Modulation of β‐oxidation and proton conductance pathway of brown adipose tissue in hypo‐ and hyperinsulinemic states

Abstract
The metabolic capacity of interscapular brown adipose tissue of hypoinsulinemic (diabetic) rats is decreased and a reduced β-oxidative capacity contributes to this metabolic alteration. It was thus of interest to compare, in diabetic and in chronically (8 days) insulin-infused rats, the β-oxidative capacity and indices of the thermogenic state (GDP-binding and 32 000 M r protein) in this tissue. Mitochondrial GDP-binding and 32 000 M r protein were both decreased in diabetic rats compared to appropriate controls and markedly increased as was also the β-oxidative capacity in hyperinsulinemic rats.