title: Effects of cold sensitivity in the extremities on circulating adiponectin levels and metabolic syndrome in women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In adipose tissues, adipokine levels, including adiponectin and leptin, are involved in insulin sensitivity and are reciprocally induced by cold temperature stress. Thermogenic response in the extremities (hands and feet) against cold stress can be negatively related to fat mass accumulation, particularly in the abdomen. However, the relationship between the sensation of cold in the extremities and circulating levels of adipokines is not fully understood. Here, we investigated whether adipokine levels are associated with cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF), independent of body mass, and whether the CHHF is related to metabolic syndrome (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Associations of the CHHF with serum levels of adipokines and MS risk were evaluated in 1021 Koreans (372 men and 649 women), using a linear regression model while controlling for thermogenic factors and a logistic regression model, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The adiponectin levels were positively associated with the CHHF, particularly in women, irrespective of thermogenic factors, including body mass index (β = 1.23 μg/mL, 95% confidence interval [1.04-1.45]). Logistic regression analysis for MS risk via the CHHF showed that there was a significant inverse association in women (odds ratio = 0.449, 95% confidence interval [0.273-0.737]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, our founding indicated that the CHHF could induce increased levels of circulating adiponectin and in turn reduce the MS risk in women. Despite complaints of feeling cold, these women could be at lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Mibyeong Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ah Yeon
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Mibyeong Research Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseongdae-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34054, Republic of Korea. scha@kiom.re.kr.
authors.forename: Seongwon
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9012-8718
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cha
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D056587:Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin
keywords: Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet; Emotional cold stress; Extremities; High-molecular-weight adiponectin; Metabolic syndrome