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Professor studies body temperature
Christopher Minson believes his research has identified the neurotransmitter controling blood flow to the skin in humans
by Eric Florip | News Editor
The experiment used a neurotransmitter known as "substance P," a natural biochemical that the body produces, to pin down the specific receptor known as neurokinin-receptor 1, or NK-1, in the body that controls blood flow to the skin.
To do this, Minson first gave subjects the neurotransmitter through fibers in the skin to activate the receptor and heighten blood flow to the skin. After this initial spike happens, Minson said, the receptor, called NK-1, is desensitized and doesn't respond to the chemical anymore.
From there, Minson put subjects under a full body heat stress and monitored blood flow to see if the NK-1 receptor was indeed the one researchers were looking for.
"It's kind of a unique approach at getting at removing those receptors," Minson said.
Minson said the procedure only deactivates the NK-1 receptor for skin blood flow, and other receptors are unaffected.
Minson said the study suggested that NK-1 was the acting receptor in body temperature regulation.
"During that whole body heat stress, we found that the rise in skin blood flow was greatly reduced when we had knocked out that NK-1 receptor," Minson said. "It wasn't gone, but it was greatly reduced."
In order to induce heat to the body, subjects donned a full body suit that pumped hot water through tubes inside it.
"It's a pretty significant heat stress," Minson said. "When we first turn it on people are like 'Oh, it feels nice.' It feels like you just kind of slipped into a Jacuzzi. But as the heat stress progresses, we don't let you out of the Jacuzzi."
Minson said the procedure was perfectly safe for the subjects.
Wong, a former doctoral student of Minson's who is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Iowa, said the experiment was a continuation of past research he had done before collaborating with Minson. He also said there is much more work to be done for it to become more meaningful.
"It is important to realize that there are a number of conditions that can adversely affect one's ability to regulate their body temperature in the heat, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even healthy aging," Wong said.
Contact the business, science and technology reporter at eflorip@dailyemerald.com
To do this, Minson first gave subjects the neurotransmitter through fibers in the skin to activate the receptor and heighten blood flow to the skin. After this initial spike happens, Minson said, the receptor, called NK-1, is desensitized and doesn't respond to the chemical anymore.
From there, Minson put subjects under a full body heat stress and monitored blood flow to see if the NK-1 receptor was indeed the one researchers were looking for.
"It's kind of a unique approach at getting at removing those receptors," Minson said.
Minson said the procedure only deactivates the NK-1 receptor for skin blood flow, and other receptors are unaffected.
Minson said the study suggested that NK-1 was the acting receptor in body temperature regulation.
"During that whole body heat stress, we found that the rise in skin blood flow was greatly reduced when we had knocked out that NK-1 receptor," Minson said. "It wasn't gone, but it was greatly reduced."
In order to induce heat to the body, subjects donned a full body suit that pumped hot water through tubes inside it.
"It's a pretty significant heat stress," Minson said. "When we first turn it on people are like 'Oh, it feels nice.' It feels like you just kind of slipped into a Jacuzzi. But as the heat stress progresses, we don't let you out of the Jacuzzi."
Minson said the procedure was perfectly safe for the subjects.
Wong, a former doctoral student of Minson's who is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Iowa, said the experiment was a continuation of past research he had done before collaborating with Minson. He also said there is much more work to be done for it to become more meaningful.
"It is important to realize that there are a number of conditions that can adversely affect one's ability to regulate their body temperature in the heat, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even healthy aging," Wong said.
Contact the business, science and technology reporter at eflorip@dailyemerald.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Martha Ledgard
posted 1/11/08 @ 4:55 AM PST
Is there a way to get in contact with the professor and to find out more about his study on body regulation of heat?
The article doesn't atate which University he works from , is it The University of Oregon?
I a person who struggles because of these episodes of intense heat which overcome me which I cannot control , thus am interested in any possible options to try to help alleviate this long standing problem. (Continued…)
Janet Hafner
posted 6/25/08 @ 2:56 PM PST
My husband also suffers with heat - what others think is a perfect temp - high 70s, he thinks is sweltering and becomes incapacitated. I would like to know how to contact the professor who did the study. (Continued…)
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