scholarly journals Sex Differences in Brown Adipose Tissue Function: Sex Hormones, Glucocorticoids, and Their Crosstalk

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kasiphak Kaikaew ◽  
Aldo Grefhorst ◽  
Jenny A. Visser
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Brown Adipose

Excessive fat accumulation in the body causes overweight and obesity. To date, research has confirmed that there are two types of adipose tissue with opposing functions: lipid-storing white adipose tissue (WAT) and lipid-burning brown adipose tissue (BAT). After the rediscovery of the presence of metabolically active BAT in adults, BAT has received increasing attention especially since activation of BAT is considered a promising way to combat obesity and associated comorbidities. It has become clear that energy homeostasis differs between the sexes, which has a significant impact on the development of pathological conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Sex differences in BAT activity may contribute to this and, therefore, it is important to address the underlying mechanisms that contribute to sex differences in BAT activity. In this review, we discuss the role of sex hormones in the regulation of BAT activity under physiological and some pathological conditions. Given the increasing number of studies suggesting a crosstalk between sex hormones and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in metabolism, we also discuss this crosstalk in relation to sex differences in BAT activity.

Glucocorticoids and regulation of brown adipose tissue in humans – physiological and pathophysiological considerations

2017 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
Aleksander Rajczewski ◽  
Magdalena Gibas-Dorna
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Uncoupling Protein ◽  
The Body ◽  
Adrenergic Stimulation ◽  
Therapeutic Goals ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Beige Adipocytes ◽  
Differentiation And Proliferation

This review discusses the effects of glucocorticoids (GCs) on brown adipose tissue (BAT) in the context of obesity prevention and therapy. Due to the unique expression of the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), BAT is capable of non‑shivering thermogenesis, also defined as a metabolic heat production, related to increased metabolic rate. All processes that contribute to an increase in activity and/or quantity of BAT are able to upturn metabolism, and thus enable the above therapeutic goals to be achieved. GCs may stimulate BAT differentiation and proliferation. In the case of differentiation, the opposite effect of GCs has been also described. Within white adipose tissue (WAT) GCs inhibit the formation of so called beige adipocytes that are functionally and morphologically similar to the adipocytes from BAT. The activity of GCs with concomitant inhibition of WAT browning is mediated by the induction of microRNA-27b (MIR27B) expression. GCs are responsible for the decline in BAT activity as the body ages. Depriving the body of an enzyme responsible for local reduction of cortisone into an active GC‑cortisol in BAT (11β‑hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1; 11β‑HSD1) prevents the reduction of BAT activity. The effects of high doses of GCs on BAT generally depend on the exposure time. Prolonged elevation in GCs level decreases BAT activity. During adrenergic stimulation the effect of GCs on BAT is ambiguous, because both decrease and increase in activity has been described. A full understanding of the GCs impact on brown remodeling in WAT may reveal a discovery of a novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for obesity and possibly other metabolic disorders.

scholarly journals Role of sex hormones in modulation of brown adipose tissue activity

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. R1-R7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmelo Quarta ◽  
Roberta Mazza ◽  
Renato Pasquali ◽  
Uberto Pagotto
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Metabolic Clearance ◽  
Metabolic Complications ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue Activity

The recent demonstration that metabolically active brown adipose tissue (BAT) is present with a high prevalence in humans undoubtedly represents one of the major advancements in the field of metabolic research in the last few years. The increasing interest in BAT is justified by preclinical observations highlighting an important role of this tissue in energy dissipation and metabolic clearance of substrates from the blood. These findings imply that stimulation of BAT activity may represent a new therapeutic approach for obesity and associated comorbidities. However, before proposing BAT as a target organ for therapeutics in a clinical setting, many further notions about BAT function and modulation need to be explored. Keeping in mind the importance of sex dimorphism in energy metabolism control under physiological and pathological conditions, sex hormones may play a relevant role in the regulation of BAT activity in both males and females. Much of the evidence acquired in the past supports the concept of an important role for different sex hormones in BAT thermogenesis and indicates that this tissue mediates the ability of sex hormones to modulate energy balance. These findings make it plausible that a modified interaction between BAT and sex hormones may contribute to the development and the maintenance of obesity and associated metabolic complications.

