Expression of glycerokinase in brown adipose tissue is stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system

The effect of cold exposure (4 degrees C) or prolonged norepinephrine infusion on the activity and mRNA levels of glycerokinase (GyK) was investigated in rat interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT). Cold exposure for 12 and 24 h induced increases of 30% and 100%, respectively, in the activity of BAT GyK, which was paralleled by twofold and fourfold increase in enzyme mRNA levels. BAT hemidenervation resulted in reductions of 50% and 30% in GyK activity and in mRNA levels, respectively, in denervated pads from rats kept at 25 degrees C, and suppressed in these pads the cold-induced increases in both GyK activity and mRNA levels. The increase in GyK activity induced by cold exposure was not affected by phenoxybenzamine, but was markedly inhibited by previous administration of propranolol or actinomycin D. BAT GyK activity did not change significantly after 6 h of continuous subcutaneous infusion of norepinephrine (20 microg/h), but increased twofold and fourfold after 12 and 24 h, with no further increase after 72 h of infusion. Norepinephrine infusion also activated mRNA production, but the effect was comparatively smaller than that on enzyme activity. beta-Adrenergic agonists also stimulated GyK activity with the following relative magnitude of response: CL316243 (beta(3)) > isoproterenol (non-selective) > dobutamine (beta(1)). In vitro rates of incorporation of glycerol into glyceride-glycerol were increased in BAT from rats exposed to cold. The data suggest that in conditions of a sustained increase in BAT sympathetic flow there is a stimulation of GyK gene expression at the pretranslational level, with increased enzyme activity, mediated by beta-adrenoreceptors, mainly beta(3).     

Glycerokinase activity in brown adipose tissue: a sympathetic regulation?

The effect of brown adipose tissue (BAT) sympathetic hemidenervation on the activity of glycerokinase (GyK) was investigated in different physiological conditions. In rats fed a balanced diet, the activity of the enzyme was approximately 50% lower in BAT-denervated pads than in intact, innervated pads. In rats adapted to a high-protein, carbohydrate-free diet, norepinephrine turnover rates and BAT GyK activity were already reduced, and BAT denervation resulted in a further decrease in the activity of the enzyme. Cold acclimation of normally fed rats at 4 degrees C for 10 days markedly increased the activity of the enzyme. Cold exposure (4 degrees C) for 6 h was insufficient to stimulate BAT GyK, but the activity of the enzyme was already increased after 12 h of cold exposure. The cold-induced BAT GyK stimulation was completely blocked in BAT-denervated pads. The data indicate that an adequate sympathetic flow to BAT is required for the maintenance of normal levels of GyK activity and for the enzyme response to situations, such as cold exposure, which markedly increase BAT sympathetic flow.     

Brown fat thermogenesis in cold-acclimated rats is not abolished by the suppression of thyroid function

The effects of long-term cold exposure on brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis in hypothyroid rats have been examined. Thyroid ablation was performed in normal rats after 2 mo of exposure to 4 degrees C, when BAT hypertrophy and thermogenic activity were maximal. After ablation, hypothyroid and normal controls remained in the cold for 2 additional months. At the end of the 4-mo cold exposure, all untreated hypothyroid rats were alive, had normal body temperature, and had gained an average 12.8% more weight than normal controls. Long-term cold exposure of hypothyroid rats markedly increased BAT weight, mitochondrial proteins, uncoupling protein (UCP)-1, mRNA for UCP-1, and oxygen consumption to levels similar to those seen in cold-exposed normal rats. The results indicate that thyroid hormones are required for increased thermogenic capacity to occur as an adaptation to long-term cold exposure. However, cold adaptation can be maintained in the absence of thyroid hormone.     

Role of the sympathetic innervation in the cold-induced activation of 5'-deiodinase in brown adipose tissue of the Djungarian hamster.

