Abstract: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a unique organ for adaptive thermogenesis of mammals to maintain constant body temperature. Maintaining a constant body temperature is energy costy, especially in cold environments. Hibernation is an effective energy-saving strategy for some small mammals during periods of scarce food resources and/or harsh environmental conditions. During hibernation, the body temperature of mammalian hibernators shows regular periodic cycles, which are called hibernation bouts. One hibernation bout consists of entrance, deep hibernation, arousal and euthermia. In this revew, we introducs the thermoregulatory mechanism of BAT in mammals, including the neural control of BAT thermogenesis by the central nervous system and the molecular pathways of heat production signals in BAT cells. Subsequently, we follow the order of the thermoregulatory cycle to describe the thermogenic mechanisms of BAT during the processes of entrance, deep hibernation, arousal, and euthermia, including the roles of adrenergic signaling, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial respiration. Finally, the unique phenotype of BAT recruitment in fat-storing hibernating animals was described.

Key words: Hibernation, Brown adipose tissue, Thermoregulation, Obesity

摘要： 褐色脂肪组织(brown adipose tissue,BAT)是哺乳动物特有的适应性产热器官，也是哺乳动物维持恒定体温的重要器官。恒定体温的维持需要付出巨大的能量代价，尤其在环境温度较低的条件下。一些小型哺乳动物通过冬眠这一低体温、低代谢的生理适应策略在食物资源匮乏和(或)环境条件恶劣的情况下有效地减少能量支出。哺乳动物在冬眠期间，体温表现出规律的周期性变化，每个由入眠、深冬眠、出眠和觉醒组成的周期被称为一个冬眠阵。BAT在冬眠动物体温的这一周期变化中扮演重要角色。本文首先介绍了哺乳动物BAT的产热调节机制，包括中枢神经系统对BAT产热的神经支配以及BAT细胞的产热信号的分子通路。随后按照体温调节周期的顺序，介绍了BAT在入眠、深冬眠、出眠和觉醒过程中的产热机制，包括肾上腺素能信号、脂质代谢和线粒体呼吸的作用。最后介绍了储脂类冬眠动物BAT在没有低温和药物刺激条件下发生天然募集的独特表型。

关键词: 冬眠, 褐色脂肪组织, 体温调节, 肥胖