UCDavis University of California

Education

• Ph.D., Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
• M.S., Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
• M.S., Clinical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Research Interests

Dr. Oteiza has two primary areas of research. The first is centered on the characterization of the effects of trace mineral deficiencies and trace mineral toxicities on early developmental processes. Dr. Oteiza’s second area of research is focused on the putative health benefits of flavonoids.

Selected Publications

• (Last 10 years)
• Verstraeten, S. V. and Oteiza, P. I. Effects of aluminum and related metals on membrane phase state and hydration. Correlation with lipid oxidation. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 375:340-346 (2000)
• Oteiza, P. I., Clegg, M. S., Zago, M. P. and Keen, C. L. Zinc deficiency induces oxidative stress and AP-1 activation in 3T3 cells. Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine 28: 1091-1099 (2000)
• Zago, M. P., Verstraeten, S. V. and Oteiza, P. I. Zinc in the prevention of Fe2+-initiated lipid and protein oxidation. Biological Research 33: 143-150 (2000)
• Oteiza, P. I., Clegg, M. S. and Keen, C. L. Short-term zinc deficiency affects NF-kB nuclear binding activity in rat testes. Journal of Nutrition 131: 21-26 (2001)
• Zago, M. P and Oteiza, P. I. The antioxidant properties of zinc: interactions with iron and antioxidants. Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine 31: 266-274 (2001)
• Oteiza, P. I., Verstraeten, S. V. y Zago, M. P. Modulación de la oxidación lipídica por metales sin capacidad redox. Antioxidantes y calidad de vida 8, 14-18 (2001)
• Verstraeten, S. V., Erlejman, A. G., Zago, M. P., and Oteiza, P. I. Aluminum selectively affects membrane physical properties in human neuroblastoma (IMR-32) cells before and after differentiation. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 399: 167-173 (2002)
• Actis-Goreta, L., Mackenzie, G. G., Oteiza, P. I. and Fraga, C. G. Comparative study of the antioxidant capacity of wines and other plant-derived beverages. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 957: 1-5 (2002)
• Fraga, C. G. and Oteiza, P. I. Iron toxicity and antioxidant nutrients. Toxicology 180: 23-32 (2002)
• Mackenzie, G. G., Zago, M. P., Keen, C. L. and Oteiza, P. I. Low intracellular zinc impairs the translocation of activated NF-kB to the nuclei in human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry 277:34610-34617 (2002)
• Erlejman, A. G. and Oteiza P.I. The oxidant defense system in human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells pre- and post- differentiation to neuronal phenotypes. Neurochemical Research 27: 1491-1498 (2002)
• Mackenzie, G. G., Keen, C. L. and Oteiza, P. I. The zinc status of human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells influences their susceptibility to iron-induced oxidative stress. Developmental Neuroscience 24: 125-133 (2002)
• Verstraeten, S. V., Keen, C. L., Schmitz, H. H., Fraga, C. G. and Oteiza, P. I. Flavan-3-ols and procyanidins protect liposomes against lipid oxidation and disruption of the bilayer structure. Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine 34: 84-92 (2003)
• Verstraeten, S. V., and Oteiza, P. I. Aluminum-mediated changes on membrane physical properties participate in the inhibition of polyphosphoinositides hydrolysis. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 408:263-271 (2002)
• Actis-Goreta, L., Mackenzie, G. G., Oteiza, P. I. and Fraga, C. G. Polyphenols containing beverages protect cultured cells, human plasma, liposomes, and a pure chemical system, from free radical-mediated oxidation. Alternate Medicine and Emerging Drugs (in press)
