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Updated: Jun 9, 2025
08:22
A Preclinical Model of Exertional Heat Stroke in Mice
Published on: July 1, 2021
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The mechanisms behind heatstroke-induced intestinal damage
Minshu Sun1,2, Qin Li1,2, Zhimin Zou1,2
1Department of Treatment Center For Traumatic Injuries, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Cell Death Discovery
|October 29, 2024
Summary
Heatstroke (HS) causes significant intestinal damage by compromising the gut barrier. Protecting the intestines is a key strategy for treating heatstroke and its systemic effects.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Gastroenterology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Heatstroke (HS) is an increasingly significant global health threat, often leading to multi-organ dysfunction.
- The gastrointestinal tract is a primary target of HS, with intestinal damage playing a critical role in disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology of intestinal damage in heatstroke.
- To outline recent therapeutic strategies for mitigating HS-induced intestinal injury.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes findings from numerous studies on heatstroke and intestinal damage.
- It examines the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying heat stress-induced gut injury.
Main Results:
- Heat stress and hypoxia disrupt the intestinal epithelial barrier, leading to increased permeability.
- Mechanisms include stress responses, oxidative imbalance, tight junction protein dysfunction, cell death, and gut microbiota alterations.
- Intestinal damage promotes systemic inflammation and toxin translocation.
Conclusions:
- Damage to the intestinal barrier is central to heatstroke pathophysiology.
- Therapeutic strategies should focus on intestinal barrier protection and modulation of inflammatory/immune responses.
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