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Sphingolipids (SLs) are bioactive signaling molecules essential for various cellular processes, including cell survival, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Key SLs such as ceramides, sphingosine, and their phosphorylated forms play critical roles in cellular integrity. Dysregulation of SL levels is implicated in numerous diseases, notably chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review focuses on the role of SLs in CKD, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for early detection and prognosis. SLs maintain renal function by modulating the glomerular filtration barrier, primarily through the activity of podocytes. An imbalance in SLs can lead to podocyte damage, contributing to CKD progression. SL metabolism involves complex enzyme-catalyzed pathways, with ceramide serving as a central molecule in de novo and salvage pathways. Ceramides induce apoptosis and are implicated in oxidative stress and inflammation, while sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) promotes cell survival and vascular health. Studies have shown that SL metabolism disorders are linked to CKD progression, diabetic kidney disease, and glomerular diseases. Targeting SL pathways could offer novel therapeutic approaches for CKD. This review synthesizes recent research on SL signaling regulation in kidney diseases, emphasizing the importance of maintaining SL balance for renal health and the potential therapeutic benefits of modulating SL pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cancer cachexia is a complex metabolic condition that is often overlooked and recognized in a late irreversible phase. There is a continuing effort to discover and define a biochemical biomarker of the condition. In this study, we have chosen interleukin-13 (IL-13) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), i.e., two cytokines with presumed roles in the development of cancer cachexia, and we measured their concentrations in the serum and saliva of cachectic patients with metastatic solid tumors, non-cachectic patients with metastatic solid tumors, and healthy individuals. We have demonstrated the role of saliva cytokine measurement as a potential sample for cachexia investigations as opposed to the standard approach to biomarker research, which is serum measurement. We have also found that the salivary IL-13 and TGF-ß are independent risk factors and thus could serve as potential biomarkers of the condition, a fact that warrants further research and confirmation. Cancer cachexia is a syndrome characterized by weight and muscle loss and functional impairment, strongly influencing survival in cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to establish the role of saliva cytokine measurement in cancer cachexia investigation and define two potential independent salivary biomarkers of the condition. Methods: serum and saliva specimens were obtained from 78 patients. Forty-six patients were non-cachectic, and 32 patients were cachectic (per SCRINIO group criteria), all with metastatic solid tumors. Commercial ELISA kits were used to determine the salivary and serum concentrations of interleukin 13 (IL-13) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in two patient groups and healthy controls. Laboratory values were obtained from the hospital information system, and weight and height were measured at the time of sampling. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in saliva IL-13 concentrations but no difference in serum concentrations. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the groups in saliva and serum concentrations of TGF-β. Logistic regression analysis has identified salivary IL-13 and TGF-β as independent factors for cancer cachexia. Conclusions: We demonstrated saliva as a valuable specimen for cachexia investigation and established IL-13 and TGF-β as potential cancer cachexia biomarkers. Further research is needed to evaluate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Despite their potential benefits, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are rarely used in kidney transplant recipients due to the fear of complications. We aim to describe epidemiological, clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of kidney transplant patients treated with eplerenone. Methods. Kidney transplant recipients who received eplerenone were included in this single-center retrospective study. Serum electrolytes, uric acid, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and proteinuria were recorded. Results. Ten kidney transplant recipients (6 male) received eplerenone for treatment of heart failure. With the median follow-up of 16 months (range 6-78 months), nine were alive with the functioning kidney allograft. Eplerenone was well tolerated. Only one patient developed mildly elevated potassium and one developed severe symptomatic hyponatremia, requiring hospitalization. The glomerular filtration rate decreased after eplerenone's introduction from 47.5(42-54) to 40 (35-48) ml/min/1.73m2 at three months (p<0.01) and remained stable in follow-up. Proteinuria decreased from 303 mg/24h to 185 mg/24h without a statistically significant difference. Eplerenone did not influence cyclosporine or tacrolimus trough levels. Uric acid increased after the introduction of eplerenone, requiring increased doses of allopurinol. Conclusions. Eplerenone may be used with