ABSTRACT
The innervation of WAT was reviewed by us recently. 1 The purpose of this chapter, how ever, is to review one of the mechanisms regulating BAT biology-the innervation of BAT by sensory and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) nerves. Although the functions of BAT and WAT are significantly different, there are many similarities in the neuroanatomy of their motor (SNS) and sensory innervation, especially in terms of the SNS outflow from the brain to BAT (see below) and to WAT. 1 These anatomical similarities notwithstanding, there are conditions where one adipose tissue, but not the other, is activated by the SNS. For example, in response to starvation or severe food restriction the SNS drive on BAT is decreased, while the SNS drive on WAT is increased.2 Therefore, some of the issues related to the differential control of WAT and BAT also will be addressed at the end of the chapter. In addition, it also is important to note what topics relevant to the innervation of BAT will not be discussed here, or that will be discussed in greater detail elsewhere in this volume. For example, the neuroanatomy of the innervation of BAT will be discussed here, but also will be discussed by S. Cinti in this volume (Chapter 2). Moreover, there will be little discussion of adrenergic receptor and function in this review, but this topic has been reviewed by M. Lafontan and colleagues (see ref. 3,4). Although we recognize that manipulations of the parasympathetic nervous system can indirectly affect BAT (e.g., vagotomy-induced changes in insulin secretion) ,5 we are unaware of any convincing data supporting innervation of BAT by this branch of the autonomic nervous system; therefore it will not be discussed further. Finally, this review builds on two reviews of the innervation of BAT that preceded it .6’7 We especially recommend the review by J. Himms-Hagen for a com prehensive treatise on the neural control of BAT and review of the literature before 1991.6
Adipose Tissues, edited by Susanne Klaus. ©2001 Eurekah.com.
