Multifactorial Basis and Therapeutic Strategies in Metabolism-Related Diseases

Abstract

Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, has been increasing worldwide. Changes in dietary and physical activity patterns, along with genetic conditions, are the main factors that modulate the metabolism of individuals, leading to the development of NCDs. Obesity, diabetes, metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are classified in this group of chronic diseases. Therefore, understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of these diseases leads us to develop more accurate and effective treatments to reduce or mitigate their prevalence in the population. Given the global relevance of NCDs and ongoing research progress, this article reviews the current understanding about NCDs and their related risk factors, with a focus on obesity, diabetes, MAFLD, and CVDs, summarizing the knowledge about their pathophysiology and highlighting the currently available and emerging therapeutic strategies, especially pharmacological interventions. All of these diseases play an important role in the contamination by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as in the progression and severity of the symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, we briefly explore the relationship between NCDs and COVID-19.

Insulin Resistance: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies

“…In the general populations of most countries, the prevalence of hyperglycemia lies between 7% and 14% [ 156 ]. Furthermore, the global prevalence of diabetes has been forecast to increase to 700 million by 2045, and the rapidly increasing prevalence of metabolic disease is now viewed as a global health emergency [ 164 ].…”

“…Considering the main causes of the development of T2DM, impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance, the apparent inefficiency of current pharmaceutical strategies may be due to the undue focus place on alleviating symptoms, such as hyperglycemia by stimulating insulin secretion. Moreover, only two drugs targeting insulin resistance are available, while there are many drugs targeting insulin secretion [ 164 ]. Evidence shows insulin resistance is preceding and central to the development of T2DM and is mainly driven by ectopic fat accumulation in tissues.…”

Laboratory Profile of COVID-19 Patients with Hepatitis C-Related Liver Cirrhosis

“…In the 2018 census, more than 37 thousand new cases of hepatitis C were recorded in countries of the European Union [6], bringing the overall prevalence to 19 million cases [7] and over 70 million cases globally [8]. Since the pandemic began in 2019, there has been concern that pre-existing chronic liver disease (CLD) may predispose individuals to poor outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly given the overlapping risk factors for severe COVID-19 and CLD, such as advancing age, obesity, and diabetes [9,10]. The presence of a pre-existing liver condition associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), may be critical for patient prognosis, since chronic hepatitis C continues to be a health burden in a number of European nations.…”

Leptin Protein Expression and Promoter Methylation in Ovarian Cancer: A Strong Prognostic Value with Theranostic Promises

“…Ovarian cancer is a disease marked by the absence of early specific signs and silent clinical symptoms making its diagnosis at an early stage challenging, thus leading to higher mortality rates, being the highest deadly cancer among all gynecological tumors [ 5 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. In this context, lipid metabolism and obesity were reported as the main risk factors for several chronic diseases such as chronic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, bone degenerative diseases and cancer, which has urged scientists to investigate the underlying biological and molecular links [ 38 , 39 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. Furthermore, several studies have linked leptin expression with several upstream (pathways inducing LEP expression) and/or downstream (pathways induced by LEP) inflammatory-like pathways that are involved in obesity-associated diseases mentioned above, mainly cancer [ 48 , 49 ].…”