Cold Stimulation Research Articles

Changes in Vestibular Symptoms and Function After Cochlear Implantation: Relevant Factors and Correlations With Residual Hearing.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate vestibular function loss after cochlear implantation (CI) and the relationship between vestibular function and hearing changes.MethodsSeventy-five patients with CI were enrolled and divided into those with normal preoperative caloric function (group I) and those with a normal preoperative waveform in cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (c-VEMP) testing (group II). The relationship between hearing and changes in the vestibular system was analyzed preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.ResultsIn group I, unilateral weakness on the implanted side was detected in five (7.7%) and eight (12.3%) patients at 3 and 6 months post-CI, respectively. By 3 months post-CI, the total slow-phase velocity (SPV; warm and cold stimulations) was significantly different between the implanted and non-implanted sides (P=0.011), and the shift in total SPV from pre- to post-CI was significantly correlated with the average hearing threshold at 6 months post-CI. In group II, an abnormal c-VEMP was detected on the implanted side in six patients (16.2%) at 3 months post-CI, and in six patients (16.2%) at 6 months post-CI. Significant changes were noticed in the P1 and N1 amplitude at 3 months postCI (P=0.027 and P=0.019, respectively).ConclusionVestibular function and residual hearing function should be afforded equal and simultaneous consideration in terms of preservation.

Possible protection against cisplatin induced behavioral changes by dietary antioxidants in adult albino mice.

Cisplatin (Cis) has been proved to be successful in treating cancers but it has several toxicities. Central nervous system toxicity is considered as one of its most common toxic effects. Vitamin E and Green tea are antioxidant with proven results on prevention of life threatening diseases. Objectives: To assess the preventive role of two antioxidants vitamin E and green tea against cisplatin induced neurobehavioral abnormalities in albino mice. Study Design: Experimental Study. Setting: Department of Anatomy, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro, in collaboration with Sindh Agriculture University TandoJam. Material & Methods: A total of 60 mice were grouped in to Group A, (control), Group B (Cisplatin), Group C (Cisplatin plus vitamin E) and Group D (cisplatin plus green tea). The weight, gross features and behavior of the animals was monitored before and in between drug administration. Behavioral studies were performed in quiet atmosphere, and included Pain stimulation test, heat Stimulation test, cold Stimulation test, Hearing, Object Recognition test. Results: A significant decrease in weight and body hair of the Cis treated animals was noticed as compared to control animals. Paw edema, mental orientation, object recognition, noise stimulation, heat and cold stimulation, time to move away from the stimulus were also significantly different to control. All features were improved with the addition of vitamin E and green tea. Conclusion: Toxic effects of cisplatin, on morphology and behavior of adult albino mice partially abrogated with antioxidant supplementation.

Application of Reyanning Mixture in evaluating combining disease with syndrome of human coronavirus pneumonia with pestilence attacking lung syndrome

In the previous research, our laboratory established a mouse model combining disease with syndrome of human coronavi-rus pneumonia with pestilence attacking the lung syndrome, based on the national traditional Chinese medicine clinical classification of Novel Coronavirus Infected Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Plan. In this study, a mouse model combining disease with syndrome of human coronavirus pneumonia with pestilence attacking the lung syndrome was used to evaluate the effectiveness of Reyanning Mixture to provide animal experimental support for clinical application. Mice were divided into normal group, 229 E infection group, cold-dampness group, cold-dampness+229 E infection group(the model group), Reyanning high and low dose groups. The cold-dampness group, cold-dampness+229 E infection group, two Reyanning groups were given cold and damp stimulation for 7 days. On the 5 th day, the 229 E infection group, cold-dampness+229 E infection group, and two Reyanning groups were infected with HCoV-229 E virus. Reyanning was administered for 3 days, starting from the day of infection. Blood was collected on the 4 th day and the lung tissue was dissected to calculate the lung index and inhibition rate; flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood; RT-PCR was used to detect the nucleic acid virus load in lung tissue; ELISA was used to detect motilin and gastrin in serum, and inflammatory factors TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10 in lung tissue proteins. Reyanning Mixture could reduce the lung index(P<0.01) of coronavirus pneumonia mice with pestilence attacking the lung; it could significantly increase the percentage of CD8~+ T lymphocytes and CD4~+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of model mice(P<0.05, P<0.01). The low dose of Reyanning could effectively increase the percentage of total B lymphocytes(P<0.05), reduce virus load in lung tissue of model mice(P<0.01), reduce the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10 in the lung tissue of model mice(P<0.01), reduce the content of motilin in the serum of model mice(P<0.01). Reyanning Mixture convey a better effect in treating coronavirus pneumonia mice with pestilence attacking the lung. It manifested obvious effects in improving lung lesions, enhancing the gastrointestinal function of mice, improving the autoimmune function of mice, and reducing the expression of inflammatory factors in vivo, which could provide evidences for clinical research.

