Biomaterial Database

White Adipose Tissue Browning: A Double-edged Sword. 2016

Abdikarim Abdullahi, and Marc G Jeschke

Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Totonto, Canada.

The study of white adipose tissue (WAT) 'browning' has become a 'hot topic' in various acute and chronic metabolic conditions, based on the idea that WAT browning might be able to facilitate weight loss and improve metabolic health. However, this view cannot be translated into all areas of medicine. Recent studies identified effects of browning associated with adverse outcomes, and as more studies are being conducted, a very different picture has emerged about WAT browning and its detrimental effect in acute and chronic hypermetabolic conditions. Therefore, the notion that browning is supposedly beneficial may be inadequate. In this review we analyze how and why browning in chronic hypermetabolic associated diseases can be detrimental and lead to adverse outcomes.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
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
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000071256	Uncoupling Protein 1	A mitochondrial uncoupling protein that is expressed in BROWN ADIPOSE TISSUE. It is critical for NONSHIVERING THERMOGENESIS to prevent heat loss in NEONATES.	BAT Uncoupling Protein,Brown Adipose Tissue Uncoupling Protein,Mitochondrial Brown Fat Uncoupling Protein 1,Mitochondrial Uncoupling Protein,SLC25A7 Protein,Solute Carrier Family 25 Member 7,Thermogenin,UCP1 Protein,Uncoupling Protein 1a,Uncoupling Protein, Mitochondrial Membrane,Uncoupling Protein, BAT,Uncoupling Protein, Mitochondrial
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
D052436	Adipose Tissue, White	Fatty tissue composed of WHITE ADIPOCYTES and generally found directly under the skin (SUBCUTANEOUS FAT) and around the internal organs (ABDOMINAL FAT). It has less vascularization and less coloration than the BROWN FAT. White fat provides heat insulation, mechanical cushion, and source of energy.	White Fat,White Adipose Tissue,Fat, White,Tissue, White Adipose
D059865	Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress	Various physiological or molecular disturbances that impair ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM function. It triggers many responses, including UNFOLDED PROTEIN RESPONSE, which may lead to APOPTOSIS; and AUTOPHAGY.	Stress, Endoplasmic Reticulum,Endoplasmic Reticulum Stresses,Reticulum Stress, Endoplasmic,Reticulum Stresses, Endoplasmic,Stresses, Endoplasmic Reticulum
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