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Updated: Oct 18, 2025

Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans
Published on: May 21, 2020
A Role of Stress Sensor Nrf2 in Stimulating Thermogenesis and Energy Expenditure
Seo-Hyuk Chang1, Jeong-Soo Lee2,3, Ui Jeong Yun1
1Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea.
Abstract:
During chronic cold stress, thermogenic adipocytes generate heat through uncoupling of mitochondrial respiration from ATP synthesis. Recent discovery of various dietary phytochemicals, endogenous metabolites, synthetic compounds, and their molecular targets for stimulating thermogenesis has provided promising strategies to treat or prevent obesity and its associated metabolic diseases. Nuclear factor E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a stress response protein that plays an important role in obesity and metabolisms. However, both Nrf2 activation and Nrf2 inhibition can suppress obesity and metabolic diseases. Here, we summarized and discussed conflicting findings of Nrf2 activities accounting for part of the variance in thermogenesis and energy metabolism. We also discussed the utility of Nrf2-activating mechanisms for their potential applications in stimulating energy expenditure to prevent obesity and improve metabolic deficits.
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