Brown adipose tissue. II. Effect of pathologic and environmental conditions (Review)

Brown adipose tissue is an important source of non-shivering thermogenesis. Its metabolic activity and development are regulated by adrenalin secretion. The greatest amount of brown adipose tissue in humans was observed during the first decade of life. Later it disappears from many sites, but is preserved in the neck and around the kidneys and the adrenal glands. Increased amounts of brown adipose tissue have been reported to occur in association with certain situations and diseases. A review of these literary data is presented.