Regulation of adipocyte metabolism: molecular mechanisms and pharmacological potential

Adipocytes are central to energy metabolism, playing critical roles not only in energy storage and release but also in maintaining systemic metabolic homeostasis through the secretion of adipokines and hormones. This review provides an in-depth examination of the key molecular mechanisms underlying adipocyte metabolism, focusing on the impact of inflammatory factors on adipocyte function, the regulatory roles of cell adhesion molecules in metabolic control, and the modulation of metabolic pathways in relation to systemic metabolic conditions. Additionally, the thermogenic mechanisms of brown adipocytes and their potential to enhance energy expenditure are discussed. The metabolic crosstalk between adipocytes and other tissues, including endothelial cells and the nervous system, is explored to highlight the integrative nature of metabolic regulation. Furthermore, this review summarizes the associations between adipocyte metabolic dysregulation and pathological conditions such as metabolic syndrome, tumor-related microenvironment disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases, underscoring the significance of adipocyte metabolism regulation in metabolic disease prevention and therapy. This article also provides a visual molecular biology basis for the development of specific drugs related to adipocyte metabolism through structural and molecular docking analysis of three key druggable targets, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), pyruvate kinase isozyme M2 (PKM2), and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). By integrating the latest research findings, this article aims to provide a theoretical framework and future research directions of regulating adipocyte metabolism for both fundamental studies and clinical translations.