Medial Orbitofrontal De-Activation During Tonic Cold Pain Stimulation: A fMRI Study Examining the Opponent-Process Theory.

BackgroundWhile the concomitant administration of painful and rewarding stimuli tends to reduce the perception of one another, recent evidence shows that pleasant pain relief is experience after the interruption of noxious stimuli. On neurobiological grounds, these opponent processes should translate into decreased activity in brain reward regions during nociceptive stimulation and increased activity in these regions after its interruption. While growing evidence supports the latter assumption, evidence is lacking in humans in support of the former.MethodsTwenty-six healthy individuals underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) session during which they were administered a cold pain stimulation, using a novel paradigm which consisted in a cold gel applied on the right foot of participants.ResultsAfter the interruption of noxious stimulation, participants experienced significant levels of pleasant pain relief. During cold pain stimulation, brain activations were observed in key regions of the pain matrix (eg, thalamus, primary somatosensory cortex and insula). Conversely, the medial orbitofrontal cortex was found to be de-activated. Medial orbitofrontal de-activations were negatively correlated with subclinical pain symptoms.DiscussionOur results show that a key brain reward region (eg, medial orbitofrontal cortex) is de-activated during cold pain stimulation, a result which is consistent with one of the central assumptions of the opponent-process theory. On methodological grounds, our results show that the cold gel applied to the foot can be used to trigger activations in the pain matrix, and that the interruption of the cold pressor test elicits significant levels of pleasant pain relief. fMRI studies on pain–reward interactions in chronic pain patients are warranted.

Comparing the effect of cold and warm stimulation of Hoku point on pain Caused by Removal of External Fixators pin in patients with hand fractures

Comparing the effect of cold and warm stimulation of Hoku point on pain Caused by Removal of External Fixators pin in patients with hand fractures

Animal model analysis of knee osteoarthritis based on clinical characteristics of Chinese and Western medicine

Knee osteoarthritis(KOA) is a common orthopedic disease. Its main symptoms include pain in the medial knee, aggravated knee pain during walking, limited movement, and joint deformity, which seriously affect the daily life of patients. The replication of animal models consistent with clinical symptoms is the premise of KOA-related experimental research. Based on the clinical characteristics of KOA and Western medicine, this paper discusses the existing KOA animal model, and analyzes the clinical anastomosis of the existing model based on the clinical diagnostic criteria of KOA. Through analysis and comparison, it can be seen that most of the existing modeling methods are single-factor animal models, which have a certain gap with the characteristics of KOA caused by clinical multi-factors and interaction. Moreover, modeling methods are mostly guided by Western medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine pathogenic factors are absent in the modeling process. Only cold stimulation method takes cold and wet into account. In the evaluation of the model, knee swelling, pain and articular rickets were the main evaluation criteria, which were different from the diagnostic criteria of Chinese and Western medicine in KOA. In terms of syndrome differentiation and classification, KOA is divided into kidney vacuity and deficiency of marrow, Yang vacuity and cold coagulation, and blood stasis and arrest in traditional Chinese medicine. The exis-ting animal models often confuse KOA with each other. Only cold stimulation method is used to establish KOA of Yang vacuity and cold coagulation. Therefore, in this paper, based on KOA clinical symptoms between Chinese and Western medicine features, analysis of the existing animal models, for further improving KOA animal models, the standardization of the model to evaluate suggestions, in order to improve the animal models and clinical inosculation between Chinese and Western medicine, the KOA animal model to better serve the scientific research work, promote the related mechanism, pathological changes and drug screening.

Positive Allosteric Modulation of CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Signaling Enhances Morphine Antinociception and Attenuates Morphine Tolerance Without Enhancing Morphine- Induced Dependence or Reward.

