Metabolic Syndrome: From Target Molecules to Therapeutic Approaches

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 4513

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Endocrinology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo do Prof. Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
Interests: metabolic syndrome; diabetes; dyslipidemia; obesity; adipose tissue; cardiovascular risk; inflammation; bariatric surgery

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metabolic syndrome is a widespread medical condition characterized by a cluster of health issues that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Common risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome include abdominal obesity, high blood sugar, hypertension, elevated triglyceride levels and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome requires the presence of at least three of these five metabolic abnormalities simultaneously, as proposed by major organizations involved in its study. Additional factors, such as chronic inflammation and blood clotting, have also been implicated in metabolic syndrome, highlighting its complex nature. While lifestyle changes are effective in the early stages of the condition, pharmacological treatments are often needed in advanced cases. Currently, pharmacological interventions target the individual components of metabolic syndrome separately, although new drugs are being studied. Furthermore, although the dysfunction of adipose tissue is recognized as a major contributor to metabolic dysregulation, it remains an area of limited research. The development of metabolic syndrome is influenced by the interactions between human microbiota, genetic factors and diet. Precision medicine based on an understanding of the molecular landscape of metabolic syndrome has emerged as a promising approach. Given the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome globally and the limited understanding of its underlying mechanisms, there is a need to explore the biological pathways involved in this condition and develop more effective treatment strategies.

The aim of this research topic is to provide new insights into metabolic pathways or molecular targets that could aid in understanding and treating metabolic syndrome and its complications. Understanding the pathways involved in metabolic dysregulation is crucial for developing interventions. Additionally, we are interested in studies that provide evidence on different treatment modalities for metabolic syndrome, including nutritional interventions, bariatric surgery, modulation of gut microbiota, anti-inflammatory drugs and pharmacological treatments that can improve metabolic dysfunction.

Dr. Silvia Paredes
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • metabolic syndrome
  • hypertension
  • dyslipidemia
  • glucose intolerance
  • adipose tissue
  • adypocite dysfunction
  • oxidative stresse
  • endothelial cell dysfunction
  • inflammation
  • bile acid signaling pathway
  • gut microbiota

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

15 pages, 275 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Metabolic Syndrome on Potential Aging Biomarkers in Participants with Metabolic Syndrome Compared to Healthy Controls
by Drahomira Holmannova, Pavel Borsky, Ctirad Andrys, Jan Kremlacek, Zdenek Fiala, Helena Parova, Vit Rehacek, Monika Esterkova, Gabriela Poctova, Tereza Maresova and Lenka Borska
Biomedicines 2024, 12(1), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12010242 - 22 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1169
Abstract
Background: Biological aging is a physiological process that can be altered by various factors. The presence of a chronic metabolic disease can accelerate aging and increase the risk of further chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to determine whether the presence [...] Read more.
Background: Biological aging is a physiological process that can be altered by various factors. The presence of a chronic metabolic disease can accelerate aging and increase the risk of further chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to determine whether the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) affects levels of markers that are associated with, among other things, aging. Material and Methods: A total of 169 subjects (58 with MetS, and 111 without metabolic syndrome, i.e., non-MetS) participated in the study. Levels of telomerase, GDF11/15, sirtuin 1, follistatin, NLRP3, AGEs, klotho, DNA/RNA damage, NAD+, vitamin D, and blood lipids were assessed from blood samples using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Results: Telomerase (p < 0.01), DNA/RNA damage (p < 0.006) and GDF15 (p < 0.02) were higher in MetS group compared to non-MetS group. Only vitamin D levels were higher in the non-MetS group (p < 0.0002). Differences between MetS and non-MetS persons were also detected in groups divided according to age: in under 35-year-olds and those aged 35–50 years. Conclusions: Our results show that people with MetS compared to those without MetS have higher levels of some of the measured markers of biological aging. Thus, the presence of MetS may accelerate biological aging, which may be associated with an increased risk of chronic comorbidities that accompany MetS (cardiovascular, inflammatory, autoimmune, neurodegenerative, metabolic, or cancer diseases) and risk of premature death from all causes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Syndrome: From Target Molecules to Therapeutic Approaches)

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

25 pages, 729 KiB  
Review
Which Comes First, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or Arterial Hypertension?
by Julia A. Golubeva, Anna F. Sheptulina, Anastasia Yu. Elkina, Ekaterina O. Liusina, Anton R. Kiselev and Oxana M. Drapkina
Biomedicines 2023, 11(9), 2465; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11092465 - 05 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1582
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and arterial hypertension (AH) are widespread noncommunicable diseases in the global population. Since hypertension and NAFLD are diseases associated with metabolic syndrome, they are often comorbid. In fact, many contemporary published studies confirm the association of these diseases [...] Read more.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and arterial hypertension (AH) are widespread noncommunicable diseases in the global population. Since hypertension and NAFLD are diseases associated with metabolic syndrome, they are often comorbid. In fact, many contemporary published studies confirm the association of these diseases with each other, regardless of whether other metabolic factors, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellites, are present. This narrative review considers the features of the association between NAFLD and AH, as well as possible pathophysiological mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Syndrome: From Target Molecules to Therapeutic Approaches)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

19 pages, 3313 KiB  
Systematic Review
C-Reactive Protein as a Marker of Inflammation in Children and Adolescents with Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Mihaela-Andreea Podeanu, Adina Turcu-Stiolica, Mihaela Simona Subțirelu, Mioara Desdemona Stepan, Claudiu-Marinel Ionele, Dan-Ionuț Gheonea, Bianca Ștefănița Vintilescu and Raluca Elena Sandu
Biomedicines 2023, 11(11), 2961; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11112961 - 02 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1224
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the pediatric population has been reported in many studies to be associated with an inflammatory response. However, to our knowledge, there is no definitive conclusion in the form of a meta-analysis. The issue we aimed to address is whether [...] Read more.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the pediatric population has been reported in many studies to be associated with an inflammatory response. However, to our knowledge, there is no definitive conclusion in the form of a meta-analysis. The issue we aimed to address is whether C-reactive protein (CRP) is a trustworthy marker in detecting inflammation in children and adolescents with MetS. We systematically searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the ISI Web of Science, and SCOPUS until 31 June 2023 for studies involving children and adolescents with MetS where hsCRP or CRP were measured. After the screening process, we identified 24 full-text articles that compared 930 patients with MetS with either healthy (n = 3782) or obese (n = 1658) controls. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Begg’s rank correlation test and Egger’s regression test. Statistical analysis was carried out based on pooled mean differences (MDs) and an associated 95% CI. Data analysis showed that MetS is associated with higher levels of CRP than those in healthy controls (MD = 1.28, 95% CI: (0.49–2.08), p = 0.002) in obese patients (MD = 0.88, 95% CI: (0.38–1.39), p = 0.0006). However, conventional methods of CRP analysis were found to be more accurate in differentiating between children and adolescents with obesity and those with MetS, compared with hsCRP (MD = 0.60, 95% CI: (−0.08–1.28), p = 0.08). No risk of bias was assessed. In conclusion, CRP is a reliable inflammatory marker for differentiating pediatric patients with MetS from healthy ones. On the other hand, it did not prove to be very accurate in distinguishing between patients who had MetS and those who were obese. There should be more research performed in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolic Syndrome: From Target Molecules to Therapeutic Approaches)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop