Search Results (373)

Soil salinization critically restricts melon production, and the seed germination stage is particularly vulnerable to saline–alkali stress (SAS). Although silicon (Si) is known to enhance plant stress tolerance, its role in alleviating SAS-induced inhibition of melon seed germination—particularly under combined neutral and alkaline salt stress—remains insufficiently characterized. Here, using the melon cultivar ‘Xinyinhui’, we simulated SAS with a mixture of NaCl and NaHCO₃ and screened for the optimal Si concentration. We then systematically examined physiological, biochemical, and gene expression responses. SAS significantly inhibited germination (20.4% reduction in germination rate; 56.9% in vigor index) and induced oxidative damage (MDA increased by 9.7%; superoxide anion by 170.6%), suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD −28.8%, POD −69.4%), and disturbed starch metabolism. Exogenous Si at 1.25 mmol·L⁻¹ effectively alleviated these effects: The germination rate increased from 71.7% to 88.8%, and SOD and POD activities increased by 26.7% and 63.6%, while MDA and superoxide anion decreased by 7.1% and 16.4%. Si also promoted starch degradation, as indicated by a 13.9% reduction in starch content, 8.4% increase in total amylase activity, and 23.2% upregulation of CmBMY expression. In addition, Si significantly improved root morphology: Root surface area, volume, branch number, and tip number increased by 19.8–326.3%, while the average root diameter decreased by 24.4%. These results suggest that exogenous Si alleviates SAS inhibition of melon seed germination through coordinated regulation of antioxidant defense and starch metabolism rather than through a single pathway. Our findings provide a physiological basis for the potential application of Si fertilizer in melon cultivation under saline–alkali conditions. Full article

Background: Menopause represents a critical physiological transition associated with hormonal changes that influence both metabolic health and quality of life (QoL). Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a common metabolic condition, is closely linked to menopause; however, its independent contribution to QoL impairment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the interplay between menopausal status, metabolic dysfunction, MASLD, and QoL in midlife women. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted including 80 women aged 45–55 years, comprising both premenopausal and menopausal participants. Clinical, anthropometric, biochemical, and imaging data were collected. MASLD was diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging in the presence of metabolic dysfunction. Metabolic assessment included glucose, insulin, liver enzymes, C-reactive protein, and indices of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and sensitivity (QUICKI). QoL was evaluated using the Utian Quality of Life (UQOL) scale. Associations were examined using univariate and multivariable linear regression models. Results: MASLD prevalence was significantly higher in menopausal women compared with non-menopausal women (61.9% vs. 15.8%, p < 0.001). Metabolic parameters, particularly insulin resistance and body mass index, were strongly associated with MASLD. The mean total UQOL score indicated moderate QoL. In multivariable analysis, menopausal status was the only independent predictor of reduced total QoL (b = −4.93, p = 0.01) and occupational health domain (b = −4.60, p = 0.001). MASLD and metabolic parameters were not independently associated with overall QoL. Correlation analyses revealed modest associations between metabolic markers and specific QoL domains, particularly occupational and physical health. Conclusions: Menopause is the primary determinant of reduced QoL in midlife women, particularly affecting functional domains, while MASLD does not independently impact QoL despite its strong association with metabolic dysfunction. These findings suggest that menopausal status may play a more prominent role in quality-of-life outcomes than MASLD in women undergoing the menopausal transition. However, the cross-sectional design does not allow conclusions regarding causal or mechanistic relationships. Full article

