Is Exercise a Match for Cold Exposure? Common Molecular Framework for Adipose Tissue Browning

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (07) ◽  
pp. 427-442
Author(s):  
Alexandra R. Martin ◽  
Soonkyu Chung ◽  
Karsten Koehler

AbstractExercise is commonly utilized for weight loss, yet research has focused less on specific modifications to adipose tissue metabolism. White adipose tissue (WAT) is the storage form of fat, whereas brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a thermogenic tissue whose uncoupling increases energy expenditure. The most established BAT activator is cold exposure, which also transforms WAT into “beige cells” that express uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Preliminary evidence in rodents suggests exercise elicits similar effects. The purpose of this review is to parallel and examine differences between exercise and cold exposure on BAT activation and beige induction. Like cold exposure, exercise stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and activates molecular pathways responsible for BAT/beige activation, including upregulation of BAT activation markers (UCP1, proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α) and stimulation of endocrine activators (fibroblast growth factor-21, irisin, and natriuretic peptides). Further, certain BAT activators are altered exclusively by exercise (interleukin-6, lactate). Markers of BAT activation increase from both cold exposure and exercise, whereas effects in WAT are compartment-specific. Stimulation of endocrine activators depends on numerous factors, including stimulus intensity and duration. Evidence of these analogous, albeit not mirrored, mechanisms is demonstrated by increases in adipose activity in rodents, while effects remain challenging to quantify in humans.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shasika Jayarathne ◽  
Mandana Pahlavani ◽  
Latha Ramalingam ◽  
Shane Scoggin ◽  
Naima Moustaid-Moussa

Abstract Objectives Brown adipose tissue (BAT) regulates energy balance through thermogenesis, in part via uncoupling protein -1 (UCP-1). White adipose tissue (WAT), namely subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) can convert to a beige/brite adipose tissue phenotype (browning) under thermogenic conditions such as cold. We previously reported that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) reduced obesity and glucose intolerance, and increased UCP-1 in BAT of B6 mice at ambient temperature (22°C); and these effects were attenuated at thermoneutral environment (28–30°C). We hypothesized that EPA exerts anti-obesity effects on SAT, including increased browning, adipocyte hypotrophy; and these effects require UCP-1. Methods Six-week-old B6 wild type (WT) and UCP-1 knock-out (KO) male mice were maintained at thermoneutral environment and fed high fat diet (HF) with or without 36 g/kg of AlaskOmega EPA-enriched fish oil (800 mg/g) for 14 weeks; and SAT was collected for histological, gene and protein analyses. SAT was also prepared from chow diet-fed WT and KO mice at ambient environment to prepare stroma vascular cells, which were differentiated into adipocytes, treated with 100uM EPA for 48 hours then harvested for mRNA and protein analyses. Results KO mice fed HF diets had the highest body weight (P < 0.05) among all groups. EPA reduced fat cell size in both WT and KO mice fed the EPA diet. mRNA levels of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) were higher in SAT of WT mice fed EPA compared to WT mice fed HF (P < 0.05), with no differences between the KO genotype. KO mice fed HF diets had lower levels of UCP-3 in SAT compared to WT mice fed HF (P < 0.05), which was rescued only in the KO mice fed EPA (P < 0.05). UCP-1 protein levels were very low in SAT tissues, and UCP-2 mRNA levels were similar across all groups in SAT. Interestingly, EPA significantly (P < 0.05) increased mRNA expression of UCP-2, UCP-3 and FGF21 in differentiated SAT adipocytes from both WT and KO compared to control. Furthermore, UCP-1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in WT adipocytes treated with EPA, compared to non-treated cells (P < 0.05). Additional mechanistic studies are currently underway to further dissect adipose depot differences in EPA effects in WT vs. KO mice. Conclusions Our data suggest that EPA increases SAT browning, independently of UCP-1. Funding Sources NIH/NCCIH.


2019 ◽  
Vol 317 (5) ◽  
pp. E742-E750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania Quesada-López ◽  
Aleix Gavaldà-Navarro ◽  
Samantha Morón-Ros ◽  
Laura Campderrós ◽  
Roser Iglesias ◽  
...  

