ABSTRACT Objective: Our aim was to analyze levels of proinflammatory biomarker interleukin-18 (IL-18) in healthy controls and patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) focusing on its association with obesity, clinical, hormonal, and metabolic characteristics. Subjects and methods: Fifty-eight patients with PCOS were enrolled in the study fulfilling the Rotterdam criteria and were matched for age, body mass index (BMI), and ethnicity with 30 healthy controls. Detailed anthropometric measurements, clinical investigations, hormonal and biochemical tests were obtained between the 3rd and 5th day of a menstrual cycle. A subanalysis of the PCOS group was performed separating patients into several groups according to a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), insulin resistance (IR), and free androgen index (FAI). Serum IL-18 levels were measured using the ELISA method. Results: Levels of IL-18 were similar between PCOS patients and controls. IL-18 was higher in overweight/obese women compared to normal-weight women when analyzing all participants together and separately PCOS or controls group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.01, respectively). Additionally, IL-18 levels were higher in high-WHtR and IR subgroups compared to low-WHtR (p < 0.001) and non-IR PCOS women (p < 0.001). PCOS women with high FAI had greater serum IL-18 levels than normal-FAI patients (p = 0.002). Levels of IL-18 correlated positively with most of the anthropometric and metabolic parameters. In multiple linear regression, age, waist circumference, and fasting insulin were independently related factors with IL-18. Conclusion: Elevated levels of IL-18 were related to several indices of general and visceral adiposity and insulin resistance in PCOS.

RESUMEN Introducción: Estudios recientes han demostrado que la microbiota intestinal puede modular determinadas respuestas metabólicas e inmunitarias sistémicas, entre ellas la función del injerto hepático y el desarrollo de complicaciones en pacientes tras un trasplante hepático (TH). Akkermansia muciniphila (AKM) y Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (FAEP) son dos de las bacterias comensales intestinales más abundantes, con efectos protectores de la mucosa y antiinflamatorios que son importantes para mantener la homeostasis intestinal normal y la función de barrera intestinal. Nuestro objetivo fue cuantificar los niveles de Akkermansia muciniphila y Faecalibacterium prausnitzii en pacientes inmunodeprimidos con TH. Materiales y métodos: Se examinaron muestras fecales de 23 pacientes trasplantados de hígado (15 adultos y 8 niños) y 9 controles sin TH. El ADN bacteriano se aisló de las muestras utilizando el kit de aislamiento de ADN de heces y el ADN obtenido se analizó con el kit qPCR disponible comercialmente para AKM y FAEP. Resultados: Encontramos una disminución estadísticamente significativa en la cantidad de AKM y FAEP en comparación con el grupo control. Los valores medianos fueron: para AKM 8,75 para los pacientes y 10,25 para el grupo control (p = 0,030), y para FAEP 9,72 y 10,47, p = 0,003, respectivamente. En niños tras TH, esta diferencia también fue estadísticamente significativa: AKM (p = 0,051) y FAEP (p = 0,014). Por el contrario, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre pacientes adultos y controles, AKM (p = 0,283) y FAEP (p = 0,056), aunque la cantidad de ambas bacterias mostró tendencia a la reducción. Conclusiones: En este estudio piloto, encontramos una reducción en la cantidad total de las dos bacterias estudiadas en pacientes trasplantados en comparación con el grupo control sano.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Recent studies have shown that the intestinal microbiota can modulate certain systemic metabolic and immune responses, including liver graft function and the development of complications in patients after liver transplantation (LT). Akkermansia muciniphila (AKM) and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (FAEP) are two of the most abundant gut commensal bacteria, with mucosa-protective and anti-inflammatory effects that are important for maintaining normal intestinal homeostasis and gut barrier function. Our objective was to quantify levels of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in immunosuppressed patients with LT. Materials and methods: Fecal samples from 23 liver transplant patients (15 adults and 8 children) and 9 non-LT controls were examined. Bacterial DNA was isolated from the samples using the stool DNA isolation kit and the obtained DNA was analyzed with commercially available qPCR kit for AKM and FAEP. Results: We found a statistically significant decrease in the amount of AKM and FAEP compared to the control group. The median values were: for AKM 8.75 for patients and 10.25 for the control group (p = 0.030), and for FAEP 9.72 and 10.47, p = 0.003, respectively. In children after LT, this difference was also statistically significant: AKM (p = 0.051) and FAEP (p = 0.014). In contrast no statistically significant differences were found between adult patients and controls, AKM (p = 0.283) and FAEP (p = 0.056), although the amount of both bacteria showed tendency for reduction. Conclusions: In this pilot study, we found a reduction in the total amount of the two studied bacteria in transplanted patients compared to the control healthy group.

Abstract Bladder cancer is one of the most significant genitourinary cancer characterized by a high rate of recurrences, morbidity, and mortality in a large number of patients. Over the years, numerous therapeutic approaches have been developed. For more than 40 years, the most comprehensive method for the treatment of non-invasive and invasive bladder cancer has been the use of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), giving a successful effect in a high percentage of patients. However, due to the genetic instability of cancer and the desire to develop personalized therapy, therapeutic approaches are continually evolving and improving. This review will discuss the therapeutic evolution and directions of future research to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in the treatment of bladder carcinoma.