Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with depressive symptoms and reduced physical functioning. The aim of the study was to characterize the relationship between polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and the quality of life in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Three polymorphisms of the VDR gene (TaqI-rs731236, BsmI-rs1544410, and ApaI-rs7975232) were analyzed in patients with AIH (n = 142) and PBC (n = 230) and in healthy individuals (n = 376). Patient quality of life was assessed by validated questionnaires such as Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Modified Fatigue-Impact Scale (MFIS), Patient-Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and PBC-40. The TaqI C and ApaI A alleles are risk alleles in both AIH and PBC, and a significant dominance of the A allele in BsmI was observed in AIH patients. In terms of quality of life, the presence of the CC or CT TaqI genotype was associated with emotional reactions, including the fatigue and the cognitive skills of patients with PBC, whereas in the group of AIH patients, homozygotes CC of TaqI, AA of BsmI, and AA of ApaI had worse physical, social, emotional, and mental function. The genetic variations of VDR gene can influence individual susceptibility to develop chronic autoimmune liver diseases such as AIH and PBC and affect quality of life.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is commonly accompanied by ulcerative colitis (UC). MicroRNA-506 modulates expression of genes which are essential for sphingosine-mediated signaling pathway and intestinal mucosa protection. We investigated whether miR-506 and its target genes are involved in phenotypic presentations of colonic inflammation and/or neoplasia. We analyzed serum and colon tissue samples collected from patients with PSC, PSC with concurrent UC (PSC + UC), UC alone, and healthy controls (n = 10 each). MiR-506 was substantially upregulated in ascending colons of PSC and PSC + UC patients, in contrast to sigmoid colons of PSC and UC patients. Upregulation of miR-506 was associated with inhibition of SPHK1, AE2, InsP3R3, and p53. Colonic suppression of miR-506 presented in UC was accompanied by substantially increased DNMT1, SPHK1, and S1P lyase expressions. A functional in vitro analysis in Caco-2 cells showed that the induction of miR-506 activity by miR-506 mimic or GDCDA bile acid suppressed, whereas inhibition of miR-506 by miR-506 inhibitor or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) upregulated the expression of the examined target genes. A different phenotypic presentation of colitis may be related to miR-506 expression. In ascending colons with PSC + UC, upregulation of miR-506 may result in failure of bicarbonate secretion and inhibition of p53, which predisposes to pro-tumorigenic transformation. In contrast, downregulation of miR-506 enhances S1P production, leading to pro-inflammatory signaling.

Gut dysbiosis, alongside a high-fat diet and cigarette smoking, is considered one of the factors promoting coronary arterial disease (CAD) development. The present study aimed to research whether gut dysbiosis can increase bacterial metabolites concentration in the blood of CAD patients and what impact these metabolites can exert on endothelial cells. The gut microbiomes of 15 age-matched CAD patients and healthy controls were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. The in vitro impact of LPS and indoxyl sulfate at concentrations present in patients’ sera on endothelial cells was investigated. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed gut dysbiosis in CAD patients, further confirmed by elevated LPS and indoxyl sulfate levels in patients’ sera. CAD was associated with depletion of Bacteroidetes and Alistipes. LPS and indoxyl sulfate demonstrated co-toxicity to endothelial cells inducing reactive oxygen species, E-selectin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production. Moreover, both of these metabolites promoted thrombogenicity of endothelial cells confirmed by monocyte adherence. The co-toxicity of LPS and indoxyl sulfate was associated with harmful effects on endothelial cells, strongly suggesting that gut dysbiosis-associated increased intestinal permeability can initiate or promote endothelial inflammation and atherosclerosis progression.

This study examined the concentration of total mercury (THg) and selenium (Se), as well as the molar ratio of Se:THg in hair samples of terrestrial animals. THg and Se concentrations were measured from the hair of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and European wildcats (Felis s. silvestris) from Germany and Luxembourg. Median THg concentrations in hair from raccoons and wildcats were 0.369 and 0.273 mg kg −1 dry weight (dw), respectively. Se concentrations were higher in the hair of raccoons than of wildcats (0.851 and 0.641 mg kg −1 dw, respectively). Total mercury concentration in hair of raccoons from Luxembourg was almost 5× higher that found in hair of raccoons from Germany; however, Se concentration was similar. Thus, molar ratio of Se:THg was~4× higher in the hair of raccoons from Germany than those from Luxembourg. Significant negative correlation was found between THg concentration and Se:THg molar ratio in both wildcats and raccoons.

Voltage-gated potassium channels of the Kv1.3 type are considered a potential new molecular target in several pathologies, including some cancer disorders and COVID-19. Lipophilic non-toxic organic inhibitors of Kv1.3 channels, such as statins and flavonoids, may have clinical applications in supporting the therapy of some cancer diseases, such as breast, pancreas, and lung cancer; melanoma; or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This study focuses on the influence of the co-application of statins—simvastatin (SIM) or mevastatin (MEV)—with flavonoids 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN), 6-prenylnarigenin (6-PN), xanthohumol (XANT), acacetin (ACAC), or chrysin on the activity of Kv1.3 channels, viability, and the apoptosis of cancer cells in the human T cell line Jurkat. We showed that the inhibitory effect of co-application of the statins with flavonoids was significantly more potent than the effects exerted by each compound applied alone. Combinations of simvastatin with chrysin, as well as mevastatin with 8-prenylnaringenin, seem to be the most promising. We also found that these results correlate with an increased ability of the statin–flavonoid combination to reduce viability and induce apoptosis in cancer cells compared to single compounds. Our findings suggest that the co-application of statins and flavonoids at low concentrations may increase the effectiveness and safety of cancer therapy. Thus, the simultaneous application of statins and flavonoids may be a new and promising anticancer strategy.