Hypothalamic TRPM8 and TRPA1 ion channel genes in the regulation of temperature homeostasis at water balance changes

The role of the hypothalamic cold-sensitive ion channels - transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) in homeostatic systems of thermoregulation and water-salt balance - is not clear. The interaction of homeostatic systems of thermoregulation and water-salt balance without additional temperature load did not receive due attention, too. On the models of water-balance disturbance, we tried to elucidate some aspect of these problems. Body temperature (Tbody), O2 consumption, CO2 excretion, electrical muscle activity (EMA), temperature of tail skin (Ttail), plasma osmolality, as well as gene expression of hypothalamic TRPM8 and TRPA1 have been registered in rats of 3 groups: control; water-deprived (3 days under dry-eating); and hyperhydrated (6 days without dry food, drinking liquid 4 % sucrose). No relationship was observed between plasma osmolality and gene expression of Trpm8 and Trpa1. In water-deprived rats, the constriction of skin vessels, increased fat metabolism by 10 % and increased EMA by 48 % allowed the animals to maintain Tbody unchanged. The hyperhydrated rats did not develop sufficient mechanisms, and their Tbody decreased by 0.8 °C. The development of reactions was correlated with the expression of genes of thermosensitive ion channels in the anterior hypothalamus. Ttail had a direct correlation with the expression of the Trpm8 gene, whereas EMA directly correlated with the expression of the Trpa1 gene in water-deprived group. The obtained data attract attention from the point of view of management and correction of physiological functions by modulating the ion channel gene expression.

Expression of Trpa1 and Trpv1 Genes in the Hypothalamus and Blood Pressure in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats. Effect of Losartan and Captopril

Analysis of the role of genomic regulation of systolic BP (SBP) in normal and hypertensive rats showed the presence of an inverse relationship between the level of Trpa1 gene expression in the anterior hypothalamus and SBP. Losartan, an antagonist of angiotensin II type 1 receptors, shifts it to the region of lower SBP and greater expression of the Trpa1 gene, which can attest to interaction of the TRPA1 ion channel in the anterior hypothalamus with angiotensin II type 1 receptors. No association was found between the expression of the Trpv1 gene in the hypothalamus and SBP. We have previously shown that activation of the peripheral ion channel TRPA1 in the skin also contributes to SBP decrease in hypertensive animals. Hence, activation of the TRPA1 ion channel both in the brain and at the periphery has similar effects on SBP and leads to its decrease.

Effects of activation of skin ion channels TRPM8, TRPV1, and TRPA1 on the immune response. Comparison with effects of cold and heat exposure

The effects of pharmacological stimulation of skin ion channels TRPA1, TRPM8, TRPV1 on the immune response are presented. These effects are compared with the effects of different types of temperature exposures - skin cooling, deep cooling, and deep heating. This analysis allows us to clear the differences in the influence on the immune response of thermosensitive ion channels localized in the skin; (2) whether the changes in the immune response under temperature exposures are due to these thermosensitive ion channels. Experiments were performed on Wistar rats. For stimulation of TRPM8 ion channel, an application to the skin of 1% menthol was used, for TRPA1 - 0.04% allylisotiocianate, and for TRPV1 - capsaicin in a concentration of 0.001.The antigen binding in the spleen was two-times stimulated by activation of the cold-sensitive ion channel TRPM8 and much weaker by activation of warm-sensitive TRPV1 (by 15%), and another cold-sensitive ion channel TRPA1 (by 40%). Only the stimulation of TRPA1 significantly (by 140%) increased antibody formation in the spleen, while TRPM8 had practically no effect on this process, and activation of TRPV1 significantly (by 60%) inhibited antibody formation. Stimulation of the TRPM8 ion channel significantly (by 60%) reduced the level of IgG in the blood, which is believed to control of infectious diseases.The obtained results show that pharmacological activation of the skin TRPA1, TRPM8, TRPV1 ion channels can differently affect the immune system. At the epicenter of changes there were the antigen binding and antibody formation in the spleen, as well as the level of IgG in the blood. Exactly stimulation of the TRPM8 ion channel determines the changes in the immune response when only the skin is cooling, while at deep body heating, the changes in the immune response are mostly determined by the activation of the skin TRPV1 ion channel.

