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Review

Molecular Mechanisms behind Obesity and Their Potential Exploitation in Current and Future Therapy

Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
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Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(15), 8202; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158202 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 28 June 2024 / Revised: 22 July 2024 / Accepted: 25 July 2024 / Published: 27 July 2024

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic disease caused primarily by the imbalance between the amount of calories supplied to the body and energy expenditure. Not only does it deteriorate the quality of life, but most importantly it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, leading to reduced life expectancy. In this review, we would like to present the molecular pathomechanisms underlying obesity, which constitute the target points for the action of anti-obesity medications. These include the central nervous system, brain–gut–microbiome axis, gastrointestinal motility, and energy expenditure. A significant part of this article is dedicated to incretin-based drugs such as GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., liraglutide and semaglutide), as well as the brand new dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist tirzepatide, all of which have become “block-buster” drugs due to their effectiveness in reducing body weight and beneficial effects on the patient’s metabolic profile. Finally, this review article highlights newly designed molecules with the potential for future obesity management that are the subject of ongoing clinical trials.
Keywords: appetite; energy expenditure; gastrointestinal tract hormones; gut–brain axis; incretins; microbiome; obesity; retatrutide; semaglutide; tirzepatide appetite; energy expenditure; gastrointestinal tract hormones; gut–brain axis; incretins; microbiome; obesity; retatrutide; semaglutide; tirzepatide

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MDPI and ACS Style

Nicze, M.; Dec, A.; Borówka, M.; Krzyżak, D.; Bołdys, A.; Bułdak, Ł.; Okopień, B. Molecular Mechanisms behind Obesity and Their Potential Exploitation in Current and Future Therapy. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 8202. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158202

AMA Style

Nicze M, Dec A, Borówka M, Krzyżak D, Bołdys A, Bułdak Ł, Okopień B. Molecular Mechanisms behind Obesity and Their Potential Exploitation in Current and Future Therapy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024; 25(15):8202. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158202

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicze, Michał, Adrianna Dec, Maciej Borówka, Damian Krzyżak, Aleksandra Bołdys, Łukasz Bułdak, and Bogusław Okopień. 2024. "Molecular Mechanisms behind Obesity and Their Potential Exploitation in Current and Future Therapy" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25, no. 15: 8202. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158202

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