Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutics: Molecular Aspects, Metabolic Profiles, and Omics Studies 2nd Edition

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Bioactive compounds can serve as drugs or inspire novel synthetic structures to be employed for treating numerous human illnesses, including cancer and COVID-19. Natural products, as well as synthetic compounds, represent a massive group of biologically active factors with potential roles in medical fields. For example, the antioxidant properties of phytomolecules may imply therapeutic agents. Nonetheless, significant attention is being devoted to the repositioning of ‘orphan drugs’ and repurposing existing drugs for novel medical scopes. In this context, dissecting the molecular connections with treatment and the metabolic response of a system are fundamental aspects to investigate. These strategies allow for the identification of pathways related to specific metabolites or proteins with a role in pathogenesis or the discovery of mechanistic insights important to preventing cellular damage and sequelae in patients. Nonetheless, the support offered by the latest state-of-the-art omics technologies can provide a global view of the effects generated by bioactive compounds in health and disease.

This Topic aims to collect experimental outcomes concerning the effects of molecules extracted from natural sources or chemically modified in synthetic/semisynthetic derivatives, with potential effects on human health. It will also welcome research papers, reviews, communications, etc., based on in vitro and in vivo molecular and biochemical assays, including biomolecular interactions, antioxidant analyses, proteomic and metabolomic profiling, and in silico investigations.

Dr. Michele Costanzo
Dr. Giovanni N. Roviello
Dr. Armando Cevenini
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Cells cells	5.1	9.9	2012	17 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Chemistry chemistry	2.4	3.2	2019	17.2 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	8.1	2000	16.8 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Molecules molecules	4.2	7.4	1996	15.1 Days	CHF 2700	Submit

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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All Cells Chemistry IJMS Molecules

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15 pages, 1767 KiB  

Open AccessBrief Report

β-Hydroxybutyrate Reduces Body Weight by Modulating Fatty Acid Oxidation and Beiging in the Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of DIO Mice

by Violeta Heras, Virginia Mela, Pallavi Kompella, Elena Rojano, Guillermo Paz-López, Lucia Hurtado-García, Almudena Ortega-Gomez, Maria José García-López, María Luisa García-Martín, Juan A. G. Ranea, Francisco J. Tinahones and Isabel Moreno-Indias

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 5064; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115064 - 24 May 2025

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Abstract

β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) serves as an alternative cellular fuel during states of low glucose availability, such as fasting or carbohydrate restriction, when the body shifts to using fats and ketone bodies for energy. While BHB has shown potential metabolic benefits, its mechanisms of action [...] Read more.

β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) serves as an alternative cellular fuel during states of low glucose availability, such as fasting or carbohydrate restriction, when the body shifts to using fats and ketone bodies for energy. While BHB has shown potential metabolic benefits, its mechanisms of action in the context of obesity are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the effects of BHB supplementation on subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) metabolism in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. Adult male mice were first fed a high-fat diet for six weeks, followed by a standard diet with or without BHB supplementation for an additional six weeks. BHB supplementation led to significant body weight loss independent of food intake. This weight reduction was associated with decreased adipocyte differentiation, reflected by reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) protein levels and lower uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression, indicating altered SAT function. Transcriptomic analysis of SAT revealed upregulation of genes involved in fatty acid activation and transport (e.g., Slc27a2, Plin5, Acot4, Acsm3, Rik). Functional enrichment highlighted the activation of the PPAR signaling pathway and enrichment of peroxisomal components in the BHB group. Together, these results suggest that BHB promotes lipid remodeling in SAT, enhancing fatty acid metabolism while suppressing thermogenic pathways, and thus may represent a novel mechanism contributing to adiposity reduction and metabolic improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutics: Molecular Aspects, Metabolic Profiles, and Omics Studies 2nd Edition)

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