Bruin vet

Conflict of interest and financial support: a disclosure form provided by the author is available along with the full text of this article at www.ntvg.nl, search for A5502;, click on ‘Belangenverstrengeling’ (‘Conflict of interest’). M. Boon, W. van Marken Lichtenbelt and P. Rensen received research grants from the Diabetes Fund (Diabetes Fonds), ZonMw (ZonMW-TOP 91209037) and the Dutch Heart Foundation for work described in this article.

• Brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipates energy stored in triglycerides as heat via the uncoupling protein UCP1.

• It has recently been discovered that BAT is present and active in adults. BAT is situated predominantly around the aorta and in the supraclavicular area.

• BAT volume and activity are lower in individuals who are obese. This suggests that BAT significantly contributes to total energy expenditure. .

• Several pathological conditions that are accompanied by activation of BAT, such as hyperthyroidism and phaeochromocytoma, result in the increased expenditure of energy and in weight loss.

• Various ways in which BAT can be manipulated to increase the expenditure of energy have been identified, e.g. exposure to cold, the use of so-called uncoupling agents or the administration of the hormone irisin.

• The activation of BAT could potentially be used to induce weight loss.