Molecular Mechanisms and Translational Research on Insulin Resistance

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology and Metabolism Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 444

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
Interests: toxicology; mycotoxins; epigenetics; DNA methylation; histone modifications; non-coding RNA; epitranscriptomics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Insulin resistance lies at the core of numerous metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular diseases, amongst others. Despite decades of research, the intricate molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying insulin resistance remain poorly understood, and effective targeted therapies are limited. With the prevalence of metabolic disorders rising globally, we need to deepen our understanding of the biological mechanisms driving insulin resistance and translate this knowledge into effective clinical strategies. This Special Issue will showcase current advances in molecular research and translational approaches related to insulin resistance.

Authors are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and clinical studies that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

  1. Disruptions in insulin signaling pathways and metabolic regulation;
  2. The role of epigenetics and epitranscriptomics in insulin resistance;
  3. The role of inflammatory pathways, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in insulin resistance;
  4. Identifying and validating novel biomarkers for insulin resistance;
  5. Emerging therapeutic interventions, including pharmacological approaches, for combatting insulin resistance.

Dr. Terisha Ghazi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • insulin resistance
  • type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • metabolic syndrome
  • insulin signaling
  • inflammation
  • oxidative stress
  • mitochondrial dysfunction
  • epigenetics
  • epitranscriptomics (e.g., m6A RNA methylation)
  • biomarkers
  • translational medicine
  • therapeutic targets

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

24 pages, 1092 KB  
Review
Pharmaco-Epigenetics and Epigenetic Drugs in Type 2 Diabetes: Can Epigenetics Predict Drug Efficiency?
by Senzosenkosi Surprise Mkhize, Anil Amichund Chuturgoon, Terisha Ghazi and Kgothatso Eugene Machaba
Biomedicines 2025, 13(9), 2278; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13092278 - 16 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is increasingly affecting individuals across various age groups due to inadequate insulin action and secretion. It has become the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with an estimated 9.3% of the global population currently affected. Recent epigenetic studies have [...] Read more.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is increasingly affecting individuals across various age groups due to inadequate insulin action and secretion. It has become the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with an estimated 9.3% of the global population currently affected. Recent epigenetic studies have shown that variations such as DNA methylation and histone modifications are implicated in the development of T2DM. However, epigenetically related conditions are known to be reversible, which could potentially pave the way for predicting and treating T2DM. This has led to the development of epigenetic modifier drugs, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), histone acetyltransferase inhibitors (HATi), protein arginine methyltransferase inhibitors (PRMTi), DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi), histone demethylating inhibitors (HDMi), and sirtuin-activating compounds (STAC). A major challenge with these epigenetic drugs is that only a few have been approved for treating metabolic diseases due to their potential to negatively impact off-target genes. The low specificity of these drugs can lead to side effects and increased toxicity, contributing to complex diseases such as cancer. Hence, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms underlying metabolic diseases can provide new insights and strategies for preventing, diagnosing, and treating metabolic disorders, such as T2DM. This review summarizes the epigenetic variations in T2DM, pharmaco-epigenetics, and the challenges surrounding epigenetics. This provides basic insight into the discovery of novel drug targets, which can lead to the development of epigenetic therapies for T2DM. Hence, the reversible nature of epigenetic variations retains hope for future novel strategies to combat T2DM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Translational Research on Insulin Resistance)
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