Serum Inflammatory Parameters Research Articles

Dynamics of Inflammatory Parameters After Endovascular and Open Infrarenal Abdominal Aneurysm Repair

Background: The aim of this paper was to investigate the dynamics of inflammatory parameters in patients after infrarenal abdominal aneurysm surgery.Methods: The retrospective study included patients with operated infrarenalabdominal aneurysm, divided into two groups. First group were patients that underwent endovascular aneurysm repair procedure (EVAR), and second group were patients that had open surgery. General data and inflammatory parameters (CRP, leukocytes, platelets, and fibrinogen) had been taken during hospitalization, compared mutually and analyzed.Main findings:All inflammatory parameters, observed preoperatively, were close to referent range. Serum CRP values in EVAR patients raised after operation, but returned to the reference range more quickly as well as leukocyte count. Around the middle of their own hospital stay and at the day of discharge, the group operated on by the open method had statistically significant higher platelet values than the EVAR group. During the preoperative period and in the middle of hospitalization, the group operated on by the open method shows higher fibrinogen values, while the opposite is at the day of discharge, where the EVAR group shows statistically significantly higher fibrinogen values.Principal conclusions: Observed serum inflammatory parameters (CRP, leukocytes, fibrinogen, and platelets) in different phases of hospitalization were lower; closer to the reference value in patients with infrarenal abdominal aneurysm that underwent EVAR, compared to patients operated by the open surgery method. Also, the observed parameters, except fibrinogen, returned to the reference value faster in patients who underwent EVAR.Key words: abdominal aortic aneurysm, endovascular aneurysm repair, inflammatory parameters

Aerobic exercise 3 times per week in adult rats did not influence the progression of periodontal disease.

Physical exercise has proven efficacy in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases, and its anti-inflammatory effect has been evaluated as a potential preventive factor in the progression of periodontal disease, in addition to improving physiological parameters. To test this hypothesis regarding its preventive factor, we evaluated the effects of aerobic training on the progression of periodontal disease in 8-month-old Wistar rats (n = 44). The animals underwent a swimming protocol lasting six weeks, with periodontal disease induced by ligature in the fifth week, totaling fourteen days of ligature placement. Anthropometric parameters were measured for subsequent calculations of BMI and Lee's Index. Interleukin-1β testing was performed to measure serum inflammatory parameters, and alveolar bone loss was measured using images to calculate the area of loss. The trained animals showed no significant differences compared to the non-trained animals in terms of anthropometric measures. Regarding the area of bone loss, although there were significant differences between the groups with and without periodontal disease, exercise did not demonstrate an impact on rats with the disease. IL-1β analysis did not detect any measurable values in the samples in either group. These findings indicate that the applied exercise protocol was not sufficient to attenuate the progression of periodontal disease. This study did not find an effective impact of physical exercise on the analyzed parameters; however, the results are important in highlighting that the experimental animal model for inducing periodontal disease is efficient, which may encourage further investigations to determine factors that can attenuate its progression. Similarly, the application or development of new exercise protocols that can benefit and enrich the discussion on its positive effects in this disease is important, as there is already evidence suggesting an effective relationship between exercise and disease progression.

Curcumin Co-Encapsulation Potentiates Anti-Arthritic Efficacy of Meloxicam Biodegradable Nanoparticles in Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis Animal Model.

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of curcumin and meloxicam co-loaded PLGA nanoparticles in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. PLGA nanoparticles encapsulating curcumin (nCur) and meloxicam (nMlx) alone and in combination (nCur/Mlx) were used to characterize zeta size and potential, polydispersity index, encapsulation efficiency (%), compound-polymer interactions (FT-IR analysis), and surface morphology (SEM imaging). In vivo, Complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic rats were intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered with curcumin, meloxicam, curcumin plus meloxicam, nCur, nMlx, and nCur/Mlx for 28 consecutive days. Results showed that nCur, nMlx, and nCur/Mlx significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced paw swelling and arthritic score, restored body weight and the immune organ index (thymus and spleen), as well as attenuated serum inflammatory markers (RF, CRP, and PGE2) and oxidative stress parameters (MDA, SOD, and CAT) in adjuvant-induced arthritic rats compared to free compounds. In addition, mono- and dual-compound-loaded nanoparticles significantly (p ≤ 0.05) down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ), and modulated OPG and RANKL expressions in paw tissue. The aforementioned results were further confirmed through radiological and histopathological examinations. Furthermore, the anti-arthritic effect of nCur/Mlx was notably (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced compared to nCur or nMlx alone. In conclusion, the co-nanoencapsulation of curcumin could potentiate the anti-arthritic activity of meloxicam and could provide a novel therapeutic approach for the formulation of nanocarrier pharmaceutical products for the management of arthritis.

