ZIC1 and hydrops fetalis: As described previously in cancer-associated cachexia30, we found that beige adipocyte markers, including the mRNA expression of Cd137, Tbx-1, Ucp-1 and Zic-1 (Fig. 5Q–T, P < 0.01) as well as the protein expression of UCP-1 (Fig. 5B,G, P < 0.01), were increased in LD group compared with those in rats without HF.