The dark side of browning.
10.1007/s13238-017-0434-2
- Author:
Kirstin A TAMUCCI
1
;
Maria NAMWANJE
2
;
Lihong FAN
2
;
Li QIANG
3
Author Information
1. Institute of Human Nutrition, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
2. Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
3. Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA. lq2123@cumc.columbia.edu.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
adipocyte;
beige adipocyte;
browning;
diabetes;
obesity;
thermogenesis
- MeSH:
Adipocytes, Beige;
cytology;
Adipose Tissue, Brown;
cytology;
metabolism;
Adipose Tissue, White;
cytology;
Aging;
metabolism;
Animals;
Humans
- From:
Protein & Cell
2018;9(2):152-163
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The induction of brown-like adipocyte development in white adipose tissue (WAT) confers numerous metabolic benefits by decreasing adiposity and increasing energy expenditure. Therefore, WAT browning has gained considerable attention for its potential to reverse obesity and its associated co-morbidities. However, this perspective has been tainted by recent studies identifying the detrimental effects of inducing WAT browning. This review aims to highlight the adverse outcomes of both overactive and underactive browning activity, the harmful side effects of browning agents, as well as the molecular brake-switch system that has been proposed to regulate this process. Developing novel strategies that both sustain the metabolic improvements of WAT browning and attenuate the related adverse side effects is therefore essential for unlocking the therapeutic potential of browning agents in the treatment of metabolic diseases.
