Chronic stress is linked to changes in brain physiology and functioning, affects the central nervous system (CNS), and causes psychiatric diseases such as depression and anxiety. In this study, antidepressant effects of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) (LGG) (15 × 10 ⁸ cfu/ml/day) on the mechanisms playing a role in the pathophysiology of depression were investigated, and the results were compared with the effects of bupropion (20 mg/kg/day) and venlafaxine (20 mg/kg/day). A total of 56 male Wistar Albino rats were used in control, stress, bupropion, venlafaxine, LGG, bupropion + stress, venlafaxine + stress, LGG + stress groups, n = 7 each. Changes in the body weight of the rats during the experiment were determined by weight measurement. Gene expression levels were determined by the RT-PCR method. Four different behavioral tests were performed to evaluate depressive behaviors (sucrose preference test, three-chamber sociability test (social interaction test), elevated plus maze test, forced swim test). LGG treatment was effective in reducing depressive-like behaviors, increased BDNF level, 5-HT1A, DRD1, ADRA-2A, GABA-A α1, CNR1 expression levels in the hippocampus and NOD1 receptor expression level in the small intestine ( p < 0.05), and also decreased neurodegeneration level, glial cell activity, and intestinal permeability in depressed rats. As a result, it was revealed in this study for the first time that the LGG probiotic bacterium has antidepressant properties and was found to be more effective than the antidepressant drugs bupropion and venlafaxine. Our results suggest that LGG is a potential psychobiotic bacterium and can be useful to treat depression. It may be an effective and useful option in combating depression.

Depression, a prevalent psychiatric disorder, exerts severe and debilitating impacts on an individual's mental and physical well-being, and it is considered a chronic mental illness. Chronic stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus thermophilus are psychobiotic bacteria and synthesize some neurotransmitters that play a role in the pathogenesis of depression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Bactolac (Lactobacillus plantarum NBIMCC 8767 + Streptococcus thermophilus NBIMCC 8258) on chronic stress-induced depression in rats. Behavioral tests, including the sucrose preference test, elevated plus maze test, forced swim test, and three-chamber sociability test, were employed to assess depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. The expression level of the 5-HT1A, DRD1, ADRA-2A, GABA-A α1, CNR1, NR3C2, NOD1, NLRP3 and MC4R; BDNF levels, glial activity and intestinal permeability were determined in chronic stress-induced depression in rats. In conclusions, chronic stress decreased the expression levels of 5-HT1A, DRD1, ADRA-2A, GABA-A α1, CNR1, NR3C2, NOD1 and BDNF level; increased the expression levels of NLRP3 and MC4R, caused neurodegeneration and glial activity, ultimately led to depressive effects. Bactolac was effective in reducing depressive-like behaviors according to the results of behavioral tests. Bactolac treatment provided high neuronal survival rate increasing BDNF level, prevented the excessive release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by reducing the expression levels of NLRP3 and MC4R, therefore, prevented the excessive activation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and accordingly, reduced neurodegeneration and glial cell activation in depressed rats. We can suggest that Bactolac supplementation may be beneficial in coping with stress, alleviate the effects of chronic stress and help to protect mental health.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon and rectum. Spexin is a novel peptide with antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of spexin in mitigating acetic acid‐induced colitis in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to control (n = 14) and colitis (n = 21) groups. Colitis was induced via 5% acetic acid (AA) administration (1 mL, intrarect). Post‐induction, rats received subcutaneous saline (1 mL/kg), spexin (50 µg/kg/day), or oral sulfasalazine (500 mg/kg) for 5 days. Control groups received saline or spexin. After 24 h of the final treatment, colons were evaluated macroscopically, and levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐18 were determined by ELISA, oxidative stress markers myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured spectrophotometrically and NOD‐like receptor pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3), nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), caspase‐1 proteins were analyzed with Western Blot alongside histopathological assessments. Colitis induction significantly elevated macroscopic damage scores, stool consistency, inflammatory cytokines, MDA, MPO, and NLRP3, NF‐κB, caspase‐1, while reducing GSH levels (p < 0.001–0.01). Microscopic evaluations confirmed increased necrosis, submucosal edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration (p < 0.001). Spexin reversed these effects by enhancing GSH levels (p < 0.01), reducing macroscopic/microscopic scores, cytokines, MDA, and MPO levels (p < 0.05–0.001), and suppressing NLRP3, NF‐κB, and caspase‐1 activation (p < 0.01–0.001). For the first time that spexin ameluates acetic acid‐induced colitis in rats by modulating the NF‐κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway, reducing oxidative damage, enhancing antioxidant capacity, and suppressing inflammation.

