Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 21, 2025
![Visualization and Quantification of Brown and Beige Adipose Tissues in Mice using [18F]FDG Micro-PET/MR Imaging](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F62460.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
08:31
Visualization and Quantification of Brown and Beige Adipose Tissues in Mice using [18F]FDG Micro-PET/MR Imaging
Published on: July 1, 2021
3.3K
Ruthenium red attenuates brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in rats
Robson Cristiano Lillo Vizin1, Daniel Carneiro Carrettiero2, Débora T Ishikawa1
1Graduate Program on Neuroscience and Cognition, Universidade Federal Do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Journal of Thermal Biology
|January 17, 2021
Summary
Ruthenium red (RR) blocks cold defense thermogenesis induced by menthol and CL 316,243. This TRP channel antagonist reduces brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, not TRPM8 activity.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Ruthenium red (RR) is a non-selective TRP channel antagonist used in thermoregulatory research.
- Its specific effects on cold-defense thermoeffector activity remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of RR on cold-defense mechanisms activated by menthol (TRPM8 agonist).
- To assess RR's influence on brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis stimulated by CL 316,243 (β3-adrenoceptor agonist).
Main Methods:
- Adult male Wistar rats were used.
- Menthol applied epidermally to induce cold defense; CL 316,243 administered to stimulate BAT thermogenesis.
- RR administered as a pretreatment; effects on body temperature, oxygen consumption, heat loss, and behavior were measured.
Main Results:
- RR attenuated menthol-induced increases in body temperature and oxygen consumption (thermogenesis).
- RR did not affect menthol-induced cutaneous vasoconstriction (heat loss index) or warmth-seeking behavior.
- RR pretreatment also attenuated CL 316,243-induced increases in body temperature.
Conclusions:
- Ruthenium red impairs brown adipose tissue thermogenesis triggered by both TRPM8 activation and beta-3 adrenergic stimulation.
- RR's inhibitory effect on thermogenesis occurs downstream of the initial thermal sensing by TRPM8.
