The specific mechanism for women increases heat production in brown fat

Higher PGC-1α activity allows brown fat cells in women for thermogenic activity and energy expenditure compared to men, reveals a study conducted in Japan. These studies show that PGC-1α protein promotes phospholipid synthesis, which strengthens the mitochondria of brown fat cells and increases their heat generating capacity in female mouse. Discoveries reveal a specific energy metabolism mechanism for women, increased by PGC-1α and estrogen, which can inspire new therapies to prevent obesity and diabetes.

Obesity is the main global health problem, contributing to diabetes and a series of metabolic disorders. Interestingly, although obesity affects both sexes, women are generally less susceptible to diabetes associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease compared to men. While the biological reasons for this difference are not fully understood, one of the potential factors is brown fat tissue (BAT)-a thy-made fat tissue, which distracts energy as heat to maintain body temperature. Previous studies have shown that the Bat is more metabolically active in women than in men, but the exact molecular mechanism remained unclear.

To answer this question, the research team from the Institute of Science Tokyo in Japan decided to examine the mechanism underlying the activity of the Bat specific to gender. The team was led by the assistant professor of Kazutak Tsujimoto, graduates of Akira Takeuchi and Jun Aoki and Professor Tetsuya Yamada from the Department of Molecular Endocrinology, assistant Kuniyuk Kanouk, professor, professor, professor, professor, professor, professor, professor, professor, professor, professor, professor, professor, professor, professor and professor. Junken Aoki from the University of Tokyo. The discoveries were published in the journal July 14, 2025.

The Gamma receptor coactive activated by 1-alpha (PGC-1α) peroxisom proliferator is a key regulator of energy metabolism and mitochondria activity found in tissues, including brown fat, heart, skeletal muscles and the brain.

“P”, explains Yamada and Tsujimoto.

Using genetically using mice that did not have PGC-1α protein only in the BAT cells, the team compared males and female mice with multi-track approaches, including transcriptomics (to assess gene expression), metabolomics (to analyze energy metabolites) and lipidomics (for profiling lipid composition) in order to expose the role of protein.

According to the results, the removal of Bat PGC-1α thermogenesis only disturbed the female mice, as evidenced by their lower body temperature during cold exposure. In addition, they showed reduced oxygen consumption, and their mitochondria had less and less organized circular crews in which energy production occurs.

Molecular profiling has revealed a key insight into this mechanism: PGC-1α activates the genes involved in lipogenesis (DNL), partly through a transcription factor binding element binding element binding element with carbohydrates. This trail increases the production of some phospholipids, including phosphatididyleetanoloamines and cardiolipins, which are necessary to maintain the structure and function of mitochondria. Without these lipids, mitochondria becomes less efficient, reducing the ability of the tissue to generate heat.

In particular, the PGC-1α-ChrrebPβ lipid synthesis

“” – says Yamada and Tsujimoto. “”

To support this, scientists carried out additional experiments showing that Chrebpβ in females recreated the same mitochondria defects and reduced thermogenesis observed at the removal of PGC-1α. This effect was not observed in men, emphasizing gender -specific characteristics for the mechanism.

In general, the study provides a new insight into how biological sex shapes shape phospholipids synthesis through energy metabolism as a key regulator of the BAT thermogenesis. Stimulating this trail can promote energy expenses, improve metabolic health and prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes. The discoveries have prepared for new interventions based on metabolic mechanisms, paving the way to a healthier future.