Optimised stress - intensification of pyocyanin production with zinc oxide nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Pyocyanin is a blue pigment produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Due to its unique redox properties over the last decade, it has gained more and more interest as a utile chemical. Nevertheless, it remains a rather costly reagent. It was previously shown that the production of pyocyanin can be enhanced by employing various methods. Among them are using statistical methods for planning the experiments or exposing bacterial cultures to stressors such as nanoparticles dosed in sublethal concentrations, e.g. zinc oxide nanoparticles. RESULTS: The Design of Experiment (DoE) methodology allowed for calculating the optimal process temperature and nanoparticle concentration to intensify pyocyanin production. Low concentrations of the nanoparticles (6.06 µg/mL) and a temperature of 32℃ enhanced pyocyanin production, whereas higher concentrations of nanoparticles (275.75 µg/mL) and higher temperature stimulated biomass production and caused the abolishment of pyocyanin production. Elevated pigment production in zinc oxide nanoparticles-supplemented media was sustained in the scaled-up culture. Conducted analyses confirmed that observed stimulation of pyocyanin production is followed by higher membrane potential, altered gene expression, generation of reactive oxygen species, and accumulation of zinc in the cell's biomass. CONCLUSIONS: Pyocyanin production can be steered using ZnO nanoparticles. Elevated production of pyocyanin due to exposure to nanoparticles is followed by the number of changes in physiology of bacteria and is a result of the cellular stress. We showed that the stress response of bacteria can be optimised using statistical methods and result in producing the desired metabolite more effectively.

The Effect of a Rotating Magnetic Field on the Regenerative Potential of Platelets.

Platelets are actively involved in tissue injury site regeneration by producing a wide spectrum of platelet-derived growth factors such as PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor), IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor), TGF-ß1 (transforming growth factor ß), FGF (fibroblast growth factor), etc. A rotating magnetic field (RMF) can regulate biological functions, including reduction or induction regarding inflammatory processes, cell differentiation, and gene expression, to determine the effect of an RMF on the regenerative potential of platelets. The study group consisted of 30 healthy female and male volunteers (n = 15), from which plasma was collected. A portion of the plasma was extracted and treated as an internal control group. Subsequent doses of plasma were exposed to RMF at different frequencies (25 and 50 Hz) for 1 and 3 h. Then, the concentrations of growth factors (IGF-1, PDGF-BB, TGF-ß1, and FGF-1) were determined in the obtained material by the ELISA method. There were statistically significant differences in the PDGF-BB, TGF-ß1, IGF-1, and FGF-1 concentrations between the analyzed groups. The highest concentration of PDGF-BB was observed in the samples placed in RMF for 1 h at 25 Hz. For TGF-ß1, the highest concentrations were obtained in the samples exposed to RMF for 3 h at 25 Hz and 1 h at 50 Hz. The highest concentrations of IGF-1 and FGF-1 were shown in plasma placed in RMF for 3 h at 25 Hz. An RMF may increase the regenerative potential of platelets. It was noted that female platelets may respond more strongly to RMF than male platelets.

An effective antibiofilm strategy based on bacteriophages armed with silver nanoparticles.

The emerging antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is a key problem in modern medicine that has led to a search for novel therapeutic strategies. A potential approach for managing such bacteria involves the use of their natural killers, namely lytic bacteriophages. Another effective method involves the use of metal nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties. However, the use of lytic phages armed with nanoparticles as an effective antimicrobial strategy, particularly with respect to biofilms, remains unexplored. Here, we show that T7 phages armed with silver nanoparticles exhibit greater efficacy in terms of controlling bacterial biofilm, compared with phages or nanoparticles alone. We initially identified a novel silver nanoparticle-binding peptide, then constructed T7 phages that successfully displayed the peptide on the outer surface of the viral head. These recombinant, AgNP-binding phages could effectively eradicate bacterial biofilm, even when used at low concentrations. Additionally, when used at concentrations that could eradicate bacterial biofilm, T7 phages armed with silver nanoparticles were not toxic to eukaryotic cells. Our results show that the novel combination of lytic phages with phage-bound silver nanoparticles is an effective, synergistic and safe strategy for the treatment of bacterial biofilms.

The effect of a rotating magnetic field on the antioxidant system in healthy volunteers - preliminary study.