The importance of the sympathetic innervation in the regulation of 5'-deiodinase activity in the interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) of the Djungarian hamster was studied. Interscapular BAT of Djungarian hamsters was either unilaterally or bilaterally denervated, and thereafter the animals were maintained at thermoneutral temperature or exposed to 0 degree C for 24 h. Denervation reduced the norepinephrine content to 2-10% of the level in the control groups. Unilateral denervation was as effective as bilateral denervation in depressing the norepinephrine content of the interscapular BAT. Cold exposure for 24 h resulted in a pronounced 5'-deiodinase activation. Denervation reduced, but did not completely prevent, the cold-induced increase in 5'-deiodinase activity. The basal level of 5'-deiodinase activity at thermoneutral temperature was not reduced by denervation. We conclude that cold-induced activation of BAT 5'-deiodinase primarily depends on the intact sympathetic innervation.     

Acute cold exposure-induced down-regulation of CIDEA, cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector A, in rat interscapular brown adipose tissue by sympathetically activated β3-adrenoreceptors

The thermogenic activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) largely depends on the mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which is up-regulated by environmental alterations such as cold. Recently, CIDEA (cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector A) has also been shown to be expressed at high levels in the mitochondria of BAT. Here we examined the effect of cold on the mRNA and protein levels of CIDEA in interscapular BAT of conscious rats with regard to the sympathetic nervous system. Cold exposure (4 °C for 3 h) elevated the plasma norepinephrine level and increased norepinephrine turnover in BAT. Cold exposure resulted in down-regulation of the mRNA and protein levels of CIDEA in BAT, accompanied by up-regulation of mRNA and protein levels of UCP1. The cold exposure-induced changes of CIDEA and UCP1 were attenuated by intraperitoneal pretreatment with propranolol (a non-selective β-adrenoreceptor antagonist) (2 mg/animal) or SR59230A (a selective β₃-adrenoreceptor antagonist) (2 mg/animal), respectively. These results suggest that acute cold exposure resulted in down-regulation of CIDEA in interscapular BAT by sympathetically activated β₃-adrenoreceptor-mediated mechanisms in rats.     

Increased uncoupling protein-2 and -3 gene expressions in skeletal muscle of STZ-induced diabetic rats

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic animals are vulnerable to cold stress. Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) play an important role in regulating thermogenesis. We investigated the gene expressions of UCPs in brown adipose tissue (BAT), white adipose tissue (WAT), liver and gastrocnemius muscle of STZ-diabetic rats using Northern blot. UCP-1, -2 and -3 mRNA expressions in BAT were all remarkably lower in STZ-diabetic rats than those in control rats. Both UCP-2 and -3 gene expressions in gastrocnemius muscle were substantially elevated in STZ-diabetic rats and insulin treatment restored UCP gene expressions to normal levels. These results suggest that in STZ-diabetic rats, the overexpression of UCP-2 and UCP-3 in skeletal muscle provides a defense against hypothermogenesis caused by decreased UCPs in BAT.     

Sympathetic activation of glucose utilization in brown adipose tissue in rats.

The effects of norepinephrine (NE) infusion and surgical denervation or electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerves on 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake in interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) were investigated in vivo in rats to obtain direct evidence for sympathetic control of glucose utilization in this tissue. 2-DG uptake was rather low in fasted rats, but after refeeding it increased in the BAT as well as the heart, skeletal muscle, and white adipose tissue, in parallel with an increase in plasma insulin level. Cold exposure also enhanced 2-DG uptake in the BAT without the increase in plasma insulin level, while it had no appreciable effect on 2-DG uptake in other tissues. Sympathetic denervation greatly attenuated the stimulatory effect of cold exposure on 2-DG uptake in BAT, but it did not affect the increased 2-DG uptake after refeeding. Electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerves entering BAT or NE infusion produced a marked increase in 2-DG uptake in BAT without noticeable effects in other tissues. beta-Adrenergic blockade, but not alpha-blockade, abolished the increased 2-DG uptake in BAT. It was concluded that glucose utilization in BAT is activated directly, independently of the action of insulin, by sympathetic nerves via the beta-adrenergic pathway.     

