Decoding the role of leptin and adiponectin in obesity-related gastrointestinal cancer.

The increasing prevalence of obesity brings forward its importance as a risk factor for cancer development, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Obesity may trigger cancer development through several mechanisms, where metabolic deregulation of adipokines can modulate multiple oncogenic molecular pathways. Leptin and adiponectin are the most well-studied adipokines, and their imbalance can trigger different tumorigenic responses. Both epidemiologic and experimental studies have associated leptin with increased cancer risk and cell responsiveness in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion. On the other hand, adiponectin is reported to elicit the opposite effect. In addition to circulating or tissue adipokine levels, adiponectin, and leptin receptors or genetic polymorphisms may also play a role in cancer development. Moreover, adiponectin and leptin modulation offer valuable therapeutic approaches. We will review the links underpinning obesity and cancer development and focus on discussing the pathophysiological roles of leptin and adiponectin.

Impact of Lactobacillaceae supplementation on the multi-organ axis during MASLD.

The gut-liver axis plays a pivotal role in maintaining body homeostasis. Disruption of the gut-liver axis is linked to a multitude of diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Probiotic strains from the Lactobacillaceae family are commonly used to mitigate experimental MASLD. Over the years, numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of these probiotics, often focusing on the outcome of liver disease. This review aims to further understand MASLD as a systemic metabolic dysfunction and to highlight the effects of probiotics on multi-organ axis, including organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, muscle, adipose tissue, and the immune system. We specifically discuss evidence on how supplementation with Lactobacillaceae strains may alleviate MASLD by not only restoring liver health but also by modulating the physiology of other organ systems.