Search Results (532)

Background: Liver fibrosis is a major global public health issue that is only getting worse. The underlying molecular mechanisms of Yindanpinggan Capsule (YDPG), a traditional Chinese medication, are still unknown, although it has shown notable effectiveness in treating fibrosis and other forms of liver injury. Methods: To evaluate the impact of YDPG on liver fibrosis, a mouse model of liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄) was used. Proteomics, deep learning, network pharmacology, and later biological process validation using Western blot were used to elucidate the possible mechanism of YDPG in reducing liver damage. Results: Following YDPG treatment, we observed a decrease in the fibrosis index and an improvement in liver function. Network pharmacology, deep learning, and proteomics collectively identified the ferroptosis and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathways as pivotal in the anti-fibrosis effects of YDPG on the liver. Further experimental results showed that YDPG inhibited Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Fe²⁺ content and increased Glutathione (GSH) activity in fibrotic liver. Mechanistically, both SLC7A11/GSH pathway-mediated ferroptosis and oxidative stress up-regulated by the PPAR γ/GPx4 pathway were alleviated following YDPG treatment. Conclusions: Our present study corroborates that YDPG limits the progression of liver fibrosis by regulating the PPARγ-GPX4-ferroptosis pathway. These results indicate that YDPG could be a potential medication for hepatic fibrosis. Full article

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is a leading bacterial pathogen responsible for severe invasive diseases, including meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia. Current pneumococcal vaccines, which are all based on capsular polysaccharide antigens, provide limited protection and are further compromised by post-vaccination serotype replacement. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), a highly conserved virulence factor expressed across diverse serotypes, has emerged as a promising candidate antigen for novel protein-based vaccines. However, progress in this field has been hindered by the absence of standardized in vitro functional antibody assays. Methods: This study established a robust functional antibody detection method for PspA-based protein vaccines by modifying the conventional multiplex opsonophagocytic killing assay (MOPA), originally designed for polysaccharide-based vaccines. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) typing, a target strain panel was selected and developed to include representative strains from PspA Family 1-Clade 2 and Family 2-Clades 3 and 4. The MOPA protocol was optimized by extending the phagocytic reaction time to enhance sensitivity. Specificity was confirmed through recombinant PspA competitive inhibition assays. Results: The assay demonstrated high linearity (R² ≥ 0.98) between opsonophagocytic index (OI) and serum dilution, along with acceptable repeatability (CV ≤ 30%) and intermediate precision (CV ≤ 50%). Both preclinical and clinical serum samples exhibited potent bactericidal activity against diverse PspA families, independent of capsule type. Conclusions: This study provided a standardized framework to support the development and regulatory assessment of protein-based pneumococcal vaccines. Full article

The increasing consumption of highly processed foods has resulted in a reduced intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, thereby intensifying interest in the development of functional food. This study aimed to enrich fruit mousses with bioactive compounds derived from elderberry extract using an encapsulation strategy. Three formulations were prepared: a control mousse, a mousse enriched via direct addition of the extract, and a mousse supplemented with a nanoemulsion. Comprehensive analyses, including SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), colorimetry, texture and rheological measurements, phenolic acid and flavonoid content, antioxidant and reducing activity, sensory evaluation, and microbiological assessment, confirmed the successful formation of submicron capsules (400–900 nm), effective incorporation of grape seed oil into the fruit mousse formulations, and minimal color alteration (ΔE* < 1). The enriched mousses exhibited slightly higher hardness (7.5%) and adhesiveness (5.4%) as well as enhanced antioxidant and reducing activity compared to the control. Rheological analyses indicated improved structural stability resulting from fortification. Sensory evaluation demonstrated good consumer acceptance, while microbiological analyses suggested a potential shelf-life extension due to inhibited microbial growth. Overall, encapsulation proved to be an effective approach for incorporating elderberry-derived bioactive substances into fruit mousses while preserving product quality. Full article