Brown adipose tissue, liver, and diet-induced thermogenesis in cafeteria diet-fed rats

Diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) in young rats overeating a "cafeteria" (CAF) diet of palatable human foods is characterized by a chronic, propranolol-inhibitable elevation in resting metabolic rate (VO2) and is associated with various changes in brown adipose tissue (BAT) that have been taken as evidence for BAT as the effector of DIT. But direct evidence for participation of BAT in DIT has been lacking. By employing a nonocclusive cannula to sample the venous effluent of interscapular BAT (IBAT) for analysis of its O2 content and measuring tissue blood flow with microspheres, we accomplished direct determination (Fick principle) of the O2 consumption of BAT in conscious CAF rats. In comparison with normophagic controls fed chow, the CAF rats exhibited a 43% increase in metabolizable energy intake, reduced food efficiency, a 22% elevation in resting VO2 at 28 degrees C (thermoneutrality) or 24 degrees C (housing temperature), and characteristic changes in the properties of their BAT (e.g., increased mass, protein content and mitochondrial GDP binding). They also exhibited the greater metabolic response to exogenous noradrenaline characteristic of CAF rats and the near elimination by propranolol of their elevation in VO2. By the criterion of their elevated VO2, the CAF rats were exhibiting DIT at the time of the measurements of BAT blood flow and blood O2 levels. However, BAT O2 consumption was found to be no greater in the CAF rats than in the controls at either 28 or 24 degrees C. At 28 degrees C it accounted for less than 1% of whole body VO2; at 24 degrees C it increased to about 10% of overall VO2 in both diet groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Norepinephrine release in brown adipose tissue remains robust in cold-exposed senescent Fischer 344 rats

Near the end of life, old F344 rats undergo a transition, marked by spontaneous and rapidly declining function. Food intake and body weight decrease, and these rats, which we call senescent, develop severe hypothermia in the cold due in part to blunted brown fat [brown adipose tissue (BAT)] thermogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that this attenuation may involve diminished sympathetic signaling by measuring cold-induced BAT norepinephrine release in freely moving rats using linear microdialysis probes surgically implanted into interscapular BAT 24 and 48 h previously. In response to 2 h at 15 degrees C, senescent rats increased BAT norepinephrine release 6- to 10-fold but did not maintain homeothermy. This increase was comparable to that of old presenescent (weight stable) rats that did maintain homeothermy during even greater cold exposure (2 h at 15 degrees C followed by 1.5 h at 8 degrees C). Tail temperatures, an index of vasoconstrictor responsiveness to cold, exhibited similar cooling curves in presenescent and senescent rats. Thus cold-induced sympathetic signaling to BAT and tail vasoconstrictor responsiveness remain robust in senescent rats and cannot explain their cold-induced hypothermia.     

Organ blood flow and brown adipose tissue oxygen consumption during noradrenaline-induced nonshivering thermogenesis in the Djungarian hamster

During NA-induced NST blood flow through BAT increased from 0.18 ml min-1 to 3.21 ml min-1 in 23 degrees C acclimated (equals thermoneutrality) and from 0.61 ml min-1 to 9.67 ml min-1 in outdoors (-2 to 12 degrees C Ta) acclimated Djungarian hamsters. In 23 degrees C acclimated hamsters this increase was accomplished by a diversion of blood flow from visceral organs without a change in cardiac output (19.7 versus 20.5 ml min-1 before and after NA). In outdoors acclimated hamsters we also observed a redistribution of blood flow from the viscera to BAT. In addition, cardiac output increased from 24.3 to 38.8 ml min-1. Metabolic rate of BAT in situ was determined from organ blood flow and the (A-V)O2 of blood across the interscapular BAT. BAT of outdoor acclimated hamsters showed a significantly higher metabolism in comparison to 23 degrees C acclimated hamsters (81.1 versus 30.4 mlO2h-1). Furthermore, this calculation revealed that 28% (23 degrees C acclimated hamsters) and 61% (outdoors acclimated hamsters) of total NST were located in BAT of Phodopus sungorus.     

