In regards to cellular metabolism, EPO promotes wound healing during DM [102], maintains cellular mitochondrial function and energy metabolism [82], reduces the detrimental effects of obesity in animal models [69], limits high glucose-induced oxidative stress in renal tubular cells [151], and protects endothelial cells during experimental models of DM [78, 79]. The gene discussed is EPO; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.