Development and clarifying a mechanism of beige fat activation program for preventing lifestyle-related chronic disease in children

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11409
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center
• Principal Investigator: Sakane Naoki 独立行政法人国立病院機構(京都医療センター臨床研究センター), 臨床研究企画運営部, 研究室長 (40335443)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 褐色脂肪組織 / ベージュ脂肪 / FDG-PET/CT法 / 超音波法 / 赤外線サーモグラフィ法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Adipose tissue is classified into white adipose tissue (WAT), which stores fat, and brown adipose tissue (BAT), which burns fat and generates heat. Beige fat is found to be more easily activated in the morning than in the evening. Based on these findings, methods to activate beige fat in children include exercise in cold environments, wearing light clothing, maintaining a cooler room temperature within a comfortable range, reducing dietary fat intake, consuming fish oil, and implementing programs to ensure adequate sleep for young children. These interventions showed improvements in sleep quality. Additionally, since the activation of BAT/beige fat involves the TRPV1 receptor, we also explored sensory-based nutritional education. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of imeglimin on improving mitochondrial function.

Free Research Field

糖尿病　生活習慣病

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

褐色脂肪組織（BAT）/ベージュ脂肪の評価法について、FDG-PET/CT法、MRI法、近赤外時間分解分光法、超音波法、赤外線サーモグラフィ法の長所と短所を鑑み小児においては超音波法と赤外線サーモグラフィ法が有用である。今後の小児における褐色脂肪研究に大いに役立つと考えられる。また、褐色脂肪組織（BAT）/ベージュ脂肪を活性化させる、寒冷下での朝の戸外運動、薄着による自然な身体の動き促進、快適な低温の環境での過ごし方、充実した睡眠習慣の獲得を促すプログラムの開発は、小児の肥満や生活習慣病対策に役立つと考えられる。