Thermoregulation of Tuvan pastoralists and Western Europeans during cold exposure

Adam J. J. Sellers, Dolaana Khovalyg, Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: This study compared the metabolic and vascular responses, to whole-body and finger cold exposure, of a traditional population lifelong exposed to extreme cold winters with Western Europeans. Methods: Thirteen cold acclimatized Tuvan pastoralist adults (45 ± 9 years; 24.1 ± 3.2 kg/m 2) and 13 matched Western European controls (43 ± 15 years; 22.6 ± 1.4 kg/m 2) completed a whole-body cold (10°C) air exposure test and a cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) test, which involved the immersion of the middle finger into ice-water for 30 min. Results: During the whole-body cold exposure, the durations until the onset of shivering for three monitored skeletal muscles were similar for both groups. Cold exposure increased the Tuvans' energy expenditure by (mean ± SD) 0.9 ± 0.7 kJ min −1 and the Europeans' by 1.3 ± 1.54 kJ min −1; these changes were not significantly different. The forearm-fingertip skin temperature gradient of the Tuvans was lower, indicating less vasoconstriction, than the Europeans during the cold exposure (0 ± 4.5°C vs. 8.8 ± 2.7°C). A CIVD response occurred in 92% of the Tuvans and 36% of the Europeans. In line, finger temperature during the CIVD test was higher in the Tuvans than the Europeans (13.4 ± 3.4°C vs. 3.9 ± 2.3°C). Conclusion: Cold-induced thermogenesis and the onset of shivering were similar in both populations. However, vasoconstriction at the extremities was reduced in the Tuvans compared to the Europeans. The enhanced blood flow to the extremities could be beneficial for living in an extreme cold environment by improving dexterity, comfort, and reducing the risk of cold-injuries.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere23933
Number of pages15
JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology
Volume35
Issue number10
Early online date1 Jun 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2023

Keywords

  • BASAL METABOLIC-RATES
  • INDUCED THERMOGENESIS
  • NONSHIVERING THERMOGENESIS
  • INDUCED VASODILATATION
  • SURFACE-TEMPERATURE
  • SEASONAL-VARIATION
  • BODY-TEMPERATURE
  • RESPONSES
  • ACCLIMATION
  • ADAPTATION

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