1
|
Hleșcu AA, Grigoraș A, Ianole V, Amalinei C. Advanced Diagnostic Tools in Hypothermia-Related Fatalities-A Pathological Perspective. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:739. [PMID: 38611652 PMCID: PMC11011698 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14070739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Although classical gross features are known in hypothermia victims, they lack specific diagnosis features. The aim of our study was to reveal specific brain and lung pathological features in a group of hypothermia-related fatalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group comprised 107 cases from our files associated with hypothermia. Routine hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and postmortem immunohistochemistry were performed. RESULTS The microscopic cerebral exam revealed diffuse perineuronal and perivascular edema, gliosis, mononuclear cell infiltration, acute brain injuries, focal neuronal ischemia, lacunar infarction, and variable hemorrhages. Variable alveolar edema, pulmonary emphysema, intra-alveolar and/or pleural hemorrhage, and bronchopneumonia, as well as other pre-existing lesions, were identified in lung tissue samples. Glial cells displayed S100β expression, while neurons showed moderate Hsp70 immunopositivity. Alveolar basal membranes exhibited diffuse ICAM-1 positive expression, while ICAM-1 and AQP-1 positivity was observed in the alveolar septum vascular endothelium. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between S100β and Hps70 immunoexpression and cerebral pathological features, between ICAM-1 immunoexpression and alveolar edema and pulmonary emphysema, and between AQP-1 immunoexpression and pulmonary emphysema. CONCLUSIONS Our results add supplementary data to brain and lung pathological findings in hypothermia-related fatalities, with potential therapeutic value in hypothermia patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreea Alexandra Hleșcu
- Legal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Adriana Grigoraș
- Department of Morphofunctional Sciences I, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Department of Histopathology, Institute of Legal Medicine, 700455 Iasi, Romania
| | - Victor Ianole
- Department of Morphofunctional Sciences I, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Cornelia Amalinei
- Department of Morphofunctional Sciences I, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Department of Histopathology, Institute of Legal Medicine, 700455 Iasi, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gruber E, Oberhammer R, Brugger H, Bresadola E, Avogadri M, Kompatscher J, Kaufmann M. Prolonged critical avalanche burial for nearly 23 h with severe hypothermia and severe frostbite with good recovery: a case report. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2024; 32:11. [PMID: 38347576 PMCID: PMC10863192 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-024-01184-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accidental hypothermia with severe frostbite is a rare combination of injuries with a high risk for long-term sequelae. There are widely accepted recommendations for the management of avalanche victims and for frostbite treatment, but no recommendation exists for the treatment of frostbite in severe hypothermic patients, specifically for the management of hypothermic avalanche victims presenting with frostbite. CASE PRESENTATION We present a case of a previously healthy, 53-year-old male skier who was critically buried by an avalanche at 2300 m of altitude at an ambient temperature of - 8 °C for nearly 23 h. The victim was found with the right hand out of the snow and an air connection to outside. He was somnolent with Glasgow Coma Scale 11 (Eye 4, Verbal 2, Motor 5) and spontaneously breathing, in a severely hypothermic state with an initial core temperature of 23.1 °C and signs of cold injuries in all four extremities. After rescue and active external forced air rewarming in the intensive care unit, the clinical signs of first-degree frostbite on both feet and the left hand vanished, while third- to fourth-degree frostbite injuries became apparent on all fingers of the right hand. After reaching a core body temperature of approximately 36 °C, aggressive frostbite treatment was started with peripheral arterial catheter-directed thrombolysis with alteplase, intravenous iloprost, ibuprofen, dexamethasone and regional sympathicolysis with a right-sided continuous axillary block. After ten months, the patient had no tissue loss but needed neuropathic pain treatment with pregabalin. CONCLUSION The combination of severe accidental hypothermia and severe frostbite is rare and challenging, as drug metabolism is unpredictable in a hypothermic patient and no recommendations for combined treatment exist. There is general agreement to give hypothermia treatment the priority and to begin frostbite treatment as early as possible after full rewarming of the patient. More evidence is needed to identify the optimal dosage and time point to initiate treatment of frostbite in severely hypothermic patients. This should be taken into consideration by future treatment recommendations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Gruber
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of Paracelsus Medical University, Via Lorenz Boehler 5, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy.
