Jun Li , Jing He

Animal Science Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 4   doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0019
Received: 12 May, 2024    Accepted: 23 Jun., 2024    Published: 15 Jul., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Li J., and He J., 2024, Regulation of energy metabolism in mammals: the role of brown adipose tissue, International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 14(4): 211-221 (doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0019)

Energy metabolism in mammals is a complex process regulated by various tissues and organs, with brown adipose tissue (BAT) playing a crucial role. BAT is essential for thermogenesis, regulation of body weight, and the overall energy balance in mammals. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the structure, function, and distribution of BAT, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying its activation. The role of BAT in energy metabolism, particularly in thermogenesis and the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, is discussed in detail. Furthermore, this study explore the genetic, epigenetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that regulate BAT activity, highlighting key signaling pathways. A case study on BAT's role in obesity and metabolic diseases is presented, including methods for detecting BAT, its potential as a therapeutic target, and relevant clinical trials. Comparative analyses of BAT function across different mammalian species offer insights into its evolutionary significance. This study concludes with a discussion on future directions in BAT research, emphasizing the potential for BAT-targeted therapies and advances in imaging techniques, and underscores the importance of BAT in maintaining energy homeostasis and its therapeutic potential in managing metabolic diseases.

Brown adipose tissue; Energy metabolism; Thermogenesis; Obesity; Metabolic diseases