R. Kumar et al., Mechanism of increased tolerance to hypothermia after composite Indian herbal preparation II administration, J ALTERN C, 6(6), 2000, pp. 509-517
Objective: Investigation of the mechanism of increased tolerance to stress
induced hypothermia after the administration of composite Indian herbal pre
paration II (CIHP II), a combination of several plant ingredients and miner
als.
Design: The effect of oral CIHP II administration (1 mg/g of body weight),
prior to cold (5 degreesC)hypoxia (428 mm Hg)-restraint (C-H-R) exposure in
rats on cardiac and skeletal muscle oxidation was studied in vitro by esti
mating conversion of glucose-U-C-14 and Palmitate-1-C-14 to (CO2)-C-14. In
vitro adipose tissue lipolysis and incorporation of glucose-U-C-14 into ske
letal muscle glycogen was also studied.
Results: A single dose of CIHP II-enhanced resistance to hypothermia (recta
l temperature [T-rec] 23 degreesC) during C-H-R exposure as evidenced by in
creased glucose turnover rate in heart and skeletal muscle tissue. The bloo
d glucose and skeletal muscle glycogen were conserved. Cardiac free fatty a
cid oxidation was also increased. During recovery from hypothermia (T-rec 3
7 degreesC) blood glucose and muscle glycogen levels were conserved. Five d
oses of CIHP II increased resistance to cold by increased adipose fat mobil
ization and cardiac oxidation. Glucose oxidation was spared. During recover
y from hypothermia, the glucose turnover and oxidation in skeletal muscle w
as increased as was fat mobilization from adipose tissue and its oxidation
by heart muscle.
Conclusions: CIHP II intake prior to C-H-R exposure resulted in increased g
lucose turnover rate and fat utilization. This perhaps helped increase the
resistance to C-H-R-induced hypothermia and speeded recovery.