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Biomarkers in Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Weight Loss: Advances in...
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Biomarkers in Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Weight Loss: Advances in Diagnosis, Risk Stratification, and Personalized Management

A Special Issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989) belonging to the section "Nutrition and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 3120

Editors

Dr. Martina Gažarová

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
Interests: human nutrition; dietary habits; nutritional epidemiology; lifestyle and health; food quality and composition; prevention of non-communicable diseases; body composition analysis
Dr. Petra Lenártová

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Nutrition and Genomics, Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovak Republic
Interests: human nutrition; dietary patterns; nutritional status; body composition; metabolic health; chronic disease prevention
Dr. Magdalena Górnicka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Human Nutrition, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW-WULS), Nowoursynowska 159C, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: nutrition; bioactive compounds; metabolic disorders; nutritional assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are complex and multifactorial conditions that represent major global public health challenges. Early identification of individuals at risk and the development of effective, personalized management strategies remain key priorities in clinical and translational research.

In recent years, biomarkers have emerged as valuable tools for improving the diagnosis and characterization of obesity-related metabolic disturbances. Advances in molecular biology, metabolomics, genomics, and clinical research have enabled the identification of novel biomarkers reflecting adipose tissue dysfunction, systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and altered metabolic pathways. These biomarkers may support early detection of metabolic abnormalities, improve risk stratification, and provide important insights into disease progression.

At the same time, growing evidence highlights the central role of nutrition and dietary patterns in the development, prevention, and management of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Healthy dietary approaches have been shown to influence metabolic regulation, inflammatory processes, gut microbiota composition, and energy homeostasis. Nutritional interventions may therefore significantly affect biomarker profiles associated with metabolic health and weight loss outcomes.

Understanding the interaction between dietary factors, metabolic pathways, and biomarker responses may contribute to the development of more effective and personalized nutritional strategies. Biomarkers may help identify individuals who are more likely to benefit from specific dietary interventions, monitor adherence to healthy dietary patterns, and evaluate metabolic responses to weight loss programs.

This Special Issue aims to highlight advances in the application of biomarkers related to obesity, metabolic syndrome, and weight loss, with particular attention to their relationship with nutrition and lifestyle interventions. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and meta-analyses focusing on molecular, biochemical, anthropometric, and clinical biomarkers that contribute to improved diagnosis, risk prediction, and personalized management of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Studies exploring biomarkers associated with dietary patterns, functional foods, and lifestyle modification are also encouraged.

Dr. Martina Gažarová
Dr. Petra Lenártová
Dr. Magdalena Górnicka
Guest Editors

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metabolites 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 2700 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.

Keywords

  • obesity biomarkers
  • metabolic risk stratification
  • adipose tissue dysfunction
  • nutritional biomarkers
  • personalized nutrition
  • nutrition interventions
  • weight loss interventions
  • body composition analysis
  • emerging anthropometric indices

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 314 KB  
Article
Biomarkers in Obesity-Related Metabolic Syndrome: Relationships Between LDL Subfractions, Lipid Profile, and Cardiometabolic Risk in a Slovak Population
by Martina Gažarová, Petra Lenártová, Jana Žemberyová, Lucia Civáňová, Laura Hačková, Mária Kijovská, Lucia Šubová and Magdalena Górnicka
Metabolites 2026, 16(8), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16080567 - 11 Aug 2026
Viewed by 286
Abstract
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk, although substantial metabolic abnormalities may also occur in individuals with normal body weight. This study compared anthropometric characteristics, body composition, lipid profile, LDL subfractions, inflammatory markers, liver biomarkers, and novel cardiometabolic indices in [...] Read more.
Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk, although substantial metabolic abnormalities may also occur in individuals with normal body weight. This study compared anthropometric characteristics, body composition, lipid profile, LDL subfractions, inflammatory markers, liver biomarkers, and novel cardiometabolic indices in participants with MetS according to obesity status and characterized the metabolic phenotype of normal-weight participants with MetS. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 188 Slovak adults. Anthropometric, biochemical, lipoprotein, inflammatory, liver function, and cardiometabolic parameters were assessed. Group differences were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test, and associations were evaluated by Spearman’s correlation analysis. Results: Compared with controls, participants with MetS had significantly greater adiposity, visceral fat accumulation, atherogenic lipid alterations, elevated inflammatory and liver biomarkers, higher blood pressure, and increased cardiometabolic indices (p < 0.05). Within the MetS group, overweight/obese participants exhibited greater visceral adiposity and higher liver enzyme concentrations, whereas most lipid parameters, LDL subfraction distribution, and several cardiometabolic indices were comparable between weight groups. VAI, TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-WC, TyG-WHtR, LAP, AIP, and CMI showed strong correlations with visceral adiposity, triglycerides, atherogenic LDL subfractions, and smaller LDL particle size. Conclusions: Obesity worsens body composition and hepatic dysfunction in MetS but has limited impact on several metabolic and atherogenic characteristics. LDL-C concentration alone may not sufficiently reflect the true atherogenic risk. These findings support the metabolically unhealthy normal-weight phenotype and highlight the value of novel cardiometabolic indices and LDL subfraction analysis for improved cardiometabolic risk assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers in Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Weight Loss: Advances in Diagnosis, Risk Stratification, and Personalized Management)
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15 pages, 4071 KB  
Article
Longitudinal Transitions of Metabolic-Obesity Phenotypes and Subsequent Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Prospective Analysis of the CHARLS Cohort
by Wenjing Yan, Xiaona Zhang, Qingqing Man, Shanshan Jia, Wenjing Feng, Lili Chen, Rongzhen Li, Lianlong Yu, Liangkai Chen, Jian Zhang and Pengkun Song
Metabolites 2026, 16(7), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16070510 - 21 Jul 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Metabolic-obesity phenotypes are dynamic, yet little is known about how their longitudinal transitions affect cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We aimed to characterize these transitions and examine their associations with incident CVD in middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Methods: We included [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Metabolic-obesity phenotypes are dynamic, yet little is known about how their longitudinal transitions affect cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We aimed to characterize these transitions and examine their associations with incident CVD in middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Methods: We included 4516 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) who were free of CVD at the follow-up baseline (wave 3). Metabolic-obesity phenotypes (metabolically healthy non-obese [MHNO], metabolically unhealthy non-obese [MUNO], metabolically healthy obese [MHO], and metabolically unhealthy obese [MUO]) were assessed in 2011 and 2015, and six trajectory patterns were defined. Incident CVD (heart disease or stroke) was ascertained from 2015 to 2020. Cox proportional hazards models estimated associations between trajectory groups and incident CVD, and Kaplan–Meier curves compared cumulative incidence across groups. Results: Stable MHNO accounted for 35.96% of the cohort, whereas the stable non-MHNO group accounted for 28.06%. After multivariable adjustment, the small obesity recovery group (n = 89) showed an elevated CVD risk estimate compared with the stable MHNO (HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.33–4.05), while stable non-MHNO group were associated with higher CVD risk (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.36–2.18). Incident obesity showed elevated but non-significant risk (HR 1.71, 95% CI 0.94–3.10), and metabolic decline showed borderline significance (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.00–1.85). Sex-stratified analyses showed heterogeneous risk patterns. Conclusions: Metabolic-obesity phenotypes are dynamic, but unfavorable phenotypes often persist. The obesity recovery group, defined using BMI, may represent a heterogeneous group and does not necessarily indicate true cardiometabolic recovery; the observed association should not be interpreted as evidence that weight loss itself increases CVD risk. These findings highlight the importance of jointly considering longitudinal changes in metabolic health and obesity when examining their associations with incident CVD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers in Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Weight Loss: Advances in Diagnosis, Risk Stratification, and Personalized Management)
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16 pages, 7279 KB  
Article
Quercetin Attenuates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Association with the Inhibition of Hepatic IL-1β/iNOS and IL-1β/CD45 Axes of Inflammation and Fibrosis Accompanied by Reduced Endogenous Metabolites and Apoptosis
by Saif A. Alqahtani, Hanan H. Alshehri, Hend Ashour, Hend Abdallah, Laila Rashed, Rehab M. Badi, Muataz E. D. Mohammed, Bahjat Al-Ani, Norah M. Alzamil, Alia Albawardi and Basma E. Aboulhoda
Metabolites 2026, 16(4), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16040284 - 21 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Background: Liver inflammation and fibrosis are directly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Dysregulation of the potent pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and tissue leukocyte infiltration (CD45 +ve) are connected with multiorgan injury and fibrosis. We investigated [...] Read more.
Background: Liver inflammation and fibrosis are directly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Dysregulation of the potent pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and tissue leukocyte infiltration (CD45 +ve) are connected with multiorgan injury and fibrosis. We investigated whether the induction of NAFLD can cause dysregulation in the hepatic IL-1β/iNOS and IL-1β/CD45 axes of inflammation and fibrosis, as well as in endogenous metabolites (lipids, glucose, and insulin) and apoptosis, in the presence and absence of the flavonoid quercetin. Methods: The model group of rats was fed with a high-fat and high-carbohydrate diet (HFCD) for 4 weeks. The protective group of rats was given both quercetin (50 mg/kg) and HFCD for 4 weeks. All rats were sacrificed on day 29. Results: NAFLD was induced in rats as demonstrated by dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, liver inflammation, and elevation of liver injury enzymes. NAFLD was also associated with the upregulation of hepatic IL-1β, iNOS, CD45, and apoptosis (p53). Biomarkers of fibrosis (TIMP-1 and α-SMA) were also elevated, and fibrosis was confirmed in the model group by increased collagen deposition and elevated stages of fibrosis score (Stage 1 to 2 of Brunt’s NASH classification). All these parameters were significantly (p < 0.01) modulated by quercetin treatment. Additionally, a significant (p < 0.001) correlation between IL-1β and hepatic injury parameters was observed. Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential association between NAFLD and the IL-1β/iNOS and IL-1β/CD45 axes of liver injury and fibrosis, as well as dyslipidemia, glycemia, and apoptosis, with quercetin exhibiting beneficial hepatic pleiotropic effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomarkers in Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Weight Loss: Advances in Diagnosis, Risk Stratification, and Personalized Management)
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