Effect of Activation of Peripheral Ion Channel TRPM8 on Gene Expression of Thermosensitive TRP Ion Channels in the Hypothalamus. Comparison with the Effect of Cooling

Experiments on rats showed that activation of the peripheral ion channel TRPM8 with menthol and rapid cooling (decrease in core temperature by 3°C) led to 1.5-fold activation of the expression of TRPV3 ion channel gene in the posterior hypothalamus, but had no effect on the expression of this gene in the anterior hypothalamus. Neither stimulation of peripheral TRPМ8, nor acute cooling affected the expression of genes for other thermosensitive ion channels (TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV4, TRPA1, and TRPМ8) in the hypothalamus. Enhanced expression of Trpv3 gene can indicate increased sensitivity of hypothalamic neurons in the range of TRPV3 ion channel functioning (31-39oC). The relationship between the changes in Trpv3 gene expression and the shift of thermoregulatory reaction thresholds is discussed. Our findings attest to the presence of a functional relationship between TRP ion channels of the peripheral nervous system and TRP channels in the central structures of the brain.

Participation of Purinergic P2X Receptors in the Thermoregulatory Response to Cooling

We studied the role of purinergic P₂X receptors in the body response to cooling. In experiments on rats, P₂X receptor antagonist PPADS was administered in different modes, which resulted in changes of different characteristics of the thermoregulatory response to cold. Iontophoresis of P₂X antagonist into the skin decreased the thermal thresholds of all thermoregulatory responses to cooling, which can attest to a modulating effect of P₂X receptors on peripheral thermosensitive afferents. Intraperitoneal administration of P₂X antagonist suppressed thermoregulatory activity of skeletal muscles (shivering) developing during cooling without changing the thresholds of thermoregulatory responses. The findings suggest that ATP and P₂X receptors play an important role in the formation of the response to cooling.

Effects of pharmacological activation of TRPM8 ion channels on the thermoregulatory responses during warming

Preliminary non-thermal activation of cold-sensitive TRPM8 ion channel facilitates initiation of the heat-defense responses in homoiothermal animals by decreasing temperature threshold of the vasodilatory response. TRPM8 activation leads to earlier heat-initiated increase in oxygen consumption, but reduces its magnitude. Warming inhibits the lipolytic effect of menthol activation of TRPM8 observed under thermoneutral conditions. Thus, modulation of the skin temperature afferent signal by ion channel agonist TRPM8 changes not only cold-defense, but also heat-defense responses of the body.

[Respiratory system response to cooling in subjects with single nucleotide polymorphism rs11562975 in gene of thermosensitive TRPM8 ion channel]

On the basis of genomic studies in subjects belonged to Russian ethnic group it was identified individuals with heterozygous genotype, containing the C-allele in single nucleotide polymorphism rs11562975, located in 6 exon of the gene encoding the temperature-sensitive ion channel TRPM8. Subjects with heterozygous genotype GC were characterized by not only increased sensation to cold but also hypometabolic response to local skin cooling and non-temperature activation of TRPM8 ion channel by menthol--decrease in total metabolism, pulmonary ventilation and coefficient of oxygen extraction. The subjects with homozygous genotype GG had a lower cold sensation and adequate response to local skin cooling in respect to thermoregulation--decrease in respiratory heat loss and increase in the lipid metabolism.

[Thermosensitive TRP channels gene expression in hypothalamus of normal rats and rats adapted to cold]

The gene expression of thermosensitive TRP (transient receptor potential) ion channels was studied by the method of quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) in hypothalamus of control (normal) rats (5 weeks at the room temperature 20 +/- 22 degrees C) and rats adapted to cold (5 weeks at the room temperature 4 +/- 6 degrees C). For the first time in this brain region the expression of Trpv3 and Trpm8 genes was found, that was the evidence of the presence of TRPV3 and TRPM8 ion channels in the hypothalamus; it was made a comparison of the gene expression of the 6 thermosensitive ion channels (TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPA1, TRPM8) and found that there was rather high expression of the genes of thermosensitive ion channels activated at temperatures above 30 degrees C, while, the gene expression level of cold sensitive TRPM8 and TRPA1 proved to be much lower; it was found that long-term cold adaptation modified the gene expression of TRPV3 ion channel. The findings support the assumption that thermosensitive TRP ion channels of hypothalamus may be involved in the mechanisms of thermal adaptation at the level of gene expression.

