Title:A Review of Structural Features, Biological Functions and Biotransformation
Studies in Adipose Tissues and an Assessment of Progress and Implications
Volume: 23
Issue: 1
Author(s): Ting Chu and Mao Sheng Yang*
Affiliation:
- Laboratory of Disorders Genes and Department of Pharmacology, Jishou University School of
Pharmacy, Jishou 416000, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
Keywords:
White adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue, beige adipose tissue, structural features, biological function, biotransformations of fat cells.
Abstract: Roles for adipose tissues in energy metabolism, health maintenance and disease onset
have been established. Evidence indicates that white, brown and beige fats are quite different in
terms of their cellular origin and biological characteristics. These differences are significant in targeting
adipocytes to study the pathogenesis and prevention strategies of related diseases. The biotransformations
of white, brown and beige fat cells constitute an intriguing topic worthy of further
study, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the biotransformations of white, brown and beige
fat cells remain to be elucidated. Hence, we herein collected evidence from studies on adipose tissue
or adipocytes, and we extracted the structural features, biologic functions, and biotransformations
of adipose tissue/adipocytes. The present review aimed to summarize the latest research progress
and propose novel research directions with respect to adipose tissue and adipocytes. We posit that
this work will provide new insights and opportunities in the effective treatment strategies for obesity,
diabetes and other lipid-related diseases. It will also contribute to our knowledge of the basic
biologic underpinnings of adipocyte biology.