Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders-Drug Targets - Volume 25, Issue 14, 2025

Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation (LLPS) is a process involved in the formation of established organelles and various condensates that lack membranes; however, the relationship between LLPS and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) remains unclear.

This study aimed to comprehensively clarify the correlation between ulcerative colitis (UC) and liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS).

In this study, bioinformatics analyses and public databases were applied to screen and validate key genes associated with LLPS in UC. Furthermore, the roles of these key genes in UC were comprehensively analyzed.

Based on the single-cell transcriptomic data of UC obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, differences between patients with UC and their controls were compared using the limma package. The single-cell data were then filtered and normalized by the ‘Seurat’ package and subjected to dimension reduction by the Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) algorithm. The LLPS-related genes (LLPSRGs) were searched on the DrLLPS website to obtain cross-correlated genes, which were scored using the ssGSEA algorithm. Next, functional enrichment, interaction network, immune landscape, and diagnostic and drug prediction of the LLPSRGs were comprehensively explored. Finally, the results were validated using external datasets and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

A total of eight cell types in UC were classified, namely, fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells, neutrophils, NK cells, B cells, epithelial cells, and T cells. The intersection between differently expressed genes (DEGs) among the eight cell types identified 44 key genes, which were predominantly enriched in immune- and infection-related pathways. According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, PLA2G2A, GZMK, CD69, HSP90B1, and S100A11 reached an AUC value of 0.94, 0.95, 0.86, 0.89, and 0.93, respectively. Drug prediction revealed that decitabine, tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, tetradecanoylphorbol acetate, thapsigargin, and cisplatin were the potential small molecular compounds for PLA2G2A, GZMK, CD69, HSP90B1, and S100A11. Immune cell infiltration analysis demonstrated that the infiltration of CD4 memory T cell activation, macrophage M1, T macrophage M0, neutrophils, and mast cell activation was higher in the UC group than in the normal group.

The LLPSRGs play crucial roles in UC and can be used as prognostic and diagnostic markers for UC. The current findings contribute to the management of UC.

Diabetic wounds are major clinical challenges, often complicated by oxidative stress and free radical generation. Hydrogen (H2), a selective antioxidant, offers potential as a therapeutic agent for chronic diabetic wounds. However, its precise mechanisms remain underexplored.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of H2 on high glucose-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in human skin cells.

HaCaT keratinocytes and HSF fibroblasts were treated with high glucose or AGEs. Cell viability, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis were analyzed. AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB signaling was evaluated via Western blot.

H2 treatment significantly reduced ROS, MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels, while enhancing SOD and GSH activity. It also inhibited AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB signaling and apoptosis.

Hydrogen therapy protects against oxidative stress and inflammation induced by high glucose or AGEs, offering potential as an adjunctive treatment for diabetic wound healing.

Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound derived from the food spice turmeric that has received interest from the medical and scientific world for its role in the management of several conditions. Clinical studies, in humans, have shown that ingested Curcumin is safe even at high doses (12 g/day), but it has poor bioavailability primarily due to poor absorption and rapid metabolism and elimination. Several strategies have been implemented to improve the bioavailability of Curcumin, for example, the combination of piperine in a complex with Curcumin, or the usage of formulations with phospholipid or liposomal complexes.

The present work aims to explore and compare the systemic anti-inflammatory effects of two different types of Curcumin: a traditional fat-soluble formulation (95% Curcumin) and an innovative standardized reconstituted water-soluble one (Curcuin), made in micelles in aqueous solution.

Research was conducted on 30 patients, 15 patients were treated with turmeric (Curcuma longa L., rhizome) dried extract titled 95% Curcumin (Curcumin 425mg/day) conjugated with piperine, and 15 patients were treated with Curcumin (turmeric 286 mg dried extract titled 35%; Curcuminoids 100 mg/day, standardized water-soluble) made in micelles in highly absorbed aqueous solution. We considered the quantitative variations of laboratory parameters: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Ferritin (24 to 336 ng/mL for adult males), and cholesterol LDL.

Patients treated with dried extract titled 95% Curcumin, for 90 days, show a lower value of ESR, CRP, Ferritin, and LDL cholesterol compared with the same laboratory parameters before the introduction of Curcumin into the diet. Also, patients treated with Curcuin report a lower value of ESR, CRP, Ferritin, and LDL cholesterol after the introduction of turmeric dried extract in the diet, but with a major significance compared with those obtained with 95% Curcumin conjugated with piperine.

As we had hypothesized, both turmeric-derived extracts have successfully reduced ESR, CRP, Ferritin, and cholesterol LDL values, exerting an anti-inflammatory action and anti-cholesterolemic action. These results suggest a possible use of Curcumin and in particular Curcuin as a coadjuvant for the treatment of inflammatory disease and to decrease cholesterol levels. However, additional investigation is needed to resolve doubts regarding Curcumin dosage form, dose, and medication frequency.

Gaucheromas, pseudotumors composed of Gaucher cells, are rare complications of Gaucher’s Disease (GD). They are usually seen in patients receiving enzyme replacement. Surgery is generally not recommended for these benign masses in treatment management. Most patients treated with Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) show organ enlargement and improvement in laboratory values. In our case, no change in the size of the lesions was observed despite 4 years of standard dose ERT.

A 27-year-old female, not having a known chronic disease and occasionally consulting doctors due to bone pain, weakness, and fatigue, visited the emergency department with the complaint of a nosebleed four years ago. The patient was found to have hepatosplenomegaly in physical examination and was referred to the hematology clinic because of pancytopenia. According to the physical examination and laboratory results, the desired leukocyte glucocerebrosidase level was 0.4 micromol/lt/hour (normal range > 2.5). Homozygous mutations of p.L483P and L483P were observed in genetic tests. Based on these results, the patient was diagnosed with GD. Although the patient received regular weekly treatment for 4 years, no significant change was observed in the spleen size. The patient was admitted to the hospital in April 2022 with complaints of abdominal fullness and indigestion. Her quality of life was deteriorating due to massive splenomegaly. A splenectomy was performed on the patient. In our case, splenic gaucheroma, a rare complication of Gaucher’s disease, was found to be present.

These masses, which are a rare complication of GD, have started to be better recognized by radiologists and clinicians thanks to the case series shared, and it is clear that there is a need for standardization and further research in this field. With an increase in the number of cases and experiences in this field, there will inevitably be different and new developments in follow-up and treatment approaches.

Primary pituitary abscess is a rare disease with no specific symptoms for pituitary abscess alone. A preoperative diagnosis is quite challenging due to unclear imaging findings.

We report the case of a patient with a pituitary lesion who presented with hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, and visual field defect and was misdiagnosed as a possible cystic pituitary adenoma. Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) was performed, and surprisingly, only pus was found, and complete resection of the lesion was achieved. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were detected in the culture, and appropriate antibiotic therapy was administered for six weeks. Diabetes insipidus and hypopituitarism did not improve. One year later, the abscess recurred, and a second operation with complete resection was performed.

Knowledge of primary pituitary abscess, a rare infectious disease, is essential for early detection and successful treatment. Most patients have a chronic and silent prediagnostic course with symptoms that are not specific to pituitary abscess alone. The primary treatment option is EETS, followed by long-term, relevant antibiotics. The disease can be resistant and recur despite appropriate treatment, especially in patients with risk factors. Therefore, long-term follow-up of patients is essential.