An adaptive physiological response where the rate of cellular energy production and turnover, including catabolic and anabolic processes, is intentionally increased above a baseline state. This enhancement is crucial for tissue repair, adaptation to stress, or increasing overall energy expenditure. Such an increase supports heightened endocrine activity.
Origin
Combining “Cellular Metabolism,” the sum of chemical processes within a cell, with “Upregulation,” a term borrowed from molecular biology indicating an increase in expression or activity. This concept reflects the body’s capacity to dynamically adjust its internal energetic demands.
Mechanism
Upregulation often involves increased expression of key metabolic enzymes or enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis in response to specific stimuli. For instance, sympathetic nervous system activation can rapidly upregulate thermogenic metabolism in brown adipose tissue. Thyroid hormones exert profound, sustained effects on basal metabolic rate via nuclear receptor signaling, driving this process.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.