Strain-specific response to pharmacological cold mimicking in aging mice

Lal, R., Tikoo, O., Soni, N., Bhattacharya, A., Kondepudi, K. K., Chopra, K., Bishnoi, M.

TR(i)P for Health Laboratory, Centre for Excellence in Functional Foods, Department of Food and Nutritional Biotechnology, BRIC-National Agri-Food & Biomanufact · biorxiv

Paper

Abstract

BackgroundAging impairs thermogenic and metabolic flexibility, increasing metabolic disease risk. We examined six aging male mouse strains for responses to chronic topical menthol, a pharmacological cold mimetic.

Material and methodsMale (C57BL/6J, A/J, BALB/c, C3H/hej, DBA/2J, and FVB/NJ) mice were treated with 4g/kg of 10% menthol weight per volume cream once per day or vehicle as control using finger application for 15 days. After last application, core body temperature measurement, BAT thermography, Nesting behaviour, and metabolic tolerance test were performed, and gene expression was analysed in BAT.

ResultsMenthol improved core temperature recovery via thermogenesis and enhanced insulin sensitivity across all strains. However, effects on BAT mass, nesting behaviour, and gluconeogenesis were strain-dependent.

ConclusionCollectively, these findings highlight that genetic background modulates metabolic responses to cold mimetics, informing future precision strategies for age-related metabolic disorders.

The following analysis is generated by AI and may contain errors. It is separate from the authors’ abstract and is not peer review.

Research summary

The paper claims that genetic background influences the metabolic responses to pharmacological cold mimetics in aging mice. This research is relevant as it explores the modulation of metabolic responses related to aging, potentially informing strategies to address age-related metabolic disorders.

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