Molecular Insights into Multifactorial Causes of Insulin Resistance in Obesity

Dear Colleagues,

A Western diet, high in unhealthy macronutrients, increases oxidative stress and inflammation by disturbing cellular redox balance and activating inflammatory signaling molecules, while reducing mitochondrial function. Elevated levels of glucose and free fatty acids worsen oxidative stress and inflammation through a series of molecular reactions that disrupt normal cellular metabolism, contributing to complications like atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. In contrast, fiber-rich meals help to reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, possibly by modulating the expression of genes related to insulin signaling, and prevent glycemic spikes. Including fruits, vegetables, and caloric restriction in the diet significantly lowers oxidative and inflammatory stress by influencing the molecular pathways involved in stress responses. Insulin resistance often develops years before type 2 diabetes mellitus and is influenced by genetic factors, physical inactivity, abdominal obesity, and excessive adipokines, which interact with various molecular components in insulin-related signaling cascades. Initially, hyperinsulinemia compensates to maintain normal glucose levels, but prolonged insulin resistance and reduced insulin secretion eventually lead to impaired glucose tolerance. Dietary strategies and bariatric surgery play vital roles in preventing insulin resistance, managing obesity, and maintaining metabolic health by acting on the molecular mechanisms underlying these physiological states.

Dr. Bogdana Virgolici
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. Current Issues in Molecular Biology 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 2200 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.