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According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, worldwide obesity rates have more than doubled since 1980. Global figures from 2008 showed that 1.5 billion adults were overweight and that obesity affected 200 million men and 300 million women, with the numbers expected to rise exponentially [1]. Obesity is associated with significant morbidity and mortality that result from the related complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cardiovascular events, obstructive sleep apnoea, musculoskeletal and psychiatric diseases, and various malignancies [2]. In 2010, overweight and obesity were estimated to cause 3.4 million deaths, 3.9% of years of life lost, and 3.8% of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) worldwide [3]. Obesity, in 1980’s was limited to affluent countries such as North America, Western Europe and Australasia, but now manifests as a true pandemic, with its increasing prevalence in developing countries such as India, China and Brazil, and spreading even to sub-Saharan Africa [4],[5], placing an enormous financial burden on the global economy.

The management of obesity through lifestyle is notoriously difficult and the resulting effects on weight are variable and often transient. Weight regain following weight loss is common and results from a number of mechanisms that redress any loss of energy storage capacity. Such mechanisms include changes in the levels of appetite-regulating hormones following weight loss that encourage weight recovery [6]. Weight loss also reduces energy expenditure [7] and brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity, and this combined with enhanced appetite promotes weight regain. Current therapeutic options for obesity management are limited following recent withdrawals of sibutramine and rimonabant amid safety concerns, and problems relating to the supply, unacceptable side-effect profile and long-term efficacy of orlistat [8]. Despite its effectiveness as a weight-loss intervention, bariatric surgery is only applicable to a sub-group of obese patients who meet funding criteria and as such, does not represent a practical solution to the global obesity epidemic [9]. Given the limitations of current therapies, the current global obesity epidemic and escalating incidence of obesity-related deaths, it is imperative to identify novel and effective therapeutic options for obesity.

Obesity results when energy intake exceeds expenditure chronically. Therapeutic strategies for obesity have mainly targeted caloric restriction through central appetite suppression and inhibition of fat absorption [10]. Compared with those acting on central appetite regulation, therapies acting peripherally may prove beneficial whilst causing fewer harmful effects [11]. The body is, by default, genetically predisposed to store energy in preparation for prolonged periods of starvation [12]. Even minor weight-loss through appetite suppression is often redressed through multiple peripheral counter-regulatory mechanisms to maintain ‘isoenergetic’ conditions [6]. Centrally acting drugs can potentially cause adverse psychotropic side effects through cross-reactivity with a variety of other receptors within complex central circuits (such as the endocannabinoid receptor blocker, Rimonabant) [10]. The concept of increasing energy expenditure through therapeutic manipulation of peripheral mechanisms is therefore attractive and worthy of focused research and development.

The main physiological function of BAT, to generate heat for the organism to protect against development of hypothermia, has been well understood for nearly 50 years [13]. Recent studies using 18fluoro-labelled 2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) have demonstrated the presence of BAT depots in the axillary, paravertebral, supraclavicular and cervical regions in adult humans [14]-[16]. Data from various animal studies have demonstrated that through BAT activation, triglyceride stores within white adipose tissue (WAT) can be utilized for heat generation through modulation of adaptive thermogenesis [17]. Therapeutic manipulation of human BAT therefore represents a novel mechanism to promote weight-loss. It is noted that endocrine disorders such as phaeochromocytoma and thyrotoxicosis play a role in activating BAT [18],[19]. To maximize its future therapeutic potential, it is important to appreciate the mechanisms by which endocrine dysfunction influences human BAT activity. In this brief review article, we explore the main mechanisms linking various endocrine hormones and human energy expenditure, mediated by effects on BAT activity.

BAT energetics

There are two main types of adipose tissue, white adipose tissue (WAT) and BAT that have evolved for completely different purposes: to survive famine and prevent hypothermia respectively. WAT and BAT, as energy storage and thermogenic tissues respectively, therefore evolved to protect mammalian organisms from important environmental threats, including lack of food and exposure to cold climates [20]. In addition to WAT and BAT, a third intermediate-type of adipose tissue that is termed ‘beige’ has recently been identified. Adipocytes from beige adipose tissue (BeAT) depots resemble white adipocytes but possess the classical properties of brown adipocytes. Partial success noted in animal models in converting WAT to BeAT, has set a tone in BAT research field to replicate the concept in humans too [21],[22]. The characteristic features of WAT, BAT and BeAT, and the origin of BAT are shown in Table 1 and Figure 1 respectively.