Opioid analgesics represent a critical treatment for chronic pain in the analgesic ladder of the World Health Organization. However, their use can result in a number of unwanted side-effects including incomplete efficacy, constipation, physical dependence, and overdose liability. Cannabinoids enhance the pain-relieving effects of opioids in preclinical studies and dampen unwanted side-effects resulting from excessive opioid intake. We recently reported that a CB1 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) exhibits antinociceptive efficacy in models of pathological pain and lacks the adverse side effects of direct CB1 receptor activation. In the present study, we evaluated whether a CB1 PAM would enhance morphine’s therapeutic efficacy in an animal model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain and characterized its impact on unwanted side-effects associated with chronic opioid administration. In paclitaxel-treated mice, both the CB1 PAM GAT211 and the opioid analgesic morphine reduced paclitaxel-induced behavioral hypersensitivities to mechanical and cold stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. Isobolographic analysis revealed that combinations of GAT211 and morphine resulted in anti-allodynic synergism. In paclitaxel-treated mice, a sub-threshold dose of GAT211 prevented the development of tolerance to the anti-allodynic effects of morphine over 20 days of once daily dosing. However, GAT211 did not reliably alter somatic withdrawal signs (i.e., jumps, paw tremors) in morphine-dependent neuropathic mice challenged with naloxone. In otherwise naïve mice, GAT211 also prolonged antinociceptive efficacy of morphine in the tail-flick test and reduced the overall right-ward shift in the ED50 for morphine to produce antinociception in the tail-flick test, consistent with attenuation of morphine tolerance. Pretreatment with GAT211 did not alter somatic signs of μ opioid receptor dependence in mice rendered dependent upon morphine via subcutaneous implantation of a morphine pellet. Moreover, GAT211 did not reliably alter μ-opioid receptor-mediated reward as measured by conditioned place preference to morphine. Our results suggest that a CB1 PAM may be beneficial in enhancing and prolonging the therapeutic properties of opioids while potentially sparing unwanted side-effects (e.g., tolerance) that occur with repeated opioid treatment.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals the responses of winter rye to cold stress

Rye is an important economic crop with remarkable resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and high nutrient utilization. Identification of genes related to cold stress response in winter rye to improve understanding of the molecular mechanism of low temperature response. We performed RNA-seq on winter rye transcriptome under four different cold stress conditions: CK (room temperature), 24 h (4 °C), 48 h (4 °C) and 72 h (4 °C). A total of 128,744 Unigenes were identified, of which 29,874 genes were differentially expressed, including genes related to photosynthesis, plasma membrane stability, glucose and energy metabolism, as well as cold-response transcription factors. GO and KEGG results showed that winter rye protects against low temperature damage by synthesizing extracellular components such as Cutin, suberine and wax. In addition, Oligosaccharides and chitin play a key role in cold resistance of winter rye and MNS1 and MNS3 were the candidate genes. The transcription factors (TFs) results showed that MYB and bHLH families showed a close relationship with cold resistance. In conclusion, the cold tolerance of winter rye is achieved through a variety of biological pathways, including “chitin binding”, “glycolytic process”, and “tricarboxylic acid cycle”. Winter rye can also respond to cold stress by regulating cutin, suberine and wax synthesis. The expression of common cold stress genes such as HSPs, MYBs, bHLHs, NAC, bZIPs, C2H2 and CBF changed after cold stimulation. This study can provide a valuable resource for studies related to cold tolerance, helping to explore genes associated with cold stress and for genetic improvement of crops.

The erector spinae plane block causes only cutaneous sensory loss on ipsilateral posterior thorax: a prospective observational volunteer study

BackgroundUltrasound-guided erector spine plane (ESP) block is widely used in perioperative analgesia for back, chest and abdominal surgery. The extent and distribution of this block remain controversial. This study was performed to assess the analgesia range of an ultrasound-guided ESP block.MethodsThis prospective observational volunteer study consisted of 12 healthy volunteers. All volunteers received an erector spinae plane block at the left T5 transverse process using real-time ultrasound guidance. Measured the cutaneous sensory loss area (CSLA) and cutaneous sensory declination area (CSDA) using cold stimulation at different time points after blockade until its disappearance. The CSLA and CSDA were mapped and then calculated. The block range was described by spinous process level and lateral extension. The effective block duration for each volunteer was determined and recorded.ResultsThe cold sensory loss concentrates at T6-T9. The decline concentrates primarily at T4-T11. The lateral diffusion of block to the left side did not cross the posterior axillary line, and reached the posterior median line on the right. The area of cutaneous sensory loss was (172 ± 57) cm2, and the area of cutaneous sensory decline was (414 ± 143) cm2. The duration of cutaneous sensory decline was (586 ± 28) minutes.ConclusionUltrasound-guided erector spine plane block with 20 mL of 0. 5% ropivacaine provided a widespread cutaneous sensory block in the posterior thorax, but did not reach the anterior chest, lateral chest, or abdominal walls. The range of the blockade suggested that the dorsal branch of spinal nerve was blocked.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, CHiCTR1800014438. Registered 13 January 2018