In this study, physiological and microbial responses under heat stress conditions were evaluated by analyzing blood biochemical parameters, rumen fermentation characteristics, and rumen microbiome (bacterial community composition) in Holstein dairy cows during the dry period and early lactation under summer conditions in Korea. Fourteen cows were observed during the hot summer month (from the first to the third week of August), with the temperature-humidity index (THI) recorded in the barns during the dry and early lactation periods being 80.80 and 81.66, respectively. Blood and rumen fluid samples were collected to evaluate physiological responses and changes in blood parameters, rumen fermentation, and rumen microbial composition. Blood analysis revealed significant variations between the two stages. Early lactating cows exhibited lower glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and cholesterol levels but higher ketone and aspartate aminotransferase levels, indicating increased energy demands and protein metabolism. A complete blood count showed reduced red blood cell count, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels during the early lactation period, whereas white blood cell counts increased. The levels of heat shock proteins (HSPs), such as HSP27, HSP70, and HSP90, also differed significantly. Rumen fermentation analysis revealed lower ammonia nitrogen concentrations but significantly higher propionate and total volatile fatty acid concentrations during the early lactation period, indicating adaptive changes in rumen function. Rumen microbial analysis revealed significant differences in bacterial diversity and composition. Early lactation cows exhibited relatively high abundances of Bacteroidota and Prevotella, whereas the dry period was dominated by Clostridia and Eubacteriales. Network analysis highlighted shifts in microbial interactions, with specific keystone species identified at each stage. These findings suggest distinct physiological and rumen microbial adaptations in response to HS, with early lactation characterized by heightened metabolic demands and significant shifts in rumen bacterial communities. Such insights could inform tailored management strategies to mitigate the impact of HS on dairy cows during their critical production stages. Full article

Nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) are key gasotransmitters that regulate multiple aspects of plant growth, development, and stress adaptation. Although their individual signaling pathways have been extensively investigated, the integrated mechanisms underlying NO–H₂S crosstalk and its potential agronomic applications remain unclear. This review summarizes current advances in understanding the biochemical interplay between NO and H₂S in plants, emphasizing their synergistic roles in redox regulation, antioxidant activation, ion homeostasis, and photosynthetic protection under abiotic and biotic stresses. Special attention has been given to recent progress in nanotechnology-based delivery systems that enable the controlled, localized, and sustained release of gasotransmitters, thereby improving bioavailability and minimizing environmental losses. Studies on foliar, seed, and nutrient-solution applications have demonstrated that combined NO/H₂S treatments increase stress tolerance by activating the ascorbate–glutathione (AsA–GSH) cycle, reducing the expression of oxidative markers such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and improving both short-term (Fv/Fm, antioxidant enzyme activity) and long-term (biomass, SPAD index, yield) physiological outcomes. By integrating molecular insights with applied strategies, this review outlines the emerging potential of NO–H₂S signaling as a sustainable tool for crop management in the context of climate change and food security. Full article

The phytopathogenic bacterium Pectobacterium carotovorum (Pcc) infects a wide range of crop plants and causes substantial economic losses. The authors of this study previously demonstrated that the selenium–arabinogalactan nanocomposite (Se/AG NC) is capable of mitigating the negative effects of infection of soybean seeds with Pcc during germination and can influence physiological and biochemical factors in the seedlings. This study investigated changes in the membrane fatty acid (FA) profile of soybean seedlings grown under different treatments and in control using chromatography–mass spectrometry (CMS). The soybean seed treatments included the following: (1) infection by Pcc alone; (2) nanopriming with Se/AG NC alone; and (3) infection by Pcc followed by nanopriming with Se/AG NC. The infection was performed by soaking seeds in a bacterial suspension. Nanopriming was performed by placing the seeds in an aqueous solution of Se/AG NC (6.25 µg/mL) with a Se concentration of 0.000625%. Then, the seeds were germinated over 5 days in the darkness at 25 °C. The FA profile of soybean seeds was characterized by 13 FAs dominated by linoleic (LA), linolenic (LNA), oleic (OA), palmitic (PA) and stearic (SA) acids. Se/AG NC nanopriming had no influence on the FA profile of soybean seeds. A unique FA profile of soybean seedlings was demonstrated. It consisted of 18 FAs containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms. The following FAs were dominant in the control samples: PA (28%), LA (32.8%), LNA (18.6%), and SA (7.5%). Pcc infection of the seeds amplified the content of unsaturated FAs. Nanopriming of the seeds with Se/AG NC had an obvious influence on the seedling FA profile. Treatment of soybean seeds infected with Pcc using Se/AG NC caused weakening of the detrimental effects of the pathogen, while giving the possibility to maintain soybean seedlings’ FA profile at the control level. Transcript levels of the GmFAD8-2 gene encoding the membrane-bound omega-3 FA desaturase (FAD) were elevated for soybean seedlings after both Pcc and Se/AG NC seed treatment processes. The FA double-bond index (DBI) grew under the influence of seed infection and dropped under other treatments. Nanopriming of the seeds with Se/AG NC effectively reduced stress in Pcc-infected plants, as evidenced by analysis of the abscisic acid (ABA) content. Variations in the membrane FA composition under nanopriming with Se/AG NC may be one of the forms of its phytoprotective effect. Full article

