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Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Determining Basal Energy Expenditure and the Capacity of Thermogenic Adipocytes to Expend Energy in Obese Mice
Published on: November 11, 2021
The Role of Thermogenic Fat Tissue in Energy Consumption
Masato Horino1, Kenji Ikeda1, Tetsuya Yamada1
1Department of Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan.
Abstract:
Mammalian adipose tissues are broadly divided into white adipose tissue (WAT) and thermogenic fat tissue (brown adipose tissue and beige adipose tissue). Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is the central protein in thermogenesis, and cells that exhibit induced UCP1 expression and appear scattered throughout WAT are called beige adipocytes, and their induction in WAT is referred to as "beiging". Beige adipocytes can differentiate from preadipocytes or convert from mature adipocytes. UCP1 was thought to contribute to non-shivering thermogenesis; however, recent studies demonstrated the presence of UCP1-independent thermogenic mechanisms. There is evidence that thermogenic fat tissue contributes to systemic energy expenditure even in human beings. This review discusses the roles that thermogenic fat tissue plays in energy consumption and offers insight into the possibility and challenges associated with its application in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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