Combating Obesity With Thermogenic Fat: Current Challenges and Advancements.

Brown fat and beige fat are known as thermogenic fat due to their contribution to non-shivering thermogenesis in mammals following cold stimulation. Beige fat is unique due to its origin and its development in white fat. Subsequently, both brown fat and beige fat have become viable targets to combat obesity. Over the last few decades, most therapeutic strategies have been focused on the canonical pathway of thermogenic fat activation via the β3-adrenergic receptor (AR). Notwithstanding, administering β3-AR agonists often leads to side effects including hypertension and particularly cardiovascular disease. It is thus imperative to search for alternative therapeutic approaches to combat obesity. In this review, we discuss the current challenges in the field with respect to stimulating brown/beige fat thermogenesis. Additionally, we include a summary of other newly discovered pathways, including non-AR signaling- and non-UCP1-dependent mechanisms, which could be potential targets for the treatment of obesity and its related metabolic diseases.

Effects of probiotics on apoptosis and proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells in rats with necrotizing enterocolitis

Objective To study the effect of compound Lactobacillus acidophilus on the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in rats with necrotizing enterocolitis, so as to provide some theoretical reference for the application of compound Lactobacillus acidophilus in the prevention and treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC) for newborn infants. Methods Thirty-six 48-hour old newborn SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group and intervention group, with 12 rats in each group.The NEC model was established by hypoxia and cold stimulation for 3 days, and the intervention group was given the compound Lactobacillus acidophilus at the same time; after the model was established, all the rats were sacrificed after 12 hours of fasting and their intestinal tissues were excised by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) method to determine the condition of apoptosis and to detect expression of the PCNA gene in the intestinal tissues by fluorescent quantitative PCR. Results (1) The apoptosis rates of the intestinal tissues: in the model group, the normal group and the intervention group were (88.33±2.77)%, (4.75±0.75)% and (44.41±4.81)%, respectively, and the differences had statistical significance(all P<0.05). (2) The PCNA expression in the intestinal tissue by real-time PCR in the model group, normal group and intervention group were (9.28±3.26)×10-4, (15.35±1.91)×10-4 and (12.09±3.06)×10-4, respectively, and the differences had statistical significance(all P<0.05). Conclusions The apoptosis rate of intestinal epithelial cells increases and PCNA expression decreases when NEC occurs.Compound Lactobacillus acidophilus can reduce apoptosis, promote intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, and thus help to reduce the risk and severity of NEC in neonatal rats. Key words: Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis; Apoptosis; Proliferating cell nuclear antigen; Compound Lactobacillus acidophilus

Acute chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy due to oxaliplatin administration without cold stimulation.

The incidence and time of onset of acute chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (ACIPN) caused by oxaliplatin remain unclarified. Hence, we investigated the prevalence, onset time, and location of ACIPN symptoms in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) receiving oxaliplatin without cold stimulation. The study cohort comprised patients receiving oxaliplatin for CRC at our hospital between April 2017 and August 2018. Patients were instructed not to touch and/or drink cold things and were monitored for ACIPN symptoms in the hospital for 24h after chemotherapy. ACIPN symptoms that appeared >24h after chemotherapy were recorded at the next visit. Symptom appearance time was defined as the duration from the administration of chemotherapy until the appearance of paresthesia classified as grade 1 using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Forty-five patients received chemotherapy, comprising 23 men and 22 women, aged 67years (29-88years). The location of ACIPN was the fingers in 55.6% of cases, pharynx in 26.7%, perioral region in 24.4%, and feet in 6.7%. The average duration from oxaliplatin administration to symptom development was 182min (range 62-443min) for the fingers, 291min (176-432min) for the pharynx, 311min (127-494min) for the perioral region, and 297min (234-355min) for the feet. Pharyngeal symptoms were more common in patients older than 65years than in those younger than 65years. The incidence and time of the onset of ACIPN caused by oxaliplatin varies between the body and regions.

