The effect of non-esterified long-chain fatty acids on blood flow and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue in the young dog.

In vitro experiments have demonstrated that increasing the molar ratio of extracellular non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) to albumin stimulates thermogenesis in brown adipocytes. To test these results, in vivo blood flow and local temperature were measured in perirenal brown adipose tissue (BAT) in puppies during thermogenesis induced by increasing the plasma NEFA: albumin ratio by injection of intralipid and heparin. Plasma NEFA concentration increased to 1.5 mmol X 1-I and plasma NEFA:albumin ratio to 4. Concomitantly, the whole body oxygen consumption rose on average about 100% above baseline level. Plasma noradrenaline concentration increased about three-fold and plasma adrenaline concentration about six-fold. The BAT temperature increased by an average of 0.9 degrees C. However, since BAT blood flow was simultaneously reduced by about 50%, it can be calculated that the local heat production was also reduced. Consequently, the increase in whole body oxygen consumption was not due to stimulation of BAT thermogenesis. It is concluded that in vivo assessment of BAT thermogenesis requires concomitant measurements of both local BAT temperature and blood flow.