Announcements

We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Graziela Biude Silva Duarte and Dr. Gabriela de Freitas Laiber Pascoal, the authors of the Editor’s Choice Article in Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). 

“Polymorphisms Involved in Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Inflammation: Influence of Nutrients and Dietary Interventions”
by Graziela Biude Silva Duarte, Gabriela de Freitas Laiber Pascoal and Marcelo Macedo Rogero
Metabolites 2025, 15(4), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15040245
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/4/245 

Below, they discuss their research focus, reflect on the key contributions of their paper, and offer advice for fellow researchers. 

2. Could you describe the main research content of your highly cited paper, as well as its key innovations?
Dr. Gabriela de Freitas Laiber Pascoal: Our paper examines how genetic polymorphisms interact with nutrients and dietary patterns to influence insulin resistance and metabolic inflammation. We reviewed evidence from 95 studies, focusing on variants in genes involved in glucose metabolism, insulin signaling, adipokine regulation, and inflammatory pathways.
One of the main findings was that polymorphisms in genes such as TCF7L2, ADIPOQ, and TNF may modify metabolic responses to dietary exposures, including adherence to the Mediterranean diet, carbohydrate and fat intake, and specific fatty acids. Importantly, the review also discusses polygenic and genetic risk scores as tools for assessing the combined contribution of multiple variants to metabolic susceptibility and dietary response.
A key innovative aspect of the paper is that it brings together evidence on individual polymorphisms, dietary interventions, and polygenic susceptibility within the same conceptual framework. Rather than considering genetic predisposition as deterministic, we emphasize that dietary factors may attenuate or modify some genetically associated risks. This perspective helps bridge nutrigenetics, metabolic inflammation, and precision nutrition.
Dr. Graziela Biude Silva Duarte: Our work investigated an important question in nutrigenetics: how common genetic variants modulate the metabolic response to nutrients and dietary patterns. We conducted this narrative review, integrating the molecular basis of insulin resistance with the biology of metabolic inflammation to evaluate how single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes of established physiological relevance in this context, such as TCF7L2, SLC30A8/ZnT8, IRS-1, and TNF-α, for example, influence biomarkers of insulin sensitivity and inflammatory status under distinct dietary contexts.
Our work is innovative because we aimed to map relevant gene–diet associations reported to date, including a comprehensive summary of SNPs and their dietary modulators. We also integrated evidence on gene–nutrient interactions with the emerging framework of polygenic risk scores (PRSs), showing that the cumulative effect of multiple risk alleles can be amplified or attenuated by specific dietary patterns and nutrients. For example, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, omega-3 supplementation, or fermented dairy intake can improve insulin resistance biomarkers in individuals with higher genetic risk, whereas high-fat diets or sugar-sweetened beverages may exacerbate that same susceptibility.
Given this complexity, we believe our findings support the relevance of genetic variants as a tool for preventing and managing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. 

3. What inspired your research?
Dr. Gabriela de Freitas Laiber Pascoal: I have always been deeply passionate about nutrition science because nutrition is positioned at the intersection of biology, behavior, and public health. During my academic training, I became particularly interested in understanding why individuals exposed to similar dietary and environmental conditions can develop very different metabolic outcomes.
This question gradually led me to nutritional genomics. During my PhD, I started working more closely with the relationship between nutrition, molecular mechanisms, and obesity, and I became increasingly interested in how genetic and epigenetic factors could help explain individual susceptibility to metabolic diseases. What fascinated me most was the possibility of connecting what we observe at the population level with the underlying biological mechanisms.
Over time, this interest evolved into my current research, where I combine population-based studies, genetic risk scores, biobank data, and functional approaches to investigate the genetic basis of obesity and metabolic health. I am particularly motivated by questions that move from association to mechanism, identifying genetic signals in human populations and then asking what those variants are actually doing biologically.
Ultimately, what inspires my research is the possibility of understanding individual variability more deeply and using that knowledge to improve how we study, prevent, and eventually manage obesity and related metabolic diseases.
Dr. Graziela Biude Silva Duarte: My interest in nutrition research began during my undergraduate internship in a micronutrients research group, where nutrigenetics was already part of the scientific projects. While studying zinc and selenium, I became interested in whether genetic factors could modulate the nutritional status of these micronutrients and how this influences individuals' health and the risk of chronic diseases. Understanding the role of genetic factors in this context seemed particularly relevant because it could help explain the divergent findings across studies and clarify why supplementation is more effective for some individuals than for others.
One of my interests is how genetic variants could influence zinc status, susceptibility to insulin resistance and chronic low-grade inflammation, and how polygenic risk scores could capture this complexity. Exploring a variety of genes across different populations and contexts can contribute valuable evidence to the literature, bringing us closer to personalized dietary recommendations—and, equally importantly, enabling monitoring of individuals most susceptible to micronutrient deficiency. 

