Enhancement of Brown Adipose Tissue Function Via Chronic Pharmacological Treatment

Enhancement of Brown Adipose Tissue Function Via Chronic Pharmacological Treatment

Obesity is epidemic in Australia, and current preventative strategies have had limited success in alleviating this health crisis. While numerous options are available for treatment of obesity, most do not result in sustained weight reduction. Obesity results from an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, therefore new methods that correct this imbalance are essential for effective long-term treatment. Rodent studies show that brown adipose tissue (BAT) can burn more energy than any other tissue in the body, therefore targeting BAT to increase its activity (energy burning rate) and quantity in humans is potentially a powerful tool for the treatment of obesity and related diseases. BAT has only recently been irrefutably identified in adult humans therefore little is known about how it functions in humans.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males aged 19 - 35 years
• Free of overt coronary disease (on history, medical examination and ECG)
• Unmedicated
• No major illness
• BMI <27 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to give informed consent
• Smokers
• Participant in research projects involving ionising radiation within the past 5 years.
• Claustrophobia
• Fasting plasma glucose > 6.0 mmol/L