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Query: UMLS:C0028754 (obesity)
 124,988 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Previous studies showed that atrophy of brown adipose tissue (BAT) of capsaicin-desensitized rats occurs rapidly and persists for up to 28 days. The rats do not, however, become any more obese than control rats, despite the frequent association of atrophied BAT with obesity. The objective of the present study was to assess longer-term effects of capsaicin desensitization on BAT and on energy balance. Rats were studied at 2.5, 3.5, and 8 mo after treatment. Major effects at 8 mo, mostly seen to a lesser extent at 3.5 mo but not at 2.5 mo, were a marked reduction in body weight that was largely attributable to a reduction in body fat but also to some stunting of growth and an atrophy or lack of growth of BAT (reduced weight and content of protein, DNA, cytochrome oxidase, and uncoupling protein). Resting metabolic rates and food intake at 8 mo were reduced in proportion to the smaller body size. We suggest that the lack of trophic influence of sensory neuropeptides on BAT proposed previously may extend to other organs, including white adipose tissue, and contribute to the reduced adiposity and the smaller body size of capsaicin-desensitized rats.
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PMID:Long-term decrease in body fat and in brown adipose tissue in capsaicin-desensitized rats. 131 15

The effects of norepinephrine and insulin on thermogenesis were investigated in adipocytes isolated from brown adipose tissue (BAT) of obese non-diabetic LA/N-cp rats (obese LA), obese diabetic SHR/N-cp rats (obese SHR), and their corresponding lean controls. The maximal calorigenic response (Vmax) and the sensitivity [50% effective concentration (EC50)] to norepinephrine (1 microM) were markedly reduced in brown adipocytes from obese SHR rats compared with their lean controls (3- to 4-fold decrease in the Vmax and 50% increase in the EC50 value). In the same cells, there was a similar decrease in the respiratory response to dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, indicating the presence of a major postreceptor defect. Remarkably, total BAT cytochrome oxidase activity (an index of cellular mitochondrial content) was also diminished three to four times in obese SHR rats, suggesting that a reduced BAT mitochondrial content is responsible for the decreased thermogenesis. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the cytoplasm of brown adipocytes from obese SHR rats contained a large lipid droplet, numerous tiny droplets, and few atypical mitochondria with loosely packed cristae. Adipocytes from obese SHR rats were also characterized by a significant resistance to the antithermogenic effect of insulin but not to that of the nonmetabolizable adenosine analogue N6-phenylisopropyl adenosine. In contrast, all the above biochemical parameters were normal in obese LA rats. These results demonstrate that the marked insulin resistance in BAT of obese SHR rats is associated with a decreased responsiveness and sensitivity to norepinephrine, indicating the presence of receptor and postreceptor defects. It is suggested that insulin resistance and/or diabetes in SHR/N-cp rats lead to a decreased mitochondriogenesis in BAT, which results in a reduced thermogenic capacity, thereby contributing to the development of obesity.
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PMID:Major thermogenic defect associated with insulin resistance in brown adipose tissue of obese diabetic SHR/N-cp rats. 165 55

We previously reported that the decreased sensitivity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) from obese Zucker rats to the calorigenic effects of norepinephrine is associated with a marked resistance to insulin, and we suggested that this defect may explain, at least in part, the increased energy gain efficiency of fa/fa rats. To test whether insulin resistance and/or diabetes leads to a reduced BAT thermogenesis in other genetic models of obesity, we compared BAT metabolic properties of obese Zucker rats with that of obese-nondiabetic LA/N-cp and obese-diabetic SHR/N-cp rats. It was found that the responsiveness and sensitivity of isolated brown adipocytes to the calorigenic effects of norepinephrine (10-100 mM) were markedly reduced in SHR/N-cp rats as compared to their lean controls (the Vmax was decreased by 3-4 times and the EC50 value was doubled). In the same cells, there was a similar decrease in the respiratory effects of dibutyryl cAMP (DBcAMP), revealing the presence of a major post-receptor defect. Remarkably, total cytochrome oxidase activity (an index of cell mitochondrial content) was also decreased by 3-4 times in SHR/N-cp rats, suggesting that a reduced BAT mitochondrial content is responsible for the defective thermogenesis. Similarly to Zucker rats, adipocytes isolated from SHR/N-cp rats were resistant to the metabolic effects of insulin (glucose transport and antithermogenesis). Cells from obese Zucker rats were also desensitized to the metabolic effects of norepinephrine and insulin but their thermogenic capacity was not reduced. In contrast, all the above parameters were normal in obese-nondiabetic LA/N-cp rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Mechanism linking insulin resistance to defective thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue of obese diabetic SHR/N-cp rats. 166 83

