Interventions associated with brown adipose tissue activation and the impact on energy expenditure and weight loss: A systematic review

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Luis C Perez, Ponce Health Sciences University; Laura T Perez, Ponce Health Sciences University; Yash Nene, SUNY Upstate Medical University; Guillermo Umpierrez, Emory University; Georgia Davis, Emory University; Francisco Pasquel, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-12-09
• Publisher: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2022 Perez, Perez, Nene, Umpierrez, Davis and Pasquel
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.1037458
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
• Volume: 13
• Start Page: 1037458
• End Page: 1037458
• Keywords: Endocrinology & Metabolism; BETA(2)-ADRENERGIC STIMULATION; cold exposure; GLP-1 ANALOG LIRAGLUTIDE; GREEN TEA; weight loss and brown adipose tissue; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; DOUBLE-BLIND; sildenafil; brown adipose tissue; ADAPTIVE THERMOGENESIS; Science & Technology; OBESE; CONTROLLED-TRIAL; FAT OXIDATION; capsinoids; browning of white adipose tissue; beta agonist; energy expenditure and brown adipose tissue; BETA(3)-ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR AGONIST; MILD COLD
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Background: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a role in modulating energy expenditure. People with obesity have been shown to have reduced activation of BAT. Agents such as β-agonists, capsinoids, thyroid hormone, sildenafil, caffeine, or cold exposure may lead to activation of BAT in humans, potentially modulating metabolism to promote weight loss. Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases for clinical trials testing the effect of these agents and cold exposure on energy expenditure/thermogenesis and the extent to which they may impact weight loss in adults. Results: A total of 695 studies from PubMed, Web of Science, and Medline electronic databases were identified. After the removal of duplicates and further evaluation, 47 clinical trials were analyzed. We observed significant heterogeneity in the duration of interventions and the metrics utilized to estimate thermogenesis/energy expenditure. Changes observed in energy expenditure do not correlate with major weight changes with different interventions commonly known to stimulate thermogenesis. Even though cold exposure appears to consistently activate BAT and induce thermogenesis, studies are small, and it appears to be an unlikely sustainable therapy to combat obesity. Most studies were small and potential risks associated with known side effects of some agents such as β-agonists (tachycardia), sibutramine (hypertension, tachycardia), thyroid hormone (arrhythmias) cannot be fully evaluated from these small trials. Conclusion: Though the impact of BAT activation and associated increases in energy expenditure on clinically meaningful weight loss is a topic of great interest, further data is needed to determine long-term feasibility and efficacy.