A critical appraisal of brown adipose tissue metabolism in humans. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blondin, Denis P; Labbé, Sébastien M; Turcotte, Eric E; Haman, François; Richard, Denis; Carpentier, André C
• Is Part Of: Clinical lipidology. Volume 10:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 259
• Page End: 280
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: brown adipose tissue -- cold exposure -- energy metabolism -- glucose metabolism -- insulin resistance -- lipid metabolism -- nonesterified fatty acids -- Type 2 diabetes; Lipids -- Periodicals; 616.3997
• DOI: 10.2217/clp.15.14
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-4299

Abstract

The presence of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans has been rediscovered through the clinical use of the radioactive glucose analog 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose with PET. This has led to numerous studies demonstrating cold exposure as the major physiological modulator of BAT activity. These reports also suggested that age, gender, BMI and the presence of diabetes are also important modulators of BAT volume and metabolic activity. Although 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET has provided important information on BAT glucose metabolism, other techniques are being developed and applied to assess other aspects of BAT metabolism. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the pathophysiological functions of BAT in humans and discuss some of the strengths and limitations of the current investigational techniques.