Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a relevant strategy in regenerative medicine due to their multipotent differentiation capacity, immunomodulatory properties, and therapeutic applications in various medical fields. This review explores the therapeutic use of MSCs, focusing on their role in treating autoimmune disorders and neoplastic diseases and in tissue regeneration. We discuss the mechanisms underlying MSC-mediated tissue repair, including their paracrine activity, migration to injury sites, and interaction with the immune system. Advances in cellular therapies such as genome engineering and MSC-derived exosome treatments further enhance their applicability. Key methodologies analyzed include genomic studies, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and bioinformatics approaches to optimize MSC-based interventions. Additionally, we reviewed preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrating the therapeutic potential of MSCs in conditions such as graft-versus-host disease, osteoarthritis, liver cirrhosis, and neurodegenerative disorders. While promising, challenges remain regarding standardization, long-term safety, and potential tumorigenic risks associated with MSC therapy. Future research should focus on refining MSC-based treatments to enhance efficacy and minimize risks. This review underscores the need for large-scale clinical trials to validate MSC-based interventions and fully harness their therapeutic potential.

Bariatric surgery is considered the most effective treatment for obesity and its associated metabolic disorders, yet the underlying mechanisms are only partially understood. Evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays an important role in metabolic regulation and can be significantly altered by bariatric and metabolic procedures. This prospective, single-center study aimed to evaluate the dynamic changes in the gut microbiota composition and diversity in obese patients undergoing two types of bariatric surgery: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Fecal samples were collected at three time points—before surgery (T0), and at 3 (T3) and 6 months (T6) postoperatively—and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3–V4 regions with Illumina technology. Significant shifts in microbial diversity and structure were observed over time, indicating a trend toward microbiota normalization post-surgery. Notable changes included a reduction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increased relative abundance of Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia. These alterations occurred in parallel with improvements in body mass index (BMI) and metabolic parameters. Our findings suggest that bariatric surgery induces favorable and sustained modifications in the gut microbiota, which may contribute to its therapeutic effects in obesity management.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stands as a prominent non-communicable ailment, significantly impacting life expectancy. Physiopathology stands mainly upon the triangle represented by parathormone–Vitamin D–Fibroblast Growth Factor-23. Parathormone (PTH), the key hormone in mineral homeostasis, is one of the less easily modifiable parameters in CKD; however, it stands as a significant marker for assessing the risk of complications. The updated “trade-off hypothesis” reveals that levels of PTH spike out of the normal range as early as stage G2 CKD, advancing it as a possible determinant of systemic damage. The present review aims to review the effects exhibited by PTH on several organs while linking the molecular mechanisms to the observed actions in the context of CKD. From a diagnostic perspective, PTH is the most reliable and accessible biochemical marker in CKD, but its trend bears a higher significance on a patient’s prognosis rather than the absolute value. Classically, PTH acts in a dichotomous manner on bone tissue, maintaining a balance between formation and resorption. Under the uremic conditions of advanced CKD, the altered intestinal microbiota majorly tips the balance towards bone lysis. Probiotic treatment has proven reliable in animal models, but in humans, data are limited. Regarding bone status, persistently high levels of PTH determine a reduction in mineral density and a concurrent increase in fracture risk. Pharmacological manipulation of serum PTH requires appropriate patient selection and monitoring since dangerously low levels of PTH may completely inhibit bone turnover. Moreover, the altered mineral balance extends to the cardiovascular system, promoting vascular calcifications. Lastly, the involvement of PTH in the Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone axis highlights the importance of opting for the appropriate pharmacological agent should hypertension develop.

Obesity in the pediatric population has become a public health problem with an increasing prevalence in recent years. The gut microbiota and its metabolites, especially short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), play vital roles in the development of pediatric obesity. This manuscript aims to highlight the link between the gut microbiota and obesity by examining microbial imbalances, such as altered Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios and altered SCFA production, especially butyrate, propionate, and acetate. Advances in genomic technologies, such as 16S rRNA sequencing, have enabled personalized treatments and detailed profiling of microbial diversity. This review includes not only preclinical studies but also clinical trials of interventions, such as probiotics, synbiotics, prebiotics, and butyrate supplements. These may modify the microbiota and SCFA levels to reduce obesity and related conditions, such as metabolic syndrome and precocious puberty. Future research should focus on using advanced genomic sequencing techniques to develop new therapeutic strategies, as well as on creating a complex predictive algorithm for assessing metabolic risk in pediatric patients with obesity, an innovation that can be extended to other metabolic conditions.

Developing physiologically relevant human skin models remains a critical challenge in regenerative medicine and disease modelling, particularly for chronic wounds that involve persistent inflammation and vascular dysfunction. Recent advances in 3D bioprinting provide improved spatial organisation and reproducibility compared with other engineering strategies, enabling the fabrication of skin equivalents with increasing structural and cellular complexity. Nevertheless, most current models do not capture the dynamic crosstalk between immune and vascular systems, which is central to wound healing and tissue homoeostasis. This review surveys recent progress in engineering skin models that incorporate immune and vascular elements, and discusses the biological and technological barriers that continue to limit their integration. We also highlight emerging strategies, including organoids, 4D bioprinting, and computational approaches, that may enable next-generation platforms. By more accurately modelling the wound microenvironment, such advances could accelerate translation from laboratory innovation to clinical application.