Oxidative stress is characterized by an excessive concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from a disturbance in the balance between ROS production and their removal by antioxidant systems (SOD, CAT, GPx). Prolonged and intense oxidative stress can cause various forms of damage to cells, which markers are total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reactive oxygen species modulator (ROMO1), and malondialdehyde (MDA). It has been demonstrated that magnetic fields can positively affect human health, for example, by reducing oxidative stress. Determination of the effect of a rotating magnetic field (RMF) on the activity/concentration of selected oxidative stress markers. A group of 30 healthy volunteers (15 women and 15 men) (mean age 24.8 ± 5.1) in the study classified into the following groups: internal control group (CG);1 h 25 Hz (samples placed in the field for one hour at 25 Hz); 3 h 25 Hz (samples placed in the field for 3 h at 25 Hz), the 1 h 50 Hz group ( placed in RMF for an hour at 50 Hz), and a group of 3 h 50 Hz (samples placed in the field for 3 h at 50 Hz). Serum samples were collected in K2EDTA tubes.. The magnetic induction value obtained for RMF is 37.06 mT and 42.64 mT.Activity/concentration of selected oxidative stress markers was analyzed by ELISA. The influence of an RMF on the activity/concentration of SOD, MDA, TAC, and ROMO1 was demonstrated (p < 0.001; p = 0.0013; p < 0.001; p = 0.003). The RFM can reduce oxidative stress, as evidenced by higher SOD and CAT activities in the CG than in samples placed in the RFM. Prolonged exposure to the RFM at 50 Hz increased the TAC level, indicating an intensification of oxidative stress in these samples. The optimal conditions for staying in the RFM (reducing oxidative stress) are 1 h 50 Hz for SOD and MDA; 3 h 25 Hz for CAT and TAC. In the case of ROMO1, it is stated that 1 h 25 Hz are the optimal conditions for no increased production of ROS.

Bacteriophage-based approach for treatment of urinary tract infections: a quick outlook.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections affecting millions worldwide. The increasing emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a serious concern in managing UTIs. Therefore, there is a growing interest in using bacteriophages as an alternative or adjunct therapy for UTIs. Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and kill bacteria, making them a promising tool for treating UTIs caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This article provides a quick outlook on using bacteriophages to treat UTIs. We summarize the current understanding of the biology of bacteriophages, the challenges associated with developing phage-based therapies, and the promising results of several case reports and clinical trials. We also highlight the potential of phage therapy as a valuable tool in the fight against antibiotic-resistant UTIs. This quick outlook on a bacteriophage-based approach for treating UTIs offers a timely and informative summary of the current research in this field.

Response Surface Methodology Application for Bacteriophage-Antibiotic Antibiofilm Activity Optimization.

Phage-antibiotic combination-based protocols are presently under heightened investigation. This paradigm extends to engagements with bacterial biofilms, necessitating novel computational approaches to comprehensively characterize and optimize the outcomes achievable via these combinations. This study aimed to explore the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in optimizing the antibiofilm activity of bacteriophage-antibiotic combinations. We employ a combination of antibiotics (gentamicin, meropenem, amikacin, ceftazidime, fosfomycin, imipenem, and colistin) alongside the bacteriophage vB_AbaP_AGC01 to combat Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm. Based on the conducted biofilm challenge assays analyzed using the RSM, the optimal points of antibiofilm activity efficacy were effectively selected by applying this methodology, enabling the quantifiable mathematical representations. Subsequent optimization showed the synergistic potential of the anti-biofilm that arises when antibiotics are judiciously combined with the AGC01 bacteriophage, reducing biofilm biomass by up to 80% depending on the antibiotic used. The data suggest that the phage-imipenem combination demonstrates the highest efficacy, with an 88.74% reduction. Notably, the lower concentrations characterized by a high maximum reduction in biofilm biomass were observed in the phage-amikacin combination at cA = 0.00195 and cP = 0.38 as the option that required minimum resources. It is worth noting that only gentamicin antagonism between the phage and the antibiotic was detected.

The Use of Stem Cells as a Potential Treatment Method for Selected Neurodegenerative Diseases: Review.