Adaptive induction of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) is essential for the survival of mammals after birth. We show here that G protein-coupled receptor protein 120 (GPR120) expression is dramatically induced after birth in mouse BAT. GPR120 expression in neonatal BAT is the highest among GPR120-expressing tissues in the mouse at any developmental stage tested. The induction of GPR120 in neonatal BAT is caused by postnatal thermal stress rather than by the initiation of suckling. GPR120-null neonates were found to be relatively intolerant to cold: close to one-third did not survive at 21°C, but all such pups survived at 25°C. Heat production in BAT was significantly impaired in GPR120-null pups. Deficiency in GPR120 did not modify brown adipocyte morphology or the anatomical architecture of BAT, as assessed by electron microscopy, but instead impaired the expression of uncoupling protein-1 and the fatty acid oxidation capacity of neonatal BAT. Moreover, GPR120 deficiency impaired fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) gene expression in BAT and reduced plasma FGF21 levels. These results indicate that GPR120 is essential for neonatal adaptive thermogenesis.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (1) ◽  
pp. R38-R47 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Matz ◽  
M. J. Blake ◽  
H. M. Tatelman ◽  
K. P. Lavoi ◽  
N. J. Holbrook

The accumulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) after the exposure of cells or organisms to elevated temperatures is well established. It is also known that a variety of other environmental and cellular metabolic stressors can induce HSP synthesis. However, few studies have investigated the effect of cold temperature on HSP expression. Here we report that exposure of Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice to cold ambient temperatures results in a tissue-selective induction of HSPs in brown adipose tissue (BAT) coincident with the induction of mitochondrial uncoupling protein synthesis. Cold-induced HSP expression is associated with enhanced binding of heat shock transcription factors to DNA, similar to that which occurs after exposure of cells or tissues to heat and other metabolic stresses. Adrenergic receptor antagonists were found to block cold-induced HSP70 expression in BAT, whereas adrenergic agonists induced BAT HSP expression in the absence of cold exposure. These findings suggest that norepinephrine, released in response to cold exposure, induces HSP expression in BAT. Norepinephrine appears to initiate transcription of HSP genes after binding to BAT adrenergic receptors through, as yet, undetermined signal transduction pathways. Thermogenesis results from an increase in activity and synthesis of several metabolic enzymes in BAT of animals exposed to cold challenge. The concomitant increase in HSPs may function to facilitate the translocation and activity of the enzymes involved in this process.


2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (4) ◽  
pp. R1305-R1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Masaki ◽  
Hironobu Yoshimatsu ◽  
Seiichi Chiba ◽  
Toshiie Sakata

Impaired activity of the uncoupling protein (UCP) family has been proposed to promote obesity development. The present study examined differences in UCP responses to cold exposure between leptin-resistance obese ( db/db) mice and their lean (C57Ksj) littermates. Basal UCP1 and UCP3 mRNA expression in brown adipose tissue was lower in obese mice compared with lean mice, but UCP2 expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) was higher. Basal skeletal muscle UCP3 did not change remarkably. The UCP family mRNAs, which were upregulated 12 and 24 h after cold exposure (4°C), were returned to prior levels 12 h after rewarming exposure (21°C) in lean mice. The accelerating effects of cold exposure on the UCP family were impaired in db/db obese mice. Together with these changes, WAT lipoprotein lipase mRNA was downregulated, and the concentration of serum free fatty acid was increased in response to cold exposure in the lean mice but not in db/db obese littermates. The impaired function of the UCP family and diminished lipolysis in response to cold exposure indicate that the reduced lipolytic activity may contribute to the inactivation of the UCP family in db/db obese mice.


2014 ◽  
Vol 222 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdoulaye Diané ◽  
Nikolina Nikolic ◽  
Alexander P Rudecki ◽  
Shannon M King ◽  
Drew J Bowie ◽  
...  

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a widely distributed neuropeptide that acts as a neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, neurotropic factor, neuroprotectant, secretagogue,and neurohormone. Owing to its pleiotropic biological actions, knockout ofPacap(Adcyap1) has been shown to induce several abnormalities in mice such as impaired thermoregulation. However, the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. A previous report has shown that cold-exposedPacapnull mice cannot supply appropriate levels of norepinephrine (NE) to brown adipocytes. Therefore, we hypothesized that exogenous NE would rescue the impaired thermogenic response ofPacapnull mice during cold exposure. We compared the adaptive thermogenic capacity ofPacap−/−toPacap+/+mice in response to NE when housed at room temperature (24 °C) and after a 3.5-week cold exposure (4 °C). Biochemical parameters, expression of thermogenic genes, and morphological properties of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) were also characterized. Results showed that there was a significant effect of temperature, but no effect of genotype, on the resting metabolic rate in conscious, unrestrained mice. However, the normal cold-induced increase in the basal metabolic rate and NE-induced increase in thermogenesis were severely blunted in cold-exposedPacap−/−mice. These changes were associated with altered substrate utilization, reduced β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-Ar(Adrb3)) and hormone-sensitive lipase (Hsl(Lipe)) gene expression, and increased fibroblast growth factor 2 (Fgf2) gene expression in BAT. Interestingly,Pacap−/−mice had depleted WAT depots, associated with upregulated uncoupling protein 1 expression in inguinal WATs. These results suggest that the impairment of adaptive thermogenesis inPacapnull mice cannot be rescued by exogenous NE perhaps in part due to decreased β3-Ar-mediated BAT activation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 245 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunchun Wei ◽  
Xianhua Ma ◽  
Kai Su ◽  
Shasha Qi ◽  
Yuangang Zhu ◽  
...  

