Fig. 1.

Brown adipose tissue and aging. a Brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass and activity decreases throughout life. This decrease is associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome, especially in the postmenopause and post-andropause life stages. b BAT has major metabolic functions including thermogenesis, secreting batokines, and acting as a metabolic sink for glucose and lipids. BAT reduces obesity and increases insulin sensitivity, which help prevent age-related diseases such as diabetes, dementias, and CVD. Thus, BAT may potentially be a therapeutic option to treat aging, as well as treating obesity