Regulatory effects and mechanisms of exercise on activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT)

ABSTRACT

Exercise is a universally acknowledged and healthy way to reducing body weight. However, the roles and mechanisms of exercise on metabolism of adipose tissue remain largely unclear. Adipose tissues include white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT) and beige adipose tissue (BeAT). The main function of WAT is to store energy, while the BAT and BeAT can generate heat and consume energy. Therefore, promotion of BAT activation and WAT browning contributes to body weight loss. To date, many studies have suggested that exercise exerts the potential regulatory effects on BAT activation and WAT browning. In the present review, we compile the evidence for the regulatory effects of exercise on BAT activation and WAT browning and summarize the possible mechanisms whereby exercise modulates BAT activation and WAT browning, including activating sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and promoting the secretion of exerkines, with special focus on exerkines. These data might provide reference for prevention or treatment of obesity and the related metabolic disease through exercise.

KEYWORDS:

• Obesity
• BAT activation
• WAT browning
• exercise
• exerkines

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contributions

DHJ contributed to the conception and design of the study. DHJ and QM organized the database. DHJ wrote the first draft of the manuscript. WP and LSF wrote sections of the manuscript. WX review and editing. All authors contributed to manuscript revision, read, and approved the submitted version.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the first author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

Key Laboratory Project of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission (Grant No.11DZ2261100); Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance (Shanghai University of sport) (NO. 11DZ2261100).