In Vivo Neurochemical Characterization of Developing Guinea Pigs and the Effect of Chronic Fetal Hypoxia

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has long been described according to its histological features as a multilocular, lipid-containing tissue, light brown in color, that is also responsive to the cold and found especially in hibernating mammals and human infants. Its presence in both hibernators and human infants, combined with its function as a heat-generating organ, raised many questions about its role in humans. Early characterizations of the tissue in humans focused on its progressive atrophy with age and its apparent importance for cold-exposed workers. However, the use of positron emission tomography (PET) with the glucose tracer [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) made it possible to begin characterizing the possible function of BAT in adult humans, and whether it could play a role in the prevention or treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). This review focuses on the in vivo functional characterization of human BAT, the methodological approaches applied to examine these features and addresses critical gaps that remain in moving the field forward. Specifically, we describe the anatomical and biomolecular features of human BAT, the modalities and applications of non-invasive tools such as PET and magnetic resonance imaging coupled with spectroscopy (MRI/MRS) to study BAT morphology and function in vivo, and finally describe the functional characteristics of human BAT that have only been possible through the development and application of such tools.

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In vivo characterization of plaque composition in late Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

European Journal of Heart Failure Supplements ◽

10.1016/s1567-4215(08)60545-7 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 196-196

Author(s):

T OBERNDORFER ◽

M FRICK ◽

J DOERLER ◽

C MUSSNER ◽

D HOEFER ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy ◽

Cardiac Allograft ◽

Plaque Composition ◽

Allograft Vasculopathy ◽

In Vivo Characterization

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Involvement of 5-Hydroxytryptamine in Platelet Aggregation In Vivo in Rats and Guinea Pigs

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1646615 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 61 (03) ◽

pp. 463-467 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

G M Smith

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Guinea Pigs ◽

Platelet Adhesion ◽

Adenosine Diphosphate ◽

Rate Of Return ◽

Low Doses ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

Higher Doses ◽

Rat Platelets

SummaryIn this study, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) caused a dose- dependent fall in the circulating platelet count suggesting that 5-HT receptors are activated in rat platelets to cause platelet adhesion and aggregation. When low doses of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) were simultaneously injected with 5-HT, there was a significant potentiation of the responses to ADR Ketanserin significantly reduced the potentiated responses. When higher doses of ADP were infused with bolus injections of 5-HT there was no potentiation and ketanserin did not reduce these responses. Ketanserin did not inhibit the collagen-induced fall in circulating platelet count, but did significantly increase the rate of return to the basal platelet count compared with control. 5-HT did not cause a fall in platelet count in guinea-pigs

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