It was recently reported that the extragonadal actions of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) include regulation of brown and white adipose tissue function and thermogenesis. Based on these findings and on our evidence for reduced FSH levels and enhanced thermogenesis in long-lived growth hormone (GH)-deficient mice and GH-resistant mice, we suggest that FSH may have a role in the control of agi...

Mitochondrion is the main intracellular site for thermogenesis and attractive energy expenditure targeting for obesity therapy. Here, we develop a method of mitochondrial thermometry based on Rhodamine B methyl ester, which equilibrates as a thermosensitive mixture of nonfluorescent and fluorescent resonance forms. Using this approach, we are able to demonstrate that the efficacy of norepinephr...

We report here studies that integrate data of respiration rate from mouse skeletal muscle in response to leptin and pharmacological interference with intermediary metabolism, together with assays for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Our results suggest that the direct effect of leptin in stimulating thermogenesis in skeletal muscle is mediated by sub...

Brown adipose tissue was investigated in two cases of cot death in which core temperatures were above 40 degrees C on arrival at the mortuary. Evidence was obtained from mitochondrial (8-3H) guanosine diphosphate (GDP) binding and oxygen uptake of active thermogenesis with uncoupled mitochondrial respiration which was recoupled by GDP. Thermogenic capacity of brown adipose tissue, estimated by ...

Consumption of spiced foods or herbal drinks leads to greater thermogenesis and in some cases to greater satiety. In this regard, capsaicin, black pepper, ginger, mixed spices, green tea, black tea and caffeine are relevant examples. These functional ingredients have the potential to produce significant effects on metabolic targets such as satiety, thermogenesis, and fat oxidation. A significan...

High-fat diets produce obesity in part because, per calorie, glucose produces greater post-prandial thermogenesis than lipids, an effect probably mediated by glucose-sensing neurons. A very low-carbohydrate/high-fat/high-protein Atkins-type diet produces obesity but is marginally ketogenic in mice. In contrast, high-sucrose/low-fat diets, and very low-carbohydrate/high-fat/low-protein (anti-epi...

Energy expenditure decreases in response to weight loss. Although this phenomenon is likely driven, at least in part, by neuroendocrine adaptations to caloric imbalance, its underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet fully elucidated (1). Because adaptive thermogenesis intensifies and is sustained over time as weight loss increases (2,3), it is considered to mitigate weight loss. The variabili...

Arctic ground squirrels are small mammals that experience physiological extremes during the hibernation season. Body temperature rises from 1°C to 40°C interbout arousal and requires tight thermoregulation maintain rheostasis. Tissues wild-caught were sampled over 9 months assess expression of proteins key thermogenic regulation. Animals sacrificed while aroused, extensor digitorum longus, diap...

Ion currents associated with channel proteins in the presence of membrane potential are ubiquitous cellular and organelle membranes. When an ion current occurs through a protein, Joule heating should occur. However, this seems to have been largely overlooked biology. Here we show theoretical investigation involving biological processes. We used electrochemical derive Joule’s law for transport p...

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a site of non-shivering thermogenesis in mammals. Thermogenesis in brown adipocytes is related to the presence of a specific mitochondrial component called "uncoupling protein". When animals are chronically exposed to cold, their BAT is enlarged and exhibits several changes such as cellular differentiation, hyperplasia, mitochondriogenesis and marked synthesis of u...