Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome is calling for submissions to our collection on Lipid metabolism disorders in diabetes. Disorders in lipid metabolism refer to excessive synthesis or defective catabolism of large triglycerides and cholesterol enriched lipoprotein (namely, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)), and are exacerbated by very prevalent risk factors for diabetes and metabolic disorders, including adherence to hypercaloric fats-enriched diets and/or physical inactivity. On the long-term, these disorders lead to the accumulation of the cholesterol enriched, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and to a reduced availability of the so called “high-density lipoproteins” (HDL), generating a dangerous combination that accelerates atherosclerosis, macro- and micro-angiopathies, and dramatically enhances the risk of cardiovascular mortality in diabetes.
Furthermore, disorders in lipid metabolism are not only strictly connected to the even more complex mechanisms of insulin resistance and ectopic visceral adiposity, but they are also hardwired with derailments in inflammatory pathways and in an unfavorable reprogramming of the innate/adaptive immune responses. This pathophysiological link further complicates the prognosis and accelerate the development of additional systemic co-morbidities at different organ level, where high risk of infections, amputations, neuropathies, cognitive impairments/depression are only some examples.
Pharmacological research produced important solutions in the treatment of lipid disorders to constrain the metabolic burden leading to premature mortality in diabetes, although preventive approaches and novel therapeutics perspectives focusing on inflammation and co-morbidities are still far from being optimal.
Therefore, by including novel research (either as basic science or clinically oriented) and reviews (either as systematic or narrative reviews), this collection of articles in Diabetology and Metabolic Syndrome aims at contributing to strengthen the vision of lipid metabolism disorders as a cornerstone for the systemic and multi-organ consequences in diabetes. We believe that this purpose will be of interest for both researchers, broadening the understanding of novel cellular and molecular aspects, and for healthcare professionals, being sensitized toward timely and effective preventive approaches.
Suggestions for possible topics could include:
• Triglycerides; cholesterol; VLDL; LDL; HDL
• Preventive approaches; diet and physical exercise
• Adiposity
• Co-morbidites of diabetes; neuropathies; cognitive impairments and mood.
• Inflammation; innate and/or adaptive responses to lipids
• Novel biomarkers
• “Omics” to study lipid metabolism disorders
• Genetic studies
• Pharmacological perspectives
