THERMOGENESIS
Thermogenesis is a process of converting nutrient calories into the heat energy essential for body homeostasis, that is, thermoregulation, maintaining healthy metabolism, and body weight control. Phytotherapy Research | Medicinal Chemistry Journal | Wiley Online Library.
In the human body, excess energy intake is stored in the form of fat in the adipose tissue and during energy scarcity, this fat is released into the blood stream as fatty acids and used by other body tissues as a source of energy [1]. As such, the adipose tissue is considered an important energy store in healthy humans and serves as an essential regulator of energy balance and glucose homeostasis [2]. There are two types of adipose tissues in the human bodies; brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT). WAT is the most abundant and important energy storage in the form of triglycerides, while BAT is important in energy regulation through thermogenesis, which is important in heat generation in response to cold environments. Molecular Regulation of Adipogenesis and Potential Anti-Adipogenic Bioactive Molecules - PMC (nih.gov).
The UCP1-mediated uncoupling of the respiratory chain in mitochondria ultimately produces the metabolic heat or thermogenesis. Phytotherapy Research | Medicinal Chemistry Journal | Wiley Online Library. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) has been discovered as a possible target for obesity treatment because of its widespread distribution in the inner mitochondrial membrane of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and high energy expenditure capabilities to burn calories as heat. UCP1 is dormant and does not produce heat without activation as it is inhibited by purine nucleotides. However, activation of UCP1 via either direct interaction with the UCP1 protein, an increase in the expression of UCP1 genes or the physiological production of fatty acids can lead to a rise in the thermogenesis phenomenon. UCP1 activation: Hottest target in the thermogenesis pathway to treat obesity using molecules of synthetic and natural origin - PubMed (nih.gov)
2.) A Review of Natural Stimulant and Non-stimulant Thermogenic Agents
3.) Natural Bioactive Compounds as Potential Browning Agents in White Adipose Tissue
4.) Reduced thermogenesis in obesity
5.) Brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and obesity
6.) Role of thermogenesis in the regulation of energy balance in relation to obesity
7.) βAR Signaling Required for Diet-Induced Thermogenesis and Obesity Resistance
8.) Targeting thermogenesis in brown fat and muscle to treat obesity and metabolic disease
9.) Combating Obesity With Thermogenic Fat: Current Challenges and Advancements
10.) Regulation of adipocyte thermogenesis: mechanisms controlling obesity