Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis

Abstract

It has been shown in rodents and newborn babies that brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an important role in the generation of heat for maintenance of core body temperature. BAT is responsible for the process of adaptive thermogenesis, which involves heat generation in response to a drop in the environment's temperature or to high energy intake from diet. In rodents, the process of BAT thermogenesis is controlled by activation of the β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-AR), which has a protective effect against development of obesity. Previously, it was generally thought that in humans, BAT dissipated after childhood and adopted an insignificant role in human physiology. However, over the past few years, it has been discovered that adult humans still possess fully functional BAT. Through imaging with F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography scans, it has been determined that not only does human BAT exist, but also it is still responsive to stimuli, such as a drop in the environment's temperature. Although some evidence exists for β3-AR control of BAT thermogenesis in humans, this fact remains unclear due to a lack of highly selective β3-AR agonists and antagonists which have an effect on the human body. With further investigation on thermogenesis receptor control and effect of BAT metabolism on whole body energy expenditure, BAT may serve as a potential target for the treatment and prevention of obesity and other metabolic conditions in humans.