Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2018

Replacements for the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) have become commonplace in plastics labelled BPA free. However, many of these chemicals have similar structures and properties to BPA. A new study reports that replacement bisphenols, which were discovered as laboratory contaminants, are reproductive toxicants and that their effects might persist for multiple generations.

Pharmacotherapy for obesity, as an adjunct to targeted behavioural modifications, can facilitate weight loss. Previous serotonergic candidates have been withdrawn owing to undesirable cardiovascular effects. A new study in a large sample of high-risk patients shows lorcaserin treatment leads to no greater increase in cardiovascular problems than placebo — what does this result mean for personalized pharmacotherapy for obesity?

Over the past 10 years, evidence has accumulated to suggest that α-cells are involved in the development of diabetes mellitus. This Review outlines our current understanding of α-cells and discusses how they could be targeted in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Pituitary gigantism is a rare growth disorder caused by excessive release of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1. This Review discusses the diagnosis, genetic causes and clinical management of pituitary gigantism.

The signalling events leading to insulin release from β-cells are tightly controlled and new techniques are needed to understand the complicated interactions. This Review discusses new optical tools available to further our understanding of β-cell function and insulin release.

This Review discusses the role of the Chinese Famine in the current epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus in China and highlights lessons to be learned.