[Effect of alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine on thermoregulatory responses to cooling]

Ionoforetic yohimbine application to skin has a modulating effect on the thermoregulatory parameters. In thermoneutral conditions, yohimbine increases heat production and heat dissipation. At subsequent cooling, yohimbine facilitates the initiation of vascular and metabolic response by reducing the temperature threshold of both nonshivering and shivering thermogenesis. Under the influence of yohimbine the maximum value of both vascular and metabolic response increases. In strengthening the metabolic response the skeletal muscles shivering significantly contributes. In contrast to yohimbine, the norepinephrine thermogenic effect occurs by strengthening nonshivering thermogenesis. Features of the yohimbine influence on thermoregulatory parameters due to the dual localization and function of the alpha2-adrenergic receptors.

[Effect of transfer of fragment of chromosome 13, containing gene i16st on parameters of mouse temperature homeostasis]

Mechanisms of maintenance of temperature homeostasis in warm and under effect of cold were studied in mice of AKR strain and of its coherent strain AKR.CBA-D13Mit76 with the changed gene i16st encoding the gp 130 receptor, via which IL-6 performs its action. Under thermoneutral conditions and under action of cold, there were recorded temperature parameters, total oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide release, respiratory coefficient, and electrical muscle activity. Animals of the studied strains demonstrated different reactions to equal cold effect. At cooling, all mice of the AKR strain entered the state of hypothermia by decreasing metabolism. Mice of the AKR.CBA-D13Mit76 line showed 2 different types of reaction: 39 % of the animals of this strain reacted like mice of the AKR strain, but the majority (61 %) resisted actively to the cold action, which was manifested as a marked increase of metabolism. Taking into account the gene penetrance, this can indicate effect of the gene i16st on choice of the active ("regulated") or passive ("dependent") way of the organism reacting to temperature actions.

[Relationship of single-nucleotide polymorphism rs11562975 in thermo-sensitive ion channel TRPM8 gene with human sensitivity to cold and menthol]

The examination of people belonging to the Russian ethnic group revealed that 20.3% of subjects had heterozygous genotype, containing the C-allele in single nucleotide polymorphism rs11562975, located in exon 7 of the gene encoding the temperature-sensitive ion channel TRPM8. Functional differences, associated with sensitivity to cold and menthol were identified between subjects with different genotypes of the polymorphism rs11562975 (GG and GC). Subjects with heterozygous genotype GC were characterized by increased sensitivity to cold and reduced sensitivity to menthol, agonist of the ion channel TRPM8, compared with subjects with homozygous genotype GG.

[Effect of TRPM8 ion channel activation on thermoregulatory response to cooling]

In rats, the effect of activation of the cold- and menthol-sensitive TRPM8 ion channel on different thermoregulatory parameters: total oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide release, respiration coefficient, constriction response of skin blood vessels, muscle activity, was studied. Activation of TRPM8 with menthol even in thermoneutral conditions produces an increase in oxygen consumption and a decrease in respiratory coefficient, which may suggest enhanced non-shivering thermogenesis and lipolysis. Rapid cooling against the background of TRPM8 activation is characterized by a decrease in the temperature thresholds of all thermoregulatory responses without associated changes in sequences of their initiation as well as in enhancement of metabolic component of emergency thermogenesis which leads to improved maintenance of core temperature in conditions when external cold acts on the organism. The obtained data on the effect of TRPM8 activation on metabolic parameters in thermoneutral conditions and under cooling suggest acontinuous involvement of this receptor in regulation of total metabolism and, possibly, in determination of the type of organism's metabolism as well as in determination of organism's response to external cooling.

Mechanisms of modulation of thermoregulatory reactions during cooling in hypertensive rats by the sympathetic nervous system

Susceptibility of thermoregulatory responses to cold to blockage of α(1)- and β-adrenoreceptors differs in health and hypertension. α(1)-Adrenoceptor blockade reduces vessel reactivity during cooling and vessel reaction to cold becomes similar to that in intact normotensive rats. Changes in the structure of metabolic response to cold in favor of non-shivering thermogenesis typical of hypertensive animals becomes even more pronounced under conditions of α(1)-adrenoceptor blockade due to inhibition of cold shivering. Blockage of β-adrenoceptors does not affect parameters of vascular response to cooling. In hypertensive rats, in contrast to normotensive animals, β-adrenoceptor blockade during cooling increased temperature thresholds for total metabolic reaction and shivering. The maximum shivering intensity also increased, which partially compensated inhibition of non-shivering thermogenesis. In the whole organism, blockade of one type of adrenoceptors during cooling leads to intensification of compensatory mechanisms realized through adrenoceptors of the other type. In hypertensive rats, compensatory capacities of thermogenic processes controlled by α(1)- and β-adrenoceptors are impaired in comparison with normotensive animals under conditions of inhibition of both shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis.