Table 1 Morphological features of BAT, WAT and BeAT
Figure 1

Origin and transcriptional regulation of brown adipocyte. Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells commit to brown adipocyte lineage following developmental triggers such as bone morphogenic proteins (BMP) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) leading on to cascade resulting in a fully developed brown adipocyte. Myf5-expressing progenitors give rise to skeletal muscle and brown adipocytes in traditional sites such as interscapular area. Myf5-negative progenitors are common precursors for both white adipocyte and recruitable brown adipocyte or beige adipocyte. Beige adipocyte is formed from either the trans differentiation from white adipose tissue in response to cues such as Irisin or from recruitable brown preadipocyte.

Heat production plus external work account for the average daily metabolic rate or total energy expenditure (TEE). TEE can be classically divided into resting metabolic rate (RMR; normally 55–65% of TEE), activity related energy expenditure (AEE; normally 25–35% of TEE), and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) (about 10% of TEE) [23],[24]. Alternative classification is obligatory energy expenditure, which includes RMR, involuntary AEE and obligatory part of DIT, and facultative thermogenesis, which includes voluntary AEE, cold-induced non-shivering thermogenesis (NST), cold-induced shivering thermogenesis, and facultative part of DIT [23].

Cold-induced activation of BAT has resulted in a high incidence (60% to 96%) of detection as shown in recent PET studies [25],[26]. The presence of the 32 kDa uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in BAT mitochondria enables heat dissipation rather than generation of adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) [27], thereby resulting in non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). Although controversial, BAT is thought to influence DIT through sympathetic nervous system activity via UCP1 [27],[28]. Using PET studies with radio-labeled fatty acid tracers, Ouellet et al. quantified BAT oxidative metabolism, glucose and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) turnover in 6 healthy human subjects, demonstrating unequivocally that BAT contributes to energy expenditure in humans [29]. Extrapolating rodent experiments of thermogenic potential of BAT (300 W/kg), Rothwell and Stock calculated that 40-50 g of BAT in humans, might account for 20% of total energy expenditure [30]. Human PET studies estimated that maximal activation of 63 g of BAT would result in 4.1 kg of weight loss during one year [14]. Two independent but congruent human studies estimated an energy expenditure of 200–400 kcal/day, a 10 to 20% rise in daily basal metabolic rate through BAT activation [31],[32]. Therefore, the glucose disposal [33] and triglyceride clearance properties of BAT [34], when fully utilized may act as an energy sink. There are three ways in which enhanced energy expenditure through manipulation of BAT could be theoretically achieved: i) maximal and continual activation of BAT; ii) trans-differentiation of WAT to BAT (to form BeAT), and; iii) transplantation of BAT stem cells.

The presence of BAT in adult humans represents a potentially important therapeutic target for future novel weight-loss strategies. The origins and functions of BAT, WAT and BeAT differ in important ways, and studies on the energetics of BAT have shown promising results. In the next sections, we discuss the main endocrine determinants of human BAT activity, and how each of these mechanisms could be therapeutically manipulated for promotion of weight-loss.

Review of endocrine determinants of BAT activity

Thyroid and BAT

We have known for over a century that thyroid hormone (TH) increases metabolic rate and thermogenesis in homeothermic species, and hence is an important physiological modulator of energy homeostasis [35],[36] TH stimulates both obligatory and facultative thermogenesis [37] and plays an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism within adipose tissue [38],[39]. TH also enhances oxidative phosphorylation through induction of mitochondrial biogenesis and modulation of the expression of genes implicated in the regulation of the mitochondrial respiratory chain [40]. The weight gain and decreased cold tolerance observed in individuals with hypothyroidism, and the weight loss and sweating/heat intolerance observed in patients with hyperthyroidism, are predictable clinical manifestations of alterations in BAT activity [41]. It follows therefore that differences in BAT quantity and/or activity between individuals may also influence the clinical manifestations of hypo- or hyperthyroid states. This may also explain the inter-individual variability of weight changes and heterogeneity of other clinical manifestations of dysthyroid states.

