The Effects of Prolonged Cold Exposure on Adipose Tissue in NAG-1 and Wildtype Mice

The NAG1 gene is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory gene 1. Mice with the activated NAG1 gene have been associated with a leaner phenotype, longer lifespan, less adipose tissue, and higher metabolic activity. Although the mechanism is not completely understood, previous studies show that thermogenesis is upregulated in mice expressing the NAG1 gene. Thermogenesis is the process of generating heat rather than ATP in brown and beige adipose tissue. Thermogenesis can also be activated by cold exposure, involving the B3-adrenergic signaling. This study is designed to further our understanding of the mechanism of the NAG1 gene by comparing NAG1 and wildtype mice in cold conditions that are already known to induce thermogenesis. Previous reports have demonstrated the effect of brief cold exposure, but there are no prolonged cold exposure studies, as well as none involving mice expressing NAG1. By learning more about how NAG1 and cold exposure effects thermogenesis, we can use the information to further study metabolism and obesity. In this study both NAG1 and wildtype mice were exposed to 10C temperatures for seven days. After this prolonged cold exposure, the mice were euthanized prior to collection of both brown and white adipose tissue. This tissue is currently being sectioned, stained, and scored to determine differences in adipose tissue in wildtype and NAG1 mice after prolonged cold exposure