Acute Cold Exposure Improves Glucose Tolerance and Induces Beta-Cell Secretion Response Linked to Lipid Utilization in Young Male with Obesity

Abstract

Aims

In lean humans, cold-activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) is associated with improved insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism. Metabolic consequences of acute cold exposure in obesity are less well characterized. We studied the effects of acute cold-activated BAT on markers of metabolic health in men with obesity but no other chronic diseases and aimed to characterize potential underlying mechanisms linked to cold exposure.

Material and Methods

Fourteen young (mean age [±standard error of the mean]: 26.4±0.8 y) males with obesity (body mass index [BMI] 31.9±0.5 kg/m²; range: 30.4-35.6 kg/m²) participated in a randomized cross-balanced within-subject study with two experimental conditions, i.e., i) cold exposure (CE), using a water-perfused suit at 16.0°C, shivering excluded for in total 5 h; and ii) thermoneutrality (TN), using the same water-perfused suit at 25°C. Lipid metabolism and relevant hormone levels were measured. Glucose tolerance, β-cell secretion, and insulin sensitivity were assessed by the Botnia clamp. Expression profiles of selected genes regulating lipolytic and β-oxidation pathways were determined from peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Results

Upon CE, plasma noradrenaline levels increased relative to TN. CE decreased fasting glucose and improved glucose tolerance in parallel with increased β-cell response. Moreover, CE led to increased plasma triglycerides as well as expression levels of selected genes involved in lipid metabolism.

Conclusions

The observed metabolic changes and increased gene expression regulating lipid transport and disposal point towards a cold-induced insulin feedback signal required to sustain BAT thermogenesis demands. Our study reveals acute metabolic effects of thermogenically activated BAT and potential mediating mechanisms in young men with obesity.

Keywords

cold - brown adipose tissue - glucose tolerance - beta-cell

Publication History

Received: 28 March 2025

Accepted after revision: 22 October 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
22 October 2025

Article published online:
09 December 2025

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