scholarly journals Does Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis Play a Role in Metabolic Health?

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Craig Porter ◽  
Elisabet Børsheim ◽  
Labros S. Sidossis

The function ascribed to brown adipose tissue in humans has long been confined to thermoregulation in neonates, where this thermogenic capacity was thought lost with maturation. Recently, brown adipose tissue depots have been identified in adult humans. The significant oxidative capacity of brown adipocytes and the ability of their mitochondria to respire independently of ATP production, has led to renewed interest in the role that these adipocytes play in human energy metabolism. In our view, there is a need for robust physiological studies determining the relationship between molecular signatures of brown adipose tissue, adipose tissue mitochondrial function, and whole body energy metabolism, in order to elucidate the significance of thermogenic adipose tissue in humans. Until such information is available, the role of thermogenic adipose tissue in human metabolism and the potential that these adipocytes may prevent or treat obesity and metabolic diseases in humans will remain unknown. In this article, we summarize the recent literature pertaining to brown adipose tissue function with the aims of drawing the readers’ attention to the lack of data concerning the role of brown adipocytes in human physiology, and to the potential limitations of current research strategies.

Author(s):  
Ziye Xu ◽  
Wenjing You ◽  
Jiaqi Liu ◽  
Yizhen Wang ◽  
Tizhong Shan

AbstractThe high prevalence of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases has heightened the importance of understanding control of adipose tissue development and energy metabolism. In mammals, 3 types of adipocytes with different characteristics and origins have been identified: white, brown, and beige. Beige and brown adipocytes contain numerous mitochondria and have the capability to burn energy and counteract obesity, while white adipocytes store energy and are closely associated with metabolic disorders and obesity. Thus, regulation of the development and function of different adipocytes is important for controlling energy balance and combating obesity and related metabolic disorders. Melatonin is a neurohormone, which plays multiple roles in regulating inflammation, blood pressure, insulin actions, and energy metabolism. This article summarizes and discusses the role of melatonin in white, beige, and brown adipocytes, especially in affecting adipogenesis, inducing beige formation or white adipose tissue browning, enhancing brown adipose tissue mass and activities, improving anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, regulating adipokine secretion, and preventing body weight gain. Based on the current findings, melatonin is a potential therapeutic agent to control energy metabolism, adipogenesis, fat deposition, adiposity, and related metabolic diseases.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanhai Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyun He ◽  
Yao Sheng ◽  
Jia Xu ◽  
Cui Yang ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground/objectives:Disorder of energy homeostasis can lead to a variety of metabolic diseases, especially obesity. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a promising potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases. Allicin, a main bioactive ingredient in garlic, has multiple biology and pharmacological function. However, the role of Allicin, in the regulation of metabolic organ, especially the role of activation of BAT, has not been well studied. Here, we analyzed the role of Allicin in whole-body metabolism and the activation of BAT.Results:Allicin had a significant effect in inhibiting body weight gain, decreasing adiposity, maintaining glucose homeostasis, improving insulin resistance, and ameliorating hepatic steatosis in diet-introduced obesity (DIO) mice. Then we find that Allicin can strongly activate brown adipose tissue (BAT). The activation of brown adipocyte treated with Allicin was also confirmed in mouse primary brown adipocytes.Conclusion:Allicin can ameliorate obesity through activating brown adipose tissue. Our findings provide a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 243 (2) ◽  
pp. R19-R27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Villarroya ◽  
Rubén Cereijo ◽  
Aleix Gavaldà-Navarro ◽  
Marion Peyrou ◽  
Marta Giralt ◽  
...  

In recent years, an important secretory role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) has emerged, which is consistent, to some extent, with the earlier recognition of the important secretory role of white fat. The so-called brown adipokines or ‘batokines’ may play an autocrine role, which may either be positive or negative, in the thermogenic function of brown adipocytes. Additionally, there is a growing recognition of the signalling molecules released by brown adipocytes that target sympathetic nerve endings (such as neuregulin-4 and S100b protein), vascular cells (e.g., bone morphogenetic protein-8b), and immune cells (e.g., C-X-C motif chemokine ligand-14) to promote the tissue remodelling associated with the adaptive BAT recruitment in response to thermogenic stimuli. Moreover, existing indications of an endocrine role of BAT are being confirmed through the release of brown adipokines acting on other distant tissues and organs; a recent example is the recognition that BAT-secreted fibroblast growth factor-21 and myostatin target the heart and skeletal muscle, respectively. The application of proteomics technologies is aiding the identification of new members of the brown adipocyte secretome, such as the extracellular matrix or complement system components. In summary, BAT can no longer be considered a mere producer of heat in response to environment or dietary challenges; it is also an active secretory tissue releasing brown adipokines with a relevant local and systemic action. The identification of the major brown adipokines and their roles is highly important for the discovery of novel candidates useful in formulating intervention strategies for metabolic diseases.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1122
Author(s):  
Jamie I. van der van der Vaart ◽  
Mariëtte R. Boon ◽  
Riekelt H. Houtkooper

Obesity is becoming a pandemic, and its prevalence is still increasing. Considering that obesity increases the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases, research efforts are focusing on new ways to combat obesity. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has emerged as a possible target to achieve this for its functional role in energy expenditure by means of increasing thermogenesis. An important metabolic sensor and regulator of whole-body energy balance is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and its role in energy metabolism is evident. This review highlights the mechanisms of BAT activation and investigates how AMPK can be used as a target for BAT activation. We review compounds and other factors that are able to activate AMPK and further discuss the therapeutic use of AMPK in BAT activation. Extensive research shows that AMPK can be activated by a number of different kinases, such as LKB1, CaMKK, but also small molecules, hormones, and metabolic stresses. AMPK is able to activate BAT by inducing adipogenesis, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and inducing browning in white adipose tissue. We conclude that, despite encouraging results, many uncertainties should be clarified before AMPK can be posed as a target for anti-obesity treatment via BAT activation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Chondronikola ◽  
Craig Porter ◽  
Nicholas Hurren ◽  
Tony Chao ◽  
Christina Yfanti ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Li ◽  
Ran An ◽  
Simin Liu ◽  
Haiyan Xu

