Vitamin D and Microbiome: Molecular Interaction in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Pathogenesis.

Studies of systemic autoimmune diseases point to characteristic microbial patterns in various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Autoimmune diseases, and IBD in particular, show a predisposition to vitamin D deficiency, leading to alterations in the microbiome and disruption of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. This review examines the role of the gut microbiome in IBD and discusses how vitamin D-vitamin D receptor (VDR)-associated molecular signaling pathways contribute to the development and progression of IBD through their effects on gut barrier function, the microbial community, and immune system function. The present data demonstrate that vitamin D promotes the proper function of the innate immune system by acting as an immunomodulator, exerting anti-inflammatory effects, and critically contributing to the maintenance of gut barrier integrity and modulation of the gut microbiota, mechanisms that may influence the IBD development and progression. VDR regulates the biological effects of vitamin D and is related to environmental, genetic, immunologic, and microbial aspects of IBD. Vitamin D influences the distribution of the fecal microbiota, with high vitamin D levels associated with increased levels of beneficial bacterial species and lower levels of pathogenic bacteria. Understanding the cellular functions of vitamin D-VDR signaling in intestinal epithelial cells may pave the way for the development of new treatment strategies for the therapeutic armamentarium of IBD in the near future.

The role of gut barrier dysfunction in postoperative complications in liver transplantation: pathophysiological and therapeutic considerations.

PURPOSE: Gut barrier dysfunction is a pivotal pathophysiological alteration in cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease, which is further aggravated during and after the operational procedures for liver transplantation (LT). In this review, we analyze the multifactorial disruption of all major levels of defense of the gut barrier (biological, mechanical, and immunological) and correlate with clinical implications. METHODS: A narrative review of the literature was performed using PubMed, PubMed Central and Google from inception until November 29th, 2023. RESULTS: Systemic translocation of indigenous bacteria through this dysfunctional barrier contributes to the early post-LT infectious complications, while endotoxin translocation, through activation of the systemic inflammatory response, is implicated in non-infectious complications including renal dysfunction and graft rejection. Bacterial infections are the main cause of early in-hospital mortality of LT patients and unraveling the pathophysiology of gut barrier failure is of outmost importance. CONCLUSION: A pathophysiology-based approach to prophylactic or therapeutic interventions may lead to enhancement of gut barrier function eliminating its detrimental consequences and leading to better outcomes for LT patients.

The role of the gut microbiota in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

The human intestinal microbiota coevolves with its host through a symbiotic relationship and exerts great influence on substantial functions including aspects of physiology, metabolism, nutrition and regulation of immune responses leading to physiological homeostasis. Over the last years, several studies have been conducted toward the assessment of the host-gut microbiota interaction, aiming to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of several diseases. A defect on the microbiota-host crosstalk and the concomitant dysregulation of immune responses combined with genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). To this end, novel therapeutic options based on the gut microbiota modulation have been an area of extensive research interest. In this review we present the recent findings on the association of dysbiosis with IBD pathogenesis, we focus on the role of gut microbiota on the treatment of IBD and discuss the novel and currently available therapeutic strategies in manipulating the composition and function of gut microbiota in IBD patients. Applicable and emerging microbiota treatment modalities, such as the use of antibiotics, prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, synbiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) constitute promising therapeutic options. However, the therapeutic potential of the aforementioned approaches is a topic of investigation and further studies are needed to elucidate their position in the present treatment algorithms of IBD.

Gut-origin sepsis in the critically ill patient: pathophysiology and treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Gut permeability is increased in critically ill patients, and associated with the development of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The pathogenetic link(s) and potential therapies are an area of intense research over the last decades. METHODS: We thoroughly reviewed the literature on gut-origin sepsis and MODS in critically ill patients, with emphasis on the implicated pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. FINDINGS: Intestinal barrier failure leading to systemic bacterial translocation associated with MODS was the predominant pathophysiological theory for several years. However, clinical studies with critically ill patients failed to provide the evidence of systemic spread of gut-derived bacteria and/or their products as a cause of MODS. Newer experimental data highlight the role of the mesenteric lymph as a carrier of gut-derived danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to the lung and the systemic circulation. These substances are recognized by pattern recognition receptor-bearing cells in diverse tissues and promote proinflammatory pathways and the development MODS. Therefore, the gut becomes a pivotal proinflammatory organ, driving the systemic inflammatory response through DAMPs release in mesenteric lymph, without the need for systemic bacterial translocation. CONCLUSIONS: There is an emerging need for application of sensitive non-invasive and easily measured biomarkers of early intestinal injury (e.g., citrulline, intestinal fatty acid protein, and zonulin) in our everyday clinical practice, guiding the early pharmacological intervention in critically ill patients to restore or prevent intestinal injury and improve their outcomes.

