Reviews & Analysis

This Review emphasizes new insights into adipose tissue endothelial cell biology and alterations linked to obesity. In particular, studies highlighting the identification of adipose tissue endothelial cell heterogeneity, epigenetic factors, and plasticity of adipocytes and endothelial cells are presented.

This Review discusses newly discovered functions of pituitary hormones on bone, adipose tissue and the brain. Mechanisms of pituitary hormone actions on somatic organs and neural function are outlined. The role of dysregulated pituitary hormone function in multiple diseases and the potential for targeting ligands and receptors therapeutically are discussed.

Acute inflammation triggers activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, but whether it could also impede the adrenocortical response to adrenocorticotropic hormone remains controversial. A new study using preclinical models of acute inflammation demonstrates dysregulation of energy metabolism in adrenocortical cells, resulting in oxidative stress that induces disruption of steroidogenesis.

In a new study, an ambulatory microdialysis system combined with ultrasensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry enabled the building of a 24-h high-resolution profile of adrenal steroids in the tissue by sampling interstitial fluid in 214 healthy volunteers. Daily and ultradian variations of eight free steroids, including cortisol and aldosterone, have been demonstrated, which opens new diagnostic perspectives for endocrine diseases.

Regaining weight after successful weight loss is a common problem for people with obesity. This Review discusses the potential physiological mechanisms underlying weight regain after weight loss and possible strategies to counter weight regain.

This Review discusses the key principles and uses of engineered neurobiological tools, such as optogenetics and chemogenetics. The authors discuss examples of their use in the metabolism field and highlight important points to consider when choosing an experimental technique.

This Consensus Statement, which is endorsed by the Pituitary Society, offers evidence-based graded consensus recommendations and key summary points for clinical practice on the diagnosis and management of prolactinomas.

This Perspective presents the outcomes of an interdisciplinary international workshop that addressed the implications of the WHO classification change of pituitary adenoma to neuroendocrine tumours. The authors propose that a comprehensive classification system be developed integrating clinical, genetic, biochemical, radiological, pathological and molecular information for all anterior pituitary neoplasms.

This Review examines the origins of marrow adipocytes and their function under normal or pathological conditions. Regulation of bone marrow adipose tissue by nutrient status is considered, as well as the interactions between bone marrow adipose tissue, haematopoietic cells of the bone marrow and the bone.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) contribute to human disease, disability and economic damage. This Review outlines a set of evidence-based policy actions to manage, minimize or eliminate the use of EDCs, alongside a number of specific challenges and potential recommendations.

This Review discusses challenges in the management of Cushing disease in adults and provides information to help with planning an integrated and individualized approach for each patient.

Funcke et al. shed light on the management of leptin replacement therapy in monogenic obesity by identifying two LEP variants with antagonistic functional effects. Their groundbreaking study emphasizes the urgent need for in-depth understanding of the genetic factors involved in obesity to pave the way for tailored interventions.

This Review discusses the physiological and neurological mechanisms that drive altered eating behaviours in pregnancy, including food cravings, food aversions and changes in sensory perception, and the implications for the long-term health of the gestational parent and offspring.

For patients with osteoporosis, the long-term use of bone-specific pharmacological therapies, including antiresorptive and/or osteoanabolic approaches, has raised concerns around adverse effects or potential rebound phenomena after treatment discontinuation. This Review outlines clinical data on long-term and sequential treatment for osteoporosis.

A new study convincingly demonstrates a deficiency of pituitary oxytocin secretion in patients with vasopressin deficiency. Neuropsychological evaluations of these patients indicate increased anxiety and reduced prosocial behaviours, thereby characterizing the phenotype of the first documented disorder of oxytocin deficiency in humans.

Pancreatic islet cell replacement therapy is a promising strategy for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, but the scarcity of organ donors and need for immunosuppression hamper its wide application. Huang and colleagues developed an efficient method to redirect the fate of primary human gastric stem cells, generated from stomach tissue, towards insulin-producing β-cells.

This article discusses the neuroanatomy and function of the central melanocortin circuitry, focusing on metabolic disorders. Progress and limitations of therapeutics targeting this system and potential strategies to improve melanocortin-based therapeutics are outlined.

There is a growing awareness that type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a heterogeneous disease that can be characterized into distinct endotypes. This Review discusses the evidence for endotypes in T1DM and explores the implications for clinical practice.

This Review highlights results from adolescent anti-obesity medication clinical trials published since 2020. In addition, the importance of a comprehensive and chronic care model for youth with obesity is discussed and the emerging pipeline of future anti-obesity medications is outlined.

Our lives are governed by three clocks: the social clock that organizes our lives with others (local time), the biological clock that controls our physiology (circadian time) and the sun clock that defines natural light and darkness. The more misaligned these clocks are, the higher our odds of developing certain diseases. ‘Social jetlag’ quantifies the difference between local and circadian time.