Serotonin and Dopamine Protect from Hypothermia/Rewarming Damage through the CBS/H2S Pathway
2011

Serotonin and Dopamine Protect Cells from Cold Damage

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Talaei Fatemeh, Bouma Hjalmar R., Van der Graaf Adrianus C., Strijkstra Arjen M., Schmidt Martina, Henning Robert H.

Primary Institution: University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

Hypothesis

Can serotonin and dopamine protect cells from hypothermia and rewarming damage through the CBS/H2S pathway?

Conclusion

Serotonin and dopamine can protect cells from hypothermic damage by increasing H2S production through the enzyme cystathionine-β-synthase.

Supporting Evidence

  • Serotonin and dopamine treatment increased H2S production in cultured rat smooth muscle cells.
  • Both compounds significantly reduced reactive oxygen species formation during hypothermia.
  • Exogenous H2S administration protected cells from hypothermic damage.
  • Serotonin and dopamine pretreatment upregulated CBS expression in various rat tissues.

Takeaway

This study shows that two brain chemicals, serotonin and dopamine, help protect cells from getting hurt when they get too cold and then warmed up again.

Methodology

The study involved treating rat smooth muscle cells with serotonin and dopamine, then exposing them to hypothermia and measuring cell viability, H2S production, and caspase activity.

Limitations

The study primarily used rat cell lines, which may not fully represent human responses.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022568

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