Increasing Adipocyte Number and Reducing Adipocyte Size: the Role of Retinoids in Adipose Tissue Development and Metabolism

Overview

Journal Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr

Specialty Nutritional Sciences

Date 2023 Jul 10

PMID 37427553

Authors

Bo Wang

Min Du

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The rising prevalence of obesity is a grave public health threat. In response to excessive energy intake, adipocyte hypertrophy impairs cellular function and leads to metabolic dysfunctions while de novo adipogenesis leads to healthy adipose tissue expansion. Through burning fatty acids and glucose, the thermogenic activity of brown/beige adipocytes can effectively reduce the size of adipocytes. Recent studies show that retinoids, especially retinoic acid (RA), promote adipose vascular development which in turn increases the number of adipose progenitors surrounding the vascular vessels. RA also promotes preadipocyte commitment. In addition, RA promotes white adipocyte browning and stimulates the thermogenic activity of brown/beige adipocytes. Thus, vitamin A is a promising anti-obesity micronutrient.

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