Fig. 11.

Browning-to-inflammatory gene expression ratio (B/I ratio) in periaortic BAT is associated with aortic stiffness. Note U-shaped polynomial relationship between periaortic BAT B/I ratio and aortic stiffness (R² = 0.99); i.e., high and low periaortic BAT B/I ratios were associated with increased aortic stiffness. Interestingly, the B/I ratio was a stronger determinant of aortic stiffness than the browning or inflammatory phenotype of periaortic BAT alone. This polynomial relationship was much less apparent between epididymal (distal) adipose tissue (AT) and aortic stiffness. Thus the B/I ratio in periaortic BAT may be an important determinant of aortic stiffness in mice (n = 9–10/group).