scholarly journals Brown adipose tissue: development, metabolism and beyond

2013 ◽  
Vol 453 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim J. Schulz ◽  
Yu-Hua Tseng
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Fat ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Large Lipid Droplet ◽  
Adipose Tissue Development ◽  
Treatment Of Obesity

Obesity represents a major risk factor for the development of several of our most common medical conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver, cardiovascular disease and even some cancers. Although increased fat mass is the main feature of obesity, not all fat depots are created equal. Adipocytes found in white adipose tissue contain a single large lipid droplet and play well-known roles in energy storage. By contrast, brown adipose tissue is specialized for thermogenic energy expenditure. Owing to its significant capacity to dissipate energy and regulate triacylglycerol (triglyceride) and glucose metabolism, and its demonstrated presence in adult humans, brown fat could be a potential target for the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Undoubtedly, fundamental knowledge about the formation of brown fat and regulation of its activity is imperatively needed to make such therapeutics possible. In the present review, we integrate the recent advancements on the regulation of brown fat formation and activity by developmental and hormonal signals in relation to its metabolic function.

scholarly journals Melatonin Enhances the Mitochondrial Functionality of Brown Adipose Tissue in Obese—Diabetic Rats

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1482
Author(s):  
Ahmad Agil ◽  
Miguel Navarro-Alarcon ◽  
Fatma Abo Zakaib Ali ◽  
Ashraf Albrakati ◽  
Diego Salagre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Fat ◽  
Superoxide Dismutase Activity ◽  
Atp Production ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Zdf Rats

Developing novel drugs/targets remains a major effort toward controlling obesity-related type 2 diabetes (diabesity). Melatonin controls obesity and improves glucose homeostasis in rodents, mainly via the thermogenic effects of increasing the amount of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and increases in mitochondrial mass, amount of UCP1 protein, and thermogenic capacity. Importantly, mitochondria are widely known as a therapeutic target of melatonin; however, direct evidence of melatonin on the function of mitochondria from BAT and the mechanistic pathways underlying these effects remains lacking. This study investigated the effects of melatonin on mitochondrial functions in BAT of Zücker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, which are considered a model of obesity-related type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). At five weeks of age, Zücker lean (ZL) and ZDF rats were subdivided into two groups, consisting of control and treated with oral melatonin for six weeks. Mitochondria were isolated from BAT of animals from both groups, using subcellular fractionation techniques, followed by measurement of several mitochondrial parameters, including respiratory control ratio (RCR), phosphorylation coefficient (ADP/O ratio), ATP production, level of mitochondrial nitrites, superoxide dismutase activity, and alteration in the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). Interestingly, melatonin increased RCR in mitochondria from brown fat of both ZL and ZDF rats through the reduction of the proton leak component of respiration (state 4). In addition, melatonin improved the ADP/O ratio in obese rats and augmented ATP production in lean rats. Further, melatonin reduced mitochondrial nitrosative and oxidative status by decreasing nitrite levels and increasing superoxide dismutase activity in both groups, as well as inhibited mPTP in mitochondria isolated from brown fat. Taken together, the present data revealed that chronic oral administration of melatonin improved mitochondrial respiration in brown adipocytes, while decreasing oxidative and nitrosative stress and susceptibility of adipocytes to apoptosis in ZDF rats, suggesting a beneficial use in the treatment of diabesity. Further research regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of melatonin on diabesity is warranted.

Brown adipose tissue lipectomy leads to increased fat deposition in Osborne-Mendel rats

1985 ◽  
Vol 248 (2) ◽  
pp. R231-R235 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Moore ◽  
T. Inokuchi ◽  
J. S. Stern ◽  
B. A. Horwitz
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Citrate Synthase ◽  
Fat Deposition ◽  
Brown Fat ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Adipose Tissue Depots ◽  
Metabolic Compensation ◽  
Brown Adipose

Inter- and subscapular brown adipose tissue depots were removed from nine female Osborne-Mendel rats. These lipectomized animals and nine sham-operated controls recovered from surgery for 7 days at 25 degrees C and were then placed on a highly palatable liquid diet. All animals were maintained for a 2nd wk at 25 degrees C before being switched to 8 degrees C. After 9 wk in the cold, animals were killed, and the brown adipose tissue was dissected from scapular, cervical, thoracic, perirenal, and axillary regions. Total brown fat pad mass, protein content, brown adipocyte number, citrate synthase activity, and beta-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase activity in each of the dissected brown fat depots were significantly less than those of the sham-operated controls. Thus there was incomplete metabolic compensation in the remaining brown fat depots after the removal of the scapular brown fat in the lipectomized rats. The mass and lipid content of the retroperitoneal white adipose depot were significantly increased in the lipectomized rats as was their carcass fat content (up 14%). Food intake of the lipectomized rats was slightly but significantly decreased. These data indicate that a reduction in the amount of functional brown fat is accompanied by increased body fat accretion and are thus consistent with the hypothesis that decreased brown adipose thermogenesis can lead to altered energy balance and increased white fat deposition.

