ABSTRACT
Th ermal stress induces profound alterations in cell physiology. Th ese alterations are constituted by an extensive reencoding of gene expression and biochemical adaptive responses, characterized by the impairment of major cellular functions and by an adaptive reprogramming of the cell metabolism. Among cells, adipocytes are of particular interest, since they fulfi l the dual role of energy storage and thermal insulation. Because of its proximity to the skin surface, the temperature of subcutaneous adipose tissue may be strongly infl uenced by environmental temperature. Heat and cold stress strongly aff ect adipocyte metabolism. Recent studies report eff ects of thermal stress (heat and cold) on biology of some adipokines. Heat stress exposure has been found to induce an up-regulation of leptin and down-regulation of adiponectin. In contrast, cold exposure is responsible for a down-regulation of leptin and, to some extent, for the up-regulation of adiponectin. Th is may suggest a diff erent role of those adipokines in the acclimation of adipose tissue to thermal stress. To date, the biological and physiological meanings of adipokine responses to heat or cold exposure are still to be clarifi ed. Further studies are encouraged for better understanding the mechanisms through which thermal stress modifi es adipokine biology, and the physiological and biological meanings of adipokine changes.