4. What were the biggest challenges you encountered during this study, and how did you overcome them?
Dr. Gabriela de Freitas Laiber Pascoal: One of the greatest challenges was the complexity and heterogeneity of the available evidence. The studies differed considerably in their populations, sample sizes, dietary assessment methods, interventions, metabolic outcomes, and genetic models. In addition, some polymorphisms had been investigated extensively, whereas evidence for others was limited or inconsistent. Studies examining polygenic risk scores in relation to dietary interventions and insulin resistance were also still relatively scarce.
Dr. Graziela Biude Silva Duarte: We addressed these challenges by adopting a structured screening strategy with clear inclusion criteria, prioritizing methodologically robust studies, and explicitly acknowledging contradictory or insufficient evidence. 

5. How will this research advance or influence future studies in the field?
Dr. Gabriela de Freitas Laiber Pascoal: I believe this research can encourage future studies to move beyond the analysis of isolated polymorphisms and adopt more integrated approaches. These may combine polygenic or genetic risk scores with dietary intake, metabolic biomarkers, ancestry, socioeconomic characteristics, and other environmental exposures.
Large, longitudinal, and multi-ethnic studies will be particularly important. Much of the existing genetic evidence has been generated in populations of predominantly European ancestry, which limits its transferability and may increase disparities if precision nutrition tools are applied without adequate validation. Future research should therefore include more diverse and admixed populations and evaluate whether gene–diet interactions are consistent across different social and cultural contexts.
Dr. Graziela Biude Silva Duarte: This review can help researchers conduct studies in this area by synthesizing information to design new research projects that complement the findings we gathered and fill the gaps we identified. It can also support researchers developing or replicating polygenic risk scores by offering the evidence we described in this article as a starting point for exploring their interaction with dietary interventions and metabolic outcomes across populations. In the longer term, this line of research can contribute to advancing precision nutrition by integrating genetic, dietary, and lifestyle data. 

6. What advice would you give to early career researchers who aim to publish impactful work on nutrition and metabolism?
Dr. Gabriela de Freitas Laiber Pascoal: My first advice would be to begin with a meaningful scientific question. Impactful research usually addresses a relevant problem and explains clearly why answering that question matters for science, clinical practice, or public health.
I would also emphasize the importance of collaboration. Discussing ideas with researchers who have different expertise often reveals limitations, improves study design, and leads to more creative questions. Finally, remain curious and persistent. Scientific work rarely follows a perfectly linear path, but challenges, unexpected findings, and even negative results can lead to important discoveries. Passion for the research question, combined with rigor, teamwork, and intellectual openness, is what ultimately makes a study meaningful.
Dr. Graziela Biude Silva Duarte: My principal advice is to anchor your research in a well-defined question with methodological rigor. Before designing a study, it is important to invest time in a critical and systematic understanding of the existing evidence. Equally important are interdisciplinary collaboration and statistical rigor, as impactful research in nutrition and metabolism frequently emerges at the intersection of genetics, epidemiology, and biochemistry.

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers on cancer metabolism research that were published in our journal Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) in 2024 and 2025. The following is a list of high-quality articles that we believe will be of interest to you:

1. “Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Its Role in Metabolic Reprogramming of Cancer”
by Salvatore Zarrella, Maria Rosaria Miranda, Verdiana Covelli, Ignazio Restivo, Sara Novi, Giacomo Pepe, Luisa Tesoriere, Manuela Rodriquez, Alessia Bertamino, Pietro Campiglia et al.
Metabolites 2025, 15(4), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15040221
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/4/221

2. “Machine Learning-Driven Insights in Cancer Metabolomics: From Subtyping to Biomarker Discovery and Prognostic Modeling”
by Amr Elguoshy, Hend Zedan and Suguru Saito
Metabolites 2025, 15(8), 514; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15080514
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/8/514

3. “Bile Acids in Pancreatic Carcinogenesis”
by Bharti Sharma, Kate Twelker, Cecilia Nguyen, Scott Ellis, Navin D. Bhatia, Zachary Kuschner, Andrew Agriantonis, George Agriantonis, Monique Arnold, Jasmine Dave et al.
Metabolites 2024, 14(7), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14070348
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/7/348

4. “Advances in Mass Spectrometry-Based Blood Metabolomics Profiling for Non-Cancer Diseases: A Comprehensive Review”
by Ekaterina Demicheva, Vladislav Dordiuk, Fernando Polanco Espino, Konstantin Ushenin, Saied Aboushanab, Vadim Shevyrin, Aleksey Buhler, Elena Mukhlynina, Olga Solovyova, Irina Danilova et al.
Metabolites 2025, 14(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14010054
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/1/54

