TY - JOUR
T1 - Intense 18F-FDG uptake in brown fat can be reduced pharmacologically
AU - Tatsumi, Mitsuaki
AU - Engles, James M.
AU - Ishimori, Takayoshi
AU - Nicely, O'Bod
AU - Cohade, Christian
AU - Wahl, Richard L.
PY - 2004/7/1
Y1 - 2004/7/1
N2 - Physiologic 18F-FDG uptake in areas of supraclavicular fat in humans ("USA-Fat") has recently been recognized as 18F-FDG uptake in apparent brown adipose tissue (BAT) using fused PET/CT technology. In this study, we evaluated 18F-FDG uptake in BAT of rats to determine whether pharmacologic or physiologic interventions affect the uptake, knowing that BAT has a high density of adrenergic innervation. Methods: Seven- to 8-wk-old female Lewis rats receiving intravenous 18F-FDG injections were examined under various conditions to evaluate 18F-FDG biodistribution into interscapular BAT and major organs. In series 1, rats were given ketamine-based anesthesia or were exposed to cold (4°C for 4 h) to determine whether these interventions increased 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. In series 2, anesthetized rats (ketamine-based anesthesia) were given propranolol, reserpine, or diazepam intraperitoneally before 18F-FDG injection to determine whether the drug reduced 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. The control and treated groups in series 2 were also evaluated with 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. Results: In series 1, anesthesia or exposure to cold increased 18F-FDG uptake in BAT to levels 14-fold and 4.9-fold, respectively, greater than the control nonstimulated values. BAT uptake was high, comparable to that in the brain. In series 2, 18F-FDG uptake in BAT was significantly decreased to less than 30% of the control level after propranolol or reserpine (P < 0.05). Diazepam did not significantly decrease 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. 18F-FDG PET/CT findings reflected these biodistribution data: The control and diazepam groups exhibited intense 18F-FDG uptake in BAT, whereas the propranolol and reserpine groups showed only faint to mild 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. Among several organs whose 18F-FDG uptake was affected after predosing drugs, the heart exhibited considerable decreases in tracer uptake with propranolol or reserpine. Conclusion: This rodent study demonstrated that BAT can exhibit high 18F-FDG uptake under stimulated conditions including exposure to cold and that propranolol or reserpine treatment can remarkably reduce the high 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. The effect of these drugs on 18F-FDG uptake in human BAT, as well as on tracer accumulation in other organs, should carefully be evaluated clinically to minimize the USA-Fat artifact.
AB - Physiologic 18F-FDG uptake in areas of supraclavicular fat in humans ("USA-Fat") has recently been recognized as 18F-FDG uptake in apparent brown adipose tissue (BAT) using fused PET/CT technology. In this study, we evaluated 18F-FDG uptake in BAT of rats to determine whether pharmacologic or physiologic interventions affect the uptake, knowing that BAT has a high density of adrenergic innervation. Methods: Seven- to 8-wk-old female Lewis rats receiving intravenous 18F-FDG injections were examined under various conditions to evaluate 18F-FDG biodistribution into interscapular BAT and major organs. In series 1, rats were given ketamine-based anesthesia or were exposed to cold (4°C for 4 h) to determine whether these interventions increased 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. In series 2, anesthetized rats (ketamine-based anesthesia) were given propranolol, reserpine, or diazepam intraperitoneally before 18F-FDG injection to determine whether the drug reduced 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. The control and treated groups in series 2 were also evaluated with 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. Results: In series 1, anesthesia or exposure to cold increased 18F-FDG uptake in BAT to levels 14-fold and 4.9-fold, respectively, greater than the control nonstimulated values. BAT uptake was high, comparable to that in the brain. In series 2, 18F-FDG uptake in BAT was significantly decreased to less than 30% of the control level after propranolol or reserpine (P < 0.05). Diazepam did not significantly decrease 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. 18F-FDG PET/CT findings reflected these biodistribution data: The control and diazepam groups exhibited intense 18F-FDG uptake in BAT, whereas the propranolol and reserpine groups showed only faint to mild 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. Among several organs whose 18F-FDG uptake was affected after predosing drugs, the heart exhibited considerable decreases in tracer uptake with propranolol or reserpine. Conclusion: This rodent study demonstrated that BAT can exhibit high 18F-FDG uptake under stimulated conditions including exposure to cold and that propranolol or reserpine treatment can remarkably reduce the high 18F-FDG uptake in BAT. The effect of these drugs on 18F-FDG uptake in human BAT, as well as on tracer accumulation in other organs, should carefully be evaluated clinically to minimize the USA-Fat artifact.
KW - Brown fat
KW - F-FDG
KW - PET/CT
KW - Rat
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M3 - Article
C2 - 15235065
AN - SCOPUS:4043159214
SN - 0161-5505
VL - 45
SP - 1189
EP - 1193
JO - Journal of Nuclear Medicine
JF - Journal of Nuclear Medicine
IS - 7
ER -