Octavia Sabin

Background/Objectives: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulate in long-lived extracellular matrix proteins and have been implicated in skin aging and tissue remodeling, particularly in photo-exposed skin. High-frequency ultrasound (HFU) offers a non-invasive assessment of structural skin parameters that may reflect these changes. This study aimed to explore the associations between serum AGEs and HFU-derived structural parameters of cervico-facial skin, with a focus on UV-exposed dermal tissue. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 113 adults recruited in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Fasting serum samples were analyzed for fructosyl-lysine (FruLys), pyrraline (Pyr), methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone-1 (MG-H1), carboxyethyl-lysine (CEL), carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), arginine (Arg), and lysine (Lys). HFU, using a 22 MHz probe, was performed on the left zygomatic area to assess epidermal depth and density, UV-exposed dermal damage depth and density, dermis depth and density, and subcutaneous tissue depth and density. Associations between serum AGEs and HFU parameters were evaluated using Spearman correlation, with Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple testing. Results: After FDR correction, epidermal depth was inversely correlated with serum CML (r = −0.402, adjusted p = 0.018). UV-exposed dermal density was inversely correlated with serum Pyr (r = −0.547, adjusted p < 0.019), Arg (r = −0.369, adjusted p < 0.019), and Lys (r = −0.270, adjusted p < 0.019). Subcutaneous tissue depth was also inversely correlated with serum CML (r = −0.290, adjusted p = 0.020). Conclusions: The study showed that higher levels of specific serum AGEs were associated with selected HFU-derived structural alterations in cervico-facial skin, particularly in UV-exposed dermal tissue. These exploratory findings support the biological plausibility that systemic glycation may be reflected by non-invasive skin ultrasound parameters.

Background/Objectives: Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are the end products of the Maillard reaction, derived from reduced sugars and proteins, lipids or DNA. AGEs accumulate in dermal collagen and elastin, causing several changes: skin stiffening and loss of elasticity, stimulation of inflammation and the result of accelerated photo- and chronological aging, manifested by skin yellowing, wrinkles, and dryness. High Fre-quency Ultrasound (HFU) offers precise and non-invasive assessments of structural and inflammatory changes in the skin: it measures the thickness of the epidermis and dermis, echogenicity and the hypoechoic band under the epidermis. The aim of the study is to correlate AGEs levels in biological fluids with ultrasonographic measurements of sun-exposed skin and non-sun-exposed tissue. Methods: Patients (N=113) were enrolled and demographic, clinical, and anthropometric measurements were recorded: age, gender, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and Fitzpatrick skin type. Venous blood, urine and salivary samples were harvested. The following AGEs were assessed in biological fluids (plasma, saliva, urine): Fruc-tose-Lysine, Pyridine, Methyl-Glyoxal-H1, Carboxyethyl-lysine, Carboxymethyllysine, Arginine, Lysine. The tissue glycation process of collagen fibers was indirectly evaluated with a 22 MHz HFU ultrasound device (DUB cutis, Taberna Pro Medicum, Lüneburg, Germany). The assessment was performed on sun-exposed skin (left zygomatic area) and on non-sun-exposed tissue (non-keratinized mucosa of the lower lip). For the sun-exposed skin of the zygomatic area, including the epidermis, dermis, and subcuta-neous tissue (hypodermis), tissue depth (thickness), pixel count (px), and density (au-tomatic) were recorded. The non-sun-exposed tissue examined was the oral mucosa on the inner surface of the lower lip including the non-keratinized epithelium, lamina propria, and submucosa. Results: The study evidences a weak positive correlation between UV exposed dermis collagen and serum Pyr, salivary MG-H1, salivary Arg and salivary Lys. Between bio-fluid AGEs and the degree of pixelation of dermal collagen exposed to UV rays, we determined weak direct correlations with salivary MG-H1 and salivary CML. Significant indirect weak and medium correlations were found between dermal collagen density affected by UV exposure with serum CEL, Arg, Lys, weak direct correlation with sali-vary MG-H1 and salivary CML. Regarding the density of the dermis affected by UV exposure, we found a weak indirect correlation with salivary FruLys, MG-H1, CML and Lys . Conclusions: HFU ultrasound assessment revealed structural changes in the cervi-co-facial dermis, which were associated with increased AGEs, suggesting that gly-cation-induced tissue remodeling can be detected non-invasively. This data obtained might be the based for future studies on the clinical utility of the combined assessment of AGEs and skin changes by HFU as modern, rapid and non-invasive tools to identify patients at increased cardiovascular risk.