5. “Is Lipid Metabolism of Value in Cancer Research and Treatment? Part II: Role of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators in Inflammation, Infections, and Cancer”
by Muhammad Usman Babar, Ala F. Nassar, Xinxin Nie, Tianxiang Zhang, Jianwei He, Jacky Yeung, Paul Norris, Hideki Ogura, Anne Muldoon, Lieping Chen et al.
Metabolites 2024, 14(6), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14060314
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/6/314

6. “Targeting Disulfidptosis with Potentially Bioactive Natural Products in Metabolic Cancer Therapy”
by Xinyan Li, Jiayi Xu, Liangwen Yan, Shenkang Tang, Yinggang Zhang, Mengjiao Shi and Pengfei Liu
Metabolites 2024, 14(11), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14110604
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/11/604

7. “Metabolic Roles of HIF1, c-Myc, and p53 in Glioma Cells”
by Cristina Trejo-Solís, Rosa Angélica Castillo-Rodríguez, Norma Serrano-García, Daniela Silva-Adaya, Salvador Vargas-Cruz, Elda Georgina Chávez-Cortéz, Juan Carlos Gallardo-Pérez, Sergio Zavala-Vega, Arturo Cruz-Salgado and Roxana Magaña-Maldonado
Metabolites 2024, 14(5), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14050249
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/5/249

8. “Salivary Metabolites Produced by Oral Microbes in Oral Diseases and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review”
by Bina Kashyap and Arja Kullaa
Metabolites 2024, 14(5), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14050277
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/5/277

9. “Detection and Validation of Organic Metabolites in Urine for Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis”
by Kiana L. Holbrook, George E. Quaye, Elizabeth Noriega Landa, Xiaogang Su, Qin Gao, Heinric Williams, Ryan Young, Sabur Badmos, Ahsan Habib, Angelica A. Chacon et al.
Metabolites 2024, 14(10), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14100546
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/10/546

10. “Nanomedicines Targeting Metabolic Pathways in the Tumor Microenvironment: Future Perspectives and the Role of AI”
by Shuai Fan, Wenyu Wang, Wenbo Che, Yicheng Xu, Chuan Jin, Lei Dong and Qin Xia
Metabolites 2025, 15(3), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15030201
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/3/201

11. “Silymarin as a Therapeutic Agent for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multi-Approach Computational Study”
by Ouided Benslama, Sabrina Lekmine, Hamza Moussa, Hichem Tahraoui, Mohammad Shamsul Ola, Jie Zhang and Abdeltif Amrane
Metabolites 2025, 15(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15010053
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/1/53

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Metabolites Editorial Office (metabolites@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers on animal production and food quality research that were published in our journal Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) in 2024 and 2025. The following is a list of high-quality articles that we believe will be of interest to you:

1. “Combined Metabolomics and Biochemical Analyses of Serum and Milk Revealed Parity-Related Metabolic Differences in Sanhe Dairy Cattle”
by Zixin Liu, Aoyu Jiang, Xiaokang Lv, Dingkun Fan, Qingqing Chen, Yicheng Wu, Chuanshe Zhou and Zhiliang Tan
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 227; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040227
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/4/227

2. “Unraveling Ruminant Feed Efficiency Through Metabolomics: A Systematic Review”
by Alanne T. Nunes, Camila A. Faleiros, Mirele D. Poleti, Francisco J. Novais, Yamilé López-Hernández, Rupasri Mandal, David S. Wishart and Heidge Fukumasu
Metabolites 2024, 14(12), 675; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14120675
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/12/675

3. “High Starch Induces Hematological Variations, Metabolic Changes, Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Responses, and Histopathological Lesions in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)”
by Yuanyuan Xie, Xianping Shao, Penghui Zhang, Hao Zhang, Jiaxing Yu, Xinfeng Yao, Yifan Fu, Jiao Wei and Chenglong Wu
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040236
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/4/236

4. “Animal Food Products to Support Human Nutrition and to Boost Human Health: The Potential of Feedstuffs Resources and Their Metabolites as Health-Promoters”
by Mario Cuchillo-Hilario, Mareli-Itzel Fournier-Ramírez, Margarita Díaz Martínez, Sara Montaño Benavides, María-Concepción Calvo-Carrillo, Silvia Carrillo Domínguez, María-Elena Carranco-Jáuregui, Elizabeth Hernández-Rodríguez, Patricia Mora-Pérez, Yesica R. Cruz-Martínez et al.
Metabolites 2024, 14(9), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14090496
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/9/496

5. “New Implications of Metabolites and Free Fatty Acids in Quality Control of Crossbred Wagyu Beef during Wet Aging Cold Storage”
by Shuji Ueda, Yuka Yoshida, Biniam Kebede, Chiaki Kitamura, Ryo Sasaki, Masakazu Shinohara, Itsuko Fukuda and Yasuhito Shirai
Metabolites 2024, 14(2), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14020095
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/2/95

