Capsinoids activate brown adipose tissue (BAT) with increased energy expenditure associated with subthreshold 18-fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in BAT-positive humans confirmed by positron emission tomography scan

Context: The pathogenesis and function of dorsocervical sc adipose tissue (DSAT) accumulation in HIV-infected patients is not known. Previous investigations using either UCP-1 expression or positron emission tomography have been inconclusive as to whether this depot represents brown adipose tissue (BAT). We investigated DSAT gene expression, including DIO2, a deiodinase that contributes to increased thermogenesis in brown fat, and simultaneously determined [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) uptake in lipodystrophic HIV and healthy control subjects. Design: Thirteen HIV-infected and three non-HIV-infected men were recruited. HIV-infected subjects had evidence of significant lipodystrophy, including fat atrophy of the face, arms, and legs, and/or fat accumulation of the neck and abdomen. Subjects were cooled, followed by [18F]FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography, fat biopsy of DSAT, and measurement of resting energy expenditure (REE). HIV-infected subjects were characterized as lipohypertrophic and lipoatrophic and compared. Results: Mean standardized uptake value of [18F]FDG and UCP-1 expression were not significantly different in DSAT among the groups. However, lipohypertrophic subjects demonstrated increased expression of DIO2 in DSAT compared with lipoatrophic subjects (P = 0.03). Among HIV-infected patients, DIO2 expression was strongly related to REE (r = 0.78, P = 0.002) and was a predictor of REE in multivariate modeling controlling for age, TSH, and lean body mass (r2 = 0.79, P = 0.008). One control subject demonstrated typical BAT in the supraclavicular area. Conclusions: Adipose tissue accumulating in the dorsocervical area in HIV lipodystrophy does not appear to be classical BAT. However, DIO2 expression is increased in DSAT among patients with HIV lipodystrophy, particularly those with increased visceral adiposity, and is positively associated with energy expenditure.

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Recent advances in the detection of brown adipose tissue in adult humans: a review

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20170276 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (10) ◽

pp. 1039-1054 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Frank J. Ong ◽

Basma A. Ahmed ◽

Stephan M. Oreskovich ◽

Denis P. Blondin ◽

Tahniyah Haq ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Positron Emission Tomography ◽

Adipose Tissue ◽

Brown Adipose Tissue ◽

Metabolic Activity ◽

Cold Exposure ◽

Emission Tomography ◽

Positron Emission ◽

Brown Adipose ◽

Pet Ct

The activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is associated with reductions in circulating lipids and glucose in rodents and contributes to energy expenditure in humans indicating the potential therapeutic importance of targetting this tissue for the treatment of a variety of metabolic disorders. In order to evaluate the therapeutic potential of human BAT, a variety of methodologies for assessing the volume and metabolic activity of BAT are utilized. Cold exposure is often utilized to increase BAT activity but inconsistencies in the characteristics of the exposure protocols make it challenging to compare findings. The metabolic activity of BAT in response to cold exposure has most commonly been measured by static positron emission tomography of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose in combination with computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) imaging, but recent studies suggest that under some conditions this may not always reflect BAT thermogenic activity. Therefore, recent studies have used alternative positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging strategies and radiotracers that may offer important insights. In addition to PET-CT, there are numerous emerging techniques that may have utility for assessing BAT metabolic activity including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), skin temperature measurements, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and contrast ultrasound (CU). In this review, we discuss and critically evaluate the various methodologies used to measure BAT metabolic activity in humans and provide a contemporary assessment of protocols which may be useful in interpreting research findings and guiding the development of future studies.

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