Stem cells have been the subject of research for years due to their enormous therapeutic potential. Most neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD) are incurable or very difficult to treat. Therefore new therapies are sought in which autologous stem cells are used. They are often the patient's only hope for recovery or slowing down the progress of the disease symptoms. The most important conclusions arise after analyzing the literature on the use of stem cells in neurodegenerative diseases. The effectiveness of MSC cell therapy has been confirmed in ALS and HD therapy. MSC cells slow down ALS progression and show early promising signs of efficacy. In HD, they reduced huntingtin (Htt) aggregation and stimulation of endogenous neurogenesis. MS therapy with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) inducted significant recalibration of pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory components of the immune system. iPSC cells allow for accurate PD modeling. They are patient-specific and therefore minimize the risk of immune rejection and, in long-term observation, did not form any tumors in the brain. Extracellular vesicles derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC-EVs) and Human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (hASCs) cells are widely used to treat AD. Due to the reduction of Aß42 deposits and increasing the survival of neurons, they improve memory and learning abilities. Despite many animal models and clinical trial studies, cell therapy still needs to be refined to increase its effectiveness in the human body.

Enhancement of Inhibition of the Pseudomonas sp. Biofilm Formation on Bacterial Cellulose-Based Wound Dressing by the Combined Action of Alginate Lyase and Gentamicin.

Bacterial biofilms generally contribute to chronic infections, including wound infections. Due to the antibiotic resistance mechanisms protecting bacteria living in the biofilm, they are a serious problem in the wound healing process. To accelerate the wound healing process and avoid bacterial infection, it is necessary to select the appropriate dressing material. In this study, the promising therapeutic properties of alginate lyase (AlgL) immobilised on BC membranes for protecting wounds from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection were investigated. The AlgL was immobilised on never dried BC pellicles via physical adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of AlgL was 6.0 mg/g of dry BC, and the equilibrium was reached after 2 h. The adsorption kinetics was studied, and it has been proven that the adsorption was consistent with Langmuir isotherm. In addition, the impact of enzyme immobilisation on bacterial biofilm stability and the effect of simultaneous immobilisation of AlgL and gentamicin on the viability of bacterial cells was investigated. The obtained results showed that the AlgL immobilisation significantly reduced the amount of polysaccharides component of the P. aeruginosa biofilm. Moreover, the biofilm disruption by AlgL immobilised on BC membranes exhibited synergism with the gentamicin, resulting in 86.5% more dead P. aeruginosa PAO-1 cells.

Proteomic and lipidomic biomarkers in the diagnosis and progression of inflammatory bowel disease - a review.

PURPOSE: There is an increasing prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to date, no effective treatment has been developed and the exact etiology of this disease remains unknown. Nevertheless, a growing number of proteomic and lipidomic studies have identified certain proteins and lipids which can be used successfully in patients to improve diagnoses and monitoring of treatment. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We have focused on the applications of proteins and lipids for IBD diagnostics, including differentiation of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), treatment monitoring, monitoring of clinical state, likelihood of relapse, and their potential for novel targeted treatments. RESULTS: Analysis of protein and lipid profiles can: improve the availability and use of diagnostic markers; improve understanding of the pathomechanisms of IBD, for example, several studies have implicated platelet dysfunction (PF4), autoimmune responses (granzyme B, perforin), and abnormal metabolism (arachidonic acid pathways); aid in monitoring patient health; and improve therapeutics (experimental phosphatidylcholine therapy has been shown to result in an improvement in intestinal condition). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the enormous progress of proteomics and lipidomics in recent years and the development of new technologies, further research is needed to select some of the most sensitive and specific markers applicable in diagnosing and treating IBD.

Advances in bacteriophage-mediated strategies for combating polymicrobial biofilms.

Bacteria and fungi tend to coexist within biofilms instead of in planktonic states. Usually, such communities include cross-kingdom microorganisms, which make them harder to remove from abiotic surfaces or infection sites. Additionally, the produced biofilm matrix protects embedded microorganisms from antibiotics, disinfectants, or the host immune system. Therefore, classic therapies based on antibiotics might be ineffective, especially when multidrug-resistant bacteria are causative factors. The complexities surrounding the eradication of biofilms from diverse surfaces and the human body have spurred the exploration of alternative therapeutic modalities. Among these options, bacteriophages and their enzymatic counterparts have emerged as promising candidates, either employed independently or in synergy with antibiotics and other agents. Phages are natural bacteria killers because of mechanisms of action that differ from antibiotics, phages might answer worldwide problems with bacterial infections. In this review, we report the attempts to use bacteriophages in combating polymicrobial biofilms in in vitro studies, using different models, including the therapeutical use of phages. In addition, we sum up the advantages, disadvantages, and perspectives of phage therapy.

The use of the electromagnetic field in microbial process bioengineering.

