The kidneys are one of the main end organs targeted by hypertensive disease. Although the central role of the kidneys in the regulation of high blood pressure has been long recognized, the detailed mechanisms behind the pathophysiology of renal damage in hypertension remain a matter of investigation. Early renal biochemical alterations due to salt-induced hypertension in Dahl/salt-sensitive rats were monitored by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) micro-imaging. Furthermore, FTIR was used to investigate the effects of proANP_31–67, a linear fragment of pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, on the renal tissue of hypertensive rats. Different hypertension-induced alterations were detected in the renal parenchyma and blood vessels by the combination of FTIR imaging and principal component analysis on specific spectral regions. Changes in amino acids and protein contents observed in renal blood vessels were independent of altered lipid, carbohydrate, and glycoprotein contents in the renal parenchyma. FTIR micro-imaging was found to be a reliable tool for monitoring the remarkable heterogeneity of kidney tissue and its hypertension-induced alterations. In addition, FTIR detected a significant reduction in these hypertension-induced alterations in the kidneys of proANP_31–67-treated rats, further indicating the high sensitivity of this cutting-edge imaging modality and the beneficial effects of this novel medication on the kidneys.

Ageing is characterized by progressive metabolic and inflammatory dysregulation, in which methylglyoxal (MGO), a highly reactive dicarbonyl by-product of glycolysis, is involved in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). This review provides an integrated overview of the bidirectional relationship between MGO-derived carbonyl stress and the gut microbiota, focusing on its implications for ageing and age-related diseases. We summarize current evidence on MGO production, clearance, tissue distribution, and reactivity, with particular attention to the intestinal lumen as a site where dietary compounds, host metabolism, and microbial activity converge. Age-related dysbiosis may impair intestinal barrier integrity, alter microbial metabolite production, and promote chronic low-grade inflammation, thereby reinforcing metabolic dysfunction and favoring free MGO accumulation. Conversely, MGO and AGEs can reshape microbial communities, compromise epithelial tight junctions, and amplify inflammatory signalling through receptor-dependent and independent mechanisms. Evidence from in vitro, animal, and clinical studies supports a role for the MGO–microbiota axis in metabolic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurodegenerative, and frailty-related conditions. Targeting microbiota composition, intestinal barrier function, and MGO scavenging pathways may therefore represent a promising strategy to mitigate carbonyl stress and preserve health during ageing.

Background: Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) patients, often older adults, are susceptible to gut microbiota dysbiosis and low-grade chronic inflammation (inflammaging), which negatively impacts overall health and intestinal integrity. However, evidence on microbiota-targeted interventions in this population remains limited. The development of targeted nutritional strategies, such as probiotic supplementation, has been proposed to address these age-related changes. Methods: This exploratory randomized, open-label study explored changes in gut microbiota composition following a 30-day probiotic intervention in a cohort of sixteen older HEN patients. Gut microbiota profiles were analyzed at baseline and post-intervention using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Results: Significant shifts in the gut microbiota were observed, including a statistically significant increase in alpha diversity after 30 days. At the taxonomic level, the treated group showed an increased relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Erysipelotrichaceae, suggesting a modulation of gut microbiota structure following probiotic supplementation. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary insights into microbiota dynamics in this population and may inform the design of future studies integrating functional and clinical outcomes.