Relative contribution of central and peripheral factors in superficial blood flow regulation following cold exposure

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the extent of contribution of thermal regulators in cold stress. Hypothermia is described as a diminution in core body temperature below 35°C. Thermoregulation is the equilibrium between heat generation (thermogenesis) and heat loss (thermolysis). Thermoregulatory control of skin blood flow (SBF) is critical to preserve body temperature homeostasis during thermal changes. The obtained results from different studies revealed that following cold exposure, some areas of the brain like preoptic/anterior hypothalamus, known as body thermostat, involve in thermoregulation by affecting on SBF. Furthermore, some peripheral factors participate in the thermal control through alteration of skin blood flow. Sympathetic neural control of SBF includes the noradrenergic vasoconstrictor system and a sympathetic active vasodilator system. Overall, further future studies are required to elucidate the imbalance of these regulators in some disorders.