Exploring Functional Products and Early-Life Dynamics of Gut Microbiota.

Research on the microbiome has progressed from identifying specific microbial communities to exploring how these organisms produce and modify metabolites that impact a wide range of health conditions, including gastrointestinal, metabolic, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review provides an overview of the bacteria commonly found in the intestinal tract, focusing on their main functional outputs. We explore biomarkers that not only indicate a well-balanced microbiota but also potential dysbiosis, which could foreshadow susceptibility to future health conditions. Additionally, it discusses the establishment of the microbiota during the early years of life, examining factors such as gestational age at birth, type of delivery, antibiotic intake, and genetic and environmental influences. Through a comprehensive analysis of current research, this article aims to enhance our understanding of the microbiota's foundational development and its long-term implications for health and disease management.

Colorectal cancer: immune response in laparoscopic versus open colorectal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent cause of deaths from cancer worldwide. Enhanced recovery protocols (ERPs) were developed in 90s to improve the recovery of these patients. Within ERPs, this work aims to compare immune response between open and laparoscopic procedures to support the best surgical approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immune status of 148 patients undergoing colorectal surgery (74 by laparoscopic and 74 by open surgery [OS]) was studied in three moments: before surgery (POD0) and on the 1st and 3th post-operative days (POD1 and POD3). RESULTS: Comparing to the laparoscopic group, in the OS group, C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher on POD1 and POD3 (p < 0.001), whereas lymphocyte levels were significantly lower (p = 0.006) and neutrophil levels were higher (p = 0.012) on POD1. On the other hand, higher levels of B cells (p = 0.023) were observed on POD1 in the laparoscopic group. Natural killer cell levels were significantly reduced (p = 0.034) in this group on POD3. CONCLUSIONS: Within the ERP, immune response pattern in both surgery approaches appears to be similar. Nevertheless, a greater inflammatory response of the OS is observed, whereas earlier recovery of the immune levels baseline seems to be a trend in the laparoscopic surgery.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cáncer colorrectal es la segunda causa más frecuente de muerte por cáncer en todo el mundo. Los protocolos de recuperación mejorados (ERP) se desarrollaron en los años 90 para mejorar la recuperación de estos pacientes. Dentro de los ERP, este trabajo tiene como objetivo comparar la respuesta inmune entre procedimientos abiertos y laparoscópicos para respaldar el mejor abordaje quirúrgico. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se estudió el estado inmunológico de 148 pacientes sometidos a cirugía colorrectal (74 por vía laparoscópica y 74 por cirugía abierta) en tres momentos: antes de la cirugía (POD0) y en el 1 y 3 días postoperatorios (POD1 y POD3). RESULTADOS: En comparación con el grupo laparoscópico, en el grupo de cirugía abierta los niveles de proteína C reactiva fueron significativamente más altos en POD1 y POD3 (p < 0.001), mientras que los niveles de linfocitos fueron significativamente más bajos (p = 0.006) y los niveles de neutrófilos fueron más altos (p = 0.012) en POD1. Por otro lado, se observaron niveles más altos de células B (p = 0.023) en POD1 en el grupo laparoscópico. Los niveles de células asesinas naturales se redujeron significativamente (p = 0.034) en este grupo en POD3. CONCLUSIONES: Dentro del ERP, el patrón de respuesta inmune en ambos enfoques quirúrgicos parece ser similar. Sin embargo, se observa una mayor respuesta inflamatoria de la cirugía abierta, mientras que la recuperación más temprana de los niveles inmunitarios basales parece ser una tendencia en la cirugía laparoscópica.

Beyond the CNS: The many peripheral roles of APOE.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a multifunctional protein synthesized and secreted by multiple mammalian tissues. Although hepatocytes contribute about 75% of the peripheral pool, APOE can also be expressed in adipose tissue, the kidney, and the adrenal glands, among other tissues. High levels of APOE production also occur in the brain, where it is primarily synthesized by glia, and peripheral and brain APOE pools are thought to be distinct. In humans, APOE is polymorphic, with three major alleles (ε2, ε3, and ε4). These allelic forms dramatically alter APOE structure and function. Historically, the vast majority of research on APOE has centered on the important role it plays in modulating risk for cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease. However, the established effects of this pleiotropic protein extend well beyond these two critical health challenges, with demonstrated roles across a wide spectrum of biological conditions, including adipose tissue function and obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes, fertility and longevity, and immune function. While the spectrum of biological systems in which APOE plays a role seems implausibly wide at first glance, there are some potential unifying mechanisms that could tie these seemingly disparate disorders together. In the current review, we aim to concisely summarize a wide breadth of APOE-associated pathologies and to analyze the influence of APOE in the development of several distinct disorders in order to provide insight into potential shared mechanisms implied in these various pathophysiological processes.