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Review
. 2018 Feb;9(2):152-163.
doi: 10.1007/s13238-017-0434-2. Epub 2017 Jul 4.

The dark side of browning

Kirstin A Tamucci  1   2 , Maria Namwanje  2 , Lihong Fan  2 , Li Qiang  3
Affiliations
Review

The dark side of browning

Kirstin A Tamucci et al. Protein Cell. 2018 Feb.

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.

Keywords: adipocyte; beige adipocyte; browning; diabetes; obesity; thermogenesis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A summary of the metabolic benefits and adverse outcomes associated with the induction of browning
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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