The Effect of Repeated Whole-Body Cryostimulation on the HSP-70 and Lipid Metabolisms in Healthy Subjects

Whole-Body Cryotherapy Improves Asprosin Secretion and Insulin Sensitivity in Postmenopausal Women-Perspectives in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a global problem. The effect of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on metabolism in humans is postulated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of WBC on asprosin concentrations, glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women with T2DM. Changes in fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, asprosin, insulin-resistance indices (HOMA-IR, Quicki), the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined. Determination was carried out after 30 WBCs (3 min, -120 °C), applied in six series of five treatments, with 2-day breaks in postmenopausal women with T2DM and the results were compared to changes in postmenopausal women without T2DM (CON). Blood was collected before 1 WBC (T0), after 30 WBCs (T1) and 2 weeks after their completion (T2). In the T2DM group, there was a significant decrease in FBG and HbA1c in T1 and T2, as well as a significant decrease in insulin, HOMA-IR and CRP, and an increase in the Quicki index in T2. In the CON group, the concentration of asprosin at T2 was significantly lower than at T0. There was a significantly positive correlation between asprosin and FBG and HOMA-IR, and a trend towards a decrease of asprosin concentration in T2 in postmenopausal women with T2DM.

The influence of whole-body cryotherapy or winter swimming on the lipid profile and selected adipokines

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a series of 20 whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) sessions and 20 winter swimming sessions on the lipid profile and selected adipokines.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The experimental group consisted of 30 people who underwent a series of WBC treatments and 30 people who underwent a winter swimming. The control group consisted of 30 people - without intervention. Study 1: on the day of the commencement of whole-body cryotherapy / at the beginning of the winter swimming season; and Study 2: after a series of 20 cryotherapy sessions / at the end of the winter swimming season. The control group was also tested twice (4-week break). There were 20 WBC treatments - 5 times a week (4 weeks) and 20 cold water baths - once a week (20 weeks).

RESULTS

A statistically significant increase in the concentration of adiponectin, resistin and leptin in women and resistin and leptin in men was observed after the winter swimming season. Differences were also found in the second study between the groups of women using WBC and the control group, as well as the groups of women swimming and the control group. In men, however, these differences were observed in WBC and the control group. The significance level of α = 0.05 was adopted in the analyzes.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of WBC may changes in the lipid profile and selected adipokines in men. Regular winter swimming may changes of selected adipokines in both women and men.

Whole-Body Cryotherapy Alters Circulating MicroRNA Profile in Postmenopausal Women

The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases with age, especially in women. The role of microRNAs (miRs) in the regulation of metabolism is postulated. The aim of the study is to identify miRs that may be markers of MetS and to assess changes in miRs expression as a result of 10 and 20 whole-body cryotherapy treatments (WBC; 3 min, -120 °C) in postmenopausal women with MetS (M-60, BMI 30.56 ± 5.38 kg/m2), compared to healthy postmenopausal (H-60, BMI 25.57 ± 2.46 kg/m2) and healthy young women (H-20, BMI 22.90 ± 3.19 kg/m2). In a fasting state, before 1 WBC and after 10 WBCs, as well as 20 WBCs, the expression of miR-15a-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-197-3p, miR-223-3p, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and blood lipid profile were determined. miR-15a-5p and miR-21-5p were down-regulated in M-60, while miR-23a-3p and miR-197-3p were up-regulated, and miR-223-3p down-regulated in M-60 and H-60, compared to H-20. Significant positive correlations between up-regulated (mostly for miR-23-3p and miR-197-3p) and significant negative correlations between down-regulated (mostly for miR-15a-5p) miRs and markers of body composition as well as metabolic disorders were observed. After 20 WBCs, miR-15a-5p expression was up-regulated in all groups. In H-60, down-regulation of miR-197-3p expression occurred after 10 WBCs and 20 WBCs. Following 10 WBCs, FBG decreased in all groups, which intensified in M-60 post-20 WBCs. In our research, it has been shown that miR-23a-3p and miR-197-3p are accurate markers of MetS and MetS risk factors, while miR-15a-5p and miR-23a-3p are precise markers of body composition disorders. WBC is an effective treatment for up-regulating miR-15a-5p and lowering glucose levels in young and postmenopausal women and down-regulating miR-197-3p expression in postmenopausal women. It may be an adjunctive effective treatment method in MetS and hyperglycemia.

The effect of whole-body cryostimulation on body composition and leukocyte expression of HSPA1A, HSPB1, and CRP in obese men

In recent years, the prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically and has become a 21st century epidemic. Obesity is associated with the development of many diseases, and therefore treatments that can reduce body mass are actively sought. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of 20 cryostimulation sessions on body composition in obese/high body mass (HBM, n = 12) males and normal body mass (NBM, n = 9) controls. The HBM group had a mean age = 29.08 ± 4.19 years, body fat percentage = 32.08 ± 6.16%, body mass index = 36.23 ± 8.13 kg/m²) and NBM group had a mean age = 22.00 ± 2.45 years, body fat percentage = 12.14 ± 4.93%, body mass index = 23.58 ± 2.00 kg/m². Kilocalorie intake was similar for both groups. All participants received 20 sessions of systemic cryostimulation at -120°C for 2-3 min in a cryochamber. Blood samples were collected before the first session, 1 h after the 10th session, and 1 h after the 20th cryostimulation session. C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma concentrations, and expression of the heat shock protein genes (HSPA1A, HSPB1) and CRP mRNA in leukocytes were evaluated after 10 and 20 cryostimulation sessions. In both groups, 20 sessions were associated with a significant decrease in body mass, fat mass and the percentage of body fat. CRP concentrations were significantly higher in obese people before the first session and after 10 treatments, but not at the end of study. Expression of HSPA1A and HSPB1 mRNA gradually decreased with the number of cryostimulation sessions. A significant difference in HSPA1A expression was found after 20 sessions (NBM > HBM) and for HSPB1 at baseline and after 20 sessions (HBM > NBM). Our results show that cryostimulation influences body composition and that cryostimulation-induced HSP genes expression depends on the number of cryosessions and baseline body mass, and is differentially altered in HBM individuals. Further research on the interaction between body mass and cold adaptation is warranted.

Decreased Blood Asprosin in Hyperglycemic Menopausal Women as a Result of Whole-Body Cryotherapy Regardless of Metabolic Syndrome

Endocrine dysfunction often occurs in metabolic syndrome (MetS), resulting in hyperglycemia and atherogenic blood lipid profile disorders. Asprosin is a newly discovered glucose-regulating hormone. The study aim was to determine whether the application of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) affects asprosin and selected adipocytokines as well as insulin resistance in menopausal women with metabolic disorders. A total of 37 menopausal women were exposed to 20 WBC (-130 °C, 3 min). Blood glucose, asprosin, irisin, leptin, adiponectin, and insulin were measured before and after 20 WBC treatments, after which a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were calculated. The results were analyzed in the MetS group compared to the controls (CON) without MetS, and in the hyperglycemic (HG) group compared to the normoglycemic group (NG). After 20 WBC, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in asprosin concentration was found in the MetS, HG, and CON groups, and a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in glucose concentration was noted in the HG group. Changes in asprosin concentration positively correlated with changes in glucose concentration. Asprosin concentration before WBC correlated positively with metabolic disorder risk factor levels, and the change in asprosin concentration after 20 WBC correlated negatively with metabolic disorder risk factor levels: fasting glucose, AIP, and the leptin/adiponectin index. Research indicates the possibility of using WBC in supporting metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and insulin resistance.