The aims of this study were to analyze cytokine profiles in patients with COVID-19, gain insights into the immune response during acute infection, identify cytokines associated with disease severity and post-COVID complications, and explore potential biomarkers for prognosis and therapeutic targets. Using a multiplex analysis, we studied the cytokine pattern in 294 acute COVID-19 and post-COVID patients with varying severities of infection. Our findings revealed that disease severity was associated with elevated levels of IL-15, IL-8, and fractalkine. Severe/extremely severe forms in comparison with mild/moderate disease were associated with MCP-1, IFNa2, IL-7, IL-15, EGF, IP-10, IL-8, Eotaxin, FGF-2, GROa, sCD40L, and IL-10. The key cytokines of post-COVID are FGF-2, VEGF-A, EGF, IL-12(p70), IL-13, and IL-6. By the sixth month after recovering from a coronavirus infection, regardless of disease severity, some patients may develop complications such as arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, glucose intolerance, thyrotoxicosis, atherosclerosis, and rapid progression of previously diagnosed conditions. Each complication is characterized by distinct cytokine profiles. Importantly, these complications can also be predicted during the acute phase of the coronavirus infection. Understanding cytokine patterns can aid in predicting disease progression, identifying high-risk patients, and developing targeted interventions to improve the outcomes of COVID-19.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery induces profound gut microbiota alterations that may impact metabolic outcomes. This study investigated site-specific effects of a multicomponent bovine colostrum-honey-serviceberry (CHJ) complex on post-RYGB microbiome changes in obese rats. Twenty-nine Wistar rats underwent RYGB surgery with CHJ supplementation, followed by mucosal-associated microbiota analysis from five gastrointestinal segments using 16S rRNA sequencing and serum metabolite profiling. RYGB caused regional-specific changes: decreased alpha diversity, systematic Proteobacteria increases (31.2 ± 5.1% in duodenum), and reductions in SCFA-producing bacteria (Romboutsia, Roseburia). CHJ supplementation exhibited dual effects on the microbiome: restoration of beneficial bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium) in distal segments while concurrently promoting Enterobacteriaceae growth in proximal regions. CHJ also maintained alpha diversity levels of the mucosa-associated microbiota comparable to those observed in the control group. Disconnects emerged between predicted microbial functions and systemic metabolites: thiamine pathway activation accompanied 78.5% serum vitamin B1 reduction, indicating severe absorption deficits. Three distinct patterns emerged: pro-inflammatory (proximal), decolonization (widespread Helicobacteraceae loss), and restorative (selective CHJ-mediated recovery). Results demonstrate that post-RYGB dysbiosis exhibits profound regional heterogeneity requiring segment-specific interventions and highlight complex interactions between nutritional supplementation and surgically altered gut ecology in determining metabolic outcomes.

Background: Harnessing the potential to enhance hepatocyte detoxification by modulating the diversity and abundance of the intestinal microbiota through probiotic intervention presents a compelling avenue for correcting and preventing homeostatic disorders along the intestinal-liver axis. The aim of this study is to identify the biological parameters indicative of impaired interactions along the intestinal-liver axis during drug-induced hepatitis. Materials and methods: Paracetamol-induced hepatitis in animals was simulated by orally administering 2500 mg/kg paracetamol for three days [1]. DNA isolation from rat samples utilized ZymoBiomics DNA Microprep kits. Sequencing libraries, generated by 16S rRNA gene amplification, were assessed for quality using a Qubit 2.0 instrument. Results: Preliminary findings indicate a clear association between drug-induced hepatitis and alterations in the gut microbiota along the intestinal-liver axis. We observed the changes in bacterial phyla and a reduction in the genus Akkermansia. Probiotic intervention has shown promising results in various aspects of gut health. It can modulate the gut flora, enhance hepatocyte detoxification, and restore a balanced microbiome background. In the context of hepatic encephalopathy, probiotics have been found to increase beneficial microflora, reduce pathogenic bacteria and endotoxemia, and prevent overt hepatic encephalopathy. Probiotics have also been shown to improve the clinical outcomes of hepatic encephalopathy, reduce ammonia concentration, and decrease the severity of adverse events [2]. Conclusions: By elucidating the intricate connections between drug-induced hepatotoxicity, the gut microbiome, this study contributes to the development of targeted interventions for enhancing liver health and overall well-being. Key words: drug-induced hepatitis, gut microbiota, probiotic, intestinal-liver axis References: Tropskaya N. S., Vilkova I. G., Kislykova E. A., Kislicina O. S., Chernen’kaya T.V., Popova T. The change of intestinal microfl ora in nonsteroidal anti–infl ammatory drug acetaminophen administration. Experimental and Clinical Gastroenterology. 2018;154(6): 86–89. Gromova, L.V.; Ermolenko, E.I.; Sepp, A.L.; Dmitrieva, Y.V.; Alekseeva, A.S.; Lavrenova, N.S.; Kotyleva, M.P.; Kramskaya, T.A.; Karaseva, A.B.; Suvorov, A.N.; et al. Gut Digestive Function and Microbiome after Correction of Experimental Dysbiosis in Rats by Indigenous Bifidobacteria. Microorganisms 2021, 9, 522. https:// doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms 9030522