Modulating effects of calcium on immune response of homoiothermal animal under thermoneutral conditions and during deep cooling

Preliminary ionophoretic administration of Ca(2+) ions into the skin prevents the inhibitory effects of deep cooling on some processes characterizing the immune response. Differently directed changes in some immune response parameters induced by exogenous calcium and deep cooling suggest that competitive interactions between calcium-dependent processes can serve as mechanisms of functional changes in various physiological systems during the formation of the systemic reaction of a homoiothermal organism to cold.

Effect of rapid slight cooling of the skin in various phases of immunogenesis on the immune response

Slight cooling had no effect on heat emission and heat production, but modulated the immune response to antigen in animals. Changes in the immune response upon rapid slight cooling of the skin (by 1.5 degrees C) depended on the phase of immunogenesis corresponding to cold exposure. When cooling was performed immediately after immunization, antibody production increased in the spleen and blood, while antigen binding in the spleen remained unchanged. Cold exposure on day 5 after antigen treatment as well as immunization at the peak of cooling did not modulate antibody production, but increased antigen binding in the spleen. Our findings attest to an important role of the temperature factor in the formation of the immune response, which should be taken into account during vaccination.

Effects of rapid and slow cooling on thermoregulatory reactions in hypertensive rats after administration of calcium

Iontophoretic administration of calcium ions into the skin close to the application site of a cold stimulus decreased the threshold of thermoregulatory reactions in hypertensive rats to a greater extent than in normotensive control animals, which may be evidence that the tissues involved in thermoregulatory reactions to cold have a greater sensitivity to calcium in hypertensive rats. The initially earlier onset of vascular and metabolic reactions and the increase in the vascular reaction seen in hypertensive rats became more marked after administration of calcium. Treatment with calcium, increasing the vascular reaction to cooling, facilitates a more marked discrimination between hyper-and normotensive animals in terms of the appearance of the vasoconstrictor reactions of skin blood vessels in response to cold. The effects of the added calcium on cold-dependent reactions depended on the rate of cooling.

Central and peripheral thermoreceptors. Comparative analysis of the effects of prolonged adaptation to cold and noradrenaline

This report presents results obtained from many years of study of the effects of prolonged adaptation to cold and noradrenaline on the spike activity of central hypothalamic and peripheral skin thermoreceptors. The involvement of the sympathetic nervous system in forming adaptive changes in the regulatory characteristics of temperature homeostasis and the significance of the various components of thermoreceptor activity to the formation of effector responses are discussed. The roles of different groups of thermoreceptors in forming temperature sensations are analyzed.

Effect of substance P on thermoregulation parameters during different cooling modes

The modulatory effect of ionophoretic application of substance P to the skin on the formation of the cold-triggered thermal protection reactions depends on the rate of cooling. During rapid cooling substance P enhances heat production, while during slow cooling it promotes constriction of skin blood vessels aimed at reduction of heat emission.

[Effect of long-term cold adaptation on the mRNA expression of serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors]

The mRNA expression of serotonin receptors 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A was investigated by the quantitative method RT-PCR in rats adapted to cold (5 weeks at +4 -(+6) degrees C) and in control (5 weeks at +20-22 degrees C). Four brain regions were examined: frontal cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and midbrain. The influence of cold adaptation on the mRNA expression of 5-HT15 receptor was not found to be absent. The mRNA expression of 5-HT2A receptor changed under long-term cold exposure. These changes in different brain regions were various: in hypothalamus, there was an increase of the 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression; in the cortex, a decrease; in the hippocampus and midbrain, significant changes of the mRNA expression were absent. The findings appear bo te adaptive and, according to their localization in the central nervous system, regulatory. They also suggest involvement of brain serotoninergic system in mechanism of adaptive reorganization of temperature regulation.

