Thermogenic Fat as a New Obesity Management Tool: From Pharmaceutical Reagents to Cell Therapies

Author:

Cheng Ying12ORCID,Liang Shiqing2,Zhang Shuhan2,Hui Xiaoyan2ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, Xiamen 361015, China

2. School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China

Abstract

Obesity is a complex medical condition caused by a positive imbalance between calorie intake and calorie consumption. Brown adipose tissue (BAT), along with the newly discovered “brown-like” adipocytes (called beige cells), functions as a promising therapeutic tool to ameliorate obesity and metabolic disorders by burning out extra nutrients in the form of heat. Many studies in animal models and humans have proved the feasibility of this concept. In this review, we aim to summarize the endeavors over the last decade to achieve a higher number/activity of these heat-generating adipocytes. In particular, pharmacological compounds, especially agonists to the β3 adrenergic receptor (β3-AR), are reviewed in terms of their feasibility and efficacy in elevating BAT function and improving metabolic parameters in human subjects. Alternatively, allograft transplantation of BAT and the transplantation of functional brown or beige adipocytes from mesenchymal stromal cells or human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) make it possible to increase the number of these beneficial adipocytes in patients. However, practical and ethical issues still need to be considered before the therapy can eventually be applied in the clinical setting. This review provides insights and guidance on brown- and beige-cell-based strategies for the management of obesity and its associated metabolic comorbidities.

Funder

Lo Kwee-Seong Biomedical Research

Research Grants Council (RGC) General Research

Publisher

MDPI AG

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