Experimental Models for Cold Exposure of Muscle in vitro and in vivo

Work in cold environments may have a significant impact on
occupational health. In these and similar situations, cold exposure
localized to the extremities may reduce the temperature of
underlying tissues. To investigate the molecular effects of cold
exposure in muscle, and since adequate methods were missing, we
established two experimental cold exposure models: 1) In
vitroexposure to cold (18degreeC) or control temperature (37degreeC)
of cultured human skeletal muscle cells (myotubes); and 2)
unilateral cold exposure of hind limb skeletal muscle in
anesthetized rats (intramuscular temperature 18degreeC), with
contralateral control (37degreeC). This methodology enables studies
of muscle responses to local cold exposures at the level of gene
expression, but also other molecular outcomes.