6. “Recent Advances in Pretreatment Methods and Detection Techniques for Veterinary Drug Residues in Animal-Derived Foods”
by Qing Dai, Shusheng Tang and Chongshan Dai
Metabolites 2025, 15(4), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15040233
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/4/233

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Metabolites Editorial Office (metabolites@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers on gut microbiome and their metabolites research that were published in our journal Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) in 2025. The following is a list of high-quality articles that we believe will be of interest to you:

1. “Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis and Its Impact on Reproductive Health: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications”
by Efthalia Moustakli, Sofoklis Stavros, Periklis Katopodis, Anastasios Potiris, Peter Drakakis, Stefanos Dafopoulos, Athanasios Zachariou, Konstantinos Dafopoulos, Konstantinos Zikopoulos and Athanasios Zikopoulos
Metabolites 2025, 15(6), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15060390
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/6/390

2. “Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Its Impact on Type 2 Diabetes: From Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Strategies”
by Yonghua Yu, Yilan Ding, Shuangyuan Wang and Lei Jiang
Metabolites 2025, 15(6), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15060397
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/6/397

3. “The Role of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Postbiotics in Livestock and Poultry Gut Health: A Review”
by Taojing Yue, Yanan Lu, Wenli Ding, Bowen Xu, Cai Zhang, Lei Li, Fuchun Jian and Shucheng Huang
Metabolites 2025, 15(7), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15070478
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/7/478 

4. “Metabolomics Insights into Gut Microbiota and Functional Constipation”
by Fan Zheng, Yong Yang, Guanting Lu, Joo Shun Tan, Uma Mageswary, Yu Zhan, Mina Ehab Ayad, Yeong-Yeh Lee and Daoyuan Xie
Metabolites 2025, 15(4), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15040269
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/4/269

5. “Effects of Cordyceps cicadae Polysaccharide on Gut Microbiota, the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier, and Inflammation in Diabetic Mice”
by Lijia Sun, Huaibo Yuan, Huiqing Ma and Yani Wang
Metabolites 2025, 15(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15010008
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/1/8

6. “Impact of Periodontitis and Oral Dysbiosis Metabolites in the Modulation of Accelerating Ageing and Human Senescence”
by Mariacristina Amato, Alessandro Polizzi, Gaia Viglianisi, Francesco Leonforte, Marco Mascitti and Gaetano Isola
Metabolites 2025, 15(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15010035
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/1/35

7. “Trimethylamine-N-Oxide (TMAO) as a Rising-Star Metabolite: Implications for Human Health”
by Eugenio Caradonna, Federico Abate, Elisabetta Schiano, Francesca Paparella, Fulvio Ferrara, Emilio Vanoli, Rossana Difruscolo, Vito Maria Goffredo, Bruno Amato, Carlo Setacci et al.
Metabolites 2025, 15(4), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15040220
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/4/220

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Metabolites Editorial Office (metabolites@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers on reproductive and exercise metabolic health research that were published in our journal Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) in 2024 and 2025. The following is a list of high-quality articles that we believe will be of interest to you:

1. “From Inflammation to Infertility: How Oxidative Stress and Infections Disrupt Male Reproductive Health”
by Anastasios Potiris, Efthalia Moustakli, Eleni Trismpioti, Eirini Drakaki, Despoina Mavrogianni, Alkis Matsas, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Antonios Sfakianakis, Ioannis Tsakiridis, Themistoklis Dagklis et al.
Metabolites 2025, 15(4), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15040267
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/4/267

2. “Dietary and Lifestyle Interventions to Mitigate Oxidative Stress in Male and Female Fertility: Practical Insights for Infertility Management—A Narrative Review”
by Efthalia Moustakli, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Periklis Katopodis, Stefanos Dafopoulos, Vasilis Sebastian Paraschos, Athanasios Zachariou and Konstantinos Dafopoulos
Metabolites 2025, 15(6), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15060379
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/6/379

3. “Metabolic Changes in Patients with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: Adipose Tissue Focus—A Narrative Review”
by Miriam Sánchez-García, Kapy León-Wu, Regina de Miguel-Ibáñez, Nitzia López-Juárez, Claudia Ramírez-Rentería, Etual Espinosa-Cárdenas, Ernesto Sosa-Eroza and Manuel R. García-Sáenz
Metabolites 2025, 15(4), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15040242
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/4/242

4. “Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility”
by Valentina Annamaria Genchi, Angelo Cignarelli, Andrea Sansone, Dimitri Yannas, Leonardo Dalla Valentina, Daniele Renda Livraghi, Giorgia Spaggiari and Daniele Santi
Metabolites 2024, 14(11), 626; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14110626
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/11/626