Allelopathy means that one plant produces chemical substances to affect the growth of other plants. Crop rotation is considered as a potential strategy to alleviate the allelopathic inhibition. So, it is important to identify rotation crops with wide availability and low inhibitory effects. In this study, the allelopathic potential of soil extracts was investigated on the germination, seedling growth, biomass, and biochemical parameters (malondialdehyde, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant enzyme activities) of five crops, by a series of laboratory experiments. Firstly, both soil water extracts (SWE) and soil ethanol extracts (SEE) exhibited allelopathic inhibition on the seed germination and the root length of all seedlings in a dose-dependent relationship. The SWE significantly promoted the shoot length of bok choy and Chinese lettuce, while the SEE had no significant effect in bok choy. The application of SEE resulted in a significant increase in the dry weight of bok choy and rocket. In contrast, SWE had a negligible effect on bok choy and lettuce. Both of them caused decrease in the dry weight of the other seedlings. Then, the allelopathic synthetic effect index of water/ethanol extracts was chemo-inhibitory, and the inhibitory effect increased with increasing extract concentration. The SWE had the strongest inhibition on rocket and the SEE on lettuce. Both of them had the weakest effect on bok choy. The extracts significantly inhibited the photosynthetic capacity in five crops, manifested as decrease in photosynthetic pigments and dose-dependent effects. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content in all crops increased in a dose-dependent manner, confirming that the extracts caused lipid peroxidation. However, the defense strategies of different crops vary significantly. There is crop with active defense, such as bok choy treated with SWE. It delayed oxidative damage by continuously upregulating the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). This is the key physiological mechanism for tolerance. There is also the oxidative stress failure type, as follows: CAT activity of rocket and cabbage increased, but the SOD activity did not increase by SEE. This reveals the physiological essence of their sensitivity—the lack of persistent scavenging ability for reactive oxygen species. Based on the inhibition of peroxidase (POD) and ascorbic acid peroxidase (APX), it is speculated that the extracts may inhibit the hydrogen peroxide scavenging pathway, which centered on the ascorbate–glutathione cycle. It is the fundamental reason why the continuous accumulation of MDA though SOD/CAT is up. This study confirmed the allelopathic effects of the water and ethanol extracts on five vegetable crops, and found that bok choy was less affected by them. The soil extracts affected the growth and development of seedlings by regulating their oxidative metabolism and photosynthetic capacity. These results support recommending pak choi as a rotation crop. This provides crops for subsequent field experiments and a new direction for next-step research on continuous cropping obstacles. Full article

Background/Objectives: β-Caryophyllene is a plant-derived sesquiterpene with recognized therapeutic potential; however, high lipophilicity and low aqueous solubility limit its parenteral application. Nanoemulsion-based systems represent a rational strategy to address these challenges. This study aimed to develop and physicochemically characterize an injectable β-caryophyllene nanoemulsion and to evaluate its preclinical safety following intramuscular administration. Methods: Five nanoemulsions (NBCP1–NBCP5) were prepared by low-energy emulsification using different hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) values and characterized in terms of particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. The optimized formulation (NBCP1) was evaluated in a 14-day subacute intramuscular toxicity study in male Wistar rats (n = 5 per group) at doses of 5 and 15 mg/kg. Clinical observations, food and water intake, body weight, hematological and biochemical parameters, and histopathological analyses of muscle, liver, and kidney tissues were assessed. Results: NBCP1 exhibited favorable physicochemical properties, including a mean particle size of 102.39 nm, PDI of 0.27, zeta potential of −27.5 mV, and encapsulation efficiency of 97.16%, and remained stable under stress conditions. Repeated intramuscular administration did not induce behavioral alterations, changes in consumption patterns, or differences in body weight between the control and treated groups. Hematological and biochemical parameters remained within physiological ranges, and histopathological analysis revealed preserved tissue architecture without inflammatory or degenerative changes. Conclusions: The results support the suitability of NBCP1 as a stable nanoemulsion platform for the parenteral delivery of β-caryophyllene under the evaluated conditions. These findings address the limited information available on injectable formulations of this sesquiterpene and provide a foundation for future pharmacokinetic, longer-term safety, and efficacy studies. Full article

