Brown Adipose Tissue and Cardiovascular Function: Insulin Resistance, Vascular Tone, and Cardioprotective Effects

Symposium — Monday, April 23, 2024 — 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM — Convention Center, Room 23
Cardiovascular Section — Chair: Kristin Stanford — Co-Chair: Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie

  Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is an organ recently discovered to be functional in adults.  In mammals, BAT contributes to the heat generated during standard physiological non-shivering thermogenesis and may also play a role in protection from weight gain and insulin resistance in both rodents and humans.  At the cellular level, brown adipocytes regulate energy expenditure through their numerous, large mitochondria. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, is a BAT-specific protein, which when activated dissipates the intermembrane proton-motive force and generates heat instead of ATP. Recent studies have indicated that BAT plays a central role in maintenance of whole body glucose and insulin sensitivity, vascular tone, and cardioprotection.  In this symposium, we will highlight new updates in the role of human and rodent BAT function as a key player in improvements in whole body energy balance, insulin sensitivity, and as a cardioprotective organ.

Speakers

• Origin and function of human beige adipocytes.
  Silvia Corvera — University of Massachusetts Medical School


• The cardioprotective role of brown adipose tissue.
  Kristin Stanford — Ohio State University


• Neuro-vascular interactions in adipose tissue.
  Kristy Townsend — University of Maine


• CHAIR
  Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie —