(P03-079-23) New Approach To Weight Loss by Changing White Fat Cells To Beige Fat Cells. Can Dietary Bioactive Components Be Safely Used to Reduce Obesity?
Objectives: Recent research showed that certain conditions can change white fat cells to beige fat cells which contain some mitochondria and use their fat for heat generation. The objective of this overview is to clarify this concept related to weight loss and to describe the function of some dietary bioactive components.
Methods: Results from different studies are presented and interrelated. White, beige, and brown fat cells are described and the method of inducing mitochondria in white fat cells is explained. Experiments using berberine, curcumin and quercetin are discussed.
Results: White fat cells provide storage of fat as reservoir for energy generation during fasting, whereas brown and beige fat cells contain mitochondria and control the amount of energy released as heat for maintenance of the core body temperature. The mitochondria-rich brown fat cells always synthesize UCP-1, a protein that uncouples the electron transport chain and leads to heat generation. Beige fat cells are formed from white fat cells by stimulated synthesis of mitochondria and of UCP-1. This process is reversible and can be activated by drugs, stress or cold temperatures. In a mice study, the newly formed beige fat cells suppressed weight gain by raising energy expenditure and preventing fat deposition, but this process involved activation of beta-3 adrenergic receptors which lead to high blood pressure and increased heart rate. Dietary bioactive components may act via different pathways and were used to stimulate the change from white to beige fat cells. Berberine was used in human, mice, rat and cell studies, curcumin in mice, rats and cell studies, and quercetin in human randomized controlled trials and in mice. Little is known about the pathways that regulate human beige fat cell development and more studies are needed to define the optimal dosage, bioavailability and safety of dietary bioactive components.
Conclusions: The change of white fat cells to beige fat cells is a promising concept regarding weight loss and reduction of obesity. Concerns raised are regarding increase of blood pressure and body temperature or other side effects during treatment. The current challenge is to identify dietary bioactive components that can be safely used for weight loss by generating beige fat cells.
