Metabolite Profiles in Inflammatory Diseases

A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology and Clinical Metabolic Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2025 | Viewed by 458

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Interests: autoimmune diseases; rheumatoid arthritis; inflammation; oxidative stress; biomarkers

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Guest Editor
Department of Cardiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Interests: heart failure; cardiomyopathy; myocardial infarction; arrhythmia

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cachexia, the disease-related loss of cellular mass, is a sign of the close connection between inflammation and metabolic processes. It was given the name "cachexin" because it was discovered that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) was involved in this process. The capacity of inflammatory cytokines to have such significant impacts on cellular and metabolic systems remains instructive, even if TNFα is now more widely recognized as a modulator of inflammatory responses. Chronic inflammation leads to rheumatic cachexia, and systemic inflammation, such as that observed in RA, alters metabolism. Loss of muscle mass and maintenance of fat mass are characteristics of this. Cachexia is traditionally characterized by a low body mass index. Although RA frequently causes muscle atrophy, low BMI is rare because fat mass is maintained or even increased. Rheumatoid cachexia, which affects 10–20% of RA patients with managed illness and 38% of people with active RA, is more common than the traditional low BMI cachexia, which affects 1–13% of RA patients.

It is believed that proinflammatory cytokines, including TNFα, IL1, and IL6, are the cause of the muscle loss that happens in rheumatoid cachexia. Through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, TNF stimulates proteolysis. Additionally, there is some evidence that cytokines may inhibit anabolic resistance, which is the increase in muscle protein synthesis that occurs in response to feeding. The degree of muscular atrophy in rheumatoid cachexia is correlated with the disease activity of RA.

This special issue provides an opportunity for researchers to share  cutting-edge findings. We welcome high-quality original research and reviews.

Dr. Rodica Pădureanu
Dr. Ionut Donoiu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • gut
  • inflammation
  • markers
  • metabolomics
  • multiple sclerosis
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • lung disease
  • osteoarthritis

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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18 pages, 1029 KiB  
Review
Nephrological, Pulmonary, and Dermatological Complications in the Context of MAFLD/NAFLD: A Narrative Review
by Vlad Pădureanu, Dalia Dop, Lucrețiu Radu, Dumitru Rădulescu, Rodica Pădureanu, Denisa Floriana Vasilica Pîrșcoveanu and Daniel Cosmin Caragea
Metabolites 2025, 15(4), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15040272 - 14 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Background: The most common cause of chronic liver disease is now known to be non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently redefined as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the pathophysiology and clinical implications of nephrological, [...] Read more.
Background: The most common cause of chronic liver disease is now known to be non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently redefined as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the pathophysiology and clinical implications of nephrological, pulmonary, and dermatological manifestations among NAFLD/MAFLD patients. In order to find safe and efficient treatments, NAFLD/MAFLD has emerged as a primary concern for hepatologists worldwide. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature from major databases, focusing on studies that evaluated the extrahepatic manifestations of NAFLD/MAFLD. Emphasis was placed on identifying pathophysiological mechanisms and assessing their clinical impact on renal, pulmonary, and dermatological systems. Results: Recent developments in the management of chronic viral hepatitis have lowered the mortality rate associated with chronic liver disease. However, the prevalence of NAFLD/MAFLD continues to rise, making chronic liver disease a significant health concern for the future. An increasing percentage of patients on liver transplant waiting lists now have cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma due to non-alcoholic liver disease. Furthermore, the incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease have surged, linking NAFLD/MAFLD to higher morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Conclusions: NAFLD/MAFLD is underdiagnosed and underappreciated, yet its incidence is rapidly increasing, raising concerns about a potential global epidemic. Given its multisystemic impact—extending to renal, pulmonary, and dermatological complications—it is crucial to develop interdisciplinary strategies for early detection and effective management of the disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metabolite Profiles in Inflammatory Diseases)
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