Changes in the Maternal Serum Inflammatory Parameters of Pregnant Women with Epilepsy

Changes in the Maternal Serum Inflammatory Parameters of Pregnant Women with Epilepsy

Predictive Value of Acute Phase Proteins for the Short-Term Outcome of Meningoencephalitis of Unknown Origin in Dogs.

Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is one of the most common inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). The study evaluates the possible increase and the potential role of acute phase proteins (APPs) and other inflammatory serum parameters as biomarkers predicting the short-term outcome of dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO). A retrospective cohort study was designed. The APP profile and other markers of systemic inflammation of forty-eight client-owned dogs with a new diagnosis of MUO were compared between 7-day survival and non-survival dogs diagnosed with MUO. Thirty-nine (81%) dogs were alive at the end of the 7-day follow-up period, while 9 (19%) dogs died or were euthanized because of MUO. None of the 11 markers of inflammation studied were different between the survived and non-survived dogs; for this reason, none of them could be used as a predictor of the short-term outcome based on the results of the present study. This confirms that even though MUO is often associated with a severe inflammatory status of the central nervous system (CNS), this condition is probably isolated exclusively to the CNS.

Serum-based parameters as distinctive predictive biomarkers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing curative radiation therapy.

48 Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum immune and inflammatory parameters can help to predict the clinical outcomes in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing curative radiation therapy (RT). Methods: A total of 76 RT courses among 71 patients between January 2014 and April 2019 were analyzed. The following variables were included in the analysis: systemic inflammation index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), absolute lymphocyte count, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), albumin, albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio, RT-related parameters, and levels of total protein, hemoglobin, α- fetoprotein, PIVKA-II, and C-reactive protein. Overall survival (OS), local control (LC), distant control (DC), and intrahepatic control (IHC) rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and graphs were compared using the log-rank test. The multivariate Cox model was used to identify independent prognostic factors. The optimal cutoff values for survival separation were decided using the maximal chi-square test. Results: The mean age was 61.4 years, and most patients were men (n = 62, 81.6%). Most of the study population underwent pre-RT TACE/HAIC (n = 74, 97.4%). The median RT fraction number, fractional doses, and biologically equivalent doses by α/β=10 were 12 (range, 4–30), 5 (range, 2–12) Gy and 72.6 (range, 51.5–119) Gy, respectively. With a median follow-up of 12 (range, 3.1–56.7) months, the 1-year OS, LC, DC, and IHC rates were 55.2%, 88.2%, 64.4%, and 50.5%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, significant independent prognostic indicators were the lowest posttreatment PNI for OS ( P < 0.001), lowest pretreatment LMR for LC ( P = 0.03), and highest posttreatment PLR for DC ( P = 0.006). Conclusions: Distinct serum-based parameters predicted OS, LC, and DC rates. Future research is necessary to confirm our findings.

Analysis of cytokine levels, cytological findings, and MP-DNA level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

