Iranian Journal of Biotechnology最新文献

{"title":"Characteristics of Gut Microbiota in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Across Different Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Types.","authors":"Hanqiu Li, Weiru Peng, Xuemei Huang, Huixian Lv, Jianhui Chen, Xiaobing Chen, Yixi Feng, Yuzhong Xu","doi":"10.30498/ijb.2026.566118.4335","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.30498/ijb.2026.566118.4335","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age, and accumulating evidence suggests that gut microbiota dysbiosis plays an important role in its pathogenesis, although microbiota characteristics across different Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome types remain poorly understood.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to analyze the structural differences in intestinal microbiota between patients with PCOS and healthy women. It also sought to characterize the fecal microbiota features across three distinct PCOS subgroups based on TCM syndrome differentiation.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 107 newly diagnosed PCOS patients and 23 healthy controls were recruited. The PCOS cohort was subdivided according to TCM syndromes into liver meridian depression and fire (n=34), spleen deficiency and phlegm-dampness (n=41), and kidney deficiency and blood stasis (n=32). Fecal samples were analyzed by sequencing the V3-V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rDNA gene to assess variations in bacterial species, diversity, and structure.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant differences in gut microbiota were observed. β-diversity indicated greater differences in gut microbial community composition in all PCOS subgroups compared to healthy controls, while α-diversity varied among the TCM subgroups. At the phylum level, Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria abundances varied across the groups. At the genus level, the PCOS group showed elevated Megamonas. At the species level, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was lower in the spleen deficiency and phlegm-dampness group, whereas Bacteroides uniformis was more abundant in healthy controls. Functional analysis indicated that differences were primarily related to bacterial metabolism and antibiotic synthesis.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The characteristics of intestinal microbiota vary among PCOS patients with different TCM syndrome types. This finding provides a basis for developing more precise diagnosis and treatment strategies for PCOS within the TCM framework.</p>","PeriodicalId":14492,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Biotechnology","volume":"24 4","pages":"e4335"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13695779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149267519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Peeled Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica as a Superior Plant-Based Culture Medium for Enhanced Microbial Cultivation.","authors":"Boufares Khaled, Dahlia Fatima, Boubakeur Badra, Othmane Merah","doi":"10.30498/ijb.2026.515757.4116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.30498/ijb.2026.515757.4116","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Conventional microbiological media often present drawbacks such as high costs, reliance on non-sustainable resources, and limitations in supporting diverse microbial species. This study addresses these challenges by exploring a novel plant-based culture medium.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to develop and evaluate two specific formulations of culture media from Opuntia ficus-indica: Medium A, using whole cladode powder, and Medium B, using peeled cladode powder.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Two Opuntia-based culture media were formulated: Medium A from whole cladode powder and Medium B from peeled cladode powder. The organoleptic and chemical properties of each medium were determined. <i>In vitro</i> assays were conducted to evaluate the effect of these novel media on bacterial and fungal growth and survival.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Medium B, formulated from peeled cladode powder, demonstrated significantly superior performance, supporting approximately 61% more bacterial colonies for <i>E. coli</i> and 57% more for <i>S. aureus</i>, along with 44% and 64% increases in fungal radial growth rates for <i>Aspergillus niger</i> and <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>, respectively, compared to Medium A. The organoleptic properties and chemical composition of Medium B also met the standards for an effective plant-based culture medium.