scholarly journals Biology of Beige Adipocyte and Possible Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Lizcano ◽  
Diana Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Fat ◽  
Brown Adipocyte ◽  
Beige Adipocyte ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Physiological Capacity ◽  
Obesity And Diabetes ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Beige Adipocytes

All mammals own two main forms of fat. The classical white adipose tissue builds up energy in the form of triglycerides and is useful for preventing fatigue during periods of low caloric intake and the brown adipose tissue instead of inducing fat accumulation can produce energy as heat. Since adult humans possess significant amounts of active brown fat depots and their mass inversely correlates with adiposity, brown fat might play an important role in human obesity and energy homeostasis. New evidence suggests two types of thermogenic adipocytes with distinct developmental and anatomical features: classical brown adipocytes and beige adipocytes. Beige adipocyte has recently attracted special interest because of its ability to dissipate energy and the possible ability to differentiate itself from white adipocytes. Importantly, adult human brown adipocyte appears to be mainly composed of beige-like adipocytes, making this cell type an attractive therapeutic target for obesity and obesity-related diseases. Because many epigenetic changes can affect beige adipocyte differentiation, the knowledge of the circumstances that affect the development of beige adipocyte cells may be important for therapeutic strategies. In this review we discuss some recent observations arising from the great physiological capacity of these cells and their possible role as ways to treat obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2.

scholarly journals Brown Adipose YY1 Deficiency Activates Expression of Secreted Proteins Linked to Energy Expenditure and Prevents Diet-Induced Obesity

2015 ◽  
pp. MCB.00722-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Verdeguer ◽  
Meghan S. Soustek ◽  
Maximilian Hatting ◽  
Sharon M. Blättler ◽  
Devin McDonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Fat ◽  
Secreted Proteins ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Diet Induced Obesity ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
White Fat

Mitochondrial oxidative and thermogenic function in brown and beige adipose tissues modulate rates of energy expenditure. It is unclear, however, how beige or white adipose tissue contributes to brown fat thermogenic function or compensate for partial deficiencies in this tissue and protect against obesity. Here, we show that the transcription factor YY1 in brown adipose tissue activates the canonical thermogenic and uncoupling gene expression program. In contrast, YY1 represses a series of secreted proteins including FGF21, BMP8b, GDF15, Angptl6, Neuromedin B and Nesfatin linked to energy expenditure. Despite substantial decreases in mitochondrial thermogenic proteins in brown fat, mice lacking YY1 in this tissue are strongly protected against diet-induced obesity, exhibit increased energy expenditure and oxygen consumption in beige and white fat depots. The increased expression of secreted proteins correlates with elevation of energy expenditure and promotion of beige and white fat activation. These results indicate that YY1 in brown adipose tissue controls antagonistic gene expression programs associated with energy balance and maintenance of body weight.

A stringent validation of mouse adipose tissue identity markers

2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (12) ◽  
pp. E1085-E1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasper M. A. de Jong ◽  
Ola Larsson ◽  
Barbara Cannon ◽  
Jan Nedergaard
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
New Information ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Treatment Of Obesity

The nature of brown adipose tissue in humans is presently debated: whether it is classical brown or of brite/beige nature. The dissimilar developmental origins and proposed distinct functions of the brown and brite/beige tissues make it essential to ascertain the identity of human depots with the perspective of recruiting and activating them for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. For identification of the tissues, a number of marker genes have been proposed, but the validity of the markers has not been well documented. We used established brown (interscapular), brite (inguinal), and white (epididymal) mouse adipose tissues and corresponding primary cell cultures as validators and examined the informative value of a series of suggested markers earlier used in the discussion considering the nature of human brown adipose tissue. Most of these markers unexpectedly turned out to be noninformative concerning tissue classification ( Car4, Cited1, Ebf3, Eva1, Fbxo31, Fgf21, Lhx8, Hoxc8, and Hoxc9). Only Zic1 (brown), Cd137, Epsti1, Tbx1, Tmem26 (brite), and Tcf21 (white) proved to be informative in these three tissues. However, the expression of the brite markers was not maintained in cell culture. In a more extensive set of adipose depots, these validated markers provide new information about depot identity. Principal component analysis supported our single-gene conclusions. Furthermore, Zic1, Hoxc8, Hoxc9, and Tcf21 displayed anteroposterior expression patterns, indicating a relationship between anatomic localization and adipose tissue identity (and possibly function). Together, the observed expression patterns of these validated marker genes necessitates reconsideration of adipose depot identity in mice and humans.

