The aim of this study was to check the relationship between the density of urinary EVs, their size distribution, and the progress of early renal damage in type 2 diabetic patients (DMt2). Patients were enrolled to this study, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) below 7% was a threshold for properly controlled diabetic patients (CD) and poorly controlled diabetic patients (UD). Patients were further divided into two groups: diabetic patients without renal failure (NRF) and with renal failure (RF) according to the Glomerular Filtration Rate. Density and diameter of EVs were determined by Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing. Additionally, EVs were visualized by means of Transmission and Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy. Nano-liquid chromatography coupled offline with mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS) was applied for proteomic analysis. RF had reduced density of EVs compared to NRF. The size distribution study showed that CD had larger EVs (mode) than UD (115 versus 109 nm;p<0.05); nevertheless the mean EVs diameter was smaller in controls than in the CD group (123 versus 134 nm;p<0.05). It was demonstrated that EVs are abundant in urine. Albumin, uromodulin, and number of unique proteins related to cell stress and secretion were detected in the EVs fraction. Density and size of urinary EVs reflect deteriorated renal function and can be considered as potential renal damage biomarkers.

There is a global need to explore alternative protein sources and develop new health-promoting plant-based products. This study aimed to produce beverages from organic seeds of chickpeas and green or red lentils and assess the potential of using L. plantarum 299v to ferment these beverages. Spectrophotometric methods were used to evaluate the ability of the beverages to neutralize 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH^•) and chelate Fe²⁺. Total dietary fiber (including soluble and insoluble fractions) and the protein profiles were compared among the tested legume-derived beverages. The observations were focused on reductions in pH levels, total extract content, dietary fiber, ash, and moisture levels in all the fermented legume products. Fermentation contributed to increased antioxidative activity in all the tested products. The strongest ability to chelate Fe²⁺ (58.33 ± 2.35%) was noted in non-fermented green lentil products, while green lentil beverages fermented for 72 h exhibited the highest value of free radical scavenging activity (88.44 ± 4.24 DPPH^• inhibition %). Chickpea products fermented for 72 h displayed the highest count of viable bacterial cells at 7.0 ± 0.7 × 10⁸ CFU/g, while those fermented for 48 h exhibited the greatest number (2764) of potential biopeptide sequences. These findings highlight the feasibility of using this probiotic strain to enhance the functional properties of legume-based beverages.

Hepatocellular damage by the harmful effects of xenobiotics, which increase the production of free radicals, is a widespread phenomenon. The extract from the leaves of Cynara scolymus L. available as an artichoke preparation (natural source) of antioxidants may serve as a potential hepatoprotective factor. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the protective and regenerative properties of artichoke preparation on the liver in three extract doses: 0.5; 1.0; and 1.5 g/kg bw/day. The evaluation was conducted by measuring the levels of oxidative stress parameters, including glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferases (GST), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), SH- group, nitrosylated protein (RSNO), as well as such liver enzymes as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the plasma and liver homogenate of rats with liver damage induced by CCl₄ (1 mL/kg bw). Measurements were taken in plasma and liver homogenate. The results have demonstrated that the artichoke preparation, owing to its high antioxidative potential, exhibits protective and regenerative effects on the liver. This is supported by the observation of higher GSH levels in the plasma of rats treated with artichoke extract for two weeks before CCl₄ exposure. Furthermore, the artichoke extract has shown regenerative properties, as evidenced by lower ALT, AST, and SOD activity in the group treated with artichoke extract after CCl₄ exposure. These findings suggest that the in vivo administration of artichoke preparation may be beneficial for the protection and regeneration of the liver.

Platelet extracellular vesicles (PEVs) are emerging as key biomarkers in diabetes mellitus (DM), reflecting altered platelet function and coagulation pathways. This study compares two proteomic techniques—nanoLC-MALDI-MS/MS and nanoLC-TIMS-MS/MS—for analyzing PEVs in diabetic patients, to assess their potential for biomarker discovery. PEVs were isolated from platelet-rich plasma and characterized using tunable resistive pulse sensing (TRPS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Proteomic analyses identified significant differences in protein expression between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals, with nanoLC-TIMS-MS/MS demonstrating superior sensitivity by detecting 97% more unique proteins than nanoLC-MALDI-MS/MS. Key differentially expressed proteins included apolipoproteins and oxidative stress markers, which may contribute to platelet dysfunction and cardiovascular complications in DM. Sex-specific variations in protein expression were also observed, highlighting potential differences in disease progression between male and female patients. The integration of advanced proteomic methodologies provides novel insights into the role of PEVs in diabetes pathophysiology, underscoring their diagnostic and therapeutic potential. These findings pave the way for improved biomarker-based strategies for early detection and monitoring of diabetic complications.