5. “Metabolomic Analysis Reveals Association between Decreased Ovarian Reserve and In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes”
by Na An, Min Zhang, Quan-Fei Zhu, Yao-Yu Chen, Yan-Ling Deng, Xiao-Ying Liu, Qiang Zeng and Yu-Qi Feng
Metabolites 2024, 14(3), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14030143
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/3/143

6. “Exerkines and Sarcopenia: Unveiling the Mechanism Behind Exercise-Induced Mitochondrial Homeostasis”
by Jiayin Wang, Dandan Jia, Zhiwang Zhang and Dan Wang
Metabolites 2025, 15(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15010059
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/1/59

7. “Roles of Myokines and Muscle-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Musculoskeletal Deterioration under Disuse Conditions”
by Jie Zhang, Yunfang Gao and Jiangwei Yan
Metabolites 2024, 14(2), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14020088
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/2/88

8. “Physiological Perturbations in Combat Sports: Weight Cycling and Metabolic Function—A Narrative Review”
by Modesto A. Lebron, Jeffrey R. Stout and David H. Fukuda
Metabolites 2024, 14(2), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14020083
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/2/83

9. “Effects of the Menstrual Cycle and Hormonal Contraceptive Use on Metabolic Outcomes, Strength Performance, and Recovery: A Narrative Review”
By Hannah E. Cabre, Lacey M. Gould, Leanne M. Redman and Abbie E. Smith-Ryan
Metabolites 2024, 14(7), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14070347
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/7/347

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Metabolites Editorial Office (metabolites@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers on plant stress physiology and metabolic regulation that were published in our journal Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) in 2024 and 2025. The following is a list of high-quality articles that we believe will be of interest to you:

1. “A Review of Transcriptomics and Metabolomics in Plant Quality and Environmental Response: From Bibliometric Analysis to Science Mapping and Future Trends”
by Qi Yan, Guoshuai Zhang, Xinke Zhang and Linfang Huang
Metabolites 2024, 14(5), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14050272
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/5/272

2. “Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Rock Phosphate on Growth, Physiology, and Biochemistry of Carob under Water Stress and after Rehydration in Vermicompost-Amended Soil”
by Abderrahim Boutasknit, Mohamed Ait-El-Mokhtar, Boujemaa Fassih, Raja Ben-Laouane, Said Wahbi and Abdelilah Meddich
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040202
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/4/202

3. “Deleterious Effects of Heat Stress on the Tomato, Its Innate Responses, and Potential Preventive Strategies in the Realm of Emerging Technologies”
by Qaisar Khan, Yixi Wang, Gengshou Xia, Hui Yang, Zhengrong Luo and Yan Zhang
Metabolites 2024, 14(5), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14050283
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/5/283

4. “5-ALA, DTA-6, and Nitrogen Mitigate NaCl Stress by Promoting Photosynthesis and Carbon Metabolism in Rice Seedlings”
by Yaxin Wang, Chaolu Tan, Yinghao Li, Fengyan Meng, Youwei Du, Shuyu Zhang, Wenxin Jiang, Naijie Feng, Liming Zhao and Dianfeng Zheng
Metabolites 2024, 14(3), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14030142
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/3/142

5. “Transcriptomic and Lipidomic Analysis Reveals Complex Regulation Mechanisms Underlying Rice Roots' Response to Salt Stress”
by Yingbin Xue, Chenyu Zhou, Naijie Feng, Dianfeng Zheng, Xuefeng Shen, Gangshun Rao, Yongxiang Huang, Wangxiao Cai, Ying Liu and Rui Zhang
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040244
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/4/244

6. “Unlocking Plant Resilience: Metabolomic Insights into Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crops”
by Agata Głuchowska, Bartłomiej Zieniuk and Magdalena Pawełkowicz
Metabolites 2025, 15(6), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15060384
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/6/384

7. “Exogenous γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Enhanced Response to Abiotic Stress in Hypsizygus marmoreus by Improving Mycelial Growth and Antioxidant Capacity”
by Zhi Cao, Hongyu Chen, Chenli Zhou, Ming Gong, Yan Li, Youran Shao, Yingying Wu and Dapeng Bao
Metabolites 2024, 14(2), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14020094
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/2/94

8. “S-ABA Enhances Rice Salt Tolerance by Regulating Na⁺/K⁺ Balance and Hormone Homeostasis”
by Wenxin Jiang, Xi Wang, Yaxin Wang, Youwei Du, Shuyu Zhang, Hang Zhou, Naijie Feng, Dianfeng Zheng, Guohui Ma and Liming Zhao
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 181; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040181
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/4/181

