Human brown adipose tissue
Virtanen, K.A.; Nuutila, P.
Duodecim; Laaketieteellinen Aikakauskirja 131(22): 2075-2082
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-7183 PMID: 26749900 Document Number: 681969
Adult humans have heat-producing and energy-consuming brown adipose tissue in the clavicular region of the neck. There are two types of brown adipose cells, the so-called classic and beige adipose cells. Brown adipose cells produce heat by means of uncoupler protein 1 (UCP1) from fatty acids and sugar. By applying positron emission tomography (PET) measuring the utilization of sugar, the metabolism of brown fat has been shown to multiply in the cold, presumably influencing energy consumption. Active brown fat is most likely present in young adults, persons of normal weight and women, least likely in obese persons.