The physiological effects of TH are exerted at the level of transcription through the thyroid receptors (TR): TRα and TRβ [42]. TRβ mediates thyronine (T3) induced UCP1 gene expression, whilst the TRα isoform through T3 regulates facultative thermogenesis in BAT [43]. Type 2 deiodinase (D2) plays an essential role in mediating the full thermogenic response of BAT to adrenergic stimulation via increased thyroxine (T4) to T3 conversion within this tissue [44]. From a therapeutic perspective, it would be desirable to selectively activate TRβ for UCP1 stimulation to avoid the widespread unwanted effects of TRα, the predominant receptor in non-BAT tissues. Thyroid hormone analogues have been explored with variable outcomes. GC-1 compound, a selective TRβ agonist, induces UCP1 gene expression in rats [43], improves glucose homeostasis [45], increases energy expenditure and reduces fat mass and plasma cholesterol [46]. High-fat feeding and concurrent treatment with the TRβ-selective agonist GC-24 (with a 40-fold higher affinity for TRβ than TRα) resulted in only a partial improvement in metabolic control, probably related to acceleration of resting metabolic rate [47]. Treatment with another TRβ-selective agonist, KB-41 in rats resulted in a 6-8% weight-loss with significant improvements in glucose homeostasis, cholesterol and triglyceride levels without affecting heart rate, probably due to lack of TRα effects [45].

There are also some promising data from human studies that implicate thyroid hormones having important effects on BAT activity. T3 treatment of differentiated human multipotent adipose-derived stem cells in vitro induces UCP1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis through effects on TRβ [48]. Following thyroidectomy and subsequent treatment with thyroxine replacement therapy in a patient with papillary carcinoma, BAT activity was enhanced with concurrent weight-loss and remission of T2DM [49]. Thyroxine may cause ‘brownification’ of WAT [48], and holds immense potential given the mechanism of action in BAT, and hence needs to be robustly tested in humans.

Catecholamines and BAT

Epinephrine causes vasodilatation and enhances glucose and oxygen consumption in skeletal muscle [50] whilst also enhancing thermogenesis in humans [51]. BAT is also activated in patients with phaeochromocytoma, (excess catecholamine producing benign adrenal medullary tumour) with increased UCP1 expression similar to levels in cold-exposed rodents [18],[52]. BAT activity is greater in patients with phaeochromocytoma [53],[54] due to over-activity of the sympathetic nervous system and elevated levels of circulating catecholamines, that in turn stimulate β3 adrenergic receptors, thereby activating UCP1 expression via cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase-A (PKA) pathways [55]. Hadi et al. demonstrated active BAT to be present in 27% (26/96) of phaeochromocytoma patients undergoing FDG PET-CT scans [56], indicating higher detection rates compared to 5.37% (106/1972) of all cause PET-CT studies reported by Cypess and colleagues [16]. Recent human observational studies demonstrate a correlation between plasma metanephrine levels and BAT activity [57].

Nor-epinephrine action on β3-adrenergic receptor in mature human brown adipocyte is the most studied pathways. β3-adrenergic receptor would appear to be a convenient therapeutic target based on evidence from rodent studies using “selective” β3-agonists (CL-316,243) [58] and knockout mouse models [59]. β3-agonists have not yielded desirable results in humans due to differences in β3-receptor binding properties in humans and rodents. Second-generation β3-agonist trials in humans were unsuccessful due to poor oral bioavailability and unfavorable pharmacokinetics [60]. Another β3-agonist, L-796568, showed an initial increase in energy expenditure effect in 12 healthy obese subjects that failed to be sustained beyond 28 days [61],[62]. Catecholamines may also ‘brownify’ WAT. Two case reports of extensive brown fat deposits in omental and mesenteric regions detected on human FDG-PET scans indicate a possible role for catecholamines in the ‘browning’ of WAT [63],[64]. Therapeutically, catecholamine-like molecules may trans-differentiate WAT into BeAT, but such an approach would need to avoid the associated sympathomimetic effects to be safe.

Glucocorticoids and BAT

Both BAT and WAT contain glucocorticoid receptors [65]. Excessive levels of glucocorticoids increase WAT mass and result in weight gain [66]. Conversely, glucocorticoids have an inhibitory effect on BAT activity in rodent models [67]. Glucocorticoids enhance appetite, stimulate lipolysis, suppress thermogenesis [68] (specifically facultative thermogenesis [69]) and profoundly suppress norepinephrine-induced UCP1 activation [67]. Glucocorticoids also inhibit the expression and function of β1 and β3 adrenergic receptors within BAT. [70],[71] Corticosterone reduces NST and increases lipid storage within BAT in an in vivo rodent study, possibly as a result of steroid-induced hyperinsulinaemia [69]. Within rodent models, it has been observed that adrenalectomy results in stimulation of BAT thermogenesis and also weight-loss [72]. This mechanism is probably mediated through removal of glucocorticoid-induced hypothalamic inhibitory influences on BAT activity, and is reversed following glucocorticoid administration [72],[73]. A similar reduction in body fat mass was seen in a 46-year old female with Cushing’s syndrome following adrenalectomy [74]. The therapeutic challenge here would be to develop the beneficial effects of steroid depletion on metabolism and adipose-regulation whilst avoiding its potentially life-threatening effects.

