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31 pages, 1326 KB  
Review
Bidirectional Interactions Between Cervicovaginal Microbiota and Human Papillomavirus Drive Persistence and Disease Progression
by Daniel Osmar Suárez-Rico, Lourdes del Carmen Rizo de la Torre, Martin Zermeño-Ruiz, Luis Ricardo Balleza-Alejandri, Jesús Jonathan García-Galindo, Héctor Montoya-Fuentes and Alberto Beltrán-Ramírez
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(12), 5616; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27125616 (registering DOI) - 22 Jun 2026
Abstract
Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection is a critical prerequisite for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer, yet viral factors alone do not fully explain why most infections clear while a subset persists and progresses. Emerging longitudinal, multi-omics, and mechanistic evidence supports a plausible [...] Read more.
Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection is a critical prerequisite for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer, yet viral factors alone do not fully explain why most infections clear while a subset persists and progresses. Emerging longitudinal, multi-omics, and mechanistic evidence supports a plausible model in which the cervicovaginal microbiota is not a passive bystander but a functional determinant of mucosal immunity, epithelial barrier integrity, and local metabolic tone. Lactobacillus-dominant community states, particularly those enriched in Lactobacillus crispatus, are generally associated with lower pH, regulated inflammatory signaling, stronger barrier function, and a higher likelihood of HPV clearance. In contrast, anaerobe-enriched dysbiosis is linked to elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, altered antigen presentation, immune checkpoint signatures consistent with T-cell dysfunction, and metabolic shifts involving lactate depletion and accumulation of short-chain fatty acids and other metabolites that can influence epithelial and immune-cell programs. Importantly, the interaction is bidirectional: hrHPV can remodel the microenvironment by suppressing host defense peptides and perturbing mucosal barriers, thereby reducing Lactobacillus fitness and reinforcing dysbiosis in a feed-forward loop that favors persistence and oncogenic progression. This review integrates functional ecology, longitudinal clinical evidence, immunological and metabolic mechanisms, and translational implications, highlighting opportunities for microbiome-informed risk stratification and adjunctive interventions, as well as key gaps requiring standardized longitudinal multi-omics and rigorously designed clinical trials. Full article
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27 pages, 7817 KB  
Article
Fermented Dendrobium officinale Ameliorates Sleep Deprivation-Induced Depressive-like Behaviors by Attenuating Neuroinflammation and Restoring 5-HT Synthesis via the Gut–Brain Axis
by Youmeng Chen, Xiaojie Zheng and Xin Zhang
Foods 2026, 15(12), 2237; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15122237 (registering DOI) - 21 Jun 2026
Abstract
Chronic sleep deprivation (SD) disrupts gut–brain axis (GBA) homeostasis and is closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis, neuroinflammation, and depression-like behaviors. This study investigated whether fermentation enhances the antidepressant-like effects of Dendrobium officinale by comparing fermented Dendrobium officinale (FDO) with unfermented Dendrobium officinale [...] Read more.
Chronic sleep deprivation (SD) disrupts gut–brain axis (GBA) homeostasis and is closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis, neuroinflammation, and depression-like behaviors. This study investigated whether fermentation enhances the antidepressant-like effects of Dendrobium officinale by comparing fermented Dendrobium officinale (FDO) with unfermented Dendrobium officinale (DO) in a chronic SD mouse model. FDO significantly ameliorated anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in SD mice. It reshaped gut microbial structures, enriched beneficial bacteria taxa such as Dubosiella, [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group, and Allobaculum, and increased SCFA levels. FDO also enhanced colonic ZO-1 and Occludin expression and reduced serum levels of LPS and the pro-inflammatory cytokines. At the central nervous system level, FDO inhibited the activation of hippocampal microglia and astrocytes; alleviated neuroinflammation; restored hippocampal TPH2, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and 5-HIAA levels; and modulated the 5-HT1A/5-HT2A receptor balance. In addition, FDO upregulated BDNF, PSD-95, and SYN expression and reduced corticosterone (CORT) levels. Compared with DO, FDO showed more pronounced regulatory effects. Correlation analysis suggested that 5-HT may link gut microbial metabolites, inflammation, and synaptic plasticity. In summary, these findings support FDO as a potential GBA-targeted functional food for SD-related depressive-like behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biological Activities of Functional Food (3rd Edition))
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17 pages, 5935 KB  
Article
Polyphenols Suppress Intracellular Zinc Deficiency-Induced ROS Production and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Microglial and Neuronal Cells
by Ayumi Matsushita, Maki Kimura, Naoko Tajima, Tsuyoshi Yamanaka and Masato Inazu
Biomolecules 2026, 16(6), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16060920 (registering DOI) - 21 Jun 2026
Abstract
Zinc deficiency is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of intracellular zinc depletion on oxidative stress and inflammasome activation in microglial (SIM-A9) and neuronal (SH-SY5Y) [...] Read more.
