Fibroblast Growth Factor-21, Leptin, and Adiponectin Responses to Acute Cold-Induced Brown Adipose Tissue Activation

Lijuan Sun, Jianhua Yan, Hui Jen Goh, Priya Govindharajulu, Sanjay Verma, Navin Michael, Suresh Anand Sadananthan, Christiani Jeyakumar Henry, S Sendhil Velan, Melvin Khee-Shing Leow, Lijuan Sun, Jianhua Yan, Hui Jen Goh, Priya Govindharajulu, Sanjay Verma, Navin Michael, Suresh Anand Sadananthan, Christiani Jeyakumar Henry, S Sendhil Velan, Melvin Khee-Shing Leow

Abstract

Background: Adipocyte-derived hormones play a role in insulin sensitivity and energy homeostasis. However, the relationship between circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), adipocytokines and cold-induced supraclavicular brown adipose tissue (sBAT) activation is underexplored.

Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between cold-induced sBAT activity and plasma FGF21 and adipocytokines levels in healthy adults.

Design: Nineteen healthy participants underwent energy expenditure (EE) and supraclavicular infrared thermography (IRT) within a whole-body calorimeter at baseline and at 2 hours post-cold exposure. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron-emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging scans were performed post-cold exposure. PET sBAT mean standardized uptake value (SUV mean), MR supraclavicular fat fraction (sFF), anterior supraclavicular maximum temperature (Tscv max) and EE change (%) after cold exposure were used to quantify sBAT activity.

Main outcome measures: Plasma FGF21, leptin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) at baseline and 2 hours post-cold exposure. Body composition at baseline by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Results: Plasma FGF21 and adiponectin levels were significantly reduced after cold exposure in BAT-positive subjects but not in BAT-negative subjects. Leptin concentration was significantly reduced in both BAT-positive and BAT-negative participants after cold exposure. Adiponectin concentration at baseline was positively strongly associated with sBAT PET SUV mean (coefficient, 3269; P = 0.01) and IRT Tscv max (coefficient, 6801; P = 0.03), and inversely correlated with MR sFF (coefficient, -404; P = 0.02) after cold exposure in BAT-positive subjects but not in BAT-negative subjects.

Conclusion: Higher adiponectin concentrations at baseline indicate a greater cold-induced sBAT activity, which may be a novel predictor for sBAT activity in healthy BAT-positive adults.

Highlights: A higher adiponectin concentration at baseline was associated with higher cold-induced supraclavicular BAT PET SUV mean and IRT Tscv max, and lower MR supraclavicular FF. Adiponectin levels maybe a novel predictor for cold-induced sBAT activity.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02964442.

Keywords: FGF21; TNFα; adiponectin; cold-induced supraclavicular BAT activity; leptin.

© Endocrine Society 2020.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Spearman correlations of plasma FGF21 concentration percentage change (%) and adiponectin concentration at baseline (A, D), 120 minutes after cold exposure (B, E) and percentage change from baseline (C, F) after adjustment for sex in BAT-positive subjects (A, B, C) and BAT-negative subjects (D, E, F). Abbreviation: FGF21, fibroblast growth factor 21.

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