Endocrine disruption in metabolic disorders: Biomarkers and therapeutic targets

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are external agents that interfere with normal hormone production, release, movement, attachment, activity, and removal. EDCs operate through various mechanisms, including receptor binding, interference with hormone production pathways, modification of hormone-transporting proteins, or disturbance of hormonal metabolic processes. Evidence links EDCs to several health conditions, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Fortunately, the field of biomarker discovery for metabolic and endocrine disorders is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by advancements in metabolomics, multi-omics integration, and artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced diagnostics. Cutting-edge analytical techniques, such as mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and next-generation sequencing, have facilitated the identification of novel biomarkers for early disease detection, prognosis, and treatment monitoring. Metabolomics has played a crucial role in unraveling disease mechanisms, identifying biochemical signatures of metabolic dysfunctions, and bridging traditional and modern medical approaches. However, challenges remain in clinical validation, reproducibility, and specificity of these biomarkers. The incorporation of multi-omics technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomic has provided a more comprehensive view of metabolic dysregulation. Future advancements in machine learning, AI-driven data analytics, and single-cell omics are expected to revolutionize precision medicine by enabling personalized treatment strategies and improving clinical outcomes. As biomarker research continues to evolve, the convergence of high-throughput technologies, computational approaches, and clinical validation efforts will be critical in ensuring their translation into routine medical practice.