Thermogeneration by White Fat Could Be Used to Treat Obesity
Cornell University researchers report in Nature Metabolism that white adipocytes can thermogenically uncouple via a fatty-acid–driven proton leak through the ADP/ATP carrier (AAC), a mechanism distinct from UCP1. In mice with increased re‑esterification and lower intracellular free fatty acids, thermogenic differences appeared only under high‑fat diet and thermoneutral housing, indicating AAC modulation as a potential obesity drug target.
Why it mattersCornell University's discovery that AAC mediates white adipocyte uncoupling implies targeting AAC could unlock obesity drug development prioritization.
Entities Mentioned
Cornell UniversityNature Metabolism