Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tim Hropot, Rok Herman, Andrej Janez, Luka Lezaic, Mojca Jensterle
Summary: Adipose tissue includes white, brown, and beige adipose tissue. White adipose tissue (WAT) accumulation due to obesity is associated with inflammation, insulin resistance, and cardiometabolic risk. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) can reduce visceral and ectopic fat in WAT, leading to weight loss and improved cardiometabolic health. Understanding the role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in weight management and investigating the impact of GLP-1RAs on BAT activation is crucial for further advancements in obesity treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Luis. C. C. Perez, Laura. T. T. Perez, Yash Nene, Guillermo. E. E. Umpierrez, Georgia. M. M. Davis, Francisco. J. J. Pasquel
Summary: Although certain drugs and cold exposure may activate brown adipose tissue in humans and increase thermogenesis, this does not necessarily lead to significant weight loss. There is significant heterogeneity in the studies, and the potential risks of many drugs' side effects have not been fully evaluated.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chad C. Doucette, Davide Barteselli, Daniel C. Nguyen, Sophia Blanchard, Mason Pelletier, Devesh Kesharwani, Ed Jachimowicz, Su Su, Michele Karolak, Aaron C. Brown
Summary: In this study, an optogenetic approach was used to activate UCP1-dependent thermogenesis in brown adipocytes. This system allows for precise, chemical free, temporal control of UCP1-dependent thermogenesis, which can contribute to our understanding of brown adipocyte biology and the development of therapies for obesity-related disorders.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raghav Jain, Judith Simcox
Summary: Localized hyperthermia has been found to activate thermogenic mechanisms, leading to increased energy expenditure and reduced body weight in both mice and humans.
Article
Biology
Yanis Zekri, Romain Guyot, Ines Garteizgogeascoa Suner, Laurence Canaple, Amandine Gautier Stein, Justine Vily Petit, Denise Aubert, Sabine Richard, Frederic Flamant, Karine Gauthier
Summary: This study used transcriptome and cistrome analyses to identify direct target genes of thyroid hormone (T3) in brown adipocytes and developed a new mouse model to study the role of T3 in brown adipose tissue (BAT). The results showed that T3 plays a crucial role in regulating lipid and glucose metabolism and BAT proliferation, providing new insights into the pathways by which T3 activates energy expenditure through adaptive thermogenesis in BAT.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Karla J. Suchacki, Roland H. Stimson
Summary: The recent discovery of brown adipose tissue in adult humans offers a new strategy to treat obesity and associated metabolic diseases by increasing energy expenditure. Brown adipose tissue acts as a thermogenic organ that improves insulin sensitivity and lipid clearance, highlighting its beneficial role in metabolic health. Exercise, dietary macronutrients, and bioactive compounds can impact brown adipose tissue activity, and dietary interventions may represent a nonpharmacological means to enhance brown adipose tissue mass and activity for weight loss and improved metabolic health.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tao Zhu, Xu Chen, Shenglu Jiang
Summary: Transplantation of brown adipose tissue (BAT), engineered thermogenic progenitor cells, and adipocytes have been studied for their potential in improving obesity and metabolic disorders. However, the whitening of the brown fat graft and impaired metabolic function are significant challenges. This review discusses specific experiment designs, graft outcomes, and metabolic benefits, providing guidance for further investigation and innovation in BAT transplantation methods.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tim Hollstein, Karyne Vinales, Kong Y. Chen, Aaron M. Cypess, Alessio Basolo, Mathias Schlogl, Jonathan Krakoff, Paolo Piaggi
Summary: This study found that thrifty individuals, who experience a greater decrease in 24-hour energy expenditure during short-term fasting, also have lower cold-induced brown adipose tissue activation. The reduced CIBA may explain the lower capacity for cold-induced thermogenesis and greater predisposition towards weight gain in individuals with a thrifty metabolism.
METABOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
(2021)
Review
Physiology
Chuanyi Huo, Zikai Song, Jianli Yin, Ying Zhu, Xiaohan Miao, Honghao Qian, Jia Wang, Lin Ye, Liting Zhou
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of cold exposure on BAT activity and energy metabolism in humans. The results showed that acute cold exposure can increase energy expenditure and BAT activity in adults, which is beneficial for combating obesity.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Rajan Singh, Albert Barrios, Golnaz Dirakvand, Shehla Pervin
Summary: Obesity-related metabolic abnormalities affect over 650 million people globally, with various treatment approaches proving ineffective in reducing prevalence rates. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) may serve as a promising therapeutic target for obesity, enhancing energy expenditure and potentially reducing incidence of metabolic diseases.
