Induction of Adipose Tissue Browning as a Strategy to Combat Obesity

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Alina Kuryłowicz¹  Monika Puzianowska-Kuźnicka¹ 

[1] Department of Human Epigenetics, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre PAS, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;

关键词: brown adipocyte;    beige adipocyte;    white adipose tissue browning;    thermogenesis;    obesity;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms21176241

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The ongoing obesity pandemic generates a constant need to develop new therapeutic strategies to restore the energy balance. Therefore, the concept of activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) in order to increase energy expenditure has been revived. In mammals, two developmentally distinct types of brown adipocytes exist; the classical or constitutive BAT that arises during embryogenesis, and the beige adipose tissue that is recruited postnatally within white adipose tissue (WAT) in the process called browning. Research of recent years has significantly increased our understanding of the mechanisms involved in BAT activation and WAT browning. They also allowed for the identification of critical molecules and critical steps of both processes and, therefore, many new therapeutic targets. Several non-pharmacological approaches, as well as chemical compounds aiming at the induction of WAT browning and BAT activation, have been tested in vitro as well as in animal models of genetically determined and/or diet-induced obesity. The therapeutic potential of some of these strategies has also been tested in humans. In this review, we summarize present concepts regarding potential therapeutic targets in the process of BAT activation and WAT browning and available strategies aiming at them.

【 授权许可】

Unknown