[Cold-induced changes in blood lipoproteins in normotensive and hypertensive rats]

It is shown that in thermoneutral conditions ISIAH (Inherited Stress-Induced Arterial Hypertension) hypertensive rats had a lower level of high-density lipoproteins (HDLP) in plasma and a higher atherogenic coefficient compared to normotensive Wistar rats. After cooling there were different changes in fractional composition of plasma lipoproteins both in normo- and hypertensive rats. These changes depended on the cooling rate and were more pronounced after slow cooling. Slow cooling resulted in a more significant increase of plasma HDLP and in a greater decrease in LDLP and atherogenic coefficient in hypertensive rats compared to normotensive ones.

[Central and peripheral thermoreceptors. Comparative analysis of effects of the long-term adaptation to cold and noradrenaline]

The data obtained in our experiments concerning the effect of long-tern adaptation to cold and noradrenaline on impulse activity of the central hypothalamic and peripheral skin thermoreceptors, are reviewed. The problems of sympathetic system participator in cold adaptive modifications and importance of thermoreceptors in formation of cold-defense responses, as well as the role of different types of thermoreceptors in thermal sensation, are discussed.

[Effect of rapid and slow cooling on thermoregulatory responses in hypertensive and normotensive rats after calcium administration]

The effect of iontophoretic administration of calcium ions to skin in the area of cold stimulus application on the thermal thresholds and the magnitude of cold defense responses in normotensive Wistar and hypertensive ISIAH rats was studied. In thermoneutral conditions, administration of calciumions wos without effect on the measured thermoregulatory parameters. Under the effect of calcium, the thresholds of all the thermoregulatory responses to cooling (such as heat loss, oxygen consumption, shivering) are lowered and the values of heat loss and shivering thermogenesis are considerably increased. The effects of calcium on thermoregulatory responses depend on the rate of cooling. All changes are more expressive in hypertensive rats. The increased sensitivity of hypertensives to calcium suggests that change in their calcium metabolism may be a cause of the observed shifts in the thermoregulatory response to cold.

Slow Cooling Improved Blood Lipoprotein Composition in Hypertensive Rats

Under normal thermal conditions, hypertensive NISAG rats are characterized by lower plasma levels of high-density lipoproteins and increased coefficient of atherogenicity compared to normotensive Wistar rats. Slow cooling significantly modified fractional composition of plasma lipoproteins in hypertensive rats: decreased the content of low-density lipoproteins, markedly increased the content of high-density lipoproteins, and normalized coefficient of atherogenicity. Our results demonstrated the possibility of correcting disturbances in lipoprotein spectrum in essential hypertension by using thermal exposures.

[The functional modifications under the long-term adaptation to cold]

The data on modifications and interrelation of the afferent and efferent parts of the thermoregulatory system under the long-term adaptation to cold are presented. The body of data evidences for the important role of the thermoreceptors in the adaptive changes of the cold-defense responses.

[Effect of cold on the antigen binding function of splenic cells at different periods of immunogenesis in rats]

The patterns of changes in the immune response when deep cooling with different rates acted at various periods during development of the immune response, were examined in Wistar rats. Cold exposure causes not only a suppression but also stimulation of the immune response to antigen. The suppressive effect of deep cooling when it preceded immune challenge (the antigen injected at a body temperature decreased by 3-4 degrees C) waned and became stimulating with increasing time interval between antigen challenge and cold exposure. The stimulating effect on the immune response was most pronounced when cold exposure occurred in 5 days after the antigen challenge. These changes differed quantitatively also when cooling was either rapid, or slow. Thus the modulating effect of the thermal afferent signal was differently manifested depending in the cooling rate, i.e. the presence or absence of the dynamic activity of the peripheral thermosensitive afferents, and the time elapsed between antigen challenge and cold exposure.

Thermoregulatory reactions to cooling in rats with hereditary arterial hypertension

Experiments on rats with hereditary stress-induced arterial hypertension showed that hypertension shortened the latency and increased the amplitude of constrictive reaction of skin blood vessels to rapid cooling characterized by more rapid and considerable increase in blood norepinephrine content compared to slow cooling. Decreased thermal threshold of metabolic reaction suggests that arterial hypertension is accompanied by changes in both the vascular walls and tissues involved in metabolic reaction to cooling.

Immune response and corticosteroid content in different regimens of cooling

The effects of different cooling regimens modulating thermal afferent signal on the immune response were experimentally studied on rats. Immunization at low body temperature changed the immune response to the antigen. These changes depended on the depth and rate of previous cooling. The presence of dynamic activity of peripheral thermosensitive afferents potentiated the immune response after surface cooling and reduced the degree of suppression of the immune response after deep cooling. No clear-cut relationship between changes in the immune response and blood concentration of corticosterone during cooling was found.

