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Physiology of BAT thermogenesis: a view from the chair

International Journal of Obesity volume 34, pages S34–S35 (2010)Cite this article

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In 1998, the Symposium on the Uncoupling Proteins (UCPs) and Obesity, also held in Quebec City, was centered on newly discovered, exciting UCPs (especially UCP2) and their potential as targets for drug development. Eleven years later, although we are now confronted with the fact that far more complex roles can be assigned to UCP2–4, the recent observation of functional brown adipose tissue (BAT) depots in humans has brought the original UCP (UCP1, formerly known as thermogenin) back at the center of interest in body weight regulation. In the present Symposium, an impressive panel of outstanding scientists have highlighted how novel molecular and genetic tools have led to a completely redefined view of human BAT and energy expenditure.

Dr Tim Bartness began the afternoon session on the Physiology of BAT Thermogenesis by addressing the neuronal drives that modulate BAT activity. Using viruses with fluorescent markers, he elegantly showed a back-and-forth connection between specific brain regions and interscapular BAT in rodents. Interestingly, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is the major if not the only contributor to such a connection, as evidence of parasympathetic nervous system (for example, measurable acetylcholine concentrations or vesicular acetylcholine transporter immunoreactivity) is absent in this depot. Again, using sensory-specific viruses, Bartness also highlighted important circuits between specific brain regions and BAT by sensory nerves, which can apparently be blocked by capsaicin. This entirely novel area of research is challenging but very promising; in particular, important questions such as whether this circuit is part of the SNS regulatory mechanism or functions independently to control other functions (for example, the metabolic status of the tissue on active substrate utilization) remain to be answered.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the CIHR. F Picard holds a Junior 2 scholarship from the FRSQ.

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  1. Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, Quebéc, Canada

    F Picard & Y Deshaies

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  1. F Picard
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  2. Y Deshaies
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Correspondence to F Picard.

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Picard, F., Deshaies, Y. Physiology of BAT thermogenesis: a view from the chair. Int J Obes 34 (Suppl 1), S34–S35 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.181

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