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The Molecular Link Between Nutrition and Obesity
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The Molecular Link Between Nutrition and Obesity

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 2825

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Elena Azzini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CREA—Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Rome, Italy
Interests: food and nutrition; functional food; antioxidants; phytochemical; food biochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The molecular link between diet and obesity is a complex interaction involving genetic and epigenetic factors, hormonal regulation (insulin, leptin, and ghrelin), adipokines (e.g., adiponectin and resistin), and environmental factors that regulate energy balance and metabolism. Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, and the adipose tissue of obese individuals secretes pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α and IL-6) that may impair insulin signaling and contribute to metabolic dysfunction. In addition, the composition of the gut microbiota may influence dietary energy expenditure, inflammation, and fat accumulation. Together, these mechanisms contribute to the development of obesity. Nutritional interventions targeting these pathways, such as diets low in refined sugars and high in fiber, may help alleviate obesity by modulating these molecular processes.

Dr. Elena Azzini
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • hormonal regulation
  • chronic low-grade inflammation
  • nutrient sensing pathways
  • gut microbiota

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 566 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Body Composition, Lifestyle, and Dietary Components on Adiponectin and Resistin Levels and AR Index in Obese Individuals
by Ewelina Polak-Szczybyło and Jacek Tabarkiewicz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(1), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010393 - 4 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 961
Abstract
Adipose tissue of obese people secretes a number of adipokines, including adiponectin and resistin, which have an antagonistic effect on the human metabolism, influencing the pathogenesis of many diseases based on low-grade inflammation. Body composition analysis using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed [...] Read more.
Adipose tissue of obese people secretes a number of adipokines, including adiponectin and resistin, which have an antagonistic effect on the human metabolism, influencing the pathogenesis of many diseases based on low-grade inflammation. Body composition analysis using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was performed in 84 adults with obesity, i.e., body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2. Serum was collected to analyze the concentration of adiponectin (ApN) and resistin. The subjects additionally completed a food frequency questionnaire FFQ-6 and a three-day food diary. Adiponectin-resistin index (AR index) was calculated. The results show a positive correlation between resistin levels and BMI and subcutaneous fat content. AR index value was also positively associated with the amount of adipose tissue and body mass. Adiponectin level in the serum of the studied individuals decreased with the content of lean tissue. Adiponectin level also decreased with the amount of carbohydrates, amount of starch, and glycemic load of the diet. Resistin decreased in patients who frequently consumed white pasta and red meat, while AR index was positively associated with the amount of white rice and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) consumed but negatively associated with the frequent consumption of carbohydrates, including starch. Physical activity was negatively correlated with adiponectin levels and AR index. We concluded that body composition significantly influenced serum resistin and adiponectin concentrations the AR index. Dietary components also had a significant effect. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Molecular Link Between Nutrition and Obesity)
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18 pages, 6790 KiB  
Article
Effects of an Innovative High-Fat Diet on Intestinal Structure, Barrier Integrity, and Inflammation in a Zebrafish Model of Visceral Obesity
by Katarzyna Smolińska, Monika Hułas-Stasiak, Katarzyna Dobrowolska, Jan Sobczyński, Aleksandra Szopa, Ewa Tomaszewska, Siemowit Muszyński, Kacper Smoliński and Piotr Dobrowolski
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12723; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312723 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1359
Abstract
High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is a global health concern associated with gastrointestinal disorders. While mammalian models have elucidated the effects of a HFD on intestinal structure and function, its impact on zebrafish, a crucial model for studying diet-induced obesity and gastrointestinal dysfunction, remains [...] Read more.
High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is a global health concern associated with gastrointestinal disorders. While mammalian models have elucidated the effects of a HFD on intestinal structure and function, its impact on zebrafish, a crucial model for studying diet-induced obesity and gastrointestinal dysfunction, remains inadequately characterized. This study investigated the influence of a HFD on zebrafish intestinal morphology, tight junction (TJ) protein expression, and inflammatory markers. Zebrafish fed a control diet or HFD with 40% or 60% fat exhibited significant alterations in intestinal morphology, with increased villi number but reduced villi width and length, suggesting compensatory responses to dietary stress. TJ protein expression (Claudin 2, Claudin 3, and Claudin 10) showed complex changes, particularly in the HFD60 juvenile group, indicating a multifaceted response in barrier integrity. Pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and TNF-α levels were lower in both the juvenile and adult HFD60 groups than in the HFD40 and control groups, while elevated anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels in HFD60 adult zebrafish suggested activation of compensatory mechanisms. These findings highlight zebrafish as a valuable model for studying the effects of HFD on intestinal health and provide insights into the relationship between dietary fat, gut dysfunction, and inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Molecular Link Between Nutrition and Obesity)
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