1. Molecular profiling of inflammatory processes in a mouse model of IC/BPS : from the complete transcriptome to major sex-related histological features of the urinary bladderDominika Peskar, Tadeja Kuret, Katja Lakota, Andreja Erman, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Animal models are invaluable in the research of the pathophysiology of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a chronic aseptic urinary bladder disease of unknown etiology that primarily affects women. Here, a mouse model of IC/BPS was induced with multiple low-dose cyclophosphamide (CYP) applications and thoroughly characterized by RNA sequencing, qPCR, Western blot, and immunolabeling to elucidate key inflammatory processes and sex-dependent differences in the bladder inflammatory response. CYP treatment resulted in the upregulation of inflammatory transcripts such as Ccl8, Eda2r, and Vegfd, which are predominantly involved in innate immunity pathways, recapitulating the crucial findings in the bladder transcriptome of IC/BPS patients. The JAK/STAT signaling pathway was analyzed in detail, and the JAK3/STAT3 interaction was found to be most activated in cells of the bladder urothelium and lamina propria. Sex-based data analysis revealed that cell proliferation was more pronounced in male bladders, while innate immunity and tissue remodeling processes were the most distinctive responses of female bladders to CYP treatment. These processes were also reflected in prominent histological changes in the bladder. The study provides an invaluable reference dataset for preclinical research on IC/BPS and an insight into the sex-specific mechanisms involved in the development of IC/BPS pathology, which may explain the more frequent occurrence of this disease in women. Keywords: interstitial cystitis, inflammation, RNA sequencing Published in DiRROS: 10.09.2026; Views: 27; Downloads: 28
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2. Incretin-based therapies, obesity-associated inflammation, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular riskJan Kafol, Borut Jug, Zlatko Fras, 2026, review article Abstract: Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality despite major advances in lipid lowering and risk-factor control, highlighting the importance of residual cardiovascular risk. Inflammation is a central driver of atherosclerosis, while obesity promotes chronic low-grade inflammation, adipose tissue dysfunction, ectopic fat accumulation, and vascular injury. This narrative review focuses on obesity-associated inflammation as an upstream contributor to residual atherosclerotic risk and evaluates whether incretin-based therapies modify this pathway through weight loss, metabolic improvement, and additional inflammatory or vascular mechanisms. Data from mechanistic studies, biomarker analyses, vascular imaging studies, and cardiovascular outcome trials are reviewed. Anti-inflammatory trials support inflammation as a modifiable therapeutic pathway, although clinical benefit depends on the therapeutic target, timing, and patient selection. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists reduce inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers and show anti-atherosclerotic effects in experimental models, but human vascular imaging data remain inconclusive. Cardiovascular outcome trials establish benefit with several GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide in selected patients with overweight or obesity without diabetes. However, direct human evidence for receptor-mediated anti-inflammatory or anti-atherosclerotic effects remains limited, and the relative contributions of weight loss, metabolic improvement, and additional mechanisms remain uncertain. Keywords: atherosclerosis, inflammation, residual inflammatory risk, obesity, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, semaglutide, tirzepatide, incretin-based therapy, cardiovascular prevention, adipose tissue inflammation Published in DiRROS: 07.09.2026; Views: 123; Downloads: 80
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3. Revascularization of peripheral arteries in patients with Intermittent claudication decreases inflammatory biomarkersPavel Poredoš, Peter Poredoš, Matija Cevc, Jawed Fareed, Vinko Boc, 2023, original scientific article Keywords: atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease, inflammation, percutaneous revascularization, functional capability Published in DiRROS: 27.08.2026; Views: 135; Downloads: 80
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4. Genetic polymorphisms in oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways as potential biomarkers in Alzheimer’s Disease and dementiaDavid Vogrinc, Milica Gregorič Kramberger, Andreja Emeršič, Saša Čučnik, Katja Goričar, Vita Dolžan, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are important processes involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Numerous risk factors, including genetic background, can affect the complex interplay between those mechanisms in the aging brain and can also affect typical AD hallmarks: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Our aim was to evaluate the association of polymorphisms in oxidative stress- and inflammation-related genes with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker levels and cognitive test results. The study included 54 AD patients, 14 MCI patients with pathological CSF biomarker