A Visualized Analysis of Exercise-Induced Browning of White Adipose Tissue Based on CiteSpace

The purpose of this study was to identify the research focus and developmental trends of exercise-induced browning of white adipose tissue. A total of 444 articles published between 2004 and 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database and analyzed using CiteSpace to construct visual knowledge maps. The results revealed that animal studies have clearly demonstrated the “AMPK-PGC-1α-irisin-UCP1” molecular axis as a key mechanism mediating browning, with significant keyword bursts. In contrast, human studies indicated a lack of direct association between circulating irisin levels and browning effects, accompanied by substantial individual heterogeneity, highlighting the challenges of cross-species translation. In conclusion, exercise is a valuable non-pharmacological intervention, and future studies should strengthen cross-species translational research and develop personalized exercise strategies to improve the prevention and treatment of obesity.