Dear Colleagues, 

Metabolic diseases are reaching an epidemic worldwide. In addition to insulin resistance and impaired insulin action, altered insulin secretion and clearance contribute to the worsening of glucose and lipid metabolism. Upon its secretion from pancreatic beta cells, insulin is metabolized mostly by the liver (the first target organ), and subsequently, by peripheral tissues, in particular skeletal muscle. Thus, peripheral insulin concentrations are the result of a balance between insulin secretion and clearance. The mechanisms underlying insulin secretion and action have been widely explored. In contrast, mechanisms underlying insulin clearance remain poorly understood. This Special Issue focuses on presenting a comprehensive view on the regulation of insulin homeostasis with an overarching goal to highlight the current knowledge on the mechanisms as well as the physiologic impact of altered insulin secretion, clearance and action on metabolic processes.

We invite investigators to contribute either original research or review articles focusing on the variety of molecular mechanisms of altered insulin secretion, clearance and action, and their impact on insulin resistance and the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases that include, but are not limited to, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH), atherosclerosis, hypertension in animal models and in subjects with different degrees of glucose intolerance.  Special attention will be given to the effect of dietary or pharmacological interventions on insulin metabolism. Articles should also discuss how these mechanisms cause or contribute to the progression to type 2 diabetes and associated metabolic diseases, and how they are modulated by race, sex and environmental factors.

Dr. Hilda E. Ghadieh
Prof. Dr. Amalia Gastaldelli
Prof. Dr. Sonia Michael Najjar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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• insulin secretion
• insulin resistance
• insulin clearance
• insulin endocytosis and degradation
• insulin signaling and metabolism
• mechanisms of altered insulin clearance
• hepatic vs. peripheral insulin extraction
• insulin uptake in endothelial cells and extrahepatic extraction
• racial disparity in insulin clearance
• environmental factors and insulin metabolism
• diet and insulin metabolism
• insulin metabolism and cardiometabolic disease
• changes in insulin clearance during pharmacological treatment
• weight gain/loss and changes in insulin secretion, clearance and action