Advances in the research of relationship between brown or beige fat and hypermetabolism after severe burn

Hypermetabolism is one of the remarkable characteristics of burn injury. Prolonged hypermetabolism causes insufficient energy supply, which leads to delayed wound healing, immune system dysfunction, increased infection rate, and multi-organ failure. In recent years, it is concerned that the activation of brown or beige adipose tissue may be related to hypermetabolism in severe burn patients. Brown or beige adipose tissue could be regulated by stress hormones and some cytokines which increase and persist in high level for several months after severe burn. This paper reviews the current knowledge of brown or beige adipocytes developmental lineages, molecular regulation mechanism, and regulation of brown or beige adipocytes activation after severe burn.