Brief ambient cooling preserves autophagy in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from older adults during 9 h of heat exposure
James J. McCormick, Robert D. Meade, Kelli E. King, Sean R. Notley, Ashley P. Akerman, Ronald J. Sigal, Glen P. Kenny
Abstract
Heat waves can lead to dangerous elevations in body temperature, increasing the risk of life-threatening health conditions. Visiting a cooling center or other air-conditioned location is commonly recommended to protect heat-vulnerable older persons, although the effects on the cellular stress response remain unknown. We found that 2 h of ambient cooling midway through a 9 h simulated heat wave preserves autophagy, a vital cellular survival mechanism, and mitigates accompanying pathways of cellular stress in older adults.
Topics & Concepts
Peripheral blood mononuclear cellMedicineAutophagyHeat shockHeat shock proteinInflammationImmunosenescenceApoptosisInternal medicineHeart rateAgeingHeat stressImmunologyEndocrinologyAndrologyBlood pressureChemistryBiologyAnimal scienceIn vitroBiochemistryImmune systemGeneThermoregulation and physiological responsesClimate Change and Health ImpactsDietary Effects on Health