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Biomedicines
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New Advances in Insulin—100 Years Since Its Discovery: 2nd Edition
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New Advances in Insulin—100 Years Since Its Discovery: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Biology and Pathology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 1634

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tomislav Bulum

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Vuk Vrhovac Univerity Clinic, Merkur University Hospital, Zajčeva 19, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2. Medical Faculty, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: diabetes type 1; diabetes type 2; metabolic syndrome; diabetic nephropathy; diabetic retinopathy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The discovery of insulin in 1921 represented a milestone in the treatment of diabetes. In 1923, the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded for its discovery, and it was one of the most important discoveries in the history of medical science, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Thousands of lives have been saved, and the life expectancy of people with diabetes has been significantly extended. Since its discovery, insulin has been continuously improved through pharmacological development and optimized for therapeutic purposes, including the development of intermediate- and long-acting insulins, the ability to produce human insulin, and finally, the development of insulin analogs with improved properties using recombinant DNA technology.

Despite increasing awareness, diabetes is still one of the most challenging health problems in the 21st century. In the last 15 years, the number of people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes has increased by 45%, and the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has increased by 95%. Recently, the focus in the treatment of diabetes has been on new therapeutic options; however, insulin is still one of the most potent therapeutic options for patients with type 2 diabetes and is the only one for patients with type 1 diabetes.

Considering this context, this Special Issue will focus on the roles of insulin and insulin action in a broad sense. We welcome submissions related to new knowledge about insulin secretion and action, as well as the development and action of insulin analogs and their effects on glycemic control and chronic complications in diabetes.

Dr. Tomislav Bulum
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • insulin action
  • insulin analogs
  • type 1 diabetes
  • type 2 diabetes
  • complications
  • glucose homeostasis

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 707 KB  
Article
Prevalence and Risk Factors of MASLD in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Belgium and The Netherlands
by Leen J. M. Heyens, Francesco Innocenti, Christophe Van Steenkiste, Mathieu Struyve, Sven M. Francque, Ger H. Koek, Geert Robaeys and on behalf of the MASLD Research Group
Biomedicines 2025, 13(11), 2821; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13112821 - 19 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is closely intertwined with glucose metabolism status (GMS). Bi-national comparative epidemiological data are lacking; therefore, this study aimed to provide new insights into MASLD and fibrosis prevalence and risk factors in Belgium, while comparing data [...] Read more.
Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is closely intertwined with glucose metabolism status (GMS). Bi-national comparative epidemiological data are lacking; therefore, this study aimed to provide new insights into MASLD and fibrosis prevalence and risk factors in Belgium, while comparing data from The Netherlands to uncover cross-country differences. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study (2019–2024) in Belgian primary and secondary care was compared with the Dutch Maastricht Study. Liver fat was measured using CAP (FibroScan®), and anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data were collected. Associations with CAP were analysed using multivariable linear regression, including sex, age, BMI, MetS, high SBP, CVD history, and country. Results: A total of 2436 individuals (Belgium and The Netherlands) were screened, of which 1928 were eligible: MASLD with normal GMS (38.3%), prediabetes (19.2%), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM; 42.5%). Belgian participants with T2DM had higher BMI and prevalence of MASLD. CAP values were significantly associated with female sex (−7.5 dB/m, 95%CI (−11.834; −3.056), p < 0.001), BMI (5.184 dB/m, 95%CI (4.627; 5.741), p < 0.001), and MetS (13.7 dB/m, 95%CI (8.456; 18.994), p < 0.001). Country-specific interactions showed differing effects of high SBP and CVD on CAP between Belgium and The Netherlands, with only the inverse association of CVD history (−10.756, 95%CI (−17.485; −4.027), p = 0.002) with CAP in The Netherlands being significant. Conclusions: MASLD and fibrosis are common in people with prediabetes and T2DM, underscoring the need for early detection and management. Obesity and metabolic risk were key factors, while a history of CVD appeared protective in the Dutch cohort but not in the Belgian one. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Insulin—100 Years Since Its Discovery: 2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 704 KB  
Article
Fetal Sex Modulates Hofbauer Cells’ Response to Diabetes in Human Placenta
by Zdenek Tauber, Max Mrstik, Adela Burianova, Katerina Koubova and Katerina Cizkova
Biomedicines 2025, 13(11), 2606; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13112606 - 24 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Background: Hofbauer cells (HBCs) are fetal-origin macrophages in the placental villous stroma that contribute to immune tolerance at the feto–maternal interface. They predominantly display an M2 phenotype, characterized by CD206 expression. Methods: Using immunohistochemistry and morphometric analysis, we quantified HBCs, assessed [...] Read more.
Background: Hofbauer cells (HBCs) are fetal-origin macrophages in the placental villous stroma that contribute to immune tolerance at the feto–maternal interface. They predominantly display an M2 phenotype, characterized by CD206 expression. Methods: Using immunohistochemistry and morphometric analysis, we quantified HBCs, assessed CD206 intensity and morphology, and evaluated apoptotic body accumulation in placental villi. Comparisons were made among pregnancies complicated by type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and normoglycemic controls, as well as between male and female fetuses. Results: Significant effects of maternal diabetes and fetal sex on CD206 intensity were observed ([diagnosis: F = 2773.00, p < 0.0001; sex: F = 12.19, p = 0.0005]), with a strong interaction (F = 165.40, p < 0.0001). In controls, CD206 intensity was higher in female than male fetuses (p < 0.0001). Across groups, CD206 intensity decreased progressively from controls to GDM and T1DM, with a more pronounced reduction in females. Reduced CD206 was associated with elongation and irregular HBC morphology and increased IL-1β (r = −0.392, p = 0.003; r = −0.609, p < 0.0001) suggesting less tolerogenic phenotype. For apoptotic bodies, significant main effects of maternal diabetes and fetal sex were detected ([diagnosis: F = 97.16, p < 0.0001; sex: F = 15.88, p = 0.0001]). Accumulation increased progressively from controls to GDM and T1DM, with higher counts in males. Conclusions: Maternal diabetes is associated with reduced CD206 intensity, altered HBC morphology, and accumulation of apoptotic bodies in placental villi. Our results suggest greater HBC plasticity, potentially contributing to a tolerogenic placental environment in females. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Insulin—100 Years Since Its Discovery: 2nd Edition)
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