- HELI HEMS Service South Tyrol, Via Lorenz Boehler 3, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy.
| | - Rosmarie Oberhammer
- HELI HEMS Service South Tyrol, Via Lorenz Boehler 3, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Pain Therapy, Hospital of Brunico (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of Paracelsus Medical University, Via Ospedale 11, 39031, Brunico-Bruneck, Italy
| | - Hermann Brugger
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Via Ipazia 2, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
| | - Elisa Bresadola
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of Paracelsus Medical University, Via Lorenz Boehler 5, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
- Aiut Alpin Dolomites Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, Pontives 24, 39040, Laion- Lajen, Italy
| | - Matteo Avogadri
- Aiut Alpin Dolomites Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, Pontives 24, 39040, Laion- Lajen, Italy
| | - Julia Kompatscher
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of Paracelsus Medical University, Via Lorenz Boehler 5, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
- HELI HEMS Service South Tyrol, Via Lorenz Boehler 3, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
| | - Marc Kaufmann
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of Paracelsus Medical University, Via Lorenz Boehler 5, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
- HELI HEMS Service South Tyrol, Via Lorenz Boehler 3, 39100, Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Levy JL, Mirek ET, Rodriguez EM, Zalma B, Burns J, Jonsson WO, Sampath H, Staschke KA, Wek RC, Anthony TG. GCN2 is required to maintain core body temperature in mice during acute cold. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2023; 325:E624-E637. [PMID: 37792040 PMCID: PMC10864021 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00181.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Nonshivering thermogenesis in rodents requires macronutrients to fuel the generation of heat during hypothermic conditions. In this study, we examined the role of the nutrient sensing kinase, general control nonderepressible 2 (GCN2) in directing adaptive thermogenesis during acute cold exposure in mice. We hypothesized that GCN2 is required for adaptation to acute cold stress via activation of the integrated stress response (ISR) resulting in liver production of FGF21 and increased amino acid transport to support nonshivering thermogenesis. In alignment with our hypothesis, female and male mice lacking GCN2 failed to adequately increase energy expenditure and veered into torpor. Mice administered a small molecule inhibitor of GCN2 were also profoundly intolerant to acute cold stress. Gcn2 deletion also impeded liver-derived FGF21 but in males only. Within the brown adipose tissue (BAT), acute cold exposure increased ISR activation and its transcriptional execution in males and females. RNA sequencing in BAT identified transcripts that encode actomyosin mechanics and transmembrane transport as requiring GCN2 during cold exposure. These transcripts included class II myosin heavy chain and amino acid transporters, critical for maximal thermogenesis during cold stress. Importantly, Gcn2 deletion corresponded with higher circulating amino acids and lower intracellular amino acids in the BAT during cold stress. In conclusion, we identify a sex-independent role for GCN2 activation to support adaptive thermogenesis via uptake of amino acids into brown adipose.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This paper details the discovery that GCN2 activation is required in both male and female mice to maintain core body temperature during acute cold exposure. The results point to a novel role for GCN2 in supporting adaptive thermogenesis via amino acid transport and actomyosin mechanics in brown adipose tissue.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan L Levy
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Emily T Mirek
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Esther M Rodriguez
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Brian Zalma
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Jeffrey Burns
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - William O Jonsson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Harini Sampath
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Kirk A Staschke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Ronald C Wek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
| | - Tracy G Anthony
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Selli AL, Ghasemi M, Watters T, Burton F, Smith G, Dietrichs ES. Proarrhythmic changes in human cardiomyocytes during hypothermia by milrinone and isoprenaline, but not levosimendan: an experimental in vitro study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2023; 31:61. [PMID: 37880801 PMCID: PMC10601188 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-023-01134-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accidental hypothermia, recognized by core temperature below 35 °C, is a lethal condition with a mortality rate up to 25%. Hypothermia-induced cardiac dysfunction causing increased total peripheral resistance and reduced cardiac output contributes to the high mortality rate in this patient group. Recent studies, in vivo and in vitro, have suggested levosimendan, milrinone and isoprenaline as inotropic treatment strategies in this patient group. However, these drugs may pose increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias during hypothermia. Our aim was therefore to describe the effects of levosimendan, milrinone and isoprenaline on the action potential in human cardiomyocytes during hypothermia. METHODS Using an experimental in vitro-design, levosimendan, milrinone and isoprenaline were incubated with iCell2 hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and cellular action potential waveforms and contraction were recorded from monolayers of cultured cells. Experiments were conducted at temperatures from 37 °C down to 26 °C. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to evaluate differences from baseline recordings and one-way ANOVA was performed to evaluate differences between drugs, untreated control and between drug concentrations at the specific temperatures. RESULTS Milrinone and isoprenaline both significantly increases action potential triangulation during hypothermia, and thereby the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Levosimendan, however, does not increase triangulation and the contractile properties also remain preserved during hypothermia down to 26 °C. CONCLUSIONS Levosimendan remains a promising candidate drug for inotropic treatment of hypothermic patients as it possesses ability to treat hypothermia-induced cardiac dysfunction and no increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias is detected. Milrinone and isoprenaline, on the other hand, appears more dangerous in the hypothermic setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anders Lund Selli
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Postboks 6050, 9037, Langnes, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | | | - Francis Burton
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
- Clyde Biosciences, Newhouse, Scotland
| | - Godfrey Smith
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland
- Clyde Biosciences, Newhouse, Scotland
| | - Erik Sveberg Dietrichs
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Postboks 6050, 9037, Langnes, Tromsø, Norway.
