Background and Objectives: The excess consumption of fructose in the diet may cause metabolic syndrome, which is associated with an increased risk of kidney disease. There is limited data on probiotic treatment in high-fructose-induced metabolic syndrome. The present study aims to investigate whether the supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) and Lactobacillus helveticus (L. helveticus) could provide an improving effect on the renal insulin signaling effectors, inflammatory parameters, and glucose transporters in fructose-fed rats. Materials and Methods: The model of metabolic syndrome in male Wistar rats was produced by fructose, which was given as 20% solution in drinking water for 15 weeks. L. plantarum and L. helveticus supplementations were given by gastric gavage from 10 to 15 weeks of age. Results: High-fructose consumption in rats reduced renal protein expressions of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, protein kinase B (AKT), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which were improved by L. plantarum and partially by L. helveticus supplementations. Dietary fructose-induced elevations in renal tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10, as well as expression of IL-6 mRNA, were attenuated, especially in L. plantarum treated rats. The increased renal expression of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2), but not that of glucose transporter type-5 (GLUT5), was suppressed by the treatment with L. plantarum. Conclusion: Suppression in insulin signaling pathway together with the induction of inflammatory markers and upregulation of SGLT2 in fructose-fed rats were improved by L. plantarum supplementation. These findings may offer a new approach to the management of renal dysregulation induced by dietary high-fructose.

Background and objectives: Boxing is a popular combat sport that requires high intensity and cooperation. However, there are limited data about the influence of boxing matches on blood parameters. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the match-induced changes in the metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory status in male elite boxers. Materials and methods: High-level 20 male boxers with more than 5 years experience in boxing voluntarily participated in this study. Venous blood samples of the boxers, before and after combat, were taken for determination of the plasma parameters. Results: Our results indicated that a 9-min boxing match caused significant increases in plasma energy fuels (glucose and lactate), metabolic hormones (insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and growth hormone), inflammatory markers (interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)), muscle damage indicators (alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)), and oxidative stress marker (SOD). A decrease in total oxidant status (TOS) was also considered. However, there were no significant alterations in the plasma levels of androgenic hormone (free and total testosterone), anabolic hormone (IGF-1), lipids (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)), kidney function markers (creatinine and urea), and minerals (iron (Fe) and magnesium (Mg)). Conclusion: Elevations in the level of energy fuels and metabolic hormones of the boxers could be taken as a reflection of high-energy turnover during combat performance. The increases in inflammatory and tissue damage indicators may possibly be an indication of traumatic injury. Understanding the biochemical changes that occur during boxing match could be valuable to optimize the performance improvement of the athletes.

This study aimed to assess the antifungal and antibiofilm efficacy of artemisinin against Candida (C.) species, analyze its impact on gene expression levels within C. albicans biofilms, and investigate the molecular interactions through molecular docking. The antifungal efficacy of artemisinin on a variety of Candida species, including fluconazole-resistant and -susceptible species, was evaluated by the microdilution method. The effect of artemisinin on C. albicans biofilm formation was investigated by MTT and FESEM. The mRNA expression of the genes related to biofilm was analyzed by qRT-PCR. In addition, molecular docking analysis was used to understand the interaction between artemisinin and C. albicans at the molecular level with RAS1-cAMP-EFG1 and EFG1-regulated genes. Artemisinin showed higher sensitivity against non-albicans Candida strains. Furthermore, artemisinin was strongly inhibitory against C. albicans biofilms at 640 µg/mL. Artemisinin downregulated adhesion-related genes ALS3, HWP1, and ECE1, hyphal development genes UME6 and HGC1, and hyphal CAMP-dependent protein kinase regulators CYR1, RAS1, and EFG1. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis revealed that artemisinin and EFG1 had the highest affinity, followed by UME6. FESEM analysis showed that the fluconazole- and artemisinin-treated groups exhibited a reduced hyphal network, unusual surface bulges, and the formation of pores on the cell surfaces. Our study suggests that artemisinin may have antifungal potential and showed a remarkable antibiofilm activity by significantly suppressing adhesion and hyphal development through interaction with key proteins involved in biofilm formation, such as EFG1.

