Brown adipose tissue
(Redirected from Hibernating gland)
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) or brown fat is one of two types of adipose tissue found in mammals. It is named for its brown color, which is due to the high density of mitochondria and rich vascularization. Unlike white adipose tissue (WAT), which stores energy in the form of triglycerides, BAT is specialized for energy expenditure. It is primarily located in the neck and large blood vessels of the thorax, where it generates heat by burning fatty acids and glucose.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of BAT is thermogenesis (heat production) in response to cold exposure or diet. This is achieved through the action of the protein uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which is uniquely expressed in the mitochondria of brown adipocytes. UCP1 uncouples oxidative phosphorylation from ATP production, allowing energy to be dissipated as heat.
Development[edit | edit source]
Brown adipocytes are derived from a common myogenic factor 5 (Myf5)-positive progenitor with skeletal muscle. The development of BAT is regulated by a complex network of transcription factors, including PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family members.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
BAT has been the focus of research for its potential role in combating obesity and metabolic syndrome. Activation of BAT increases energy expenditure and can reduce body weight. Furthermore, BAT activity is inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI) and age, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for BAT in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
See also[edit | edit source]
.svg){kind=small} | This article about metabolism is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