caution in kidney transplant recipients. Careful monitoring of all electrolytes and not only of potassium is mandatory. In our cohort, eplerenone increased uric acid levels. Further studies are required to elucidate the clinical benefits and safety of eplerenone in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sphingolipids are found in all eukaryotic and some prokaryotic cells. Milk and dairy products are one of the most important sources of sphingolipids. This compounds participate in a variety of indispensable metabolic, neurological, and intracellular signaling processes. Sphingolipids and their derivatives are highly bioactive compounds with anti-cancer, bacteriostatic and cholesterol-lowering properties. Therefore, this review focuses on the potential health benefits of the milk and dairy sphingolipids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gangliosides belong to a group of glycosphingolipids which are naturally found in biological tissues and fluids including mammalian milks. Considering milk, gangliosides are exclusively found in the membrane of the milk fat globule. Recently, gangliosides are becoming more and more interesting due to their numerous functions. Dietary gangliosides have been related to the development of the intestinal immune system. The content of gangliosides ingested by a diet may be an important factor contributing to health benefits from gangliosides. The average amount of gangliosides in any human food is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of gangliosides and sialoglycoproteins in milk (human, cow's, sheep's, goat's) and soya drink. Additionally, the aim was to compare the concentrations regarding to human milk and to investigate the effect of pasteurization. Lipids were extracted from milk and gangliosides and sialoglycoproteins were determined quantitatively. The results of this research illustrate differences between the concentrations of gangliosides in cow's milk with various content of milk fat. The concentration of gangliosides in cow's milk is significantly lower regarding to human milk. The concentration of gangliosides in soya drink is significantly higher regarding to human milk. The concentration of sialoglycoproteins in soya drink is significantly lower than in human milk. The concentrations of gangliosides and sialoglycoproteins in cow's milk were not significantly different before and after pasteurization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most prevalent environmental pollutants and result from the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons (coal and gasoline, fossil fuel combustion, byproducts of industrial processing, natural emission, cigarette smoking, etc.). The first phase of xenobiotic biotransformation in the PAH metabolism includes activities of cytochrome P450 from the CYP1 family and microsomal epoxide hydrolase. The products of this biotransformation are reactive oxygen species that are transformed in the second phase through the formation of conjugates with glutathione, glucuronate or sulphates. PAH exposure may lead to PAH-DNA adduct formation or induce an inflammatory atherosclerotic plaque phenotype. Several genetic polymorphisms of genes encoded for enzymes involved in PAH biotransformation have been proven to lead to the development of diseases. Enzyme CYP P450 1A1, which is encoded by the CYP1A1 gene, is vital in the monooxygenation of lipofilic substrates, while GSTM1 and GSTT1 are the most abundant isophorms that conjugate and neutralize oxygen products. Some single nucleotide polymorphisms of the CYP1A1 gene as well as the deletion polymorphisms of GSTT1 and GSTM1 may alter the final specific cellular inflammatory respond. Occupational exposure or conditions from the living environment can contribute to the production of PAH metabolites with adverse effects on human health. The aim of this study was to obtain data on biotransformation and atherosclerosis, as well as data on the gene polymorphisms involved in biotransformation, in order to better study gene expression and further elucidate the interaction between genes and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors conducted a single-center retrospective study during the last 6.5 years. The study aimed to describe demographic data of burn patients in the Croatian Burn Center and investigate factors affecting mortality for the first time after the Center was established. The study included 109 severely burned patients with a total body surface area (TBSA) burned ≥20%, admitted to the burn intensive care unit. The relationship between the fatal outcome and age, sex, comorbidity, mechanism of injury, TBSA burned, and inhalation injury was investigated. The mean patient age was 54.50±20.21 years and the mean TBSA burned was 42.48±18.64%, with the mortality rate of 50%. The results demonstrated that patients with 2 or more comorbidities compared with those with no comorbidities had a higher chance of lethal outcome (p<0.0001). With an increase of TBSA by 1%, the odds of lethal outcome are expected to increase by 7% (p<0.0001). Other variables included in the analysis did not show statistical significance. TBSA percentage is a well-known predictor of mortality and numerous studies indicate an association between comorbidities and mortality but there are conflicting results about other demographic factors and injury characteristics., (Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital.)