In the present study, we investigated the influence of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus helveticus supplementation on lipogenesis, insulin signalling and glucose transporters in liver of high-fructose-fed rats. Fructose was given to the rats as a 20% solution in drinking water for 15 weeks. Lactobacillus plantarum and L. helveticus supplementations were performed by gastric gavage once a day during final 6 weeks. Dietary high-fructose increased hepatic weight, lipid accumulation and FASN expression as well as caused a significant reduction in IRS-1 expression, pAKT/total AKT and peNOS/total eNOS ratios, but an elevation in GLUT2 and GLUT5 mRNAs in the liver. Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation decreased hepatic weight, triglyceride content and FASN expression as well as improved IRS-1/AKT/eNOS pathway and GLUT2 expression in the liver of high-fructose-fed rats. However, L. helveticus supplementation exerted a restoring effect on lipid accumulation by decreasing FASN expression, and regulating effect on IRS-1 and GLUT2 expressions.

Candida species, opportunistic pathogens that cause various infections, pose a significant threat due to their ability to form biofilms that resist antifungal treatments and immune responses. The increasing resistance of Candida spp. and the limited availability of effective treatments have prompted the research of natural compounds as alternative therapies. This study assessed the antifungal properties of RA against Candida species, focusing on its impact on C. albicans biofilms and the underlying mechanisms. The antifungal efficacy of RA was evaluated using the CLSI M27-A3 microdilution method on both fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant strains. Biofilm formation by C. albicans was assessed through a crystal violet assay, while its antibiofilm activity was analyzed using an MTT assay and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Gene expression related to biofilm formation was studied using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and statistical analysis was performed with an ANOVA. Among the 28 Candida strains tested, RA exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 160 to 1280 μg/mL. At a 640 μg/mL concentration, it significantly reduced the expression of genes associated with adhesion (ALS3, HWP1, and ECE1), hyphal development (UME6 and HGC1), and hyphal cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulators (CYR1, RAS1, and EFG1) in RAS1-cAMP-EFG1 pathway (p < 0.05). FESEM analysis revealed a reduction in hyphal networks and disruptions on the cell surface. Our study is the first to demonstrate the effects of RA on C. albicans adhesion, hyphae development, and biofilm formation through gene expression analysis with findings supported by FESEM. This approach distinguishes our study from previous studies on the effect of RA on Candida. However, the high MIC values of RA limit its antifungal potential. Therefore, more extensive research using innovative methods is required to increase the antifungal effect of RA.

Increasing antifungal resistance and side effects of existing drugs demand alternative approaches for treating Candida (C.) infections. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the antifungal efficacy of myricetin (MYR), a natural flavonoid, against both fluconazole (FLC)-resistant and susceptible clinical Candida strains, with a particular focus on its inhibitory effects on C. albicans biofilms. Antifungal susceptibility was evaluated on Candida spp. by the broth microdilution method, and the impact of myricetin on C. albicans biofilms was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the antibiofilm properties of myricetin, expression analysis of genes in the RAS1/cAMP/EFG1 pathway (ALS3, HWP1, ECE1, UME6, HGC1) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulation (RAS1, CYR1, EFG1) involved in the transition from yeast to hyphae was performed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used to study the ultrastructural changes and morphological dynamics of Candida biofilms after exposure to MYR and FLC. The in vivo toxicity of myricetin was evaluated by survival analysis using the Galleria mellonella model. Myricetin significantly suppressed key genes related to hyphae development (RAS1, CYR1, EFG1, UME6, and HGC1) and adhesion (ALS3 and HWP1) in both clinical and reference Candida strains at a concentration of 640 µg/mL. FESEM analysis revealed that myricetin inhibited hyphae growth and elongation in C. albicans. This study highlights the promising antibiofilm potential of myricetin through a significant inhibition of biofilm formation and hyphal morphogenesis.