The present study was conducted to determine the inflammatory response in the lungs of children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). This study retrospectively analyzed cytokine levels, cytological findings, and M. pneumoniae (MP)-DNA level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 96 children with MPP. The study utilized Spearman's correlation method to evaluate the contribution of BALF and blood parameters in MPP children. (1) A total of 96 MPP children were classified into the Low MP-DNA MPP group (BALF MP-DNA ≤ 105 copies/mL) and the High MP-DNA MPP group (BALF MP-DNA > 105 copies/mL); the Non-fever MPP group (no fever during the entire course of pneumonia) and the Fever MPP group; the Defervescence MPP group (fever had subsided at the time of bronchoscopy) and the Fervescence MPP group; and the Mild MPP group and the Severe MPP group. (2) The High MP-DNA MPP, Fever MPP, Fervescence MPP, and Severe MPP groups had higher levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in their BALF (all p < .05). (3) The proportions of neutrophils and macrophages in the BALF of the High MP-DNA MPP and Fever MPP groups increased and decreased, respectively (all p < .05). (4) In the BALF of MPP children, MP-DNA, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels positively correlated with neutrophil proportion while negatively correlated with macrophage proportion (all p < .05). (5) The MP-DNA, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels in the BALF of MPP children were positively correlated with the levels of C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, lactic dehydrogenase, fibrinogen, and d-dimer, while they were negatively correlated with the albumin level (all p < .05). In children with MPP, the pulmonary inflammatory immune response was stronger in the High MP-DNA MPP, Fever MPP, Fervescence MPP, and Severe MPP groups. The relationship between pulmonary cytokine levels, MP-DNA load, and serum inflammatory parameters were found to be weak.

Modulation of Dietary Fatty Acids in an Open-Label Study Improves Psoriasis and Dampens the Inflammatory Activation Status

Obesity and high abdominal fat mass are risk factors for developing the chronic inflammatory skin disease psoriasis. They are associated with increased incidence, prevalence and severity of the disease. A positive effect of weight loss on psoriasis activity has been shown in several studies. Obesity-related factors such as the dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, the activation of adipose tissue and resultant persistent low-grade inflammation have been discussed as links of obesity and inflammatory diseases. Recently, we demonstrated a critical role of free fatty acids (FFAs) in obesity-mediated exacerbation of psoriatic skin inflammation in both mice and humans. In the present study, we translated these findings into a therapeutic intervention. An open-label study focusing on the dietary reduction of FFAs was conducted in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis, and disease severity and serum markers of inflammation were analyzed. Here, we show that such a dietary intervention improves psoriatic disease activity independently of weight loss. Diet-related metabolic changes, such as a reduction in saturated free fatty acids (SFAs), may thus be more important than weight loss itself. Moreover, dietary intervention inhibited the overall pro-inflammatory activation status in patients, as shown by analysis of serum inflammatory parameters using the Olink platform. From our pilot study, we conclude that dietary intervention focusing on SFA reduction has the capacity to reduce disease activity and general inflammatory status in psoriasis patients.

Association between Posttreatment Serum Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Distant Metastases in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Curative Radiation Therapy.

We sought to investigate whether serum immune and inflammatory parameters can help to predict distant metastasis (DM) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing curative radiation therapy (RT). A total of 76 RT courses were analyzed. The following variables were included in the analysis: systemic inflammation index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), absolute lymphocyte count, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, albumin, albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio, RT-related parameters, and levels of total protein, hemoglobin, α-fetoprotein, and PIVKA-II. Distant control (DC) and overall survival (OS) rates were calculated and compared. The mean age was 61.4 years, and most patients were men (n = 62, 81.6%). The median RT fraction number and fractional doses were 12 (range, 4-30) and 5 (range, 2-12) Gy, respectively. With a median follow-up of 12 (range, 3.1-56.7) months, the 1-year DC and OS rates were 64.4% and 55.2%, respectively. The development of DM significantly deteriorated OS (p = 0.013). In the multivariate analysis, significant independent prognostic indicators for DC and OS rates were the highest posttreatment PLR (≤235.7 vs. >235.7, p = 0.006) and the lowest posttreatment PNI (≤25.4 vs. >25.4, p < 0.001), respectively. Posttreatment serum PLR might be helpfully used as a predictive biomarker of DM in unresectable HCC patients undergoing RT. Future research is necessary to confirm our findings.

Effect of semaglutide and empagliflozin on cognitive function and hippocampal phosphoproteomic in obese mice.

