Cold has been a long-term survival challenge in the evolutionary process of mammals. In response to cold stress, in addition to brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipating energy as heat through glucose and lipid oxidation to maintain body temperature, cold stimulation can strongly activate thermogenesis and energy expenditure in beige fat cells, which are widely distributed in the subcutaneous layer. However, the effects of cold stimulation on other tissues and systemic lipid metabolism remain unclear. Our previous research indicated that, under cold stress, BAT not only produces heat but also secretes numerous exosomes to mediate BAT-liver crosstalk. Whether subcutaneous fat has a similar mechanism is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the alterations in lipid metabolism across various tissues under cold exposure and to explore whether subcutaneous fat regulates systemic glucose and lipid metabolism via exosomes, thereby elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of lipid metabolism homeostasis under physiological stress. RT-qPCR, Western blot, and H&E staining methods were used to investigate the physiological changes in lipid metabolism in the serum, liver, epididymal white adipose tissue, and subcutaneous fat of mice under cold stimulation. The results revealed that cold exposure significantly enhanced the thermogenic activity of subcutaneous adipose tissue and markedly increased exosome secretion. These exosomes were efficiently taken up by hepatocytes, where they profoundly influenced hepatic lipid metabolism, as evidenced by alterations in the expression levels of key genes involved in lipid synthesis and catabolism pathways. This study has unveiled a novel mechanism by which subcutaneous fat regulates lipid metabolism through exosome secretion under cold stimulation, providing new insights into the systemic regulatory role of beige adipocytes under cold stress and offering a theoretical basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies for obesity and metabolic diseases.
Animals ; Lipid Metabolism/physiology* ; Mice ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Cold Temperature ; Subcutaneous Fat/physiology* ; Thermogenesis/physiology* ; Adipose Tissue, Brown/metabolism* ; Male

BACKGROUND: Neck cooling is a practical method for preventing heat-related illness, however, its effectiveness in general workers is not well established. This study aimed to assess the effects of neck cooling on core body temperature and other physiological markers during exercise in a hot environment. METHODS: This randomized crossover trial was conducted from November 2023 to April 2024 at the Shared-Use Research Center at UOEH. Fourteen healthy adult males participated in the study under two conditions: with neck cooling (COOL) and without neck cooling (CON). All participants completed both conditions, and the order of condition assignment was determined by a random draw. Participants first rested for 10 minutes in a 28.0 °C, 50% relative humidity environment, followed by a rest in a 35.0 °C, 50% relative humidity environment for another 10 minutes. In the COOL condition, participants wore a neck cooler containing 1,200 g of ice while exercising at 50% Heart Rate Reserve on a bicycle ergometer for 20 minutes. Afterward, they rested for 15 minutes in the hot environment while still wearing the cooler. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Core body temperature (rectal and esophageal), forehead skin temperature, and heart rate were continuously monitored and compared using a mixed model. Estimated sweat volume was calculated based on changes in body weight before and after the experiment. RESULTS: At the end of the rest period, no significant differences were observed between the COOL and CON conditions in rectal temperature (37.76 ± 0.18 °C versus 37.75 ± 0.24 °C, p = 0.9493), esophageal temperature (37.75 ± 0.30 °C versus 37.76 ± 0.23 °C, p = 0.7325), forehead skin temperature (36.87 ± 0.29 °C versus 36.88 ± 0.27 °C, p = 0.2160), or heart rate (104.18 ± 7.56 bpm versus 107.52 ± 7.40 bpm, p = 0.1035). Estimated sweat loss was similar between conditions (578 ± 175 g for CON versus 572 ± 242 g for COOL, p = 0.5066). While more participants felt cooler in the COOL condition, RPE showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION Neck cooling did not significantly affect core temperature or perceived exertion. Maintaining close contact with the skin at sufficiently low temperatures or utilizing cooling methods that prevent excessive negative feedback may be necessary to enhance the effectiveness of neck cooling.
Humans ; Male ; Cross-Over Studies ; Exercise/physiology* ; Adult ; Neck/physiology* ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects* ; Young Adult ; Body Temperature ; Heart Rate ; Skin Temperature ; Body Temperature Regulation ; Cold Temperature