Functional characterization of human brown adipose tissue metabolism

2020 ◽  
Vol 477 (7) ◽  
pp. 1261-1286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Anne Richard ◽  
Hannah Pallubinsky ◽  
Denis P. Blondin
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Treatment Of Obesity ◽  
And Function

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.

scholarly journals Effects of stem cells from inducible brown adipose tissue on diet-induced obesity in mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Calvo ◽  
Noelia Keiran ◽  
Catalina Núñez-Roa ◽  
Elsa Maymó-Masip ◽  
Miriam Ejarque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Metabolic Activation ◽  
Diet Induced Obesity ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Obesity In Mice ◽  
Treatment Of Obesity ◽  
Visceral Adipose

AbstractAdipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are a promising option for the treatment of obesity and its metabolic co-morbidities. Despite the recent identification of brown adipose tissue (BAT) as a potential target in the management of obesity, the use of ASCs isolated from BAT as a therapy for patients with obesity has not yet been explored. Metabolic activation of BAT has been shown to have not only thermogenic effects, but it also triggers the secretion of factors that confer protection against obesity. Herein, we isolated and characterized ASCs from the visceral adipose tissue surrounding a pheochromocytoma (IB-hASCs), a model of inducible BAT in humans. We then compared the anti-obesity properties of IB-hASCs and human ASCs isolated from visceral white adipose tissue (W-hASCs) in a murine model of diet-induced obesity. We found that both ASC therapies mitigated the metabolic abnormalities of obesity to a similar extent, including reducing weight gain and improving glucose tolerance. However, infusion of IB-hASCs was superior to W-hASCs in suppressing lipogenic and inflammatory markers, as well as preserving insulin secretion. Our findings provide evidence for the metabolic benefits of visceral ASC infusion and support further studies on IB-hASCs as a therapeutic option for obesity-related comorbidities.

Dopaminergic Input from the Posterior Hypothalamus to the Raphe Pallidus Area Inhibits Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Paula Santos da Conceição Furber ◽  
Clarissa M.D. Mota ◽  
Edward Veytsman ◽  
Shaun F. Morrison ◽  
Christopher J. Madden
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Posterior Hypothalamus ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Premotor Neurons ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Type 3 ◽  
Raphe Pallidus

Systemic administration of dopamine (DA) receptor agonists leads to falls in body temperature. However, the central thermoregulatory pathways modulated by DA have not been fully elucidated. Here we identified a source and site of action contributing to DA's hypothermic action by inhibition of brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis. Nanoinjection of the type 2 and type 3 DA receptor (D2R/D3R) agonist, 7-OH-DPAT, in the rostral raphe pallidus area (rRPa) inhibits the sympathetic activation of BAT evoked by cold exposure or by direct activation of NMDA receptors in the rRPa. Blockade of D2R/D3R in the rRPa with nanoinjection of SB-277011A increases BAT thermogenesis, consistent with a tonic release of DA in the rRPa contributing to inhibition of BAT thermogenesis. Accordingly, D2R are expressed in cold-activated and serotonergic neurons in the rRPa and anatomical tracing studies revealed that neurons in the posterior hypothalamus (PH) are a source of dopaminergic input to the rRPa. Disinhibitory activation of PH neurons with nanoinjection of gabazine inhibits BAT thermogenesis, which is reduced by pre-treatment of the rRPa with SB-277011A. In conclusion, the rRPa, the site of sympathetic premotor neurons for BAT, receives a tonically-active, dopaminergic input from the PH that suppresses BAT thermogenesis.

Effect of noradrenaline chronic administration on brown fat phospholipids

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gérard Mory ◽  
Myriam Gawer ◽  
Jean-Claude Kader
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Fatty Acid Composition ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Acid Composition ◽  
Cold Exposure ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Sympathetic Tone ◽  
Brown Fat ◽  
Brown Adipose

Chronic cold exposure of rats (9 days at 5°C) induces an alteration of the fatty acid composition of phospholipids in brown adipose tissue. The alteration is due to an increase of the unsaturation degree of these lipids. The phenomenon can be reproduced by 10−7 mole. h−1 administration of noradrenaline for 9 days in rats kept at 25°C. Thus, phospholipid alteration in brown fat of cold exposed rats is most probably a consequence of the increase of sympathetic tone which occurs in this tissue during exposure to cold.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document