Depot-specific adipose tissue modulation by SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP1 agonists mediates their cardioprotective effects in metabolic disease

Inflammatory signaling pathways in pancreatic β-cell: New insights into type 2 diabetes pathogenesis

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex metabolic disorder with a growing global prevalence, and there is a linking between inflammation in pancreatic β-cell and impaired glucose homeostasis which has emerged as a key player in the pathogenesis of T2D. Recent advances in research have provided new insights into various inflammatory signaling cascades in β-cell among which we focus on Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4), Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB), Janus Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor α (PDGFR-α), Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING), and the death receptor TMEM219. TLR4 activation by pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns initiates NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, promoting pro-inflammatory cytokine release and β-cell apoptosis. NF-κB acts as a central hub, integrating metabolic stress signals (e.g., glucolipotoxicity, ER stress) and amplifying inflammatory responses through crosstalk with JAK/STAT and STING pathways. Meanwhile, JAK/STAT signaling exhibits dual roles in β-cell survival and inflammation, influenced by cytokine milieu and feedback regulation. PDGFR-α, traditionally linked to β-cell proliferation, paradoxically contributes to pathological hyperplasia in obesity, while STING activation by cytosolic DNA triggers β-cell senescence and ferroptosis via IRF3/NF-κB. In this review, we synthesize recent advancements of these inflammatory signaling pathways in β-cells, and current therapeutic strategies targeting TLR4/NF-κB inhibitors, JAK/STAT modulators, STING antagonists, and the death receptor TMEM219 are discussed, alongside challenges in pathway specificity and clinical translation. Understanding these inflammatory signaling pathways and their interactions in pancreatic β-cell is essential for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat T2D.

Targeting GSK-3β for adipose dysfunction and cardiovascular complications of metabolic disease: An entangled WNT/β-catenin question

Individuals with metabolic syndrome have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disorders that is closely tied to visceral adipose tissue dysfunction, as well as an altered interaction between adipose tissue and the cardiovascular system. In metabolic syndrome, adipose tissue dysfunction is associated with increased hypertrophy, reduced vascularization, and hypoxia of adipocytes, leading to a pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory environment. Among the pathways regulating adipose tissue homeostasis is the wingless-type mammary tumor virus integration site family (Wnt) signaling pathway, with both its canonical and non-canonical arms. Various modulators of the Wnt signaling have been identified to contribute to the development of metabolic diseases and their cardiovascular complications, with a particularly significant role played by Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β (GSK-3β). GSK-3β levels and activities have various and often contrasting roles in obesity and related metabolic disorders, as well as their cardiovascular sequelae. Here, we explore the possibility that altered Wnt signaling and GSK-3β activities could serve as a connection between adipose tissue dysfunction and the development of cardiovascular disease in individuals with metabolic syndrome. We attempt to define a context-specific approach for intervention, which could possibly serve as a novel disease modifying therapy for the mitigation of such complications.

Systemic and organ-specific anti-inflammatory effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors

Inflammation plays an essential role and is a common feature in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. The exact mechanisms through which sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors achieve their much-acclaimed clinical benefits largely remain unknown. In this review, we detail the systemic and tissue- or organ-specific anti-inflammatory effects of SGLT2 inhibitors using evidence from animal and human studies. We discuss the potential pathways through which SGLT2 inhibitors exert their anti-inflammatory effects, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial, and inflammasome pathways. Finally, we highlight the need for further investigation of the extent of the contribution of the anti-inflammatory effects of SGLT2 inhibition to improvements in cardiometabolic and renal outcomes in clinical studies.

Obesity and lifespan, a complex tango

Obesity and aging share comorbidities, phenotypes, and deleterious effects on health that are associated with chronic diseases. However, distinct features set them apart, with underlying biology that should be explored and exploited, especially given the demographic shifts and the obesity epidemic that the world is facing.