Related Experiment Videos
Cold-defense function of brown adipose tissue during sleep
M Calasso1, E Zantedeschi, P L Parmeggiani
1Istituto di Fisiologia Umana, Università di Bologna, Italy.
The American Journal of Physiology
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Brown adipose tissue helps rats maintain deep body temperature during synchronized sleep in cold environments. However, during desynchronized sleep, it causes a sharp temperature drop, linked to nasal warming.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Thermoregulation
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a crucial role in non-shivering thermogenesis.
- Sleep stages are associated with distinct physiological changes, including thermoregulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of brown adipose tissue in regulating deep body temperature during different sleep stages in rats exposed to cold.
- To examine the effects of cold acclimation on thermoregulation during sleep.
Main Methods:
- Rats with implanted electrodes and thermistors were exposed to 24°C and 4°C ambient temperatures.
- Measurements were taken before and after a 9-day acclimation period to 4°C.
- Experiments were repeated after ablation of interscapular brown adipose tissue.
Main Results:
- During synchronized sleep, deep interscapular temperature was higher at 4°C than 24°C, irrespective of acclimation.
- Ablation of BAT lowered deep interscapular temperature at 4°C during synchronized sleep.
- During desynchronized sleep at 4°C, deep interscapular temperature decreased sharply, correlated with nasal mucosa warming, an effect reduced by BAT ablation.
Conclusions:
- Brown adipose tissue is essential for maintaining core temperature during synchronized sleep in the cold.
- BAT contributes to a significant drop in core temperature during desynchronized sleep in the cold, possibly via nasal heat exchange.
- Cold acclimation does not alter these fundamental roles of BAT in sleep-related thermoregulation.