Abstract
The object of this study was to assess the role of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and the sympathetic nervous system in the rise in heat production associated with endotoxin-induced fever. Oxygen consumption (V̇O2) was found to be significantly increased (28%) over a 4-h period after two doses of endotoxin (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, 0.3 mg/100 g body wt) given 24 h apart. Injection of a mixed β-adrenoceptor antagonist (propranolol) reduced V̇O2 by 14% in endotoxin-treated rats, whereas the selective β1- (atenolol) or β2- (ICI 118551) antagonists suppressed V̇O2 by 10%. These drugs did not affect V̇O2 in control animals. BAT thermogenic activity assessed from measurements of in vitro mitochondrial guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP) binding was elevated by 54% in interscapular BAT and by 171% in other BAT depots. Surgical denervation of one lobe of the interscapular depot prevented these responses. Endotoxin failed to stimulate GDP binding in rats fed protein-deficient diets. This may have been because BAT thermogenic activity was already elevated in control rats fed these diets or because endotoxin caused a marked suppression of food intake in the protein-deficient animals. The results indicate that sympathetic activation of BAT is involved in the thermogenic responses to endotoxin and that these can be modified by dietary manipulation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 18/5 |
Journal | AJP: Endocrinology and Metabolism |
Volume | 255 |
Issue number | 5 |
Publication status | Published - 1988 |