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood, characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This narrative review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate recent large-scale magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies to clarify the neuroanatomical and functional brain alterations associated with ADHD in children. By addressing current gaps in understanding, this work seeks to identify reliable neurobiological markers that could improve diagnostic accuracy and guide personalized interventions. The literature reveals that large-scale structural MRI studies consistently report abnormal development in total cortical volume and surface area, prefrontal cortex volume, and basal ganglia volume in children with ADHD. Moreover, gray matter alterations show significant age-dependent effects, with the degree of impairment potentially serving as neurobiological markers. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging studies reveal disrupted white matter microstructures in regions such as the left uncinate fasciculus, superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi, corpus callosum, cingulum, and internal capsule. Importantly, these white matter abnormalities often persist into adulthood, highlighting their clinical relevance. Functional MRI findings indicate reduced global connectivity within core hubs of the default mode network in children with ADHD. Furthermore, deficits in inhibitory control identified via fMRI may represent one of the neurofunctional signatures that differentiates ADHD from typically developing controls. By consolidating evidence from large-scale multimodal MRI studies, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the neurodevelopmental alterations in ADHD and underscores their potential utility for improving diagnosis and treatment. Full article

Bacillus anthracis has three main virulence factors: an extracellular capsule and two binary toxins (lethal toxin—consists of a lethal factor and a protective antigen, and edema toxin—consists of an edema factor and a protective antigen). In the Russian Federation, the epidemiological situation regarding anthrax infection remains unfavorable. In the late stages of an anthrax infection, antibiotic therapy becomes ineffective and the patient dies within 24 h as a large amount of lethal toxin accumulates in the patient’s blood. Antibodies capable of neutralising lethal toxin (LT) can be an effective treatment for these patients. The objective of the study was to construct a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting the protective antigen of the LT and to elucidate its mechanism of toxin neutralization. In this work, a chimeric monoclonal antibody (xi1E10) directed against the protective antigen was successfully produced. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the capacity of xi1E10 to neutralize lethal toxin. Confocal microscopy revealed that xi1E10 effectively suppresses the formation of a functional pore, thereby blocking the translocation of the lethal factor into the cytosol. These findings indicate that the monoclonal antibody xi1E10 represents a promising candidate for the development of a therapeutic drug. Full article

Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic yeast and the leading cause of cryptococcosis in humans. The calcium-calcineurin signaling pathway plays a central role in stress adaptation and virulence. To identify the uncharacterized regulators of fungal adaptation, we utilized an integrative systems biology approach, combining differential gene expression and network analysis using transcriptomic data from three key components of the calcium-calcineurin pathway (Cna1, Crz1, and Pmc1). Our workflow identified the CNAG_00522 gene product, which we designated tricalbin 1 (TCB1) due to its conserved calcium and lipid-binding C2 domains. TCB1 expression was found to be regulated by both Cna1 and Pmc1. Network analyses positioned Tcb1 as a bottleneck linking general stress response and cellular processes. Further molecular characterization confirmed that TCB1 expression is temperature and calcium-responsive. Functional studies of the tcb1Δ mutant revealed an enlarged capsule, increased GXM shedding, and enhanced viability under host-mimicking conditions. However, phenotypic screening demonstrated that the tcb1Δ mutant does not display sensitivity to cell wall or osmotic stressors, and TCB1 deletion did not attenuate virulence in the Tenebrio larval model. These findings suggest that TCB1 functions as a specialized regulator of fungal growth at 37 °C, capsule size, and GXM shedding. This study validates our integrative approach for guiding the identification of these complex regulators. Full article

