Background: Several studies have explored the role of human brown adipose tissue (BAT) in energy expenditure. However, the link between BAT and appetite regulation needs to be more rigorously... Show moreBackground: Several studies have explored the role of human brown adipose tissue (BAT) in energy expenditure. However, the link between BAT and appetite regulation needs to be more rigorously examined.Objective: We aimed to investigate the associations of BAT volume and F-18-fluordeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG) uptake after a personalized cold exposure with energy intake and appetite-related sensations in young healthy humans.Methods: A total of 102 young adults (65 women; age: 22.08 +/- 2.17 y; BMI: 25.05 +/- 4.93 kg/m(2)) took part in this cross-sectional study. BAT volume, BAT F-18-FDG uptake, and skeletal muscle F-18-FDG uptake were assessed by means of static F-18-FDG positron-emission tomography and computed tomography scans after a 2-h personalized exposure to cold. Energy intake was estimated via an objectively measured ad libitum meal and three nonconsecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Appetite-related sensations (i.e., hunger and fullness) were recorded by visual analog scales before and after a standardized breakfast (energy content = 50% of basal metabolic rate) and the ad libitum meal. Body composition was assessed by a whole-body DXA scan.Results: BAT volume and F-18-FDG uptake were not associated with quantified ad libitum energy intake (all P > 0.088), nor with habitual energy intake estimated from the 24-h dietary recalls (all P > 0.683). Lean mass was positively associated with both the energy intake from the ad libitum meal (beta: 17.612, R-2 = 0.213; P < 0.001) and the habitual energy intake (beta: 16.052, R-2 = 0.123; P = 0.001). Neither the interaction BAT volume x time elapsed after meal consumption nor that of BAT F-18-FDG uptake x time elapsed after meal consumption had any significant influence on appetite-related sensations after breakfast or after meal consumption (all P > 0.3).Conclusions: Neither BAT volume, nor BAT F-18-FDG uptake after cold stimulation, are related to appetite regulation in young adults. These results suggest BAT plays no important role in the regulation of energy intake in humans. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02365129. Show less
BACKGROUND Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) has been identified as an inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase. Preliminary data suggest that plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) raise plasma... Show moreBACKGROUND Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) has been identified as an inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase. Preliminary data suggest that plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) raise plasma ANGPTL4 concentrations in humans. OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess plasma ANGPTL4 concentrations after various nutritional interventions that increase NEFA concentrations in healthy subjects and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. DESIGN We studied 4 groups, both at baseline and after 3 d of either fasting (n = 22 healthy men), a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD; n = 10 healthy men and n = 10 patients with diabetes), or a high-fat, high-energy diet (HFED; n = 15 healthy men). Plasma ANGPTL4, NEFA, and triglyceride concentrations were measured. RESULTS In healthy men, a VLCD increased ANGPTL4 from 13.2 (IQR: 8.1-24.2) at baseline to 18.2 (16.7-33.4) ng/mL (P < 0.05), fasting increased ANGPTL4 from 10.6 (7.6-17.6) to 28.0 (23.1-35.0) ng/mL (P < 0.05), and an HFED increased ANGPTL4 from 13.9 (8.2-22.0) to 17.2 (11.2-23.6) ng/mL (P < 0.05). In men with diabetes, a VLCD also increased ANGPTL4, from 10.9 ± 2.4 to 19.2 ± 3.2 ng/mL (P < 0.05). All interventions significantly increased plasma NEFAs in both healthy men and patients with diabetes. The change in ANGPTL4 positively correlated with the change in NEFA concentrations (β = 0.048, P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with the change in plasma triglycerides (β = -0.051, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Three days of either fasting, a VLCD, or an HFED increased plasma ANGPTL4 concentrations in healthy men, concomitantly with increased plasma NEFA concentrations. Similarly, a VLCD in patients with diabetes increased ANGPTL4 concentrations, concomitantly with increased NEFA concentrations. Show less