levels, 20 MCI patients with normal CSF biomarker levels and 62 controls. Carriers of two polymorphic IL1B rs16944 alleles had higher CSF Aβ1–42 levels (p = 0.025), while carriers of at least one polymorphic NFE2L2 rs35652124 allele had lower CSF Aβ1–42 levels (p = 0.040). Association with IL1B rs16944 remained significant in the AD group (p = 0.029). Additionally, MIR146A rs2910164 was associated with Aβ42/40 ratio (p = 0.043) in AD. Significant associations with cognitive test scores were observed for CAT rs1001179 (p = 0.022), GSTP1 rs1138272 (p = 0.005), KEAP1 rs1048290 and rs9676881 (both p = 0.019), as well as NFE2L2 rs35652124 (p = 0.030). In the AD group, IL1B rs1071676 (p = 0.004), KEAP1 rs1048290 and rs9676881 (both p = 0.035) remained associated with cognitive scores. Polymorphisms in antioxidative and inflammation genes might be associated with CSF biomarkers and cognitive test scores and could serve as additional biomarkers contributing to early diagnosis of dementia. Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, oxidative stress, inflammation Published in DiRROS: 03.08.2026; Views: 275; Downloads: 139
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5. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and innate immunity : a narrative review of the roles of IL-1β and IL-8 (CXCL8)Dubravka Bačaj Ivanić, Štefan Grosek, Andreja Nataša Kopitar, 2026, review article Abstract: Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a leading chronic lung complication in extremely premature newborns. The etiological factors contributing to of BPD include both prenatal and postnatal risk factors, as well as activation of innate immunity. Innate immunity and its bioactive mediators play a central role in orchestrating the inflammatory response. Among these, interleukin-1β (IL-1 β) and IL-8 (CXCL8) are particularly prominent. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted across major biomedical databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Ovid MEDLINE) to identify relevant studies published between 1993 and November 2025. Article selection was guided by predefined inclusion criteria focusing on studies that examined IL-1β and IL-8 (CXCL8) in relation to bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Evidence from both human and animal studies was narratively synthesized. Results: This review provides a detailed description of the role of the innate immune system in BPD, including mechanisms of inflammatory initiation, evidence from human and animal studies on IL-1β and IL-8 (CXCL8), and the interaction between these two cytokines in the development of chronic lung disease. Conclusions: Both human and animal studies generally suggest that elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-8 (CXCL8) are closely associated with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. Keywords: premature infant, chronic lung disease, inflammation, cytokines, chemokines Published in DiRROS: 22.07.2026; Views: 269; Downloads: 162
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6. The influence of anaesthesia on cancer growthIztok Potočnik, Milena Kerin-Povšič, Jasmina Markovič Božič, 2024, review article Abstract: Oncological patients make up a large proportion of all surgical patients. Through its influence on the patient’s inflammatory and immune system, the choice of anaesthetic technique has an indirect impact on the health of the individual patient and on public health. Both the specific and the non-specific immune system have a major influence on the recurrence of carcinomas. The pathophysiological basis for growth and metastasis after surgery is the physiological response to stress. Inflammation is the organism’s universal response to stress. Anaesthetics and adjuvants influence perioperative inflammation in different ways and have an indirect effect on tumour growth and metastasis. In vitro studies have shown how individual anaesthetics influence the growth and spread of cancer, but clinical studies have not confirmed these results. Nevertheless, it is advisable to use an anaesthetic that has shown lesser effect on the growth of cancer cells in vitro. Conclusions In this review, we focus on the area of the effects of anaesthesia on tumour growth. The field is still relatively unexplored, there are only few clinical prospective studies and their results are controversial. Based on the review of new research findings we report on recommendations about anaesthetics and anaesthetic techniques that might be preferable for oncological surgical procedures. Keywords: cancer growth, anaestesia, inflammation Published in DiRROS: 24.06.2026; Views: 289; Downloads: 99
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7. Sarcopenic obesity in cancerMihaela Jurdana, Maja Čemažar, 2024, review article Abstract: Sarcopenic obesity is a relatively new term. It is a clinical condition characterized by sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and function) and obesity (increase in fat mass) that mainly affects older adults. As the incidence of sarcopenia and obesity increases worldwide, sarcopenic obesity is becoming a greater problem also in cancer patients. In fact, sarcopenic obesity is associated with poorer treatment outcomes, longer hospital stays, physical disability, and shorter survival in several cancers. Oxidative stress, lipotoxicity, and systemic inflammation, as well as altered expression of skeletal muscle anti-inflammatory myokines in sarcopenic obesity, are also associated with carcinogenesis. Conclusions. Reported prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in cancer varies because of heterogeneity in definitions and variability in diagnostic criteria used to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and obesity. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe the definitions, prevalence, and diagnostic criteria as well as the mechanisms that cancer has in common with sarcopenic obesity. Keywords: sarcopenia, obesity, cancer, inflammation Published in DiRROS: 24.06.2026; Views: 287; Downloads: 113