Objective: Based on the 4D label-free phosphoproteomic technique, we examined the differences in cognitive function and hippocampal phosphorylated protein expression in high-fat diet-induced obese mice after the intervention of semaglutide and empagliflozin, as well as the effects of both on protein activity and function in obese mice's hippocampal tissues and the signaling pathways involved. Methods: Thirty-two C57BL/6JC male mice were assigned to two groups randomly: A control group (group C, 10% of energy is from fat, n = 8) and a high-fat diet group (group H, 60% of energy is from fat, n = 24). The high-fat diet-induced obese mice were screened after 12weeks of feeding based on the criterion that the bodyweight of mice in fat rich diet group was greater than or equal to 20% of the average body weight of the mice in the blank control group. Group H separate into group H (n = 8), group Semaglutide (group S, n = 8), and group empagliflozin (group E, n = 8). For a total of 12weeks, group S received 30nmol/kg/d bodyweight of semaglutide intraperitoneally, group E received 10mg/kg/d bodyweight of empagliflozin via gavage, and groups C and H received equal amounts of saline by intraperitoneal injection and gavage. At the end of treatment, the mice were appraised for cognitive function employing the Morris water maze (MWM), and serum fasting glucose, lipids, and inflammatory parameters were measured. The 4D label-free phosphoproteomics method was employed to screen the differential phosphoproteins and loci in hippocampal tissues of mice in different treatment groups, and bioinformatics was used to analyze the biological processes, signaling pathways, and related protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of these differentially phosphorylated proteins. Results: In comparison to normal controls, The escape latency of obese mice induced by high-fat diet was prolonged, the percentage of swimming time in the target quadrant was reduced, and the number of times of crossing the platform was reduced, whereas semaglutide and empagliflozin treatment reduced escape latency, increase the percentage of swim time in the target quadrant and increase the frequency of passing through the platform area, although there is little difference in the effect of the two drugs. The phosphoproteomic results showed 20,493 unique phosphorylated peptides, representing 21,239 phosphorylation sites and 4,290 phosphorylated proteins. Further analysis revealed that the proteins corresponding to these differentially phosphorylated sites are jointly distributed in signaling pathways such as dopaminergic synapses and axon guidance, and are involved in biological processes such as neuronal projection development, synaptic plasticity, and axonogenesis. Notably, the key factors voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1D (CACNA1D), voltage-dependent P/Q-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1A (CACNA1A), and voltage-dependent N-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1B (CACNA1B) were all found to be involved in the dopaminergic synapse pathway, and their expression was upregulated by semaglutide and empagliflozin. Conclusion: We found for the first time that a high-fat diet decreased CACNA1D, CACNA1A, and CACNA1B protein serine phosphorylation, which may affect neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and cognitive function in mice. Notably, semaglutide and empagliflozin increased the phosphorylation of these proteins.

Association of serum lipoproteins and inflammatory parameters derived from the blood test with renal function in COVID-19 outpatients

Association of serum lipoproteins and inflammatory parameters derived from the blood test with renal function in COVID-19 outpatients

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Test the Effects of a Nutraceutical Combination Monacolin K-Free on the Lipid and Inflammatory Profile of Subjects with Hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Nutraceutical combinations (NCs) against hypercholesterolemia are increasing in the marketplace. However, the availability of NCs without monacolin K is scarce even though the statin-intolerant population needs it. Methods: This study is a parallel-group, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. We evaluated the effects of the NC containing phytosterols, bergamot, olive fruits, and vitamin K2 on lipid profile and inflammatory biomarkers in 118 subjects (mean age ± SD, 57.9 ± 8.8 years; 49 men and 69 women) with hypercholesterolemia (mean total cholesterol ± SD, 227.4 ± 20.8 mg/dL) without clinical history of cardiovascular diseases. At baseline and 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, we evaluated lipid profile (total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides), safety (liver, kidney, and muscle parameters), and inflammatory biomarkers such as hs-CRP, leukocytes, interleukin-32, and interleukin-38 and inflammatory-microRNAs (miRs) miR-21, miR-126, and miR-146a. Results: Compared to the placebo, at 6 and 12 weeks, NC did not significantly reduce total cholesterol (p = 0.083), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.150), and triglycerides (p = 0.822). No changes were found in hs-CRP (p = 0.179), interleukin-32 (p = 0.587), interleukin-38 (p = 0.930), miR-21 (p = 0.275), miR-126 (p = 0.718), miR-146a (p = 0.206), myoglobin (p = 0.164), and creatine kinase (p = 0.376). Among the two reported, only one adverse event was probably related to the nutraceutical treatment. Conclusions: The evaluated nutraceutical combination did not change serum lipid profile and inflammatory parameters, at least not with the daily dose applied in the present study.

