Genetics, Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology and Metabolism Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 7446

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Guest Editor
Division of Life Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Interests: metabolic syndrome; microbiome; next-generation sequencing; neurodegenerative diseases
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are interconnected conditions that influenced by multiple factors, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Each condition has both unique genetic components and genetic mechanisms that contribute to their development. Genetics play a significant role in determining an individual’s susceptibility to obesity and type 2 diabetes. Certain genetic variations can influence factors, such as metabolism, appetite regulation, fat storage, and insulin sensitivity.

Obesity is closely linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. Excess body fat, particularly abdominal fat, can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, shared genetic factors can contribute to both obesity and insulin resistance, further connecting the two conditions. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes involve metabolic dysfunction. In obesity, there is often an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, leading to the excess accumulation of fat and disruptions in metabolic processes. Similarly, type 2 diabetes is characterized by impaired glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and the dysregulation of various metabolic pathways. These metabolic dysfunctions contribute to the development and progression of both conditions.

Understanding the connections among genetic factors, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction is important for identifying individuals at higher risk, developing preventive strategies, and tailoring personalized interventions for the better management of these conditions.

This Special Issue aims to present cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that provide the most updated explanations of topics concerning metabolic diseases:

  1. The identification of genetic markers associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction;
  2. Molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying metabolic diseases;
  3. Novel natural approaches for the potential prevention and therapeutic strategies of obesity, diabetes, and related conditions;
  4. Multiomics used to study metabolic diseases.

Dr. Guanglin Zhang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • obesity
  • diabetes
  • metabolic syndrome
  • metabolic diseases
  • genomics
  • multiomics
  • RNAseq
  • single-cell sequencing
  • GWAS
  • metabolomics

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 538 KiB  
Article
Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Very Elderly Population with Heart Failure with Reduce Ejection Fraction: Real Life Data
by Jorge Balaguer Germán, Marcelino Cortés García, Carlos Rodríguez López, Jose María Romero Otero, Jose Antonio Esteban Chapel, Antonio José Bollas Becerra, Luis Nieto Roca, Mikel Taibo Urquía, Ana María Pello Lázaro and José Tuñón Fernández
Biomedicines 2024, 12(7), 1507; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12071507 - 7 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 830
Abstract
(1) Background: The validation of new lines of therapy for the elderly is required due to the progressive ageing of the world population and scarce evidence in elderly patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The purpose of our study is to [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The validation of new lines of therapy for the elderly is required due to the progressive ageing of the world population and scarce evidence in elderly patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The purpose of our study is to analyze the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) in this subgroup of patients. (2) Methods: A single-center, real-world observational study was performed. We consecutively enrolled all patients aged ≥ 75 years diagnosed with HFrEF and for treatment with SGLT2i, and considered the theoretical indications. (3) Results: A total of 364 patients were recruited, with a mean age of 84.1 years. At inclusion, the mean LVEF was 29.8%. Median follow-up was 33 months, and there were 122 deaths. A total of 55 patients were under SGLT2i treatment. A multivariate Cox logistic regression test for all-cause mortality was performed, and only SGLT2i (HR 0.39 [0.19–0.82]) and glomerular filtration rate (HR 0.98 [0.98–0.99]) proved to be protective factors. In parallel, we conducted a propensity-score-matched analysis, where a significant reduction in all-cause mortality was associated with the use of SGLT2i treatment (HR 0.39, [0.16–0.97]). (4) Conclusions: Treatment with SGLT2i in elderly patients with HFrEF was associated with a lower rate of all-cause mortality. Our data show that SGLT2i therapy could improve prognosis in the elderly with HFrEF in a real-world study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics, Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome)
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14 pages, 1143 KiB  
Article
Is There a Connection between Hyperhomocysteinemia and the Cardiometabolic Syndrome?
by Bogdan Mihai Tarcau, Andra Negru, Timea Claudia Ghitea and Eleonora Marian
Biomedicines 2024, 12(6), 1135; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12061135 - 21 May 2024
Viewed by 859
Abstract
This study investigates the distribution of hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular metabolic syndrome (SM) among participants, shedding light on their prevalence and co-occurrence within the study cohort. Through an analysis of demographic characteristics and health parameters, including age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), alongside [...] Read more.
This study investigates the distribution of hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular metabolic syndrome (SM) among participants, shedding light on their prevalence and co-occurrence within the study cohort. Through an analysis of demographic characteristics and health parameters, including age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), alongside nutritional data, correlations between these factors and health risks are explored. Results reveal a notable prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, with 45.3% of participants exhibiting this condition. Furthermore, 31.4% of the cohort does not present hyperhomocysteinemia or SM, while 23.3% shows SM without hyperhomocysteinemia. The study underscores gender-specific dietary recommendations due to significant variations in nutrient intake patterns. Additionally, inverse correlations between health risks like obesity, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia and nutrient requirements highlight the need for tailored dietary interventions. Age-related changes in nutrient needs and the positive correlation between physical activity levels and certain nutrient demands further emphasize the importance of personalized dietary strategies. Variations in nutrient intake by gender, inverse correlations with health risks, and age-related changes underscore the need for tailored dietary strategies. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals in developing targeted nutritional interventions to mitigate disease risk and promote overall health and well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics, Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome)
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17 pages, 1210 KiB  
Article
DNA Methylation Signatures in Paired Placenta and Umbilical Cord Samples: Relationship with Maternal Pregestational Body Mass Index and Offspring Metabolic Outcomes
by Ariadna Gómez-Vilarrubla, Berta Mas-Parés, Gemma Carreras-Badosa, Alexandra Bonmatí-Santané, Jose-Maria Martínez-Calcerrada, Maria Niubó-Pallàs, Francis de Zegher, Lourdes Ibáñez, Abel López-Bermejo and Judit Bassols
Biomedicines 2024, 12(2), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12020301 - 27 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1563
Abstract
An epigenomic approach was used to study the impact of maternal pregestational body mass index (BMI) on the placenta and umbilical cord methylomes and their potential effect on the offspring’s metabolic phenotype. DNA methylome was assessed in 24 paired placenta and umbilical cord [...] Read more.
An epigenomic approach was used to study the impact of maternal pregestational body mass index (BMI) on the placenta and umbilical cord methylomes and their potential effect on the offspring’s metabolic phenotype. DNA methylome was assessed in 24 paired placenta and umbilical cord samples. The differentially methylated CpGs associated with maternal pregestational BMI were identified and the metabolic pathways and the potentially related diseases affected by their annotated genes were determined. Two top differentially methylated CpGs were studied in 90 additional samples and the relationship with the offspring’s metabolic phenotype was determined. The results showed that maternal pregestational BMI is associated with the methylation of genes involved in endocrine and developmental pathways with potential effects on type 2 diabetes and obesity. The methylation and expression of HADHA and SLC2A8 genes in placenta and umbilical cord were related to several metabolic parameters in the offspring at 6 years (weight SDS, height SDS, BMI SDS, Δ BW-BMI SDS, FM SDS, waist, SBP, TG, HOMA-IR, perirenal fat; all p < 0.05). Our data suggest that epigenetic analysis in placenta and umbilical cord may be useful for identifying individual vulnerability to later metabolic diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics, Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome)
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Review

