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Show SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ABSTRACTS Ketevan Amirkhanashvili Nicole L. Mihalopoulos 108 EXPLORING BROWN ADIPOSE TISSUE, BODY MASS INDEX AND ADIPOKINES Ketevan Amirkhanashvili (Nicole L. Mihalopoulos) Department of Pediatrics University of Utah Background: Obesity is directly linked to metabolic dysfunction, such as high cholesterol and diabetes and it is caused by excess white adipose tissue. There are two types of adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT). BAT can be seen on 18F-FDG-PET-CT scans. Animal studies demonstrate that both BAT and W A T secrete adiponectin, a protein that has anti-diabetic qualities and is inversely associated with lower BMI. Leptin, unlike adiponectin, is only secreted by WAT. Leptin regulates fat storage by suppressing appetite and stimulating energy expenditure. However, a high leptin concentration is associated excess W A T and higher risk of metabolic dysfunction because people with obesity often develop leptin resistance. Objective: Determine if activated BAT is associated with a lower BMI, higher adiponectin and lower leptin levels. Methods: Subjects were recruited and enrolled at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the time of their 18F-FDG- PET-CT scan. All subjects had or have cancer in their lifetime. Fasting blood samples were obtained to measure adiponectin and leptin. Weight and height were measured and BMI calculated. 18F-FDG-PET-CT scans were reviewed by blinded radiologists to identify BAT. Student's t-test was used to determine significance between BMI, leptin and adiponectin levels in subjects with and without BAT. Results: We enrolled 190 patients (113 male, 77 female). Of these, 8 had BAT. Participants with activated BAT had lower BMI (p=0.000), and were younger (p=0.001). There was no association between BAT and adiponectin, leptin or sex. Conclusion: BAT was more prevalent in subjects who were younger and had a lower BMI. The small sample size m a y limit our ability to determine if BAT is associated with adiponectin and leptin. |
