Oil does more than light the lamp: The multifaceted role of lipids in thermogenic fat

Abstract

Brown and beige adipocytes, or thermogenic fat, were initially thought to be merely a thermogenic organ. However, emerging evidence suggests its multifaceted roles in the regulation of systemic glucose and lipid homeostasis that go beyond enhancing thermogenesis. One of the important functions of thermogenic fat is as a "metabolic sink" for glucose, fatty acids, and amino acids, which profoundly impacts metabolite clearance and oxidation. Importantly, lipids are not only the predominant fuel source used for thermogenesis but are also essential molecules for development, cellular signaling, and structural components. Here, we review the multifaceted role of lipids in thermogenic adipocytes.

Keywords: beige fat; brown adipose tissue; diabetes; lipid metabolism; obesity; thermogenesis.