The view of adipose tissue as solely a fat storing organ has changed significantly over the
past two decades with the discoveries of numerous adipocyte-secreted factors, so called
adipokines, and their endocrine functions throughout the body. The newest chapter added to
this story is the finding that adipose tissue is also a thermogenic organ contributing to energy
expenditure through actions of specialized, heat-producing brown or beige adipocytes. In
contrast to bone fide brown adipocytes, beige cells develop within white fat depots in …