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8. Methylprednisolone does not enhance paraoxonase 1 activity during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery : a randomized, controlled clinical trialGordana Taleska Štupica, Maja Šoštarič, Matej Jenko, Matej Podbregar, 2024, original scientific article Keywords: paraoxonase 1, cardiopulmonary bypass, oxidative stress, inflammation, glucocorticoids, methylprednisolone Published in DiRROS: 11.06.2026; Views: 310; Downloads: 296
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9. Haplotype of the lipoprotein(a) gene variants rs10455872 and rs3798220 is associated with parameters of coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation in patients after myocardial infarction and highly elevated lipoprotein(a) valuesSabina Ugovšek, Andreja Rehberger Likozar, Tina Levstek, Katarina Trebušak Podkrajšek, Janja Zupan, Miran Šebeštjen, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an independent risk factor for future coronary events. Variants rs10455872 and rs3798220 in the gene encoding Lp(a) are associated with an increased Lp(a) concentration and risk of coronary artery disease. We aimed to determine whether in high-risk coronary artery disease patients these two genetic variants and the kringle IV type 2 (KIV-2) repeats are associated with impairment of inflammatory and hemostatic parameters. Patients after myocardial infarction with elevated Lp(a) levels were included. Blood samples underwent biochemical and genetic analyses. In carriers of the AC haplotype, the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (4.46 vs. 3.91 ng/L, p = 0.046) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (p = 0.026) were significantly higher compared to non-carriers. The number of KIV-2 repeats was significantly associated with the concentration of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (ρ = 0.251, p = 0.038) and overall fibrinolytic potential (r = −0.253, p = 0.038). In our patients, a direct association between the AC haplotype and both TNF-α and PAI-1 levels was observed. Our study shows that the number of KIV-2 repeats not only affects proatherosclerotic and proinflammatory effects of Lp(a) but is also associated with its antifibrinolytic properties. Keywords: inflammation, hemostasis, lipoprotein(a), rs10444872, rs3798220, KIV-2 repeats Published in DiRROS: 10.06.2026; Views: 253; Downloads: 214
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10. Effects of proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 inhibitors on inflammatory and hemostatic parameters in post myocardial infarction patientsAndreja Rehberger Likozar, Sabina Ugovšek, Miran Šebeštjen, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Despite progress in treatment, elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), represent a significant part of the residual risk. Both are associated with inflammation and the coagulation fibrinolytic system. The purpose of our research was to evaluate the effect of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) on lipid parameters and indicators of inflammation, coagulation and fibrinolysis. We included 100 post myocardial infarction (MI) patients with insufficiently controlled LDL-C values despite the maximum dose of statin, and highly elevated Lp(a). Patients received alirocumab or evolocumab (150 mg sc or 140 mg sc every two weeks, respectively), or placebo for 6 months. In patients receiving PCSK9i, a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, triglycerides (TG) and Lp(a), and an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001 for all) was found. Before treatment, the concentrations of TC, LDL-C and TG correlated with the concentrations of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (r = 0.41, p < 0.001; r = 0.353, p < 0.001; r = 0.311, p = 0.003, respectively), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (r = 0.302, p = 0.007; r = 0.218, p = 0.049; r = 0.278; p = 0.013, respectively). The concentrations of TC and LDL-C correlated with overall fibrinolytic potential (r = −0.220, p = 0.034; r = −0.207, p = 0.047, respectively). The concentration of TG was related to the concentration of interleukin 6 (r = 0.290, p = 0.004) and interleukin 8 (r = 0.332, p = 0.001). No correlations between Lp(a) and inflammatory or hemostatic variables were found. No associations were found after treatment. Our results show that inflammatory cytokines and fibrinolytic parameters are related to LDL-C and not Lp(a) in post-MI patients before and with neither of them following PCSK9i treatment. Keywords: inflammation, hemostasis, PCSK9 inhibitors, LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein (a) Published in DiRROS: 08.06.2026; Views: 254; Downloads: 235
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