• Verstraeten, S. V., Villaverde, M. S. and Oteiza, P. I. Aluminum-mediated changes on membrane fluidity affects the activity of PI-PLC but not of PLC. Chemistry and Physics of Lipids 122:159-163 (2003)
• Verstraeten, S. V., and Oteiza, P. I. Aluminum-mediated changes on membrane physical properties participate in the inhibition of polyphosphoinositides hydrolysis. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 408:263-271 (2003)
• Verstraeten SV, Zago MP, MacKenzie GG, Keen CL, Oteiza PI. Influence of zinc deficiency on cell-membrane fluidity in Jurkat, 3T3 and IMR-32 cells. Biochem J. 2004 Mar 1;378(Pt 2):579-87.
• Mackenzie GG, Carrasquedo F, Delfino JM, Keen CL, Fraga CG, Oteiza PI. Epicatechin, catechin, and dimeric procyanidins inhibit PMA-induced NF-kappaB activation at multiple steps in Jurkat T cells. FASEB J. 2004 Jan;18(1):167-9. Epub 2003 Nov 20.
• Oteiza PI, Mackenzie GG, Verstraeten SV. Metals in neurodegeneration: involvement of oxidants and oxidant-sensitive transcription factors. Mol Aspects Med. 2004 Feb-Apr;25(1-2):103-15. Review.
• Verstraeten SV, Oteiza PI, Fraga CG. Membrane effects of cocoa procyanidins in liposomes and Jurkat T cells. Biol Res. 2004;37(2):293-300.
• Oteiza, P. I., Mackenzie, G. G. and Verstraeten, S. V.  Metals in neurodegeneration: Erlejman, A., Verstraeten, S. V., Fraga, C. G. and Oteiza, P.I. The interaction of flavonoids with membranes: potential determinant of flavonoid antioxidant effects.  Free Radical Research,
• Oteiza, P. I., Verstraeten, S. V., Erlejman, A. G., Keen, C. L. and Fraga C. G.  Flavonoid-membrane interactions:  A protective role of flavonoids at the membrane surface?  Clinical and Developmental Immunology.  2:19-25 (2005).
• Keen, C. L., Holt, R. R., Oteiza, P. I., Fraga, C.G., Schmitz, H. H..  Cocoa antioxidants and cardiovascular health.  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  81:298-303 (2005).
• Verstraeten, S. V., Lanoue, L., Keen, C. L. and Oteiza, P. I.  Relevance of polar lipid headgroups on boron-mediated changes in membrane physical properties.  Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 438:103-110 (2005).
• Verstraeten, S. V., Hammerstone, J. F., Keen C. L., Fraga C. G. and Oteiza, P. I. Antioxidant and membrane effects of procyanidin dimers and trimers isolated from peanut and cocoa. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 53:5041-5048 (2005).
• Oteiza, P. I. and Mackenzie, G. G.  Zinc, oxidant-triggered cell signaling, and human health.  Molecular Aspects of Medicine.  26:245-255 (2005).
• Fraga, C. G., Oteiza, P. I. and Keen, C. L. Trace elements and human health Molecular Aspects of Medicine.  26:233-234 (2005).
• Zago, M.P, Mackenzie, G. G., Adamo, A. M., Keen, C. L. and Oteiza, P. I. Differential modulation of MAP kinases by zinc deficiency in IMR-32 cells: role of H2O2.  Antioxidant Redox Signaling.7:1773-1782 (2005).
• Gatica, L., Alvarez, S., Gomez, N., Zago, M. P., Oteiza, P. I., Oliveros, L. and Gimenez, M. S. Vitamin A deficiency induces prooxidant environment and inflammation in rat aorta. Free Radical Research. 39:621-628  (2005).
• Mackenzie, G. G., Zago, M. P., Erlejman, A. G., Aimo, L., G., Keen, C. L. and Oteiza, P. I. α-lipoic acid and N-acetyl cysteine prevent zinc deficiency-induced activation of NF-B and AP-1 transcription factors in human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells. Free Radical Research. (2006) 40:75-84.
• Aimo, L. and Oteiza, P. Zinc deficiency increases the susceptibility of human neuroblastoma cells to lead-induced AP-1 activation. Toxicological Sciences. (2006) 91:184-91.
• Oteiza, P.I. and Verstraeten, S.V.  Interaction of metals with liposome membranes:  Consequences on membrane physical properties. En: Advances in Planar Lipid Bilayers and Liposomes, 4, chapter 3, pp. 79-106. A. Leitmannova Liu, ed. Elsevier (2006). Academic Press publisher. ISSN 1554-4516.
