{"title":"Expanding the understanding of insulin resistance in brain and periphery.","authors":"Wenqiang Chen,Stephanie Kullmann,Elizabeth M Rhea","doi":"10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.010","url":null,"abstract":"Insulin resistance is a central feature of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). While studies on this disorder have largely been linked to glucose metabolism and intracellular signaling, recent advances reveal that insulin resistance extends beyond traditional glucose regulatory pathways, impacting multiple organs including the brain, contributing to cognitive dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). This opinion revisits insulin resistance through molecular, cellular, and systemic perspectives, emphasizing the intersection between peripheral and brain insulin resistance (BIR), the role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and emerging biomarkers. Furthermore, we integrate insights from multi-omics and neuroimaging studies to refine our understanding, advocating for a broader perspective that informs early detection and intervention in metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.","PeriodicalId":23301,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144103811","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zi-Qing Zheng,Liang Shen,Li-Ming Zhao,Hong-Fang Ji
{"title":"B vitamins as adjunct therapies for depressive disorder.","authors":"Zi-Qing Zheng,Liang Shen,Li-Ming Zhao,Hong-Fang Ji","doi":"10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.007","url":null,"abstract":"The rising prevalence of depressive disorder worldwide requires better interventional avenues. B vitamins are gaining increasing interest as potential therapeutic approaches in this context given current evidence for a bidirectional association between B vitamin deficiency and depressive disorder. We discuss how B vitamins and B vitamin-associated probiotic supplementation may represent an effective adjunctive treatment for depression, and highlight the key metabolic mechanisms involved. We also provide a perspective on the future of this field and advocate for further high-quality clinical trials to assess the benefits of B vitamins in this context and optimize their clinical implementation.","PeriodicalId":23301,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144065582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julia Füreder,Eva S Schernhammer,A Heather Eliassen,Sabina Sieri,Benedikt Warth
{"title":"Metabolomics-enabled biomarker discovery in breast cancer research.","authors":"Julia Füreder,Eva S Schernhammer,A Heather Eliassen,Sabina Sieri,Benedikt Warth","doi":"10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.008","url":null,"abstract":"Breast cancer (BC) remains the most prevalent malignancy among women worldwide. While genetic predisposition and reproductive history are key contributors to its development, modifiable risk factors are also important, particularly those linked to lifestyle behaviors, often influencing the endogenous metabolome. Over the past decade, mass spectrometry-based metabolomics has enabled agnostic investigations into correlations between the metabolome and BC risk. Here we review recent results from prospective nested case-control studies, which have led to the identification of significantly different metabolites between women who subsequently developed BC and those who did not. As replication of these findings remains limited, we emphasize the need for robust quantitative validation studies, cancer subtype-specific analyses in diverse populations, and expanded chemical space coverage of analytical assays.","PeriodicalId":23301,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143982457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julianna G Supplee,Ronen Marmorstein,Kathryn E Wellen
{"title":"Molecular targets of bempedoic acid and related decoy fatty acids.","authors":"Julianna G Supplee,Ronen Marmorstein,Kathryn E Wellen","doi":"10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.002","url":null,"abstract":"Disorders of lipid metabolism, including hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, are increasing across the globe. Bempedoic acid (BPA) is a first-in-class drug for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and cardiac risk reduction, which may particularly benefit those who do not tolerate statins. Inhibition of hepatic ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) is widely accepted as the main mediator of its observed clinical effects. However, BPA treatment also has ACLY-independent effects on lipid metabolism, as the structural similarity of BPA to endogenous fatty acids allows it to trigger multiple lipid-signaling pathways. Here, we review the molecular targets of BPA and related 'decoy fatty acid' drugs and identify areas where further study is warranted as these molecules are evaluated for clinical indications.","PeriodicalId":23301,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism","volume":"68 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143932594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Healthy choices, healthy futures: promoting healthy nutrition to curb non-communicable diseases.","authors":"Saurabh Kumar Gupta,Tina Rawal,Monika Arora","doi":"10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.004","url":null,"abstract":"Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a serious challenge to global public health, compounded by unhealthy nutrition and obesogenic environments. This science and society article emphasizes several evidence-based behavior-change strategies, policy interventions, and meaningful youth engagement to promote healthy nutrition choices among children and adolescents.","PeriodicalId":23301,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism","volume":"39 