Effect of NPY in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus on uncoupling proteins 1, 2, and 3 in the rat

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) injected into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) stimulates feeding and decreases uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 mRNA in brown adipose tissue (BAT). The present studies were undertaken to determine whether UCP-2 in white adipose tissue (WAT) and UCP-3 in muscle are regulated by NPY in the PVN. PVN-cannulated male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with either saline or NPY (PVN, 117 pmol, 0.5 microl) every 6 h for 24 h. NPY in the PVN stimulated feeding and decreased UCP-1 mRNA in BAT independent of NPY-induced feeding. UCP-2 mRNA in WAT was unchanged by NPY. In acromiotrapezius muscle, NPY decreased UCP-3 mRNA, but this was reversed by restricting food intake to control levels. In biceps femoris muscle, NPY alone had no effect on UCP-3 mRNA, but UCP-3 mRNA was significantly increased in the NPY-treated rats that were restricted to control levels of intake. These results suggest that UCP-2 in WAT and UCP-3 in muscle are not subject to specific regulation by NPY in the PVN.     

DHEA administration increases brown fat uncoupling protein 1 levels in obese OLETF rats

We found that UCP-1 and UCP-3 mRNA expression levels and the UCP-1 protein content in brown adipose tissue (BAT) were reduced in prediabetic OLETF rats than the lean LETO rats. Administration of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for 17 days induced remarkable weight loss, which was in part attributed to an enhanced utilization of ingested energy. DHEA administration significantly increased the levels of BAT UCP-1 and UCP-3 mRNA expression. Among the upstream signals for UCP-1 regulation, expression levels of the beta 3 adrenergic receptor (beta(3)AR) and PPAR gamma coactivator-1 (PGC-1) were significantly decreased in the OLETF rats and increased by DHEA administration. The decreased expression levels of UCP-1 and its upstream regulators, beta(3)AR and PGC-1, in BAT may contribute to inefficient energy utilization and obesity in OLETF rats, which was corrected by DHEA treatment.     

Effect of a high or low ambient perinatal temperature on adult obesity in Osborne-Mendel and S5B/Pl rats

Perinatal environment is an important determinant of health status of adults. We tested the hypothesis that perinatal ambient temperature alters sympathetic activity and affects body composition in adult life and that this effect differs between S5B/Pl (S5B) and Osborne-Mendel (OM) strains of rat that were resistant (S5B) or susceptible (OM) to dietary obesity. From 1 wk before birth, rat litters were raised at either 18 or 30 degrees C until 2 mo of age while consuming a chow diet. Rats were then housed at normal housing temperature (22 degrees C) and provided either high-fat or low-fat diet. OM rats initially reared at 18 degrees C gained more weight on both diets than those reared at 30 degrees C. Perinatal temperature had no effect on body weight gain of the S5B rats on either diet. At 12 wk of age, OM and S5B rats reared at 18 degrees C had higher intakes of the high-fat diet than those reared at 30 degrees C but lower beta3-adrenergic receptor (beta3-AR) and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) mRNA levels in brown adipose tissue (BAT). The increase in metabolic rate in response to the beta3-agonist CL-316243, was greater in both OM and S5B rats reared at 18 degrees C than in those reared at 30 degrees C. Perinatal temperature differentially affects body weight in OM and S5B rats while having similar effects on food intake, response to a beta3-agonist, and BAT beta3-AR and UCP-1. The data suggest that OM rats are more susceptible to epigenetic programming than S5B rats.     

Ventromedial hypothalamic stimulation accelerates norepinephrine turnover in brown adipose tissue of rats

To establish a functional link between the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), effects of electrical stimulation of the VMH and the lateral hypothalamus (LH) on norepinephrine (NE) turnover in the interscapular BAT were examined in rats. Stimulation of the VMH elicited about 3-fold increase in the rate of NE turnover in BAT, whereas stimulation of the LH had no appreciable effects. The effect of VMH stimulation was abolished after sympathetic ganglion blockade or by surgical sympathetic denervation of BAT. It was concluded that there is a sympathetic nerve-mediated connection between the VMH and BAT, and that stimulation of the VMH induces metabolic activation and heat production in BAT through an increase in sympathetic nerve activity.     

