Developmental origins of metabolic disorders: The need for biomarker candidates and therapeutic targets from adequate preclinical models

•The research on obesity and associated disorders should rely on contrasted biomarkers.•The discovery of biomarkers is flawed by inherent variability of human data.•Hence, preclinical studies in animal models are essential.

The investigation on obesity and associated disorders have changed from an scenario in which genome drove the phenotype to a dynamic setup in which prenatal and early-postnatal conditions are determinant. However, research in human beings is difficult due to confounding factors (lifestyle and socioeconomic heterogeneity) plus ethical issues. Hence, there is currently an intensive effort for developing adequate preclinical models, aiming for an adequate combination of basic studies in rodent models and specific preclinical studies in large animals. The results of these research strategies may increase the identification and development of contrasted biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

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