SGLT2 inhibitors have become increasingly used due to their effectiveness in improving not only type 2 diabetes but also cardiovascular, renal and hepatic diseases, as well as the obesity found in metabolic syndrome. Starting from the structure of gliflozins, modifications of the carbohydrate part, aglycone, and also the glycosidic bond between them can determine variations in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. SGLT2 inhibitors, in addition to reducing blood glucose levels, improve alterations in lipid metabolism by diverting excessively accumulated lipids in tissues towards mobilization, lipolysis, β-oxidation, ketogenesis and the utilization of ketone bodies. This enhances anti-inflammatory properties by decreasing the levels of some proinflammatory mediators and by modulating some cell signaling pathways. Thus, in this review, the intimate mechanisms by which SGLT2 inhibitors achieve these therapeutic effects in the various conditions belonging to metabolic syndrome and beyond were described, along with the structure–effect relationship with some specific features of each gliflozin. Starting from these findings, further modeling of these molecules may lead to the creation of new therapeutic uses. Further research is needed to broaden the range of indications and also eliminate adverse effects, such as phenomena leading to lower limb amputations.

Some protein food supplements intended for athletes may be adulterated with pharmacologically active substances, including anabolic steroids and prohormones. The addition of these substances is aimed at enabling manufacturers to achieve rapid sales growth by promising quick increases in strength and muscle mass. However, the consumption of these products will lead to a positive result in a routine anti-doping test, along with all of the consequences that will directly affect an athlete’s career and reputation. At the same time, the illicit use of anabolic steroids continues to evolve across numerous sport disciplines. Moreover, vicious cheaters try to cover up their illegal actions by using various pharmacological agents to mask detection in anti-doping tests. This narrative review focuses on two situations—the innocent athlete and the vicious cheater. The athlete involved in inadvertent doping will suffer the consequences of doping, making close collaboration with medical staff extremely important. The analytic strategies described here address anabolic steroid doping detection and cheating using masking agents. This approach, based on biochemical changes, examines how these substances interfere with the testosterone pathway, from synthesis to elimination. Using masking agents alters the steroid profile, and the modifications produced by each agent are the subject of a detailed presentation. For most honest athletes, these findings support the initiation, development, and refinement of strategies for identifying food supplements with added illegal substances. Every athlete must have access to these approaches in order to avoid becoming vulnerable to sports fraud.

Obesity is not only an aesthetic problem but also an important comorbidity in metabolic syndrome and other types of pathologies. Currently discussed adjuvants are turmeric and curcumin, used as food supplements. Starting from synthesis in turmeric plant up to the use of turmeric as a spice, a significant amount of turmeric and its derivatives are lost during the processing procedure. In oral administration, the reduced bioavailability of these compounds must be taken into account, an aspect that can be improved by using different combinations and dosages. As for their pharmacodynamic effects, through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin improves mitochondrial function and promotes the browning of white adipose tissue. Another mechanism of action of curcumin in weight loss is enzymatic modulation, leading to a decrease in the activity of key enzymes involved in lipogenesis and an increase in the activity of lipolytic enzymes. These properties are enhanced by the synergistic action of the other polyphenols present in turmeric, especially calebin A, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid. Summarizing these effects, curcumin is a promising food supplement, opening new directions for further research to discover possibilities to improve or even eliminate the calamity of obesity that is currently wreaking havoc.

Background/Objectives: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)—specifically, letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane—represent the current gold standard for patients with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer (ER + BC). This narrative review highlights potential interactions between nutrients and AIs, elucidating their molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases to identify scientific publications and elucidate recommended dietary regimes for ER + BC patients treated with AIs. Results: Certain bioactive substances found in licorice, rosemary, juniper, cannabis, and citrus fruits exhibit intrinsic aromatase-inhibiting effects. Additionally, other nutrients and compounds—including honey, ginger, turmeric, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, bitter melon, dark sweet cherries, resveratrol, and vitamins D and C—contribute to treatment outcomes through their demonstrated antiproliferative properties. Certain natural compounds, such as soy, cow’s milk, sesame seeds, and sesame oil, require caution due to their potential estrogen-like effects which could diminish the anti-estrogenic efficacy of AIs. Conclusions: These considerations hold significant weight in this context, as the management of oncological patients—particularly women with ER + BC—requires an integrated perspective. Antineoplastic treatment must be supported by appropriate nutrition to enhance antitumor efficacy and improve the patient’s quality of life. The data presented herein are derived from in vitro, in silico, and animal model studies and await validation in large patient cohorts. Nevertheless, these findings pave the way for future research to elucidate these molecular phenomena in humans and to establish clinically significant conclusions for ER + BC patients.

Biotissues represent a new technology in tissue regeneration in otolaryngology. Various biomaterials functioning in different combinations are used as bioinks for 3D bioprinting of tissues/tissue fragments. The scaffolds can be populated with several cell categories, each offering distinct advantages and disadvantages, depending on the targeted pathology. Results from in vitro and in vivo studies on animal models are promising, with superior therapeutic potential. The combination of these elements provides promising results, enabling their potential application in personalized medicine. Based on these findings, their application in ENT (ear, nose, and throat) pathology is starting to gain traction. Despite being an emerging field, 3D/4D bioprinting in otolaryngology is rapidly evolving, increasingly replacing conventional inert materials with more sophisticated, bio-integrated alternatives. These alternatives are based on novel bioink formulation involving cells capable of proliferating and integrating the new neo-fragment organ into the host’s endogenous tissues. In this context, this review outlines novel applications that could enhance traditional procedures in ENT reconstructive medicine. Furthermore, biomimetic scaffolds for otolaryngology can be tailored to address factors influencing implant fate during the procedure and in the early and late postoperative periods.

Betaine is a compound with significant implications in exercise biology due to its ability to optimize metabolic homeostasis and exercise capacity. This narrative review analyzes the physiological and biochemical mechanisms by which betaine influences neuromuscular performance and regulates post-exercise recovery processes. From an ergogenic perspective, betaine acts as an organic osmolyte and a methyl group donor in the methionine resynthesis cycle, a process directly associated with improving muscle strength and anaerobic power. Its anti-inflammatory properties are mediated by suppressing the nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) proinflammatory axis and IL-1β activity, thereby attenuating exercise-induced muscle damage. Metabolically, the compound exerts anti-adipogenic effects by downregulating key enzymes involved in lipogenesis and stimulating fatty acid β-oxidation, which favors the optimization of body composition. Furthermore, its vasodilatory action is primarily attributed to the potentiation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway, ensuring optimal perfusion and nutrient delivery to working muscles. At the central level, the neuroprotective effect consists of counteracting neuronal oxidative stress, clearing homocysteine and attenuating antidepressant behavior. These data reveal that betaine is a complex plurivalent ergogenic agent. Its integration into sports nutrition optimizes the adaptive physiological response to exercise through integrated cellular, vascular and metabolic mechanisms, representing a viable strategy for the overall improvement of athletic performance.