Linking Pain Sensation to the Autonomic Nervous System: The Role of the Anterior Cingulate and Periaqueductal Gray Resting-State Networks.

There are bi-directional interactions between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and pain. This is likely underpinned by a substantial overlap between brain areas of the central autonomic network and areas involved in pain processing and modulation. To date, however, relatively little is known about the neuronal substrates of the ANS-pain association. Here, we acquired resting state fMRI scans in 21 healthy subjects at rest and during tonic noxious cold stimulation. As indicators of autonomic function, we examined how heart rate variability (HRV) frequency measures were influenced by tonic noxious stimulation and how these variables related to participants’ pain perception and to brain functional connectivity in regions known to play a role in both ANS regulation and pain perception, namely the right dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and periaqueductal gray (PAG). Our findings support a role of the cardiac ANS in brain connectivity during pain, linking functional connections of the dACC and PAG with measurements of low frequency (LF)-HRV. In particular, we identified a three-way relationship between the ANS, cortical brain networks known to underpin pain processing, and participants’ subjectively reported pain experiences. LF-HRV both at rest and during pain correlated with functional connectivity between the seed regions and other cortical areas including the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), left anterior insula (AI), and the precuneus. Our findings link cardiovascular autonomic parameters to brain activity changes involved in the elaboration of nociceptive information, thus beginning to elucidate underlying brain mechanisms associated with the reciprocal relationship between autonomic and pain-related systems.

TRESK background K+ channel deletion selectively uncovers enhanced mechanical and cold sensitivity.

TRESK background K+ channel is expressed in sensory neurons and acts as a brake to reduce neuronal activation. Deletion of the channel enhances the excitability of nociceptors. Skin nociceptive C-fibres show an enhanced activation by cold and mechanical stimulation in TRESK knockout animals. Channel deletion selectively enhances mechanical and cold sensitivity in mice, without altering sensitivity to heat. These results indicate that the channel regulates the excitability of specific neuronal subpopulations involved in mechanosensitivity and cold-sensing. Background potassium-permeable ion channels play a critical role in tuning the excitability of nociceptors, yet the precise role played by different subsets of channels is not fully understood. Decreases in TRESK (TWIK-related spinal cord K+ channel) expression/function enhance excitability of sensory neurons, but its role in somatosensory perception and nociception is poorly understood. Here, we used a TRESK knockout (KO) mouse to address these questions. We show that TRESK regulates the sensitivity of sensory neurons in a modality-specific manner, contributing to mechanical and cold sensitivity but without any effect on heat sensitivity. Nociceptive neurons isolated from TRESK KO mice show a decreased threshold for activation and skin nociceptive C-fibres show an enhanced activation by cold and mechanical stimulation that was also observed in behavioural tests in vivo. TRESK is also involved in osmotic pain and in early phases of formalin-induced inflammatory pain, but not in the development of mechanical and heat hyperalgesia during chronic pain. In contrast, mice lacking TRESK present cold allodynia that is not further enhanced by oxaliplatin. In summary, genetic removal of TRESK uncovers enhanced mechanical and cold sensitivity, indicating that the channel regulates the excitability of specific neuronal subpopulations involved in mechanosensitivity and cold-sensing, acting as a brake to prevent activation by innocuous stimuli.

Valor de la Prueba de Estimulación por Frío como método diagnóstico de hiperreactividad tensional al estrés quirúrgico

Introducción: La hipertensión arterial es la enfermedad cardiovascular más extendida y también una causa común de suspensiones operatorias. Dentro de estas suspensiones el mayor porcentaje corresponde al anciano y representa un costo para las instituciones de salud. En su sustrato fisiopatológico se haya la hiperreactividad vascular al estrés quirúrgico. En el presente trabajo se evalúa el valor de la Prueba de Estimulación por Frío para diagnosticar el estado de hiperreactividad tensional, identificar al anciano hiperreactor normotenso y como guía para la prescripción de fármacos hipotensores.&#x0D; Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de la Prueba de Estimulación por Frío para el diagnóstico de hiperreactividad tensional al estrés quirúrgico en ancianos hipertensos.&#x0D; Material y Métodos: Trabajo de desarrollo seguido de una evaluación de la tecnología. Es un estudio explicativo de corte experimental, longitudinal y prospectivo con intervención deliberada. Se realizó la Prueba de Estimulación por Frío a 1300 pacientes que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión.&#x0D; Resultados: La PEF1 fue positiva en 1280 pacientes (84,76%). La PEF2 fue negativa en 1224 (81,05%). Estos 1300 pacientes fueron operados y tuvieron un peri operatorio dentro de límites normales.Reducción a cero de las suspensiones operatorias. Se utilizó tratamiento con beta bloqueadores cardioselectivos en el 97,2 % de los pacientes.&#x0D; Conclusión: La Prueba de Estimulación por Frío mostró su eficacia diagnóstica de hiperreactividad tensional en el hipertenso anciano, disminuye las suspensiones operatorias por Hipertensión Arterial en el anciano, previene las complicaciones indeseables por HTA y no implica demasiados recursos por encima de los que utiliza cualquier intervención quirúrgica mayor. La aplicación de la prueba y el uso de beta bloqueadores cardioselectivos tienen bajo costo

Silencing of PTX3 alleviates LPS-induced inflammatory pain by regulating TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in mice.

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3), an inflammatory marker and a pattern recognition receptor, plays an important role in promoting the progress of tumor and inflammatory diseases. However, the role of PTX3 in the pathogenesis of inflammatory pain diseases is rarely reported. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of PTX3 on the progression of inflammatory pain and the special molecular mechanism. A mouse BV2 microglia cell activation-mediated inflammatory model was developed with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction, and a mouse inflammatory pain model was established with LPS injection. The effect of PTX3 on microglia inflammatory activation was verified by measuring pro-inflammatory cytokines expression. The mechanical hyperalgesia testing, the thermal preference testing and the cold allodynia testing were used to measure the response of mice to mechanical pain, heat stimulation and cold stimulation, respectively. The results revealed that the expression of PTX3 was decreased in the LPS-induced inflammatory pain mice model. Silencing of PTX3 down-regulated LPS-induced inflammatory factors, including IL-6, NO and TNF-α, and alleviated LPS-induced inflammatory pain in BV2 cells. In addition, overexpression of TLR4 reversed the inhibitory effect of si-PTX3 on LPS-induced inflammatory response in BV2 cells. What is more, silencing of PTX3 inhibited TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Collectively, it suggests that silencing of PTX3 alleviates LPS-induced inflammatory response of BV2 cells potentially by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Hypersensitivity to cold stimulation associated with regional osteoporotic changes in tail-suspended mice

Cold intolerance is defined as abnormal pain resulting from exposure to cold stimulation after trauma. However, the pathophysiology remains unclear. We recently demonstrated that regional osteoporotic changes accompanied by high bone turnover were involved in causing pain-like behaviors in the unloaded hind limbs of tail-suspended mice. Bisphosphonate prevented pain-like behaviors and high bone turnover conditions in tail-suspended mice. The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between regional osteoporotic changes and the induction of hypersensitivity to cold stimulation. The hind limbs of tail-suspended mice were unloaded for 2weeks. The von Frey test and paw-flick test assessed pain-like behaviors and cold plate test evaluated cold escape behaviors. Furthermore, we examined whether cold hypersensitivity associated with regional osteoporotic changes could be improved by bisphosphonate, TRPV1 and TRPA1 antagonists. Hypersensitivity to cold stimulation was induced more noticeably in the tail-suspended mice, and this effect was related to the increased expression of bone metabolism markers. In addition, the cold hypersensitivity was improved by the resumption of weight bearing and prevented by bisphosphonate or a TRPV1 antagonist, and was accompanied with a decrease in the expression of bone metabolism markers. TRPA1 antagonist significantly improved the cold escape behavior, but had no significant effects on the expression of those markers. We demonstrated that the regional osteoporotic changes accompanying a high bone turnover state could be involved in the induction of hypersensitivity to cold stimulation in the tail-suspended mice.

Long non-coding RNA 2310069B03Rik functions as a suppressor of Ucp1 expression under prolonged cold exposure in murine beige adipocytes.

