Endocrine nanozymology: Nanozyme applications in diabetes, obesity, and hormonal disorders

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick

Nanozymes—engineered nanomaterials with enzyme-like catalytic activity—are emerging as robust tools for biomedicine, driven by their catalytic tunability and improved chemical, thermal, and structural stability versus natural enzymes. Although nanozymes are well studied in oncology and inflammation, their endocrine potential remains less explored due to historically cancer-focused oxidative-stress research, the complexity of endocrine signaling networks, and limited preclinical models. This review explains how redox-active nanozymes modulate ROS to affect hormone biosynthesis, receptor sensitivity, and redox signaling, spanning diabetes, obesity, thyroid/adrenal dysfunction, and reproductive disorders, while noting the need for clinical evidence and long-term biosafety assessment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

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Nanozymes in biomedicine: catalytic properties and classifications

Catalytic activity, stability, and cost-effectiveness

Classification by elemental composition and structure

Metal-based nanozymes and peroxidase-like activity

Theranostics 2026, Vol. 16, Issue 2 Ivyspring International Publisher 712 Theranostics 2026; 16(2): 712-735. doi: 10.7150/thno.122577 Review Endocrine nanozymology: Nanozyme applications in diabetes, obesity, and hormonal disorders Huilun Lu1*, Zizhong Liu2*, Ya-chao Wang3, Eudald Casals4, Felicia A Hanzu5,6,7, Manuel Morales-Ruiz8,9,10, Muling Zeng11, Gregori Casals8,9,12􀀍 1. Department of Geriatrics, Shenzhen Longgang Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. 2. Internal Medicine Ward I, Shenzhen Longgang Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Translational Medicine, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China. 4. Premium Research SL, 19003, Guadalajara, Spain. 5. Endocrine Disorders Group, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)/ Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain. 6. Endocrinology Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain. 7. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Spain. 8. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clínic, FRCB-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain. 9. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Spain. 10. Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. 11. Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona, ICMAB (CSIC), Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Spain. 12. Department of Fundamental and Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain. * these authors contributed equally 􀀍 Corresponding author: Gregori Casals, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. +34 932275400 x 2667; [casals@clinic.cat](casals@clinic.cat). © The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)). See [https://ivyspring.com/terms](https://ivyspring.com/terms) for full terms and conditions. Received: 2025.07.28; Accepted: 2025.09.27; Published: 2026.01.01 Abstract | Nanozymes, engineered nanomaterials with enzyme-like catalytic activity, are emerging as versatile tools in biomedicine due to their catalytic tunability and higher chemical, thermal, and structural stability compared to natural enzymes. While widely studied in oncology and inflammation, their potential in endocrine disorders remains comparatively underexplored due to the historical focus of nanomedicine on cancer-related oxidative stress, the complexity and heterogeneity of endocrine signaling networks that hinder direct translation, and the scarcity of preclinical models that capture the dynamic and systemic nature of endocrine physiology. However, disruption of hormonal homeostasis by free radical imbalance points to the significant potential of nanozymes in endocrine disorders. By mimicking redox-active enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase, nanozymes regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby influencing hormone biosynthesis, receptor sensitivity, and redox signaling. They also offer advantages such as composite architectures, targeted delivery, and integration into smart platforms like hydrogels and biosensors. This review explores the expanding role of nanozymes in endocrine and metabolic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, thyroid and adrenal dysfunctions, and reproductive disorders. We highlight advances in glucose biosensing, hormone detection, redox-targeted therapies, and regenerative approaches. Despite promising preclinical data, there is a lack of clinical trials and long-term biosafety assessments of nanozymes, underscoring the need for further

FAQs

What are nanozymes and why are they useful in biomedicine?

Nanozymes are engineered nanomaterials that mimic enzyme catalytic activity. Their tunability and higher chemical, thermal, and structural stability make them promising tools for biomedical applications.

How can nanozymes influence endocrine disorders?

By mimicking redox-active enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase, nanozymes regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS). This modulation can affect hormone biosynthesis, receptor sensitivity, and redox signaling.

What are the main limitations before nanozymes can be used clinically for endocrine diseases?

The review highlights a lack of clinical trials and insufficient long-term biosafety assessments, indicating the need for further translational studies.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick