Have we entered the brown adipose tissue renaissance?
1Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA. Ravusse@pbrc.edu
Summary
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a role in human metabolism and obesity. Recent findings show adult humans have BAT, suggesting new obesity treatment targets by influencing brown adipogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Obesity research
- Adipose tissue biology
Background:
- Rodent studies in the 1970s-80s suggested diet-induced thermogenesis, linked to brown adipose tissue (BAT), could offset calorie intake.
- Early research on humans erroneously concluded BAT's thermogenic role was minor due to perceived low adipocyte numbers, hindering obesity treatment strategies.
- Previous efforts using ephedrine or beta-3 adrenergic agonists failed to induce significant BAT thermogenesis in humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the significance of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans for obesity treatment.
- To investigate the potential of targeting brown adipogenesis based on recent scientific discoveries.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) scanning in nuclear medicine to detect BAT in adult humans.
- Analyzing recent data on the role of the transcription factor PDRM16 in controlling BAT induction.
Main Results:
- PET/CT imaging studies confirm the presence of metabolically active BAT in adult humans.
- Emerging evidence indicates that the transcription factor PDRM16 may regulate the development of brown adipocytes.
Conclusions:
- The presence of BAT in adult humans warrants a re-evaluation of its role in energy balance and obesity.
- Targeting the molecular pathways of brown adipogenesis, potentially involving PDRM16, offers a promising new avenue for obesity treatment strategies.
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