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143926444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Balancing metabolism and regeneration in liver diseases through HNF4α targeting.","authors":"Céline Van Dender,Jolien Vandewalle,Claude Libert","doi":"10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"Transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is considered the master regulator of hepatocyte differentiation. During homeostasis, HNF4α maintains liver identity by supporting metabolism while inhibiting proliferation. It is downregulated in response to both acute and chronic insults; however, although this supports hepatic regeneration in mild acute settings, severe or chronic downregulation may further compromise liver function and lead to a lethal outcome. Here, we provide an overview of liver diseases associated with downregulation, altered expression, or dysfunction of HNF4α and suggest the potential underlying mechanisms. We further propose that therapy with Hnf4a mRNA or HNF4α agonists to reactivate HNF4α may be beneficial in pathophysiological contexts characterized by loss of liver function.","PeriodicalId":23301,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143915214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Seeding microbes in defined early-life windows to fight diabetes.","authors":"Shuqin Zeng,Shaopu Wang,Dezhi Mu","doi":"10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.04.005","url":null,"abstract":"Establishment of the early-life gut microbiome, coinciding with the host development, predisposes to long-term disease risk if disrupted. Recently, Hill et al. precisely delineated a critical early-life window in humans and mice during which specific fungi and bacteria play indispensable roles in β-cell development, thereby regulating lifelong metabolic homeostasis.","PeriodicalId":23301,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143903106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"NAD augmentation as a disease-modifying strategy for neurodegeneration.","authors":"Christian Dölle,Charalampos Tzoulis","doi":"10.1016/j.tem.2025.03.013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.03.013","url":null,"abstract":"Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) pose a significant and rapidly growing global health challenge, but there are no effective therapies to delay or halt progression. In recent years augmentation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) has emerged as a promising disease-modifying strategy that targets multiple key disease pathways across multiple NDDs, such as mitochondrial dysfunction, energy deficits, proteostasis, and neuroinflammation. Several early clinical trials of NAD augmentation have been completed, and many more are currently underway, reflecting the growing optimism and urgency within the field. We discuss the rationale and evolving therapeutic landscape of NAD augmentation. We argue that, to fully realize its therapeutic potential, it is essential to determine the specific contexts in which NAD supplementation is most effective and to address crucial knowledge gaps.","PeriodicalId":23301,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143885542","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The interplay between endometriosis and obesity.","authors":"Md Saidur Rahman,Yunjeong Park,Hossein Hosseinirad,Jung-Ho Shin,Jae-Wook Jeong","doi":"10.1016/j.tem.2025.03.011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.03.011","url":null,"abstract":"Endometriosis, characterized by uterine-like tissue growth outside the uterus, is a complex disorder with significant clinical implications. This review explores how body composition - both low body mass index (BMI) and obesity - modulates endometriosis progression through metabolic, hormonal, and immune-inflammatory pathways. Obesity-driven leptin signaling emerges as a pivotal link, promoting systemic inflammation, angiogenesis, and lesion persistence via Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathways. Shared molecular mechanisms between endometriosis and obesity highlight opportunities for precision medicine and targeted therapies. By addressing leptin-driven pathways and metabolic dysfunction, we introduce innovative strategies, offering novel insights into the improved management of this multifaceted condition.","PeriodicalId":23301,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143885081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dewei Kong,Oliwia Kowalik,Emma Garratt,Keith M Godfrey,Shiao-Yng Chan,Adrian Kee Keong Teo
{"title":"Genetics and epigenetics in gestational diabetes contributing to type 2 diabetes.","authors":"Dewei Kong,Oliwia Kowalik,Emma Garratt,Keith M Godfrey,Shiao-Yng Chan,Adrian Kee Keong Teo","doi":"10.1016/j.tem.2025.03.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2025.03.014","url":null,"abstract":"Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication and a risk factor for the subsequent development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in mothers and of several metabolic diseases in offspring. However, the molecular underpinnings of these risks are not well understood. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and epigenetic studies may provide complementary insights into the causal relationships between GDM exposure and maternal/offspring metabolic outcomes. In this review we discuss the potential pathophysiological roles of specific genetic variants and commonly reported differentially methylated loci in GDM development, and their link to the progression to T2D in both the mother and the offspring in later life, pointing to the potential for tailored interventional strategies based on these genetic and epigenetic mechanisms.","PeriodicalId":23301,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143884993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}