Purinergic Receptors in Adipose Tissue As Potential Targets in Metabolic Disorders

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)

Extracellular nucleosides and nucleotides, such as adenosine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), are involved in many physiological and pathological processes in adipose tissue (AT). It is becoming accepted that, in addition to the well-established sympathetic and hormonal system, purinergic receptors contribute significantly to regulation of adipocyte functions. Several receptor subtypes for both adenosine (P1) and ATP (P2X and P2Y) have been characterized in white adipocytes (WA) and brown adipocytes (BA). The effects mediated by adenosine and ATP on adipocytes are multiple and often differing, depending on specific receptors activated. Using a variety of agonists, antagonists and transgenic animals it has been demonstrated that adenosine and P2 receptors are involved in lipolysis, lipogenesis, adipokines secretion, glucose uptake, adipogenesis, cell proliferation, inflammation, and other processes. Given their central role in regulating many AT functions, purinergic receptors are considered potential therapeutic targets in different pathological conditions, such as obesity and type-2 diabetes. To achieve this goal, specific and potent P1 and P2 receptors activators and inhibitors are being developed and show promising results. However, more insight is needed into the function of P2 receptors in brown and beige adipocytes and their potential role in thermogenesis. This review a

Evidence level

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

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