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on laparoscope postoperative shivering in patients undergoing general anesthesia and explore its effect mechanism. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with elective laparoscopic resection of intestinal tumor under general anesthesia were randomly divided into an EA group and a tramadol group, 40 cases in each group. Thirty min prior to the end of the operation, in the EA group, EA was exerted at Neimadian and Zusanli (ST 36), with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency, 1 mA in intensity, and lasting 30 min. In the tramadol group, tramadol hydrochloride injection was dropped intravenously, 1 mg/kg. The conditions of shivering, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and agitation were observed in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were observed before treatment (T₀), at the moment of extubation (T₁), in 3 min of extubation (T₂) and 1 h after operation (T₃). Using ELISA, at T₀ and T₃, the expression levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in plasma were detected separately. Choking and agitation were recorded during extubation. RESULTS: ① In the EA group, the incidence of shivering, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and agitation in the PACU was lower than that in the tramadol group (P<0.05). ②Compared with T₀, HR, SBP and DBP were increased at T₁ and T₂ in the tramadol group (P<0.05). HR, SBP and DBP in the EA group were lower than the tramadol group at T₁ and T₂ (P<0.05). ③Compared with T₀, the expression levels of IL-6 and 5-HT in plasma were increased at T₃ in the tramadol group (P<0.05). The expression levels of IL-6 and 5-HT in the EA group were lower than the tramadol group at T₃ (P<0.05). ④The incidence of choking and agitation during exudation in the EA group was lower than that in the tramadol group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture can reduce the incidence of laparoscopic postoperative shivering under general anesthesia. The potential mechanism mays related to the modulation of the expression levels of IL-6 and 5-HT caused by surgical trauma.
Anesthesia, General/adverse effects* ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Laparoscopes ; Postoperative Period ; Shivering

In this study, we employed Q Exactive to determine the main differential metabolites of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex du-ring the "sweating" process. Further, we quantified the color parameters and determined the activities of polyphenol oxidase(PPO), peroxidase(POD), and tyrosinase of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex during the "sweating" process. Gray correlation analysis was performed for the color, chemical composition, and enzyme activity to reveal the effect of enzymatic reaction on the color of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex during the "sweating" process. Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex sweating in different manners showed similar metabolite changes. The primary metabolites that changed significantly included amino acids, nucleotides, and sugars, and the secondary metabolites with significant changes were phenols and phenylpropanoids. Despite the different sweating methods, eleven compounds were commonly up-regulated, including L-glutamic acid, acetylarginine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine; six compounds were commonly down-re-gulated, including L-arginine, L-aspartic acid, and phenylalanine. The brightness value(L~*), red-green value(a~*), and yellow-blue value(b~*) of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex kept decreasing during the "sweating" process. The changes in the activities of PPO and POD during sweating were consistent with those in the color parameter values. The gray correlation analysis demonstrated that the main differential metabolites such as amino acids and phenols were closely related to the color parameters L~*, a~* and b~*; POD was correlated with amino acids and phenols; PPO had strong correlation with phenols. The results indicated that the color change of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex during "sweating" was closely related to the reactions of enzymes dominated by PPO and POD. The study analyzed the correlations among the main differential metabolites, color parameters, and enzyme activities of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex in the "sweating" process. It reveals the common law of material changes and ascertains the relationship between color changes and enzymatic reactions of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex during "sweating". Therefore, this study provides a reference for studying the "sweating" mechanism of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex and is of great significance to guarantee the quality of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex.
Magnolia/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Sweating