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings indicate that the novel culture medium based on peeled cladode not only enhances microbial culturability but also holds strong potential as a sustainable, effective, and low-cost alternative for routine microbiological cultivation and biotechnology applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":14492,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Biotechnology","volume":"24 4","pages":"e4116"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13695768/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149267538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Analysis Reveals Immune Genes in Tuberculosis with Potential Relevance for Host-Directed Interventions.","authors":"Hira Shahzad, Mariam Ahmed Mujtaba, Khazina Fatima, Muhammad Ishaq Javed, Pakeeza Arzoo Shaiq, Ghazala Kaukab Raja, Sadia Saeed","doi":"10.30498/ijb.2026.546731.4230","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.30498/ijb.2026.546731.4230","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Growing evidence suggests that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) infection manipulates the host's epigenetic landscape to evade the immune responses and establish a disease phenotype. Among these epigenetic changes, DNA methylation has emerged as a key mechanism that influences the host immune response, playing a crucial role in either controlling the infection or contributing to disease pathogenesis. M. tb and other pathogens can alter the host's epigenetic landscape to weaken immune defenses and facilitate infection.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>In this study we aimed to investigate differential DNA methylation patterns in Tuberculosis (TB) phenotypes i.e., Active, Latent, Cured and healthy controls.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this study, we investigated genome-wide DNA methylation patterns via Infinium Methylation EPIC array in a total of eight M. tb-exposed patients with two biological replicates in each clinical group: active tuberculosis (TB, n=2), latent TB (n=2), therapy-cleared (cured) TB (n=2) and uninfected controls (n=2). Genes linked to hypermethylated promoters were further analyzed through gene ontology (GO) and biological pathways analyses (DAVID). Motif enrichment analysis was performed using differentially methylated regions (DMRs) (>300bp) and promotor CpG site methylation was correlated with corresponding gene expression profile.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our study identified a repressed immune signature in active TB patients, characterized by hypermethylated genes such as IFNA2, IFNA6, TNFRSF19, IL2, IL21 and TGFβ2 etc. This hypermethylation persists even in cured individuals, despite M. tb clearance and was further reinforced by qPCR analysis showing downregulated expression of hypermethylated genes IFNA2 and IFNA6 in active TB compared to latent and control subjects. Key pathways affected include those associated with tuberculosis, phagosome function, JAK/STAT pathway and cytokine receptors during active M. tb infection, with these effects continuing post-clearance (cured phenotype). Enriched transcription factor motifs within DMRs included ZBTB14, E2F1, and NRF1.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings reveal that M. tb infection is marked by a DNA hypermethylation signature linked to key immune-related genes, driving a repressed immune response and active disease manifestation. This epigenetic signature remains even after M. tb is cleared, suggesting long-term alterations in immune regulation. While preliminary, this methylation signatures once validated in larger cohorts highlight the potential for developing early epigenetic markers to help distinguish active TB from other clinical states or to monitor post-treatment immune recovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":14492,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Biotechnology","volume":"24 4","pages":"e4230"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13695777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149267568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Targeting TPX2 to Enhance Metastasis Control and Radiosensitivity in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through PI3K/AKT Pathway Modulation.","authors":"Fang Meng, Jiaru Hu, Shiqiang Zhang, Qifeng Shi, Na Chang, Yaqun Zhu","doi":"10.30498/ijb.2025.549444.4243","DOIUrl":"10.30498/ijb.2025.549444.4243","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) faces challenges of metastasis and variable radiosensitivity. The role of Targeting Protein for Xenopus Kinesin-like Protein 2 (TPX2) in regulating these ESCC-related traits is unclear, needing investigation.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study investigates the functional role of TPX2 in regulating metastasis and radiosensitivity in ESCC.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Differential expression of TPX2 in ESCC versus normal tissues was verified using bioinformatics (The Cancer Genome Atlas Program, Gene Expression Omnibus) and experimental analyses (Immunohistochemistry, Western blot). ESCC cell lines with stable TPX2 overexpression were established to evaluate effects on migration (wound healing assay), invasion (Transwell assay), and radiotherapy response via colony formation and apoptosis assays. <i>In vivo</i>, xenograft and lung homing mouse models (n=5/group) were employed to assess tumor growth, metastatic potential, and radiosensitivity. Additionally, exosome-mediated TPX2 transfer and its impacts on recipient cells were examined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>TPX2 was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines. TPX2 overexpression enhanced <i>in vitro</i> cell migration, invasion, and radiosensitivity, while