Obesity has become a widespread health problem influencing people’s health, general well-being, and healthcare costs. It also represents an important risk factor for multiple comorbidities and malignancies. Objectives: the primary objective of this study was to provide notable insights to healthcare professionals regarding the management of patients with obesity, to highlight the effectiveness of bariatric surgical methods in losing excess weight, and to establish the relationship between weight loss and changes in quality of life (QoL). Material and methods: our study evaluated the QoL of 76 patients following bariatric surgery at different postoperative stages using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and The World Health Organization Quality of Life—BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaires. Results: regarding the type of bariatric procedure performed, out of the 76 respondents, 39.47% underwent gastric bypass surgery (RYGB), 56.57% underwent sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), and only 3.94% underwent single anastomosis duodeno-ileal switch (SADI-S). Pertaining to the SF-36 questionnaire, the lowest average scores were found in the energy/fatigue subscales and in the limitations due to mental health, which remained consistent across surgery types with a significant decrease in the SADI-S group. Concerning the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, the lowest mean scores were found in the environment (15.03 ± 2.37) and social relations (16.08 ± 2.22) subscales, whilst the highest average scores were in physical health (16.30 ± 2.03) and mental health (16.57 ± 2.16). Conclusions: the findings revealed that whilst bariatric surgery significantly improved physical health, it resulted in a decrease in mental health scores. Consequently, the study emphasizes the importance of adopting a holistic approach to managing obesity that considers improving both physical and mental health outcomes.

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.

Eating behavior encompasses the psychological, physiological, and environmental factors influencing food intake. Dysregulation in eating behavior, such as emotional eating, binge eating, or loss of satiety signals, contributes to excessive caloric intake and weight gain. These behaviors are often linked to hormonal imbalances, stress, or genetic predisposition. Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m² often used for diagnosis. It is associated with significant morbidity, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying obesity include insulin resistance, leptin dysregulation, and altered gut microbiota, which perpetuate metabolic derangements. Lifestyle interventions remain first-line treatment, but sustained weight loss is challenging for many patients. Bariatric surgery is a therapeutic option for individuals with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² or ≥35 kg/m² with comorbidities) who have failed conservative management. Procedures such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy alter gastrointestinal anatomy, promoting weight loss through restriction, malabsorption, and hormonal modulation (e.g., increased GLP-1 secretion). Bariatric surgery improves obesity-related comorbidities and enhances quality of life. However, it requires lifelong medical follow-up to address potential nutritional deficiencies and ensure sustainable outcomes.

Alarming statistics show that the number of people affected by excessive weight has surpassed 2 billion, representing approximately 30% of the world’s population. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of one of the most serious public health problems, considering that obesity requires an integrative approach that takes into account its complex etiology, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Only an understanding of the connections between the many contributors to obesity and the synergy between treatment interventions can ensure satisfactory outcomes in reducing obesity. Mechanisms such as oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and dysbiosis play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of obesity and its associated complications. Compounding factors such as the deleterious effects of stress, the novel challenge posed by the obesogenic digital (food) environment, and the stigma associated with obesity should not be overlooked. Preclinical research in animal models has been instrumental in elucidating these mechanisms, and translation into clinical practice has provided promising therapeutic options, including epigenetic approaches, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery. However, more studies are necessary to discover new compounds that target key metabolic pathways, innovative ways to deliver the drugs, the optimal combinations of lifestyle interventions with allopathic treatments, and, last but not least, emerging biological markers for effective monitoring. With each passing day, the obesity crisis tightens its grip, threatening not only individual lives but also burdening healthcare systems and societies at large. It is high time we took action as we confront the urgent imperative to address this escalating global health challenge head-on.

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.

Background: There are studies that have investigated the association of pro-inflammatory cytokines with depressive disorders, but they often present certain limitations. In this study, two substantial groups of patients were analyzed: 92 patients with major depressive disorder and 76 without depressive disorders. The strict inclusion and exclusion criteria for the analyzed groups significantly increased the value of the obtained results. The research question of this study was whether levels of inflammation, measured by the inflammatory markers IL-6, IL-1α, and TNF-α, could predict the severity of depressive symptoms. This could provide additional evidence supporting the hypothesis that inflammation plays a notable role in the pathogenesis of depression. The data analysis supports the hypothesis that the biological mechanisms of inflammation contribute to the clinical manifestations of depression. Elevated levels of inflammatory markers, especially interleukins (IL-6, IL-1α) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF α), have been identified in patients with major depressive disorder compared to the findings in healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1α, and TNF-α) were measured in a sample of 92 patients hospitalized at the Socola Institute of Psychiatry in Iasi, Romania, and compared to a control group with no depression or inflammatory conditions (n = 76). Severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using HAM-D scores. Results: The study results indicated that values of plasma inflammatory markers were significantly higher in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) compared to the control group (IL-1α: 1.16 ± 0.44 pg/mL vs. 0.89 ± 0.25 pg/mL, p = 0.0004; IL-6: 9.21 ± 4.82 pg/mL vs. 7.16 ± 4.32 pg/mL, p = 0.0149; and TNF-α: 2.02 ± 0.96 pg/mL vs. 1.67 ± 0.8 pg/mL, p = 0.0286). The differences remained significant after applying logarithmic transformation, which was necessary to adjust for outlier values. An analysis of demographic characteristics showed that the frequency of women (67.4% vs. 36.84%, p < 0.001), cohabiting individuals (28.26% vs. 10.53%, p = 0.0001), and alcohol consumers (67.39% vs. 47.37%, p = 0.0087) was significantly higher in patients with MDD. The level of education was significantly lower in patients with MDD (median (IQR): 12 (2.5) years vs. 14 (8) years, p = 0.0016). The evaluation of confounding variables, including patients’ gender, marital status, education level, and alcohol consumption, was performed using multiple linear regression models. The results indicated that these demographic variables did not significantly influence the correlation between the HAM-D score and the values of IL-6, IL-1α, and TNF-α. A significant correlation between the HAM-D score and the logarithmic values of inflammatory markers was observed for log IL-1α in men (r = 0.355, p = 0.0014), log IL-6 in women (r = 0.0313, p = 0.0027), and log TNF-α in women (r = 0.3922, p = 0.0001). The results of the multiple linear regression and predictive analysis indicated that IL-1α (AUC = 0.677, p = 0.0004), IL-6 (AUC = 0.724, p < 0.001), and TNF-α (AUC = 0.861, p < 0.001) demonstrate high accuracy in discriminating patients with MDD. Conclusions: The results highlighted that IL-6 (AUC = 0.724; 95% CI: 0.648–0.801) and TNF-α (AUC = 0.861; 95% CI: 0.797–0.925) are significant predictors for major depressive disorder. The study highlights the potential of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-6 and TNF-α) as diagnostic markers. These findings support the hypothesis that inflammation may play an important role in the development or exacerbation of depressive symptoms.