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) produced by actinomycetes of the genus Rhodococcus play crucial roles in their ecological success, metabolic versatility, and biotechnological value. This review summarizes existing studies of Rhodococcus EPSs, emphasizing the biochemical composition, functional attributes, and practical significance of EPSs, as well as their importance in biomedicine, bioremediation, and other applications (food industry, biomineralization) with respect to the EPS chemical composition and biological roles. Rhodococcus species synthesize complex EPSs composed primarily of polysaccharides, proteins and lipids that, like in other bacteria, support cell adhesion, aggregation, biofilm formation, and horizontal gene transfer (and can prevent exogenous DNA binding) and are highly important for resistance against toxicants and dissolution/assimilation of hydrophobic compounds. EPSs produced by different species of Rhodococcus exhibit diverse structures (soluble EPSs, loosely bound and tightly bound fractions, capsules, linear and branched chains, amorphous coils, rigid helices, mushroom-like structures, extracellular matrix, and a fibrillar structure with a sheet-like texture), leading to variations in their properties (rheological features, viscosity, flocculation, sorption abilities, compression, DNA binding, and interaction with hydrophobic substrates). Notably, the EPSs exhibit marked emulsifying and flocculating properties, contributing to their recognized role in bioremediation. Furthermore, EPSs possess antiviral, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferating activities and high viscosity, which are valuable in terms of biomedical and food applications. Despite extensive industrial and environmental interest, the molecular regulation, biosynthetic pathways, and structural diversity of Rhodococcus EPSs remain insufficiently characterized. Advancing our understanding of these biopolymers could expand new applications in biomedicine, bioremediation, and biotechnology. Full article

The Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex is a conserved transcriptional coactivator that coordinates histone modifications and transcriptional regulation in eukaryotes. In Cryptococcus neoformans, SAGA governs key virulence traits, yet the roles of several core scaffold subunits remain undefined. Here, we characterize the functional roles of Spt7, a core SAGA component, in C. neoformans. Comparative genomics revealed that C. neoformans Spt7 retains conserved histone fold and bromodomain motifs. Deletion of SPT7 produced pleiotropic phenotypes, including defective melanization and capsule formation, impaired titan cell development, and heightened sensitivity to thermal, metal, antifungal, and cell wall stresses. The spt7Δ mutant exhibited strong sensitivity to the echinocandin micafungin, implicating Spt7 in maintaining cell wall integrity. The spt7Δ mutant was avirulent in a murine inhalation model. At the chromatin level, SPT7 deletion disrupted SAGA-dependent histone post-translational modifications, increasing H2B ubiquitination while reducing H3K14ac and H3K18ac levels. Proteomic profiling revealed reduced abundance of ribosomal, mitochondrial, and translational proteins and upregulation of lipid metabolic and secretory pathway components. Collectively, our findings establish Spt7 as a central integrator of SAGA-mediated chromatin regulation, proteomic balance, and virulence in C. neoformans and highlight the SAGA core as a potential antifungal target. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Fourth-ventricular epidermoid cysts are rare intracranial lesions. They account for fewer than 1% of all primary brain tumors. Fourth-ventricular epidermoid cysts grow slowly because they are closely related to brainstem, cerebellum, and major blood vessels, so their treatment requires special caution. Because the cyst capsule attaches to functionally sensitive locations, complete removal is usually not possible without compromising some aspect of brain or spinal cord function. Surgical decision-making always involves weighing the need to remove the entire cyst against the potential loss of function of the affected area. The following case study describes how a patient was treated with a focus on the relationship between the cyst and surrounding anatomy, allowing for successful decompression with minimal risk to the patient’s neurologic status. Case Presentation: A young adult female patient was hospitalized with progressive truncal ataxia, disequilibrium and occipital headache accompanied by papilledema. Her physical examination disclosed significant dysfunction of the midline cerebellar region (SARA score = 18/40, ICARS score = 42/100), gaze-evoked nystagmus and bilaterally elevated grade II papilledema. MRI and MRA demonstrated a large, lobulated, nonenhancing, avascular mass located within the fourth ventricle, encroaching upon the dorsal medulla and obstructing both the foramen of Magendie and foramina of Luschka—findings typical of an epidermoid cyst. Microsurgical resection was accomplished via a median suboccipital craniectomy using a telovelar approach along the embryonic cerebellomedullary fissure to protect the integrity of the vermis and brainstem. The cyst contained layers of keratin embedded in a thin, translucent capsule. The capsule was carefully dissected away from the floor of the fourth ventricle. A very narrow band of capsule attached to the rhomboid fossa was intentionally spared to avoid damaging the cranial nerves. The patient had normal cerebrospinal fluid circulation restored and normal ventricular pulsation observed during surgery. Histopathology confirmed a benign epidermoid cyst consisting of keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium containing cholesterol clefts and laminated keratin debris. After surgery, the patient exhibited continuous neurological improvement including restoration of balance, disappearance of her headaches, and normalization of ocular pursuit. Sequential imaging studies were conducted post-operatively at one week, one month, three months, five months, and seven months to document stable decompression of the fourth ventricle, re-expansion of the fourth ventricle, and no evidence of cyst recurrence. Post-operative course was uncomplicated and the patient has remained free of symptoms and fully independent functionally at most recent follow-up. Conclusions: This case illustrates that when anatomically oriented, “maximal safe resection” can result in long-lasting decompression and clinically meaningful improvement in neurological function in patients with fourth-ventricular epidermoid cysts. Restoration of the patient’s natural cerebrospinal fluid pathway and preservation of neural interface relationships is more beneficial than pursuing aggressive removal of the cyst capsule. Although the risk of late recurrence is present even after nearly total removal, continuous radiologic monitoring is necessary to identify any recurrence. These experiences illustrate that with the principles of surgical restraint and anatomical guidance, there can be a balance between long-term stability and low operative risk. Full article

