Journal Article

Human Brown Adipose Tissue Temperature and Fat Fraction Are Related to Its Metabolic Activity

Eskola, Olli, Saunavaara, Jani, Parkkola, Riitta, Virtanen, Kirsi A., Raiko, Juho, Saari, Teemu, Koskensalo, Kalle, Saunavaara, Virva, Nuutila, Pirjo

2017

Overview

Background and Aim:The metabolic activity of human brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been previously examined using positron emission tomography (PET). The aim of this study was to use proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) to investigate whether the temperature and the fat fraction (FF) of BAT and white adipose tissue (WAT) are associated with BAT metabolic activity determined by deoxy-2-18F-fluoro-d-glucose (18F-FDG)-PET.Materials and Methods:Ten healthy subjects (four women, six men; 25 to 45 years of age) were studied using PET–magnetic resonance imaging during acute cold exposure and at ambient room temperature. BAT and subcutaneous WAT 1H MRS were measured. The tissue temperature and the FF were derived from the spectra. Tissue metabolic activity was studied through glucose uptake using dynamic FDG PET scanning during cold exposure. A 2-hour hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was performed on eight subjects.Results:The metabolic activity of BAT associated directly with the heat production capacity and inversely with the FF of the tissue. In addition, the lipid-burning capacity of BAT associated with whole-body insulin sensitivity. During cold exposure, the FF of BAT was lower than at room temperature, and cold-induced FF of BAT associated inversely with high-density lipoprotein and directly with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.Conclusion:Both 1H MRS–derived temperature and FF are promising methods to study BAT activity noninvasively. The association between the lipid-burning capacity of BAT and whole-body insulin sensitivity emphasizes the role of BAT in glucose handling. Furthermore, the relation of FF to high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol suggests that BAT has a role in lipid clearance, thus protecting tissues from excess lipid load.BAT and WAT was studied with 1H-MRS and 18-F-FDG PET. Temperature and FF from 1H-MRS correlated with PET. 1H-MRS thermometry and FF are promising tools to study BAT activity.

• Publisher: Endocrine Society,Copyright Oxford University Press,Oxford University Press
• Subject: Adipose tissue / Adipose tissue (brown) / Adipose Tissue, Brown - diagnostic imaging / Adipose Tissue, Brown - metabolism / Adiposity - physiology / Adult / Body fat / Body temperature / Body Temperature Regulation - physiology / Burning / Cholesterol / Cold / Cold Temperature / Feasibility Studies / Female / Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Glucose / Glucose Clamp Technique / Healthy Volunteers / High density lipoprotein / Humans / Insulin / Insulin Resistance / Lipids / Lipoproteins / Lipoproteins, HDL - metabolism / Lipoproteins, LDL - metabolism / Low density lipoprotein / Magnetic resonance imaging / Magnetic resonance spectroscopy / Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy - methods / Male / Metabolism / Middle Aged / Positron emission tomography / Production capacity / Radiopharmaceuticals / Spectrum analysis / Subcutaneous Fat - metabolism / Temperature effects / Thermometry - methods