Mustafa Can Güler

Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction, and low-grade inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Akkermansia muciniphila Muc T (ATCC BAA-835) on gut microbiota composition, intestinal barrier integrity, and TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP2-mediated inflammatory signaling in a stress-induced rat model of IBS-D. IBS-D was induced in rats using combined chronic and acute stress paradigms. Animals received A. muciniphila supplementation during the experimental period. Serum inflammatory cytokines and tight junction–related proteins were quantified by ELISA. Protein expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB, and NLRP2 were assessed by Western blotting. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples. Histopathological and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to assess tissue inflammation and cellular damage. IBS-D rats exhibited increased inflammatory cytokine levels, impaired tight junction protein expression, activation of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP2 pathway, and significant alterations in gut microbiota diversity. A. muciniphila supplementation significantly attenuated inflammatory responses, restored intestinal barrier–associated proteins, and suppressed inflammatory signaling. Microbiota analysis revealed partial correction of dysbiosis, including increased abundance of beneficial taxa such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. A. muciniphila alleviates IBS-D–associated intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction by modulating gut microbiota composition and inflammatory signaling pathways, supporting its potential as a microbiota-based therapeutic strategy for IBS-D.

Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury secondary to ovarian torsion results in oxidative stress, inflammation, and structural damage to the ovary. Silymarin (SLY), a natural flavonoid complex, possesses potent antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of SLY on ovarian IR injury. An experimental model of OIR was created, and animals were divided into Sham, OIR, and OIR + SLY groups. An acute single dose of silymarin (100 mg/kg) was given to the treatment group. Tissue and serum levels of TNF‐α, IL‐17, TGF‐β1, and H ₂ O ₂ were determined, as well as TOS. Tissue oxidative stress parameters MDA, GSH content, and SOD activity were assessed. Histopathological evaluation of ovarian tissues was done. Compared to sham controls, the OIR group exhibited significantly higher tissue and serum inflammatory cytokine levels, and oxidative stress indicators, as well as higher MDA levels and lower GSH and SOD activity ( p < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed significant vascular congestion, bleeding, and tissue deterioration. SLY therapy significantly decreased inflammatory cytokines and lipid peroxidation while increasing antioxidant defenses ( p < 0.05). Histopathological results also showed improved ovarian tissue integrity in the treatment group. SLY may be used as an adjuvant treatment for ovarian torsion, as it reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in OIR injury of the ovary while preserving its histological structure.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most important problems threatening global public health by complicating the treatment of infections worldwide. The increase in resistant microorganisms creates a serious economic and social burden on healthcare systems and increasingly limits treatment options. Conscious use of antibiotics, infection control measures and the development of alternative treatment strategies are vital to ensure sustainability in health. Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common gram-negative bacterium among urinary tract infections. Treatment of infections has become difficult due to the resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Bee venom (BV) and nanovesicle fractions isolated from BV are bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of BVand bee venom-derived nanovesicle fractions against the nosocomial infection agent K. pneumoniae, and to evaluate CTX-M PCR band detection under the tested conditions. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), antibiofilm activity, fractional inhibition concentrations (FIC), CTX-M PCR band detection, and viability rates in L929 cells were evaluated for both BVand the bee venom-derived nanovesicle fraction against K. pneumoniae. MIC value of nanovesicle fractions isolated from BVwas determined as 1.95 mg/L. In combination with piperacillin and tazobactam, a synergistic effect was detected with a value of 0.5. Antibiofilm activity was measured with the highest absorbance value of 0.163 and 0.094 for BV nanovesicle fractions. A detectable CTX-M PCR band was observed in the BVgroup at 0.5× MIC, whereas no detectable band was observed at both concentrations by day 4. In the bee venom-derived nanovesicle fraction group, no detectable CTX-M PCR band was observed at 2× MIC and 0.5× MIC under the tested conditions. In contrast, detectable CTX-M PCR bands were observed in the piperacillin-tazobactam group. It was reported that the combination groups decreased the viability rate in L929 cell lines. The bee venom-derived nanovesicle fraction showed antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and PCR-based detection findings under the tested conditions, supporting the need for further investigation in broader in vitro and in vivo models.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause invasive infections, especially under conditions of immunosuppression and dysbiosis. Its presence alongside Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli may lead to polymicrobial biofilm-related infections. Due to rising antimicrobial resistance, alternative therapies are being explored, including luteolin, a natural flavonoid with reported in vitro antimicrobial activity. This study evaluated the in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of luteolin against C. albicans, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, both individually and in combination. Methods involved determining minimum inhibitory concentrations, using scanning electron microscopy, fibroblast viability tests, ELISA-based cytokine measurements, and RT-qPCR analysis of key biofilm- and quorum-sensing-related genes (luxS, lasI, and ALS1). MIC values were 0.011 mg/mL for individual strains and 0.046 mg/mL for the polymicrobial mixture. Luteolin treatment reduced microbial adherence and improved fibroblast viability compared to infected controls. Infection increased IL-1β levels and decreased IL-10 levels, effects that luteolin partially reversed. RT-qPCR showed downregulation of selected biofilm-related genes at 2×MIC. These findings demonstrate luteolin's measurable antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects in vitro under controlled laboratory conditions, supporting further validation in preclinical models to assess translational potential.