Abstract Objectives Sucrose Non-Fermenting Related Kinase (SNRK), a serine/threonine kinase, is a novel member of the AMPK/SNF1 family. We previously reported that adipose specific SNRK deficiency induced systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. In this study, we aimed to dissect the role of SNRK in white versus brown adipose tissue in insulin signaling and glucose homeostasis. Methods The SNRKloxp/loxp mice were mated with adiponectin-Cre (A-Cre) transgenic mice to generate the adipose tissue specific knockout model (SNRK−/−, A-Cre), and with UCP1-Cre (U-Cre) mice to generate the brown adipose tissue (BAT) specific knockout model (SNRK−/−, U-Cre). RNA sequencing and phosphoproteomics analysis were applied to identify the signaling pathways affected by SNRK deficiency and the potential substrate of SNRK. Results SNRK deletion exclusively in BAT is sufficient to impair insulin signaling and glucose uptake without inducing local and systemic inflammation. Phosphoproteomic study identified PPP2R5D as the potential substrate of SNRK that regulates insulin signaling through controlling PP2A activity. Dephosphorylated PPP2R5D promotes constitutive assembly of PP2A-Akt complex in SNRK deficient primary brown adipocytes and BAT, therefore reduces insulin stimulated Akt phosphorylation and subsequent glucose uptake. RNA sequencing data provided further evidence to show that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is suppressed by SNRK deletion in primary brown adipocytes. Conclusions Insulin resistance in BAT alone is not sufficient to impact whole body glucose homeostasis, indicating that the role of SNRK in WAT and inflammation might be critical for observed systemic insulin resistance in SNRK−/−, A-Cre mice. Funding Sources National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01 DK103699).


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 002
Author(s):  
Tahniyah Haq ◽  
Frank Joseph Ong ◽  
Sarah Kanji

Brown adipose tissue, a thermogenic organ, previously thought to be present in only small mammals and children has recently been identified in adult humans. Located primarily in the supraclavicular and cervical area, it produces heat by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation due to the unique presence of uncoupling protein 1 by a process called nonshivering thermogenesis. BAT activity depends on many factors including age, sex, adiposity and outdoor temperature. Positron-emission tomography using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and computed tomography (18F-FDG PET–CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and thermal imaging (IRT) are among several methods used to detect BAT in humans. The importance of BAT is due to its role in whole body energy expenditure and fuel metabolism. Thus it is postulated that it may be useful in the treatment of metabolic diseases. However, there are still many unanswered questions to the clinical usefulness of this novel tissue. IMC J Med Sci 2019; 13(1): 002


Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Brenda Huska ◽  
Sarah Niccoli ◽  
Christopher P. Phenix ◽  
Simon J. Lees

Significant depots of brown adipose tissue (BAT) have been identified in many adult humans through positron emission tomography (PET), with the amount of BAT being inversely correlated with obesity. As dietary activation of BAT has implications for whole body glucose metabolism, leucine was used in the present study to determine its ability to promote BAT activation resulting in increased glucose uptake. In order to assess this, 2-deoxy-2-(fluorine-18)fluoro-d-glucose (18F-FDG) uptake was measured in C57BL/6 mice using microPET after treatment with leucine, glucose, or both in interscapular BAT (IBAT). Pretreatment with propranolol (PRP) was used to determine the role of β-adrenergic activation in glucose and leucine-mediated 18F-FDG uptake. Analysis of maximum standardized uptake values (SUVMAX) determined that glucose administration increased 18F-FDG uptake in IBAT by 25.3%. While leucine did not promote 18F-FDG uptake alone, it did potentiate glucose-mediated 18F-FDG uptake, increasing 18F-FDG uptake in IBAT by 22.5%, compared to glucose alone. Pretreatment with PRP prevented the increase in IBAT 18F-FDG uptake following the combination of glucose and leucine administration. These data suggest that leucine is effective in promoting BAT 18F-FDG uptake through β-adrenergic activation in combination with glucose.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 4924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee ◽  
Park ◽  
Oh ◽  
Lee ◽  
Kim ◽  
...  

: Mitochondria play a key role in maintaining energy homeostasis in metabolic tissues, including adipose tissues. The two main types of adipose tissues are the white adipose tissue (WAT) and the brown adipose tissue (BAT). WAT primarily stores excess energy, whereas BAT is predominantly responsible for energy expenditure by non-shivering thermogenesis through the mitochondria. WAT in response to appropriate stimuli such as cold exposure and β-adrenergic agonist undergoes browning wherein it acts as BAT, which is characterized by the presence of a higher number of mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction in adipocytes has been reported to have strong correlation with metabolic diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Dysfunction of mitochondria results in detrimental effects on adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, oxidative capacity, and thermogenesis, which consequently lead to metabolic diseases. Recent studies have shown that mitochondrial function can be improved by using thiazolidinedione, mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, and dietary natural compounds; by performing exercise; and by controlling caloric restriction, thereby maintaining the metabolic homeostasis by inducing adaptive thermogenesis of BAT and browning of WAT. In this review, we focus on and summarize the molecular regulation involved in the improvement of mitochondrial function in adipose tissues so that strategies can be developed to treat metabolic diseases.


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