Mineralocorticoid and BAT

Mineralocorticoid receptors in rodent BAT, were first demonstrated by Zennaro and colleagues [75]. Following aldosterone treatment of a T37i cell line derived from hibernoma in mice, there was increased expression of adipogenic genes such as Lpl (lipoprotein lipase), PPAR-γ (Peroxisome proliferator receptor activated-gamma) (PPAR-γ) and aP2 (adipocyte-specific fatty acid binding protein) [75],[76]. Treatment with aldosterone also results in inhibition of Ucp1 expression, favouring lipid storage rather than heat dissipation [77],[78]. Within WAT, aldosterone induces inflammation resulting in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Monocyte chemo attractant protein (MCP-1) [79]. Aldosterone also appears to inhibit thermogenesis within BAT, and also inhibits the differentiation of WAT into BAT [80]. Given that mineralocorticoids have a negative effect on BAT, it follows that aldosterone antagonists may represent a combined therapy for both hypertension and obesity (through possible activation of BAT). This also supports the findings that high aldosterone levels are noted in obesity-induced hypertension in humans, which reverses on weight loss [81].

Growth hormone/Insulin Growth Factor-1 and BAT

BAT-status in growth hormone (GH)-deficient patients and acromegalics remains unknown. GH replacement in GH-deficient humans results in sustained improvement of body composition and reduction of insulin resistance [82],[83]. Conversely, GH excess in acromegalics promotes insulin resistance [82], resulting in dysglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia. GH replacement (1 mg/kg/day) for 10 days in experimental mice resulted in significant reduction of WAT mass, increased skeletal weight and reduction of insulin resistance. Despite an increase in Ucp-1 mRNA by 2.8 fold, there was no change in the inter-scapular brown fat mass [84], although a substantial increase (2 to 6 fold) in inter-scapular brown fat mass was noted at higher doses of GH (3.5 mg/kg/day).

Insulin Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors are highly expressed in the plasma membrane of rat brown adipocytes [85]. In vitro studies in murine foetal brown adipocytes have shown that IGF-1 is intensely mitogenic and prevents TNF-α induced apoptosis [86],[87]. IGF-1 induces the expression of Ucp-1 and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBP-α) in rat brown adipocyte primary-cell cultures [88]. Transient up-regulation of Igf-1 gene expression and BAT hyperplasia was noted in rats exposed to cold (4°C) in the first 48 hours [89]. One of the factors influencing the dramatic rise in human foetal UCP-1 content during late gestation, especially prior to birth, is thought to be due to increased IGF-1 and IGF-2 levels [90]. There may therefore be a role for IGF-1 in BAT differentiation and activation, although the precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear. As a therapeutic strategy, the effect of GH or recombinant human IGF-1 (or truncated IGF-1) on BAT and WAT functioning is worth exploring.

Prolactin and BAT

Functional prolactin receptors (PRLR) are highly expressed in both WAT and BAT and are essential for adipogenesis and adaptive thermogenesis [91]. Prolactin plays important roles in carbohydrate metabolism through its effects on pancreatic β-cell mass and energy homeostasis through lipid metabolism [92]. Prolactin suppression, through use of dopamine agonists in hyperprolactinaemic patients, results in metabolic effects [93]. Lactation in experimental mice is strongly and negatively associated with expression of thermogenic genes in BAT [94]. PRLR−/− male mice subjected to a high fat diet for 16 weeks exhibited resistance to weight-gain and a reduction in WAT compared to wild-type mice. These mice also showed 2–3 fold increased expression of BAT-specific markers (PR domain containing 16 [PRDM16], UCP1, PPAR-coactivator 1-alpha [PGC1α]) and brown-like adipocyte foci, indicating a possible role in BeAT differentiation from WAT [95]. Further studies are required to establish whether prolactin blockade by either dopamine agonists or pure prolactin receptor antagonists may represent a targeted approach for browning of human WAT.