Background: Exposure to anthropogenic and/or natural (e.g., herbicides or mycotoxins) endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been linked to several reproductive disorders. Glyphosate (GLY), a common agricultural agent, is a potential element of the exposome that bioaccumulates and has potential endocrine and oxidative stress-related effects. However, data on its presence in the human ovarian microenvironment remain limited. Our study examined GLY levels in follicular fluid (ff) and serum and their relationships with oxidative stress markers, reproductive hormones, and stress hormones in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: 50 women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation participated. Serum and ff samples were routinely collected during oocyte retrieval. GLY, related hormones (e.g., cortisol, estradiol-E2, anti-Müllerian hormone-AMH, and melatonin-MT), an oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzyme activities, total antioxidant capacity, and co-occurring natural pollutant mycotoxin levels were measured. Relationships between GLY levels and these mediators were assessed using correlation and regression analyses. Results: GLY was detected in both serum and ff at similar concentrations (0.038 ± 0.006 ng/mL vs. 0.045 ± 0.006 ng/mL; p = 0.414). Follicular GLY levels showed a positive association with MDA (Spearman’s r = 0.4487, p < 0.001), explaining 28.6% of the variability in follicular MDA. Serum GLY was positively associated with serum (β = 40.26, p = 0.0058) and follicular E2 (r = 0.29, p = 0.042). Serum GLY levels were negatively correlated with cortisol (β = −0.0188, p = 0.020). A slight correlation between follicular GLY and MT was observed (p = 0.03). No associations were found between GLY levels and age, body mass index, AMH, the recombinant gonadotropin dose used, antioxidant enzyme activities, follicle count, oocyte yield, or embryo viability. Conclusions: This study might be the first to demonstrate the presence of GLY of exposome in human ff, indicating that environmental exposure to GLY may reach the oocyte microenvironment. The correlation with lipid peroxidation suggests GLY could contribute to follicular oxidative stress. The associations with E2 and cortisol point to potential endocrine-disrupting effects. While no direct impact on IVF outcomes was observed, findings suggest low-level exposure to GLY could influence ovarian physiology through specific biochemical mechanisms. Full article

Objective: To evaluate fetal pulmonary artery hemodynamics (PAAT, PAET, PATET) in pregnancies complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and to investigate their association with the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI). Methods: In this prospective study, 64 ICP cases and 64 healthy pregnancies are included. Doppler measurements of the fetal main pulmonary artery, umbilical artery (UAPI), and middle cerebral artery (MCAPI) were performed by a single operator, and all biochemical analyses were conducted in the same laboratory. APRI was calculated using the standard formula. Results: Doppler evaluation demonstrated significantly higher PAAT, PAET, PATET, UAPI, and MCAPI values in the ICP group (all p < 0.05). AST, ALT, and APRI levels were markedly elevated in ICP pregnancies (all p < 0.001). No significant correlation was observed between PATET and APRI (p = 0.368) or fasting bile acid levels (FBA) (p = 0.116), whereas APRI showed a weak positive correlation with FBA (r = 0.308; p = 0.013). Doppler parameters and APRI values did not differ significantly according to cholestasis severity (10–39/≥40/≥100 μmol/L; all p > 0.05). Conclusions: In ICP, fetal pulmonary artery Doppler indices (PAAT, PAET, PATET) and fetoplacental Doppler parameters are increased; the elevation in PATET is consistent with lower—rather than higher—fetal pulmonary vascular resistance, potentially reflecting accelerated fetal lung maturation or a hemodynamic adaptation to ICP-related physiological perturbations. Despite elevated APRI levels, these biochemical changes do not parallel fetal hemodynamic indicators. These findings suggest that fetal hemodynamic effects in ICP may be independent of biochemical disease severity. PATET is best conceptualized as a hemodynamic monitoring variable complementing bile acid assessment in fetal surveillance, not as a standalone screening or prognostic tool. Full article

