Rationale Evidence links longevity to dietary restriction (DR). A decrease in body temperature (Tb) is thought to contribute to enhanced longevity because lower Tb reduces oxidative metabolism and oxidative stress. It is as yet unclear how DR decreases Tb. Objective Here, we test the hypothesis that prolonged DR decreases Tb by sensitizing adenosine A1 receptors (A1AR) and adenosine-induced cooling. Methods and results Sprague–Dawley rats were dietary restricted using an every-other-day feeding protocol. Rats were fed every other day for 27 days and then administered the A1AR agonist, N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA; 0.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Respiratory rate (RR) and subcutaneous Tb measured using IPTT-300 transponders were monitored every day and after drug administration. DR animals displayed lower RR on day 20 and lower Tb on day 22 compared to animals fed ad libitum and displayed a larger response to CHA. In all cases, RR declined before Tb. Contrary to previous reports, a higher dose of CHA (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was lethal in both dietary groups. We next tested the hypothesis that sensitization to the effects of CHA was due to increased surface expression of A1AR within the hypothalamus. We report that the abundance of A1AR in the membrane fraction increases in hypothalamus, but not cortex of DR rats. Conclusion These results suggest that every-other-day feeding lowers Tb via sensitization of thermoregulatory effects of endogenous adenosine by increasing surface expression of A1AR. Discussion Evidence that diet can modulate purinergic signaling has implications for the treatment of stroke, brain injury, epilepsy, and aging.

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Hibernation is an adaptation that allows animals such as the Arctic ground squirrel (AGS) to survive the absence of food or water during the winter season. Understanding mechanisms of metabolic suppression during hibernation torpor promises new therapies for critical care. The activation of the Adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) has been shown to be necessary and sufficient for entrance into hibernation with a winter season sensitization to the agonist, but the role of the A1AR in seasonal sensitization is unknown. In the current study, we characterize the A1AR in the forebrain, hippocampus and hypothalamus of summer and torpid AGS. For the first time, we define the pharmacological characteristics of the A1AR agonist, N6-cyclohexyladenosine and the A1AR antagonist dipropylcyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX) in the AGS brain. In addition, we test the hypothesis that increased A1AR agonist efficacy is responsible for sensitization of the A1AR during the torpor season. The resulting 35S-GTPγS binding data indicate an increase in agonist potency during torpor in two out of three brain regions. In addition to 35S-GTPγS binding, [3H]DPCPX saturation and competition assays establish for the first-time pharmacological characteristics for the A1AR agonist, N6-cyclohexyladenosine and the A1AR antagonist dipropylcyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX) in AGS brain.