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HomeHealthBodyHow Heat Waves Can Damage Vital Organs: Understanding the Impact

How Heat Waves Can Damage Vital Organs: Understanding the Impact

Researchers⁢ from‍ the ‌University of California, Irvine have discovered the molecular reasons behind the harmful effects of ‍heat stress‌ on the gut, liver, and brain ⁤in elderly individuals. This discovery suggests ​the possibility of‍ developing accurate predictions and treatments for these issues. These organs have intricate and multidirectional communication pathways that can⁤ be negatively affected by heat​ stress,⁣ leading to significant damage.The communication ⁤system that links our ⁤gastrointestinal tract to the nervous system is crucial for overall health. Understanding the connection between the gut, liver, and brain is important for protecting human health. The study, conducted ‍on⁤ mouse models and ⁣published ⁤in the journal Scientific Reports, ⁤is⁤ one of the first to explore ⁤the effects of heat stress on the molecular level of this important⁢ biological communication. Inflammation in the ⁣brain and spine can ‌lead to cognitive decline ⁢and compromise overall health.The ability to create new neurons and worsen age-related diseases is exacerbated by heat stress, according to Saurabh Chatterjee, a professor of environmental & occupational health at the UC Irvine Program in Public Health. Investigating ⁣the effects of heat stress on the gut-liver-brain communication can help ⁤protect the increasingly⁣ vulnerable‌ aging population.

Chatterjee​ and his team used RNA analysis and bioinformatics to study elderly, heat-stressed mice.⁢ They found⁤ evidence of heat stress-affected genes in the brain and liver. The⁤ heat-stressed mice showed a significant‌ increase in the ⁢production of ORM2, a liver-produced protein.The group of mice that​ were not stressed did not show any changes, ‌which ⁣provides evidence that the heat-stressed mice experienced organ dysfunction.⁣ The researchers think that the increased release of ORM2 might be a way for the⁤ body⁤ to cope with gut inflammation and imbalance. They also believe that ⁣ORM2 could affect the brain by crossing ‌a compromised blood-brain barrier, highlighting the complex communication between multiple organs. Furthermore, the study suggests that ORM2 could be used as a targeted ‍biomarker⁤ intervention to prevent liver disease caused by heat ‍exposure. This finding enhances our understanding ⁢of the molecular mechanisms involved in the negative effects of heat events and will form the basis for further research.ture research.

Chatterjee stated,⁣ “Our discoveries could potentially be utilized in creating ‌predictive and therapeutic indicators​ for precise treatments. In a world that is constantly changing, the looming threat of climate​ change is evident in the increasing temperatures, causing concerns‌ about periodic heat ​waves. The warming planet is unquestionably leading to both⁣ acute and chronic heat stress that negatively‌ impacts the health of our aging population.”

Other ​contributors from UCI Public Health⁢ are members of the ⁢Environmental Health and Disease Laboratory: Subhajit Roy (the primary author), along with doctoral students Punnag Saha ⁤and Dipro Bose.Ayushi Trivedi and Madhura More; and Christina Lin, Jie Wu and Melanie Oakes from the UCI genomics ⁣high-throughput facility conducted the study. Funding was provided by a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health​ Sciences and a ⁢Veterans Affairs ⁢Merit⁤ award.⁤