Zinc deficiency is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of intracellular zinc depletion on oxidative stress and inflammasome activation in microglial (SIM-A9) and neuronal (SH-SY5Y) cell models, and evaluated the protective effects of polyphenolic compounds. Intracellular zinc chelation with the membrane-permeable chelator TPEN markedly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, reduced cell viability, and upregulated the mRNA expression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In contrast, extracellular zinc chelation had no effect, highlighting the critical role of intracellular zinc homeostasis in maintaining redox balance. Zinc supplementation significantly attenuated these responses. Among 32 polyphenols screened by DPPH radical scavenging assay, caffeic acid derivatives—chicoric acid (ChA), rosmarinic acid (RA), and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)—exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity, surpassing that of edaravone. These compounds suppressed ROS production and differentially protected against zinc deficiency-induced cellular damage. ChA showed the strongest ROS inhibitory activity (IC50: 1.9 µM in SIM-A9), RA provided robust cytoprotection even at low concentrations, and CAPE most effectively suppressed inflammasome-related gene expression and inhibited aggregation of both Aβ1–42 and the highly neurotoxic pyroglutamate-modified variant pEAβ3–42. These findings demonstrate that intracellular zinc deficiency drives ROS-dependent upregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes, and suggest that caffeic acid derivative polyphenols may serve as complementary agents for mitigating neuroinflammatory and amyloidogenic processes relevant to Alzheimer’s disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Value of Natural Compounds as Therapeutic Agents: 3rd Edition)
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27 pages, 1708 KB  
Review
Molecular and Cellular Signaling Pathways of the Effects of Hypoxia and Hypercapnia on the Mechanisms of Neuroinflammation
by Pavel A. Chekulaev, Georgy M. Zembatov, Eugenia D. Namiot, Tatiana M. Alekseeva, Ivan K. Ternovykh, Zaripat S. Manasova, Vladimir P. Kulikov, Natalia S. Andriutsa and Pavel P. Tregub
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(12), 5579; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27125579 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026
Abstract
Recovery after an ischemic stroke depends not only on neuronal survival but also on inflammatory mechanisms that determine secondary injury and reparative plasticity. This review summarizes the evidence on hypoxic conditioning, permissive hypercapnia, and their combined application as modulators of neuroinflammation and neurorehabilitation. [...] Read more.
Recovery after an ischemic stroke depends not only on neuronal survival but also on inflammatory mechanisms that determine secondary injury and reparative plasticity. This review summarizes the evidence on hypoxic conditioning, permissive hypercapnia, and their combined application as modulators of neuroinflammation and neurorehabilitation. This review does not aim to describe the fundamental mechanisms of neuroinflammation, but rather to examine how hypoxia, hypercapnia, and their interaction provide potential targets for its modulation. Prolonged or severe hypoxia exacerbates neuroinflammation through NF-κB activation, NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and microglial activation. In contrast, controlled intermittent hypoxia in pre-/postconditioning protocols suppresses inflammatory processes, promotes reparative microglial phenotypes, activates PI3K/Akt-dependent survival pathways, and modulates the fractalkine/CX3CR1 axis. Permissive hypercapnia also has context-dependent immunomodulatory properties: moderate exposure may reduce NF-κB-driven inflammation, oxidative damage, apoptosis, and blood–brain barrier disruption, whereas prolonged hypercapnia, especially with hypoxemia, may enhance inflammasome activation and microglial reactivity. Therefore, combined intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia may act as a therapeutic stimulus integrating anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, barrier-stabilizing, and neuroplastic mechanisms. Clinical evidence regarding ischemic stroke and cerebral palsy is encouraging but limited. Future studies should determine optimal gas exposure protocols, precisely define the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects, and establish whether pharmacological potentiation using modulators of the NLRP3, PI3K/Akt, BDNF/TrkB, and JNK signaling pathways is feasible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Neuroinflammation)
18 pages, 22421 KB  
Article
Alginate Oligosaccharide Alleviates Severe Acute Pancreatitis in Mice via Suppression of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Modulation of Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Integrity
by Xianglong Ou, Yi Dai, Xiangyue Hu, Yuan Liu, Shibin Yuan, Le Wang, Bangyuan Wu and Tingting Fang
Biomolecules 2026, 16(6), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16060917 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026
Abstract
Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a life-threatening inflammatory disorder characterized by high mortality and limited therapeutic options. Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS), a marine-derived bioactive polysaccharide, exhibits prebiotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are effective against various inflammatory diseases. In this study, a mouse model [...] Read more.
Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a life-threatening inflammatory disorder characterized by high mortality and limited therapeutic options. Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS), a marine-derived bioactive polysaccharide, exhibits prebiotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that are effective against various inflammatory diseases. In this study, a mouse model of SAP was established by intraperitoneal injection of cerulein (100 μg/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (5 mg/kg), and the mice were pretreated with AOS (200 mg/kg) by gavage for 4 consecutive weeks to explore the potential protective efficacy and underlying mechanisms. The results shown that AOS attenuated the severity of SAP, as evidenced by reduced serum amylase and lipase levels, as well as alleviated histopathological injury in both pancreatic and ileal tissues. AOS suppressed the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in serum, pancreas, and ileum at protein or mRNA levels. Moreover, AOS effectively diminished pancreatic and ileal inflammatory infiltration and oxidative stress in SAP mice, accompanied by inhibited the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and activated the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidant axis. Furthermore, AOS restored intestinal barrier integrity, as manifested by upregulated expression of tight junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin, ZO-1), reduced serum diamine oxidase, and decreased bacterial translocation from the gut to the pancreas. It was revealed by 16S rRNA sequencing that AOS ameliorated SAP-induced gut dysbiosis by restoring microbial diversity, normalizing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, enriching beneficial genera (Lactobacillus, Blautia), and enhancing cecal short-chain fatty acid (acetic, propionic, butyric acid) production. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that AOS exerts comprehensive protective effects against SAP through suppression of inflammatory signaling and oxidative stress, as well as restoring gut homeostasis. These results suggest that AOS may serve as a promising prebiotic-based nutritional strategy for the management of SAP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural and Bio-derived Molecules)
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19 pages, 6981 KB  
Article
Gastroprotective Effects of Tordylium trachycarpum Extract Against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Injury: Involvement of Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms
by Venos Saeed Abdullah, Kamaran Younis M. Amin and Hawraz Ibrahim M. Amin
Gastrointest. Disord. 2026, 8(2), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/gidisord8020029 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Tordylium trachycarpum Boiss. (Apiaceae) is traditionally used in Kurdish ethnomedicine for the management of gastrointestinal disorders; however, its pharmacological efficacy and safety profile remain insufficiently investigated. This study evaluated, for the first time, the gastroprotective activity and associated antioxidant, inflammatory, and apoptotic [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Tordylium trachycarpum Boiss. (Apiaceae) is traditionally used in Kurdish ethnomedicine for the management of gastrointestinal disorders; however, its pharmacological efficacy and safety profile remain insufficiently investigated. This study evaluated, for the first time, the gastroprotective activity and associated antioxidant, inflammatory, and apoptotic responses of the methanolic extract of T. trachycarpum using an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in Sprague–Dawley rats. Methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, coumarins, and glycosides. Acute oral toxicity testing demonstrated no signs of toxicity at doses up to 5 g/kg. Gastric ulceration was induced by absolute ethanol, and animals were pretreated with the extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) or omeprazole (20 mg/kg). Results: The extract significantly decreased the gastric lesion area from 258.50 ± 6.38 mm2 in the ulcer control group to 143.70 ± 0.76 mm2 and 115.50 ± 0.76 mm2, corresponding to ulcer inhibition rates of 44.41% and 55.31%. Additionally, the extract increased mucus production, maintained mucosal structure, and raised stomach pH. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] and a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating attenuation of oxidative stress. In addition, the extract modulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10). Blood-based ELISA analysis demonstrated increased expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and reduced Bax levels, suggesting anti-apoptotic activity. Conclusions: These findings indicate that T. trachycarpum exerts significant gastroprotective activity through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms, supporting its traditional use and highlighting its potential as a natural therapeutic candidate for the management of gastric ulcers. Full article
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21 pages, 4270 KB  
Article
Cardiac Macrophages Exhibit Dynamic Heterogeneity and Functional Specialization During Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis
by Monika Stefanska, Marta Kot, Damian Koterba and Joanna Zeyland
Cells 2026, 15(12), 1110; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15121110 (registering DOI) - 19 Jun 2026
Viewed by 426
Abstract
Autoimmune myocarditis frequently progresses to inflammatory cardiomyopathy through dysregulated immune–stromal interactions. This study employs single-nuclei RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) to profile 46,233 cardiac nuclei from the experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) mouse model at four timepoints: day 0 (healthy), day 14 (inflammation), day 21 (acute inflammation), [...] Read more.
