Brown fat protects against hepatic oxidative stress by remodeling the circulating metabolome.

Brown adipose tissue reduces hepatic oxidative stress by releasing 3-hydroxystearic acid, a cold-induced metabolite that modulates liver mitochondrial function.

• Why it matters: Understanding how BAT communicates with other organs is crucial for developing therapies against metabolic diseases and oxidative stress-related liver damage.
• What they did: The study analyzed serum metabolomics and lipidomics in BAT-ablated mice and humans with varying BAT activity, identifying BAT-linked circulating molecules, including 3-OHSA.
• The result: 3-OHSA, produced mainly by BAT, decreases mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species in the liver, revealing a BAT-liver axis that helps mitigate oxidative stress during cold exposure.