Whole blood viscosity (WBV) is a key hemorheological property influenced by cellular and biochemical factors and is associated with cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and microcirculatory disorders. Despite its clinical relevance, comprehensive reference intervals for WBV and oxygen delivery indices—the ODI (oxygen delivery index) and TODI (tissue oxygen delivery index)—in healthy male and female adults have not been established. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine sex-specific reference intervals of WBV in healthy adults, (2) establish reference intervals for the ODI and TODI, and (3) evaluate the influence of hematologic, biochemical, lipid, and non-lipid determinants—as well as the effects of age—on systolic and diastolic blood viscosity (SBV and DBV). WBV was measured across nine shear rates (1–1000 s⁻¹) in 150 healthy men and 150 healthy women using an automated scanning capillary tube viscometer (SCTV). Hematologic and biochemical profiles were obtained, and correlations with DBV and SBV were assessed. Reference intervals were calculated using CLSI-recommended nonparametric methods. WBV was consistently higher in men than women across all shear rates, with sex-based differences accentuated at low shear. Hemoglobin and hematocrit showed the strongest positive correlations with WBV (r ≈ 0.77–0.80), while RDW and HDL cholesterol showed negative associations. Triglycerides exhibited strong viscosity-enhancing effects in men, whereas total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides were all significantly increased viscosity in women. Protein-related determinants (total protein, albumin, and γ-gap) displayed striking sex divergence, with strong positive associations in men but attenuated or negative associations in women. Age showed no meaningful relationship with WBV in either sex. Reference intervals for the ODI and TODI revealed modest sex differences with tighter distributions in women. WBV, ODI, and TODI demonstrate clear sex-specific physiological patterns in healthy adults. Hematocrit remains the dominant determinant of blood viscosity, while lipid and protein-related factors contribute differently in men and women. These newly established reference intervals provide essential benchmarks for clinical interpretation and for understanding viscosity-related risk in cardiovascular and microcirculatory disease. Full article

Metal(loid) contamination is a persistent environmental stressor in terrestrial ecosystems, yet field-based evidence linking cumulative soil contamination to physiological responses in social insects remains limited. In this study, we investigated an industrial pollution gradient by measuring soil concentrations of potentially toxic elements across multiple sites and integrating multi-element exposure into a cumulative pollution index. Two ant taxa, Lasius niger (Linnaeus, 1758) and Tetramorium cf. caespitum (Linnaeus, 1758), were sampled using a standardized field design, and biochemical endpoints were assessed to characterize antioxidant defense, thiol-based redox status, oxidative damage, and neuroenzymatic responses. Ant homogenates were analyzed spectrophotometrically for antioxidant enzymes, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and acetylcholinesterase activity compared with the local low-contamination reference site. In addition, PLI showed positive site-level associations with multiple biomarkers, suggesting coordinated covariation between cumulative soil contamination and biochemical responses. Because these analyses were based on site-level mean values and direct tissue metal burdens were not measured, the findings should be interpreted as field-based associations rather than evidence of direct internal dose–response or metal-specific causality. These findings suggest that cumulative soil metal(loid) contamination is linked to integrated oxidative and neuroenzymatic stress responses in ants and support the use of ant-based biomarkers as informative tools for ecological biomonitoring under field conditions. Full article

Aquaculture sustainability in rapidly urbanizing regions is increasingly threatened by heavy metal contamination originating from complex anthropogenic land-use patterns. This study used an integrated model to evaluate the molecular-to-human health continuum in hybrid catfish (Clarias gariepinus × Clarias macrocephalus) sourced from Pathum Thani, Thailand’s primary aquaculture hub. We integrated geospatial land-use data with heavy-metal quantification, oxidative-stress biomarkers, and transcriptional profiling to assess how canal-specific water quality modulates fish health and consumer risk. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in metal concentrations, corresponding to the province’s 27% urban–industrial land-use footprint. While water quality generally met regulatory limits, a pronounced aqueous–biotic discrepancy, “bioaccumulation paradox” was identified at certain sites, where muscle and hepatic tissues exhibited lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) levels that substantially exceeded international safety standards. Biochemical and molecular analyses provided functional evidence of physiological distress, specifically significantly elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and the transcriptional modulation of cat, cyp1a, gpx, met, tnf, and star genes indicated that chronic metal exposure overwhelmed antioxidant defenses and induced potential endocrine disruption. Moreover, human health risk assessments revealed that the hazard index (HI) and target cancer risk (TR) exceeded unacceptable thresholds at multiple hotspots, indicating that Cr is a primary carcinogenic driver. These findings highlight a “GAP Paradox,” where farm-level certifications are insufficient to mitigate risks posed by the surrounding canal network. This study presents vital evidence-based risk profiles that necessitate a transition to a spatially based regulatory framework, incorporating geospatial land-use monitoring into national food safety policies to protect both aquaculture viability and public health. Full article

