Key result
Cold exposure linked to ~10-fold higher UCP1 and PGC1α expression, a response inhibited by obesity.
Why the study?
Little is known about the response of human white adipose tissue to cold exposure and seasonal temperature changes.
Does cold exposure (seasonal or acute) induce thermogenic gene expression in human subcutaneous white adipose tissue?
Population
71 human subjects biopsied in summer or winter
Comparison
Winter season or acute cold stimulus vs summer season or baseline
Design
Observational study with acute cold stimulus intervention
Authors
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Obesity blunts cold-induced thermogenic gene upregulation in subcutaneous fat; hypothesis-generating for adipose plasticity, needs prospective confirmation.
Observational (n=71)
Does cold exposure (seasonal or acute) induce thermogenic gene expression in human subcutaneous white adipose tissue?
Effect estimate: 4 to 10-fold increase
p-value: p=< 0.05
Human subcutaneous white adipose tissue increases thermogenic gene expression in response to seasonal and acute cold, a response blunted by obesity and inflammation.
Kern et al. (2014) reported an observational. Cold exposure (seasonal winter or acute cold stimulus) vs. Summer season or baseline was evaluated on UCP1 and PGC1α mRNA expression (4 to 10-fold increase, p=< 0.05). Winter season and acute cold exposure increased UCP1 and PGC1α mRNA expression in human subcutaneous white adipose tissue by 4 to 10-fold (p < 0.05), a response inhibited by obesity.
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