Background/Objectives: The gut and liver are functionally coupled along the gut–liver axis, yet most studies treat the intestine as a single compartment and sample feces alone. We tested whether a plant-derived beetroot–tarragon microgreen beverage engages this axis in a segment-selective, colon-anchored manner in a rat model of paracetamol-induced liver injury with the intestinal dysbiosis characteristic of this model. Methods: In a rat model of paracetamol-induced liver injury with the intestinal dysbiosis characteristic of this model, three paracetamol-exposed groups—a paracetamol-only model (APAP) and two treatment arms receiving either the beetroot–tarragon microgreen beverage (APAP+MG) or a licorice-root decoction (APAP+LIC)—were compared against an intact control serving as a reference. The gut–liver axis was interrogated end-to-end by combining liver histology, serum ¹H-NMR metabolomics and vitamin profiling, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing across five intestinal sites (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and faeces). Group differences were resolved with consensus differential-abundance testing, and colonic microbiota were linked to circulating metabolites through paired microbiome–metabolome integration. Results: Paracetamol produced a reproducible sub-massive injury. Microgreens were associated with less histological injury, less weight loss, and a serum metabolome closest to the intact state among the treated arms, although no individual metabolite contrast survived FDR correction. Community separation localised to the colon as a genuine centroid shift (Aitchison PERMANOVA R² = 0.22; PERMDISP non-significant), whereas small-intestinal separation partly reflected dispersion. The microgreen arm showed higher abundance of SCFA-associated Lachnospiraceae and lower Escherichia–Shigella, with a broader colonic response than licorice (27 vs. 4 differentially abundant genera). The microbiome–metabolome association was directional but exploratory; no genus–metabolite pair survived FDR correction. Conclusions: The beverage was associated with attenuation of paracetamol-induced hepatic injury (assessed histologically only; serum ALT/AST were not measured) through a colon-localised, SCFA-oriented remodelling with a directional but non-significant shift of the serum metabolome toward the intact profile, extending the microbiome-modulating benefits of microgreens to an acute drug-injury setting and supporting their further development as functional beverages, subject to a dedicated safety evaluation. As a pilot study with modest sample sizes and non-time-matched group endpoints, these findings require confirmation in adequately powered, time-matched cohorts.

Введение. Использование лекарственных трав приобретает все большее значение как альтернативного лечения во многих странах для лечения paн и oжoгoвых тpaвм. Pacтения из cемейcтвa Гpечишных coдеpжaт биoлoгичеcкие aктивные вещеcтвa paзличных клaccoв пpиpoдных coединений: флaвонoиды, дубильные вещеcтвa, теpпенoиды, aминoкиcлoты, углевoды, микpoэлементы, эфиpные мacлa, что определяет их применение в народной медицине, кaк пpoтивoвocпaлительного средства и создает перспективы для дальнейшего экспериментального исследования. Цель исследования. Оценка paнoзaживляющегo cвoйcтвa cубcтaнции G15, пoлученнoй из pacтения Жузгун cемейcтвa Гpечишных нa экспериментальной мoдели oжoгoвoй paны у кpыc. Материал и методы. Субстанция предоставлена НИИ биоорганической химии ЕНУ имени Л.Н. Гумилева. На эмульсионной основе липодерм приготовлена мазь в 3-х концентрациях: 1%, 3% и 5% мази субстанции G.15. В качестве препаратов сравнения взяты 10% Метилурациловая мазь (производитель АОА «Биосинтез» Российская Федерация), Облепиховое масло (производитель ПК Фирма «Кызылмай» Республика Казахстан). Изучение ранозаживляющей активности субстанции in vivo проводили на модели ожоговой раны у крыс в 6 группах. Процесс регенерации ткани оценивали по срокам отторжения ожогового струпа, срокам эпителизации и полному заживлению раны на 1, 7, 14, 21 и 28-е сутки и результатам гистологического анализа среза тканей на 1, 15 и 30-е сутки исследования. Результаты. Ранозаживление в опытных группах животных характеризовалось более лёгким течением процесса, купированием распространения некроза в глубокие слои кожи. В целом, наименьшие сроки заживления ожоговых ран отмечены при применении 5% мази субстанции и метилурациловой мази. Так в сравнении с контролем сроки заживления ран сократилось на 12,0 и 10,72 дней соответственно, менее выраженные данные в других опытных группах. Гистоморфологические исследования подтвердили динамику восстановления кожной ткани после ожога. Выводы. Полученные данные свидетельствуют о том, что 5% мазь на основе субстанции G15 из растения Жузгун обладает ранозаживляющей активностью и превосходит по своей эффективности облепиховое масло, 1% и 3% мази субстанции и сопоставим по эффективности с метилурациловой мазью. Introduction. The use of medicinal herbs is becoming increasingly important as an alternative treatment in many countries for the treatment of wounds and burn injuries. Plants from the Buckwheat family contain biologically active substances: flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, amino acids, carbohydrates, trace elements, essential oils, which determines its use in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory agent. Aim of the study. Evaluation of the wound-healing properties of the G15 substance from the Zhuzgun of the Buckwheat family an experimental model of a burn wound in rats. Materials and methods. The substance was provided L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. An ointment was prepared of Lipoderm: 1%, 3% and 5% ointment of substance G15. 10% Methyluracil ointment, Sea Buckthorn oil were taken as comparison drugs. The study of the wound-healing activity of the substance was carried out on burn wound model in rats in 6 groups. The process of tissue regeneration was assessed by the timing of burn scab rejection, the timing of epithelization and complete healing on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Results of histological analysis on days 1, 15 and 30 of the study. Results. Wound healing in the experimental groups of animals was characterized by an easier course of the process, stopping the spread of necrosis into the deep layers of the skin. In general, the shortest healing time for burn wounds was observed when using 5% and methyluracil ointment. So, in comparison with control, the wound healing time was reduced by 12,0 and 10,72 days, respectively, less pronounced data in other experimental groups. Histomorphological studies confirmed the dynamics of skin tissue restoration after a burn. Conclusions. The data obtained indicate that 5% ointment based on the substance from Zhuzgun has wound-healing activity, is superior in its effectiveness to sea buckthorn oil, 1% and 3% ointment, and is comparable in effectiveness to methyluracil ointment. Жаралар мен күйік...