Molecular Research in Obesity, 2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 2319

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Hospital Doctor Peset, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region (FISABIO), 46017 Valencia, Spain
Interests: obesity; bariatric surgery; leukocytes; oxidative stress; metabolic pathways
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Guest Editor
Servicio de Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain
Interests: obesity; metabolic disorders; inflammation; oxidative stress; mitochondrial dysfunction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Obesity is a complex chronic disease of epidemic proportions, contributing to the increasing burdens of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia and premature death worldwide. Although the rapid increase in obesity has been driven by environmental changes, genetic factors are also critical players in determining individual predisposition to this condition.

Obesity has been linked to adverse alterations in adipose tissue, specifically white and brown adipose tissue that predisposes subjects to metabolic dysregulation, chronic low-grade inflammation, and energy storage and expenditure dysfunctions. These adverse alterations include the activation and/or inhibition of relevant molecular pathways regulating appetite, metabolism, energy balance, adipocyte differentiation and thermogenesis. Although the mechanisms beyond obesity and its related comorbidities have been extensively investigated, some of them are yet to be fully elucidated.

This Special Issue aims to summarize the current knowledge and advances in this field, showcasing the novel molecular mechanisms underlying obesity; prevent the individual risk of developing obesity; and identify novel approaches in the management of this condition.

Original research articles and reviews will include (but are not limited to) elucidating the molecular underpinnings of obesity, identifying genetic factors, unraveling metabolic pathways and exploring the functions of adipose tissue.

Dr. Zaida Abad-Jiménez
Dr. Teresa Vezza
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • obesity
  • genetics
  • molecular pathways
  • adipose tissue
  • metabolism
  • leukocytes
  • prevention
  • new targets for treatment
  • translational studies

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 5609 KiB  
Article
Molecular Genetic Architecture of Morbid Obesity in Russian Children
by Ildar R. Minniakhmetov, Rita I. Khusainova, Olga V. Vasyukova, Daria A. Kopytina, Bulat I. Yalaev, Ramil R. Salakhov, Raisat M. Guseynova, Valentina A. Peterkova and Natalia G. Mokrysheva
Biomedicines 2025, 13(3), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13030756 - 20 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Background: Over the past few decades, the prevalence of obesity has significantly increased worldwide, particularly among children. This trend represents a global health challenge. Considering the pivotal role of obesity in the development of metabolic disorders, the identification and characterization of pathogenic [...] Read more.
Background: Over the past few decades, the prevalence of obesity has significantly increased worldwide, particularly among children. This trend represents a global health challenge. Considering the pivotal role of obesity in the development of metabolic disorders, the identification and characterization of pathogenic gene variants in children with severe forms of obesity are key priorities in fundamental endocrinology. Methods: We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in 163 Russian children with morbid obesity and identified 96 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 61 genes. These variants were clinically significant in 64 children (38.79% of the cohort). Results: Notably, 42 of the identified variants have not been previously described in the literature or reported in existing databases. Conclusions: The findings of this study will enable a more personalized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with syndromic and polygenic forms of obesity. Moreover, these results advance our understanding of the genetic architecture of obesity in the Russian population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Obesity, 2nd Edition)
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Review

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18 pages, 971 KiB  
Review
Lipedema: A Disease Triggered by M2 Polarized Macrophages?
by Thomas Grewal, Sally Kempa and Christa Buechler
Biomedicines 2025, 13(3), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13030561 - 23 Feb 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Lipedema is a progressive disease that results in the bilateral and symmetrical accumulation of subcutaneous fat in the legs and/or arms, affecting almost exclusively women. Methods: A comprehensive review of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted between November 2024 and February [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Lipedema is a progressive disease that results in the bilateral and symmetrical accumulation of subcutaneous fat in the legs and/or arms, affecting almost exclusively women. Methods: A comprehensive review of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025. Results: The pathophysiology of lipedema is complex and, especially in the early stages, shows similarities to obesity, involving adipocytes, adipose tissue-resident macrophages, and endothelial cells. In lipedema, systemic levels and the adipocyte expression of the classical adipokines adiponectin and leptin appear normal, while it remains unclear if markers of inflammation and oxidative stress are increased. Macrophages in the adipose tissue of patients have an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype and express high levels of the scavenger receptor CD163. These cells affect adipogenesis and seem to have a central role in adipose tissue accumulation. Increased lymphatic and blood vessel permeability are comorbidities of lipedema that occur in early disease states and may contribute to disease progression. Conclusions: This review summarizes our current understanding of the pathophysiology of lipedema with a focus on the role of stromal vascular localized M2 macrophages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Obesity, 2nd Edition)
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