This study compared the effects on bone metabolism and morphology of pathological obesity induced by excessive fat intake in a non-hibernator (mice) versus healthy obesity due to pre-hibernation fattening in a hibernator (ground squirrels). Kunming mice were fed a high-fat diet to provide a model of pathological obesity (OB group). Daurian ground squirrels fattened naturally in their pre-hibernation season (PRE group) were used as a healthy obesity model. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and three-point bending tests were used to determine the microstructure and mechanical properties of bone. Western blots were used to analyze protein expression levels related to bone metabolism (Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RunX2), osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-‍κB ligand (RANKL), cathepsin K, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), patched protein homolog 1 (Ptch1), phosphorylated β‍-‍catenin (P‍-‍β‍-‍catenin), and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)). Compared with controls, there was no obvious bone loss in the OB mice, and the stiffness of the femur was increased significantly. Compared with summer active squirrels, bone formation was enhanced but the mechanical properties did not change in the PRE group squirrels. In OB mice, western blots showed significantly increased expression levels of all proteins except RunX2, OPG, and Ptch1. PRE ground squirrels showed significantly increased expression of most proteins except OCN and Ptch1, which decreased significantly, and P‍-‍β‍-‍catenin and OPG, which did not change. In conclusion, for non-hibernating mice, moderate obesity had a certain protective effect on bones, demonstrating two-way regulation, increasing both bone loss and bone formation. For pre-hibernating ground squirrels, the healthy obesity acquired before hibernation had a positive effect on the microstructure of bones, and also enhanced the expression levels of proteins related to bone formation, bone resorption, and Wnt signaling.
Mice ; Animals ; Hibernation ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; X-Ray Microtomography ; Sciuridae/metabolism* ; Obesity

The present study aimed to explore the mechanism of the sweating of Dipsacus asper on content changes of triterpene sa-ponins by detecting the total triterpene saponins and the index component asperosaponin Ⅵ in the crude and sweated D. asper, and analyzing the differentially expressed proteins by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification(iTRAQ) combined with LC-MS/MS. After sweating, the content of total triterpene saponins decreased manifestly, while that of asperosaponin Ⅵ increased significantly. As revealed by the iTRAQ-LC-MS/MS analysis, 140 proteins with significant differential expression were figured out, with 50 up-regulated and 90 down-regulated. GO analysis indicated a variety of hydrolases, oxido-reductases, and transferases in the differential proteins. The results of activity test on two differentially expressed oxido-reductases were consistent with those of the iTRAQ-LC-MS/MS analysis. As demonstrated by the analysis of enzymes related to the triterpene saponin biosynthesis pathway, two enzymes(from CYP450 and UGT families, respectively, which are involved in the structural modification of triterpene saponins) were significantly down-regulated after sweating. The findings suggested that sweating of D. asper presumedly regulated triterpene saponins by affecting the expression of downstream CYP450 s and UGTs in the biosynthesis pathway of triterpene saponins of D. asper.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Dipsacaceae ; Humans ; Saponins ; Sweating ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Triterpenes

β3-adrenergic agonists induce adaptive thermogenesis and promote beiging of white fat. However, it remains unclear which metabolites mediate the stimulatory effects of β3-adrenergic agonists on thermogenesis of brown and beige fat. In this study, adipose tissue was isolated from 8-week-old C57/BL6J male mice by intraperitoneal administration of β3-adrenergic agonist CL316,243 for RNA-Seq, which revealed that histidine decarboxylase, a key enzyme in histamine synthesis, was strongly induced in adipose by CL316,243. Therefore, we speculated that histamine might be involved in the process of thermogenesis in adipose tissue. We determined the physiological role and mechanism by which histamine promotes fat thermogenesis by intravenous administering histamine to C57BL/6J mice fed a normal or a high-fat diet. The results showed that intravenous injection of histamine into C57BL/6J mice fed a normal diet stimulated the expression of thermogenic genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). H&E staining also suggested that histamine treatment decreased the size of lipid droplets in adipocytes. Moreover, histamine treatment also enhanced thermogenesis of fat in high-fat diet induced obese mice, and improved glucose intolerance and fatty liver phenotype. Finally, we demonstrated that the effects of histamine on the thermogenic program were cell autonomous. Our data suggest that histamine may mediate the effects of β3-adrenergic agonists on thermogenesis of fat.
Adipose Tissue, Beige ; Adipose Tissue, Brown ; Animals ; Histamine ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Thermogenesis ; Uncoupling Protein 1/genetics*