Fatty acid synthesis and generation of glycerol-3-phosphate in brown adipose tissue from rats fed a cafeteria diet

In vivo fatty acid synthesis and the pathways of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) production were investigated in brown adipose tissue (BAT) from rats fed a cafeteria diet for 3 weeks. In spite of BAT activation, the diet promoted an increase in the carcass fatty acid content. Plasma insulin levels were markedly increased in cafeteria diet-fed rats. Two insulin-sensitive processes, in vivo fatty acid synthesis and in vivo glucose uptake (which was used to evaluate G3P generation via glycolysis) were increased in BAT from rats fed the cafeteria diet. Direct glycerol phosphorylation, evaluated by glycerokinase (GyK) activity and incorporation of [U-14C]glycerol into triacylglycerol (TAG)-glycerol, was also markedly increased in BAT from these rats. In contrast, the cafeteria diet induced a marked reduction of BAT glyceroneogenesis, evaluated by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-C activity and incorporation of [1-14C]pyruvate into TAG-glycerol. BAT denervation resulted in an approximately 50% reduction of GyK activity, but did not significantly affect BAT in vivo fatty acid synthesis, in vivo glucose uptake, or glyceroneogenesis. The data suggest that the supply of G3P for BAT TAG synthesis can be adjusted independently from the sympathetic nervous system and solely by reciprocal changes in the generation of G3P via glycolysis and via glyceroneogenesis, with no participation of direct phosphorylation of glycerol by GyK.     

Effect of unilateral surgical denervation of brown adipose tissue on uncoupling protein mRNA level and cytochrom-c-oxidase activity in the Djungarian hamster

The bilateral lobe of interscapular brown adipose tissue of the Djungarian hamster was unilaterally denervated in order to study the role of the sympathetic innervation for maintenance and cold-induced increase of non-shivering thermogenesis. Denervation decreased the noradrenaline content of brown adipose tissue to less than 9% of the intact contralateral pad. This low noradrenaline level was maintained for 1–14 days after denervation. First, to study the role of the sympathetic innervation of brown adipose tissue in the maintenance of the high thermogenic capacity characteristic of the cold acclimated state, brown adipose tissue was denervated in hamsters either kept at thermoneutrality or acclimated to 5°C ambient temperature for 4 weeks. Cold-acclimated hamsters had elevated levels of uncoupling protein messenger ribonucleic acid (8.1-fold) and cytochrom-c oxidase-activity (3-fold). Denervation of brown adipose tissue decreased uncoupling protein-messenger ribonucleic acid level and cytochrom-c-oxidase-activity as compared to the intact pad in thermoneutral and in cold-acclimated hamsters. However, in cold-acclimated hamsters uncoupling protein-messenger ribonucleic acid level and cytochrom-c-oxidase-activity in denervated brown adipose tissue both were maintained on an elevated 6-fold higher levels as compared to thermoneutral controls. Second, to study the role of the sympathetic innervation of brown adipose tissue in the cold-induced increase in thermogenic capacity, hamsters were denervated prior to cold acclimation and responses were measured after 3 and 14 days of cold exposure. Uncoupling protein-messenger ribonucleic acid level and cytochrom-c-oxidase-activity of intact brown adipose tissue increased after 14 days cold acclimation. Denervation did not completely prevent a cold-induced 1.5-fold increase of cytochrom-c-oxidase-activity and a 3.2-fold increase of the uncoupling protein-messenger ribonucleic acid level in denervated brown adipose tissue after 14 days of cold acclimation. In conclusion, high levels of uncoupling protein-messenger ribonucleic acid and cytochrom-c-oxidase activity in brown adipose tissue of cold-acclimated hamsters can partially be maintained without intact sympathetic innervation, suggesting a considerable contribution of trophic factors not requiring sympathetic innervation for maintenance. The cold-induced increase of cytochrom-c-oxidase activity and expression of uncoupling protein-messenger ribonucleic acid largely depends upon sympathetic innervation of brown adipose tissue.Abbreviations ANOVA analysis of variance - BAT brown adipose tissue - COX cytochrom-c-oxidase - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - mRNA messenger ribonucleie acid - NA noradrenaline - T _a ambient temperature - UCP uncoupling protein     

Full expression of uncoupling protein gene requires the concurrence of norepinephrine and triiodothyronine

