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Extracellular danger-associated molecular patterns signal to NOD-like receptors, but the exact signalling pathways remain unclear. The inflammasomes, a subgroup of these receptors, translate danger signals into inflammatory responses by maturing IL-1 and IL-18. In 2017, researchers reported novel functions of the mutual interaction between metabolism and the inflammasomes in health and disease.
Studies of rare growth disorders taken together with large-scale genetic studies of adult height variability have uncovered a large genetic network regulating childhood growth. Advances in technology and experimental model systems will help decipher the molecular mechanisms of this complex network and lead to novel treatment approaches for growth disorders.
This Review focuses on the adverse effect of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on the risk of chronic vascular complications of diabetes mellitus. The putative pathophysiological mechanisms by which NAFLD might contribute to the development and progression of chronic vascular complications of diabetes mellitus are also discussed, and the principles of NAFLD treatment are critically evaluated.
Nutraceuticals are gaining legitimacy and their potential clinical role is expanding. Data from 2017 provides evidence for their possible use in type 2 diabetes mellitus, the metabolic syndrome, obesity, dyslipidaemia and osteoporosis. Ongoing high-quality research in this area might justify future selective implementation of nutraceuticals into general health practice.
The artificial pancreas — the automated closed-loop control of diabetes mellitus — made its first outpatient strides in 2011. In 2017, the results of long-term clinical trials on the artificial pancreas were published, the first hybrid commercial artificial pancreas system was approved and the artificial pancreas was tested under increasingly demanding conditions. Thus, artificial pancreas technology is here to stay.
The global epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications is a major threat to public health. This Review provides an updated view of the global epidemiology of T2DM and the dietary, lifestyle and other risk factors for T2DM and its complications.
Three cardiovascular outcome trials failed to show superiority of DPP4 inhibitors compared with placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and high cardiovascular risk, a rather disappointing finding. Now, a post hoc subgroup analysis suggests that patients treated with metformin at baseline might benefit from DPP4 inhibitors in contrast with metformin non-users.