Autoimmune myocarditis frequently progresses to inflammatory cardiomyopathy through dysregulated immune–stromal interactions. This study employs single-nuclei RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) to profile 46,233 cardiac nuclei from the experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) mouse model at four timepoints: day 0 (healthy), day 14 (inflammation), day 21 (acute inflammation), and day 40 (late cardiac remodelling). Single-nuclei RNA profiling identified 18 transcriptionally distinct cell populations. Global cell–cell communication analysis revealed a dramatic peak of intercellular signalling at day 14 (5907 interactions), with fibroblast subpopulations and macrophages as dominant hubs, followed by partial resolution at day 21 (2264 interactions) and renewed remodelling at day 40 (4862 interactions). Subclustering of the macrophage compartment identified five subpopulations: Mac-TLF, Mac-MHCII, Mac-rMHCII, Mac-ResL, and Classical Monocytes. Tissue-resident macrophages (Mac-TLF, CCR2-) dominated at healthy state (~55%) but were rapidly depleted at day 14, coinciding with a dramatic influx of recruited CCR2+ macrophages (Mac-rMHCII), which expanded to over 70% of the compartment and maintained dominance through day 40. At inflammation (day 14), the expanded Mac-rMHCII subpopulation displayed a strongly pro-inflammatory signature (Il1b, Stat2, Parp14, Apoe), and the overall macrophage compartment was enriched for cytokine response, Fc-gamma receptor, and Notch signalling pathways, while downregulating homeostatic and mitochondrial metabolic programmes, potentially contributing to impaired efferocytosis and cardiomyocyte dysfunction. Macrophage-centred communication networks expanded markedly at day 14 (1047 interactions), with resting fibroblasts (FB-R) as the primary signalling partner, driving pro-inflammatory stromal activation marked by upregulation of Ccl2, Ccl7, and Csf2. Intra-macrophage subcluster communication also intensified at this timepoint (447 interactions). These findings delineate the temporal and functional heterogeneity of cardiac macrophages during EAM progression and identify key immune–stromal interactions driving pathological cardiac remodelling. The coexistence of pro-inflammatory and transitional reparative macrophage subsets highlights the limitations of broad immunosuppression and supports precision strategies targeting CCR2-mediated recruitment, the SPP1 signalling axis, and macrophage–fibroblast crosstalk as therapeutic avenues in myocarditis and its progression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Cardiac Repair and Regeneration)
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23 pages, 4981 KB  
Article
Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Extraction Optimization, Structural Characterization, and Alleviating Effects of Tremella fuciformis Polysaccharides on Ulcerative Colitis
by Zhenhua Fan, Qiuyun Li and Weiliang Wu
Foods 2026, 15(12), 2207; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15122207 - 18 Jun 2026
Viewed by 85
Abstract
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFPS) exhibit anti-inflammatory and gut-microbiota-modulating activities, but conventional extraction methods often show limited efficiency and may affect polysaccharide structural integrity. This study optimized a deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based extraction method with potential environmental advantages for TFPS, characterized the major purified [...] Read more.
Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFPS) exhibit anti-inflammatory and gut-microbiota-modulating activities, but conventional extraction methods often show limited efficiency and may affect polysaccharide structural integrity. This study optimized a deep eutectic solvent (DES)-based extraction method with potential environmental advantages for TFPS, characterized the major purified fraction, and evaluated its effects in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis model. Extraction parameters for the choline chloride–lactic acid DES system were refined through single-factor testing combined with response surface methodology. The purified fraction TFPS-1 was characterized by chromatographic, spectroscopic, methylation, and NMR analyses, and its biological effects were assessed in DSS-treated mice. Under the optimized conditions, the TFPS yield reached 33.09 ± 1.52%, representing a 77.6% increase compared with hot-water extraction. TFPS-1 was identified as a low-molecular-weight glucan mainly containing α-(1→4)- and β-(1→6)-linked glucose residues. In experimental colitis mice, TFPS-1 alleviated body weight loss, colon shortening, and histopathological injury; increased mucus secretion and barrier-related gene expression; reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines; increased IL-10; and partially adjusted gut microbiota composition. These results indicate that DES-based extraction is an efficient strategy for preparing TFPS and provide evidence that TFPS-1 may be further explored as a food-derived polysaccharide ingredient for intestinal protection in experimental colitis-related contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods)
8 pages, 1151 KB  
Brief Report
Regulation of Pre-Osteoblasts Seeded onto Titanium and Zirconia Through Modification by Hydrofluoric Acid and LPS Challenge
by Joao Moura Neto, Larrisa M. S. C. Raucci, Ana Carolina Chagas, Mariana Ferreira Caraschi, Isabela Massaro Ribeiro, Taisa Nogueira Pansani, Carlos Alberto de Souza Costa and Fernanda Gonçalves Basso
Dent. J. 2026, 14(6), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14060378 - 18 Jun 2026
Viewed by 106
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Surface modifications of implants aim to mimic bone tissue and provide a more suitable environment for cell metabolism. Several modifications have been proposed, and in addition to evaluating the effects of these treatments on cell behaviour, it is also essential to determine [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Surface modifications of implants aim to mimic bone tissue and provide a more suitable environment for cell metabolism. Several modifications have been proposed, and in addition to evaluating the effects of these treatments on cell behaviour, it is also essential to determine the response of these cells to an inflammatory environment. This investigation evaluated the behaviour of murine pre-osteoblasts seeded onto acid-treated titanium and zirconia surfaces subjected to inflammatory challenge. Methods: Discs were manually polished using abrasive paper and then subjected to surface modification by hydrofluoric acid through distinct protocols according to each material. Surface topography and roughness were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ImageJ software (Version 2.16). Then, MC3T3 cells were seeded onto the discs for 24 h and subsequently exposed to lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) from Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) (1 μg/mL) for 4 h at 37 °C. The cells were then evaluated for viability, oxidative response, and gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Results and Conclusions: Both materials were affected by acid treatment, resulting in more irregular topography and increased surface roughness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Dental Implantology)
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23 pages, 43918 KB  
Article
20(S/R)-Ginsenoside Rh1 Alleviates AOM/DSS-Induced Colorectal Cancer: Gut-Microbiota Modulation and Tryptophan-Metabolism-Mediated AhR/PXR Activation and IDO1
by Linqian Lu, Jinyu Min, Yansong Gao, Ge Yang, Zijian Zhao, You Kang, Yujuan Zhao, Lei Zhao and Shengyu Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(12), 5477; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27125477 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 165
