Diabetes mellitus is a devastating chronic metabolic disease. Since the majority of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients are overweight or obese, a novel term—diabesity—has emerged. The gut–brain axis plays a critical function in maintaining glucose and energy homeostasis and involves a variety of peptides. Amylin is a neuroendocrine anorexigenic polypeptide hormone, which is co-secreted with insulin from β-cells of the pancreas in response to food consumption. Aside from its effect on glucose homeostasis, amylin inhibits homeostatic and hedonic feeding, induces satiety, and decreases body weight. In this narrative review, we summarized the current evidence and ongoing studies on the mechanism of action, clinical pharmacology, and applications of amylin and its analogs, pramlintide and cagrilintide, in the field of diabetology, endocrinology, and metabolism disorders, such as obesity.

Therapeutic peptides are oligomers or short polymers of amino acids used for various medical purposes. Peptide-based treatments have evolved considerably due to new technologies, stimulating new research interests. They have been shown to be beneficial in a variety of therapeutic applications, notably in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ACS is characterized by coronary artery wall damage and consequent formation of an intraluminal thrombus obstructing one or more coronary arteries, leading to unstable angina, non-ST elevated myocardial infarction, and ST-elevated myocardial infarction. One of the promising peptide drugs in the treatment of these pathologies is eptifibatide, a synthetic heptapeptide derived from rattlesnake venom. Eptifibatide is a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor that blocks different pathways in platelet activation and aggregation. In this narrative review, we summarized the current evidence on the mechanism of action, clinical pharmacology, and applications of eptifibatide in cardiology. Additionally, we illustrated its possible broader usage with new indications, including ischemic stroke, carotid stenting, intracranial aneurysm stenting, and septic shock. Further research is, however, required to fully evaluate the role of eptifibatide in these pathologies, independently and in comparison to other medications.

The immune system, sports injuries, physical activity and clinical sports nutrition are closely linked. Inadequate nutrition and intense stress in athletes increase the risk of immune dysfunction, injury and disease, while injury reduces the positive effects of physical activity, creating a vicious cycle affecting health and performance. Nutritional support is key to reducing the risk of injury, speeding up recovery and shortening rehabilitation. The intake of energy, protein, carbohydrates, fats and micronutrients should be adapted to the needs following injury. Quality nutrition is preferred over the use of dietary supplements, which are limited to cases of identified deficiencies (e.g. vitamin D or iron deficiencies). Health professionals with knowledge of clinical nutrition have a key role to play in injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and nutritional interventions are an indispensable part of a holistic approach to athletes' health.

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), significantly impairing quality of life and psychosocial well‐being. The prevalence of ED is estimated to be over 3.5 times higher in men with diabetes mellitus compared to those without. The aetiology of diabetic ED is multifactorial, stemming from complex diabetes mellitus‐related systemic changes. The pathophysiology of diabetic ED involves interacting pathways, including endothelial dysfunction, accelerated atherosclerosis, autonomic and peripheral neuropathy, structural penile changes, hormonal imbalances, and psychological factors. Methods: A review of the literature was conducted to examine the pathophysiological mechanisms, genetic associations, and treatment modalities related to diabetic ED. Particular attention was given to studies exploring pharmacogenetics and emerging therapeutic interventions. Results: Management is multimodal, including lifestyle changes, counselling, and pharmacological agents (primarily phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is)), but treatment response varies. Genetic studies have identified associations between ED risk/severity and polymorphisms in several candidate genes, including NOS3 (G894T, T786C, VNTR), ARG1/ARG2 (influencing nitric oxide substrate availability), ACE (I/D polymorphism), AR (CAG repeat length affecting androgen sensitivity), and VEGF (promoter polymorphisms). Pharmacogenetic studies suggest that polymorphisms in NOS3 , AR , and VEGF may predict response to PDE5Is or testosterone therapy, while ARG1/ARG2 variations might guide future arginase‐targeted therapies. Emerging treatments like low‐intensity shockwave therapy, platelet‐rich plasma, gene therapy, and stem cell therapy show promise but require more robust evidence. Conclusions: Diabetic ED is a complex condition driven by multiple pathophysiological mechanisms often influenced by an underlying genetic predisposition. Understanding the interplay between pathophysiology and genetics is crucial for developing personalised treatment strategies. While current therapies offer benefits, variability in response highlights the need for tailored approaches. Further research, especially large‐scale pharmacogenetic studies and randomised controlled trials for emerging therapies, is essential to identify reliable biomarkers, optimise treatment selection, and improve outcomes for men with diabetic ED.

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by disturbances in energy homeostasis, leading to excessive fat accumulation. The pathogenesis of the disease is shaped by a complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. These contributors affect regulatory mechanisms in the hypothalamus, hormonal signaling, and the gut‐brain axis, all of which control energy intake, expenditure, and energy utilization in body tissues. In this context, particular attention is given to the role of genetic factors, which have a major impact on an individual's susceptibility to disease and support the development of personalized preventive and therapeutic approaches. Modern obesity treatment goes beyond weight reduction and focuses on optimizing body composition by reducing fat mass and increasing lean mass. This review includes a detailed overview of the mechanisms and clinical effects of current pharmacological approaches to obesity treatment, alongside other established strategies such as lifestyle modifications and bariatric surgery. It specifically discusses lipase inhibitors, opioid antagonists, sympathomimetics, and GLP‐1 receptor agonists. Looking ahead, emerging therapies—such as microbiota modulation, dual and triple drug combinations, PYY agonists, and monoclonal antibodies—are expected to play a crucial role in the management of obesity. Furthermore, this review explores the potential of CRISPR‐based technology for monogenic obesity, opening new avenues for targeted obesity treatments and identifying promising research directions. In the time to come, personalized medicine might have a fundamental place in the management of obesity, providing tailored and more effective therapeutic approaches that prioritize the long‐term improvement of body composition and health outcomes in patients.

Energy metabolism plays a central role in supporting physical activity and athletic performance. In almost all forms of exercise different metabolic pathways and energy systems are used concurrently, with their relative contributions depending on exercise intensity, duration, fuel availability, environment, and physiological adaptations. Carbohydrates and fats both serve as the primary energy sources, with fat dominating during rest and low-intensity exercise, and carbohydrates becoming a preferential fuel at moderate to high exercise intensities. With longer duration of exercise, muscle energy stores become gradually depleted and blood glucose and adipose tissue derived fatty acids become increasingly important sources of energy. Prolonged exercise performance can be enhanced with exogenous carbohydrate supplementation in form of drinks, gels or snacks. Maintaining adequate energy and carbohydrate availability is crucial to support training and recovery and to prevent negative health consequences. While low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets may increase fat oxidation, they often impair performance at higher intensities. Individualised and periodised nutritional strategies that tailor energy and macronutrient intakes to meet the daily requirements of an active individual are essential to optimise health, support adaptations to exercise, and achieve training goals.