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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes
DOI: 10.1055/a-2730-1689
Article

Acute cold exposure improves glucose tolerance and induces beta-cell secretion response linked to lipid utilization in young male with obesity

Authors

  • Rodrigo Chamorro 

    1   University of Chile, Santiago, Chile (Ringgold ID: RIN14655)
    2   Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany

  • Beatrice Bertozzi

    2   Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany

  • Jenny Backhaus

    2   Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany

  • Karl A. Iwen

    2   Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany

  • Leonie Rademacher

    2   Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany

  • Svenja Meyhoefer 

    3   Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Luebeck, Lubeck, Germany
    4   German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN551467)
    5   Internal Medicine I, Endocrinology & Diabetes, University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany

  • Hendrik Lehnert

    6   University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
    7   University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN2708)

  • Sebastian M Meyhöfer

    8   Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Luebeck, Lübeck, Germany
    4   German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN551467)
    9   Novo Nordisk Pharma GmbH, Mainz, Germany

  • Britta Wilms 

    2   Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
    4   German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany (Ringgold ID: RIN551467)

Supported by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft GRK1957
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Aims: In lean humans, cold-activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) is associated with improved insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. Metabolic consequences of acute cold exposure in obesity are less well characterized. We studied the effects of acute cold-activated BAT on markers of metabolic health in men with obesity but no other chronic diseases and aimed to characterize potential underlying mechanisms linked to cold exposure. Material and Methods: Fourteen young (mean age [±SEM]: 26.4±0.8 years) males with obesity (BMI 31.9±0.5 kg/m2; range: 30.4-35.6 kg/m2) participated in a randomized cross-balanced within-subject study with two experimental conditions, i.e., i) cold exposure (CE), using a water-perfused suit at 16.0°C, shivering excluded for in total 5 hours; and ii) thermoneutrality (TN), using the same water-perfused suit at 25°C. Lipid metabolism and relevant hormones were measured. Glucose tolerance, β-cell secretion, and insulin sensitivity were assessed by Botnia clamp. Expression profiles of selected genes regulating lipolytic and β-oxidation pathways were determined from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results: Upon CE, plasma noradrenaline levels increased relative to TN. CE decreased fasting glucose and improved glucose tolerance in parallel with increased β-cell response. Moreover, CE led to increased plasma triglycerides as well as expression levels of selected genes involved in lipid metabolism. Conclusions: The observed metabolic changes and increased gene expression regulating lipid transport and disposal point towards a cold-induced insulin feedback signal required to sustain BAT thermogenesis demands. Our study reveals acute metabolic effects of thermogenically activated BAT and potential mediating mechanisms in young men with obesity.



Publication History

Received: 28 March 2025

Accepted after revision: 22 October 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
22 October 2025

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