What is a function of brown adipose tissue besides thermogenesis?

Brown adipose tissue's primary recognized function is to generate heat through thermogenesis, particularly in response to cold exposure or overfeeding. However, it also plays a significant role in energy expenditure. This is largely due to the high density of mitochondria in brown adipose tissue, which use stored lipids and glucose to produce energy in the form of heat rather than storing it as fat. This unique attribute contributes to an overall increase in energy expenditure, which can help in the management of body weight and metabolic health.

Energy expenditure is essential in the context of obesity management, as promoting higher energy expenditure can facilitate weight loss or maintenance. In addition to its role in thermogenic processes, brown adipose tissue also interacts with various metabolic pathways, influencing glucose and lipid metabolism, thereby further elevating energy expenditure.

In this context, while brown adipose tissue does participate in other functions, such as hormone production (which can contribute to metabolic regulation), and is involved in aspects of glucose metabolism, its most critical and distinctive role beyond thermogenesis is its influence on energy expenditure.