“Unveiling the impacts of climatic cold events on the cardiovascular health in animal models”

Climate change is increasingly driving extreme weather events, leading to drastic temperature fluctuations worldwide. While overall temperatures rise, many regions are simultaneously experiencing severe cold spells that threaten the health of human populations, especially to vulnerable populations including the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions. Exposure to cold stress triggers significant physiological and biochemical disruptions. As cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) rank among the leading causes of global morbidity and mortality, the exacerbation of these conditions by cold exposure underscores critical public health challenges.

The complex pathophysiological processes in cold-induced CVDs require careful analysis at an organ-system level, making animal models an ideal tool for replicating human physiological and molecular responses in a controlled environment. However, a detailed mechanism linking cold exposure and cardiovascular dysfunction remains incompletely understood, particularly in the context of animal models. Therefore, this comprehensive review aims to address and analyze from traditional rodent models to less conventional ruminants, broilers, canines, and primate animal models to understand cold stress-induced CVDs, with an extensive account of the potential molecular mechanisms and pathways such as oxidative stress, inflammation, vasomotor dysfunction, and apoptosis, along with emerging roles of cold shock proteins (CSPs), etc. We also delve into various potential therapeutic approaches and preventive measures in cold stress conditions. In conclusion, this review is the first to comprehensively address the underexplored cardiovascular complications arising from cold stress and their underlying mechanisms, particularly using animal models. Furthermore, it provides a foundation for advancing the development of more effective and targeted therapies through translational research.