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Molecular Pharmacology

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The Heartwarming Effect of Brown Adipose Tissue

Kelsey M. Pinckard and Kristin I. Stanford
Molecular Pharmacology December 21, 2021, MOLPHARM-MR-2021-000328; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/molpharm.121.000328
Kelsey M. Pinckard
1The Ohio State University, United States
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Kristin I. Stanford
2Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University, United States
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  • For correspondence: kristin.stanford@osumc.edu
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Abstract

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a metabolically active tissue that improves glucose metabolism and protects against the development of type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, the role of BAT to improve cardiovascular health has only recently been investigated. In this review, we discuss multiple mechanisms through which both the thermogenic and endocrine functions of BAT mediate cardiac health. β-adrenergic stimulation activates the thermogenic function of BAT, resulting in reduced circulating lipids and glucose, and enhanced clearance of hepatic cholesterol-enriched remnants leading to reduced atherosclerotic region size. Additionally, the thermogenic role of BAT has been implicated in activation of the AKT-ERK1/2 pathway after myocardial infarction (MI), contributing to reduced injury size. The endocrine function of BAT has also been implicated to improve both systemic metabolic health and cardiac health. Specifically, the batokines FGF21 and 12,13-diHOME improve cardiovascular health via reduced hypertension, hypertrophy and MI injury size (FGF21) or by directly improving cardiac function via improved calcium cycling (12,13-diHOME). Finally, we discuss relevant pharmacological treatment methods currently aiming to activate BAT, typically through sympathetic activation.

Significance Statement This mini-review discusses the role of BAT to improve cardiac health via thermogenic and endocrine effects in both rodents and humans, and highlights the need for therapeutic methods which activate or mimic BAT activity.

  • Adipose tissue
  • cardiovascular disease
  • © 2020 The Authors. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
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Molecular Pharmacology: 102 (2)
Molecular Pharmacology
Vol. 102, Issue 2
1 Aug 2022
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BAT improves cardiovascular health

Kelsey M. Pinckard and Kristin I. Stanford
Molecular Pharmacology December 21, 2021, MOLPHARM-MR-2021-000328; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/molpharm.121.000328

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OtherMinireview

BAT improves cardiovascular health

Kelsey M. Pinckard and Kristin I. Stanford
Molecular Pharmacology December 21, 2021, MOLPHARM-MR-2021-000328; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/molpharm.121.000328
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