Increasing the level of physical activity is found not to improve the functioning of brown adipose tissue

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) has found that, in contrast to scientific thinking to date, higher levels of physical activity are not linked to a greater volume or activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT). BAT is a thermogenic organ that burns glucose and fats, releasing the energy that is produced in the form of heat.

Increasing the level of physical activity is found not to improve the functioning of brown adipose tissue. Photo: Boris Stefanik/Unsplash

When BAT is activated, it consumes glucose and lipids, partially preventing them from being stored in other tissues, such as white adipose tissue (or common fat), which is located, for example, around the abdomen.

Over the last decade, several studies have unequivocally confirmed the presence of BAT in human adults. BAT is a thermogenic organ equipped to dissipate energy in the form of heat through the so-called “uncoupling protein”. Therefore, it has been postulated that generating a greater volume of BAT, and increasing its activity, could be a potential strategy for combatting obesity and associated comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes.

In this new study, the UGR scientists investigate, for the first time, the link between objectively-measured levels of physical activity and the quantity and activity of BAT. The latter are measured by means of proton-emission tomography combined with computed tomography (using a radiopharmaceutical known as 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose).

This study was performed on a sample of sedentary young adults, whose BAT was measured (the largest cohort of its kind to date). The sample comprised 87 women and 43 men, with an average age of 22 years.

The authors of the article observed that there was no link between the levels of physical activity and the volume and activity of BAT, even after adjusting the analyses for covariables that could be influencing the results. Nor was the time spent being sedentary associated with the volume and activity of BAT, they noted.

The authors concluded that, although physical activity is one of the main interventions recommended in the prevention of chronic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, other mechanisms beyond an increase in the volume and activity of BAT could be mediating its beneficial metabolic effects.

These findings contradict the results of previous studies, and call into question the role of exercise in improving BAT function. (University of Granada)

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