Key result
Only four anterior intercostal nerves significantly drive sympathetic IBAT innervation in rats despite high variability.
Why the study?
The variation and distribution of sympathetic innervation of rat interscapular brown adipose tissue via intercostal nerves were not well characterized.
Population
Cold-acclimated white rats
Comparison
Partial denervation by cutting four of five intercostal nerves vs intact innervation
Design
Preclinical experimental study
Follow-up
24 h
Authors
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Variable rat IBAT nerve contributions support multi-nerve targeting in models; leaves open optimal stimulation for consistent metabolic responses.
The sympathetic innervation of rat interscapular brown adipose tissue via intercostal nerves shows significant heterogeneity and inter-individual variation, suggesting that electrical stimulation of all nerves may be required for consistent functional responses.
Foster et al. (1982) studied this question. Partial denervation by cutting intercostal nerves was evaluated on Functional ability (tissue blood flow) and residual sympathetic innervation (residual noradrenaline content). Only the four anterior intercostal nerves contributed significantly to the sympathetic innervation of IBAT pads, with considerable variation between rats in the relative contribution of each nerve.
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