Recent data on obesity research: β-aminoisobutyric acid

The world-wide epidemic of obesity is now affecting up to a third of the adult population. Research attempting to contribute to management of this health scourge has been recently refocused on the essential role of physical activity. Muscle activity induces a dramatic increase in transcription of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). This protein is a regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Very recently, in 2014 it was revealed that the mediator of this metabolic process is a low molecular myokine, the beta- aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA). This compound with a simple molecular structure has a key metabolic role: it converts the cells of white adipose tissue into brown fat. The brown adipocytes contain a protein thermogenin. This substance turns off the energy stores, among others the adenosine triphosphate (ATP), thereby accelerating the breakdown of lipids into heat, water and CO2. We may be at the threshold of new and effective management of obesity. The world eagerly expects to see how the BAIBA will compare with other recently reported agents to fight the overweight (Fig. 2, Ref. 6).