A dataset of proteomic changes during human heat stress and heat acclimation

Dietary alpha-lipoic acid alleviates heat stress by modulating insulin-like signaling to maintain homeostasis in C. elegans

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause oxidative stress in the body, negatively impacting human health. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant prevalent in both plant and animal foods, exhibiting bioactivity comparable to that of vitamins. Although its roles in antioxidant defense and metabolic regulation have been extensively studied, its potential to mitigate heat stress in organisms is less explored and deserves further study. Our research demonstrates that ALA significantly improves the survival rates of Caenorhabditis elegans under heat stress. ALA achieves this by activating heat shock factor 1 (HSF-1) and promoting mitochondrial fission and mitophagy through the transcription factor HLH-30. These processes help alleviate oxidative damage from heat stress, maintain mitochondrial function, and stabilize cellular energy metabolism. Furthermore, the activation of HSF-1 and enhanced mitophagy by dietary ALA depend on the insulin-like signaling peptide 19 (INS-19), suggesting that ALA may target the insulin-like signaling pathway to combat heat stress and maintain homeostasis. These findings indicate that ALA could serve as a valuable dietary supplement for enhancing heat stress resistance in organisms and may inspire the development of novel food ingredients with protective properties against thermal challenges.

A dataset of proteomic changes during human heat stress and heat acclimation

Hotter climates have important impacts on human health and performance. Yet, the cellular and molecular responses involved in human heat stress and acclimation remain understudied. This dataset includes physiological measurements and the plasma concentration of 2,938 proteins collected from 10 healthy adults, before and during passive heat stress that was performed both prior to and after a 7-day heat acclimation protocol. Physiological measurements included body temperatures, sweat rate, cutaneous vascular conductance, blood pressure, and skin sympathetic nerve activity. The proteomic dataset was generated using the Olink Explore 3072 assay, enabling a high-multiplex antibody-based assessment of protein changes based on proximity extension assay technology. The data need to be interpreted in the context of the moderate level of body hyperthermia attained and the specific demographic of young, healthy adults. We have made this dataset publicly available to facilitate research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in human heat stress and acclimation, crucial for addressing the health and performance challenges posed by rising temperatures.