title: A role of active brown adipose tissue in cancer cachexia?
abstract: Until a few years ago, adult humans were not thought to have brown adipose tissue (BAT). Now, this is a rapidly evolving field of research with perspectives in metabolic syndromes such as obesity and new therapies targeting its bio-energetic pathways. White, brown and so-called brite adipose fat seem to be able to trans-differentiate into each other, emphasizing the dynamic nature of fat tissue for metabolism. Human and animal data in cancer cachexia to date provide some evidence for BAT activation, but its quantitative impact on energy expenditure and weight loss is controversial. Prospective clinical studies can address the potential role of BAT in cancer cachexia using (18)F-fluoro- deoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography scanning, with careful consideration of co-factors such as diet, exposure to the cold, physical activity and body mass index, that all seem to act on BAT recruitment and activity.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Nuclear Medicine.
authors.forename: Emiel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beijer
authors.affiliation: Respiratory.
authors.forename: Janna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schoenmakers
authors.affiliation: Medicine and Surgery, ; Department of Human Biology, ; NUTRIM School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vijgen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment (MTA), ; CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University and Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Fons
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kessels
authors.affiliation: Respiratory ; GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dingemans
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, ; NUTRIM School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schrauwen
authors.affiliation: Respiratory ; NUTRIM School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism.
authors.forename: Miel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biology, ; NUTRIM School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism.
authors.forename: Wouter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van Marken Lichtenbelt
authors.affiliation: Departments of Nuclear Medicine.
authors.forename: Jaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teule
authors.affiliation: Departments of Nuclear Medicine, ; GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology.
authors.forename: Boudewijn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brans
keywords: 18F-FDG PET-CT.; UCP-1; brown adipose tissue; brown fat; cachexia; cancer; energy expenditure; thermogenesis