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a critical role in energy expenditure by uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-mediated thermogenesis. Carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) is one of the key transcription factors regulating de novo lipogenesis (DNL). As a constitutively active form, ChREBP-β is expressed at extremely low levels. Up to date, its functional relevance in BAT remains unclear. In this study, we show that ChREBP-β inhibits BAT thermogenesis. BAT ChREBP-β mRNA levels were elevated upon cold exposure, which prompted us to generate a mouse model overexpressing ChREBP-β specifically in BAT using the Cre/LoxP approach. ChREBP-β overexpression led to a whitening phenotype of BAT at room temperature, as evidenced by increased lipid droplet size and decreased mitochondrion content. Moreover, BAT thermogenesis was inhibited upon acute cold exposure, and its metabolic remodeling induced by long-term cold adaptation was significantly impaired by ChREBP-β overexpression. Mechanistically, ChREBP-β overexpression downregulated expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, autophagy, and respiration. Furthermore, thermogenic gene expression (e.g. Dio2, UCP1) was markedly inhibited in BAT by the overexpressed ChREBP-β. Put together, our work points to ChREBP-β as a negative regulator of thermogenesis in brown adipocytes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. e520-e531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijuan Sun ◽  
Jianhua Yan ◽  
Hui Jen Goh ◽  
Priya Govindharajulu ◽  
Sanjay Verma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Adipocyte-derived hormones play a role in insulin sensitivity and energy homeostasis. However, the relationship between circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), adipocytokines and cold-induced supraclavicular brown adipose tissue (sBAT) activation is underexplored. Objective Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between cold-induced sBAT activity and plasma FGF21 and adipocytokines levels in healthy adults. Design Nineteen healthy participants underwent energy expenditure (EE) and supraclavicular infrared thermography (IRT) within a whole-body calorimeter at baseline and at 2 hours post-cold exposure. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron-emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging scans were performed post-cold exposure. PET sBAT mean standardized uptake value (SUV mean), MR supraclavicular fat fraction (sFF), anterior supraclavicular maximum temperature (Tscv max) and EE change (%) after cold exposure were used to quantify sBAT activity. Main Outcome Measures Plasma FGF21, leptin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) at baseline and 2 hours post-cold exposure. Body composition at baseline by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results Plasma FGF21 and adiponectin levels were significantly reduced after cold exposure in BAT-positive subjects but not in BAT-negative subjects. Leptin concentration was significantly reduced in both BAT-positive and BAT-negative participants after cold exposure. Adiponectin concentration at baseline was positively strongly associated with sBAT PET SUV mean (coefficient, 3269; P = 0.01) and IRT Tscv max (coefficient, 6801; P  = 0.03), and inversely correlated with MR sFF (coefficient, −404; P  = 0.02) after cold exposure in BAT-positive subjects but not in BAT-negative subjects. Conclusion Higher adiponectin concentrations at baseline indicate a greater cold-induced sBAT activity, which may be a novel predictor for sBAT activity in healthy BAT-positive adults. Highlights A higher adiponectin concentration at baseline was associated with higher cold-induced supraclavicular BAT PET SUV mean and IRT Tscv max, and lower MR supraclavicular FF. Adiponectin levels maybe a novel predictor for cold-induced sBAT activity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (7) ◽  
pp. 2034-2042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kamal Srivastava ◽  
Annalena Moliner ◽  
Ee-Soo Lee ◽  
Emily Nickles ◽  
Eunice Sim ◽  
...  

Prolonged cold exposure stimulates the formation of brownlike adipocytes expressing UCP1 (uncoupling-protein-1) in subcutaneous white adipose tissue which, together with classical brown adipose tissue, contributes to maintaining body temperature in mammals through nonshivering thermogenesis. The mechanisms that regulate the formation of these cells, alternatively called beige or brite adipocytes, are incompletely understood. Here we report that mice lacking CD137, a cell surface protein used in several studies as a marker for beige adipocytes, showed elevated levels of thermogenic markers, including UCP1, increased numbers of beige adipocyte precursors, and expanded UCP1-expressing cell clusters in inguinal white adipose tissue after chronic cold exposure. CD137 knockout mice also showed enhanced cold resistance. These results indicate that CD137 functions as a negative regulator of “browning” in white adipose tissue and call into question the use of this protein as a functional marker for beige adipocytes.


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