Insights Into Brown Adipose Tissue Functions And Browning Phenomenon

Obesity is a disease of society and economic transition spreading at an epidemic pace throughout the world. According to the World Health Organization, obesity is defined as an increased or abnormal accumulation of body fat mass to the extent that individual’s health will be negatively affected. Overweight is thus being considered as top at risk condition in the world and it is mandatory to identify the physiopathological causes involved in adipose tissue enlargement and related metabolic and cardiovascular health disorders.This volume provides the most up to date insights into the biology of a complex endocrine organ: the adipose tissue.

Obesity is considered as top at risk condition in the world and it is mandatory to identify the physiopathological causes involved in adipose tissue enlargement and related metabolic and cardiovascular health disorders. Environmental, behavioural, genetic, epigenetic and multiple biological factors interact to cause obesity. In this context adipose tissue depots have been under focus in the last decades and pivotal concepts have emerged from the studies of their complex biology. While the white adipose tissue (WAT) is the main energy repository in the body (mobilizing fatty acids according to body needs) thanks to white adipocyte properties, WAT is also a multicellular organ communicating with other body organs (brain, muscles, liver, pancreas, heart, vessels, etc...) via complex networks of endocrine signals. The discovery of leptin in 1994 led to recognize WAT as a master organ at the crossroad of a myriad of physiological interactions to control food intake, energy balance, glucose and lipid metabolism, immunity and reproduction. The phenotype, amount and biology of each WAT component are profoundly altered in human obesity. Adipose plasticity also accounts for the extraordinary capacity of adipose precursors to differentiate into functional cardiomyocytes, osteoblasts, haematopoietic and neural cells, a convenient property for regenerative medicine. Finally, while initially thought to exert a negligible role in humans, the discovery of brown adipose tissue in adults stimulates a novel interest for this tissue with high capacity to oxidize fatty acids.

Signal transduction comprises the intracellular biochemical signals which induce the appropriate cell response to an external stimulus. The players in signal transduction are diverse, from small molecules as first messengers, to proteins, receptors, transcription factors, among many others. The different signaling pathways and the crosstalk between them originates the unique signaling profile of every cell type in the human body. The cell signaling specificity depends on several aspects including protein composition, subcellular localization and complexes and gene promoters. This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the specific signaling pathways on a variety of human tissues. This information can be of great value for health science researchers, professionals and students to understand key pathways for tissue-specific functions in the plethora of signals, signals receptors, transducers and effectors. Chapter 3 and 15 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Now in its second edition, this comprehensive handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview of recent advances in drug and non-drug therapies for obesity and diabetes. It also addresses major comorbidities, covering topics such as, cardiovascular diseases, renal and neuropsychiatric disorders, appetite control and micro RNAs. Special attention is also devoted to pediatric care, including the latest recommendations for therapy and prevention. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are among the top global health-care budget concerns worldwide and impact professional practice at all levels: in hospitals, clinics and physicians’ offices alike. They prominently feature in headlines, and virtually no family, community or country is exempt from their protean, deleterious consequences. Furthermore, given the multiple intersections in their pathways, they often go hand in hand. The good news is that scientific advances in all fields, including genomics, metabolomics, lipidomics and microbiomics, are increasing our understanding of these two disease areas. At the same time, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile health and advanced implantable and external devices are rendering prevention and management more available, safe and cost-effective. In addition, bariatric and metabolic surgery has evolved from a niche specialty to an officially endorsed option for several modalities of obesity and diabetes. This book presents the latest lifestyle, pharmacological, surgical and non-surgical treatment options, including endoscopic intervention and cell therapy. Objectively reviewing natural and artificial sweeteners and critically examining issues such as public health initiatives, government mandated taxes for unhealthy foods and environmental planning, no stone is left unturned in gathering the latest practical information. As such, the book will appeal to seasoned specialists, as well as students and healthcare professionals in training.

This timely and most comprehensive reference available on the topic covers all the different aspects vital in the fight against the global obesity epidemic. Following a look at adipose tissue development and morphology, the authors go on to examine its metabolic and endocrine functions and its role in disease. The final section deals with comparative and evolutionary aspects of the tissue. The result is an essential resource for cell and molecular biologists, physiologists, biochemists, pharmacologists, and those working in the pharmaceutical industry.