The future of brown adipose tissues in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. 2015

Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
Department of Human Biology and Human Movement Sciences, NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 616, 6200MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands, p.schrauwen@maastrichtuniversity.nl.

The recent recognition that humans possess active depots of brown adipose tissue has boosted the interest in this tissue as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders. Furthermore, it was also revealed that brown adipose tissue (BAT) in humans may consist of so-called beige or brite adipocytes. So far, cold exposure is recognised as the strongest activator of BAT in humans, but there is much ongoing research focused on finding alternative activators of BAT. The consequences of long-term BAT activation and/or cold exposure on metabolic health are still unknown, and this represents an area of intensive research. This is one of a series of commentaries under the banner '50 years forward', giving personal opinions on future perspectives in diabetes, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Diabetologia (1965-2015).

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009765 Obesity A status with BODY WEIGHT that is grossly above the recommended standards, usually due to accumulation of excess FATS in the body. The standards may vary with age, sex, genetic or cultural background. In the BODY MASS INDEX, a BMI greater than 30.0 kg/m2 is considered obese, and a BMI greater than 40.0 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese (MORBID OBESITY).
D002001 Adipose Tissue, Brown A thermogenic form of adipose tissue composed of BROWN ADIPOCYTES. It is found in newborns of many species including humans, and in hibernating mammals. Brown fat is richly vascularized, innervated, and densely packed with MITOCHONDRIA which can generate heat directly from the stored lipids. Brown Fat,Hibernating Gland,Brown Adipose Tissue,Fat, Brown,Tissue, Brown Adipose
D003924 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 A subclass of DIABETES MELLITUS that is not INSULIN-responsive or dependent (NIDDM). It is characterized initially by INSULIN RESISTANCE and HYPERINSULINEMIA; and eventually by GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE; HYPERGLYCEMIA; and overt diabetes. Type II diabetes mellitus is no longer considered a disease exclusively found in adults. Patients seldom develop KETOSIS but often exhibit OBESITY. Diabetes Mellitus, Adult-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis-Resistant,Diabetes Mellitus, Maturity-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Insulin-Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Slow-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Stable,MODY,Maturity-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,NIDDM,Diabetes Mellitus, Non Insulin Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Noninsulin Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Noninsulin-Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Type II,Maturity-Onset Diabetes,Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Type 2 Diabetes,Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus,Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Diabetes Mellitus, Adult Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis Resistant,Diabetes Mellitus, Maturity Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Slow Onset,Diabetes, Maturity-Onset,Diabetes, Type 2,Ketosis-Resistant Diabetes Mellitus,Maturity Onset Diabetes,Maturity Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Slow-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Stable Diabetes Mellitus
D004734 Energy Metabolism The chemical reactions involved in the production and utilization of various forms of energy in cells. Bioenergetics,Energy Expenditure,Bioenergetic,Energy Expenditures,Energy Metabolisms,Expenditure, Energy,Expenditures, Energy,Metabolism, Energy,Metabolisms, Energy
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D022722 Thermogenesis The generation of heat in order to maintain body temperature. The uncoupled oxidation of fatty acids contained within brown adipose tissue and SHIVERING are examples of thermogenesis in MAMMALS. Heat Production,Adaptive Thermogenesis,Facultative Thermogenesis,Nonshivering Thermogenesis,Production, Heat,Thermogeneses,Thermogenesis, Adaptive,Thermogenesis, Facultative,Thermogenesis, Nonshivering

Related Publications

Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
January 2020, Evolution, medicine, and public health,
Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
December 2012, International journal of obesity supplements,
Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
April 2004, Wiener klinische Wochenschrift,
Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
April 2004, Wiener klinische Wochenschrift,
Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
June 2018, British medical bulletin,
Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
January 2015, Journal of diabetes research,
Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
January 1978, Nihon seirigaku zasshi. Journal of the Physiological Society of Japan,
Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
October 1988, Minerva pediatrica,
Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
November 2020, Cells,
Patrick Schrauwen, and Wouter D van Marken Lichtenbelt, and Bruce M Spiegelman
February 2014, Current opinion in lipidology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!