Fighting obesity: When muscle meets fat

摘要: The prevalence of obesity has risen to an unprecedented level. According World Health Organization, over 500 million adults, equivalent 10%-14% the world population, were obese with a body mass index (BMI) 30 kg/m(2) or greater in 2008.(1) This rising and earlier onset is believed be resulted from interplay genetic factors, over-nutrition physical inactivity modern lifestyles. Obesity also increases susceptibility metabolic syndromes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cancer.(2-4) global epidemic sparked substantial interests biology adipose tissue (fat). In addition, skeletal muscle its secretive factors (myokines) have been shown play critical role controlling energy balance, homeostasis inflammation status.(5) Interestingly, cells share common developmental origin brown adipocytes,(6,7) which breaks down lipids generate heat - thus reducing obesity. Here, we provide brief overview basics recent progress muscle-fat crosstalk context metabolism, obesity, diabetes. We summarize different types adipocytes, their origins implications composition. highlight several novel myokines regulating fat systemic evaluate potential muscles as therapeutic target treat