Topic: hypothermia

GFRAL-expressing neurons actuate aversion and nausea, are targets for obesity treatment and may mediate metformin effects by long-term GDF15-GFRAL agonism. If GFRAL+ neurons acutely regulate glucose and energy homeostasis is however underexplored. Here, we report that cell-specific activation of GFRAL+ neurons using a variety of techniques causes a torpor-like state, including hypothermia, the release of stress hormones, a shift from glucose to lipid oxidation, and impaired insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance and skeletal muscle glucose uptake but augmented glucose uptake in visceral fat. M

To survive in harsh environment such as food shortages in cold seasons, some animals develop a specific physiologic state—the hibernation. Recently, a hibernation-like state was successfully induced in non-hibernators such as mice. This state is induced by activation of Qrfp neurons in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus and is called Q-neuron-induced hypothermia and hypometabolism (QIH) (Takahashi et al., Nature, 2020). The mice showed hypothermia with very low systemic oxygen consumption during QIH. However, it remains unclear how the metabolism of glucose, the main energy resource, is reg

Cannabis is a widely used drug during adolescence, a particularly vulnerable neurodevelopmental period, posing concerns about predisposing users to substance (especially, alcohol) use disorders later in life. This study investigates whether adolescent cannabinoid exposure (ACE) in vapour form facilitates the emergence of alcohol use disorder in adulthood. In addition, we also analysed certain behavioural predictors of addiction and how their relationship with specific aspects of alcohol consumption changes after ACE.Male and female rats were exposed to different THC and CBD concentrations (THC

Ischemia reperfusion injury remains a significant challenge in various clinical settings, necessitating effective therapeutic interventions. Hypothermia has emerged as a promising strategy for mitigating cellular damage associated with oxygen deprivation. Our study investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying hypothermia-mediated protection using an in vitro model system. We demonstrate that hypothermia exerts a dual effect on cellular metabolism, simultaneously suppressing metabolic activity while enhancing stress tolerance. Specifically, mild hypothermia at 32°C emerges as the optimal te

General anesthesia (GA) is an unconscious state produced by anesthetic drugs, which act on neurons to cause overall suppression of neuronal activity in the brain. Recent studies have revealed that GA also substantially enhances the dynamics of microglia, the primary brain immune cells, with increased process motility and territory surveillance. However, whether microglia are actively involved in GAmodulation remains unknown. Here, we report a previously unrecognized role for microglia engaging in multiple GA processes. We found that microglial ablation reduced the sensitivity of mice to anesth

During the course of hibernation a rapid and reversible retraction and remodeling of dendrites and spines occurs in the brain of small hibernating mammals. Similar plasticity is also observed in hypothermic mice and rats, suggesting that the phenomenon is not exclusively regulated by hibernation-specific gene expression. While plasticity mechanisms during hibernation have mainly been studied in the hippocampus, the brain wide expression of a reversible and temperature-dependent phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein tau (MAP-Tau), in both hibernating animals and non-hibernators, fur

Introduction: Neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is a leading cause of mortality and chronic disability. Hypothermia (HT) is the gold standard for the treatment of term babies; however, its neuroprotective effects are limited. Lactoferrin (LF) is the major whey protein in milk presenting iron-binding, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic against HI damage. We hypothesize that combining oral administration of LF to the dams enhances the neuroprotection caused by HT following experimental HI. Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats were fed with bovine LF-supplemented diet (1mg/kg) or Control diet from P6 to

Some animals use the strategy, known as hibernation, to survive harsh environments, such as extreme thermal challenges and food scarcity, by reducing metabolism and core body temperature. Recent work has shown that activation of Qrfp neurons in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (POA) can induce a hibernation-like state in non-hibernators such as mice, termed Q-neuron-induced hypothermia and hypometabolism (QIH) (Takahashi et al., Nature, 2020). During QIH, the mice show hypothermia with low systemic oxygen consumption. Interestingly, they show immobile behaviours, such as hibernation and a