• Mackenzie, G. G. and Oteiza, P. I. Modulation of transcription factor NF-κB in Hodgkin’s lymphoma cell lines: effect of (-)-epicatechin. Free Radical Research. 40:1086-1094 (2006).
• Mackenzie, G. G., Keen, C. L. and Oteiza, P. I. Microtubules are required for NF-[[kappa]]B nuclear translocation in neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells: modulation by zinc. Journal of Neurochemistry  99:402-415 (2006).
• Erlejman, A. G., Fraga C. G. and Oteiza, P. I.  Procyanidins protect Caco-2 cells from bile acid- and oxidant-induced damage.  Free Radical Biology Medicine  41:1247-1256 (2006).
• Oteiza, P.I. Book review: Molecular interventions in lifestyle-related diseases, edited by M. Hiramatsu, T. Yoshikawa and L. Packer.  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 84:670  (2006).
• Mackenzie, G. G. and Oteiza, P. I. Zinc and the cytoskeleton in the neuronal modulation of transcription factor NFAT. Journal of Cell Physiology. 210: 246-256 (2007).
• Mackenzie, G. G., Zago, M.P., Aimo, M. P. and Oteiza, P. I.  Zinc in neuronal biology.  IUBMB Life 59:299-307 (2007).
• Mackenzie, G. G., Adamo, A. M., Decker, N. and Oteiza, P. I. Dimeric procyanidin B2 inhibits constitutively active NF-κB in Hodgkin's lymphoma cells independently of the presence of IκB mutations. Biochemical  Pharmacology. 75:1461-71 (2008).
•  Fraga, C.G. and  Oteiza, P.I. Flavanols and NF- κB activation: relevance for inflammation and associated diseases. In Dietary Regulation of Cell Signaling, edited by L. Packer, Z. Dong, E. Cadenas, and Y-J. Surh. CRC Press, pp.137-150 (2008).
• Fraga, C.G. and  Oteiza, P.I. Flavanols and procyanidins, rective oxygen species, and NF-κB activation: relevance for disease.  In Free Radical Patophysiology, edited by S. Alvarez, P. Evelson and A. Boveris.  Research Singpost pp. 113-128 (2008).
• Mackenzie, G. G., Queiser, N., Wolfson, M. L., Fraga, C. G., Adamo, A. M., and Oteiza, P. I.  Curcumin induces cell-arrest and apoptosis in association with the inhibition of constitutively active NF-kB and STAT3 pathways in Hodgkin’s lymphoma cells.  International Journal of Cancer 123:56-65 (2008).
• Erlejman, A. G., Jaggers, G., Fraga, C. G., and Oteiza, P. I. TNFα-induced NF-κB activation and cell oxidant production is modulated by hexameric procyanidins in Caco-2 cells. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 476:186-195 (2008).
• Verstraeten, S., Aimo, L. and Oteiza, P. I.  Aluminium and lead: molecular mechanisms of brain toxicity. Archives of Toxicology 82:789-802. (2008).
• Verstraeten, S., Oteiza, P. I and Fraga, C. G. (-)-Epicatechin and related procyanidins modulate intracellular calcium and prevent oxidation in Jurkat T cells.  Free Radical Research  42:864-872 (2008).
• Mackenzie, G. G. and Oteiza, P. I.  Zinc and the cytoskeleton in neuronal signaling. In  Micronutrients and Brain Health, edited by Lester Packer, Helmut Sies, Manfred Eggersdorfer and Enrique Cadenas. CRC Press, pp. 149-161 (2009).
• Mackenzie, G. G., Delfino, J.M., Keen, C.L., Fraga, C.G. and Oteiza, P. I.  Dimeric procyanidins are inhibitors of NFkappaB-DNA binding.  Biochemical. Pharmacology 78:1252-1262 (2009).
• Galleano, M., Oteiza P.I. and Fraga C.G. Cocoa, chocolate and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 54:483-490  (2009).
• Adamo, A. M.,  Zago, M. P, Mackenzie, G.G., Aimo, L., Keen, C. L.,  Keenan, A. and Oteiza, P. I. The role of zinc in the modulation of neuronal proliferation and apoptosis. Neurotoxicology Research 17:1-14 (2010).
• Adamo, A. M. and Oteiza, P. I. Zinc deficiency and neuronal development. Biofactors. Mar;36(2):117-24. (2010)
• Aimo, L., Mackenzie, G. G., Keenan, A. , and Oteiza, P. I.  Gestational zinc deficiency affects the regulation of transcription factors AP-1, NF-kB and NFAT in fetal brain. J. Nut. Biochem. (2010) (in press)