UDC

613.954+616.15-053.4

DOI

10.37482/2687-1491-Z251

Authors

Evgeniya N. Bulasheva* ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0761-1803
Aleksandr D. Shalabodov* ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5844-0859
*University of Tyumen (Tyumen, Russia)

Abstract

Cold conditioning can induce changes in the differential leukocyte count, hormonal status, and immunological parameters, thus playing a key role in the body’s adaptation to low temperatures. Interaction between the immune and endocrine systems stimulates the development of adaptive mechanisms, which makes these systems important subjects for research. The purpose of this article was to investigate the effect of cold conditioning on leukocyte counts, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and hormone concentrations in preschool children, as well as to identify correlations between these parameters. Materials and methods. The study was performed in 2020–2021 at Malyshok kindergarten in Vinzili Village, Tymen Region. It involved 81 apparently healthy children aged between 4 and 6 years (n = 81). The subjects were divided into three groups: control (n = 16), cold dousing (n = 53) and contrast dousing (n = 12). Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and hormones were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using Vector Best kits (Russia), while leukocyte counts were measured using SysmexXN-550 differential haematology analyser (Sysmex Corporation, Japan). Results. Cold conditioning led to an increase in interleukin-6 levels in both the cold dousing and contrast dousing groups, while TNF-α levels increased only in the contrast dousing group, with all values staying within the normal range. The absence of significant changes in leukocyte counts and hormonal profile in all the groups under study suggests adaptation without stress response. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship between cytokines and hormones in the control group, whereas the cold dousing and contrast dousing groups showed the formation of stable adaptive mechanisms. Specifically, a positive correlation between cortisol and TNF-α was observed in the contrast dousing group, highlighting the role of TNF-α in energy metabolism during temperature alternation. Thus, cold conditioning promotes effective adaptation of the immune and endocrine systems in preschool children.

Keywords

cold conditioning of preschool children, immunologic parameters, pro-inflammatory cytokines, hormonal status, leukocytes, adaptation of the immune system, adaptation of the endocrine system

References

1. Messa R.M., Benfica M.A., Ribeiro L.F.P., Williams C.M., Davidson S.R.E., Alves E.S. The Effect of Total Sleep Deprivation on Autonomic Nervous System and Cortisol Responses to Acute Stressors in Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2024, vol. 168. Art. no. 107114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107114
2. Wu J., Kensiski A., Li L. Cold Stress-Regulated Immune Responses: Insights, Challenges, and Perspectives. Frigid Zone Med., 2022, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 135–137. https://doi.org/10.2478/fzm-2022-0019
3. Teległów A., Romanovski V., Skowron B., Mucha D., Tota Ł., Rosińczuk J., Mucha D. The Effect of Extreme Cold on Complete Blood Count and Biochemical Indicators: A Case Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2022, vol. 19, no. 1. Art. no. 424. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010424
4. Aliyu M., Zohora F.T., Anka A.U., Ali K., Maleknia S., Saffarioun M., Azizi G. Interleukin-6 Cytokine: An Overview of the Immune Regulation, Immune Dysregulation, and Therapeutic Approach. Int. Immunopharmacol., 2022, vol. 111. Art. no. 109130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109130
5. White G.E., Rhind S.G., Wells G.D. The Effect of Various Cold-Water Immersion Protocols on Exercise-Induced Inflammatory Response and Functional Recovery from High-Intensity Sprint Exercise. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol., 2014, vol. 114, pp. 2353–2367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2954-2
6. Salman R.S., Abdul Azeez B.A.M., Munshid M.C., Al-Fahham A.A. Inflammatory Response and Pathophysiology of IL-6 Overproduction: A Review Article. IJHMR, 2024, vol. 3, no. 8, pp. 568–572. https://doi.org/10.58806/ijhmr.2024.v3i08n05
7. Tsoy N.O., Tsoy O.G. Glucocorticoid Hormones and the Immune System. Astana Med. J., 2021, no. 3, pp. 4–12 (in Russ.).
8. Tsibulnikov S., Maslov L., Voronkov N., Oeltgen P. Thyroid Hormones and the Mechanisms of Adaptation to Cold. Hormones (Athens), 2020, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 329–339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-020-00200-2
9. Patrakeeva V.P., Kontievskaya E.V. The Relationship Between the Variants of Immune Response and the Cortisol and Adrenaline Levels Associated with Cooling. Extreme Med., 2023, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 54–58. https://doi.org/10.47183/mes.2023.020
10. Egecioglu E., Anesten F., Schéle E., Palsdottir V. Interleukin-6 Is Important for Regulation of Core Body Temperature During Long-Term Cold Exposure in Mice. Biomed. Rep., 2018, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 206–212. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2018.1118
11. Sundgren-Andersson A.K., Östlund P., Bartfai T. IL-6 Is Essential in TNF-α-Induced Fever. Am. J. Physiol., 1998, vol. 275, no. 6, pp. R2028–R2034. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.1998.275.6.R2028
12. Wang H., Ye J. Regulation of Energy Balance by Inflammation: Common Theme in Physiology and Pathology. Rev. Endocr. Metab. Disord., 2015, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 47–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-014-9306-8
13. Wittert G.A., Or H.K., Livesey J.H., Richards A.M., Donald R.A., Espiner E.A. Vasopressin, Corticotrophin-Releasing Factor, and Pituitary Adrenal Responses to Acute Cold Stress in Normal Humans. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 1992, vol. 75, no. 3, pp. 750–755. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem.75.3.1517364
14. Castillo-Campos A., Gutiérrez-Mata A., Charli J.-L., Joseph-Bravo P. Chronic Stress Inhibits Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis and Brown Adipose Tissue Responses to Acute Cold Exposure in Male Rats. J. Endocrinol. Invest., 2020, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 713–723. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-020-01328-z
15. Pääkkönen T., Leppäluoto J. Cold Exposure and Hormonal Secretion: A Review. Int. J. Circumpolar Health, 2002, vol. 61, no. 3, pp. 265–276. https://doi.org/10.3402/ijch.v61i3.17474