Interstitial lung diseases are respiratory diseases, which affect the normal lung parenchyma and can lead to significant pulmonary fibrosis, chronic respiratory failure, pulmonary hypertension, and ultimately death. Reuniting more than 200 entities, interstitial lung diseases pose a significant challenge to the clinician, as they represent rare diseases with vague and insidious respiratory symptoms. As such, there are many diagnostic errors that can appear along the journey of the patient with ILD, which leads to significant delays with implications for the prognosis and the quality of life of the patient.

Lately, in the world of medicine, the use of polymers for the development of innovative therapies seems to be a major concern among researchers. In our case, as a continuation of the research that has been developed so far regarding obtaining new isoniazid (INH) derivatives for tuberculosis treatment, this work aimed to test the ability of the encapsulation method to reduce the toxicity of the drug, isoniazid and its new derivatives. To achieve this goal, the following methods were applied: a structural confirmation of isoniazid derivatives using LC-HRMS/MS; the obtaining of microparticles based on polymeric support; the determination of their loading and biodegradation capacities; in vitro biocompatibility using MTT cell viability assays; and, last but not least, in vivo toxicological screening for the determination of chronic toxicity in laboratory mice, including the performance of a histopathological study and testing for liver enzymes. The results showed a significant reduction in tissue alterations, the disappearance of cell necrosis and microvesicular steatosis areas and lower values of the liver enzymes TGO, TGP and alkaline phosphatase when using encapsulated forms of drugs. In conclusion, the encapsulation of INH and INH derivatives with chitosan had beneficial effects, suggesting a reduction in hepatotoxicity and, therefore, the achievement of the aim of this paper.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most aggressive forms of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), marked by an ongoing, chronic fibrotic process within the lung tissue. IPF leads to an irreversible deterioration of lung function, ultimately resulting in an increased mortality rate. Therefore, the focus has shifted towards the biomarkers that might contribute to the early diagnosis, risk assessment, prognosis, and tracking of the treatment progress, including those associated with epithelial injury. Methods: We conducted this review through a systematic search of the relevant literature using established databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Selected articles were assessed, with data extracted and synthesized to provide an overview of the current understanding of the existing biomarkers for IPF. Results: Signs of epithelial cell damage hold promise as relevant biomarkers for IPF, consequently offering valuable support in its clinical care. Their global and standardized utilization remains limited due to a lack of comprehensive information of their implications in IPF. Conclusions: Recognizing the aggressive nature of IPF among interstitial lung diseases and its profound impact on lung function and mortality, the exploration of biomarkers becomes pivotal for early diagnosis, risk assessment, prognostic evaluation, and therapy monitoring.

Background: Diabetes mellitus induces profound metabolic and endocrine alterations, impacting reproductive function through oxidative stress and hormonal imbalances. This study investigated the effects of alloxan-induced diabetes on hormonal status and oxidative stress in female Wistar rats. Methods: A synthetic sulfonamide derivative (compound S) was obtained via chemical synthesis and characterized by elemental and spectral analysis. Salvia officinalis extract was phytochemically profiled using UHPLC-HRMS and assessed for antioxidant potential using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The synthetic compound and the plant extract, along with metformin were evaluated in vivo for their potential antihyperglycemic, hormone-regulating, and antioxidant properties., Serum levels of progesterone, estradiol, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were evaluated alongside oxidative stress biomarkers transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3). Results: Diabetic rats (untreated) exhibited a significant decrease in estradiol (22.00 ± 4.1 pg/mL vs. 54.74 ± 17.5 pg/mL in controls, p < 0.001) and an increase in progesterone levels (17.38 ± 9.6 ng/mL vs. 3.59 ± 0.90 ng/mL in controls, p < 0.05), suggestive for ovarian dysfunction. TGF-β1 levels were elevated in diabetic rats (27.73 ± 19.4 ng/mL vs. 21.55 ± 13.15 ng/mL in controls, p < 0.05), while increased serum GPX3 (61.50 ± 11.3 ng/mL vs. 38.20 ± 12.84 ng/mL in controls, p < 0.05) indicates enhanced oxidative stress. Statistical analysis revealed a correlation between serum GPX3 levels, FSH (p = −0.039), and estradiol (p = −0.025) in the diabetic group (L2). Conclusions: These findings contribute new evidence regarding the effects of diabetes on reproductive hormones and oxidative stress in female models.

Considering that microbial resistance to antibiotics is becoming an increasingly widespread problem, burn management, which usually includes the use of topical antimicrobial dressings, is still facing difficulties regarding their efficiency to ensure rapid healing. In this context, the main objective of this research is to include new oxytetracycline derivatives in polymeric-film-type dressings for the treatment of wounds caused by experimentally induced burns in rats. The structural and physico-chemical properties of synthesized oxytetracycline derivatives and the corresponding membranes were analyzed by FT-IR and MS spectroscopy, swelling ability and biodegradation capacity. In vitro antimicrobial activity using Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and pathogenic yeasts, along with an in vivo study of a burn wound model induced in Wistar rats, was also analyzed. The newly obtained polymeric films, namely chitosan-oxytetracycline derivative membranes, showed good antimicrobial activity noticed in the tested strains, a membrane swelling ratio (MSR) of up to 1578% in acidic conditions and a biodegradation rate of up to 15.7% on day 7 of testing, which are important required characteristics for the tissue regeneration process, after the production of a burn. The in vivo study proved that chitosan-derived oxytetracycline membranes showed also improved healing effects which contributes to supporting the idea of using them for the treatment of wounds caused by burns.

Background and Objectives: Oxidative stress plays a central role in numerous pathological and toxicological processes, and in vivo investigations are essential for understanding integrated systemic responses. Methylxanthines have been reported to modulate redox homeostasis through multiple mechanisms, but their effects in aquatic vertebrate models under metal nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress remain poorly characterized. Materials and Methods: In the present study, adult zebrafish were exposed for 15 days to ZnO nanoparticles (0.69 mg/L) as a pro-oxidant model, and to methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine, theophylline; 50 mg/L). Oxidative stress biomarkers were assessed by measuring the levels of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in whole-body homogenates using ELISA. Complementary molecular docking was performed to investigate methylxanthine–enzyme interactions. Results: The most substantial change was observed for SOD level, which significant increased compared to the control group (from 0.122 to 1.090 ng/g; p = 0.001), followed by CAT, which rose from 38.3 pg/g to 100.8 pg/g; p = 0.001), and GPX1 which increased from 84.3 pg/g to 142.2 pg/g; p = 0.011). In parallel, GSH levels decreased by 58.7% (p = 0.001). Co-exposure to methylxanthines significantly modulated the ZnO-NPs exposure response, by mitigating the increase in antioxidant enzyme levels and restoring glutathione. Among the tested compounds, theobromine exerted the strongest protective effect on GPx1 and GSH and caffeine primarily influenced CAT and SOD, whereas theophylline showed overall weaker responses. The molecular docking investigation indicated that all tested methylxanthines can attach to different cavities of the antioxidant enzymes. Theophylline and theobromine established hydrogen bonds and π-stacking interactions with the interfacing amino acids, potentially contributing to the modulation of enzymes stabilization and function under physiological conditions. Conclusions: ZnO-NPs trigger a robust systemic response in zebrafish, whereas methylxanthines display distinct compound-specific modulating effects.