Sea urchins are invertebrates that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by controlling benthic algal communities and whose natural populations are being affected by different biotic and abiotic factors. Triggering physiological processes promotes the activation of certain metabolic pathways, so oxidative status markers could be a suitable tool to asses maturation stage in which natural populations are. Antioxidant status of three species of Mediterranean Sea urchins, A. lixula, P. lividus and S. granularis, was evaluated in gonadal and digestive tissue. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione s-transferase (GST), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) and lipid peroxidation were assayed. Significant differences were found among species, displaying in general higher antioxidant activity in A. lixula and S. granularis compared to P. lividus. A significant effect of sex was observed with females exhibiting a higher gonadosomatic index and higher levels of lipid peroxidation mainly in A. lixula. These results seem to be related to metabolic fluctuations associated with the gonadal maturation stage. Changes in digestive tissue were less evident, but some differences among species could be related to triggered digestive processes for replenishment of energy reserves in gonads. Oxidative status can be a useful complementary tool to evaluate gonadal condition in species of sea urchin from the same habitat. Integrative physiological and biochemical studies will contribute to the knowledge of invertebrate physiology. Full article

The color of Flammulina filiformis is an important commercial trait, and most natural varieties are yellow. This study focused on a natural white variant strain (CN-01) and a yellow strain (JSH17) of F. filiformis. We conducted physiological index measurement and untargeted metabolomics analysis to systematically evaluate its nutritional quality and preliminarily investigate the metabolic differences associated with its white phenotype. The results showed that the total free amino acid content and sweetness intensity of strain CN-01 were superior to those of strain JSH17, although its bioactive components were comparatively lower. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the differential metabolites between the two strains were predominantly enriched in pathways related to amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and glutathione metabolism. Notably, the aromatic amino acid biosynthesis pathway, which is closely associated with pigment synthesis, was not significantly activated in the white strain, likely serving as the key metabolic reason for the formation of its white phenotype. This study provides a scientific basis for resource evaluation and utilization of natural white F. filiformis and elucidates the biochemical mechanisms underlying its color variation from a metabolic perspective. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) involves complex disturbances in renal microcirculation that may precede overt biochemical evidence of renal dysfunction. This study aimed to characterize early renal perfusion patterns during the emergency department (ED) phase of sepsis, as assessed by the renal resistive index (RRI) and the semiquantitative power Doppler ultrasonography score (SPDUS), and to explore their relationship with subsequent SA-AKI trajectories. Methods: In this prospective observational study, adult ED patients who met the Sepsis-3 criteria were enrolled. Renal perfusion was evaluated using the RRI and SPDUS at ED admission and repeated at the fourth hour. SA-AKI was classified as transient or non-transient based on renal recovery patterns. Trajectory comparisons were performed to identify early physiological differences. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted for descriptive and exploratory assessment of perfusion pattern separation between injury trajectories. Results: Fifty-four patients were included, with 35 classified as transient and 19 as non-transient SA-AKI. Patients with non-transient injury exhibited lower baseline SPDUS₀ grades and higher RRI₀ values compared with those with transient injury. These differences were evident at ED presentation, prior to the initiation of advanced organ support, and persisted at the fourth hour, with the non-transient group continuing to show lower SPDUS₄ and higher RRI₄ values than the transient group. These findings reflect distinct early renal microcirculatory perfusion patterns across SA-AKI trajectories. Sensitivity, specificity, and cut-off values are reported for descriptive and exploratory purposes only and should not be interpreted as validated clinical thresholds. Conclusions: Early alterations in renal microcirculatory perfusion are detectable during the ED phase of sepsis and differ between transient and non-transient SA-AKI trajectories. Baseline RRI and SPDUS values provide physiological insight into early renal perfusion abnormalities and evolving microcirculatory dysfunction in sepsis, but should not be interpreted as predictive tools. Full article