promoting <i>in vivo</i> metastasis and modulating radiation response. Exosome-mediated TPX2 transfer induced comparable aggressive phenotypes in recipient cells. Mechanistically, TPX2 activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway (p-AKT/AKT ratio increased by ~2.5-fold), which directly contributed to enhanced metastatic potential and altered radiosensitivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TPX2 acts as a key regulator of malignant progression and therapeutic response in ESCC by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":14492,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Biotechnology","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13380540/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Dynamic Interplay of Carbon Nanotubes with Apoptosis <i>In-vitro</i> and <i>In-vivo</i>: Insights from Bcl-2 and IAP Families.","authors":"Shirin Lotfipanah, Leila Saremi, Yasaminsadat Rafieitabatabaei, Masoud Asgari, Zahra Hajebrahimi","doi":"10.30498/ijb.2026.535086.4204","DOIUrl":"10.30498/ijb.2026.535086.4204","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are carbon-based nanomaterials. They have been widely used in environmental technologies and in biomedical fields.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study examines the impact of carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled (MWCNTs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on apoptosis in Jurkat cells and Wistar rats.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The methods included functionalizing CNTs, conducting cell culture experiments with Jurkat cells, and performing <i>in-vivo</i> studies on male Wistar rats. Gene expression, particularly the <i>Bcl-2</i> family, was analyzed using real-time PCR, and statistical analyses assessed group differences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed successful CNT functionalization and a slight reduction in cell viability in exposed groups. Gene expression analysis in Jurkat cells treated by MWCNTs and SWCNTs revealed significant upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (<i>BAD</i>, <i>BAX</i>, <i>BID</i>, <i>BCL2L11</i>) and anti-apoptotic genes (<i>Bcl-2</i>, <i>BCL2L1</i>). Additionally, significant increases in IAP family members, <i>BIRC2</i> and <i>BIRC3</i>, were observed in these cells. In treated animals, a transient increase in <i>Bcl-2</i> and BAD expression was observed after 30 days, with no significant changes after 60 days. Unlike <i>Bcl-2</i> family members, IAP family gene expression (<i>BIRC2</i>, <i>BIRC3</i>) remained unchanged in the treated animal model over the same periods.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CNT exposure led to significant modulation of apoptotic pathways in Jurkat cells, including alterations in gene expression of some members of the <i>Bcl-2</i> and <i>IAP</i> family, while the animal models showed transient changes in <i>Bcl-2</i> family gene expression but no alterations in <i>IAP</i> gene expression. These findings highlight the complex interactions between CNTs and biological systems, underscoring the need for further research on the long-term effects and adaptation mechanisms in organisms exposed to CNTs.</p>","PeriodicalId":14492,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Biotechnology","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13380539/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Therapeutic Potential of Ginkgolic Acid C17:1 in Modulating PTEN/mtDNA/TLR9 Axis for Alleviating Chronic Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection in Bronchiectasis.","authors":"Shuke Rao, Huiyan Jiang, Jieyi Huang, Huafeng Li, Weiliang Yuan, Lichong Chen, Jiamin Xie, Chenli Xie","doi":"10.30498/ijb.2026.567525.4342","DOIUrl":"10.30498/ijb.2026.567525.4342","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (PA) colonization drives persistent infection and inflammation in bronchiectasis, a condition lacking targeted biotherapies. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a key regulator of immune homeostasis, and its plant-derived activator, Ginkgolic acid C17:1 (GAC 17:1), has emerged as a potential biotechnological therapeutic agent due to its anti-inflammatory properties.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of GAC 17:1, a natural compound, in alleviating PA-induced airway injury by targeting the PTEN/mtDNA/TLR9 axis, thereby evaluating its role as a novel biotechnological intervention for immune modulation in bronchiectasis.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A rat model of chronic PA-induced bronchial injury was established and divided into four groups: Control, PA-infected, PA-infected + GAC 17:1 (PTEN activator, 2 mg.kg^-1), and PA-infected + SF1670 (PTEN inhibitor, 1.5 mg.kg^-1). Lung pathology, function (FEV_0.3, FVC, PEF), PTEN/TLR9/NF-κB expression (RT-qPCR, Western blot), mtDNA content, cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-17, TGF-β; ELISA), and Th17/Treg cell proportions (flow cytometry) were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PA infection downregulated PTEN, elevated mtDNA/TLR9/NF-κB, increased IL-6/IL-17 and Th17 cells, reduced TGF-β and Tregs, and impaired lung function. Treatment with GAC 17:1, the plant-derived PTEN activator, effectively restored PTEN expression, suppressed mtDNA release and TLR9/NF-κB signaling, rebalanced Th17/Treg immunity, reduced inflammatory cytokines, and significantly improved pulmonary function. Conversely, PTEN inhibition worsened all parameters.