[HTML][HTML] Innervation of mammalian white adipose tissue: implications for the regulation of total body fat

TJ Bartness, M Bamshad - American Journal of Physiology …, 1998 - journals.physiology.org
American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and …, 1998journals.physiology.org
We review the extensive physiological and neuroanatomical evidence for the innervation of
white adipose tissue (WAT) by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) as well as what is
known about the sensory innervation of this tissue. The SNS innervation of WAT appears to
be a part of the general SNS outflow from the central nervous system, consisting of
structures and connections throughout the neural axis. The innervation of WAT by the SNS
could play a role in the regulation of total body fat in general, most likely plays an important …
Abstract
We review the extensive physiological and neuroanatomical evidence for the innervation of white adipose tissue (WAT) by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) as well as what is known about the sensory innervation of this tissue. The SNS innervation of WAT appears to be a part of the general SNS outflow from the central nervous system, consisting of structures and connections throughout the neural axis. The innervation of WAT by the SNS could play a role in the regulation of total body fat in general, most likely plays an important role in regional differences in lipid mobilization specifically, and may have a trophic affect on WAT. The exact nature of the SNS innervation of WAT is not known but it may involve contact with adipocytes and/or their associated vasculature. We hypothesize that the SNS innervation of WAT is an important contributor to the apparent “regulation” of total body fat.
American Physiological Society