Metabolism News and Research

Latest Metabolism News and Research

Researchers uncover key bacteria driving success of fecal microbiota transplants

Fecal microbiota transplants, or FMTs, are a magic bullet for patients with recurring infections from Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), but researchers are only beginning to understand why.

9 Oct 2024

Alcohol's effects on embryo development detected in late-gestation placenta

A new study led by Pr. Serge McGraw, researcher at CHU Sainte-Justine and professor at Université de Montréal, shows that the effects of alcohol exposure on an embryo prior to implantation in the uterus can be detected in the late-gestation placenta.

9 Oct 2024

Impaired creatine metabolism identified in people with type 2 diabetes

A new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Science Translational Medicine, shows that people with type 2 diabetes have lower levels of the protein that breaks down and converts creatine in the muscles.

9 Oct 2024

New research offers hope for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) — previously known as "non-alcoholic fatty liver disease" — affects about 25% of the global population.

9 Oct 2024

Tiny molecule offers hope in reducing opioid side effects

Opioid drugs are highly effective at relieving pain but come with severe drawbacks. Their side effects range from dizziness to potentially fatal respiratory depression.

9 Oct 2024

Weight-loss surgery may reduce pancreatic cancer risk in people with obesity

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are risk factors for various malignancies, including pancreatic cancer, which has a high death rate.

9 Oct 2024

New insights into how stress affects pancreatic cells and diabetes risk

The cells in your pancreas, like people, can only handle so much stress before they start to break down. Certain stressors, such as inflammation and high blood sugar, contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes by overwhelming these cells.

8 Oct 2024

Liver X receptor beta offers new hope in treating depression and anxiety

Liver X receptor beta (LXRβ) shows potential in reducing depression and anxiety by improving neurogenesis, reducing neuroinflammation, and enhancing cognitive and emotional function. More research on LXR agonists could reveal new treatments for mental health disorders.

8 Oct 2024

Electro-acupuncture shows promise in obesity management

A team of scientists led by Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Hong Kong University (HKU) has found evidence that electro-acupuncture - a form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment - could be used to manage obesity.

8 Oct 2024

Early bedtime boosts children's gut health by increasing beneficial bacteria

Study reveals that children who go to bed early have a more diverse and healthier gut microbiome compared to late sleepers, suggesting a link between sleep habits and gut health. It also highlights key metabolic pathways that differ between early and late sleepers.

8 Oct 2024

GLP-1 drugs protect brain health by improving neurovascular function and reducing inflammation

Research highlights how GLP-1 receptor agonists may improve brain health by targeting the neurovascular unit, linking metabolic health to cognitive function. It suggests potential therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

7 Oct 2024

Researchers discover effective treatment strategy for lethal glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal brain tumor, with a median survival rate of merely 12-16 months after diagnosis. Despite surgical, radiation and chemotherapy treatments, the two-year survival rate for GBM patients is less than 10%.

7 Oct 2024

Study sheds light on a potential new strategy to prevent fatty liver

The accumulation of fats in the liver is driven by high-fat diets and obesity, and is becoming an increasingly prevalent global health concern.

7 Oct 2024

Researchers uncover secret to regulating the body's internal clock

Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and the University of California, Santa Cruz, have discovered the secret to regulating our internal clock.

7 Oct 2024

How carnitine transporters boost reproductive health

Research uncovers the critical role of carnitine transporters in maintaining fertility by regulating energy metabolism and protecting reproductive cells from oxidative stress. It suggests new pathways for treating infertility through carnitine supplementation and targeted therapies.

6 Oct 2024

LXRβ emerges as a promising target for depression and anxiety treatments

In a state-of-the-art Bench to Bedside review published in the journal Brain Medicine (Genomic Press), researchers Dr. Xiaoyu Song and Professor Jan-Åke Gustafsson from the University of Houston and Karolinska Institutet (Sweden) shed light on the therapeutic potential of liver X receptor beta (LXRβ) in treating depression and anxiety.

4 Oct 2024

Mediterranean diet significantly lowers heart failure risk, especially in women

Increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet significantly lowers the risk of heart failure, especially in women, according to a recent European meta-analysis. The diet's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are key to its protective effects.

3 Oct 2024