Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are novel antihyperglycemic agents. By acting through the central nervous system, they increase satiety and reduce food intake, thus lowering body weight. Furthermore, they increase the secretion of insulin while decreasing the production of glucagon. However, recent studies suggest a more complex metabolic impact through the interaction with various other tissues. In our present review, we aim to provide a summary of the effects of GLP-1 RA on serum lipids, adipose tissue, and muscle metabolism. It has been found that GLP-1 RA therapy is associated with decreased serum cholesterol levels. Epicardial adipose tissue thickness, hepatic lipid droplets, and visceral fat volume were reduced in obese patients with cardiovascular disease. GLP-1 RA therapy decreased the level of proinflammatory adipokines and reduced the expression of inflammatory genes. They have been found to reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress in adipocytes, leading to better adipocyte function and metabolism. Furthermore, GLP-1 RA therapy increased microvascular blood flow in muscle tissue, resulting in increased myocyte metabolism. They inhibited muscle atrophy and increased muscle mass and function. It was also observed that the levels of muscle-derived inflammatory cytokines decreased, and insulin sensitivity increased, resulting in improved metabolism. However, some clinical trials have been conducted on a very small number of patients, which limits the strength of these observations.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are biologically active substances that may play a protective role against infections in newborns. We investigated the effects of HMOs in vivo on endotoxin-induced fever in a murine model of systemic inflammation resembling Gram-negative infection. Mice were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) with HMOs (2'-FL, 3'-FL, 3'-SL, 6'-SL, LNT, LNnT) at equimolar doses (0.02 mmol/kg) 0, 2 or 4 h before or 1 h after fever induction with a single dose of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 120 μg/kg i.p.). 2'-FL was also administered intragastrically 2 h before LPS treatment. Core temperature of the animals was recorded throughout the experiments. In separate experiments, plasma and tissue (liver, lung, and brain) samples were collected for LC-MS and PCR analysis, respectively. Saline-pretreated animals developed fever after LPS administration, peaking at 38.7 ± 0.6°C (p < 0.05). However, pretreatment with 2'-FL and LNT 2 h before LPS significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the fever response compared to saline pretreatment with maximum values of 37.5 ± 0.4 and 37.6 ± 0.3°C, respectively. In case of 2'-FL, a protective effect was also demonstrated when given together with LPS or 4 h before i.p. (p < 0.05), as well as when given orally or to newborns. The LPS-induced upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 was not affected by 2'-FL pretreatment. The studied HMOs had no effect on body temperature per se, but pretreatment with two of them (2'-FL, LNT) attenuated the LPS-induced fever response. Our results confirm that breastfeeding is of paramount importance against bacterial infections, in which the protective effect of HMOs is crucial.

Background/Objectives: The use of over-the-counter vitamin D₃ supplements has increased substantially in recent years. Compared with pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements are subject to less stringent regulatory oversight, raising concerns regarding labeling accuracy, consumer knowledge, and patient safety. This study aimed to assess public knowledge and preferences related to vitamin D₃ supplementation and to evaluate the content accuracy and short-term stability of commonly used products. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey containing 39 questions was conducted in Hungary between 1 May and 30 June 2024. Based on survey responses, the most frequently used vitamin D₃ supplements (five soft gel capsules and four tablets) were selected for laboratory analysis. Vitamin D₃ content was quantified using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with UV detection. Soft gel capsules were additionally exposed to natural daylight for one month to assess short-term photostability. Results: In total, 367 participants (mean age 31.0 ± 12.5 years) completed the survey, and only 3.5% answered correctly all knowledge-based questions. Six commonly reported supplement brands accounted for approximately 90% of responses. Measured vitamin D₃ content remained within the tolerance limit (−20% to +50%). Following sunlight exposure, three of four capsule products showed no substantial vitamin D₃ loss, while one exhibited a 14.7% decrease. Conclusions: Most analyzed vitamin D₃ supplements complied with labeled content claims, but substantial knowledge gaps were identified that may affect patient safety. The validated HPLC method supports pharmacovigilance-oriented quality monitoring of vitamin D₃ supplements and underscores the need for improved professional counseling.

Undeclared phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors in dietary supplements marketed as natural sexual enhancers remain a consumer protection and food safety concern. This article investigates the occurrence of undeclared sildenafil in 12 high-risk sexual enhancement supplements marketed in Hungary as part of a targeted market survey. Sildenafil was screened using an in-house HPLC–UV/DAD method. Seven of the 12 products showed signals consistent with sildenafil, with contents ranging from 0.22 to 122 mg per unit. Two products contained amounts exceeding the maximum recommended dose of 100 mg, while 3 additional products contained amounts approximately equivalent to the 50 mg reference dose. These findings demonstrate that undeclared pharmaceutical adulteration remains present in selected high-risk sexual enhancement supplements available on the Hungarian market. Continued risk-based post-market control and regulatory monitoring are warranted to reduce consumer exposure to undeclared pharmacologically active substances.