-like peptides of two different lengths were found, with some of the species coding for the two kinds. One sequence coding for La1-like peptides, of yet unknown function, was found for each species. Finally, the most abundant transcripts corresponded to peptides belonging to the long chain multifunctional NDBP-2 family and to the short antimicrobials of the NDBP-4 family. This apparent venom composition is in correspondence with the data obtained to date for other non-Buthidae species. Our study constitutes the first approach to the characterization of the venom gland transcriptome for scorpion species belonging to the Vaejovidae family.

Journal of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, 2011

Renin is the main rate-limiting enzyme in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Its gene, REN... more Renin is the main rate-limiting enzyme in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Its gene, REN, is a candidate crucial factor in essential hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate allele and haplotype distributions of REN polymorphisms, and to estimate normalised linkage disequilibrium (D') in Mexican and German populations. Four groups were studied for the REN single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) 1205C>T, 1303G>A, and 10607G>A, in population samples of Mexican Mestizo (n = 86), Mexican Huichol (n = 49), German (n = 39), and individuals with hypertension diagnosis (n = 66). Polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP. Genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies were estimated. SNP 1205C>T and 10607G>A allele and genotype distribution showed inter-group differences. The 1205T and 10607A allele showed a significance difference in hypertensive population. Haplotype analysis also showed some inter-group differences, especially in 1205C-1303G-10607G, 1205C-1303G-10607A and 1205T-1303G-10607G haplotypes. The segregation analysis disclosed complete linkage disequilibrium between 1205 and 1303 loci. These results provide an example of genetic diversity in related populations and illustrate the convenience of increasing the number of loci in associative studies between diseases and candidate genes.

International Urology and Nephrology, 2012

Purpose Prostate cancer is a worldwide public health problem and its treatment continues to be a ... more Purpose Prostate cancer is a worldwide public health problem and its treatment continues to be a therapeutic challenge especially in patients with metastatic androgen-independent cancer. Inflammation is a process that has been involved in the origin of this cancer and its inhibition has been postulated as a prophylactic and therapeutic strategy. The present study evaluated two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (meclofenamic acid and mefenamic acid) that have been studied very little in regard to cancer treatment. Methods In vitro, the cytotoxic effects of meclofenamic acid and mefenamic acid were determined in human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP: androgendependent; and PC3: androgen-independent). In vivo trials were divided into two phases; meclofenamic acid toxicity was initially determined at different doses (0, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day/25 days) in BALB/ c mice, after which a trial using non-toxic doses was carried out to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of the drug in a PC3/nude-mouse model of human androgen-independent prostate cancer. Results In vitro trials showed that only meclofenamic acid is highly cytotoxic in neoplastic prostate cells. The 5 and 10 mg/kg/day/25 day doses did not cause relevant toxicity in the BALB/c mouse trial, and so both doses were used in the nude-mouse model of cancer trial. This latter trial showed that meclofenamic acid significantly reduces tumor growth, prolongs survival, and is even capable of generating total tumor regression in up to 25% of mice treated at high dose. Conclusions Meclofenamic acid was shown to be a potential antineoplastic agent for both androgendependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer.

… e Investigación en …, 2007

2007 Adriana Garrido Garduño / Adriana Guadalupe Reyes Luna / Patricia Ortega Silva / Laura Eveli... more 2007 Adriana Garrido Garduño / Adriana Guadalupe Reyes Luna / Patricia Ortega Silva / Laura Evelia Torres Velázquez LA VIDA EN PAREJA: UN ASUNTO A NEGOCIAR Enseñanza e Investigación en Psicología, julio-diciembre, año/vol. 12, número 002 Universidad Veracruzana ...