- Center for Psychopharmacology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
- Institute of Oral Biology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Peng YY, Lu XM, Li S, Tang C, Ding Y, Wang HY, Yang C, Wang YT. Effects and mechanisms of extremely cold environment on body response after trauma. J Therm Biol 2023; 114:103570. [PMID: 37344028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
With the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis, extremely cold environment warfare has once again become the focus of international attention. People exposed to extremely cold environments may suffer from cold damage, further aggravate trauma, trigger high disability and mortality rates, and even cause serious sequelae. To declare the effects and mechanisms of the extremely cold environment on the body after trauma, this paper reviews, firstly, physiological reaction of human body in an extremely cold environment. Then, the post-traumatic body response in an extremely cold environment was introduced, and finally, the sequelae of trauma in extremely cold environment was further summarized in the paper. The results indicated that extremely cold environment can cause a series of damage to the body, especially the body after trauma. The extremely cold factor is a double-edged sword, showing a favorable and unfavorable side in different aspects. Moreover, in addition to the trauma suffered by the body, the subsequent sequelae such as cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder may also be induced. The paper summarizes the human body's physiological response in an extremely cold environment, and declares the effects and mechanisms of the extremely cold environment on the body after trauma, which may provide a theoretical basis for effectively improving the level of combat trauma treatment in extremely cold regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Yuan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China; College of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 400054, China
| | - Xiu-Min Lu
- College of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 400054, China
| | - Sen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Can Tang
- College of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 400054, China
| | - Yang Ding
- College of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing, 400054, China
| | - Hai-Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Ce Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Yong-Tang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Selli AL, Kuzmiszyn AK, Smaglyukova N, Kondratiev T, Fuskevåg OM, Sager G, Dietrichs ES. Pharmacodynamic properties for inhibition of cAMP- and cGMP elimination by pentoxifylline remain unaltered in vitro during hypothermia. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med 2022; 30:73. [PMID: 36522632 PMCID: PMC9756503 DOI: 10.1186/s13049-022-01060-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rewarming from hypothermia is associated with severe complications, one of which is hypothermia-induced cardiac dysfunction. This condition is characterized by decreased cardiac output accompanied by increased total peripheral resistance. This contributes to mortality rate approaching 40%. Despite this, no pharmacological interventions are recommended for these patients below 30 °C. Raising the intracellular levels of cAMP and/or cGMP, through PDE3- and PDE5-inhibitors respectively, have showed the ability to alleviate hypothermia-induced cardiac dysfunction in vivo. Drugs that raise levels of both cAMP and cGMP could therefore prove beneficial in patients suffering from hypothermia-induced cardiac dysfunction. METHODS The unselective PDE-inhibitor pentoxifylline was investigated to determine its ability to reach the intracellular space, inhibit PDE3 and PDE5 and inhibit cellular efflux of cAMP and cGMP at temperatures 37, 34, 30, 28, 24 and 20 °C. Recombinant human PDE-enzymes and human erythrocytes were used in the experiments. IC50-values were calculated at all temperatures to determine temperature-dependent changes. RESULTS At 20 °C, the IC50-value for PDE5-mediated enzymatic breakdown of cGMP was significantly increased compared to normothermia (IC50: 39.4 µM ± 10.9 µM vs. 7.70 µM ± 0.265 µM, p-value = 0.011). No other significant changes in IC50-values were observed during hypothermia. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that pentoxifylline has minimal temperature-dependent pharmacodynamic changes, and that it can inhibit elimination of both cAMP and cGMP at low temperatures. This can potentially be effective treatment of hypothermia-induced cardiac dysfunction. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anders Lund Selli
- grid.10919.300000000122595234Department of Medical Biology, Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Adrina Kalasho Kuzmiszyn
- grid.10919.300000000122595234Department of Medical Biology, Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway ,grid.420120.50000 0004 0481 3017Research and Development Department, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Oslo, Norway ,grid.412244.50000 0004 4689 5540Division of Surgical Medicine and Intensive Care, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Natalia Smaglyukova
- grid.10919.300000000122595234Department of Medical Biology, Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Timofey Kondratiev
- grid.10919.300000000122595234Anesthesia and Critical Care Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ole-Martin Fuskevåg
- grid.412244.50000 0004 4689 5540Division of Diagnostic Services, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Georg Sager
- grid.10919.300000000122595234Department of Medical Biology, Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Erik Sveberg Dietrichs
- grid.10919.300000000122595234Department of Medical Biology, Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway ,grid.413684.c0000 0004 0512 8628Center for Psychopharmacology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|