Articles in 2016

In this Review, Sylow and colleagues discuss the molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways that regulate glucose uptake from the blood into the muscle during exercise, and the roles of both known and candidate molecules in the process.

In the Steno-2 trial, 160 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, mostly in their 50s, were randomly assigned to multifactorial interventions or conventional care. Whereas microvascular and macrovascular complications were reduced during the 7.8 years of the trial period with intensive therapy, the observational follow-up data at 13.3 years and, now, 21 years demonstrate a benefit on mortality.

Clinical practice regarding the use of hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) has undergone many changes since its introduction in the 1940s. Here, Roger Lobo frames the current thinking on the use of HRT in postmenopausal women, beginning with a historical perspective and then discussing how the interpretation of HRT data has changed over time.

Here, Chow and colleagues discuss the endocrine manifestations of mitochondrial diseases, a group of multisystem disorders characterized by great clinical, biochemical and genetic heterogeneity. The authors describe the clinical features, genetic causes and pathological mechanisms underlying these diseases, the understanding of which will be key to developing innovative therapies for these patients.

A new population-based cohort study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has found that systolic blood pressure below the level currently recommended by hypertension guidelines is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events than the present threshold. However, whether blood pressure goals should be lowered remains contentious.

In 1998, two children with congenital adrenal insufficiency and early-onset morbid obesity were found to have causative null mutations in POMC. In a new study, therapy with the melanocortin-4 receptor agonist setmelanotide has for the first time brought hope of a normal life to patients with POMC-deficiency.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of fragility fractures. Here, Napoli and colleagues discuss the complex interactions between glucose homeostasis and bone fragility, the epidemiology of fractures in patients with diabetes mellitus and the effects of antidiabetic drugs on bone health.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with adverse metabolic and reproductive outcomes and guidelines recommend early diagnosis, screening and management. However, new stricter definitions of the diagnostic features of polycystic ovaries on ultrasonography might in fact exclude some women from a diagnosis of PCOS who could benefit from preventive management.

New approaches are required for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its associated pathologies. Here, Martel and colleagues review the potential anti-obesogenic and antidiabetic effects of plants, mushrooms and their derivatives, some of which have longstanding uses in traditional Chinese medicine.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are integrators of both inflammatory and metabolic signalling networks. In this Review, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of how PPARs contribute to the development of metabolic disorders and how pharmacologically targeting these pathways can be used to develop new therapeutics for such diseases.

In addition to undergoing adaptive thermogenesis, brown adipose tissue secretes a number of adipokines that can influence systemic metabolism. In this Review, Villarroya and colleagues discuss the current evidence for these so-called 'batokines' and how they might influence whole-body metabolic health.

Sergueï Fetissov discusses the possible involvement of gut bacteria in the host regulation of appetite and proposes an integrative homeostatic model of appetite control that includes the energy needs of both the host and its gut bacteria.