Impact of peripheral skin cooling on neuroendocrine leukocytic and hematological reactions during Hypergravity

Abstract Optimal neuroendocrine responses are essential during hypergravity (+Gz) exposure. Peripheral skin cooling (PSC) may enhance neuroendocrine function, potentially improving +Gz resiliency and influencing leukocyte and hematologic factors. This study investigated whether PSC augments the cumu...

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Main Authors: Michael Nordine, Niklas Kagelmann, Jan Kloka, Hanns-Christian Gunga, Viktor Heinz, Niklas Pilz, Oliver Opatz, Tomas L. Bothe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:npj Microgravity
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00486-9
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author Michael Nordine
Niklas Kagelmann
Jan Kloka
Hanns-Christian Gunga
Viktor Heinz
Niklas Pilz
Oliver Opatz
Tomas L. Bothe
author_facet Michael Nordine
Niklas Kagelmann
Jan Kloka
Hanns-Christian Gunga
Viktor Heinz
Niklas Pilz
Oliver Opatz
Tomas L. Bothe
author_sort Michael Nordine
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Optimal neuroendocrine responses are essential during hypergravity (+Gz) exposure. Peripheral skin cooling (PSC) may enhance neuroendocrine function, potentially improving +Gz resiliency and influencing leukocyte and hematologic factors. This study investigated whether PSC augments the cumulative +Gz stress index (CGSI) and shifts it toward noradrenergic dependency. Eighteen men underwent a graded +Gz profile in a crossover design, with PSC applied using Arctic Sun cooling pads. Neuroendocrine and blood profiles were assessed pre- and post-+Gz. CGSI did not differ between groups, but serum osmolality increased only in PSC (p = 0.03). In PSC, CGSI correlated with norepinephrine (p < 0.01, r = 0.71) and other markers, suggesting enhanced norepinephrine responsiveness despite similar serum levels. This response may be cardio-protective for space missions and ICU patients. Additionally, baseline serum metanephrine emerged as a potential marker for +Gz resilience, with PSC showing potential leukocytic and hematologic involvement in CGSI.
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series npj Microgravity
spelling doaj-art-cdcdb4fdffa841bf8abe7341839e60a82025-08-20T03:45:31ZengNature Portfolionpj Microgravity2373-80652025-07-011111810.1038/s41526-025-00486-9Impact of peripheral skin cooling on neuroendocrine leukocytic and hematological reactions during HypergravityMichael Nordine0Niklas Kagelmann1Jan Kloka2Hanns-Christian Gunga3Viktor Heinz4Niklas Pilz5Oliver Opatz6Tomas L. Bothe7Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital FrankfurtInstitute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Charité –Universitätsmedizin BerlinDepartment of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital FrankfurtInstitute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Charité –Universitätsmedizin BerlinInstitute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Charité –Universitätsmedizin BerlinInstitute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Charité –Universitätsmedizin BerlinInstitute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Charité –Universitätsmedizin BerlinInstitute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Charité –Universitätsmedizin BerlinAbstract Optimal neuroendocrine responses are essential during hypergravity (+Gz) exposure. Peripheral skin cooling (PSC) may enhance neuroendocrine function, potentially improving +Gz resiliency and influencing leukocyte and hematologic factors. This study investigated whether PSC augments the cumulative +Gz stress index (CGSI) and shifts it toward noradrenergic dependency. Eighteen men underwent a graded +Gz profile in a crossover design, with PSC applied using Arctic Sun cooling pads. Neuroendocrine and blood profiles were assessed pre- and post-+Gz. CGSI did not differ between groups, but serum osmolality increased only in PSC (p = 0.03). In PSC, CGSI correlated with norepinephrine (p < 0.01, r = 0.71) and other markers, suggesting enhanced norepinephrine responsiveness despite similar serum levels. This response may be cardio-protective for space missions and ICU patients. Additionally, baseline serum metanephrine emerged as a potential marker for +Gz resilience, with PSC showing potential leukocytic and hematologic involvement in CGSI.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00486-9
spellingShingle Michael Nordine
Niklas Kagelmann
Jan Kloka
Hanns-Christian Gunga
Viktor Heinz
Niklas Pilz
Oliver Opatz
Tomas L. Bothe
Impact of peripheral skin cooling on neuroendocrine leukocytic and hematological reactions during Hypergravity
npj Microgravity
title Impact of peripheral skin cooling on neuroendocrine leukocytic and hematological reactions during Hypergravity
title_full Impact of peripheral skin cooling on neuroendocrine leukocytic and hematological reactions during Hypergravity
title_fullStr Impact of peripheral skin cooling on neuroendocrine leukocytic and hematological reactions during Hypergravity
title_full_unstemmed Impact of peripheral skin cooling on neuroendocrine leukocytic and hematological reactions during Hypergravity
title_short Impact of peripheral skin cooling on neuroendocrine leukocytic and hematological reactions during Hypergravity
title_sort impact of peripheral skin cooling on neuroendocrine leukocytic and hematological reactions during hypergravity
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00486-9
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