Expression of α-Defensins, CD20+ B-lymphocytes, and Intraepithelial CD3+ T-lymphocytes in the Intestinal Mucosa of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: Emerging Mediators of Intestinal Barrier Function.

AIM: The present study investigates the role of innate and adaptive immune system of intestinal mucosal barrier function in cirrhosis. METHODS: Forty patients with decompensated (n = 40, group A), 27 with compensated cirrhosis (n = 27, group B), and 27 controls (n = 27, group C) were subjected to duodenal biopsy. Expression of α-defensins 5 and 6 at the intestinal crypts was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Serum endotoxin, intestinal T-intraepithelial, and lamina propria B-lymphocytes were quantified. RESULTS: Cirrhotic patients presented higher endotoxin concentrations (p < 0.0001) and diminished HD5 and HD6 expression compared to healthy controls (p = 0.000287, p = 0.000314, respectively). The diminished HD5 and HD6 expressions were also apparent among the decompensated patients compared to compensated group (p = 0.025, p = 0.041, respectively). HD5 and HD6 expressions were correlated with endotoxin levels (r = -0.790, p < 0.0001, r = - 0.777, p < 0.0001, respectively). Although intraepithelial T-lymphocytes were decreased in group A compared to group C (p = 0.002), no notable alterations between groups B and C were observed. The B-lymphocytic infiltrate did not differ among the investigated groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that decreased expression of antimicrobial peptides may be considered as a potential pathophysiological mechanism of intestinal barrier dysfunction in liver cirrhosis, while remodeling of gut-associated lymphoid tissue as an acquired immune response to bio-pathogens remains an open field to illuminate.

Incidence of Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 as Compared to Non-COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Critically ill COVID-19 patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU) are immunosuppressed due to SARSCoV-2-related immunological effects and are administered immunomodulatory drugs. This study aimed to determine whether these patients carry an increased risk of multi-drug resistant (MDR) and especially carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative (CRGN) bacterial infections compared to other critically ill patients without COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A prospective case-control study was conducted between January 2022 and August 2023. The ICU patients were divided into two groups (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19). Differences in the incidence of CRGN infections from Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated. In addition, an indicator of the infection rate of the patients during their ICU stay was calculated. Factors independently related to mortality risk were studied. Results: Forty-two COVID-19 and 36 non-COVID-19 patients were analyzed. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of CRGN between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients. The infection rate was similar in the two groups. Regarding the aetiological agents of CRGN infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was significantly more common in non-COVID-19 patients (p=0.007). COVID-19 patients had longer hospitalisation before ICU admission (p=0.003) and shorter ICU length of stay (LOS) (p=0.005). ICU COVID-19 patients had significantly higher mortality (p < 0.001) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (p < 0.001) compared to non-COVID-19 patients. Μortality secondary to CRGN infections was also higher in COVID-19 patients compared to non-COVID-19 patients (p=0.033). Male gender, age, ICU LOS, and hospital LOS before ICU admission were independent risk factors for developing CRGN infections. Independent risk factors for patients' mortality were COVID-19 infection, obesity, SOFA score, total number of comorbidities, WBC count, and CRP, but not infection from CRGN pathogens. Conclusions: The incidence of CRGN infections in critically ill COVID-19 patients is not different from that of non-COVID-19 ICU patients. The higher mortality of COVID-19 patients in the ICU is associated with higher disease severity scores, a higher incidence of obesity, and multiple underlying comorbidities, but not with CRGN infections.

Altered Expression of Intestinal Tight Junctions in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Pathogenetic Mechanism of Intestinal Hyperpermeability.

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated (as a cause or effect) with intestinal barrier dysfunction and increased gut permeability, with mechanisms not yet fully understood. This study investigated different parameters of the intestinal barrier in CKD patients, especially tight junction (TJ) proteins and their possible association with systemic endotoxemia and inflammation. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with stage I-IV CKD (n = 17) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) (n = 16) and 11 healthy controls underwent duodenal biopsy. Samples were examined histologically, the presence of CD3+ T-lymphocytes and the expression of occludin and claudin-1 in the intestinal epithelium was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry, circulating endotoxin concentrations were determined by means of ELISA and the concentrations of the cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α in serum were measured using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Patients with stage I-IV CKD or ESKD had significantly higher serum endotoxin, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 levels compared to controls. Intestinal occludin and claudin-1 were significantly decreased, and their expression was inversely correlated with systemic endotoxemia. Regarding occludin, a specific expression pattern was observed, with a gradually increasing loss of its expression from the crypt to the tip of the villi. CONCLUSION: The expression of occludin and claudin-1 in enterocytes is significantly reduced in patients with CKD, contributing to systemic endotoxemia and inflammatory responses in these patients.

Altered Expression of Intestinal Tight Junction Proteins in Heart Failure Patients with Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Pathogenetic Mechanism of Intestinal Hyperpermeability.

