Genetics and Epigenetic Modifications on Metabolic Diseases Oxidative Related

Dear Colleagues,

Metabolic diseases are diseases or disorders that disrupt physiological metabolism. Usually, they promote alterations that are reflected in the accumulation or deficiency of certain metabolite(s). Those diseases can be classified as inherited metabolic disorders or acquired metabolic disorders. Inherited disorders are associated with inborn errors of metabolism, caused by genetic defects normally affecting specific enzymes or a group of enzymes' normal function. Acquired disorders are associated with environmental factors, usually lifestyle-related, such as physical activity or caloric intake. Indeed, human lifestyle is an important player in the onset of these diseases and has been associated with the inherited epigenetic pattern, that affects the expression, of genes encoding for important proteins of the metabolism homeostasis.

Metabolism is markedly linked to oxidative stress which is a hallmark of all modern diseases, and metabolic diseases are no exception. Cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, osteoporosis and obesity, are common chronic diseases where certain conditions such as hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, inflammation, neurotoxicity, and genomic instability are present. Oxidative stress damages cellular mechanisms and disturbs their function, contributing to the disease´s onset and/or progression. In order to acquire a good balance between oxidative and antioxidative processes, lifestyle options, including exercise and an appropriate intake of nutritional antioxidants (flavonoids, arginine, vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, resveratrol, and selenium) might be important to improve or avoid oxidative stress-related effects. Expanding the knowledge on how oxidative stress influences the development of metabolic disorders may help to implement new nutritional and pharmaceutical strategies to improve the outcome.

Epigenetic factors have also emerged as pivotal factors in the onset and development of metabolic diseases. On one hand, several studies report the potentially harmful effects of metabolic disorders in the genetic and epigenetic cargo of germ and somatic cells. On the other hand, the inheritance of epigenetic factors towards the development of metabolic abnormalities means that metabolic cues from the parents can be passed to the next generations. These mechanisms that mediate possible transgenerational effects of metabolic diseases and how oxidative stress is a player, remain largely unknown.

This Special Issue aims to provide a broad and updated overview of the involvement of “Genetics and Epigenetic Modifications on Metabolic Diseases Oxidative Related”. We intend to shed some light on the subject, by sharing new clinical or basic studies using genome/epigenome-wide or target genetic/epigenetic approaches. We search for contributions by experts in the field in the form of research papers or critical reviews.

Dr. Angela Inácio
Dr. Ana Paula Barbosa
Dr. Alda Pereira Da Silva
Dr. Marco G. Alves
Guest Editors

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