PNAS describes for the first time the underlying mechanism by which drugs increase brown fat in adults

This study describes for the first time a drug-based approach to increasing the quality of
brown adipose tissue (BAT) adult animals.
We call it increased brown fat megaBAT, which is fully functional and increases energy expenditure when activated? Previous studies have shown that the size of BAT is fixed in adults? Our findings change this view, suggesting that we can increase the quality
of BAT tissue by controlling stem cell differentiation in adults.
Do not need to remove stem cells for differentiation culture? We discovered a mechanism we call "gatekeepers" that control the differentiation of stem cells into BAT cells
in adults.
Based on this finding, we believe we will be able to use this approach to treat metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes
.
" ”

"By increasing the size of so-called good fats (i.
e.
, brown fats), we increase energy expenditure
.
Because the activation of brown fat has been used to treat a variety of diseases, including obesity, diabetes, inflammation and even cancer, increasing the tissue size of brown fat may enhance the therapeutic effect," Professor Cao said
.

"Since brown fat is present in adults and can be activated by cold exposure and drugs, it is possible to increase the size of brown fat in adults, based on what we found in mice
.
" In mice and humans, the mechanism of stem cell differentiation to brown fat cells is similar
.
Therefore, it is reasonable to speculate that this method also applies to humans
.
For future research, the development of new human drugs based on this mechanism will be very important
.
If these drugs are available, it will have a significant impact
on the treatment of diabetes, cancer and other metabolic diseases.
”