Global research trends and hotspots in lipid droplet–mitochondrial interactions in adipose thermogenesis: a systematic bibliometric analysis

Background Brown adipose tissue (BAT) and beige adipocytes contribute to energy expenditure through thermogenesis. Lipid droplets interact dynamically with mitochondria to coordinate lipid metabolism. However, the research landscape and emerging themes in lipid droplet–mitochondrial interactions during adipose thermogenesis remain incompletely characterized. Methods We searched the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus for publications from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2025. Screening, merging, and deduplication yielded 458 publications. Publication trends, collaboration networks, journal distribution, and co-citation patterns were analyzed. Following synonym harmonization and filtering of methodological keywords, CiteSpace cluster, timeline, and burst analyses were used to characterize thematic patterns. Results Annual publication output increased overall and peaked in 2022. The United States and China contributed the most publications. The keyword map displayed 10 labeled clusters spanning thermogenic adipose tissue, whole-body energy metabolism, adipogenesis, and broader metabolic disease contexts. Mitochondrial biogenesis showed the strongest burst (9.76; 2016–2019). Bursts for mitochondrial respiration (6.43; 2021–2025), homeostasis (3.84; 2022–2025), and oxidative phosphorylation (5.81; 2023–2025) extended to the end of the observation period. Conclusions The analyses suggest sustained interest in thermogenic adipose tissue and increasing attention to mitochondrial respiratory function. Lipid droplet–mitochondrial coupling provides a biological framework for interpreting these patterns. Broad cluster labels and contextual keywords limit tissue-specific inference; the maps identify research themes without establishing molecular mechanisms or therapeutic efficacy.