About this Research Topic
Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders can be described as physiologic and/or morphologic changes in the GI system and include motility disorders, changes in mucosal and immune function, and alterations in the intestinal microbiota. Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are the most serious disorders causing chronic inflammation while other chronic inflammatory diseases that cause severe damage include irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux. The main causes of these diseases include genetic predisposition, unhealthy lifestyles, pharmacological therapies, and infections. Regardless of the specific disorder, it is known to cause considerable discomfort and a reduced quality of life for those affected, and there is increasing evidence that damage to the gastrointestinal tract can influence the development of metabolic diseases. For example, impaired release of gut hormones responsible for signaling the feeling of satiety could be associated with the occurrence of obesity; long-term alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota may play a role in the development of metabolic diseases; among others.
With this research topic, we intend to address how changes in the digestive tract (from dysmotility to chronic inflammation) can affect metabolic imbalances and potentially contribute to the development of metabolic problems. Understanding the involvement of gastrointestinal tract damage/defects in metabolism and discovering new treatments for related problems could contribute to more effective preventive lifestyle interventions and could also have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of these problems.
We welcome original research articles (basic, translational, or clinical) and review articles (mini-reviews, reviews, and medical hypotheses), commentaries and perspectives that address, but are not limited to the role of gut alterations and/or defects in the development of metabolic syndrome and associated problems (cholesterol alterations, hyperglycemia, obesity, diabetes, etc.).
With this research topic, we intend to address how changes in the digestive tract (from dysmotility to chronic inflammation) can affect metabolic imbalances and potentially contribute to the development of metabolic problems. Understanding the involvement of gastrointestinal tract damage/defects in metabolism and discovering new treatments for related problems could contribute to more effective preventive lifestyle interventions and could also have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of these problems.
We welcome original research articles (basic, translational, or clinical) and review articles (mini-reviews, reviews, and medical hypotheses), commentaries and perspectives that address, but are not limited to the role of gut alterations and/or defects in the development of metabolic syndrome and associated problems (cholesterol alterations, hyperglycemia, obesity, diabetes, etc.).
Keywords: gastrointestinal damage, intestinal damage, gastrointestinal disorders, gut damage, gut dysbiosis, metabolic disorders, metabolic syndrome
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