Magnetic localization technology plays a significant role in medical device navigation and human–computer interaction. However, existing localization methods based on local optimization suffer from poor initial solutions and slow convergence. To address the aforementioned challenges, this paper presents a hybrid localization approach, referred to as the Improved Artificial Lemming Algorithm (IALA) Integrated with Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) Optimization. Building upon the Artificial Lemming Algorithm (ALA), the proposed method incorporates an adaptive Gaussian–Lévy hybrid mutation strategy designed to enhance search performance through improved exploration–exploitation dynamics, as quantitatively demonstrated by the diversity-based analysis where IALA maintains higher exploration percentages on multimodal functions while achieving superior optimization results on high-dimensional problems. By introducing a competitive foraging mechanism inspired by the aggressive behavior of the Tasmanian Devil Optimization (TDO) algorithm, it enhances population diversity and search initiative. Furthermore, a time-varying tracking and escape strategy is adopted to improve dynamic optimization performance in complex solution spaces. The proposed method leverages IALA to generate high-quality initial solutions, significantly accelerating the convergence speed and stability of the LM algorithm, thereby improving the overall performance of the permanent magnet localization system. The experimental results show that, using a horizontal test platform of 60 mm × 60 mm with 41 uniformly distributed test points, and acquiring data at vertical heights ranging from 15 mm to 65 mm in 5 mm increments for two distinct orientations of the permanent magnet, the IALA-LM algorithm achieves an average localization success rate of 96.9% over 902 trials, with a mean position error of 1.1 mm and a mean orientation error of 0.17°. Compared with the standard LM algorithm, the proposed IALA-LM algorithm reduces the position error by approximately 66.7% (from 3.3 mm to 1.1 mm) and the orientation error by approximately 94.3% (from 3.0° to 0.17°). Consequently, the proposed method enables high-precision, high-stability, and high-efficiency localization of permanent magnets. It can provide reliable spatial pose estimation support for demanding applications such as miniature implantable or ingestible medical devices (e.g., capsule endoscopy, intramedullary nail fixation, and tumor localization), human–computer interaction, and industrial inspection. Full article

Pomegranate peel, a rich agro-industrial by-product, contains abundant phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, the low stability and bioavailability of these compounds limit their efficacy in animal nutrition. This study investigated the effects of pomegranate peel phenolic extract (PE), either in raw form (PE300) or nano-encapsulated using gum–gelatin nano-capsules (NPE300), on health and growth parameters in newly weaned rabbits. Fifty-four male rabbits (40 days old) were assigned to three treatment groups: PE0 (control), PE300 (300 mg PE/L drinking water), and NPE300 (300 mg nano-encapsulated PE/L drinking water). Over six weeks, growth performance, hematological and immunological profiles, antioxidant status, microbial populations, and carcass traits were evaluated. NPE300 treatment demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity in vitro, with larger inhibition zones against all tested pathogens compared to PE300. In vivo, NPE300 significantly improved body weight gain (945.8 g) and feed efficiency, while also enhancing immune function, evidenced by higher white and red blood cell counts, phagocytic activity, and increased plasma IgG and IgM levels. Antioxidant markers showed that NPE300 significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels and tended to improve total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, intestinal Clostridia counts were reduced, and beneficial microflora significantly increased in the NPE300 group. Carcass weight with edible parts, fur weight, kidney weight, and cecum length were also elevated under NPE300 treatment. In conclusion, nanoencapsulation of PE using gum–gelatin carriers enhanced its bio-efficacy, supporting better redox balance, immunity, gut health, and growth performance in rabbits. These findings support the application of nano-encapsulated PE as a promising natural growth promoter in rabbit production. Full article

