Recent advances in thermoregulation

Abstract

Thermoregulation is the maintenance of a relatively constant core body temperature. Humans normally maintain a body temperature at 37°C, and maintenance of this relatively high temperature is critical to human survival. This concept is so important that control of thermoregulation is often the principal example cited when teaching physiological homeostasis. A basic understanding of the processes underpinning temperature regulation is necessary for all undergraduate students studying biology and biology-related disciplines, and a thorough understanding is necessary for those students in clinical training. Our aim in this review is to broadly present the thermoregulatory process taking into account current advances in this area. First, we summarize the basic concepts of thermoregulation and subsequently assess the physiological responses to heat and cold stress, including vasodilation and vasoconstriction, sweating, nonshivering thermogenesis, piloerection, shivering, and altered behavior. Current research is presented concerning the body's detection of thermal challenge, peripheral and central thermoregulatory control mechanisms, including brown adipose tissue in adult humans and temperature transduction by the relatively recently discovered transient receptor potential channels. Finally, we present an updated understanding of the neuroanatomic circuitry supporting thermoregulation.

Functional vascular anatomy of the peritoneum in health and disease

“…Arteriovenous anastomoses connect arterioles directly to the venous plexus and have a rich supply of sympathetic vasoconstrictive fibers and. In response to an increase in body temperature, the withdrawal of sympathetic tone leads to passive dilation of arterioles and arteriovenous anastomoses and enables heat loss by increasing blood flow to the venous plexus [44].…”

Effects of thyroid hormones on thermogenesis and energy partitioning

“…Insulation of the body by fur represents an important mechanism to control heat loss 49 2016; Kasza, et al 2014), while the insulating effects of intradermal fat has been questioned 51 at least in rodents (Fischer et al 2016). Vasoconstriction or vasodilatation serve as additional 52 major mechanisms to regulate body temperature via heat loss or conservation by peripheral 53 body parts (Tansey and Johnson 2015). Further, behavioural changes may help to defend 54 core body temperature in heat or cold exposure (Terrien, et al 2011) which is in humans 55 reinforced by the option to change clothing and control the immediate environment by 56 applying heaters or air-conditioning.…”

“…These mechanisms increase heat loss via the body surface and thereby 97 allow to decrease body temperature and to maintain it at an optimal level. In addition, the 98 metabolic needs of the body are reduced by inactivity (Tansey and Johnson 2015). 99…”

Homelike thermoregulation: How physical coldness makes an advertised house a home

“…Could it be that people who feel less communal about their own homes also have higher basal glucose levels? More modern ways to thermoregulate, like other people and homes are more optimal, because it allows people to schedule energy more efficiently (a more ancient method, like shivering, only has an efficiency of about 10%; Tansey & Johnson, 2015). Although we think that more novel applications (a home) could partly take on some of the (thermoregulatory) functions of relationships because of their increased predictability, it is not necessarily the case that this is true for all individuals.…”