Biochemical pharmacologyDec 30, 2023

Interactions Between Energy-Storing and Heat-Producing Fat in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Possible Treatments

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 1, 2026

Abstract

Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) may help manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is linked to metabolic and reproductive abnormalities.
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is important for energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity.
Impaired function and mass of BAT may connect metabolic issues with reproductive problems in PCOS.
Changes in white adipose tissue (WAT) can worsen PCOS by releasing harmful substances.
BAT activation is proposed as a potential therapy for alleviating PCOS symptoms, but further research is necessary.

Simplified

This study highlights the therapeutic potential of activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) for managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent endocrine disorder associated with metabolic and reproductive abnormalities. BAT plays a crucial role in regulating energy expenditure and systemic insulin sensitivity, making it an attractive target for the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases. Recent research suggests that impaired BAT function and mass may contribute to the link between metabolic disturbances and reproductive issues in PCOS. Additionally, abnormal white adipose tissue (WAT) can exacerbate these conditions by releasing adipokines and nonesterified fatty acids. In this review, we explored the impact of WAT changes on BAT function in PCOS and discussed the potential of BAT activation as a therapeutic strategy to improve PCOS symptoms. We propose that BAT activation holds promise for managing PCOS; however, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and to develop clinically feasible methods for BAT activation.

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Competing interests

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Masoud Darabi reports financial support was provided by Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Drug Applied Research Center.

PubMed

Interactions Between Energy-Storing and Heat-Producing Fat in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Possible Treatments

Abstract

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Competing interests

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