Probing the transcriptome response to shivering in skeletal muscle using a multilayered bioinformatics approach
Cold acclimation holds therapeutic potential for improving metabolic health. We previously demonstrated that repeated cold-induced shivering enhances insulin sensitivity in humans. However, the molecular pathways that underlie the skeletal muscle shivering response, and how these relate to beneficial physiological effects, remain poorly understood. In this study, we combined complementary…
Researchers have investigated the effects of repeated shivering in skeletal muscle on metabolic health, aiming to understand the molecular pathways involved. A previous study had revealed that cold-induced shivering can improve insulin sensitivity in humans. However, the specific mechanisms behind the skeletal muscle response during shivering and their relationship to the positive physiological outcomes were not well comprehended.
To address this knowledge gap, the current study employed a combination of bioinformatics approaches to perform a thorough examination of the transcriptomic changes in human skeletal muscle upon repeated shivering.
The researchers observed a clear transcriptional signature associated with the shivering response in skeletal muscle. Interestingly, a sex-specific component was identified, suggesting that the response may vary between males and females. Moreover, this sex-specific component appeared to diminish after cold adaptation. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying cold-induced skeletal muscle adaptations, identify potential molecular targets for further investigation, and highlight the significance of including both sexes in future cold acclimation research.
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