Obesity and metabolic syndrome: Future therapeutics based on novel molecular pathways

Obesity is a chronic disease, currently recognized as the triggering agent for the development of the metabolic syndrome. It is now accepted that obesity rises from an energy imbalance due to excessive food ingestion and insufficient physical activity. Mitochondria has an important role in energy balance and, interestingly, recent findings have found an association between obesity and mitochondrial dysfunction due to a defective network among regulator proteins such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), sirtuins (SIRTs), and PPAR coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α). These molecules are currently under extensive research in aims of finding new agents that could be used in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The paradox: some nutrients themselves, such as flavonoids, are able to modulate the previously mentioned energy regulators.