Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41535542›Full record

ReviewCurrent obesity reports2026

Vitamin A Derivatives and Adipose Tissue Differentiation: Molecular Pathways Driving Browning and Anti-Obesity Effects.

Billur Bilikozen Aygun, Berrak Basturk, Aylin Ayaz

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Current obesity reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Billur Bilikozen AygunDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye. billurbilikozen@halic.edu.tr.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-8356-3811
Berrak BasturkDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Halic University, Istanbul, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6817-3141
Aylin AyazDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3543-7881

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purpose of the reviewThis review aims to evaluate the effects of retinoids and carotenoids (β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and β-cryptoxanthin) on adipose tissue biology, particularly browning processes, in light of the current literature. In the current era of increasing global obesity prevalence, understanding the potential regulatory roles of these lipophilic micronutrients in energy homeostasis and adipose tissue plasticity may contribute to the development of new nutrition-based or pharmacological strategies. RECENT

findingsThe regulatory roles of vitamin A (VA) and carotenoids in adipose tissue metabolism have been intensively investigated in recent years. Current findings indicate that compounds such as retinoic acid, lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin reduce adipogenesis and lipogenesis by suppressing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1-c) while increasing energy expenditure and promoting the browning of white adipose tissue through the activation of 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the upregulation of thermogenic genes such as uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16), and PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). These effects are associated with reduced adipocyte hypertrophy, increased mitochondrial activity, and decreased systemic inflammation. VA and carotenoids exert multifaceted effects on adipose tissue differentiation and energy metabolism, suggesting an alternative pathway against obesity. By reducing lipid storage, stimulating thermogenesis, and enhancing oxidative metabolism, these bioactive compounds help restore metabolic balance. Overall, evidence indicates that VA derivatives and carotenoids, through adipose tissue browning and improved metabolic efficiency, represent promising nutrition-based strategies to combat obesity.

Indexed as

Adipose TissueAdipose Tissue, BrownAnti-Obesity AgentsCarotenoidsObesityVitamin AAdipogenesisAdipose Tissue, WhiteAnimalsCell DifferentiationEnergy MetabolismHumansLipogenesisThermogenesisAnti-Obesity AgentsCarotenoidsVitamin AAdiposityBrowningCarotenoidsObesityThermogenesisVitamin A

Identifiers

PMID41535542
PMCPMC12804335

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.