Induction of thermogenic adipocytes: molecular targets and thermogenic small molecules

Types of fat tissue called “brown fat” and “beige fat” could be stimulated by drug treatment to burn off excess energy supplies as heat. Beige fat is a recently discovered heat-generating intermediate between white fat, which stores energy as fat deposits, and brown fat, which converts nutrients into heat. Kye Won Park and colleagues at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, with co-workers in USA, review the variety of natural and synthetic small molecules found to promote the conversion of white fat into beige fat, or to increase heat generation in brown fat. These molecules are potential therapeutic agents for treating obesity and overweight. They may also guide the synthesis of similar but more clinically suitable alternatives. The review considers the mechanisms behind the molecules' effects, and highlights issues requiring further research.