Although intestinal microbiota alterations (dysbiosis) have been described in heart failure (HF) patients, the possible mechanisms of intestinal barrier dysfunction leading to endotoxemia and systemic inflammation are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the expression of the intestinal tight junction (TJ) proteins occludin and claudin-1 in patients with HF with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and their possible association with systemic endotoxemia and inflammation. Ten healthy controls and twenty-eight patients with HF (HFrEF (n = 14), HFpEF (n = 14)) underwent duodenal biopsy. Histological parameters were recorded, intraepithelial CD3+ T-cells and the expression of occludin and claudin-1 in enterocytes were examined using immunohistochemistry, circulating endotoxin concentrations were determined using ELISA, and concentrations of cytokines were determined using flow cytometry. Patients with HFrEF or HFpEF had significantly higher serum endotoxin concentrations (p < 0.001), a significantly decreased intestinal occludin and claudin-1 expression (in HfrEF p < 0.01 for occludin, p < 0.05 for claudin-1, in HfpEF p < 0.01 occludin and claudin-1), and significantly increased serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 (for IL-6 and IL-10, p < 0.05 for HFrEF and p < 0.001 for HFpEF; and for IL-8, p < 0.05 for both groups) compared to controls. Occludin and claudin-1 expression inversely correlated with systemic endotoxemia (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Heart failure, regardless of the type of ejection fraction, results in a significant decrease in enterocytic occludin and claudin-1 expression, which may represent an important cellular mechanism for the intestinal barrier dysfunction causing systemic endotoxemia and inflammatory response.

Cardio-Oncoimmunology: Cardiac Toxicity, Cardiovascular Hypersensitivity, and Kounis Syndrome.

Cancer therapy can result in acute cardiac events, such as coronary artery spasm, acute myocardial infarction, thromboembolism, myocarditis, bradycardia, tachyarrhythmias, atrio-ventricular blocks, QT prolongation, torsades de pointes, pericardial effusion, and hypotension, as well as chronic conditions, such as hypertension, and systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction presenting clinically as heart failure or cardiomyopathy. In cardio-oncology, when referring to cardiac toxicity and cardiovascular hypersensitivity, there is a great deal of misunderstanding. When a dose-related cardiovascular side effect continues even after the causative medication is stopped, it is referred to as a cardiotoxicity. A fibrotic response is the ultimate outcome of cardiac toxicity, which is defined as a dose-related cardiovascular adverse impact that lasts even after the causative treatment is stopped. Cardiotoxicity can occur after a single or brief exposure. On the other hand, the term cardiac or cardiovascular hypersensitivity describes an inflammatory reaction that is not dose-dependent, can occur at any point during therapy, even at very low medication dosages, and can present as Kounis syndrome. It may also be accompanied by anti-drug antibodies and tryptase levels. In this comprehensive review, we present the current views on cardiac toxicity and cardiovascular hypersensitivity, together with the reviewed cardiac literature on the chemotherapeutic agents inducing hypersensitivity reactions. Cardiac hypersensitivity seems to be the pathophysiologic basis of coronary artery spasm, acute coronary syndromes such as Kounis syndrome, and myocarditis caused by cancer therapy.

Gut barrier dysfunction, endotoxemia and inflammatory response in STEMI patients and effect of primary PCI.

BACKGROUND: Gut-derived bacterial and endotoxin translocation induce systemic inflammation, which exerts a pivotal pathogenetic role in all phases of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES: To investigate prospectively the gut barrier function, endotoxin translocation and inflammatory response in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PPCI). METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with STEMI that underwent successful PPCI were subjected to peripheral blood sampling at 3-time points; before PPCI (day0), 24 h (day1) and 96 h (day4) after PPCI and were compared with 20 chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients and 11 healthy controls. Serum ZO-1, I-FABP and endotoxin concentrations were determined by ELISA. Concentrations of cytokines IL-1ß, -6, -8, -10 and TNF-α were determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Patients with STEMI before PPCI (day0) had increased serum ZO-1 and endotoxin, both at significantly higher levels compared to CCS patients. STEMI induced also significant increases of the cytokines IL-6, -8 and -10. After PPCI, a significant improvement of gut barrier integrity (ZO-1) and endotoxemia was observed from the first day. At day4 post PPCI, systemic endotoxin and cytokines IL-6, -8 and -10 levels were reduced to control levels. Serum ZO-1 levels were positively correlated with systemic IL-10 concentrations (r = 0.471). CONCLUSION: STEMI is associated with gut barrier dysfunction, systemic endotoxemia and inflammatory response, which improve rapidly following successful PPCI.