scholarly journals Orexin modulates brown adipose tissue thermogenesis

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Madden ◽  
Domenico Tupone ◽  
Shaun F. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Pathological Conditions ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Conceptual Overview ◽  
Shivering Thermogenesis

AbstractNon-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an important role in thermoregulation. In addition, activations of BAT have important implications for energy homeostasis due to the metabolic consumption of energy reserves entailed in the production of heat in this tissue. In this conceptual overview, we describe the role of orexins/hypocretins within the central nervous system in the modulation of thermogenesis in BAT under several physiological conditions. Within this framework, we consider potential neural mechanisms underlying the pathological conditions associated with the absence of the central orexinergic modulation of BAT thermogenesis and energy expenditure. Overall, the experimental basis for our understanding of the role of central orexin in regulating body temperature and energy homeostasis provides an illustrative example that highlights several general principles and caveats that should help guide future investigations of the neurochemical regulation of thermogenesis and metabolism.

scholarly journals Brown Adipose Tissue Activation by Cold Treatment Ameliorates Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rat

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongcai Ye ◽  
Chunlong Yan ◽  
Huiqiao Zhou ◽  
Yuanyuan Huang ◽  
Meng Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Cold Treatment ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
Brown Adipose

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease accompanied by energetic metabolic imbalance. Because the etiology of PCOS is complex and remains unclear, there is no effective and specific treatment for PCOS. It is often accompanied by various metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistances, and others. Activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) consumes excess energy via thermogenesis, which has positive effects on energy metabolism. Our previous research and that of others indicates that BAT activity is decreased in PCOS patients, and exogenous BAT transplantation can improve PCOS rodents. Notably however, it is difficult to apply this therapeutic strategy in clinical practice. Therapeutic strategies of enhancing endogenous BAT activity and restoring whole-body endocrine homeostasis may be more meaningful for PCOS treatment. In the current study, the dehydroepiandrosterone-induced PCOS rat was exposed to low temperature for 20 days. The results show that cold treatment could reverse acyclicity of the estrous cycle and reduce circulating testosterone and luteinizing hormone in PCOS rats by activating endogenous BAT. It also significantly reduced the expression of steroidogenic enzymes as well as inflammatory factors in the ovaries of PCOS rats. Histological investigations revealed that cold treatment could significantly reduce ovary cystic follicles and increase corpus luteum, indicating that ovulation was recovered to a normal level. Concordant with these results, cold treatment also improved fertility in PCOS rats. Collectively, these findings suggest that cold treatment could be a novel therapeutic strategy for PCOS.

scholarly journals Brown adipose tissue activity is reduced in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 181 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliveira Flávia R ◽  
Marcelo Mamede ◽  
Mariana F Bizzi ◽  
Rocha Ana Luiza L ◽  
Cláudia N Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Interquartile Range ◽  
Central Adiposity ◽  
Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
Brown Adipose

Objective To evaluate whether brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity is altered in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and whether BAT activity correlates with plasma levels of irisin, a myokine that can induce BAT formation. Design We performed a cross-sectional study including women with PCOS (n = 45) and a healthy control group (n = 25) matched by age and body mass index (BMI). Methods BAT activity was measured using 18F-FDG positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and plasma irisin levels were measured by a validated enzyme immunoassay. Results Total BAT activity was significantly reduced in women with PCOS (maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax): median 7.4 g/mL, interquartile range 0.9–15.4) compared to controls (median 13.0 g/mL, interquartile range 4.7–18.4, P = 0.047). However, this difference was no longer significant after adjustment for waist circumference, a surrogate marker of central adiposity. In the PCOS group, BAT activity correlated negatively with BMI (Spearman’s r = −0.630, P = 0.000) and waist circumference (r = −0.592, P = 0.000) but not with plasma irisin levels. Conclusions BAT activity was reduced in women with PCOS possibly due to increased central adiposity. In PCOS women, BAT activity did not correlate with plasma irisin levels.

