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Physiological determinants and impacts of the adipocyte phenotype

International Journal of Obesity Supplements volume 5, pages S21–S22 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

The properties of adipose tissues accumulating in various compartments and ectopic sites around the body represent critical determinants of the relationship between obesity and metabolic disease. The increasingly recognized plasticity of the adipose cell phenotype led to many articles on the cellular characteristics and origins on brown, white and also of ‘beige’ or ‘brite’ adipocytes in recent years. This overview is a summary of manuscripts that were prepared by speakers at the 16th International Symposium of the Laval University Research Chair in Obesity. The data reviewed herein suggest that brown adipose tissue-inducing therapies may also modulate skeletal status through their effects on bone morphology and structure. Moreover, recently identified beige-like properties of epicardial fat in humans could eventually be considered for the management of coronary heart disease in humans. The regulation of brown adipose tissue activation through sympathetic nervous system innervation or non-sympathetic activators is also a complex phenomenon that needs further investigation. Scientific work aimed at better understanding the characteristics and regulation of metabolic homeostasis in each adipose compartment is an important aspect of our progression toward preventive or even curative approaches for obesity.

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Acknowledgements

AT is Director of the Université Laval Research Chair in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.

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This article is published as part of a supplement sponsored by the Université Laval Research Chair in Obesity (DR), in an effort to inform the public on the causes, consequences, treatments and prevention of obesity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre de recherche de l’Institut de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada

    A Tchernof & D Richard

  2. École de nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada

    A Tchernof

  3. Département de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada

    D Richard

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  1. A Tchernof
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  2. D Richard
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Correspondence to A Tchernof.

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Competing interests

AT has received grant support from Johnson & Johnson. RD declares no conflict of interest.

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Tchernof, A., Richard, D. Physiological determinants and impacts of the adipocyte phenotype. Int J Obes Supp 5 (Suppl 1), S21–S22 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijosup.2015.6

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