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Freezing Human ES Cells
Published on: October 12, 2006
Possible human endogenous cryogens.
Osamu Shido1, Naotoshi Sugimoto
1Department of Environmental Physiology, School of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo 693-8501, Japan. o-shido@med.shimane-u.ac.jp
Current Protein & Peptide Science
|May 18, 2011
Summary
Anapyrexia, a regulated drop in body temperature, conserves oxygen during limited supply. This study identifies a potential large-molecule endogenous cryogen in humans that induces hypothermia.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Hypothermia Research
Background:
- Anapyrexia (regulated hypothermia) is oxygen-sparing during hypoxia.
- Cryogens induce anapyrexia; endogenous cryogens in mammals are understudied.
- Hypoxia, ischemia, and histotoxic hypoxia necessitate reduced oxygen demand.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate endogenous cryogens in mammals.
- To characterize a potential peptidergic cryogen in a hypothermic patient.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of endogenous cryogens.
Main Methods:
- Case study of a patient with severe hypothermia.
- Analysis of patient's cryogen in animal models.
- Assessment of metabolic effects and thermogenic thresholds.
Main Results:
- A patient exhibited excessive production of endogenous peptidergic cryogenic substances (>30 kDa).
- The patient's cryogen affected metabolic functions and thermogenic thresholds in animal studies.
- The cryogen induced hypothermia.
Conclusions:
- Endogenous cryogens, like the one identified, may play a role in mammalian physiology.
- Further research is needed to identify human endogenous cryogens.
- These substances could be valuable for therapeutic hypothermia and space travel.
