The term "civilization diseases" refers to specific health conditions prevalent in well-developed countries, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and metabolic syndrome. The etiology of these conditions is complex, but factors such as environmental pollution, urban overcrowding, increased cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy dietary habits contribute significantly to their prevalence. Dysregulation of hormone secretion and metabolism also plays a pivotal role in the development of civilization diseases.
This dysregulation often occurs due to exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors, which can alter normal endocrine signaling pathways and predispose individuals to health problems later in life. Moreover, aberrant hormone levels in individuals with low birth weight may contribute to metabolic dysfunction in adulthood, indicating a potential role for prenatal endocrine programming in the pathogenesis of civilization diseases. Additionally, the regulation of steroidogenic enzymes and steroid hormones, may also influence the development of these conditions.

This Special Issue invites contributions aimed at enhancing our comprehension of the physiological, biochemical, and notably hormonal aspects underlying civilization diseases, along with their potential implications in medicine and pharmacy. Prospective areas of interest encompass, but are not restricted to, the following:
• Investigating the biochemical underpinnings of alterations in hormone secretion associated with civilization diseases.
• Exploring the significance of adipose tissue as an endocrine-active organ in the context of civilization diseases.
• Understanding the disturbances in hormone metabolism observed in civilization diseases.
• Examining the imbalance in secretion and metabolism of steroid hormones as a potential contributing factor in the onset and progression of civilization diseases, with a focus on obesity.

For authors, please review the journal's information regarding Author Guidelines and Article Processing Charges, or direct any questions to the Editorial Office: abp@frontierspartnerships.org.

Article types and fees

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Special Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Special Issue description:

• Brief Research Report
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: civilization diseases, hormonal dysregulation, steroid hormones, endocrine disruptors