Cold defence responses the role of oxidative stress

Abstract

Low temperatures provoke increased production of heat accompanied by increased respiration, oxygen consumption and the production of partially reduced oxygen species called ROS. ROS induce different forms of cellular oxidative damage, disturb the redox state and can change the activity of several metabolic enzymes. Organisms have developed a functionally connected set of anti-oxidant enzymes and low molecular mass compounds (together termed the ADS) that metabolise primary ROS. If ROS production within cells overwhelms the ADS, oxidative damage arises and oxidative stress can occur. Short-term cold exposure in endotherms leads to oxidative stress. As cold exposure persists organisms develop adaptive changes toward reducing ROS production and increasing the ADS. In contrast, heterotherms and ectotherms as a normal part of their over-wintering strategy slow down metabolism, oxygen consumption and subsequently cause ROS production. Increased baseline activity of key anti-oxidant enzymes as well as 'secondary' enzymatic defence and/or glutathione levels in preparation for a putative oxidative stressful situation arising from tissue re-oxygenation seems to be the preferred evolutionary adaptation of such animals exposed to low environmental temperatures.

Characterization of the transcriptome and temperature-induced differential gene expression in QPX, the thraustochytrid parasite of hard clams

“…The slowing down of metabolism is a common response of ectothermic organisms to cold temperatures [67]. In addition, results suggest that the cold temperature conditions lowered the respiration rate of QPX (Figure 4) supporting a lower metabolic rate for the parasite.…”

“…Slight oxidative stress, characterized as an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), happens in every cell as a result of imbalance between oxygen availability and oxygen consumption from respiration [67]. If a small amount of ROS, specifically superoxide anion, is produced during the normal respiration process as a simple by-product, an increased respiration rate would cause increased production of ROS.…”

Protein expression in the obligate hydrocarbon‐degrading psychrophile Oleispira antarctica RB‐8 during alkane degradation and cold tolerance

“…Low temperatures also increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the generation of heat accompanied by increased respiration and therefore oxygen consumption. ROS induce different forms of cell damage, disturb the redox state and can change the activity of several metabolic enzymes leading to oxidative stress (Blagojevic et al ., ). Evidence to suggest O .…”

Reduktion prooxidativer und Stärkung antioxidativer Prozesse - ein verbindendes Element der Kneipp'schen Therapie

“…Im Jahr 2011 wurden in mehreren Arbeiten in verschiedenen Geweben beim Menschen sowie unter anderem bei Wirbeltieren Befunde erhoben, die den oxidativen Stress nach Ganzkörper-Kaltreizen beweisen und ebenso die antioxidative Adaptation an regelmässig wiederholte nicht schädigende Kaltreize dokumentieren [54,55,56]. Wir sehen in diesen Befunden eine eindrucksvolle Bestätigung unserer Erkenntnisse bei Winterschwimmern.…”