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the application value of a modified retroauricular hairline incision and a sternocleidomastoid flap with an inferior pedicle in the resection of benign parotid gland tumors. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with benign parotid gland tumors were retrospectively analyzed: 19 cases were included in the experimental group with an improved retroauricular hairline incision and a sternocleidomastoid flap with an inferior pedicle, and 29 cases were assigned in the control group with a modified facelift incision. Operation time, postoperative drainage, postoperative esthetic degree, and incidence of facial nerve paralysis, salivary fistula, and Frey's syndrome were compared. RESULTS: After the esthetic procedure, the average score of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group, and the esthetic effect of the former was better than that of the latter ( CONCLUSIONS The modified retroauricular hairline incision and sternocleidomastoid flap with an inferior pedicle can be applied to resect benign parotid gland tumors safely. It shows a better cosmetic effect and does not cause obvious postoperative complications. Therefore, it should be promoted for tumor treatments.
Esthetics, Dental ; Humans ; Parotid Gland/surgery* ; Parotid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Sweating, Gustatory

Objective: To compare the physiologic status of infants before and after receiving kangaroo mother care (KMC) through assessment of their heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, oxygen saturation, and pain scores. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study by chart review of all low-birth weight (LBW) infants enrolled in the KMC program of a tertiary medical center. Significance is defined by lower HR, RR, PIPP score and FLACC scale, and significant increase in temperature and oxygen saturation (within normal range) after 4 hours after each KMC session. Results: Out of the 46 LBW weight infants enrolled in the KMC program, only 23 infants had complete chart entries. A total of 99 KMC sessions were analyzed. There was no significant difference in the HR (p = 0.331), RR (p = 0.453), oxygen saturation (p = 0.839), and PIPP (p = 0.387)/FLACC (p = 0.13) scores among the LBW infants before and after the KMC session. However, there was a significantly higher axillary temperature (within normal range) four hours after KMC (p = 0.044). Conclusions KMC is associated with better thermoregulation even at four hours after the KMC session compared to four hours before. Other physiologic parameters such as heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and pain scores were similar four hours before and after the KMC session.
Kangaroo-Mother Care Method ; Body Temperature Regulation

OBJECTIVE: To propose and evaluate the clinical effect of midpiece facial nerve dissection through transparotid approach in regional parotidectomy. METHODS: A total of 136 patients with benign parotid tumors were categorized into three groups according to the way of facial nerve dissection: anterograde dissection from main trunk (anterograde, n=70), retrograde dissection from distal branches (retrograde, n=34), and midpiece dissection through transparotid approach (middle dissection, n=32). Surgery duration, facial nerve injury, salivary fistula, earlobe sensation, Frey's syndrome, and aesthetic evaluation were compared. RESULTS: The surgery duration in the middle dissection group was significantly shorter than that in the other two groups. The proportion of salivary fistula was higher in the anterograde group (9 cases, 12.9%; P<0.05) compared with that in the other groups. Postoperative facial nerve injury was similar between the middle dissection (1 case, 3.1%) and anterograde groups (3 cases, 4.3%) with lower injury rate compared with the retrograde group (7 cases, 20.6%). The anterograde group had more cases of hypoesthesia of the earlobe (12 cases, 17.1%; P<0.05) than the other two groups. Aesthetic score was higher in the anterograde and middle dissection groups compared with that in the retrograde group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Midpiece facial nerve dissection is technically feasible and clinically viable in regional parotidectomy.
Esthetics, Dental ; Facial Nerve ; Humans ; Parotid Gland ; Parotid Neoplasms ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Sweating, Gustatory