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is intricately linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis and tryptophan (Trp) metabolic dysregulation. This study aimed to clarify the role and mechanisms of 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 in suppressing colorectal cancer through the regulation of gut microbiota and Trp metabolism. Azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is intricately linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis and tryptophan (Trp) metabolic dysregulation. This study aimed to clarify the role and mechanisms of 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 in suppressing colorectal cancer through the regulation of gut microbiota and Trp metabolism. Azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)was employed to induce a CRC mouse model, followed by treatment with 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 at 100 mg·kg−1·day−1 for 6 weeks. 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI) score, restored colon length, and decreased tumor count. 20(S/R)-Ginsenoside Rh1 ameliorated gut dysbiosis by increasing gut microbial diversity and elevating the prevalence of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, and stimulated the production of indole derivatives, including indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) by enriching Trp -metabolizing bacteria such as Lactobacillus reuteri. These changes further activated the AhR/CYP1A1/IL-22 and PXR/TLR4 pathways, upregulated the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, suppressed the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IFN-γ, and elevated the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Furthermore, 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 reduces the serum kynurenine (Kyn)/Trp ratio, downregulates the expression of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), a marker of regulatory T (Treg) cells, and increases the number of CD8+ T cells by inhibiting the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in colonic tissue. In conclusion, 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 showed potential anti-CRC activity, with our study observing links between its action and gut microbiota structure regulation, Trp metabolism modulation, AhR/PXR-mediated intestinal barrier activation, and IDO1-related immune suppression reversal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Pharmacology)
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28 pages, 7751 KB  
Article
Mild Heat Stimulating and Microenvironment Reprogramming Hydrogel for Accelerating Diabetic Wound Healing
by Xueting Xiao, Yannan Liu, Dan Li, Lebin Wang, Zirui Hu, Xinliang Xing, Yali Ding, Xurun Wang, Ruifan Zhang, Jing Yang and Xiaoxuan Ma
Gels 2026, 12(6), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12060542 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 184
Abstract
Diabetic wounds are characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, excessive ROS accumulation, sustained inflammation, and impaired angiogenesis, yet current treatments remain suboptimal. To address these challenges, we developed a mild heat stimulating and microenvironment reprogramming hydrogel (termed C-4-N) via a green synthetic strategy. L-Arginine (L-Arg) [...] Read more.
Diabetic wounds are characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, excessive ROS accumulation, sustained inflammation, and impaired angiogenesis, yet current treatments remain suboptimal. To address these challenges, we developed a mild heat stimulating and microenvironment reprogramming hydrogel (termed C-4-N) via a green synthetic strategy. L-Arginine (L-Arg) triggered the spontaneous self-polymerization of protocatechuic aldehyde (PA) into poly (protocatechuic aldehyde) (PPA) nanoparticles, onto which ginsenoside Compound K (CK) was subsequently loaded, yielding CK/L-Arg/PPA nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were then uniformly embedded into a dynamic disulfide network composed of α-lipoic acid (LA)-modified chitosan (CS-LA) and 4-arm-PEG-SH under UV irradiation without toxic photo-initiators, forming the C-4-N hydrogel. The C-4-N hydrogel reprogrammed the diabetic wound microenvironment through three synergistic mechanisms, lowering blood glucose and scavenging ROS via the coordinated actions of LA, CK and PPA, promoting M1-to-M2 macrophage polarization via downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-β1), further amplified by mild photothermal stimulation of 40–43 °C. In a diabetic rat model, the C-4-N hydrogel achieved a near-complete wound closure rate of 99.49 ± 0.10% on day 13 upon mild photothermal stimulation, accompanied by enhanced re-epithelialization, organized collagen deposition, vascular maturation, and systemic glucose regulation. In summary, this green synthesized, mild heat-stimulating hydrogel establishes a synergistic microenvironment reprogramming paradigm for chronic diabetic wound managements. Full article
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16 pages, 1427 KB  
Article
Baseline-Dependent Immunometabolic Responses During Prolonged Intermittent Fasting: A Secondary Integrative Analysis
by Zulrahman Erlangga, Samaneh Souita, Imad Hamdan, Yurdagül Zopf, Christoph Gutenbrunner, Abdulhadi Suwandi and Boya Nugraha
Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1954; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121954 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 201
Abstract
Background: Prolonged intermittent fasting is associated with metabolic and immune adaptation; however, the extent to which transcriptional immune responses translate into systemic inflammatory changes, and how these processes relate to autophagy, senescence-associated signaling, and inflammasome regulation, remains incompletely understood. Methods: This study represents [...] Read more.