"When," "Where," and "How" of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Affects the Human Cardiovascular System: A Narrative Review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several explanations for the development of cardiovascular complications during and after acute COVID-19 infection have been hypothesized. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has emerged as one of the deadliest pandemics in modern history. The myocardial injury in COVID-19 patients has been associated with coronary spasm, microthrombi formation, plaque rupture, hypoxic injury, or cytokine storm, which have the same pathophysiology as the three clinical variants of Kounis syndrome. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), reninaldosterone system (RAAS), and kinin-kallikrein system are the main proposed mechanisms contributing to cardiovascular complications with the COVID-19 infection. ACE receptors can be found in the heart, blood vessels, endothelium, lungs, intestines, testes, neurons, and other human body parts. SARS-CoV-2 directly invades the endothelial cells with ACE2 receptors and constitutes the main pathway through which the virus enters the endothelial cells. This causes angiotensin II accumulation downregulation of the ACE2 receptors, resulting in prothrombotic effects, such as hemostatic imbalance via activation of the coagulation cascade, impaired fibrinolysis, thrombin generation, vasoconstriction, endothelial and platelet activation, and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. The KKS system typically causes vasodilation and regulates tissue repair, inflammation, cell proliferation, and platelet aggregation, but SARS-CoV-2 infection impairs such counterbalancing effects. This cascade results in cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, cardiomyopathy, cytokine storm, heart failure, ischemic myocardial injuries, microvascular disease, Kounis syndrome, prolonged COVID, myocardial fibrosis, myocarditis, new-onset hypertension, pericarditis, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, stroke, Takotsubo syndrome, venous thromboembolism, and thrombocytopenia. In this narrative review, we describe and elucidate when, where, and how COVID-19 affects the human cardiovascular system in various parts of the human body that are vulnerable in every patient category, including children and athletes.

Intestinal mucosal proliferation, apoptosis and oxidative stress in patients with liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in liver cirrhosis and its implicated mechanisms is of great clinical importance because it is associated with the development of serious complications from diverse organs through promotion of systemic endotoxemia. AIM: The present study was designed to investigate whether enterocytes' proliferation, apoptosis and intestinal oxidative stress are altered in the intestinal mucosa of patients with compensated and decompensated liver cirrhosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve healthy controls (group A) and twenty four cirrhotic patients at a compensated (n = 12, group B) or decompensated condition (n = 12, group C) were subjected to duodenal biopsy. In intestinal specimens mucosal apoptotic and mitotic activity and their ratio were recorded by means of morphological assessment and mucosal lipid hydroperoxides were measured. Plasma endotoxin concentration, an index of gut barrier function, was also determined. RESULTS: Cirrhotic patients presented significantly higher serum endotoxin concentrations as compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001), whilst endotoxemia was higher in decompensated disease (P < 0.05 vs. compensated cirrhosis). Intestinal mucosal mitotic count was significantly lower in patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis compared to controls (P < 0.01, respectively), whilst a trend towards increased apoptosis was recorded. The mitotic/apoptotic ratio was significantly reduced in groups B (P < 0.05) and C (P < 0.01) as compared to controls. Intestinal lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in decompensated cirrhotics (P < 0.001 vs. groups A and B). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates for the first time that human liver cirrhosis is associated with decreased intestinal mucosal proliferation and proliferation/apoptosis ratio even at early stages of cirrhosis and increased intestinal oxidative stress in advanced liver disease.

Intestinal barrier dysfunction as a key driver of severe COVID-19.

The intestinal lumen harbors a diverse consortium of microorganisms that participate in reciprocal crosstalk with intestinal immune cells and with epithelial and endothelial cells, forming a multi-layered barrier that enables the efficient absorption of nutrients without an excessive influx of pathogens. Despite being a lung-centered disease, severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects multiple systems, including the gastrointestinal tract and the pertinent gut barrier function. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can inflict either direct cytopathic injury to intestinal epithelial and endothelial cells or indirect immune-mediated damage. Alternatively, SARS-CoV-2 undermines the structural integrity of the barrier by modifying the expression of tight junction proteins. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 induces profound alterations to the intestinal microflora at phylogenetic and metabolomic levels (dysbiosis) that are accompanied by disruption of local immune responses. The ensuing dysregulation of the gut-lung axis impairs the ability of the respiratory immune system to elicit robust and timely responses to restrict viral infection. The intestinal vasculature is vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2-induced endothelial injury, which simultaneously triggers the activation of the innate immune and coagulation systems, a condition referred to as "immunothrombosis" that drives severe thrombotic complications. Finally, increased intestinal permeability allows an aberrant dissemination of bacteria, fungi, and endotoxin into the systemic circulation and contributes, to a certain degree, to the over-exuberant immune responses and hyper-inflammation that dictate the severe form of COVID-19. In this review, we aim to elucidate SARS-CoV-2-mediated effects on gut barrier homeostasis and their implications on the progression of the disease.