http://www.nature.com/pr/journal/v73/n1/full/pr2012141a.html
Recently in Histology, Dr. Ervin stated that although brown adipose tissue was thought to disappear after infancy, new research suggests it may actually be present throughout adulthood. This article presents some interesting information regarding brown adipose tissue's physiological role in regulating weight. As the percentage of obese people continues to climb throughout America, research on this topic could prove to be beneficial to future generations. Gaining a deeper understanding of the influence of brown adipose tissue on both developing infants and adults could lead to improved health and therefore improved life expectancies.
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ReplyDeleteBrown adipose tissue (BAT) seems to wane in obese individuals compared to lean individuals, according to this article. Although these researchers did make a mention of how white adipose tissue (WAT) may suppress active BAT, I wonder if the presence of active BAT actually depends on the amount of fat—particularly WAT—that serves as an “insulation and cushion” factor, because BAT serves as a thermogenic factor. In addition to that, BAT apparently is dynamic—as we’ve learned in Histology, as well as this article—in its presence/activation within an individual depending on the climate/atmosphere in which that individual resides. So, since an obese individual is already retaining heat through their insulating WAT, their BAT presence wanes. This article also mentioned that that active BAT has the ability to decrease WAT—as Dr. Ervin have actually said in lab lecture. So, this is another factor to consider for obese individuals and their health.
This article explained thermogenesis better than our Histology text book. I had to ask Dr. Ervin about thermogenesis, since the book didn’t seem to describe it as well. So, thanks for sharing this.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3478219/pdf/1476-511X-11-131.pdf
ReplyDeleteWell, I have been doing some research with ApoA1, and I happen to come across this article that discussed some of the features of BAT. In the conclusion of this article, it explains, "through enhanced beta-oxidation," how WAT could be like BAT, leading to "an anti-obesity effect." Just thought if anybody has interest in this topic, an extra read to enjoy! Note: this article is not nearly as interesting as above.