Glucagon secretion in the hibernating edible dormouse (Glis glis)

The Torpid State: Recent Advances in Metabolic Adaptations and Protective Mechanisms†

Torpor and hibernation are powerful strategies enabling animals to survive periods of low resource availability. The state of torpor results from an active and drastic reduction of an individual's metabolic rate (MR) associated with a relatively pronounced decrease in body temperature. To date, several forms of torpor have been described in all three mammalian subclasses, i.e., monotremes, marsupials, and placentals, as well as in a few avian orders. This review highlights some of the characteristics, from the whole organism down to cellular and molecular aspects, associated with the torpor phenotype. The first part of this review focuses on the specific metabolic adaptations of torpor, as it is used by many species from temperate zones. This notably includes the endocrine changes involved in fat- and food-storing hibernating species, explaining biomedical implications of MR depression. We further compare adaptive mechanisms occurring in opportunistic vs. seasonal heterotherms, such as tropical and sub-tropical species. Such comparisons bring new insights into the metabolic origins of hibernation among tropical species, including resistance mechanisms to oxidative stress. The second section of this review emphasizes the mechanisms enabling heterotherms to protect their key organs against potential threats, such as reactive oxygen species, associated with the torpid state. We notably address the mechanisms of cellular rehabilitation and protection during torpor and hibernation, with an emphasis on the brain, a central organ requiring protection during torpor and recovery. Also, a special focus is given to the role of an ubiquitous and readily-diffusing molecule, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), in protecting against ischemia-reperfusion damage in various organs over the torpor-arousal cycle and during the torpid state. We conclude that (i) the flexibility of torpor use as an adaptive strategy enables different heterothermic species to substantially suppress their energy needs during periods of severely reduced food availability, (ii) the torpor phenotype implies marked metabolic adaptations from the whole organism down to cellular and molecular levels, and (iii) the torpid state is associated with highly efficient rehabilitation and protective mechanisms ensuring the continuity of proper bodily functions. Comparison of mechanisms in monotremes and marsupials is warranted for understanding the origin and evolution of mammalian torpor.

Phenotypic changes in the metabolic profile and adiponectin activity during seasonal fattening and hibernation in female Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus)

Seasonal hibernation has provided an opportunity to study animals' phenotypic plasticity in adaptation to changing environment. In the present study focusing on the female Daurian ground squirrel (Spermophilus dauricus)-a well demonstrated seasonal hibernator-we examined their behavioral, morphological, and metabolic changes during fattening, hibernation, and emergence. Our data indicated high levels of food intake, fat deposition, and body mass increases during fattening compared to hibernation. The levels of serum glucose and triglycerides were also higher during fattening than during hibernation and emergence. Interestingly, although squirrels showed signs of obesity and elevated triglycerides in serum during fattening, triglyceride levels in the liver and skeletal muscles remained unchanged. Our data also indicated that adiponectin levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid were different between fattening and hibernation. Levels of adiponectin receptor 1 in the skeletal muscle remained low during fattening but peaked in late hibernation. In contrast, adiponectin receptor 2 in the liver showed a steady increase during fattening, which was followed by a significant decrease at early hibernation. Our data indicate that adiponectin may play an important role in preventing heterotopic fat accumulation in a receptor- and organ-specific manner, as well as in facilitating the switch from glucose metabolism to lipid metabolism during fattening and hibernation in female Daurian ground squirrels.

Hormonal changes and energy substrate availability during the hibernation cycle of Syrian hamsters

Animals have to adapt to seasonal variations in food resources and temperature. Hibernation is one of the most efficient means used by animals to cope with harsh winter conditions, wherein survival is achieved through a significant decrease in energy expenditure. The hibernation period is constituted by a succession of torpor bouts (hypometabolism and decrease in body temperature) and periodic arousals (eumetabolism and euthermia). Some species feed during these periodic arousals, and thus show different metabolic adaptations to fat-storing species that fast throughout the hibernation period. Our study aims to define these metabolic adaptations, including hormone (insulin, glucagon, leptin, adiponectin, GLP-1, GiP) and metabolite (glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides, urea) profiles together with body composition adjustments. Syrian hamsters were exposed to varied photoperiod and temperature conditions mimicking different phases of the hibernation cycle: a long photoperiod at 20 °C (LP20 group), a short photoperiod at 20 °C (SP20 group), and a short photoperiod at 8 °C (SP8). SP8 animals were sampled either at the beginning of a torpor bout (Torpor group) or at the beginning of a periodic arousal (Arousal group). We show that fat store mobilization in hamsters during torpor bouts is associated with decreased circulating levels of glucagon, insulin, leptin, and an increase in adiponectin. Refeeding during periodic arousals results in a decreased free fatty acid plasma concentration and an increase in glycemia and plasma incretin concentrations. Reduced incretin and increased adiponectin levels are therefore in accordance with the changes in nutrient availability and feeding behavior observed during the hibernation cycle of Syrian hamsters.

Carboxyatractylate-sensitive uncoupling in liver mitochondria from ground squirrels during hibernation and arousal

Energy coupling parameters of liver mitochondria from hibernating and arousing ground squirrels have been studied. In the oligomycin-treated mitochondria, carboxyatractylate, an inhibitor of the ATP/ADP-antiporter, is shown to decrease the respiration rate, to increase the membrane potential and to lower the rate of the membrane-potential discharge after the addition of cyanide to liver mitochondria from hibernating and arousing animals. BSA effectively substitutes for carboxyactactylate so that carboxyactactylate, added after BSA, has no effect. In mitochondria from hibernating animals, the maximal respiration rate in the presence of DNP and the rate of the membrane potential discharge in its absence are much lower than in those from arousing animals. It has been concluded that upon arousal of the animals from hibernation, the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, mediated by free fatty acids and ATP/ADP-antiporter, parallels the respiratory chain activation.

Hormonal control of lipolysis from the white adipose tissue of hibernating jerboa (Jaculus orientalis)

1. Plasma glucose, glycerol, free fatty acids and total lipid content of the white adipose tissue were measured in euthermic and hibernating jerboa. 2. During hibernation, plasma glucose and glycerol were low compared to the euthermic animals, whereas there was no obvious difference in plasma free fatty acids. The white adipose tissue lipid content was strongly reduced in the hibernating state. 3. The effect of lipolytic hormones (norepinephrine and glucagon) and antilipolytic hormone (insulin) on in vitro glycerol release by adipose tissue isolated from hibernating or euthermic jerboa has been studied. 4. The white adipose tissue from hibernating jerboa presented a higher sensitivity to norepinephrine and glucagon than that of euthermic jerboa; insulin did not modify either basal glycerol release or lipolysis induced by the two lipolytic hormones at low temperatures (7 degrees C) and during the rewarming (from 7 degrees C to 37 degrees C) of the tissue slices. 5. These results suggested that white adipose tissue constitutes an important source of substrates derived from lipolysis during hibernation.

Hepatic gluconeogenesis and mitochondrial function during hibernation

1. The aim of these studies was to investigate a mitochondrial basis for changes in gluconeogenesis during hibernation. 2. State 3 respiration rates in liver mitochondria from hibernating ground squirrels were reduced by 62-66%. The limiting reaction appeared to be electron transport, particularly in respiratory complex III. 3. The mitochondrial ATP + ADP + AMP content was reduced by 29% during hibernation; cellular adenine nucleotide content was unchanged. 4. Pyruvate carboxylation in intact mitochondria was decreased 75% during hibernation, although total pyruvate carboxylase activity was not lower. 5. Rates of gluconeogenesis in intact hepatocytes isolated from hibernators were lower than in cells from non-hibernators.