An electromagnetic field (EMF) has been shown to have various stimulatory or inhibitory effects on microorganisms. Over the years, growing interest in this topic led to numerous discoveries suggesting the potential applicability of EMF in biotechnological processes. Among these observations are stimulative effects of this physical influence resulting in intensified biomass production, modification of metabolic activity, or pigments secretion. In this review, we present the current state of the art and underline the main findings of the application of EMF in bioprocessing and their practical meaning in process engineering using examples selected from studies on bacteria, archaea, microscopic fungi and yeasts, viruses, and microalgae. All biological data are presented concerning the classification of EMF. Furthermore, we aimed to highlight missing parts of contemporary knowledge and indicate weak spots in the approaches found in the literature.

Microbiota in sports.

The influence of microbiota on the human body is currently the subject of many studies. The composition of bacteria colonizing the gastrointestinal tract varies depending on genetic make-up, lifestyle, use of antibiotics or the presence of diseases. The diet is also important in the species diversity of the microbiota. This study is an analysis of the relationships between physical activity, diet, and the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract in athletes. This review shows the differences in the microbial composition in various sports disciplines, the influence of probiotics on the microbiome, the consequence of which may be achieved even better sports results. Physical activity increases the number of bacteria, mainly of the Clostridiales order and the genus: Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Bacteroides, and Veillonella, and their number varies depending on the sports discipline. These bacteria are present in athletes in sports that require a high VO2 max. The players' diet also influences the composition of the microbiota. A diet rich in dietary fiber increases the amount of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium bacteria, probiotic microorganisms, which indicates the need to supplement the diet with probiotic preparations. It is impossible to suggest an unambiguous answer to how the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract changes in athletes and requires further analyzes.

PhageScore-based analysis of Acinetobacter baumannii infecting phages antibiotic interaction in liquid medium.

The growing interest in bacteriophages and antibiotics' combined use poses new challenges regarding this phenomenon's accurate description. This study aimed to apply the PhageScore methodology to assess the phage-antibiotic combination activity in liquid bacterial culture. For this purpose, previously described Acinetobacter infecting phages vB_AbaP_AGC01, Aba-1, and Aba-4 and antibiotics (gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, meropenem, norfloxacin, and fosfomycin) were used to obtain a lysis curve of bacteriophages under antibiotic pressure. The experimental data were analyzed using the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) and PhageScore methodology. The results obtained by this method clearly show differences between phage lytic activity after antibiotic addition. Thus, we present the potential use of the PhageScore method as a tool for characterizing the phage antibiotic synergy in liquid culture. Further, the optimization of the PhageScore for this purpose can help compare antibiotics and their outcome on bacteriophage lytic activity.

Rotating Magnetic Field-Assisted Reactor Enhances Mechanisms of Phage Adsorption on Bacterial Cell Surface.

Growing interest in bacteriophage research and use, especially as an alternative treatment option for multidrug-resistant bacterial infection, requires rapid development of production methods and strengthening of bacteriophage activities. Bacteriophage adsorption to host cells initiates the process of infection. The rotating magnetic field (RMF) is a promising biotechnological method for process intensification, especially for the intensification of micromixing and mass transfer. This study evaluates the use of RMF to enhance the infection process by influencing bacteriophage adsorption rate. The RMF exposition decreased the t50 and t75 of bacteriophages T4 on Escherichia coli cells and vb_SauM_A phages on Staphylococcus aureus cells. The T4 phage adsorption rate increased from 3.13 × 10-9 mL × min-1 to 1.64 × 10-8 mL × min-1. The adsorption rate of vb_SauM_A phages exposed to RMF increased from 4.94 × 10-9 mL × min-1 to 7.34 × 10-9 mL × min-1. Additionally, the phage T4 zeta potential changed under RMF from -11.1 ± 0.49 mV to -7.66 ± 0.29 for unexposed and RMF-exposed bacteriophages, respectively.