The purposes of the present study were to characterize the histochemical and enzymatic profiles of various hindlimb skeletal muscles, as well as to determine maximal O2 consumption (VO2max) and respiratory exchange ratios (R) during steady-state exercise in the obese Zucker rat. The changes that occurred in these parameters in response to a 6-wk training program were then assessed. Obese rats were randomly assigned to a sedentary or training group. Lean littermates served as a second control. Training consisted of treadmill running at 18 m/min up an 8% grade, 1.5 h/day, 5 day/wk for 6 wk. During week 6, VO2max and R during a steady-state run (74% max) were determined. After 2 days of inactivity, hindlimb muscles were excised, stained for fiber type and capillaries, and assayed for hexokinase, citrate synthase, cytochrome oxidase, and beta-hydroxyacetyl-CoA dehydrogenase. The obese sedentary rats demonstrated greater oxidative enzyme activities per gram of muscle tissue than their lean littermates, greater R values during submaximal exercise of the same relative intensity, and greater absolute VO2max values. Training resulted in a 20-56% increase in oxidative enzymes, a 10% increase in VO2max, and an increase in capillary density in the soleus and plantaris. There was no alteration in R values during exercise at 74% VO2max or in fiber type composition in response to exercise training. Results suggest that the muscle of the obese Zucker rat manifests a greater oxidative capacity than the muscle of its lean littermates. The apparent inability of the obese rat to increase its use of fat during submaximal exercise of the same relative intensity in response to training remains to be elucidated.
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PMID:Muscle morphological and biochemical adaptations to training in obese Zucker rats. 255 20

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis was assessed by measuring mitochondrial guanosine diphosphate (GDP) binding, cytochrome oxidase activity and oxygen consumption in ovariectomized (OVX) and sham-operated rats. The food intake and body weight of OVX rats increased more than those of controls and OVX rats became obese. Mitochondrial GDP binding, as an indicator of thermogenic activity, cytochrome oxidase activity, as a marker of mitochondrial abundance, and mitochondrial respiration of BAT in OVX rats were significantly reduced compared with those in controls. And, also, even when OVX rats were restricted in food intake (pair-gained) to produce comparable changes in body weight with sham-controls, or matched in food intake (pair-fed) with sham-controls, these parameters in both pair-gained and pair-fed OVX groups were decreased markedly compared to those in sham-controls. As expected, body weight in pair-fed OVX rats increased significantly more than that in sham-controls. In response to cold exposure, these parameters of OVX rats increased as much as those of controls did. These results suggest that reduced brown adipose tissue thermogenesis might be one of the important factors that are responsible for the development of obesity after OVX.
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PMID:Reduced brown adipose tissue thermogenesis of obese rats after ovariectomy. 285 Sep 6

Two experiments were performed to determine if bilateral parasagittal hypothalamic knife-cuts (KCs), which produce long-term overeating and obesity, after biochemical indices of brown adipose tissue (BAT) reactivity to thermogenic stimuli. In the first study, responses to environmental cold were tested. Four weeks after surgery, KC rats had gained 4-5 times more weight than controls and were obese (increased Lee Obesity Index and weight of gonadal white fat). Before being sacrificed, groups of KC and control rats were exposed to 4 degrees C for 21 hr or remained at 28 degrees C. Interscapular BAT weighed 300% more in KC rats, due largely to increased white fat content. Functional indices of BAT thermogenic capacity (protein content, DNA content, cytochrome oxidase activity and mitochondrial guanosine diphosphate (GDP) binding) were normal at 28 degrees C. Exposure to 4 degrees C produced greatly enhanced responses but these were equivalent for both groups. This suggested an intact capacity for non-shivering thermogenesis in obese KC rats. In the second study, the same BAT responses were examined in other rats fed a palatable "cafeteria" diet (CAFE). One week after surgery, KC and control rats were subdivided into groups that received chow alone or chow plus four different palatable foods daily. Before sacrificing 4-5 weeks later, KC rats had gained 3-4 times more weight than controls and were obese. Interscapular BAT weighed 200-300% more in KC rats. CAFE feeding produced larger increments in all variables for KC vs. control rats. Most importantly, GDP binding was reduced in both KC groups, and significantly more so after CAFE feeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Impaired diet-induced thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue from rats made obese with parasagittal hypothalamic knife-cuts. 402 98

