4 articles
Chronic kidney disease and COVID-19 are both associated with significant morbidity. Patients with chronic kidney disease are at risk for severe COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 infection may accelerate CKD progression. This study aimed to compare renal outcomes in CKD patients with and without prior COVID-19 and to identify predictors of progression.
We conducted a prospective cohort study of 280 pre-dialysis CKD patients (stages G2–G5), followed for 12 months. Of these, 140 had a history of COVID-19 (post-COVID group), and 140 had no such history (control group). Baseline assessments included renal function (eGFR, creatinine, urea), inflammatory markers (CRP, ferritin, LDH), hematologic indices (hemoglobin, leukocytes, platelets), and SF-36 quality of life scores. CKD progression was defined as a ≥30% eGFR decline or the initiation of dialysis. Analyses included group comparisons, correlations, logistic regression, and ROC curves.
Baseline characteristics and mean eGFR (~60 mL/min/1.73 m²) were similar across groups. CRP and ferritin levels were elevated in both groups without significant differences. Post-COVID patients reported lower vitality and higher social functioning on SF-36 (both p < 0.001). After 12 months, the post-COVID group showed greater eGFR decline (–3.1 vs –1.2 mL/min) and a higher progression rate (28% vs 15%, p < 0.01). Multivariable analysis identified prior COVID-19 (adjusted OR ≈2.3, 95% CI: 1.3–4.0) and low baseline hemoglobin as independent predictors of progression; CRP and ferritin were not predictive. LDH showed a modest association. Hemoglobin alone predicted progression with an AUC of 0.78; the combined model (COVID status + hemoglobin) yielded an AUC of 0.85.
CKD patients with prior COVID-19 experienced a faster renal function decline over one year than those without COVID-19. Persistent anemia and elevated LDH were also associated with increased progression risk. These findings emphasize the importance of post-COVID renal monitoring and early intervention in CKD patients to prevent deterioration.
This study investigates the relationship between immune dysregulation and perinatal mental disorders by analyzing clinical data and biomarker profiles in pregnant individuals with varying severity of psychiatric symptoms. Understanding these associations may support the development of early screening tools and targeted interventions to improve maternal and infant mental health outcomes.
A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus, covering studies published through 2025. Key proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP, IL-8, and IL-10, were extracted from peer-reviewed articles. When numerical values were unavailable, data were estimated from published figures using digitization tools. Extracted data were standardized and analyzed using Python (Pandas, Matplotlib). Statistical procedures included correlation analysis, ROC curve modelling, and ANOVA testing to assess group differences and diagnostic performance of biomarkers.
Analysis revealed strong associations between cytokine levels and perinatal depressive symptoms. In one dataset, nine cytokines were inversely correlated with postpartum depression severity (Pearson r = –0.79, p = 0.004; Spearman rₛ = –0.87, p = 0.00085; Kendall τ = –0.72, p = 0.0031), and ANOVA confirmed significant group differences (F = 5.8, p = 0.022). Other studies reported elevated IL-6 and TNF-α levels in postpartum depression (p < 0.05). Co-expression of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α was very high (r = 0.9991, p = 0.00006), likely reflecting cytokine collinearity and limited sample size, with ANOVA indicating significant elevation in affected individuals (F = 45.42, p = 0.0151). ROC analyses identified IL-8, IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α as reliable markers of perinatal depression and psychosis. Tryptophan metabolites and MCP-1 were more specific for psychosis, while IFN-γ showed a regulatory rather than a diagnostic function.
Perinatal mental disorders are associated with significant immune alterations. IL-6, IL-8, IL-2, and TNF-α appear to play a central role in the pathophysiology of postpartum depression. The findings support the utility of cytokine profiling for early detection and differential diagnosis of perinatal psychiatric conditions.
Insects, throughout evolution, have developed a huge arsenal of active compounds, which they use to defend themselves against enemies and diseases, at the same time in recent years insects have shown great interest as a source of food rich in biologically active substances. Research in recent decades has shown that insects produce a variety of proteins and peptides with antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, hepatoprotective, antithrombotic, antihypertensive and detoxifying activity during or after contact with the microbial agent or unfavourable factor.
The anti-inflammatory effect of imuheptin and imupurin was investigated in a rat model of subacute inflammation induced by subcutaneous implantation of felt discs. The intensity of the exudative and proliferative phase of inflammation, cytokine profile (TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-10), ceruloplasmin and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase) in the serum of rats were evaluated.
Imuheptin and imupurin reduced the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and increased that of the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), as well as ceruloplasmin, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase in subacute inflammation. Additionally, imupurin significantly increased the level of catalase and imuheptin that of glutathione-S-transferase.
Imuheptin and imupurin determined a moderate effect of inhibiting the exudative and proliferative processes, compared to the reference preparation - dexamethasone, but with a favourable effect on the cytokine profile, decreasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) and increasing the level the anti-inflammatory one (IL-10), as well as the modulation of antioxidant enzyme activity.
Premature birth can occur at any age; however, it is important to note that the risk of preterm birth can vary based on several factors, including the mother's medical history, general health, and lifestyle. There is thought to be a relationship between maternal age and the risk of preterm birth, although the exact nature of this relationship may vary. At the same time, it is considered for ages over 35, an increased risk factor for the evolution of pregnancies with complications. Pregnant women over 35 face a higher risk of premature birth. This increased risk may be associated with age-related factors such as underlying health conditions, higher rates of multiple pregnancies (due to fertility treatments), and potential placental dysfunction.
In the given study, the biomarkers IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, SDF-1α and VEGF in amniotic fluid (AF) and maternal blood were investigated, considering the above as predictive of premature birth outcome. At the same time, the oxidative stress status of maternal blood and amniotic fluid collected in the second trimester of pregnancy was identified.
In the research, we obtained statistically significant increases in the biomarkers AAT-isopropyl, G-GTP, HPL-isopropyl from the amniotic fluid taken from pregnant women over 35 years of age in the second trimester of pregnancy in those pregnant women who had a preterm birth. In the serum of pregnant women with premature birth, an increase in the concentration of carnosine-histidine peptides, G-GTP, GR and SH (thiol) groups was identified, and the decrease in the values of SDF 1α, HPL – hexane and IL-12 were statistically significant in the serum pregnant women compared to that of the amniotic fluid.
Identifying the values of biochemical mediators during pregnancy can be a method of predictive diagnosis
Our study shows the relationship between some concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers (AAT-isopropyl, HPL-isopropyl and G-GTP, IL-12) in amniotic fluid, and values of (Carnosine Histidine Peptide, GR and SH and SDF-1α) in the serum of pregnant women, in the second trimester of pregnancy.