Cold Acclimation as a Modulator of Brown Adipose Tissue Function in Adults With Obesity

Obesity is a highly prevalent non-communicable disease that effects more than 20% of the population worldwide. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has an unique ability to dissipate the energy as heat and it has been associated with metabolic benefits. Additionally, BAT has been found to be more active in young, healthy, lean individuals and to be inactive in subjects with obesity. Some studies have shown that repeated cold acclimation can enhance BAT metabolism, which is accompanied by metabolic benefits, such as improvements in insulin sensitivity. In this study we will investigate whether 12 weeks or more of cold acclimation are sufficient to improve BAT perfusion at room temperature and after 2 hours of cold exposure, and to stimulate glucose uptake (measured using 18F-FDG) in BAT after 2 hours of cold exposure. Furthermore, changes in BAT NEFA uptake will be analyzed using 18F-FTHA at room temperature. The metabolic effects of the cold acclimation protocol will be evaluated by changes in classical cardiovascular risk markers (lipid profile, glucose and insulin) after 12 weeks. Two different control groups will be included: one will include lean, healthy participants while the other will include subjects with obesity. Both groups will undergo the BAT PET/scans protocol at room temperature and after cold exposure to investigate BAT perfusion, BAT glucose uptake and BAT NEFA uptake. The volunteers with obesity will also undergo a second evaluation 12 weeks after baseline measurements.

Inclusion criteria

• BMI>30kg/m2 (for participants with obesity)
• BMI<25kg/m2 (for lean participants)
• Waist circumference >94 cm for men (for participants with obesity)
• Waist circumference > 80 for women (for participants with obesity)
• Glucose ≥7.8 and <11 mmol/L after OGTT (for participants with obesity)

Exclusion criteria

• Being regularly exposed to cold environments for the last 3 months (e.g. having a job as a ski monitor, fishmonger, woodcutter, etc.; or doing sports/leisure activities outdoors for prolonged periods of time, etc.)
• Having gone for winter/ice swimming and bathing more than once every 2 weeks during the last 3 months.
• Inability to undergo scanning (e.g., claustrophobia)
• Pregnancy
• Smoking (or use of nicotine based products)
• Hypo/hyperthyroidism
• Malignancies
• Immune disorders
• Viral or bacterial infections
• Abnormal cardiovascular status, arrhythmia and/or long QTc in ECG, abnormal cardiac murmur, previous history of cardiovascular disease
• Allergy to lidocaine or epinephrine, or other local anaesthetics
• Weight change (intentional or not) over the last 6-months > than 5% of body weight
• Any other cardiovascular, pulmonary, orthopaedic, neurologic, psychiatric or other conditions that in the opinion of the local clinician/researcher, would preclude participation and successful completion of the protocol, or that would negatively impact or mitigate participation in and completion of the protocol.