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Erschienen in: Current Obesity Reports 4/2017

03.11.2017 | Metabolism (CJ Billington, Section Editor)

Brown Adipose Tissue: an Update on Recent Findings

verfasst von: Kara L. Marlatt, Eric Ravussin

Erschienen in: Current Obesity Reports | Ausgabe 4/2017

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

New treatment approaches to weight loss and weight loss maintenance in humans are critical. Given its potential role in stimulating energy expenditure, brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation has become a trending topic as an anti-obesity treatment.

Recent Findings

Most studies on BAT stimulation have been conducted in rodents and used cold stimulation. To date, few human trials exist that tested the effect of cold exposure on BAT. Those studies show that BAT contributes a small amount to overall energy metabolism which is unlikely to cause weight loss. Nonetheless, improvements in glucose metabolism have been demonstrated in humans. While new pharmacological approaches demonstrate some contribution of BAT to overall energy expenditure, the potential cardiovascular risk (increased heart rate and blood pressure to sustain the extra energy expenditure) may preclude their use.

Summary

There is no convincing evidence yet to indicate that BAT may be a viable pharmaceutical target for body weight loss or even weight loss maintenance. More research is needed to confirm the relevance of BAT and beige tissue to whole-body energy metabolism in humans.
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Metadaten
Titel
Brown Adipose Tissue: an Update on Recent Findings
verfasst von
Kara L. Marlatt
Eric Ravussin
Publikationsdatum
03.11.2017
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Current Obesity Reports / Ausgabe 4/2017
Elektronische ISSN: 2162-4968
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-017-0283-6

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