NRAC: an emerging nutrient-responsive regulator of tissue-specific fatty acid metabolism

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Fatty acid (FA) uptake is coordinated across tissues to maintain metabolic homeostasis, yet the mechanisms underlying tissue-specific regulation remain incompletely understood. NRAC has emerged as a nutrient-responsive, tissue-restricted factor enriched in adipose tissue and heart in both mice and humans. Mouse studies show that Nrac is dynamically regulated by feeding, fasting, and obesity in a tissue-specific manner. Recent work further shows that NRAC interacts with CD36 to regulate CD36-dependent FA uptake in adipocytes. Physiological studies support a role for NRAC in adipose lipid handling and systemic FA homeostasis, while human data link adipose NRAC expression to body fat distribution and circulating lipid traits. Together, current evidence identifies NRAC as an emerging regulator of tissue-specific FA metabolism and cardiometabolic health.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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