Background and Objectives: The vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1) plays a central role in the vitamin K cycle, which is essential for γ-carboxylation of multiple bone-related proteins. Genetic variants in VKORC1 may influence bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis risk. Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the association between VKORC1 polymorphisms and osteopenia and osteoporosis. Relevant studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Data on study characteristics, genotypes, BMD measurement, ethnicity, sex, and menopausal status were extracted. Results: Six studies comprising 7335 participants were included. All studies assessed BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The mean participant age ranged from 41.9 to 63.7 years. The VKORC1 variants most frequently studied, which were included in the meta-analysis, were rs9923231 and rs9934438. The overall effect of VKORC1 risk alleles on osteopenia/osteoporosis was significant with a p = 0.041 (fixed effects OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01–1.35). Heterogeneity among studies was insignificant (I² = 0%, p = 0.893). Conclusions: A modest association was observed for the VKORC1 variants. The current body of evidence requires further studies to elucidate whether VKORC1 polymorphisms have a clinically meaningful role in bone health.

Background: Respiratory viral infections such as COVID-19 and influenza represent significant public health threats, especially in vulnerable populations. Vitamin D has been promoted as an immunomodulatory agent, with previous studies suggesting an association between vitamin D levels and disease severity in respiratory infections. Additionally, genetic variations in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) may influence immune responses. Methods: This study investigates the relationship between vitamin D levels, VDR polymorphisms (rs1544410, rs731236, and rs7975232), and clinical severity in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and influenza during the 2023–2024 winter season. Results: A total of 71 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in severe COVID-19 cases (8.08 ng/mL, IQR: 4.79–15.7) compared to moderate forms (32.6 ng/mL, IQR: 13.0–38.6), as well as severe influenza cases (25.6 ng/mL, IQR: 18.9–34.5). Additionally, severe COVID-19 patients exhibited higher inflammatory markers (CRP, neutrophil count) and lower lymphocyte counts. However, no significant association was found between VDR polymorphisms and disease severity or vitamin D levels. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential role of vitamin D in modulating disease severity in respiratory viral infections, while the influence of genetic polymorphisms remains uncertain. Further research is needed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation could improve clinical outcomes in these infections.

This study investigates the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties of polyphenols extracted from Brassica oleracea var. capitata (cabbage) ethanolic extract (BOE). Given the historical use of cabbage in traditional medicine for treating various ailments, this research aims to validate these effects scientifically. The study involved the characterization of BOE’s bioactive compounds using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Liquid Chromatography–Diode Array Detection–Electro-Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI MS) analysis. We assessed the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of topical and oral BOE administration on rodent models with acute and subacute inflammation. Additionally, the antioxidant capacity of orally administered BOE was evaluated. The results showed that BOE possesses significant levels of phenolic compounds with a potent antioxidant activity. The topical administration of BOE demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory effects in the tested rodent models, which were comparable with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These findings suggest that BOE could be a valuable natural remedy for inflammation-related conditions, supporting its traditional uses and highlighting its potential for further pharmacological development.

