Control of white and brown adipose tissues by the autonomic nervous system

Abstract

Interest in the neural regulation of the adipose tissues has increased considerably in recent years. In the case of brown adipose tissue (BAT) this reflects the development of the concept that the tissue is important in the regulation of energy balance. The substantial innervation of BAT has been recognized, however, for some considerable time (see Barnard et al. 1980). In the present paper we have set out to briefly summarize current views on the role of the autonomic nervous system, in practice the sympathetic system, in the control of both white adipose tissue (WAT) and BAT. The regulatory effects of the sympathetic system on these two tissues can be considered in terms of acute effects on the central metabolic pathways, and chronic effects relating to the growth and development of the tissues. The main emphasis of this review is on BAT, reflecting the more restricted picture of the role of the sympathetic system in the regulation of WAT.