Sex hormones and BAT

Androgen and oestrogen receptors (ERα) are expressed in BAT in both sexes [96]. Furthermore, sex hormones play an important role in the BAT thermogenic program by acting at several steps of the lipolytic signal cascade and on UCP1 transcription control. Observations such as cessation of ovarian function at menopause resulting in weight-gain, loss of insulin sensitivity and increased incidence of cardiovascular disease [97], coupled with greater BAT activity in young females in PET-CT studies [16], fuel the argument that ovarian hormones probably influence BAT function. Ovariectomy in female rodents reduced BAT mitochondrial functionality through reduction in the oxidative capacity and anti-oxidant defenses. Furthermore, 17-β oestradiol (E2) supplementation partially reversed these effects indicating oestrogen’s partial influence on BAT [98]. There may also be non-oestrogenic ovarian signals stimulating BAT activity [98]. Interestingly, in vitro cell culture studies by Rodriguez-Cuenca show a dual effect of 17-β oestradiol on the mitochondrial biogenic program [99],[100].

Addition of testosterone reduced norepinephrine-induced Ucp1 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner in cultured rodent brown adipocytes, and these effects were reversed by flutamide (an androgen receptor antagonist) [101]. Furthermore, testosterone reduces the thermogenic and lipolytic capacity of BAT [100]. In contrast, progesterone is shown to have the opposite effect to that of testosterone on brown adipocytes [101] by positively stimulating mitochondriogenesis and BAT differentiation as demonstrated by an increase in the mRNA expression of the GABPA-TFAM axis and PPAR-γ, respectively [99]. These apparent opposite influences of testosterone and progesterone on BAT activity may explain the gender dimorphism displayed by BAT in human PET studies [16],[102]. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, a precursor sex steroid), when administered to obese and lean rats caused reduced food intake and enhanced energy expenditure resulting in weight-loss through increased expression of Pgc-1α, Ucp1 and β3-Ar[103].

In summary, these animal studies demonstrate variable effects of sex hormones on BAT activity: testosterone appears to have a negative influence, oestrogen probably has a dual effect and progesterone and DHEA both appear to have positive influences on BAT activity. However, the increase in both, BAT amount and BAT activity in both sexes in human adolescents, (during peak surge of sex hormones) [104] fuels speculation that sex hormones may have a strong influence on BAT. Therefore it is worth exploring the influences of flutamide, selective oestrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs) and DHEA on human BAT activity.

Insulin and BAT

In cultured murine brown and white adipose tissue, insulin has a role in differentiation of pre-adipocytes into adipocytes [105]. Furthermore, insulin-signaling in BAT is similar to that of WAT and other tissues, displaying similar anabolic effects of glucose uptake and lipid accretion [106]. The studies suggest that uptake of glucose into BAT is both insulin-mediated (mainly occurring in non-thermogenic conditions) and norepinephrine-mediated (occurring during thermogenic conditions) [107]. In rodent models, BAT is shown to be one of the most insulin-responsive tissues with respect to glucose-uptake [108] and is mediated via GLUT4, similar to that in WAT [109].

Animal studies suggest that chronic insulin deficiency reduces the thermogenic capacity of BAT [110],[111]. Furthermore, in type 1 diabetes mellitus glucose homeostasis is reverted to normalcy by increasing BAT quantity [112]. Contrarily, compensatory hyperinsulinaemia induces apoptosis of endothelial cells in rat BAT, thereby reducing BAT quantity [113]. This may explain reduced BAT activity observed in insulin-resistant states such as human obesity and T2DM in human PET-case series [16],[102]. In human PET studies, insulin-mediated glucose-uptake by BAT increased 5-fold (independent of perfusion) in comparison to WAT, and gene expression of GLUT4 (Glucose transporter type 4) was higher in BAT than WAT [33]. In summary, it appears that insulin is required in maintenance of BAT thermogenic capacity, but the potential therapeutic role of insulin and insulin-related molecules in BAT manipulation is yet to be determined.

