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Brown fat activation mediates cold-induced thermogenesis in adult humans in response to a mild decrease in ambient temperature.

ABSTRACT: CONTEXT:The contribution of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to the energy balance in humans exposed to sustainable cold has not been completely established, partially because of measurement limitations of both BAT activity and energy expenditure (EE). OBJECTIVE:The objective of the study was to characterize the role of BAT activation in cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT). DESIGN:This study was a single-blind, randomized crossover intervention. SETTING:The study was conducted at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. STUDY PARTICIPANTS:Thirty-one healthy volunteers participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS:The intervention included mild cold exposure. MAIN OUTCOMES:CIT and BAT activation were the main outcomes in this study. METHODS:Overnight EE measurement by whole-room indirect calorimeter at 24 °C or 19 °C was followed by 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (PET) scan. After 36 hours, volunteers crossed over to the alternate study temperature under identical conditions. BAT activity was measured in a 3-dimensional region of interest in the upper torso by comparing the uptake at the two temperatures. RESULTS:Twenty-four volunteers (14 males, 10 females) had a complete data set. When compared with 24 °C, exposure at 19 °C resulted in increased EE (5.3 ± 5.9%, P < .001), indicating CIT response and mean BAT activity (10.5 ± 11.1%, P < .001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that a difference in BAT activity (P < .001), age (P = .01), and gender (P = .037) were independent contributors to individual variability of CIT. CONCLUSIONS:A small reduction in ambient temperature, within the range of climate-controlled buildings, is sufficient to increase human BAT activity, which correlates with individual CIT response. This study uncovers for the first time a spectrum of BAT activation among healthy adults during mild cold exposure not previously recognized by conventional PET and PET-computed tomography methods. The enhancement of cold-induced BAT stimulation may represent a novel environmental strategy in obesity treatment.

SUBMITTER: Chen KY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3701264 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Brown fat activation mediates cold-induced thermogenesis in adult humans in response to a mild decrease in ambient temperature.

Chen Kong Y KY Brychta Robert J RJ Linderman Joyce D JD Smith Sheila S Courville Amber A Dieckmann William W Herscovitch Peter P Millo Corina M CM Remaley Alan A Lee Paul P Celi Francesco S FS

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 20130618 7

<h4>Context</h4>The contribution of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to the energy balance in humans exposed to sustainable cold has not been completely established, partially because of measurement limitations of both BAT activity and energy expenditure (EE).<h4>Objective</h4>The objective of the study was to characterize the role of BAT activation in cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT).<h4>Design</h4>This study was a single-blind, randomized crossover intervention.<h4>Setting</h4>The study was conducte ...[more]

PMID: 23780370

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Project description:INTRODUCTION: Mild cold acclimation is known to increase brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity and cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT) in humans. We here tested the effect of a lifestyle with frequent exposure to extreme cold on BAT and CIT in a Dutch man known as 'the Iceman', who has multiple world records in withstanding extreme cold challenges. Furthermore, his monozygotic twin brother who has a 'normal' sedentary lifestyle without extreme cold exposures was measured. METHODS: The Iceman (subject A) and his brother (subject B) were studied during mild cold (13°C) and thermoneutral conditions (31°C). Measurements included BAT activity and respiratory muscle activity by [18F]FDG-PET/CT imaging and energy expenditure through indirect calorimetry. In addition, body temperatures, cardiovascular parameters, skin perfusion, and thermal sensation and comfort were measured. Finally, we determined polymorphisms for uncoupling protein-1 and ?3-adrenergic receptor. RESULTS: Subjects had comparable BAT activity (A: 1144 SUVtotal and B: 1325 SUVtotal), within the range previously observed in young adult men. They were genotyped with the polymorphism for uncoupling protein-1 (G/G). CIT was relatively high (A: 40.1% and B: 41.9%), but unlike during our previous cold exposure tests in young adult men, here both subjects practiced a g-Tummo like breathing technique, which involves vigorous respiratory muscle activity. This was confirmed by high [18F]FDG-uptake in respiratory muscle. CONCLUSION: No significant differences were found between the two subjects, indicating that a lifestyle with frequent exposures to extreme cold does not seem to affect BAT activity and CIT. In both subjects, BAT was not higher compared to earlier observations, whereas CIT was very high, suggesting that g-Tummo like breathing during cold exposure may cause additional heat production by vigorous isometric respiratory muscle contraction. The results must be interpreted with caution given the low subject number and the fact that both participants practised the g-Tummo like breathing technique.

Dataset Information

Brown fat activation mediates cold-induced thermogenesis in adult humans in response to a mild decrease in ambient temperature.

Publications

Brown fat activation mediates cold-induced thermogenesis in adult humans in response to a mild decrease in ambient temperature.

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