Membrane potential of brown adipose tissue. A suggested mechanism for the regulation of thermogenesis.

Membrane potentials were recorded in isolated segments of interscapular brown adipose tissue from rats. After equilibration at 29 degrees C in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer a mean value of -51 +/- 4 mv (SD) was found. This level could be maintained for up to 5 hr. The mean effective membrane resistance was 1.35 +/- 0.45 megohm. The membrane potential was a function of the extracellular potassium concentration. Ouabain (10(-6)-10(-3)M) and incubation in K-free buffer produced progressive depolarization. Epinephrine and norepinephrine in concentrations as low as 10(-8) g/ml produced a prompt depolarization. Cooling of the tissue and lowering of the oxygen tension caused a marked and reversible decrease in the membrane potential. In tissue obtained from cold-adapted rats, the membrane potential was considerably diminished. 6Assuming that the membrane potential is some function of the Na permeability of the plasma membrane it is suggested that an increase in the rate of active Na-K transport and ensuing ADP formation might contribute to the increase in respiration seen during exposure to thermogenic stimuli.