INNERVATION OF MAMMALIAN WHITE ADIPOSE-TISSUE - IMPLICATIONS FOR THE REGULATION OF TOTAL-BODY FAT

We review the extensive physiological and neuroanatomical evidence for the innervation of white adipose tissue (WAT) by the sympathetic nerv ous system (SNS) as well as what is known about the sensory innervatio n of this tissue. The SNS innervation of WAT appears to be a part of t he general SNS outflow from the central nervous system, consisting of structures and connections throughout the neural axis. The innervation of WAT by the SNS could play a role in the regulation of total body f at in general, most Likely plays an important role in regional differe nces in lipid mobilization specifically, and may have a trophic affect on WAT. The exact nature of the SNS innervation of WAT is not known b ut it may involve contact with adipocytes and/or their associated vasc ulature. We hypothesize that the SNS innervation of WAT is an importan t contributor to the apparent ''regulation'' of total body fat.