Clostridium difficile Induced Inflammasome Activation and Coagulation Derangements

Experimental models in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF): Insights into pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a recurrent polyserositis characterized by self-limiting episodes or attacks of fever along with serosal inflammation. It mainly impacts people of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern basin. FMF is a recessive autoinflammatory condition caused by mutation in the MEFV gene located on chromosome 16p13. MEFV mutations lead to the activation of the pyrin inflammasome resulting in an uncontrolled release of IL-1β. Various in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo experimental models have been developed to further comprehend the etiology and pathogenesis of FMF. These models have been proven to be clinically relevant to human FMF and can provide significant information about biological systems with respect to this condition. Additionally, these models have provided pertinent contributions to the development of potent therapeutic strategies against FMF. In this review, we describe the different experimental models utilized in FMF and we focus primarily on the most widely used models that have produced prominent insights into the pathophysiology of the disease.

Dose- and Time-Dependent Effect of Dietary Blueberries on Diabetic Vasculature Is Correlated with Gut Microbial Signature

Evidence from our lab and others indicates the vascular effects of dietary blueberries. In the present study, we determined dietary blueberries' dose- and time-dependent effects on diabetic vasculature and their association with gut microbes. Seven-week-old db/db diabetic male mice were fed a diet supplemented with ± freeze-dried wild blueberry powder (FD-BB) for 4, 8, or 12 weeks (three cohorts). Diets contained 0%, 1.23%, 2.46%, and 3.7% of FD-BB, equivalent to 0, ½, 1, and 1.5 human servings of wild blueberries, respectively. The non-diabetic db/+ mice fed a standard diet served as controls. Metabolic parameters, vascular inflammation, and gut microbiome were assessed. Dietary supplementation of 3.7% FD-BB improved vascular inflammation in diabetic mice without improving systemic milieu in all three cohorts. Blueberries improved diabetes-induced gut dysbiosis depending on blueberry dosage and treatment duration. Spearman's correlation indicated that the opportunistic microbes and commensal microbes were positively and negatively associated with indices of vascular inflammation, respectively. Dietary blueberries reduced the opportunistic microbe that was positively associated with vascular inflammation (Desulfovibrio), and increased the commensal microbe that was negatively associated with vascular inflammation (Akkermansia). Dietary blueberries could be a potential adjunct strategy to beneficially modulate gut microbes and improve vascular complications in diabetes.

Melatonin as an Antimicrobial Adjuvant and Anti-Inflammatory for the Management of Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection

Background:Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) is strongly associated with inflammation and has the potential to cause recurrent infections. Pre-clinical data suggest that melatonin has beneficial effects in the gastrointestinal tract due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This analysis examines the association between melatonin and the risk of recurrent CDI. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients with an inpatient diagnosis of CDI along with a positive C. difficile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or enzyme immunoassay (EIA) test result. Patients were followed until the first study end point (death) or the first instance of recurrent infection. Propensity-score weighting was utilized accounting for confounding factors and weighted Cox models were estimated. Results: A total of 24,782 patients met the inclusion criteria, consisting of 3457 patients exposed to melatonin and 21,325 patients with no melatonin exposure. The results demonstrate that those exposed to melatonin were associated with a 21.6% lower risk of recurrent CDI compared to patients without melatonin exposure (HR = 0.784; 95% CI = 0.674-0.912). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a decreased rate of recurrent CDI in patients exposed to melatonin. Further research on melatonin as an antimicrobial adjuvant and anti-inflammatory is warranted for the management of recurrent CDI.