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26 pages, 1041 KiB  
Review
Plasma Biomarkers for Hypertension-Mediated Organ Damage Detection: A Narrative Review
by Xinghui Liu, Miao Yang, Gregory Y. H. Lip and Garry McDowell
Biomedicines 2024, 12(5), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12051071 - 12 May 2024
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Abstract
Hypertension (HT) is a disease that poses a serious threat to human health, mediating organ damage such as the cardiovascular (CV) system, kidneys, central nervous system (CNS), and retinae, ultimately increasing the risk of death due to damage to the entire vascular system. [...] Read more.
Hypertension (HT) is a disease that poses a serious threat to human health, mediating organ damage such as the cardiovascular (CV) system, kidneys, central nervous system (CNS), and retinae, ultimately increasing the risk of death due to damage to the entire vascular system. Thus, the widespread prevalence of hypertension brings enormous health problems and socioeconomic burdens worldwide. The goal of hypertension management is to prevent the risk of hypertension-mediated organ damage and excess mortality of cardiovascular diseases. To achieve this goal, hypertension guidelines recommend accurate monitoring of blood pressure and assessment of associated target organ damage. Early identification of organ damage mediated by hypertension is therefore crucial. Plasma biomarkers as a non-invasive test can help identify patients with organ damage mediated by hypertension who will benefit from antihypertensive treatment optimization and improved prognosis. In this review, we provide an overview of some currently available, under-researched, potential plasma biomarkers of organ damage mediated by hypertension, looking for biomarkers that can be detected by simple testing to identify hypertensive patients with organ damage, which is of great significance in clinical work. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) can be utilized as a traditional biomarker to detect hypertension-mediated organ damage, especially for heart failure. Nevertheless, we additionally may need to combine two or more plasma biomarkers to monitor organ damage in the early stages of hypertension. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics, Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome)
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Other

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10 pages, 939 KiB  
Brief Report
Shared Genetics between Age at Menarche and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Genome-Wide Genetic Correlation Study
by Yuan-Fang Cheng, Cheng-Yi Yang and Meng-Che Tsai
Biomedicines 2024, 12(1), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12010157 - 11 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1325
Abstract
Background: Age at menarche (AAM) has been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, little is known about their shared heritability. Methods: Our data comes from the Taiwan Biobank. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were conducted to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to [...] Read more.
Background: Age at menarche (AAM) has been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, little is known about their shared heritability. Methods: Our data comes from the Taiwan Biobank. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were conducted to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to AAM-, T2DM-, and T2DM-related phenotypes, such as body fat percentage (BFP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C). Further, the conditional false discovery rate (cFDR) method was applied to examine the shared genetic signals. Results: Conditioning on AAM, Quantile-quantile plots showed an earlier departure from the diagonal line among SNPs associated with BFP and FBG, indicating pleiotropic enrichments among AAM and these traits. Further, the cFDR analysis found 39 independent pleiotropic loci that may underlie the AAM-T2DM association. Among them, FN3KRP rs1046896 (cFDR = 6.84 × 10−49), CDKAL1 rs2206734 (cFDR = 6.48 × 10−10), B3GNTL1 rs58431774 (cFDR = 2.95 × 10−10), G6PC2 rs1402837 (cFDR = 1.82 × 10−8), and KCNQ1 rs60808706 (cFDR = 9.49 × 10−8) were highlighted for their significant genetic enrichment. The protein–protein interaction analysis revealed a significantly enriched network among novel discovered genes that were mostly found to be involved in the insulin and glucagon signaling pathways. Conclusions: Our study highlights potential pleiotropic effects across AAM and T2DM. This may shed light on identifying the genetic causes of T2DM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics, Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome)
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