The role of uropathogenic Escherichia coli adhesive molecules in inflammatory response- comparative study on immunocompetent hosts and kidney recipients.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTI) represent one of the most common contagious diseases in humans. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains are recognized as the most frequent causative agent, and these express a range of virulence factors including the adhesins. Immune response to UPEC under immunosuppression has not been fully understood yet. Interleukin 1ß (IL1ß), 6 (IL6) and 17 (IL17) represent clinically relevant markers of inflammation. AIM: The study aimed to investigate the interplay between UPEC genotype and hosts' immune status in shaping local inflammatory response in the course of an UTI episode. The respective numbers of: 18 kidney recipients with UPEC UTI, 28 immunocompetent hosts with UPEC UTI and 29 healthy controls were involved. Urine IL1ß, IL6, and IL17/creatinine ratios in relation to fimH, csgA, papC, tosA, and flu genes presence in UPEC isolated from the urine samples were analyzed. Apart from traditional statistics, also machine learning algorithms were applied. RESULTS: The urine levels of IL1ß and IL 6 were similar in kidney recipients and the immunocompetent hosts. IL1ß levels were higher in both kidney recipients and immunocompetent hosts than in controls, while IL6 levels were higher only in immunocompetent hosts than in controls. In the machine learning classification model, high urine IL17 levels were significantly more prevalent in controls, while low IL17 levels in urines infected with Ag43-positive UPEC strains, regardless of the host's immune status. In the traditional statistical analysis, IL17 levels appeared significantly higher in urine samples from kidney recipients infected with Ag43-negative UPEC strains. CONCLUSIONS: In the UTI- affected patients, the combination of the immune status of an individual and Ag43 status of the UPEC strain determined urine IL17 level in the analyzed group. However, IL17 levels above median were overall more prevalent in controls.

Effects of Sterilization Methods on Different 3D Printable Materials for Templates of Physician-Modified Aortic Stent Grafts Used in Vascular Surgery-A Preliminary Study.

Three-dimensionally-printed aortic templates are increasingly being used to aid in the modification of stent grafts in the treatment of urgent, complex aortic disorders, often of an emergency nature. The direct contact between the aortic template and the stent graft implies the necessity of complete sterility. Currently, the efficacy of sterilizing aortic templates and the effect of sterilization on the geometry of tubular aortic models are unknown. A complex case of aortic arch dissection was selected to prepare a 3D-printed aortic arch template, which was then manufactured in six popular printing materials: polylactic acid (PLA), nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), and a rigid and flexible photopolymer resin using fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA). The 3D models were contaminated with Geobacillus stearothermophilus broth and Bacillus atrophaeus. The sterilization was performed using three different methods: heat (105 °C and 121 °C), hydrogen peroxide plasma, and ethylene oxide gas. Before and after sterilization, the aortic templates were scanned using computed tomography to detect any changes in their morphology by comparing the dimensions. All sterilization methods were effective in the elimination of microorganisms. Steam sterilization in an autoclave at 121 °C caused significant deformation of the aortic templates made of PLA, PETG, and PP. The other materials had stable geometries, and changes during mesh comparisons were found to be submillimeter. Similarly, plasma, gas, and heat at 105 °C did not change the shapes of aortic templates observed macroscopically and using mesh analysis. All mean geometry differences were smaller than 0.5 mm. All sterilization protocols tested in our study were equally effective in destroying microorganisms; however, differences occurred in the ability to induce 3D object deformation. Sterilization at high temperatures deformed aortic templates composed of PLA, PETG, and PP. This method was suitable for nylon, flexible, and rigid resin-based models. Importantly, plasma and gas sterilization were appropriate for all tested printing materials, including PLA, PETG, PP, nylon, flexible and rigid resins. Moreover, sterilization of all the printed models using our novel protocol for steam autoclaving at 105 °C was also 100% effective, which could represent a significant advantage for health centers, which can therefore use one of the most popular and cheap methods of medical equipment disinfection for the sterilization of 3D models as well.

Bacteriophage-Ciprofloxacin Combination Effectiveness Depends on Staphylococcus aureus-Candida albicans Dual-Species Communities' Growth Model.

Alternative therapies against multidrug-resistant bacteria are widely investigated in the postantibiotic era. Polymicrobial biofilms formed by two or more species of bacteria or fungi pose an additional threat. The removal of such complex communities requires more effort and a multidirectional approach. In this study, the effectiveness of two bacteriophages vB_SauM-A (A) and vB_SauM-D (D) combined with ciprofloxacin was used to combat Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of Candida albicans both in liquid culture and biofilm. The results showed that phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS) led to the complete removal of S. aureus in liquid culture without bacterial population regrowth after 24 hours, and C. albicans enhanced this therapeutic effect. In a biofilm assay, C. albicans presence caused a decrease of bacterial eradication and a reduction of biofilm-specific activity (BSA). However, the strong effect of PAS was observed both in mono- and dual-species biofilm. Usage of phages and ciprofloxacin (1 mg/L) caused a 90% reduction of BSA of mono-species biofilm and 69% of dual-species biofilm. Phages alone resulted in a decrease of 71% and 48%, and ciprofloxacin (1 mg/L) alone resulted in 45% and 23% reduction, respectively. The influence of C. albicans on the PAS effect against S. aureus presented in this study was not previously investigated.

