Fructose uptake by brown adipose tissue is independent of carbohydrate response element-binding protein and does not cause elevated de novo lipogenesis

• Brown adipocytes can utilize fructose as a substrate, but to a lesser extent than glucose. • ChREBP and GLUT5 are not essential for fructose uptake and metabolism in brown adipose tissue. • High-fructose feeding does not stimulate de novo lipogenesis in BAT, unlike in liver and intestine. • Excessive carbohydrate loading in brown adipocytes leads to accumulation of hexosylceramides, suggesting a shift towards glycosphingolipid synthesis.