Los conflictos socioambientales en México se han multiplicado en las últimas dos décadas. Estos g... more Los conflictos socioambientales en México se han multiplicado en las últimas dos décadas. Estos giran en torno a la contaminación industrial, las actividades mineras, el cambio de uso de suelo, la deforestación, la construcción de presas, la introducción de semillas genéticamente modificadas, el mal manejo de desechos sólidos y la privatización de tierra, agua y biodiversidad, entre otros. Las comunidades pobres suelen ser las más
perjudicadas en este tipo de actividades ecológicamente destructivas, y se enfrentan a promotores privados y del estado que detentan el poder.
Así, en las comunidades marginadas a lo largo y ancho del país, organizaciones populares emergen para proteger el medio ambiente, la salud y los medios de vida que las sostienen. Estas forman alianzas con organizaciones no gubernamentales (ong), universidades y otros sectores de la sociedad civil, con lo que constituyen movimientos socioambientales de raíz local que se articulan a redes nacionales e internacionales, para dar a conocer su lucha, facilitar el intercambio de ideas y experiencias, formular demandas colectivas y proveer apoyo mutuo y solidario.

Oncology Letters, 2015

Uterine cervical cancer (UCC) is one of the main causes of cancer-associated mortality in women. ... more Uterine cervical cancer (UCC) is one of the main causes of cancer-associated mortality in women. Inflammation has been identified as an important component of this neoplasia; in this context, anti-inflammatory drugs represent possible prophylactic and/or therapeutic alternatives that require further investigation. Anti-inflammatory drugs are common and each one may exhibit a different antineoplastic effect. As a result, the present study investigated different anti-inflammatory models of UCC in vitro and in vivo. Celecoxib, sulindac, nimesulide, dexamethasone, meclofenamic acid, flufenamic acid and mefenamic acid were tested in UCC HeLa, VIPA, INBL and SiHa cell lines. The cytotoxicity of the drugs was evaluated in vitro. Celecoxib, sulindac, nimesulide, mefenamic acid and flufenamic acid presented with slight to moderate toxicity (10-40% of cell death corresponding to 100 µM) in certain cell lines, while meclofenamic acid exhibited significant cytotoxicity in all essayed cell lines (50-90% of cell death corresponding to 100 µM). The meclofenamic acid was tested in murine models (immunodeficient and immunocompetent) of UCC, which manifested a significant reduction in tumor growth and increased mouse survival. It was demonstrated that of the evaluated anti-inflammatory drugs, meclofenamic acid was the most cytotoxic, with a significant antitumor effect in murine models. Subsequent studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical utility of this drug.

PLOS ONE, 2015

Scorpions belonging to the Buthidae family have traditionally drawn much of the biochemist's atte... more Scorpions belonging to the Buthidae family have traditionally drawn much of the biochemist's attention due to the strong toxicity of their venoms. Scorpions not toxic to mammals, however, also have complex venoms. They have been shown to be an important source of bioactive peptides, some of them identified as potential drug candidates for the treatment of several emerging diseases and conditions. It is therefore important to characterize the large diversity of components found in the non-Buthidae venoms. As a contribution to this goal, this manuscript reports the construction and characterization of cDNA libraries from four scorpion species belonging to the Vaejovis genus of the Vaejovidae family: Vaejovis mexicanus, V. intrepidus, V. subcristatus and V. punctatus. Some sequences coding for channelacting toxins were found, as expected, but the main transcribed genes in the glands actively producing venom were those coding for non disulfide-bridged peptides. The ESTs coding for putative channel-acting toxins, corresponded to sodium channel β toxins, to members of the potassium channel-acting α or κ families, and to calcium channel-acting toxins of the calcin family. Transcripts for scorpine-like peptides of two different lengths were found, with some of the species coding for the two kinds. One sequence coding for La1-like peptides, of yet unknown function, was found for each species. Finally, the most abundant transcripts corresponded to peptides belonging to the long chain multifunctional NDBP-2 family and to the short antimicrobials of the NDBP-4 family. This apparent venom composition is in correspondence with the data obtained to date for other non-Buthidae species. Our study constitutes the first approach to the characterization of the venom gland transcriptome for scorpion species belonging to the Vaejovidae family.