Comparative Assessment of Bacteriophage and Antibiotic Activity against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms.

Problems connected with biofilm-related infections and antibiotic resistance necessitate the investigation and development of novel treatment strategies. Given their unique characteristics, one of the most promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics are bacteriophages. In the in vitro and in vivo larva model study, we demonstrate that phages vB_SauM-A, vB_SauM-C, and vB_SauM-D are effective antibiofilm agents. The exposure of biofilm to phages vB_SauM-A and vB_SauM-D led to 2-3 log reductions in the colony-forming unit number in most of the multidrug-resistant S. aureus strains. It was found that phage application reduced the formed biofilms independently of the used titer. Moreover, the study demonstrated that bacteriophages are more efficient in biofilm biomass removal and reduction in staphylococci count when compared to the antibiotics used. The scanning electron microscopy analysis results are in line with colony forming unit (CFU) counting but not entirely consistent with crystal violet (CV) staining. Additionally, phages vB_SauM-A, vB_SauM-C, and vB_SauM-D can significantly increase the survival rate and extend the survival time of Galleria mellonella larvae.

Renal and Inflammation Markers-Renalase, Cystatin C, and NGAL Levels in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a One-Month Follow-Up Study.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of asymptomatic infection and the occurrence of symptomatic COVID-19 on specific biochemical, renal, and immune parameters-renalase, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) cystatin C (CysC), and creatinine-and their weekly fluctuations during a one-month observation period in COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital. The study involved 86 individuals: 30 patients with diagnosed COVID-19, 28 people with asymptomatic infection confirmed with IgG antibodies-the IG(+) group-and 28 individuals without any (IgG, IgE) anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies-the IG(-) group. In the COVID-19 group, blood was drawn four times: (1) on day 0/1 after admission to hospital (C1 group), (2) 7 days later (C7 group), (3) 14 days later (C14 group), and (4) 28 days later (C28 group). In the IG(-) and IG(+) groups, blood was drawn once. There were no significant differences in creatinine, Cys C, and uric acid between any of the analyzed groups. NGAL levels were significantly higher in IG(+) and at all time-points in the COVID-19 groups than in controls. A similar observation was made for renalase at the C7, C14, and C28 time-points. Plasma renalase, NGAL, and CysC are unrelated to kidney function in non-critically ill COVID-19 patients and those with asymptomatic infection. Renalase and NGAL are most likely related to the activation of the immune system rather than kidney function. Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection causes a rise in plasma NGAL levels similar to those observed in symptomatic COVID-19 patients. Therefore, more attention should be paid to tracking and monitoring the health of these people.

Adiponectin is unrelated to kidney function or injury markers in renal transplant recipients: A one-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin (ADPN) is a biologically active cytokine produced by adipose tissue. This protein exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifibrotic, and insulin-sensitizing properties. As ADPN is primarily eliminated by the kidneys, it is a potential biomarker of chronic kidney disease progression. This study aimed to analyze the fluctuations in ADPN levels after kidney transplantation during a one-year follow-up and to compare them to significant renal (eGFR, NGAL) and metabolic (insulin, glucose, lipids, HOMA-IR) markers. METHODS: Insulin, ADPN, NGAL, and basic biochemical parameters were evaluated in 51 healthy controls and 39 patients right before kidney transplantation and at five time points following transplantation (5-7 days, one month, three months, six months, and twelve months). RESULTS: Mean ADPN levels dropped significantly right after transplantation (from 35.449 to 30.920 µg/mL, p = 0.001) and decreased gradually over a year. From the third month after the transplantation, ADPN levels were comparable to healthy individuals. At the pre-transplant time point, ADPN correlated only with insulin (r = -0.60, p < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.55, p < 0.001). At the timepoints after transplantation, ADPN correlated only with NGAL at three months (r = -0.70, p = 0.048). The correlation of ADPN with HOMA-IR found at pre-transplant was not significant at any post-transplant time point, but at one and three months after transplant, the correlations reached a borderline significance (p = 0.07 and p = 0.08, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Successful kidney transplantation is followed by a gradual and significant ADPN decrease. In pre- and post-transplant patients, ADPN is unrelated to kidney function defined by GFR, but to glucose metabolism. Most of the analyzed metabolic and kidney parameters, apart from NGAL, stabilize within three months after transplantation.