Background: Prolonged intermittent fasting is associated with metabolic and immune adaptation; however, the extent to which transcriptional immune responses translate into systemic inflammatory changes, and how these processes relate to autophagy, senescence-associated signaling, and inflammasome regulation, remains incompletely understood. Methods: This study represents a secondary integrative analysis of a previously characterized cohort of healthy young men undergoing Ramadan fasting. Longitudinal data across four time points (T1–T4) were re-analyzed, integrating targeted mRNA profiling of autophagy-, senescence-, and inflammasome-related genes with circulating cytokines and clinical parameters. Baseline-stratified regression and exploratory clustering were applied to assess inter-individual variability. Results: Fasting was associated with modest reductions in body weight (−1.78 ± 1.44 kg, FDR < 0.001) and BMI (−0.56 ± 0.47 kg/m2, FDR < 0.001), without hemodynamic instability. Autophagy-related transcripts (ULK1, ATG5) were upregulated, while senescence markers showed divergent regulation (p53↑, p21↓). Inflammasome-related genes (NLRP3, IL1B) increased at the transcriptional level; however, circulating IL-1β and IL-6 remained stable and TNFα decreased (FDR < 0.001), indicating dissociation between transcriptional priming and systemic cytokine output. ΔNLRP3 was inversely associated with baseline expression (β = −1.88, R2 = 0.31, p = 0.0056), suggesting baseline-dependent transcriptional responsiveness. Responses followed a continuous spectrum rather than discrete subtypes. Conclusions: Prolonged intermittent fasting is associated with coordinated immunometabolic remodeling characterized by transcriptional changes in autophagy-, senescence-, and inflammasome-related pathways, without systemic inflammatory escalation. Inflammasome-related responses appear baseline-dependent, suggesting graded immunological responsiveness rather than a uniform activation. These findings are hypothesis-generating and support the interpretation of fasting as a graded immunometabolic modulator rather than a uniform pro-inflammatory stimulus within the limitations of a secondary exploratory analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Interplay Between Nutrition, Fasting, and Metabolic Health)
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20 pages, 6560 KB  
Article
Akkermansia muciniphila Alleviates Enterococcus faecalis-Exacerbated Alcoholic Liver Injury by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Barrier Function
by Xin Sui, Songhui Feng, Weitao Wang, Xin Zhang, Yang Liu and Nan Peng
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(12), 5474; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27125474 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 151
Abstract
Cytolysin-positive Enterococcus faecalis is a key pathogen in severe alcoholic hepatitis, yet the mechanisms through which it worsens disease and possible therapeutic strategies remain poorly understood. This study aimed to clarify the pathogenic effects of E. faecalis in acute alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) [...] Read more.
Cytolysin-positive Enterococcus faecalis is a key pathogen in severe alcoholic hepatitis, yet the mechanisms through which it worsens disease and possible therapeutic strategies remain poorly understood. This study aimed to clarify the pathogenic effects of E. faecalis in acute alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and to assess the protective potential of Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk11) against this pathogen. Using a mouse model of acute ethanol gavage, animals received E. faecalis and/or Akk11 under prophylactic or therapeutic regimens. Assessments included liver injury markers, histopathology, lipid profiles, inflammatory cytokines, gut barrier integrity, and gut microbiota composition. E. faecalis exacerbated ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis and injury, showing a paradoxical effect: it increased histological damage while lowering circulating LPS and transaminases. This was linked to upregulated hepatic autophagy (increased Atg7) and reduced cholesterol, yet it promoted neutral lipid accumulation. Importantly, E. faecalis aggravated gut dysbiosis by markedly enriching the pro-inflammatory pathobiont Helicobacter typhlonius and impairing colonic barrier function. Intervention with Akk11 alleviated liver injury, reduced lipid accumulation and oxidative stress, and restored cytokine balance. Akk11 also strengthened gut barrier integrity, lowered serum endotoxin, and beneficially reshaped the microbiota. Prophylactic administration was particularly effective, normalizing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio, suppressing H. typhlonius, and enriching beneficial Bacteroides sartorii. This study confirms the pathogenic role of E. faecalis in acute ALD and establishes A. muciniphila (Akk11) as a promising microbiota-targeted therapy, which protects against liver injury by reinforcing the gut barrier, selectively modulating microbiota, and reducing inflammation, with prophylactic administration showing superior efficacy. Full article
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11 pages, 947 KB  
Systematic Review
Decoding Inflammation in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Serum Cytokines as Biomarkers of Disease Severity and Treatment Outcome—Systematic Review
by Anna Tekielak, Karina Polak, Aleksandra Frątczak and Beata Bergler-Czop
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(12), 4699; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15124699 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 94
Abstract
Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with systemic features, characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts. Pro-inflammatory cytokines may serve as biomarkers of disease severity, inflammatory burden, and therapeutic response. The aim of this article is to [...] Read more.
Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with systemic features, characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts. Pro-inflammatory cytokines may serve as biomarkers of disease severity, inflammatory burden, and therapeutic response. The aim of this article is to systematically review the current evidence on serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with HS and to evaluate their potential utility as biomarkers of disease activity and personalized treatment guidance. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, with Google Scholar used as a supplementary source. The search included English-language publications from 2015 to 2026. The following keywords were used in combination: “cytokines”, “serum”, “hidradenitis suppurativa”, and “markers”. In addition, reference lists and citations of eligible full-text articles were manually screened. Eligible studies for inclusion were peer-reviewed, original human studies reporting serum cytokine levels in patients with HS. Reviews, meta-analyses, case reports, editorials, letters, in vitro and animal studies, conference abstracts without the full text available, non-serum studies, and thematically unrelated publications were excluded. Results: Database searches identified records in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar, of which three PubMed studies met the inclusion criteria. Manual screening of reference lists and citations identified three additional eligible publications. Overall, six studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis. The included studies reported elevated serum levels of key inflammatory mediators, including IL-17A, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-23, IL-18, and soluble TNF receptors, in patients with HS compared to healthy controls. Several cytokines were associated with disease severity, and selected markers showed changes during biologic treatment. Stratification into immunological endotypes based on cytokine profiles and clinical features was also proposed. Conclusions: Pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially those involved in the IL-1β–IL-17 axis, show potential as biomarkers of disease severity and treatment response in HS. Their assessment may support future personalized therapeutic strategies. However, current evidence remains limited by small study numbers and methodological heterogeneity. Further large-scale prospective and longitudinal studies are required before serum cytokine profiling can be implemented in routine clinical practice. Full article
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16 pages, 2981 KB  
Article
MicroRNA-30c-1-3p Alleviates Hypoxia-Induced Cardiomyocyte Dysfunction via Tnrc6a Targeting
by Jung-Won Choi, Seongtae Jeong, Seung Eun Jung, Soyeon Lim, Byeong-Wook Song, Seahyoung Lee, Gyoonhee Han and Sang Woo Kim
Biomedicines 2026, 14(6), 1364; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14061364 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 195
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Myocardial infarction (MI) remains a leading cause of death worldwide, primarily resulting from abrupt coronary occlusion that induces severe hypoxia and extensive cardiomyocyte loss. Hypoxia triggers mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, ultimately compromising cardiac function and promoting adverse cardiac [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Myocardial infarction (MI) remains a leading cause of death worldwide, primarily resulting from abrupt coronary occlusion that induces severe hypoxia and extensive cardiomyocyte loss. Hypoxia triggers mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, ultimately compromising cardiac function and promoting adverse cardiac remodeling. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of cardiomyocyte survival and stress responses under ischemic conditions; however, the functional roles and molecular mechanisms of many hypoxia-responsive miRNAs remain insufficiently defined. Methods: In this study, we focused on miR-30c-1-3p, which is markedly downregulated during the early phase of MI, and investigated its functional role in hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury. We identified trinucleotide repeat-containing 6A (Tnrc6a), a key component of the miRNA-induced silencing complex, as a potential downstream target. Using primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, we performed gain- and loss-of-function experiments, luciferase reporter assays, and Tnrc6a knockdown analyses to evaluate apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine secretion, and release of myocardial injury-related proteins. Results: Restoration of miR-30c-1-3p significantly attenuated hypoxia-induced pro-apoptotic signaling, reduced inflammatory cytokine release, and decreased myocardial injury markers. These protective effects were associated with regulation of the miR-30c-1-3p/Tnrc6a axis. Conclusions: Collectively, our findings identify a previously unappreciated functional role of the miR-30c-1-3p/Tnrc6a axis in hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury and highlight its potential relevance in myocardial stress adaptation. Full article
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