Regulation of thermogenic adipocytes during fasting and cold

Cold exposure activates brown and brown-like adipocytes that dissipate large amounts of glucose and fatty acids via uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) to drive non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). Evidence for the existence of these thermogenic adipocytes in adult humans gave rise to a renaissance in research on brown adipose tissue, establishing it as linchpin of energy homeostasis and metabolic health.