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study demonstrates that GAC 17:1, a natural bioactive compound, exerts potent significant effects in PA-related bronchiectasis by activating PTEN and inhibiting the mtDNA/TLR9/NF-κB pathway. Our findings highlight GAC 17:1 as a promising biotechnological candidate for developing plant-derived immunomodulatory therapies against chronic airway infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":14492,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Biotechnology","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13380620/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of Gut Microbiota Metabolites in Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.","authors":"Lingling Sun, Yining He, Min Jiang, Weiming He","doi":"10.30498/ijb.2025.560394.4299","DOIUrl":"10.30498/ijb.2025.560394.4299","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) remains a frequent and distressing symptom in patients with renal dysfunction, yet its biological mechanisms are still not well defined. Growing evidence suggests that gut microbiota-derived metabolites may participate in systemic inflammatory regulation, providing a potential entry point for exploring CKD-aP pathogenesis.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to elucidate how gut microbial metabolites interact with host molecular targets involved in CKD-aP, and to identify candidate metabolites with therapeutic relevance through integrative bioinformatics approaches.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Gut metabolite data were retrieved from the gutMGene database, and CKD-aP-related genes were collected from GeneCards, DisGeNET, and OMIM. Intersection targets were processed through STRING-based protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, followed by Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment using the DAVID platform. An integrated microbiota-substrate-metabolite-target (MSMT) network was constructed to visualize microbial-metabolic interactions. Key metabolites were subsequently examined by molecular docking to assess binding affinity with pivotal targets.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 44 overlapping genes were identified between microbial metabolites and CKD-aP, among which IL6, AKT1, and PPARG were highlighted as major hub regulators. MSMT network analysis indicated strong associations among Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, tryptophan-related metabolites, and linoleic-acid-derived compounds in modulating CKD-aP. KEGG results emphasized pathways enriched in inflammatory and immune responses, including IL-17, C-type lectin receptor, and Toll-like receptor signaling. Docking simulations supported robust interactions for several metabolites, particularly 10-keto-12Z-octadecenoic acid with PPARG, Genipin with CASP3, and Urolithin A with CYP1A1.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings suggest that gut microbial metabolites may alleviate CKD-aP by targeting IL6, AKT1, and PPARG through inflammatory signaling pathways. Notably, 10-keto-12Z-octadecenoic acid from Lacticaseibacillus paracasei demonstrates strong binding affinity with PPARG, highlighting the potential of probiotic-derived metabolites as novel therapeutic strategies for managing pruritus in chronic kidney disease patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":14492,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Biotechnology","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13380615/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From Breakthrough to Access: How Biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence are Reshaping the Scalability and Precision of Cancer Immunotherapy.","authors":"Babak Jahangiri, Elahe Asadollahi, Alireza Zomorodipour","doi":"10.30498/ijb.2026.580902.4424","DOIUrl":"10.30498/ijb.2026.580902.4424","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14492,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Biotechnology","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13380616/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Gut Microbiome and Metabolic Pathways on Obesity: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization and Case-Control Study.","authors":"Xiaoyu Fu, Yu Xia, Jing Han, Wei Wang, Boning Zhang, Heyuan Liu, Xue Yang, Shengnan Han, Chenggang Zhang","doi":"10.30498/ijb.2025.559624.4295","DOIUrl":"10.30498/ijb.2025.559624.4295","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We employed Mendelian randomization (MR) and case-control studies to identify causal associations and validate biological relevance.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Two-sample MR using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics prioritized inverse variance-weighted analysis, supplemented by weighted median and MR-Egger regression. Sensitivity analyses included leave-one-out cross-validation, MR-PRESSO global test, and Cochran's Q test for heterogeneity/pleiotropy. False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction identified robust associations. Clinical validation involved 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics in obese and case-control cohorts.