9. “Phylogenetic and Expression Analysis of the Sucrose Synthase and Sucrose Phosphate Synthase Gene Family in Potatoes”
by Jun Hu, Yanfeng Duan, Jinxue Hu, Shuqing Zhang and Guangcun Li
Metabolites 2024, 14(1), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14010070
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/1/70

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Metabolites Editorial Office (metabolites@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers on plant metabolomics and natural product chemistry that were published in our journal Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) in 2024 and 2025. The following is a list of high-quality articles that we believe will be of interest to you:

1. “Exploring the Significance, Extraction, and Characterization of Plant-Derived Secondary Metabolites in Complex Mixtures”
by Ruchi Barthwal and Rohit Mahar
Metabolites 2024, 14(2), 119; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14020119
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/2/119

2. “Light Spectral-Ranged Specific Metabolisms of Plant Pigments”
by The Ngoc Phuong Nguyen and Jwakyung Sung
Metabolites 2025, 15(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15010001
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/1/1

3. “Identification of Plant Compounds with Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI)”
by Nancy Shyrley García-Rojas, Carlos Daniel Sierra-Álvarez, Hilda E. Ramos-Aboites, Abigail Moreno-Pedraza and Robert Winkler
Metabolites 2024, 14(8), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14080419
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/8/419

4. “Metabolomics Reveals Antioxidant Metabolites in Colored Rice Grains”
by Jinyan Zhu, Ruizhi Wang, Yu Zhang, Yanyao Lu, Shuo Cai and Qiangqiang Xiong
Metabolites 2024, 14(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14020120
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/2/120

5. “Exploring Metabolic Characteristics in Different Geographical Locations and Yields of Nicotiana tabacum L. Using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Pseudotargeted Metabolomics Combined with Chemometrics”
by Yuan Jing, Wei Chen, Xuebai Qiu, Shuyue Qin, Weichang Gao, Chaochan Li, Wenxuan Quan and Kai Cai
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 176; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040176
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/4/176

6. “Structural Identification of Ginsenoside Based on UPLC-QTOF-MS of Black Ginseng (Panax Ginseng C.A. Mayer)”
by Hyo-Bin Oh, Da-Eun Jeong, Da-Eun Lee, Jong-Hee Yoo, Young-Soo Kim and Tae-Young Kim
Metabolites 2024, 14(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14010062
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/1/62

7. “Widely Targeted Metabolomic Analysis Provides New Insights into the Effect of Rootstocks on Citrus Fruit Quality”
by Min Wang, Yang Chen, Shuang Li, Jianjun Yu, Lei Yang and Lin Hong
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040242
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/4/242

8. “Citrus clementine Peel Essential Oil Ameliorates Potassium Dichromate-Induced Lung Injury: Insights into the PI3K/AKT Pathway”
by Hany G. Attia, Suzan M. El-Morshedy, Ahmed M. Nagy, Ammar M. Ibrahim, Mohamed Aleraky, Sahar S. Abdelrahman, Samir M. Osman, Saeed M. Alasmari, Mohamed A. El Raey and Mohamed F. Abdelhameed
Metabolites 2024, 14(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14010068
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/1/68

9. “Integrated Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis Reveals the Effects of Cutting on the Synthesis of Flavonoids and Saponins in Chinese Herbal Medicine Astragalus mongholious”
by Xu Guo, Xiang Yan, Yuanyuan Wang, Zhiyong Shi, Jingping Niu, Jianping Liang and Xiaoyun Jia
Metabolites 2024, 14(2), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14020097
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/2/97

10. “Preliminary Data on Silybum marianum Metabolites: Comprehensive Characterization, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial Activities, LC-MS/MS Profiling, and Predicted ADMET Analysis”
by Sabrina Lekmine, Ouided Benslama, Mohammad Shamsul Ola, Nabil Touzout, Hamza Moussa, Hichem Tahraoui, Haroun Hafsa, Jie Zhang and Abdeltif Amrane
Metabolites 2025, 15(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15010013
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/1/13

11. “In-Situ Metabolic Profiling of Different Kinds of Rheum palmatum L. by Laser Desorption–Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging”
by Xue Xiao, Xiaokang Guan, Zhouyi Xu, and Qiao Lu
Metabolites 2024, 14(3), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14030131
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/3/131

12. “Explorative Study on Volatile Organic Compounds of Cinnamon Based on GC-IMS”
by Yu Pan, Liya Qiao, Shanshuo Liu, Ye He, Danna Huang, Wuwei Wu, Yingying Liu, Lu Chen and Dan Huang
Metabolites 2024, 14(5), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14050274
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/5/274

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Metabolites Editorial Office (metabolites@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers on nutrition and metabolic health research that were published in our journal Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) in 2024 and 2025. The following is a list of high-quality articles that we believe will be of interest to you:

