Noncoding RNAs are a newly discovered class of RNA molecules which regulate gene expression through different modes of action. Their discovery opened a new concept of posttranscriptional gene expression regulation by shedding light on the complexity of networks controlling different cellular processes. Indeed, noncoding RNAs regulate many biological processes and their dysregulation could strongly contribute to the pathogenesis of several diseases, including endocrine and metabolic diseases. Furthermore, some classes of noncoding RNAs (e.g., microRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs) can be secreted by cells and detected in many biological fluids including serum or plasma, thus representing novel candidate biomarkers of metabolic/endocrine disease status. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that circulating noncoding RNAs may contribute to an unprecedented mode of cell-to-cell communication, thus highlighting their role as “new hormones.”

Several studies have been conducted to elucidate the physiological role of noncoding RNAs in the regulation of metabolism or in the modulation of endocrine cell functions, among others to characterize their circulating expression fingerprint which could be used for prediction, diagnosis, or prognosis/staging of the diseases. However, the exact circulating expression profile of noncoding RNAs in several metabolic diseases as well as modes of transport has not yet been fully addressed. Moreover, the presence of several discordant studies in the field illustrates the need to critically review technical approaches and preanalytical variables as well as to establish common objectives to pave the way for the identification of new metabolic/endocrine biomarkers.

Authors are invited to submit original research as well as review articles in areas of circulating noncoding RNAs in endocrine and metabolic diseases. Original researches on blood circulating RNAs as potential biomarkers of metabolic diseases are especially welcome as well as review articles with a main focus on the description of the state-of-the-art circulating noncoding RNAs and specific endocrine/metabolic diseases or on technical approaches to the measurement of circulating RNAs.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Circulating noncoding RNAs in endocrine and metabolic diseases
• Noncoding RNAs secretion and endocrine cell-to-cell communication
• New technical approaches for the detection of circulating noncoding RNAs in metabolic diseases