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) represents a major global cause of mortality and disability. A primary therapeutic strategy involves promoting angiogenesis in ischemic limbs. The Xuefu Zhuyu Capsule (XFZYC) is widely used in China for treating PAD and demonstrates therapeutic potential; however, the mechanism underlying its pro-angiogenic effect remains unclear. Methods: The components of XFZYC were identified via TCMSP and HERB databases, with network pharmacology and molecular docking predicting its potential targets and pathways. For in vitro validation, drug-containing serum and blank control serum were prepared. Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMEC-1) cells were treated with 1.25%, 2.5%, or 5% serum to determine the optimal concentration using tube formation assays and Western blot (WB) analysis of HIF-1α, HK2, and PFKFB3. The efficacy of XFZYC was further assessed through CCK-8, scratch wound healing, cell adhesion, and tube formation assays. Glycolytic metabolite levels and enzyme activities were measured by colorimetric assays and WB. Results: Network pharmacology screening identified 167 active components in XFZYC and 2967 potential targets. GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses suggested that XFZYC likely promotes the glycolytic pathway via the HIF-1 signaling pathway, specifically mediated by HK2 and PFKFB3. In vitro experiments confirmed that XFZYC enhanced HMEC-1 cell viability, migration, adhesion, and tube formation. Concurrently, it augmented the glycolytic capacity of HMEC-1 cells, manifested by increased glucose consumption, lactate production, enhanced activity of key glycolytic enzymes (HK, PFK, and PK), and upregulated protein expression of PFKFB3. Treatment with 3PO, a glycolytic inhibitor, significantly suppressed these drug-induced effects. Conclusions: XFZYC promotes angiogenesis in endothelial cells by modulating the glycolytic pathway, an effect primarily mediated through the upregulation of PFKFB3 expression. This study offers a preliminary exploration of the underlying mechanisms by which XFZYC may act in the treatment of PAD, thereby providing a new scientific perspective for further understanding its therapeutic effects. Full article

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen commonly found in the environment. It mainly infects immunocompromised individuals, causing cryptococcal pneumonia and meningitis, which result in hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Zinc finger proteins, with zinc finger domains, are common across organisms and serve many biological functions. In this study, we identified and characterized Zfp2, a C₃HC₄-type zinc finger protein, which regulates cell fusion and virulence in C. neoformans. Stress tests showed that the zfp2Δ mutant is hypersensitive to SDS, Congo red, NaCl, KCl, caspofungin, and fluconazole, suggesting that Zfp2 helps maintain cell membrane or wall integrity in C. neoformans. Notably, deleting ZFP2 reduced capsule size, while its overexpression led to capsule enlargement. The zfp2Δ mutants also demonstrated a growth defect at 37 °C. Cell fusion assay showed that Zfp2 is essential for cell fusion during sexual reproduction, as zfp2Δ mutants could not fuse during bilateral mating. To understand why the zfp2Δ mutants failed to fuse, we examined key genes in the pheromone response pathway and found that Zfp2 may affect cell fusion by regulating this pathway. Finally, a virulence test in mice showed that both ZFP2 deletion and overexpression significantly reduced C. neoformans’ virulence. Overall, our research suggests that the zinc finger protein Zfp2 is vital for cell fusion and virulence in C. neoformans. Full article