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MR identified two microbiota (<i>Streptococcus thermophilus</i>, OR = 0. 98, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99, <i>P</i> < 0.01; <i>Lachnospiraceae bacterium 5_1_63FAA</i>, OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99, <i>P</i> < 0.001) and two pathways (4-aminobutanoate degradation V, OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.97, <i>P</i> < 0.001; Pyridoxal 5 phosphate biosynthesis I (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.98, <i>P</i> < 0.001) significantly associated with reduced obesity risk. Sensitivity analyses confirmed no heterogeneity/pleiotropy. Clinical data validated these findings: obese participants exhibited lower abundances of <i>Streptococcus thermophilus</i> and <i>Lachnospiraceae bacterium</i> 5_1_63FAA, reduced serum 4-aminobutanoate and pyridoxal 5-phosphate levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong><i>Lachnospiraceae bacterium 5_1_63FAA</i> and <i>Streptococcus thermophilus</i>, alongside 4-aminobutanoate degradation and pyridoxal 5-phosphate biosynthesis, represent protective factors against obesity. Targeted modulation of these targets may exert beneficial effects on the prevention and treatment of obesity.</p>","PeriodicalId":14492,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Biotechnology","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13380541/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Serum GPX4 and LPO as Biomarkers for Perioperative Oxidative Stress: Impact of Ciprofol Anesthesia in A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Qiuyuan Ji, Yongheng Hou","doi":"10.30498/ijb.2026.571655.4355","DOIUrl":"10.30498/ijb.2026.571655.4355","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Perioperative oxidative stress contributes to postoperative organ dysfunction, but sensitive mechanistic biomarkers are limited.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objectives: &lt;/strong&gt;This study uses serum GPX4 and lipid peroxides to quantify oxidative stress, explore ferroptosis-related pathways, and evaluate the antioxidative effects of ciprofol anesthesia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Materials and methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Patients scheduled for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer at the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of three groups (n=50 per group): a Ciprofol group, a Propofol group, and a Sevoflurane group. The Ciprofol group received Ciprofol for induction and continuous intravenous maintenance; the Propofol group received Propofol for both induction and maintenance; and the Sevoflurane group received Ciprofol for induction followed by Sevoflurane inhalation for maintenance. Arterial blood samples were collected at four time points: before anesthesia induction (T0), after induction (T1), at the end of surgery (T2), and 24 hours postoperatively (T3). Serum levels of GPX4 and LPO were measured. Hemodynamic changes were compared among the three groups under the different anesthetic regimens. A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells were treated with varying concentrations of Ciprofol (10 µM, 25 µM, 50 µM and 100 µM) for 24 hours. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, and cell proliferation was evaluated using the EdU assay. After treatment, RNA was extracted from the treated and control groups for qRT-PCR analysis to measure GPX4 expression levels as an indicator of oxidative stress.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;In the Ciprofol group, serum GPX4 levels significantly increased, while LPO levels markedly decreased at T2 and T3. In the Propofol group, GPX4 levels were significantly higher and LPO levels significantly lower at T2 and T3 compared to the Sevoflurane group (P&lt;0.01). At T1, the heart rate in the Propofol group was significantly higher than in the Ciprofol group. At T2, heart rates in both the Propofol and Sevoflurane groups were higher than in the Ciprofol group (all P&lt;0.01). Ciprofol treatment at 100 µM significantly inhibited tumor cell growth, with the strongest effect observed at this concentration. The subsequent experiments were conducted at 50 µM. After 24 hours, a significant decrease in GPX4 expression was observed in the treated group compared to the control group. Additionally, Ciprofol significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation, as shown by a marked reduction in EdU-positive cells.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;Ciprofol elevates postoperative serum GPX4 and reduces LPO, alleviating oxidative stress in thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery with minimal effects on heart rate. Monitoring GPX4 and LPO may assess perioperative oxidative stress. In A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells, Cipr","PeriodicalId":14492,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Biotechnology","volume":"24 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13380621/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}