Development of novel method for evaluation of human brown fat and search for brown fat-derived antidiabetec factors

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26860703
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Endocrinology
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Yoneshiro Takeshi 北海道大学, 獣医学研究科, 学振特別研究員(PD) (40724167)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 褐色脂肪 / 肥満 / 糖尿病

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a promising target to fight diabetes. Although positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) is a powerful tool to assess human BAT, it has serious concerns including radiation exposure. We successfully developed a novel technique, near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy (NIRS-TRS), by which we could estimate intraindividual difference of BAT density/activity. BAT activity determined intraindividual variation of cold-induced thermogenesis according to season. Moreover, BAT activity was a significant determinant of blood glucose and HbA1c independently of age, sex, body fat content, and visceral fat area. We also revealed in mice that royal jelly is a new food ingredient activating BAT and improving diet-induced insulin resistance. Our findings could contributes to develop the BAT-targeting antiobesity and antidiabetic regimen in humans.

Free Research Field

栄養生理学