Article
Cell Biology
Esther Paulo, Yun Zhang, Ruchi Masand, Tony L. Huynh, Youngho Seo, Danielle L. Swaney, Margaret Soucheray, Erica Stevenson, David Jimenez-Morales, Nevan J. Krogan, Biao Wang
Summary: The study reveals that the deficiency of Leucine-rich pentatricopeptide repeat containing-protein in brown adipocytes affects mitochondrial-fueled thermogenesis, and activation of transcription factor 4 can improve cold tolerance in mice, not only in wild-type but also in Ucp1 knockout mice. Additionally, ATF4 activation in brown adipocytes can improve systemic metabolism.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Claudia Irene Maushart, Wenfei Sun, Alaa Othman, Adhideb Ghosh, Jael Rut Senn, Jonas Gabriel William Fischer, Philipp Madoerin, Rahel Catherina Loeliger, Robyn Melanie Benz, Martin Takes, Christoph Johannes Zech, Alin Chirindel, Felix Beuschlein, Martin Reincke, Damian Wild, Oliver Bieri, Nicola Zamboni, Christian Wolfrum, Matthias Johannes Betz
Summary: This study found that glucocorticoids affect energy expenditure in healthy men, but do not affect the activity of brown adipose tissue that generates heat in response to cold stimulation.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yasuhiro Onogi, Siegfried Ussar
Summary: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a tightly controlled regulator of body temperature and nutrient balance, influenced by complex hormonal and nervous inputs. This article provides an overview of key regulatory circuits, including diurnal rhythms and the interdependency of nutrient utilization in thermogenesis. It also discusses additional factors mediating sympathetic BAT activation and limitations of glucose-based BAT activity measurements.
TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dufang Ma, Tao Wu, Yiwei Qu, Jinlong Yang, Lu Cai, Xiao Li, Yong Wang
Summary: This study found that astragalus polysaccharide (APS) can prevent lipid metabolism disorder and cardiac cachexia caused by heart failure (HF). APS can improve cardiac function, increase adipose weight, and inhibit lipolysis and brown adipogenesis. Additionally, APS can also suppress sympathetic activity and inflammation.
LIPIDS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Andrology
Masayuki Saito, Yuko Okamatsu-Ogura
Summary: In mammals including humans, there are two types of adipose tissue, white and brown adipose tissues (BATs). BAT, known for its thermogenic and energy-dissipating activities, plays a role in body temperature regulation, whole body energy expenditure, and body fatness. BAT also secretes factors that control systemic metabolism and is associated with metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
WORLD JOURNAL OF MENS HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kasparas Petkevicius, Guillaume Bidault, Sam Virtue, Benjamin Jenkins, Xanthe A. M. H. van Dierendonck, Aurelien Dugourd, Julio Saez-Rodriguez, Rinke Stienstra, Albert Koulman, Antonio Vidal-Puig
Summary: NE acting through B2ARs promotes extracellular fatty acid uptake and storage as triglycerides in macrophages, while reducing free fatty acid release; Macrophages isolated from hearts after myocardial injury exhibit a transcriptional signature indicative of transient triglyceride accumulation.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Guillermo Sanchez-Delgado, Borja Martinez-Tellez, Francisco M. Acosta, Samuel Virtue, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Angel Gil, Jose M. Llamas-Elvira, Jonatan R. Ruiz
Summary: This study challenges the belief that human BAT volume is reduced in obese individuals, at least in young adults. The findings suggest that BAT volume may actually be positively associated with adiposity in young men, while BAT mean radiodensity is negatively associated with adiposity in both men and women.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna Whitehead, Fynn N. Krause, Amy Moran, Amanda D. V. MacCannell, Jason L. Scragg, Ben D. McNally, Edward Boateng, Steven A. Murfitt, Samuel Virtue, John Wright, Jack Garnham, Graeme R. Davies, James Dodgson, Jurgen E. Schneider, Andrew J. Murray, Christopher Church, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Klaus K. Witte, Julian L. Griffin, Lee D. Roberts
Summary: The study identifies a group of metabolites synthesized in brown adipose tissue that can influence the metabolism of fat tissue and skeletal muscle, with anti-obesity effects in mouse models of obesity and diabetes. Brown and beige adipose tissue appear to have a significant impact on systemic metabolism through secreted signals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ionel Sandovici, Constanze M. Hammerle, Sam Virtue, Yurena Vivas-Garcia, Adriana Izquierdo-Lahuerta, Susan E. Ozanne, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Gema Medina-Gomez, Miguel Constancia
Summary: This study investigated the role of the Igf2 gene in pancreatic beta-cells in mice and found that autocrine actions of IGF2 in beta-cells are not critical for development, but do impact glucose metabolism in pregnant female mice. Additionally, early beta-cell IGF2 levels influence adaptive capacity in adult life.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Kasparas Petkevicius, Guillaume Bidault, Sam Virtue, Stephen A. Newland, Martin Dale, Aurelien Dugourd, Julio Saez-Rodriguez, Ziad Mallat, Antonio Vidal-Puig