Introduction: Medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) targets prostate smooth muscle tone for rapid relieve of symptoms and prostate size to prevent disease progression. Recently, EAU guidelines introduced phytomedicines for treatment of LUTS/BPH. Phytosterols may reduce the risk of prostate diseases and seem to be the smallest common denominator between different phytotherapeutic preparations. Thus, we investigated the effects of the highly concentrated phytosterol β-sitosterol on human prostate smooth muscle contraction and cellular functions, including contraction and growth of prostate stromal cells. Materials and Methods: APOPROSTAT^® forte capsules (>70% β-sitosterol, ethanol extract of Pinus pinaster) were dissolved in ethanol. Contractions were induced in human prostate tissues (n = 100) obtained from radical prostatectomy and assessed in organ bath setups. Cytoskeletal organization, proliferation, viability, cytotoxicity, and contraction in stromal cells (WPMY-1) were assessed using phalloidin staining, EdU, colony formation, CCK-8, flow cytometry, and matrix collagen assays. Results: APOPROSTAT^® forte (0.1–30 µg/mL) inhibited adrenergic, non-adrenergic, and neurogenic contractions of human prostate tissues by up to 71%, 69%, and 63%, respectively, in a dose-dependent manner. In WPMY-1 cells, it reduced proliferation and actin organization by up to 67% and 75% after 72 h, without affecting viability or inducing cytotoxicity. Colony formation decreased by up to 60% after 168 h, and contraction in collagen matrix assays was reduced by 57% in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Conclusions: The natural phytosterol β-sitosterol effectively inhibits both prostate contraction and growth with a favorable safety profile, supporting its beneficial role in LUTS management through phytotherapy. Full article

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effects of two high-resistance training (RT) protocols combined with curcumin supplementation on antioxidant capacity, systemic inflammation, bone and muscle health, and body composition. Methods: Eighty-one apparently healthy older adults [(68.2 ± 4.6 years (57% women); BMI 26.4 ± 4.8 kg/m²; minimally active according to IPAQ] were randomly allocated to accentuated eccentric (Aecc), maximal strength (Max), or a non-training control (C). Additionally, participants received either a bio-optimized curcumin formulation (Cur) or a placebo (Pla), resulting in six study groups: Aecc-Cur, Aecc-Pla, Max-Cur, Max-Pla, C-Cur, and C-Pla. Participants underwent pre- and post-intervention assessments of oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone health parameters, whole-body composition, and muscle function. Aecc and Max performed six familiarization sessions and a 16-week intervention. Participants in the curcumin groups received 500 mg/day of a bio-optimized curcumin formulation (Cursol^TM; 2 × 250 mg capsules per day, corresponding to 10.50 mg/day of curcumin) throughout the intervention. Data were analyzed using three-way repeated-measures ANOVA/ANCOVA with time (pre–post) as the within-subject factor and training group and supplementation as between-subject factors, with Least Significant Difference post hoc comparisons and effect sizes (Hedges’ g, ηp²) reported, and the significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: Aecc was the most effective in improving antioxidant capacity (glutathione; F = 25.57, p ≤ 0.001, ηp² = 0.262) and bone biomarkers (serum-procollagen type I N-propeptide—P1NP, p ≤ 0.001, ηp² = 0.504; serum beta C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen—β-CTX—p = 0.022, ηp² = 0.074, and their ratio—P1NP/β-CTX—p ≤ 0.001, ηp² = 0.605). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased more in Aecc (p ≤ 0.001, ηp² = 0.584) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in Max (p ≤ 0.001, ηp² = 0.471). Both groups similarly improved body composition and muscle function. Bone mineral density was generally unchanged. Overall, curcumin supplementation enhanced the benefits of high-RT programs (further glutathione increase in Aecc [Hedge’s g: 0.49]; IL-6 decrease in both modalities [Hedge’s g: 0.48–1.27]; decrease in TNF-α in controls [Hedge’s g: 0.47]; better outcomes in P1NP/β-CTX in all groups [Hedge’s g: 0.46–1.46]; among others). Conclusions: Aecc is recommended for supporting antioxidant capacity and bone health, while the choice between Aecc and Max may depend on the individual’s inflammatory profile. Curcumin supplementation further amplifies the benefits of both RT protocols across most outcome variables. Full article