Increasing adipocyte number and reducing adipocyte size: the role of retinoids in adipose tissue development and metabolism

Abstract

The rising prevalence of obesity is a grave public health threat. In response to excessive energy intake, adipocyte hypertrophy impairs cellular function and leads to metabolic dysfunctions while de novo adipogenesis leads to healthy adipose tissue expansion. Through burning fatty acids and glucose, the thermogenic activity of brown/beige adipocytes can effectively reduce the size of adipocytes. Recent studies show that retinoids, especially retinoic acid (RA), promote adipose vascular development which in turn increases the number of adipose progenitors surrounding the vascular vessels. RA also promotes preadipocyte commitment. In addition, RA promotes white adipocyte browning and stimulates the thermogenic activity of brown/beige adipocytes. Thus, vitamin A is a promising anti-obesity micronutrient.

Keywords:

• Obesity
• vitamin A
• retinoic acid
• adipocyte size
• energy expenditure

Disclosure statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

BW is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31902183); the 2115 Talent Development Program of China Agricultural University; and the Young Talent Supporting Program Funding of the College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University Education Foundation Grant (1041-2221002). MD is supported by NIH R01HD067449; and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2015-67015-23219.