Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Author Spotlight: Illuminating New Avenues for Adipose Tissue Metabolism and Disease Prevention
Published on: October 6, 2023
Fibroblast Growth Factor-21, Leptin, and Adiponectin Responses to Acute Cold-Induced Brown Adipose Tissue Activation
Lijuan Sun1, Jianhua Yan2,3,4, Hui Jen Goh1
1Clinical Nutrition Research Centre, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and National University Health System (NUHS), Singapore.
Background:
Adipocyte-derived hormones play a role in insulin sensitivity and energy homeostasis. However, the relationship between circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), adipocytokines and cold-induced supraclavicular brown adipose tissue (sBAT) activation is underexplored.
Objective:
Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between cold-induced sBAT activity and plasma FGF21 and adipocytokines levels in healthy adults.
Design:
Nineteen healthy participants underwent energy expenditure (EE) and supraclavicular infrared thermography (IRT) within a whole-body calorimeter at baseline and at 2 hours post-cold exposure. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron-emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging scans were performed post-cold exposure. PET sBAT mean standardized uptake value (SUV mean), MR supraclavicular fat fraction (sFF), anterior supraclavicular maximum temperature (Tscv max) and EE change (%) after cold exposure were used to quantify sBAT activity.
Main Outcome Measures:
Plasma FGF21, leptin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) at baseline and 2 hours post-cold exposure. Body composition at baseline by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
Results:
Plasma FGF21 and adiponectin levels were significantly reduced after cold exposure in BAT-positive subjects but not in BAT-negative subjects. Leptin concentration was significantly reduced in both BAT-positive and BAT-negative participants after cold exposure. Adiponectin concentration at baseline was positively strongly associated with sBAT PET SUV mean (coefficient, 3269; P = 0.01) and IRT Tscv max (coefficient, 6801; P = 0.03), and inversely correlated with MR sFF (coefficient, -404; P = 0.02) after cold exposure in BAT-positive subjects but not in BAT-negative subjects.
Conclusion:
Higher adiponectin concentrations at baseline indicate a greater cold-induced sBAT activity, which may be a novel predictor for sBAT activity in healthy BAT-positive adults.
Highlights:
A higher adiponectin concentration at baseline was associated with higher cold-induced supraclavicular BAT PET SUV mean and IRT Tscv max, and lower MR supraclavicular FF. Adiponectin levels maybe a novel predictor for cold-induced sBAT activity.