Introduction and aim: A direct causal relationship between vitamin D (vit D) deficiency and recurrent wheezing has not been proven. The present study investigated the role of vit D in enhancing the risk of asthma or recurrent wheezing by modifying the intensity of the inflammatory process. Material and method: Forty children with wheezing presenting at the emergency service and sixteen healthy control subjects were included in the study. Children with wheezing were either in the first episode (20) or with recurrent wheezing (20). Children with chronic diseases, and other conditions that present with acute wheezing or that might influence the vit D level, were excluded. Blood samples were taken at presentation and 3–6 months later, to evaluate the serum levels of total IgE, vit D, IL-10 and IL-31. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 25 program, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results and conclusion. The vit D level was lower in patients with recurrent wheezing compared with those with a single episode and with the control group, and this increased with time. IL-10 was significantly higher in children with wheezing than in the control group, with the highest values in those with an acute episode of wheezing. IL-31 was higher in children with recurrent wheezing than in those with a first episode only at the initial point, while at the final time point it was lower. Low levels of vit D appear to be detected more frequently in recurrent wheezing than in simple wheezing. Immune modulation, as measured by Th2 status reflected by IL-10 and IL-31 levels, appears to depend on the wheezing phenotype and on the general health status.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health crisis and pushed researchers and physicians to discover possible treatments to improve the outcome of their patients. Vitamin D, known for its role in immune system function, has been hypothesized to play a role in COVID-19 treatment. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19, focusing on length of hospital stay (LOS), admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mortality. Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, and the meta-analysis revealed that high-dose vitamin D supplementation showed potential benefits in reducing the length of hospital stay and ICU admission rates for patients with COVID-19. However, the overall effect on mortality did not reach statistical significance. While this systematic review suggests the potential benefits of high-dose vitamin D supplementation in reducing hospital stays and ICU admission in COVID-19 patients, caution is warranted due to the high heterogeneity and limitations of the included studies. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials with consistent study characteristics are needed to provide more robust evidence regarding the therapeutic benefits of vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19 outcomes.

Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wigth & Arn. (DC) is widely used in traditional medicine against several inflammatory diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis, because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to characterize the polyphenol-rich DC fruit extracts and investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in a rat inflammation model induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA). Water and ethanolic extracts were characterized using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The polyphenol-rich extracts were administered in three different concentrations for 30 days. Pain threshold, thermal hyperalgesia, edema, and serum biomarkers specific to inflammatory processes or oxidative stress were evaluated. Both extracts were rich in polyphenolic compounds, mainly flavan-3-ols, proanthocyanidins, and flavone glycosides, which had important in vitro antioxidant capacity. DC fruit extracts administration had the maximum antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects after one day since the CFA injection and showed promising results for long-term use as well. The measurement of pro-inflammatory cytokines, cortisol, and oxidative stress parameters showed that DC extracts significantly reduced these parameters, being dose and extract-type dependent. These results showed potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidative properties and revealed the necessity of using a standardized polyphenolic DC extract to avoid result variability.

The study’s aim was to characterize the composition of Nigella sativa seed (NSO) and grape seed (GSO) oils, and to evaluate their cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effect on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced ischemia in rats. Materials and Methods: NSO and GSO supplements were physicochemically characterized. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were used to determine the phytochemical composition in the oils. Total polyphenol content (TPC) and in vitro antioxidant activity were also determined. Pretreatment with 4 mL/kg/day NSO or GSO was administered to rats for 14 days. The experimental ischemia was induced by a single administration of ISO 45 mg/kg after 14 days. An electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed initially and 24 h after ISO. Biological evaluation was done at the end of experiment. Results: The HPLC-MS, GC-MS, and FTIR analyses showed that both NSO and GSO are important sources of bioactive compounds, especially catechin and phenolic acids in GSO, while NSO was enriched in flavonoids and thymol derivatives. Pretreatment with GSO and NSO significantly reduced ventricular conduction, prevented the cardiotoxic effect of ISO in ventricular myocardium, and reduced the level of proinflammatory cytokines and CK-Mb. Conclusion: Both NSO and GSO were shown to have an anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effect in ISO-induced ischemia.