title: Physiology and relevance of human adaptive thermogenesis response.
abstract: In homoeothermic organisms, the preservation of core temperature represents a primal function, and its costs in terms of energy expenditure can be considerable. In modern humans, the endogenous thermoregulation mechanisms have been replaced by clothing and environmental control, and the maintenance of thermoneutrality has been successfully achieved by manipulation of the micro- and macroenvironment. The rediscovery of the presence and activity of brown adipose tissue in adult humans has renewed the interest on adaptive thermogenesis (AT) as a means to facilitate weight loss and improve carbohydrate metabolism. The aim of this review is to describe the recent advancements in the study of this function, and to assess the potential and limitations of exploiting AT for environmental/behavioral, and pharmacological interventions.
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. Electronic address: fsceli@vcu.edu.
authors: Francesco S
authors: FS
authors: Celi
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
authors: Trang N
authors: TN
authors: Le
authors: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
authors: Bin
authors: B
authors: Ni
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002211:Capsaicin; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D009765:Obesity; D022722:Thermogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D002211:Capsaicin
keywords: adaptive thermogenesis; brown adipose tissue; humans