Obese (ob/ob) mice have a lower thermogenic capacity than lean mice. The possible role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in this defect was investigated. Lean and obese mice were exposed to 33 (thermoneutral), 25, or 14 degrees C for up to 3 wk. BAT cytochrome oxidase activity and numbers of Na+-K+-ATPase enzyme units, enzymes involved in thermogenesis, were similar at 33 or 25 degrees C. Chronic exposure to 14 degrees C increased these enzymes 34 and 62%, respectively, in lean mice and nearly 150% in obese mice. Sympathetic nervous system activity, which stimulates thermogenesis in BAT, was evaluated by measuring norepinephrine (NE) turnover. At 25 degrees C, NE turnover rate in BAT of obese mice was only 40% as rapid as in BAT of lean mice. Chronic exposure to 33 degrees C depressed NE turnover in BAT of lean mice, but not in obese mice, whereas exposure to 14 degrees C accelerated NE turnover in both lean and obese mice. Lower sympathetic nervous system activity in BAT of obese mice at 25 degrees C is likely a major factor in their reduced nonshivering thermogenesis and resultant high efficiency of energy storage.
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PMID:Reduced norepinephrine turnover in brown adipose tissue of ob/ob mice. 627 59

Young genetically obese (fatty, fa/fa) rats (7-8 wk old) maintained on a chow diet at 28 degrees C have a relatively normal amount of brown adipose tissue (BAT) (normal protein content, normal noradrenaline content, normal or slightly reduced cytochrome oxidase content, 30% reduction in DNA content) with cells grossly hypertrophied by accumulation of lipid. The binding of purine nucleotides by BAT mitochondria is lower in fa/fa rats than in lean rats, suggesting a lesser thermogenic activation of this tissue. Acute exposure to cold (24 h at 4 degrees C) activates BAT thermogenesis (visible hyperemia, marked increase in mitochondrial binding of purine nucleotides, depletion of noradrenaline content) in fa/fa rats as in lean rats. In contrast, feeding a cafeteria diet to young fa/fa rats fails to activate BAT (no increase in mitochondrial binding of purine nucleotides) as it does in lean rats, and these rats accumulate more extra fat (increase in weight of gonadal white adipose tissue) than do cafeteria diet-fed lean rats. It is concluded that the young fa/fa rat has normal cold-induced nonshivering thermogenesis in BAT but defective diet-induced thermogenesis in BAT and that the consequent reduction in energy expenditure, coupled with hyperphagia, contributes to the development of its obesity. The most probable location for the defect is suggested to be associated with the hypothalamus.
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PMID:Brown adipose tissue in genetically obese (fa/fa) rats: response to cold and diet. 629 7

Feeding a cafeteria diet to mice resulted in an increased energy intake of approximately 30% and this led to increases in the wet weight, total protein content, and total cytochrome oxidase activity of interscapular and dorso-cervical brown adipose tissue. Surgical removal of interscapular brown adipose tissue, followed by cafeteria feeding, gave rise to an elevation in dorso-cervical brown adipose tissue wet weight, total protein content, and total cytochrome oxidase activity, compared to intact cafeteria-fed mice. Cafeteria feeding with or without the removal of interscapular brown adipose tissue did not lead to significant increases in body weight compared to stock-fed control mice, but both cafeteria-fed groups of mice showed significant elevations in body fat content indicating that the induced hyperphagia led to a relative obesity in the cafeteria-fed groups. The results presented are consistent with an increased thermogenic activity in the brown adipose tissue of cafeteria-fed mice, and the effect of the removal of interscapular brown adipose tissue further indicates the quantitative importance of the tissue in the control of body weight.
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PMID:Responses to cafeteria feeding in mice after the removal of interscapular brown adipose tissue. 629 31

Rats consuming Coca-Cola and Purina chow ad libitum increased their total energy intake by 50% without excess weight gain. Their resistance to cold was markedly improved. These phenomena were characterized by significant increases in interscapular brown adipose tissue weight (IBAT) (91%), cellularity (59%), triglyceride content (52%), protein content (94%), and cytochrome oxidase activity (167%). In contrast, Coca-Cola consumption did not significantly affect the cellularity or triglyceride content of parametrial white adipose tissue (PWAT), although it slightly augmented PWAT weight. The effects of Coca-Cola on cold resistance, IBAT cellularity, and composition were entirely reproduced by sucrose, but not caffeine, consumption. Although caffeine also increased IBAT cellularity and composition, it significantly decreased the rate of body weight gain, PWAT weight, and adipocyte size. Moreover, it markedly inhibited adipocyte proliferation in PWAT thereby mimicking the effects of exercise training and food restriction (Bukowiecki et al., Am. J. Physiol. 239 (Endocrinol. Metab. 2): E422-E429, 1980). It is concluded a) that sucrose and Coca-Cola consumption improve the resistance of rats to cold, most probably by increasing brown adipose tissue cellularity, and b) that moderate caffeine intake might be useful for inhibiting proliferative activity in white adipose tissue, thereby preventing obesity.
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PMID:Effects of sucrose, caffeine, and cola beverages on obesity, cold resistance, and adipose tissue cellularity. 683 66


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