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Lipidomics uses the principles of analytical chemistry to reveal the total lipid content and composition in a cell. In this Review, Xianlin Han provides an overview of lipidomics as applied to the study of metabolic pathways and how this technique can help in the understanding of metabolic diseases.
Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, and promoting healthy mitochondrial function could benefit patients. This Review discusses novel molecular targets for therapies that enhance mitochondrial function, with an emphasis on nonpharmacological regulation of factors such as nutrition, exercise, temperature and circadian rhythm.
The human endometrium repeatedly undergoes specific cyclic changes to prepare for embryo implantation. Understanding the mechanisms involved in endometrial cycling is important for the treatment of reproductive pathologies, and can also provide insight into conditions such as wound healing and even cancer.
The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased substantially in many countries over the past few decades. In this Review, Kitahara and Sosa describe the changing incidence of the disease and suggest possible explanations for the trends, emphasizing implications for patients and ongoing strategies to combat this growing public health issue.
In this Review, Lício Velloso and colleagues describe the main components involved in the proteostasis network and consider how defects in these components might interfere with the correct function of the hypothalamus in obesity and ageing.
This Review focuses on the diagnosis, natural history and management of children with subclinical hypothyroidism, as well as the controversy regarding treatment. The latest data on health outcomes, metabolic issues and the risk of cardiovascular disease are outlined.
Several classes of glucose-lowering therapies are now available for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this Review, the current knowledge relating to mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and safety profiles is presented for members of each of these drug classes.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with considerable risks to both the mother and developing baby. In this article, the authors review the evidence from randomized controlled trials for strategies designed to prevent GDM, such as lifestyle modification, dietary supplementation and pharmacological approaches.
In this Review, Romain Barrès and Juleen Zierath outline the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying how lifestyle factors affect epigenetic changes involved in the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The latest findings on the mechanisms by which diet and exercise affect the epigenome are also discussed.
In this Review, Weitzmann and Ofotokun examine the evolution of the field of osteoimmunology and how advances in our understanding of the immuno–skeletal interface might lead to novel approaches to prevent and treat bone loss, and avert fractures.
Patients with adrenoleukodystrophy have a complex, X-linked peroxisomal disease, which is characterized by the development of adrenal insufficiency, myelopathy and progressive cerebral white matter lesions. In this Review Stephan Kemp and colleagues discuss the clinical presentation, natural history, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Despite effective treatments for pituitary tumours, chronic syndromes can occur in patients during long-term follow-up. This Review describes these syndromes, which result from the effects of the initial disease, such as hormonal excess or pituitary insufficiency, and the effects of treatment modalities.
Here, Mark Tarnopolsky and colleagues propose that the systemic benefits of exercise are mediated by exosomes containing peptides and nucleic acids (exerkines) that act in an autocrine, paracrine and/or endocrine manner. They also discuss the therapeutic potential of using exerkine-enriched native or modified exosomes to treat metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Osteocytes have a central role in bone homeostasis, integrating the effects of mechanical and hormonal stimuli on bone. Here, Lilian Plotkin and Teresita Bellido discuss the potential of osteocytic signalling pathways as therapeutic targets to improve bone health and maintain musculoskeletal integrity.
An elaborate neural network integrating many internal homeostatic and external signals governs the onset of puberty and subsequent fertility. Here, Allan Herbison provides an update on the morphology and function of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, focusing on their role in the onset of puberty and fertility.
Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is dependent on adenosine nucleotides levels in the cell, which vary according to the energy status; AMPK is therefore described as an energy sensor. This Review discusses the role of hypothalamic AMPK in controlling energy balance, and how this knowledge might be used to develop new antiobesity drugs.
In this Review, screening and treatment recommendations are compared for familial hypercholesterolaemia, familial combined hyperlipidaemia and elevated lipoprotein(a); common, inherited disorders of lipoprotein metabolism that are associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. New treatments are considered alongside established therapeutic strategies.
The NADPH oxidase family of enzymes produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a critical substrate for thyroid hormone synthesis. However, H2O2is also a potent oxidant that can cause DNA damage, which might lead to thyroid carcinogenesis. Here, the authors discuss the physiological attributes of thyroid NADPH oxidases and their pathological involvement in thyroid cancer.
Dietary supplements are widely used and offer the potential to improve health if appropriately targeted to those in need. This Review summarizes the available data on dietary supplements and health outcomes in both developing and developed countries to help guide decisions about dietary supplement recommendations.
Concern exists about the possible link between intrauterine exposure to analgesics and congenital malformations. Here, Bernard Jégou and colleagues discuss the effects of mild analgesics (paracetamol and NSAIDs) on endocrine homeostasis and the reproductive system in animals and humans of both sexes, from fetal life to adulthood.
