Effects of cold sensitivity in the extremities on circulating adiponectin levels and metabolic syndrome in women

Abstract

BackgroundIn adipose tissues, adipokine levels, including adiponectin and leptin, are involved in insulin sensitivity and are reciprocally induced by cold temperature stress. Thermogenic response in the extremities (hands and feet) against cold stress can be negatively related to fat mass accumulation, particularly in the abdomen. However, the relationship between the sensation of cold in the extremities and circulating levels of adipokines is not fully understood. Here, we investigated whether adipokine levels are associated with cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF), independent of body mass, and whether the CHHF is related to metabolic syndrome (MS).MethodsAssociations of the CHHF with serum levels of adipokines and MS risk were evaluated in 1021 Koreans (372 men and 649 women), using a linear regression model while controlling for thermogenic factors and a logistic regression model, respectively.ResultsThe adiponectin levels were positively associated with the CHHF, particularly in women, irrespective of thermogenic factors, including body mass index (β = 1.23 μg/mL, 95% confidence interval [1.04–1.45]). Logistic regression analysis for MS risk via the CHHF showed that there was a significant inverse association in women (odds ratio = 0.449, 95% confidence interval [0.273–0.737]).ConclusionsIn summary, our founding indicated that the CHHF could induce increased levels of circulating adiponectin and in turn reduce the MS risk in women. Despite complaints of feeling cold, these women could be at lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease and Flammer syndrome—similarities and differences

“…Classically, endothelial dysfunction has been regarded as an integrative measure of cardiovascular risk comprising other traditional factors such as hypertension and metabolic syndrome, the integral of all risk factors. FS challenges our view in the presence of endothelial dysfunction in a collective that is diametrically opposed to the typical patient at risk for cardiovascular events: active, slim, normo-or hypotensive, and less prone to metabolic syndrome [126]. Is too much of good bad?…”

Diseases potentially related to Flammer syndrome

“…This can be explained by the low frequency of classical cardiovascular risk factors such as arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, or diabetes. However, people with increased cold sensitivity in the extremities are additionally protected against metabolic syndrome, probably by an increased level of adiponectin [ 7 ]. Nevertheless, FS can be a risk factor for some diseases discussed in this review.…”

The Association of Quantitative Facial Color Features with Cold Pattern in Traditional East Asian Medicine

“…The development of an objective pattern identification process has long been desired in order to standardize the diagnostic process of TEAM. Recent studies have shown that various objective variables have significant associations with cold pattern including anthropometric measures such as body mass index [ 39 ], resting metabolic rate [ 4 ], heart rate variability parameters [ 8 ], adiponectin [ 40 ], norepinephrine, and changes in glucose and insulin during oral glucose tolerance testing [ 5 ]. Together with these previous findings, we hope that our results contribute to the formation of an objective pattern identification system and understanding the underlying mechanism of cold pattern.…”