Central or peripheral intravenous leptin administration in rats is shown to increase insulin stimulated glucose utilisation, and to favour expression of uncoupling proteins predominantly through central pathways of increasing sympathetic tone [114],[115]. However, the lack of success of human recombinant leptin infusions on weight loss in obese subjects [116], and adverse cardiovascular profile of hypertension, left ventricular dysfunction, and possible cardiovascular risk [117] may need to be factored in for contemplating leptin route of BAT activation. Adiponectin is noted to inhibit UCP-1 gene expression by suppression of β3-adrenergic receptor in rats [118]. Conversely, adiponectin levels were significantly higher in BAT compared to WAT in active phaeochromocytoma patients, and consequently serum adiponectin levels markedly reduced following adrenalectomy [119]. The relation between BAT and adiponectin in humans is yet to be clarified before considering on therapeutic prospects.

Endocannabinoids and BAT

Acting centrally and peripherally, the endocannabinoid system positively regulates appetite and energy balance [120] and has a role in adipose tissue metabolism [121], mainly through cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), and their natural endogenous ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol [120]. In rodents, weight-loss associated with chronic CB1 antagonism was accompanied by increased energy expenditure, enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose utilisation, and marked activation of BAT thermogenesis [122]. Similar mice studies have shown a sustained increase of BAT temperature and up-regulation of UCP1 on CB1 blockade [123]. Through peripheral CB1 receptor inhibition, in vitro murine white adipocytes trans-differentiate into a mitochondria rich, thermogenic BAT phenotype [124]. Experiments with BAT denervation have attenuated such browning responses, indicating that central regulation is essential. Recent withdrawal of rimonabant from the market owing to concerns regarding an adverse psychotropic profile, poses a problem for CB1 being a target for activation of brown fat, unless a more selective peripheral blocker of CB1 is identified. Table 2 enlists effect of various hormones on BAT and possible therapeutic options through manipulation of individual hormonal actions.

Table 2 Effect of hormones on BAT and possible therapeutic options

Current trends in BAT therapeutics

Given that adult humans have BAT, it is important to explore BAT manipulation as a means of promoting weight-loss through enhanced energy expenditure via BAT manipulation. In addition to augmentation of BAT content and/or enhancement of BAT activity, other approaches include trans-differentiation of non-BAT progenitors into BAT pre-adipocytes, and surgical implantation of BAT. Development of novel BAT-related therapies will require a complete understanding of the embryological and transcriptional mechanisms of BAT specification and development in human models. We also need to characterize and confirm the physical and genetic attributes of BAT including anatomical and histological distributions of human BAT. Further challenges will be to develop a sustained long-term BAT stimulating or recruiting molecular circuit with adequate knowledge of counter-regulatory mechanisms for an acceptable safety profile, and to identify a reliable and safe imaging modality to monitor the effects of such therapies on BAT once developed and administered.

Several transcriptional regulators of brown adipocyte differentiation are described in rodents, with some revealing promising effects even in human models. Irisin is a 112-amino-acid polypeptide hormone, and is a cleaved and secreted fragment of fibronectin type III domain containing 5 (FNDC5) membrane protein, in turn released by muscle through increased PGC-1α expression following exercise in both rodents and humans [125]. Irisin showed a powerful browning effect on certain white adipose tissues in mice, both in culture and in vivo[125]. Human irisin is believed to be identical to mouse irisin, and in healthy adult subjects showed a 2-fold increase in plasma levels following 10 weeks of supervised endurance exercise training, as compared to the non-exercised state [125]. This PGC-1α dependent myokine alludes to the super-added beneficial effects of exercise via BAT, which need to be further explored.

The PRDM16-C/EBP-β transcriptional complex acts in Myogenic Factor-5 (Myf5) positive myoblastic precursors or pre-adipocytes to drive the thermogenic program with co-activation of PPAR-γ and PGC-1α [126],[127]. The cAMP-dependent thermogenic program is potentiated by Forkhead Box Protein C2 (FOXC2) [128] and PRDM16 and repressed by receptor-interacting protein-140 (RIP140) [129] (Figure 1). Other transcriptional regulators of Bone Morphogenic Protein-7 (BMP7) [130], Fibroblast Derived Growth Factor-21 (FGF21) [131], PPAR-γ ligands [132] and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) [133], have been described in rodents. The transcripted cells through these various regulators are termed as BeAT as opposed to classical BAT and the success of these compounds depend upon extrapolating the gains in human models.

