Sex differences in brown adipose tissue activity and cold-induced thermogenesis. (20th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Herz, Carsten T.; Kulterer, Oana C.; Prager, Marlene; Marculescu, Rodrig; Langer, Felix B.; Prager, Gerhard; Kautzky-Willer, Alexandra; Haug, Alexander R.; Kiefer, Florian W.
• Is Part Of: Molecular and cellular endocrinology. Volume 534(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08-20
• Subjects: Brown adipose tissue -- Cold-induced Thermogenesis -- Sex -- Estradiol; 18F-FDG 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose -- BAT brown adipose tissue -- BMI body mass index -- CIT cold-induced thermogenesis -- CRP C-reactive protein -- CT computed tomography -- FSH follicle-stimulating hormone -- HOMA-IR homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance -- LH luteinizing hormone -- PET positron-emission tomography -- RMR resting metabolic rate -- SHBG sex hormone-binding globulin -- SUV standardized uptake value -- TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone -- UCP1 uncoupling protein 1 -- WHR waist-to-hip ratio; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Hormones -- Periodicals; Endocrinologie -- Périodiques; Cytology; Endocrinology; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 573.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111365
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-7207

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is suggested to exhibit a sexual dimorphism and thus contributes to the observed sex differences in cardiometabolic risk observed between women and men. Clinical data supporting this hypothesis are however scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BAT activity and sex using positron emission tomography (PET) – the current gold-standard for BAT quantification. Methods: In this study, we included 95 subjects with a wide BMI range (20–55 kg/m 2 ) aged from 18 to 50 years. Avoiding shivering, participants were cooled with a water-perfused vest to achieve adequate BAT activation. BAT activity was determined by 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT). Cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT) was quantified by indirect calorimetry. Results: BAT was present in 44.6% of pre-menopausal women and in 35.9% of men (p = 0.394). CIT was significantly higher in women (p = 0.024). Estradiol levels were positively associated with CIT independent of age, sex, body fat and other sex hormones (b = 0.360, p = 0.016). In women, CIT decreased during the menstrual cycle, with lower levels in the luteal phase similar to median concentrations in men. Conclusion: The prevalence of cold-activated BAT is slightly but non-significantly higher in pre-menopausal women than men. CIT is increased in females and independently associated with estradiol, suggesting that sex hormones may play a role in different thermogenic responses between men and women. Highlights: We found a non-significantly higher prevalence of active BAT in pre-menopausal women compared to men. Cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT) was significantly increased in pre-menopausal women. Among the sex hormones, only estradiol was positively associated with CIT. Estradiol might contribute to a higher thermogenic response in pre-menopausal women compared to men.