Eritrositler, dokular ile akciğerler arasında oksijen ve karbondioksit alışverişinde rol alan hücrelerdir. Organizmayı enfeksiyona karşı korunmasında, immün adezyonun arttırılmasında, fagositozun güçlendirilmesinde de görev alırlar. Eritrositlerin bu görevlerini yerine getirebilmesi için kanın hemodinamik özelliklerinin korunması gerekmektedir. En önemli özelliklerinden biri olan deformabilite yeteneği, kan akımına karşı direnci en aza indirmeye ve hücre şeklini değişken akış koşullarına adapte edebilmeye katkı sağlamaktadır. Eritrositlerin deformabilite yeteneği, sabit bir membran yüzey alanını korurken, hücre parçalanmasını da engellemektedir. Eritrositlerin deformabilite yeteneğinin azalması sonucu kılcal damarları tıkayarak kan akımını engellemekte ve doku oksijenlenmesini azaltmaktadır. Eritrosit deformabilitesini etkileyen çok sayıda faktör bulunmaktadır. Bazı etkilerin fizyolojik regülasyonu ile eritrosit rijiditesinin reversibl olarak değişmesi olasıdır. Egzersiz esnasında eritrosit rijiditesinde reversibl olarak bir fizyolojik mekanizma sağlanıyorken, patolojik koşulların eritrositlerde eriptoza (eritrositlerde programlanmış ölüme) yol açma olasılığı daha yüksektir. Eritrosit deformabilite yeteneğini ve eriptoz oluşumunu ortamın çeşitli fizikokimyasal özellikleri belirlemektedir. Kan dolaşımındaki çeşitli elementlerin, moleküllerin ve bazı hormon düzeylerinin eritrosit deformabilite yeteneği ve eriptoz oluşumunu etkileyebildiği ileri sürülmektedir. Ayrıca eritrosit membranının dinamik özellikleri sitoplazma içeriğinden de etkilenmektedir. Literatürü incelediğimizde, çok sayıda yapılan çalışmada çeşitli hastalıkların fizyopatolojisinde eritrositlerin deformabilite yeteneğinin azaldığı görülmektedir. Bu derlememizde, hastalıkların fizyopatolojisinde eritrosit deformabilite yeteneğinin önemini açıklamayı amaçlanmaktadır.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of intraerythrocyte fluid volume, erythrocyte indices, and biochemical parameters and to evaluate the relationship between intraerythrocyte fluid volume and these parameters in patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and healthy controls. Method: The study included 42 patients with DM and 40 healthy controls. Biochemical parameters were measured using an automated analyzer. Complete blood counts were performed using an automated hematology analyzer, and intraerythrocyte fluid volumes were measured using the microcentrifugation method. Results: Intraerythrocyte fluid volume, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and glucose levels were higher in the patient group than in the control group, whereas mean corpuscular volume (MCV), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) values were lower in the patient group than in the control group. On the other hand, a negative correlation was found between intraerythrocyte fluid volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), magnesium (Mg), and K values in the patient group. Conclusion: Studies findings indicated that intraerythrocyte fluid volume may be an effective hemodynamic parameter in the etiopathogenesis of DM. In line with these data, it can be suggested that intraerythrocyte fluid volume is an important factor that should be considered in monitoring the progression of the disease.