Aim: The objective of this study is to ascertain the association between two prevalent GABRA1 polymorphisms (rs12658835, rs35166395) and migraine with aura . In addition, the investigation will encompass the clinical characteristics of the condition, including trigger patterns and family history. Material and Method: 108 persons with clinically proven migraine with aura and 107 demographically matched healthy controls were enrolled in a multicenter case-control study (Atatürk University Faculty of Medicine Neurology Department and Palandöken State Hospital Neurology Outpatient Clinic; 01 Feb–01 Jun 2013). Sociodemographics, migraine characteristics, triggers, and family history were recorded through structured in-person interviews. A sample of peripheral blood was used to extract genomic DNA. SNP genotyping was performed using a validated real-time PCR allelic discrimination kit for GABRA1 rs12658835 and rs35166395. The case/control status was hidden from the lab staff. Results: The migraine with aura cohort was predominantly female (82.4%) with a mean age of 33.8 ± 12.4 years; the control group exhibited a similar distribution of sex and age (both p > 0.05, Mann–Whitney U for age). rs12658835 exhibited an excess of mutant genotype in migraine with aura (7.4%, 8/108) in comparison to the control group (0%, 0/107), p = 0.007. The genotype distributions of rs35166395 (wild/mutant/heterozygous: 60/16/24% in migraine with aura vs. 65/13/22% in controls) did not differ (p > 0.05). In the context of migraine with aura cases, a family history of migraine was associated with an elevated probability of activity-impairing attacks (69.4% overall; OR ≈ 2.06; p = 0.02) and pain exacerbation during physical activity (p = 0.02). No substantial gender-based disparities were observed in other clinical characteristics. Conclusion: In this Turkish cohort, the GABRA1 rs12658835 variant is associated with migraine with aura, whereas the rs35166395 variant is not. Familial predisposition is linked to more debilitating attacks and exertional exacerbation, highlighting the genetic factors that contribute to the severity of the phenotype and the potential GABAergic mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of migraine with aura.

Objective: Testicular torsion represents a urological emergency that, if unaddressed, can culminate in infertility. This study investigated the protective role of silymarin (SIL), a plant-derived flavonoid known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, in a rat model of testicular torsion-detorsion (T/D)-associated ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were randomized into three groups: sham, T/D, and 100 mg/kg SIL. The T/D and SIL groups underwent 2 hours of torsion followed by 2 hours of detorsion. Testicular tissue samples were analyzed for markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and oxidative stress index (OSI)), antioxidant activity (total antioxidant status (TAS) and (superoxide dismutase (SOD)), and proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α)).Results: SIL treatment significantly diminished MDA, TOS, MPO, TNF-α, OSI, and IL-1β, and increased SOD and TAS in comparison to the T/D group (p

Objective: We aimed to determine whether pre-detorsion rosmarinic acid (RA) mitigates oxidative and inflammatory damage in a rat torsion–detorsion (T/D)-induced I/R injury model.Methods: Thirty-two male rats were randomised (n=8/group) to sham, T/D, T/D + RA 40 mg/kg, or T/D + RA 80 mg/kg. T/D consisted of 2 h torsion followed by 2 h reperfusion. RA (i.p.) was administered 30 min before detorsion. Testis tissue was analysed for oxidative stress markers (MDA, MPO, OSI, TOS), antioxidant parameters (SOD, TAS), and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β).Results: Compared with sham, T/D caused high MDA, MPO, TNF-α, TOS/OSI, IL-1β, and low SOD, TAS. RA significantly reversed these changes versus T/D, lowering oxidative and inflammatory markers and enhancing antioxidant defences. The high dose RA was equal or superior to low dose—with clearer gains for SOD, TAS, MPO, and cytokines—whereas TOS/OSI improvements were similar at both doses.Conclusions: RA attenuates oxidative and inflammatory injury in testicular T/D as a peri-detorsion adjunct.