The impact of understanding the difference in response of TNFa and CXCL13 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis concerning treatment strategy of both diseases

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are chronic inflammatory conditions that damage joints and impair patient’s physical fitness. Despite sharing many drugs in their treatment guidelines, they have many differences in their pathogenicity. It is generally understood that a mismatch between pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokine activity promotes autoimmune and chronic inflammation. However, it is still unclear how cytokines are arranged within such complex signaling pathways, and hence which cytokine would be the better target for the evolution of treatments.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 71 patients, 45 with RA, and 26 with AS. According to the type of the treatments, RA patients were divided into three groups (1,2,3), and AS patients were divided into 2 groups (4,5) Data collection was made by clinical examination and specially designed questionnaire form. Five to seven milliliters of blood were collected, centrifuged and the serum was stored at -24 C till the time of assay. Serum TNFa, CXCL13, and ICAM1 were determined by the ELISA. CRP is measured by the photometric method, and ESR by the Wintrobe method. Data were analyzed statistically utilizing the SPSS program (version 26).Results: Eighty-two percent of patients with RA were females, and (18%) were males, their mean age was (51.84 ± 10.74) years and their mean weight was (73.28 ± 13.17) Kg. Regarding AS, (4%) of the patients were females and (96%) were males, with a mean age was (41.88 ± 10.95) years and mean weight was (78.67 + 13.4) Kg. Serum inflammatory parameters except ICAM1 were significantly higher in patients with RA than in those with AS, regardless of the treatment type.Conclusion: TNFa is significantly correlated with DAS-CRP, ASDAS in patients with RA and AS but its level is significantly higher in patients with RA. Serum CXCL13 correlates with disease activity in patients with RA and could be used as a target for the evolution of new treatments while it has a minor role in patients with AS.

P-175 Local inflammatory biomarkers and their association with systemic inflammation as well as overall survival in primary metastatic gastroesophageal cancer patients

Immunotherapy has recently led to a major breakthrough in the treatment of metastatic gastroesophageal cancer patients. Yet, further analyses of large trials investigating checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy or combination with standard chemotherapy suggest, that only a subgroup of patients might benefit from addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy. Despite these advances, prognosis remains poor, especially in patients with Caucasian ethnicity. Thus, novel prognostic as well as predictive biomarkers are desperately needed to improve patient management. Further knowledge on the complex local inflammatory mechanisms might help to improve our understanding on the efficacy of immunotherapy. Thus, the aim of this study was to further characterize local inflammatory processes in patients with advanced gastroesophageal cancer and investigate their association with systemic inflammation as well as the overall survival (OS). We analyzed local inflammatory biomarkers for T-cells (CD3, CD8), macrophages (CD68) and immune checkpoint inhibition (Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3)) in previously untreated, primary tumor tissue samples of advanced gastroesophageal cancer patients treated at the Medical University of Vienna between 2003 and 2016. FFPE tissue was stained using an automated immunohistochemistry slide staining system (Roche Ventana Medical Systems Inc., Tucson, AZ, USA). Analyses of the immunohistochemical staining was performed by Definiens Tissue Studio 4.0 software. Systemic serum inflammatory parameters including leucocyte levels (WBC), C-reactive protein levels (CRP) and albumin (Alb) as well as the OS was evaluated retrospectively by hospital chart review. Local inflammatory parameters were then associated with systemic parameters and the OS using log-rank test and Kruskal-Wallis-test. Primary tumor tissue samples (localization: 29% esopheageal, 25% gastroesophageal junction, 46% stomach; histological subtype: 77% adenocarcinoma, 23% squamous cell carcinoma) of 48 patients (65% male) were analyzed. CD3 was positive in 5.6%, CD8 in 1.8%, CD68 in 2.4% and LAG3 in 0.24% of analyzed cells. Slides were then divided by the median expression into samples with more positive and less positive cells. The median OS of the cohort was 7.6 months (95%CI 5.3-9.9). Local inflammatory biomarker could not be statistically significantly associated with the OS (CD3: p=0.317; CD8: p=0.905, CD68: p=0.369; LAG3: p=0.428). In addition, no clinically significant association with systemic inflammatory parameters could be identified (CD3: CRP p=0.168, WBC p=0.706, Alb p=0.849; CD8: CRP p=0.214, WBC p=0.275, Alb p=0.340; CD68: CRP p=0.499, WBC p=0.992, Alb p=0.181; LAG3: CRP p=0.766, WBC p=0.384), only Alb was associated with LAG3 expression (p=0.048). Local inflammation might play an important role as a prognostic and predictive tool. However, the understanding of local inflammation in gastroesophageal cancer is still scarce and, thus, further research is warranted to identify promising novel biomarkers. Additional staining for further local inflammatory markers as well as expansion of sample size are underway to further characterize the local inflammatory microenvironment in advanced gastroesophageal cancer patients.