Journal of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, 2011

Renin is the main rate-limiting enzyme in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Its gene, REN... more Renin is the main rate-limiting enzyme in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Its gene, REN, is a candidate crucial factor in essential hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate allele and haplotype distributions of REN polymorphisms, and to estimate normalised linkage disequilibrium (D') in Mexican and German populations. Four groups were studied for the REN single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) 1205C>T, 1303G>A, and 10607G>A, in population samples of Mexican Mestizo (n = 86), Mexican Huichol (n = 49), German (n = 39), and individuals with hypertension diagnosis (n = 66). Polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP. Genotype, allele and haplotype frequencies were estimated. SNP 1205C>T and 10607G>A allele and genotype distribution showed inter-group differences. The 1205T and 10607A allele showed a significance difference in hypertensive population. Haplotype analysis also showed some inter-group differences, especially in 1205C-1303G-10607G, 1205C-1303G-10607A and 1205T-1303G-10607G haplotypes. The segregation analysis disclosed complete linkage disequilibrium between 1205 and 1303 loci. These results provide an example of genetic diversity in related populations and illustrate the convenience of increasing the number of loci in associative studies between diseases and candidate genes.

International Urology and Nephrology, 2012

Purpose Prostate cancer is a worldwide public health problem and its treatment continues to be a ... more Purpose Prostate cancer is a worldwide public health problem and its treatment continues to be a therapeutic challenge especially in patients with metastatic androgen-independent cancer. Inflammation is a process that has been involved in the origin of this cancer and its inhibition has been postulated as a prophylactic and therapeutic strategy. The present study evaluated two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (meclofenamic acid and mefenamic acid) that have been studied very little in regard to cancer treatment. Methods In vitro, the cytotoxic effects of meclofenamic acid and mefenamic acid were determined in human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP: androgendependent; and PC3: androgen-independent). In vivo trials were divided into two phases; meclofenamic acid toxicity was initially determined at different doses (0, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg/day/25 days) in BALB/ c mice, after which a trial using non-toxic doses was carried out to evaluate the antitumor efficacy of the drug in a PC3/nude-mouse model of human androgen-independent prostate cancer. Results In vitro trials showed that only meclofenamic acid is highly cytotoxic in neoplastic prostate cells. The 5 and 10 mg/kg/day/25 day doses did not cause relevant toxicity in the BALB/c mouse trial, and so both doses were used in the nude-mouse model of cancer trial. This latter trial showed that meclofenamic acid significantly reduces tumor growth, prolongs survival, and is even capable of generating total tumor regression in up to 25% of mice treated at high dose. Conclusions Meclofenamic acid was shown to be a potential antineoplastic agent for both androgendependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer.

… e Investigación en …, 2007

2007 Adriana Garrido Garduño / Adriana Guadalupe Reyes Luna / Patricia Ortega Silva / Laura Eveli... more 2007 Adriana Garrido Garduño / Adriana Guadalupe Reyes Luna / Patricia Ortega Silva / Laura Evelia Torres Velázquez LA VIDA EN PAREJA: UN ASUNTO A NEGOCIAR Enseñanza e Investigación en Psicología, julio-diciembre, año/vol. 12, número 002 Universidad Veracruzana ...

Los conflictos socioambientales en México se han multiplicado en las últimas dos décadas. Estos g... more Los conflictos socioambientales en México se han multiplicado en las últimas dos décadas. Estos giran en torno a la contaminación industrial, las actividades mineras, el cambio de uso de suelo, la deforestación, la construcción de presas, la introducción de semillas genéticamente modificadas, el mal manejo de desechos sólidos y la privatización de tierra, agua y biodiversidad, entre otros. Las comunidades pobres suelen ser las más
perjudicadas en este tipo de actividades ecológicamente destructivas, y se enfrentan a promotores privados y del estado que detentan el poder.
Así, en las comunidades marginadas a lo largo y ancho del país, organizaciones populares emergen para proteger el medio ambiente, la salud y los medios de vida que las sostienen. Estas forman alianzas con organizaciones no gubernamentales (ong), universidades y otros sectores de la sociedad civil, con lo que constituyen movimientos socioambientales de raíz local que se articulan a redes nacionales e internacionales, para dar a conocer su lucha, facilitar el intercambio de ideas y experiencias, formular demandas colectivas y proveer apoyo mutuo y solidario.