1. “Iron Absorption: Molecular and Pathophysiological Aspects”
by Margherita Correnti, Elena Gammella, Gaetano Cairo and Stefania Recalcati
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 228; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040228
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/4/228

2. “Research Progress on Antioxidant Peptides from Fish By-Products: Purification, Identification, and Structure–Activity Relationship”
by Xinru Liu, Qiuyue Hu, Yafang Shen, Yuxin Wu, Lu Gao, Xuechao Xu and Guijie Hao
Metabolites 2024, 14(10), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14100561
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/10/561

3. “Intake Biomarkers for Nutrition and Health: Review and Discussion of Methodology Issues”
by Ross L. Prentice
Metabolites 2024, 14(5), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14050276
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/5/276

4. “The Cellular Stability Hypothesis: Evidence of Ferroptosis and Accelerated Aging-Associated Diseases as Newly Identified Nutritional Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0) Deficiency Syndrome”
by Stephanie Venn-Watson
Metabolites 2024, 14(7), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14070355
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/7/355

5. “The Effect of L-Carnitine on Critical Illnesses Such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), and Hyperammonemia (HA)”
by Bharti Sharma, Lee Schmidt, Cecilia Nguyen, Samantha Kiernan, Jacob Dexter-Meldrum, Zachary Kuschner, Scott Ellis, Navin D. Bhatia, George Agriantonis, Jennifer Whittington et al.
Metabolites 2024, 14(7), 363; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14070363
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/7/363

6. “Dietary Intake of Polyphenols and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis”
by Roberta Zupo, Fabio Castellana, Giuseppe Lisco, Filomena Corbo, Pasquale Crupi, Rodolfo Sardone, Francesco Panza, Madia Lozupone, Mariangela Rondanelli and Maria Lisa Clodoveo
Metabolites 2024, 14(8), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14080404
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/8/404

7. “Anti-Hyperuricemic Effects of Extracts from Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai Fruits on Hyperuricemic Rats”
by Ruoling Xu, Peng Deng, Yiren Ma, Kui Li, Fucai Ren and Ning Li
Metabolites 2024, 14(2), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14020117
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/2/117

8. “Polyphenols, Alkaloids, and Terpenoids Against Neurodegeneration: Evaluating the Neuroprotective Effects of Phytocompounds Through a Comprehensive Review of the Current Evidence”
by Enzo Pereira de Lima, Lucas Fornari Laurindo, Vitor Cavallari Strozze Catharin, Rosa Direito, Masaru Tanaka, Iris Jasmin Santos German, Caroline Barbalho Lamas, Elen Landgraf Guiguer, Adriano Cressoni Araújo, Adriana Maria Ragassi Fiorini et al.
Metabolites 2025, 15(2), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15020124
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/2/124

9. “Dietary Modulation of Metabolic Health: From Bioactive Compounds to Personalized Nutrition”
by Aleksandra Leziak, Julia Lipina, Magdalena Reclik and Piotr Kocelak
Metabolites 2025, 15(9), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15090624
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/9/624

10. “Metatranscriptomics for Understanding the Microbiome in Food and Nutrition Science”
by Christina F. Butowski, Yash Dixit, Marlon M. Reis and Chunlong Mu
Metabolites 2025, 15(3), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15030185
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/3/185

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Metabolites Editorial Office (metabolites@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers on methodological and technological advances in metabolomics that were published in our journal Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) in 2024 and 2025. The following is a list of high-quality articles that we believe will be of interest to you:

1. “Revolutionizing Blood Collection: Innovations, Applications, and the Potential of Microsampling Technologies for Monitoring Metabolites and Lipids”
by Eleonora Bossi, Elena Limo, Lisa Pagani, Nicole Monza, Simone Serrao, Vanna Denti, Giuseppe Astarita and Giuseppe Paglia
Metabolites 2024, 14(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14010046
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/1/46

2. “An Overview of Pre-Analytical Factors Impacting Metabolomics Analyses of Blood Samples”
by Amy Thachi, Li Wang, Rupasri Mandal, David Wishart and Tom Blydt-Hansen
Metabolites 2024, 14(9), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14090474
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/9/474 

3. “Challenges in the Metabolomics-Based Biomarker Validation Pipeline”
by Shenghan Li, Nikita Looby, Vinod Chandran and Vathany Kulasingam
Metabolites 2024, 14(4), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14040200
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/4/200

4. “Accurate Prediction of ¹H NMR Chemical Shifts of Small Molecules Using Machine Learning”
by Tanvir Sajed, Zinat Sayeeda, Brian L. Lee, Mark Berjanskii, Fei Wang, Vasuk Gautam and David S. Wishart
Metabolites 2024, 14(5), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14050290
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/5/290

