Targeted TRPM8 Stimulation and Brown Adipose Tissue Activation in Humans
Indiana University
Summary
Brown adipose tissue becomes activated during cold conditions to increase thermogenesis (i.e., energy expenditure). Topical menthol application increases resting energy expenditure but it is unclear whether brown adipose tissue activation contributes to this rise in the energy expenditure. The overall goal with this project is to determine whether topical menthol application stimulates brown adipose tissue.
Description
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is an important organ in the regulation of energy balance, particularly in small mammals and infants. Until recently, BAT was thought to be nonexistent and thus metabolically irrelevant in adult humans, primarily due to the lack of methods capable of localizing and measuring its metabolic contribution. Since its discovery in adult humans, various reports have shown that BAT can be activated in response to cold exposure to increase non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). NST results primarily from the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in BAT, dissipating the energy…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Fluency in English * Participate in 150 minutes or more of at least moderate intensity exercise per week during the previous year. Assessment of moderate intensity physical activity will be determined via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (i.e., IPAQ) (described in detail in Section 7.0). This questionnaire defines moderate intensity exercise as "activities that take moderate physical effort and make you breathe somewhat harder than normal". * Body fat ≤ 30% as determined by DEXA scan * Be cleared for physical activity according to the 2020 Physical Activ…
Interventions
- DrugMenthol Gel
Menthol (5% L-menthol) will be applied to the anterior thorax.
- DrugSham
Sham gel applied to the anterior thorax.
- BehavioralTime control
No gel applied to anterior thorax.
Location
- Indiana UniversityBloomington, Indiana