The Physiology of Human Brown Adipose Tissue

Eligibility Criteria

• 1. Healthy participants between age 18 and 75 years undergoing planned clinically indicated procedure at BIDMC.
• 1. Body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 40 kg/m2
• 2. History of any local or systemic infectious disease with fever or requiring antibiotic within four weeks of drug administration;
• 3. Diabetes, either previously diagnosed or hemoglobin A1c greater than or equal to 6.5%
• 4. Use of oral or parenteral corticosteroids (epidural permitted) or other medication known to cause insulin resistance in the previous 6 weeks.
• 5. Willingness to provide informed consent and follow study procedures, including attending scheduled visits.
• 6. Chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5 (including end-stage renal disease);
• 7. Hepatic disease, including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) greater than or equal to 3 times the upper limit of normal; hepatic synthetic insufficiency as defined as serum albumin \< 3.0 g/dL; or serum bilirubin \> 2.0;
• 8. Active malignancy (except squamous or basal cell carcinoma of skin)
• 9. Bleeding disorder, treatment with anticoagulants (if not discontinued prior to surgery), or platelet count \<50,000;
• 10. Current addiction to alcohol or substances of abuse;
• 11. Mental incapacity, unwillingness or language barriers precluding adequate understanding or cooperation;
• 12. Use of an investigational drug within 30 days prior to screening.
• 13. There will be no involvement of special vulnerable populations such as fetuses, neonates, pregnant women, children, prisoners, institutionalized or incarcerated individuals, or others who may be considered vulnerable populations.
• 14. Because the goal is to study adult human brown adipose tissue, children are not eligible to participate.