Obesity–An Update on the Basic Pathophysiology and Review of Recent Therapeutic Advances
Erind Gjermeni,
Anna S. Kirstein,
Florentien Kolbig,
Michael Kirchhof,
Linnaeus Bundalian,
Julius L. Katzmann,
Ulrich Laufs,
Matthias Blüher,
Antje Garten,
Diana Le Duc
Affiliations
Erind Gjermeni
Department of Electrophysiology, Heart Center Leipzig at University of Leipzig, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
Anna S. Kirstein
Pediatric Research Center, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Florentien Kolbig
Pediatric Research Center, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Michael Kirchhof
Department of Cardiology, Median Centre for Rehabilitation Schmannewitz, 04774 Dahlen, Germany
Linnaeus Bundalian
Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Julius L. Katzmann
Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, University Clinic Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Ulrich Laufs
Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, University Clinic Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Matthias Blüher
Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Antje Garten
Pediatric Research Center, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Diana Le Duc
Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Obesity represents a major public health problem with a prevalence increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Continuous intensive efforts to elucidate the complex pathophysiology and improve clinical management have led to a better understanding of biomolecules like gut hormones, antagonists of orexigenic signals, stimulants of fat utilization, and/or inhibitors of fat absorption. In this article, we will review the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of obesity including intersection points to the new generation of antidiabetic drugs. We provide insight into the effectiveness of currently approved anti-obesity drugs and other therapeutic avenues that can be explored.
