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
Food Science & Technology
Mingzhu Yan, Suwei Jin, Zhi Wang, Tianji Xia, Yongguang Liu, Qi Chang
Summary: Limonin, a compound found in citrus fruits, has been found to effectively combat obesity by reducing fat mass and body weight gain, and improving fatty liver and hyperlipidemia caused by a high-fat diet. It also promotes the browning of white adipose tissues and prevents the whitening of brown adipose tissue in mice. These effects are associated with the activation of PGC-1 alpha pathway. Overall, limonin shows great potential for regulating energy balance and treating obesity.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Annamaria Genchi, Rossella D'Oria, Giuseppe Palma, Cristina Caccioppoli, Angelo Cignarelli, Annalisa Natalicchio, Luigi Laviola, Francesco Giorgino, Sebastio Perrini
Summary: Leptin plays a crucial role in regulating energy balance and avoiding nutrient imbalance, with changes in its levels or action potentially leading to metabolic dysfunctions and adipose tissue expansion. The vicious cycle of hyperleptinaemia, leptin resistance, and leptin overproduction can result in increased food intake and fat enlargement. Additionally, defective thermoregulation and impaired leptin signaling in obesity highlight the importance of restoring leptin sensitivity and exploring novel anti-obesity therapeutic strategies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Jingyi Chi, Zeran Lin, William Barr, Audrey Crane, Xiphias Ge Zhu, Paul Cohen
Summary: The study revealed that the association between beige adipocytes and dense sympathetic neurites in mouse subcutaneous fat is established during early postnatal period, with Prdm16 playing a crucial role in guiding sympathetic growth. However, this patterning is not essential for maintaining the sympathetic structure in mature animals.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xin Liu, Wenli Fan, Xujia Zhang, Siyuan Zhan, Tao Zhong, Jiazhong Guo, Yan Wang, Jiaxue Cao, Li Li, Hongping Zhang, Linjie Wang
Summary: This study found that maternal L-carnitine supplementation promotes BAT development and thermogenesis in newborn goats. The lipid composition of BAT was also altered by L-carnitine supplementation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhengyan Zhang, Di Yang, Junwei Xiang, Jingwen Zhou, Hua Cao, Qishi Che, Yan Bai, Jiao Guo, Zhengquan Su
Summary: Thermogenic organs in mammals play a crucial role in increasing heat production and energy regulation. Targeting specific signalling pathways to enhance energy expenditure via brown adipose tissue may be a potential strategy for treating obesity and related diseases. Studies have shown that various natural products can promote thermogenesis through different signalling pathways, offering potential for future research on weight-loss nutraceuticals or drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Oana C. Kulterer, Carsten T. Herz, Marlene Prager, Christoph Schmoeltzer, Felix B. Langer, Gerhard Prager, Rodrig Marculescu, Alexandra Kautzky-Willer, Marcus Hacker, Alexander R. Haug, Florian W. Kiefer
Summary: There is a higher prevalence of active brown adipose tissue (BAT) in lean individuals compared to obese individuals. However, the volume and activity of BAT are similar between lean and obese individuals with active BAT. In obese participants, there is a strong negative correlation between visceral fat and BAT volume, glucose uptake, and cold-induced thermogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhichao Wang, Qiong A. Wang, Yong Liu, Lei Jiang
Summary: Brown adipose tissue functions as an 'energy sink' in mammals, burning calories through substrates like lipids, glucose, and other metabolites to produce heat and support thermogenesis, contributing to overall metabolic homeostasis.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Annett Hoffmann, Thomas Ebert, Mohammed K. Hankir, Gesine Flehmig, Nora Kloeting, Beate Jessnitzer, Ulrike Lossner, Michael Stumvoll, Matthias Bluher, Mathias Fasshauer, Anke Toenjes, Konstanze Miehle, Susan Kralisch
Summary: Lipodystrophy syndromes are rare disorders characterized by a lack of adipose tissue and metabolic dysfunction. Treatment with leptin can stimulate brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, providing metabolic benefits.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Xiaomeng Liu, Zhi Zhang, Yajie Song, Hengchang Xie, Meng Dong
Summary: Overweight and obesity have become global problems, with limited effective intervention approaches. Activating brown adipose tissue and browning white adipose tissue can protect against obesity and related metabolic diseases. However, important issues such as the causality between increased brown adipose tissue activity and body weight loss are still unresolved. This review comprehensively summarizes approaches to activating brown adipose tissue and/browning white adipose tissue and discusses the functional mechanisms of small-molecule treatment and brown adipose tissue transplantation.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Khanyisani Ziqubu, Sithandiwe E. Mazibuko-Mbeje, Sinenhlanhla X. H. Mthembu, Sihle E. Mabhida, Babalwa U. Jack, Tawanda M. Nyambuya, Bongani B. Nkambule, Albertus K. Basson, Luca Tiano, Phiwayinkosi V. Dludla
Summary: Metformin promotes thermogenic activity in brown adipose tissue, leading to reduced body weight, improved insulin sensitivity, and enhanced glucose metabolism, thus ameliorating complications associated with obesity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mengyang Tang, Yi Zhang, Rong Zhang, Yuemei Zhang, Jiangfei Zheng, Daixi Wang, Xinyu Wang, Jing Yan, Cheng Hu
Summary: This study aimed to explore the role of GPSM1 in POMC neurons and the underlying mechanisms in metabolic homeostasis. Through various molecular, biochemical, immunofluorescent, immunohistochemical analyses, and cell culture studies, the study revealed the pathophysiological role of GPSM1 in POMC neurons and its regulation of POMC neuron activity.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2024)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Zijing Wang, Yunfeng Zhen, Yong Tang, Guangyao Song, Huijuan Ma, Hang Zhao
Summary: Maternal calorie restriction during pregnancy may affect the development and thermogenic capacity of brown adipose tissue in offspring, increasing the risk of adult obesity and metabolic disorders. This may be related to impaired fatty acid oxidation.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL REGULATORS AND HOMEOSTATIC AGENTS
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Anna-Claire Pilkington, Henry A. Paz, Umesh D. Wankhade
Summary: Adipose tissue is classified based on its characteristics, but differentiating beige adipose tissue (BeAT) remains a challenge. Recent research focuses on identifying different types of adipose tissue through transcript markers to advance understanding of their biology. The development of concrete strategies to distinguish types of adipose tissue may be crucial for improving metabolic health and preventing excessive weight gain.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rafael C. Gaspar, Jose R. Pauli, Gerald Shulman, Vitor R. Munoz
Summary: This article discusses the thermogenic activity and energy expenditure contribution of BAT, as well as the recently discovered secretory molecules batokines from BAT that may explain the beneficial effects of BAT on glucose and fat metabolism.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Francesca R. Luberti, Justin M. Carre
Summary: This study comprehensively reviewed the evidence on the impact of testosterone on human mating and parenting behaviors. The findings suggest that basal testosterone levels are related to mating and parenting behaviors in both men and women. Testosterone responds to reproduction-relevant cues and acute changes in testosterone levels are associated with subsequent mating and parenting behaviors. Single-dose exogenous testosterone administration may causally affect mating and parenting behaviors. However, the support for trade-off interpretations of testosterone's adaptive function is mixed, indicating that the role of testosterone in modulating human mating and parenting is complex and context-dependent.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2024)