Document Detail


Brown fat as a therapy for obesity and diabetes.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20160646     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Human fat consists of white and brown adipose tissue (WAT and BAT). Though most fat is energy-storing WAT, the thermogenic capacity of even small amounts of BAT makes it an attractive therapeutic target for inducing weight loss through energy expenditure. This review evaluates the recent discoveries regarding the identification of functional BAT in adult humans and its potential as a therapy for obesity and diabetes.
RECENT FINDINGS: Over the past year, several independent research teams used a combination of positron-emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging, immunohistochemistry, and gene and protein expression assays to prove conclusively that adult humans have functional BAT. This has occurred against a backdrop of basic studies defining the origins of BAT, new components of its transcriptional regulation, and the role of hormones in stimulation of BAT growth and differentiation.
SUMMARY: Adult humans have functional BAT, a new target for antiobesity and antidiabetes therapies focusing on increasing energy expenditure. Future studies will refine the methodologies used to measure BAT mass and activity, expand our knowledge of critical-control points in BAT regulation, and focus on testing pharmacological agents that increase BAT thermogenesis and help achieve long-lasting weight loss and an improved metabolic profile.
Authors:
Aaron M Cypess; C Ronald Kahn
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Current opinion in endocrinology, diabetes, and obesity     Volume:  17     ISSN:  1752-2978     ISO Abbreviation:  Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes     Publication Date:  2010 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-03-01     Completed Date:  2010-05-25     Revised Date:  2011-08-01    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101308636     Medline TA:  Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  143-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, One Joslin Place, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adipose Tissue, Brown / drug effects,  metabolism,  physiology*
Animals
Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology,  therapeutic use
Body Fat Distribution
Cell Transdifferentiation / drug effects
Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism,  therapy*
Humans
Models, Biological
Obesity / metabolism,  therapy*
Thermogenesis / drug effects
Tissue Therapy / methods*,  trends
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
DK046200/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; DK081604/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; DK082659/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; DK087317/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; K23 DK081604-01A1/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; K23 DK081604-02/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; K23 DK081604-03/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; P30 DK036836/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; RR025757/RR/NCRR NIH HHS
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anti-Obesity Agents

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