A nutritional perspective on UCP1-dependent thermogenesis.
Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is the hallmark protein responsible for cold- and diet-induced thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT). UCP1 activity is protective against body fat accumulation. UCP1 has re-gained researchers' attention in the context of obesity following the realization that BAT is present and can be activated in adult humans and of inducible UCP1-expressing cells in white fat depots. UCP1-mediated thermogenesis is activated by specific food compounds, which function by stimulating sympathetic nervous system activity to adipose tissues and/or by acting on the adipose cells directly or indirectly, through humoral factors released upon their intake. The impact, functional consequences and potential mechanism of action of macronutrients, micronutrients and bioactive compounds impinging on UCP1 expression/activity is discussed, as well as emerging links between human genetic variation and differential responses to potential thermogenic food ingredients. Advances in this field can help dietary recommendations and strategies for long-term weight loss/maintenance and improved metabolic health.
['Bonet|M Luisa|ML|', 'Mercader|Josep|J|', 'Palou|Andreu|A|']
D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown D052436:Adipose Tissue, White D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates D004041:Dietary Fats D004044:Dietary Proteins D005786:Gene Expression Regulation D006801:Humans D008928:Mitochondria D054647:Nutrigenomics D009765:Obesity D015398:Signal Transduction D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System D013566:Sympathomimetics D022722:Thermogenesis D000071256:Uncoupling Protein 1
UCP1 Diet-induced thermogenesis Brown adipose tissue Bioactive food compounds Nutrigenetics White adipose tissue browning