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The Physiological Significance of Brown Adipose Tissue and the Beiging of White Adipose Tissue in People

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Adipose Tissue Biology

Abstract

The recent discovery of functional brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adults has stimulated intense interest for its therapeutic potential against obesity and its related metabolic conditions. Although rodent studies support the importance of brown and beige adipocytes in metabolic health, a smaller number of clinical investigations have examined their physiological significance in people. This chapter provides a critical overview of the published research regarding the metabolic role of BAT and the beiging of white adipose tissue (WAT) in people. In summary, the current available evidence supports the physiological relevance of human BAT in energy, glucose and lipid metabolism. The ability of human WAT to undergo beiging has only recently been demonstrated in patients with severe burn trauma, while its metabolic role remains currently unknown. Future research is needed to gain deeper understanding of the regulating mechanisms and metabolic role of brown and beige adipocytes in health and disease.

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Acknowledgements

The authors also thank Sarah E. Toombs Smith (University of Texas Medical Branch) for editorial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Maria Chondronikola

  2. Harokopio University of Athens, Kallithea, Greece

    Maria Chondronikola

  3. Departments of Medicine and Exercise Science and Sports Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    Labros S. Sidossis

  4. Harokopio University of Athens, Kallithea, Greece

    Labros S. Sidossis

  5. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

    Labros S. Sidossis

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  1. Maria Chondronikola
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Correspondence to Labros S. Sidossis .

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  1. Academic Division of Child Health, The School of Medicine, The University Hospital, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom

    Michael E. Symonds

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Chondronikola, M., Sidossis, L.S. (2017). The Physiological Significance of Brown Adipose Tissue and the Beiging of White Adipose Tissue in People. In: Symonds, M. (eds) Adipose Tissue Biology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52031-5_6

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