Specific conditions, such as exposure to cold, can induce the production of brown-like adipocytes in white adipose tissue. These adipocytes express high levels of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and energy expended by generating heat. Thus, these are a potential target for the prevention or treatment of obesity. The present study involved a comprehensive analysis of the adipose tissue to understand the relationship between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) 2310069B03Rik and UCP1. Cold exposure increased both lncRNA 2310069B03Rik and Ucp1 expression in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). However, overexpression of lncRNA 2310069B03Rik suppressed the Ucp1 mRNA expression and the promoter activity of UCP1 in the iWAT primary adipocytes. In addition, compared to the early induction of Ucp1 expression by cold stimulation, the induction of lncRNA 2310069B03Rik expression was later. These results suggest that lncRNA 2310069B03Rik functions as a suppression factor of Ucp1 expression.

Short cold exposures during incubation and postnatal cold temperature affect performance, breast meat quality, and welfare parameters in broiler chickens

Cold stimulations during egg incubation were reported to limit the occurrence of ascites in broilers subjected to cold temperature after 14 d of age. However, data are lacking on the impacts of such strategy in case of cold temperature conditions at start. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incubation and posthatch cold challenge on performance, breast muscle integrity, and meat processing quality in broiler chickens. Ross 308 eggs were incubated under control temperature (I0, 37.6°C) or subjected to 15°C during 30 min on day 18 and 19 of incubation (I1). Chicks from each group were reared in floor pens either at standard rearing temperature (T0), from 32°C at 0 d to 21°C at 21 d of age, or exposed to colder rearing temperature (T1), from 29°C at 0 to 21°C at 21 d of age. All birds were then kept at 21°C until slaughter (day 40), when body weights (BW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), breast muscle yield, meat processing quality, and the occurrences of meat defects, hock burns, and pododermatitis were recorded. No significant impact of incubation conditions on hatchability was observed. At day 40, BW was more under T1 than under T0 conditions, with T0 females (but not males) presenting more BW after I1 than after I0 conditions. In the whole period, T1 chickens presented lower FCR than T0 chickens and higher breast meat yields at day 40. The occurrence of white striping was more in I1T1 males than in all other groups, except for the I0T1 males. Hock burns were more frequent in I1T1 males than in all females and I0T0 males, whereas the occurrence of pododermatitis was lower in T0 males than in other groups. Despite some positive effects of I1 incubation on growth after starting under low ambient temperature, this study reveals the limits of such strategy concerning chicken health and welfare, demonstrating that early thermal environment is a major component of the quality and sustainability of chicken meat production.

Brown adipose tissue volume and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake are not associated with energy intake in young human adults

ABSTRACTBackgroundSeveral studies have explored the role of human brown adipose tissue (BAT) in energy expenditure. However, the link between BAT and appetite regulation needs to be more rigorously examined.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the associations of BAT volume and 18F-fluordeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake after a personalized cold exposure with energy intake and appetite-related sensations in young healthy humans.MethodsA total of 102 young adults (65 women; age: 22.08 ± 2.17 y; BMI: 25.05 ± 4.93 kg/m 2) took part in this cross-sectional study. BAT volume, BAT 18F-FDG uptake, and skeletal muscle 18F-FDG uptake were assessed by means of static 18F-FDG positron-emission tomography and computed tomography scans after a 2-h personalized exposure to cold. Energy intake was estimated via an objectively measured ad libitum meal and three nonconsecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Appetite-related sensations (i.e., hunger and fullness) were recorded by visual analog scales before and after a standardized breakfast (energy content = 50% of basal metabolic rate) and the ad libitum meal. Body composition was assessed by a whole-body DXA scan.ResultsBAT volume and 18F-FDG uptake were not associated with quantified ad libitum energy intake (all P > 0.088), nor with habitual energy intake estimated from the 24-h dietary recalls (all P > 0.683). Lean mass was positively associated with both the energy intake from the ad libitum meal (β: 17.612, R2 = 0.213; P < 0.001) and the habitual energy intake (β: 16.052, R2 = 0.123; P = 0.001). Neither the interaction BAT volume × time elapsed after meal consumption nor that of BAT 18F-FDG uptake × time elapsed after meal consumption had any significant influence on appetite-related sensations after breakfast or after meal consumption (all P > 0.3).ConclusionsNeither BAT volume, nor BAT 18F-FDG uptake after cold stimulation, are related to appetite regulation in young adults. These results suggest BAT plays no important role in the regulation of energy intake in humans.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02365129.