We have examined the uncoupling (UCP) protein gene expression in euthyroid and hypothyroid rats. UCP mRNA levels were estimated by northern blot analysis of total RNA from brown adipose tissue (BAT). Stimuli were endogenous (cold) and exogenous norepinephrine (NE), isoproterenol, T3, and T4. While the euthyroid rats UCP mRNA levels increase 2- to 3-fold by 2 h after NE or overnight cold exposure, these stimuli and isoproterenol are ineffective in hypothyroid rats. One single dose of T4, equal to the daily production rate, brings about a normal response in hypothyroid rats exposed to cold overnight. Hypothyroid rats recover their responsiveness to NE approximately 4 h after a receptor saturating dose of T3. On the other hand, such a dose of T3 induces a 3- to 4-fold increase in UCP mRNA levels in hypothyroid rats without the need of exogenous NE, and this response is not reduced by raising ambient temperature to thermoneutrality (28 C). However, the following evidence indicates that T3 requires adrenergic input to stimulate the accumulation of UCP mRNA: first, euthyroid animals maintained at 28 C do not respond to such a treatment. Second, when T3 was injected to hypothyroid rats with unilaterally denervated BAT, only the intact side responded to T3 with an elevation of the UCP mRNA levels, but both sides remained responsive to T3 + NE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Absence of increased oxygen consumption in brown adipose tissue of rats exhibiting "cafeteria" diet-induced thermogenesis

Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced to overeat (approximately 45%) by provision of a "cafeteria" (CAF) diet of palatable human foods. Normophagic rats fed a commercial chow or a semisynthetic diet served as controls. The CAF rats exhibited (a) the reduced food efficiency and the propranolol-inhibitable elevation in resting metabolic rate (resting VO2) that are indicative of a facultative diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) by which excess energy gain is resisted, and (b) certain changes in brown adipose tissue (BAT) that are among those taken as evidence for BAT as the effector of DIT, e.g., increased protein content and increased mitochondrial binding of GDP. To assess directly and quantitatively the contribution by BAT to the elevation in VO2 (apparent DIT) of the CAF rats, BAT O2 consumption was determined (Fick principle) from measurements of tissue blood flow (microsphere method) and the arteriovenous difference in blood O2 across interscapular BAT (IBAT). To obtain the measurements, the animals were fitted under halothane anesthesia with vascular cannulas for intraventricular injection of microspheres and sampling of arterial blood and the venous effluent of IBAT. After recovery from anesthesia and rewarming to normal body temperature the animals were placed singly in a temperature-controlled metabolic chamber and the measurements, which also included determination of resting VO2, were made 1.5-2 h later about 11:30 h. As determined from measurements made at 28 degrees C (thermoneutrality) mean values of resting VO2 for the cannulated rats were unchanged from those of intact (unoperated) CAF or control rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Adrenomedullin and its receptor components in adipose tissues: Differences between white and brown fats and the effects of adrenergic stimulation

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subcutaneously injected with 2.5mg/kg phenylephrine or 2.5mg/kg isoproterenol or both (2.5mg/kg for each drug) for 4 days, twice a day. Samples of scapular brown adipose tissue (BAT) and epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) were collected for the measurement of adrenomedullin (AM) levels and the gene expression of preproAM, calcitonin receptor like receptor (CRLR) and its activity modifying proteins (RAMPs) by radioimmunoassay and RT-PCR. These values were compared with those in the rats that received 0.9% saline. The gene expression of AM and AM receptor components in BAT are much less than that in epididymal WAT. In BAT there were an increase in AM peptide level after a combined treatment of alpha(1) and beta adrenoceptor agonists and increases in preproAM mRNA levels for rats treated with alpha(1) and beta receptor agonists alone or in combination. Both CRLR and RAMP2 mRNA levels of alphabeta group were increased significantly. In WAT, AM peptide level, RAMP1 and RAMP2 mRNA expression levels were augmented in the alpha group while CRLR mRNA level was enhanced in the beta group. The levels of AM, its receptor and RAMPs are much less in BAT than in WAT but adrenergic stimulation has a greater effect on the AM and its receptor components in BAT than those in WAT. AM stimulates lipolysis and increases the level of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) in BAT. It may therefore enhance thermogenesis by increasing the availability of free fatty acids substrate as well as the UCP-1 level on the mitochondrial membrane.