scholarly journals Impaired Thermogenesis and a Molecular Signature for Brown Adipose Tissue inId2Null Mice

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Zhou ◽  
Maricela Robles-Murguia ◽  
Deepa Mathew ◽  
Giles E. Duffield
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Core Body Temperature ◽  
Specific Pattern ◽  
Molecular Signature ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Core Body ◽  
The Impact

Inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (ID2) is a helix-loop-helix transcriptional repressor rhythmically expressed in many adult tissues. Our previous studies have demonstrated thatId2null mice have sex-specific elevated glucose uptake in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Here we further explored the role ofId2in the regulation of core body temperature over the circadian cycle and the impact ofId2deficiency on genes involved in insulin signaling and adipogenesis in BAT. We discovered a reduced core body temperature inId2−/− mice. Moreover, inId2−/− BAT, 30 genes includingIrs1,PPARs, andPGC-1s were identified as differentially expressed in a sex-specific pattern. These data provide valuable insights into the impact ofId2deficiency on energy homeostasis of mice in a sex-specific manner.

scholarly journals The prevalence and predictors of active brown adipose tissue in Chinese adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 170 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoyun Zhang ◽  
Aaron M Cypess ◽  
Qing Miao ◽  
Hongying Ye ◽  
Chong Wee Liew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Glucose Uptake ◽  
High Glucose ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Pet Ct

ObjectivePrevious studies have shown that active brown adipose tissue (BAT) is present in adults and may play important roles in the regulation of energy homeostasis. However, nearly every study has been carried out in patients undergoing scanning for cancer surveillance (CS), whose metabolism and BAT activity may not reflect those of healthy individuals. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of active BAT in Chinese adults, particularly in healthy individuals.DesignA total of 31 088 consecutive subjects aged ≥18 years who had undergone positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning of BAT were evaluated in this study.MethodsWe measured BAT activity via18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in subjects who had undergone scanning for either a routine medical checkup (MC) or CS in Shanghai. Then, we investigated the predictors of active BAT, particularly in healthy individuals.ResultsIn both groups, the prevalence of BAT was higher in women than in men. Using a multivariate logistic analysis, we found age, sex, BMI, and high thyroid glucose uptake to be significant predictors of BAT activity in the MC group. Similarly, we found age, sex, and BMI to be significant predictors of BAT activity, but not thyroid high glucose uptake, in the CS group.ConclusionsIn Chinese adults, BAT activity inversely correlates with BMI and thyroid high glucose uptake, which reinforces the central role of brown fat in adult metabolism and provides clues to a potential means for treating the metabolic syndrome.

scholarly journals Effects of Nutrition/Diet on Brown Adipose Tissue in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2752
Author(s):  
Kelsey A. Heenan ◽  
Andres E. Carrillo ◽  
Jacob L. Fulton ◽  
Edward J. Ryan ◽  
Jason R. Edsall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Brown Adipose Tissue ◽  
Metabolic Response ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Standardized Uptake Value ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Bat Activity ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Single Meal

Background: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) provides a minor contribution to diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT)—the metabolic response to food consumption. Increased BAT activity is generally considered beneficial for mammalian metabolism and has been associated with favorable health outcomes. The aim of the current systematic review was to explore whether nutritional factors and/or diet affect human BAT activity. Methods: We searched PubMed Central, Embase and Cochrane Library (trials) to conduct this systematic review (PROSPERO protocol: CRD42018082323). Results: We included 24 eligible papers that studied a total of 2785 participants. We found no mean differences in standardized uptake value of BAT following a single meal or after 6 weeks of L-Arginine supplementation. Resting energy expenditure (REE), however, was increased following a single meal and after supplementation of capsinoid and catechin when compared to a control condition (Z = 2.41, p = 0.02; mean difference = 102.47 (95% CI = 19.28–185.67)). Conclusions: Human BAT activity was not significantly affected by nutrition/diet. Moreover, REE was only increased in response to a single meal, but it is unlikely that this was due to increased BAT activity. BAT activity assessments in response to the chronic effect of food should be considered along with other factors such as body composition and/or environmental temperature.

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