Association between selected serum inflammatory parameters, low FT3 and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 - single center observation

Association between selected serum inflammatory parameters, low FT3 and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 - single center observation

Chitosan-Encapsulated Nano-selenium Targeting TCF7L2, PPARγ, and CAPN10 Genes in Diabetic Rats

This study investigates the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of chitosan-encapsulated selenium nanoparticles in streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. Glibenclamide was used as a reference antidiabetic drug. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were used along the study and divided equally into 6 groups of (I) normal control, (II) chitosan-encapsulated selenium nanoparticles (CTS-SeNPs), (III) glibenclamide, (IV) streptozotocin (STZ), (V) STZ + CTS-SeNPs, and (VI) STZ + Glib. The animals were sacrificed on the 35th day of the experiment. Serum glucose, insulin, IGF-1, ALT, AST, CK-MB, oxidative stress, lipid profile, and inflammatory parameters were subsequently assessed. Also, the expression level of TCF7L2, CAPN10, and PPAR-γ genes were evaluated using qPCR. In addition, histopathological studies on pancreatic tissue were carried out. The results revealed that STZ induced both diabetes and oxidative stress in normal rats, manifested by the significant changes in the studied parameters and in the physical structure of pancreatic tissue. Oral administration of CTS-SeNPs or Glib results in a significant amelioration of the levels of serum fasting blood glucose, insulin, IGF-1, AST, ATL, and CK-MB as compared with STZ-induced diabetic rats. CTS-SeNPs and Glib diminished the level of lipid peroxidation, increased total antioxidant capacity level, as well as possessed strong inhibition against serum α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. Diabetic animals received CTS-SeNPs, or Glib demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the expression level of TCF7L2 and CAPN10 genes with a significant increase in the expression level of PPAR-γ gene, compared to STZ group. The above findings clarify the promising antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of CTS-SeNPs, recommending its inclusion in the currently used protocols for the treatment of diabetes and in the prevention of its related complications.Graphical abstract

Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Inflammatory Parameters: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Magnesium (Mg) may have several beneficial effects on human health outcomes. One hypothesized mechanism eliciting such effects is the action of Mg on serum inflammatory parameters. However, studies on this topic to date have several important limitations. Therefore, the present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the current state of the art of all randomized control trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of Mg supplementation versus placebo on serum parameters of inflammation. We searched several databases until 23 November 2021 for RCTs. Eligible studies were RCTs investigating the effect of oral Mg supplementation vs. placebo and having serum inflammatory markers as an outcome. Among 2484 papers initially screened, 17 randomized controlled trials (889 participants; mean age: 46 years; females: 62.5%) were included. Generally, a low risk of bias was present. In meta-analysis, Mg supplementation significantly decreased serum C reactive protein (CRP) and increased nitric oxide (NO) levels. In descriptive findings, Mg supplementation significantly reduced plasma fibrinogen, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase type 5, tumor necrosis factor-ligand superfamily member 13B, ST2 protein, and IL-1. In conclusion, Mg supplementation may significantly reduce different human inflammatory markers, in particular serum CRP and NO levels.

