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Impacts of Moderate Cold Exposure on Energy Metabolism, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Function

Wang, Tse-Yao

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology.
Non-shivering thermogenesis mediated by brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a defense mechanism against environmental cold stress in mammals including humans. Burning the stored energy in the form of lipids to maintain the core temperature is a low energy efficiency procedure leading to the loss of accumulated body fat in white adipose tissue (WAT). With the rediscovery of BAT in adult humans, cold induced thermogenesis (CIT) has been regarded as a novel therapeutic approach to fight increasing global prevalence of obesity, the excess accumulation of body fat from the extended imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. As the driving risk factor for metabolic syndrome, obesity is associated with local and systematic inflammation, insulin resistance, and vascular dysfunction which are further predisposing to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. BAT was thought to be prevalent in hibernating mammals and human newborns but absent in adult humans; however, the rediscovery of BAT in adult humans has been proved by the medical imaging technique: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-positron emission tomography combined with X-ray computed tomography (PET/CT). By providing the location of abnormal metabolic cells anatomically, the PET/CT scan was utilized to pinpoint not only cancer cells but also the presence of active BAT depots in humans. Compared to the classical FDG-detected BAT located in the neck and between the scapulae, the non-invasive probes for inducible brown adipocytes (beige cells) occurring in subcutaneous WAT have not yet been developed. With high intensity of cold stimuli, both classical brown adipocytes and beige cells exhibit acute thermogenic capacity to limit the weight gain and related medical conditions. However, under the chronic and low dose of cold exposures, the recruitment process of thermogenic adipocytes resulting in a higher thermogenic capacity remains unclear. This dissertation is focusing on the molecular mechanisms involved in BAT thermogenesis and the metabolic benefits under moderate cold exposures. The present research enhances our understanding of cold induced BAT recruitment and thermogenesis, and further provides a theoretical foundation for the therapeutic potential for obesity and related medical conditions.
Qinghua Sun (Advisor)
Andrea Doseff (Committee Member)
Zhenguo Liu (Committee Member)
Loren Wold (Committee Member)
163 p.

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Citations

  • Wang, T.-Y. (2013). Impacts of Moderate Cold Exposure on Energy Metabolism, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Function [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1384449386

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wang, Tse-Yao. Impacts of Moderate Cold Exposure on Energy Metabolism, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Function. 2013. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1384449386.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wang, Tse-Yao. "Impacts of Moderate Cold Exposure on Energy Metabolism, Obesity, and Cardiovascular Function." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1384449386

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)