[Effect of cooling rate and intensity on the immune response and corticosterone blood level in rats]

Changes in the rat antigen-induced immune activity were shown to depend on cooling depth: slight cooling activated the immune response whereas deep cooling inhibited it. Involvement of the skin cold receptors' dynamic activity in responses to rapid cooling attenuated the effect of cold exposure on the immune response as well as the corticosterone elevation in plasma.

[Characteristics of responses of the sympatho-adrenal system to various types of cooling]

Fast cooling involving the dynamic activity of the skin cold receptors seems to establish a condition for changes in catecholamine concentration at a lesser decrease of body temperature as compared with slow cooling.

Effects of slow and rapid cooling on catecholamine concentration in arterial plasma and the skin

Norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (Epi) concentrations in arterial plasma and in skin tissue were measured chromatographically before and after external cooling. Urethan-anesthetized rats were cooled either slowly (0.004-0.006 degrees C/s) or rapidly (0.03- 0.05 degrees C/s). Blood samples were drawn three times from each animal: 1) before cooling and at a rectal temperature decreased 2) by 0.5 degrees C and 3) by 3-4 degrees C. Skin samples were taken from controls and from rapidly or slowly cooled rats at a rectal temperature lowered by 0.5 degrees C. The resting mean values were 36.7 +/- 0.3 degrees C for rectal temperature, 0.62 +/- 0.079 and 1. 09 +/- 0.203 ng/ml for plasma NE and Epi, and 85.6 +/- 4.1 and 137.6 +/- 34.3 ng/g for skin NE and Epi. A decrease in rectal temperature by 0.5 degrees C at rapid cooling produced a 2.6-fold increase of NE and a 2.8-fold increase of Epi in plasma. Concomitantly, there was a significant decrease in skin NE concentration by 28% and Epi by 86%. At a rectal temperature decreased by 0.5 degrees C after slow cooling, plasma catecholamines did not change; at unaltered skin NE concentration, there was a reduction in skin Epi concentration (60%). When rectal temperature was lowered by 3-4 degrees C, the increase in plasma NE was virtually the same at both cooling rates and only plasma Epi increased more after deep rapid cooling than slow cooling. Thus the sympathoadrenal system may be differently activated depending on cooling rate. Rapid cooling, when the dynamic activity of the skin cold receptors is involved in the cold response, may provide conditions for an earlier activation of the sympathoadrenal system. This may evidence the functional significance of the dynamic activity of the skin cold receptors in the formation of the cold defense responses.

[Modulating effect of peripheral thermoreceptors on human respiration]

Peripheral thermoreceptors substantially modulate respiratory parameters under normal and cooling conditions. Functional changes in peripheral thermoreceptors after cold adaptation promote alterations of the external respiratory system. Artificial modulation of the number of sensitive cold receptors by norepinephrine is shown by the pattern of a respiratory response to cooling. The pattern of respiration may be differently changed by affecting cold receptors of different sites. Thus, the possibility of initiating the same effector response does not mean that these sensors are equal in their responses. With a small number of effector organs in the body, the field of application of each effector is expanded due to the fact that they may be exposed to a variety of reception that differently modulating the function of an effector organ.

[The modulation of the functional properties of the skin thermoreceptors]

The characteristic property of skin cold receptors is the presence of static and dynamic activity with their maximum at any skin temperature. Parallel with the common properties there are some differences in the temperature range of receptors' functioning, frequency of static and dynamic activity, concentration of sensitive receptors on the skin. Mechanisms of these differences are unknown. It is found that the character of skin cold receptors functioning can be changed in individual life of the organism. Some parameters of static and dynamic activity as well as concentration of cold receptors functioning change both with adaptation of the organism to cold and with a rise of the noradrenaline concentration in blood. The reason of adaptive modifications of skin thermoreceptors may be an increase of their sensitivity to noradrenaline observed with adaptation to cold. It can be supposed that the modulating influence of biological active substances is very important in forming activity and sensitivity of skin thermoreceptors.

[The effect of the rate of warming on total body metabolism and on the tonus of the skin vessels]

The influence of local rewarming rate on the oxygen consumption and skin blood vessels tone was studied in anesthetized hypothermic rats. The rising of rewarming rate decreased the latency and temperature threshold of metabolic reaction. The dilation of skin blood vessels depended more on own internal and vessels' temperatures.