Cordycepin from Medicinal Fungi Cordyceps militaris Mitigates Inflammaging-Associated Testicular Damage via Regulating NF-κB/MAPKs Signaling in Naturally Aged Rats

Inflammaging in male reproductive organs covers a wide variety of problems, including sexual dysfunction and infertility. In this study, the beneficial effects of cordycepin (COR), isolated from potential medicinal fungi Cordyceps militaris, in aging-associated testicular inflammation and serum biochemical changes in naturally aged rats were investigated. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into young control (YC), aged control (AC), and COR (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) treated aged rat groups. Aging-associated serum biochemical changes and inflammatory parameters were analyzed by biochemical assay kits, Western blotting, and real-time RT-PCR. Results showed a significant (p < 0.05) alteration in the total blood cell count, lipid metabolism, and liver functional parameters in AC group when compared with YC group. However, COR-treated aged rats ameliorated the altered biochemical parameters significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, respectively). Furthermore, the increase in the expression of inflammatory mediators (COX-2, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tissue necrosis factor-alpha) in aged rat testis was significant (p < 0.05) when compared with YC group. Treatment with COR at 20 mg/kg to aged rats attenuated the increased expression of inflammatory mediators significantly (p < 0.05). Mechanistic studies revealed that the potential attenuating effects exhibited by COR in aged rats was mediated by regulation of NF-κB activation and MAPKs (c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and p38) signaling. In conclusion, COR restored the altered serum biochemical parameters in aged rats and ameliorated the aging-associated testicular inflammation proving the therapeutic benefits of COR targeting inflammaging-associated male sexual dysfunctions.

Effect of periodontal treatment on serum inflammatory parameters and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A randomized controlled trial.

Several descriptive studies have shown an association between periodontitis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but clinical trials evaluating the effect of periodontal treatment on serological inflammatory parameters or disease activity in SLE patients are very limited. The aim of this study was to see how periodontal treatment affects the status of SLE patients. Ninety patients with active SLE and periodontitis were randomly assigned to one of two groups: case (oral hygiene instructions + scaling and root planning) or control (oral hygiene instructions only). Periodontal parameters, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) levels were monitored at baseline and 3 months later. Periodontal parameters in the case group were significantly reduced both statistically and clinically after 3 months. However, in the control group, these indices decreased statistically (P < 0.05) but not clinically. The score of SLEDAI in both the groups showed a significant downward trend (P < 0.05) from the start of the study, but the differences in this index between the two groups were not statistically significant (P = 0.894). Although there was a significant decrease in CRP and ESR (P = 0.001) after 3 months in the case group, indicating a positive effect of periodontal treatment on inflammation reduction, there was no significant decrease in CRP and ESR in the control group. According to our findings, it appears to be no statistically significant association between periodontal treatment and SLEDAI level. However, this treatment seems to be effective in reducing acute phase biomarkers such as CRP and ESR.

Association between serum inflammatory parameters and the disease severity in COVID-19 patients.

ObjectiveMost patients infected with the novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2), as the causative agent of COVID‐19 disease, show mild symptoms, but some of them develop severe illness. The purpose of this study was to analyze the blood markers of COVID‐19 patients and to investigate the correlation between serum inflammatory cytokines and the disease severity.MethodsIn this prospective cross‐sectional study, 50 patients with COVID‐19 and 20 patients without COVID‐19 were enrolled. According to ICU admission criteria, patients were divided into two groups of non‐severe and severe. Differences in the serum levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), IL‐6, and TNF‐α, as well as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lymphocytes (LYM) count, and neutrophils (NEU) count between the two groups were determined and analyzed.ResultsOut of the 50 patients with COVID‐19, 14 were diagnosed as severe cases. There was no significant difference between the two groups of COVID‐19 patients in terms of gender and age. Blood tests of COVID‐19 patients showed a significant decrease and increase in NEU and LYM counts, respectively. There were significant differences in the serum levels of IL‐6, TNF‐α, and CRP between the severe and non‐severe groups, which were higher in the severe group.Also, there was a significant correlation between the disease severity and CRP with ESR (r = 0.79), CRP with IL‐6 (r = 0.74), LYM with NEU (r = −0.97), and ESR with TNF‐α (r = 0.7).ConclusionThe findings of this study, as the first study in Iran, suggest that the levels of IL‐6, TNF‐α, ESR, and CRP could be used to predict the severity of COVID‐19 disease.