Ephedrine activates brown adipose tissue in lean but not obese humans

AL Carey; MF Formosa; B Van Every; D Bertovic; N Eikelis; GW Lambert; V Kalff; SJ Duffy; MH Cherk; BA Kingwell

Journal article

Ephedrine activates brown adipose tissue in lean but not obese humans

AL Carey, MF Formosa, B Van Every, D Bertovic, N Eikelis, GW Lambert, V Kalff, SJ Duffy, MH Cherk, BA Kingwell

Diabetologia | Published : 2013

DOI: 10.1007/s00125-012-2748-1

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activation increases energy consumption and may help in the treatment of obesity. Cold exposure is the main physiological stimulus for BAT thermogenesis and the sympathetic nervous system, which innervates BAT, is essential in this process. However, cold-induced BAT activation is impaired in obese humans. To explore the therapeutic potential of BAT, it is essential to determine whether pharmacological agents can activate BAT. Methods: We aimed to determine whether BAT can be activated in lean and obese humans after acute administration of an orally bioavailable sympathomimetic. In a randomised, double-blinded, crossover trial, we administered 2.5 m..

View full abstract

University of Melbourne Researchers

Bronwyn Kingwell Author

Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Heart and Medical Research Council of Australia, the Alan Williams Trust and the Operational Infrastructure Support (OIS) Scheme of the Victorian State Government.