Brown Adipose Tissue: A Metabolic Regulator in a Hypothalamic Cross Talk?

Brown Adipose Tissue: A Metabolic Regulator in a Hypothalamic Cross Talk? Annu Rev Physiol. 2020 Nov 06;: Authors: Henningsen JB, Scheele C Abstract Since the discovery of functionally competent, energy-consuming brown adipose tissue (BAT) in adult humans, much effort has been devoted to exploring this tissue as a means for increasing energy expenditure to counteract obesity. However, despite promising effects on metabolic rate and insulin sensitivity, no convincing evidence for weight-loss effects of cold-activated human BAT exist to date. Indeed, increasing energy expenditure would naturally induce compensatory feedback mechanisms to defend body weight. Interestingly, BAT is regulated by multiple interactions with the hypothalamus from regions overlapping with centers for feeding behavior and metabolic control. Therefore, in the further exploration of BAT as a potential source of novel drug targets, we discuss the hypothalamic orchestration of BAT activity and the relatively unexplored BAT feedback mechanisms on neuronal regulation. With a holistic view on hypothalamic-BAT interactions, we aim to raise ideas and provide a new perspective on this circuit and highlight its clinical relevance. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physiology, Volume 83 is February 10, 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates. PMID: 33158377 [PubMed - as supplied by publ...
Source: Annual Review of Physiology - Category: Physiology Authors: Tags: Annu Rev Physiol Source Type: research