Thermoregulatory effects of female hormones mediated by peripheral cold receptors

Abstract

In a menopausal animal model (ovariectomized rats) and young women, we investigated the effect of estrogen (E₂) on thermoregulation via peripheral cold receptors (TRPA1, TRPM8, and TREK). In the menopausal animal model, when cinnamaldehyde or menthol (TRPA1 or TRPM8 agonist) was applied, E₂ affected thermoregulation via TRPM8, not TRPA1. In young women, when menthol was applied, cold-induced discomfort increased only in the preovulatory phase when the E₂ concentration is higher. In the menopausal animal model, when ostruthin, a TREK agonist, was administered, E₂ enhanced the increase of body temperature induced by ostruthin through suppression of heat dissipation. E₂ increased Trek1 mRNA in the dorsal root ganglia. The TREK agonist increased the amplitude of the slow ventral root potential of sensory nerves in in vitro spinal cord preparations. The increase of TREK expression and amplitude may augment cold reception. E₂ may contribute to female thermoregulation in the cold via TRPM8 and TREK1.