Metabolism News and Research

Latest Metabolism News and Research

FDA-approved drug fedratinib enhances communication between cellular organelles

Cells behave like cities and organelles carry out infrastructural roles: Mitochondria are powerhouses, the endoplasmic reticulum serves as a transport hub and lysosomes help with waste disposal.

13 Mar 2026

New insights highlight multifaceted roles of CD4+ T cells in tumor immunity

For decades, cancer immunotherapy has focused primarily on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes as the main executors of tumor cell killing.

13 Mar 2026

Swapping red meat for plant-based meat rapidly lowers a key heart risk metabolite, trial finds

A randomized crossover trial found that replacing red meat patties with processed plant-based meat alternatives for six days significantly lowered circulating trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut-derived metabolite linked to cardiovascular risk. The plant-based phase also produced modest reductions in cholesterol markers but slightly increased weight and NT-proBNP, possibly due to higher sodium intake.

12 Mar 2026

Real-world study shows modest weight regain after GLP-1 discontinuation

As the use of injectable GLP-1 drugs continues to rise, questions persist about what happens after patients stop taking them in real-world settings.

12 Mar 2026

Specific gut bacterium Roseburia linked to stronger muscles and better fitness

Scientists from the University of Almería and the University of Granada, together with researchers from Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC, Netherlands), have identified an intestinal bacterium of the genus Roseburia associated with stronger muscles and improved physical condition.

12 Mar 2026

Adding three simple amino acids boosts mRNA and CRISPR delivery

Lipid nanoparticles, or LNPs, best known as the delivery vehicle for the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines received by billions of people, are now at the center of a much larger medical revolution.

12 Mar 2026

ELRIG announces Prof Hazel Screen and Dr Dave Powell as keynote speakers for Advances in Cell-Based Screening 2026

ELRIG, a not-for-profit, volunteer-led organization dedicated to the global drug discovery community, today announced the keynote speakers for Advances in Cell-based Screening 2026, taking place at AstraZeneca in Gothenburg, Sweden from 6-7 May.

From ELRIG (UK) Ltd. 12 Mar 2026

New protein target for safer lung cancer therapy

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have identified a protein linked to an increased risk of metastasis and recurrence in lung cancer. The findings are presented in a study that paves the way for new precision medicine approaches, particularly for older patients.

12 Mar 2026

Study finds keto diet strengthens the brain against epilepsy

Published in The Lancet Neurology, a new review from the University of Colorado Anschutz in collaboration with UT Southwestern Medical Center, offers the latest scientific explanations for why ketogenic diets reduce seizures in people with epilepsy.

12 Mar 2026

Does coffee disrupt sleep? Large population study suggests the impact may be minimal

A large cross-sectional analysis of 25,381 Swedish adults aged 50–64 found that habitual coffee consumption showed only very weak associations with sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. Genetic analyses confirmed known coffee-related variants and suggested that long-term caffeine exposure may lead to adaptation in the brain’s adenosine signaling system.

11 Mar 2026

Eating earlier in the day is linked to lower nighttime glucose in gestational diabetes

A secondary analysis of a randomized trial examined whether the timing of the first daily meal affects 24-hour glucose patterns in pregnancies with gestational diabetes. Earlier first meals were associated with lower nocturnal glucose levels and an earlier daily glucose rhythm, although overall glycaemic control metrics were similar between groups.

11 Mar 2026

Viagra ingredient improves symptoms in patients with Leigh syndrome

Sildenafil – an active ingredient also marketed under the name of Viagra – improves symptoms in patients with Leigh syndrome.

11 Mar 2026

Low testosterone and high fructose intake can worsen fatty liver disease

Low testosterone in itself can cause a variety of health problems, but the addition of a poor diet can exacerbate certain conditions. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is one example that approximately 40% of adult men worldwide currently suffer from and has become a global problem.

11 Mar 2026

Specific gut microbe may boost muscle strength and performance

A species of gut bacteria called Roseburia inulinivorans is specifically associated with human muscle strength and improved muscular performance in mice, finds research published online in the journal Gut.

10 Mar 2026

Postbiotics may help treat PCOS by restoring microbiome balance

Emerging studies suggest postbiotics could aid PCOS management by restoring gut microbiome balance and enhancing insulin sensitivity and hormonal regulation.

10 Mar 2026

EVA1A regulates fatty acid transporter CD36 in fatty liver disease

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease（MASLD） is characterized by excessive accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes and is closely associated with the rapid rise in insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes prevalence, making it one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide.

9 Mar 2026

Specific gut bacteria may signal long-term risk of heart and metabolic disease

Researchers analyzed gut microbiome profiles from 4,792 adults in the HELIUS cohort and tracked cardiometabolic outcomes over time to determine whether specific microbes predict disease risk. Certain microbes were linked to higher or lower cardiovascular risk, while plant-derived microbial metabolites suggested potential diet–microbiome interactions influencing heart health.

9 Mar 2026