5. “Current State, Challenges, and Opportunities in Genome-Scale Resource Allocation Models: A Mathematical Perspective”
by Wheaton L. Schroeder, Patrick F. Suthers, Thomas C. Willis, Eric J. Mooney and Costas D. Maranas
Metabolites 2024, 14(7), 365; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14070365
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/7/365

6. “Metabolic Connectome and Its Role in the Prediction, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Complex Diseases”
by Weiyu Meng, Hongxin Pan, Yuyang Sha, Xiaobing Zhai, Abao Xing, Sai Sachin Lingampelly, Srinivasa R. Sripathi, Yuefei Wang and Kefeng Li
Metabolites 2024, 14(2), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14020093
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/2/93

7. “MIGRENE: The Toolbox for Microbial and Individualized GEMs, Reactobiome and Community Network Modelling”
by Gholamreza Bidkhori and Saeed Shoaie
Metabolites 2024, 14(3), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14030132
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/3/132

8. “Machine Learning to Predict Enzyme–Substrate Interactions in Elucidation of Synthesis Pathways: A Review”
by Luis F. Salas-Nuñez, Alvaro Barrera-Ocampo, Paola A. Caicedo, Natalie Cortes, Edison H. Osorio, Maria F. Villegas-Torres and Andres F. González Barrios
Metabolites 2024, 14(3), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14030154
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/3/154

9. “Critical Factors in Sample Collection and Preparation for Clinical Metabolomics of Underexplored Biological Specimens”
by Hygor M. R. de Souza, Tássia T. P. Pereira, Hanna C. de Sá, Marina A. Alves, Rafael Garrett and Gisele A. B. Canuto
Metabolites 2024, 14(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14010036
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/1/36

10. “A Comprehensive LC–MS Metabolomics Assay for Quantitative Analysis of Serum and Plasma”
by Lun Zhang, Jiamin Zheng, Mathew Johnson, Rupasri Mandal, Meryl Cruz, Miriam Martínez-Huélamo, Cristina Andres-Lacueva and David S. Wishart
Metabolites 2024, 14(11), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14110622
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/11/622

11. “Explainable AI to Facilitate Understanding of Neural Network-Based Metabolite Profiling Using NMR Spectroscopy”
by Hayden Johnson and Aaryani Tipirneni-Sajja
Metabolites 2024, 14(6), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14060332
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/6/332

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Metabolites Editorial Office (metabolites@mdpi.com).

We are delighted to share some highly cited papers on metabolism and inflammation in aging and diseases that were published in our journal Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) in 2024 and 2025. The following is a list of high-quality articles that we believe will be of interest to you:

1. “Metabolomics in Parkinson’s Disease and Correlation with Disease State”
by Elena A. Ostrakhovitch, Kenjiro Ono and Tritia R. Yamasaki
Metabolites 2025, 15(3), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15030208
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/3/208

2. “Ceramide as a Promising Tool for Diagnosis and Treatment of Clinical Diseases: A Review of Recent Advances”
by Xueping Shen, Rui Feng, Rui Zhou, Zhaoyang Zhang, Kaiyong Liu and Sheng Wang
Metabolites 2025, 15(3), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15030195
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/3/195

3. “Effects of Branched-Chain Amino Acids on the Inflammatory Response Induced by LPS in Caco-2 Cells”
by Bruna Ruschel Ewald Vega Garcia, Edson Naoto Makiyama, Geni Rodrigues Sampaio, Rosana Aparecida Manólio Soares-Freitas, Andrea Bonvini, Andressa Godoy Amaral, Silvana Bordin, Ricardo Ambrósio Fock and Marcelo Macedo Rogero
Metabolites 2024, 14(1), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14010076
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/1/76 

4. “The Roles of Vitamin D Levels, Gla-Rich Protein (GRP) and Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), and Inflammatory Markers in Predicting Mortality in Intensive Care Patients: A New Biomarker Link?”
by Fatih Seğmen, Semih Aydemir, Onur Küçük and Recep Dokuyucu
Metabolites 2024, 14(11), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14110620
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/11/620

5. “Multidimensional Assessment of Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity in Geriatric Patients: Creatinine/Cystatin C Ratio Performs Better than Sarcopenia Index”
by Mohamad Khalil, Agostino Di Ciaula, Nour Jaber, Roberta Grandolfo, Flavia Fiermonte and Piero Portincasa
Metabolites 2024, 14(6), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14060306
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/6/306 

6. “Circadian Influences on Brain Lipid Metabolism and Neurodegenerative Diseases”
by Yusuf Hussain, Mohammad Irfan Dar and Xiaoyue Pan
Metabolites 2024, 14(12), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14120723
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/12/723

If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact the Metabolites Editorial Office (metabolites@mdpi.com).