This studies included observation of effects of capsaicin on thermogenesis of interscapular brown adipose tissue(IBAT) of male Wistar rats. And the results were as follows.
1. Capsaicin(5 mg/kg, S.C.) increased temperature of IBAT 0.24 ± 0.05 ℃ than colon temperature at 400min, and 0.10 ± 0.08 ℃ in muscle, however, there was no change in the liver by capsaicin administration.
2. Pretreatment with capsazepine(10 mg/kg, SC) and denervation of intercostals nerves in IBAT blocked the inhibitory effect of capsaicin(1 mg/kg, S.C.) on noradrenaline-induced thermogenesis in IBAT.
3. Subcutaneous injection of capsaicin(1mg.kg) attenuated the increase in temperature of IBAT induced by ventromedial hypothalamus stimulation(from 1.01 ± 0.12 ℃ to 0.28 ± 0.07 ℃) which was persist for 3 hours after capsaicin injection.
These results suggest that major site of thermogenesis by capsaicin administration is IBAT, and capsaicin may act through peripheral and central routes for control of thermogenesiss.

Keywords: Capsaicin, Thermoregulation, BAT(brown adipose tissue)