Faculty Opinions recommendation of Adenosine activates brown adipose tissue and recruits beige adipocytes via A2A receptors.

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.

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Regulation of human brown adipose tissue by adenosine and A2A receptors – studies with [15O]H2O and [11C]TMSX PET/CT

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging ◽

10.1007/s00259-018-4120-2 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 743-750 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Minna Lahesmaa ◽

Vesa Oikonen ◽

Semi Helin ◽

Pauliina Luoto ◽

Mueez U Din ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Brown Adipose Tissue ◽

A2a Receptors ◽

Brown Adipose ◽

Pet Ct

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Novel Browning Agents, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potentials of Brown Adipose Tissue

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2016/2365609 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Umesh D. Wankhade ◽

Michael Shen ◽

Hariom Yadav ◽

Keshari M. Thakali

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Brown Adipose Tissue ◽

Energy Homeostasis ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Uncoupling Protein ◽

Brown Adipocytes ◽

Atp Production ◽

Obesity And Diabetes ◽

Brown Adipose ◽

Beige Adipocytes

Nonshivering thermogenesis is the process of biological heat production in mammals and is primarily mediated by brown adipose tissue (BAT). Through ubiquitous expression of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) on the mitochondrial inner membrane, BAT displays uncoupling of fuel combustion and ATP production in order to dissipate energy as heat. Because of its crucial role in regulating energy homeostasis, ongoing exploration of BAT has emphasized its therapeutic potential in addressing the global epidemics of obesity and diabetes. The recent appreciation that adult humans possess functional BAT strengthens this prospect. Furthermore, it has been identified that there are both classical brown adipocytes residing in dedicated BAT depots and “beige” adipocytes residing in white adipose tissue depots that can acquire BAT-like characteristics in response to environmental cues. This review aims to provide a brief overview of BAT research and summarize recent findings concerning the physiological, cellular, and developmental characteristics of brown adipocytes. In addition, some key genetic, molecular, and pharmacologic targets of BAT/Beige cells that have been reported to have therapeutic potential to combat obesity will be discussed.

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A Palette of Adipose Tissue: Multiple Functionality and Extraordinary Plasticity

Trends in Anatomy and Physiology ◽

10.24966/tap-7752/100013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

José Rodrigo Pauli ◽

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Brown Adipose Tissue ◽

Biological Function ◽

Adipose Tissues ◽

Plastic Properties ◽

Endocrine Organ ◽

The Third ◽

White Adipocytes ◽

Brown Adipose ◽

Beige Adipocytes

After the knowledge of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ and its role as a regulator of metabolisms, studies have advanced on its biological function. Previously, only two adipose tissues were identified in mammals, white and brown adipose tissue. White adipocytes store lipids mainly with the function of energy reserve and brown for thermal homeostasis. Due to the plasticity of adipose tissue and its ability to proliferate and differentiate, the third type of adipocyte, beige, emerged. Beige adipocytes originate from white adipocytes that have acquired phenotypic brown characteristics in response to different stimuli, this process is known as browning. More recently, the plastic properties allowed the identification of the fourth type of adipose tissue, the pink.

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Brown Adipose Tissue Growth and Development

Scientifica ◽

10.1155/2013/305763 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 44

Author(s):

Michael E. Symonds

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Brown Adipose Tissue ◽

White Adipose Tissue ◽

Uncoupling Protein ◽

Tissue Growth ◽

Brown Fat ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Brown Adipose ◽

Beige Adipocytes ◽

Substantial Rise

Brown adipose tissue is uniquely able to rapidly produce large amounts of heat through activation of uncoupling protein (UCP) 1. Maximally stimulated brown fat can produce 300 watts/kg of heat compared to 1 watt/kg in all other tissues. UCP1 is only present in small amounts in the fetus and in precocious mammals, such as sheep and humans; it is rapidly activated around the time of birth following the substantial rise in endocrine stimulatory factors. Brown adipose tissue is then lost and/or replaced with white adipose tissue with age but may still contain small depots of beige adipocytes that have the potential to be reactivated. In humans brown adipose tissue is retained into adulthood, retains the capacity to have a significant role in energy balance, and is currently a primary target organ in obesity prevention strategies. Thermogenesis in brown fat humans is environmentally regulated and can be stimulated by cold exposure and diet, responses that may be further modulated by photoperiod. Increased understanding of the primary factors that regulate both the appearance and the disappearance of UCP1 in early life may therefore enable sustainable strategies in order to prevent excess white adipose tissue deposition through the life cycle.

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