Postprandial Oxidative Metabolism of Human Brown Fat Indicates Thermogenesis.

Human studies suggest that a meal elevates glucose uptake in brown adipose tissue (BAT). However, in postprandial state the thermogenic activity and the metabolism of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in BAT remain unclear. Using indirect calorimetry combined with positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT), we showed that whole-body and BAT thermogenesis (oxygen consumption) increases after the ingestion of a mixed carbohydrate-rich meal, to the same extent as in cold stress.

Human Brown Fat Radiodensity Indicates Underlying Tissue Composition and Systemic Metabolic Health.

Context: Metabolic imaging studying brown adipose tissue (BAT) physiology has increased, in which computed tomography (CT) is commonly used as an anatomical reference for metabolic positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. However, the capacity of CT to provide metabolic information has been underexploited.

Objective: To evaluate whether CT radiodensity of BAT could noninvasively estimate underlying tissue morphology, regarding amount of stored triglycerides.

Human brown adipose tissue [(15)O]O2 PET imaging in the presence and absence of cold stimulus.

Purpose: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is considered a potential target for combatting obesity, as it produces heat instead of ATP in cellular respiration due to uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) in mitochondria. However, BAT-specific thermogenic capacity, in comparison to whole-body thermogenesis during cold stimulus, is still controversial. In our present study, we aimed to determine human BAT oxygen consumption with [(15)O]O2 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

The effects of bariatric surgery on pancreatic lipid metabolism and blood flow.

Context: Bariatric surgery leads to a rapid and sustained weight loss often accompanied with improvement in glucose homeostasis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of bariatric surgery on pancreatic lipid metabolism, blood flow, and glycemic control.

Design: This was a longitudinal study.

Pancreatic metabolism, blood flow, and β-cell function in obese humans.

Context: Glucolipotoxicity is believed to induce pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in obesity. Previously, it has not been possible to study pancreatic metabolism and blood flow in humans.

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate whether pancreatic metabolism and blood flow are altered in obesity using positron emission tomography (PET).

The effect of revascularization of renal artery stenosis on renal perfusion in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

Background: Only a small fraction of patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) treated with revascularization have improved renal function after the procedure. It has been suggested that this may be due to effects of renal microvascular disease. Our aim was to measure the effect of renal artery stenosis (RAS) revascularization on renal perfusion in patients with renovascular disease.