Physiology and clinical importance of white, beige and brown adipose tissue

The metabolic functions of different kinds of adipose tissue are of growing scientific and clinical interest. White adipose tissue is not only an energy store but as ahighly active endocrine organ it also plays an essential role in the development of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Brown adipose tissue, on the other hand, can convert chemical energy into heat and could therefore have an opposing, protective effect. The activation of brown adipose tissue and the induction of the development of adipocytes with the characteristics of brown fat cells could make asignificant contribution to the treatment of these civilization diseases. This article provides an overview of the current understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of different adipose tissue types and the resulting therapeutic potential.