The Role of Iron in Adipose Tissue Function, Crosstalk, and Transdifferentiation

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a crucial role in human physiology and holds significant therapeutic potential for metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. White adipocytes possess the capacity to transdifferentiate into brown-like adipocytes under specific stimuli, a process termed white adipose tissue (WAT) browning. A key therapeutic strategy for metabolic diseases is to induce WAT browning, which enhances energy expenditure, improves glucose and lipid homeostasis, and reduces insulin resistance. Iron, the most abundant trace element in the body, plays a critical role in regulating adipocyte development, function, and transdifferentiation. This review critically examines the mechanisms through which iron imbalance influences adipocyte transdifferentiation and evaluates its promise as a therapeutic target for metabolic disorders.