Induction of torpor: Mimicking natural metabolic suppression for biomedical applications

Mammalian hibernation consists of periods of depressed metabolism and reduced body temperature called “torpor” that are interspersed by normothermic arousal periods. Numerous cellular processes are halted during torpor, including transcription, translation, and ion homeostasis. Hibernators are able...

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Published in:Journal of cellular physiology 2012-04, Vol.227 (4), p.1285-1290
Main Authors: Bouma, Hjalmar R., Verhaag, Esther M., Otis, Jessica P., Heldmaier, Gerhard, Swoap, Steven J., Strijkstra, Arjen M., Henning, Robert H., Carey, Hannah V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenosine Monophosphate - pharmacology
Animals
Cell Survival
Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine - pharmacology
Hibernation - drug effects
Hibernation - genetics
Hibernation - physiology
Humans
Hydrogen Sulfide - pharmacology
Models, Animal
Proteins - pharmacology
Proteins - physiology
Stress, Physiological
Thyronines - pharmacology
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Summary:Mammalian hibernation consists of periods of depressed metabolism and reduced body temperature called “torpor” that are interspersed by normothermic arousal periods. Numerous cellular processes are halted during torpor, including transcription, translation, and ion homeostasis. Hibernators are able to survive long periods of low blood flow and body temperature followed by rewarming and reperfusion without overt signs of organ injury, which makes these animals excellent models for application of natural protective mechanisms to human medicine. This review examines efforts to induce torpor‐like states in non‐hibernating species using pharmacological compounds. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms of natural and pharmacologically induced torpor will speed the development of new clinical approaches to treat a variety of trauma and stress states in humans. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 1285–1290, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ISSN:0021-9541
1097-4652
DOI:10.1002/jcp.22850