Circulating molecules that control brown/beige adipocyte differentiation and thermogenic capacity

Obesity may be counteracted by increased energy expenditure. Circulating molecules act in the adipose tissue to influence brown and beige adipocyte function, differentiation, and thermogenic capacity, which in turn affects substrate utilization and impacts energy balance at the organismal level. These molecules have been envisioned as biomarkers and potential candidates for pharmacological interventions to treat obesity. Here we summarize studies that demonstrate the roles of endogenous circulating molecules of a wide variety in regulating the thermogenic potential of brown and beige fat cells. This review describes the state-of-the-art in the field and helps researchers to prioritize their targets in future studies.