Summary: The study revealed that neuroimmune interactions between the sympathetic nervous system and macrophages do not directly modulate the phenotype of adipose tissue macrophages in mice, but rather exert an indirect effect through the modulation of adipocyte function.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Vian Azzu, Michele Vacca, Ioannis Kamzolas, Zoe Hall, Jack Leslie, Stefania Carobbio, Samuel Virtue, Susan E. Davies, Agnes Lukasik, Martin Dale, Mohammad Bohlooly-Y, Animesh Acharjee, Daniel Linden, Guillaume Bidault, Evangelia Petsalaki, Julian L. Griffin, Fiona Oakley, Michael E. D. Allison, Antonio Vidal-Puig
Summary: NAFLD is a major health concern with significant implications for public health. Understanding the metabolic pathways involved in NASH progression, particularly the role of SREBPs, may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Samuel Furse, Samuel Virtue, Stuart G. Snowden, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Philip C. Stevenson, Davide Chiarugi, Albert Koulman
Summary: The study found that supplementation of individual PUFAs has system-level effects dependent on the molecular structure of the PUFA, affecting changes in lipid metabolism variety and total number of variables in phosphatidylcholine and triglycerides, as well as influencing endogenous biosynthesis of fatty acids, elongation, and desaturation of fatty acids.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Alba Sabate-Perez, Montserrat Romero, Paula Sanchez-Fernandez-de-Landa, Stefania Carobbio, Michail Mouratidis, David Sala, Pablo Engel, Josep A. Villena, Sam Virtue, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Manuel Palacin, Xavier Testar, Antonio Zorzano
Summary: The study reveals a novel molecular mechanism by which TP53INP2 regulates PPARG activity and brown adipogenesis through autophagy, and demonstrates the importance of TP53INP2 in maintaining thermogenic capacity and preventing lipid accumulation in brown adipose tissue. These findings provide insights into the therapeutic strategies against obesity and its metabolic complications.
Article
Biology
Jake P. Mann, Xiaowen Duan, Satish Patel, Luis Carlos Tabara, Fabio Scurria, Anna Alvarez-Guaita, Afreen Haider, Ineke Luijten, Matthew Page, Margherita Protasoni, Koini Lim, Sam Virtue, Stephen O'Rahilly, Martin Armstrong, Julien Prudent, Robert K. Semple, David B. Savage
Summary: This study identified a rare genetic mitochondrial dysfunction caused by the MFN2 gene mutation, which results in adipose tissue abnormalities, insulin resistance, and perturbed secretion of adipokines. The findings suggest that selective mitochondrial dysfunction and activation of the integrated stress response in adipose tissue play a role in the pathological adipose remodeling and metabolic disease associated with this mutation.
Article
Cell Biology
Jaime Navarro-Perez, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Stefania Carobbio
Summary: The primary role of white adipose tissue is energy storage and mobilization, whereas brown adipose tissue generates heat to maintain body temperature. Adipose tissues, in coordination with other organs, sense energy demands and signal their reserves before engaging in energetically demanding physiological functions. Understanding the secretome of adipose tissue, its changes in health and disease, regulation by aging and gender, and its contribution to energy homeostasis is crucial for personalized strategies to prevent or reverse metabolic diseases.
CURRENT OPINION IN GENETICS & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jane L. Tarry-Adkins, India G. Robinson, Lucas C. Pantaleao, Jenna L. Armstrong, Benjamin D. Thackray, Lorenz M. W. Holzner, Alice E. Knapton, Sam Virtue, Benjamin Jenkins, Albert Koulman, Andrew J. Murray, Susan E. Ozanne, Catherine E. Aiken
Summary: This study found that metformin use during pregnancy may decrease oxidative phosphorylation in the placenta and result in lipid accumulation, particularly of polyunsaturated fatty acids, in trophoblast cells. These findings are clinically important for evaluating the balance of risks and benefits associated with metformin use during pregnancy.
Editorial Material
Endocrinology & Metabolism
S. Rodriguez-Fdez, A. Vidal-Puig
Summary: Recent research explores the concept of thermogenic memory and identifies a subset of adipocytes that enhance the response to repeated stimulation events through de novo lipogenesis.
Correction
Cell Biology
Alba Sabate-Perez, Montserrat Romero, Paula Sanchez-Fernandez-de-Landa, Stefania Carobbio, Michail Mouratidis, David Sala, Pablo Engel, Josep A. Villena, Sam Virtue, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Manuel Palacin, Xavier Testar, Antonio Zorzano
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
V Pellegrinelli, S. Rodriguez-Cuenca, C. Rouault, E. Figueroa-Juarez, H. Schilbert, S. Virtue, J. M. Moreno-Navarrete, G. Bidault, M. C. Vazquez-Borrego, A. R. Dias, B. Pucker, M. Dale, M. Campbell, S. Carobbio, Y. H. Lin, M. Vacca, J. Aron-Wisnewsky, S. Mora, M. M. Masiero, A. Emmanouilidou, S. Mukhopadhyay, G. Dougan, M. den Hoed, R. J. F. Loos, J. M. Fernandez-Real, D. Chiarugi, K. Clement, A. Vidal-Puig
Summary: Fibrosis, a characteristic of adipose tissue dysfunction and insulin resistance, is associated with the decreased activity of PEPD in AT.