The discovery of brown adipocyte stem/progenitor cells, CD34+ in skeletal muscle [134] and human multi-potent adipose derived stem cells (hMADs) in subcutaneous tissue [135] in adult humans, serve as novel molecular targets for the development of BAT therapeutics as they have self-renewing capacity, and hence are expandable. In response to specific agents, muscle-derived CD34+ cells differentiate exclusively into brown adipocytes [134]. The WAT-derived hMADs, in contrast, first differentiate into WAT and following chronic exposure to PPAR-γ co-activators, gain brown adipose phenotype [135]. These human cell models provide a unique opportunity to study the formation and energy dissipation functions of human brown adipocytes, whilst simultaneously exploring therapeutic options. Such cells can potentially be externally induced into BAT, expanded and implanted back as an autologous implantation for metabolic beneficial effects as shown in recent mouse models [136]. Subcutaneous transplantation of embryonic BAT corrected type 1 diabetes in immune-competent mice as evidenced by reversal of diabetes symptoms, weight regain and normalization of glucose tolerance and the mice that remained euglycaemic 6-months following the procedure [137].


There is compelling evidence to suggest that targeting cellular bioenergetics will yield an effective anti-obesity therapy. There are also complex practical concerns to be addressed. Recent key advances in the fields of molecular cell biology and metabolic science have raised relevant questions relating to the duration of the acquired BAT-like properties of cells following transcriptional regulation, the long-term fate of transcriptionally converted non-BAT (BeAT) tissues, the total amount of inactive BAT in humans and the fate of inter-scapular BAT in infants. Compensatory enhancement of appetite through central feedback regulation via complex neurological circuits following sustained chronic peripheral energy loss is a concern. Therefore, combining novel therapies that enhance BAT activity with an appetite-suppressant may be required. Therapeutic manipulation of peripheral energy expenditure through increasing BAT quantity and/or activity remains one of the most promising strategies for the successful prevention and management of human obesity. Although there are significant hurdles, there is also great potential for BAT manipulation to promote weight-loss through enhanced facultative metabolism.

Authors’ information

NLR is a Clinical Lecturer in Division of Metabolic and Vascular Health (DMVH), University of Warwick, and Honorary Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW). BKT is an Associate Clinical Professor in Division of Reproductive Health, University of Warwick and Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UHCW. TMB is an Associate Professor in DMVH, University of Warwick and Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology, UHCW. HSR is a Senior Lecturer in DMVH, University of Warwick and Clinical Director/Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology, UHCW.



Brown adipose tissue


World Health Organization


Type 2 diabetes mellitus


18-Fluoro-labelled- 2-deoxyglucose


Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography


White adipose tissue


Beige adipose tissue


Uncoupling protein- 1


Adenosine tri-phosphate


Activity energy expenditure


Total energy expenditure


Resting metabolic rate


Non-shivering thermogenesis


Diet-induced thermogenesis


Non-esterified fatty acids


Thyroid hormone


Thyroid receptor








cyclic adenosine-mono-phosphate


Protein kinase-A


Lipoprotein lipase


Peroxisome proliferator receptor activated-gamma


Adipocyte-specific fatty acid binding protein




Tumour necrosis factor-alpha


Monocyte chemoattractant protein


Growth Hormone


Insulin Growth Factor-1

C/EBP- α:

CCAAT-enhancer binding protein- alpha


PR domain containing 16


Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1- alpha


Cannabinoid receptor-1


Oestrogen receptor-alpha




Nuclear respiratory transcriptional factor-1


GA-binding protein transcription protein- alpha


Mitochondrial transcription factor-A


Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10


Adrenergic receptor


Selective oestrogen receptor modulators


Glucose transporter type 4


Fibronectin type 3 domain containing 5


Myogenic factor-5


Forkhead box protein C2


Receptor interacting protein-140


Bone morphogenic protein-7


Fibroblast derived growth factor-21


Human multi-potent adipocyte derived stem cells


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We would like to acknowledge the many patients, nurses, scientists and doctors who have contributed towards ascertaining the data referred to in this review.

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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Harpal S Randeva.

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

NLR researched the data, contributed to discussion, wrote, reviewed and edited the manuscript. BKT and TMB contributed to discussion and edited the manuscript. HSR contributed to conception/design, data interpretation and manuscript preparation. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Reddy, N.L., Tan, B.K., Barber, T.M. et al. Brown adipose tissue: endocrine determinants of function and therapeutic manipulation as a novel treatment strategy for obesity. BMC Obes 1, 13 (2014).

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  • Brown adipose tissue
  • Obesity
  • Hormone