Evidence from in vitro differentiating cells that adrenoceptor agonists can increase uncoupling protein mRNA level in adipocytes of adult humans: an RT-PCR study.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

In vivo data have suggested that adrenergic signals can reactivate dormant brown adipocytes in adult humans. We report here a system based on primary cultures of perirenal adipocytes from human adults and reverse transcription-PCR of uncoupling protein mRNA. Norepinephrine and compounds classified as beta 3-adrenoceptor agonists in rodents increased uncoupling protein mRNA level in human adipocytes (presumably brown adipocytes). Although we did not demonstrate that the observed effect was mediated by beta 3-adrenoceptors, it is proposed that this system could be used to appreciate the ability of beta-adrenoceptor agonists to activate UCP gene transcription and help to select beta 3-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists prior to in vivo trials; indeed, the difficulty in developing such drugs that are effective in humans may result from the fact that the screening of molecules has historically been made in rodents.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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